Effect of delayed sowing on grain number, grain weight, and protein concentration of wheat grains at specific positions within spikes

Delays in sowing have significant effects on the grain yield,yield components,and grain protein concentrations of winter wheat.However,little is known about how delayed sowing affects these characteristics at different positions in the wheat spikes.In this study,the effects of sowing date were investigated in a winter wheat cultivar,Shannong 30,which was sown in 2019 and 2020 on October 8(normal sowing)and October 22(late sowing)under field conditions.Delayed sowing increased the partitioning of ^(13)C-assimilates to spikes,particularly to florets at the apical section of a spike and those occupying distal positions on the same spikelet.Consequently,the increase in grain number was the greatest for the apical sections,followed by the basal and central sections.No significant differences were observed between sowing dates in the superior grain number in the basal and central sections,while the number in apical sections was significantly different.The number of inferior grains in each section also increased substantially in response to delayed sowing.The average grain weights in all sections remained unchanged under delayed sowing because there were parallel increases in grain number and ^(13)C-assimilate partitioning to grains at specific positions in the spikes.Increases in grain number m^(–2) resulted in reduced grain protein concentrations as the limited nitrogen supply was diluted into more grains.Delayed sowing caused the greatest reduction in grain protein concentration in the basal sections,followed by the central and apical sections.No significant differences in the reduction of the grain protein concentration were observed between the inferior and superior grains under delayed sowing.In conclusion,a 2-week delay in sowing improved grain yield through increased grain number per spike,which originated principally from an increased grain number in the apical sections of spikes and in distal positions on the same spikelet.However,grain protein concentrations declined in each section because of the increased grain number and reduced N uptake.

Further Exploring Linear Concentration Addition and Independent Action for Predicting Non-interactive Mixture Toxicity

Since it is unrealistic to do an experimental mixture assessment on every possible combination, mathematical model plays an important role in predicting the mixture toxicity. The present study is devoted to the further application of linear concentration addition（CA）-based model（LCA） and independent action（IA）-based model（LIA） to predict the non-interactive mixture toxicity. The 26 mixtures including 312 data points were used to evaluate the predictive powers of LCA and LIA models. The models were internally validated using the leave-one-out cross-validation and y-randomization test, and the external validations were evaluated by the test tests. Both LCA and LIA models agree well with the experimental values for all mixture toxicity, and present high internally（R2 and Q2 〉 0.98） and externally（Q2F1, Q2F2, and Q2F3 〉 0.99） predictive power. The use of LCA and LIA led to improved predictions compared to the estimates based on the CA and IA models. Both LCA and LIA were found to be appropriate methods for modeling toxicity of non-interactive chemical mixtures.

Hydroxycut hepatotoxicity:A case series and review of liver toxicity from herbal weight loss supplements

Dietary supplements represent an increasingly common source of drug-induced liver injury. Hydroxycut is a popular weight loss supplement which has previously been linked to hepatotoxicity, although the individual chemical components underlying liver injury remain poorly understood. We report two cases of acute hepatitis in the setting of Hydroxycut exposure and describe possible mechanisms of liver injury. We also comprehensively review and summarize the existing literature on commonly used weight loss supplements, and their individual components which have demon-strated potential for liver toxicity. An increased effort to screen for and educate patients and physicians about supplement-associated hepatotoxicity is warranted.

INFLUENCE OF MOLECULAR WEIGHT OF CHITIN AND ITS THREE DERIVATIVES ON CRITICAL CONCENTRATION OF LYOTROPIC LIQUID CRYSTALLINE PHASE TRANSITION

The critical concentration of lyotropic liquid crystalline phase transition for chitin derivatives was determined using a polarization microscope. The influence of molecular weight on critical concentration of liquid crystalline solution for chitin, chitosan, cyanoethyl chitosan and propionyl chitin successively increases as the chain rigidity decreases. Therefore it can be used as an indicator of the chain rigidity.

Chronic Toxicity Study in Rats Orally Exposed to Mulberry Sea-Buckthorn Beverage Concentrate

Objective: This study is designed to observe the chronic toxicity after the administration of mulberry sea-buckthorn beverage concentrate for 3 months on rats and to predict the possible adverse effect and the potential toxicity target organs. Method: The rats (SPF level) were randomly divided into high-dose (20 mL/kg BW), middle-dose (10 mL/kg BW), low-dose (5 mL/kg BW) groups and negative control group (20 mL/kg BW of purified water) with 30 rats in each group. Each group was orally given mulberry sea-buckthorn beverage concentrate for 3 months and recovered by stop feeding samples for 2 weeks for a recovery observation. The rats’ general condition, the organ coefficient, the indexes of hematology and blood biochemistry and the histological changes of the main organs were determined. Result: The appearance and behavior of activity in rats showed no anomalies in all these groups and all the rats put on weight during this period. Comparing to the negative control group, no obvious differences were observed in the weekly weight and organ coefficient of each dose group. After 3 months of administration, HGB in both mulberry sea-buckthorn beverage concentrate low-dose group and high-dose group were increased. No significant differences were observed in the indexes of hematology after 2 weeks of recovery. CREA in low-dose, middle-dose and high-dose groups were significantly increased after 3 months of administration and it remained in the high level in middle-dose and high-dose group even after 2 weeks of recovery. No drug-related lesions were observed in the histological changes of major organs. Conclusion: The results show that long term use of mulberry concentrated sea-buckthorn beverage can lead to increased CREA, which suggested kidney toxicity. Although no obvious pathological change was found in kidney, we should pay attention to chronic kidney damage in the further research.

Study on the Concentration Inversion of NO &NO2 Gas from the Vehicle Exhaust Based on Weighted PLS

It becomes a key technology to measure the concentration of the vehicle exhaust components with the absorption spectra. But because of the overlap of gas absorption bands, how to separate the absorption information of each component gas from the mixed absorption spectra has become the key point to restrict the precision of the optical detection method. In this paper, the ex-perimental platform for the absorption spectrum of vehicle exhaust components has been established. Based on the ultraviolet absorption spectra measured with the platform of exhaust gas NO & NO2, the concentration regression model for the two components has been established with weighted partial least squares regression (WPLS). Finally the each spectral characteristic information of NO & NO2 gas has been separated and the concentration of each corresponding component has been reversed successfully.

Study on the Quantitative Structure-toxicity Relationships for the Selected Esters by Using Molecular Electronegativity Interaction Vector (MEIV)

The molecular electronegativity interaction vector （MEIV） was used to describe the molecular structure of 30 selected esters. Two excellent QSTR models were built up by using multiple linear regression （MLR） and partial least-squares regression （PLS）. The correlation coefficients （R） of the two models were 0.945 and 0.941, respectively. The models were evaluated by performing the cross validation with the leave-one-out （LOO） procedure. The cross-verification correlation coefficients （RCV） of the two models were 0.921 and 0.919, respectively. The results showed that the models constructed in this work could provide estimation stability and favorable predictive ability.

Effect of Water Hardness on the Toxicity of Cobalt and Nickel to a Freshwater Fish,Capoeta fusca

Objective To determine the effects of water hardness on the toxicities of cobalt （Co） and nickel （Ni） to a freshwater fish, Capoetafusca. Methods Toxicity was investigated by static bioassay. Fish were exposed to cobalt （as COCI2） and nickel （as NiCI2） for 96 h in waters with two levels of hardness （＂hard＂ and ＂very hard＂, nominally 130 mg/L and 350 mg/L as CaCO3, respectively）. Results Water hardness had a significant effect on the acute toxicity of both elements. The 96 h LC50 values for Co were 91.7 mg/L and 204.8 mg/L in hard and very hard waters, respectively, and for Ni the 96 h LC50 values were 78.0 mg/L and 127.2 mg/L, respectively. Conclusion The fish were more sensitive to Co and Ni toxicity in hard water than in very hard water; very hard water protects C. fusca against the toxicity of Co and Ni.

Acute Toxicity of Four Drugs to Larvae of Channa argus

The acute toxicity of 4 drugs, dipterex, potassium permanganate, copper sulfate and formaldehyde to larvae of black-spot hybrid snakehead was tested with the semi hydrostatic test method under water temperature of （28.3± 1.5）℃, pH of（8.01 ±0.12） and dissolved oxygen of （4.6 ±0.5） mg/L. The results showed that 96 h median-lethal concentration （LCso） of copper sulphate was the lowest, 1. 586 mg/L, while 96 h LC50 of formaldehyde was the highest, 115. 159 mg/L. The toxicity of the 4 drugs ranked in the order of copper sulphate, dipterex, potassium permanganate and formaldehyde from high to low. The safe concentrations（SCs） of the 4 drugs were in order of formaldehyde （35. 529 mg/L）, potassium permanganate （ 1. 277 mg/L）, dipterex （ 1. 450 mg/L） and copper sulphate （0.882 mg/L）. According to the rosults,the SCs of dipterex, formaldehyde and copper sulphate were higher than the conventional dosage, they were safe to be used for control of corresponding diseases of Channa argus by the conventional dosage. The SC of potassium permanganate was in the conventional dosage range, so it could be used for control of diseases in accordance with the SC of C. argus to the drug in production.

Acute and joint toxicity of three agrochemicals to Chinese tiger frog （Hoplobatrachus chinensis） tadpoles

We studied acute and joint toxicity of three different agrochemicals(chlorantraniliprole, flubendiamide-abamectin and penoxsulam) to Chinese tiger frog(Hoplobatrachus chinensis) tadpoles with the method of stability water tests. Results showed that the three agrochemicals increased tadpole mortality. For acute toxicity, the LC50 values after 24, 48 and 72 h of chlorantraniliprole, flubendiamide-abamectin and penoxsulam exposure were 5.37, 4.90 and 4.68 mg/L; 0.035, 0.025 and 0.021 mg/L; 1.74, 1.45 and 1.29 mg/L, respectively. The safety concentrations(SC) of chlorantraniliprole, flubendiamide-abamectin and penoxsulam to the tadpoles were 1.23, 0.30 and 0.003 mg/L, respectively. Based on these findings, chlorantraniliprole and penoxsulam were moderately toxic, while flubendiamide-abamectin was highly toxic. All pairwise joint toxicity tests showed moderate toxicity. The LC50 values after 24, 48 and 72 h of exposure were 7.08, 6.61 and 6.03 mg/L for chlorantraniliprole+penoxsulam, with corresponding values of 2.455, 2.328 and 2.183 mg/L for chlorantraniliprole+flubendiamide-abamectin, and 1.132, 1.084 and 1.050 mg/L for penoxsulam+flubendiamide-abamectin, with safe concentrations of 1.73, 0.63 and 0.30 mg/L, respectively. For toxic evaluations of pairwise combinations of the three agrochemicals, only the joint toxicity of chlorantraniliprole and flubendiamide-abamectin after 24 h was found to be synergistic, whereas all other tests were antagonistic. Our findings provide valuable information on the toxic effects of agrochemicals on amphibians and how various types of agrochemicals can be reasonably used in agricultural areas.

High aluminum concentration and initial establishment of Handroanthus impetiginosus : clues about an Al non-resistant species in Brazilian Cerrado

Cerrado soils are acidic and nutrient-poor,with high content of solubilized Al 3+.Plants growing in these conditions may display adaptations to cope with high aluminum concentrations especially during early developmental stages.We investigated leaf nutritional status,and photosynthetic and growth characteristics during the initial establishment of Handroanthus impetiginosus(Mart.Ex Dc.)Mattos,a secondary tree species distributed in the Brazilian Cerrado.Our goal was to understand leaf-level traits related to diff erent aluminum concentrations.H.impetiginosus plants were cultivated in four diff erent aluminum sulfate concentrations:0,1,2,and 4 mM Al,for 40 days.We performed analyses of growth,leaf gas exchange,chloroplast pigment content,and leaf mineral nutrients.We observed a linear increase of Al leaf content as a function of Al concentration in the nutrient solution.Plants grown in 1 mM Al showed a remarkable increase of K leaf content,net photosynthesis,stomatal conductance,and transpiration,while in 4 mM Al there were reductions of N,P,and K contents,gas exchange characteristics,and height.H.impetiginosus did not have mechanisms of avoidance,compartmentalization,or resistance to high Al concentrations.Indeed,this species showed a hormetic response,with low Al concentrations stimulating and high Al concentrations inhibiting plant responses.

Micronutrient Concentrations and Environmental Concerns in an Intensively Cultivated Typic Dystrandept in Mount Bambouto, Cameroon

Micronutrient status of top soils (0 - 25 cm) collected from intensively cultivated soils (typic dystrandept) in the Bambouto highland of Cameroon was investigated. Thirty-six soil samples were collected within a 100 m × 100 m grid. 16 of them were analyzed for pH, organic carbon, cation exchange capacity (CEC), Total N (totN), available P, exchangeable K, Ca and Mg, and 36 samples were analyzed for Cu, Mn, Fe and Zn. The status of trace elements was compared with soil critical levels and soil-based risk thresholds, and was declared deficient, sufficient or toxic. The soils were generally, slightly acidic, of high organic and nitrogen status and of adequate concentrations in exchangeable bases and available P. Mean values of Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn were 58.59, 0.52, 29.20 and 4.99 ppm, respectively. Relative to critical levels, 53% and 8% of the soils examined were deficient in Cu and Zn respectively while in all soils, Fe and Mn were above critical levels. The concentrations of the micronutrients investigated (except for Fe in 3% of the soils) were lower than toxic thresholds prescribed by European Economic Community (EEC) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Farmers’ current level of agricultural intensification has no threats on micronutrient toxicity. However, because of Cu and Zn deficiency observed in some fields, an analysis of spatial variability is required to guide site specific soil nutrient management. Furthermore, in order to obtain quality produce and protect the environment, a balanced fertilizer recommendation including NPK + Cu + Zn is required for intensively cultivated typic dystrandept soils in the Bambouto highlands.

Lopinavir Plasma Concentrations and Serum Lipids in Therapy Naïve HIV-Patients: A Sub Analysis of the FREE Study

Antiretroviral therapy in HIV patients is known for its negative effect on the cardiovascular system. One of the major adverse events in patients on lopinavir is increasing lipids. Hyperlipidaemia together with chronic inflammation by HIV-infection itself makes these patients prone for cardiovascular diseases.The purpose of this study (a sub study within the FREE-study) was to determine if higher plasma lopinavir (LPV) concentrations lead to increase of serum lipids. Plasma drug concentrations were analysed up to week 24 in a prospective cohort of HIV antiretroviral therapy naive patients who started on a regimen of zidovudine, lamivudine and ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (FREE study). Prospectively we measured plasma lopinavir concentrations from baseline to week 24 in 72 naive HIV-patients starting on lopinavir (59 males and 13 females). A total of 210 samples were analysed, with at least 2 samples in every patient. Mean LPV trough concentration was 4.3 mg/L (± 2.1). The median intra-subject variation in LPV level was 38% (range 4% - 111%). Serum lipids were not correlated to LPV plasma concentrations possibly due to the wide intra-individual variability in LPV trough levels. Monitoring of plasma lopinavir and subsequent dose adjustment of LPV will not be useful to prevent hyperlipidaemia in HIV-patients treated with lopinavir.

Possible Synergistic Toxicity of Oxygen Scavenger and Defoamer on the Niger Delta Freshwater <i>Tilapia guineensis</i>

Globally, the generation of produced water keeps increasing due to depleting wells and about 40% of this wastewater is disposed of into the environment. Produced water is made up of several components that are toxic in nature, like production chemicals that are used for oil and gas production activities. Oxygen scavenger and defoamer are commonly used for corrosion prevention as both are applied at different stages of corrosion prevention. Evaluation of the possible synergistic toxicity contribution of oxygen scavenger and defoamer formed the basis of this research and was conducted using the Tilapia guineensis as bio-indicator. The toxicity test was carried out using the ELIMINOX (oxygen scavenger) and EC9017A (defoamer) individually and both chemicals were combined together. The choice of these chemicals was premised on previous researches that have confirmed that they are toxic individually, without further research on how they interact when they are combined. These chemicals and freshwater were used to generate produced water samples in the laboratory. The experiment was set up by adding ten fishes into each of the glass containers, containing the produced water samples at different concentrations and a control sample without the chemicals. The rate of mortality of the fish for the individual chemicals ranged from 100% to 10% for the different percentage concentrations. While on the other hand, a combination of the two chemicals had more survival than mortality, the percentage survival rate ranged from 100% to 90% across all the percentage concentrations. The lethal concentration also showed that the oxygen scavenger was more toxic than the defoamer, however, when they were combined;they showed an antagonistic relationship as the toxicity of the oxygen scavenger drastically reduced. The research findings intend to create awareness of the possible interaction of production chemicals when they are used for oil and gas activities and their combined toxicity contribution to produced water. This will in turn aid government regulators in their decision-making for disposal of produced water.

氯酯磺草胺与甲咪唑烟酸复配防除香附子效果及对紫花苜蓿安全性

为明确氯酯磺草胺与甲咪唑烟酸应用于紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)田的可行性,在温室和田间测定了氯酯磺草胺和甲咪唑烟酸复配对香附子(Cyperus rotundus)的防效和紫花苜蓿的安全性。温室试验表明,氯酯磺草胺和甲咪唑烟酸复配对香附子具有很好的防除效果,两者按有效成分用量比1:2~1:4配比对香附子株高和鲜重的共毒系数分别介于131.54~150.46和152.84~180.25,呈明显增效作用,其中1:3的比例配伍的增效最为明显,对紫花苜蓿和香附子之间的株高和鲜重选择性指数分别为1.86和1.56。两地田间试验表明,氯酯磺草胺和甲咪唑烟酸(17.50+52.50)~(25.00+75.00) g·hm^(-2)复配处理对郑州和兰考两地的香附子株防效分别为78.5%~88.5%和82.1%~90.8%、鲜重防效分别为83.4%~92.7%和84.7%~93.6%,增产率分别为28.8%~35.1%和30.5%~38.3%,显著高于氯酯磺草胺和甲咪唑烟酸单用,且避免了单用氯酯磺草胺和甲咪唑烟酸的药害问题,提高了对紫花苜蓿的安全性,表明甲咪唑烟酸和氯酯磺草胺复配可有效防控香附子,对紫花苜蓿的安全性较好,具有良好推广应用前景。

4种水产常用药物对华鳈鱼苗的急性毒性试验

采用静态急性毒性试验法,开展了硫酸铜、敌百虫、甲苯咪唑、聚维酮碘等4种水产常用药物,对华鳈鱼苗的急性毒性试验。结果表明,硫酸铜对华鳈24,48和96 h的半致死浓度(LC_(50))分别为0.63,0.41和0.29 mg/L,安全浓度(SC)为0.05 mg/L;敌百虫对华鳈鱼苗24,48和96 h的LC_(50)分别为58.73,25.58和13.98 mg/L,SC为1.44 mg/L;甲苯咪唑对华鳈鱼苗24,48和96 h的LC_(50)分别为4.89,3.11和2.57 mg/L,SC为0.38 mg/L;聚维酮碘对华鳈24,48和96 h的LC_(50)分别为11.58,10.43和10.31 mg/L,SC为2.54 mg/L。指出,硫酸铜慎用于试验规格的华鳈鱼苗,敌百虫、甲苯咪唑、聚维酮碘可用于试验规格华鳈鱼苗的疾病防治。

乙烯利催熟对机采棉铃重和纤维品质的影响

催熟剂乙烯利的使用可实现机采棉提前吐絮和集中吐絮。本研究选择催熟剂敏感性和棉铃形态差异较大的18个棉花品种(材料),在棉铃发育不同阶段一次性喷施乙烯利,分析棉铃铃期缩短对棉花铃重和纤维品质的影响及其关系。结果表明,当棉铃铃期为47~69 d时,在棉铃铃龄40.5~49.7 d喷施乙烯利可使棉铃提前3.5~5.7 d吐絮。在乙烯利催熟下纤维完全发育成熟需64.1~69.7 d,棉籽则需54.8~60.5 d。棉铃吐絮时间提前1.5~6.2 d,铃重与纤维品质均降低的概率高达58.0%~76.5%。生产中可选择在棉铃铃龄34.8~44.1 d喷施乙烯利,此时棉株顶部棉铃铃重损失5%(损伤量<0.26g)、纤维品质损失1%(长度损伤量<0.28mm、断裂比强度损伤量<0.30cNtex–1),这是实现棉铃提前吐絮可接受的代价。此外,部分品种经催熟剂处理后棉铃铃期缩短但其铃重、纤维长度和断裂比强度均增加,此类情况的概率为9.5%~23.5%,说明部分机采棉品种适时使用乙烯利能够实现机采棉棉铃铃期缩短与提高铃重和纤维品质的协同。

锌氧压酸浸硫精矿和硫尾矿的矿物学特征与环境活性

采用电感耦合(ICP-OES)、X射线衍射(XRD)、扫面电镜-能谱(SEM-EDS)、红外光谱(FTIR)及差热差重(TG-DTA)等多种检测方法对锌氧压酸浸硫精矿和硫尾矿的化学组成、粒度分布、物相结构等进行研究,并采用毒性浸出程序(TCLP)法考察其短期环境活性。研究结果表明:硫精矿1和硫精矿2主要以球状的单质硫存在,其中,少量硫精矿1以小颗粒的闪锌矿、黄铁矿等附着于块状的铁矾颗粒上,平均粒径为22.1μm;少量硫精矿2以块状的闪锌矿、黄铁矿和小颗粒存在,平均粒径为59.2μm。2种硫精矿在185~340℃时会剧烈燃烧,热稳定性较差。2种硫尾矿主要以块状的铅黄铁矾和黄钠铁矾存在,其中,硫尾矿1平均粒径为21.1μm;硫尾矿2含一定的赤铁矿(16.86%),平均粒径为5.3μm。硫精矿和硫尾矿中锌和镉元素在弱酸条件下不稳定,硫尾矿1中锌和镉的浸出量分别超标1.93倍和2.50倍;硫精矿2的分别超标2.03倍和6.56倍,硫尾矿1的分别超标3.46倍和5.94倍,硫尾矿2的分别超标11.10倍和8.28倍。