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Abstract Background Non-inferiority trials are recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to demonstrate that health products show comparable efficacy to that of existing standard of care. As part of the WHO Global Malaria Programme (GMP) process of assessment of malaria vector control products, a second-in-class insecticide-treated net (ITN) must be shown to be non-inferior to a first-in-class product based on mosquito mortality. The public health impact of the first-in-class pyrethroid-piperonyl butoxide (PBO) ITN, Olyset® Plus, has been demonstrated in epidemiological trials in areas with insecticide-resistant mosquitoes, but there is a need to determine the efficacy of other pyrethroid-PBO nets to ensure timely market availability of nets in order to increase access to ITNs. The non-inferiority of a deltamethrin-PBO ITN Yorkool® G3 was evaluated entomologically against Olyset® Plus in experimental huts in Tanzania, following WHO guidelines for non-inferiority trials. Methods The trial of the two pyrethroid-PBO ITNs was conducted in experimental huts in Lupiro, Tanzania, using a randomized 7 × 7 Latin square block design. The study ran for 49 nights in 14 huts assessing the mosquito mortality and blood-feeding of wild, free-flying, pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles arabiensis. Using the non-inferiority approach, the comparative efficacy (primary endpoint was mosquito mortality at 24 h and secondary endpoint was blood-feeding) of unwashed and 20 times field-washed pyrethroid-PBO Yorkool® G3 ITNs, were compared with the first-in-class product Olyset® Plus and against a pyrethroid-only ITN, PermaNet® 2.0 ITNs, as a standard comparator. Results The experimental hut trial demonstrated non-inferiority and superiority of Yorkool® G3 to Olyset® Plus based on mosquito mortality [51% vs. 39%, OR 1.68 (95% CI 1.50–1.88)], given that lower 95% CI exceeded 0.74 (delta of 39%) and the margin of no difference (1). Blood-feeding inhibition was high for all treated ITNs (> 90%) and Yorkool® G3 was non-inferior to Olyset® Plus [4% vs. 2%, OR 1.81 (95% CI 1.46–2.39)], given that upper 95% CI was less than 4.85 (delta of 4%). The pyrethroid-PBO ITNs were superior to the pyrethroid-only net, PermaNet® 2.0, as determined by both the proportion of mortality and blood-feeding of mosquitoes (p-value

Salinity poses a significant threat to the floral plants. Melatonin has emerged as a potential phytohormone to cope with the adverse effects of salinity on plants due to its multifaceted roles in regulating abiotic stresses. The current study aimed to investigate the impact of melatonin on pansy by modifications in physiological indices under salinity stress. Pansy plants were subjected to salinity stress (0, 50, and 100 mM NaCl) and melatonin (control, 50, and 100 µM). Salinity-induced oxidative stress was apparent through enhanced generation of toxic substances. However, melatonin supplementation improved chlorophyll ‘a’, chlorophyll ‘b’, total chlorophyll, glycine betaine (GB), superoxidase dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalases (CAT), and glutathione-reductase (GR), thus promoting improved growth under salinity. The activation of plant defense system and regulation of signaling molecules is indication of lessening of toxic substances within the plant cells. Current findings revealed that supplementation of melatonin enhanced pansy tolerance against salinity stress.

Abstract Background Increasing metabolic resistance in malaria vector mosquitoes resulted in the development of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) with active ingredients (AI) that target them. Bioassays that accurately measure the mortality induced by these AIs on ITNs are needed. Mosquito metabolic enzyme expression follows a circadian rhythm. Thus, this study assessed (i) influence of the time of day of mosquito exposure and (ii) timing of assessment of mortality post exposure (24 and 72 h) to ITNs against vectors that are susceptible to pyrethroids and those with metabolic and knockdown resistance mechanisms. Methods Two cone bioassay experiments were conducted following World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Firstly, on ITNs incorporated with 2 g AI/kg of deltamethrin (DM) alone, or combined with 8 g AI/kg piperonyl butoxide (PBO) synergist, during the day (9:00–14:00 h) and repeated in the evening (18:00–20:00 h). This was followed by a confirmatory experiment during the afternoon (12:00–14:00 h) and repeated in the night (22:00–24:00 h) using mosquitoes unexposed or pre-exposed to PBO for 1 h before exposure to DM ITNs. Each net piece was tested with a minimum of eight cones per time (N = 24). The outcome was mortality after 24 h (M24) or 72 h (M72) of holding. Results The cone bioassays performed using metabolic resistant mosquitoes during the evening showed significantly lower M24 than those performed in the day for DM: odds ratio (OR) 0.14 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06–0.30, p

The first record in Ukraine of Arrhenia chlorocyanea (Hygrophoraceae) is reported. The species is rather rare, or mostly overlooked, in Europe. A complete description of the fruit bodies and details of their microscopic structure is provided. In addition, information on the habitats and worldwide distribution of the species is presented. The article is illustrated with original photos and drawings of the fungus.

Novel metallomicellar systems have been created on the basis of amphiphilic metallocomplexes of 1-hexadecyl-4-aza-1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane nitrate (bromide) with silver and gadolinium nitrates to increase the solubility of the antifungal drug griseofulvin and the Orange OT dye. The increase in the content of hydrophobic substrates in the solutions of the complexes has exceeded one or two orders of magnitude. The dependence of the solubilization parameters of the systems on the structure of the complexes and the solubilizate has been established. The highest solubilization capacity has been observed for the dialkylated complex of silver and (in the case of griseofulvin) for the nitrate ligand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article covers the study of the effect of β-lactoglobulin gene polymorphism on daity productivity, qualitative composition of milk and lactation activity of Holstein cows. The work was carried out on 146 animals in the Lenin Breeding Farm Integrated Agricultural Production Center (IAPC) of the Republic of Tatarstan. DNA genotyping by the locus of the Bos taurus BLG-Hae III gene was performed by PCR-RFLP. As a result of genetic typing of cattle, 2 alleles (A – 0.651 and B – 0.349) and 3 genotypes (AA – 41.1, AB – 47.9 and BB – 11.0 %) were identified. The chi-square criterion is below the critical value (5.99; p < 0.05) and testifies that the Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium is not disturbed in the population. The evaluation of dairy productivity traits showed that cows with the AB genotype have the highest milk yield and high-quality milk. The heifers with the AB genotype are characterized by the best lactation curve throughout lactation. The difference in the amount of milk received between cows with the AB genotype and animals with the AA and BB genotypes is 71.6 kg (or 9.3 %) and 95.7 kg (or 16.9 %), respectively. Cows with low milk yields (genotype AA) had the lowest lactation decline (4.34) and greater stability (99.9).

Gallium-containing chlorite, mica, and magnetite (up to 14, 13, and 5-7 wt % of Ga) along with Ga hydroxides (oxyhydroxides?) were found for the first time in massive sulfide deposit in the Urals. The minerals identified within the cement of chalcopyrite-sphalerite breccias of the Shemur copper-zinc-massive sulfide deposit (Northern Urals) are associated with Ga-enriched sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and, less commonly, pyrite (33-364, 67-363, and 4-230 g/t, respectively). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the effect of hydrogen sulfide on chilling injury (CI) of banana (Musa spp.) during cold storage (7°C). It was observed that hydrogen sulfide application (2 mmol L–1) markedly reduced the CI index and showed significantly higher chlorophyll contents, along with suppressed chlorophyll peroxidase and chlorophyllase enzyme activity. The treated banana fruits exhibited substantially higher peel lightness (L*), along with significantly a lower browning degree and soluble quinone content. The treated bananas had substantially a higher endogenous hydrogen sulfide content and higher activity of its biosynthesis-associated enzymes such as D-cysteine desulfhydrase (DCD) and L-cysteine desulfhydrase (LCD), along with significantly lower ion leakage, lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide, and superoxide anion concentrations. Hydrogen sulfide-treated banana fruits showed an increased proline content and proline metabolism-associated enzymes including ornithine aminotransferase (OAT), Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS), and proline dehydrogenase (PDH). In the same way, hydrogen sulfide-fumigated banana fruits accumulated higher endogenous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) due to enhanced activity of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and GABA transaminase (GABA-T) enzymes. The hydrogen sulfide-treated fruits exhibited higher total phenolics owing to lower polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activity and stimulated phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL). The treated banana exhibited higher ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, along with higher glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (AsA) concentrations and a significantly lower dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) content. In conclusion, hydrogen sulfide treatment could be utilized for CI alleviation of banana fruits during cold storage.

Salt stress negatively affects the growth, development, and yield of horticultural crops. Nitric oxide (NO) is considered a signaling molecule that plays a key role in the plant defense system under salt stress. This study investigated the impact of exogenous application of 0.2 mM of sodium nitroprusside (SNP, an NO donor) on the salt tolerance and physiological and morphological characteristics of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) under salt stress (25, 50, 75, and 100 mM). Salt stress caused a marked decrease in growth, yield, carotenoids and photosynthetic pigments in stressed plants as compared to control ones. Results showed that salt stress significantly affected the oxidative compounds (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX)) and non-oxidative compounds (ascorbic acid, total phenols, malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, and H2O2) in lettuce. Moreover, salt stress decreased nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium ions (K+) while increasing Na ions (Na+) in the leaves of lettuce under salt stress. The exogenous application of NO increased ascorbic acid, total phenols, antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, CAT, and APX) and MDA content in the leaves of lettuce under salt stress. In addition, the exogenous application of NO decreased H2O2 content in plants under salt stress. Moreover, the exogenous application of NO increased leaf N in control, and leaf P and leaf and root K+ content in all treatments while decreasing leaf Na+ in salt-stressed lettuce plants. These results provide evidence that the exogenous application of NO on lettuce helps mitigate salt stress effects.

The study examined the polymorphism of the glutathione peroxidase-1 gene (GPX-1, g. 189 T/C) effect on the GPx enzyme activity and biochemical parameters in the blood serum of Holstein cows of indigenous and foreign selection. The work was carried out in the Lenin Breeding Farm Integrated Agricultural Production Center (IAPC) and the Mukhametshin Z.Z. Peasant Farm Enterprise (PFE) of the Republic of Tatarstan. DNA genotyping by the locus of the Bos taurus GPX-1-Bsc4 I gene was performed by PCR-RFLP. As a result of genetic typing of cattle, 2 alleles (C and T) and 3 genotypes (CC, TC and TT) were identified. The classification carried out by PIC values in two populations of Holstein cattle showed that there is a moderate polymorphism of the GPX-1 gene. A negative inbreeding coefficient (F) indicates excessive outbreeding in both populations. In both populations, the numerical advantage of heterozygous genotype TC cows is 60.1 and 56.7 % of the total livestock. Indigenous breeding cows, compared with imported cattle had higher: GPx activity, AST, ALT, cholesterol level, total protein and albumin fraction. Analysis of the association between the GPX-1 gene polymorphism and the GPx enzyme level indicates that the activity of this enzyme varies depending on the genotype, and there is also a variation in the biochemical parameters of the Holstein cattle blood serum.

Tomato is considered as a valuable vegetable crop all over the world. It prefers loose, well drained loamy soils rich in organic matter. In Pakistan, mostly soils are calcareous in nature. In calcareous soils, the production of tomato crop is low because of zinc deficiency. Therefore, current study was aimed to examine the potential of foliar application of zinc oxide in tomato cultivar Tiny Tim Cherry in calcareous soil conditions. In the current study, all the studied traits i.e. plant height, stem diameter, number of branches per plant, number of leaves, number of flowers per plant, fruit weight and yield per plant were significantly higher after foliar application of zinc oxide (30 ppm) and significantly lower in controlled treatment as compared to other treatments of zinc oxide. The maximum total soluble solids (TSS), chlorophyll A, chlorophyll B, vitamin C, flavonoids, carotenoids and phenolics were recorded in plants treated with 30 ppm of zinc oxide as compared to other treatments. However, the highest acidity was calculated in 10 ppm, while the lowest acidity was measured in 0 ppm (control). Conclusively, foliar application of Zn has potential to increase the nutritional components of tomato fruits.

Tomato is an important vegetable that is highly sensitive to drought (DR) stress which impairs the development of tomato seedlings. Recently, melatonin (ME) has emerged as a nontoxic, regulatory biomolecule that regulates plant growth and enhances the DR tolerance mechanism in plants. The present study was conducted to examine the defensive role of ME in photosynthesis, root architecture, and the antioxidant enzymes’ activities of tomato seedlings subjected to DR stress. Our results indicated that DR stress strongly suppressed growth and biomass production, inhibited photosynthesis, negatively affected root morphology, and reduced photosynthetic pigments in tomato seedlings. Per contra, soluble sugars, proline, and ROS (reactive oxygen species) were suggested to be improved in seedlings under DR stress. Conversely, ME (100 µM) pretreatment improved the detrimental-effect of DR by restoring chlorophyll content, root architecture, gas exchange parameters and plant growth attributes compared with DR-group only. Moreover, ME supplementation also mitigated the antioxidant enzymes [APX (ascorbate peroxidase), CAT (catalase), DHAR (dehydroascorbate reductase), GST (glutathione S-transferase), GR (glutathione reductase), MDHAR (monodehydroascorbate reductase), POD (peroxidase), and SOD (superoxide dismutase)], non-enzymatic antioxidant [AsA (ascorbate), DHA (dehydroascorbic acid), GSH (glutathione), and GSSG, (oxidized glutathione)] activities, reduced oxidative damage [EL (electrolyte leakage), H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide), MDA (malondialdehyde), and O2•− (superoxide ion)] and osmoregulation (soluble sugars and proline) of tomato seedlings, by regulating gene expression for SOD, CAT, APX, GR, POD, GST, DHAR, and MDHAR. These findings determine that ME pretreatment could efficiently improve the seedlings growth, root characteristics, leaf photosynthesis and antioxidant machinery under DR stress and thereby increasing the seedlings’ adaptability to DR stress.