Control Treatment Values Research Articles

Deciphering the role of zinc oxide nanoparticles on physiochemical attributes of Zea mays exposed to saline conditions through modulation in antioxidant enzyme defensive system

Use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) has the potential to increase the plant growth and development in agricultural sectors. Mode of application of NPs to plants is also of considerable importance. In present study, zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared by using black seed extract and zinc salt. Characterized zinc oxide nanoparticles were then used to treat Zea mays L. in two types of treatments namely nano-priming and foliar nano-spray of zinc oxide nanoparticles. For each treatment a range of concentration was used i.e., 100, 200, 400, and 1000 mg/L. Experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design. Hydro-priming was used as a control. Whereas foliar spray was given after 30, 45, and 60 days of sowing. Plants were harvested after 90 days and various growth, physiological, biochemical, yield and stress parameters were studied. Results showed that monodispersed nanoparticles of average size of 45.56 nm were synthesized. Priming with ZnONPs showed better results as compared to foliar spray of ZnONPs. Highest germination (100%), Leaf length (350 cm), plant height (65 cm), and no. of leaves (10 leaves per plant) were recorded for corn plants with seed priming treatment of 200 mg/L of ZnONPs. These values were significantly higher than comparative positive control treatment values (salt-treated plants) as well. Whereas biochemical analysis also supported the results of growth parameters i.e., ZnONPs treated plants (200–1000 mg/L) showed higher values of sugar (0.6 µg), chlorophyll (1800 µg) and carotenoid content (400 µg). Protein and proline content was higher for zinc salt-treated (positive control) plants. Photosynthetic rate, CO2 sub-stomatal conductance, stomatal conductance and rate of transpiration was also higher for ZnONPs treated plants particularly in nano-primed plants. Whereas study of yield attributes showed highest cob length (14 cm), cob weight (80 g), cobs per plant (4) in ZnONPs treated plants that was significantly higher than the both controls. Stress studies of plant samples showed that peroxidase activity was highest in plants treated with 1000 mg/L zinc salt-treated salts, both in case of priming and foliar spray. Whereas catalase activity was found highest in ZnONPs (200 mg/L) foliar spray treated plants. Zinc content analysis of plant sample showed significantly higher amount of zinc in ZnONPs treated corn plants. It is concluded from present study that ZnONPs in priming treatment significantly enhanced the growth and yield attributes of corn plants through the balance of biochemical and stress indicators. Priming and foliar spray of ZnONPs also fortified the crop with enhanced zinc content. Future study with combination of both priming and foliar spray may be further optimized.

0155 Persistent Activation of TXNIP and NLRP3 Inflammasomes in Cortical Glia and Neurons after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract Introduction Mild traumatic brain injuries (TBI) induce persistent dysregulated sleep, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inflammation. Nucleotide-binding domain leucine rich family pyrin containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes are protein complexes that stimulate caspase-1 to activate the somnogenic pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. ROS induce thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) to activate NLRP3 inflammasomes by inhibiting thioredoxin which inhibits ROS. We previously found that mice lacking NLRP3 have increased non-rapid-eye movement (NREM) sleep and slow-wave activity (SWA) 24 h after mild TBI, but at 2 months post-injury theses values are reduced. Following up on this, we sought to determine the activity of NLRP3 inflammasomes in glia and neurons after mild TBI. Methods Two-month-old mice lacking NLRP3, and wild-type mice received a craniectomy and mild TBI via controlled cortical impact or sham. Frontal and somatosensory cortices were collected without a TBI and at 24 h and 2 months post-TBI. Microglia, astrocytes, and neurons were isolated using fluorescent-activated cell sorting, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), RNA and protein were quantified using RT-PCR and ELISAs. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results RNA, protein, and ROS control treatment values were similar for both genotypes in cortical microglia, astrocytes, and neurons. In wild-type mice, NLRP3, IL-1β, IL-18, caspase-1, and TXNIP expression along with ROS values were significantly greater and thioredoxin expression was significantly less in cortical microglia, astrocytes, and neurons 24 h and 2 months post-TBI. In wild-type cortical microglia, astrocytes, and neurons NLRP3, IL-1β, and TXNIP expression levels were significantly greater in these cell types 2 months vs. 24 h post-TBI. Wild-type mice caspase-1 activity and NLRP3, IL-18, IL-1β, and TXNIP protein levels, were significantly greater and thioredoxin protein levels were significantly less in both cortical areas 24 h and 2 months post-TBI. Mice lacking NLRP3 showed significant increased values of TXNIP but reduced thioredoxin expression and protein levels 24 and 2 months post-TBI but no significant differences in other measures. Conclusion Our findings suggest that TBI induces persistent oxidative stress, TXNIP, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in cortical glia and neurons that likely contributes to sleep dysregulation. Support (if any) Merit Review Award (I01BX005379)(MRZ) and SPiRE Award (I21RX003722)(GBK) Department of Veterans Affairs

EFFECT OF DIETARY ZEOLITE ON AMMONIA TOXICITY AND ON SOME OF BLOOD PARAMETERS IN COMMON CARP CYPRINUS CARPIO

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary zeolite on ammonia toxicity and in some of blood parameters in Cyprinus carpio. Fish were fed either a control diets (0% zeolite) or control diet supplemented with 2, 4 and 6% (T1, T2 and T3) respectively for 28 days. Results showed that the mean value of ammonia concentrations ranged between 0.10 mg/l in T1 and T3 in the first week to 1.85 mg/l in control in fourth week, which could be noticed a gradually increased in the values of ammonia in the end of the experiment. Results showed that the ammonia concentration has a significant (p≤ 0.05) increased in control treatment for third and fourth week compared with other treatments. For blood parameters, results showed high fluctuation in the mean values of RBC count, the mean of WBC count recorded the highest value in control treatment, and significantly decreased in T1,T2 and T3. PCV value and Hb content recorded the lowest values in control treatment and the highest values in T1,T2 and T3 respectively. It can be concluded that T3 have reached the saturation point for lower values in the first three weeks of ammonia , then the active of zeolite decreased resulted increasing ammonia in fourth week for all treatments.

Inhibition to crucial enzymes in the lethal effects of the dinoflagellate Karenia mikimotoi on the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis

Blooms of the dinoflagellate Karenia mikimotoi have cause great financial losses to the marine aquaculture industry. However, the toxicity mechanism of this species is still not fully known. In this study, we evaluated the short-term effects of K. mikimotoi on the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis by micro and sub micro observing and by measuring inhibition of crucial enzymes. Behaviour disorder, mucus production, corona and cilium damage, vesical production, and body shrinkage occurred within 1 h after rotifers were treated with K. mikimotoi at a density of 3 × 104 cells/mL. Enzyme activity assays showed that K. mikimotoi at low densities significantly inhibited multiple enzymes within 3 h, and obvious density-effect trends were also observed. For instance, activity of esterase and acetylcholinesterase of rotifers significantly decreased to 94.3/83.3% and 82.8/66.9% of control treatment values in 30 and 1000 cells/mL algal treatment, respectively. Total ATPase and Na+-K+-ATPase activities of rotifers also decreased to 82.3% and 68.6% of control values in 1000 cells/mL treatment. The LDH releasement test and MDA tests showed no significant difference between algae treatment and control. It suggested that K. mikimotoi might not cause significant cytolysis and oxidative damage to rotifers, but may cause mortality by inhibiting the activity of crucial enzymes, which may lead to cell permeability disorder and body shrinkage.

Effect of organic amendments on rice yield trend, phosphorus use efficiency, uptake, and apparent balance in soil under long-term rice-wheat rotation

ABSTRACTThe experiment was conducted in a 22nd cycle of rice-wheat rotation established in the eastern India with a randomized block designed with various combinations of inorganic and organic sources of nutrients like farm yard manure (FYM), paddy straw (PS), and green manure in rice crop only. Application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) and its combination with FYM, PS, and green manuring increased the grain yield of rice significantly. Rice yield declined only in control plots (−0.003 t ha−1 year−1), whereas positive yield trend was maintained in all the treatments. All organically amended plots showed a better uptake as well as use efficiencies of applied phosphorus (P) inputs over control. The apparent P balance showed positive value in control treatment over the years ranging from −4.8 to 24.8 kg ha−1 year−1. The positive yield trend of rice was maintained due to buildup of P from various organic inputs.

Evaluation of thermal antinociceptive effects after oral administration of tramadol hydrochloride to American kestrels (Falco sparverius)

To evaluate the thermal antinociceptive and sedative effects and duration of action of tramadol hydrochloride after oral administration to American kestrels (Falco sparverius). 12 healthy 3-year-old American kestrels. Tramadol (5, 15, and 30 mg/kg) and a control suspension were administered orally in a masked randomized crossover experimental design. Foot withdrawal response to a thermal stimulus was determined 1 hour before (baseline) and 0.5, 1.5, 3, 6, and 9 hours after treatment. Agitation-sedation scores were determined 3 to 5 minutes before each thermal stimulus test. The lowest dose of tramadol evaluated (5 mg/kg) significantly increased the thermal foot withdrawal thresholds for up to 1.5 hours after administration, compared with control treatment values, and for up to 9 hours after administration, compared with baseline values. Tramadol at doses of 15 and 30 mg/kg significantly increased thermal thresholds at 0.5 hours after administration, compared with control treatment values, and up to 3 hours after administration, compared with baseline values. No significant differences in agitation-sedation scores were detected between tramadol and control treatments. Results indicated oral administration of 5 mg of tramadol/kg significantly increased thermal nociception thresholds for kestrels for 1.5 hours, compared with a control treatment, and 9 hours, compared with baseline values; higher doses resulted in less pronounced antinociceptive effects. Additional studies with other types of stimulation, formulations, dosages, routes of administration, and testing times would be needed to fully evaluate the analgesic and adverse effects of tramadol in kestrels and other avian species.

Silicon fertilisation decreases brown rust incidence in sugarcane

Few studies have focused on the effect that silicon fertilisation has on the incidence of brown rust in sugarcane, even though this crop is Si-accumulating and Si addition has been shown to have positive effects in other plant-pathosystems. The objective of this study was to quantify brown rust development in sugarcane after the addition of silicon fertilizer to texturally distinct soils over three sugarcane cropping cycles. One experiment was conducted for three years with sugarcane grown in 100 L pots receiving four levels of silicon fertilizer (0, 185, 370, 555 kg ha−1 Si), with three different soil types (Quartzipsamment-RQ; Rhodic Hapludox-LV; Rhodic Acrudox-LVdf), in randomised blocks design with four replications. Silicate fertilisation increased Si concentrations in the soil and sugarcane leaves. The incidence of brown rust was influenced by Si rates and soils type for the plant cane and second ratoon. For the plant cane, Si application reduced the maximum rust incidence, which was estimated by the b1 parameter of the monomolecular model, with values reaching 29%, 41% and 47% for the RQ, LV and LVdf, respectively. For the RQ, the b1 value was reduced by 20%, 20% and 59% of the control treatment values for the 185, 370 and 555 kg ha−1 Si application rates, respectively. There was a significant reduction in brown rust incidence as a function of increasing leaf Si concentrations in all soil types. These results suggest that Si fertilisation could play an important role in the management of brown rust for sugarcane.

High Drift Rate Effects of Propanil and Basis Gold on the Plankton Communities and Water Quality of a Prestocking Sunshine Bass, Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis, Fry Pond

ABSTRACT Mesocosm-testing of aerially applied herbicides propanil and Basis Gold (86.8% atrazine) and indicated high drift rates (10–20% of field rates) resulted in adverse impacts on aquaculture production-pond phytoplankton, zooplankton, and critical water-quality variables. Effects on fry pond phytoplankton, zooplankton, and water quality from these herbicides were evaluated at 30% of field application rates, equal to the worst-case scenario from drift to these smaller ponds with consequent higher concentrations. The study was conducted in 12 outdoor pool mesocosms of 500 L volume, filled with pond water from an adjacent 0.1 ha pond fertilized and prepared as recommended for sunshine bass, Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis, fry stocking. Plankton and water quality samples were taken just prior to herbicide application (day 0) and on days 1,2,3,4-zooplankton only, and on day 7 after application. Field application rates for Basis Gold and propanil were 0.8 kg active ingredient and 1.80 kg/ha, respectively. Significant changes from control treatment values were found for several parameters in both herbicide treatments. Following application on June 20, net primary productivity was significantly depressed on day 1 in the propanil treatments, but increased on days 2 and 3. Morning dissolved oxygen (DO) was lower on days 1–3, but not to critical levels. Also, in the presence of propanil, pH and consequently UIA were lower from day 1 to 3. Basis Gold reduced morning DO on days 2 and 3, but not net primary productivity. Nitrite-N, however, was significantly higher on day 1. Phytoplankton total numbers, and the cyanobacterium Chroococcus sp. which dominated, were reduced by propanil on days 1 -3; and similarly affected by Basis Gold on days 2 and 3. Numbers of green algae, Scenedesmus sp. and Coelastrum sp., and diatoms were, however, stimulated by propanil and diatoms by Basis Gold. Zooplankton were little affected by either herbicide. Thus, high levels of drift from propanil and Basis Gold should not result in negative impacts on fry production.

Absence of detectable pharmacological effects after oral administration of isoxsuprine.

Isoxsuprine is reported to be a peripheral vasodilator used in human and veterinary medicine to treat ischaemic vascular disease. In horses, it is generally administered orally to treat navicular disease and other lower limb problems. To define the scope and duration of its pharmacological responses after oral administration, 6 horses were dosed with isoxsuprine HCl (1.2 mg/kg bwt) q. 12 h for 8 days and then tested to assess the duration and extent of pharmacological actions. There was no significant difference between isoxsuprine and control treatment values for heart rate, spontaneous activity, sweat production, anal muscle tone, core and skin temperatures, and cutaneous blood flow. The lack of pharmacological effect following oral administration was in sharp contrast to the marked response following i.v. dosing reported in earlier experiments.

Patterns of Soil and Tree Water Status and Leaf Functioning during Regulated Deficit Irrigation Scheduling in Peach

Seasonal patterns of soil water content and diurnal leaf water potential (LWP), stomatal conductance(gs), and net CO2 assimilation (A) were determined in a high-density peach [Prunus persica(L) Batsch cv. Cal Red] subjected to regulated deficit irrigation scheduling. The regulated deficit irrigation treatment caused clear differences in soil water content and predawn LWP relative to control irrigation treatments. Treatment differences in midday LWP, gs, and A were also significant, but not as distinct as differences in predawn LWP. Leaves on trees subject of the deficit irrigation treatment were photosynthetically more water-use-efficient during the latter part of the stress period than were the nonstressed trees. Midday LWP and gs, on trees that received the regulated deficit irrigation treatment did not recover to control treatment values until more than 3 weeks after full irrigation was resumed at the beginning of state III of fruit growth, because of water infiltration problems in the dry soil caused by the deficit irrigation. The regulated deficit irrigation treatment caused only a 8% reduction in trunk growth relative to the control, but resulted in a 40% savings in irrigation requirements.

Response of early-peach [Prunus persica (L.)] trees to deficit irrigation

The effect of different irrigation strategies in water relations, vegetative growth and yield of early maturing peach trees, growing in Murcia, (Spain) was studied during two years. Treatments consisted on: a control T1, full irrigated (150% of ETc); T2, continuous deficit irrigation at 50% of ETc; T3, regulated deficit irrigation (RDI), irrigated at 100% of ETc only during stage III of fruit growth and 25% the rest of the growing season; and T4, with automatic control of irrigation based on capacitance FDR-type probe data, varying threshold values. The results indicated that irrigation deficits in T2 and T3 treatments induced the lowest soil water content and stem water potential(Ψstem) values during the postharvest period (e.g. ψstem up to –1.8 MPa in T3 during summer 2008); thus, a reduction in trunk growth and pruning weight, respect to control treatment values, was noted in both years. Also, peach yield was significantly reduced in both deficit irrigated treatments. The greatest irrigation water saving in T3 treatment (≈60%) caused the higher water use efficiency values in this treatment. For these reasons, water deficit during the postharvest periods (extended in the early maturing varieties) must be limited if fruit yield is not to be reduced. Irrigation scheduling based on capacitance probes have become a useful tool in the control of soil water content. When threshold values were precisely defined, the slight water deficits limited only vegetative growth while maintaining similar peach yield to that of well irrigated trees.