Under salt stress conditions, plant growth is reduced due to osmotic, nutritional and oxidative imbalance. However, salicylic acid acts in the mitigation of this abiotic stress by promoting an ...increase in growth, photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, synthesis of osmoregulators and antioxidant enzymes. In this context, the objective was to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid doses on the growth and physiological changes of eggplant seedlings under salt stress. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, where the treatments were distributed in randomized blocks using a central composite matrix Box with five levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water (CEw) (0.50; 1.08; 2.50; 3.92 and 4.50 dS m-1), associated with five doses of salicylic acid (SA) (0.00; 0.22; 0.75; 1.28 and 1.50 mM), with four repetitions and each plot composed of three plants. At 40 days after sowing, plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, electrolyte leakage, relative water content, and total dry mass were determined. ECw and SA application influenced the growth and physiological changes of eggplant seedlings. Increasing the ECw reduced growth in the absence of SA. Membrane damage with the use of SA remained stable up to 3.9 dS m-1 of ECw. The relative water content independent of the CEw increased with 1.0 mM of SA. The use of SA at the concentration of 1.0 mM mitigated the deleterious effect of salinity on seedling growth up to 2.50 dS m-1 of ECw.
Background: Customizing chemotherapy on the basis of chemosentitivity prediction may improve outcome in advanced bladder cancer patients. Since DNA damaging agents are the cornerstones of therapy, we ...hypothesized that levels of DNA repair genes could predict survival. Patients and methods: Messenger RNA expression levels of excision repair cross complementing 1 (ERCC1), breast cancer 1 (BRCA1), ribonucleotide reductase subunit M1 (RRM1) and caveolin-1 were determined by RT-PCR in tumor DNA from 57 advanced and metastatic bladder cancer patients treated with either gemcitabine/cisplatin or gemcitabine/cisplatin/paclitaxel (Taxol). Levels were correlated with survival, time to disease progression and chemotherapy response. Results: Median survival was significantly higher in patients with low ERCC1 levels (25.4 versus 15.4 months; P = 0.03) (median follow-up 19 months). A trend towards longer time to progression was observed in patients with tumors expressing low levels of all markers. Levels of RRM1, BRCA1 and caveolin-1, however, failed to predict the survival and a clear link with chemotherapy response could not be established. On multivariate analysis with pretreatment prognostic factors, ERCC1 emerged as an independent predictive factor for survival. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that ERCC1 may predict survival in bladder cancer treated by platinum-based therapy.
Salinity reduces feijão-caupi production, and the search for tolerant varieties becomes important within the agricultural context, as, in addition to being used in the field, they can be used in ...genetic improvement. The objective was to for a identify variety that is tolerant to salinity considering the physiological quality of seeds and seedling growth. A 2 × 4 factorial scheme was used, referring to the varieties Pingo-de-ouro and Coruja, and four electrical conductivities of water (0; 3.3; 6.6 and 9.9 dS m-1). The physiological quality of seeds and the growth of seedlings were analyzed, in addition to the cumulative germination. The Pingo-de-ouro variety showed no germination, length of the shoot and root, dry mass of the shoot and root compromised up to electrical conductivity of 6 dS m-1 in relation to 0.0 dS m-1. On the other hand, the Coruja variety showed reduced germination, increased shoot and root length. The creole variety Pingo-de-ouro proved to be tolerant to salinity.
ABSTRACT
A detailed multiwavelength study of the properties of the triple-peaked active galactic nucleus (AGN) Mrk 622 showing different aspects of the nuclear emission region is presented. Radio, ...near- and mid-infrared, optical, and X-ray data have been considered for the analysis. In the optical, the WHAN diagnostic diagrams show that the three nuclear peaks are strong active galactic nuclei since the equivalent width of H α is > 6 Å and log N ii λ6584/H α ratio is > −0.4. Optical variability of both the continuum flux and intensity of the narrow emission lines is detected in a time span of 13 yr. The size of the narrow-line region is found to be 2.7 pc, with a light-crossing time of 8.7 yr. Analysis done to an archival Hubble Space Telescope image at 1055.2 nm shows that the host galaxy has a 3.6 kpc inner bar with PA = 74°, faint spiral arms, and a pseudobulge, evolving through secular processes. High-resolution mid-infrared images obtained with the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) and the instrument CanariCam show that the nuclear emission at 11.6 $\rm{\mu m}$ is not spatially resolved. Very Large Array archival observations at 10 GHz reveal a core source with a total flux density of 1.47 ± 0.03 mJy. The spectral index of the core between 8 and 12 GHz is −0.5 ± 0.2, characteristic of AGN. The core deconvolves into a source with dimensions of 82 ± 13 mas $\, \times \,$ 41 ± 20 mas, and a PA = 70 ± 18 deg, which suggests that the core is elongated or that it is constituted by multiple components distributed along a ∼65° axis.
One of the new waters, and environmentally friendly agriculture initiatives in Peru is to encourage the utilization of agricultural waste, because low agricultural output is a threat to food security ...there. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of harvest residues on the basidiocarp production of the fungus Pleurotus Ostreatus, in Acobamba-Huancavelica. The trial had a completely randomized design, and the treatments included T1, barley stubbles; T2, wheat stubbles; T3, pea stubbles; T4, broad bean stubbles; and T5, quinoa stubbles. The research was quantitative in nature, taking the form of an experiment with an applied, explanatory level of design. The recorded data was tabulated and analyzed with analysis of variance, as well as Tukey's test (α:0.05), for which the statistical software Infostat was used. The results are presented in tables and graphs for a better interpretation. As main results, it was obtained that the time (colonization), diameter (stem, pileus), length (stem) and weight (basidiocarps), present statistical differences between treatments showing significant enhancement in all parameters. Despite a numerical difference, a Tukey average comparison test revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between the averages for the variable time for fungus colonisation, suggesting that the treatment T5 in which quinoa substrate showed the greatest average. Treatment T4 in which broad bean stubbles were used gave the most low-average. In conclusion, increment in all parámeters were noted in all treatment of Pleurotus basidiocarps ostreatus under Acobamba conditions.
Termites belong to the order Isoptera with approximately 2,800 species worldwide. Lower termites (Families Mastotermitidae, Kalotermitidae, Termopsidae, Hodotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae and ...Serritermitidae) have specific diets restricted to woody tissues, while higher termites (family Termitidae) have diverse feeding habits, which include woody tissues, grass, fungi, lichen, bedding, manure, humus and soil. Kalotermitidae, Serritermitidae, Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae are termite families that occur in Neotropical regions and in Brazil. Kalotermitidae live only in dry wood without contact with the ground. Serritermitidae family comprises two subterranean species. Rhinotermitidae are subterranean and xylophagous. Termitidae family corresponds to more than 80% of the termite species that occur in Brazil. Termitidae have varied habits and are divided into four subfamilies, three of which occur in Brazil: Apicotermitinae (soldier termites), Nasutermitinae (nasuto termites) and Termitinae. Despite the great termites diversity, only 10% of the species are considered pests. Termitidae cause damage both in urban areas and in agrosilvopastoral activity, attacking, in adulthood, pineapple, cotton, rice, live eucalyptus (planted forests and seedlings) and aged corn stalks in Brazil. Here, Silva et al discuss the occurrence of Syntermes molestus causing severe mechanical damage to the Solanum tuberosum cv. Ágata roots in an anthropized area with a agropastoral exploitation history.
Sewage sludges obtained from seven wastewater treatment plants from the province of Salamanca, Spain, were periodically sampled to determine seasonal and time variation of their elemental composition ...over 2000 to 2002. The aim of this paper was to provide additional insight to evaluate the potential environmental impact following soil incorporation of these materials as amendments. Aqua regia extractable metals (pseudo total content) of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined and furthermore, the main chemical forms of metals within the sludge were evaluated using a five-step fractionation procedure. All the studied sludges displayed high fertility properties due to their richness of OC, P and K. Total mean concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in the sludges were within the regulation of the Spanish legislation. Using an multifactor analysis of variance, significant differences between Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn pseudo total contents (
p
<
0.01) of sludges at different sites were found while the Cd content was statistically similar. Also significant differences were found between these pseudo total contents of heavy metals in samples collected along the time after three years (0.001
<
p
<
0.08) and in samples taken at different seasonal periods (summer and winter) for Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn (0.001
<
p
<
0.07). The fractionated metals Cd, Ni and Zn were observed to be in mobile or bioavailable fraction of the sludge up to 35% of total metal content. Cu and Pb distributed in the organically bound fraction up to 25% and 60%, respectively. The Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn in sludges were predominantly bound within the oxide or silicate components. Significant differences between distribution fractions of metals considered together (
p
<
0.001) were found at different years, and for each individual metal, significant differences can be observed between distribution fractions of sludges collected at different sites, times and seasonal periods. The results showed that the studied sludges can potentially enhance soil agronomic properties. The fractionation data indicated that most metals occur in weakly mobile, non-bioavailable form, and only Cd, could have potential moderate mobility in soil–water system.
•An immune-modulator was prepared by concentrating cytokines and growth factors in urine.•It can boost immunomodulatory responses in allergic and autoimmune disease patients.•The immune-modulator is ...administrated sublingually.•This strategy aims to boost the immunomodulatory response of the treated patients.
At “Instituto de Alergias y Autoinmunidad Dr. Maximiliano Ruiz Castañeda, A.C.” in Mexico City, a non-traditional health care center focused on the treatment of autoimmune and allergic diseases using personalized medicine, an alternative treatment referred to as an “immune-modulator” has been developed. In this study, we will refer to this treatment substance as the “immune-modulator.” In brief, a urine sample is collected from the patient and processed to obtain the peptide fraction, which is conditioned and then administered sublingually to the patient. Sample processing involves multiple steps aimed at the removal of toxic compounds and enrichment for cytokines, growth factors, and other immune peptides that may contribute to the function of the immune-modulator. This treatment has been administered for many years, and patients testify that it is useful and reliable. Despite the benefits of this treatment, the molecular mechanisms underlying its effects have not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, this study aims to identify immunoregulatory peptides, such as cytokines and growth factors, in the immune-modulator.
Urine and immune-modulator concentrations of cytokines and growth factors were assessed using a Luminex assay.
Twenty-one cytokines and growth factors were identified in immune-modulator samples. MCP-1 was identified in 100% of the samples; MIP-1β, IL-8, RANTES, INF-γ, and IP-10 were identified in approximately 65–70% of samples; IL5, IL-1B, and IL-17 in 50–60%; eotaxin, VEGF, IL-6, and FGF in about 40%; MIP-1α, IL-9, GM-CSF, G-CSF, IL-12, and IL-15 in about 20–30%; and IL-13 and PDGF-bb were identified in <6% of samples. Additionally, patients exhibited significant changes in IL-1β, IFN-γ, and MCP-1 concentrations after treatment with the immune-modulator, whereas healthy individuals showed no significant change in response to the treatment.
The immune-modulator is an alternative treatment based on the administration of cytokines and growth factors obtained from the urine of patients. In this study, its composition was characterized. The isolated products could be responsible for the effects of the immune-modulator. Further trials are required to evaluate the effective delivery of these molecules by the administration route described.
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