Chemical quality of leachates and enzymatic activities in Technosols with gossan and sulfide wastes from the São Domingos mine

Journal of Soils and Sediments - São Domingos mine area (Portuguese Iberian Pyrite Belt) contains several mine wastes with different environmental hazard which are disposed irregularly over a...     

Cannabinoid receptors are widely expressed in goldfish: molecular cloning of a CB2-like receptor and evaluation of CB1 and CB2 mRNA expression profiles in different organs

Cannabinoids, the bioactive constituents of Cannabis sativa, and endocannabinoids, among which the most important are anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, control various biological processes by binding to specific G protein-coupled receptors, namely CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. While a vast amount of information on the mammalian endocannabinoid system does exist, few data have been reported on bony fish. In the goldfish, Carassius auratus, the CB1 receptor has been cloned and its distribution has been analyzed in the retina, brain and gonads, while CB2 had not yet been isolated. In the present paper, we cloned the goldfish CB2 receptor and show that it presents a quite high degree of amino acid identity with zebrafish Danio rerio CB2A and CB2B receptors, while the percentage of identity is lower with the puffer fish Fugu rubripes CB2, as also confirmed by the phylogenetic analysis. The sequence identity becomes much lower when comparing the goldfish and the mammalian CB2 sequences; as for other species, goldfish CB2 and CB1 amino acid sequences share moderate levels of identity. Western-blotting analysis shows the CB2 receptor as two major bands of about 53 and 40 kDa and other faint bands with apparent molecular masses around 70, 57 and 55 kDa. Since the distribution of a receptor could give information on its physiological role, we evaluated and compared CB1 and CB2 mRNA expression in different goldfish organs by means of qReal-Time PCR. Our results show that both CB1 and CB2 receptors are widely expressed in the goldfish, displaying some tissue specificities, thus opening the way for further functional studies on bony fish and other nonmammalian vertebrates.     

Quality improvement of the thermal gel of horse mackerel by sodium citrate and its inhibition of the insoluble metalloproteinase

Modori-inducing proteinases (MIPs) in horse mackerel and the effect of sodium citrate on the modori phenomenon were investigated. Cysteine protease caused the modori phenomenon only at 60 ℃, while metalloproteinase caused it at both 60 ℃ and 70 ℃. Moreover, the autolysis of myofibrillar proteins was mainly inhibited by ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA), verifying the existence of insoluble metalloproteinase. From the results comparing thermal gel properties and protease activities, we confirmed that increased activity of insoluble metalloproteinase corresponded to the weakening of the thermal gel. Thus, insoluble metalloproteinase was the major MIP in horse mackerel. Moreover, sodium citrate could markedly inhibit insoluble metalloproteinase activity at 60 ℃. The addition of sodium citrate significantly improved the breaking force of the thermal gel at 60 ℃ and 70 ℃, suggesting that sodium citrate could suppress the modori phenomenon by inhibiting insoluble metalloproteinase. Therefore, it is desirable to use sodium citrate in horse mackerel surimi-based products to prevent the modori phenomenon.

     

A simple and selective method for the measurement of azadirachtin and related azadirachtoid levels in fruits and vegetables using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Neem-based insecticides containing azadirachtin and related azadirachtoids are widely used in agriculture. Here, we report an analytical method for the rapid and accurate quantification of the insecticide azadirachtin A and B and other azadirachtoids such as salannin, nimbin, and their deacetylated analogues on tomatoes and peaches. Azadirachtoids were extracted from fruits and vegetables with acetonitrile. Using high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometer, azadirachtoids were selectively detected monitoring the multiple reaction transitions of sodium adduct precursor ions. For azadirachtin A, calibration was linear over a working range of 1-1000 microg/L with r > 0.996. The limit of detection and limit of quantification for azadirachtin A were 0.4 and 0.8 microg/kg, respectively. The presence of interfering compounds in the peach and tomato extracts was evaluated and found to be minimal. Because of the linear behavior, it was concluded that the multiple reaction transitions of sodium adduct ions can be used for analytical purposes, that is, for the identification and quantification of azadirachtin A and B and related azadirachtoids in fruit and vegetable extracts at trace levels.     

Soil tillage and fertilization of Orthic Luvisol and their influence on chemical properties, soil structure stability and carbon distribution in water-stable macro-aggregates

We studied the influence of different soil tillage and fertilization on chemical parameters, soil structure stability and carbon distribution in water-stable macro-aggregates (WSA_ma) of loamy Orthic Luvisol. In 1994, the Department of Plant Production of the Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra established a long-term field experiment in locality Dolná Malanta. In 1994–2007, the soil samples were collected from the depth 0–0.3 m. The field experiment included two types of soil tillage (conventional tillage—CT and reduced tillage—RT) and three variants of fertilization (1. C_o—without fertilization, 2. PR + NPK—crop residues together with added NPK fertilizers, 3. NPK—with added NPK fertilizers). Different tillage and fertilization had statistically significant influence on changes of the soil pH and soil sorptive complex. The values of pH were more favourable in RT than in CT. In NPK (by 26%) and in PR + NPK (by 21%) decreased values of hydrolytic acidity. On the other hand it increased the sum of basic cations. This led to the increase of cation exchangeable capacity. In comparison to CT, a higher total carbon concentration (C_t) was determined in RT. According to vulnerability coefficient (K_v), the soil structure stability was better in RT (4.64 ± 1.54) than in CT (5.15 ± 1.75). Average value of WSA_ma was higher by 9% in RT and it led to increasing of the sum of mean weight diameters of water-stable aggregates (MWD-WSA) by 11% and increasing of index stability (S_w) by 12%. We determined linear dependences between C_t and critic level of soil organic matter concentration (S_t) in CT and RT as well as in PR + NPK and NPK. The negative correlation between Ca²⁺ and S_t (−0.507^**) and positive correlation between Ca²⁺ and crusting index (0.525^**) were detected in CT. The values of Ca²⁺ were in positive correlation with crusting index (0.363^*) in RT. We observed higher concentrations of C_t and labile carbon content (C_L) in water-stable micro-aggregates (WSA_mi) and WSA_ma in the size fractions from 25 × 10⁻⁴ to 3 × 10⁻³ m in RT. There were also higher concentrations of C_t and C_L in WSA_ma in the size fractions >3 × 10⁻³ m in CT. The application of crop residues together with NPK fertilizers increased the concentration of C_t in all fractions of WSA_ma. On the other hand, C_t concentration decreased by 7% in WSA_mi. In PR + NPK, the highest concentration of C_L was observed in WSA_ma in the size fraction 2 × 10⁻³ to 3 × 10⁻³ m.     

Diffuse cylindrical bronchiectasis due to eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy in a dog

A miniature pinscher-cross was evaluated for chronic coughing. Computed tomography and bronchoscopy revealed severe, diffuse, cylindrical bronchiectasis secondary to eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy. Computed tomography is the gold standard for diagnosis of bronchiectasis in humans, and should be further investigated in dogs as a means of characterizing severity and pattern of disease.     

Vinasse irrigation: effects on soil fertility and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi population

Purpose

The aim of this research was to determine the vinasse irrigation effects on the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) population (total spore abundance (TSA), richness, relative abundance, and diversity indices) and soil parameters and nutrients at high doses. The irrigation of soil with vinasses derived from sugarcane, beet, or alcohol production is a common practice around the world. Little is known about how this affects the AMF community and soil nutrients.

Materials and methods

The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum, (Thunb.) Jacques), a mycorrhizable plant, was used to investigate the effect of 4 months of frequent vinasse irrigation (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% vinasse concentration) on AMF and soil characteristics, e.g., electrical conductivity (EC), pH, mineral N, available P, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺.

Results and discussion

The vinasse irrigation decreased the TSA, AMF richness and diversity after 4 months, regardless of vinasse concentration. The vinasse irrigation did not acidify the soil, but the EC, mineral N and available P increased. The biomass of C. comosum decreased (77–81%) after vinasse irrigation for 4 months.

Conclusions

Frequent irrigation with vinasse at concentrations ≥50% increases EC, K⁺, Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and available P in the soil, and decreases the amount of AMF spores, richness and diversity, which is not desirable in agricultural soils.

     

Antagonistic activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma</Emphasis> spp. against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scytalidium lignicola</Emphasis> CMM 1098 and antioxidant enzymatic activity in cassava

Trichoderma spp. are used as antagonists against different pathogens. Despite many possibilities of using Trichoderma as an antagonist, there are gaps in the knowledge of the interaction between Trichoderma, cassava and Scytalidium lignicola. This fungus causes cassava black root rot and is an inhabitant of the soil, so it is difficult to control. Antagonists may contribute to the possible induction of resistance of plants because, when exposed to such pathosystems, plants respond by producing antioxidative enzymes. The test for potential inhibition of growth of S. lignicola CMM 1098 in vitro was performed in potato-dextrose-agar with two Trichoderma strains T. harzianum URM3086 and T. aureoviride URM 5158. We evaluated the effect of the two selected Trichoderma to reduce the severity of cassava black root rot and shoots. Subsequently, the production of enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) was evaluated in cassava plants. All two Trichoderma strains show an inhibition of the growth of S. lignicola CMM 1098. The most efficient was T. harzianum URM 3086, with 80.78% of mycelial growth inhibition. T. aureoviride URM 5158 was considered the best chitinase producer. All treatments were effective in reducing severity, especially treatments using Trichoderma. Cassava plants treated with T. aureoviride URM 5158 had the highest enzyme activity, especially peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase. Trichoderma harzianum URM3086 and Trichoderma aureoviride URM 5158 were effective in reducing the severity of cassava black root rot caused by S. lignicola CMM 1098.     

Rehabilitation of abandoned areas from a Mediterranean nature reserve by Salicornia crop: Influence of the salinity and shading

In Reserva Natural de Castro Marim e Vila Real de Santo António (SE of Portugal), most of the salt marshes and saltpans are abandoned contributing to their degradation and, consequently, alteration of some ecological conditions. Rehabilitation of these areas by a Salicornia crop can contribute to their economic and environmental improvement by stimulation of biogeochemical processes and biomass commercialization. However, the development of agro-techniques adjusted to species and variable environmental conditions from Mediterranean are needed in order to improve the Salicornia crop. This study aimed to evaluate: i) potential use of seedlings from greenhouse in the field cultivation; and ii) survival, growth and yield of Salicornia under shading and different salinity conditions of the soils and irrigation waters. Autochthonous Salicornia species (S. ramosissima and S. patula) were tested. Germination tests under controlled conditions and in situ mesocosm assays were carried out. Assays were realized with a low density of seedlings from natural conditions and greenhouse, and soils and waters from estuary both with different salinities. Intermediate and high salinities (25–45?dS/m) affected only S. patula germination. In general, Salicornia growing in soils with low salinity had great fresh biomass accumulation independently of seedling source (from natural conditions and greenhouse) and/or growing season. The shading seems to improve the fresh biomass accumulation and yield. Under Mediterranean conditions, the transplantation of Salicornia from greenhouse to the field was a promising technique, independently of the salinity conditions. This study demonstrated that the abandoned and saline areas can be rehabilitated by a sustainable crop of Salicornia.