Nano and chelated iron fertilization influences marketable yield, phytochemical properties, and antioxidant capacity of tomatoes.

Iron (Fe) is one of the limiting micronutrients essential for crop productivity. The goal of our study was to evaluate the effects of different sources and rates of Fe fertilization on the marketable yield, physical and chemical properties, and phytochemical quality of fresh market tomatoes (Solanum Lycopersicum L., cv. Sunbrite). A factorial experiment under a drip-irrigated plasticulture system was conducted in a completely randomized design with two sources of Fe (nano vs. chelated) and four rates of application (0, 10, 20, and 40 mg/L) with four replications. Results indicated that relative chlorophyll concentration in the leaf (SPAD index) increased significantly (by 24 to 27%) with 10 and 20 mg/L of both nano- and chelated Fe fertilization compared to the control. Increasing Fe fertilization decreased the leaf SPAD readings. The total fruit yield of tomato was 1.6 to 1.8 times higher under the chelated- and nano Fe fertilization and the increase in yield was significantly higher under the chelated Fe fertilization, when compared to the control. In contrast, the tomato harvest index was highest under 10 and 20 mg/L of nano Fe than under other Fe treatments. While the chelated Fe fertilized tomatoes had significantly higher concentrations of vitamin C (34%), ß-carotene (6%), total carotene (25%), flavonoid (17%), and polyphenol (66%), the nano Fe, in contrast, increased ß-carotene, total carotene, and polyphenol concentrations by 25, 33, 51, and 7%, respectively, compared to the control. The 20 mg/L chelated Fe significantly increased the vitamin C, total carotene, flavonoid, polyphenol concentration, and antioxidant capacity more than any other Fe treatments. Based on the principal components analyses, vitamin C, lycopene, and anthocyanin were identified as the core indicators of the tomato nutrition quality index (NQIndex). The NQIndex ranged from 47 to 54, falling within the medium level of nutritional quality (40 to <70). In conclusion, the chelated Fe, when applied at 20 mg/L, was the most appropriate rate based on highly correlated connectivity for the phytochemicals syntheses associated with the improved tomato antioxidant capacity.

Rapid automated blood sampling system for pharmacokinetics studies of cigarette smoking.

INTRODUCTION: We developed an automated sampling system to allow multiple, discrete blood samples from a human participant to be collected rapidly and immediately following cigarette smoke exposure. We reported the details of the sampling system along with the results of a pilot study for evaluation of the system. METHODS: Components of the system include silastic tubing, solenoid pinch valves, a peristaltic pump, and a fraction collector. This system incorporates a smoking machine that allows precise delivery of cigarette smoke through a mouthpiece and intricate timing to correlate blood samples with smoke inhalation. All components are controlled via integration from a user interface and are fully customizable. We performed several tests to evaluate the equipment, including tubing dead volume, leakage tests, and sample reproducibility. We also performed a pilot study with 6 adult smokers, who received 6 controlled puffs of a research test cigarette. Each inhalation was followed by radial arterial blood collection (1 sample per second tapered to 1 sample every 4 s) for 1 min. Samples were evaluated for nicotine via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric methods. RESULTS: Sampling times and volumes were sufficient for nicotine analysis. No adverse effects were seen in the pilot study, and a 30-min washout period was deemed appropriate between puffs. A significant rise in plasma nicotine levels above baseline after inhalation of smoke was consistently detected in all participants. DISCUSSION: The unique advantage of this system is to allow rapid blood sampling after a puff of cigarette smoke, with the benefits of reproducibility, reduction in labor intensity, and high temporal resolution.

Declaración del Fondo Monetario Internacional / Decalration of the International Monetary Fund

Bolivia ha continuado con varias importantes reformas estructurales desde el pasado Grupo Consultivo. Algunas refromas tienen una relación particular con la administración y el rendimiento macroeconómicos, mejorando el funcionamiento financiero y fiscal. Vinculan leyes aprobadas por el Congreso que ya están en vigencia o lo estarán antes de fin de año. Permanecen los desafíos importantes de promover un rápido crecimiento económico y reducción de la pobreza, aunque las políticas de reforma han fortalecido la economía en varios frentes. En el corto plazo, el desafío será mantener un trayecto firme de políticas y con disciplina fiscal