The Use of Gamma Irradiation in Plant Mutation Breeding

In plant breeding programs, one of the oldest methods is mutation breeding. Currently, mutation breeding has became popular among the breeders and scientists again with its use in plant biotechnology and due to some restrictions on the other techniques such as hybridization, cross breeding, and transgenic plants. Physical mutagens (X-rays, UV light, neutrons-alpha-beta particles, fast and thermal neutrons, especially gamma rays) are used more widely than chemical (ethyl methanesulfonate [EMS]) ones to artificially induce mutations (mutagenesis). However, among the physical mutagens, gamma-rays are widely used. During the irradiation of the seeds with ionizing radiation to generate mutants with desirable traits, reactive oxygen species (ROS) or free radicals can generate in cells. Although, these radicals/species generally can be very dangerous for the cell compartments, they can take an important role as a signal molecule activation of genes of antioxidant enzymes and proline, which are defense systems against these radicals in plant cells. In this chapter, usability of gamma-irradiation to provide the permanent gene expression of antioxidant enzymes and proline through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is discussed

Water Stress Hinders In Vitro Regeneration of Plants

Plants could be propagated vegetatively via small parts of living tissue called as ‘explant’ on growth mediums under sterile conditions. Plant cell has the ability of forming whole fertile plant which is called \u27totipotency\u27, under in vitro culture conditions. High-frequency shoot regeneration is one of the main aims of in vitro culture and it is a prerequisite to guarantee the success in transformation studies and in clonal propagation of plants. It is well known that growth regulators in culture medium and the type of explant affect in vitro regeneration frequency significantly. In this chapter, the importance of tissue water content on in vitro culture response is discussed. Increasing water content of the explant before culture initiation gives rise to increased regeneration capacity. On the other hand, increasing the tissue’s osmotic pressure enables the explant to intake water, all solutes and growth regulators from the growth medium which results in high-frequency shoot regeneration. However, tissues with lack of water are usually not successful in regenerating a satisfactory amount of shoots. The effect of water deficiency on explant’s regeneration capacity and the methods to overcome this problem are discussed in this chapter

Cardiac biomarkers in premature calves with respiratory distress syndrome

The aim of this study was to determine the clinical relevance of cardiac biomarkers [troponin I and T, creatine kinase-MB fraction (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)] in premature calves with respiratory distress syndrome. Seventy premature calves were admitted to the clinic within 24 h after birth. Respiratory distress syndrome was diagnosed in premature calves by clinical examination and venous blood gas analysis. Ten healthy calves, aged 5 days, were used as control. Cardiac troponin I and T were analysed using ELISA and ELFA, respectively. Serum CK-MB and LDH were also analysed in an automatic analyser. The calves had low venous pH, pO2, O2 saturation and high pCO2 values consistent with dyspnoea, hypoxaemia, and inadequate oxygen delivery. Mean serum troponin I, troponin T, CK-MB and LDH levels were increased in the premature calves compared to the control group. In conclusion, the results in this study demonstrated that serum CK-MB, troponin I and troponin T concentrations could be used for evaluating myocardial injury in premature calves with respiratory distress syndrome

SELF-REGULATION OF NOVICE MIDDLE SCHOOL MATHEMATICS TEACHERS IN THE PREPARATION PROCESS FOR TEACHING

This study analyses the self-regulation (goal setting and planning) of the novice middle school mathematics teachers during the preparation phase of teaching. The study is designed as a case study. The participants are six mathematics teachers with less than five-year teaching experience. The data were collected through interviews, observations and document analysis. In regard to the observations, the teaching of certain topics (e.g., basic elements of prisms) were observed to uncover the classroom behavior of the participants. In the semi-structured interviews carried out after the class observations, the participants were asked some questions about their goals and planning concerning the related teaching activities. The findings of the study indicate that the participants do not exhibit the goal setting and planning activities that are consistent with the conceptual learning covered in the mathematics education program. It is also found that they do not set clear goals and develop detailed planning in regard to teaching activities

The Effect of Leaf Removal–Based Physical Injury on High Seed and Crude Oil Yields in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Yield in agricultural production decreases due to biotic (diseases and pests) and abiotic (salinity, drought, high temperature, etc.) stress factors. Chemical methods have been widely used to fight against biotic stress factors. However, the use of chemicals in agriculture causes extra financial cost and environmental pollution. Improvement of high yielded cultivars via plant breeding methods does not seem to be adequate for meeting food demand of increasing population. That is why, the improvement of environmentally friendly new methods for high yield is obligatory. Leaves in plants form an active surface for photosynthesis. High photosynthetic activity affects yield directly by increasing matter production. The aim of this study was to increase seed and oil yields in sunflower via leaf defoliation. Oil-type sunflower cultivars used in the study, “08-TR-003,” “TR-3080,” and “TARSAN-1018,” were obtained from the “Trakya Agricultural Research Institute.” When plants reached to “star-shaped head stage,” which is the beginning of the reproductive period, four different defoliation treatments were performed. They were control (no leaves removed), two leaves removed, four leaves removed, and six leaves removed. Half of the leaves were removed from just below the head, while the other half was removed from the middle part of the plant. After harvest, seed yield per plant, seed yield per decare, crude protein percentage, crude oil percentage, crude protein yield per decare, and crude oil yield per decare were determined. At the end of the study, it was observed that the application of defoliation, compared to the control, affected all characteristics positively

Seed Dormancy

Dormancy is when there is a lack of germination in seeds or tubers even though the required conditions (temperature, humidity, oxygen, and light) are provided. Dormancy is based on hard seed coat impermeability or the lack of supply and activity of enzymes (internal dormancy) necessary for germination. Dormancy is an important factor limiting production in many field crops. Several physical and chemical pretreatments are applied to the organic material (seeds/tubers) to overcome dormancy. Physical and physiological dormancy can be found together in some plants, and this makes it difficult to provide high-frequency, healthy seedling growth, since the formation of healthy seedlings from the organic material (seeds/tubers) sown is a prerequisite for plant production. This chapter will focus on the description of four different methods we have not seen reported elsewhere for overcoming dormancy

Changes in novel gastrointestinal and renal injury markers in the blood plasma of sheep following increasing intravenous doses of tolfenamic acid

The administration of high doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), such as tolfenamic acid (TA), has undesirable effects on different organs. Some novel biomarkers have been reported that can determine the gastrointestinal and renal injury caused by a high dose of NSAIDs or other toxic substances. This study was aimed at determining the changes in gastrointestinal (TFF2 and HYP), renal (NGAL and KIM-1) and cardiac (cTn-I, CK-MB) injury markers after the use of increasing intravenous doses of TA in sheep. TA was administered intravenously to groups of six sheep each, at the dose levels of 0 (Group 0, i.e., G0), 2 (G2), 4 (G4), 8 (G8) and 16 (G16) mg/kg. The concentrations of the studied biomarkers were measured at 3, 9, 18 and 36 h after administration of TA. The TFF2 and NGAL concentrations in G16 were found to be significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in the other groups except for G8 at different sampling times. HYP concentration in G16 was observed to be significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that in all other groups at 36 h. KIM-1 level in G16 was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in all other groups at different sampling times. An increase in the renal markers, KIM-1 and NGAL, in G8 was observed before any change in plasma creatinine and urea. The cardiac marker cTn-I in G16 was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in other groups at different sampling times. The results showed that the novel biomarkers (HYP, TFF2, NGAL, and KIM-1) can be used to determine gastric and renal injury in sheep

Effects of Rhizobacteria Application on Leaf and Fruit Nutrient Content of Different Apple Scion–Rootstock Combinations

The plant pomological characteristics and physiological behaviors of genotypes in modern apple cultivation could be different depending on the use of rootstock, changing growth ecology and application of biological control agents. The aim of this research was to determine the effects of rhizobacteria application on leaf and fruit nutrient contents in different apple scion–rootstock combinations. This study was carried out with seven standard cultivars (Scarlet Spur, Red Chief, Fuji, Jeromine, Galaxy Gala, Granny Smith, and Golden Reinders) budded on M.9 and MM.106 rootstocks. In the experiment, trees were sprayed by a nitrogen + phosphorus solvent rhizobacteria three times, with an interval of 15 days in the spring period. The effect of rhizobacteria application on leaf and fruit nutrient contents was statistically significant and provided generally significant positive contributions, except for leaf Mg content. Comparing both rootstocks, the positive effect of bacterial application was higher on the M.9 rootstock for leaf N and B content and fruit N and Fe content, and on the MM.106 rootstock for other nutrient content. While the effects of bacterial application on the basis of cultivars were generally positive, the highest positive contribution was made in leaf P content (10.7%) and fruit Mn content (32.1%) of the Fuji cultivar. Considering the total increase in nutrients in scion–rootstocks combination, rhizobacteria application had a positive effect on the leaf nutrient contents in Golden Reinders/MM.106, but not leaf K content. The highest increases in leaves of scion-rootstock combinations were determined as 4.0% in N content in Granny Smith/M.9, 14.1% in P content in Scarlet Spur/MM.106, 7.1% in K content in Fuji/MM.106, 4.4% in Ca content in Jeromine/M.9, and 14.0% in Mg content in Granny Smith/MM.106. The highest increase in fruit nutrient contents was between 4.9% (N content) and 13.5% (Ca content) for macro elements, and between 9.5% (Cu content) and 41.8% (Mn content) for microelements. The results of the present study may provide significant leads for further studies on this subject.Effects of Rhizobacteria Application on Leaf and Fruit Nutrient Content of Different Apple Scion–Rootstock CombinationspublishedVersio

Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP), pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) and thrombomodulin in bovine traumatic pericarditis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomarkers of cardiac damage such as heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP), pentraxin-3 (PTX-3), and thrombomodulin (TM) for the detection and prognosis of bovine traumatic pericarditis (TP). Spontaneous TP was diagnosed on the basis of history, clinical signs, complete blood count, glutaraldehyde test, ultrasonography, and pericardiocentesis findings. H-FABP, PTX-3 and TM levels in serum were compared between 25 Holstein cows diagnosed with spontaneous TP and 10 healthy control cows using bovine-specific ELISA kits. Serum H-FABP in cattle with TP was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in the control group and positively correlated with cardiac troponin-I (cTnI), creatine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB), PTX-3 and TM (r = 0.683, 0.342, 0.448 and 0.424, respectively; P < 0.05). The serum levels of PTX-3 (P < 0.05) and TM (P < 0.05) in cattle with TP were significantly higher than in the control group. Cardiac damage biomarkers H-FABP, PTX-3 and TM may be useful in the diagnosis of bovine TP