Evaluating the Cu and Zn status of various rice soils of Peninsular Malaysia

Malaysia is taking efforts to be self.sufficient in rice production. However, the country is facing low availability of Cu and Zn in its soils. Even though these elements are required in small quantities for normal plant growth, their role in maximising yield is very impressive. The present study was conducted to assess the micronutrient Cu and Zn contents in selected paddy soils of Malaysia. Investigations carried out showed that marine alluvium [Guar, Sedaka, Keranji, Kuala Kedah, Kangkong, Sedu, Rotan and Kundur (Kedah)] and reverine alluvium; [Chempaka, Lubok Itek, Lating, Batu Hitam and Machang soil series (Kelantan)] were low in Cu and Zn contents. All soils were acidic in nature, with their pH values ranging from 4.3 to 6.5. Based on the results, extractable Cu and Zn concentration of soil varied within the range of 0.09.1.70 and 0.51.2.10 mg kg-1 in the soil series of Kuala Kedah and LubukItek, respectively. It was manifested that the micronutrient contents were below the critical level (Cu 0.1.1.0 mg kg-1 and Zn 0.5.3.0 mg kg-1)according to the method of extracting analysis; Mehlich.I. The sampling depth has shown a variation and the subsurface soil sampling exhibited lesser Cu and Zn contents as compared to the surface soil sampling. Findings of the research indicate that micronutrient deficiency occurs in the main rice regions of Malaysia, and this can be corrected by applying micronutrient fertiliser

Frequency of Lingual Nerve Injury after the Removal of Impacted Mandibular Third Molar

Objective: to determine the frequency of lingual nerve injury after the removal of impacted mandibular 3rd molar. Study Design: Cross sectional study Place and duration: outdoor patient department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Hitec Dental College, Foundation College of Dentistry Peace Gernal Hospital, Nishtar Institute of  Dentistry,Multan from January 2018 to January 2019 in one year duration. Results: Study included 335 patients with mean age of 20.86+ 1.95 yrs. Males were 190(56.7%) and females were 145(43.3%).lingual nerve injury was found in 28 patients(8.4%)while it was absent in 307 patients(91.6%).There was no significant effect was found on the frequency of lingual nerve injury for age or gender of the patient population. Conclusion: Lingual nerve injury is a commonly encountered complication among those undergoing extraction of impacted third molar. It should be carefully sought in all the patients undergoing the surgical procedure and improvement in surgical skills and techniques needs to be emphasized to further reduce the incidence and risk of this complication. Keywords: Impacted third molar, Lingual nerve, OPG (orthopantomogram), Dentistry, Mandible. DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/57-01 Publication date: July 31st 201

Consequences of Cu and Zn coated urea to minimize ammonia volatilization

Nitrogen (N) losses from agricultural fields are commonly observed particularly from urea. The rate of urea hydrolysis is accelerated as it remains in conventional form and about 70% of applied urea losses in different forms to atmosphere. Ammonia volatilization is persuasive loss among all the losses from urea. Therefore to minimize ammonia (NH3) volatilization the micronutrient coated urea is applied to enhance N-efficiency and its uptake. This study is an application of micronutrient coated urea with zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) for two soil series of Malaysia. A laboratory experiment was designed according to the force draft technique for trapping the NH3 loss. The results have manifested that the rate of ammonia volatilization was 16% from uncoated urea and 8% from coated urea with micronutrients during the first two weeks of observations. After the six weeks of observations it was perceived that the ammonia losses for both soil series were gradually decreased with time. The mean comparison by using Tukey’s range test has shown the positive effect of micronutrient coated urea in comparison with the conventional urea. However the urea coated with the combination of both micronutrients Cu and Zn has shown significant difference in contrast to the coating urea with single micronutrient. The overall results revealed the efficacy of micronutrient coated urea on both of the soil series to maximize N-uptake and reduce NH3 volatilization

In silico modeling of the specific inhibitory potential of thiophene-2,3-dihydro-1,5-benzothiazepine against BChE in the formation of β-amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Alzheimer's disease, known to be associated with the gradual loss of memory, is characterized by low concentration of acetylcholine in the hippocampus and cortex part of the brain. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase has successfully been used as a drug target to treat Alzheimer's disease but drug resistance shown by butyrylcholinesterase remains a matter of concern in treating Alzheimer's disease. Apart from the many other reasons for Alzheimer's disease, its association with the genesis of fibrils by β-amyloid plaques is closely related to the increased activity of butyrylcholinesterase. Although few data are available on the inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase, studies have shown that that butyrylcholinesterase is a genetically validated drug target and its selective inhibition reduces the formation of β-amyloid plaques.</p> <p>Rationale</p> <p>We previously reported the inhibition of cholinesterases by 2,3-dihydro-1, 5-benzothiazepines, and considered this class of compounds as promising inhibitors for the cure of Alzheimer's disease. One compound from the same series, when substituted with a hydroxy group at C-3 in ring A and 2-thienyl moiety as ring B, showed greater activity against butyrylcholinesterase than to acetylcholinesterase. To provide insight into the binding mode of this compound (Compound A), molecular docking in combination with molecular dynamics simulation of 5000 ps in an explicit solvent system was carried out for both cholinesterases.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Molecular docking studies revealed that the potential of Compound A to inhibit cholinesterases was attributable to the cumulative effects of strong hydrogen bonds, cationic-π, π-π interactions and hydrophobic interactions. A comparison of the docking results of Compound A against both cholinesterases showed that amino acid residues in different sub-sites were engaged to stabilize the docked complex. The relatively high affinity of Compound A for butyrylcholinesterase was due to the additional hydrophobic interaction between the 2-thiophene moiety of Compound A and Ile69. The involvement of one catalytic triad residue (His438) of butyrylcholinesterase with the 3'-hydroxy group on ring A increases the selectivity of Compound A. C-C bond rotation around ring A also stabilizes and enhances the interaction of Compound A with butyrylcholinesterase. Furthermore, the classical network of hydrogen bonding interactions as formed by the catalytic triad of butyrylcholinesterase is disturbed by Compound A. This study may open a new avenue for structure-based drug design for Alzheimer's disease by considering the 3D-pharmacophoric features of the complex responsible for discriminating these two closely-related cholinesterases.</p

Effects of Cu and Zn coated urea on rice production in acidic and alkaline soils

Acidic soils of Malaysia and alkaline soils of Pakistan are in incidence of micronutrient insufficiency. Despite of that urea is considered as the most broadly used nitrogen (N) fertilizer. Unfortunately, its application is associated with losses such as emissions of ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) gases. In couple to the economic loss, such N losses may threaten atmospheric quality and results in poor plant synchrony. Application of both urease and nitrification inhibitors is encouraged as an approach to mitigate these gaseous losses. The rate of urea hydrolysis is accelerated as it remains in conventional form and about 70% of applied urea losses. Ammonia volatilization (NH3) is a substantial loss of urea. Therefore, to minimize NH3 volatilization and to supply the adequate Cu and Zn was the major aim of this research. Copper and Zn status were evaluated in selected paddy soils of Malaysia and Pakistan. Based on the results, Kuala Kedah and Chempaka soil series were below the critical level (Cu 0.1-1.0 mg kg-1 and Zn 0.5-3.0 mg kg-1) according to the method Mehlich-I in Malaysia, whereas in Pakistan Rustum soil series was below the critical level on Zn ( AB-DTPA 0.5 mg kg-1). Soils deficient in Cu and Zn were selected for this current study. The research was based on trials conducted at: (1) laboratory; (2) glass house; and (3) field conditions. Copper and Zn coated urea was prepared manually, where micronutrient fertilizer sources copper sulphate (3 and 5 kg ha-1) and zinc sulphate (7 and 10 kg ha-1) were used. Palm stearin was used as coating material to overlap Cu and Zn on urea. The specific aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of Cu and Zn coated urea on: (1) NH3 volatilization loss; (2) yield components of rice under acidic and alkaline soils; and (3) fluctuation of soil Eh and pH. In this regard a laboratory study was conducted on two acidic soil series of Malaysia. Results revealed that 50% less NH3 volatilization loss was observed under Cu and Zn coated urea treated soils as compared to common urea. After the positive results found in laboratory testing of Cu and Zn coated urea, a glass house study was designed to evaluate its effect on rice and Cu and Zn availability. Copper (3 and 5 kg ha-1) and Zn (7 and 10 kg ha-1) either alone or in combinations were applied as surface application or coated with urea followed by recommended doses of P and K (70 kg ha-1). Results manifested that Cu and Zn coated urea controlled fluctuating pH, Eh and facilitated Cu and Zn availability. The Cu and Zn had positive effect on growth, yield and nutrients concentration in rice plants. There was 40.9% yield increment over control under acidic soils. To confirm the results of glass house, a filed study was conducted on alkaline soils of Pakistan. Copper and Zn were applied all in coated form either alone or in the combinations (Cu3, Cu5, Zn10 and Zn15 kg ha-1) followed by the recommended doses of P (70 kg ha-1) and K (50 kg ha-1). Copper and Zn coated urea showed the positive response on the growth and yield of rice (50% grain yield increment was obtained over control). Coated urea increased the Cu, Zn and N contents in soil and plants

Hermite-Hadamard Type Integral Inequalities for Functions Whose Mixed PartialDerivatives Are Co-ordinated Preinvex

The main objective of this article is to establish integral iden-tity relating the left side of Hermite- Hadamard type inequality. By usingthis identity, we establish some new Hermite-Hadamard type integral in-equalities for functions whose mixed partial derivatives are co-ordinatedpreinvex. These consequences generalize numerous outcomes establishedin previous studies for these classes of functions