Open Field Experiment Research Articles

Open field experiment for the evaluation of Arundo donax ecotypes ecophysiology and yield as affected by soil water content

The high photosynthetic efficiency and the drought tolerance of Arundo donax L. contribute to its potential use as a suitable biomass crop for drought prone environments.A modelling approach to study net assimilation and stomatal conductance as influenced by available soil water content (ASWC) can be used to obtain threshold values to support the management of irrigation practice.Physiological model parameters, morphological (stem height and max diameter, number of leaves per stem), and productive traits (yield and biomass ash content), can support ecotypes selection activity, crucial for genetic improvement in a crop, such as A. donax, widely distributed in natural habitats, but characterized by no viable seeds.To this end, an open field experiment has been conducted comparing three A. donax L. clones collected from habitats representing a gradient of increasing temperature and declining water availability (Morocco; South Italy, and North Italy). Two irrigation treatments (rain-fed, and well-watered) and two different harvest dates (December and March) were also imposed as experimental factors.Physiological model involved light response curve approach measuring net assimilation and stomatal conductance under different light intensity and different actual ASWC. The obtained physiological curve parameters in relation to ASWC (maximum net assimilation - AN-sat, photosynthetic quantum efficiency - Qapp, and maximum stomatal conductance - Gs-sat) were well fitted by a two-segmented piecewise regressions. The segment breakpoints were computed at 43%, 39% and 65% of ASWC, for AN-sat, Qapp, and Gs-sat, respectively. This means that between 65% and 43% of ASWC, only stomatal conductance appeared to be influenced by the decrease of ASWC, reducing stomata opening, whereas the efficiency of net assimilation resulted unaffected by water depletion. The capacity to sustain high net assimilation rates untill low ASCW and the capacity to full recover net photosynthesis after a severe drought stress, emerged as crop traits contributing to explain the drought resistant aptitude of A. donax. No differences have been reported for any of the studied physiological parameters within ecotypes. On the contrary, the three clones exhibited differences in terms of biometric characters, biomass production and its ash content. The results of the study emphasize the multipurpose value of Moroccan ecotype reporting best performances in terms of both quantity and quality (highest biomass yield - 26.4 t ha−1 - lowest ash content 4.8%).

Informed consent and community engagement in open field research: lessons for gene drive science

BackgroundThe development of the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system has generated new possibilities for the use of gene drive constructs to reduce or suppress mosquito populations to levels that do not support disease transmission. Despite this prospect, social resistance to genetically modified organisms remains high. Gene drive open field research thus raises important questions regarding what is owed to those who may not consent to such research, or those could be affected by the proposed research, but whose consent is not solicited. The precise circumstances under which informed consent must be obtained, and from whom, requires careful consideration. Furthermore, appropriate engagement processes should be central to any introduction of genetically modified mosquitos in proposed target settings.DiscussionIn this work, international guidance documents on informed consent and engagement are reviewed and applied to the genetically modified mosquito research context. Five analogous research endeavours that involve area-wide / open field experiments are reviewed. The approach of each in respect to the solicitation of individual informed consent and community engagement are highlighted.ConclusionsWhile the solicitation of individual informed consent in host settings of gene drive field trials may not be possible or feasible in some instances, local community and stakeholder engagement will be key to building trust towards the proposed conduct of such research. In this regard, the approaches taken by investigators and sponsors of political science field research and weather modification field research should be avoided. Rather, proponents of gene drive field research should look to the Eliminate Dengue field trials, cluster randomised trials, and pragmatic clinical trials for guidance regarding how the solicitation of individual informed consent of host communities ought to be managed, and how these communities ought to be engaged.

Intraspecific responses of medicinal plants: Genotype-environment interaction may alter drug quality of aromatic plants

An open field experiment was established in 2014 in Budapest (BP) and Poznań (PZ), which are characterized by different soil and weather conditions. The purpose was to study the intraspecific responses of Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm -Lb) and Thymus vulgaris (thyme -T) to varying locations. Five accessions of lemon balm (‘Lorelei’, ‘Lemona’, ‘Soroksár’, ‘Quedlinburger Niederliegende’, ‘Gold Leaf’) and four of thyme (‘Sloneczko’, French Summer’, ‘Varico 3′, ‘Standard Winter’) were tested for yield and chemical characteristics.Biomass of both species was significantly higher in PZ, than in BP (291 and 107 g/plant for Lb and 105 and 53 g/plant for T in PZ and BP, respectively). In Lb, the environmental circumstances of the actual vegetation period of BP location were more favourable for the accumulation of volatiles (+76%), while the level of phenolic compounds was higher in PZ (up to +53% for rosmarinic acid). In T, each chemical parameter increased (up to +27% both for volatiles and total flavonoid content) in PZ, where lower temperatures and less precipitation prevailed.In most traits a significant interaction of genotype and growing location was established, which was more characteristic in T. The results show that breeding of specific cultivars for a given location might be of primary importance.

The effect of different doses of magnesium treatments on the fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) yield

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is an annual plant belonging to the legumes (Fabaceae) family. The plant is a Mediterranean one, native to the Mediterranean coast. It is a multi-use plant that is used as a herb, spice, and fodder plant. Fenugreek has high protein content and is well suited for feeding domestic and wild animals. Our open-field experiment was set up at the beginning of April 2018 in John von Neumann University, Faculty of Horticulture and Rural Development (Kecskemét). The treatments were: treatment 1 = 150 kg/ha, treatment 2 = 300 kg/ha, treatment 3 = 450 kg/ha complex fertilizer. The treatments were carried out in plots of 50-50 m2. In the experiment, different nutrient supply treatments were set up to achieve the highest fresh biomass weight. The fertilizer used in the research was Novatec premium (15 N - 3 P2O5 - 20 K2O - 2 MgO). When measuring fresh weight of fenugreek, the highest value was measured after 300 kg/ha treatment (14.45 kg). The values of treatment 1 (7.8 kg) and the treatment 3 (8.5 kg) were almost the same. The highest dose of treatment (450 kg/ha) resulted a decrease in the yield of T. foenum-graecum in our experiment.

Effect of Foliar Zno and Feo Nanoparticles Application on Growth and Nutritional Quality of Red Radish and Assessment of Their Accumulation on Human Health

Abstract In order to assess the effects of green synthesized nanoparticles (GNPs) of Zn and Fe oxides on plant growth traits, photosynthetic capacity and nutritional quality of red radish (cv. Champion), two open field experiments were organised based on RCBD with four replicates. Treatments included: chicken manure, foliar application of ZnO + FeO (GNPs at a rate of 60 and 50 ppm, respectively), chicken manure plus ZnO + FeO (GNPs). This study revealed that growth and yield of radish plants significantly increased by ZnO + FeO nanoparticles application. The maximum vegetative growth, leaf pigments and root quality (diameter and weight) were recorded in plants treated with ZnO + FeO (GNPs) alone or in combination with chicken manure. Furthermore, the combined application of chicken manure with ZnO and FeO significantly improved the concentration of anthocyanins, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, crude protein and carbohydrates contents in radish root than single treatment. Similar trends were noted in photosynthesis rate, water use efficiency and values of Zn and Fe contents. In addition, health risk index for Zn and Fe were less than 1, which indicated to red radish plants supplied with ZnO and FeO GNPs were free of risks on human health. It was concluded that combination between chicken manure and ZnO + FeO GNPs can be considered as appropriate strategy for improving yield and nutritional status of red radish.

Effects of prenatal maternal cold stress on spontaneous, exploratory and anxious behaviors in offspring

To study the effects of prenatal cold stress on the behavior and mood of offspring in pregnant rats. Six SPF-class Wister pregnant rats were randomly divided into normal temperature control group and cold stress group with 3 rats in each group. The pregnant female rats in the normal temperature control group were kept in the environment of (22 ±2)℃, and the pregnant female rats in the cold stress group were placed in the artificial intelligence climate chamber at(4 ±0.1)℃ for 7 days before the birth, and the young rats were divided into normal temperature after the young rats were born. After the young rats were born, they were divided into normal temperature control group of male rats (MR, 22), normal temperature control group of mother rats (FR, 15), cold stress group of male rats (MC, 15), and cold stress group of female rats (FC, 15) .In the fourth generation of the offspring, the open field experiment and the elevated cross maze test were carried out. In the open field experiment, there was no significant difference in spontaneous activity and exploration behavior between the normal temperature control group and the cold stress group (P＞0.05). In the elevated plus maze experiment, the retention time of the open arms, the number of open arms and the distance of the male and female rats in the cold stress group were significantly higher than those in the normal temperature control group (P＜0.05). Prenatal maternal cold stress has no significant effect on spontaneous activity, exploration behavior and activity level of offspring, but the offspring have obvious abnormal behaviors with reduced anxiety behavior.

OXIDATIVE CHANGES AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION DECLINE IN AGING RATS

Objective: This study aims to show that impairment of cognitive function occurred during aging is related to increased oxidative stress.
 Methods: A total of 36 Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: Young (3 months), middle (14 months), and old age groups (18 and 23 months). Rats were killed and blood was collected for the measurement of oxidative stress which includes deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde [MDA] levels). Cognitive function of rats was measured through open-field experiments, Morris water maze (MWM), and object identification.
 Results: Increased DNA damage and MDA levels were found in middle age and old rats compared to young rats (3 months old, p<0.05). There was an increase in anxiety with age as indicated by the increased production of fecal boli and decreased activity of grooming and rearing. For the navigation test, older rats took a long time to search for the hidden platform compared to young rats. In the probe test (spatial memory test 24 h after the last training), the middle- and old-age groups spent less time at the quadrant compared to the young age group.
 Conclusion: There is a decline in cognitive function with increased oxidative stress in aging rats.

In vitro symptom induction of Colletotrichum abscissum infection in detached sweet orange flowers

The citrus industry is economically important in several countries around the world, and its primary challenges include pests and diseases, especially in Brazil. Post-bloom fruit drop (PFD), caused by Colletotrichum abscissum, a fungus that belongs to the C. acutatum species complex, is one of the most severe citrus crop diseases, causing damage to blossoms and interfering in the fruit viability, consequently contributing to early drop of the fruit. Little is known about the pathogenic mechanisms of C. abscissum in the flowers of citrus species, so finding an experimental model to study symptom development and gene function under controlled conditions is essential. However, the complexity of the PFD pathosystem in the field does not allow adequate experimental control, and due to regulations, evaluating genetically modified fungi under natural environmental conditions requires prior approval. Studies of gene function can be performed by knockdown, knockout, or deletion in C. abscissum mutants with a focus on symptom development in flowers. We developed a reliable in vitro system as an alternative for symptom induction of C. abscissum infection in detached citrus flowers. Inoculated citrus flowers were placed on Petri dishes with a water-agar substrate and kept in BOD chambers for 72 h. All C. abscissum inoculations resulted in the typical symptoms of PFD, proving the effectiveness of this large-scale screening system, which is fast and reliable and requires less space than that required for greenhouse or open-field experiments.

Grain growth and yield potential of wheat genotypes under late sown heat stressed condition

Four wheat genotypes (BARI gom 25, BARI gom 26, BAW 1135 and Pavon 76) were sown at different dates (29 November, 5, 16, 23 and 30 December respectively) to evaluate genotypic differences imposed by late seeded heat stress condition. This open field experiment was conducted at the research farm of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur. Sowing on 29 November was considered as normal growing period with a mean air temperature 24.08oC during the post anthesis stages. Mean temperature was as high as 28.4oC on 30 December sowing which is heat stress condition for wheat. In late seeded crop, the physiological maturity was shifted to 8 day earlier in Pavon 76 which continued upto 32 day after anthesis in early seeded crops. On the contrary, 4-day earliness was observed to reach the physiological maturity in BARI gom 25, BARI gom 26 and BAW 1135 under stressed condition. Due to post anthesis stress, higher relative spike number per m2 (92%), higher relative grain number per spike (92%) and higher relative grain yield (89%) were exhibited in BARI gom 26 compared to Pavon 76 (75%, 78% & 56% respectively). BARI gom 26 exibits higher individual grain size and harvest index than other. Higher yield reduction was recorded in Pavon 76 (78.06 kg/ha/day) compared to BARI gom 26 (19.36 kg/ha/day) on 30 December sowing. In terms of grain growth and seed yield, BARI gom 26 was found to be superior variety as supported by Heat Susceptibility Index (0.41) for growing under warmer environment.

Examining Host Selection by Mexican Bean Beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Using Mark-Release-Recapture.

Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant, is a pest of snap bean and lima bean in the eastern United States. This pest is susceptible to many insecticides available to conventional growers; however, organic management using parasitoid releases and organic insecticides have inconsistent results. In the interest of developing cultural management techniques such as trap crops or push–pull systems, five bean cultivars were evaluated for preferential host selection by E. varivestis using marked beetles in field cages and open plots. Beetles were marked with a water-based paint pen and their locations on plants monitored over time. In field cages, the purple wax bean, Dragon’s Tongue (DT), was preferred over yellow wax, green bean and lima bean; soybean was the least preferred overall. Recaptures of E. varivestis adults in open field plots progressively decreased following beetle release, suggesting the affinity of adults to disperse despite being on or near acceptable hosts. The two wax beans were equally preferred in open field experiments, partially more than the green and lima bean and consistently more than the soybean. These experiments suggest that DT may be a suitable crop for trap cropping or attract and kill strategies for E. varivestis.

Ameliorative Effect of Withaferin A on Ageing-Mediated Impairment in the Dopamine System and Its Associated Behavior of Wistar Albino Rat

Withaferin A (WA) was evaluated for its neuro-protective efficacy on ageing induced striatal dopamine (DA) and behavioural changes in aged rats. Wistar albino rats were divided into group I – young (3 months), Group II – aged (24 months), Group III – aged rats supplemented with WA (50 mg/kg b.w once in a day for 30 days) and Group IV – young rats supplemented with WA (50 mg/kg b.w). The HPLC assay revealed significant decline in the levels of DA and homovanillic acid (HVA) in substantia nigra (SN) and striatum (ST) of aged rat. A marked decline in motor activity of aged rat was observed through open field, beam walking and grid walking motor experiments. These results indicate that ageing reduces nigro-striatal activity as well as nigro-striatal DA levels. Interestingly, the administration of WA (50 mg\\kg b.w) resulted in a substantial resurge of DA and HVA in SN and ST and a significant reversal of motor impairment in aged rats. This study is the first report that evidently determines the neuro-protective efficacy of WA on dopaminergic system of SN and ST in aged rats.

Organic on-field research combined with information technology for fast uptake, sustainable, and profitable future using both macro and micro analysis of the system as a whole

Though organic farming principles are good in food production, quality, and longterm sustainability; its impacts are only at theoretical level. The very slow rate of its uptake and application makes us rethink the current strategies followed at all levels of the organic cycle. Possible reasons include less representable, intercommunicable and usable data with fewer studies focussed on long term variation parameters on open fields and their effects on the system as a whole. The findings of current research studies based on the micro views of scientific principles with few factors in space-time controlled, semi-controlled and small open field environments, are not quickly adaptable at open field level. As open fields are vastly managed by natural system’s unpredictable and ever-changingbehavior, they are difficult to understand and apply by the practitioners who are tied to the socio-economic factors. Our new research methodology focuses in making both ends meet by using real-time application of latest technologies such as electronic and information technology in the field, easing the handling of data and operations of the organic practitioner at both micro and macro levels. This method, when combined with a macro view and analyses of natural system principles as a whole, helps reduce not only the failures and their causes but also increases the productivity, quality, and sustainability at all spheres of the organic system. The results of the research conducted are recorded keeping the system as a whole entity taken from open field experiments on it. This involves experiments using different combinations of physical (land and water) and biological (ecosystem) factors. Then using those results on humans, their health and socioeconomic impacts are studied to improve the organic system process at all levels.

Brain grey matter volume reduction and anxiety-like behavior in lipopolysaccharide-induced chronic pulmonary inflammation rats: A structural MRI study with histological validation

While there have been multiple fMRI studies into the brain functional changes after acutely stimulated peripheral infection, knowledge for the effect of chronic peripheral infection on whole brain morphology is still quite limited. The present study was designed to investigate the brain structural and emotional changes after peripheral local infection initiated chronic systemic inflammation and the relationship between circulating inflammatory markers and brain grey matter. Specifically, in-vivo T2-weighted MRI was performed on rats with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced chronic pulmonary inflammation (CPI) and those without. Grey matter volume was quantified using diffeomorphic anatomical registration through exponentiated lie (DARTEL) enhanced voxel-based morphometry followed by between-group comparison. Open field experiment was conducted to test the potential anxiety-like behaviors after CPI, along with the ELISA estimated inflammatory markers were correlated to grey matter volume. Guided by image findings, we undertook a focused histological investigation with immunefluorescence and Nissl staining. A widespread decrease of grey matter volume in CPI-model rats was revealed. 8 of the 12 measured inflammatory markers presented differential neuroanatomical correlation patterns with three of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) and CRP being the most notable. Lower grey matter volumes in some of the inflammatory markers related regions (amygdala, CA2 and cingulate cortex) were associated with more-severe anxiety-like behaviors. Furthermore, grey matter volumes in amygdala and CA3 were correlated negatively with the expressions of glial proteins (S100β and Nogo-A), while the grey matter volume in hypo-thalamus was changing positively with neural cell area. Overall, the neuroanatomical association patterns and the histopathology underpinning the MRI observations we demonstrated here would probably serve as one explanation for the cerebral and emotional deficits presented in the patients with CPI, which would furthermore yield new insights into the adverse effects the many other systemic inflammation and inflammatory autoimmune diseases would pose on brain morphology.

Effect of agomelatine on memory impairment and ERK5 expression in hippocampus of rats with posttraumatic stress disorder

Objective To investigate the effect of agomelatine on memory impairment and expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like rats. Methods Forty-eight SD rats were divided into control group (SHAM group), post-traumatic stress disorder group (PTSD group), agomelatine group (AGO group) and placebo control group(PC group) according to random number table with 12 in each group. The PTSD-like model was established by internationally recognized single prolonged stress (SPS) stimulation, and the AGO group and PC group were given the same amount of agomelatine and saline respectively by intragastric administration within 8 hours after modeling for 14 days. The arousal emotional level and learning and memory ability of rats were observed by open field experiment and Morris water maze test. Then the expressions of ERK5 and ERK5 mRNA in hippocampus of rats were detected by Western blot and qRT-PCR. Results (1) The results of the open field experiment showed that compared with the SHAM group (38.58±5.76), the numbers of crossing the grids of the PTSD group (29.75±3.75) decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the PC group (28.58±2.91), the number of crossing the grids of the AGO group (41.00±4.49) increased (P<0.01). (2) In Morris water maze test, positioning navigation experiment showed that compared with the SHAM group, the escape latency of the PTSD group and the PC group increased (P<0.01), while the escape latency of AGO group was shorter than that of the PC group (P<0.01). And in the space exploration experiment, compared with the SHAM group (2.12±0.51), the times of crossing the platform in PTSD group (1.03±0.43) and the PC group (1.23±0.59) decreased (P<0.01), while the times of crossing the platform in AGO group (2.75±0.72) increased compared with PC group (P<0.01). Compared with SHAM group (12.14±2.53), the latency of crossing the platform of PTSD group (27.33±6.54) increased (P<0.01), and the agomelatine group (14.36±4.27) decreased compared with the PC group (29.67±9.72) (P<0.01). (3) Results of Western blot and qRT-PCR showed compared with the SHAM group, the levels of ERK5 and ERK5 mRNA in rat hippocampus were up-regulated in the PTSD group (P<0.01), and the expression of ERK5 and ERK5 mRNA was higher than that of PC group (P<0.01). Conclusion Agomelatine can effectively improve the learning and memory ability of PTSD-like rats, which may be related to the up-regulation of ERK5 protein expression in hippocampal tissues. Key words: Agomelatine; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5; Rats

Grafting as a management tool to control Meloidogyne incognita in okra: Identifying rootstocks candidates

The root-knot nematodes (RKN) challenge okra production (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) worldwide and there are no reports of genetic resistance within the genus Abelmoschus. As an alternative, the compatibility for grafting of RKN-resistant malvaceous species with okra was assessed. Cotton (Gossypium spp.) genotypes are incompatible for grafting with okra. The kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), the false roselle (Hibiscus acetosella Welw. ex Hiern.) and the roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) are compatible. However, the rootstock must be sown five days after the scion to promote better grafting compatibility. The performance of grafted okra onto kenaf and false roselle was assessed in two experiments: RKN-free field in the open, and in the presence or not of Meloidogyne incognita race 3 in protected environment. The effect of grafting along time was addressed in the open field experiment. In RKN-free conditions, no differences were observed between rootstocks and self-grafted and non-grafted control. In the presence of M. incognita race 3, the resistant rootstocks provided superior plant development and production due low nematode reproduction. Therefore, grafting okra onto resistant rootstocks is a potential prophylactic measure to manage RKN.

The effect of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria on yield, water use efficiency and Brix Degree of processing tomato

Open field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) (Phylazonit MC®) as a biofertilizer on processing tomato cultivar var. Uno Rosso F&lt;sub&gt;1&lt;/sub&gt;, grown under three different regimes of water supply. Field effectiveness of rhizobacteria inoculation on total biomass production, yield and water use efficiency, were examined in 2015 and 2016. Seedlings were inoculated with 1% liquid solution of Phylazonit MC® (Pseudomonas putida, Azotobacter chroococcum, Bacillus circulans, B. megaterium; colony-forming unit: 10&lt;sup&gt;9&lt;/sup&gt; CFU/mL) at sowing and planting out by irrigation. There were three different regimes of water supply: rain-fed control (RF); deficit water supply (WS50) and optimum water supply (WS100); the latter was supplied according to the daily evapotranspiration by drip irrigation. Total aboveground biomass (shoot and total yield) and red fruits yield were measured at harvest in August, in both years. Total biomass changed between 32.5 t/ha and 165.7 t/ha, the marketable yield from 14.7 t/ha to 119.8 t/ha and water use efficiency (WUE) between 18.5 kg/m&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt; to 32.0 kg/m&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt;. The average soluble solids content of the treatment combinations ranged from 3.0 to 8.4°Brix. Seasonal effects were significant between the two years with different precipitation, which manifested in total biomass and marketable yield production. PGPR increased WUE only in WS50 in both years, while under drought stress and higher water supply, the effect was not clear. The effect of PGPR treatment on marketable yield, total biomass and WUE was positive in both years when deficit irrigation was applied and only in the drier season in the case of optimum water supply.

PO-187 Exercise reduced the extracellular Glu concentration of striatum neurons in PD model rats by up-regulating mGluR2/3 expression

Objective To investigate the effects of motor intervention on the extracellular Glu concentration and mGluR2/3 mRNA and mGluR2/3 protein expression levels of striatum neurons in PD model rats.&#x0D; Methods Rat model of unilateral injury was established by injecting neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the right brain medial forebrain bundle (MFB)，the sham operation group was given the same dose of normal saline at the same site.Apomorphine (APO) induced rotation behavior test with substantia nigra and striatum TH immunohistochemical staining used to evaluate the reliability of the model. The exercise group began to exercise the treadmill training intervention (11m/min，30min/day，5day/week) at 1 weeks after the operation. Open field experiment and climbing pole experiment used to evaluate the ability of autonomous activity and movement coordination in rats.Western blotting used to detect tyrosine hydroxylase and mGluR2/3 expression level. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression level of mGluR2 and mGluR3 mRNA in the striatum；In vivo microdialysis combined with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) used to detect extracellular Glu concentration in striatal neurons. &#x0D; Results The results of the microdialysis combined with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed that，compared with control group，in PD group，Glu concentration of the extracellular of striatal neurons was significantly increased at third and fifth weeks，and the difference was very significant (P&lt;0.01)；Compared with PD group，in PD+Ex group，Glu concentration of the extracellular of striatal neurons was significantly decreased at third and fifth weeks，and the difference was very significant (P&lt;0.05，P&lt;0.01)；Compared with the PD+Ex group，in PD+Ex+ APICA group，Glu concentration of the extracellular of striatal neurons was significantly increased at third and fifth weeks，and the difference was very significant (P&lt;0.05, P&lt;0.01). RT-PCR test results indicated that,the expression level of striatal mGluR3 mRNA of PD group decreased compared with the control group，and the difference was significant (P&lt;0.01)；Compared with the PD group，in the PD+Ex group，the expression level of striatal mGluR3 mRNA increased，a the difference was very significant (P&lt;0.01)；6-OHDA damage and exercise intervention had no effect on the expression of striatum mGluR2 mRNA，and the difference was was not significant (P&gt;0.05). Western blotting results indicated that，the expression level of striatum mGluR2/3 protein of PD group was decreased compared with the control group，and the difference was vey significant (P&lt;0.01)，compared with the PD group，in PD+Ex group，the expression level of striatum mGluR2/3 protein was increased，and the difference significant (P&lt;0.05) . The correlation between the extracellular Glu concentration of the striatum neurons and the total moving distance in PD rats showed that，at third weeks，the extracellular Glu concentration of striatal neurons was negatively correlated with the total movement distance (r=-0.82，P&lt;0.05)，at fifth weeks，the extracellular Glu concentration of striatal neurons was negatively correlated with the total movement distance (r=-0.91，P&lt;0.01).&#x0D; Conclusions The expression level of mGluR2/3 decreased in rats with PD model with increased Gu concentration. The decrease of Gulu concentration and the increase of expression level of mGluR2/3 in the striatum striatum of PD model rats could be induced by the training intervention of running platform, which promoted the improvement of motor dysfunction in PD model rats.

PO-238 Urinary metabolomics study on the anti-depression effect of different exercise modes on CUMS model rats

Objective To study the effects of different exercise modes on CUMS depression model rats by 1H-NMR metabolomics technique, and to explore the mechanism of exercise anti-depression and to find the best exercise mode.&#x0D; Methods Forty-eight male SD rats were divided into control group (group C), model group (group M), aerobic exercise group (group A), and resistance exercise group (group R), 12 per group. The group C was routinely reared, chronic mild unpredictable stress + orphaned 8 weeks to establish a depression model of CUMS rats. In the 5th week of modeling, rats in group A and group R were trained in aerobic and resistance exercise for 4 weeks. The changes of body mass were observed during the experiment. The effects of exercise on the behavior of CUMS rats were observed by sucrose preference experiment and open field experiment. The levels of plasma BDNF, CORT and 5-HT were measured to reveal the pathological changes of the model. 1H-NMR metabolomics techniques combined with multivariate statistical analysis methods were used to investigate the regulation of urinary endogenous metabolites and the regulation of metabolic pathways in CUMS depression rats. &#x0D; Results 1) After four weeks of modeling, compared with the group C, the body weight, saccharide water preference rate, the crossing number and the number of erectings in the group M, group A and group R were significantly lower (P&lt;0.05 or P&lt; 0.01), indicating that the modeling was successful; after eight weeks of modeling, compared with the group C, the body weight, saccharide water preference rate, the crossing number and the number of erectings in the group M, was significantly lower (P&lt;0.01). There was no significant difference in the group A and group R. 2)Compared with group C, the levels of BDNF and 5-HT in group M were significantly decreased (P&lt;0.05 or P&lt;0.01), the level of CORT was significantly increased (P&lt;0.01), and the levels of BDNF, 5-HT and CORT in group A were not significantly different, the CORT levels were significantly increased in group R(P &lt;0.01), BDNF and 5-HT levels were not significantly different; compared with group M, BDNF, 5-HT levels in group A were significantly increased (P &lt;0.05) and the level of CORT was significantly decreased (P&lt;0.01), the levels of BDNF and 5-HT in group R were significantly increased (P&lt;0.01), but there was no significant difference in CORT level. Compared with group A, the levels of BDNF and 5-HT in group R were not significant,but CORT levels increased significantly (P&lt;0.05). 3)A total of 14 potential biomarkers in the urine of CUMS depression model rats were found . Compared with group C, the levels of leucine, valine, lactic acid, citric acid, inositol, pyruvic acid, β-hydroxybutyric acid, acetoacetic acid, trimethylamine, pantothenic acid, β-hydroxyisovaleric acid, alanine and succinic acid in the urine of group M were significantly increased, and the level of α-ketoglutaric acid was significantly decreased (P&lt;0.05 or P&lt;0.01). Group A can significantly callback 8 potential biomarkersof leucine, lactic acid, citric acid, pyruvic acid, β-hydroxybutyric acid, alanine, lactic acid and pantothenic acid (P&lt;0.05 or P&lt;0.01) , the group R can significantly callbackt the 6 potential biomarkers of lactic acid, acetoacetic acid, inositol, trimethylamine, β-hydroxy isovaleric acid and alanine. Two types of exercise can regulate urinary metabolites in depressed rats. 4) 1H-NMR metabolic pathway analysis showed that aerobic exercise mainly improves the urine metabolism of depressed rats by regulating TCA cycle, pantothenic acid and COA biosynthesis, and pyruvate metabolism. The resistance exercise mainly improved the urine metabolism characteristics of depressed rats by regulating the synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies, pyruvate metabolism and inositol phosphate metabolism.&#x0D; Conclusions Aerobic exercise and resistance exercise all can effectively improve depressive symptoms, adjust the urine biomarkers of depressed rats to varying degrees, which may be related to different metabolic pathways involved in exercise modes.&#x0D;

Screening for resistance against major lepidopteran and stem weevil pests of amaranth in Tanzania

Insect pests pose major challenges to optimum productivity of amaranth in Africa and Asia. The use of insecticides is the main control strategy, but is expensive and may pose health and environmental concerns, especially if proper care is not taken. Host plant resistance offers a cheap and sustainable pest management alternative. Open field experiments were conducted during two cropping seasons in 2016 and 2017 to screen 35 amaranth accessions and lines for resistance to leaf-webbers and stem weevils. The diversity (H) of lepidopteran defoliators and their parasitoids on each accession ranged from 0.00 to 1.57 and 0.00 to 1.65, respectively during the long rainy season and from 0.00 to 1.58 and 0.00 to 1.01 in the short rainy season. Accessions VI036227, RVI00027, VI054569, VI033487, VI044432, VI048076, VI049639, VI049530 and VI049698 had high levels of pest resistance with significantly lower infestations (≤ 11.11 ± 2.14%) and damage (≤ 68.06 ± 3.90%) by leaf-webbers and leaf-worms. Stem weevil infestations ranged from 68.70 ± 2.0% to 90.42 ± 1.0% during the long and short rainy seasons, respectively. Accessions VI047517-B, VI036227 and VI056563 had the least stem weevil infestations (< 62.5%) but differences among accessions for damage incidences were non-significant. Parasitism was observed in all the accessions except seven of them. Amaranth accessions exhibiting pest resistance or at least non-preference traits are important for success of breeding programs. The importance of deploying such accessions to breed for improvement of susceptible lines (by introgression) or their release to farmers, if they have desirable horticultural traits that are required by vegetable producers and consumers, for effective management of amaranth pests is also discussed.

Effects of capsaicin on cognitive function and expression of TRPV1 protein in hippocampus of rats with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion

Objective To investigate the effect of capsaicin on cognitive function and the expression of TRPV1 protein in hippocampus of rats with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH). Methods 60 SD rats were randomly divided into control group(SHAM group), chronic cerebral hypoperfusion group(CCH group), placebo control group(PC group) and capsaicin group(CAP group) with 15 in each group.The chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rat model was established by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion. The rats in CAP group and PC group were given capsaicin and saline respectively by intraperitoneal injection, twice a week.The spatial learning and memory ability and emotion of rats were observed by Morris water maze test and open field test, and the expression of TRPV1 in the hippocampus of rats was detected by Western blot. Results (1) In the open field experiment, compared with the SHAM group(22.60±4.60), the standing times of the CCH group(12.10±2.80) decreased (P<0.01), but the standing times of CAP group(19.30±4.16) increased compared with that of h PC group(12.50±2.68) (P<0.01). (2) In Morris water maze test, positioning navigation experiment showed that compared with the SHAM group, the escape latency of the CCH group and the PC group increased (P<0.05), while the escape latency of CAP group was shorter than that of the PC group (P<0.05). And in the space exploration experiment, compared with the SHAM group(1.87±0.64), the times of crossing the platform in CCH group(0.75±0.89) and the PC group(1.00±0.93) decreased, while the latency of crossing the platform increased (P<0.01). And the times of crossing the platform in CAP group((2.38±0.74) increased compared with that of PC group, and the latency of crossing the platform of CAP group decreased compared with that of PC group (P<0.01). (3) Results of Western blot showed that compared with the SHAM group, the level of TRPV1 in rat hippocampus of CCH group was down regulated (P<0.05), and the expression of TRPV1 in CAP group was higher than that of PC group (P<0.05). Conclusion Capsaicin can effectively improve cognitive impairment in rats with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, which may be related to the up-regulation of TRPV1 protein expression in hippocampal tissues. Key words: Capsaicin; Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion; Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1; Cognitive function; Emotionality; Rat