Sulfur uptake and translocation in maize (zea mays) grown in a high pH soil treated with elemental sulfur

A glasshouse experiment was conducted to elucidate the influence of elemental sulfur (S) application rates (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g S kg^?1 soil) on the release and uptake of S at 0, 20, and 40 days after incubation. Results showed that there was a progressive upward trend in maize leaves, stem, and root S content with application of elemental S. However, maize production followed a nonlinear model. Plants grown in untreated soils suffer from S deficiency and addition of elemental S at a rate of 0.5 g S kg^?1 soil alleviated S deficiency. The decrease in maize performance due to the highest S application rate was not related to S toxicity. The greatest leave, stem, and root productions were obtained at S concentrations of 0.41, 0.58, and 0.2%, respectively. Overall, application of elemental S at a rate of 0.5 g S kg^?1 soil is recommended for maize performance improvement.     

Selenium supplementation reduced oxidative stress in diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats

Selenium in the form of sodium selenite (SSE) is an essential micronutrient which known to possess antioxidant and anticancer properties. This study emphasizes the role of selenium on oxidative stress in experimental rats with N-diethylnitrosamine (DEN) initiated and 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) promoted multistage hepatocellular carcinogenesis (HCC). Rats were divided randomly into six groups: negative control, positive control (DEN+2-AAF), preventive group (pre-SEE 4 weeks+DEN), preventive control (respective control for preventive group), therapeutic group (DEN+post-SSE 12 weeks) and therapeutic control (respective control for therapeutic group). SSE (4 mg L(-1)) was given to animals before initiation and during promotion phase of HCC. The levels of total protein (TP), conjugated diens (CD), malondialdehyde (MDA), fluorescent pigment (FP), antioxidant activity (AOA) and DNA damage were measured. Supplementation of SSE before the initiation phase of carcinogenicity significantly increased TP and AOA level (p < 0.05) while it decreased the levels of CD, MDA, DNA damage and FP (p < 0.05). Supplementation of SSE during the promotion phase of carcinogenicity significantly decreased the DNA damage and FP level (p < 0.05) and there were negative correlation between the level of AOA and with the level of FP and CD. Thus, supplementation of SSE reduced the adverse changes which occur in liver cancer. However, the chemoprevention effect of SSE was more pronounced when it was supplemented before initiation phase of cancer when compared to promotion phase.     

Detection of betalactamase producing bacterial genes and their clinical features

The present study was aimed to identify the gene of drug resistance betalactamase producing bacteria and clinical features of the infected patients at Hospital University Kebangsaan Malaysia. Blood samples from the patients were collected, processed and betalactamase producing drug resistance bacteria were identified by antibiotic sensitivity testing. Genes of the drug resistance bacteria were detected and characterized by polymerase chain reaction. A total of 34 isolates of drug resistance Betalactamase producing E. coli and Klebsiella spp. were isolated from 2,502 patients. Most common drug resistance gene TEM was found in 50% of the isolates. 11% was found positive for both TEM and SHV. Next 11% of the isolates expressed only SHV genes. Clinical features of the patients were recorded from where the bacteria isolated. Regarding community affiliations 70.5% of the infected patients were Malay 17.6% were Indian and 11.7% were Chinese. Majority of the patients has an underlying pre-morbid condition as reflected by their diagnosis. Better infection control and hygiene in hospitals, plus controlled and prudent use of antibiotics, is required to minimize the impact of drug resistance betalactamase producing bacteria and the spread of infections.     

Production of phytoplasma-free plants from yellow leaf diseased Catharanthus roseus L. (G.) Don

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Catharanthus roseus L. (G.) Don., an important medicinal plant, is a susceptible host of phytoplasma. An attempt was made to obtain phytoplasma-free...     

Multi-temporal analysis of terrestrial laser scanning data to detect basal stem rot in oil palm trees

Terrestrial laser scanning technology is an advanced active remote sensing ranging method that is well suited for yielding high-resolution scans of the morphology of a tree, which is an indicator of the health of the plant. The Ganoderma boninense fungus causes basal stem rot (BSR), which threatens the oil palm industry in Malaysia. To date, the current practice of inspection in a plantation is conducted every 6 months. Monitoring the progress with a closer gap is required to comprehend if any changes can be seen earlier than 6 months. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to identify the most suitable parameters of the oil palm trees to detect the BSR disease based on temporal laser scanning data and to identify suitable time frames for monitoring the progress of the symptoms of the disease. Terrestrial laser scanning data was used to analyse changes in the crown and frond metrics of oil palm trees with two different scan durations i.e., 2- and 4-months after the first scan. This spatio-temporal data is important in the precision agriculture field for better oil palm management, to understand the disease development for long-term solutions and also to provide a fast response so that appropriate treatment can be given to the palm as early as possible. Statistical analyses, i.e., the Kruskal–Wallis test with α?=?0.05 and the Wilcoxon post-hoc test, were conducted to determine significant differences in the parameters at different points in time. The results show that crown strata number 17 (850 cm from the top) and the crown area were the most suitable parameters to be used. Furthermore, the oil palm trees with BSR can be detected by comparing the 4-month scan or the second 2-month scan. The results have shown that the effect of Ganoderma boninense infection can be differentiated at the later stage. In conclusion, the changes can be measured at 4-months after the first inspection, thus helping to preventing crop losses.

     

Reducing ammonia loss from urea and improving soil-exchangeable ammonium retention through mixing triple superphosphate, humic acid and zeolite

Ammonia losses from soil following fertilization with urea may be large. This laboratory study compared the effect of four different, urea–triple superphosphate (TSP)–humic acid–zeolite, mixtures on NH₃ loss, and soil ammonium and nitrate contents, with loss from surface‐applied urea without additives. The soil was a sandy clay loam Typic Kandiudult (Bungor Series). The mixtures significantly reduced NH₃ loss by between 32 and 61% compared with straight urea (46% N) with larger reductions with higher rates of humic acid (0.75 and 1 g kg^?1 of soil) and zeolite (0.75 and 1 g kg^?1 of soil). All the mixtures of acidic P fertilizer, humic acid and zeolite with urea significantly increased soil NH₄ and NO₃ contents, increased soil‐exchangeable Ca, K and Mg, and benefited the formation of NH₄ over NH₃ compared with urea without additives. The increase in soil‐exchangeable cations, and temporary reduction of soil pH may have retarded urea hydrolysis in the microsite immediately around the fertilizer. It may be possible to improve the efficiency of urea surface‐applied to high value crops by the addition of TSP, humic acid and zeolite.     

Case–control study on risk factors associated with Brucella Melitensis in goat farms in Peninsular Malaysia

Caprine brucellosis is a bacterial zoonotic infection affecting goats especially in developing countries all over the world. In Malaysia, the risk factors associated with this infection in farms have not been studied. A case–control study was carried out in goat farms in four states of Malaysia to elucidate the risk factors associated with the infection on the farms using structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Results indicate that the introduction of new animals (OR?=?5.25; 90 % CI?=?1.46, 18.88), younger age category of farms (OR?=?5.53; 90 % CI?=?1.09, 21.66), and farms with single breed of goats (OR?=?8.50; 90 % CI?=?1.27, 41.97) were significant risk factors for brucellosis. In order to control brucellosis or possibly eradicate it in goat farms, these factors need to be dealt with. Enforcing stringent importation protocols or complete ban of goat importation from brucellosis endemic countries will help reduce risk of introducing new infection into the country.