Investigating foliar application of bulk and nanoparticles titanium dioxide on fennel productivity to mitigate the negative effects of saline irrigation water.

BACKGROUND: Fennel essential oils are fragrance compounds used in food and pharmaceutical sectors. One of the major impediments to expansion of fennel farming in Egypt's reclamation areas is saline water. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) or TiO2 nano particles (TiO2NP) can be utilized to boost the yield of aromatic plants cultivated under saline irrigation water. Saline water, particularly which contains sodium chloride can harm fennel plant; consequently, it was predicted that fennel production would fail in Egypt's reclaimed area, where the primary source of irrigation is groundwater consisting sodium chloride. This study sought to help fennel respond to sodium chloride by applying Ti forms to their leaves in order to reduce the detrimental effects of sodium chloride on them for expanding their production in the newly reclamation areas as a natural source of essential oil. Ti forms were applied as foliar application at 0, 0.1, 0.2 TiO2, 0.1 TiO2NP, and 0.2 TiO2NP, mM under irrigation with fresh water (0.4 dS m-1), or saline water (51.3 mM or 4.7 dS m-1). RESULTS: Plants exposed to 0.1 mM TiO2NP under fresh water resulted in the maximum values of morphological characters, estragole, oxygenated monoterpenes and photosynthetic pigments; while those subjected to 0.1 mM TiO2NP under saline water gave the greatest values of essential oil, proline, antioxidant enzymes and phenols. The greatest amounts of soluble sugars were recorded with 0.2 mM TiO2NP irrigated with saline water. Plants subjected to 0 mM TiO2 under saline water produced the greatest values of flavonoids, hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde. CONCLUSION: To mitigate the negative effects of salty irrigation water on fennel plant production, TiO2NP application is suggested as a potential strategy.

Gallic acid affects chamomile flower's essential oil.

Chamomile essential oil is used in the food and medicinal industries. Gallic acid has been identified as one of the most significant biological elicitors. At dosages of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/L, Gallic acid was sprayed on chamomile plants. The yield of flowers and essential oils in dry flowers were assessed. The averages of data were examined statistically using one-way analysis of variance. Oxygenated sesquiterpenes were a major chemical group, while α-bisabolol oxide A, α-bisabolol and chamazulene were the three main components of essential oil. When administered 15 mg/L Gallic acid, plants produced their most flowers and had the highest quantities of the essential oil, α-bisabolol oxide A, α-bisabolol and chamazulene. Essential oil extracted from untreated control plants had the highest concentration of oxygenated sesquiterpenes. It can be infer that Gallic acid increases the production of essential oil and alters its chemical constituents which alter its biological activity.

Glutathione to ameliorate growth criterions and chemical constituents of geranium irrigated with salt water.

Essential oil of geranium (Pelargonium graveolensL) has biological activities that make it used in food and pharmaceutical manufactures. High salinity is one of the factors that lead to lack of expansion in the production of medicinal and aromatic plants, especially in the new reclaimed soil located at arid and semi arid regions. Glutathione is a natural antioxidant that can help plants to withstand unfavorable environmental conditions such as the salinity of irrigation water. This trial aimed to diminish the undesirable effect of exposure to irrigation with salt water on geranium herbs through subjected them to exogenous application of glutathione. Geranium plants were irrigated with various concentrations of salt water with sodium chloride (0.0, 34.2, 51.3, and 68.4 mM) without (0 mg/L) or with glutathione (375 mg/L). Plants exposed to various rates of saline irrigation water with glutathione resulted in higher values of growth criterions (fresh and dry aerial parts), photosynthetic pigments, carbohydrates, protein, proline, essential oil (% or yield), antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase and superoxide dismutase), nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, manganese and copper than those subjected to saline irrigation water without glutathione. Higher amounts were found in sodium and chloride of plant treated with saline irrigation water than those treated saline irrigation water with glutathione. It may be summarized that productivity of geranium plants can be improved with adapting them under saline irrigation conditions by adding glutathione. This trial benefits the producers of geranium to alleviate the hurtful effects of salinity in reclaimed regions with adding glutathione.

Feasibility of Transcatheter Closure of Large Secundum Atrial Septal Defect with Absent Superior or Inferior Rim.

Introduction: Surgical closure of a large secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) with an absent superior or inferior rim is the standard method of management, but transcatheter closure of such a defect is possible and feasible. Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of transcatheter closure of large secundum ASD with an absent superior or inferior rim through implantation of a cheatham platinum (CP) stent at the entrance of the superior vena cava (SVC) or inferior vena cava (IVC) into the right atrium (RA) to create a suitable rim for subsequent complete closure of the defect using a septal occluder. Patients and Methods. This case series was carried out at Ibn Al-Bitar Center for Cardiac Surgery, Baghdad, Iraq from 2014 to 2019, five patients underwent such transcatheter approach for closure of large secundum ASD with the absent superior or inferior rim by implantation of CP stent at the entrance of vena cave into the RA. Result: The ages and weights of patients who were enrolled in this study ranged from 9-31 years (15.2 ± 9 years) and 31.5-62 kg (42.6 ± 12 kg). Three patients had absent superior rims, and the other two had absent inferior rims. The Q p /Q s was ranged from 1.9-3.2 (2.78 ± 0.29), and the mean pulmonary arterial pressure ranged from 22-29 mmHg (25.4 ± 3 mmHg). The defects with an absent superior rim were closed successfully by implantation of CP stents of 45, 45, and 39 mm to create a rim which supported the left atrial disc of 30, 38, and 32 mm atrial septal occluder (ASO), respectively, while large secundum ASD with an absent inferior rim could be effectively closed by implantation of two overlapping bare CP stents of 45 mm to create an IVC rim that supported 34 mm and 30 mm atrial septal occluder. Conclusion and recommendation. Transcatheter closure of large secundum ASD with absent superior or inferior rim is possible and effective by implantation of covered and bare CP stents at the entrance of SVC and IVC, respectively. Although these procedures are relatively difficult and challenging, especially in the closure of large defects associated with absent inferior rim, they carry a high risk of stent migration (8 zig, 45 mm), so we recommend using a CP-stent (10 zig, 60 mm).

Transcatheter closure of sinus venosus atrial septal defect with anomalous pulmonary venous drainage: Innovative technique with long-term follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical closure of sinus venosus atrial septal defect (SVASD) is the standard management. A safe and effective transcatheter approach will be an attractive option. OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility and long-term safety of transcatheter closure of SVASD with anomalous pulmonary venous drainage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From July 2011 to October 2013, four patients with large SVASD and anomalous right upper pulmonary venous (RUPV) drainage underwent transcatheter closure of their defects at Ibn-Albitar Center for Cardiac Surgery, Baghdad, Iraq. Two patients with superior vena cava (SVC)-type SVASD underwent closure using covered Cheatham-Platinum (CP) stents with no need for septal occluder. The other two patients had large RA-type SVASD who underwent closure using covered CP stents only in one patient and stents and device in the other one. An angiogram in the RUPV during balloon inflation in the SVC was done to ensure that the RUPV drains back to the left atrium. The covered CP stent was mounted and hand crimped onto Z-Med™ or BIB-balloon catheters and deployed in the desired location under transesophageal echocardiography guidance. RESULTS: The two patients with SVC-type SVASD underwent successful closure using two overlapping covered CP stents implanted in the SVC, thus creating total septation between the SVC and the RUPV. The RA-type SVASD patients underwent closure using two overlapping covered CP stents. One with mild to moderate residual shunt that completely disappeared at 12 months follow-up after implantation of a second 45 mm CP stent. A significant residual shunt in the second patient was closed successfully using a PFO device. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter closure of SVASD through SVC stent insertion with or without subsequent device implantation is feasible and effective.