Carbon flux and growth in mature deciduous forest trees exposed to elevated CO2

Whether rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations will cause forests to grow faster and store more carbon is an open question. Using free air CO2 release in combination with a canopy crane, we found an immediate and sustained enhancement of carbon flux through 35-meter-tall temperate forest trees when exposed to elevated CO2. However, there was no overall stimulation in stem growth and leaf litter production after 4 years. Photosynthetic capacity was not reduced, leaf chemistry changes were minor, and tree species differed in their responses. Although growing vigorously, these trees did not accrete more biomass carbon in stems in response to elevated CO2, thus challenging projections of growth responses derived from tests with smaller trees.     

Wound contamination and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria cultured during total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To detect contamination of wound sites from surgical handling of excised tissues during total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy in dogs, and to compare susceptibility of bacterial isolates to cefazolin with susceptibility to other antimicrobial agents. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: 13 dogs. PROCEDURE: Dogs were treated surgically for otitis externa and media via total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy. Specimens for aerobic bacterial culture were obtained from SC tissue immediately following skin incision, tissues excised from the osseous bulla (after transection of the horizontal ear canal and lateral bulla osteotomy), and from SC tissue prior to skin closure. Antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates to various antibiotics was determined by use of a broth dilution assay. RESULTS: There was a significant association between isolation of Streptococcus canis and Escherichia coli from specimens from the osseous bulla and specimens from the SC tissues prior to skin closure, indicating contamination of the SC tissues during surgery. Seventy percent of bacterial isolates were susceptible to cefazolin. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Measures to limit bacterial contamination resulting from tissue handling during total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy are necessary. Bacteriologic culture of tissue of the osseous bulla and determination of antimicrobial susceptibility are recommended. Administration of cefazolin alone may not be efficacious for antimicrobial prophylaxis.     

Evaluation of upper respiratory tract function during strenuous exercise in racehorses

Forty-six racehorses with a history of poor performance underwent endoscopic evaluation of laryngeal and pharyngeal function while exercising on a high-speed treadmill. This evaluation allowed the definitive diagnosis of intermittent or continual upper respiratory tract obstruction as a cause of poor performance, as well as the documentation of the dynamic functional anatomy of the obstruction. Ten of the horses (22%) were determined to have a functional abnormality of the upper respiratory tract. These abnormalities included epiglottic entrapment (1 horse), persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate during exercise (4 horses), and left laryngeal hemiplegia (5 horses). Thirty-two horses were observed to have signs of left laryngeal hemiparesis (asynchronous arytenoid movement) at rest that did not impair full laryngeal abduction during strenuous exercise.     

The physical appearance of the vulva in ureaplasma infected ewes

The vulvar labia of ewes naturally infected with ureaplasma were significantly more swollen and red than those of uninfected ewes. Similar changes were observed following experimental infection of previously uninfected ewes. These differences, although statistically significant, were not sufficiently marked to be useful in diagnosing infection by clinical examination.     

The production of N-nitrosoiminodiacetate from nitrilotriacetate and nitrate by microorganisms growing in mixed culture

Mixed populations of microorganisms growing in a recycling soil percolator produced N-nitrosoiminodiacetate (NIDA) after 30 days growth using sodium nitrilotriacetate (NTA), a detergent additive, and NaNO₃ as C and N source respectively. Control experiments using autoclaved soil or substituting either acetate (C source) or NH⁺₄ (N source) did not show any N-nitroso derivative production. Five distinct strains of microorganisms were isolated which could grow on an NTA/NO^?₃ minimal medium but none produced NIDA in pure culture. Mixed cultures of two strains of Pseudomonas produced NIDA after 4 days percolation, using glass beads as a support. Cell-free extracts of the mixed cultures synthesized NIDA after 30 min incubation at 30°C with an activity of 27 μmoles NIDA produced/mg protein h^?1. Physical separation of the two organisms and the cell-free extracts by a dialysis membrane in a chamber determined that only one of the two organisms was responsible for the synthesis of NIDA, but the production was dependent upon the presence of the other organism. The possible relationship between the two organisms is discussed.     

The vernalization of some leguminous plants,especially of hairy vetches

Summary It has been shown, especially in the species Vicia villosa, that youth development and seed production of plants can be furthered by vernalization. The method led to the selection of plants with an abundant vegetative development and was applied in the seed production of hairy vetches. Moreover, experiments on the relation between vernalization and photoperiodism have been discussed.

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Institute of Agrobiology, University Greifswald     

Assessment of impact of the introduction of exotic fish species in north-east Thailand

Abstract. Within the framework of a fisheries project in north-east Thailand, project MK/FSPC/069 entitled ‘The Fish Seed Production Centre, North East Thailand’, an assessment was carried out of the ecological impact of introducing exotic fish species (common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), and Chinese and Indian carps). For the assessment, the protocol of Kohler & Stanley (1984) was followed, covering feasibility of introduction, acclimatization potential, potential impact, and control potentials. Regarding the (ongoing) use of the proposed exotic species in aquaculture, it was concluded that so far no clear ecological impact has been reported from escapes to open water; the use of the exotic species has shown to be highly beneficial from a 9 socio-economic point of view. Regarding the proposed introduction of the exotic species into public waters (natural lakes and man-made reservoirs), it was concluded that earlier releases of these species in north-east Thailand did not provoke severe ecological impact in terms of deterioration of aquatic ecosystems. Incidental cases of minor ecological impact were reported for common carp and nile tilapia. Indications were obtained for niche competition between Chinese and Indian carps and indigenous carps, while similar niche competition was concluded for bighead carp, Aristichthys nobilis (Richardson), and indigenous pelagic zooplankton feeders. Observing the prolific development of the Nile tilapia in a number of reported cases, it was recommended not to include this species in stocking programmes for public water bodies, until more risk assessments are available.