Zn Treatment Research Articles

Study the manifestation of growth and yield attributes of Broccoli through application of boron, molybdenum, zinc and their combination treatments in Terai agro-ecological region of West Bengal.

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) is an important winter vegetable under the cole groups, which has great market potential in India and Gulf countries. The climatic condition of Terai region of West Bengal is highly suitable for broccoli cultivation that argued for the possibility of getting more net profit of the farmers from cultivation of this high valued crop. But due to the micronutrient deficiency in the soil of terai region, broccoli not gives good return for this reason the experiment was done to give a recommendation to the farmers for better yield. The present experiment was carried out to examine the effect of boron, zinc and molybdenum on broccoli (cv-green magic) with sole doses of these three micronutrients were fixed 0.3% for borax, 0.5% and 1.0% zinc sulphate as per and 0.03% and 0.05% per ammonium molybdate solutions as sole as well as their combined treatments on the yield and growth parameters of the broccoli. Among the sole treatments, application of zinc showed significantly higher effect on leaves per plants, leaf area, total chlorophyll content of the leaf and ascorbic acid content in the head. Significantly higher plant height showed by the treatments 0.03% Mo+1% Zn (59.10cm) and 0.05% Mo + 1% Zn (59.05cm), respectively. Irrespective of the treatments Zn had significantly positive influence in increasing the number of leaves per plant, especially at 0.5% dose. Significantly highest ascorbic acid was recorded at i.e., 61.54mg/ 100g of fresh head weight along with this significantly highest leaf area were recorded at combination treatment of 0.3%, 0.03% Mo and 0.5% Zn (454.35 cm2) and sole treatment of 0.5% Zn (452.33 cm2). Combination of 0.3% borax, 0.03% ammonium molybdate and 0.5% zinc sulphate were recorded to be best for most of the traits.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal strategy for zinc mycoremediation and diminished translocation to shoots and grains in wheat.

Mycoremediation is an on-site remediation strategy, which employs fungi to degrade or sequester contaminants from the environment. The present work focused on the bioremediation of soils contaminated with zinc by the use of a native mycorrhizal fungi (AM) called Funneliformis geosporum (Nicol. & Gerd.) Walker & Schüßler. Experiments were performed using Triticum aestivum L. cv. Gemmeza-10 at different concentrations of Zn (50, 100, 200 mg kg-1) and inoculated with or without F. geosporum. The results showed that the dry weight of mycorrhizal wheat increased at Zn stressed plants as compared to the non-Zn-stressed control plants. The concentrations of Zn also had an inhibitory effect on the yield of dry root and shoot of non-mycorrhizal wheat. The photosynthetic pigment fractions were significantly affected by Zn treatments and mycorrhizal inoculation, where in all treatments, the content of the photosynthetic pigment fractions decreased as the Zn concentration increased in the soil. However, the level of minerals of shoots, roots, and grains was greatly influenced by Zn-treatment and by inoculation with F. geosporum. Treatment with Zn in the soil increased Cu and Zn concentrations in the root, shoot and grains, however, other minerals (P, S, K, Ca and Fe) concentration was decreased. Inoculation of wheat with AM fungi significantly reduced the accumulation of Zn and depressed its translocation in shoots and grains of wheat. In conclusion, inoculation with a native F. geosporum-improves yields of wheat under higher levels of Zn and is possible to be applied for the improvement of zinc contaminated soil.

Application of zinc improves the productivity and biofortification of fine grain aromatic rice grown in dry seeded and puddled transplanted production systems

Zinc (Zn) deficiency is a major constraint for rice (Oryza sativa L.) production and a global concern for human nutrition. Water scarcity and increasing labour costs are dictating the shift in rice culture from puddling, transplanting and flooding to dry seeding and the use of alternate wetting and drying water management. These changes may affect Zn availability to rice plants. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of four different Zn application methods on the productivity, profitability, and grain Zn concentration of rice at two different sites (Faisalabad and Sialkot) in Punjab, Pakistan in 2013 and 2014. Zinc was applied as ZnSO4·7H2O either as a (1) basal application to the soil (10kg Zn ha−1), (2) foliar spray (0.5% Zn solution), (3) seed primer (0.5M Zn), or (4) seed coating (2g Zn kg−1 seed). The rice cultivar, Super Basmati, was grown in conventional puddled transplanted flooded (TR) and dry-seeded non-flooded rice (DSR) systems. All Zn application methods increased grain yield of both DSR and TR by around 30% compared with the control (no added Zn). While there were significant differences between the effects of the application methods on grain yield at both sites, the differences were small (≤0.2tha−1) and there were no consistent trends, apart from much lower yield with seed coating of TR at Sialkot. All Zn treatments significantly increased grain Zn concentration in both production systems at both sites, apart from seed coating in DSR at Faisalabad. Seed coating consistently gave the smallest increase in grain Zn concentration. Foliar Zn application consistently gave the highest or equal highest grain Zn concentration at Faisalabad, while soil application consistently gave the highest or equal highest concentration at Sialkot. Profitability was greatly increased by all Zn application methods, with net benefit increasing by factors of 1.4–3.1. Foliar application was the most profitable method for TR at both sites, while seed coating was the most profitable method for DSR. At both sites, seed coating produced by far the highest agronomic efficiency and apparent recovery, mainly due to the low amount of Zn applied. In conclusion, all four Zn application methods increased rice paddy yield and profitability at both sites in both TR and DSR. Given the low effectiveness of seed coating in increasing grain Zn concentration, it is recommended that farmers apply Zn to rice by soil application, seed priming or foliar application.

Impact of Cr and Zn on Growth, Biochemical and Physiological Parameters, and Metal Accumulation by Wheat and Barley Plants

The effect of different Cr and Zn concentrations in the soil on the development of Albares wheat and Pedrezuela barley plants at the physiological, biochemical, and structural levels was evaluated during the crop cycle in a greenhouse assay, as well as their potential use in phytoremediation strategies. The accumulation of Cr and Zn in plants was dose-dependent for both cultivars. The highest contents were found in root and the lowest in grain. In the Cr treatments, the decrease with respect to the control in the biomass, relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content (Chl), and chlorophyll fluorescence values (Fv/Fm) was more pronounced in wheat than in barley. For the Zn treatments, the behavior was the opposite. Barley showed less tolerance to Zn concentrations although its higher translocation factor (TF) and greater biomass make this plant adequate to use in phytoremediation process in soil contaminated with Zn. The electron microscopy studies showed evidence that treatment with both Cr and Zn produced alterations in the cellular ultrastructure of the plant leaves. Cr and Zn induced the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) in both cultivars; the highest concentrations were observed in barley leaves. In general, the ascorbate peroxidase activity (APX) was higher in the plants exposed to metal treatments. The catalase activity (CAT) showed a different behavior depending on the metal studied. These results highlight the potential capacity of Albares wheat for use in the phytoremediation of soils contaminated by Zn and of Pedrezuela barley for use in Cr- and Zn-contaminated soils.

Zinc-Induced Metallothionein in Centenarian Offspring From a Large European Population: The MARK-AGE Project.

Metallothionein (MT) family are cysteine-rich proteins that regulate zinc (Zn) homeostasis and protect against oxidative damage. Studies in transgenic mice have shown that MT favorably influence longevity, although their role in human aging is not completely understood. Within the European multicenter study MARK-AGE, we analyzed MT induction after Zn treatment in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and its relation with redox biomarkers in 2,936 age-stratified subjects (35-75 years) including the general population (RASIG), centenarian offspring (GO), and their spouses (SGO). We found that the lymphocyte capability to induce MT in response to Zn is not affected by aging. However, GO participants showed lower Zn-induced MT and increased basal expression of MT1A, MT1X, and ZnT-1 genes than RASIG subjects. Moreover, Zn-induced MT levels were found to be inversely related with oxidative stress markers (plasma protein carbonyls, 3-nitrotyrosine, and malondialdehyde) in the whole population, but not in GO subjects. In conclusion, our results support the hypothesis that the response to Zn is attenuated in PBMCs of centenarian offspring compared to the general population as a consequence of a tighter control of Zn homeostasis which is likely to provide them constant protection against stress stimuli over the whole lifespan.

On the interactions among zinc availability and responses to ozone stress in durum wheat seedlings.

Seedlings of durum wheat [Triticum turgidum subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn] were exposed to zinc nutrition and to ozone (O3) in a factorial combination: adequate (+Zn treatment) or no Zn (-Zn) in the nutrient solution, followed by exposure to either ozone-free air (filtered air, FA) or to 150nLL-1 ozone (O3) for 4h. Although omitting Zn from the nutrient solution failed to impose a genuine Zn deficiency, -Zn*FA durum wheat seedlings showed a typical deficiency behaviour, i.e. Zn mobilisation from root to shoot. Such inter-organ Zn redistribution, however, did not occur in -Zn*O3 plants. Exposure to each stress singly decreased the activity and the protein amount of foliar plasma membrane H+-ATPase, but not stress combination, which even increased the H+-ATPase expression with respect to control. In the -Zn*O3 plants, moreover, the foliar activities of the plasma membrane-bound NAD(P)H-dependent superoxide synthase and of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase, and the transcripts abundance of the luminal binding protein and of the protein disulphide isomerase, were also stimulated. It is proposed that, even in the absence of actual Zn starvation, the perception of deficiency conditions could trigger changes in redox homoeostasis at the plasma membrane level, helpful in compensating an O3-dependent oxidative damage.

Zinc application alleviates the adverse effects of lead stress more in female Morus alba than in males

The effects of heavy metal stress on growth in dioecious plants have been reported in some species, but little attention has been paid to lead and zinc contamination. To investigate sex-related morphological, physiological and ultrastructural responses to lead and zinc contamination in dioecious plants, mulberry (Morus alba L.) saplings were subjected to Pb treatments (0 and 1000mgkg−1 dry soil) and Zn treatments (0 and 50mgkg−1 dry soil) for 3 months. Compared with the control, lead stress inhibited plant growth, decreased plant biomass, suppressed gas exchange, and visibly disrupted antioxidative enzymes in both sexes, particularly in females. Male saplings showed the following effects when exposed to lead stress alone and to a combination of lead and zinc: greater growth, biomass, gas exchange capacity, antioxidant enzyme activity and lead uptake in stems; lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content and relative electrolyte leakage; and relatively intact chloroplast ultrastructures. With the application of zinc, lead toxicity was mitigated through the recovery of gas exchange capacity, increasing growth and biomass, and improved redox imbalance in both sexes. Moreover, the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, glutathione reductase (GR) activity, lead uptake in roots and leaves, MDA and relative electrolyte leakage increased more in females than in males. Therefore, these results indicate that females are more sensitive to lead stress, and zinc application can mitigate lead toxicity and exhibit a stronger effect in female plants than in males.

Zn availability in nutrient solutions for cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in hydroponics as affected by Fe-chelates and pH

In soil-less culture systems Fe is usually supplied as chelate to ensure an adequate availability of this element. As chelates have affinity for many metal ions these chelates will interact with other cation nutrients in nutrient solutions. This affects the availability of Fe and other nutrients. The effects of Fe-chelate types, pH, and Zn concentrations on the availability of Fe, Zn and other micro nutrients in the nutrient solution were tested with rock wool grown cucumber as test crop. In the first experiment the Fe-chelates DTPA, EDDHA and HEEDTA (25 μmol L-1) and Zn target values of 5, 25 and 50 μmol L-1 in the root environment were compared. In the second experiment DTPA and EDDHA and Zn target values of 5 and 50 μmol L-1 at two pH ranges: 5-5.5 and 6.0-6.5 were compared. No yield nor fruit quality were significant affected in both trials. Chlorosis occurred severely at the high pH levels but was not significantly different among the chelate- or Zn treatments Necrosis of leaf margin occurred with the DTPA treatments, specifically at high pH. The required Fe-chelate dosage to keep the target levels of Fe was much higher for HEEDTA than for DTPA and EDDHA, at high pH a higher dose of DTPA was needed than for EDDHA in particular with increasing Zn levels. The Fe uptake was not significantly affected by the treatments. The Zn uptake increased with the supply. Interaction of chelate type and pH was found. With EDDHA the Zn uptake was three to five times higher than with DTPA and HEEDTA at high pH. This was in line with the much higher Zn supply needed with EDDHA at high pH The results of these experiments draw the attention to the effects of different Fe chelates on the availability of several micro nutrients to plants, which apparently can be explained by a different behavior to complexation.

Foliar zinc biofortification effects in Lolium rigidum and Trifolium subterraneum grown in cadmium-contaminated soil.

Zinc (Zn) is an important micronutrient that can alleviate cadmium (Cd) toxicity to plants and limit Cd entry into the food chain. However, little is known about the Zn-Cd interactions in pasture plants. We characterized the effects of foliar Zn application and Cd uptake by ryegrass (Lolium rigidum L.) and clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) grown on Cd-contaminated soils; all combinations of foliar Zn applications (0, 0.25 and 0.5% (w/v) ZnSO4·7H2O) and soil Cd concentrations (0, 2.5 and 5 mg Cd kg-1) were tested. For both plant species, soil concentrations of DTPA-extractable Cd and Zn increased with an increase in the Cd and Zn treatments, respectively. Compared with L. rigidum, T. subterraneum accumulated, respectively, 3.3- and 4.1-fold more Cd in the 2.5-Cd and 5-Cd treatments and about 1.3-, 2.3- and 2.8-fold more Zn in the No-Zn, 0.25-Zn and 0.5-Zn treatments. Also, DTPA-Zn concentration was higher in soil after T. subterraneum than L. rigidum growth regardless of Zn applications. Foliar application of 0.25% (w/v) Zn significantly decreased the total Cd concentration in shoots of both species grown in the Cd-contaminated soil and ameliorated the adverse effects of Cd exposure on root growth, particularly in T. subterraneum.

The protective roles of zinc and estradiol in renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in ovariectomized rats

Context: One of the main events associated with ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Zinc (Zn) and estradiol are considered as antioxidants that scavenge free radicals. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the protective effect of Zn and estradiol against renal IRI in ovariectomized rats. Materials and Methods: Ovariectomized Wistar rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups including control (sham operated), IRI, estradiol treated +IRI, estradiol and Zn treated +IRI, Zn treated +IRI groups. The IRI was induced by clamping renal vessels for 45 minutes followed by 24 hours reperfusion. During the last 6 hours of reperfusion, urine output was collected and the measurements were performed. Results: IRI caused an increase in kidney tissue damage score (KTDS) significantly (P<0.05). The serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and the creatinine (Cr) also elevated by IRI, but theses parameters attenuated by Zn treatment significantly (P<0.05). Cr-clearance and urine flow were increased by Zn, and the percent of sodium excretion was increased by estradiol significantly (P<0.05). The kidney tissue level of malondialdehyde was decreased by co-treatment of Zn and estradiol statistically (P<0.05). Conclusions: Zn protected the kidney against IRI with an evident improvements of serum BUN and Cr levels, Cr clearance and tissue damage.

Growth, photosynthetic pigments, phenolic content and biological activities of Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Anethum graveolens L. and Pimpinella anisum L. (Apiaceae) in response to zinc

The effect of zinc (Zn) on phenols, antioxidant activities (free radicals’ scavenging activities, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, chelating activity and reducing power), and enzyme inhibition activities of acetylcholinesterase, lipoxygenase and tyrosinase of anise, dill and two cultivars of fennel [Latina” (FL) and “Doux de Florence” (FDF)] aqueous extracts was evaluated for the first time. At the same time, growth and photosynthetic pigment contents were also estimated.A significant decrease in all growth parameters, such as plant height, fresh and dry weights of aerial parts and roots was statistically proved in the presence of 2mM Zn. An enhancement of Zn accumulation was observed, particularly in aerial part. Exposure to 2mM Zn induced quantitative changes in the phenols of all tested extracts. In fennel extracts, a decrease of phenol content was observed when treated with Zn, whereas an increase was found in dill and anise extracts submitted to Zn treatment. All samples, either in the presence or absence of Zn, showed antioxidant activity, independent on the tested assay, with the exception of the cultivar FDF (treated and non-treated), which was unable to scavenge NO radicals. Zn-treated dill and anise presented usually higher antioxidant activity. Concerning inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase, lipoxygenase and tyrosinase enzymes, both treated and non-treated FDF did not inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity. Zinc-treated FDF was also unable to inhibit lipoxygenase activity. The remaining species presented capacity for inhibiting those enzymes and tyrosinase as well, but their abilities varied in response to Zn excess.

Calcium and zinc decrease intracellular iron by decreasing transport during iron repletion in an in vitro model.

Iron is an essential micronutrient that participates in a number of vital reactions and its absorption may be altered by various nutritional factors such as other micronutrients. Our hypothesis is that iron absorption is decreased because of the interactions with zinc and calcium. We evaluated the interaction between calcium and zinc on iron uptake and transport, intracellular Fe and Zn levels and mRNA expression of DMT1, ferroportin, Zip4 and ZnT1 in an in vitro model. Caco-2 cells were cultivated with 1mM Ca; 10 or 30µM Zn and/or 10, 20 or 30µM Fe for 24h. Intracellular Fe decreased in cells incubated with 30µM Zn or with the mix Ca/10µM Zn/Fe. Zn mostly increased under Ca, Zn and Fe treatment. DMT1 mRNA expression decreased when intracellular Fe increased. Ferroportin expression displayed no change in cells cultured with different Fe concentrations. The mix of Ca, Zn and Fe increased DMT1 and ferroportin expression mainly under high Zn concentration. Zip4 expression was mostly augmented by Ca and Fe; however, ZnT1 showed no change in all conditions studied. Fe uptake was higher in all the conditions studied compared to control cells; however, Fe transport increased only in cells incubated with Fe alone. In all the other conditions, Fe transport was lower than that in control cells. The present findings suggest that Ca and Zn interfere with iron metabolism. This interference is through an increase in ferroportin activity, which results in a diminished net iron absorption.

Zinc and multivitamin supplementation have contrasting effects on infant iron status: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUNDZinc supplementation adversely affects iron status in animal and adult human studies but few, trials have included young infants.OBJECTIVETo determine the effects of zinc and multivitamin supplementation on infant hematologic and iron status.METHODSIn a double-blind RCT, Tanzanian infants were randomized to daily, oral zinc (Zn), multivitamins (MV), Zn and MV, or placebo treatment arms at age 6 wk. Hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and red blood cell indices were measured at baseline and at 6, 12, and 18 mo of age. Plasma samples from 589 infants were examined for iron deficiency (ID) at 6 mo.RESULTSIn logistic regression models, Zn treatment was associated with greater odds of ID (OR 1.8 [95% CI 1.0–3.3]), and MV treatment was associated with lower odds (OR 0.49 [95% CI 0.3–0.9]). In Cox models, MV were associated with a 28% reduction in risk of severe anemia (HR=0.72 [95% Cl 0.56–0.94]) and a 26% reduction in risk of severe microcytic anemia (HR=0.74 [0.56–0.96]) through 18 months. No effects of Zn on risk of anemia were seen. Infants treated with MV alone had higher mean Hb (9.9 g/dL [95% CI 9.7–10.1]) than those given placebo (9.6 g/dL [9.4–9.8]) or Zn alone (9.6 g/dL [9.4–9.7]).CONCLUSIONSMV treatment improved iron status in infancy, whereas Zn worsened iron status but without an associated increase in risk for anemia. Infants in long-term zinc supplementation programs at risk for ID may benefit from screening and/or the addition of a multivitamin supplement.

The Effect of Different Zinc Application Methods on Yield and Grain Zinc Concentration of Bread Wheat Varieties

This study was carried out to elucidate the impacts of zinc (Zn) treatments on growth, development, quality and yield of commonly sown bread wheat cultivars under field conditions of Çukurova Region. Three different bread wheat cultivars (Adana-99, Ceyhan-99 and Pandas) were experimented in randomized complete blocks-split plots experimental design with 3 replications. Field experiments were performed by two different Zn application methods; via soil and via soil+foliage. In the both trials, 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 kg ha-1 pure Zn doses were applied to the soil. 0.4% ZnSO4.7H2O solution was used for foliar Zn applications. Current findings revealed that Zn treatments had significant effects on grain yield, grain Zn concentration, grain phosphorus (P) concentration and thousand grain weight of bread wheat cultivars, but significant effects were not observed on grain protein concentrations. Soil+foliar Zn treatments were more effective in improving grain Zn concentrations. It was concluded that 10- 20 kg ha-1 Zn treatment was quite effective on grain Zn concentrations.

Comparison on the effects of water-borne and dietary-borne accumulated ZnO nanoparticles on Daphnia magna

Nanoparticles (NPs) can exert toxicity to aquatic animals through water and dietary exposure. However, little is known about the contribution of the two exposure pathways to the total toxicity of NPs to aquatic animals. In the present study, we fed Daphnia magna with ZnO NPs-accumulated-algae or directly exposed them to ZnO NPs suspension at the same Zn concentration. The body Zn concentrations were the same in both treatments, but the surface elastic modulus in the water-borne group was lower than that in the dietary-borne group, indicating more severe surface damage in the water-borne treatment. Total egg numbers of the first brood in both Zn treatments were significantly lower than the control, but they were not significantly different between the two treatments. However, the first brood in the water-borne treatment was distinctly delayed than that in the dietary-borne group. The dietary-borne treatment suppressed the expression of Hem and SOD genes. The water-borne treatment significantly suppressed the expression of Pro, SOD, VTG, but increased the GST expression. In particular, the expression of Pro, a gene functions in modulation of cell multiplication, was lower in the water-borne treatment, which might be related to the suppression of body growth in D. magna. The expression of SOD in the water-borne treatment decreased by about four times in comparison with the dietary-borne treatment, and the SOD enzyme activity of the water-borne treatment was significantly lower than that of the dietary-borne treatment. These results indicate that the two exposure routes have different targets and responding toxic mechanisms.

Absorption Kinetics and Subcellular Fractionation of Zinc in Winter Wheat in Response to Nitrogen Supply.

Nitrogen (N) is critical for zinc (Zn) absorption into plant roots; this in turn allows for Zn accumulation and biofortification of grain in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), an important food crop. However, little is known about root morphology and subcellular Zn distribution in response to N treatment at different levels of Zn supply. In this study, two nutrient solution culture experiments were conducted to examine Zn accumulation, Zn absorption kinetics, root morphology, and Zn subcellular distribution in wheat seedlings pre-cultured with different N concentrations. The results showed positive correlations between N and Zn concentrations, and N and Zn accumulation, respectively. The findings suggested that an increase in N supply enhanced root absorption and the root-to-shoot transport of Zn. Nitrogen combined with the high Zn (Zn10) treatment increased the Zn concentration and consequently its accumulation in both shoots and roots. The maximum influx rate (Vmax), root length, surface area, and volume of 14-d-old seedlings, and root growth from 7 to 14 d in the medium N (N7.5) treatment were higher, but the Michaelis constant (Km) and minimum equilibrium concentrations (Cmin) in this treatment were lower than those in the low (N0.05) and high (N15) N treatments, when Zn was supplied at a high level (Zn10). Meanwhile, there were no pronounced differences in the above root traits between the N0.05Zn0 and N7.5Zn10 treatments. An increase in N supply decreased Zn in cell walls and cell organelles, while it increased Zn in the root soluble fraction. In leaves, an increase in N supply significantly decreased Zn in cell walls and the soluble fraction, while it increased Zn in cell organelles under Zn deficiency, but increased Zn distribution in the soluble fraction under medium and high Zn treatments. Therefore, a combination of medium N and high Zn treatments enhanced Zn absorption, apparently by enhancing Zn membrane transport and stimulating root development in winter wheat. An increase in N supply was beneficial in terms of achieving a balanced distribution of Zn subcellular fractions, thus enhancing Zn translocation to shoots, while maintaining normal metabolism.

The Effect of Zinc Distribution for New TB Patients who Have Ethambutol Therapy Toward Visual Field Defect

Background: Tuberculosis is an infection disease that is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Ethambutol therapy for TB patients can cause side effect such as decreased visual acuity, visual field defect, decreased contrast sensitivity, and disturbance of colour detection. Zinc in TB patients has decreased that causes broken cell on retina ganglion and disturbance of mytochondria function. The aim of this study is the effect of zinc supplementation for new TB patients who have ethambutol therapy toward visual field defect.Methods: This study involved 40 new TB patients who have ethambutol therapy which is classified as 20 patients who have ethambutol therapy with zinc supplementation and 20 patients who have ethambutol therapy without zinc supplementation. Each patient underwent a routine examination including visual acuity using Snellen chart which is converted to LogMAR, anterior segment using slit lamp biomicroscope, non-contact tonometry for intraocular pressure examination, posterior segment using direct ophthalmoscope, and Humphrey perimetry for visual field examination which is performed three times on first time when initial patient came, first month, and second month duration.Results: This study showed no correlation between gender with visual field defect (p=0,554), there is no correlation between age with visual field defect (p=0,418), no correlation between smoking behaviour with visual field defect (p=1), no correlation between amount of meals consumption containing Zn with visual field defect (p=0,608), and also no correlation between systematic illness history with visual field defect (p=0,305). The effect of Zn treatment to visual field defect was significant with p=0,0085. Conclusion: Zinc treatment for new TB patients with ethambutol treatment may prevent visual field defect. Â Keywords: ethambutol, new TB patients, zinc, visual field defect

Bioavailability of zinc hydroxychloride relative to zinc sulfate in growing cattle fed a corn-cottonseed hull-based diet

A study was conducted to evaluate the bioavailability of zinc hydroxychloride (ZnOHCl) relative to Zn sulfate (ZnSO4) in growing steers. Sixteen Angus and Simmental steers (371kg average initial weight) were fed a corn-cottonseed hull-based diet without supplemental Zn for 14d. At the end of the 14-d depletion phase steers were randomly assigned within a breed to treatments consisting of supplemental Zn at 25mg/kg DM from either ZnSO4 or ZnOHCl. Seven days after the initiation of Zn supplementation a 5-d total collection of feces and urine was conducted. Jugular blood samples were obtained on d 0 (prior to initiation of Zn treatments) and on d 40 of the study for plasma Zn determination. Dry matter intake, Zn intake and urinary Zn excretion were not affected (P>0.10) during the metabolism phase. Apparent absorption and retention of Zn were greater (P<0.01) in steers supplemented with ZnOHCl than in those supplemented with Zn SO4. Plasma Zn concentrations were similar across treatments on d 0 of the study. On d 40 of the study plasma Zn concentrations were higher (P<0.05) in steers supplemented with Zn OHCl compared to those fed ZnSO4. Results of this study indicated that ZnOHCl is a more bioavailable source of Zn than ZnSO4 for growing cattle when supplemented to a diet with relatively low Zn bioavailability.

Effects of Cd and Zn on physiological and anatomical properties of hydroponically grown Brassica napus plants.

Clarifying the connection between metal exposure and anatomical changes represents an important challenge for a better understanding of plant phytoextraction potential. A hydroponic screening experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of combined interactions of Cd and Zn on mineral uptake (Mg, K, Ca, Na) and on the physiological and anatomical characteristics of Brassica napus L cv. Cadeli, Viking, and Navajo. Plants were exposed to 5μM Cd (CdCl2), 10μM Zn (ZnSO4), or both Cd+Zn, for 14days. Cadmium exposure led to a significant reduction in root growth, shoot biomass, and chlorophyll content. After Cd-only and Cd+Zn treatment, primary root tips became thicker and pericycle cells were enlarged compared to the control and Zn-only treatment. No differences between metals were observed under UV excitation, where all treatments showed more intensive autofluorescence connected with lignin/suberin accumulation compared to control conditions. The highest concentrations of Cd and Zn were found in the roots of all tested plants, and translocation factors did not exceed the threshold of 1.0. The root mineral composition was not affected by any treatment. In the shoots, the Mg concentration slightly increased after Cd-only and Cd+Zn treatments, whereas Zn-only treatment caused a sharp decrease in Ca content. Slight increases in K were seen after the addition of Zn. Significantly higher concentrations of Na were induced by Cd- or Zn-only treatment.

Natural variation in Arabidopsis thaliana reveals shoot ionome, biomass, and gene expression changes as biomarkers for zinc deficiency tolerance.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential nutrient for plants, with a crucial role as a cofactor for many enzymes. Approximately one-third of the global arable land area is Zn deficient, leading to reduced crop yield and quality. To improve crop tolerance to Zn deficiency, it is important to understand the mechanisms plants have adopted to tolerate suboptimal Zn supply. In this study, physiological and molecular aspects of traits related to Zn deficiency tolerance were examined in a panel of 19 Arabidopsis thaliana accessions. Accessions showed a larger variation for shoot biomass than for Zn concentration, indicating that they have different requirements for their minimal Zn concentration required for growth. Accessions with a higher tolerance to Zn deficiency showed an increased expression of the Zn deficiency-responsive genes ZIP4 and IRT3 in comparison with Zn deficiency-sensitive accessions. Changes in the shoot ionome, as a result of the Zn treatment of the plants, were used to build a multinomial logistic regression model able to distinguish plants regarding their Zn nutritional status. This set of biomarkers, reflecting the A. thaliana response to Zn deficiency and Zn deficiency tolerance, can be useful for future studies aiming to improve the performance and Zn status of crop plants grown under suboptimal Zn concentrations.