Evaluation of phytotoxicity effect of olive mill wastewater treated by different technologies on seed germination of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).

Olive-mill wastewater (OMW) is a by-product effluent of olive oil extraction process that is produced in large amount in the Mediterranean region. OMW is believed to induce phytotoxic effect on organisms including seed germination and plant growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of untreated and treated OMW with different techniques on seed germination of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The following treatments were investigated: (1) tap water (control); (2) OMW treated by aerobic biological technology in a Jacto Reactor (JR); (3) OMW treated by solar fenton oxidation (SFO); (4) OMW treated by microfiltration followed by nanofiltration (MF+NF); (5) OMW treated by microfiltration followed by reverse osmosis (MF+RO) process; (6) diluted OMW with tap water (25 % OMW); (7) diluted OMW with tap water (50 % OMW); (8) diluted OMW with tap water (75 % OMW); and (9) untreated OMW (100 % OMW). A germination test was conducted in an incubator at temperature of 23 (∘)C. In each petri dish, a filter paper was mounted and ten seeds of barley were placed on the filter paper. Five milliliter of water were added to each petri dish. The seed germination was determined by counting the number of germinated seeds to calculate the percentage of germination (G %). Germination rate index (GRI), seed vigor index (SVI), and phytotoxicity index (PI) were also calculated. Then, the dry weights and lengths of the shoots and the roots of the germinated seeds were measured. The results show that 100, 75, and 50 %OMW were very phytotoxic and completely prohibited seed germination. However, phytotoxicity decreased significantly following treatments of OMW with all techniques investigated and by the 25 % OMW dilution, as results of removing the phenols and other phytotoxic organic compounds from the OMW or by diluting it. This was evidenced by relative enhancement of the dry weights and lengths of shoot and root as well as the G %, GRI, SVG, and PI. It was concluded that if OMW will be used for irrigating crops, it has to be first treated or diluted with tap water at a ratio of 1:3 OMW:water at least. The most efficient treatment techniques in reducing the phytotoxicity of OMW were the MF+RO, followed by SFO and JR.

Standard fenestration approach to thoracic disc herniation.

The objective was to present the safety and efficacy of discectomy in thoracic disc herniation through posterior fenestration. This approach was used to remove six thoracic disc herniations (between T8-H12) in five patients. The follow-up period ranged from 6 months to 3 years. Three patients with spastic paraparesis demonstrated dramatic improvement. Paraparesis improved significantly in one patient, but has recurred 8 months later. Four patients experiencing axial pain reported excellent improvement after operation. This technique appears to be safe, effective and less destructive to the vertebrae. It could be applied easily without instrumentation for stabilization.

Transient cerebellar eye closure after posterior fossa surgery in a 5-year-old child.

INTRODUCTION: Transient cerebellar eye closure (TCES) is a rare complication of cerebellar tumor surgery in children. The pathogenesis of this problem remains unclear, and controversy exists regarding whether it is a purely psychogenic disorder or an organic syndrome. The anatomical substrate for this transient eye closure remains unknown. Most of the cases reported were associated with the syndrome of mutism. CASE REPORT: We encountered a case of post-operative TCES in a 5-year-old girl with posterior fossa tumor. RESULTS: We are presenting this rare complication with the hope of elucidating further on clinical course of illness and literature review on the possible pathophysiological mechanism.

Microbial populations of crude oil spill polluted soils at the Jordan-Iraq desert (the Badia region) / População microbiana de solos contaminados pelo derramamento de petróleo no deserto Jordão-Iraque (região de Badia)

Microbial populations' inhabitants in crude petroleum contaminated soils were analyzed in relation with the soil characteristics. A noticeable greater decline of bacterial counts and diversity but a prevalence of the genus Pseudomonas over the other identified genera in the fresh contaminated soils as compared to the old ones was observed.

Analisou-se a população microbiana de solos contaminados pelo derramamento de petróleo em função das características do solo. Uma diminuição notável foi observada nas contagens e diversidade bacterianas, mas observou-se a prevalência de Pseudomonas em relação aos demais gêneros identificados em solos recentemente contaminados, quando comparado com solos com contaminação antiga.

Microbial populations of crude oil spill polluted soils at the Jordan-Iraq desert (the Badia region).

Microbial populations' inhabitants in crude petroleum contaminated soils were analyzed in relation with the soil characteristics. A noticeable greater decline of bacterial counts and diversity but a prevalence of the genus Pseudomonas over the other identified genera in the fresh contaminated soils as compared to the old ones was observed.

How to approach the problem of low back pain: an overview.

The management of patients with low back pain (LBP) problems by primary care physicians or even spine specialists differ significantly and little is known about treatment strategy.This review is to present the clinical profile and to assess the most common treatment modalities of patients with low-back pain in order to improve the clinical judgment of the treating physician.Data were obtained from a midline literature search of articles in English. A manual revision of original articles was done and demonstrative figures from patients at our institute were added.LBP is an extremely common problem. It is characterized by attacks, remissions and exacerbations. It is best managed by a multidisciplinary team. Primary coordination of treatment may depend on the patient's need and the awareness of the treating physician of the importance of history and physical examinations. The following suggested protocol may help to identify red flags that denote more serious conditions.

Chemical alteration of the rhizosphere of the mycorrhizal-colonized wheat root.

Plexiglass pot growth chamber experiments were conducted to evaluate the chemical alterations in the rhizosphere of mycorrhizal wheat roots after inoculation with Glomus intraradices [arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF)]. Exchange resins were used as sinks for nutrients to determine whether the inoculated plant can increase the solubility and the uptake of P and micronutrients. Treatments included: (1) soil (bulk soil); (2) AMF inoculation no P addition (I-P); (3) no inoculation with no P addition (NI-P); (4) AMF inoculation with addition of 50 mg P (kg soil)(-1) (I+P), and (5) no inoculation with addition of 50 mg P (kg soil)(-1) (NI+P). The AMF inoculum was added at a rate of four spores of G. intraradices (g soil)(-1). The exchange resin membranes were inserted vertically 5 cm apart in the middle of Plexiglass pots. Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Len) was planted in each Plexiglass pot and grown for 2 weeks in a growth chamber where water was maintained at field capacity. Rhizosphere pH and redox potential (Eh), nutrient bioavailability indices and mycorrhizal colonization were determined. Mycorrhizal inoculation increased the colonization more when P was not added, but did not increase the shoot dry weight at either P level. The rhizosphere pH was lower in the inoculated plants compared to the noninoculated plants in the absence of added P, while the Eh did not change. The decrease in pH in the rhizosphere of inoculated plants could be responsible for the increased P and Zn uptake observed with inoculation. In contrast, Mn uptake was decreased by inoculation. The resin-adsorbed P was increased by inoculation, which, along with the bioavailability index data, may indicate that mycorrhizal roots were able to increase the solubility of soil P.

Survival and accumulation of microorganisms in soils irrigated with secondary treated wastewater.

Secondary-treated wastewater was used to irrigate forage crops during two years (1994 and 1995). The bacteriological quality of the soil irrigated with both secondary treated wastewater (without chlorination) and with potable water was evaluated. The following three treatments were investigated in this study: i) irrigation with potable water in amount equivalent to 100% of the class A Pan evaporation reading (as taken from the nearest Meteorological Weather Station); ii) irrigation with treated wastewater in amount equivalent to 100% of the A Pan reading and iii) irrigation with treated wastewater in amount equivalent to 125% of the A Pan reading. At the end of the last growing season, soil samples were collected at two soil depths and subjected to microbiological analysis. The bacteriological analysis showed that the total aerobic bacterial counts of surface soil were similar in all irrigated plots, suggesting that the use of this wastewater did not stimulate or inhibit these microflora. Surface soil was found to have higher bacterial counts than deeper soil suggesting bacterial removal from irrigation water by the first few centimeters of soil due to natural infiltration of soil. The total coliforms ranged from 2.1 x 10(3) CFU/g to 4.2 x 10(3) CFU/g while fecal coliforms were less, ranging from 1.2 x 10(2) CFU/g to 4.2 x 10(2) CFU/g. No detectable helminth eggs were recorded in the treated wastewater used for irrigation. The results strongly suggest the necessity to treat wastewater effluents to an extent to which no or very few residual bacterial contaminants will be detected.

The effect of maternal photoperiod on seasonal dormancy in Arabidopsis thaliana (Brassicaceae).

The maternal photoperiod at the time of seed maturation can predict the seasonal conditions of newly dispersed seeds. We investigated the effects of maternal photoperiod on seasonal dormancy in Arabidopsis thaliana using a set of F6 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between individuals from two natural populations (Cal-0 and Tac-0) differing in cold requirements for germination. We grew 40 Cal × Tac lines in a long-day photoperiod (8 h of full spectrum light plus 8 h of low-fluence incandescent light) and a short-day photoperiod (8 h full spectrum light). We then exposed seeds from each family and maternal photoperiod to either a cold stratification treatment (4°C, 21 d) or no cold stratification. Both maternal photoperiod and progeny stratification influenced the percentage of seeds that germinated and the speed of germination. The short-day photoperiod caused increased responsiveness to stratification, with higher germination percentages and speeds in stratified seeds. Stratification influenced the expression of maternal photoperiod effects, such that short days increased germination percentage and speed in stratified seeds but inhibited germination in unstratified seeds. Families differed significantly in their plasticity to maternal photoperiod and stratification, but genetic variation for plasticity to maternal photoperiod was expressed only in unstratified seeds. Because the expression of maternal photoperiod effects and genetic variation for photoperiod effects depended on progeny stratification, the evolution of these maternal effects will depend on the seasonal environment experienced by progeny.

Efficient directional cloning of recombinant adenovirus vectors using DNA-protein complex.

We describe an efficient cloning system utilizing adenoviral DNA-protein complexes which allows the directional cloning of genes into adenoviral expression vectors in a single step. DNA-protein complexes derived from a recombinant adenovirus (AVC2.null) were isolated by sequential use of CsCl step gradients followed by isopycnic centrifugation in a mixture of CsCl and guanidine HCl. AVC2.null is an adenoviral expression vector containing unique restriction sites between the human CMV-IE promoter and the SV40 intron/polyadenylation site. Transgenes were prepared for cloning into this vector by introduction of compatible restriction sites by PCR. A vector expressing rat granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was constructed using DNA-protein complex as well as by traditional recombination techniques. The efficacy of our adenoviral cloning system utilizing DNA-protein complex was two logs higher than that seen using homologous recombination. All viruses generated by directional ligation of the insert into the vector DNA-protein complexes contained the desired transgene in the correct orientation. This technique greatly simplifies and accelerates the generation of recombinant adenoviral vectors.

Behçet's disease in Iraqi patients.

The clinical features of 60 patients (45 male, 15 female) with Behçet's disease (BD) are reported in this prospective study. Ninety seven per cent had mouth ulceration, 83% genital ulceration, 75% skin lesions, 48% ocular involvement, 48% synovitis, 17% thrombophlebitis, and 22% of the male patients had epidiymitis, while constitutional symptoms were reported by 63%. The arthritis was intermittent, self limiting, and non-destructive, involving large joints, mainly the knees and ankles. The pathergy test was positive in 37 of 52 patients with BD, and negative in all 120 healthy controls and in 20 healthy volunteers who possessed the HLA-B51 antigen. HLA-B51 was present in 32 of 52 (62%) patients with BD compared with 51 of 175 (29%) unrelated normal controls. Both the pathergy and HLA-B51 tests were negative in four of 52 patients with BD. Behçet's disease is not uncommon in Iraq. Practising physicians, dermatologists, and ophthalmologists must be more aware of its existence.