Effects of 24-epibrassinolide on plant growth, antioxidants defense system, and endogenous hormones in two wheat varieties under drought stress

Drought stress is a major limitation in enhancing agricultural productivity to fulfill the food demand for the world's population. Fertigation of plants with a variety of biochemicals is being used to create drought resistance in wheat; however, the previous work has been limited in addressing these issues in plants at different growth stages. Therefore, a greenhouse study was conducted to ameliorate the drought stress in two wheat varieties (Chakwal-50 and Faisalabad-2008) by foliar application of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL). It was evident that drought stress had a negative effect on the growth, photosynthesis, and yield of wheat plants. EBL significantly enhanced the plant growth both under optimal and drought conditions. EBL improved the plant height, spike length, and the dry weights of roots, shoots, and grains as compared to control. Furthermore, the foliar application of EBL positively enhanced the osmolyte accumulation, increased the amounts of photosynthetic pigments, and improved the gas exchange parameters. The EBL minimized the oxidative stress by reducing electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, and hydrogen peroxide contents whereas it enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase under drought stress. The EBL significantly improved the level of stress hormones, such as abscisic acid, indol acetic acid, and cytokinin under drought stress. The growth response of Chakwal-50 was higher than that of Faisalabad-2008 when exposed to EBL under drought stress. Overall, the EBL plays a major role in the enhancement of growth, biomass, yield, and decrease in oxidative damage in wheat under drought conditions, however; field investigations with different doses of EBL are needed before any further recommendation.

A case control study to determine risk factors for campylobacter infection in Christchurch in the summer of 1992-3

AIM

This study was designed to determine the risk factors for acquiring campylobacter infection in Christchurch in the summer of 1992/3.

METHODS

A case control study was conducted of 100 cases and controls from urban areas matched for age and sex. Cases and controls were interviewed by telephone using a questionnaire and results analysed using the Epi Info statistical computer programme.

RESULTS

Eighty one percent of both cases and controls had recently consumed poultry. Eating poultry at a friends house (OR = 3.18, CI 1.0, 10.73, p = 0.03), at a barbecue (OR = 3.00, CI 0.99, 9.34, p = 0.03) or eating undercooked chicken (OR = 4.94, CI 1.03, 23.62, p = 0.05) was a risk whereas eating at home was protective (OR = 0.36, CI 0.14, 0.9, p = 0.02). Other factors associated with increased risk were drinking water from a nonurban supply (OR = 2.7, CI 0.89, 8.33, p = 0.09) or consumption of chicken bought fresh (OR = 1.8, CI 0.85, 3.82, p = 0.10).

CONCLUSION

Poorly cooked or handled chicken is a significant source of human campylobacter infection. Morbidity may be reduced by increased public awareness and improvement of cooking practices.

Epstein-Barr virus infection acquired from a cadaveric renal transplant

A 42-year-old man, seronegative for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), received a cadaveric renal transplant. Serology from the 27-year-old male donor indicated an active EBV infection. Following treatment for acute rejection with OKT3 the recipient developed a severe systemic illness. Clinical features strongly suggested an acute EBV infection and serology showed seroconversion for EBV. The patient died and autopsy histology revealed widespread polymorphic lymphocyte infiltration in lymph nodes and solid organs. To our knowledge this is the first report of a kidney being transplanted from a donor who was subsequently shown to have had EBV infection at the time of organ retrieval. The EBV status of an organ donor should be considered more frequently.