Effects of calcium paste as a seed coat on growth, yield and enzymatic activities in NaCl stressed-pea plants

The present study was conducted to study the effect of coating the seeds with calcium paste before sowing, on plant growth, yield, the contents of some antioxidants and the activities of carbonic anhydrase and nitrate reductase in the Pisum sativum L. leaves under the influence of NaCl stress. NaCl stress reduced plant growth, photosynthetic pigment levels, ascorbic acid and calcium contents, and the activities of carbonic anhydrase and nitrate reductase. In contrast, proline and sodium contents were increased. These results are negatively reflected in the yield components. However, seed coating with calcium paste reduced the toxic effects of NaCl on plant growth and yield by increasing leaf pigments, ascorbic acid, proline contents and enzymatic activities. This study clearly highlights the effects of calcium paste as a seed coat in mitigating the phytotoxicity of NaCl stress in pea plants.Keywords: Calcium paste, carbonic anhydrase, nitrate reductase, ascorbate, growth, yield, Pisum sativum

Growth, heavy metal status and yield of salt-stressed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants as affected by the integrated application of bio-, organic and inorganic nitrogen-fertilizers

Efforts have been made to use the integrated application of bio-, organic and inorganic nitrogen (N)-fertilizers to decrease waste accumulation, and to minimize nutrient losses and yield contamination with heavy metals for human nutrition and health. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of integrated applications of organic manures, bio-fertilizer and/or mineral-N fertilizers on growth, yield, some chemical constituents and shoot and yielded grain heavy metal contents of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Sakha 93) plants grown under salinity stress (ECe = 7.84 dS m-1). Results showed that, the treatment comprised of ⅓NH4NO3 (55 kg N ha-1) + Cerealine (bio-fertilizer; 4 Kg ha-1) + cattle manure (10 t ha-1) was found to be most effective, producing the best status of growth characteristics, osmoprotectants concentrations, essential nutrient contents, shoot heavy metal concentrations, and grain yield and its content of heavy metals compared to the all other treatments. The treatment comprised of Cerealine (4 Kg ha-1) + cattle manure (20 t ha-1) was occupied the second order. We can recommend to use the integrated treatment of ⅓NH4NO3 (55 kg N ha-1) + Cerealine (bio-fertilizer; 4 Kg ha-1) + cattle manure (10 t ha-1) effectively in saline soils to improve wheat growth and yield with minimum contents of heavy metals for human health and nutrition

PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSES OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) PLANTS TO POLYAMINES UNDER LEAD STRESS

Objective: The distribution, growth, development and productivity of wheat plants are greatly affected by various abiotic stresses such as lead (Pb) stress which become one of the most abundant toxic metal in the earth crust. Under the three applied polyamine (PAs) applications, the efficiency of wheat plants to tolerate Pb2+ stress in terms of growth and yield characteristics was noticed to varying degrees. Methods: The current study focused on the impact of 2.0 mM lead (Pb2+) on growth and performance of wheat plants before and after PAs applications. The sterilized seeds were soaked for 8 h at room temperature, either in distilled water (as a control), 0.25 mM spermine (Spm), 0.50 mM spermidine (Spd), or in 1.0 mM putrescine (Put). Results: Point out that, better growth and yield characteristics, chlorophyll “a” (Chl-a), chlorophyll “b” (Chl-b), soluble sugars, indoles, and enzymatic antioxidants (i.e., peroxidase (POX), catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, ascorbate oxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and glutathione reductase) and the enzyme α-amylase contents were obtained with seed soaking in 0.25 mM Spm, 0.50 mM Spd, or 1.0 mM Put than those generated with seed soaking in water under 2.0 mM Pb2+ stress. In contrast, the concentration of endogenous Pb2+ was significantly reduced. Conclusion: Among all tested PAs, 1.0 mM Put showed the best results and thus is recommended, as seed soaking, for wheat to grow well under Pb2+ stress

Exogenous glutathione-mediated tolerance to deficit irrigation in salt-affected Capsicum frutescence (L.) plants is connected with higher antioxidant content and ionic homeostasis

As an important medicinal plant used in traditional and modern medicine, chili peppers are sensitive or moderately sensitive to drought or salt stress, respectively. Therefore, potential changes due to foliar-applied glutathione (GSH; 0, 0.4 and 0.8 mM) response on growth, yield, and physio-biochemical attributes, as well as water use efficiency (WUE) and fruit alkaloid capsaicin of chili pepper plants were investigated when grown under deficit irrigation in salt-affected soil (EC = 6.74 dS m–1). Two deficit irrigation water (DiW) regimes (80% and 60% of soil field capacity; FC) were used versus 100% of FC as a control. Both DiW treatments negatively affected growth and yield parameters, SPAD chlorophyll index, nutrient status, K+/Na+ ratio, and plant anatomical features. In contrast, osmoprotectants, ascorbate, glutathione, capsaicin, and phenolic contents, as well as WUE were increased in association with higher Na+ and Cl– contents. However, exogenously-applied GSH caused significant increases in the above-mentioned parameters along with an additional increase in osmoprotectants, antioxidants, and capsaicin contents, and a decrease in Na+ and Cl– levels compared to corresponding controls. The highest WUE, growth, and fruit yield responses were recorded at 0.8 mM GSH applied to plants under DiW at 80% FC + salinity (6.74 dS m–1). Therefore, this study suggested the use of leafy-applied GSH at 0.8 mM for satisfactory growth and yield with the highest WUE of chili pepper plants grown under salt-affected conditions with deficit irrigation

Improvement of drought tolerance in five different cultivars of Vicia faba with foliar application of ascorbic acid or silicon

Aim of study: To explore the role of ascorbic acid (AsA) or silicon (Si) in improving drought tolerance in five faba bean cultivars under irrigation water deficit (IWD).Area of study: The experimental farm; 30° 36′ N, 32° 16′ E, Egypt.Material and methods: Three drip irrigation regimes (WW, well-watered, 4000 m3 water ha-1; MD, moderate drought, 3000 m3 water ha-1; and SD, severe drought, 2000 m3 water ha-1) were applied to plants, which were sprayed 25, 40, and 55 days after sowing with 1.5 mM AsA or 2.0 mM Si vs distilled water as a control.Main results: Drought negatively affected physiological attributes (photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange parameters, relative water content, membrane stability index, electrolyte leakage (EL), and lipid peroxidation), which restricted plant growth and yields, and stimulated alterations in both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities. However, AsA or Si application mitigated drought effects on physiological attributes, improving growth, yields and water use efficiency by raising antioxidant activities and suppressing lipid peroxidation and EL in stressful cultivars. The mitigating effects of AsA and Si were more pronounced under MD.Research highlights: ‘Nubaria-2’, ‘Giza-843’, and ‘Sakha-3’ were more tolerant than ‘Giza-716’ and ‘Sakha-4’, suggesting the use of AsA or Si to ameliorate the IWD effects on stressful cultivars. Certain physiological traits exhibited positive association with growth and seed yield, demonstrating their importance in enhancing seed yield under irrigation treatments

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Exogenous Gibberellic Acid or Dilute Bee Honey Boosts Drought Stress Tolerance in Vicia faba by Rebalancing Osmoprotectants, Antioxidants, Nutrients, and Phytohormones

The use of growth regulators such as gibberellic acid (GA3) and biostimulants, including diluted bee honey (Db-H) can improve drought tolerance in many crops, including the faba bean (Vicia faba L.). Db-H contains high values of osmoprotectants, mineral nutrients, vitamins, and many antioxidants making it an effective growth regulator against environmental stress effects. Therefore, the present study was planned to investigate the potential improvement in the faba bean plant performance (growth and productivity) under full watering (100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc)) and drought stress (60% of ETc) by foliar application of GA3 (20 mg L−1) or Db-H (20 g L−1). The ameliorative impacts of these growth regulators on growth, productivity, physio-biochemical attributes, nutrient status, antioxidant defense system, and phytohormones were evaluated. GA3 or Db-H attenuated the negative influences of drought stress on cell membrane stability, ion leakage, relative water content, nutrient status, leaf pigments related to photosynthesis (chlorophylls and carotenoids), and efficiency of the photosystem II (PSII in terms of Fv/Fm and performance index), thus improving faba bean growth, green pod yield, and water use efficiency. Drought stress caused an abnormal state of nutrients and photosynthetic machinery due to increased indicators of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide (O2•−)), associated with increased osmoprotectants (proline, glycine betaine, soluble sugars, and soluble protein), non-enzymatic antioxidants (ascorbic acid, glutathione, and α-tocopherol), and enzymatic antioxidant activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and ascorbate peroxidase). However, foliar-applied GA3 or Db-H mediated further increases in osmoprotectants, antioxidant capacity, GA3, indole-3-acetic acid, and cytokinins, along with decreased levels of MDA and abscisic acid. These results suggest the use of GA3 or Db-H at the tested concentrations to mitigate drought-induced damage in bean plants to obtain satisfactory growth and productivity under a water deficit of up to 40%

Potassium silicate and vinasse enhance biometric characteristics of perennial sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) under greenhouse conditions

Abstract An effective strategy for enhancing fruit production continuity during extended sweet pepper season involves adopting innovative biostimulants such as potassium silicate (PS) and vinasse. Adjusting PS and vinasse concentrations are crucial for maintaining the balance between vegetative and fruit growth, particularly in sweet pepper with a shallow root system, to sustain fruiting over prolonged season. However, the interaction between PS and vinasse and the underlying physiological mechanisms that extend the sweet pepper season under greenhouse conditions remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of PS and vinasse treatments on the yield and biochemical constituents of perennial pepper plants cultivated under greenhouse conditions. For two consecutive seasons [2018/2019 and 2019/2020], pepper plants were sprayed with PS (0, 0.5, and 1 g/l) and drenched with vinasse (0, 1, 2, and 3 l/m3). To estimate the impact of PS and vinasse on the growth, yield, and biochemical constituents of pepper plants, fresh and dry biomass, potential fruit yield, and some biochemical constituents were evaluated. Results revealed that PS (0.5 g/l) coupled with vinasse (3 l/m3) generated the most remarkable enhancement, in terms of plant biomass, total leaf area, total yield, and fruit weight during both growing seasons. The implementation of vinasse at 3 l/m3 with PS at 0.5 and 1 g/l demonstrated the most pronounced augmentation in leaf contents (chlorophyll index, nitrogen and potassium), alongside improved fruit quality, including total soluble solid and ascorbic acid contents, of extended sweet pepper season. By implementing the optimal combination of PS and vinasse, growers can significantly enhance the biomass production while maintaining a balance in fruiting, thereby maximizing the prolonged fruit production of superior sweet pepper under greenhouse conditions

Detection of simulated vertical root fractures; which is better multi-detector computed tomography or cone beam computed tomography?

Objectives: Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) were compared regarding their ability to detect vertical root fractures. Methods: Sixty four extracted posterior teeth were included in this study. Using a diamond disc, thirty six teeth were cut vertically to simulate a VRF. Twenty eight teeth were used as control. Fractured and non-fractured teeth were randomly positioned in 4 skulls and mandibles. Scanning was performed first on a 16 slice Siemens MDCT, then by i-CAT Next Generation CBCT. Two observers assessed the multiplanar images for vertical root fractures using a 3-point scale. The first observer repeated the assessment after 1 week. Later, the 2 observers re-assessed the images together to reach a consensus score. Results: CBCT showed higher sensitivity, accuracy as well as negative predictive value compared to MDCT. The mean area under the curve was 0.917 for MDCT and 0.972 for CBCT. The difference in diagnostic accuracy between the 2 modalities was statistically significant P = .036. Inter-observer agreement was 0.971 for MDCT and 0.994 for CBCT, whereas intra-observer agreement was 0.981 for MDCT and 0.985 for CBCT. Conclusion: Using the specified scanners at the specified exposure parameters, the diagnostic accuracy of CBCT in detecting vertical root fractures was significantly higher than MDCT. Keywords: Multi-detector computed tomography, Cone-beam computed tomography, Root fractur