Biological efficiency and nutritional value of the culinary-medicinal mushroom Auricularia cultivated on a sawdust basal substrate supplement with different proportions of grass plants

Auricularia polytricha was cultivated on a sawdust basal substrate supplemented with different proportions (30%, 45%, and 60%, respectively) of stalks of three grass plants, i.e., Panicum repens (PRS), Pennisetum purpureum (PPS), and Zea mays (ZMS), to determine the most effective substrate. The mycelial growth rate, total colonization time, days to primordial formation, biological efficiency and chemical composition of fruiting bodies were evaluated. The results indicated that 30PPS was the best substrate for mycelial growth of A. polytricha, with a corresponding total colonization period of 32.0 days. With the exception of 30PPS, the total biological efficiency of all of the substrates containing P. repens stalk, P. purpureum stalk and Z. mays stalk was higher (P < 0.05) than that of the control. The most suitable substrate with a high biological efficiency was 60PRS (148.12%), followed by 30ZMS (145.05%), 45ZMS (144.15%) and 30PRS (136.68%). The nutrient values of fruiting bodies were affected by different substrates. The ash contents of A. polytricha cultivated on a substrate containing Z. mays stalk were higher than that of the control; meanwhile, the protein contents of mushroom cultivated on a substrate containing P. repens stalk (except substrate 45PRS) were higher than that of the control. The biological efficiency of the substrates was tested, and according to the results, it is feasible to use the stalks of P. repens and Z. mays on partially replaced sawdust to cultivate A. polytricha.     

Availability of N and S affect nutrient acquisition efficiencies differently by Trifolium repens and Lolium perenne when grown in monoculture or in mixture

Sulphur (S) deficiency is recognized as a limiting factor for crop production in many regions in the world. In grasslands, S availability has been shown to alter the biomass production of Trifolium repens and Lolium perenne and their specific interactions. To establish the role of N and S availabilities on the competitive interaction for these minerals by T. repens and L. perenne when grown together, two S rates (0 and 30 kg S ha^?1) combined with three N rates (0, 50 and 180 kg N ha^?1) were investigated in a cut/regrowth experiment over a period of 4 months under glasshouse conditions. N was applied as ¹⁵NH₄ ¹⁵NO₃ to determine their actual N fertilizer recovery in the harvested fraction of the shoot. S yields were used to estimate their apparent S fertilizer recovery. At final harvest, N reserves of T. repens stolons were analyzed to estimate their implication in the regrowth process. In monoculture and in both cuts (1 and 2), N benefited both species by increasing their N and S yields. S benefited only T. repens. In mixture, at cut 1, L. perenne behaved as a better competitor than T. repens thanks to N, while at cut 2, T. repens dominated the community thanks to strong positive S effect. N recovery of L. perenne grown in mixture was greatly improved by S supply. For T. repens, S enhanced its ability to fix N₂ and improved the accumulation of soluble proteins in its stolons. It is clear that the N:S ratio of soil may affect the functionality of grassland plant communities and their structure. Results suggest that (i) the limitations in the availability of soil S could restrict leguminous species growth in high N soil conditions, and (ii) the modulation of S level could be used as a tool to modify the composition of grassland communities.     

Alleviating the adverse effects of NaCl stress in maize seedlings by pretreating seeds with salicylic acid and 24-epibrassinolide

The effects of bio-regulators salicylic acid (SA) and 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) as seed soaking treatment on the growth traits, content of photosynthetic pigments, proline, relative water content (RWC), electrolyte leakage percent (EC%), antioxidative enzymes and leaf anatomy of Zea mays L. seedlings grown under 60 or 120 mM NaCl saline stress were studied. A greenhouse experiment was performed in a completely randomized design with nine treatments [control (treated with tap water); 60 mM NaCl; 120 mM NaCl; 10^− 4 M SA; 60 mM NaCl + 10^− 4 M SA; 120 mM NaCl + 10^− 4 M SA; 10 μM EBL; 60 mM NaCl + 10 μMEBL or 120 mM NaCl + 10 μM EBL] each with four replicates. The results indicated that NaCl stress significantly reduced plant growth traits, leaf photosynthetic pigment, soluble sugars, RWC%, and activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX) as well as leaf anatomy. However, the application of SA or EBL mitigated the toxic effects of NaCl stress on maize seedlings and considerably improved growth traits, photosynthetic pigments, proline, RWC%, CAT and POX enzyme activities as well as leaf anatomy. This study highlights the potential ameliorative effects of SA or EBL in mitigating the phytotoxicity of NaCl stress in seeds and growing seedlings.     

Nutritional value and proteases of Lentinus citrinus produced by solid state fermentation of lignocellulosic waste from tropical region

This paper examined the growth and yield performance of Lentinus citrinus on cupuaçu exocarp (Theobroma grandiflorum) mixed with litter (CE + LI) or rice bran (Oryza sativa) (CE + RB) in the ratio of 2:1 (800 g:200 g) to investigate the nutritional composition and proteolytic potential of the fruiting body produced. Significance values of yield were determined on substrate combinations. In CE + LI the biological efficiency of the mushrooms was 93.5% and the content of fat (4.5%), fiber (11.0%), protein (27.0%) and amino acids were higher when compared with CE + RB. Among the amino acids, the amount of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, alanine, arginine and leucine was high. The biological efficiency on CE + RB reduced to 84.2% and based on the nutritional value, carbohydrates (53.59%), energy (324.33 kcal) and minerals such as zinc, iron, copper, potassium and phosphorus were higher in this substrate combination. Protease activity from fruiting body was significant in CE + LI (463.55 U/mL). This protease showed an optimal activity at 50 °C in neutral and alkaline pH with maximum stability at 30 °C at alkaline pH. This is the first report of L. citrinus fruiting body nutritional composition with potential for human food and application in industrial processes.     

Plasma levels of intermedin (adrenomedullin-2) in healthy human volunteers and patients with heart failure

Intermedin/adrenomedullin-2 (IMD) is a member of the adrenomedullin/CGRP peptide family. Less is known about the distribution of IMD than for other family members within the mammalian cardiovascular system, particularly in humans. The aim was to evaluate plasma IMD levels in healthy subjects and patients with chronic heart failure. IMD and its precursor fragments, preproIMD_25–56 and preproIMD_57–92, were measured by radioimmunoassay in 75 healthy subjects and levels of IMD were also compared to those of adrenomedullin (AM) and mid-region proadrenomedullin_45–92 (MRproAM_45–92) in 19 patients with systolic heart failure (LVEF < 45%). In healthy subjects, plasma levels (mean + SE) of IMD (6.3 + 0.6 pg ml⁻¹) were lower than, but correlated with those of AM (25.8 + 1.8 pg ml⁻¹; r = 0.49, p < 0.001). Plasma preproIMD_25–56 (39.6 + 3.1 pg ml⁻¹), preproIMD_57–92 (25.9 + 3.8 pg ml⁻¹) and MRproAM_45–92 (200.2 + 6.7 pg ml⁻¹) were greater than their respective bioactive peptides. IMD levels correlated positively with BMI but not age, and were elevated in heart failure (9.8 + 1.3 pg ml⁻¹, p < 0.05), similarly to MRproAM_45–92 (329.5 + 41.9 pg ml⁻¹, p < 0.001) and AM (56.8 + 10.9 pg ml⁻¹, p < 0.01). IMD levels were greater in heart failure patients with concomitant renal impairment (11.3 + 1.8 pg ml⁻¹) than those without (6.5 + 1.0 pg ml⁻¹; p < 0.05). IMD and AM were greater in patients receiving submaximal compared with maximal heart failure drug therapy and were decreased after 6 months of cardiac resynchronization therapy. In conclusion, IMD is present in the plasma of healthy subjects less abundantly than AM, but is similarly correlated weakly with BMI. IMD levels are elevated in heart failure, especially with concomitant renal impairment, and tend to be reduced by high intensity drug or pacing therapy.     

Rapid phosphorylation of MAP kinase-like proteins in two species of Arctic kelps in response to temperature and UV radiation stress

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are a group of cytoplasmic phosphoproteins that constitute the central core of the signalling network to respond to stress in most organisms. Their role in stress responses has been extensively studied in organisms from yeast to humans, and recently, their presence has also been described in higher plants as well as in micro- and macroalgae. In this study, we demonstrate via short experiments (1 h in duration), the rapid activation of two MAPKs similar to p38 and JNK of mammalian cells, in the Arctic kelps Laminaria solidungula and Saccharina latissima exposed to temperature and UV stress. The molecular mass of p38 is 40 kDa in L. solidungula and 42 kDa in S. latissima, while two JNKs were detected in both species, of 36 and 42 kDa in L. solidungula, and 36 and 40 kDa in S. latissima. These MAPKs are highly phosphorylated in response to temperature and UV light. In S. latissima, both p38 and the JNK showed higher phosphorylation at 2 °C than at 7 °C, while the reverse response was shown for L. solidungula. In addition, a significant increase in phosphorylation of both kinases was found following exposure to UV radiation (UVR). Exposure to PAR + UVA + UVB induced higher phosphorylation than PAR + UVA in L. solidungula, especially at 7 °C. In S. latissima, this response occurred only with JNK, and no differences in p38 phosphorylation between PAR + UVA and PAR + UVA + UVB at any temperature were observed. These results indicate the possible participation of MAPK-like proteins in response to stress in Arctic kelps, and that their activation is species-specific.     

Effect of NaCl on growth and Cd accumulation of halophyte Spartina alterniflora under CdCl2 stress

A study quantifying the effect of NaCl on growth and Cd accumulation of Spartina alterniflora subjected to Cd stress was conducted. Seedlings were cultivated in the presence of 1 or 3 mM Cd alone, or combined with NaCl (50 or 100 mM). The results showed that NaCl magnified the phytotoxicity of moderate Cd stress (1 mM Cd) on plants due to reduced levels of plant biomass, plant height, and chlorophyll a + b, while no synergistic effects were recorded under severe Cd stress (3 mM Cd). Proline and Ca^2 + accumulated along with additional NaCl under moderate Cd stress, instead of reduced or unchanged levels under severe Cd stress owing to different adoption strategies caused by NaCl under different Cd stresses. NaCl reduced the oxidative stress in Cd-treated plants through increasing levels of antioxidative enzymes (catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD)) under moderate Cd stress. With NaCl addition, Cd^2 + contents in S. alterniflora increased and reduced under moderate and severe Cd stress, respectively. However, total Cd^2 + amounts increased with increasing NaCl concentration due to biological dilution. NaCl improved the increase of Cd^2 + translocation factor (TF) under moderate Cd stress, indicating that NaCl might improve Cd^2 + uptake and translocation from roots to shoots, and enhance the phytoextraction of S. alterniflora on Cd; while phytostabilization of Cd under severe Cd stress may be possible due to the reduced TF. Thus, NaCl alleviated phytotoxicity caused by Cd stress through improved management of osmotic solutes and oxidative status, and affected Cd accumulations in S. alterniflora differently under moderate and severe Cd stresses.     

Synthesized tyrosyl hydroxyphenylacetate,a novel antioxidant,anti-stress and antibacterial compound

New tyrosyl ester derivative, a naturally occurring phenol with interesting biological properties, has been synthesized in good yield by a direct esterification of tyrosol (Ty) with p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (p-HPA) using Candida antarctica lipase as a catalyst. The response surface methodology was used to modulate the effects of the enzyme amount (10–50 mg), the tert-butanol/hexane (v/v) ratio (0.16–0.84), the temperature (35–55 °C) and the reaction time (15–45 h) on the tyrosyl hydroxyphenylacetate (Ty-HPA) conversion yield. Under the optimal predicted conditions (enzyme amount: 10 mg, solvents volume ratio 0.16, reaction temperature; 45 °C and 34 h of incubation), a high conversion yield of 79.33 ± 4% was reached. The obtained ester was purified and characterized by NMR, LC/MS and FT-IR methods. ABTS free radical quenching potency demonstrated that the esterified tyrosol (Ty-HPA) was more effective than the natural separated antioxidants: Ty and p-HPA. Furthermore, when used at a non-cytotoxic concentration (100 μM), tyrosyl ester showed significant effectiveness in preventing iron-induced oxidative stress in blood cells compared to the two separated compounds. The antibacterial activity of Ty, p-HPA, mixed solution of Ty + p-HPA and Ty-HPA was performed by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) using a micro-well dilution method. Compared to the separated substrates, synthesized ester exhibits the most antibacterial effect mainly against Gram+ bacteria.     

Nucleic acid changes during photodynamic inactivation of bacteria by cationic porphyrins

Light activation of photosensitizing dyes in presence of molecular oxygen generates highly cytotoxic reactive oxygen species leading to cell inactivation. Nucleic acids are molecular targets of this photodynamic action but not considered the main cause of cell death. The in vivo effect of the photodynamic process on the intracellular nucleic acid content of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus warneri was evaluated herein.Two cationic porphyrins (Tetra-Py⁺-Me and Tri-Py⁺-Me-PF) were used to photoinactivate E. coli (5.0 μM; 10⁸ cells mL^?1) and S. warneri (0.5 μM; 10⁸ cells mL^?1) upon white light irradiation at 4.0 mW cm^?2 for 270 min and 40 min, respectively. Total nucleic acids were extracted from photosensitized bacteria after different times of irradiation and analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The double-stranded DNA was quantified by fluorimetry and the porphyrin binding to bacteria was determined by spectrofluorimetry.E. coli was completely photoinactivated with both porphyrins (5.0 μM), whereas S. warneri was only completely inactivated by Tri-Py⁺-Me-PF (0.5 μM). The hierarchy of nucleic acid changes in E. coli was in the order: 23S rRNA > 16S rRNA > genomic DNA. The nucleic acids of S. warneri were extensively reduced after 5 min with Tri-Py⁺-Me-PF but almost unchanged with Tetra-Py⁺-Me after 40 min of irradiation. The amount of Tri-Py⁺-Me-PF bound to E. coli after washing the cells is higher than Tetra-Py⁺-Me and the opposite was observed for S. warneri. The binding capacity of the photosensitizers is not directly related to the PDI efficiency or nucleic acid reduction and this reduction occurs in parallel with the decrease of surviving cells.     

Efficacy of selected adjuvants for protecting Spodoptera litura nucleopolyhedrovirus from sunlight inactivation

Efficacy of selected adjuvants for protecting Spodoptera litura nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpltNPV) from sunlight inactivation was tested in direct sunlight exposure bioassays and in the field on virus-treated Brassica chinensis var parachinensis plants. All adjuvants, except palm oil, gave significant protection to the virus after 16 h of sunlight exposure, as shown by the larval mortalities. Cumulative mortalities after 14 days show that the virus + Tinopal treatment and the virus not to sunlight treatment attained 100% mortality, while the virus in riboflavin treatment and the crude brown sugar treatment caused mortality of less than 30%. However, the LT₅₀ value of virus + Tinopal was 1.2 times lower than the unexposed virus. All virus-treated plants in the field trials had higher yields and lower damage indices than the control plants. Unlike the results from direct sunlight exposure bioassays, adjuvants, including virus + Tinopal LPW, did not significantly enhance efficacy of the virus against early instars of S. litura in the field. The unformulated virus was as effective as virus + Tinopal LPW and Nurelle-D in protecting the plants from infestation. Thus, in a well-planned pest management program, SpltNPV, without any adjuvant, can be used effectively for controlling S. litura on B. chinensis var parachinensis.     

Germination characteristics of the grass weed Digitaria nuda (Schumach.)

The effect of various pre-treatments and their interaction with temperature on cumulative percentage and the rate of germination were evaluated for Digitaria nuda. Stored and fresh seeds were pre-treated with either 0.02 M KNO₃, soaked in water for 24 h (priming), sterilized with 0.5% NaOCl or heat treated at 60 °C. Seeds were germinated at constant temperatures of 25 and 30 °C and fluctuating temperature regimes of 25/10 and 30/15 °C. The effect of pre-chilling on germination of stored and fresh seed was evaluated at 30/15 °C, and seed emergence in two soil types at different burial depths (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 cm) was also determined. The pre-treatment of stored seed with KNO₃ resulted in the highest germination percentage (100%), whereas the pre-treatment of fresh seed with water for 24 h gave the best germination (99%), at constant temperatures of 25 and 30 °C. Pre-chilling of seed increased germination by more than 30%. Emergence from clay loam soil was greater compared with the emergence from sandy loam soil. Total seedling emergence decreased exponentially with increasing burial depths with only 5% of seed germinating from a burial depth of 6 cm. Results from this study showed that germination requirements are species specific and knowledge of factors influencing germination and emergence of grass weed seed can assist in predicting flushes in emergence allowing producers to implement control practices more effectively.     

The combined effects of gibberellic acid and salinity on some antioxidant enzyme activities,plant growth parameters and nutritional status in maize plants

The combined effects of salt stress and gibberellic acid (GA₃) on plant growth and nutritional status of maize (Zea mays L. cv., DK 647 F1) were studied in a pot experiment. Treatments were (1) control (C): nutrient solution alone, (2) salt stress (S): 100 mM NaCl, (3) S + GA1: 100 mM NaCl and 50 ppm GA₃ and (4) S + GA2: 100 mM NaCl and 100 ppm GA₃. Salt stress (S) was found to reduce the total dry matter, chlorophyll content, relative water content (RWC), but to increase proline accumulation, superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1), peroxidase (POD; EC 1.11.1.7) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO; 1.10.3.1) enzyme activities and electrolyte leakage. GA₃ treatments overcame to variable extents the adverse effects of NaCl stress on the above physiological parameters. GA₃ treatments reduced the activities of enzyme in the salt-stressed plants. Salt stress reduced some macro and micronutrient concentrations but exogenous application of GA₃ increased these to levels of control treatment. Foliar application of GA₃ counteracted some of the adverse effects of NaCl salinity with the accumulation of proline which maintained membrane permeability and increased macro and micronutrient levels.     

Target Binding to S100B Reduces Dynamic Properties and Increases Ca2 +-Binding Affinity for Wild Type and EF-Hand Mutant Proteins

Mutations in the second EF-hand (D61N, D63N, D65N, and E72A) of S100B were used to study its Ca^2 + binding and dynamic properties in the absence and presence of a bound target, TRTK-12. With ^D63NS100B as an exception (^D63NK_D = 50 ± 9 μM), Ca^2 + binding to EF2-hand mutants were reduced by more than 8-fold in the absence of TRTK-12 (^D61NK_D = 412 ± 67 μM, ^D65NK_D = 968 ± 171 μM, and ^E72AK_D = 471 ± 133 μM), when compared to wild-type protein (^WTK_D = 56 ± 9 μM). For the TRTK-12 complexes, the Ca^2 +-binding affinity to wild type (^WT + TRTKK_D = 12 ± 10 μM) and the EF2 mutants was increased by 5- to 14-fold versus in the absence of target (^{D61N + TRTK}K_D = 29 ± 1.2 μM, ^{D63N + TRTK}K_D = 10 ± 2.2 μM, ^{D65N + TRTK}K_D = 73 ± 4.4 μM, and ^{E72A + TRTK}K_D = 18 ± 3.7 μM). In addition, R_ex, as measured using relaxation dispersion for side‐chain ¹⁵N resonances of Asn63 (^D63NS100B), was reduced upon TRTK-12 binding when measured by NMR. Likewise, backbone motions on multiple timescales (picoseconds to milliseconds) throughout wild type, ^D61NS100B, ^D63NS100B, and ^D65NS100B were lowered upon binding TRTK-12. However, the X-ray structures of Ca^2 +-bound (2.0 Å) and TRTK-bound (1.2 Å) ^D63NS100B showed no change in Ca^2 + coordination; thus, these and analogous structural data for the wild-type protein could not be used to explain how target binding increased Ca^2 +-binding affinity in solution. Therefore, a model for how S100B–TRTK‐12 complex formation increases Ca^2 + binding is discussed, which considers changes in protein dynamics upon binding the target TRTK-12.     

In vitro salinity tolerance of two pistachio rootstocks: Pistacia vera L. and P. atlantica Desf

Seedlings of Pistacia vera L. and Pistacia atlantica Desf. were cultured on hormone-free DKW medium supplemented with NaCl. The plants were subjected to low NaCl concentrations ranging from 0 to 80 mM for 45 days or to high salt concentrations (0, 131, and 158.5 mM for P. vera and 0, 131, and 240 mM for P. atlantica) for 25 days. Toxicity symptoms were recorded for seedlings exposed to low NaCl treatments. Plant growth, survival rates, mineral content, as well as proline and soluble sugar contents were determined and evaluated at the end of the culture period. The results indicated that low NaCl treatments yielded no instances of plant death in both species. At high salt conditions, however, significant mortality rates were noted for both species, being 22.86% at 240 mM NaCl for P. atlantica and 25.8% at 158.5 mM NaCl for P. vera. With regards to salinity effects, levels of 60 and 80 mM NaCl induced significant decreases of stem elongation and leaf number in the P. vera species. Salinities between 40 and 80 mM NaCl, however, induced a decrease in the root number of both species. The fresh weights of P. vera and P. atlantica also decreased significantly after 45 days of culture at NaCl concentrations between 40 and 80 mM and after 25 days of culture at 158.5 and 240 mM NaCl, respectively. The sodium and chloride uptake in plant organs seemed to be controlled more efficiently in P. atlantica than in P. vera. In both species, the K⁺ content was noted to undergo a significant decrease when salinity increased. While the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio was maintained above 2 at low NaCl treatments, it was sharply decreased at high NaCl conditions, suggesting a failure of K–Na selectivity mechanism. The Ca²⁺/Na⁺ ratio decreased significantly at 60 and 80 mM NaCl in P. vera and at 60 mM NaCl for P. atlantica. In both Pistacia species, high NaCl treatments (131–240 mM NaCl) induced a significant increase in proline content.     

Bioconversion of post harvest crop residues and cattle shed manure into value-added products using earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae Kinberg

The post-harvest residues of some local crops, e.g. wheat (Triticum aestivum), millets (Penniseum typhoides and Sorghum vulgare), and a pulse (Vigna radiata) were subjected to recycle through vermicomposting by using the epigeic earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae Kinberg, under laboratory conditions. The crop residues were amended with animal dung; and three types of vermibeds were prepared: (i) millet straw (S. vulgare + Pennisenum typhoides in equal quantity) + sheep manure (1:2 ratio) (MS), (ii) pulse bran (Vigna radiata) + wheat straw (Triticum aestivum) + cow dung (1:1:2 ratio) (PWC), and (iii) mixed crop residues (mixing of all types crop residues, used in this study) + cow dung in 1:1 ratio (MCR + CD). The fourth treatment was cattle shed manure (CSM). At the end, ready vermicompost showed lower organic C content and higher concentrations of other important plant nutrients. Organic C content decreased in the order: MCR + CD (27.6%) > PWC (22.8%) > CMS (22.6%) > MS (19.4%). The ready vermicompost obtained from MCR + CD vermibed showed the maximum increase (% of initial level) in content of total N (143.4%), available P (111.1%) and exchangeable K (100.0%). The end product showed reduction in C:N ration between the ranges of 60.7% (CSM) and 70.3% (MCR + CD), at the end. The composting earthworm E. eugeniae exhibited the highest values of biological parameters: maximum mean individual biomass (1261.25 ± 7.0 mg), biomass gain (955.84 ± 11.03 mg), growth rate (10.62 ± 0.10 mg wt. worm⁻¹ day⁻¹), cocoon numbers (87.67 ± 6.51), and reproduction rate (0.66 ± 0.01 cocoons worm⁻¹ day⁻¹) in CSM container, while MS vermibeds showed the lowest values of these parameters. During experimentation, the maximum mortality for E. eugeniae was recorded in MS (16.67 ± 7.63%) followed by CSM > PWC > MCR + CD. Results indicated that the C:N ratio of the substrate drastically influenced the growth parameters of E. eugeniae, and it showed the close relations with maximum individual biomass gain (R² = 0.96), individual growth rate (R² = 0.82), and reproduction rate (cocoon worm⁻¹ day⁻¹) (R² = 0.72), in different treatments. This study clearly indicates that vermicomposting of crop residues and cattle shed wastes can not only produce a value-added product (vermicomposting) but at the same time acts as best culture medium for large-scale production of earthworms.     

Whole crop rice silage: Predictions of yield and content of metabolizable energy,metabolizable protein and other nutrients for dairy cows from crop maturity and botanical fractions at harvest

The study investigated the suitability of stage of maturity and botanical fractions of whole crop rice (WCR) to predict yield and nutritive value of ensiled WCR for dairy cows. Eight varieties of WCR (i.e., Akichikara, Fukuhibiki, Habataki, Hamasari, Hokuriku 168, Kusanami, Tamakei 96, Yumetoiro) were harvested at four stages of maturity (i.e., 10, 22, 34, 45 days after flowering [DAF]) and ensiled. Dry matter (DM) yield at each harvest was determined. Silage samples were fractionated into four botanical fractions being: leaf blade, leaf sheath, stem and head. Silage samples were also analyzed for chemical composition, fermentation characteristics, in situ DM and N disappearance. Metabolizable energy (ME) and metabolizable protein (MP) content of samples were estimated according to Terada et al. (1988) and AFRC (1993), respectively. Relationships between maturity or proportions of botanical fractions and contents of WCR silage in terms of DM, ME and MP, and their yields, were estimated by correlation and regression analysis. Stage of maturity was positively related (P<0.001) to ME content (R² = 0.46; y = 4.53 + 0.08X) and MP content (R² = 0.56; y = 22.26 + 0.76X), and DM yield (R² = 0.63; y = 9.21 + 0.12X), ME yield (R² = 0.68, y = 36931 + 1708X) and MP yield (R² = 0.72, y = 161.0 + 14.15X) of WCR. Proportion of leaf was negatively related to yields and nutritive value of ensiled WCR, whilst proportion of head was positively related (P<0.05 to <0.001). Proportion of head was best related to the ME content (R² = 0.72; y = 3.26 + 0.009X), MP content (R² = 0.72; y = 12.31 + 0.079X), and DM yield (R² = 0.41; y = 9.02 + 0.009X), ME yield (R² = 0.76, y = 19494 + 165.5X), and MP yield (R² = 0.75, y = 34.37 + 1.32X) of WCR. Results suggest that to optimize yield and nutritive value, WCR should be ensiled within 40 DAF and the proportion of head should be equal to or more than 500 g per kg DM of WCR silage. Stage of maturity and proportion of head of WCR predict yields of DM, ME and MP of WCR, and their contents, in WCR silage with acceptable accuracy. However, these relationships need to be validated using large data sets and in vivo studies.     

Vitamin E and rutin synergistically inhibit expression of vascular endothelial growth factor through down-regulation of binding activity of activator protein-1 in human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are strong inducers of the angiogenic hormone vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Although, rutin (R) in combination with vitamin E (VE) has been shown to synergistically inhibit oxidative damage, it is unclear whether the combination of R and VE (R + VE) inhibits VEGF secretion in tumor cells. Using a human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cell line, we showed that R in combination with VE synergistically decreased the expressions of VEGF protein and mRNA. We also demonstrated that R + VE significantly decreased the binding capacity of nuclear factor-activator protein-1 (AP-1) to the VEGF gene promoter and decreased the expression of c-Jun protein. Furthermore, we demonstrated that R + VE synergistically reduced insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) protein expression in HL-60 cells. The decrease of ROS was only partially associated with the decrease of VEGF secreted (r² = 0.12, P = 0.083). Thus, the present results indicate that R in combination with VE attenuates VEGF expression in HL-60 cells and that this effect is mediated by a decreased binding activity of AP-1 through down-regulation of protein expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1-R)/IRS-1, while the antioxidant activity of R + VE appears to play a minor role.     

Effect of supplementing Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) with Madras thorn (Pithecellobium dulce) on intake,digestibility and live weight gains of growing goats

A study was carried out in Coastal Kenya to evaluate the effect of supplementing Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) based diet with increasing level of Madras thorn (Pithecellobium dulce) on feed intake, digestibility and live weight changes of growing goats. Fifteen small East African goats 6 months old on average were randomly allocated to five treatments. Napier grass was either offered alone (control) or supplemented with 7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30 g DM/kg W^0.75 of Madras thorn. Supplementing with Madras thorn up to 22.5 g DM/kg W^0.75 had no (P > 0.05) significant effect on the intake of the basal diet, however there was a 29% depression in the intake of the basal diet at 30 g DM/kg W^0.75 level of supplementation. A (P < 0.05) increase significant in the TDMI from 242 for the control to 258, 302, 357 and 458 g/kg DM, was recorded for 7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30 g DM/kg W^0.75, respectively. Supplementation also resulted in increase (P < 0.05) in DM and OM digestibility. Feed N, N retained and loss increased linearly with increase in supplementation. Positive N balance was recorded for all goats 0.2, 1.4, 2.5, 3.2 and 3.6 g/day for control, 7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30 g DM/kg W^0.75, respectively. Goats fed the control diet lost a mean of 8 g BW/day while those supplemented with 7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30 g DM/kg W^0.75 gained 8, 23, 43 and 44 g/day, respectively. The use of Madras thorn forage as a protein supplement for goats could be an affordable source, especially to the resource-constrained farmers in the tropics.     

Removal of nutrients from wastewater with Canna indica L. under different vertical-flow constructed wetland conditions

Constructed wetlands are becoming increasingly popular worldwide for removing contaminants from domestic wastewater. This study investigated the removal efficiency of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from wastewater with the simulated vertical-flow constructed wetlands (VFCWs) under three different substrates (i.e., BFAS or blast furnace artificial slag, CBAS or coal burn artificial slag, and MSAS or midsized sand artificial slag), hydraulic loading rates (i.e., 7, 14, and 21 cm d^?1), and wetland operational periods (0.5, 1, and 2 years) as well as with and without planting Canna indica L. The wastewater was collected from the campus of South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China. Results show that the percent removal of total P (TP) and ammonium N (NH₄⁺-N) by the substrates was BFAS > CBAS > MSAS due to the high contents of Ca and Al in substrate BFAS. In contrast, the percent removal of total N (TN) by the substrates was CBAS > MSAS > BFAS due to the complicated nitrification/denitrification processes. The percent removal of nutrients by all of the substrates was TP > NH₄⁺-N > TN. About 10% more TN was removed from the wastewater after planting Canna indica L. A lower hydraulic loading rate or longer hydraulic retention time (HRT) resulted in a higher removal of TP, NH₄⁺-N, and TN because of more contacts and interactions among nutrients, substrates, and roots under the longer HRT. Removal of NO₃^?N from the simulated VFCWs is a complex process. A high concentration of NO₃^?N in the effluent was observed under the high hydraulic loading rate because more NH₄⁺-N and oxygen were available for nitrification and a shorter HRT was unfavorable for denitrification. In general, a longer operational period had a highest removal rate for nutrients in the VFCWs.     

Synergysm of voriconazole or itraconazole with other antifungal agents against species of Fusarium

BackgroundInfections caused by Fusarium are difficult to treat because these fungi show in vitro and in vivo resistance to practically all the antifungal agents available, which explains the high mortality rates. An attempt to overcome fungal resistance is the combination of antifungal agents, especially those with different mechanisms of action.AimsEvaluate the in vitro interactions of combinations of voriconazole or itraconazole with other antifungal agents against 32 isolates of Fusarium spp.: Fusarium chlamydosporum, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium proliferatum and Fusarium solani.MethodsDrug interactions were assessed by a checkerboard microdilution method that also included the determination of the MIC of each drug alone according to CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) document M38-A2, 2008.ResultsThe best combinations were voriconazole + terbinafine which showed synergism against 84% of Fusarium strains. Other synergistic combinations were voriconazole + itraconazole (50%), voriconazole + fluconazole (50%), voriconazole + miconazole (38%), voriconazole + flucytosine (22%) and voriconazole + ketoconazole (25%). The synergisms observed with itraconazole combinations were itraconazole + terbinafine (25%) and itraconazole + flucytosine (9.37%). The antagonisms observed were: voriconazole + fluconazole (3%) and itraconazole + flucytosine (12.5%).ConclusionsThe synergism showed by voriconazole + terbinafine was remarkable. To better elucidate the potential usefulness of our findings, new in vivo and in vitro studies deserve be performed.