Growth and gas exchange of soursop under salt stress and hydrogen peroxide application

ABSTRACT The cultivation of irrigated soursop in semiarid Northeastern Brazil highlights the need for information regarding its responses to the salinity of irrigation water and the use of techniques that allow its exploration, such as the use of hydrogen peroxide. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the effect of soaking of seeds and foliar application of hydrogen peroxide on soursop plant growth and physiology under conditions of salt stress. The study was conducted in lysimeters in a greenhouse, and the treatments were distributed in a randomized block design and 4 × 4 factorial scheme, with four values of electrical conductivity of the irrigation water - ECw (0.7, 1.7, 2.7, and 3.7 dS m-1) and four concentrations of H2O2 (0, 25, 50, and 75 μM), with three replicates and one plant per plot. H2O2 concentrations were applied via seed imbibition and foliar spray. Irrigation with water from 0.7 dS m-1 impairs gas exchange and absolute growth rates of plant height and stem diameter and relative growth rate in height of soursop plants. Concentrations of 35, 33 and 23 µM of hydrogen peroxide favored the relative and absolute growth rates of plant height and transpiration, respectively. Compared to the aerial part, the root of soursop plants is more affected when irrigated with water from 1.6 dS m-1.

Planned Application of Sewage Sludge Recirculates Nutrients to Agricultural Soil and Improves Growth of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) Plants

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using sewage sludge (SS) biosolids as a low-cost soil fertilizer to improve soil characteristics and crop yields. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) plants were grown in soil supplemented with different concentrations of SS (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 g/kg). The results showed that SS soil application led to improved soil quality with a 93% increase of organic matter (at SS dose of 10 g/kg), decreased pH (a reduction from 8.38 to 7.34), and enhanced macro- and micro- nutrient contents. The levels of all the investigated heavy metals (HMs; Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the postharvest SS-amended soil were within the prescribed safe limits. The application of SS to soil considerably enhanced the growth parameters of okra plants. Total biomass increased 13-fold and absolute growth rate increased 10-fold compared to plants grown in nonamended (control) soils. Among the applied SS doses, the 10 g/kg SS dose led to the highest values of the measured growth parameters, compared to those of plants grown in control soils. The induced growth at 10 g/kg SS was accompanied by a substantial increase in metal content in roots, stems, leaves, and fruits; however, all levels remained within safe limits. Consequently, the data presented in this study suggest that SS could be used as a sustainable organic fertilizer, also serving as an ecofriendly method of SS recycling.

Renewable organic waste as substrate conditioning for the production of Euterpe oleracea seedlings

Forest restoration has the premise of restoring degraded native vegetation to conditions prior to degradation. The objective of this work was to evaluate the production of seedlings of a native species from the Amazon biome (Euterpe oleracea) under different substrates. The experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Tocantins, using a completely randomized design, and a 5x 4 factorial scheme, with five substrates (babassu stem + soil, babassu stem + rice husk + soil, coconut fiber + soil, babassu stem + fiber coconut + rice husk + soil, commercial substrate + soil - control), four trial periods (50, 100, 150 and 200 days). The evaluated variables: plant height, stem diameter, shoot dry matter, root dry matter, total dry matter, seedling quality index, leaf area and absolute growth rate. The growth of assai seedlings was influenced by the different substrates, until the 150 days after transplanting the quality and development of the seedlings were the same, both for the treatments that used commercial substrate and for the treatments that used renewable materials in their composition. The treatment using babassu stem (T1) obtained better shoot dry matter, total dry matter and seedling quality index values, in addition to being a material found in abundance in the regions, making this treatment the most viable and recommended for the production of assai seedlings.

Effects of dietary energy and protein levels on growth curve parameters of Khazak native chickens

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary energy (ME) and protein (CP) on growth parameters and absolute growth rates in the different ages of the Khazak chicks. A total of 360 one-day-old Khazak chicks were obtained from a local hatchery and in a 3×3 factorial experiment with completely randomized design, chicks were randomly allocated to experimental diets including 2,600, 2,800, and 3,000 kcal of ME/kg, and each containing 17, 19, and 21% CP from 7 to 98 days of age. Four growth model (Gompertz, Logistic, Lopez, and Richards) were fitted on weekly body weight data and the best model were selected by the goodness of fit criteria. Growth curve parameters were predicted for all chicks using the best model and other parameters including age (Ti) and weight (Wi) at the inflection point and absolute growth rate (AGR) in different ages were calculated from growth curve parameters. All parameters were analyzed using the general linear model procedure of SAS. Based on goodness of fit criteria, the Richards model had the lowest Akaike’s Information Criteria (AIC), root mean square error (RMSE), and highest adjusted determination coefficient (R2Adj) than other models and was selected as the best model. The effect of ME was significant on the mature index (k), Wi, Ti, and all AGR parameters (P<0.05) while CP levels were significant on final weight (Wf), Wi, and AGR parameters (P<0.05). The chicks fed with a diet containing 2,600 kcal of ME/kg and 17 % CP had the higher k parameter, and lower Wi, Ti, and AGR than those fed with other diets (P<0.05). Considering that the level of 2,800 kcal of ME/kg and 19 % CP had no significant difference with the level of 3,000 kcal of ME/kg and 21 % CP, therefore diet with 2,800 kcal of ME/kg and 19 % CP was suggested as optimum levels for change the growth curve parameter and having best performance for Khazak chickens during 7 to 98 days of old.

Incidence of Basal Cell Carcinoma in Cohort of Mayak Workers

Results: To estimate incidence rates for basal cell carcinoma (BSC) following chronic occupational radiation exposure. Conclusion:The study cohort included 22,377 workers (25.4 % of females) of the nuclear production facility, Mayak Production Association (PA), who had been hired in 1948–1982. Gamma doses of external exposure were provided by the Mayak Workers Dosimetry System – 2013 (MWDS–2013). The cohort was followed up until 31.12.2018. Results: By the end of the follow-up period 293 BSC cases were registered in the study cohort. BSC incidence rates significantly increased with increasing attained age of workers. The highest BSC incidence rate was observed in the age group above 70 years, both for males and females. The study found a significant increasing linear trend for standardized incidence rates for both males and females; approximation confidence factors were R2 = 0.82 and R2 = 0.95, respectively. The majority of BSC cases in the study cohort were registered in 1994–2018 (71.12 % in males and 81.13 % in females). The component analysis demonstrated that the absolute growth in the BSC incidence rate in both males and females was due to changes in the age structure of the study population and the risk of the disease. Conclussion: BSC incidence rates were significantly higher in males externally exposed to gamma rays at cumulative skin absorbed doses 0.2–0.5 Gy, 0.5–1.0 Gy and above 1.0 Gy compared to those exposed at doses below 0.1 Gy. In females the corresponding differences were non-significant.

P.146 Non-contrast CT markers of intracerebral hemorrhage expansion: a predictive accuracy and reliability study

Background: We evaluated (1) the predictive accuracy and (2) multi-observer reliability of non-contrast CT markers of hematoma expansion (HE). Methods: In 124 patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, two investigators documented the presence of six density (Barras density, hypodensity, black hole, swirl, blend, fluid level) and three shape (Barras shape, island, satellite) expansion markers, with discrepancies resolved by a third rater. We defined HE as any one of (1) >6 mL absolute or >33% relative growth of the intraparenchymal hematoma or (2) an absolute growth of >1 mL or new development of intraventricular hematoma. A subsample of 60 patients was used for the inter-observer reliability study in 13 raters. Seven raters participated in the intra-rater study. Results: The sensitivity of markers for HE varied between 4% (fluid level) and 78% (satellite), while specificity ranged from 37% (swirl) to 97% (black hole). Almost perfect inter-rater agreement was observed for the swirl (0.89) and fluid level (0.83) markers, while hypodensity (0.65) showed substantial agreement. Only the blend and fluid level markers achieved substantial intra-rater agreement (> 0.6) in all raters. Conclusions: Non-contrast CT markers of HE showed lower reliability and predictive accuracy than previously reported. Future studies should address means to improve NCCT-based HE prediction.

Different Effects of Hematoma Expansion on Short-Term Functional Outcome in Basal Ganglia and Thalamic Hemorrhages

Purpose. To investigate the impact of hematoma expansion (HE) on short-term functional outcome of patients with thalamic and basal ganglia intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods. Data of 420 patients with deep intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) that received a baseline CT scan within 6 hours from symptom onset and a follow-up CT scan within 72 hours were retrospectively analyzed. The poor functional outcome was defined as modified Rankin score mRS > 3 at 30 days. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for relative and absolute growth of HE were generated and compared. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze the impact of HE on the functional outcome in basal ganglia and thalamic hemorrhages. The predictive values for different thresholds of HE were calculated, and correlation coefficient matrices were used to explore the correlation between the covariables. Results. Basal ganglia ICH showed a higher possibility of absolute hematoma growth than thalamic ICH. The area under the curve (AUC) for absolute and relative growth of thalamic hemorrhage was lower than that of basal ganglia hemorrhage (AUC 0.71 and 0.67, respectively) in discriminating short-term poor outcome with an AUC of 0.59 and 0.60, respectively. Each threshold of HE independently predicted poor outcome in basal ganglia ICH ( P < 0.001 ), with HE > 3 ml and > 6 ml showing higher positive predictive values and accuracy compared to HE > 33 % . In contrast, thalamic ICH had a smaller baseline volume (BV, 9.55 ± 6.85 ml ) and was more likely to initially involve the posterior limb of internal capsule (PLIC) (85/153, 57.82%), and the risk of HE was lower without PLIC involvement (4.76%, P = 0.009 ). Therefore, in multivariate analysis, the effect of thalamic HE on poor prognosis was largely replaced by BV and the involvement of PLIC, and the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of HE was not significant ( P > 0.05 ). Conclusion. Though HE is a high-risk factor for short-term poor functional outcome, it is not an independent risk factor in thalamic ICH, and absolute growth is more predictive of poor outcome than relative growth for basal ganglia ICH.

Evaluation of Antibacterial and Anti-Fungal Effect of Zinc Oxide Nano Particles to Complete Denture Tissue Conditioners

Introduction: The tissue conditioners are used to treat and prepare denture supporting tissue. This study aimedto evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on total denture tissue conditioners. Materials & Methods: In this laboratory study, 144 samples were collected and evaluated. Synthesized ZnO nanoparticles usingthe optic-optic method and, they were homogeneous with a mass fraction (0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20) according to the principles of the MIC method with tissue concentrators. In the present study, four bacterial species (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis), which represent different types of pathogen microorganisms, were used. For measuring the growth rate of microorganisms, a spectrophotometer was used based on turbidity with donereadings at 600 nm. Included tests were ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests. Considered significant level of 0.05. Results: In the present study, increasing ZnO nanoparticles to tissue concentrators reduced the growth of all microorganisms studied. In the concentration of 20% absolute growth inhibition for Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa occurred. The best concentration for Candida, Enterococcus faecalis is in the concentration of 20% ZnO and, for Streptococcus mutans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a concentration of 5% ZnO. Conclusion: Increasing the ZnO nanoparticles to improve tissue improves the growth of microorganisms.

Utilization of herbal supplements on feed on growth and survival rate of catfish (Clarias sp.)

The feed is one of the most important factors in the growth and survival of fish. One of the efforts made to increase the growth and survival of fish is the provision of herbal supplements in fish feed. The research aim is to provide information about the utilization of herbal supplements on the growth and survival of catfish (Clarias sp). This research has been carried out from July to August 2020 at Bandar Agung Lahat Village, South Sumatera. Catfish rearing containers use two waring units placed in concrete ponds with two treatment that P0: control (without herbal supplements) and P1: utilization of herbal supplements and. The data taken includes absolute growth and absolute length, survival, feed efficiency, and water quality. The utilization of herbal supplements has a good effect on fish growth, feed efficiency, and survival rate. Maintenance of P0 (control) resulted in an absolute weight of 9.79 grams, an absolute length of 6.3 cm, the survival of 85.15%, feed efficiency of 107.89% while maintenance of P1 with the utilization of herbal supplements resulted in an absolute weight of 14.17 grams, an absolute length 7.8 cm, survival 98.57%, feed efficiency 161.170%.

Effects of different times of probiotic additions on floc abundance and growth of white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei): Laboratory scale cultivation

Water quality management for aquaculture is very important because water is a living medium for aquaculture organisms. One of the technological products that use microbes to create a better environment by breaking down organic matter is probiotics. This study aims to determine the effects of different probiotic administration times on water quality in white leg shrimp culture at a laboratory scale. Juveniles of white leg shrimp with PL27 size were reared for 45 days and given four treatments with probiotics at different times. The result showed that the administration of probiotics with a short period interval had a significant effect on floc volume, absolute growth, survival rate, concentrations of ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite. Provision of probiotics with a short time span tended to reduce the concentration of ammonia, nitrate and nitrite. The difference in time of giving probiotics to bio-floc media increased the growth of white leg shrimp, improved water quality, and reduced the concentration of ammonia (NH3), nitrate (NO3), and nitrite (NO2).