Biocontrol of cantaloupe damping-off disease caused by Fusarium semitectum by using formulations of antagonistic fungi

oai:ojs.ppmj.net:article/2Antagonistic capability of 19 isolates of fungi isolated from rizosphere of cantaloupe plants was tested in vitro against growth of Fusarium semitectum isolate the causal pathogen of damping- off of cantaloupe. Trichoderma viride (isolate no. 17), T. harzianum (isolate no. 19) and Fusarium concolar  (isolate no.4) showed  significant  percentage of inhibition  against  to  F. semitectum. The effect of carrier formulations of antagonistic fungi (talc based powder and rice bran) on damping-off of cantaloupe were tested under greenhouse and field conditions.  In greenhouse experiments, application of antagonistic fungi with rice bran formulation two weeks before planting caused the highest percentage of survival plants in pre and post damping-off (83.33 and 75%, respectively), whereas application of talc based powder formulation significantly increased percentage of plant survival at the time of planting in pre and post damping-off (91.67 and 75%, respectively). In field experiments, application of tested formulations of antagonistic fungi to infested soil with F. semitectum two weeks before planting resulted in higher percentage of plant survival in pre and post damping-off in both teste

Serine Protease Variants Encoded by Echis ocellatus Venom Gland cDNA: Cloning and Sequencing Analysis

Envenoming by Echis saw-scaled viper is the leading cause of death and morbidity in Africa due to snake bite. Despite its medical importance, there have been few investigations into the toxin composition of the venom of this viper. Here, we report the cloning of cDNA sequences encoding four groups or isoforms of the haemostasis-disruptive Serine protease proteins (SPs) from the venom glands of Echis ocellatus. All these SP sequences encoded the cysteine residues scaffold that form the 6-disulphide bonds responsible for the characteristic tertiary structure of venom serine proteases. All the Echis ocellatus EoSP groups showed varying degrees of sequence similarity to published viper venom SPs. However, these groups also showed marked intercluster sequence conservation across them which were significantly different from that of previously published viper SPs. Because viper venom SPs exhibit a high degree of sequence similarity and yet exert profoundly different effects on the mammalian haemostatic system, no attempt was made to assign functionality to the new Echis ocellatus EoSPs on the basis of sequence alone. The extraordinary level of interspecific and intergeneric sequence conservation exhibited by the Echis ocellatus EoSPs and analogous serine proteases from other viper species leads us to speculate that antibodies to representative molecules should neutralise (that we will exploit, by epidermal DNA immunization) the biological function of this important group of venom toxins in vipers that are distributed throughout Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent

Effects of Poly-MVA on the rheological properties of blood after in-vivo exposure to gamma radiation

AbstractThis study aims to examine the radio-prophylactic effects of poly-MVA against exposure to acute dose of gamma radiation. Adult male rats, weighing 200 gm, were exposed to 6 Gy gamma radiation from Cs-137 source. The animals received daily oral administration of 2 ml/kg body weight of poly-MVA for different time intervals. The prophylactic effect was examined by two modes of administration: two weeks before irradiation and another group which received continuous administration for two weeks before and two other weeks after irradiation (total time of administration 28 days). Different parameters were performed, which include determination of cellular antioxidant enzymes (Glutathione (GSH), catalase and superoxide dismutase) in hepatic cells, the rheological properties of blood, osmotic fragility and scanning electron microscope photography of red blood cells. Exposure to radiation resulted in a significant decrease in cellular antioxidant enzymes (GSH, Catalase and SOD) and decrease in Bingham viscosity, yield stress and aggregation index of blood. Furthermore it induced slightly increase in average osmotic fragility of red blood cells accompanied by decrease in osmotic dispersion and remarkable modification of red blood cell morphology. Administration of Poly-MVA showed markedly elevation in GSH, Catalase and SOD content in liver cells in all treated groups. It also showed improvement in all observed parameters. The obtained results showed that oral uptake of poly MVA posses a radio-prophylactic effect that might be used in planned radiation exposure in diagnosis and radiotherapy

Radio-mitigation effect of poly-MVA after exposure to an acute dose of gamma radiation

AbstractAdult male rats were exposed to a 6Gy single dose from a Cs-137 source. The radio-mitigation effect of poly-MVA was evaluated by daily administration of 2ml/kg of body weight immediately after irradiation for two weeks. The morphological changes in the red blood cells were studied. The osmotic fragility and rheological properties of blood, the alteration in the contents of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase) and lipid peroxidation in hepatic cells were determined. The results showed that exposure to radiation resulted in significant changes in cellular antioxidant enzymes (GSH, catalase and SOD) and a decrease in the blood Bingham viscosity, yield stress and aggregation index. Furthermore, it induced a slight increase in the average osmotic fragility of red blood cells accompanied by a decrease in osmotic dispersion, as well as a modification of red blood cell morphology. It also caused a significant increase (75%) in the lipid peroxidation 1 day after exposure to radiation, which persisted until the 14th day recorded after irradiation. Oral administration of poly-MVA after irradiation reduced the radiation-induced damage, as seen in the non-significant change in lipid peroxidation compared to the control. It also resulted in improvement in the observed parameters

Photo-identification of Dugongs in Marsa Alam and Wadi El Gemal National Park, Egypt

1351-1358Using photo-identification techniques, 30 dugongs were recorded at the southern Egyptian Red Sea coast between December 2015 and October 2017, 16 at Marsa Alam and 14 at Wadi El Gemal National Park (WGNP). Males were recorded seven times more frequently than females and calves were also recorded. A Photo ID catalogue was prepared for the dugongs with records of their occurrence among sites. We confirmed the presence of particular dugong specific sites. Long- and short-distance movements within the study sites were recorded for eight different dugongs. This is the first study to document the number of dugongs in inshore areas of the Egyptian Red Sea coast. Further studies are recommended for offshore sites in WGNP for better documentation of this group of animals

Photo-identification of Dugongs in Marsa Alam and Wadi El Gemal National Park, Egypt

1351-1358Using photo-identification techniques, 30 dugongs were recorded at the southern Egyptian Red Sea coast between December 2015 and October 2017, 16 at Marsa Alam and 14 at Wadi El Gemal National Park (WGNP). Males were recorded seven times more frequently than females and calves were also recorded. A Photo ID catalogue was prepared for the dugongs with records of their occurrence among sites. We confirmed the presence of particular dugong specific sites. Long- and short-distance movements within the study sites were recorded for eight different dugongs. This is the first study to document the number of dugongs in inshore areas of the Egyptian Red Sea coast. Further studies are recommended for offshore sites in WGNP for better documentation of this group of animals

Will the development of artificial intelligence cause a global war?

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked intense debates and speculation about its potential impacts on society. While AI offers significant promise in various domains, including healthcare, transportation, and communication, concerns have been raised about its potential role in triggering global conflicts. This study delves into the question: Will the development of artificial intelligence cause a global war? By examining the current landscape of AI technology, analyzing potential risks, and exploring policy considerations, we aim to provide insights into this complex and thought-provoking issue

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of F3:6 Nebraska Winter Wheat Genotypes Using Genotyping-By-Sequencing

The availability of information on the genetic diversity and population structure in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding lines will help wheat breeders to better use their genetic resources and manage genetic variation in their breeding program. The recent advances in sequencing technology provide the opportunity to identify tens or hundreds of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in large genome species (e.g., wheat). These SNPs can be utilized for understanding genetic diversity and performing genome wide association studies (GWAS) for complex traits. In this study, the genetic diversity and population structure were investigated in a set of 230 genotypes (F3:6) derived from various crosses as a prerequisite for GWAS and genomic selection. Genotyping-by-sequencing provided 25,566 high-quality SNPs. The polymorphism information content (PIC) across chromosomes ranged from 0.09 to 0.37 with an average of 0.23. The distribution of SNPs markers on the 21 chromosomes ranged from 319 on chromosome 3D to 2,370 on chromosome 3B. The analysis of population structure revealed three subpopulations (G1, G2, and G3). Analysis of molecular variance identified 8% variance among and 92% within subpopulations. Of the three subpopulations, G2 had the highest level of genetic diversity based on three genetic diversity indices: Shannon’s information index (I) = 0.494, diversity index (h) = 0.328 and unbiased diversity index (uh) = 0.331, while G3 had lowest level of genetic diversity (I = 0.348, h = 0.226 and uh = 0.236). This high genetic diversity identified among the subpopulations can be used to develop new wheat cultivars