Application of potassium humate and salicylic acid to mitigate salinity stress of common bean

In the current study, we investigated the effect of potassium humate (Kh) and salicylic acid (SA) in mitigating the salinity stress of common bean plants. Common bean seedlings were treated with 0.2 g/L SA as a foliar application and 0.3 g/L Kh as a soil application individually or in combination. After 7 days of germination, plants were treated with 50 mM NaCl and normal water as a control. Our results indicate that salt treatment reduced the plant growth (fresh and dry shoots and roots), leaf pigments (total chlorophyll and carotenoids), ascorbic acid (AA), glutathione (GSH), and potassium (K) contents. On the contrary, proline content; sodium (Na); hydrogen peroxide (H2O2); superoxide anion (O2•−); and antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were increased by saline stress. However, applying either individual Kh and SA or their combination stimulated seedling growth under salinity stress by increasing growth parameters, leaf pigment contents, AA, GSH, proline content, K content, and antioxidant enzymes compared with the control. Additionally, Na content, H2O2, and O2•− were reduced by all applications. The application of the Kh (0.3 g/L) + SA (0.2 g/L) combination was more effective than using the individual compounds. In conclusion, applications of Kh + SA can mitigate salt stress and improve the seedling growth of common bean

Redescription of Troticus ovalis (Fahringer) comb. nov., its first host record and a note on T. melamopterus Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Agathidinae)

Disophrys ovalis Fahringer, 1937 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Agathidinae) from Egypt is redescribed and transferred to the genus Troticus Brullé, 1846 (comb. nov.) with Disophrys aegyptiaca Fahringer, 1937, as its junior synonym (syn. nov.). For the first time a reliable host record for the genus and for T. ovalis is given. The holotype of Troticus melamopterus Cameron, 1903 has been examined by the first author and is transferred to the genus Cremnops Foerster, 1862 (C. melamopterus Cameron, 1903 comb. nov.)

Comparative study for image registration techniques of remote sensing images

Image registration determines the relative orientation between two images. As there are different techniques for image registration, it is important to compare these techniques to identify the advantages and disadvantages of each one. In this paper, a comparison between a fast Fourier transform (FFT)-based technique, a contour-based technique, a wavelet-based technique, a Harris–Pulse Coupled Neural Network (PCNN)-based technique and Harris–Moment-based technique is presented. The algorithms were tested on Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and SPOT remote sensing images and its performance were compared using the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). It has been concluded that the order of techniques with less RMSE is the PCNN, the moment, the contour, the wavelet and the FFT-based techniques, respectively. Whereas the order of techniques with the less running time is the contour, the wavelet, the moment, the FFT and the PCNN-based techniques, respectively. And finally the technique that detects the more control points in both images is the wavelet

The impact of biofilms on outcomes after endoscopic sinus surgery

Background: Although biofilms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), there is little evidence that their presence or absence has any effect on the outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of biofilms on postsurgical outcomes after ESS. Methods: A prospective, blinded study of 51 consecutive patients undergoing ESS for CRS was conducted. Preoperatively, patients assessed their symptoms using internationally accepted standardized symptom scoring systems and quality-of-life (QOL) measures, i.e., the 10-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Sino-Nasal-Outcome-Test 20, and global severity of CRS. Their sinonasal mucosa was graded using the Lund-Kennedy scale and the extent of radiological disease on computed tomography scans was scored using the Lund-McKay scale. Random sinonasal tissue samples were assessed for biofilm presence using confocal laser microscopy. At each postoperative visit, patients reassessed their sinus symptoms and completed QOL measures. Postsurgical state of their sinonasal mucosa was graded endoscopically. Results: Bacterial biofilms were found in 36 of 51 (71%) CRS patients. Patients with biofilms presented with significantly worse preoperative radiology and nasendoscopy scores (p = 0.003 and 0.01, respectively). After a median follow-up period of 16 months postsurgery, biofilm-positive patients had statistically worse sinus symptoms (VAS, p = 0.002) and worse nasendoscopy scores (p = 0.026). They also required extra postoperative visits and multiple antibiotic treatments deviating from the standard postoperative care required by biofilm-negative patients. Conclusion: This study has shown that patients with biofilms have more severe disease preoperatively and persistence of postoperative symptoms, ongoing mucosal inflammation, and infections. This study strengthens the evidence for the role that biofilms may play in recalcitrant CRS.Deepti Singhal, Alkis J. Psaltis, Andrew Foreman, Peter-John Wormal

Surgical techniques for the removal of frontal recess cells obstructing the frontal ostium

BACKGROUND: Cells pneumatizing through the frontal ostium may vary in the degree of frontal sinus penetration. This series describes the use of the axillary flap technique and the endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure (EMLP) for the removal of cells that pneumatize to a varying degree through the frontal ostium into the frontal sinus. METHODS: Out of a total of 204 patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery, 31 patients had a cell on one side and 7 patients had bilateral obstructive cells resulting in 38 sides undergoing an axillary flap approach for the removal of the obstructing cell. In 13 patients, the obstructing cell was deemed inaccessible by conventional technique and these patients underwent an EMLP for removal of the obstructing cell. RESULTS: All patients who underwent both the axillary flap approach and the EMLP had a patent frontal ostium confirmed endoscopically at the last follow-up visit. However, 8 of the 38 sides (21%) that underwent the axillary flap procedure had residual minor symptoms with four patients (30%) who underwent an EMLP having a recurrence of minor symptoms CONCLUSION: The axillary flap and the EMLP can be used to remove successfully ethmoidal cells that have pneumatized through the frontal ostium