An approach to acorn production in Iberian dehesas

Acorn production is one of the most important products in silvopastoral systems in the Mediterranean region. In the present study we carried out two preliminary trials to analyze the distribution of production over time and the effect of pruning. The objective was to develop tools to manage this valuable resource within these systems. In the first part of the study, we analyzed the total acorn production of a holm oak stand, and its seasonal distribution (October–January) over two years (1997–1998 and 1998–1999) in five sites in the southwest of Spain. Mean total acorn production ranged from 590 to 830 kg ha⁻¹. There was considerable variation between the different sites and years studied, as was expected from studies on other oak species. A comparison was also made of acorn production, comparing annual acorn production between 40 pruned and 40 non-pruned trees, for the period 1994–1999. There was an interaction between ‘pruning treatment’ and ‘year’. Pruning, significantly decreased acorn production in all but two years when production was above the average, whereas production was not affected by pruning the three years that acorn yield was below the average. The study of acorn production and the analysis of the effect of pruning, needs to be studied over a longer time period.     

Nutrient element and carbohydrate status of Norway spruce at Mt. Kleiner Feldberg in Taunus exposed to air pollution and soil acidification

A 17-year-old Norway-spruce stand at Mt. Kleiner Feldberg (Taunus) was investigated. The mineral soil was found to be in the aluminum buffer range (pH H₂O = 3.5) but the fine and very fine roots of injured and uninjured trees were sufficiently supplied with Ca and Mg. Mg-deficiency, however, was observed in current-year needles where the contents were 30 % and 45 % below standard values in uninjured and injured trees, respectively. In injured trees the severe Mg-losses of current-year needles coincided with a 20 to 60 % loss of the activities of a number of enzymes involved in the carbohydrate metabolism and a significant reduction of the growth of current-year twigs.     

四川省食用菌科技示范县品种及菌种调查研究(连载一)——栽培种类与使用品种

介绍了四川食用菌的资源优势、优势区域、产值产量以及生产中存在的主要问题。根据2009年～2011年连续3年跟踪调查结果,汇总了四川省食用菌科技示范县的主要栽培种类、使用品种或菌株,以及它们的来源,提出在生产第一线上存在着菌株、品种、菌种和新品种的概念混淆不清的问题,分析探讨了这4个名词之间的相互关系。     

Lythrum hyssopifolia (lesser loosestrife) poisoning of sheep in Victoria

Objective To document an ovine disease attributed to the consumption of Lythrum hyssopifolia (lesser loosestrife). Procedures Historical and histological review of field and experimental cases. Results 1–20% mortality occurred in sheep flocks grazing paddocks where L. hyssopifolia was the predominant green vegetation. Well‐documented disease outbreaks occurred in summer on nine farms across Victoria between 1974 and 2002. Liver damage occurred in all nine outbreaks, with kidney damage in at least eight. Hepatocyte necrosis was usually zonal to midzonal (zone 2) in the liver samples from four farms and periacinar (zone 3) in those from three farms, but some livers showed only single‐cell necrosis. Multinucleate hepatocytes near necrotic areas were a feature in six cases. Proximal tubular epithelium appeared to be the primary renal target and brown granules were often present in renal tubules. Biochemical and histological evidence of liver and kidney damage was obtained from two sheep experimentally pen‐fed harvested L. hyssopifolia. Conclusion Chemicals in L. hyssopifolia are toxic to ovine hepatocytes and renal tubular epithelial cells.     

Assessment of Selected Quality Parameters of Epididymal Cat (Felis catus s. domestica,L. 1758) Sperm Using Flow Cytometry Method and Computer Assisted Sperm Analyser

The improvement of biotechnical methods connected with fast and precise semen quality assessment and its utilization in assisted reproductive techniques is an urgent necessity in felids. The aim of this study was to evaluate some quality parameters (i.e. the viability and share of cells with intact plasma membrane) of epididymal sperm of cats using the flow cytometry method and computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA) examination. The material consisted of epididymal spermatozoa flushed from 22 pairs of epididymes after routine neutering procedures obtained from domestic cats aged between 8 and 36 months. The epididymes were cut and incubated with an extender without egg yolk. The samples were assessed for sperm viability (Live/Dead Sperm Viability Kit^®), percentage of subtle membrane changes (Apoptosis Detection Kit^®) and motility using FACScalibur flow cytometer and assisted sperm analyser htm ivos version 12.2. The flow cytometry method revealed 71.3% and 84.4% of live sperm using Live/Dead Sperm Viability Kit and Apoptosis Detection Kit respectively. The population of early‐apoptotic and late‐apoptotic sperm were 0.8% and 1.1% respectively. The CASA examination found 51.5% of motile sperm. However, the motility examination under light microscope revealed 69.5% of motile sperm. The data revealed an indistinctive per cent of apoptotic cells and 18.9% and 15.6% of dead cells using Live/Dead Sperm Viability Kit and Apoptosis Detection Kit, respectively, which indicate that the sperm obtained after flushing the epididymis possess potential properties for further assisted reproduction techniques.     

Pharmacokinetics of lidocaine following the application of 5% lidocaine patches to cats

Lidocaine patches have been used to provide local analgesia in dogs and cats. We conducted this study to assess the systemic and local absorption of lidocaine from topical patches in cats. Eight 2-year-old cats received either intravenous lidocaine at 2 mg/kg or one 700 mg lidocaine patch placed on the lateral thorax for 72 h, in a cross-over randomized repeated measures design. Plasma was collected at specific times and the skin was biopsied at the time of patch removal for the quantitative analysis of lidocaine and its major metabolite, monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX), by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Percent absorption time plots for systemic lidocaine appearance were constructed using the Loo-Riegelman method. Approximately, constant rate absorption was observed from 12-72 h after patch application at a mean +/- SD rate of 109 +/- 49 microg/kg/h, resulting in steady-state lidocaine plasma concentrations of 0.083 +/- 0.032 microg/mL and MEGX concentrations of 0.012 +/- 0.009 microg/mL. Overall bioavailability of transdermal lidocaine was 6.3 +/- 2.7%, and only 56 +/- 29% of the total lidocaine dose delivered by the patch reached systemic circulation. Skin lidocaine concentrations were much higher than plasma concentrations, at 211 +/- 113 microg/g in the thoracic skin beneath the patch and 2.2 +/- 0.6 microg/g in the contralateral thoracic skin without the patch. As both lidocaine and MEGX were recovered from contralateral skin, it is likely that lidocaine accumulated in the skin from low systemic concentrations of circulating lidocaine over the 72-h period of patch application. Plasma lidocaine concentrations remained well below systemically toxic concentrations, and no obvious clinical side effects were observed in any of the cats. The low systemic absorption rate coupled with high local lidocaine concentrations on the skin support the safe use of lidocaine patches in cats.