Low potassium diets with different levels of calcium in comparison with different anionic diets fed to prepartum dairy cows: Effects on sorting behaviour,total tract digestibility,energy metabolism,oxidative status and hormonal response

This study investigated the effects of low potassium diets with different levels of Ca compared to two diets low in dietary cation–anion difference (DCAD) fed prepartum as a strategy to prevent hypocalcemia on sorting behaviour, total tract digestibility, oxidative status and energy and protein metabolism of transition cows. Forty-eight pregnant dairy cows were assigned to 4 treatment groups: Low Ca, low K (LCLK), High Ca, low K (HCLK), Supplementation with anionic mineral mixture (AMS) supplementation with SoyChlor (CAS). After parturition, all animals were fed a standard postpartum diet. Data were collected until 21 DIM. Prepartum urinary pH was significantly reduced by the low DCAD diets, while postpartum Ca homeostasis was affected by the HCLK ration. Feeding AMS induced sorting against particles <1.18 mm in favour of particles >19 mm prepartum. In contrast, cows fed CAS showed an increase in selective consumption of fine particles and sorted against longer particles similar to the HCLK and LCLK groups. Postpartum sorting activity was not affected by the dietary treatments. After calving, apparent digestibility of NDF was significantly reduced in the HCLK group. Prepartum, we observed effects on serum concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids were higher and insulin sensitivity was lower in the AMS group. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was decreased in cows fed the CAS ration. Postpartum, we found serum protein to be decreased with the low DCAD diets while BUN was decreased in the CAS group. The low DCAD rations increased prepartum serum malondialdehyde concentrations, while postpartum total antioxidant capacity was lower in the HCLK and the AMS group. From these data, we conclude that AMS decreased prepartum intake due to compromised palatability. Intermediate protein metabolism was affected by the low DCAD diets, while parameters of oxidative stress were probably affected by acid–base balance and Ca homeostasis.     

Effects of tree species diversity on leaf litter decomposition process in semi-arid Mediterranean oak forests

European Journal of Forest Research - Many studies have been conducted on the effects of changes in plant diversity and species composition on ecosystem functioning and plant productivity due to...     

Retracted: Study of testis histology and sperm morphology in the Bunnei,Barbus sharpeyi (Gunther, 1874) induced by luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone analogue and carp pituitary extract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of hormone treatment on testis structure in Barbus sharpeyi, as well as the morphology of sperm examined by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Male B. sharpeyi were divided into three groups (three fish per group) and injected with luteinizing hormone – releasing hormone analogue (LHRH–A₂) or carp pituitary extract (CPE). The first and second groups were treated with 10 μg kg^?1 LHRH–A₂ and metoclopramide (MET), and their testis were sampled pre‐ and Poststripping respectively. The third group received 2 mg kg^?1 CPE and were killed pre‐stripping. Based on the histological results obtained, the testicular connective tissue of the lumen was thicker, and seminal vesicles were of a lower volume, in fish injected with CPE in comparison to the other groups. After treatment with LHRH–A₂ and MET, not all spermatozoa within the testis were ejaculated, and only a small amount of sperm was obtained by abdominal stripping. The highest and lowest diameters of connective tissue within lobules were observed in fish receiving CPE and LHRH–A₂ treatments respectively. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in lobule space between the fish injected with the CPE and the fish injected with the LHRH–A₂ and MET. The SEM results revealed that the spermatozoa of B. sharpeyi were composed of a spherical to elliptical head, a cylindrical midpiece, and a lengthy flagellum. In conclusion, it was found that injection with LHRH–A₂ and MET improved the spermatogenic process in comparison to injection with CPE.     

Wide hybridization and introgression breeding in safflower: Effectiveness of different selection methods

Possibility of using interspecific hybridization to increase genetic diversity of drought tolerance in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) and effectiveness of different selection methods is poorly understood. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of (a) interspecific hybridization to expand genetic diversity in safflower for agronomic traits and drought tolerance in advance generations and (b) different selection methods (direct vs. indirect) for improving seed yield. Interspecific hybridizations were performed between species of C. tinctorius × C. palaestinus (TP), C. palaestinus × C. oxyacantha (PO) and C. tinctorius × C. oxyacantha (TO). Based on the field screening of genotypes in F3 generation, four groups of selected genotypes (derived from combination of direct and indirect selection under both drought and normal environments along with selection based on drought tolerance index (STI)) were evaluated in F4 and F5 generations. Indirect selection for seed yield was significantly more efficient than direct selection. Selection in stress environment resulted to more efficiency than selection in normal environment. No significant difference was observed between direct selection and selection based on STI. The result showed that TP was the best population to combine high seed yield and drought tolerance in safflower.     

Using kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) as a phytoremediation plant species for lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) removal in saline soils

Ornamental kale (Brassica oleracea var. Acephala) is usually planted from early autumn until late winter. Since most of the plants used for phytoremediation cannot be grown during this time, kale can be a suitable option for phytoremediation and utilized during autumn and winter in urban landscape, especially in metropolitan areas where high levels of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) pollutions exist. Kale growth in saline soil at different growth stages (germination and vegetative growth stages) was studied in this investigation. A factorial experiment based on completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications was used in this study. Treatments included three levels of sodium chloride (NaCl) (0, 30, and 60 mg/kg), four levels of Cd (0, 4, 8, and 16 mg/kg), and four levels of Pb (0, 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg). Results indicated that increase in Cd and Pb concentrations in the soil decreased fresh and dry weights of the plants. The results of the various growth stages revealed that under salinity stress, kale plants were able to absorb more Pb than Cd and effectively remediate Pb in polluted and saline lands. Cd accumulation in control treatment was 6.2% more than that in the saline treatments, whereas, Pb accumulation in the highest NaCl level, 60 mg/kg salinity treatment was 7.64% more than that of the control condition. Also, proline content of the plants was significantly increased under Cd and Pb stress. From the results of this study, it was concluded that using kale plant is recommended for phytoremediation of saline soils with 10 and 16 mg/kg Pb and Cd contents, respectively.     

Genetic Variation in Cadmium Accumulation and Tolerance among Wheat Cultivars at the Seedling Stage

Exploitation of genetic differences to select wheat cultivars’ pollution-safe from cadmium (Cd) contamination requires better understanding of Cd uptake and translocation patterns. For this purpose, 15 wheat cultivars were grown in nutrient solution and exposed to four levels of Cd, i.e., 0, 15, 30, and 45 µM. The plants were harvested after 2 weeks of Cd exposure. Root and shoot relative dry matter (DM) was decreased in most of the cultivars, but some cultivars did not exhibit any toxic symptoms. The lowest Cd concentration in shoots was recorded for Lasani-2008 and Iqbal-2000 while the highest for Sehar-2006 and Inqlab-91. Both root absorption and translocation accounted for regulating Cd concentration in shoots. There was no relationship between relative DM and Cd concentrations in roots and shoots. The results suggest that wheat cultivars with low shoot Cd concentration but higher tolerance, i.e. Lasani-2008 and Iqbal-2000, could be used in breading programs for low Cd wheat.     

Solubility and Phytoavailability of Phosphorus and Lead in a Contaminated Soil Amended with Two Phosphorus Fertilizers

Application of some chemical amendments such as diammonium phosphate (DP) and triple superphosphate (TP) to contaminated soils is an effective technique to stabilize Pb and decrease its uptake by plants. A calcareous soil was spiked with the rates of 0, 250, 500, and 750 mg of lead (Pb) kg^?1 soil as Pb acetate, treated with 760 mg of P kg^?1 soil as DP and TP, and incubated for 120 days. The results showed that available phosphorus (P) increased immediately after addition of DP or TP to soil, but it declined sharply after only a few days of incubation time. Pot experiment was conducted on sorghum and spinach. The accumulation of Pb was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower in sorghum than in spinach, and also was lower in soil amended with DP than TP. The decreased Pb accumulation in the plants by application of both amendments was mainly attributed to the formation of chloropyromorphite.     

Intra‐annual changes in reproductive indices of male and female Himalayan snow trout,Schizothorax richardsonii (Gray, 1832)

Periodic changes in reproductive hormone levels, gonadal histology and gonadosomatic index (GSI) of snow trout, Schizothorax richardsonii, were examined to ascertain annual cycle of gonadal development and reproductive status in their natural habitat. In females, there were coherent changes in plasma 17β‐oestradiol and vitellogenin along with GSI, oocyte maturation and vitellogenic progression, collectively indicating two distinct maturation peaks during the months of September and February. Coinciding with this, in males, plasma 11‐keto testosterone was also noticeably higher during September and February, with highest GSI values in September. However, plasma 17α, 20β‐dihydroxyprogesterone levels in males were found to be persistently high from September to February. This observation suggests the potential presence of matured oozing males over a longer period, unlike in females. Overall, the close association between reproductive hormone levels, GSI and gonadal maturation stages in males and females (particularly, the presence of postovulatory follicle complexes) with apparent natural synchronization clearly indicates that S. richardsonii breeds twice in a year, possibly during late September to early November and late February to early April in the coldwater riverine habitats of the Indian Himalayan region.     

Maize yield response to deficit irrigation during low-sensitive growth stages and nitrogen rate under semi-arid climatic conditions

Knowledge of crop production in suboptimal environmental conditions not only helps to sustain crop production but also aids in the design of low-input systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of water stress imposed at low-sensitive growth stages (vegetative, reproductive, and both vegetative and reproductive) and level of nitrogen (N) supply (100 and 200 kg ha⁻¹) on the physiological and agronomic characteristics of two hybrids of maize (Zea mays L.). A two-site field experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design with three replications and a split-factorial arrangement. A water deficit (WD) was induced by withholding irrigation at different stages of crop development. The results showed that proline content increased and the relative water content, leaf greenness, 100-kernel weight and grain yield decreased under conditions of WD. The highest IWUE was obtained when maize endured WD at vegetative stage at two sites. The limited irrigation imposed on maize during reproductive stage resulted in more yield reduction than that during vegetative stage, compared with fully irrigated treatment. The 100-kernel weight was the most sensitive yield component to determine the yield variation in maize plant when the WD treatments were imposed in low-sensitive growth stages. The results of the statistical regression analysis showed liner relationships between RGR during a period bracketing the V₈ or R₃ stages and 100-kernel weight in all the WD treatments. The increase of N supply improved yield and IWUE when maize plant endured once irrigation shortage at vegetative stage. But, the performance of high N fertilizer reduced and eliminated when water deficit imposed once at reproductive stage and twice at vegetative and reproductive stages, respectively. Furthermore, the response of T.C647 hybrid to increase of N supply was stronger than S.C647 hybrid.     

Mesenchymal Stem Cells as an Alternative for Schwann Cells in Rat Spinal Cord Injury

Background: Spinal cord has a limited capacity to repair; therefore, medical interventions are necessary for treatment of injuries. Transplantation of Schwann cells has shown a great promising result for spinal cord injury (SCI). However, harvesting Schwann cell has been limited due to donor morbidity and limited expansion capacity. Furthermore, accessible sources such as bone marrow stem cells have drawn attentions to themselves. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of bone marrow-derived Schwann cell on functional recovery in adult rats after injury. Methods: Mesenchymal stem cells were cultured from adult rats’ bone marrow and induced into Schwann cells in vitro. Differentiation was confirmed by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. Next, Schwann cells were seeded into collagen scaffolds and engrafted in 3 mm lateral hemisection defects. For 8 weeks, motor and sensory improvements were assessed by open field locomotor scale, narrow beam, and tail flick tests. Afterwards, lesioned spinal cord was evaluated by conventional histology and immunohistochemistry. Results: In vitro observations showed that differentiated cells had Schwann cell morphology and markers. In this study, we had four groups (n = 10 each): laminectomy, control, scaffold and scaffold + Schwann cells. Locomotor and sensory scores of cell grafted group were significantly better than control and scaffold groups. In histology, axonal regeneration and remyelination were better than control and scaffold groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that bone marrow-derived Schwann cells can be considered as a cell source for Schwann cells in SCI treatment. Key Words: Rats, Spinal cord injuries (SCI), Bone marrow, Schwann cells, Cell transdifferentiation