Amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) is a plant that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. It is grown as a leafy vegetable in marginal environments, but high salinity levels in the soil can have a detrimental effect on its growth. These deleterious effects of salinity can be alleviated by exogenously applying signaling compounds such as salicylic acid (SA) and calcium (Ca), which can improve plant adaptation to stressful conditions. The present study evaluated the physiological and phytochemical responses of red amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) to foliar-applied salicylic acid (SA; 0.005 mM) and calcium (CaSO 4 •2H 2 O; Ca, 2.5 mM) either alone or in combination (SA + Ca) under conditions of 100 mM NaCl salinity. The setup was placed under greenhouse condition from May to October 2017. Treatments without salinity and applied with SA or Ca were used as controls for comparison. Salinity stress reduced the growth and biomass, total chlorophyll contents, and increased electrolyte leakage with Na + and Cl − accumulation in shoot and roots. Nonetheless, exogenous applied SA and/or Ca 2+ reduced the adverse effects of salinity by modulating growth, Na + exclusion from roots, and increased total phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity in red amaranth. The combined application of salicylic acid and calcium can be a better strategy for improving the salinity tolerance of amaranth under salt-stressed conditions.

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Objectives: we aimed to assess the levels of plasma ADMA in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients without dialysis and its association with cardiovascular risk factors. Materials and Methods: This is a controlled cross-sectional study. Plasma ADMA level and other variables were measured in 30 patients of ESRD without dialysis and in 30 control healthy persons. Plasma ADMA levels were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using kits provided by immunodiagnostic AG, Germany. Data was analyzed by SPSS 19.0. Results: Mean level of ADMA in ESRD patients was 0.88 ± 0.27 µmol/L. Mean level of ADMA in healthy people was 0.49 ± 0.13 µmol/L, with significiant difference (p<0.01). There was not significiant difference of mean level of ADMA between male and female. Plasma ADMA levels were not correlated with age, serum CRP and cholesterol levels. There were correlation between ADMA level and BMI (r=-0.31, p<0.05), and Hb level (r=-0.58, p<0.01), and Hct (r=-0.60, p<0.01). It existed correlation between ADMA level and estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (r=-0.63, p<0.01). Conclusion: In ESRD, mean level of ADMA is 0.88 ± 0.27 µmol/L. There is a significiant elevation of ADMA level in ESRD compared to healthy people. A negative correlation exists between ADMA level with BMI, Hb level, Hct and eGFR. Key words: Asymmetric dimethylarginine, end stage chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular risk factor, correlation.

Sands have favourable physical properties for harvesting peanut, but improving S and water use efficiency on these soils remains a challenge. We studied partial S balance in irrigated peanut crops on sands of Central Vietnam to identify key factors of S fertiliser management affecting S inputs and outputs. Field trials were conducted in the spring seasons of 2015 and 2016 to determine the effects of S application rates (0, 15, 30, 45 kg ha -1 ) on peanut yield and partial S balance. Sulfur balances were negative (-28.3 to 5.6 kg S ha -1 ) at rates < 30 kg S ha -1 , while at higher rates of S fertiliser application that produced maximum pod yield (30 -45 kg S ha -1 ), three of four sites showed neutral to slightly R I P T positive S balance (1.5 -5.6 kg S ha -1 ). The negative partial S balance decreased with increasing S rates but was mostly attributable to the large S removal in peanut shoots (9.7 -22.3 kg S ha -1 ) which are used on farms for animal feed. The negative partial S balance results in depletion of soil S reserves and hence efficient recycling of S on farms is critical for sustainable crop production on sands of VN.

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Objectives: we aimed to assess the levels of plasma ADMA in healthy people and in reserved patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD), the association between plasma ADMA with serum creatinine concentration and with eGFR. Materials and Methods: This is a controlled cross sectional study. Plasma ADMA and other variables were measured in 27 patients with ESRD and in 21 controls. Plasma ADMA levels were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using kits provided from immunodiagnostic AG, Germany. Data was analyzed by SPSS 19.0. Results: Mean ADMA in men- women was 0.69 ± 0.19 µmol/L and 0.61 ± 0.20 µmol/L, respectively, (p>0.05), mean ADMA in control and disease were 0.48 ± 0.17 µmol/L and 0.77± 0.12µmol/L; respectively, (p <0.001). No correlation between ADMA and age (r=-0.059, p=0.691); correlation between ADMA with serum creatinine (r=0.459, p<0.001) with eGFR r=-0.596, p<0.001). Conclusion: ADMA concentration in healthy people: 0.48 ± 0.17 µmol/L. ADMA concentration in ESRD: 0.77± 0.12 µmol/L. There is a correlation between ADMA concentration with eGFR and with serum creatinine concentration. Key words: Asymmetric dimethylarginine, end stage chronic kidney disease