The effect of cytokinin and thidiazuron on tomato inoculated with endomycorrhiza

Seeds of tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum var. Peto 86) were planted in soil inoculated with two vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal isolates (Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith). After 7 weeks, plants were transplanted to the field and sprayed twice with cytokinin and thidiazuron, at 50% flowering and 3 weeks later. These treatments significantly increased the percentage of infected roots (30–43%) and chlorophyll content (8–13%). Mycorrhizal plants had less carbohydrates in the roots than in the leaves. Total protein and phenylalanine contents showed pronounced increases, while proline content decreased. Treatment of the mycorrhizal plants with thidiazuron or cytokinin significantly increased plant dry weight (51–54%), and the tomato yield significantly increasecd after inoculation with both isolates (18–35% and 14–32%).     

Feeding and growth of the pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera (L.) in Dongonab Bay,Red Sea

Plankton samples and gut contents of P. margaritifera were analysed monthly from April 1972 to March 1973. Coscinodiscus sp. was the most ingested food by pearl oysters of all ages. However, food variety increased as the oyster grew older. Experiments confirmed the absence of food selectivity in P. margaritifera. Unlike the young ones, the adult showed reduced growth during summer (July–September), which coincides with its spawning season.     

Validated spectrofluorimetric and resonance Rayleigh scattering methods for determining naftidrofuryl in varied pharmaceutical samples based on its interaction with erythrosin B

Naftidrofuryl is a vasodilator medication used for treating cerebral and peripheral vascular diseases. In this study, two spectroscopical techniques, spectrofluorimetric and resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS), were utilized to quantify naftidrofuryl in its pharmaceutical samples. The developed methodologies in this study rely on a facile process of forming an association complex between erythrosine B reagent and naftidrofuryl under acidic conditions. The fluorimetric assay is based on the ability of naftidrofuryl to quench and decrease the native fluorescence intensity of the reagent when measured at ${\lambda }_{\mathit{\text{emis}}.}$ = 550 nm ( ${\lambda }_{\mathit{\text{excit}}.}$ = 526 nm). Under similar reaction conditions, the RRS method relies on the observed amplification in the RRS spectrum of the reagent at a wavelength of 577 nm following its interaction with naftidrofuryl. The methods exhibited linearity within the ranges 0.2–1.6 μg/ml (r² = 0.999) and 0.1–1.4 μg/ml (r² = 0.9994), with limit of quantitation values of 0.146 and 0.099 μg/ml, and limit of detection values of 0.048 and 0.032 μg/ml, for the fluorometric and the RRS methods, respectively. Moreover, the quenching between the dye and naftidrofuryl was studied using Stern–Volmer analysis, and the methodologies were experimentally optimized and validated. Additionally, acceptable recoveries were achieved when the procedures were applied to determine naftidrofuryl in pharmaceutical samples.     

Heat Shock Proteins in the “Hot” Mitochondrion: Identity and Putative Roles

The mitochondrion is known as the “powerhouse” of eukaryotic cells since it is the main site of adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP) production. Using a temperature‐sensitive fluorescent probe, it has recently been suggested that the stray free energy, not captured into ATP, is potentially sufficient to sustain mitochondrial temperatures higher than the cellular environment, possibly reaching up to 50 °C. By 50 °C, some DNA and mitochondrial proteins may reach their melting temperatures; how then do these biomolecules maintain their structure and function? Further, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) accelerates with temperature, implying higher oxidative stresses in the mitochondrion than generally appreciated. Herein, it is proposed that mitochondrial heat shock proteins (particularly Hsp70), in addition to their roles in protein transport and folding, protect mitochondrial proteins and DNA from thermal and ROS damage. Other thermoprotectant mechanisms are also discussed.     

Distribution,population dynamics and damage of Hessian fly,Mayetiola destructor (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in North Tunisia

A three years survey and monitoring studies (2013–2014–2015) were carried out through 4 regions of north Tunisia in order to follow the evolution of the distribution, the frequency of occurrence and damage caused by the Hessian fly Mayetiola destructor (Say) to bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf). Moreover, the effectiveness of resistance genes H3, H5, H6, H7, H8, H9, H10, H11, H12, H13, H14, H15, H22, H23, H25 and H26 to protect wheat from Hessian fly attack was assessed in natural field and under controlled laboratory conditions at INRAT-Kef Station. Results showed that Hessian fly was detected in 60.33% and 51.5% of all sampled durum and bread wheat fields, respectively. This pest was more frequent with a higher percentage of infestation in semi-arid regions. Indeed, during 2013, infestation rate attained 12.39% in Kef region against 0.9% registered in Bizerte region. In order to update information about the annual number of generations, we surveyed the population dynamic of Hessian fly in Kef region. Three generations of the fly were counted annually on wheat, with two complete and one incomplete generation. This insect affects host plant growth at different developmental stages. Plant height was the most affected parameter followed by shoot dry weight and tiller number. Field investigations on host resistance revealed that among the 16 tested resistance genes, and only three were strictly effective (H22, H25 and H26). The resistance genes H5, H9, H13 and H9H13 have also conferred high levels of protection against Hessian fly. This work indicated that H22, H25 and H26 genes could be incorporated into Tunisian wheat varieties and released to farmers to manage the threat due to Hessian fly attacks.     

Chemical Composition and Bioactivities of Quercus canariensis Flour Acorns Extracts Growing in Tunisia

The current study was conducted to investigate the chemical composition of Quercus canariensis flour acorns extracts as well as its biological activities in regards to the growing area using spectrophotometric and chromatographic techniques. The phenolic profile was composed of 19 compounds identified through HPLC-DAD analysis. Coumarin was the most abundant compound quantified in BniMtir, Nefza and ElGhorra and gallic (12.58–20.52 %), syringic (4.70–7.64 %) and trans-ferulic (2.28–2.94 %) acids were the abundant phenolic acids while kaempferol was the major flavonoid compounds quantified only in Quercus canariensis growing in BniMtir. On the other hand, Ain Snoussi acorn extract was characterized by its high content in luteolin-7-O-glucoside (58.46 %). The in-vitro antioxidant activities of the studied extracts were investigated and the results showed that Nefza ethanolic extract's has the highest activities. A bactericidal effect against Staphylococcus aureus was observed only by Elghorra population. On the other hand, Ain Snoussi acorn extract was efficient to inhibit growth of pathogenic bacteria, mentioned the highest activity against Escherichia coli. These results is the first study highlighted that zeen oak acorns are an excellent source of natural antioxidants and antibacterial compounds related to their lysozyme activity which could be exploited in the pharmaceutical and food sectors.