An approach for assessing the effects of site-specific fertilization on crop growth and yield of durum wheat in organic agriculture

Precision agriculture (PA) technologies allow us to assess field variability and support site-specific (SSP) application of inputs. The joint application of PA and organic farming practices might be synergetic. The objective of this 3-year study was to propose a multivariate statistical and geostatistical approach, to evaluate the effects of SSP nitrogen (N) fertilization on durum wheat in transition to organic farming. Soil parameters were measured to assess soil fertility level before the SSP fertilization on wheat, which was carried out by management zones in the third year. Radiometric measurements were performed with a hyperspectral spectroradiometer and N-uptake at anthesis and grain yield were determined. The expected values and 95 % confidence intervals of the soil parameters, N-uptake and yield data were estimated with polygon kriging for each management zone. Reflectance data were reduced through principal component analysis and the retained principal components were submitted to factorial co-kriging analysis to estimate orthogonal scale-dependent factors. Comparisons between N-uptake and yield and between the retained regionalized factors (F1) and yield were performed. The spatial pattern of F1 at shorter scales was mostly reproduced in the N-uptake map, suggesting the predictive capacity of hyperspectral data for crop N-status. Within-cluster variance for yield was reduced, quite probably as a combined effect of meteorological pattern and management. The preliminary results seem to be promising in the perspective of PA. Moreover, an inverse relationship between grain yield and crop N-status was observed.     

A rare case of simple syndactyly in a puppy

A case of non‐syndromic, complete syndactyly involving all four limbs is described in a three‐month‐old male crossbreed dog for the first time. Syndactyly is a rare condition in most animal species, in dogs it has been infrequently reported. Findings of clinical, radiographic and cytogenetic analyses are described and demonstrate probably for the first time that numerical and structural chromosome aberrations are not involved in the pathogenesis of this case of syndactyly.     

Pelagia noctiluca (Scyphozoa) Crude Venom Injection Elicits Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Response in Rats

Cnidarian toxins represent a rich source of biologically active compounds. Since they may act via oxidative stress events, the aim of the present study was to verify whether crude venom, extracted from the jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca, elicits inflammation and oxidative stress processes, known to be mediated by Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production, in rats. In a first set of experiments, the animals were injected with crude venom (at three different doses 6, 30 and 60 µg/kg, suspended in saline solution, i.v.) to test the mortality and possible blood pressure changes. In a second set of experiments, to confirm that Pelagia noctiluca crude venom enhances ROS formation and may contribute to the pathophysiology of inflammation, crude venom-injected animals (30 µg/kg) were also treated with tempol, a powerful antioxidant (100 mg/kg i.p., 30 and 60 min after crude venom). Administration of tempol after crude venom challenge, caused a significant reduction of each parameter related to inflammation. The potential effect of Pelagia noctiluca crude venom in the systemic inflammation process has been here demonstrated, adding novel information about its biological activity.     

Swinholide J, a potent cytotoxin from the marine sponge Theonella swinhoei

In our ongoing search for new pharmacologically active leads from Solomon organisms, we have examined the sponge Theonella swinhoei. Herein we report the isolation and structure elucidation of swinholide A (1) and one new macrolide, swinholide J (2). Swinholide J is an unprecedented asymmetric 44-membered dilactone with an epoxide functionality in half of the molecule. The structural determination was based on extensive interpretation of high-field NMR spectra and HRESIMS data. Swinholide J displayed potent in vitro cytotoxicity against KB cells (human nasopharynx cancer) with an IC(50) value of 6 nM.     

Conservation of mammalian biodiversity in coffee plantations of Central Veracruz, Mexico

The diversity and organization of the mammalian community is related to the vegetation structure of the coffee plantations in the area of Barranca Grande, in the State of Veracruz, Mexico. Four transects (each 200 m in length) were used to study the vegetation structure within the coffee plantation, and 178 night/traps, tracks registration and information from local people, were used in order to become familiar with the mammaliancommunity. The sample period was from October 1989 to February 1991. The 24 mammals of medium-size species present in the area were classified using two measures of ecological diversity, locomotion and foraging in order to understand the guild organization. If the complexity of the plantation is reduced, the number of guilds occupied could suffer a loss of 45% and 43% in ecological richness and diversity, respectively, and 24% in the equitability of the mammalian fauna. We recommend the maintenance of a high diversity in the tree stratum (shade species), in this case, species such as Inga jinicuil, banana (Musa sapientum), Citrus spp., coyo avocado (Persea schiedeana), mango (Mangifera indica); species which could provide food resources and protection for the mammals.

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Resumen En el área de Barranca Grande, Estado de Veracruz, México, se estudió la relación que tiene la estructura de la vegetación de los cultivos de café con la diversidad de la comunidad de mamíferos medianos. Para ello, se establecieron 4 transectos fijos de 200 m de largo cada uno, en los que se tomaron los datos de los diferentes estratos. Para conocer la fauna demamíferos, se hizo un muestreo con trampas Tomahawk (178 noches/trampas), registro de rastros así como encuestas a la gente que vive en la zona, entre Octubre de 1989 y Febrero de 1991. Se registraron 24 especies de mamíferos medianos que fueron clasificados utilizando dos medidas de diversidad ecológica, locomoción y forrajeo, para conocer la organización en gremios. Si se reduce la complejidad de los cafetales, puede existir una reducción hasta del 45% en el número de gremios ocupados, 43% en la riqueza y en la diversidad ecológica, y 24% en la equitatividad. Se recomienda mantener una alta diversidad en el estrato arbóreo, en este caso especies como el jinicuil (Inga jinicuil), plátanos (Musa sapientum), cítricos (Citrus spp.), pagua o aguacate (Persea schiedeana), mango (Mangifera indica), serían recomendables ya que proporcionan recursos alimenticios y protección a la mayoría de los mamíferos.

     

Qualitative and semiquantitative analysis of phenolic compounds in extra virgin olive oils as a function of the ripening degree of olive fruits by different analytical techniques

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) can be effectively used as a fast screening tool to obtain qualitative and semiquantitative information about simple and complex phenolic compounds of extra virgin olive oil. Three simple phenols (tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, and vanillic acid), a secoiridoid derivative (deacetoxy oleuropein aglycon), and two lignans (pinoresinol and acetoxypinoresinol) were detected as the main compounds in extra virgin olive oils by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). Spectrophotometric indices, radical scavenging activity, and oxidative stability of extra virgin olive oil samples obtained from olives hand-picked at different ripening degrees were statistically correlated with the CZE and HPLC quantification. The concentration of phenols in extra virgin olive oil decreased with ripeness of olive fruits. The high correlations found between CZE and the other analytical results indicate that CE can be applied as a rapid and reliable tool to routinely determine phenolic compounds in extra virgin olive oils.     

An integrated disease management strategy for the control of rabies in Ethiopian wolves

Infectious diseases pose an important extinction risk for a number of endangered carnivore populations. Wild canids are particularly susceptible to generalist pathogens transmitted from domestic dogs - particularly rabies virus and canine distemper virus (CDV). Here we present a review of rabies as a threat to Ethiopian wolves, an endangered canid restricted to a few isolated Afro-alpine ranges in the Ethiopian highlands, and the impact of rabies on the largest population in the Bale Mountains. In the Bale Mountains, two confirmed rabies outbreaks among Ethiopian wolves in 1991-1992 and 2003-2004 were each responsible for over 70% mortality among focal packs and a third rabies outbreak was suspected in 1990. This review also presents an integrated disease management strategy for Ethiopian wolves combining long-term population monitoring, disease surveillance, conventional and emergency vaccination programs, and advanced modelling techniques.     

Alpha-Inhibin Expression in Canine Ovarian Neoplasms: Preliminary Results

Veterinary Research Communications -