Efficacy of specific IgY for treatment of lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxemia using a mouse model

Aims: To estimate the efficacy of specific egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) for the treatment of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced endotoxemia using a mouse model. Methods and Results: Specific IgY was obtained from the yolk of hens immunized with formaldehyde‐killed Escherichia coli O111 and showed a high binding activity to LPS when subjected to an ELISA. Endotoxemia was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of LPS at a dose of 20 mg kg^?1 for measuring survival rate and 10 mg kg^?1 for cytokine measurement. The survival rate of mice treated with 200 mg kg^?1 specific IgY or 5 mg kg^?1 dexamethasone was 70% while none of the mice in the normal saline–treated group survived more than 7 days. Specific IgY significantly (P < 0·05) decreased tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) level and increased interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) level in the serum of endotoxemia mice. Specific IgY had less of an effect on TNF‐α than dexamthasone, while its effect on increasing IL‐10 was stronger than dexamethasone. Haematoxylin and eosin–stained sections indicated that IgY attenuated the damage to the lung and liver observed in mice with endotoxemia. Conclusions: The specific IgY increased the survival rate of mice with endotoxemia induced by LPS, down‐regulated TNF‐α and up‐regulated IL‐10 in serum and attenuated the extent of damage to the lung and liver. Significance and Impact of the Study: The specific IgY has potential for the treatment of LPS‐induced endotoxemia.     

Protective effects of antioxidant combination against D‐galactosamine‐induced kidney injury in rats

The protective effects of an antioxidant combination in kidney injury induced by the injection of D‐galactosamine (D‐GaIN) were examined in the present study. Sprague Dawley female rats were used and divided into four groups as follows: (1) animals injected physiological saline solution, intraperitoneally, (2) animals treated with the combination of ascorbic acid (100 mg kg^?1 day^?1), β‐carotene (15 mg kg^?1 day^?1), α‐tocopherol (100 mg kg^?1 day^?1), and sodium selenate (0.2 mg kg^?1 day^?1) for three days orally, (3) rats injected D‐GaIN (500 mg kg^?1) intraperitoneally as a single dose, and (4) animals treated with the antioxidant combination for three days, then injected D‐GaIN. The tissue and blood samples of animals were collected for morphological and biochemical evaluations. Histopathological injury in kidney tissues was observed together with a significant increase in tissue lipid peroxidation (LPO) level, myeloperoxidase (MPO), lactate dehydrogenase, catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and serum creatinine and urea levels, and a significant decrease in glutathione level and glutathione peroxidase activity in D‐GaIN injected rats. However, a decrease in the degenerative changes was detected in the kidney tissue of D‐GaIN + antioxidant group, and biochemical results showed reversed effects. In conclusion, it seems reasonable to conclude that the treatment of the antioxidant combination has a protective effect on D‐GaIN‐induced kidney injury of rats. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline in yellow catfish [Pelteobagrus fulvidraco (Richardson, 1846)] with a single and multiple‐dose oral administration

A pharmacokinetic study of oxytetracycline (OTC) following a single (100 mg kg^?1) or a multi‐dose (100 mg kg^?1 for 5 days) oral administration was carried out in yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. After oral administration at 25°C, a one‐compartment model was developed. The absorption half‐life (t_1/2(ka)) was 3.92, 1.44, 2.75, and 3.34 h in plasma, muscle, liver, and kidney after the single dose, and 0.35, 0.22, 0.42, 0.32 h after the multi‐dose, respectively. The order of peak concentration (C_max) was liver > kidney > plasma > muscle, at 3.48 μg g^?1, 2.90 μg g^?1, 1.46 μg ml^?1, and 1.39 μg g^?1 after the single dose, and 14.02 μg g^?1, 8.51 μg g^?1, 4.17 μg ml^?1, and 3.84 μg g^?1 after the multi‐dose, respectively. The elimination half‐lives (t_1/2(ke)) of OTC in plasma, muscle, liver, and kidney were calculated to be 7.64, 26.29, 19.08, and 10.61 h after the single dose, and 47.54, 70.99, 49.87, and 47.73 h after the multi‐dose, respectively. The results suggest that OTC was absorbed faster after the multi‐dose than after the single dose, suggesting that OTC could be more efficacious after the multi‐dose and more effective in the control bacterial diseases in aquaculture, with the side effects of longer withdrawal periods.     

Immunostimulating effect of triiodothyronine: dietary administration of triiodothyronine in rohu (Labeo rohita) enhances immunity and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila infection

The immunomodulatory effects of dietary administration of 3,3^′,5‐triiodo‐l ‐thyronine (T₃) at 0, 1, 5 and 10 mg  kg^?1 of diet for 60 days in rohu (Labeo rohita) fingerlings were studied. Oral administration of T₃ at all dose levels resulted in significantly (P<0.05) higher serum T₃ levels, total serum protein and globulin levels, and reduced albumin–globulin ratio (A : G) compared with the control group, whereas feeding of T₃ at 5 and 10 mg kg^?1 diet enhanced the growth and superoxide production by neutrophils. At the end of the 60‐day experimental period the optimum dosage of T₃ appeared to be the 5 mg  kg^?1 diet for rohu fingerlings, resulting in a significantly higher specific antibody titre against formalin‐killed Aeromonas hydrophila and lowering the mortality percentage against the A. hydrophila challenge.     

The influence of the length of time after hormonal treatment with [(d‐Ala6, Pro9 NEt)‐mGnRH+metoclopramide] i.e. Ovopel on barbel Barbus barbus (L.) milt quality and quantity indicators

The study purpose was the analysis of barbel Barbus barbus (L.) milt quality and quantity with regard to the time following stimulation with [(D‐Ala⁶, Pro⁹NEt)‐mGnRH+metoclopramide] i.e. Ovopel. Selected parameters such as total volume of milt (TVM, ml), volume of milt per kg of body weight (VOM, ml kg^?1 b.w.), sperm concentration (×10⁹ ml^?1), total sperm production (TSP, ×10⁹), osmolality (mOsm kg^?1) and pH of seminal plasma were determined. Sperm motility was analyzed by the CASA system, i.e. the percentage of sperm motility (MOT, %) and their progressive motility (PRG, %), curvilinear velocity (VCL, μm s^?1) and straight line velocity (VSL, μm s^?1), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH, μm), and beat cross frequency (BCF, Hz). Milt was collected from 12 specimens (N = 12), with the first portion obtained 12 h following treatment with Ovopel (1 granule kg^?1 b. w.). Subsequent portions of milt were taken at 24 h intervals, i.e. after 36, 60, 84, 108, and 132 h. The control group (Control, N = 12) was injected with 0.9% NaCl at 0.5 ml kg^?1b.w. from which milt was taken 12 h post injection. The highest TVM, VOM and TSP values were recorded 12 h after Ovopel treatment (3.2 ± 0.7 ml, 36.7 ± 10.5 ml kg^?1 b.w. and 39.1 ± 9.4 × 10⁹, respectively); lowest values were recorded after 132 h (0.8 ± 0.4 ml, 11.1 ± 6.5 ml kg^?1b.w. and 13.7 ± 7.5 × 10⁹, respectively). The highest seminal plasma osmolality values (300.0 ± 42.6 mOsm kg^?1) as well as the lowest sperm concentration (12.5 ± 1.5 × 10⁹ ml^?1) were observed 12 h after Ovopel treatment. No significant differences in the percentage of sperm motility (MOT) were noted during any of the periods after hormonal stimulation, however, a change in the character of their movement (PRG) was observed. The lack of significant differences (P > 0.05) in VCL and VSL values between 12 h and 60–132 h indicates that the lengthening of time does not lead to a decrease in sperm velocity and, therefore, is not likely to have a negative impact on their quality. The highest ALH (1.9 ± 0.2 μm) and BCF (11.5 ± 1.1 Hz) values were observed when the effect of stimulation was most noticeable, i.e. 12 h after Ovopel treatment. Based on the total milt volume and sperm production, the best time for milt collection from barbel is 12 h post‐hormonal treatment; 84 h post‐hormonal treatment, TVM, VOM, TSP and some CASA parameters decreased, which suggest the same aging process in sperm.     

Accumulation of arsenic and heavy metals in some Viola species from an abandoned mine,Alchar, Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)

Abstract

The uptake and distribution of arsenic (As) and some heavy metals was determined in three Viola endemic species from As‐overloaded soil in an abandoned mine at Alchar, Republic of Macedonia (FYROM – The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). Some essential elements were also analyzed in order to characterize the common geochemical properties of this site. Total As content in soil ranged from 3347 to 14,467 mg kg^?1, and plant available As from 23 to 1589 mg kg^?1. The concentration of As in roots ranged from 783 mg kg^?1 in Viola macedonica to 2124 mg kg^?1 in Viola arsenica. Only a small amount of As accumulated in the aboveground parts of these species (<100 mg kg^?1), while in shoots of Viola allchariensis, As accumulated in the range 187–439 mg kg^?1. Arsenic accumulation in the roots of these Viola species may make these plants valuable tools for the bioindication and phytoremediation (phytostabilization) of As in naturally loaded and anthropogenically contaminated soils.     

Hesperidin regresses cardiac hypertrophy by virtue of PPAR‐γ agonistic,anti‐inflammatory,antiapoptotic, and antioxidant properties

Hesperidin (HES), a flavanone glycoside, predominant in citrus fruits, has an agonistic activity on peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPAR‐γ). PPAR‐γ is an inhibitor of cardiac hypertrophy (CH) signaling pathways. In this study, we investigated the cardioprotective effect of HES in isoproterenol (ISO)‐induced CH through PPAR‐γ agonistic activity. For this, male albino Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n = 6), that is, normal, ISO‐control, HES treatment group (200 mg kg^?1; p.o.), HES per se (200 mg kg^?1; p.o.), enalapril treatment group (30 mg kg^?1; p.o.), and combination group (HES 200 mg kg^?1; p.o.+enalapril 30 mg kg^?1; p.o.). ISO (3 mg kg^?1; s.c.) was administered to all groups except normal and per se to induce CH. HES or enalapril treatment of 28 days significantly attenuated pathological changes, improved cardiac hemodynamics, suppressed oxidative stress, and apoptosis along with an increased PPAR‐γ expression. The combination of enalapril with HES exhibited an effect similar to that of HES or enalapril alone on all the aforementioned parameters. Therefore, HES may be further evaluated as a promising molecule for the alleviation of CH.     

Induced ovulation and embryonic development of ocellated puffer, Takifugu ocellatus

Acute injections of different hormones to induce ovulation in mature ocellated puffer, Takifugu ocellatus, collected from natural waters during the spawning season, were carried out to develop a reliable protocol for mass production of seed in this species. All experimental fish were divided into seven groups treated with: a saline injection (control), single or two injections of luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone analog (LHRH‐a; single injection: 50 μg kg^?1, two injections: 10 and 40 μg kg^?1), single or two injections of pituitary (single injection: 6 mg kg^?1, two injections: 1 and 5 mg kg^?1) and single or two injections of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; single injection: 2500 IU kg^?1, two injections: 500 and 2000 IU kg^?1), respectively. The percentage of fish that ovulated in six hormonal treatments reached 100%, either with a single injection or with two injections whereas the fish in control group failed to spawn. There were no significant differences among all hormonal treatments in egg production, fertilization rate, or hatch rate (P > 0.05) except time to ovulation between a single injection group and the two‐injection group (P < 0.05). The fertilized eggs of ocellated puffer were spherical, demersal, and adhesive. They had a mean oocyte diameter of 1.487 ± 0.106 mm (range: 1.404–1.560). The egg membrane was transparent and yolk was buff in color, containing a cluster of small oil globules. Thirty‐four successive stages of embryonic development were identified and characterized. Fertilized eggs incubated at 18–20°C generally commenced hatching at 144 h after fertilization. Newly hatched larvae were about 3.26–3.45 mm in length. The induced ovulation technique using acute injections of hormones is an important step in the development of the culture of the ocellated puffer.     

Ferulic acid in the treatment of post‐diabetes testicular damage: relevance to the down regulation of apoptosis correlates with antioxidant status via modulation of TGF‐β1, IL‐1β and Akt signalling

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of ferulic acid at different doses (50 mg kg^?1 alternative day and 50 mg kg^?1 daily) on the streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced post‐diabetes rat testicular damage. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg). Rats treated with ferulic acid were given once a day orally for 10 weeks, starting 3 days after STZ injection. Testis tissue and blood samples were collected for investigating biochemical analysis, antioxidant status, sperm parameters, and histopathological, immunohistochemical and apoptotic studies. Treatment with ferulic acid to diabetic rats significantly improved the body weight, testis weight, serum insulin level, serum testosterone level and sperm parameters (viability, motility and count). Histopathological study also revealed that ferulic acid‐treated diabetic rats showed an improved histological appearance. Our data indicated that significant reduction in the activity of apoptosis by using terminal deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end‐labelling and reduced expression of transforming growth factor‐β1 and interleukin‐1β in the testis tissue of ferulic acid‐treated diabetic rats. Conversely, it was also revealed that ferulic acid‐treated diabetic rats markedly enhanced the serine/threonine protein kinase protein expression in the testis tissue. Our result suggests that ferulic acid inhibits testicular damage in diabetic rats by declining oxidative stress. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Extracts and phenolic compounds from Zuccagnia punctata as fungicide seed protectants for corn

The ethanolic leaf extract (TZP) of Zuccagnia punctata, its ethereal fraction (Eet), 2′,4′‐dihydroxychalcone (DC), 2′,4′‐dihydroxy‐3′‐methoxychalcone (DMC) and 7‐hydroxy‐3′,4′‐dimethoxyflavone (HF) were evaluated as fungicide seed protectants on corn. Microdilution assays on a set of Fusarium strains showed minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 400–800 μg mL^?1 (TZP), 50–100 μg mL^?1 (Eet), 25–50 μg mL^?1 (DC), 50–100 μg mL^?1 (DMC) and 200–400 μg mL^?1 (HF), with minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC)/MIC = 1. Suspensions of TZP, Eet, DC and DMC at MIC × 20 incorporated to the grains at rates of 1920, 240, 120 and 240 mg dry matter kg^?1 of grain, respectively, increased the elongation of the primary roots (24–44%) and the number of seminal roots (44–50%). TZP also increased the number of secondary roots. HF was phytotoxic. Suspensions of TZP, Eet, DC and DMC suppressed the endogenous grain mycoflora at levels similar to those recorded for a thiram + carbendazim‐based fungicide. Grains treated with TZP (1920 mg kg^?1), Eet (240 mg kg^?1), DC (120 mg kg^?1) and DMC (240 mg kg^?1) stimulated the growth of the seedling root system both because of fungal suppression and hormetic effects in greenhouse curative and preventive assays against Fusarium verticillioides on a sand/soil substrate. Eet and its chalcones also reduced the severity of seedling blight more than the thiram + carbendazim‐based fungicide in preventive assays and led to the same disease severity observed for the fungicide treatment in the curative assays. Our results show that Eet and its chalcones not only were effective seed protectants against F. verticillioides and other seedborne fungi, but also improved the early performance of maize seedlings.     

Vitamin E and Hippophea rhamnoides L. extract reduce nicotine‐induced oxidative stress in rat heart

The effects of vitamin E and Hippophea rhamnoides L. extract (HRe‐1) on nicotine‐induced oxidative stress in rat heart were investigated. There were eight rats per group and supplementation period was 3 weeks. The groups were: nicotine [0.5 mg kg^?1day^?1, intraperitoneal (i.p.)]; nicotine plus vitamin E [75 mg kg^?1day^?1, intragastric (i.g.)]; nicotine plus HRe‐1 (250 mg kg^?1day^?1, i.g.); and the control group (receiving only vehicles). Nicotine increased the malondialdehyde level, which was prevented by both vitamin E and HRe‐1. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in nicotine plus vitamin E supplemented group was higher than the others. Glutathione S‐transferase (GST) activity in nicotine plus HRe‐1 supplemented group was increased compared with the control group. Catalase activity was higher in nicotine group compared with others. GPx activity in nicotine plus vitamin E supplemented group was elevated compared with the others. Total and non‐enzymatic superoxide scavenger activities in nicotine plus vitamin E supplemented group were lower than nicotine plus HRe‐1 supplemented group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was higher in nicotine plus HRe‐1 supplemented group compared with others. Glutathione reductase activity and nitric oxide level were not affected. Increased SOD and GST activities might have taken part in the prevention of nicotine‐induced oxidative stress in HRe‐1 supplemented group in rat heart. Flavonols such as quercetin, and isorahmnetin, tocopherols such as α‐tocopherol and β‐tocopherol and carotenoids such as α‐carotene and β‐carotene, reported to be present in H. rhamnoides L. extracts may be responsible for the antioxidant effects of this plant extract. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Methylmercury toxicity: amelioration by selenium and water‐soluble chelators as N‐acetyl cysteine and dithiothreitol

The protective potential of chelators, i.e. N‐acetyl cysteine (0.6 mg /kg, intraperitoneally) and dithiothreitol (15.4 mg kg^?1, intraperitoneally) with selenium (0.5 mg kg^?1, pre‐oral) were evaluated individually and in combination against methylmercury‐induced biochemical alterations and oxidative stress consequences. Forty‐two male Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed with methylmercury (1.5 mg kg^?1, pre‐oral) daily for 21 days followed by different treatments for five consecutive days. Administration of methylmercury caused significant enhancement in the release of transaminases, alkaline phosphatases and lactate dehydrogenases in serum. A significant increased was observed in lipid peroxidation level with a concomitant decreased in glutathione content after methylmercury exposure in liver, kidney and brain. Hepatic microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes (aniline hydroxylase and amidopyrine N‐demethylase) of cytochrome p4502E₁ showed sharp depletion after methylmercury exposure. Alterations in histological changes in liver, kidney and brain were also noted in methylmercury administered group. All treated groups showed recovery pattern, but the combined treatments with N‐acetyl cysteine and dithiothreitol in combination with selenium were more effective than that with either alone treatments in recovering blood biochemical changes after methylmercury toxicity. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that combination therapy may recover all blood biochemical alterations and offer maximum protection against methylmercury‐induced toxicity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental treatments with diflubenzuron and deltamethrin of sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax L., infected with the isopod, Ceratothoa oestroides

Sea bass with approximate average weights of 5 and 20 g were treated against Ceratothoa oestroides infection with: (i) medicated pellets of diflubenzuron PC90 at a dosage of 3 mg kg^?1 body weight (BW) per day for 14 days. Lice were counted at the beginning of treatment and 19 days after treatment. The drug cleared all lice in the treated group; in the control group, infection remained high 30 days after beginning the experiment. It was concluded that medicated pellets containing 3 mg kg^?1 BW diflubenzuron effectively cleared pre‐adult and adult stages of the isopod parasite over a 14‐day period. No adverse effects were recorded in treated sea bass during the trials and no reinfection occurred 15 days after end of the treatment. (ii) Deltamethrin by means of bath treatments in infected sea bass kept in experimental tanks at 20°C. Before treatment, toxicity on healthy fish was preliminarily assessed by testing five fish from each size group at concentrations of 30, 10, 5, 3, 1, 0.1, 0.05 and 0.01 mg L^?1 for 30 min. The therapeutic concentrations tested were: 10, 5, 3, 0.15, 0.1, and 0.05 μg L^?1 and assessed at 1, 24 and 48 h. Best results were achieved with the 10 μg L^?1 (0.01 mg L^?1) dose, where prevalence was reduced from 100 to 0% over 24 h in both large and small fish. No parasite recovery was observed at 48 h. The dose of 5 μg L^?1 reduced prevalence from 100 to 11.7% and to 0% for small and large fish, respectively. Finally, with the 3 μg L^?1 dose, prevalence was reduced from 100 to 37.5% (small fish) and to 13.3% (large fish). Lower doses were ineffective on the parasites at either 24 or 48 h.     

Phytoextraction of Risk Elements by Willow and Poplar Trees

To characterize the phytoextraction efficiency of two clones of willow trees (Salix x smithiana Willd., Salix rubens) and two clones of poplar trees (Populus nigra x maximowiczii, Populus nigra Wolterson) were planted in contaminated soil (0.4–2.0 mg Cd.kg^?1, 78–313 mg Zn.kg^?1, 21.3–118 mg Cu.kg^?1). Field experiment was carried out in Czech Republic. The study investigated their ability to accumulate heavy metals (Cd, Zn, and Cu) in harvestable plant parts. The poplars produced higher amount of biomass than willows. Both Salix clones accumulated higher amount of Cd, Zn and Cu in their biomass (maximum 6.8 mg Cd.kg^?1, 909 mg Zn.kg^?1, and 17.7 mg Cu.kg^?1) compared to Populus clones (maximum 2.06 mg Cd.kg^?1, 463 mg Zn.kg^?1, and 11.8 mg Cu.kg^?1). There were no significant differences between clones of individual species. BCs for Cd and Zn were greater than 1 (the highest in willow leaves). BCs values of Cu were very low. These results indicate that Salix is more suitable plant for phytoextraction of Cd and Zn than Populus. The Cu phytoextraction potential of Salix and Populus trees was not confirmed in this experiment due to low soil availability of this element.     

Wachstumsuntersuchungen an Bullen des Schwarzbunten Milchrindes (SMR) bei niedrigem Fütterungsniveau

Artificially dried ryegrass, untreated and ammonia‐treated wheat straw were ground and incubated in nylon bags in the rumen of three sheep each fed with diets based on roughage or concentrate. Dry matter degradability, the concentration and the release of the trace elements Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn from the incubated feeds were measured after 0 (washing loss), 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h rumen incubation time.

Dry matter degradability, trace element concentration and their release were significantly influenced by the kind of incubated feeds, incubation time and feeding of sheep.

Cu‐ (1.8–6.9 mg kg^?1 DM) and Zn concentrations (36–103 mg kg^?1 DM) of straw residues in the bags were much higher than those of original straw (1.2–1.6 and 8.1–9.9 mg kg^?1 DM resp.).

The inflow of Cu and Zn in the bags containing straw residues was higher than their release. The Cu‐, Fe‐ and Mn‐release from ryegrass was similar to the dry matter degradability, but the Zn‐release was much lower.     

Influence of kolaviron and vitamin E on ethylene glycol monoethyl ether‐induced haematotoxicity and renal apoptosis in rats

The present study investigated the protective effects of kolaviron, a biflavonoid from the seed of Garcinia kola, and vitamin E on ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (EGEE)‐induced haematotoxicity and renal apoptosis in male rats. EGEE was administered at a dose of 200 mg kg^?1 alone or simultaneously administered with kolaviron (100 and 200 mg kg^?1) and vitamin E (50 mg kg^?1) for 14 days. Results of haematological examination showed that white blood cells, platelets, neutrophils and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were significantly lower, whereas lymphocytes were increased in EGEE‐exposed rats compared with those in the control. Administration of EGEE caused a significant decrease in the superoxide dismutase and catalase activities as well as in the glutathione level but significantly increased glutathione Stransferase activity and levels of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation in kidneys of rats compared with those in the control. Also, EGEE‐treated rats showed significant elevation in the serum urea and creatinine with marked increase in the frequency of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labelling assay‐positive apoptotic cells in the tubular epithelial cells in comparison with the control. Co‐administration with kolaviron or vitamin E exhibited chemoprotective effects against EGEE‐mediated haematotoxicity, augmented renal antioxidant status and prevented the induction of renal apoptosis. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of Organic Amendments on the Oxygen Uptake of Pseudomonas putida—PAPs-1 in Chromium-Contaminated Pond Ash

In this study a Cr (VI) resistant bacterium Pseudomonas putida was isolated from pond ash and its oxygen consumption potential at different concentrations of Cr (VI) viz., 0, 100 and 200 mg kg^?1 was studied using Electrolytic Respirometry. Oxygen consumption by the bacterium was noticed up to 200 mg kg^?1 Cr (VI) concentration. To the pond ash (inoculated with and without Pseudomonas) 200 mg kg^?1 Cr (VI) was added and incorporated with different organic amendments such as farmyard manure (FYM), coir pith, paddy straw and press mud and the cumulative oxygen consumption was studied. The cumulative oxygen consumption by the bacterium was higher when the pond ash was incorporated with organic amendments. The highest oxygen consumption of 205 mg l^?1 was observed when press mud was used, which was followed by FYM (198 mg l^{? 1} ). Furthermore, the enrichment with press mud increased the nutrient content of N (57.28 mg kg^?1 ), P (5.5 mg kg^?1 ) and K (42.7 mg kg^?1 ) of the pond ash. The maximum dehydrogenase enzyme activity of 0.63 μ g TPF formed g^?1 sample h^?1 was measured when the pond ash was inoculated with Pseudomonas and enriched with press mud. The results also indicated that maximum reduction of Cr (VI) (42.5%) was observed when Pseudomonas and press mud were used. This study evaluated the possibilities of toxicity reduction and nutrient enrichment of the ash pond using a Cr (VI) resistant bacterium and organic amendments.     

Potential of Sonchus Arvensis for the Phytoremediation of Lead-Contaminated Soil

Sonchus arvensis is one of the pioneer plant species that were found in the abandoned Bo Ngam Pb mine in Thailand. S. arvensis was collected from three sites. The highest Pb shoot concentration was 9317 mg kg^?1 and the highest translocation factor (TF) and bioaccumulation factor (BF) values were 2.5 and 6.0, respectively. To investigate Pb uptake capacity of S. arvensis, a hydroponic experiment was performed for 15 d. S. arvensis exposed to 5 mg L^?1 Pb solution had the highest Pb shoot accumulation (849 mg kg^?1). In a pot study, S. arvensis was grown in Pb mine soils amended with organic and inorganic fertilizers for 2 mo. The addition of organic fertilizer to the soil increased plant dry biomass sharply. All treatments with ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) had Pb accumulation in shoots greater than 1000 mg kg^?1 and the highest Pb shoot accumulation was found in S. arvensis grown in soil amended with organic fertilizer and EDTA (1397 mg kg^?1). In a field trial study, S. arvensis was grown at three sites in the mine area for 6 mo. S. arvensis could tolerate a total Pb of 100,000 mg kg^?1 in the soil and accumulated Pb in the shoots up to 3664 mg kg^?1 with high TF (2.19) and BF (2.38) values. These results suggest that S. arvensis is a good candidate for Pb phytoremediation.     

Enantioselective Bioaccumulation of Diniconazole in Tenebrio Molitor Larvae

The enantioselective bioaccumulation of diniconazole in Tenebrio molitor Linne larva was investigated with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry based on the ChiralcelOD‐3R[cellulose tri‐(3,5‐dimethylphenyl carbamate)] column. In this study we documented the effects of dietary supplementation with wheat bran contaminated by racemic diniconazole at two dose levels of 20 mg kg^‐1 and 2 mg kg^‐1 (dry weight) in Tenebrio molitor. The results showed that both doses of diniconazole were taken up by Tenebrio molitor rapidly in the first few days, the concentrations of R‐enantiomer and S‐enantiomer at high doses reached the highest level of 0.55 mg kg^‐1 and 0.48 mg kg^‐1, respectively, on the 1^st d, and the concentrations of them obtained a maxima of 0.129 mg kg^‐1 and 0.128 mg kg^‐1 at low dose, respectively, on the 3^rd d, which means that the concentration of diniconazole was proportional to the time of achieving the highest accumulated level. It afterwards attained equilibrium after a sharp decline at both 20 mg kg^‐1 and 2 mg kg^‐1 of diniconazole. The determination results from the feces of Tenebrio molitor demonstrated that the extraction recovery (ER) values of the high dose group were higher than that of the low dose group and the values were all above 1; therefore, it could be inferred that enantiomerization existed in Tenebrio molitor. Additionally, the biota accumulation factor was used to evaluate the bioaccumulation of diniconazole enantiomers, showing that the bioaccumulation of diniconazole in Tenebrio molitor was enantioselective with preferential accumulation of S‐enantiomer. Chirality 25:917–922, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Dietary total aromatic amino acid requirement and tyrosine replacement value for phenylalanine in Indian major carp: Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton) fingerlings

Two 8‐week growth trials were conducted to determine total aromatic amino acid requirement and tyrosine replacement value for phenylalanine in Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings. To determine the phenylalanine requirement, 20 fish were randomly stocked in triplicate groups in 55‐L indoor polyvinyl flow‐through circular tanks and fed six experimental diets containing graded levels of phenylalanine (5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, 15.0 and 17.5 g kg^?1, dry diet) with 10 g kg^?1 tyrosine. Maximum weight gain (287%), best FCR (1.44) and PER (1.74) occurred at 12.5 g kg^?1 dietary phenylalanine. Quadratic regression analysis of weight gain, FCR and PER data indicated phenylalanine requirement at 13.5, 12.9 and 12.7 g kg^?1 of dry diet, respectively. Protein deposition was significantly (P < 0.05) higher at 12.5 g kg^?1 dietary phenylalanine. Based on the above results, phenylalanine requirement of C. mrigala is recommended at 13.0 g kg^?1 of dry diet, corresponding to 32.5 g kg^?1 of protein. On the basis of the above requirement, a second experiment with a similar design was conducted using six diets containing graded levels of tyrosine (2.1, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, 10.0 and 12.0 g kg^?1) with 13.0 g kg^?1 phenylalanine fixed in all diets to determine the phenylalanine replacement value with that of tyrosine. Maximum weight gain (315%), best FCR (1.47) and PER (1.69) was at 8.0 g kg^?1 dietary tyrosine. Quadratic regression analysis of weight gain, FCR and PER data indicated tyrosine requirement at 9.0, 8.4 and 8.2 g kg^?1 of dry diet, respectively. Protein deposition was significantly (P < 0.05) higher at 8.0 g kg^?1 dietary tyrosine. On the basis of the above results, 8.5 g kg^?1 tyrosine, corresponding to 21.3 g kg^?1 of protein, is taken as the optimum requirement and the replacement value is 39.53% on a weight and 36% on a molar basis. Thus, the total aromatic amino acid requirement is 21.5 g kg^?1 of diet, corresponding to 53.8 g kg^?1 of protein for optimum C. mrigala growth.