Use Of Different Concentrations Research Articles

THE USE OF PGR AND FERTILISER ON THE 'ROCHA' PEAR TO INCREASE THE PRODUCTIVITY

Plant growth regulators have an important role in plant physiology, vegetative development and fruit set. The aim of this work was to evaluate the agronomic efficacy of the isolated use and the combined use of different concentrations of the biostimulant Stimulate® and the fertilizers Sett® and Hold® at fruit set, production and pear quality on ‘Rocha’ pear tree on edaphoclimatic conditions at southern Brazil. The experiment was conducted in the pear orchard, in the 2012/2013 grow season, at Vacaria, Rio Grande do Sul state, on seven-year-old trees of ‘Rocha’ pears grafted on ‘BA 29’ rootstock. The experimental design used was randomized blocks, with three blocks. The biostimulant (Stimulate®) was applied at full bloom (2 ml L-1) at the moment that around 70 % of the flowers was opened. The fertilizer Sett® was applied at full bloom (3 ml L-1) and Hold® 15 days after full bloom (1 ml L-1). The application combined of Stimulate® and Hold® showed a increase in the fruit set (5.25%) at 60 days after full bloom, value 78.57% more than the untreated (2.94%), increasing 4.49 t ha-1 (28.44 t ha-1) compared with the untreated (24.15 t ha-1). The combined use of Stimulate® and Sett® increased the productivity 9.43 t ha-1 (33.58 t ha-1) and the use of Stimulate®, Sett® and Hold®, increased around 7.00 t ha-1 (26.62 t ha-1) compared with the untreated (24.15 t ha-1). The biggest number of fruits per tree was shown with the combined use of Stimulate® and Sett® (124 fruits) and Stimulate® and Hold® (107 fruits) different just of the isolated use of Stimulate® (61 fruits). The isolated use and/or combined use of these biostimulants, do not have effect directly to the principal physicochemical characteristics of the ‘Rocha’ pear fruits. It can be inferred that the isolated application of Stimulate®, Sett® or Hold®, does not have significant influence on fruit set and productivity on ‘Rocha’ pear and the combined application of Stimulate® and Hold® or Stimulate® , Sett® , and Hold® increased the fruit set on ‘Rocha’ pear grafted on ‘BA 29’ rootstock in Vacaria, Rio Grande do Sul state, edaphoclimatic conditions.

Efficacy of ropivacaine by the concentration of 0.25%, 0.5%, and 0.75% on surgical performance, postoperative analgesia, and patient's satisfaction in inguinal hernioplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of different concentrations of ropivacaine in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia with regard to postoperative analgesic and patient’s satisfaction in elderly patients undergoing inguinal hernioplasty in the People’s Republic of China.MethodsA total of 60 patients (>75 years of age) who scheduled inguinal hernioplasty at the Shenzhen People’s Hospital from December 2013 to March 2015 were randomly assigned to three groups: 0.25% ropivacaine (n=20), 0.5% ropivacaine (n=20), and 0.75% ropivacaine (n=20). Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia was performed before every surgery. Non-invasive blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before the operation, during the first 5 minutes of the surgical procedure, and 5 minutes after the operation of the patients, and compared between the groups. Incidence of adverse reactions, postoperative Visual Analog Scale score, and analgesic effect were also recorded and analyzed.ResultsThe surgical procedure and anesthesia was performed successfully in all patients. Patients with high-dose ropivacaine (0.5% and 0.75%) in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia exhibited lower arterial pressure and lower heart rate during the operation when compared to low-dose group. The interquartile range of Visual Analog Scale scores in both group C (0.75% ropivacaine) and group B (0.5% ropivacaine) were significantly lower (P<0.05) than in group A (0.25% ropivacaine). Accordingly, the interquartile range of satisfactory scores in both group C (0.75% ropivacaine) and group B (0.5% ropivacaine) were significantly higher (P<0.05) than in group A (0.25% ropivacaine). More cases in high-dose groups reported abnormal skin sensation; however, it did not negatively affect the satisfaction level of patients.ConclusionThe use of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia with ropivacaine as an anesthetic in inguinal hernia repair for elderly patients is safe and effective, and ropivacaine is optimally effective at the concentration of 0.5% with least side effects.

Microencapsulated eucalyptol and eugenol as growth promoters in broilers.

Antibiotic growth promoter has been effectively used in poultry production for stimulating growth and preventing diseases. However, the use of antibiotics has been questioned due to the possible appearance of resistant bacteria. Special attention has been paid to the use of essential oils as natural alternatives for antibiotics. We investigated the use of different concentrations of microencapsulated eucalyptol and eugenol in broiler chickens diet as alternative growth promoters for avilamycin. One-day-old male broiler chickens were submitted to 7 different dietary treatments. The eugenol demonstrated strong antioxidant activity and both eugenol and eucalyptol showed antimicrobial activity. The broiler performance showed no significant difference to the group with administration of 10 mg/kg of avilamycin when eucalyptol (500 mg/kg) or eugenol (500 mg/kg) were used separately in diet. Our findings suggest that the microencapsulated phytotherapic agents are a potential alternative to the use of avilamycin as growth promoter in broilers during the broilers growing phase. &nbsp; DOI: 10.14685/rebrapa.v5i1.157 &nbsp;

Analysis and simulation of scale-up potentials in reverse electrodialysis

The reverse electrodialysis (RED) process has been widely accepted as a viable and promising technology to produce electric energy from salinity difference (salinity gradient power e.g. using river water/seawater or seawater and concentrated brines). Recent R&D efforts demonstrated how an appropriate design of the RED unit and a suitable selection of process conditions may crucially enhance the process performance. With this regard, a process simulator was developed and validated with experimental data collected on a laboratory-scale unit, providing a new modelling tool for process optimisation. In this work, performed within the REAPower project (www.reapower.eu), a process simulator previously proposed by the same authors has been modified in order to predict the behaviour of a cross-flow RED unit. The model was then adopted to investigate the influence of the most important variables (i.e. solution properties and stack geometry) on the overall process performance. In particular, the use of different concentrations and flow rates for the feed streams has been considered, as well as different aspect ratios in asymmetric stacks. Moreover, the influence of the scaling-up a RED unit was investigated, starting from a 22 × 22 cm2 100 cell pairs lab-stack, and simulating the performance of larger stacks up to a 44 × 88 cm2 500 cell pairs unit. Finally, different scenarios are proposed for a prototype-scale RED plant, providing useful indications for the technology scale-up towards 1 kW of power production, relevant to the installation of a real prototype plant in Trapani (Italy) being the final objective of the R&D activities of the REAPower project.

White Light Emission of Polystyrene (PS) Thin Films Deposited by Spray Pyrolysis

The optical, structural and luminescent characteristics of polystyrene PS films doped with luminescent organic pigments (LOP) and deposited by spray pyrolysis technique are reported. The films are deposited on glass, quartz and GaN at low temperatures, using chemical solutions of recycled PS (from stayfoam) and LOPs as precursors, and N.N-dimethylformamide, as solvent.The thickness of the films was around 2.5 μm films showed at deposition rates between 100 and 200 Å/s. Doped films have roughness between 100 and 2500 Å depending on the kind of pigment used and the surface morphology shows that the organic pigments incorporate into the polystyrene host forming globular particles of about 2 µm in diameter. The organic pigments used have luminescent emissions peaked at 445, 510 and 590 nm.Non-doped films are very transparent and smooth; on the other hand, doped films are opaque and rough. The LOPs luminescent emission wavelengths were preserved when they were incorporated in the PS films. Using an appropriate mix of OPs it was possible to obtain films that have white light emission. These multi doped films were deposited on violet and blue light emitting LED chips, achieving a complete white light source device. It was determined that the exposure to the violet light from the LED degrades the luminescent characteristics, however, the blue light has is not energetic enough to cause a degradation of the luminescent layer over similar period of time.Emissions intensity behavior of photoluminescence depends of doping concentration and deposition temperature. The luminescence intensity had a maximum when the films were deposited at 240 0C in every case, save for the use of different concentrations of LOPs (~0.025 to 4%) in solution.The surface morphology and the root mean square surface roughness for PS thin films were determined by Atomic Force Microscopy, By UV-Vis technique, %T was measured. In addition, infrared spectra, Scanning Electron Microscopy images and EDS chemical composition results are also shown.Acknowledgments:The authors would like to thank SECITI (before ICyTDF) project PICSO12-119, and CONACyT México because of financial support.[1] S. Carmona-Téllez et.al., White light emitting transparent double layer stack of Al2O3 :Eu3+, Tb3+, and Ce3+ films deposited by spray pyrolysis, ECS Journal of Solid State Science and Technology, 2 (6) (2013)[2] A. E. Esperanza-García et. al. Luminescent and Morphological characteristics of Al2O3:Tb films deposited by spray pyrolysis using acetylacetonates as precursors. Journal of the electrochemical society, 150 (2) H53-h56 (2003)

Hypertonic saline (HTS) versus standard (isotonic) fluid therapy for traumatic brain injuries: a systematic review

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the foremost causes of mortality secondary to trauma. Poorer outcomes are associated with secondary insults, after the initial brain injury occurred. The management goal of TBI is to prevent or minimise the effects of secondary brain injuries. The primary objective of this systematic review/meta-analysis was to assess the effects of Hypertonic Saline (HTS) compared to Standard Fluid Therapy (SFT) in the treatment and resuscitation of TBI patients. We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE (from 1966), EBSCOhost, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Proquest Medical Library and EMBASE (from 1980) in May 2010 and updated searches in February 2011. Data were assessed and extracted by two independent authors. Risk ratios (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were used as the effect measure. The review included three RCTs (1184 participants) of which two were of high to moderate quality (1005 participants). HTS was not found to be associated with a reduction in mortality (3 RCTs, 1184 participants, RR 0.91, 95%CI 0.76 to 1.09) and morbidity in TBI patients. No significant improvement in haemodynamical stability was found whereas insufficient data were available to indicate a reduction in the intracranial pressure (ICP). In the HTS group, cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) (MD 3.83mmHg, 95%CI 1.08 to 6.57) and serum sodium level (MD 8mEq/L, 95%CI 7.47 to 8.53) were higher. Existing studies show no indication that HTS, in comparison to SFT, reduces mortality or morbidity after the occurrence of TBI. Against this backdrop, some uncertainties still exist in terms of the use of different concentrations and volumes of HTS, the timing of administration as well as the benefit in specific injury profiles. As a result, formulating conclusive recommendations is complex.

Ameliorative effects of foliar methanol spraying on salt injury to soybean seedlings differing in salt tolerance

By foliar application of a range of methanol solutions (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 %, v/v) on leaves of salt-stressed soybean seedlings, and comparing changes in plant height and relative electrolytic leakage, the appropriate concentration of foliar methanol for mitigating of salt injury to soybean was selected. On this basis, foliar application of the appropriate concentration of methanol solution was conducted on salt-stressed soybean cv. Jackson (the salt-sensitive) and cv. Lee68 (the salt-tolerant) seedlings. By comparing changes in plant dry matter weight, leaf area and net photosynthetic rate (Pn), root and leaf thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) contents, and plant Na+, K+ contents and Na+/K+ ratios, physiological effects of foliar methanol application were analyzed. The results showed that: Use of different concentrations of methanol solution for foliar spraying all had ameliorative effects for salt-treated soybean seedlings, of which, 5 % concentration was the appropriate. Under salt stress, plant dry matter weight, leaf area and Pn of cv. Jackson and cv. Lee68 seedlings decreased significantly, TBARS contents in roots and leaves were increased significantly, K+ contents in soybean plants declined, while Na+ contents and Na+/K+ ratios increased remarkably, and as a whole, the changes in cv. Jackson were higher than those in cv. Lee68. Under salt stress plus leaf spraying of 5 % methanol, plant dry matter weight, K+ contents, leaf area and Pn of cv. Jackson and Lee68 seedlings were restored, root and leaf TBARS contents, plant Na+ contents and Na+/K+ ratios were all reduced, of which cv. Jackson displayed a more pronounced effect.

EXTRACTION AND SEPARATION OF SOME ACTIVE COMPOUNDS IN ERUCA SATIVA AND STIUDY IT'S BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY

This study aimed to sperat and extract of some active compounds in Eruca sativa .It included identificaion and determination of active compounds their percentages in the leaves,stem and seeds,like(Tannine, Glycosides,Alkaloids,Saponins,Resins,Flavonoids and Terpens). The results obtained were showen that these compounds are found in all part of the plant .The stem is not contain Terpenes and Resins .The highest percentages for active compounds was in leaves like the percentages .For the Tannins and Glycosids and Alkaloids and Saponins,these were 14.3%,6%,11%,7.4% respectively. For basic found chemical compounds such as (protein,carbohydrates,total oils and ash) in the main parts of plant . It was found that the highest percentages of protein and carbohydratesre were in leaves at 36%,28% respectively .While the total oil percentages was 29% in seeds . The highest value of percentages for the moisture was 9.4%. Determined of the major mineral like (Ca,Na,K,Li,Ba) in the main part of plant using flame photometer technique was refereed that calcium present of higest concentration in the main parts of plant.The study has been performed of activity bilogical inhibited for extacts prepared from leaves towards yeast Candida albican and fungi Geotrichum candidum using well indiffusion agar.This happened by use of different concentration (10-100)mg/ml and use solvents(water,methanol and ethanol).The study explaind that were significant differeces between the aqueous extract which has been least inhibited activity towards fungi and the ethanolic extract which gave highest activity against yeast Candida albicans .The inhibition zone was (17.3)mm.

Efficient Generation of Virus-Free iPS Cells Using Liposomal Magnetofection

The generation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells is a powerful tool in regenerative medicine, and advances in nanotechnology clearly have great potential to enhance stem cell research. Here, we introduce a liposomal magnetofection (LMF) method for iPS cell generation. Efficient conditions for generating virus-free iPS cells from mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells were determined through the use of different concentrations of CombiMag nanoparticle-DNA(pCX-OKS-2A and pCX-cMyc)-lipoplexes and either one or two cycles of the LMF procedure. The cells were prepared in a short reprogramming time period (≤8 days, 0.032–0.040%). Among the seven LMF-iPS cell lines examined, two were confirmed to be integration-free, and an integration-free LMF-iPS cell line was produced under the least toxic conditions (single LMF cycle with a half-dose of plasmid). This cell line also displayed in vitro/in vivo pluripotency, including teratoma formation and chimeric mouse production. In addition, the safety of CombiMag-DNA lipoplexes for the transfection of MEF cells was confirmed through lactate dehydrogenase activity assay and transmission electron microscopy. These results demonstrated that the LMF method is simple, effective, and safe. LMF may represent a superior technique for the generation of virus-free or integration-free iPS cell lines that could lead to enhanced stem cell therapy in the future.

Concentration of Indocyanine Green Does Not Significantly Influence Lymphatic Function as Assessed by Near-Infrared Imaging

Absorbance of near-infrared (600-800 nm) light by the tissue components water, melanin, and hemoglobin is minimal. This property allows the use of near-infrared-emitting fluorophores for noninvasive, in vivo, real-time imaging of tissue, without the interference of autofluorescence experienced with imaging in other wavelength ranges. Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging has been used to noninvasively image lymphatic architecture and pumping function in animals, as well as in humans. The effects of different doses of a NIR dye, indocyanine green (ICG), on lymphatic function have been questioned. This study aims to address these concerns in the context of a mouse inguinal-to-axillary lymphatic imaging model. We measured lymph propulsive velocity and frequency using an imaging system composed of a laser diode for excitation of the dye, an image intensifier, and an intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) camera to capture real-time images. At 0.32, 0.645, and 1.3 mM ICG, no significant differences in lymphatic propulsive velocity or frequency were observed. Additionally, the use of other NIR imaging agents did not result in significant differences. The use of different concentrations of ICG and the use of other near-infrared fluorophores for optical imaging of lymphatics does not significantly affect lymphatic propulsive velocity or frequency.

Determination of kaempferol in extracts from Lilium candidum L. Liliaceae by means of liquid chromatography

Determination of kaempferol in extracts from Lilium candidum L. Liliaceae by means of liquid chromatographyThere is an optimized, validated and implemented method for determination of kaempferol through liquid chromatography in terms of isocratic separation in the proportion: 0.05% phosphoric acid and acetonitril (50:50) v/v. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were determined. The content of kaempferol in samples from Lilium candidum L. with the use of different concentrations of extract agent and after releasing kaempferol from dermal semisolid medicaments was investigated. The samples were prepared by various producers. The results obtained proved that the implemented method shows good validated parameters and is favourable for determination of kaempferol in samples from Lilium candidum L. It was kaempferol that evaluated best from the samples that were prepared by extraction of 80% ethanol. The contents in the samples were determined using the method, after releasing kaempferol from dermal semisolid medicaments.

Effect of Sodium Tri Polyphosphate (STPP) and Foreign Materials on the Quality of Giant Freshwater Prawn (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Macrobrachium rosenbergii&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) under Ice Storage Condition

There are reports on the use of chemicals like sodium tri polyphosphate (STPP) and foreign materials like pearl tapioca (locally called ‘sagu’), jelly (litchi) to adulterate freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) prior to freeze processing to increase their weight. Studies were, therefore, undertaken to determine the changes in product quality on the use of different concentrations of STPP, sagu and litchi under ice storage condition. Percent weight gain of prawn was 5.46, 18.87 and 23.50 when dipped in 2%, 4% and 6% STPP solution, respectively. In all cases maximum water uptake by prawn muscle was during the first 6 h with fastest weight gain with STPP solutions containing tap water compared to those of ice and tap water. Organoleptic quality of the STPP treated samples became brown and spongy after 8 h of dipping treatment under iced condition. Quality assessment studies conducted after injecting sagu and litchi in prawn muscle showed little or no difference with those of control samples during the first 6 h, which turned whitish and swollen with severe drip loss after 24 h of ice stored condition, indicating characteristics for easy identification of the injected shrimps by organoleptic method.

Effects of a new hemostatic agent Ankaferd Blood Stopper® on the intraocular tissues in rat model

Purpose: To investigate the histopathological changes due to administration of Ankaferd Blood Stopper® (ABS) into intraocular tissues by an anterior chamber and intravitreal injections.Methods: Twenty Wistar albino rats were divided into four equal groups. Group 1 was injected 0.01 mL ABS into anterior chamber. Group 2 was injected intravitreal 0.02 mL ABS. Groups 3 and 4, which were used as controls, were injected into the anterior chamber and intravitreal 0.01 mL and 0.02 mL balanced salt solution (BSS), respectively. At 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days after injection, the eyes were examined under an operating microscope and were subsequently enucleated for histopathological examination.Results: Ophthalmic examination of the rats prior to enucleation revealed ocular complications ranging from conjunctival hyperemia to corneal perforation in group 1 and increased conjunctival hyperemia and discharge in group 2. No physical and histopathological anomalies were detected in groups 3 and 4. All eyes in group 1 showed mixed type inflammatory cell reaction, foreign-body reaction, stromal congestion, disintegration of the collagen fibers and loss of the epithelium of the posterior wall in the iris and ciliary body were observed histopathologically. All eyes in group 2 showed disintegration and separation of the retina, brown pigment accumulation and mixed type inflammatory cell reaction.Conclusion: Our results indicate that the commercially available form of ABS solution exerts a toxic effect on intraocular tissues. We consider that the intraocular use of different concentrations, rather than multiple time point of ABS should be investigated.

Inhibition of HSP90 by triptolide (TPL) augments Bortezomib-induced U266 cells apoptosis

HSP90 has high expression in myeloma cells and very important for prognosis, and that triptolide (TPL), the main active component of the traditional Chinese herbal medicineTripterygium wilfordii Hook F (Celastraceae) has the inhibition effects in the growth of myeloma cells. In this study, we test the ability of TPL to induce apoptosis in U266 human myeloma cells by reducing HSP90 expression, as well as the effect of TPL on Bortezomib sensitivity. The MTT cell viability assay was used to assess growth inhibition of U266 human myeloma cells due to different TPL concentrations and the combined use of different concentration of TPL and 0.01 mM Bortezomib. Annexin-V and Propidium iodide (PI) labeling were used to detect cell death and determine the mode of death. TPL alone inhibited U266 cell growth and apoptosis inducement in a concentration-dependent manner. When TPL is combined with 0.01 mM Bortezomib, both effects increase. Western blotting revealed that caspase 3 and caspase 9 gene expression increased, while nuclear factor (NF)-KB and HSP 90 protein expression decreased, related with apoptosis and growth inhibition. TPL increases U266 cell sensitivity to Bortezomib, inducing apoptosis, which might be the result of suppress NF-KB and HSP90 activity. Key words: Bortezomib, multiple myeloma, heat shock protein gp90, triptolide.

Evaluation of the Antibacterial Activity of Citrus Juices: An In Vitro Study

Aims: This work aimed at determining the antibacterial activity of three Citrus Juice on Staphylococ-cus aureus, Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Materials and Methods: The antibacteri-al activities of juices of three types of Citrus (C.) fruit, C. limon (lemon), C. aurantium (bitter orange) and C. paradisi (grapefruit), against some gram positive and gram negative bacteria using four concen-trations of these juices by agar diffusion method with measurement of diameter of the zone of inhibi-tion around the extracts. Results: The results confirmed the presence of anti bacterial activity of the Citrus juice. The highest inhibition zone (18 mm) was observed with a 10% concentration of C. para-dises juice on Staphylococcus aureus, but Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were resis-tant. C. limon and C. aurantium juice at 10% and 5% concentration gave positive results with bacteri-cidal effects on the three tested bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The zones of inhibition of C. limon were 10, 12 and 13mm for 5% and 15, 21 and 20 mm for 10% respectively. For C. aurantium, they were 18, 19 and 20 mm for 5% concentration and 16, 19 and 19 mm for 10% concentration respectively. Those effects were better than those produced by stan-dard antibiotic disc used for comparison. Conclusions: The use of different concentrations of Citrus juice extracts had an effective antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Formulation and evaluation of Albendazole microcapsules for colon delivery using chitosan

Objective To formulate and evaluate Albendazole microcapsules using chitosan, a natural polymer for colon-specific delivery for better treatment of helminthiasis, filariasis, colorectal cancer, avoiding the side effects. Methods The Albendazole microcapsules were prepared by the use of different concentrations of sodium alginate, chitosan and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). The polysaccharides chitosan reacted with sodium alginate in the presence of calcium chloride to form microcapsules with a polyelectrolyte complex membrane by electrostatic interactions between the two oppositely charged polymers. The microcapsules were then studied for entrapment efficiency, drug-polymer compatibility and surface morphology. In vitro drug release study in presence and absence of cecal content were also studied. Further, kinetic modellings were employed to find out release mechanisms. Results Albendazole loaded microspheres showd high entrapment efficiency (72.8%) and the microcapsules were free flowing, non aggregated and spherical, between 600 and 1000 μm in diameter. The surface of microcapsules were found to be porous and wavy. The FT-IR spectrum showed that there is no interaction between the polymer and the drug. The in vitro drug release study found to be affected by change in chitosan, sodium alginate and HPMC concentration. The microcapsules with 2.5% sodium alginate and 0.4% chitosan shown minimum release in gastrointestinal simulated condition but shows maximum drug release at the end of 24th hour in presence of cecal content. The rate of drug release follows Korsmeyer-peppas model that was the drug release is by diffusion and erosion. Conclusions The study reveals that Albendazole loaded chitosan-alginate based microsphere can be used effectively for the colon targeting.

330 ROLE OF STAT3 PATHWAY IN THE LEPTIN-INDUCED SIGNALING DURING OOCYTE IN VITRO MATURATION AND STEROIDOGENIC RESPONSE IN RABBIT MODEL

The effect of leptin on oocyte maturation and steroidogenic response could be mediated by activation of specific transcription factors. The aim of this work was to establish if the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway mediates leptin’s influence on oocyte maturation and steroid secretion of COC by using a rabbit oocyte model. A total of 522 COC from follicles &gt;1 mm were IVM for 16 h (38°C, 5% CO2) in TCM-199 serum free medium plus: 0 or 10 ng mL-1 leptin. Each group was further treated with 10 and 100 μM of specific inhibitor for STAT3 pathway (AG490, Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA). COC were treated progressively with hyaluronidase (2 mM), 0.5% pronase, 4% paraformaldehyde, 0.02% Triton X-100, and 7.5% BSA after IVM. Oocytes examined under a confocal laser-scanning microscope were previously incubated with 100 mg mL-1 fluorescein isothiocyanate of Lens culinaris (FITC-LCA) and then with 10 mg mL-1 propidium iodide, for cortical granule (CG) and nuclear staining, respectively. Spent maturation media were analyzed for oestradiol and progesterone secretion using Enzimoinmunoassay. Statistical analysis was performed by Chi-square and ANOVA tests. COC supplemented with 10 ng mL-1 leptin had significantly higher metaphase IIrate than those IVM without leptin (P &lt; 0.05); but it did not enhance the percentage of oocytes with peripheral migration of CG (Table 1). Leptin-stimulated nuclear oocyte maturation was significantly impaired when the STAT3-inhibitor was added to the media (P &lt; 0.005). CG migration index was not modified when inhibitors were included in IVM media compared to control groups. Estradiol and progesterone secretion by COC were similar in all groups tested; these concentrations were not affected when STAT3-pathway inhibitor was added. The results confirmed that 10 ng mL-1 leptin enhances meiotic oocyte maturation but not CG migration, through the STAT3 pathway. In the present rabbit model, this effect is not mediated by an increase of steroid secretion by COC. Table 1.Metaphase II, CG migration rate and steroid production in rabbit COC after use of different concentrations of STAT3-inhibitor We acknowledge CM, FSE, and MICINN for funding.

Improved performance of porous bio-anodes in microbial electrolysis cells by enhancing mass and charge transport

To create an efficient MEC high current densities and high coulombic efficiencies are required. The aim of this study was to increase current densities and coulombic efficiencies by influencing mass and charge transport in porous electrodes by: (i) introduction of a forced flow through the anode to see the effect of enhanced mass transport of substrate, buffer and protons inside the porous anode and (ii) the use of different concentrations of buffer solution to study the effect of enhanced proton transport near the biofilm. A combination of both strategies led to a high current density of 16.4 A m −2 and a hydrogen production rate of 5.6 m 3 m −3 d −1 at an applied voltage of 1 V. This current density is 228% higher than the current density without forced flow and high buffer concentration. Furthermore the combination of the anode and transport resistance was reduced from 36 mΩm 2 to 20 mΩm 2. Because of this reduced resistance the coulombic efficiency reached values of over 60% in this continuous system.

Evaluation of the CDC safe water-storage intervention to improve the microbiological quality of point-of-use drinking water in rural communities in South Africa

The use of different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite solutions (placebo; 1% and 3.5% sodium hypochlorite solutions) and 2 water-storage containers (traditional plastic container and the improved CDC safe water-storage container) as interventions in 2 rural communities using different water sources (improved vs. unimproved) was evaluated over a period of 4 months. Standard methods were used to determine the presence of indicator organisms (total coliforms, faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, faecal enterococci, Clostridium perfringens, male-specific F-RNA and somatic coliphages) in the water samples. The results indicated that the 1% and the 3.5% sodium hypochlorite solutions effectively reduced the numbers of indicator microorganisms to undetectable counts in both types of water-storage containers. However, no statistical differences were seen between the 2 types of water-storage containers in the numbers of indicator microorganisms present in the stored water with the addition of a placebo sodium hypochlorite solution. Compliance of households with the use of the sodium hypochlorite intervention ranged between 60% and 100%. A household questionnaire survey indicated an urgent need for education concerning the risk of waterborne diseases, the proper use of safe household water-storage devices and water treatment processes and improvement of hygiene and sanitation practices in these rural households.

Enzymatic properties of α- and β-glocusidases extracted from midgut and salivary glands of rice striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The study of digestive enzymes, especially in important pests like Chilo suppressalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), which are a key constraint on rice production in a wide area of the globe and also in Iran, could be a successful procedure in the development of a safe and useful control strategy. Glycosidase are a type of digestive enzymes which have a critical role in the final stages of carbohydrate digestion; they hydrolyze α-D-(1,4)-glucose linkage such as p-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucoside in di and oligosaccharide components. Laboratory reared 4th instar larvae were randomly selected; midgut and salivary gland were removed by dissection under a stereo microscope and glucosidase activities were assayed by Ferreira and Terra's procedures. The activities of α- and β-glucosidase in the midgut and salivary gland were 0.009, 0.0063, 0.005 and 0.003 μmol/min/mg protein, respectively. The optimal pH and temperature for enzyme activity were determined to be 9 and 45 °C for the glucosidases measured, values which are in agreement with other reports, especially in lepidopteran insects, which give values between 8–12 and 20–50 °C. The enzyme activity increased with the addition of NaCl, MgCl 2 and CaCl 2 and decreased due to the use of different concentrations of KCl, Urea, EDTA, SDS and Urea both in midgut and the salivary glands. Control of pests by using resistant varieties is one of the most important practices that are dependent on inhibitors in plants. Hence, characterization of digestive enzymes, especially the effect of inhibitors on enzyme activity, could be useful, on the one hand for a better understanding of enzyme roles in the nutrition physiology of insects, and on the other hand to reach safe and useful controls of insect pests. To cite this article: A. Zibaee et al., C. R. Biologies 332 (2009).