Schirmer tear tests and intraocular pressures in conscious and anesthetized koalas (Phascolarctus cinereus)

Objective To estimate mean Schirmer tear test (STT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) values in healthy koalas both conscious and anesthetized. Methods Data were gathered from koalas in Victoria, Australia. Conscious examinations were performed on captive koalas. Free‐ranging (wild) koalas were examined under anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced using alfaxalone, and animals were maintained on oxygen and isoflurane if required. All animals were healthy and had no surface ocular pathology detectable during slit lamp biomicroscopy. STT I tests were performed using commercial STT test strips placed in the lower fornix for 1 min. IOP was measured using an applanation tonometer after topical anesthesia. The higher value of the two eyes for both STT and IOP was analyzed. STT was measured in 53 koalas (34 conscious, 19 anesthetized) and IOP was measured in 43 koalas (30 conscious, 13 anesthetized). A two‐sample t‐test was used to compare means. A P‐value <0.05 was regarded as significant. Mean ± SD is presented. Results The mean higher STT in conscious koalas was 10.3 ± 3.6 mm wetting/min and in anesthetized koalas it decreased to 3.8 ± 4.0 mm wetting/min (P < 0.0001). The mean higher IOP in conscious koalas was 15.3 ± 5.1 mmHg, and in anesthetized koalas it was 13.8 ± 3.4 mmHg (P = 0.32). There was no effect of sex on either STT or IOP. Conclusions The mean and SD of STT and IOP values for koalas both conscious and anesthetized were reported. The mean STT was significantly reduced by alfaxalone anesthesia.     

Soybean cultivar performance in the presence of soybean Asian rust,in relation to chemical control programs

Soybean rust is caused by an obligate parasite (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) which has spread in Brazil in each new season since 2001 and, despite the efforts to control the disease, losses have occurred every year. Its control demands several tactics amongst which chemical control with fungicides is the main method and remains indispensable. Control strategies such as the use of cultivars with partial resistance are desirable, but are not yet commercially available. The present study analyzed the existing differences in the reactions of short, medium and long cycle soybean cultivars against Asian rust and their responses to fungicide sprays. The experiment was conducted at Uberlandia-MG, Brazil, under field conditions from December 2007 to May 2008, in the Syngenta Seeds Experimental Station. The high pressure of the disease in the experiment simulated the natural pressure that the disease often reaches in Brazil. The studied variables were: visual severity (percentage of infected leaf area), percentage defoliation and productivity (kg ha⁻¹). Disease severity was expressed as AUDPC (area under disease progress curve). Variance analysis and comparison of means by the Tukey test (5% significance) were done for all variables studied. Significant differences were observed between cultivar effects and chemical control programs. The results obtained here indicate that the cultivars M-Soy 8199RR and Emgopa 315RR were less susceptible to disease, and that a control program termed “monitoring” (in which the appearance of new pustules of the pathogen were monitored to make the decision at each fungicide spray) was the most effective.     

Spatial and vertical distribution of <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs in soils in the erosive area of southeastern Serbia (Pčinja and South Morava River Basins)

Purpose

The area of southeastern Serbia, the P?inja and South Morava River Basins, is under the influence of very strong erosion, and the aim of this study was to investigate the vertical and spatial distribution of the ¹³⁷Cs in the eroded soils of this area.

Materials and methods

Vertical soil profiles were collected with 5-cm increments from the uppermost layer down to 20, 25, 30, 40, and 50 cm of depth, depending on the thickness of the soil layers, i.e., down to the underlying parent rocks. Measurements of ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration were performed by using the HPGe gamma-ray spectrometer ORTEC-AMETEK (34 % relative efficiency and high resolution 1.65 keV at 1.33 MeV for ⁶⁰Co), from its gamma-ray line at 661.2 keV.

Results and discussion

The mean ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration across all 18 soil profiles (for all soil layers) was found to be 20 Bq kg^?1. In the greatest number of soil profiles, the ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration was generally highest in the first soil layer (0–5 cm) and decreased with soil depth, while in a few soil profiles, the peak of either the ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration occurred in the second soil layer (5–10 cm) or the ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration was almost equal throughout the entire soil profile. The mean ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration in the first soil layer (0–5 cm) was found to be 61 Bq kg^?1, and the high coefficient of variation of 92 % pointed out high spatial variability and large range of the ¹³⁷Cs activity concentrations in the study area.

Conclusions

The obtained results indicate that in the greatest number of soil profiles, ¹³⁷Cs is present in the upper layers, with concentration decreasing with depth, as is typical in uncultivated soil. Its spatial distribution was very uneven among the surface soil layers of the investigated sites. One of the main reasons for such pattern of ¹³⁷Cs in the study area may be soil erosion. Additional investigations which would support this hypothesis are required.

     

不同氮源与钾水平对杂交组合及常规稻生长和养分吸收的影响

采用营养液培养法研究了不同氮源和钾水平对杂交稻及其亲本和常规稻生长、叶绿素含量、养分吸收的影响。结果表明 ,水稻生长、叶绿素的含量及养分吸收与氮源供应密切相关。在供钾充足的条件下 ,杂交稻上位叶的干物质产量以硝态氮营养的最高 ,其次为硝态氮与铵态氮混合营养 ;保持系与杂交稻的趋势一致。杂交稻下位叶和根系干物质积累量受 3种氮源的影响与恢复系相一致 ,即 :硝 +铵混合 硝态氮 铵态氮。硝态氮营养比硝 +铵混合及铵态氮更有效地提高杂交稻功能叶片中的叶绿素含量。杂交稻与其亲本植株地上部全氮含量受 3种氮源的影响为 :硝 +铵混合 硝态氮 铵态氮 ;然而杂交稻地上部的吸氮量受氮源的影响为硝态氮硝 +铵混合 铵态氮 ,与保持系的规律一致。杂交稻地上部钾含量及吸收量在 3种氮源处理间有差异 ,表现为硝态氮 硝 +铵混合 铵态氮 ,保持系的趋势一致 ,但与恢复系不同。研究结果还表明 ,杂交稻对硝态氮的营养特性具有明显杂种优势。 3种氮源对水稻生长、营养吸收的影响程度与钾营养状况及水稻品种有关 ;杂交水稻及其亲本较常规稻受影响更大。在高钾供应时 ,各项指标受到氮源影响的程度都明显高于低钾处理 ,其中以硝态氮为氮源更有利于杂交水稻生理及营养优势特性的发挥。     

Free radical generation assays: new methodology for accelerated oxidation studies at low temperature in complex food matrices

A novel method for the rapid screening of antioxidant efficacy and oxidative stability in food and feed matrices has been developed. The analyses are described as free radical generation (FRG) assays. The new procedure combines the use of azo-initiators with analytical equipment that is widely used for antioxidant research such as the oxidative stability instrument and the oxygen bomb. The use of initiators instead of high temperatures as a driving force to increase the rate of oxidation improves the correlation between the accelerated screening of foodstuffs and real shelf life. The improved correlation can be mainly explained by the fact that food products are analyzed in their original status, maintaining all interfacial phenomena of the food matrix. Furthermore, the lower temperature of analysis reduces differences between the reaction kinetics of the assay and those of the oxidation during actual shelf life. Consequently, the correlation between the accelerated analysis and shelf life is improved, particularly when compared to accelerated oxidation at high temperatures. The FRG assays could be used successfully to evaluate the efficacy of natural antioxidants in heat-sensitive food products such as emulsions and meat products. A good correlation was observed between the accelerated tests and the oxidation parameters obtained from standard shelf-life evaluation. It was possible to successfully compare the efficacy of several antioxidants and to predict shelf life for these heat-sensitive food matrices.     

Does nectar reward affect rarity and extinction probabilities of orchid species? An assessment using historical records from Belgium and the Netherlands

The long-term persistence of plant populations may partly depend on pollination processes and seed production. The exact role of pollination in determining plant population viability still remains largely unclear. Orchid species have often been shown to be pollinator limited. Especially, non-rewarding species are characterized by infrequent pollinator visits and low seed set. Therefore, it can be hypothesized that, if overall population fitness of orchid species is influenced by seed production, non-rewarding species should be more prone to local extinction than rewarding species. To study the importance of nectar reward on orchid persistence, we collected historical records about the distribution of 32 orchid species in Flanders (Belgium) and 37 orchid species in the Netherlands. For both regions, present distribution patterns were compared with historical data. Between 1930 (Flanders) or 1950 (the Netherlands) and 2000, 26 (81%) species showed decreases in distribution range in Flanders, eight of which had gone extinct, whereas 29 (78%) species showed declines in distribution area in the Netherlands, five of which went extinct. Contrary to previously reported results, orchid distribution patterns were not related to nectar reward. There was also no significant relationship between nectar reward and extinction for both regions. Orchids typically occurring in wet grasslands and heathlands suffered greater losses than orchids typically confined to forest habitats or calcareous grasslands. We conclude that the production of nectar does not represent a safeguard for local extinction of orchid species. Habitat loss and other deterministic threats associated with habitat fragmentation and deterioration are more important determinants of orchid persistence.     

Enzymatic solubilization of arabinoxylans from native, extruded, and high-shear-treated rye bran by different endo-xylanases and other hydrolyzing enzymes

The overall objective of this research was to find a new way to valorize rye bran, by producing a gellifier from the enzymatic solubilization of arabinoxylans (AX). The effects of three pure endo-xylanases from Aspergillus niger (Xyl-1), Talaromyces emersonii (Xyl-2), and Bacillus subtilis (Xyl-3) and of Grindamyl S100 (GS100), a commercial enzyme preparation containing a Xyl-1 type endo-xylanase, were tested on rye bran to study the solubilization of water-unextractable arabinoxylans (WUAX). Eight different extrusion-treated rye brans were also used as substrates to find the best physical treatment to facilitate enzymatic arabinoxylan (AX) solubilization. Arabinoxylans were better solubilized from the bran extruded at high temperature using Xyl-3. This enzyme was then tested in combination with pure (1,4)-beta-d-arabinoxylan arabinofuranohydrolase (AXH) and endo-beta-d-glucanase or ferulic acid esterase (FAE), from A. niger. Only beta-glucanase in combination with Xyl-3 improved the AX extraction, but it did not have a marked effect on the viscosity of the extracts. Xyl-3 was then tested on a high-shear-treated rye bran, and results were compared to those obtained with the high-temperature-extruded rye bran. The high-shear treatment did not improve the bran AX enzymatic solubilization. The combination of FAE with Xyl-1 or Xyl-3 did not improve the AX extraction from untreated and high-shear-treated rye bran. Finally, to study the gelation capacity of the enzymatically solubilized AX, the effect of the hydrogen peroxide/horseradish peroxidase (H(2)O(2)/POD) was tested on the Xyl-3 high-temperature-extruded bran extracts. Solubilized AX did not gel in the presence of the oxidizing system.     

Comparison of two microalgal diets. 2. Influence on odorant composition and organoleptic qualities of raw oysters (Crassostrea gigas)

Oyster farming is of real economic interest in France. Oyster farmers attach more and more importance to improving the growth and the quality of their oysters. Some fatty acids known to be aroma precursors originate from microalgae such as Skeletonema costatum and Tahitian isochrysis clone. These microalgae were used to fatten oysters in order to observe their role in the development of oysters' aroma. This study shows that the profile of fatty acids of oysters is influenced by the contribution of fatty acids from the two microalgae (as reported in the first paper in this series: Pennarun, A.-L.; Prost, C.; Haure, J.; Demaimay, M. Comparison of Two Microalgal Diets. 1. Influence on the Biochemical and Fatty Acid Compositions of Raw Oysters (Crassostrea gigas). J. Agric. Food Chem. 2003, 51, 2006-2010 (in this issue)]. As a consequence, a microalgal diet causes changes in oysters' aroma composition. Aroma concentration depends on the content of fatty acids that are aroma precursors in oysters. Some aromas are characteristic of the diet of S. costatum, such as 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (ether odor), and others are characteristic of T. isochrysis, such as 3-nonyne (cucumber, marine odor), 6-(E)-nonen-1-ol (green and fresh odor), and 4-ethylbenzaldehyde (aniseed odor). Moreover, the organoleptic qualities (odor, taste, and texture) of oysters are modified by the diet of microalgae.     

INCREASED CADMIUM AVAILABILITY TO CROPS ON A SEWAGE-SLUDGE AMENDED SOIL

Analysis of spatial distribution of sewage-sludge born cadmium on the experimental plot revealed positive correlation of total cadmium and organic matter. Soil pH fluctuated randomly on the field. ‘Bioavailable’ concentrations, as determined by NH₄-acetate extraction, were closely correlated to the total cadmium levels, and only negligible effects of pH and/or organic matter fluctuations were recorded. Desorption model using modified Freundlich isotherm was applied to predict risks of cadmium solubilization at different conditions. Simulations revealed that the organic matter content within the ranges found at the experimental field cannot support a proper immobilization of cadmium at pH-range observed at the field. The phenomenon was explained by ineffective care for the soil in the past.     

Mortality,progeny production and preference of Sitophilus zeamais adults to wheat from integrated and alternative production systems

The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of the production systems of wheat from different production systems on the mortality, progeny production and preference of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The factors tested were production system (integrated [INT], organic [ORG], biodynamic [BD] and control), which differed in plant protection and fertiliser procedures during plant growth and development; exposure interval (7, 14 and 21 d); relative humidity (r.h.) (55% and 75%) and temperature (20°C, 25°C and 30°C). Mortality after 7 d increased with the temperature increase and decreased with the increase in r.h. in most of the tested combinations. The mortality of weevils was higher in ORG compared to INT-produced wheat after 7 d. Progeny production was recorded 56 d after removal of parental adults and was higher at 75% r.h. in comparison to 55% r.h. At 55% r.h. and 20°C, progeny was 60.8% higher when S. zeamais were exposed to ORG in comparison to INT-produced wheat. Wheat from different production systems influenced mortality rates which were higher in alternative compared to INT production systems under optimal conditions for wheat storage (low temperature and r.h.). The reverse was recorded for temperature and r.h. increase. Progeny was not affected by wheat from various production systems. Significantly more S. zeamais adults were found in traps containing wheat from BD and control in comparison to INT. An understanding of the agricultural processes, biotic and abiotic factors which alter the post-harvest response of storage pests could be useful for the development of efficient post-harvest strategies for ORG and BD farms and the processing industry.