The pattern of cross-resistance to insecticides and juvenile hormone analogues in a diflubenzuron-resistant strain of the cotton leaf worm Spodoptera littoralis boisd

The rate of development of resistance to diflubenzuron in a laboratory susceptible strain of the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis Boisd., the pattern of cross-resistance exhibited by the resistant strain to several insecticides and juvenile hormone analogues, as well as the synergistic action of piperonyl butoxide (PB) and S, S, S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate (TBP) with insecticides or diflubenzuron on both strains, were investigated. Resistance to diflubenzuron increased slightly in the first eight selected generations and was enhanced by further selection until in generation 30, the selected strain attained the high level of resistance of 290.7-fold, compared with the parent strain. The resistant strain when challenged with either insecticides or juvenile hormone analogues at selected generations (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30) exhibited different levels of resistance to several insecticides representing organochlorine and organo-phosphorus compounds, carbamates and pyrethroids, but a clear case of negative correlation was indicated between resistance to diflubenzuron and juvenile hormone analogues. With regard to the synergistic action of PB and TBP on the toxicity of either diflubenzuron or insecticides against the fourth-instar larvae of the susceptible strain, methomyl showed slight levels of synergism when it was combined with them. With the exception of cypermethrin, which was not affected by the two synergists, lower levels of synergism were observed with the compounds endrin, diflubenzuron and fenvalerate when they were combined with the same synergists. These two synergists however, antagonised the toxic action of the organophosphorus compounds phosfolan and chlorpyrifos. Against the resistant strain, endrin was moderately synergised by TBP but only slightly by PB. Slight levels of synergism were observed when methomyl, phosfolan and diflubenzuron were combined with either synergist, but both antagonised chlorpyrifos and fenvalerate. Resistance to diflubenzuron and to the other tested chemicals in the resistant strain was scarcely affected by the two synergists.     

Proximodistal alignment of the canine patella: radiographic evaluation and association with medial and lateral patellar luxation

Objectives— To evaluate the contribution of proximodistal alignment of the patella to patellar luxation, and to evaluate the structures contributing to proximodistal alignment of the patella relative to the femoral trochlea.
Study Design— Retrospective study using a convenience sample.
Animals— Medium to giant breed dogs (n=106).
Methods— Medical records and stifle radiographs of 106 dogs were reviewed. Radiographic measurements evaluated the proximodistal alignment of the patella with respect to the femoral trochlea, distal aspect of the femur, and proximal aspect of the tibia. Measurements were compared between dogs with clinically normal stifles (controls; n=51 dogs, 66 stifles), and dogs with a clinical diagnosis of medial patellar luxation (MPL, n=46 dogs, 65 stifles) or lateral patellar luxation (LPL, n=9 dogs, 11 stifles) using ANOVA.
Results— In dogs with MPL, the ratio of patellar ligament length (PLL) to patellar length (PL) was increased, as was the ratio of the distance from the proximal aspect of the patella to the femoral condyle (A) to PL ( P <.0001). Dogs with LPL had a decreased A:PL ( P =.003) and an increased ratio of the proximal tibial length (PTL) to distal tibial width (DTW; P =.009).
Conclusions— MPL is associated with a relatively long patellar ligament and patella alta in medium to giant breed dogs. LPL is associated with a relatively long proximal tibia and patella baja. Values for PLL:PL>2.06 and A:PL>2.03 are suggestive of the presence of patella alta, whereas a value for A:PL<1.92 is suggestive of patella baja.
Clinical Relevance— Measurements of both PLL:PL and A:PL are recommended in dogs with patellar luxation, and surgical correction should be considered in those with abnormal values.     

Ovarian Fibrothecoma in an Arabian Mare: A Rare Case

The occurrence of ovarian tumors is uncommon in domestic animals. Reports are documented more often in the bitch, mare, and cow. In the mare, granulosa-thecal cell tumor is the most common ovarian neoplasms, and other tumors occur less often. Fibrothecoma is a rare gonadal-stromal tumor of the ovary. There is only one reported case in the veterinary literature. This tumor consists of theca cells and fibrous tissues. The present study describes a rare case of fibrothecoma in a 10-year-old Arabian mare that was presented due to infertility problems. The abnormal left ovary was detected via rectal palpation and ultrasonography. Postoperation study showed a solid tumoral mass that completely replaced the normal ovarian tissues. The tumor was large, firm in consistency, with smooth surface. On the cut surface, the mass was white-gray to yellow with cystic areas containing green gelatinous materials. Microscopic examination revealed the structure was composed of fibroblastic cell producing collagen fibers and theca cells containing lipids. Based on histopathologic features, diagnosis of fibrothecoma was confirmed postoperatively.     

Spongionella Secondary Metabolites Protect Mitochondrial Function in Cortical Neurons against Oxidative Stress

The marine habitat provides a large number of structurally-diverse bioactive compounds for drug development. Marine sponges have been studied over many years and are found to be a rich source of these bioactive chemicals. This study is focused on the evaluation of the activity of six diterpene derivatives isolated from Spongionella sp. on mitochondrial function using an oxidative in vitro stress model. The test compounds include the Gracilins (A, H, K, J and L) and tetrahydroaplysulphurin-1. Compounds were co-incubated with hydrogen peroxide for 12 hours to determine their protective capacities and their effect on markers of apoptosis and Nrf2/ARE pathways was evaluated. Results conclude that Gracilins preserve neurons against oxidative damage, and that in particular, tetrahydroaplysulphurin-1 shows a complete neuroprotective activity. Oxidative stress is linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and consequently to neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases, Friedreich ataxia or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This neuroprotection against oxidation conditions suggest that these metabolites could be interesting lead candidates in drug development for neurodegenerative diseases.     

Application of Biochar and Compost for Enhancement of Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Grain Yield in Calcareous Sandy Soil

The application of compost to calcareous soils by farmers is a well-established practice and has been shown to improve yields. However, incorporation of biochar and mixture of biochar and compost into calcareous soils is a relatively novel concept for improving soil quality and yield since calcareous soils comprise a large scale of soils worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the co-application of biochar and compost on the soil properties, nutrient status and grain yield of rice in calcareous sandy soil. The experiment was conducted in a factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The compost application rates were 1% and 3% (w/w; compost/soil) and the applied rates of biochars (rice straw biochar, RSB; sugarcane bagasse biochar, SBB) were 0.3% and 0.9% (w/w; biochar/soil). The results showed that soil pH decreased with increasing application rates of either compost or biochars. However, soil EC was enhanced through increasing the application rates of compost and biochars. The co-application of biochar and compost improved soil total N and available P concentrations. The soil available K increased with increasing the rate of incorporated biochars and compost. An increase of soil available K was more predominate with the application of RSB than SBB. The RSB, also, added a considerable amount of silicon (Si) to the soil. The co-incorporation of biochars and compost enhanced soil available concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn as well. The RSB was more effective than the SBB in grain yield enhancement almost certainly due to a higher Si content in RSB. Furthermore, the concurrent application of biochars and compost increased grain yield more than applying them individually. A higher application rate of biochar and compost induced a higher grain yield. The co-application of highest rates of RSB (0.9%) and compost (3%) induced the highest grain yield (26.1 g/pot) among the treatments. The increase in yield compare to the control were 321% and 260% for 0.9% RSB + 3% compost and 0.9% SBB + 3% compost, respectively. The increase in the grain yield was due to an improvement in the soil chemical properties and nutrients enhancement. Finally, the co-application of the highest rate of RSB (0.9%) and compost (3%) is recommended to obtain the appropriate rate of rice grain yield in calcareous sandy soil.     

Evaluation of biogeochemical reactivity of fresh and weathered contaminated dredged sediments

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Metal mobility in contaminated marine sediments is largely controlled by low-soluble sulfides. In dredged sediments exposed to air and water, geochemical and...     

Distribution of Trace Metals in Channel Sediment: a Case Study in South Atlantic Coast of Spain

Recently, Sancti Petri channel on the southwestern (SW) part of Iberian Peninsula has been experiencing urban, industrial, and vehicular expansion. Until recently, there have been only few published reports documenting the pattern of metal accumulation in this estuarine sediment. In the present study, trace metals such as Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn, Pb, Co, Cd, As, and Hg concentrations were analyzed from 69 sediment samples collected from 23 sampling sites of the Santi Petri channel. The magnitude of trace metal accumulation found as the following trend: Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Co > As > Cd > Hg. Spatial distribution pattern demonstrated overall decreasing trend of trace metal from Cadiz Bay mouth to the open ocean mouth, clearly correlative to the presence of anthropogenic inputs. Results of the principle component analysis (PCA) revealed that sediment metal chemistry of Sancti Petri channel is mainly regulated by the concentrations of Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ni; possible sources of those were from vehicular-related emissions. Pollution load index (PLI) and geo-accumulation index (I _geo ) indicated overall low values. The study will stimulate improvement of our understanding regarding the pattern of accumulation of metals in the coastal sediments, and the recorded values of metals in the present study can be used as suitable reference for future studies.     

Removal of Ammonia from Aqueous Solutions,Ground Water,and Wastewater Using Mechanically Activated Clinoptilolite and Synthetic Zeolite-A: Kinetic and Equilibrium Studies

Natural zeolite clinoptilolite and synthetic zeolite Na-A were characterized using XRD and SEM to be used as adsorbents for ammonia from aqueous solutions, ground water, and sewage water. Clinoptilolite was mechanically activated for 2, 4, 6, and 8 h to study the effect of activation in enhancing the adsorption capacity. The adsorption by activated natural zeolite and synthetic zeolite is high pH dependent and achieve the best values at pH?=?7. The adsorption capacity of activated natural zeolite increases with increasing the activation from 2 to 8 h achieving removal percentage close to that obtained using synthetic zeolite. The equilibrium was obtained after 60 min for synthetic zeolite and all the activated natural zeolite (except 2-h-activated product, the equilibrium was achieved after 30 min). The kinetic studies reflected the high fitness of the adsorption results of activated natural zeolite products and synthetic zeolite with pseudo-second-order model rather than the other kinetic models. The obtained isotherms reflected the formation of S-type isotherm curve for the adsorption using mechanically activated clinoptilolite and L-type curve for the uptake using synthetic zeolite. The results represented well with Langmuir model followed by Temkin and Freundlich model for adsorption using synthetic zeolite. The uptake using mechanically activated clinoptilolite can be represented by Temkin model rather than both Langmuir and Freundlich models. Thermodynamic parameters indicate spontaneous endothermic adsorption of ammonia using all the zeolitic products under investigation. Finally, the mechanically activated natural zeolite and synthetic zeolite exhibit high efficiency in the removal of ammonia and other water pollutants from ground water and sewage water.