Osmo and hydro priming improvement germination characteristics and enzyme activity of Mountain Rye (Secale montanum) seeds under drought stress

Impacts of various concentrations of polyetylenglycol 6000 (PEG 6000)(0, -9, -11, -13 and -15 bar) and hydro priming on Mountain Rye (secale montanum) germination characteristic and enzyme activity were evaluated under drought stress in the seed laboratory of Natural Resources Faculty, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran. Analyze of variance for hydro priming showed that temperature × time of priming interaction was significantly for germination percentage (GP), normal seedling percentage (NSP), coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG), seedling vigor index (SVI), coefficient of allometry (AC) and seedling length (SL) under drought stress and for osmo priming showed that Concentration of PEG × Temperature × Time of priming interaction was significantly for all traits under drought stress. Results of interaction effects for hydro priming showed that the highest GP (53%) and NSP (23.5%) were attained from hydro priming for 16h at 15 ◦C and the highest CVG (0.21) and AC (0.49) were attained from hydro priming for 8h at 10 ◦C, also hydro priming for 8h at 15 ◦C increased SL (3.15) as compared to the unprimed.Osmo priming with concentration of -15 bar PEG for 24h at 15 ◦C increased GP (80.5 %), GI (17.9), NSP (45 %), SVI (257.85) and SL (5.73 cm) and decreased MTG as compared to the unprimed and other treatments of osmo priming. The highest CVG was attained from concentration of -9 bar PEG for 24h at 10 ◦C. the highest AC was attained from concentration of -9 bar PEG for 12h at 15 ◦C. Also osmo and hydro priming increased catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) as compared to the unprimed

Reducción de la absorción de yodo a través de la piel de ratas por micelas poliméricas en comparación con Povidona yodada: un estudio ex vivo

Background: topical antiseptic agents have been used widely in normal skin and wound which is associated with side effects such as systemic toxicity. Objective: Iodine is a non-metallic agent with an antimicrobial property that is used in the clinic as antiseptic. Iodophores such as Povidone-Iodine (PVP-I) introduced to improve the stability of the aqueous solution of iodine. Time taking and expensive procedures for producing complex between iodine and polyvinyl pyrolidine and systemic iodine absorption after topical PVP-I application are limitations on the application of this iodophore. The aim of this study was the design and evaluation of polymeric micelles for the overcoming of PVP-I limitations. Methods: Eight polymeric micelle formulations prepared by the thin-layer method based on full-factorial design. In an ex-vivo study permeability of iodine- loaded in polymeric micelles through rat skin was evaluated in comparison with PVP-I. Results: polymeric micelles demonstrated particle size between 14-153 nm that is affected by critical micelle concentration (CMC) and molecular weight of the polymer. Maximum % of drug released after 24 h was 62.3% that mainly controlled by the type of polymer. All polymeric micelles significantly decreased the percentage of drug permeated through rat skin and so decreased the risk of iodine toxicity. The minimum bactericidal concentration of polymeric micelles was comparable with PVP-I. Conclusion: Polymeric micelle demonstrated a perfect topical carrier for iodine loading and delivery through the skin by Iodine entrapment into the skin and sufficiently antimicrobial effect.Antecedentes: los agentes antisépticos tópicos se han utilizado ampliamente en la piel y heridas normales, lo que se asocia con efectos secundarios como la toxicidad sistémica. Objetivo: el yodo es un agente no metálico con propiedades antimicrobiana que se usa en la clínica como antiséptico. Los yodóforos como la povidona yodada (PVP-I) son introducidos para mejorar la estabilidad de la solución acuosa de yodo. El tiempo y el procedimiento costoso para producir complejos entre yodo y polivinilpirolidina y la absorción sistémica de yodo después de la aplicación tópica de PVP-I son limitaciones en la aplicación de este yodóforo. El objetivo de este estudio fue el diseño y la evaluación de micelas poliméricas para superar las limitaciones de PVP-I. Métodos: Ocho formulaciones de micelas poliméricas son preparadas por el método de capa delgada basado en un diseño factorial completo. En un estudio ex vivo, se evaluó la permeabilidad del yodo cargado en micelas poliméricas a través de la piel de rata en comparación con PVP-I. Resultados: las micelas poliméricas demostraron un tamaño de partícula entre 14-153 nm que se ve afectado por la concentración crítica de micelas (CMC) y el peso molecular del polímero. El porcentaje máximo de fármaco liberado después de 24 h fue del 62,3% que se controla principalmente por el tipo de polímero. Todas las micelas poliméricas disminuyeron significativamente el porcentaje de fármaco permeado a través de la piel de rata y, por lo tanto, disminuyeron el riesgo de toxicidad por yodo. La concentración bactericida mínima de micelas poliméricas fue comparable con PVP-I. Conclusión: la micela polimérica demostró ser un portador tópico perfecto para la carga y entrega de yodo a través de la piel mediante el atrapamiento de yodo en la piel y un efecto antimicrobiano suficiente

The Effect of Chemical and Physical Enhancers on Trolamine Salicylate Permeation through Rat Skin

Purpose: To achieve percutaneous delivery of trolamine salicylate to muscle and joints for the treatment of inflammatory muscle, tendon and joint diseases.Methods: Trolamine salicylate permeability parameters through rat skin were evaluated with and without chemical enhancers - Transcutol, eucalyptus oil, oleic acid and sodium lauryl sulfate – using the permeability cell technique.Results: The main barrier for trolamine salicylate permeability was the epidermis layer of the skin. Also, partitioning from the aqueous donor phase into the skin was the rate-limiting step for drug flux. Transcutol and eucalyptus oil were the most effective enhancers as they increased flux 11-fold. Sodium lauryl sulfate disrupted the lipid structure of the skin and thus increased diffusion coefficient 3-fold. Supersaturation technique did not increase flux. Propylene glycol in cosolvent system increased drug solubility in donor phase and partitioning.Conclusion: Trolamine salicylate exhibited less flux and diffusion coefficient through rat skin than salicylic acid due to its hydrophilic property. Partitioning from vehicle into skin was the rate-limiting step for trolamine salicylate permeability through rat skin.Keywords: Trolamine salicylate, Percutaneous absorption, Chemical enhancers, Supersaturation technique, Differential scanning calorimetryTropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research December 2010; 9 (6): 541-54

Multiple unite sustained released floating of sodium diclofenac: Formulation and evaluation using factorial design

The aim of this study was prepare and evaluate floating granules of sodium diclofenac with lipid excipient for prolonged gastric residence and reduced dose regimen. Floating granules prepared by extruder-spheronization technique. Compritol and gelucire as lipid excipient, HPMC as retardant and tween 80 as emulsifier were used. The effect of drug/lipid, drug/HPMC, drug amount, percentage of tween and type of lipid on floating ability, morphology and dissolution parameters were evaluated by factorial design. Results showed floating ability of granules was influenced by proportion of drug/lipid, drug/HPMC and percentage of tween. Floating property of Compritol was more than gelucire and provided good floating particles. Compritol granules provided suitable sustained release pattern in the manner that increase in D/L reduced D8 and MDT and increase in %T increased MDT. Higuchi model was the best fitted for dissolution data of granules prepared by Compritol and gelucire. In conclusion, Compritol provided more suitable floating ability and sustained release property.Keywords: Sodium diclofenac; Floating granules; Gastric residence time; Extruder-spheronizatio

SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE LOADED NIOSOMES DELIVERY TO HAIR FOLLICLES: PERMEATION THROUGH SYNTHETIC MEMBRANE AND GUINEA PIG SKIN

Objective: Alopecia aretea is associated with an increase in free radicals causing damage to hair follicles. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) with sufficient penetration through hair follicles, can prevent their death by its strong antioxidant effects. SOD with high molecular weight underwent limitation in follicular delivery. The aim of this study was the improvement of SOD localization into hair follicles. Methods: SOD-loaded niosomes were prepared by thin layer hydration method and were used as a vehicle for delivery to hair follicles through guinea pig skin and the synthetic membrane. Particle size, entrapment efficiency, drug release, and permeability parameters through hairly and non-hairly pig skin compared with a synthetic membrane were evaluated. Results: Niosomes demonstrated 152-325 nm particle size and the SOD burst and sustained release from niosomes were mainly controlled by diffusion and dissolution phenomena. SOD was protected against degradation by niosomes and after six months, enzyme content and activity decreased less than 5%. In comparison with free SOD, niosomes increased SOD affinity to penetration through follicles by interaction with sebum. Likewise, niosome's characters such as type of surfactant, solid lipid/liquid lipid ratio played critical roles on SOD deposition on hair follicles. Conclusion: Synthetic membrane and hairy guinea pig skin demonstrated similar barrier property against free-SOD thereby implying that free SOD does not interact with guinea pig sebum. Niosomes can introduce a suitable carrier for SOD localization into the hair follicles

The Effect of Superoxide Dismutase-Contained Nanostructured Lipid Carriers on Second-degree Burn Wound Healing in Rat: an In-vivo Study

Introduction Superoxide dismutase enzyme (SOD) with high antioxidant activity and, by controlling oxidative stress and reducing the activity of free radicals like ROS, reduces injury and accelerates healing. NLCs were used as the main formulation due to their small particle size, better permeability, higher shelf-life and etc. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) on SOD activity in burn wound healing. Method: 27 rats were divided to 3 groups: target, positive and negative control. Formulations were examined for particle size, enzyme activity and loading. Each formulations were used for 21 days on rats and at the end of each week they were examined by macroscopic and microscopic Methods. Each group was given a score based on the histology characteristics. Results: Physicochemical properties showed that the particle size was between 35 and 85 nm, and the percentage of enzyme loading was 78% and the enzyme activity was 39.3% in the formulation of NLC+ENZ. Macroscopic examination showed that the best recovery rate was in the target group (NLC+ENZ) and showed better performance on the second and third weeks (pval=0.029 in day 14 and pval=0.000 in day 21). In pathological studies also shown that the angiogenesis and granulation tissue of the target group has a significantly better performance. In Granulation scores first week NLC+ENZ Pval = 0.003 In Granulation scores second week NLC+ENZ Pval = 0.001 In angiogenesis scores first week NLC+ENZ Pval = 0.000 Conclusion: This study showed that the formulation of the prepared nanoparticles had an acceptable enzymatic activity and loading percentages. The formulations of NLC+ENZ in comparison to the other two groups shows significantly improvement of pathologic factors, particularly angiogenesis, granulation tissue, and a faster reduction of inflammatory cells

A feasibility study on the application development of farming aquatic plants in the country

In recent years, according to increase in consumption of fish in the world, however, due to the lack of control of many common diseases with disease-causing pathogens, the total world production of fish has decreased. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is one of the most preferred species in aquaculture of Iran. Development of an economical artificial to accelerate the growth and to maintain the health status of this fish is of major importance for sustainable rainbow trout culture. Fish diseases are a serious threat to economic viability of any aquaculture practice. Currently, the commercial aquaculture industry prefers to reduce the costs of production. Because the cost of antibiotics used for prevention and treatment of diseases, and excessive use of growth hormones for improving growth performance is very high. However, the development of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains, accumulation of residue in cultured fish and environmental problems associated with the use of chemicals have led to investigate on suitable methods of disease management. Therefore, a new approach to immunotherapy is actively used to prevent or treat fish diseases, increased disease resistance, feed efficiency and growth performance of fish in a sustainable aquaculture industry. In this regard, extensive research has been carried out to test the new compounds led to the development of the aquaculture industry. It has been proved that use of medicinal herbs in fish diet enhance the immune system against infections with various bacteria, especially, Aeromonas hydrophila in different species of fish, which is of the major bacterial pathogens, leading to heavy mortality rate and decrease the productivity efficiency, causing high economic loss of the fish farmers. The present project “the use of development medicinal plants in Aquaculture” with 4 separate sections reveled their results as follows: Part one: In this study, Origanum vulgare, Aloe vera extracts and placebo (70 % lactose, 10 % starch and 20 % talc) were used at a rate of 1% and levamisole at a rate of 0.1% of weight feed at a rate 2% of body weight.In conclusion, dried Origanum Vulgare and Aloe vera extracts at a rate of 1% of weight feed increased specific and non-specific immune systems in rainbow trout (13 and 2 gram) in identical weeks (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10). Therefore, these extracts can use to enhance immune system in aquaculture industry. Part two: In this study, some non-specific immune responses, hematology and biochemical parameters in rainbow trout juveniles (16 gr mean weight) and their resistance to Streptococcus iniae were evaluated following oral administration of Echinacea purpurea and Astragalus sp. extract. Three concentrations (0.5, 1 and 1.5 gr/kg of feed) of Echinacea purpurea and three concentrations (2, 3 and 5 gr/kg of feed) of Astragalus sp extract and control group were used for 60 days. Parameters evaluated included: levels of C4, C3 (complement components), free oxygen radicals (respiratory burst), Lysozyme, numbers of lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils. In the end, the relative survival rate (RSR) of fish was evaluated against S. iniae. The results showed that the levels of C3, lysozyme, oxygen free radicals, the number of neutrophils and lymphocytes in the experiment groups (the highest dose) compared to control group were increased significantly (p 0.05). The relative survival rates of fish following challenge with Streptococcus iniae, were 91/11, 93/33 and 44/44 percent in experiments (Echinacea purpurea and Astragalus sp.) and control groups, respectively. In conclusion, it may be state that Echinacea purpurea and Astragalus sp. extracts enhance the non-specific immune system and fish resistance against Streptococcusis, and it seems it can be used as immunostimulant in feed. Part three: Today, regarding the development of sturgeon rearing and importance of the aquatic health, it is necessary to apply natural material to combat pathogenic factors. Therefore, using medicinal plants is an excellent alternative instead of chemical material to control pathogenic factors. As, protozoan ectoparasites are one of the most important factors which have threatened sturgeon life, so this study carried out to determine lethal concentration of garlic (Allium sativum) and Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extracts on fingerlings of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) that the efficiency and the effective dose of theses extracts determined for controlling protozoan parasite naming Trichodina. Then, considering the results of the mentioned experiments, the study conducted on effective concentrations (EC50) of these extracts to combat Trichodina protozoan parasite. In this study the concentration of Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extract for final experiments was 200 to 600 mg/L. Therefore, it was determined for the first time that Zataria multiflora extract can be effective to combat Trichodina. The EC50 of Zataria multiflora extract for 1h bath is 437.62mg/L. Moreover, the concentration of garlic hydroalchoholic extract for final experiments set at 50 to 400 mg/L and the EC50 of garlic extract is 172.58 mg/L for 1h. In experiments of EC50, the differential counts of white blood cells (WBC) showed no significant difference in numbers of lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils in different treatments (P>0.05). But there is significant difference in numbers of eosinophils in different treatments (P<0.05). During the experiments of EC50 for garlic and Zataria multiflora extracts, no abnormal behavior observed in Persian sturgeon fingerlings which indicates that these extracts have not created stressful and irritable conditions. The final effective time for these extracts to completely eradicate Trichodina by garlic hydroalchoholic extract is less than 3h in 172.58 mg/L (EC50). But, for Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extract, it is less than 5h in 437.62 mg/L. The results showed that in all treatments of garlic hydroalchoholic extract, Trichodina eradicated completely from gill and skin of Persian sturgeon fingerlings during 9h. This time for Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extract is 12h. The results of this study showed that garlic and Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extracts with EC50 of 172.58 and 437.62mg/L, have categorized in low toxicity materials which are suitable to be replaced with chemical materials. This investigation showed that the therapeutic index of garlic hydroalchoholic extract is 73.15 that found to be more than Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extract (22.69). So, regarding this index, garlic hydroalchoholic extract is more healthful. Considering the results of this study which indicates the health of these herbal extracts, applying medicinal herbs can be emphasized as a suitable material to be replaced with chemical ones. Part four: In order to investigate the effect of ethanol extracts of garlic (Allium sativum) and Zataria multiflora on Aeromonas hydrophila bacteria Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus)took the kids to the isolation and identification of bacteria , the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila by garlic (Allium sativum) and Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extracts to determine the lethal concentrations of hydroalchoholic extracts of garlic (Allium sativum) and Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extracts on Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus)children , and also to evaluate the efficacy and determine the effective doses of the bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila extracts of in vitro and in vivo were measured . Due to the absence of the Aeromonas hydrophila identification by molecular country in the study of bacteria isolated from sturgeon disease is suspected after detection by screening DNA extraction and molecular By toward action and results by NSBI Aeromonas hydrophila bacteria and Authentication Code NSBI was recorded in Gen Bank JX987090 . Based on studies done in vitro (in vitro) in this study, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) Aeromonas hydrophila bacteria by extracts of garlic and thyme and arrange 1 mg/ml, 0.25mg/ml and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila by the extracts, respectively , and 2mg/ml, 0.5mg/ml. Study on the pictures taken out from sections of gill, liver and kidny of Persian sturgeon fingerlings (Acipenser persicus) showed that in different doses of garlic (Allium sativum) and Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extracts the teretment grups were examined and some microscopic damages observed. They are hyperemia, adhesion in the gill filaments, cell necrosis, melanin pigments in gill primary filaments, cloudy swelling of hepatocytes, liver necrosis, hyperemia and increase in melanin pigments and melano macrophage centers in liver, glomerular changes such as congestion and blocked the dilation of Bowman's space, bleeding, cell necrosis, cloudy swelling of the in kidney

Indigenous Grasses for Rehabilitating Degraded African Drylands

Drylands provide an important livelihood stream to its inhabitants across the globe through a range of products and ecosystem services. However, these fragile ecosystems are threatened and believed to experience various degrees of land degradation. Estimates of the landmass affected by land degradation in the global drylands range from 10% to 20%, a percentage that is increasing at an annual global rate of 12 million ha of soil lost from desertification and drought. African drylands are especially highly susceptible to severe degradation because of their poor soil structure aggravated by scarce vegetation cover. Causes of degradation in these environments are both natural and anthropogenic in nature. Change in vegetation cover, decline in soil fertility, biodiversity loss and soil erosion demonstrate degradation in African drylands. Grass reseeding using indigenous species is one of the promising sustainable land management strategies to combat degradation in the drylands. Reseeding programmes are aimed at improving vegetation cover and biomass, and they conserve the soil to an extent not possible by grazing and land management alone. Indigenous drought-tolerant grasses notably African foxtail grass (Cenchrus ciliaris), bush rye grass (Enteropogon macrostachyus) and Maasai lovegrass (Eragrostis superba) have produced promising rehabilitation outcomes. Previous studies in African drylands have demonstrated the potential of such indigenous forage grasses in improving both vegetation cover (plant frequency and densities, basal cover) and soil hydrological properties (increased infiltration capacity, reduced runoff and sediment production) as indicators of rehabilitation success. Despite their comparative and widespread success, natural and anthropogenic challenges persist. This makes reseeding programmes a risky and often expensive venture, especially for the resource-poor pastoral communities in African drylands. Despite the risks, grass reseeding using indigenous pastures remains a viable sustainable land management option to combat degradation in African drylands. However, to ensure its continued success in the long term, multifaceted approaches and strategies that will integrate land and water management and seed systems suitable for African drylands need to be developed, strengthened and promoted.Peer reviewe

RGB2LIDAR: Towards Solving Large-Scale Cross-Modal Visual Localization

We study an important, yet largely unexplored problem of large-scale cross-modal visual localization by matching ground RGB images to a geo-referenced aerial LIDAR 3D point cloud (rendered as depth images). Prior works were demonstrated on small datasets and did not lend themselves to scaling up for large-scale applications. To enable large-scale evaluation, we introduce a new dataset containing over 550K pairs (covering 143 km^2 area) of RGB and aerial LIDAR depth images. We propose a novel joint embedding based method that effectively combines the appearance and semantic cues from both modalities to handle drastic cross-modal variations. Experiments on the proposed dataset show that our model achieves a strong result of a median rank of 5 in matching across a large test set of 50K location pairs collected from a 14km^2 area. This represents a significant advancement over prior works in performance and scale. We conclude with qualitative results to highlight the challenging nature of this task and the benefits of the proposed model. Our work provides a foundation for further research in cross-modal visual localization.Comment: ACM Multimedia 202