[en] The decline in biogenerating capacity to form natural antibiotic compounds (phytoalexins), rishitin and lubimin in potato tubers and rishitin in tomatoes, after gamma irradiation seems to be the essence of the suppression of natural immunity exhibited by an increase in per cent of rotted tubers and fruits during storage. In vitro studies postulated that the rot-causing fungi Phytophthora infestans (Mond) De Bary, Alternaria solani (Ellis and Martin) James and Grout, Botrytis cinerea Persson., Fusarium oxysporum Syder and Hansen and Rhizopus stolonifer Ehrenberg were significantly controlled by the application of phytoalexins that had been initially formed by potato tubers (rishitin), tomato fruits (rishitin) and pepper fruits (capsidiol). In vivo studies revealed that post-irradiation treatment of potato tubers and tomato fruits with phytoalexins that had been produced by the same plant organ or by another of the same family seems to be experimentally feasible to reduce the radiation dose or increase the efficiency of irradiation in controlling microbial spoilage during storage of irradiated potatoes and tomatoes. (author)

[en] Since gamma irradiation of tomatoes is investigated as a tool for increasing tomato shelf-lefe, in this study the tomato seed oil produced from irradiated tomatoes was compared with that produced from industrial tomato seeds and with cotton seeds. Fatty acid contents of tomato seed oil, produced from industrial tomato seed waste and from tomato seeds (Variety Ace), were found nearly the same as in the edible cotton seed oil. Hence, both tomato seed oils may be considered as an additional source of essential fatty acids especially linoleic. Gamma irradiation doses ranged from 50-200 Krad had no significant effect on total saturated and total unsaturated fatty acids. 200 Krad led to significant increases in lenolic acid on the account of insignificant decrease in palmatic acid. Essentail and non essential amino acids of tomato seed meal seem to be equivalent to these of cotton seed meal. This suggests the possible use of tomato seed meal in animal feeding

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[en] Cysteine sulfoxide lyase activity, the development of lacrimatory factor and intensity of pungent flavour had been decreased, statistically, with increasing anti-sprouting gamma-ray dose and storage period after irradiation. Inactivation of lyase caused by 5 and 10 krad was perfectly recovered by the storage. The lyase activity was reactivated to unirradiated level at 4-5 months storage, respectively, under room temperature (20-25 C and 85-75%R.H.). 15kr inhibited the enzyme activity and could not be completely recovered and the characteristic flavour as well as the lacrimatory factor were drastically decreased by increasing storage time. Therefore, 10krad seems to be the maximum gamma ray dose proper for sprout-inhibition of Egyptian onions, Giza 6 variety, from technological point of view

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[en] Eleven heavy metals and 4 radioactive nuclides were determined in groundwater samples collected from 9 wells located in centeral eastern desert egypt. The techniques applied include ICP-MS and alpha radiometry concentrations of these nuclides were compared with the maximum permissibl concerntrations in drinking water suggested by EPA and EHCW, as well as some published concentrations in various water sources and locations around the world. With few exceptions, the concentrations of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cr, Ag, Mo, Co, and Bi are close to or eithin the permissible limits, while the concentrations of As, H and Se are significantly hig in several wells. The high values of As are mos probably related to the accessory mineal arsenopyrite, found in the granitoid rock traced to the huge tailings of glod mining and extraction activities that used th amalgamation technology. When these wells are used for drinking purposes, the concentrations of th radionuclides Ra-226 and Rn-222 are within the safe limits, while that of U and T can be considered generally, unsafe. The annual intakes and doses due to ingestio of these 4 radionuclides through drinking these waters were also estimated

[en] Background: Antenatal Care is one of the fundamental rights for women to safeguard their health. Neonatal mortality rates have remained relatively static, compared to the decline in infant and under 5 mortality rates, adverse practices regarding breast feeding and pre-lacteal feeds being the important factors responsible. This study aimed to explore the Antenatal Care, delivery and breast feeding practices in three districts of Blotchiness. Methods: It was a qualitative phenomenological design using Constrictive approach. The study was conducted in three districts of Baluchistan province, Gwadar, Quetta, Qila Saifullah. There were a total of 14 Focus Group Discussions with women regarding Antenatal Care, delivery and Breast feeding practices, followed by audio taping, transcription as verbatim and analysis through Nvivo version 2. A process was deployed for identification and reporting of the components in order to ensure quality and validity of the qualitative findings. Results: Across the sites, women attended ANC at least once. However, their descriptions of ANC often varied. The women preferred Dais instead of doctors, due to the affordability, customs and availability. A lack of trained doctors and long distances to get a check-up lead to home deliveries in the study setting. Colostrum was discarded by majority of the mothers, while prelacteal feed was a common practice. Conclusion: This paper has explored factors affecting ANC attendance, delivery and breast feeding practices across three settings. Both the demand and supply side factors have an important influence on practices. (author)

[en] Rishitin-generating capacity was significantly lowered by gamma seed irradiation treatment as reflected by a decreasing rishitin content in necrotic leaf tissues when the gamma-ray dose was increased. Five mutants resistant to P. infestans were selected from the generation that formed 14.2, 10.2, 3.9 and 3.4, more rishitin respectively than that produced by control infected plants at the G₃ generation. It is concluded that resistance is correlated with the capacity of forming rishitin in response to infection with P. infestans. Hence, rishitin is immunologically significant and its accumulation acts as an active induced resistance mechanism to late blight in tomato. (author)