Optimizing nitrogen supply promotes biomass, physiological characteristics and yield components of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.).

Avoidable or inappropriate nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates harmfully affect the yield production and ecological value. Therefore, the aims of this study were to optimize the rate and timings of N fertilizer to maximize yield components and photosynthetic parameter of soybean. This field experiment consists of five fertilizer N rates: 0, 75, 150, 225 and 300 kg N ha-1 arranged in main plots and four N fertilization timings: V5 (trifoliate leaf), R2 (full flowering stage) and R4 (full poding stage), and R6 (full seeding stage) growth stages organized as subplots. Results revealed that 225 kg N ha-1 significantly enhanced grain yield components, total chlorophyll (Chl), photosynthetic rate (P N), and total dry biomass and N accumulation by 20%, 16%, 28%, 7% and 12% at R4 stage of soybean. However, stomatal conductance (g s ), leaf area index (LAI), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) and transpiration rate (E) were increased by 12%, 88%, 10%, 18% at R6 stage under 225 kg N ha-1. Grain yield was significantly associated with photosynthetic characteristics of soybean. In conclusion, the amount of nitrogen 225 kg ha-1 at R4 and R6 stages effectively promoted the yield components and photosynthetic characteristics of soybean.

Residual effects of tobacco biochar along with different fixing agents on stabilization of trace elements in multi-metal contaminated soils.

The residual effect of tobacco biochar (TB ≥ 500°C) mono and co-application with Ca-hydroxide (CH), Ca-bentonite (CB) and natural zeolite (NZ) on the bio-availability of trace elements TE(s) in alkaline soils has not been deeply studied yet. A pot study that had earlier been investigated TB mono and blended with CH, CB and NZ on the immobilization of Pb, Cu Cd, and Zn by Chinese cabbage. Maize crop in the rotation was selected as test plant to assess the residual impact of amendments on stabilization of Pb, Cu Cd, and Zn in mine polluted (M-P), smelter heavily and low polluted (S-HP and S-LP, respectively) soils. The obtained results showed that stabilization of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn reached 63.84% with TB + CB, 61.19% with TB + CH, 83.31% with TB + CH and 35.27% with TB + CH for M-P soil, 36.46% with TB + NZ, 38.46% with TB + NZ, 19.40% with TB + CH and 62.43% with TB + CH for S-LP soil, 52.94% TB + NZ, 57.65% with TB + NZ, 52.94% with TB + NZ, and 28.44% with TB + CH for S-LP soil. Conversely, TB + CH and TB alone had mobilized Pb and Zn up to 19.29% and 34.96% in M-P soil. The mobility of Zn reached 8.38% with TB + CB and 66.03% with TB for S-HP and S-LP soils. The uptake and accumulation of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn in shoot and root were reduced in three polluted soils. Overall, the combination of TB along with CH, CB and NZ has been proven to be effective in Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn polluted mine/smelter soils restoration.

Pharmacological values and therapeutic properties of black tea (Camellia sinensis): A comprehensive overview.

Medicinal plants are essential parts of traditional medicine due to their phytochemical constituents having pharmacological values and therapeutic applications. Black tea have thousands of various biological compounds such as flavonoids (Thearubigins (TRs) and theaflavins (TFs) and catechins), amino acids (L.theanine), vitamins (A, C, K), phenolic acids (caffeic acid (CA), gallic acid (GA), chlorogenic acids (CGA) and cauramic acid), lipids, proteins, volatile compounds carbohydrates, ß-carotene and fluoride that illustrated many promising pharmacological effects regarded as growth promoter, cardioprotector, potent cholesterol-lowering effect, antioxidant and antimicrobial, etc inhuman. Although there is an exponential growth in molecular evidence of cholesterol-lowering and antioxidant effect in human, there is still a lack of information of the pharmacological effects of black tea. To fill this information gap, therefore, this review article underscores broadening the new insight pertaining to black tea that could be used as safe food additive. This article also illuminates the interesting role of black tea as an herbal medicine that is the future demand to get rid of synthetic health promoters in the human health practice. Moreover, this information would be useful in terms of the low-cost practice of natural medicines with no residual effects, and a natural protection of the human being. In addition, further studies at a molecular level are needed to reveal its mechanism of action particularly for the hypocholesterolemic effect of black tea to overcome the heart-related diseases, fewer side effects and being a natural safeguard of human health.

Transulnar versus transradial artery approach for coronary angioplasty: the PCVI-CUBA study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare in terms of efficacy and safety the transulnar to the transradial approach for coronary angiography and angioplasty. BACKGROUND: Opposite to the transradial approach, which is now widely used in catheterization laboratories worldwide, the ulnar artery approach is rarely used for cardiac catheterization. METHODS: Diagnostic coronarography, followed or not by angioplasty, was performed by transulnar or transradial approach, chosen at random. A positive (normal) direct or reverse Allen's test was required before tempting the radial or the ulnar approach, respectively. MACE were recorded till 1-month follow-up. Doppler ultrasound assessment of the forearm vessels was scheduled for all the angioplastied patients. RESULTS: Successful access was obtained in 93.1% of patients in the ulnar group (n = 216), and in 95.5% of patients in the radial group (n = 215), P = NS. One hundred and three and 105 angioplasty procedures were performed in 94 and 95 patients in ulnar and radial group, with success in 95.2% and 96.2% of procedures in ulnar and radial group, respectively (P = NS). Freedom from MACE at 1-month follow-up was observed in 93 patients in both groups (97.8% for ulnar group and 95.8% for radial group), P = NS. Asymptomatic access site artery occlusion occurred in 5.7% of patients after transulnar and in 4.7% of patients after transradial angioplasty. A big forearm hematoma, and a little A-V fistula were observed, each in one patient, in the ulnar group. CONCLUSION: The transulnar approach for diagnostic and therapeutic coronary interventions is a safe and effective alternative to the transradial approach, as both techniques share a high success rate and an extremely low incidence of entry site complications. The transulnar approach has the potential to spare injury to the radial artery in anticipation of its use as a coronary bypass conduit.

Percutaneous transulnar artery approach for diagnostic and therapeutic coronary intervention.

While the transradial approach is now a well-established alternative to the conventional femoral approach for cardiac catheterization, the ulnar artery is rarely used. The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of transulnar catheterization for routine diagnostic and therapeutic coronary interventions. Among 210 consecutive patients referred for diagnostic coronary angiography and or angioplasty and screened for appropriateness of the ulnar approach, 172 (172 of 210, 82%) underwent attempted ulnar artery catheterization, which was successful in 158 (158 of 172, 91%). The 173 procedures successfully performed via the ulnar approach included 122 diagnostic coronary angiographies, 38 coronary angiographies followed by angioplasty, and 13 elective angioplasties. Access site complications consisted of one case each of silent ulnar artery thrombosis, pseudoaneurysm, and hematoma due to ulnar artery wall rupture during an unsuccessful catheterization attempt. No cardiac or systemic complications were recorded. The transulnar approach appears feasible and safe for routine coronary diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.