Prediction of survival ratios of Cadra cautella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) different life stages after treated with ultraviolet radiation in dates

Date palm, is a tree of economic importance which is grown around the world, including Saudi Arabia. Its fruit is nutritious and possesses medicinal benefits. Almond moth, is a serious date fruits pest in the field as well as in the storage and causes severe economic losses. In the given research, ultraviolet radiation type B (UV-B, 315 nm) harmful effects were evaluated against all developmental stages of C. cautella. One and 3-d-old eggs, 12 and 18-d-old larvae, 1-d and 6-d-old pupae, and 1-d-old adults, were exposed to UV-B for different intervals. Eggs were exposed for 0–30 min and 0% hatchability was achieved both for 1-d and 3-d-old eggs after 30 min. The larvae were exposed for 6–24 h, and after 24 h, mortality was 100 and 97% for 12 and 18-d-old larvae, respectively. Similarly, the pupae were exposed for 0–30 h, and 100% mortality was achieved after 30 h for 1-d-old pupae. Furthermore, none of the 6-d-old pupae emerged as an adult after 12 h of exposure. When adults were exposed for 1–4 d, no mortality was observed; however, UV-B reduced fecundity and hatchability in the treated adults. The susceptibility order was as follows: eggs > larvae > pupae > adults. Several uncharacteristic behaviors of C. cautella were noted, such as females depositing eggs openly on food items and containers, mature larvae exiting from food, larvae starting to wander for pupation, and pupation occurring typically outside the food. The application of UV-B could be an effective management strategy because all developmental stages of C. cautella were susceptible to UV-B that might be helpful to protect the dates from C. cautella infestation.     

Effect of donor strength of extended alkyl auxiliary groups on optoelectronic and charge transport properties of novel naphtha[2,1-b:6,5-b′]difuran derivatives: simple yet effective strategy

The present study spotlights the designing of new derivatives of 2,7-bis (4-octylphenyl) naphtho [2,1-b:6,5-b′] difuran (C8-DPNDF) by substituting the alkyl groups (methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, and heptyl groups) at para position. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) methods are employed to optimize the molecular structures in ground and first excited states, respectively. Several electro-optical properties including hole/electron reorganization energies (λ_h/λ_e), electron affinities (EAs), ionization potentials (IPs), molecular electrostatic potentials (MEP), and frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) have been evaluated. Furthermore their transfer integrals and intrinsic mobilities values have also been calculated. From this study, it is found that hole mobility of octyl containing derivative is raised to 4.69 cm² V^?1 s^?1. Moreover with attaching octyl group, hole transfer integral values have also been enhanced in newly designed derivatives. The balanced hole and electron reorganization energies, and improved transfer integrals lead to enhanced mobility in derivatives with octyl group, highlighting them as an efficient hole transfer material. Unlike the other electro-optical properties, the intrinsic hole mobility has increased because of transfer integral values of octyl containing derivative C8-DPNDF due to the dense and close crystal packing of C8-DPNDF. However, photostability of furan-based materials has not changed by increasing length of extended alkyl chain. Thus our present investigation highlights the importance of alkyl auxiliary groups that are often neglected/replaced with simple methyl group to save computation costs.

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Graphical Abstract The hole and electron reorganization energies of naphtho[2,1-b:6,5-b']difuran derivatives

     

Role of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Countering Negative Effects Generated by Cadmium in Lycopersicon esculentum

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - Nanotechnology now plays a revolutionary role in many applications; nanomaterials have experienced significant importance in both basic and applied sciences as...     

Crab Pentapeptide and Its Anti-inflammatory Activity on Macrophage Cells

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - Marine fishes have long been known due to their nutritional and pharmaceutical importance. In this study, marine crab (C. natator) body...     

Association of DNA biosynthesis with planting value enhancement in hydroprimed maize seeds

Inadequate plant stand establishment due to insufficient germination is an important bottleneck in achieving the potential yields, specifically under uncertain growing conditions. Hydropriming has been publicized as a useful tool to alleviate the stress-induced consequences. Association of DNA biosynthesis in hydroprimed seeds of maize; hybrid, PEHM 5 and its parental lines (CM150 and CM151) was studied. Seeds were hydroprimed at 25 °C for 30 h and half of them were surface dried while the other half were redried back to the original moisture contents. The treated and untreated seeds were evaluated for; germination test, mean germination time, vigour index and DNA levels in embryos of fully matured seeds. Both the treatment strategies significantly enhanced the planting value of maize seeds. Vigour index I revealed significant correlation with G2/G1 ratio whereas significant negative correlation between G2/G1 ratio and mean germination time was observed. Large amounts of 2C DNA signals in flow cytometric analysis divulged that most cells might had arrested in the cell cycle at the pre synthetic G1 phase of nuclear division. Augmentation of 4C signal in the embryonic region was noticed after imbibition that could be ascribed to cells entering the synthetic phase of nuclear division. The embryonic cells showed increased 4C:2C ratios after 30 h of imbibition. Apparently, DNA synthesis preceded germination. In dry seeds, DNA histograms revealed both a 2C signal and a considerable 4C peak. A priming period of 30 h in distilled water considerably enhanced the rate and uniformity of germination in both surface dried and redried treatment strategies. Upon priming, the ratio of 4C:2C increased during the 30 h priming period, though the level in case of redried seeds did not reach the level obtained after hydration in water without drying back. However, the 4C: 2C ratio was constant after redrying the seeds to the original moisture content, indicating that the chromosomal material in the embryonic cells had stably ceased cell cycle activity at the G2 phase. The present results indicate that the beneficial effects of priming on seedling performance could be associated with the action of replicative DNA synthesis processes prior to germination.     

Identification of operative dose of NPK on yield enhancement of desi and kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in diverse milieu

The effect of fertilizer on yield and yield related traits studied in two consecutive years at two different locations. Three different doses of fertilizer (NPK) applied at the rate of 9:23:0, 18:46:12 and 27:69:25 respectively on sixteen chickpea, genotypes (Desi and Kabuli advance lines and commercial varieties). Data recorded for days to 50% flowering, plant height, primary and secondary branches, pods per plant, 100-grain weight and grain yield (kg/ha). In Desi chickpea highest grain yield (kg/ha) in both years was produced by advance line D-12026 and in Kabuli advance line K-70005 at Faisalabad location. Grain yield kg/ha had significant positive correlation with all the considered parameters except days to 50% flowering and days to 50% maturity. The treatment comparison manifested that fertilizer doses 9:23:0 enhanced grain yield. The high dose of fertilizer is not recommendable. The grain yield of Desi and Kabuli chickpea at two locations Pulses Research Institute (PRI) Faisalabad and GBRSS (Gram Breeding Research Sub Station) Kallurkot had significant variation. The grain yield (kg ha⁻¹) was significant high in research area of PRI, Faisalabad in both years. The NPK 9:23:0 found operative dose of fertilizer for chickpea.     

Propagation of vaccine strain of duck enteritis virus in a cell line of duck origin as an alternative production system to propagation in embryonated egg

Duck virus enteritis (DVE) also known as duck plague, is a viral infection of ducks caused by duck enteritis virus (DEV). The control of the disease is mainly done by vaccination with a chicken embryo-adapted live virus that is known to be poorly immunogenic and affords partial protection. Further, the risk of harboring other infectious agents in the embryo particularly the deadly and zoonotic avian influenza virus is also high. In this paper, we report propagation of a chicken embryo-adapted vaccine strain of duck enteritis virus in duck embryo fibroblast (DEF) cell line. Thirty serial passages were done in DEF cell that made the vaccine virus further attenuated which was tested in ducks. The growth behaviors of the virus in DEF cells were studied and at 30th passage level the virus titre was found to be 10^6.8 TCID₅₀/ml. Ducks were immunized with this virus and challenged after 21 days with high dose of virulent DEV. All the immunized ducks withstood challenge with no clinical symptoms in any of the ducks while all the control ducks died. DEF cell which is free from other infectious agents appears to be a good system for cultivation of duck enteritis virus vaccine strain.     

Renal function and risk factors of moderate to severe chronic kidney disease in Golestan Province, northeast of Iran

Introduction

The incidence of end-stage renal disease is increasing worldwide. Earlier studies reported high prevalence rates of obesity and hypertension, two major risk factors of chronic kidney disease (CKD), in Golestan Province, Iran. We aimed to investigate prevalence of moderate to severe CKD and its risk factors in the region.

Methods

Questionnaire data and blood samples were collected from 3591 participants (≥18 years old) from the general population. Based on serum creatinine levels, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated.

Results

High body mass index (BMI) was common: 35.0% of participants were overweight (BMI 25–29.9) and 24.5% were obese (BMI ≥30). Prevalence of CKD stages 3 to 5 (CKD–S3-5), i.e., GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m², was 4.6%. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for the risk of CKD–S3-5 associated with every year increase in age was 1.13 (1.11–1.15). Men were at lower risk of CKD–S3-5 than women (OR = 0.28; 95% CI 0.18–0.45). Obesity (OR = 1.78; 95% CI 1.04–3.05) and self-reported diabetes (OR = 1.70; 95% CI 1.00–2.86), hypertension (OR = 3.16; 95% CI 2.02–4.95), ischemic heart disease (OR = 2.73; 95% CI 1.55–4.81), and myocardial infarction (OR = 2.69; 95% CI 1.14–6.32) were associated with increased risk of CKD–S3-5 in the models adjusted for age and sex. The association persisted for self-reported hypertension even after adjustments for BMI and history of diabetes (OR = 2.85; 95% CI 1.77–4.59).

Conclusion

A considerable proportion of inhabitants in Golestan have CKD–S3-5. Screening of individuals with major risk factors of CKD, in order to early detection and treatment of impaired renal function, may be plausible. Further studies on optimal risk prediction of future end-stage renal disease and effectiveness of any screening program are warranted.     

Molecular genetic studies and delineation of the oculocutaneous albinism phenotype in the Pakistani population

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is caused by a group of genetically heterogeneous inherited defects that result in the loss of pigmentation in the eyes, skin and hair. Mutations in the TYR, OCA2, TYRP1 and SLC45A2 genes have been shown to cause isolated OCA. No comprehensive analysis has been conducted to study the spectrum of OCA alleles prevailing in Pakistani albino populations. METHODS: We enrolled 40 large Pakistani families and screened them for OCA genes and a candidate gene, SLC24A5. Protein function effects were evaluated using in silico prediction algorithms and ex vivo studies in human melanocytes. The effects of splice-site mutations were determined using an exon-trapping assay. RESULTS: Screening of the TYR gene revealed four known (p.Arg299His, p.Pro406Leu, p.Gly419Arg, p.Arg278*) and three novel mutations (p.Pro21Leu, p.Cys35Arg, p.Tyr411His) in ten families. Ex vivo studies revealed the retention of an EGFP-tagged mutant (p.Pro21Leu, p.Cys35Arg or p.Tyr411His) tyrosinase in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) at 37degreesC, but a significant fraction of p.Cys35Arg and p.Tyr411His left the ER in cells grown at a permissive temperature (31degreesC). Three novel (p.Asp486Tyr, p.Leu527Arg, c.1045-15T>G) and two known mutations (p.Pro743Leu, p.Ala787Thr) of OCA2 were found in fourteen families. Exon-trapping assays with a construct containing a novel c.1045-15T>G mutation revealed an error in splicing. No mutation in TYRP1, SLC45A2, and SLC24A5 was found in the remaining 16 families. Clinical evaluation of the families segregating either TYR or OCA2 mutations showed nystagmus, photophobia, and loss of pigmentation in the skin or hair follicles. Most of the affected individuals had grayish-blue colored eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that ten and fourteen families harbored mutations in the TYR and OCA2 genes, respectively. Our findings, along with the results of previous studies, indicate that the p.Cys35Arg, p.Arg278* and p.Gly419Arg alleles of TYR and the p.Asp486Tyr and c.1045-15T>G alleles of OCA2 are the most common causes of OCA in Pakistani families. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first documentation of OCA2 alleles in the Pakistani population. A significant proportion of our cohort did not have mutations in known OCA genes. Overall, our study contributes to the development of genetic testing protocols and genetic counseling for OCA in Pakistani families.