α-Farnesene and antioxidative enzyme systems in Asian pear (Pyrus serotina Rehd.) fruit

The effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on ripening, superficial scald and concentrations of α-farnesene, conjugated trienols (CTols) and antioxidant enzyme activity of ‘KS₆’ Asian pear (Pyrus serotina Rehd.) were studied. 1-MCP treated (2 μL L^?1) or untreated control fruit were stored at 1 °C and 90–95% RH for up to 120 days. 1-MCP treated fruit were firmer than untreated fruit. Application of 1-MCP delayed skin color change. Scald appeared after shorter storage duration and was reduced, but not entirely controlled, with 1-MCP. Accumulation of α-farnesene and oxidation were slower in skin of 1-MCP treated fruit compared with controls. Catalase and peroxidase activities in untreated fruit either increased while activities decreased in 1-MCP treated fruit. Superoxide dismutase activity remained stable. The treatment of Asian pears with 1-MCP followed by cold storage maintained textural characteristics with less scald incidence.     

EFFECT OF OLIVE OIL ON THE SURVIVAL RATE OF BRADYRHIZOBIUM JAPONICUM IN SOME LIQUID CARRIERS

We have previously investigated the effects of different solid carriers on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum. With respect to the important effects of microbial carriers for the inoculation and maintenance of microbial populations. Because to our knowledge there has been no data regarding the effects of liquid carriers including olive oil on the survival of B. japonicum, this research work was performed. The objectives were to: 1) characterize and select the most suitable liquid carries, and 2) study the effects of oil carrier on improving the bacterial performance, and their survival rate on the inoculated seeds. Accordingly, the effects of olive oil on the survival rates of B. japonicum, strain CB 1809 was studied using five different liquid carriers. According to the data use of olive oil may be a suitable method to improve the properties of liquid carriers for the production of rhizobium inoculums.     

Early differentiation in biomass production and carbon sequestration of white poplar and its two hybrids in Central Iran

We assessed the potential of white poplar(Populus alba L.) and its inter-sectional hybridization with euphrates poplar(P. euphratica Oliv.) for carbon storage and sequestration in central Iran. Trials were established at planting density of 2,500 trees per hectare in block randomized design with three replicates. After 6 years, we measured the above-ground biomass of tree components(trunk, branch, bark, twig and leaf), and assessed soil carbon at three depths. P. alba 9 euphratica plantation stored significantly more carbon(22.3 t ha-1) than P. alba(16.7 t ha-1) and P. euphratica 9 alba(13.1 t ha-1).Most of the carbon was accumulated in the above-ground biomass(61.1 % in P. alba, 72.4 % in P. alba 9 euphratica and 56.0 % in P. euphratica 9 alba). There was no significant difference in soil carbon storage. Also, biomass allocation was different between white poplar P. alba and its inter-sectional hybridization. Therefore, there was a yield difference due to genomic imprinting, which increased the possibility that paternally and maternally inherited wood production alleles would be differentially expressed in the new crossing.     

Protective effects of a synbiotic against experimental Saprolegnia parasitica infection in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

A combination of probiotics and prebiotics as synbiotics allows assessing their synergistic effects. This study evaluated the effects of a synbiotic supplement on growth performance, haematological parameters and resistance to Saprolegnia parasitica in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) fingerlings. Fish fed a dietary synbiotic in three levels of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g kg^?1 thrice a day. The fingerlings were challenged with Saprolegnia parasitica after 60 days post feeding and their mortalities recorded up to 15 days. The fingerlings at all three experimental treatments showed significant (P < 0.05) increases in final mean weights and specific growth rates (SGR). The best feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed conversion efficiency (FCE) and maximum survival rate were also obtained by the fish fed 1.0 g synbiotic kg^?1 diet. Furthermore, supplementation with synbiotic significantly increased blood factors at all treatments. After challenges with Saprolegnia parasitica, the synbiotic‐fed groups showed significantly higher survival rates compared with the control group. These results reveal that a dietary synbiotic of 1.0 g kg^?1 fed for 60 days leads to increased growth performance and survival rate as well as improved feeding efficiency in rainbow trout fingerling, rendering them more resistant against infection by Saprolegnia parasitica.     

Effect of Nutritional Treatments on Physiological Characteristics and Tuberization of Potato Plants under Hydroponic Sand Culture

Under hydroponic condition, number and size of potato tubers are usually controlled by nutritional factors such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and pH. The main objective of the present study was to find an appropriate combination of N, P, and pH (with respect to tuber number) under hydroponic sand culture and to evaluate the physiological traits affected by nutrients and pH. A factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with four replications was conducted. Results showed that higher phosphorus concentration for 10 days increased tuber number per plant, but tuberization was not influenced by nitrogen interruption and intermittent reduction of pH. Neither N, P, nor pH treatments affected total nitrogen concentration of potato leaf, stem, and tuber. Higher phosphorus concentration increased the level of endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), induced tuberization and thereby increased net photosynthesis rate of potato plants.     

Estimating soil organic carbon from soil reflectance: a review

Soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration is a useful soil property with which to guide agricultural applications of chemical inputs. To enable this, simple, accurate, rapid and inexpensive methods are needed to produce maps of surface SOC concentrations. Researchers have investigated estimates of soil surface properties from remotely sensed information as a means of rapidly quantifying and monitoring some surface soil properties, such as SOC. The objective of this paper is to review the potential and limitations of remotely sensed data for mapping and evaluating SOC. Several statistical methods including simple regression models, the ‘soil line’ approach, principal component analysis and geostatistics have been applied to data to investigate the accuracy of such estimates. A review of the literature shows that predictive equations are not universal and require new regression models for every scene. An important benefit of remotely sensed data is to suggest a sampling strategy that can lead to improved representation of spatial heterogeneity in SOC.     

Impact of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase C677T Polymorphism on the Risk of Gastric Cancer and Its Interaction with Helicobacter pylori Infection

Background

Attempts for early detection of gastric cancer have recently focused on host''s genetic susceptibility factors and gene-environment interactions. We have, herein, studied the association of MTHFR C677T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and its interaction with Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, age and gender on the risk of gastric cancer among an Iranian population.

Methods

Gastric cancer patients (n = 450) and cancer-free controls (n = 780) were studied for serum H. pylori-specific IgG antibodies by ELISA and MTHFR C677T polymorphism (SNP) by PCR-RFLP. Demographic and life style data were collected through patient interviews. Unconditional logistic regression model estimated odds ratio (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

The interactions of MTHFR genotype with H. pylori infection (P = 0.03), age (P = 0.049) and gender (P = 0.007) were statistically significant. Accordingly, MTHFR C677T carriers who were also positive for H. pylori infection exhibited 80% (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.0-2.9) significant excess risk of non-cardia gastric cancer. Furthermore, subjects over the age of 50 or female subjects carrying MTHFR C677T SNP showed 40 (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0-2.0) and 100 (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.2-3.2) percent increased risk of gastric cancer, respectively.

Conclusion

MTHFR C677T SNP seems to increase the risk of gastric cancer and the effect is significantly inflated by interactions with H. pylori infection, age and gender. Key Words: Helicobacter pylori, Smoking, Gender identity, Age group, Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase     

The study of some haematological and serum biochemical parameters of juvenile beluga (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Huso huso</Emphasis>) fed oligofructose

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary oligofructose (1, 2 and 3%) on the blood profiles of beluga (Huso huso) juveniles (18.77 ± 0.76 g) compared to fish fed an un-supplemented diet. After 7 weeks of feeding on the experimental diets, haematological parameters, metabolic products (cholesterol, glucose and total protein) and serum enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) were measured. Compared to the control group (0% oligofructose), dietary oligofructose had no effect on red blood cell counts (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean cellular haemoglobin (MCH) or mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (P > 0.05). However, haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, leucocyte (WBC) levels and the proportion of lymphocytes were significantly higher (P > 0.05) in the 2% oligofructose fed fish than in the 3% oligofructose fed fish. Additionally, haematocrit (Hct) values (P = 0.049) and the proportion of lymphocytes (P ≤ 0.01) were significantly higher in the 2% oligofructose group than in the control group. Although serum glucose and total protein remained unaffected, serum cholesterol was significantly lower in the 2% oligofructose group than in the control and 3% oligofructose group (P < 0.05). The results of the present study showed that oligofructose had no significant effects on serum lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. These results indicate that fish blood profiles could be affected by prebiotics, which should be taken into account in future studies.     

Sediment source fingerprinting: benchmarking recent outputs,remaining challenges and emerging themes

Journal of Soils and Sediments - This review of sediment source fingerprinting assesses the current state-of-the-art, remaining challenges and emerging themes. It combines inputs from international...