SAP Levels Research Articles

Eco‐friendly flame‐retardant based on sap from banana plant pseudostems

AbstractSociety's need for safe flame‐retardant technologies in passive fire protection is undeniable. To address this concern, this paper presents an experimental investigation of the fire‐retardant properties of slash pine wood treated with banana plant pseudostem sap, obtained from a cultivated banana plant variety widely grown in Brazil. The natural sap extract was characterized through X‐Ray Fluorescence spectrometry and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy techniques, revealing the presence of key components, including water, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, sodium silicate, calcium phosphate, sodium phosphate, lignin and tannins. The authors explored different treatment parameters, including various sap impregnation times, number of impregnations and use of natural versus various levels of concentrated sap. First, a horizontal burning test, similar test to UL 94 HB, was used to obtain an initial assessment of the suitability of sap as a flame retardant for slash pine wood. Subsequently, the Mass Loss Calorimeter equipment with thermopile attachment described in ISO 13927:2015 was used to measure various heat release rate parameters. The findings suggest that reducing the water content in sap and increasing the number of repeat treatments results in a more effective treatment for slash pine wood. More specifically, the results indicate that the most efficient treatment involves three impregnations with high‐concentration (1/10 volume reduction) sap. Future work to improve the efficacy of the concentrated sap impregnation process could explore the use of pressure treatment instead of soaking.

Dampak Hutan Kemasyarakatan terhadap Kondisi Sosial Ekonomi Penyadap Getah Pinus di Desa Ronggur Nihuta Kecamatan Ronggur Nihuta Kabupaten Samosir

This research aims to determine the impact of the potential existence of community forests on economic and social conditions in Ronggur Nihuta Village, Ronggur Nihuta District, Samosir Regency. The method used in this research is Quantitative Descriptive. The results of the research show: 1. The income level of pine sap tappers increased after pine sap tapping was Rp. 680,000,000 (46%). 2. Ownership of valuables increased after pine resin tapping, namely motorbikes, increased by 2, previously 32(80%), to 35(88%). 3. Ownership status of the house occupied is almost all owned by yourself (85%), the cost of renovating the previous house was IDR 680,000 (18%) to IDR 3,030,000 (82%). 4. The child's current education is high school (70%). Previous education costs were IDR 80,250,000 (46%) to IDR 91,250,000 (54%). 5. The health condition of the pine sap tapper is good in work activities (90%), the cost of medical treatment for family members was previously IDR 20,292,000 (48%) to IDR. 22,814,000 (52%).

Potential plasma biomarkers at low altitude for prediction of acute mountain sickness.

Ascending to high altitude can induce a range of physiological and molecular alterations, rendering a proportion of lowlanders unacclimatized. The prediction of acute mountain sickness (AMS) prior to ascent to high altitude remains elusive. A total of 40 participants were enrolled for our study in the discovery cohort, and plasma samples were collected from all individuals. The subjects were divided into severe AMS-susceptible (sAMS) group, moderate AMS-susceptible (mAMS) group and non-AMS group based on the Lake Louise Score (LLS) at both 5000m and 3700m. Proteomic analysis was conducted on a cohort of 40 individuals to elucidate differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and associated pathways between AMS-susceptible group and AMS-resistant group at low altitude (1400m) and middle high-altitude (3700m). Subsequently, a validation cohort consisting of 118 individuals was enrolled. The plasma concentration of selected DEPs were quantified using ELISA. Comparative analyses of DEPs among different groups in validation cohort were performed, followed by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis to evaluate the predictive efficiency of DEPs for the occurrence of AMS. The occurrence of the AMS symptoms and LLS differed significantly among the three groups in the discovery cohort (p<0.05), as well as in the validation cohort. Comparison of plasma protein profiles using GO analysis revealed that DEPs were primarily enriched in granulocyte activation, neutrophil mediated immunity, and humoral immune response. The comparison of potential biomarkers between the sAMS group and non-AMS group at low altitude revealed statistically higher levels of AAT, SAP and LTF in sAMS group (p=0.01), with a combined area under the curve(AUC) of 0.965. Compared to the mAMS group at low altitude, both SAP and LTF were found to be significantly elevated in the sAMS group, with a combined AUC of 0.887. HSP90-α and SAP exhibited statistically higher levels in the mAMS group compared to the non-AMS group at low altitude, with a combined AUC of 0.874. Inflammatory and immune related biological processes were significantly different between AMS-susceptible and AMS-resistant groups at low altitude and middle high-altitude. SAP, AAT, LTF and HSP90-α were considered as potential biomarkers at low altitude for the prediction of AMS.

Influence of Seaweed Sap and Organic Manures on Growth and Yield of Baby Corn

A field experiment was carried out during Rabi 2022 season at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agriculture Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to study the response of Seaweed Sap and Organic Manures on Growth and Yield of Baby Corn. The treatments consists of three level of Seaweed sap (5%, 7.5% and 10%), Organic manures (FYM, Poultry manure, Vermicompost) and control. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments and replicated thrice. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam with pH (8.0), EC (0.56 ds/m), Organic Carbon (0.62%), Available N (225 kg/ha), Available P (38.2 kg/ha), and Available K (240.7 kg/ha). The results showed that application of Seaweed sap (10%) + Vermicompost – 8.5t/ha recorded significantly higher plant height (167.58 cm), maximum dry weight (98.48 g), No. of cobs/plant (2.47), cob length (21.40 cm), Cob weight with husk (49.84 g/cob), Cob yield (11.03 t/ha) and stover yield (35.33 t/ha). Maximum gross returns (281216.67 INR/ha), net returns (216726.67 INR/ha) and Benefit Cost (B.C) ratio (3.36).

Influence of Seaweed Sap and Zinc on Growth and Yield of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.)

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif (August- October) 2022 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology And Sciences, Prayagraj (U.P). The soil of the field constituting a part of central gangetic alluvium is neutral and deep. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam in texture, slightly alkaline in soil reaction (pH 8), low level of organic carbon (0.28%), available N (219 Kg/ha), P (11.6 kg/ha) and K (217.2 kg/ha). The experiment was conducted in randomized block design consisting of 10 treatments with 3 different levels of Seaweed sap viz. 5%, 10%, 15% (15 &amp; 30 DAS), three different levels of Zinc viz. 10, 15, 20 (basal application) with 3 replications and the treatments were allocated randomly in each replication. The results showed that treatment 9 [ZnSO4 (20kg/ha) + Seaweed sap (15%)] recorded significantly higher plant height (176.75 cm), higher plant dry weight(g) (88.42), higher crop growth rate (97.53), higher relative growth rate (0.0910), maximum number of cobs/plant (3), maximum length of cob/plant (16.90 cm), maximum grith of cob (13.02 cm), maximum cob weight with husk(g) (47.57 g), maximum cob weight without husk(g) (12.01 g), maximum cob yield with husk (9.95 t/ha), maximum green fodder yield (24.61 t/ha) compare to other treatments. The maximum gross returns (99,500.00 INR/ha), maximum net return (62,464.00 INR/ha) and highest benefit cost ratio (1.68) was recorded in treatment 9 [ZnSO4 (20kg/ha) + Seaweed sap (15%)] as compared to other treatments. Minimum parameters were recorded in treatment 10 control plot with RDF 100:60:40 kg/ha NPK.

AKTIVITAS ANTIOKSIDAN MINUMAN FUNGSIONAL BERBASIS NIRA KELAPA DENGAN PENAMBAHAN EKSTRAK SECANG, KAYU MANIS, JAHE DAN BERAS HITAM

The development of coconut sap-based products with the addition of secang wood extract, cinnamon, ginger and black rice is one of the right steps to provide a beverage source of antioxidants to suppress the development of degenerative diseases caused by exposure to free radicals. Objective: to examine the effect of the type and amount of extract on the total phenol, anthocyanin, antioxidant activity levels of coconut sap based- functional drinks by added extract of sappan wood, cinnamon, ginger and black rice based. This is a factorial experimental study using a Randomized Block Design. Factors tried were: 1) Type of extract (sappan wood (J1), cinnamon (J2), ginger (J3) and black rice (J4)); 2) amount of extract addition (15%, 20%, 25%). Variables observed were: total phenol and anthocyanin levels. The results showed that the type of extract and the amount of its addition affected on the total phenol and anthocyanin levels of functional beverages made from coconut sap. Functional beverages with the addition of sappan wood, cinnamon, ginger and black rice extracts contained total phenols of: (4.8; 3.68, 2.68 and 3.68)mg/mL and anthocyanins content of (25.23; 7,72; 8.76; and 38.22)mg/L, respectively.. The more the addition of extract, the higher the anthocyanin and phenol levels. The mean value of anthocyanin levels in the addition of extracts 15%, 20% and 25% were: (13.08; 18.81; and 28.05) mg/L and the total phenol content, (2.94; 3.59, and 4.21 GAE/g), and antioxidant actifity (DPPH) were: (65,3%), (66,7%), (69% ) respectively. Functional drink based on coconut sap with the addition of black rice extract has the highest antioxidant activity.Keyword : secang wood, cinnamon, ginger, black rice

Kandungan nutrien, fraksi serat dan nutrient value fermentasi jerami kacang tanah (Arachys hypogaea) pada level nira lontar (Borassus flabellifer) yang berbeda

Objective: Peanut straw is abundantly available and still contains the nutrients needed by livestock but has high crude fiber content. Therefore, it is processed using fermentation technology using palm sap. The nutrient content and fiber fraction of fermented peanut shells at different levels of palm sap is the aim of the research. Methods: The Completely Randomized Design (CRD) used with 4 treatments and 6 replications, namely: JKT0 = peanut straw without palm sap, JKT5 = peanut straw + 5% palm sap, JKT10 = peanut straw + 10% palm sap, JKT15 = peanut straw + 15% palm sap and fermented for 21 days. The research variables were nutrient content resulted of proximate analysis, fiber fraction, and nutrient value . The analysis used one-way variance and Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results: Increasing the use of palm sap up to 15% in rice straw fermentation led to a 15.59% decrease in dry matter, a 7.33% increase in nitrogen-free extract (BETN), a 19.67% decrease in ash, an increase of up to 6.13% of NDF, a decrease of 6 .99% ADF, 7.57% decrease in cellulose, 45.45% increase in hemicellulose, nutrient value (DMI, DMD, and RFV) but no effect on crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat and lignin. and the use of 10% palm sap gives optimal results. Conclusions: The fermentation process using palm sap affects the dry matter content, BETN, ash, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose, cellulose, but has no impact on the content of crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat, and lignin and the best palm sap level is 10%.

SAP deficiency aggravates periodontitis possibly via C5a-C5aR signaling-mediated defective macrophage phagocytosis of Porphyromonas gingivalis

IntroductionSerum amyloid P component (SAP) regulates the innate immune system and microbial diseases. Periodontitis is an inflammatory oral disease developed by the host immune system's interaction with the dysbiotic oral microbiome, thereby SAP could play a role in periodontitis pathogenicity. ObjectivesTo investigate the role of SAP in oral microbiome modulation and peridontitis pathogenicity. MethodsIn this study, wildtype and SAP-knockout (KO) mice were used. Ligature-based periodontitis was developed in mice. Oral microbiome diversity was analyzed by 16 s rRNA sequencing. Macrophages and Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) co-culture system analyzed the effect of SAP in macrophage phagocytosis of P. gingivalis. ResultsThe level of SAP was upregulated in the periodontitis-affected periodontium of humans and mice but not in the liver and blood circulation. Periodontal macrophages were the key source of upregulated SAP in periodontitis. SAP-KO aggravated periodontal inflammation, periodontitis, and a higher number of M1-type inflammatory macrophage infiltration in the periodontium. The oral microbiome of SAP-KO periodontitis mice was altered with a higher abundance of Porphyromonas at the genus level. SAP-KO macrophages showed compromised phagocytosis of P. gingivalis in the co-culture system. Co-culture of SAP-KO macrophages and P. gingivalis induced the C5a expression and exogenous SAP treatment nullified this effect. Exogenous recombinant SAP treatment did not affect P. gingivalis growth and opsonization. PMX205, an antagonist of C5a, treatment robustly enhanced P. gingivalis phagocytosis by SAP-KO macrophages, indicating the involvement of the C5a-C5aR signaling in the compromised P. gingivalis phagocytosis by SAP-KO macrophages. ConclusionSAP deficiency aggravates periodontitis possibly via C5a-C5aR signaling-mediated defective macrophage phagocytosis of P. gingivalis. A higher abundance of P. gingivalis during SAP deficiency could promote M1 macrophage polarization and periodontitis. This finding suggests the possible protecting role of elevated levels of periodontal SAP against periodontitis progression.

Trehalose increases tomato drought tolerance, induces defenses, and increases resistance to bacterial wilt disease.

Ralstonia solanacearum causes bacterial wilt disease, leading to severe crop losses. Xylem sap from R. solanacearum-infected tomato is enriched in the disaccharide trehalose. Water-stressed plants also accumulate trehalose, which increases drought tolerance via abscisic acid (ABA) signaling. Because R. solanacearum-infected plants suffer reduced water flow, we hypothesized that bacterial wilt physiologically mimics drought stress, which trehalose could mitigate. We found that R. solanacearum-infected plants differentially expressed drought-associated genes, including those involved in ABA and trehalose metabolism, and had more ABA in xylem sap. Consistent with this, treating tomato roots with ABA reduced both stomatal conductance and stem colonization by R. solanacearum. Treating roots with trehalose increased xylem sap ABA and reduced plant water use by lowering stomatal conductance and temporarily improving water use efficiency. Trehalose treatment also upregulated expression of salicylic acid (SA)-dependent tomato defense genes; increased xylem sap levels of SA and other antimicrobial compounds; and increased bacterial wilt resistance of SA-insensitive NahG tomato plants. Additionally, trehalose treatment increased xylem concentrations of jasmonic acid and related oxylipins. Finally, trehalose-treated plants were substantially more resistant to bacterial wilt disease. Together, these data show that exogenous trehalose reduced both water stress and bacterial wilt disease and triggered systemic disease resistance, possibly through a Damage Associated Molecular Pattern (DAMP) response pathway. This suite of responses revealed unexpected linkages between plant responses to biotic and abiotic stress and suggested that R. solanacearum-infected plants increase trehalose to improve water use efficiency and increase wilt disease resistance. The pathogen may degrade trehalose to counter these efforts. Together, these results suggest that treating tomatoes with exogenous trehalose could be a practical strategy for bacterial wilt management.

Clinical Profile and Outcome in Long-term Hemodialysis: A Comparative Study of Hospital-based Versus Standalone Units.

Introduction:Chronic hemodialysis (CHD) remains the most “resorted to“ renal-replacement option in India. Pursuit for accessible and affordable dialysis has resulted in setting up standalone centers (SACs). We need more Indian data on the profile of CHD population and outcome of SAC compared to hospital-based units (HBUs).Material and Methods:We analyzed the clinical profile of patients on CHD for >5 years, compared the outcome between HBU and SAC, and analyzed the factors associated with mortality. Patients initiated between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2012 and who have survived 5 years on CHD at HBU or SAC were enrolled and followed up prospectively for 2 years. Their clinical and biochemical profile, comorbidities, long-term complications, and mortality were analyzed.Results:The study included 137 patients, 41 (30%) from HBU and 96 (70%) from SACs. In both groups, the patients were predominantly male, aged 51–70 yrs, diabetic, unplanned initiation through catheters, and had average-dialysis vintage between 83 and 85 months. SAC had more patients with hemoglobin (> 11 gm/dL) and hyperparathyroidism with elevated SAP levels (P < 0.05). Both groups had comparable iron stores, serum calcium, and phosphorus. Comparable between groups, infections, coronary artery disease, and access complications accounted for most hospitalizations and sudden cardiac death and sepsis accounted for most mortality. A trend of better survival was seen in SAC. Multivariate analysis showed anemia, DM and hospitalizations were associated with mortality.Conclusion:We conclude that the outcomes of long-term CHD at SACs are not inferior to HBUs. Anemia, diabetes, and hospitalizations were associated with overall mortality. Benefits of SACs in cost, QOL, and employment opportunities need to be studied in the Indian context.

Impact of disposable diapers on the growth of Jatroph acurcas seedlings

The water scarcity, wide spread of sandy soil; forestry growth and the great amount of wasted diapers (SAP) are debating issues worldwide. The present study wasinitiated to evaluate the roles of disposable diaper on the growth of JatrophaCurcas seedlings. In a greenhouse study, one- year- old seedlings of Jatropha sp. were purchased from a private nursery, Cairo (April, 1st 2019). Three levels of SAP are used (0.0, 0.67, and 1.5%). In addition, 15% clay treatment was used for comparison. These additives substances were mixed thoroughly with 20 kg of sandy clay loam soils. The seedlings were irrigated twice a week using 3 L of tap water (0.5 dS m-1) per pot, to ensure that the seedlings were successfully established for four months. After irrigation ceases, ten leaves were collected for determining the relative water content (RWC), then the pots were weighed daily for following water losses by evapotranspiration. This weighing processwas continued till seedlings wilting. So, the longevity for each treatment was recorded. Some growth parameters were determined after removing such sapling at its wilting point.The results presented great variations in the growth parameters, wilting points (soil water contents), RWC, cumulative ETs, ET rates, and survival times.Some polynomials were used to estimate seedlings growth magnitude. The survivability was 38, 54, 72 and 64 days for 0.0, 0.67 and 1.5 %SAP, and 15% clay treatments, respectively. The relative water contents (RWC) were 81.81, 80.0, 76.47 and 90.63 % for the 0.0, 0.67 and 1.5 %SAP, and 15% clay treatments, respectively.

The Nutritional Value of Fermented Banana Peels using Different Levels of Palm Sap

Banana peels are banana processing wastes that can be used as poultry feedstuff, but bacause of its high crude fiber content, so to reduce the high crude fiber content it need processing such as fermentation. Fermentation process requires soluble carbohydrates such as palm sap. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of different levels of palm sap as an additive on the nutrient composition of banana peels. An experimental method was used in this research with a completely randomized design consisted of five treatments and four replications. The five treatments were banana peel with 0%, 12,5%, 15%, 17,5% and 20% addition of palm sap. The parameters measured were dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, fat, and ash content. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and followed by Duncan's Multiple Range Test. The results showed that increasing levels of palm sap reduced the content of dry matter, crude fiber and crude fat, increased crude protein content, but it did not affect the ash content of banana peels. The use of 20% of palm sap produced the highest protein content and the lowest crude fiber content.

Strategies to Apply Water-Deficit Stress: Similarities and Disparities at the Whole Plant Metabolism Level in Medicago truncatula.

Water-deficit stresses such as drought and salinity are the most important factors limiting crop productivity. Hence, understanding the plant responses to these stresses is key for the improvement of their tolerance and yield. In this study M. truncatula plants were subjected to 250 mM NaCl as well as reduced irrigation (No-W) and 250 g/L polyethylene glycol (PEG)-6000 to induce salinity and drought stress, respectively, provoking a drop to −1.7 MPa in leaf water potential. The whole plant physiology and metabolism was explored by characterizing the stress responses at root, phloem sap and leaf organ level. PEG treatment led to some typical responses of plants to drought stress, but in addition to PEG uptake, an important impairment of nutrient uptake and a different regulation of carbon metabolism could be observed compared to No-W plants. No-W plants showed an important redistribution of antioxidants and assimilates to the root tissue, with a distinctive increase in root proline degradation and alkaline invertase activity. On the contrary, salinity provoked an increase in leaf starch and isocitrate dehydrogenase activity, suggesting key roles in the plant response to this stress. Overall, results suggest higher protection of salt-stressed shoots and non-irrigated roots through different mechanisms, including the regulation of proline and carbon metabolism, while discarding PEG as safe mimicker of drought. This raises the need to understand the effect at the whole plant level of the different strategies employed to apply water-deficit stress.

Potential Non-Invasive Technique for Accessing Plant Water Contents Using a Radar System

Sap flow measurements of trees are today the most common method to determine evapotranspiration at the tree and the forest/crop canopy level. They provide independent measurements for flux comparisons and model validation. The most common approach to measure the sap flow is based on intrusive solutions with heaters and thermal sensors. This sap flow sensor technology is not very reliable for more than one season crop; it is intrusive and not adequate for low diameter trunk trees. The non-invasive methods comprise mostly Radio-frequency (RF) technologies, typically using satellite or air-born sources. This system can monitor large fields but cannot measure sap levels of a single plant (precision agriculture). This article studies the hypothesis to use of RF signals attenuation principle to detect variations in the quantity of water present in a single plant. This article presents a well-defined experience to measure water content in leaves, by means of high gains RF antennas, spectrometer, and a robotic arm. Moreover, a similar concept is studied with an off-the-shelf radar solution—for the automotive industry—to detect changes in the water presence in a single plant and leaf. The conclusions indicate a novel potential application of this technology to precision agriculture as the experiments data is directly related to the sap flow variations in plant.

Increased levels of pentraxins protein and cytokines bear good association in patients with severe dengue infection

Dengue is an arboviral infection with high rates of morbidity and mortality throughout the tropics and sub-tropics. This work studied the status of pentraxin (CRP/SAP) protein, ferritin, TNF-α and IL-1β levels in Dengue patients of different pathophysiological manifestations. Accordingly, clinically confirmed Dengue cases (n = 97) were enrolled and subsequently blood parameters were studied by Haematology cell counter and Biochemistry Autoanalyser. CRP, SAP, ferritin, TNF-α and IL-1β ELISA were done in all the samples by using standard ELISA kits. Statistical Analysis was done in all the experiments. The levels of CRP (p < 0.0001), SAP (p < 0.0001), ferritin (p < 0.0001), TNF-α (p < 0.0001) and IL-1β (p < 0.0001) were high in patients with Severe Dengue as compared to Dengue without warning signs. High levels of SGOT, SGPT and decreased platelet counts were found in severe patients as compared to Healthy donor. CRP/SAP as well as TNF-α/IL-1β were independently associated with both dengue severity and overall disease manifestation. Statistically significant increased CRP, SAP, ferritin, TNF-α and IL-1β titres were correlated in patients with severe clinical manifestations as compared to mild disease forms of dengue. Elevated levels of pentraxin, TNF-α/IL-1β in blood during dengue infection could act as an early predictor in Severe Dengue infection.

SAP interacts with CD28 to inhibit PD-1 signaling in T lymphocytes

T cell co-stimulation is important for the maintenance of immunologic tolerance. Co-inhibitory receptors including programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) confer peripheral tolerance to prevent autoimmunity. SAP (SH2D1A) is an adaptor molecule that is important in T cell signaling and has been shown to interact with signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM) family receptors also in the context of self-tolerance. We recently reported that SAP interferes with PD-1 function. In the current study, we investigated the levels of SAP and PD-1 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to further understand what role they play in disease activity. We observed increased SAP levels in lymphocytes of RA patients and found that PD-1 levels correlated positively with RA disease activity. Additionally, we found that SAP interacts with CD28 to inhibit T cell signaling in vitro. This work demonstrates a putative molecular mechanism for SAP mediated PD-1 inhibition.

Physical and sensory characteristics of low sugar dairy dessert (rasgulla) developed at different level coconut sap syrup.

Rasgulla was developed using different levels of coconut sap and sucrose in cooking and soaking syrups by incorporating defatted soy flour in chhana (heat acid coagulated dairy product) ballsmade from milk (4% fat). Six different levels of sucrose and coconut sap were used: (1) 100:0 (SR); (2) 80:20 (SCR1), (3) 60:40 (SCR2), (4) 40:60 (SCR3), (5) 80:20 (SCR4) and (6) 0:100 (SCR5). Complete replacement of sucrose by coconut sap was not possible due to degradation of physico-chemical properties of it by direct heat treatment at higher temperatures. Low sucroseand high protein content rasgulla with overall acceptable quality can be developed by 20:80 ratio of sucrose to coconut sap syrup.

Cytokinin dynamics in xylem sap and leaves of fruiting and de-fruited sunflower hybrids of contrasting post-anthesis canopy senescence patterns during flowering and grain-filling

To determine whether xylem sap and leaf cytokinin levels were associated with live root length density (LRLD) and leaf senescence, these variables were measured in intact (control) plants and those from which florets were removed, in hybrids of contrasting post-anthesis senescence patterns. Field experiments were carried out during two consecutive seasons using sunflower hybrids (Paraiso75, stay-green [SG]; and Paraiso65, fast dry down [FDD]) of contrasting canopy senescence patterns. Crop carbon partitioning was altered by removing all florets (-F treatment) before anthesis. At crop level, the dynamics of LRLD, xylem sap flow rate, cytokinins in the xylem sap, and green leaf area index (GLAI) were measured, while at leaf level, dynamics of total chlorophyll content, trans-Zeatin content, and net photosynthesis were recorded for leaf positions 17, 20, 22, 24 and 27. In both hybrids, the –F treatment had higher LRLD, cytokinins in the xylem sap, and leaf trans-Zeatin concentration at anthesis and during the grain filling period than control plants. All measured variables decreased earlier in the control treatment than the -F treatment (in both hybrids), and in the FDD hybrid than the SG hybrid. The dynamics of xylem sap cytokinins were related to the dynamics of LRLD and that of leaf trans-Zeatin levels, contributing to contrasting canopy senescence patterns and underlying the responses to defruiting in both hybrids.

Laryngeal Mask Ventilation during Tracheostomy Improves Intraoperative Hemodynamic Stability in Patients Undergoing Total Laryngectomy

Abstract Background and objectives: Laryngectomy with extensive extirpational neck dissection is still the treatment of choice for patients with advanced laryngeal cancer. During the initial part of laryngectomy – tracheostomy, there is a significant upper airway obstruction, caused by the cancer process itself and worsened by surgical pressure and manipulation during creation of tracheostomy. This study aims to make comparative assessment of the patient’s hemodynamic parameters, operated using three of the most popular approaches during tracheostomy: local anesthesia with preserved spontaneous ventilation; general anesthesia with ventilation by endotracheal intubation and general anesthesia with ventilation by laryngeal mask airway. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary referral center. Sixty patients with advanced laryngeal cancer appointed for total laryngectomy, were enrolled in the study. They were randomly assigned into three groups, according to the ventilation method used during the tracheostomy. Results: Patients who underwent tracheostomy under local anesthesia displayed statistically the highest levels of SAP, DAP, MAP and heart rate intraoperatively. The group of patients who underwent tracheostomy with endotracheal intubation, also displayed significantly higher levels of hemodynamic parameters during the procedure compared with the group with laryngeal mask airway ventilation, despite the fact that both groups were under general anesthesia. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that laryngeal mask ventilation during tracheostomy improves intraoperative hemodynamic stability in patients undergoing total laryngectomy compared to endotracheal intubation.

Dual Application of Ethephon and DCPTA Increases Maize Yield and Stalk Strength

Core Ideas Combined treatment with ethephon and DCPTA enhanced stalk mechanical strength of maize. Combined treatment with ethephon and DCPTA improved the post‐anthesis dry matter accumulation of maize. Combined treatment with ethephon and DCPTA improved the grain yield of maize. The combination of ethephon (2‐chloroethyl phosphonic acid, ETH) and 2‐diethylaminoethyl‐3,4‐dichlorophenylether (DCPTA) has been used in maize (Zea mays L.) production in Northeast China, but limited information is available on the effectiveness of ETH+DCPTA. In this study, field experiments were conducted with two maize hybrids, ZhengDan 958 (‘ZD958’) and DongNong 254 (‘DN254’), which were planted at a density of 75,000 plants ha−1, to study the influence of ETH, DCPTA, and ETH+DCPTA on stalk quality (rind penetration strength [RPS], stalk bending strength [SBS], dry weight per unit, cross‐sectional area, and rind thickness), photosynthetic characteristics, bleeding sap, dry matter accumulation (DMA), and yield. Ethephon significantly reduced the lodging rate, plant height, ear height, and center of gravity of both maize hybrids and increased the RPS, SBS, dry weight per unit, cross‐sectional area, and thickness over the 2 yr. Ethephon also significantly decreased the leaf area index (LAI), chlorophyll content (SPAD value), net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and bleeding sap levels and accelerated leaf senescence, which ultimately decreased the yields. Although the application of DCPTA tended to increase the LAI, Pn, and bleeding sap levels and delayed leaf senescence, the plant height, ear height and the center of gravity also increased markedly, resulting in poorer stalk lodging resistance and higher lodging rate. Greater green leaf area, photosynthetic ability and bleeding sap levels and delayed leaf senescence in response to ETH+DCPTA mainly contributed to the increased postanthesis DMA. Thus, the application of ETH+DCPTA could provide a stable method for increasing the maize grain yield.