Increasing Plant Tolerance to Drought Stress by Inoculation with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

Abstract: The present study was aimed to evaluate the effects of Glomus mosseae in three levels of soil infestation (300, 600 and 900 spores pot -1 ) to improve tolerance of maize plants (Zea mays L.) for drought stress conditions with bearing in mind determine some plant growth parameters (PGP) and biochemical [plant height, stem length, root length, plant fresh wt., shoot dry wt., root dry wt., root/shoot ratio, plant chlorophyll content, soluble protein, proline in leaves and Phosphorus (P) uptake] in the presence or absence of G. mosseae. The result shown that the drought treatment causing decrease in values of almost PGP, except plant root dry weight, which was increased when comparing with well irrigation treatment. The plants treated by G. mossea were recorded a significant (P˂0.05) increase in all PGP comparing with untreated plants in both normal irrigation and drought stress. The highest PGP values were recorded when plant inoculated by 900 spores pot -1 . The water deficit treatment was caused a significant decrease in plant soluble protein by rate 29.34% comparing with plants that well irrigate by normal way. While the G. mossea treatments were caused increase in plant soluble protein by rate 13.33, 22.18 and 29.27% in the normal irrigation treatment, and by rate 24.89, 36.25 and45.17% in the drought treatment comparing with plant in soil free from mycorrhizae. On contrast the proline content in plant leaves was increased in drought treatment by rate 22% comparing with plant in well irrigation. The treatments with G. mossea causing decreased in plant proline by rate 28.88, 38.05 and 43.19% in the drought treatment respectively with three levels of soil infestation. The drought treatment caused decrease in plant P uptake by rate 72.09% comparing with well irrigation treatment. The inculcation by G. mosseae caused increased in plant P uptake by rate 42.66, 76.11 and 79.32% in normal irrigation treatments and 88.34, 93.58 and 94.91% in drought stress comparing with plant free mycorrhizal in both water treatments

COVID-19 and the Global Impact on Colorectal Practice and Surgery

Background: The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus that emerged in December 2019 causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to the sudden national reorganization of health care systems and changes in the delivery of health care globally. The purpose of our study was to use a survey to assess the global effects of COVID-19 on colorectal practice and surgery. Materials and Methods: A panel of International Society of University Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ISUCRS) selected 22 questions, which were included in the questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed electronically to ISUCRS fellows and other surgeons included in the ISUCRS database and was advertised on social media sites. The questionnaire remained open from April 16 to 28, 2020. Results: A total of 287 surgeons completed the survey. Of the 287 respondents, 90% were colorectal specialists or general surgeons with an interest in colorectal disease. COVID-19 had affected the practice of 96% of the surgeons, and 52% were now using telemedicine. Also, 66% reported that elective colorectal cancer surgery could proceed but with perioperative precautions. Of the 287 respondents, 19.5% reported that the use of personal protective equipment was the most important perioperative precaution. However, personal protective equipment was only provided by 9.1% of hospitals. In addition, 64% of surgeons were offering minimally invasive surgery. However, 44% reported that enough information was not available regarding the safety of the loss of intra-abdominal carbon dioxide gas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, 61% of the surgeons were prepared to defer elective colorectal cancer surgery, with 29% willing to defer for ≤ 8 weeks. Conclusion: The results from our survey have demonstrated that, globally, COVID-19 has affected the ability of colorectal surgeons to offer care to their patients. We have also discussed suggestions for various practical adaptation strategies for use during the recovery period. We have presented the results of a survey used to assess the global impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the delivery of colorectal surgery. Despite accessible guidance information, our results have demonstrated that COVID-19 has significantly affected the ability of colorectal surgeons to offer care to patients. We have also discussed practical adaptation strategies for use during the recovery phase

A preliminary screening and characterization of suitable acids for sandstone matrix acidizing technique: a comprehensive review

Matrix acidizing is a broadly developed technique in sandstone stimulation to improve the permeability and porosity of a bottom-hole well. The most popular acid used is mud acid (HF–HCl). It is a mixture of hydrofluoric acid and hydrochloric acid. However, one of the conventional problems in sandstone acidizing is that mud acid faces significant issues at high temperature such as rapid rate of reaction, resulting in early acid consumption. This downside has given a negative impact to sandstone acidizing as it will result in not only permeability reduction, but can even extend to acid treatment failure. So, the aim of this study is to provide a preliminary screening and comparison of different acids based on the literature to optimize the acid selection, and targeting various temperatures of sandstone environment. This paper has comprehensively reviewed the experimental works using different acids to understand the chemical reactions and transport properties of acid in sandstone environment. The results obtained indicated that fluoroboric acid (HBF4) could be useful in enhancing the sandstone acidizing process, although more studies are still required to consolidate this conclusion. HBF4 is well known as a low damaging acid for sandstone acidizing due to its slow hydrolytic reaction to produce HF. This would allow deeper penetration of the acid into the sandstone formation at a slower rate, resulting in higher porosity and permeability enhancement. Nevertheless, little is known about the effective temperature working range for a successful treatment. Considering the pros and cons of different acids, particularly those which are associated with HF and HBF4, it is recommended to perform a comprehensive analysis to determine the optimum temperature range and effective working window for sandstone acidizing before treatment operation. Prior to sandstone acid stimulation, it is essential to predict the feasibility of acid selected by integrating the effects of temperature, acid concentration and injection rate. Therefore, this manuscript has thrown light into the research significance of further studies

Echocardiography in takotsubo cardiomyopathy; a useful approach?

Cardiac Dysfunction and Arrhythmia

Enhancement of Maize Growth Using Some Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) Under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract: Thirty one bacterial isolates were isolated and identified in nine genera, with twelve taxa as Pseudomonas putida, P. fluorescens, P. areuginosa, Serratia marcences, Xanthomonas sp., Bacillus cereus, Microccoucs sp., B. subtilis, B. megaterium, B. amyloliquefaciencs, Pseudomonas sp., Staphylococcus sp. The highest percentage distribution was B. subtilis, followed by P. putida, P. areuginosa and S. marcences. Eight isolates had the ability for production of IAA and siderophores. S. marcences then P. putida followed by P. fluorescens were the highest in IAA production. The eight isolates of PGPR were increased seed germination by 7 to 13% over control. The highest seed germination was recorded when seeds were pretreated with S. marcences, then P. putida followed by B. subtilis. The highest seedling height and shoot dry weight were observed in seeds treated with S. marcences then P. putida followed by B. cereus and B. subtilis. The use of S. marcences produced the highest root length and weight, and also increased the chlorophyll contents. The MDG was the highest in case of seed soaking and inoculums added with irrigation water treatments, while was the lowest at spry the inoculums on the soil surface. Also, the best results for MGT and GI was found in seed soaking and inoculums added with irrigation water treatments. The best PGPR bacteria for MDG, MGT and GI in seed soaking treatment were B. megaterium, P. putida, S. marcences and P. areuginosa, while in adding inoculums with irrigation water were B. subtilis, B. cereus, S. marcences and P. fluorescens. When cultured the high efficacy isolates of Serratia marcences with Pseudomonas pitida and Bacillus subtilis without any antagonistic effect between them