西南喀斯特区砾石对石灰土土壤孔隙及水分入渗的影响

[目的] 砾石是影响土壤孔隙和水分入渗的重要因素,明确砾石通过改变哪些土壤孔隙特征进而影响水分入渗具有重要意义。[方法] 以西南喀斯特地区砾石含量高的石灰土为研究对象,采用CT扫描和室内一维土柱入渗试验,对比分析2种砾石粒径(2.0~5.0,5.0~12.5 mm)和5种砾石含量(0,10％,20％,30％,40％)条件下的土壤孔隙特征及水分入渗特性,并使用结构方程模型探究土壤孔隙特征与入渗特性之间的耦合关系。[结果] (1)含砾石土壤的大孔隙度、孔隙连通率、孔隙形状因子、孔隙表面积和孔隙体积均高于无砾石土壤;且当砾石含量为20%和30%时,孔隙连通率与孔隙形状因子和无砾石土壤之间存在显著性差异(p<0.05);(2)砾石改善土壤入渗性能,粒径为2.0~5.0 mm时,砾石含量从10%到40%的稳定入渗率分别是无砾石土壤的4.02,5.00,2.88,5.14倍,累积入渗量分别是1.67,1.76,2.49,2.39倍;粒径为5.0~12.5 mm时,土壤稳定入渗率分别是无砾石的2.20,2.67,4.78,2.78倍,累积入渗量分别是1.42,1.75,2.46,2.02倍。(3)在结构方程模型中砾石含量与孔隙连通率、孔隙等效直径呈正相关关系,孔隙连通率对稳定入渗率的影响最大,孔隙等效直径对累积入渗量的影响最大。[结论] 砾石含量主要通过增加土壤孔隙连通率和孔隙等效直径促进水分入渗,研究结果可为深入认识西南喀斯特地区含砾石土壤的水文过程提供科学依据与理论参考。     

沙葱乙醇提取物对肉仔鸡生产性能的影响

试验选择120只1日龄罗斯308商品肉鸡随机分为4个处理组,每个处理3个重复,每个重复10只鸡。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组分为AWEⅠ组、AWEⅡ组和AWEⅢ组,分别在基础日粮中添加100、300和500 mg/kg沙葱乙醇提取物(AWE),研究其对肉仔鸡生产性能的影响。结果表明,沙葱乙醇提取物对肉仔鸡生产性能无显著影响(P0.05),但有促进日增重、提高采食量及降低料肉比等指标的趋势。     

Enhanced resistance to bacterial infection byErwinia carotovora subsp.atroseptica in transgenic potato plants expressing the attacin or the cecropin SB-37 genes

Blackleg and soft rot diseases, caused by the bacteriumErwinia carotovora, are among the diseases that cause important losses in culture and storage of potato. In this paper, we introduced bacterial resistance into potato, via genes encoding for proteins with antibacterial activity. For this purpose, potato clones were transformed either with the gene encoding the acidic attacin protein fromHyalophora cecropia, or with the gene encoding the cecropin analog peptide SB37. These clones were evaluated for soft rot and blackleg resistance, after inoculation with the bacterial strainErwinia carotovora subsp.atroseptica T7. Results reported in this paper indicate that a considerable percentage of the potato clones (15–22%) showed increased resistance to bacterial infection, revealed by reduced severity of blackleg or soft rot symptoms. Expression of the transgenes was demonstrated in some of the clones by Northern blot analysis. This is the first report indicating that expression of the gene encoding for an attacin protein and for the cecropin SB-37 peptide in transgenic potato confers increased resistance to bacterial infection.     

Ultrasound-guided modified subcostal transversus abdominis plane block and influence of recumbency position on dye spread in equine cadavers

ObjectiveTo describe and evaluate an ultrasound-guided modified subcostal approach for the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in horse cadavers in lateral or dorsal recumbency.Study designProspective, experimental cadaveric study.AnimalsStudy of one preserved foal and eight fresh adult horse cadavers.MethodsThe lateral and ventral abdominal wall of a preserved cadaver was dissected to identify the muscles and nerves. A unilateral standard TAP block technique was performed (60 mL of methylene blue dye–bupivacaine) on a fresh cadaver in right lateral recumbency. A modified subcostal technique was performed on the opposite side using a linear ultrasound transducer and in-plane approach. Injection points (two 30 mL dye) were at the level of the TAP (between the rectus abdominis and transversus abdominis muscles and ventral to the cutaneous trunci muscle) perpendicular to: 1) the mid-point between the xiphoid cartilage and umbilical scar; and 2) at a point between the caudal and middle thirds of the abdomen measured from the first injection point to the umbilical scar. The modified subcostal approach was performed in seven additional cadavers in both hemiabdomens, with three cadavers in lateral and four cadavers in dorsal recumbency. Ultrasound guidance was used with all injections.ResultsThe standard approach stained the sixteenth to eighteenth thoracic nerves (T16–T18). The modified subcostal approach performed in lateral recumbency provided greater spread (T9–T17) than dorsal recumbency (T12–T18) (p = 0.016).Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe modified subcostal TAP approach resulted in extensive staining exceeding the standard approach. The nerves stained are consistent with production of ventral abdominal wall anesthesia in horses. Clinical studies are needed to verify these findings.     

Effect of dose and type of fertilizer on flowering and fruiting of vanilla plants

Nutritional status affects the processes of flowering and fruiting of plants. This study was conducted to determine the effects of fertilizer application on flowering, fruiting, and leaf nutrient content of Vanilla planifolia (Jacks. ex Andr). Treatments consisted of the application of grade 10-20-20 nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizer to the substratum in annual doses of 20, 50, and 100 g/plant plus a monthly application of foliar fertilizer. Two more treatments were foliar fertilization and no fertilization (control). Treatments increased the number of inflorescences and flower buds per plant, as well as the number and weight of fruits per plant, and decreased the abortion of flowers and immature fruits. These effects depended on the type of fertilizer, the amount applied, and the time of evaluation. The best results were obtained with the 100 g/plant/year treatment with an annual production of 1.5 kg of fruits per plant in the second year. Unfertilized plants produced 0.55 kg/plant/year. Differences were also found in foliar content of N, P, K, and copper (Cu) between vegetative and reproductive branches. Application of fertilizer to the substratum appears to improve reproductive parameters of vanilla plants and the production of beans, while foliar fertilization alone was ineffective in increasing crop productivity. Nutrients also seem to translocate from mature leaves to fruit racemes.     

Evaluation of a specific immunochemotherapy for the treatment of canine visceral leishmaniasis

The efficacy of specific immunochemotherapy against Leishmania infantum infection in dog was studied. The effects on transmission of the disease, as well as the cellular and humoral immune response were examined. The treated animals showed a significant reduction in the infection rates that were detected in Phlebotomus perniciosus females fed on the dog. The humoral immune response, assayed with an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), did not show significant variations under the influence of the therapy. The characterisation of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) using flow cytometry indicated a significant increase in the proportion of T lymphocytes, especially of CD4/TcR(alpha)(beta)(+) and CD4/CD45RA(+) cells, without showing evidence for modifications in the other leukocyte subsets. Cellular lymphoproliferation studies indicated a lack of a specific response to soluble leishmanial antigen (SLA), but the non-specific lymphoproliferative capacity assayed with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was maintained.     

油茶大田嫁接苗质量调查

对江西省16个1年生和10个2年生油茶苗圃进行调查,结果表明,1年生和2年生大田嫁接苗的平均合格率分别为48.0%和76.6%;2年生苗的合格率与土壤有机质和水解氮的含量正相关。2年生苗推荐的施肥水平为：土壤全氮0.114%～0.413%、水解氮114.86～132.92 mg/kg、全磷0.047%～0.073%、速效磷32.13～71.59 mg/kg、全钾1.203%～1.274%、速效钾48.08~67.08 mg/kg、有机质2.627%～3.171%。     

Effect of recombinant interleukin-13 on 3T3 fibroblasts in vitro

AIM: To investigate the influence and mechanism of recombinant interleukin-13 (rIL-13) on fibroblasts. METHODS: 3T3 fibroblasts were divided into two groups: the treated group was treated with rIL-13 (80 μg/L, 24 h or 48 h) and the control was without rIL-13 treatment. Transmission electron microscope and Hoechst kit were used to observe morphology of 3T3 fibroblasts in both groups. The activity of proliferation in both groups was investigated and compared by MTT means. Western blot was used to analyze the level of collagen type I induced by rIL-13 in fibroblasts. The levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in the culture supernatants were determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The more ribosomes and mitochondrions, as well as bigger nuclei were found in the treated group. The production of IL-6 and IL-8, and proliferation ratio of fibroblasts treated with rIL-13 for 24 h or 48 h were increased obviously, compared with the control (P<0.01). The expression of collagen type I protein in treated groups was also significantly higher than that in control (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: rIL-13 upregulates the proliferation of fibroblasts. rIL-13 also has an effect on the production of proinflammatory factors and collagen type I. Taken together, these results suggest that IL-13 may play important roles in the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis.