Capturing growth indices on the road to health booklets in clinics in Free State, South Africa.

Background: Growth monitoring plays an essential role in the development of young children. Anthropometric indices are of utmost importance for healthcare professionals to identify children at risk of inadequate growth and malnutrition. Aim: This study aimed to assess the capturing of the growth indices in the Road to Health Booklets (RTHB) in clinics. Setting: The study was carried out in Mangaung Metropolitan municipal clinics in the Free State province, South Africa. Methods: A descriptive quantitative study was conducted using a checklist to audit 264 RTHBs. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. Results: The findings showed that birth weight was recorded in most 99% (n = 262) of the RTHBs. The mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) was not recorded in 58% (n = 153) of the cases during the last visit. Weight-for-Age (WfA) was routinely plotted in 91% (n = 241) of the RTHB. The length or Height-for-Age (LHfA) was plotted in 38% (n = 99) of the RTHB and Weight-for-Length or height (WfLH) was plotted in 31% (n = 81) of the RTHB. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that certain anthropometric measures including MUAC, length, or height were absent from the records of the RTHB. Consequently, RTHB may not be effectively used as a means of evaluating nutritional status, affecting early detection of malnutrition in children. Contribution: The research makes a valuable addition to the existing body of knowledge for monitoring growth and measurement of anthropometric indices in the RTHB, as well as the appropriate execution of these practices.

Dietary inclusion of Withania somnifera and Asparagus racemosus induces growth, activities of digestive enzymes, and transcriptional modulation of MyoD, MyoG, Myf5, and MRF4 genes in fish, Channa punctatus.

The present study explores growth potential of two medicinal herbs, Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha or 'A') and Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari or 'S') after their dietary inclusion in fish, Channa punctatus (13.5 ± 2 g; 11.5 ± 1 cm). Three hundred well-acclimatized fish were distributed into 10 groups- C (Control), S1 (1% S), S2 (2% S), S3 (3% S), A1 (1% A), A2 (2% A), A3 (3% A), AS1 (1% A and S), AS2 (2% A and S), and AS3 (3% A and S), each having 10 specimens. Fish were fed with these diets for 60 days. The study was performed in triplicate. Growth indices- weight gain (WG), specific growth rate percentage (SGR%), feed intake (FI), and condition factor (CF), after 30 and 60 days, were found significantly (p < 0.05) up-regulated in all the groups, except S1, when compared to the C. A significant (p < 0.05) increase in final body weight (FBW) was noticed in all the groups, except S1, after 60 days. Relative to the control group, activities of lipase and amylase in the gut tissue were elevated in all groups, at both sampling times, with the exception of lipase in S1 at 60 days, and amylase in S1 at day 30 and day 60 and S2 at day 60. The mRNA expression of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) was also found to be significantly (p < 0.05) up-regulated with the highest fold changes recorded in AS3 for myoD (3.93 ± 0.91); myoG (6.71 ± 0.30); myf5 (4.40 ± 0.33); MRF4 (4.94 ± 0.21) in comparison to the C.

Nutritive evaluation of dried cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) waste meal as feed for grower-finisher pigs.

This research investigated the nutritive value of dried cabbage waste meal (CWM) as feed for grower-finisher pigs. One hundred crossbred (Large white X Landrace; 86.10 ± 0.15 kg BW) clinically certified grower-finisher pigs of equal sexes were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments with five replicates per treatment in a completely randomized design. The control diet (T0 Diet) contained 1000 g kg-1DM concentrate without CWM, while diets T50, T100, T150 and T200 had 50, 100, 150 and 200 g kg-1 DM levels of inclusion of CWM, respectively, replacing parts of the total mixed ration (TMR). Data were collected on growth performance, carcass indices, blood biochemical profiles, and economics characteristics of pigs. The study lasted for 8 weeks. Feed and water were available ad libitum. Feed intake (2336.74-2651.01 g/d) increased (p < 0.05) while weight gain (913.04-877.53 g/d) and feed conversion ratio (2.56-3.02) were better (p < 0.05) among pigs fed T0, T50 and T100 diets. Carcass parameters followed the same trend as growth indices (p < 0.05). Red blood cell counts (6.04-8.57 × 1012/L), haemoglobin (15.10-18.35 g/dl) and neutrophils (21.28-25.88%) concentrations increased (p < 0.05) among pigs fed cabbage waste meal. Aspartate aminotransferase concentrations (33.25-40.23 U/L) increased (p < 0.05) significantly among pigs fed T100, T150 and T200 diets. Total cost of feeding (61.19-56.27 $) reduced (p < 0.05) with similar gross benefits (48.97-52.30 $) across the treatment groups. The results suggest that up to 100 g kg-1 CWM could be incorporated into pig diets to improve their growth performance and support profitable pig production.

Nano Iron Versus Bulk Iron Forms as Functional Feed Additives: Growth, Body Indices, Hematological Assay, Plasma Metabolites, Immune, Anti-oxidative Ability, and Intestinal Morphometric Measurements of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.

The current study aimed to compare the utilization efficiency of iron (Fe) feed additives from either bulk or nano sources in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus diets on growth, haematological, immunity, anti-oxidative, and intestinal topography capacities. Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were performed; the basal diet served as a control with no Fe added, whereas the experimental diets were shaped by adding bulk-Fe2O3 and nano-Fe2O3 to the basal diet to preserve Fe levels at 0.2 and 0.4 mg kg-1, respectively. Results indicated that superior growth performance was recorded in fish-fed diets supplemented with 0.4 nano-Fe2O3 mg kg-1 diet. In addition, the highest (P ≤ 0.05) survival rate, absorption area of villous (AAV), mucosal to serosal amplification ratio (MSR), and villi parameters (height and width) were noticed in fish fed diet enrichment with either bulk or nano-Fe2O3 source. However, the superiority observed in nano-Fe2O3 fish groups. Also, the highest values of plasma albumin, total protein, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), white blood cells (WBCs), and lymphocyte absolute count (LYM) (P ≤ 0.05) recorded in fish fed a diet supplemented with nano-Fe2O3 versus the basal diet. Moreover, the highest values of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and plasma lysozyme activity (P ≤ 0.05) were observed in fish fed 0.4 mg/kg-1 nano-Fe2O3, while the lowest value was recorded in fish fed the control diet. The best value of malondialdehyde activity (P ≤ 0.05) recorded in a fish-fed diet supplemented with 0.4 mg/kg-1 nano-Fe2O3. The current findings emphasize the importance of including Fe to improve fish growth, immunity, antioxidant capabilities, and intestinal structure, primarily with a nano-Fe source, which demonstrated a more effective function in satisfying Nile tilapia dietary Fe requirements and improving the aforementioned parameters.

Exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid improves the photosynthesis efficiency, soluble sugar contents, and mineral nutrients in pomegranate plants exposed to drought, salinity, and drought-salinity stresses.

BACKGROUND: γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), as a regulator of many aspects of plant growth, has a pivotal role in improving plant stress resistance. However, few studies have focused on the use of GABA in increasing plants' resistance to interactional stresses, such as drought-salinity. Therefore, the focus of this study was to examine the effect of foliar application of GABA (0, 10, 20, and 40 mM) on growth indices and physio-biochemical parameters in plants of two pomegranate cultivars, 'Rabab' and 'Atabaki' exposed to drought, salinity, and drought-salinity. RESULTS: Under stress conditions, the photosynthetic capacity of two pomegranate cultivars, including transpiration rate, net photosynthetic rate, intercellular carbon dioxide concentration, stomatal conductance of water vapour, and mesophyll conductance, was significantly reduced. This resulted in a decrease in root morphological traits such as fresh and dry weight, diameter, and volume, as well as the fresh and dry weight of the aerial part of the plants. However, the application of GABA reversed the negative effects caused by stress treatments on growth parameters and maintained the photosynthetic capacity. GABA application has induced the accumulation of compatible osmolytes, including total soluble carbohydrate, starch, glucose, fructose, and sucrose, in charge of providing energy for cellular defense response against abiotic stresses. Analysis of mineral nutrients has shown that GABA application increases the absorption of potassium, potassium/sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, and iron. As concentration increased up to 40 mM, GABA prevented the uptake of toxic ions, sodium and chloride. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the potential of GABA as a biostimulant strategy to enhance plant stress tolerance.

Changes in Growth and Feeding Characteristics during Early Ontogenesis in Threadsail Filefish, Stephanolepis cirrhifer.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the growth and feeding characteristics of threadsail filefish, Stephanolepis cirrhifer, during early ontogenesis. METHODS: The growth indices of hatchlings fed compound feed were measured from 0 to 50 days post hatching (dph). The absorption time of the yolk sac and oil globule, as well as the rate of first feeding were measured to characterise the early growth stage and determine the point-of-no-return (PNR). Feeding characteristics and rhythms were investigated under a light/dark cycle and under continuous light. RESULTS: Growth indices increased significantly at 24, 28, 30, 40, 45, and 50 dph. The yolk sac and oil globules were completely absorbed before 4 dph, indicative of a short mixed-nutrition period at 3-4 dph. Under starvation conditions, the first feeding rate was highest (86%) at 0.5 dph and then decreased to 53.3% at 1.5 dph and 26.2% at 2 dph, suggesting that the PNR occurs at 1.5-2 dph. The feeding peak appeared at 15:00-18:00 and under light conditions, while the feeding trough appeared at 0:00-3:00. CONCLUSIONS: Compound feed supplied adequate nutrition for early growth and development. The peaks and troughs of feeding times were indicative of daytime feeding behaviour. These results provide guidance for successful rearing of filefish seedlings and juveniles.

The muscle nutritional components analysis of golden pompano (Trachinotus blochii) in different mariculture area, growth stages, and genders.

Golden pompano (Trachinotus blochii) is an economically important fish which exhibits sexual size dimorphism and is widely cultivated in the southern seas of China. To evaluate the nutritional composition of T. blochii of different mariculture areas, growth stages, and genders, the moisture, ash, amino acids, and fatty acids in the muscle were measured using national standard biochemical assay. The analysis found 16 kinds of amino acids in the muscle of T. blochii. The EAA contents of fish from Guangdong (GD) and Guangxi (GX) were significantly lower than those of Hainan (HN) and Fujian (FJ) (p < 0.05). The unsaturated fatty acids were higher in T. blochii cultured in HN and FJ (p < 0.05). Within the same sea area, the contents of TAA, EAA, DAA, and PUFA increased with growth in T. blochii, but the differences were not significant (p > 0.05). EAA/TAA and EAA/NEAA conformed to the ideal FAO/WHO model. The AAS, CS, and EAAI scores of amino acids within groups gradually increased with growth. The TAA, EAA and PUFA contents in females were higher than in males (p > 0.05). The slightly higher amounts of amino acids and fatty acids in female T. blochii indicated females had higher nutritional value. In conclusion, the HN and FJ groups, the later growth stages, and the female T. blochii had generally higher nutritional values than their respective counterparts. These results provide fundamental data supporting all-female T. blochii breeding and culture, and optimized marketing body size.

Growth, tolerance and safety outcomes with use of an extensively hydrolyzed casein-based formula in infants with cow's milk protein allergy.

Objective: To evaluate growth, tolerance and safety outcomes with use of an extensively hydrolyzed casein-based formula (eHCF) in infants with cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA). Methods: A total of 226 infants (mean ± SD age: 106.5 ± 39.5 days, 52.7% were girls) with CMPA who received eHCF comprising at least half of the daily dietary intake were included. Data on anthropometrics [weight for age (WFA), length for age (LFA) and weight for length (WFL) z-scores] were recorded at baseline (visit 1), while data on infant feeding and stool records, anthropometrics and Infant Feeding and Stool Patterns and Formula Satisfaction Questionnaires were recorded at visit 2 (on Days 15 ± 5) and visit 3 (on Days 30 ± 5). Results: From baseline to visit 2 and visit 3, WFA z-scores (from -0.60 ± 1.13 to -0.54 ± 1.09 at visit 2, and to -0.44 ± 1.05 at visit 3, p < 0.001) and WFL z-scores (from -0.80 ± 1.30 to -0.71 ± 1.22 at visit 2, and to -0.64 ± 1.13 at visit 3, p = 0.002) were significantly increased. At least half of infants never experienced irritability or feeding refusal (55.7%) and spit-up after feeding (50.2%). The majority of mothers were satisfied with the study formula (93.2%), and wished to continue using it (92.2%). Conclusions: In conclusion, eHCF was well-accepted and tolerated by an intended use population of infants ≤ 6 months of age with CMPA and enabled adequate volume consumption and improved growth indices within 30 days of utilization alongside a favorable gastrointestinal tolerance and a high level of parental satisfaction.

Maternal serum dioxin-like activity and gestational age at birth and indices of foetal growth: The Aarhus birth cohort.

Human exposure to lipophilic persistent organic pollutants (lipPOP) is ubiquitous and life-long, beginning during foetal development. Exposure to lipPOP elicits a number of species and tissue specific responses including dioxin-like activity which involve the activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). This study aims i) to describe the combined dioxin-like activity in serum from Danish pregnant women collected during 2011-2013; ii) to assess the association between maternal serum dioxin-like activity, gestational age at birth and foetal growth indices. The serum lipPOP fraction was extracted using Solid Phase Extraction and cleaned-up on Supelco multi-layer silica and florisil columns. The combined dioxin-like activity of the extract was determined using the AhR reporter gene bioassay, expressed as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) toxic equivalent (TEQ) [AhR-TEQ (pg/g lipid)]. The associations of AhR-TEQ and foetal growth indices (birth weight, birth length and head circumference) and gestational age were assessed by linear regression models. We detected AhR-TEQ in 93.9 % of maternal first trimester serum samples, with a median level of 185 pg/g lipid. Each ln-unit increase in AhR-TEQ was associated with an increase in birth weight of 36 g (95 % CI: 5; 68), birth length of 0.2 cm (95 % CI: 0.01; 0.3) and pregnancy duration of 1 day (95 % CI: 0; 1.5). In women who never smoked, higher AhR-TEQ values were associated with higher birth weight and longer duration of gestation, while in smokers the association was the opposite. Mediation analyses suggested that gestational age may mediate the association of AhR-TEQ with foetal growth indices. We conclude that AhR activating substances are present in the bloodstream of almost all pregnant women in Denmark and the AhR-TEQ level was around four times higher than previously reported. The AhR-TEQ was associated with slightly longer gestational duration and thereby higher birth weight and birth length.

Studies on phytoremediation of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) using Acacia plant species (Fabaceae).

Soils contaminated with elevated levels of toxic heavy metals affect the soil quality. Phytoremediation is one of the constructive methods used in the mitigation of toxic metals from the soil. A pot experiment was performed by application of eight different concentrations of CCA viz 250, 500, 750, 1,000, 1,250, 1,500, 2,000, and 2,500 mg kg-1 soil to evaluate the efficiency of Acacia mangium and Acacia auriculiformis in phytoremediation of CCA compounds. Results showed that the shoot and root length, height, collar diameter, and biomass of the seedlings were significantly reduced with increase in CCA concentrations. The roots of the seedlings accumulated 1.5- to 2.0-fold higher amounts of CCA than in stem and leaves. The amount of Cr, Cu, and As found in the roots of A. mangium and A. auriculiformis at 2,500 mg CCA were 10.01 and 10.13, 8.51 and 8.84 mg, and 0.18 and 0.33 mg g-1, respectively. Similarly, the amount of Cr, Cu, and As found in stem and leaves were 4.33 and 7.84, 3.51 and 6.62, and 0.10 and 0.11 mg g-1, respectively. The quantity of Cr, Cu, and As found in stem and leaves were 5.95 and 9.00, 4.86 and 7.18, and 0.09 and 0.14 mg g-1, respectively. Overall, the present study advocates potential use of A. mangium and A. auriculiformis in phytoremediation of Cr, Cu, and As contaminated soils.

Phytoremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals is well documented. Interestingly, information on the influence of Acacia tree species in remediation of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is scanty. We found that the higher concentrations of CCA (1,000­5,000 mg) significantly reduced the seed germination, growth, and biomass of seedlings. Further, the results revealed that accumulation of Cr, Cu, and As were 1.5- to 2-fold higher in roots than in shoots. Present study adds knowledge on efficacy of Acacia mangium and Acacia auriculiformis in phytoremediation of CCA contaminated soils.

Exposure to persistent organic pollutants in Danish pregnant women: Hormone levels and fetal growth indices.

This study examines possible associations of maternal Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) exposure during pregnancy, maternal hormone levels and fetal growth indices (FGI). During 1st trimester, we measured maternal thyroids, androgens and estrogens, lipophilic POP and perfluorinated-alkyl-acid (PFAA) levels in serum from nulliparous women. Adjusted multivariate-linear regression models assessed associations between exposure and outcomes. Maternal characteristics and POP exposures associated with maternal hormone levels. Lipophilic POP elicited inverse association with androgen and estrogen levels but no strong association with thyroids. Higher level of PFAA was associated with higher thyroid and androgen levels. The PFAA did not associate with estrogens. Higher thyroid-peroxidase-antibody (TPO-Ab) and estradiol level associated with higher birth weight and length in sons. For daughters, the TPO-Ab associations were the opposite being inversely associated with birth weight and length, and higher TPO-Ab and estradiol associated with lower gestational age. Mediation analyses suggested that TPO-Ab mediates the association of PFAA with FGI.

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) Response to Cadmium Stress: Morpho-Physiological Traits and Mineral Concentrations.

Cadmium is a widely distributed heavy metal in agricultural soils that affects plant growth and productivity. In this context, the current study investigated the effects of different cadmium (Cd) doses (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg L-1 of CdSO4) on the growth and physiological attributes of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) including plant height (cm), root length (cm), fresh weight (g) of root, stem, and leaves, leaf number, macro and micro-nutrients, Se, and heavy metal (Cd, Cr, and Pb) content. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replicates. The results showed that Cd stress significantly negatively affected all growth indices, macro- and micro-nutrients, and heavy metal content. In addition, it increased the MDA and APX activities. The highest amounts of Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, K, Na, Cd, Cr, and Cu were determined in plant roots, while the highest values of Ca and Mg were detected in plant stem tissues. High Cd doses decreased the content of Ca, K, Mg, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn in safflower plant tissues by 45.47%, 39.33%, 79.28%, 68.21%, 37.06%, 66.67%, 45.62%, 50.38%, 54.37%, 33.33% and 65.87%, respectively, as compared to the control treatments.

Dioxin-like Activity in Pregnant Women and Indices of Fetal Growth: The ACCEPT Birth Cohort.

Exposure to lipophilic persistent organic pollutants (lipPOPs) elicits a number of species- and tissue-specific toxic responses, many of which involve the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). This study aims to measure the combined serum dioxin-like activity of lipPOPs in Greenlandic Inuit pregnant women and the associations with fetal growth indices. The combined dioxin-like activity of serum lipPOPs extracts was determined using the AhR reporter gene bioassay and expressed as pico-gram (pg) TCDD equivalent (TEQ) per gram serum lipid [AhR-TEQ (pg/g lipid)]. Significant AhR-TEQ was found in >87% of serum samples with the median level of 86.2 pg TEQ/g lipid. The AhR-TEQ level positively correlated with the marine food intake biomarker n-3/n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio, while negatively correlated with body mass index and parity. Women giving birth to infants with low birth weight (<2500 g) and length (<50 cm) had higher AhR-TEQ level compared to those with normal weight and length infants. For previous smokers, we found significant inverse associations between maternal AhR-TEQ level and fetal growth indices. In conclusion, exposure of Greenlandic Inuit pregnant women to dioxin-like compounds through traditional marine food can adversely influence the fetal growth via induced AhR activity. Smoking might have modifying effects.

Equality of Ultradifferentiable Classes by Means of Indices of Mixed O-regular Variation.

We characterize the equality between ultradifferentiable function classes defined in terms of abstractly given weight matrices and in terms of the corresponding matrix of associated weight functions by using new growth indices. These indices, defined by means of weight sequences and (associated) weight functions, are extending the notion of O-regular variation to a mixed setting. Hence we are extending the known comparison results concerning classes defined in terms of a single weight sequence and of a single weight function and give also these statements an interpretation expressed in O-regular variation.

Evaluation of Diet Supplementation with Wheat Grass Juice on Growth Performance, Body Composition and Blood Biochemical Profile of Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

Wheat grass juice (WGJ) is an extract of young wheat plantlets (Triticum aetivum L.) used worldwide for its health related properties. In this study, the following feeds containing WGJ were tested on common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.): Control (C), WGJ1% (V1), WGJ2% (V2) and WGJ4% (V3) w/w. Fish with an average initial weight of 102 g/individual were grown in a recirculating aquaculture system. The results showed that WGJ had stimulatory effects on growth performance. Accordingly, final body weight increased by 11% at V1, 39% at V2 and 23% at V3, while other indices (feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, relative growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, and condition factor) were unaffected. Body composition analyses revealed a significant decrease in fat content at V2 and a significant increase in collagen and ash at the same variant, while the protein content was unmodified. Regarding the blood profile, significant increases in the content of albumin, globulin, total protein, and calcium were recorded in the variants with WGJ. The positive results of WGJ on carp can be attributed to its biochemical composition, which is rich in chlorophyll (4.71 mg mL-1), total phenols (164 µg mL-1 gallic acid equivalents), and high antioxidant activity (67% inhibition of DPPH 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). The results suggest WGJ can be used as a promising feed additive for common carp.

Antioxidant Responses in Copepods Are Driven Primarily by Food Intake, Not by Toxin-Producing Cyanobacteria in the Diet.

The association between oxidative processes and physiological responses has received much attention in ecotoxicity assessment. In the Baltic Sea, bloom-forming cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena is a significant producer of various bioactive compounds, and both positive and adverse effects on grazers feeding in cyanobacteria blooms are reported. To elucidate the effect mechanisms and species sensitivity to the cyanobacteria-dominating diet, we exposed two Baltic copepods, Acartia bifilosa and Eurytemora affinis, to a diet consisting of toxin-producing cyanobacteria N. spumigena and a high-quality food Rhodomonas salina at 0-300 µg C L-1; the control food was R. salina provided as a monodiet at the same food levels. The subcellular responses to food type and availability were assayed using a suite of biomarkers - antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutases (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferases (GST)] and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). In parallel, we measured feeding activity using gut content (GC) assayed by real-time PCR analysis that quantified amounts of the prey DNA in copepod stomachs. As growth and reproduction endpoints, individual RNA content (a proxy for protein synthesis capacity), egg production rate (EPR), and egg viability (EV%) were used. In both toxic and nontoxic foods, copepod GC, RNA content, and EPR increased with food availability. Antioxidant enzyme activities increased with food availability regardless of the diet type. Moreover, CAT (both copepods), SOD, and GST (A. bifilosa) were upregulated in the copepods receiving cyanobacteria; the response was detectable when adjusted for the feeding and/or growth responses. By contrast, the diet effects were not significant when food concentration was used as a co-variable. A bimodal response in AChE was observed in A. bifilosa feeding on cyanobacteria, with up to 52% increase at the lower levels (5-25 µg C L-1) and 32% inhibition at the highest food concentrations. These findings contribute to the refinement of biomarker use for assessing environmental stress and mechanistic understanding of cyanobacteria effects in grazers. They also suggest that antioxidant and AChE responses to feeding activity and diet should be accounted for when using biomarker profiles in field-collected animals in the Baltic Sea and, perhaps other systems, where toxic cyanobacteria are common.

An assessment of growth, floral morphology, and metabolites of a medicinal plant Sida cordifolia L. under the influence of elevated ozone.

Tropospheric ozone (O3) is a major secondary air pollutant and greenhouse gas, and its impact on growth, yield, and its quality is well established in the case of crop plants. However, the effects of tropospheric O3 have not been comprehensively studied on medicinal plants. Therefore, a field study was planned on a medicinally important Sida cordifolia L. plant (commonly known as country mallow or Bala) to assess the expected changes on the morphology, growth, and leaf injury under elevated O3 (ambient + 20 ppb) by using open-top chambers (OTCs) at 30, 60, and 90 days after treatment (DAT), while leaf and root metabolites were observed at 60 DAT. At all the growth stages, significant leaf damage was recorded as foliar injury symptoms. Most of the growth parameters also showed significant reductions at all the growth stages. Plants under elevated O3 showed a significant negative impact on most of the reproductive parts of the plant. Leaf weight ratio (LWR) showed significant increment at early stages while reduced at 90 DAT; however, root shoot ratio (RSR) showed a significant reduction at 60 DAT. The majority of the steroid metabolites showed an increase in root and leaves under elevated O3, while terpenes showed variable response. Due to O3 stress, most of the major metabolites showed an increase possibly due to their role in defense and other metabolic activities. Based on the outcomes, it is concluded that the future increase in the levels of tropospheric O3 will impact a significant effect on important metabolites of medicinal plants growing in tropical countries like India.

Mitigating effects of Bean yellow mosaic virus infection in faba bean using new carboxymethyl chitosan-titania nanobiocomposites.

Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) is the main cause of the mosaic and malformation of many plants, worldwide. Thus, the triggering of plant systemic resistance against BYMV is of great interest. In this endeavor, we aimed to explore the capacity of new carboxymethyl chitosan-titania nanobiocomposites (NBCs, NBC1,2) to trigger faba bean plants resistance against BYMV. Effects of NBCs on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) disease severity (DS), growth parameters, and antioxidant defense system activity were investigated under BYMV stress. Noticeably that the DS in NBCs-treated faba bean was significantly reduced compared to untreated plants. Moreover, treatment with NBCs was remarkably increased growth indices, photosynthetic pigments, membrane stability index, and relative water content compared to challenge control. Additionally, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and total soluble protein were significantly increased. Contrary, electrolyte leakage, hydrogen peroxide, and lipid peroxidation were reduced. Interestingly that NBC1 has higher efficacy than NBC2 in triggering plant immune-system against BYMV as indicated from DS percentage (DS = 10.66% and 19.33% in case of plants treated with NBC1 and NBC2, respectively). This could be attributed to the higher content of TNPs in NBC1 (21.58%) as compared to NBC2 (14.32%). Overall, NBCs offer safe and economic antiviral agents against BYMV.

Toxicity effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanomaterial on the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L. 1758) in laboratory conditions.

Over the past decade, the usages of carbon nanotubes in various industries have been increased. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are special form of carbon nanotubes which are used as nano-absorbents for various purposes of different industries due to their high surface to volume ratio. In aquatic environments these active nano-agents can easily absorb and accumulate in animal cells and tissues due to their tiny sizes and induce toxicity effects on bio-organisms mainly via pro-oxidants production. The present study assayed MWCNTs toxicity effects on anti-oxidative enzymes activities, serum hormonal and biochemical stress biomarkers, hematology parameters, histopathology and growth performance of the common carp Cyprinus carpio. Experiment was conducted in five treatments including 0 (control), 5, 10, 15, 20 mg/l MWCNTs in triplicate and each of the experimental tanks consisted of a 400-l recirculating system, stocked with, 20 fish (12 ± 2 g) for 28 days. The results indicated that by increasing the concentrations of the MWCNTs weight gain, specific growth rate and survival rate parameters were decreased. The findings showed that cortisol secretion, blood glucose level and anti-oxidative enzymes activities were increased with the increase of MWCNTs concentrations in the treatments. Histopathology results depicted that 15 and 20 mg/l MWCNTs caused hyperplasia, telangiectasia, apoptosis, and necrosis damages in gills and also, apoptosis, sinusoidal spaces, fibrosis, hepatocyte degeneration and necrosis in the liver of C. carpio. Despite these findings, further researches on effects of nanomaterials on aquatic organisms and ecosystems are essential to protect these environments against the newly found nanomaterials hazards.

Improving Regulation of Enzymatic and Non-Enzymatic Antioxidants and Stress-Related Gene Stimulation in Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus-Infected Cucumber Plants Treated with Glycine Betaine, Chitosan and Combination.

Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV) is a deadly plant virus that results in crop-yield losses with serious economic consequences. In recent years, environmentally friendly components have been developed to manage crop diseases as alternatives to chemical pesticides, including the use of natural compounds such as glycine betaine (GB) and chitosan (CHT), either alone or in combination. In the present study, the leaves of the cucumber plants were foliar-sprayed with GB and CHT-either alone or in combination-to evaluate their ability to induce resistance against CMV. The results showed a significant reduction in disease severity and CMV accumulation in plants treated with GB and CHT, either alone or in combination, compared to untreated plants (challenge control). In every treatment, growth indices, leaf chlorophylls content, phytohormones (i.e., indole acetic acid, gibberellic acid, salicylic acid and jasmonic acid), endogenous osmoprotectants (i.e., proline, soluble sugars and glycine betaine), non-enzymatic antioxidants (i.e., ascorbic acid, glutathione and phenols) and enzymatic antioxidants (i.e., superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, catalase, lipoxygenase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, chitinase and ß-1,3 glucanase) of virus-infected plants were significantly increased. On the other hand, malondialdehyde and abscisic acid contents have been significantly reduced. Based on a gene expression study, all treated plants exhibited increased expression levels of some regulatory defense genes such as PR1 and PAL1. In conclusion, the combination of GB and CHT is the most effective treatment in alleviated virus infection. To our knowledge, this is the first report to demonstrate the induction of systemic resistance against CMV by using GB.