Some chemical and physical properties at physiological maturity and ripening period of kiwifruit (‘Hayward’)

This study was carried out to determine some chemical and physical properties at physiological maturity and ripening period of kiwifruit. The average geometric mean diameter, sphericity, bulk density, porosity, projected area along three axes (X, Y, Z) and colour characteristics (L*, a*, b*) were measured at physiological maturity and ripening period. Total soluble solid content, titratable acidity, pH, total phenolic, total antioxidant activity and total sugar of kiwifruit were also determined. The total antioxidant value was higher at physiological maturity than ripening period.Key words: Kiwifruit (Hayward), chemical properties, physical properties, physiological maturity, ripening period

The effects of intramuscular tenotomy on the lengthening characteristics of tibialis posterior: high versus low intramuscular tenotomy

BACKGROUND: Lengthening of soft-tissue contractures is frequently required in children with a wide variety of congenital and acquired deformities. However, little is known about the biomechanics of surgical procedures which are commonly used in contracture surgery, or if variations in technique may have a bearing on surgical outcomes. We investigated the hypothesis that the site of intramuscular tenotomy (IMT) within the muscle-tendon-unit (MTU) of the tibialis posterior (TP) would affect the lengthening characteristics. METHODS: We performed a randomized trial on paired cadaver tibialis posterior muscle-tendon-units (TP-MTUs). By random allocation, one of each pair of formalin-preserved TP-MTUs received a high IMT, and the other a low IMT. These were individually tensile-tested with an Instron(®) machine under controlled conditions. A graph of load (Newtons) versus displacement (millimetres) was generated for each pair of tests. The differences in lengthening and load at failure for each pair of TP-MTUs were noted and compared using paired t tests. RESULTS: We found 48% greater lengthening for low IMT compared to high IMT for a given load (P = 0.004, two tailed t test). Load at failure was also significantly lower for the low IMT. These findings confirm our hypothesis that the site of the tenotomy affects the amount of lengthening achieved. This may contribute to the reported variability in clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the relationship between tenotomy site and lengthening may allow surgeons to vary the site of the tenotomy in order to achieve pre-determined surgical goals. It may be possible to control the surgical "dose" by altering the position of the intramuscular tenotomy within the muscle-tendon-unit

Oxidative stress biomarkers and acetylcholinesterase activity in human erythrocytes exposed to clomazone (in vitro)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of clomazone herbicide on oxidative stress biomarkers and acetylcholinesterase activity in human erythrocytes in in vitro conditions. The activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), as well as the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured in human erythrocytes exposed (in vitro) to clomazone at varying concentrations in the range of 0, 100, 250 and 500 µg/L for 1 h at 37 °C.TBARS levels were significantly higher in erythrocytes incubated with clomazone at 100, 250 and 500 µg/L. However, erythrocyte CAT and AChE activities were decreased at all concentrations tested. SOD activity was increased only at 100 µg/L of clomazone. GSH levels did not change with clomazone exposure. These results clearly showed clomazone to induce oxidative stress and AChE inhibition in human erythrocytes (in vitro). We, thus, suggest a possible role of ROS on toxicity mechanism induced by clomazone in humans

Decreased glutathione levels and impaired antioxidant enzyme activities in drug-naive first-episode schizophrenic patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study was to determine glutathione levels and antioxidant enzyme activities in the drug-naive first-episode patients with schizophrenia in comparison with healthy control subjects.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>It was a case-controlled study carried on twenty-three patients (20 men and 3 women, mean age = 29.3 ± 7.5 years) recruited in their first-episode of schizophrenia and 40 healthy control subjects (36 men and 9 women, mean age = 29.6 ± 6.2 years). In patients, the blood samples were obtained prior to the initiation of neuroleptic treatments. Glutathione levels: total glutathione (GSHt), reduced glutathione (GSHr) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and antioxidant enzyme activities: superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) were determined by spectrophotometry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>GSHt and reduced GSHr were significantly lower in patients than in controls, whereas GSSG was significantly higher in patients. GPx activity was significantly higher in patients compared to control subjects. CAT activity was significantly lower in patients, whereas the SOD activity was comparable to that of controls.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This is a report of decreased plasma levels of GSHt and GSHr, and impaired antioxidant enzyme activities in drug-naive first-episode patients with schizophrenia. The GSH deficit seems to be implicated in psychosis, and may be an important indirect biomarker of oxidative stress in schizophrenia early in the course of illness. Finally, our results provide support for further studies of the possible role of antioxidants as neuroprotective therapeutic strategies for schizophrenia from early stages.</p

COVID-19 infection in adult patients with hematological malignancies: a European Hematology Association Survey (EPICOVIDEHA)

Background: Patients with hematological malignancies (HM) are at high risk of mortality from SARS-CoV-2 disease 2019 (COVID-19). A better understanding of risk factors for adverse outcomes may improve clinical management in these patients. We therefore studied baseline characteristics of HM patients developing COVID-19 and analyzed predictors of mortality. Methods: The survey was supported by the Scientific Working Group Infection in Hematology of the European Hematology Association (EHA). Eligible for the analysis were adult patients with HM and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 observed between March and December 2020. Results: The study sample includes 3801 cases, represented by lymphoproliferative (mainly non-Hodgkin lymphoma n = 1084, myeloma n = 684 and chronic lymphoid leukemia n = 474) and myeloproliferative malignancies (mainly acute myeloid leukemia n = 497 and myelodysplastic syndromes n = 279). Severe/critical COVID-19 was observed in 63.8% of patients (n = 2425). Overall, 2778 (73.1%) of the patients were hospitalized, 689 (18.1%) of whom were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Overall, 1185 patients (31.2%) died. The primary cause of death was COVID-19 in 688 patients (58.1%), HM in 173 patients (14.6%), and a combination of both COVID-19 and progressing HM in 155 patients (13.1%). Highest mortality was observed in acute myeloid leukemia (199/497, 40%) and myelodysplastic syndromes (118/279, 42.3%). The mortality rate significantly decreased between the first COVID-19 wave (March–May 2020) and the second wave (October–December 2020) (581/1427, 40.7% vs. 439/1773, 24.8%, p value < 0.0001). In the multivariable analysis, age, active malignancy, chronic cardiac disease, liver disease, renal impairment, smoking history, and ICU stay correlated with mortality. Acute myeloid leukemia was a higher mortality risk than lymphoproliferative diseases. Conclusions: This survey confirms that COVID-19 patients with HM are at high risk of lethal complications. However, improved COVID-19 prevention has reduced mortality despite an increase in the number of reported cases.EPICOVIDEHA has received funds from Optics COMMITTM (COVID-19 Unmet Medical Needs and Associated Research Extension) COVID-19 RFP program by GILEAD Science, United States (Project 2020-8223)

The assessment of tomato fruit quality parameters under different sound waves

Sound stress is an abiotic stress factor wherein the sound wave form affects the growth and development of plants as an alternative mechanical stress. To explore this, 10-week-old tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants were used in this experiment. The tomato plants were exposed to three different frequency values consecutively: 600 Hz in the first week, 1240 Hz in the second week and 1600 Hz in the third week. The decibel (dB) value was adjusted to 90 dB in the sound amplifier. At the end of the experiment, lycopene, vitamin C, total sugar, total acid and total phenol levels were analysed and pH and 0 Brix were measured in tomato fruits. As a result, it was determined that as the sound frequency intensity level increased, the concentration of fruit parameters also increased: lycopene, vitamin C, total sugar, total acid and total phenol. The total phenol content, lycopene content and ascorbic acid of the tomato plants that were exposed to sound waves at different frequencies increased at a rate of 70%, 20% and 14%, respectively. According to the results of all measured parameters in tomato fruits, 1600 Hz has been determined the best of sound wave frequency value. © 2019, Association of Food Scientists & Technologists (India).Firat University Scientific Research Projects Management UnitAcknowledgements We thanks to Cukurova University Scientific Research Projects Directorate for financial support (Grant No. KIMYO001). And we also thank to Prof. Dr. Ebru Kafkas and her laboratory team for the analyses on tomato fruits

Growth and nutrient element content in mycorrhizae colonized mint plants under saline conditions

Saline areas of the world has increased rapidly as a result of the wrong agronomic managements. The remediation of saline soils is an expensive and difficult method. Instead, the use of resistant cultivars under saline conditions or some applications such as mycorrhiza usage which increases the plant's resistance, are more rational under stress conditions. In the experiment, growth and nutrient element content of mycorrhizae colonized and control mint plants under saline conditions were investigated. As a pot experiment, we used mint plants (Mentha piperita ‘Sewiss’) and three different mycorrhiza species (Glomus macrocarpium, Glomus fasciculatum and their cocktail (1:1, v/v) were used. Salt applications were initiated 10 days after transplanting. The measurements have been done after 60 days from transplanting. The number of branches of plants, plant height, root length, fresh and dry shoot and root fresh and dry weights were measured . At the end of the experiment, nutrient content in leaves and colonization of mychorrhizae in roots were determined. Use of mycorrhizae on mint plants was determined as a positive utilization in saline conditions Under the salt stress 2 species of mycorrhizae and cocktail mix have positively affected mint plant growth. Shoot and root growths and number of branches were increased by the mychorriza supplications. Mychorriza application also increased the K and Ca uptake of mint plants under saline conditions. © 2019 International Society for Horticultural Science. All rights reserved

The optimization of nitrogen dosages on cucumber plants grown in greenhouse

In recent years, the intensive usage of either pesticides or overdose of fertilizers caused both an increase in plant production and showing up some products which would threaten human health. The chemicals (pesticides, fertilizers, etc.) which are being used in agricultural production, have made their potential negative influence both on human and society health evident. For that purpose, as a new mode of production "Organic Farming" manifested itself. In organic fresh vegetable growing, one of the most important topics which still needs to be studied is "plant nutrition". The most important deficiency in plant nutrition is "nitrogen nutrition". Nitrogen is the most commonly used plant nutrient element in production. Nitrogen sources that are being used in organic production are limited and their pure nitrogen contents are weak. Cucumber, is the second most grown vegetable just after tomato in greenhouses in Turkey. It is consumed both winter and summer and it is also a vegetable which is on the market the whole year. Besides, because of its long vegetation time and its tendency of making much vegetative texture, it is one of the most nitrogen using vegetables. This study was carried out in the greenhouses of Cukurova University, Karaisali Vocational College in Adana, in order to determine the optimum nitrogen dosage to be applied in organic cucumber production under greenhouse circumstances of the spring season. For this purpose, a common organic certified fertilizer was applied as the nitrogen source contending 10.21% pure nitrogen was used. The nitrogen doses of 0, 0.5, 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 kg ha-1 were applied, in total six applications. During the trial, in order to investigate the effects of different nitrogen dosages on plants growth parameters were measured. Also, nutrient element contents of leaves were analyzed, fruit physical characteristics and the yield values were measured. Consequently, it was determined that top two nitrogen dosages (2.5 and 3.5 kg ha-1) increased the plant growth. In terms of the yield, it is concluded that the dose of 1.5 kg ha-1 would be enough for increasing this parameter