The Paracatu/Entre-Ribeiros Irrigation Scheme in Southeastern Brazil – Features and Challenges in Performance Assessment

A case study is presented on the irrigation performanceassessment of the Paracatu/ Entre-Ribeirosproject, a privately owned/managedcenter-pivot irrigation scheme inSoutheastern Brazil. Seven indicators werechosen (delivery performance, overallconsumptive ratio, sustainability ofirrigated area, power and energyconsumption, operation and maintenancefraction, unit gross economic return, andglobal revenue/cost ratio) to assess theperformance of the scheme in the periodfrom 1997 through 2000. The values obtainedfor these indicators seem to haveadequately expressed the current situationof the scheme by identifying low values ofoverall consumptive ratio, an indication ofthe need for improvement in the watermanagement strategies of individualfarmers.     

Artemisia dracunculus L. (tarragon): a critical review of its traditional use, chemical composition, pharmacology, and safety

Artemisia dracunculus L. (tarragon) has a long history of use as a spice and remedy. Two well-described "cultivars" (Russian and French) are used widely and differ in ploidy level, morphology, and chemistry. Key biologically active secondary metabolites are essential oils (0.15-3.1%), coumarins (>1%), flavonoids, and phenolcarbonic acids. In vivo studies mainly in rodents, particularly from Russian sources, highlight potential anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antihyperglycemic effects. Despite concerns about the toxic effects of two of its main constituents, estragole (up to 82%) and methyleugenol (up to 39%), no acute toxicity or mutagenic activity has been reported at doses relevant for human consumption. Water extracts of A. dracunculus contain very low amounts of estragole and methyleugenol and, therefore, are considered to pose a very limited risk. Overall, a stronger focus on clinical studies and precise taxonomic and phytochemical definition of the source material will be essential for future research efforts.     

Geographical distribution and seasonality of the prevalence of Leucocytozoon lovati in Japanese rock ptarmigans (Lagopus mutus japonicus) found in the alpine regions of Japan

In this study, we investigated the geographical distribution and seasonality of Leucocytozoon lovati infection in the Japanese rock ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus japonicus); this bird is one of the special natural monuments of Japan that inhabits the Japanese alpine regions. We examined blood samples from birds captured in the Kubiki, Hida, and Akaishi mountain ranges for three years from 2002 to 2005. Seventy-three blood samples from 42 males, 19 females, and 12 birds of unknown sex were used for this study. The rate of infection with L. lovati was 78.1% in the 73 birds examined. We demonstrated that the L. lovati infection was distributed across wide ranges of ptarmigan populations from the northern to the southern alpine zones. There was no sex bias in the prevalence ratio. The prevalence of L. lovati and the level of parasitization of the blood cells tended to increase from spring through summer; in contrast, a decrease was observed from summer through autumn. Although L. lovati infection was observed in a number of local populations inhabiting three mountainous regions, no infected birds were found in Mt. Johnen-dake and Mt. Maejohnen-dake. It is necessary to continue surveying the relationship between the population dynamics of the ptarmigan and the density of the arthropod vector from the perspective of in situ conservation of this endangered species.     

Biodegradation and Phytotoxicity of Biodiesel,Diesel, and Petroleum in Soil

Biogas must be pretreated before its use; thus, both physical and chemical methods have been implemented to remove the fuel’s principal pollutants (CO₂ and H₂S). Additional removal methods that use microorganisms’ biological processes to eliminate pollutants have also emerged. A selection was made from six bacterial isolates to obtain consortia that removed CO₂ and eventually H₂S through the enrichment of cultures and the construction of clone libraries of gene 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA). The results indicate that the principal differences between consortia were determined in the culture medium. C5 and C6 consortia had photosynthetic biomass 1.42 and 1.52 μg/ml, respectively, and concentration of dissolved CO₂ 100.6 and 99.1 mg/l, respectively. The clone libraries showed that Rhodopseudomonas sp. had percentages 46.6, 42.5, and 86.8 % in C4, C5, and C6, respectively; Xanthobacter sp., 24.5 %, Castellaniella sp., 18 % in C5, and Sphingobium sp., 39.2 % in C4.     

Promotion of lymphocyte egress into blood and lymph by distinct sources of sphingosine-1-phosphate

Lymphocytes require sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor-1 to exit lymphoid organs, but the source(s) of extracellular S1P and whether S1P directly promotes egress are unknown. By using mice in which the two kinases that generate S1P were conditionally ablated, we find that plasma S1P is mainly hematopoietic in origin, with erythrocytes a major contributor, whereas lymph S1P is from a distinct radiation-resistant source. Lymphocyte egress from thymus and secondary lymphoid organs was markedly reduced in kinase-deficient mice. Restoration of S1P to plasma rescued egress to blood but not lymph, and the rescue required lymphocyte expression of S1P-receptor-1. Thus, separate sources provide S1P to plasma and lymph to help lymphocytes exit the low-S1P environment of lymphoid organs. Disruption of compartmentalized S1P signaling is a plausible mechanism by which S1P-receptor-1 agonists function as immunosuppressives.     

GH3::GUS reflects cell-specific developmental patterns and stress-induced changes in wood anatomy in the poplar stem

GH3 genes related to the auxin-inducible Glycine max (L.) Merr. GmGH3 gene encode enzymes that conjugate amino acids to auxin. To investigate the role of GH3 enzymes in stress responses and normal wood development, Populus x canescens (Ait.) was transformed with the promoter-reporter construct GH3::GUS containing a GH3 promoter and the 5' UTR from soybean. beta-Glucuronidase (GUS) activity was present in the vascular tissues of leaves and in developing lateral roots and was inducible in silent tissues by external auxin application. A decrease in GUS activity from the stem apex to the bottom corresponded to decreases in auxin concentrations in these tissues. High auxin concentration and high GH3::GUS activity were present in the pith tissue, which may provide storage for auxin compounds. GH3 reporter was active in ray cells, paratracheal parenchyma cells, maturing vessels and in cells surrounding maturing phloem fibers but not in the cambium and immature phloem, despite high auxin concentrations in the latter tissues. However, the GH3 promoter in these tissues became active when the plants were exposed to abiotic stresses, like bending or salinity, causing changes in wood anatomy. We suggest that adjustment of the internal auxin balance in wood in response to environmental cues involves GH3 auxin conjugate synthases.     

Seroepidemiological survey on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leptospira</Emphasis> spp. infection in wild and domestic mammals in two distinct areas of the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil

Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease that causes severe reproductive problems in livestock and generates economic losses for farmers. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Leptospira antibodies in small mammals, both wild and domestic, in two distinct areas of the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil: the National Park of Serra das Confusões (NPSC), state of Piauí, a preserved area; and rural areas in the municipalities of Petrolina and Lagoa Grande, state of Pernambuco, non-preserved areas. Serum samples were evaluated using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Approximately 4% (6/152) of the wild animals were positive, all of them in the non-preserved area. Overall, the seroprevalence rates among goats and sheep were 13.4 (77/576) and 4.6% (24/518), respectively, confirmed in both areas. The seroprevalence rates in dogs and cats were 5.6 (10/180) and 4.7% (2/43) and were determined only in the non-preserved area. The risk factors associated with Leptospira spp. infection were as follows: ages of 1–3 and > 3 years for goats and sheep, region (preserved area) for goats, intensive management system for sheep, and region (non-preserved area) for dogs and wildlife. The present study confirmed the presence of circulation of Leptospira spp. in both of these areas of the Caatinga biome, as well as a variety of serotypes in these areas.     

快速生长小母猪较早进行人工授精后对繁殖性能的影响

本试验的目的是研究提早具有较快生长速度(GR)的小母猪的配种时间,是否会降低其头3胎的繁殖性能、提高其1～3胎的淘汰率。试验选用568头Camborough 22小母猪,按配种时的体重和年龄分成3组:第一组(G1组)164头,生长速度高于等于700g/d,配种年龄低于210d;第二组(G2)165头,生长速度高于等于700g/d,配种年龄高于210d;第三组(G3)239头,生长速度低于700g/d,配种年龄高于210d。所有试验小母猪从150d起采取自由采食,并于其第二个或随后的发情期配种。第一胎,G2组小母猪的平均产仔数多于其它组(P<0.05)。然而,在对三胎产仔数进行分析后表明,各组小母猪在总产仔数(分别为11.6、12.3和11.7头)、分娩率(分别为87.1%、88.7%和和89.8%)和淘汰率(分别为30.2%、25.3%和28.2%)上没有显著差异(P>0.05)。因此,日龄在185～210d、体重为127kg的小母猪,可以在其第二个或随后的发情期中给予配种,且配种不会影响其头3胎的生产性能。