A modified fluorometric method to quantify the concentration effect (pI50) of photosystem II-inhibiting herbicides

Chlorophyll fluorescence induction curves of isolated thylakoids were measured in the absence and in the presence of various concentrations of photosystem II-inhibiting herbicides. A mathematical program was applied to simulate the curves. Based on these simulated curves a new method is developed to determine the concentration effect (pI₅₀) of the herbicides. The results of the new method correspond well with reported values in the literature. The method is very convenient and time-saving.     

Evaluation of functional muscle anatomy scalability in the canine hind limb

In contrast to other mammals, the large variation in dog sizes is not accompanied by any significant genetic re-organization. In order to study the relationship between body mass, limb length and the functional anatomical muscle parameters of the canine hind limb, a large dataset comprising of muscle masses, optimal muscle fibre lengths and physiological cross-sectional area's (PCSA) were acquired for twenty-five muscles in ten dogs of sizes varying between 20 kg and 52 kg. The potential of body mass and limb length for reliably scaling individual muscle masses, optimal muscle fibre lengths and PCSA's were examined. For the majority of the muscles of the canine hind limb, neither body mass nor limb length were reliable scaling parameter for either muscle masses, PCSA's and optimal fibre length. These results indicate the need of a breed-specific approach to musculoskeletal modelling in future canine musculoskeletal research.     

Novel Alkaloids from Marine Actinobacteria: Discovery and Characterization

The marine environment is an excellent resource for natural products with therapeutic potential. Its microbial inhabitants, often associated with other marine organisms, are specialized in the synthesis of bioactive secondary metabolites. Similar to their terrestrial counterparts, marine Actinobacteria are a prevalent source of these natural products. Here, we discuss 77 newly discovered alkaloids produced by such marine Actinobacteria between 2017 and mid-2021, as well as the strategies employed in their elucidation. While 12 different classes of alkaloids were unraveled, indoles, diketopiperazines, glutarimides, indolizidines, and pyrroles were most dominant. Discoveries were mainly based on experimental approaches where microbial extracts were analyzed in relation to novel compounds. Although such experimental procedures have proven useful in the past, the methodologies need adaptations to limit the chance of compound rediscovery. On the other hand, genome mining provides a different angle for natural product discovery. While the technology is still relatively young compared to experimental screening, significant improvement has been made in recent years. Together with synthetic biology tools, both genome mining and extract screening provide excellent opportunities for continued drug discovery from marine Actinobacteria.     

Analysis of return flows in a tank cascade system in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, irrigation reservoirs (tanks) are usually connected sequentially and form cascades along the landscape. A study was carried out in the Anuradhapura District in the dry zone of Sri Lanka to understand the role of return flows in such tank cascade systems. The water balance of a tank cascade system was estimated using hydrological data collected over a one-year period. The system was extended about 25 km along a river composed of three small reservoirs having the command area of 31, 55, and 55 ha, respectively. In this system, about 46% of seepage water from tanks entered the paddy fields of the command area. The crop consumed part of the water and the rest returned to the downstream tank through the drainage canals. Percolation loss in the command areas was low (3.6 mm/day) since a considerable portion of the percolation returned to the downstream tank. These results showed that return flows, which are generally disregarded in the water budget, contributed considerably to the water supply of the tank cascade system.     

Compost Amendment to Sandy Soil Affects Soil Properties and Greenhouse Tomato Productivity

Sandy soils, with low productivity, could be improved by compost application to sustain crop production. This study aimed to examine the effect of three compost types (vegetable, fruit and yard waste compost, garden waste compost, and spent mushroom compost) on basic properties of a loamy sand and greenhouse tomato productivity. Disturbed and intact soil samples were taken from a decade-long compost field experiment on loamy sand with three compost types at application rate of 30 m³ ha^?1 yr^?1 (7.5 ton ha^?1 yr^?1). The soils were characterized for chemical and physical properties. Tomato was planted in a greenhouse using soil samples from the field and vegetative and yield parameters (plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, and fruit yield), water productivity, and harvest index were evaluated. All compost types significantly increased soil total carbon, total nitrogen, pH, electrical conductivity and significantly decreased bulk density, with no effect on plant available water compared to the control. Fresh and dry fruit weights were significantly increased after compost addition. Plant height, leaf number, stem diameter, and total biomass did not significantly improve after compost addition. Spent mushroom compost had greater effect in improving tomato productivity. A decade-long application of composts on loamy sand improved basic chemical and physical properties which were reflected in increased fruit yield in tomato. Since no negative effect of compost was observed, we suggest that sandy soils may serve as a safe end use option for these composts and potentially support crop growth.     

Development of an indirect competitive ELISA for flumequine residues in raw milk using chicken egg yolk antibodies

To detect flumequine in raw milk, an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed. By carbodiimide conjugation, flumequine was conjugated to cationized bovine serum albumin (cBSA-flumequine) and to cationized ovalbumin (cOVA-flumequine). For the immunization of chickens, cBSA-flumequine was used, which allowed the isolation of specific chicken egg yolk immunoglobulins (IgY) for flumequine. As the coating antigen in the immunoassay, cOVA-flumequine was used. In the indirect competitive assay, standard flumequine was incubated together with the anti-flumequine antibodies. The antibody by which the lowest concentration of free flumequine that gives 50% inhibition of binding (IC50) was found in aqueous dilution was further tested for the applicability to detect flumequine in raw milk. An IC50 level in milk was reached that was about 5 times lower than in aqueous solution. So flumequine can be detected directly in raw milk at maximum residue level (50 microg/kg). No cross-reactivity was noticed with various related quinolones.     

Visualizing signals moving in cells

Cells display a highly complex spatiotemporal organization, required to exert a wide variety of different functions, for example, detection, processing, and propagation of nerve impulses by neurons; contraction and relaxation by muscle cells; movement by leukocytes; and adsorption and secretion of nutrients and metabolites by epithelial cells lining the gut. Successful execution of these complex processes requires highly dynamic information transfer between different regions and compartments within cells. Through the development of fluorescent sensors for intracellular signaling molecules coupled with improved microscopic imaging techniques, it has now become possible to investigate signal propagation in cells with high spatial and temporal resolution.