Weed vegetation ecology of arable land in Salalah, Southern Oman

AbstractThis paper applies multivariate statistical methods to a data set of weed relevés from arable fields in two different habitat types of coastal and mountainous escarpments in Southern Oman. The objectives were to test the effect of environmental gradients, crop plants and time on weed species composition, to rank the importance of these particular factors, and to describe the patterns of species composition and diversity associated with these factors. Through the application of TWINSPAN, DCA and CCA programs on data relating to 102 species recorded in 28 plots and farms distributed in the study area, six plant communities were identified: I- Dichanthium micranthum, II- Cynodon dactylon–D. micranthum, III- Convolvulus arvensis, IV- C. dactylon–Sonchus oleraceus, V- Amaranthus viridis and VI- Suaeda aegyptiaca–Achyranthes aspera. The ordination process (CCA) provided a sequence of plant communities and species diversity that correlated with some anthropogenic factors, physiographic variables and crop types. Therefore, length of time since farm construction, disturbance levels and altitude are the most important factors related to the occurrence of the species. The perennial species correlated with the more degraded mountain areas of new farm stands, whereas most of the annuals correlated with old lowland and less disturbed farms

Population structure of woody plants in the arid cloud forests of Dhofar, southern Oman

This study evaluates the size frequency distribution of 11 trees and shrubs in the cloud forest in Wadi Garziz, southern Oman, in order to assess their current situation, which is affected by cutting, overgrazing and other constraints. A size class distribution and a vegetation structure analysis were applied in order to analyze the dynamics of this forest using census data from 51 plots selected across 5 transects covering the hill-slope andwadi-bed habitats. Some of the trees inhabiting the hill-slopes (e.g. Acacia senegal and Commiphora spp.) were found to exhibit an inverse J-shaped distribution with constant regeneration, whilst in the wadi bed these same trees exhibited a J-shaped distribution (i.e. of declining populations). On the other hand, Acacia etbaica inhabiting the hill- slopes exhibited a tendency towards a J-shaped distribution and an inverse J-shaped distribution in the wadi-bed. All the populations (i.e. inhabiting the hill-slopes and the beds) of Anogeissus dhofarica had a J-shaped distribution whereas all the populations of Blepharispermum hirtum had a more or less inverse J-shaped distribution. The Ziziphus spina-christi and Acacia tortilis populations, meanwhile, exhibited the bi-modal shape of size distribution. The shrubs inhabiting the hill-slopes (e.g. Coroton confertus and Ormocarpum dhofarense) exhibited a tendency towards a J-shaped distribution; such distribution characterizes a declining population with a limited regenerational capacity. Overall, most of the examined populations, except those of Acacia etbaica in wadi-bed and Blepharispermum hirtum, seemed to be under stress from both environmental and human factors, particularly in the wadi bed. This type of study can provide a basis for the development of a management plan to support the conservation and sustainable use of forest vegetation in an arid region

GASTRO-PROTECTION OF ATORVASTATIN IN INDOMETHACIN-INDUCED ULCER: ROLE OF TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-ALPHA AND PROSTAGLANDINS

Using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as over-the-counter pain-killers may predispose to gastric ulcer as a side effect.The objective of this study is to investigate the possible benefit of a common statin used in hyperlipedemic patients;atorvastatin (AtoR), in ameliorating the ulcerogenic effect of indomethacin (IndoM), and to explore the possible mechanismsinvolved. AtoR (10 mg/kg/day) was administered orally for 7 days. At day 7, gastric ulcer was induced by a single dose ofIndoM (40 mg/kg i.p.), with or without AtoR pre-treatment. IndoM induced gastric ulcer as evident by notable gastriculceration in histopathological sections compared to normal control. Gastric tissue in rats receiving IndoM showedsignificantly higher oxidative stress markers as lipid peroxidation represented by increased malondialdehyde (MDA)content, with significant decrease in gastric tissue nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels, as well as reductionin catalase and superoxide dismutase antioxidant enzymatic activities. In addition, IndoM induced inflammatory signs asshown by the significant increase in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) level assessed via ELISA. Pre-administration ofAtoR significantly decreased ulcer index (16±1) compared to that of IndoM alone (34±2). In addition, AtoR restored normalgastric histological structure and reverted oxidative and inflammatory markers tested. AtoR confers gastro-protection againstIndoM-induced ulceration via reducing gastric oxidative stress and increasing gastric NO and PGE2 levels, as well asdecreasing the inflammatory marker; TNF-α

Antioxidant activity and mineral composition of three Mediterranean common seaweeds from Abu-Qir Bay, Egypt

AbstractAntioxidant activity and mineral composition were evaluated seasonally from spring to autumn 2010 in the three common seaweeds Ulva lactuca Linnaeus (Chlorophyta), Jania rubens (Linnaeus) J.V. Lamouroux and Pterocladia capillacea (S.G. Gmelin) Bornet (Rhodophyta). The antioxidant activity was measured with β-carotene, total phenol content and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). Seaweeds were collected from the rocky site near Boughaz El-Maadya Abu-Qir Bay of Alexandria, Egypt. The results showed maximum increase of β-carotene in P. capillacea during summer. A significant increase in total phenolic content at P⩽0.05 was found in the red alga (J. rubens) during summer. Also, U. lactuca showed the maximum antioxidant scavenging activity especially during summer. Minerals in all investigated samples were higher than those in conventional edible vegetables. Na/K ratio ranged between 0.78 and 2.4mg/100g, which is a favorable value. All trace metals exceeded the recommended doses by Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI). During summer season, it was found that Cu=2.02±0.13 and Cr=0.46±0.14mg/100g in U. lactuca and Fe had a suitable concentration (18.37±0.5mg/100g) in P. capillacea. The studied species were rich in carotenoids, phenolic compounds, DPPH free radicals and minerals, therefore, they can be used as potential source of health food in human diets and may be of use to food industry

Structured Health Literacy Intervention for Mothers Regarding Stem Cells Therapy

Background: Stem cells have tremendous promise uses for the future to treat a variety of diseases, injuries, and other health-related conditions. Their potential is evident to promote the repair response of diseased, dysfunctional or injured tissue. Aim: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of applying a structured health literacy intervention regarding stem cells therapy (SCT) on the mothers' level of knowledge and attitude. Methodology: A quasi-experimental one-group pre-post test design was utilized. The study involved 302 mothers recruited from the pediatric outpatient clinics of Mansoura University Children Hospital (MUCH), Egypt. Data were collected using two structured interview sheets (knowledge and attitude). Results: There were highly statistically significant differences in mothers’ knowledge and attitude one-month post-application of the structured health literacy intervention regarding stem cells therapy compared to pre-application (P=<0.001). Conclusion: Application of a structured health literacy intervention showed a significant improvement in mothers' level of knowledge and attitude regarding stem cells therapy. Keywords: Attitude, Health Literacy, Knowledge, Stem Cells Therapy. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/61-06 Publication date: April 30th 201

Review: The Stochastic Approach and Systems of Index Numbers

The main objective of the paper is to review a number of widely used multilateral index numbers for International comparisons of purchasing power parities (PPPs) and real incomes that can be derived using the stochastic approach. The paper discuss that price index numbers from commonly used methods like the Ikleacute, the Rao-weighted, and an additive multilateral system are all estimators of the parameters of the countryndashproductndashdummy (CPD) model. The paper also presents the method of moments (MOM) as an approach to estimate PPPs under the stochastic approach and shows how the GearyndashKhamis system of multilateral index numbers is a method of moments estimator of the parameters of the CPD model.nbs

POSSIBLE PROTECTIVE ROLE OF SODIUM SALICYLATE NANOEMULSION AND GINGER ON CISPLATIN‑INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS (BIOCHEMICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY)

Objective: To describe the preparation and characterization of nanoemulsion of sodium salicylate loaded butane tetracarboxylic acid (Bt-Sc-NPs). It also investigates the possible protective effects of Bt-Sc-NPs and\or medicinal plant ginger to evaluate the changes of liver functions, oxidative stress and histopathological investigations against cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity. Methods: Serum was used to determine alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), δ-glutamyl transferase (δGT), serum human laminin (LN) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase1 (TIMP1). Liver tissue samples collected from the rats were used for the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1). Results: The beneficial effects of Bt-Sc-NPs with its anti-inflammatory effect and the medicinal ginger with its antioxidant effect were observed. Injection of rats with cisplatin significantly increased serum ALT, AST, ɤGT, TIMP1 and LN. It also increased cisplatin-induced oxidative stress by a significant elevation in liver MDA, NO content; however, a significant decrease of PON1 content. While protection with Bt-Sc-NPs or ginger significantly improved these parameters. In addition, combination of both Bt-Sc-NPs and ginger significantly induced a decrease in serum ALT, AST, ɤGT, TIMP1 and LN. It also reduced cisplatin-induced oxidative stress by the significant reduction in liver MDA, NO content and elevation of PON1 content much more than protection with Bt-Sc-NPs or ginger alone. Conclusion: Bt-Sc-NPs were synthesized using nanoemulsion with the help of homogenization and ultra-sonication waves. Combination with both of Bt-Sc-NPs and ginger showed a hepatoprotective role in ameliorating cisplatin‑induced hepatotoxicity due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects

HYDROCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT IN ABU-ZAABAL AREA, EASTERN NILE DELTA, EGYPT

Objective: The study presents simple tools for water resources quality classification based on its chemical compositions in Abu Zaabal area, eastern Nile Delta, Egypt and assess the water quality for different uses. Methods: 31 water samples were collected from different water resources in the study area and analyzed for physicochemical parameters. Hydrochemical relations, contour maps and statistical methods were used to estimate the contamination indices and evaluate the water resources for different purposes. Results: 83.3% of groundwater samples is fresh water and 16.7% are brackish water. 85.7% of surface water samples are fresh and 14.3% is saline. 92% of groundwater samples and 71.5% of surface water samples are very hard water. According to HPI values, 8% of the quaternary groundwater samples are good, 4% are poor, 4% are very poor and 84% of the samples are unsuitable. All groundwater samples and 71% of surface water samples are contaminated with respect to ammonia. Conclusion: Higher concentrations of TDS and heavy metal may be due to the clay nature of the soil, the marine sediments in the aquifer matrix together with the dissolution and leaching of minerals from agricultural, anthropogenic and industrial activities. The groundwater in the polluted zones is considered unsuitable for human drinking

Nitrogen availability prevents oxidative effects of salinity on wheat growth and photosynthesis by up-regulating the antioxidants and osmolytes metabolism, and secondary metabolite accumulation.

Funder: NorthWest A&F University Yaangling, Shaanxi, China.BACKGROUND: Salinity is one of the damaging abiotic stress factor. Proper management techniques have been proposed to considerably lower the intensity of salinity on crop growth and productivity. Therefore experiments were conducted to assess the role of improved nitrogen (N) supplementation on the growth and salinity stress tolerance in wheat by analyzing the antioxidants, osmolytes and secondary metabolites. RESULTS: Salinity (100 mM NaCl) stress imparted deleterious effects on the chlorophyll and carotenoid synthesis as well as the photosynthetic efficiency. N supplementation resulted in increased photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and internal CO2 concentration with effects being much obvious in seedlings treated with higher N dose. Under non-saline conditions at both N levels, protease and lipoxygenase activity reduced significantly reflecting in reduced oxidative damage. Such effects were accompanied by reduced generation of toxic radicals like hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, and lipid peroxidation in N supplemented seedlings. Antioxidant defence system was up-regulated under saline and non-saline growth conditions due to N supplementation leading to protection of major cellular processes like photosynthesis, membrane structure and function, and mineral assimilation. Increased osmolyte and secondary metabolite accumulation, and redox components in N supplemented plants regulated the ROS metabolism and NaCl tolerance by further strengthening the antioxidant mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of present study suggest that N availability regulated the salinity tolerance by reducing Na uptake and strengthening the key tolerance mechanisms

New GMM Estimators for Dynamic Panel Data Models

In dynamic panel data (DPD) models, the generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation gives efficient estimators. However, this efficiency is affected by the choice of the initial weighting matrix. In practice, the inverse of the moment matrix of the instruments has been used as an initial weighting matrix which led to a loss of efficiency. Therefore, we will present new GMM estimators based on optimal or suboptimal weighting matrices in GMM estimation. Monte Carlo study indicates that the potential efficiency gain by using these matrices. Moreover, the bias and efficiency of the new GMM estimators are more reliable than any other conventional GMM estimators