Evaluating the physiological effect of strobilurin-based fungicide (Opera 183 g/L SE) against Sclerotium rolfsii and Aspergillus niger pathogens of Arachis hypogaea L.

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of fungicide Opera 183?g/L SE on groundnut crop (either as seed or foliar treatment) to control damages and losses incurred especially by the soil borne pathogens Sclerotium rolfsii and Aspergillus niger. The results revealed that 0.15% Opera-treated seeds showed early germination, high percentage of germination, less mortality rate in S. rolfsii and A. niger-infested soil. Enhanced activities of defence-related enzymes, protein, carbohydrate and chlorophyll content up to 2–4 d were observed in Opera-treated plants as compared with untreated plants. Moreover, the application of Opera had a positive effect on yield up to 22%, green fodder at the time of harvest and no disease incidence. From the present study, it is recommended that application of Opera at 750?ml/hectare in the form of foliar treatment to groundnut plants could help in inducing resistance towards opportunistic pathogens and also could enhance the yield.     

Slow Regulated Release of H2S Inhibits Oxidative Stress Induced Cell Death by Influencing Certain Key Signaling Molecules

Hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) is one of three gaseous signaling molecules after nitric oxide and carbon monoxide. Various H₂S donor compounds have been synthesized to study its physiological function. Among these compounds sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS), a donor of releasing H₂S rapidly have shown to be protective in certain neuronal cell line but several in vivo studies have generated conflicting data. Furthermore several slow releasing H₂S donors have been shown to have positive effects on cells in culture. The intracellular concentration of H₂S and hence its rate of production may be a factor in keeping the balance between its neuroprotective and toxic effects. The present study was undertaken to deduce how a rapid releasing H₂S donor (NaHS) as opposed to a slow releasing donor (ADTOH), affect oxidative stress related intracellular components and survival of RGC-5 cells. It was concluded that when RGC-5 cells are exposed to the toxic effects of glutamate in combination with buthionine sulfoxime (Glu/BSO), ADTOH was more efficacious in inhibiting apoptosis, scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), stimulation of glutathione (GSH) and gluthathione-S-transferase (GST). Western blot and qPCR analysis showed ADTOH increased the levels of Nrf2, HO-1, PKCα, p-Akt, Bcl-2 and XIAP but caused a decrease of Nfκβ and xCT greater than NaHS. This study is first to compare the efficacy of two H₂S donor drugs as potential neuroprotectants and demonstrate that slow regulated release of H₂S to cell culture can be more beneficial in inhibiting oxidative stress induced cell death.     

Genetic variability characterization of the moroccan houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata undulata) inferred from pedigree analysis

A Moroccan Houbara Bustard pedigree was analyzed to evaluate the genetic variability in captive breeding population using genealogical approaches. The whole Houbara breeding flock (WP) for the period 1993–2004 was made up of 531 birds comprising 346 females and 185 males. The reference population (RP) comprised 198 individuals ready for reproduction from 2000 to 2004 cohorts. The corresponding percentage of known ancestors was estimated as 98.23% for the parent generation, 41.19% for the grandparent generation and 7.00% for the great grandparents generation. The average generation interval for Houbara was computed as 4.64 years. Genetic variability loss per generation was ascertained using the effective population size (), the founder genome equivalent (fge), the effective number of ancestors and founders (fa) and (fe), respectively, for the RP and across each cohort. The results showed no bottleneck events in the breed but some loss of genetic variability just after the initiation of the conservation program. However, the annual effective population size based on the realized increase in inbreeding () was estimated to be 207 for the RP and 1,000 for the WP. With regard to conservation breeding schemes, the genealogical evidence presented here is very useful as it revealed the positive effect of migration on Houbara breeding. The mating strategies will assist in the future control and management of the genetic variability of this population. Zoo Biol. 32:366‐373, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Morningness-eveningness preferences,learning approach and academic achievement of undergraduate medical students

ABSTRACT

Several studies have focused on determining the effect of chronotype and learning approach on academic achievement separately indicating that morning types have an academic advantage over the evening types and so have the deep learners over the surface learners. But, surprisingly none have assessed the possible relationship between chronotype and learning approach. So, the current study aimed to evaluate this association and their individual influence on academic performance as indicated by the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) as well as the effect of their interaction on academic performance. The study included 345 undergraduate medical students who responded to reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire and Biggs Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire. Morning types indulged in deep learning while evening types in surface learning. Morning and evening types did not differ on academic performance but deep learners had better academic outcomes than their counterparts. The interaction between chronotype and learning approach was significant on determining academic achievement. Our findings gave the impression that chronotype could have an impact on academic performance not directly but indirectly through learning approaches.     

Bioelectricity generation using two chamber microbial fuel cell treating wastewater from food processing

Electricity generation from microbial fuel cells which treat food processing wastewater was investigated in this study. Anaerobic anode and aerobic cathode chambers were separated by a proton exchange membrane in a two-compartment MFC reactor. Buffer solutions and food industry wastewater were used as electrolytes in the anode and cathode chambers, respectively. The produced voltage and current intensity were measured using a digital multimeter. Effluents from the anode compartment were tested for COD, BOD₅, NH₃, P, TSS, VSS, SO₄ and alkalinity. The maximum current density and power production were measured 527 mA/m² and 230 mW/m² in the anode area, respectively, at operation organic loading (OLR) of 0.364 g COD/l.d. At OLR of 0.182 g COD/l.d, maximum voltage and columbic efficiency production were recorded 0.475 V and 21%, respectively. Maximum removal efficiency of COD, BOD₅, NH₃, P, TSS, VSS, SO₄ and alkalinity were 86, 79, 73, 18, 68, 62, 30 and 58%, respectively. The results indicated that catalysts and mediator-less microbial fuel cells (CAML-MFC) can be considered as a better choice for simple and complete energy conversion from the wastewater of such industries and also this could be considered as a new method to offset wastewater treatment plant operating costs.     

Effects of Zinc Supplement on Plasma Homocysteine Level in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients: a Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Increased homocysteine (hCys) level is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular complications in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of zinc (Zn) supplement on serum hCys level in ESRD patients. One hundred ESRD patients with Zn deficiency were enrolled in this double-blind randomized clinical trial. They were randomly subdivided into two groups and supplemented with Zn (Zn group) or placebo (control group) for 6 weeks. Fasting plasma hCys and Zn levels were measured before and at 43rd days after the start of the study. Serum Zn levels increased significantly (p?<?0.0001), in Zn-treated group in comparison to placebo-treated group. In the Zn-treated group, serum hCys levels reduced significantly (p?<?0.0001), compared to placebo group (p?>?0.05). There was a significant (p?<?0.0001) reduction of mean percentage of hCys in Zn-treated group compared to the placebo group. Our study showed that Zn supplementation decreases serum hCys levels in ESRD patients with Zn deficiency.     

Production of cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase by immobilized <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis> sp. on chitosan matrix

The whole-cell immobilization on chitosan matrix was evaluated. Bacillus sp., as producer of CGTase, was grown in solid-state and batch cultivation using three types of starches (cassava, potato and cornstarch). Biomass growth and substrate consumption were assessed by flow cytometry and modified phenol–sulfuric acid assays, respectively. Qualitative analysis of CGTase production was determined by colorless area formation on solid culture containing phenolphthalein. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis demonstrated that bacterial cells were immobilized on chitosan matrix efficiently. Free cells reached very high numbers during batch culture while immobilized cells maintained initial inoculum concentration. The maximum enzyme activity achieved by free cells was 58.15 U ml^?1 (36 h), 47.50 U ml^?1 (36 h) and 68.36 U ml^?1 (36 h) on cassava, potato and cornstarch, respectively. CGTase activities for immobilized cells were 82.15 U ml^?1 (18 h) on cassava, 79.17 U ml^?1 (12 h) on potato and 55.37 U ml^?1 (in 6 h and max 77.75 U ml^?1 in 36 h) on cornstarch. Application of immobilization technique increased CGTase activity significantly. The immobilized cells produced CGTase with higher activity in a shorter fermentation time comparing to free cells.