Organic spelt production systems: Productive and financial performance in three orographic regions

A two-year field trial was conducted to study the effects of biohumus, biofertiliser, and soil conditioner application on spelt grain yield in different regions (plain, hilly, and mountainous regions) in Serbia. An analysis of economic efficiency indicators of spelt production in organic farming systems was also performed. The field experiment had a randomised complete block design with three replicates in each of the three regions. One winter spelt cultivar was also studied. The largest differences in spelt yield compared to control were found in the plain region in the biohumus + biofertiliser treatment (28.0%) and the hilly region in the organic fertiliser + zeolite treatment (28.8%). The differences in grain yield between control and treatment conditions in the mountain region were insignificant. Analysis of the economic effects of organic spelt production found a significantly lower gross margin in treatments with expensive organic fertilisers (3955.05 and 1104.75 € ha–1) than the control (5094.31 and 1833.85 € ha–1), leading to the conclusion that their application was not economically justified despite the increases in grain yield. The highest production costs (3569.71 € ha–1) were observed in treatments in the hilly region, resulting in the lowest benefit-cost ratio (0.1), while the greatest benefit-cost ratio was recorded in treatments in the mountainous region (2.1). Following the economic analysis results, a significant negative correlation between the benefit-cost ratio and the total production costs (r= –0.91**) was determined and a positive correlation between the gross margin and grain yield (r=0.66*). These results lead to the conclusion that the management strategy of spelt production in organic farming systems should be harmonised with the soil and agro-ecological characteristics of the region and directed at decreasing the costs and share of external inputs. In this case, organic spelt production can be economically profitable. © the Author(s), 2022

L-arginine reduces tubular cell injury in acute post-ischaemic renal failure

Background. The pathophysiology of renal ischaemia, resulting in tubular cell injury and leading to acute renal failure (ARF), remains unclear. An ever-increasing number of investigations focus on a possible role of nitric oxide (NO) in regulating circulation during ARF. In this context, we investigated the influence of chronic stimulation or inhibition of NO synthesis, or both, on haemodynamic parameters, histology and plasma renin activity (PRA) after ischaemia-reperfusion injury of rat kidneys. Methods, Experiments were performed on adult, male Wistar rats. Before induction of ARF, a group of animals was treated with a NO synthesis inhibitor (L-NAME) and another group was treated with a precursor of NO synthesis (L-arginine). The animals received those substances for 4 weeks. Control groups received the same amount of tap water for 4 or 8 weeks and were divided into groups with ARF (4 weeks-ARF group and 8 weeks-ARF group) and a sham-operated group. Another group of rats was treated first with L-NAME and then with L-arginine in their drinking water, for 4 weeks for each of these two substances. All parameters were evaluated 24 h after the induction of ischaemic ARF or the sham operation. Results, Our results show that such long-term stimulation of NO release by L-arginine improved renal haemodynamics in the ischaemic form of ARF. Renal blood Bow (RBF) increased by 96% in the L-arginine-treated rats with ARF compared with the group with ARF alone. Inhibition of NO synthesis worsens renal haemodynamics after ARF. However, this aggravation can be reversed by L-arginine. The rate of water reabsorption was reduced in all groups with ARF, but this reduction was least in the group treated with L-arginine. The rate of Na+ reabsorption was reduced in all groups 24 h after renal ischaemia, but a significant decrease was observed after the inhibition of NO synthesis. Histological examination of the kidney specimens showed that morphological changes were least in the rats treated with L-arginine, when compared with all other groups with ARF. Nevertheless, the lesions were most prominent in the L-NAME + ARF group. In this group, the areas of corticomedullar necrosis were more widespread in comparison with other groups, especially the L-arginine group where only swelling of the proximal tubular cells was observed. Treatment with L-NAME was not accompanied by any significant alteration in the plasma concentration of angiotensin I (ANG I), while in the group treated with L-arginine ANG I had a tendency to decrease. Conclusions. Acute post-ischaemic renal failure may be alleviated by administering the NO substrate (L-arginine). NO acts cytoprotectively on tubular epithelial cells in ischaemia-reperfusion injury of rat kidney. Evidence of this comes from both histopathological findings and increased tubular water and sodium reabsorption. However, inhibition of NO synthesis (provoked by L-NAME) worsens renal haemodynamics and aggravates morphological changes after ARF. These aggravations can, however, be reversed by L-arginine

Losartan Improved Antioxidant Defense, Renal Function and Structure of Postischemic Hypertensive Kidney

Ischemic acute renal failure (ARF) is a highly complex disorder involving renal vasoconstriction, filtration failure, tubular obstruction, tubular backleak and generation of reactive oxygen species. Due to this complexity, the aim of our study was to explore effects of Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) blockade on kidney structure and function, as well as oxidative stress in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) after renal ischemia reperfusion injury. Experiments were performed on anaesthetized adult male SHR in the model of ARF with 40 minutes clamping the left renal artery. The right kidney was removed and 40 minutes renal ischemia was performed. Experimental groups received AT1R antagonist (Losartan) or vehicle (saline) in the femoral vein 5 minutes before, during and 175 minutes after the period of ischemia. Biochemical parameters were measured and kidney specimens were collected 24h after reperfusion. ARF significantly decreased creatinine and urea clearance, increased LDL and lipid peroxidation in plasma. Treatment with losartan induced a significant increase of creatinine and urea clearance, as well as HDL. Lipid peroxidation in plasma was decreased and catalase enzyme activity in erythrocytes was increased after losartan treatment. Losartan reduced cortico-medullary necrosis and tubular dilatation in the kidney. High expression of pro-apoptotic Bax protein in the injured kidney was downregulated after losartan treatment. Our results reveal that angiotensin II (via AT1R) mediates the most postischemic injuries in hypertensive kidney through oxidative stress enhancement. Therefore, blockade of AT1R may have beneficial effects in hypertensive patients who have developed ARF

The socio-economic impact timeline in Serbia for persistent organic pollutants (POPs)

Assessing the socio-economic impact of dangerous chemicals, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs) as a specific segment, includes analysis of their impacts on human health, on the environment and on local economic development. Abundant evidence of these effects of dangerous chemicals throughout the world is provided by published research. According to WHO, these chemicals cause around 4.9 million deaths (8.3%) and 86 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (5.7%) globally; according to very conservative estimates, 20% of cancer deaths are the consequence of the cancerous effects of chemicals in the work place. Their impact on economic development is manifested primarily through reduced productivity of society due to health impairment of both the population and natural resources. Specific research, the results of which are presented in this article, has been focused on the impact of POPs on human health. This impact is presented in very general terms through estimation of the monetized cost effects for treating those diseases and cancers assumed to be caused by POPs in Serbia. The cost estimation based on available data amounts to approximately € 68 million for a 5-year period

Influence of carvedilol on chronic renal failure progression in spontaneously hypertensive rats with adriamycin nephropathy

Background: In this study, the effects of carvedilol, antihypertensive (alpha-beta blocker) agent with antiproliferative and antioxidative properties, on slowing down of chronic renal failure (CRF) progression in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with adriamycin (ADR) nephropathy were examined. Methods: Eighty adult (24 weeks) SHR were divided into four groups: Control group: 20 SHR; ADR group: 20 SHR treated with ADR (2 mg/kg i.v. twice in 20 days); ADR-C group: 20 SHR treated with ADR and with carvedilol (30 mg/kg/day); ADR-CC group: 20 SHR treated with carvedilol and captopril (60 mg/kg/day). Systolic blood pressure was measured every two weeks, renal blood flow (RBF), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and renal vascular resistance (RVR) were determined at Weeks 6 and 12, creatinine clearance and proteinuria at Weeks -3 (see measurements), 6 and 12. The rats were sacrificed at Weeks 6 and 12 after the second ADR injection. Glomerular sclerosis, tubulointerstitial and blood vessel changes were determined by semiquantitative scoring. Results: Carvedilol decreased systolic blood pressure. It decreased RVR and MAP, and increased RBF significantly. Carvedilol also significantly decreased interstitial infiltration in the early phase of the study, slowed down the development of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy and decreased blood vessel changes. The hemodynamic and morphological effects of carvedilol were associated with slowing down the CRF progression as well as a mild decrease in proteinuria. Captopril addition to carvedilol improved its effects especially on prevention of tubulointerstitial changes. Conclusions: Results of this experimental study showed beneficial effect of carvedilol and its combination with captopril on CRF progression, indicating that clinical Studies are warranted

The effects of iron-containing superoxide dismutases on haemodynamic parameters in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The product of FeSOD activity is hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Furthermore, FeSOD can modify the chemical versatility of NO into its redox -active forms : nitrosonium cation (NO+) and nitroxyl anion (NO–). All of these low molecular weight species are vasoactive and, in particular, NO– induces calcitonin gene - related peptide (CGRP) synthesis (known to be the most potent relaxation -promoting peptide).In this study the effects of bolus infusions of iron -containing superoxide dismutase (FeSOD) and of superoxide dismutase containing both iron and manganese (FeMnSOD) on the arterial blood pressure (MAP), the arterial blood pressure (CO) and the total vascular resistance (TVR) in spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats were determined. Bolus infusion of FeSOD induced a biphasic response in the MAP (an initial increase was followed by a significant decrease). At the end of the experiment the MAP returned to its basal value. FeMnSOD (the enzymatically inactive form of FeSOD) had no effect on the MAP in these experiments. Bolus infusions of FeSOD and of FeMnSOD had no effect either on the both the CO or on the TVR in SH rats. Our results indicate that arterial relaxation changes mediated by NO– may be important for regulation of blood pressure in SH rats