Effect of Foliar Applications of Humic Acid on Growth,Visual Quality,Nutrients Content and Root Parameters of Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium Perenne L.)

In recent years, applying humic acid (HA) has been common in turfgrass management. A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of HA on qualitative and quantitative characteristics of “Speedygreen” perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Different concentrations of HA (0, 100, 400, and 1000 mg L^?1) were applied monthly as foliar application. Results showed that leaf phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and zinc (Zn) content, fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll content, and root fresh weights were not affected by HA. Meanwhile, HA improved the root and shoot development, except for root fresh weight. While just 100 mg L^?1 improved height, visual quality, nitrogen (N) content, roots length, and surface of roots, all of HA concentrations were effective on iron content. These results suggest that HA foliar application might be of benefit to enhance some nutrients uptake and root development of ryegrass possibly leading to improved drought resistance.     

Extraction of seed oil from Diospyros lotus optimized using response surface methodology

Oil from seeds of Diospyros lotus was extracted using a conventional method with two different solvents:hexane and petroleum ether. A central composite design with response surface methodology were used to optimize the process. A second-order polynomial equation was employed, and ANOVA was applied to evaluate the impact of various operating parameters including extraction temperature(x_1; 44.9–70.1 °C), extraction time(x_2;5.0–10.0 h) and solvent to solid ratio(x_3;11.6–28.4 mL g^-1), on oil yield. Experiments to validate the model showed decent conformity between predicted and actual values. Extraction conditions for optimal oil yield were 61 °C, 8.75 h extraction duration and 19.25 mL g^-1 solvent to solid ratio. Under these conditions, the oil yield was predicted to be 5.1340%. Oil samples obtained were then analyzed using gas chromatography. The fatty acid composition revealed the major fatty acids to be oleic acid(C18:1) and linoleic acid(C18:2). The analysis of oil also demonstrated a decent ratio between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The structure of seeds was imaged using scanning electron microscopy. Oil quality was analyzed thermogravimetrically and by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The assigned nutritional features of the D. lotus oil suggested that it can be used as an edible oil in pharmaceutical and food industry in the future.     

A survey on hydatidosis in livestock in Northern Iran based on data collected from slaughterhouses from 2004 to 2008

Data have been collected from slaughterhouses in three provinces across the Northern Iran (Gilan, Mazandaran and Golestan) from March 2004 to March 2008. These data were collected to evaluate the prevalence of hydatidosis in slaughtered cattle, sheep and goats. During the study, 3,347,797 animals were slaughtered. These included 621,686 cattle, 1,719,725 sheep and 1,006,386 goats. The prevalence of infection in cattle, sheep and goats was 12%, 14.6% and 10.1%, respectively. The association of condemnation rates with seasons was not proven statistically.     

Growth performance and plasma metabolites in juvenile Siberian sturgeon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acipenser baerii</Emphasis> (Brandt, 1869) subjected to various feeding strategies at different sizes

The effect of various feeding strategies was evaluated on growth performance and biochemical parameters in two sizes of Siberian sturgeon (465.75?±?11.18 and 250.40?±?12 g) during 45 days. Fish were distributed into six experimental treatments including large fish with satiation feeding (LA), small fish with satiation feeding (SA), large fish with 50% satiation feeding (LR), small fish with 50% satiation feeding (SR), large starved fish (LS), and small starved fish (SS). Differences in final weight between LA and LR treatments were not noticeable, whereas SA and SR treatments showed significant differences. Growth parameters were more affected in small fish. In condition factor and weight gain in starved treatments, a considerable reduction occurred by interaction between feeding strategies and fish size, so the lowest values were obtained in SS treatment. Glucose levels significantly decreased in small fish during the starvation. Interaction between feeding strategy and fish size indicated the highest and lowest albumin level in SA and SS treatment, respectively. Cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, and globulin showed no significant differences. It can be deduced that small fish are more sensitive to starvation than the large fish. Since glucose and albumin showed significant decrease in starved small fish, these parameters can help to monitor nutritional status and feeding practices. It was indicated that in both sizes of Siberian sturgeon, feeding 50% satiation reduced the food cost without negative impact on physiological condition, and it can be considered as an appropriate strategy to face unfavorable circumstances.     

Expression of Two Basic mRNA Biomarkers in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Detected by Real-Time RT-PCR,Individually and Simultaneously

Introduction: Although extensive research has been conducted on lung cancer markers, a singular clinically applicable marker has not been found yet. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and the specificity of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) mRNA and lung-specific X protein (LUNX) mRNA biomarkers in peripheral blood to detect lung cancer individually and simultaneously. Methods: Thirty patients affected by lung cancer and 30 healthy individuals were studied in this research. Three vials of cDNA were made from each sample after taking peripheral blood samples and extracting total RNA. Each sample was examined by the real-time RT-PCR technique. The result from each vial was then compared with the sensitivity of overall marker. Results: The CEA mRNA was positive in 24 out of 30 lung cancer patients. Hence, its sensitivity was determined at 80%, differing significantly from that observed in healthy individuals, where 11 positive cases were seen. The overall sensitivity of this marker was significantly associated with positivity in vials 2 and 3 but not in vial 1. The LUNX mRNA was positive in 21 out of 30 patients, indicating 70% sensitivity. This finding significantly differed from that in healthy individuals. The overall sensitivity of this marker was significantly associated with positivity in vials 1 and 3, but not in vial 2. In 93.3% of the patients, at least one positive marker was observed. Conclusion: The mentioned mRNA could be suggested as sensitive and specific markers in peripheral blood for primary diagnosis of lung cancer.Key Words: Lung neoplasms, RNA, Carcinoembryonic antigen, Sensitivity and specificity     

Morphological and molecular characterization of Fusarium spp. associated with yellowing disease of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) in Malaysia

Yellowing disease is one of the most important diseases of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.). To characterize the pathogen(s) responsible for yellowing disease of black pepper in Malaysia, 53 isolates of Fusarium were collected from the roots of diseased black pepper plants and from rhizosphere soils from major growing areas in Sarawak and Johor. A total of 34 isolates of F. solani and 19 isolates of F. proliferatum were obtained and identified based on morphological characteristics and molecular techniques. DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) and 5.8S ribosomal DNA regions was conducted to identify Fusarium species. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the ITS regions revealed that this molecular technique enabled identification of Fusarium at the species level as F. solani and F. proliferatum. In a pathogenicity test on 3-month-old black pepper plants, F. solani was pathogenic, but F. proliferatum was not. On the basis of morphology, DNA sequences and pathogenicity of the fungal isolates from the diseased plants, we showed that yellowing disease on black pepper is caused by F. solani     

Diagnostic techniques for detection of phytoplasma diseases: past and present

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Phytoplasmas are intracellular plant pathogens originated from a single lineage derived from Gram-positive bacteria and belong to the class Mollicutes....     

Distribution and Contamination of Heavy Metal in the Coastal Sediments of Port Klang, Selangor, Malaysia

The coastal sediments of Port Klang in Malaysia were monitored from November 2009 to October 2010 to evaluate the spatial distribution of heavy metals As, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Pb, Mn, Al and Fe. Sediment samples were collected from 21 stations, covering three subsidiary ports, namely West Port, North Port and South Port, at three-month intervals. The geo-accumulation index and the enrichment factor were estimated to assess contamination status based on background values. Additionally, the sediment quality guide was applied to evaluate the adverse biological effects of heavy metals. These results show that the concentrations of some metals, such as As, Cd and Pb were comparatively higher than the background values. This is considered a critical environmental issue for this region. Furthermore, the toxicity estimation indicates that living organisms have a high risk of As exposure. Spatial distribution maps of heavy metals would aid in the identification of pollution sources and vulnerable sites.     

Pathogenic fungi associated with pre‐ and post‐emergence seedling blight of pine and cypress in Fars Province,Iran

Seed and root rot of pine and cypress seedlings cause heavy annual losses to forest nurseries in Fars Province. Root and crown samples of various species of conifers, such as Tehran pine (Pinus eldarica), brutia pine (Pinus brutia), Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica), Shirazian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens var. fastigiata), common cypress (C. sempervirens var. horizontalis) and oriental arborvitae (Thuja orientalis), showing chlorosis, necrosis, stunted growth, defoliation and root and crown rot symptoms were collected from pine and cypress nurseries across Fars province at various time intervals. Infected tissues were washed and cultured on acidified potato dextrose agar (PDA) and corn meal agar (CMA) amended with Delvocide and ampicillin, with and without surface sterilization, respectively, and incubated at 25°C for 3–5 days. Decaying seeds of all plant species were also collected from nursery seed stocks and cultured on PDA. Hyphal tip isolates were used for further studies. Species of Phytophthora, Pythium, Rhizoctonia and Fusarium were isolated from symptomatic seedlings of pine and cypress at different times during the growing season. Pathogenicity of isolates of Phytophthora, Pythium and Rhizoctonia was confirmed on seedlings of all plant species, whereas Fusarium sp. isolated from the seeds of Tehran pine was only pathogenic on seedlings of Tehran pine and Arizona cypress. Virulent isolates identified as Phytophthora nicotiana var. parasitica, Pythium ultimum, Pythium paroecandrum, Rhizoctonia solani and binucleate Rhizoctonia‐like fungus caused root and crown rot of pine and cypress seedlings. Pathogenic isolates of Fusarium identified as Fusarium proliferatum also caused pre‐emergence seed decay of pine and cypress. Isolates of Phytophthora and Pythium were the most virulent of these fungal isolates.     

The Use of Sumac as a Natural Mordant in Green Production of Iranian Carpet

Dyeing is a state-of-the-art realm of textile engineering, however, the emphasis on petroleum-based products is now shifting towards green fibers, particularly, green manufacturing processes. In the present work, a natural mordant, sumac, was extracted and used alone and in combination with alum (a mineral mordant) in silk fibers dyeing with madder and Reseda green dye to make the green production of Iranian carpet possible. The FT-IR ATR spectra of the washed, mordanted, and mordanted dyed silk fibers revealed bonding between silk fibers and green materials. The color of the silk fibers dyed with madder and Reseda extraction was quantified in terms of CIELab (L*, a*, and b*) and K/S values. The effects of different treatments on fastness properties including light, wash, and rubbing fastness were assessed by ISO standard test method.