In vitro antimycoplasmal activity of six Jordanian medicinal plants against three Mycoplasma species

The in vitro effect of six Jordanian traditional medicine plant methanolic extracts were tested against 32 isolates of Mycoplasma species; Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides LC (6), Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum (8) and M. putrefaciens (18), all isolated from either nasal swabs or milk, from sheep and goats in different regions in Jordan. All Mycoplasma species showed susceptibility to Artemisia herba-alba and Artemisia arborescens with MIC ranges from 3.125–12.5 mg/ml. Allium sativum and Punica grantum showed limited activity against some Mycoplasma isolates. Olea europea and Citrullus colocynthis showed no in vitro activity against any of the Mycoplasma species tested. Artemisia herba-alba and Artemisia arborescens may therefore be useful for the treatment of mycoplasma infections. The authors are British Civil Servants and as such their work is subject to British Crown Copyright. This means the exclusive copyright for the article cannot be transferred.     

Molecular assessment of polymorphism among local Jordanian genotypes of the common fig (Ficus carica L.)

This research was conducted to assess polymorphism among local genotypes of common fig available in Jordan (one of countries of origin). Leaf samples were collected in spring for DNA isolation from 20 different local genotypes (5 cultivars and 15 landraces). Two more wild types and one foreign cultivar were included. The genotypes were assessed using the randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. Six of the 19 screened primers showed reproducible polymeric profiles. Out of 62 amplified bands, 48 were polymorphic (77%). They generated 1104 data entries (591 for present and 513 for absent bands). After determining Jaccard similarity index, some genotypes showed high genetic similarity (90% between F20 and F22), while other were less similar (3–18% between F11 and all other genotypes). Moreover, the primers were evaluated for their discriminating power, where primer RAPD06 showed the weakest power (0.431), while highest values of 0.989 and 0.996 were achieved for primers RAPD02 and RAPD13, respectively.     

The Status of Medicinal Plants in Jordan

The taxonomic status of the medicinal plants in Jordan is expressed in terms of its diversity, the documentation of the scientific research that is carried out locally over the last many years; to test for the potential of some medicinal plant species （MPS） in Jordan on different biological aspects is also prepared. This has been reported here by revising and documenting the available literature to the author on this subject. The ecological status of medicinal plants in Jordar is also pointed out. The aim of this research was mainly to evaluate the status of the research on medicinal plants that was carried oul： to test for the different biological potentials of medicinal plants in Jordan and to emphasis the richness of the country of its wild medicinal plants, which are of promising value in whether for use in traditional medicine or in pharmaceutical industry, and certainly need lots of investigations and scientific research. Photographs of some medicinal plants that are common in Jordan and are used in traditional medicine in the urban areas and the Badia region, which is located in the Eastern part of the country and characterized by its dry weather conditions and least amount of rainfall in the country, are also included; the plant photographs are selected from different representative families of the common flowering plants in Jordan.     

Age variations in the prevalence of sarcocystosis in sheep and goats from northern and central Jordan

Awassi sheep and mountain goats slaughtered in northern and central Jordan were examined for Sarcocystis cysts by post-mortem examination, trichinoscopy of muscle samples taken from esophagi and diaphragms and serologically by indirect hemagglutination (IHA) during the period June 1986–May 1988. Macrosarcocysts were found in 11.3% (70/620) of sheep and 11.7% (46/393) of goats aged over 1 year old. Microsarcocysts were found in 50.1% (1185/2693) of the sheep diaphragm samples and 56.4% (711/1261) of the same organs of goats. The prevalences were lower in the esophageal muscles (26.4%, 348 of 1319 and 25.1%, 97 of 386) than the diaphragmal muscles (29.0%, 383 of 1319 and 34.2%, 132 of 386) in the younger age groups (less than 7 months) of sheep and goats, respectively. The prevalences in both the esophagus and the diaphragm increased with age. The seroprevalences of anti-Sarcocystis antibodies in sheep and goats were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the prevalence of Sarcocystis cysts detected by trichinoscopy. The seroprevalence of sarcocystosis increased with age in sheep and goats.     

四元数矩阵的中心化子

推广了数域上的矩阵中心化子理论,得到了实四元数体矩阵上的中心化子理论。     

约旦野生大麦种质资源形态与产量性状分析

对引自约旦不同地区的4个野生大麦自然群体的40份材料农艺性状进行了研究。结果表明,约旦野生大麦材料群体间与群体内在株高、穗颈长、旗叶长、穗长、芒长和穗粒数等性状上均有显著差异,遗传多样性丰富;农艺性状的相关和通径分析表明,所引材料的有效分蘖和百粒质量与单株产量呈极显著正相关,对单株产量直接贡献效应较大;多元逐步回归分析得到单株产量的最佳回归方程:y=-0.058x1-0.111x2+0.429x3-0.529x4+0.439x8+3.732x10(R=0.984,P0.0001);其中百粒质量对单株产量的偏回归系数最大。     

Source identification of nitrate in the upper aquifer system of the Wadi Shueib catchment area in Jordan based on stable isotope composition

Groundwater forms the main freshwater supply in arid and semi-arid areas,and contamination of this precious resource is complicated by the slow rate of recharge in these areas.Nitrate contamination of groundwater is a global water quality problem,as it entails threat to human health as well as aquatic ecosystems.Source identification of contamination is the cornerstone and a prerequisite for any effective management program of water quality.Stable isotope composition of the dissolved nitrate(δ¹⁵N-NO₃-andδ¹⁸O-NO₃-)has been applied to identify NO₃-sources and the main transformation processes in the upper aquifer system(A1/2,A4,and B2/A7 aquifers)in the Wadi Shueib catchment area,Jordan.Moreover,the stable isotope compositions of the groundwater(δ²H-H₂O andδ¹⁸O-H₂O)in conjunction with the groundwater hydrochemistry were integrated to investigate the origin and evolution of the groundwater.Results revealed that groundwater in the study area is fresh and hard-very hard water,and mainly a Ca-Mg-Cl type.NO₃-concentration was in the range of 7.0-74.0 mg/L with an average of 37.0 mg/L.Most of the samples showed concentration higher than the natural background concentration of NO₃-(5.0-10.0 mg/L).Theδ²H-H₂O andδ¹⁸O-H₂O values indicated that the groundwater is meteoric,and of Mediterranean origin,with a strong evaporation effect.Theδ¹⁵N-NO₃-values ranged between 6.0‰and 11.3‰with an average of 8.7‰,and theδ¹⁸O-NO₃-values ranged between 1.6‰and 5.9‰with an average of 3.4‰.These values are in conformity with the stable isotope composition of nitrate derived the nitrification of wastewater/manure,and soil NH4.Nitrification and denitrification are the main transformation processes affecting nitrogen species.Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in theδ²H-H₂O andδ¹⁸OH₂O values,andδ¹⁵N-NO₃-andδ¹⁸O-NO₃-values for the three aquifers(A1/2,A4,and B2/A7),indicating that the groundwater of these aquifers has the same origin,and a common source of pollution.     

Seroprevalence and risk factors for bovine brucellosis in Jordan

We investigated the seroprevalence and risk factors for Brucella seropositivity in cattle in Jordan. The sera from 671 cows were randomly collected from 62 herds. The antibodies against Brucella were detected using a Rose Bengal plate test and indirect ELISA. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on the cattle herds'' health and management. A multiple logistic regression model was constructed to identify the risk factors for Brucella seropositivity. The true prevalence of antibodies against Brucella in individual cows and cattle herds was 6.5% and 23%, respectively. The seroprevalence of brucellosis in cows older than 4 years of age was significantly higher than that in the younger cows. The seroprevalence of brucellosis in cows located in the Mafraq, Zarqa and Ma''an governorates was significantly higher than that of the other studied governorates. The multiple logistic regression model revealed that a larger herd size (odd ratio = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.6) and mixed farming (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.7, 3.7) were risk factors for cattle seropositivity to Brucella antigens. On the other hand, the use of disinfectants (OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.1) and the presence of adequate veterinary services (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2, 3.2) were identified as protective factors.     

数量幂等矩阵的秩等式的进一步研究

当存在非零数λ与μ使P2=λP,Q2=μQ时,称P,Q都是数量幂等矩阵．数量λ,μ对数量幂等矩阵P,Q起到基本的确定作用．从寻找与数量A,肛无关的数量幂等矩阵P,Q的运算的秩等式出发,得到了与λ,μ的“大小”无关的数量幂等矩阵P,Q的和、差、换位子和Jordan积的秩等式,所得结论是已有结果的有益拓展．