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Effect of dairy and meat wastewater irrigation on seedling growth
Get PDFMilk and meat processing
industries release large quantities of nutrientrich
wastewater with organic compounds
(proteins, fats, carbohydrates) in high
concentrations. Reusing and recycling this
biodegradable wastewater for crop irrigation
could be a sustainable solution once the
phytotoxic effects of wastewater on crops
have been investigated. Therefore, the aim of
this study was to evaluate the effects of milk
and meat processing wastewaters on
germination percentage, seed vigour indices,
the seedling tolerance index and the
phytotoxicity index of pea (Pisum sativum
L.), sugar maize (Zea mays saccharata),
purslane (Portulaca oleracea), wheat
(Triticum aestivum) and red spinach
(Amaranthus dubius). The two wastewater
types were collected at the inlet of the city’s
sewage system and analysed to determine
their physicochemical and microbiological
characteristics. The seeds of all five plant
species were irrigated with untreated
wastewater effluents. The highest -
germination percentages were obtained for
wheat (92%) and the lowest for red spinach
(2.5%). Wheat, purslane, pea and red
spinach samples irrigated with meat
processing wastewater had higher
germination percentages than samples
irrigated with dairy wastewater. A higher
phytotoxicity was observed for sugar maize,
followed by red spinach irrigated with both
types of wastewater. Future investigation
into the effects of effluent dilution on these
types of plants is recommended
Shape and Size Variations of Distal Phalanges in Cattle
Get PDFStudies on the structure of the distal phalanx help explain the development of laminitis. Additionally, examining the structure of the distal phalanx from a taxonomic perspective also contributes to veterinary anatomy. In this study, we examined shape variation in the medial and lateral distal phalanx of both fore- and hindlimbs using the geometric morphometry method. We investigated whether the shape of the distal phalanx differed between phalanx positions and how much of the shape variation in this bone depends on size. For this purpose, distal phalanges from 20 Holstein cattle were used, and the bones were digitized in 3D. A draft containing 176 semi-landmarks was prepared for shape analysis, and this draft was applied to all samples using automated landmarking through point cloud alignment and correspondence analysis. A principal component analysis was performed to obtain general patterns of morphological variation. The centroid size (CS) was employed as an approximation of size. Although distal phalanx groups generally showed close variations, PC1 statistically separated the hindlimb lateral distal phalanx (HL) and the forelimb medial distal phalanx (FM) from each other in shape. While PC2 separated HL from other distal phalanx groups, PC3 separated fore- and hindlimb groups. The shape (Procrustes distance) of the hindlimb medial distal phalanx (HM) is markedly less variable than the other three phalanges. The smallest distal phalanx in size was HL. For both forelimb and hindlimb, the medial distal phalanges were larger than the lateral ones. Size (CS) was found to have an effect on PC1 and PC3. In this study, a reference model of the same breeds for distal phalanx was created. These results can provide useful information, especially in terms of veterinary anatomy, zooarchaeology, and paleontology
Predictive air pollution assessment using matrix algebra and GIS/GPS in Aguleri Anambra State
Get PDFThis study assessed the air
pollution loads of sulphur dioxide (SO2),
nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter
(PM10) from Aguleri in Anambra State of
Nigeria using matrix algebra and the
geographical information system
(GIS)/global positioning system (GPS)
attachment to MATLAB. The pollutant
values of SO2 and NO2 were obtained using
the Crowcon Gas Monitor Model CE
89/336/EEC, while the PM10 values were
obtained with the Crowcon Particulate
Monitor Model No.1000 with the serial
number 298621. The pollution characteristics
of the study area were simulated using the
polynomial expression yi = k + k1x1 + k2x2 +
k3x3 +… knxn.. The predictive parameter
constants, k, were determined with the
solution to the simultaneous equations arising
from the polynomial expressions using matrix
algebra. MATLAB 7.9 curve fitting software
was used to produce associated model
equations from the fitted curves for the
variations of SO2, NO2 and PM10 as a function
of locations in Aguleri for both rainy and dry
seasons. The evaluation of pollution models
used for the study showed that constants from
the fitted curves do not closely match
constants from ab initio calculations. The
corresponding coordinates in both GIS/GPS
contour and surface plots revealed a pollution
distribution concentration of 50% in Aguleri.
The results revealed that the stations in
Aguleri had a satisfactory air pollution index
rating. This study serves as an improvement
to air quality studies and a veritable tool for
air quality management and policymaking
Physiological and biochemical researches on some sweet cherry cultivars in the context of climate change
No full textUnveiling the nature of carbon decomposition on different organic manure sources: the impact of temperature regimes in a subtropical climate
No full textOrganic sources are vital for
crop nutrient management, but nutrient
release from organic manure depends on
temperature and other factors. We conducted
a laboratory incubation study to investigate
how temperature (15, 25, 35°C) affects the
decomposition of common organic manure,
which has not yet been explored in
Bangladesh. The organic manures used in this
study are poultry manure (PM),
vermicompost (VC), bio-slurry (BS), cow
dung (CD), water hyacinth compost (WHC)
and rice straw compost (RSC), which were
compared with a control treatment (only soil).
Carbon mineralisation and CO2 emission
from microbial respiration varied among
organic manures and temperature regimes.
The RSC- and WHC-treated soils had a
higher C mineralisation than the other
manures at 35°C. The mineralisation of C
among the organic manures followed the
order: RSC > WHC > CD > VC > BS > PM
> control. Among the temperature regimes, C
mineralisation followed the order 35°C >
25°C > 15°C. Manure mineralisation was
associated with mineralisable C pools (carbon
availability factor, Caf), and 16.4–36.5%
organic C was released. Irrespective of
temperature regimes, the highest easily
mineralisable Caf was recorded in PMamended
soil, followed by VC-amended soil.
RSC had the lowest Caf under all temperature regimes. The Caf values of all incubated
manures were higher under a 35°C
temperature regime. Compost preparation
from organic manure and its utilisation as an
integrated nutrient management component
can play essential roles in mitigating climate
change, reducing environmental degradation,
and building more sustainable and resilient
agrifood systems
Neurotoxicity of Some Environmental Pollutants to Zebrafish
Get PDFThe aquatic environment encompasses a wide variety of pollutants, from plastics to drug residues, pesticides, food compounds, and other food by-products, and improper disposal of waste is the main cause of the accumulation of toxic substances in water. Monitoring, assessing, and attempting to control the effects of contaminants in the aquatic environment are necessary and essential to protect the environment and thus human and animal health, and the study of aquatic ecotoxicology has become topical. In this respect, zebrafish are used as model organisms to study the bioaccumulation, toxicity, and influence of environmental pollutants due to their structural, functional, and material advantages. There are many similarities between the metabolism and physiological structures of zebrafish and humans, and the nervous system structure, blood–brain barrier function, and social behavior of zebrafish are characteristics that make them an ideal animal model for studying neurotoxicity. The aim of the study was to highlight the neurotoxicity of nanoplastics, microplastics, fipronil, deltamethrin, and rotenone and to highlight the main behavioral, histological, and oxidative status changes produced in zebrafish exposed to them
Do Microplastics Have Neurological Implications in Relation to Schizophrenia Zebrafish Models? A Brain Immunohistochemistry, Neurotoxicity Assessment, and Oxidative Stress Analysis
Get PDFThe effects of exposure to environmental pollutants on neurological processes are of increasing concern due to their potential to induce oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. Considering that many industries are currently using different types of plastics as raw materials, packaging, or distribution pipes, microplastics (MPs) have become one of the biggest threats to the environment and human health. These consequences have led to the need to raise the awareness regarding MPs negative neurological effects and implication in neuropsychiatric pathologies, such as schizophrenia. The study aims to use three zebrafish models of schizophrenia obtained by exposure to ketamine (Ket), methionine (Met), and their combination to investigate the effects of MP exposure on various nervous system structures and the possible interactions with oxidative stress. The results showed that MPs can interact with ketamine and methionine, increasing the severity and frequency of optic tectum lesions, while co-exposure (MP+Met+Ket) resulted in attenuated effects. Regarding oxidative status, we found that all exposure formulations led to oxidative stress, changes in antioxidant defense mechanisms, or compensatory responses to oxidative damage. Met exposure induced structural changes such as necrosis and edema, while paradoxically activating periventricular cell proliferation. Taken together, these findings highlight the complex interplay between environmental pollutants and neurotoxicants in modulating neurotoxicity
Sources of information used by the farmers in the Nineveh Plains
Get PDFThe study examined the
different agriculture information channels
utilized by farmers in the Nineveh Plains. A
total of 308 of information sources were
classified based on districts, minority groups,
and age categories. A comprehensive
questionnaire was prepared and covered
several channels, including experienced
farmers, farmer groups, extension offices,
NGOs, radio, TV, newspapers, and libraries.
The results of this study showed that
Experienced farmers were the most
dependable agriculture information source for
farmers in Al-Hamdaniya, Bashiqa, and
Telkaif. In Al Hamdaniya, 77.4% considered
experienced farmers trustworthy, while in
Bashiqa and Telkaif, percentages were 74.7%
and 66.3%, respectively. Farmers from
various minorities, including Turkmen
(79.4%), Shabak (75.3%), Christian, Kaki
(74.1%), and Yazidi (69.1%), identified
experienced farmers as the predominant and
trusted information source. farmers' groups,
and NGOs as source of information were
significantly differed among minorities. The
majority of kaki farmers (59.3%) depended
on the Farmers' group as source of
information. However, 48% of Christian
farmers (48.3%) received agriculture
information from NGOs. Based on age
categories, high percentage of interviewed
farmer considered radio, TV, newspapers,
libraries, extension offices, farmer groups,
and NGOs as not dependable information
sources. Instead, more than 68% of famers
from all age group considered experienced
farmers as the primary and trusted source of
information
The development of value-added yogurt based on pumpkin peel powder as a bioactive powder
No full textThis study aimed to explore the utilization of pumpkin by-products as a bioactive powder in the development of value-added yogurt. Pumpkin peel resulting from food processing contains antioxidant components like phenolics, flavonoids, and carotenoids, compounds characterized by high bioactivity. This study investigated the potential of incorporating pumpkin peel powder (PPP) into yogurt to enhance its nutritional value and sensory attributes.
Results indicated that the incorporation of PPP into yogurt resulted in improvements in nutritional composition, particularly in terms of β-carotene and bioactive compounds. Additionally, the addition of PPP positively influenced the textural properties of the yogurt. The sensory evaluation revealed that the incorporation of pumpkin peel had no negative impact on the overall acceptability of the yogurt, with some samples (YPP2) even exhibiting preferred sensory characteristics compared to the control. The utilization of PPP as a bioactive powder in yogurt presents a promising strategy for reducing food waste and creating innovative, value-added dairy products. The development of such products can not only contribute to sustainable food production but also provide consumers with more diverse food choices with enhanced characteristics
Long-Term Oral Administration of Hyperimmune Egg-Based IgY-Rich Formulations Induces Mucosal Immune Response and Systemic Increases of Cytokines Involved in Th2- and Th17-Type Immune Responses in C57BL/6 Mice
Get PDFThree hyperimmune egg-based formulations rich in immunoglobulin Y (IgY) were orally administered (daily, for up to 90 days) to C57BL/6 mice that were not microbially challenged. The serum levels of 32 cytokines were quantified every 30 days. Histopathology, hematology, and serum biochemistry investigations were also performed. As a sign of increased immune activity, lymphohistiocytic infiltrates were detected in the digestive tract and the liver after 30, 60, and 90 days of treatment. These infiltrates were also present in the lungs after 30 and 60 days, but not at 90 days. Blood analysis indicated systemic inflammation after 30 days of treatment: increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines, glycemia, total serum proteins, ALT, and ALP. After 60 and 90 days of treatment, the analyzed blood parameters showed mixed signs of both increased and decreased inflammation. The increased cytokines, which varied with formulation and time of exposure, indicated a combination of mostly Th17- and Th2-type immune responses. As the mice were healthy and housed in standardized sanitary conditions, and were not microbially challenged, the data were consistent with an interaction of IgY with the gut-associated lymphoid tissue as the main mechanism of action. This interaction generated a local immune response, which subsequently induced a systemic response