Influence of different levels of Ethephon on the growth and flowering of Euphorbia pulcherrima var. 'Freedom Red'.

This study was carried out at the experimental farm of Horticultural Department, Faculty of Agriculture., Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt, during the two successive seasons of 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. The effect of ethephon at different the rate on Euphorbia pulcherrima var. 'Freedom Red' plants was studied to dwarf their height aiming to produce more compact potted plants. The maximum dwarfing was obtained with ethephon at 1000 ppm, which recorded average height of 22.95 and 23.95 cm/plants for November and December periods, respectively. Furthermore, applying plants with the same ethephon level gave the highest the number of branches, followed by 500 ppm ethephon compared to the other concentrations or the untreated plants (control). The maximum leaves the number was obtained with ethephon treatment of 500 ppm. All concentrations of ethephon delayed the first bract color timing, whereas ethephon treatments at 1000 ppm increased the number of days until the first bract coloring more than other treatments of 300 or 500 ppm and the control. The biggest bracts canopy was observed in the control plants, since it recorded 57.61 cm/canopy. On the other hand, the higher level of ethephon (1000 ppm) led to the lowest bracts canopy.

Does anaesthesia in mothers during delivery affect bilirubin levels in their neonates?

PurposeThis study aimed to assess whether different anesthetic techniques and oxytocin use applied during delivery affect transcutaneous bilirubin levels during the first 24 hours in neonates.MethodsA total of 1,044 neonates delivered by either caesarian section (C/S) or normal vaginal delivery (NVD) were included in the study. They were classified into 5 groups as follows: group 1: born by C/S using general anesthesia, group 2: C/S using spinal anaesthesia, group 3: C/S using general anesthesia after failed spinal block, group 4: by NVD without anesthesia, and group 5: oxytocin-induced vaginal delivery without anesthesia. Transcutaneous total bilirubin levels (TBLs) were measured during the first 24 hours and on the fifth and eighth days of life and the levels in different groups were compared.ResultsThe TBLs were significantly higher in neonates delivered by C/S using general anesthesia rather than spinal anesthesia (P<0.001), and both groups had higher levels than those born by NVD without anesthesia (P≤0.001). However, the group receiving general anesthesia after failed spinal block was found to have the highest bilirubin level. Moreover, TBLs were significantly higher with the use of oxytocin (P≤0.001).ConclusionsC/S and general anesthesia adversely affect the bilirubin levels in neonates, and the use of oxytocin during vaginal delivery also increases TBLs in neonates

Evaluation of Turkish oregano (Origanum onites L.) under organic farming system

Spice production is crucial for the world economy. Today, the farming of spices faces significant challenges under climate change, such as heat stress, rising salinity, water stress, low soil nutrients, and increased pests, which lead to reduced yield and quality. The present study was conducted in Egypt on Turkish oregano (Origanum onites L.) plants. The trial was achieved under organic farming conditions. The purpose was to investigate the responses of the plant towards two natural stimulators, chitosan and biofertilizer. The design of the work was a split plot. Main plots were assigned to the foliar spray of chitosan at three concentrations (0, 5, and 10 liters/hectare) and sub-plots to biofertilizer EM (with and without). The collected data comprised plant height, fresh and dry herb weights per plant, fresh and dry herb yields per hectare, essential oil percentage, oil yield per plant and hectare, and GC-MS analysis of oils. The significant maximum growth and yield characteristics were obtained by spraying with chitosan at the highest concentration of 10 liters/hectare combined with soil drenching by biofertilizer EM. The major essential oil component was carvacrol, which is responsible for its pungent flavour. This previous treatment also recorded the maximum carvacrol percent in oil of all cuts. So, this treatment could be used to increase the quantity and quality of the organic product

High dose intravenous immunoglobulin in Rh and ABO hemolytic disease of Egyptian neonates

Background: Despite advances made in the use of phototherapy, and in order to avoid sequelae of kernicterus, the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia may require one or several exchange transfusions, an invasive therapy which is not without risk. Intravenous immune globulin treatment in isoimmune hyperbilirubinemia has been shown to be effective, but the response to treatment is variable. Objective: To evaluate effectiveness of high dose Intravenous immune globulin (HD-IVIG) in reducing the need for exchange transfusion, duration of phototherapy and/or hospitalization in neonates with isoimmune hemolytic disease due to Rh or ABO incompatibility. Methods: The study included 116 direct Coombs' test positive neonates delivered at Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital of Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. They were randomly assigned to receive phototherapy with HD-IVIG in a single dose of 1 gm/kg (60 neonates, intervention group) or phototherapy (56 neonates, control group). Results: Nine neonates in the intervention group (15%) and 23 (41%) in the control group required single exchange transfusion (p&lt; 0.001). Multiple exchange transfusion was indicated in 15 neonates (26.8%) in the control group versus none in the intervention group (p&lt; 0.001). Compared with control group, neonates in the intervention group had shorter mean duration of intensive phototherapy (9.97 versus 35.5 hours, p&lt;0.001) and hospital stay (27.9 versus 103.5 hours, p&lt; 0.001). No adverse effects of HD-IVIG administration were noted. Conclusion: HD-IVIG effectively reduced the requirement for exchange transfusion and duration of phototherapy and hospitalization in isoimmune hemolytic disease of the newborn.Keywords: Hemolytic disease of newborn; hyperbilirubinemia; exchange transfusion; high dose intravenous immunoglobulin

Участие антиоксидантной защитной системы базилика в кросс-адаптации при комплексном действии УФ-В и засоления

The 10 min UV-B irradiation (12 dj/m2) and 100mM NaCl action on medical plants Ocimum basilicum L., grown in water culture, was studying. The plants treated by UV-B irradiation were more resistent to salinity. There were two groups of compounds. One - proline, carotinoids, phenols are accumulated under salinity conditions. Second group - pigments - antocyans and flavones. Its biosynthesis is stimulated by UV-B irradiation. Under complex stressor action pigments were increased and this increasing helped plants to overcome the high salinity. The antioxidant enzyme superoxid dismutase did not play essential role in adaptive response. The low molecular weight antioxidants were more effective for formation of adaptation response. The peroxidase activity had not correlation with superoxid dismutase activity and we supposed that H2O2 could be result of other process and served as signal molecul.На основании полученных данных можно сделать главный вывод о том, что обработка УФ-В в течение 10 мин. способствовала адаптации растений базилика к действию 100 мМ NaCl. Улучшение адаптационной способности базилика при совместном действии УФ-В и засоления и связано со стимулированием биосинтеза пигментов и низкомолекулярных антиоксидантов УФ-В облучением

Оценка антиоксидантного потенциала лекарственных растений при действии Уф-B-облучения

The UV-B irradiation action (6 -36,9 dg/m2) on medical plants Artemisia lerchiana L., Nigella sativa L., Ocimum basilicum L., grown in water culture, was studying. In plant leaves and roots the content of malondialdehyde, pigments, phenols, flavonoids, proline, and activities of antioxidant enzymes were determined. Investigated plants were able to resist to action of UV-B-irradiation (low and middle dose) without any power input for increasing of biosynthesis of low and high molecular component of antioxidant defense system. The damage level under stress conditions was low. At first hours plants used the constitutive level of antioxidants and after 24 h it was needed the antioxidant pool refilling. Carotinoids, flavonoids and proline were used by plants in 4 h after irradiation, the antocian synthesis increased after 12 h.В статье рассматривается методика изучения действия УФ-B-облучения (6,0, 12,3 и 36,9 Дж/кв. м) на лекарственные растения: полынь Artemisia lerchiana L., чернушку Nigella sativa L., базилик Ocimum basilicum L., выращенные в водной культуре в условиях фитотрона. Исследованные растения способны адаптироваться к действию низкой и средней доз УФ-B-радиации без значительных энергозатрат на усиление биосинтеза как низкомолекулярных компонентов антиоксидантной защиты, так и высокомолекулярных. Степень повреждения растений при действии данного стрессора незначительна. В первые часы растения в основном использовали конститутивный уровень антиоксидантов, и лишь через 24 часа требовалось пополнение их пула. Каротиноиды, флавоноиды и пролин используются растениями уже через 4 часа после облучения, синтез антоцианов усиливается через 12 ч

Establishment of Gypsophila paniculata root culture for biomass, saponin, and flavonoid production

Baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata L.) roots are valuable as pharmaceuticals due to the content of triterpenoid saponins and other bioactive phytochemicals. However, the long root harvest period and fluctuation of these constituent’s content are among the constraints to traditional agricultural production. The present study shows an efficient and reliable liquid root culture of G. paniculata cv. ‘Perfecta’ established in a shake flask system using different auxins, media, and sugars. Hairy root (HR) induction in G. paniculata through Rhizobium rhizogenes-mediated transformation was also investigated. α-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) was optimized for adventitious roots (AR) biomass, saponin, and flavonoid production at 1 or 2 mg/L compared to IBA. Full strength Gamborg’s medium (B5) recorded higher saponin content; however, the highest yield of total saponin and total flavonoids was achieved by full strength Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium. Sucrose was more essential for root growth and accumulated total saponins and flavonoids rather than fructose and glucose. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis showed that G. paniculata HR carried rolC gene of R. rhizogenes A4 strain in its genome but not virD2 gene. Compared to non-transformed root, saponin content of leaf and stem-derived HR was 2.7 and 2.3-fold, while total flavonoid content was 2.1 and 2.0-fold, respectively. The DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity was also higher in HR extracts than in non-transgenic roots. This study established an efficient protocol for G. paniculata root cultures for sustainable production of important natural saponins and flavonoids

Identification of novel and recurrent glucokinase mutations in Belgian and Luxembourg maturity onset diabetes of the young patients.

[No abstract available

Establishment of Gypsophila paniculata root culture for biomass, saponin, and flavonoid production

Baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata L.) roots are valuable as pharmaceuticals due to the content of triterpenoid saponins and other bioactive phytochemicals. However, the long root harvest period and fluctuation of these constituent’s content are among the constraints to traditional agricultural production. The present study shows an efficient and reliable liquid root culture of G. paniculata cv. ‘Perfecta’ established in a shake flask system using different auxins, media, and sugars. Hairy root (HR) induction in G. paniculata through Rhizobium rhizogenes-mediated transformation was also investigated. α-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) was optimized for adventitious roots (AR) biomass, saponin, and flavonoid production at 1 or 2 mg/L compared to IBA. Full strength Gamborg’s medium (B5) recorded higher saponin content; however, the highest yield of total saponin and total flavonoids was achieved by full strength Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium. Sucrose was more essential for root growth and accumulated total saponins and flavonoids rather than fructose and glucose. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis showed that G. paniculata HR carried rolC gene of R. rhizogenes A4 strain in its genome but not virD2 gene. Compared to non-transformed root, saponin content of leaf and stem-derived HR was 2.7 and 2.3-fold, while total flavonoid content was 2.1 and 2.0-fold, respectively. The DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity was also higher in HR extracts than in non-transgenic roots. This study established an efficient protocol for G. paniculata root cultures for sustainable production of important natural saponins and flavonoids

Glucokinase Gene Mutations: Structural and Genotype-Phenotype Analyses in MODY Children from South Italy

BACKGROUND: Maturity onset diabetes of the young type 2 (or GCK MODY) is a genetic form of diabetes mellitus provoked by mutations in the glucokinase gene (GCK). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We screened the GCK gene by direct sequencing in 30 patients from South Italy with suspected MODY. The mutation-induced structural alterations in the protein were analyzed by molecular modeling. The patients' biochemical, clinical and anamnestic data were obtained. Mutations were detected in 16/30 patients (53%); 9 of the 12 mutations identified were novel (p.Glu70Asp, p.Phe123Leu, p.Asp132Asn, p.His137Asp, p.Gly162Asp, p.Thr168Ala, p.Arg392Ser, p.Glu290X, p.Gln106_Met107delinsLeu) and are in regions involved in structural rearrangements required for catalysis. The prevalence of mutation sites was higher in the small domain (7/12: approximately 59%) than in the large (4/12: 33%) domain or in the connection (1/12: 8%) region of the protein. Mild diabetic phenotypes were detected in almost all patients [mean (SD) OGTT = 7.8 mMol/L (1.8)] and mean triglyceride levels were lower in mutated than in unmutated GCK patients (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of GCK MODY is high in southern Italy, and the GCK small domain is a hot spot for MODY mutations. Both the severity of the GCK mutation and the genetic background seem to play a relevant role in the GCK MODY phenotype. Indeed, a partial genotype-phenotype correlation was identified in related patients (3 pairs of siblings) but not in two unrelated children bearing the same mutation. Thus, the molecular approach allows the physician to confirm the diagnosis and to predict severity of the mutation