Magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis: incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle in a German shepherd dog

Clinical signs, radiological, arthroscopic findings and magnetic resonance imaging features of a male German shepherd dog with incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle are described. The dog showed recurrent left forelimb lameness and pain on elbow palpation. In routine radiographs, the lesion was obscured. In oblique radiographs, a radiolucent line was detected, and magnetic resonance imaging clearly demonstrated a defect in the humeral condyle. However, arthroscopy showed no changes or discontinuity of the humeral cartilage. Incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle may be underrepresented in conventional, routine studies because if there is concurrent additional elbow pathology (for example fragmented coronoid process), treatment may lead to clinical improvement and further diagnostic techniques may not be performed. The benefit of magnetic resonance imaging in this case is demonstrated.     

Evaluation of endocytic capacity and NADPH-oxidase activity from armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) eosinophils infected with microfilariae

Endocytic activity of phagocytic cells from armadillos infected with viruses, parasites or bacteria is unknown. This report shows that eosinophils from armadillos infected with microfilaria act against these helmintic parasites but have deficiencies in their oxygen-dependent bacteriocidal mechanisms and also in endocytic capacity against yeast.     

Collaborative development of the Arrowsmith two node search interface designed for laboratory investigators

Arrowsmith is a unique computer-assisted strategy designed to assist investigators in detecting biologically-relevant connections between two disparate sets of articles in Medline. This paper describes how an inter-institutional consortium of neuroscientists used the UIC Arrowsmith web interface http://arrowsmith.psych.uic.edu in their daily work and guided the development, refinement and expansion of the system into a suite of tools intended for use by the wider scientific community.     

The power of discourse: Hard lessons for traditional forest communities in the Amazon

In the contemporary Amazon, ‘discourse’ is increasingly a new means of exercising power, influencing local society and the ways in which natural resources are managed. As society becomes ever more complex, direct means of exercising power no longer enjoy the same legitimacy and efficacy. Discourses are instead now assuming a dominant role in defining governance regimes; the sense of what is correct and socially acceptable, and what is not. This is particularly relevant for the rapidly advancing development frontiers in the Amazon region, where local communities are coming into contact with external players highly interested in their forest resources. This study focuses on understanding how external discourses can restrict the Amazonian communities' options for using their forests, but also how communities can harness these discourses to achieve their own claims and objectives. Empirical evidence from four study areas in the Bolivian, Brazilian and Peruvian Amazon regions is used to show how discourses on sustainable forest management are moulding forestry governance. The conclusion shows that while the discourses used by loggers and development organisations are strongly influencing the way communities manage their forests, some communities are also successfully using these discourses in alliances with environmental organisations to achieve acknowledgment of their demands.     

Mygalomorph spider community of a natural reserve in a hilly system in central Argentina

Abstract The diversity, abundance, spatial distribution, and phenology of the mygalomorph spider community in the "Ernesto Tornquist" Strict Nature Reserve were analyzed in this study. Located in southwestern Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Reserve is representative of the Ventania system, which is a sigmoidal mountain belt 180 km in length. This exceptional hilly ecosystem is home for many endemic species and rich native fauna and flora. Spider abundance was sampled monthly from October 2009 to October 2010 by hand capture and pitfall traps on grassland slopes. The species recorded in the study area were: Actinopus sp.1 (Actinopodidae); Grammostola vachoni and Plesiopelma longisternale (Theraphosidae); Acanthogonatus centralis (Nemesiidae); and Mecicobothrium thorelli (Mecicobothriidae). Grammostola vachoni and Acanthogonatus centralis were the dominant species in hand capture and pitfall traps, respectively. The seasonal variation, diversity, and abundance of the mygalomorph community are analyzed and discussed here. The Mygalomorphae of the Ventania system comprises an important group of sedentary and cryptozoic spiders that seem to be highly dependent on habitat type and environmental factors.     

Note:In vitro antagonism of actinomycetes isolated from fungus-growing ants against plant pathogenic fungi

Fungus-growing ants have been found recently to be symbiotic with actinomycetes living on the ant’s cuticle; these bacteria are inhibitory to soil fungi that are detrimental to the ants’ fungus gardens. In order to investigate whether actinomycetes found on the cuticle of attine ants also had inhibitory properties against plant pathogenic fungi, we isolated 32 strains of actinomycetes from fungus-growing ants (Atta, Trachymyrmex, andCyphomyrmex), from the Mexican states of Coahuila, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas. Of the actinomycetes tested against selected plant pathogenic fungi (Alternaria solani, Aspergillus flavus, Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium sp.) on Czapek-Dox agar medium, 13 isolates inhibited at least one of the fungi.C. lindemuthianum was inhibited by 11 actinomycetes, andRhizoctonia by three. An actinomycete strain isolated fromCyphomyrmex rimosus inhibited all five fungi tested. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 30, 2008.     

Impact of spent coffee grounds as organic amendment on soil fertility and lettuce growth in two Mediterranean agricultural soils

The use of spent coffee grounds (SCG) as organic amendment is a triple solution: a reuse of this bio-residue (6 millions of tons per year), an increase in soil organic carbon (SCG contain 82% of carbohydrates and 13% of proteins) and a decrease in CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere. Thus, we investigate the effect of SCG on soil and plants in an in vitro assay. The variables considered were SCG dose (2.5 and 10%), two agricultural soils (Calcisol and Luvisol), and four cultivation times (15, 30, 45 and 60 days). The chemical and physicochemical soil properties, SEM images and growth parameters were analyzed. The highest dose of SCG increased organic carbon, total N and available K and P by 286%, 188%, 45%, and 9%, respectively, while decreasing lettuce growth by 233% compared to control. The SEM study revealed that SCG particles are incorporated into soil aggregates and microorganisms grow over them, which is also corroborated by a 10-times increase of soil respiration rate. The behavior of both soils differs for some SCG effects. In conclusion, SCG have a great potential to increase soil fertility and further investigations are needed in order to improve the use of SCG as amendment.     

Silage maize quality in different uses of Italian ryegrass and soil management methods after liming

The effects of lime application with multiple soil management methods and uses on dry matter (DM) yield and crude protein (CP) content of Silage maize cropping in succession with Italian ryegrass (ryegrass) from 2009 to 2014 in a southern Brazilian Oxisol were studied. The experimental design was completely randomized block in split-plot with four replications. The main plot treatments were the four soil management methods: conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT), no-tillage (NT) and chiseled no-tillage (CNT). The sub-plots treatments were the three uses of Italian ryegrass (ryegrass): cover crop (CC), silage (S), and grazing dairy heifers as part of integrated crop-livestock system (ICL). In all the years, the maize was sown approximately 30 days after the ryegrass desiccation with herbicide. In the medium-term (5 yrs.) after liming, soil management methods did not change DM yield and CP content in silage maize. The use of ryegrass for S and ICL did not change DM yield, but notably maintained or increased CP content in silage maize after liming. The use of ryegrass only as CC provided less measurable benefits than the combined production system of silage maize with ryegrass.     

S100A4 (metastasin) positive mesenchymal canine mammary tumour spheroids reduce Tenascin C synthesis under DMSO exposure in vitro

In breast cancer research S100A4‐positive tumour‐associated stromal cells are assumed as primary source of Tenascin C (TNC) in the metastatic environment. Aim of the present study was to isolate and characterize S100A4/TNC positive stromal canine mammary tumour (CMT) cells. Cells grown as scaffold‐free spheroids were investigated for S100A4, TNC, and proliferative activity under 1.8% DMSO stimulation by means of Western blot and immunohistochemistry. DMSO is a commonly used drug solvent despite well‐known side effects on cells including TNC expression. DMSO did not affect proliferation, but TNC was significantly reduced under DMSO exposure for 7 and 14 days, whereby for S100A4 a reducing effect was only observed after 14 days. Without DMSO, cells stably expressed TNC and S100A4 which makes them suitable to be used in experimental approaches requiring S100A4/TNC expressing CMT stromal cells. Results show that 1.8% DMSO should not be used as solvent for experiments concerning TNC/S100A4 expression.     

Patterns of change in body condition in wintering Neotropical-Nearctic migratory birds in shaded plantations in the Andes

Despite the widely accepted idea that shaded plantations are valuable habitats for Neotropical migrants in disturbed landscapes, little empirical evidence is available in relation to the quality of this habitat for Neotropical-Nearctic migratory birds in the Andes. We evaluated the suitability of shaded plantations for overwintering Neotropical-Nearctic migratory birds by examining diurnal and seasonal variation in body condition of migrants in these agroforests in the Andes. During October to April 2008–2009 and 2009–2010, we mist-netted eight species of Neotropical-Nearctic migrants in shaded plantations in the Colombian Andes. Body condition improved throughout the day for Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea), Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca), Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina), and especially Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis). Similarly, body condition improved across the season for Tennessee Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus), and Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra). Our results provided additional evidence that several common Neotropical migrants, including species of conservation concern such as Cerulean Warbler and Canada Warbler, may improve their body condition in shaded plantations. However, about half of the species assessed in this study did not show any significant improvement in their body condition (e.g. Red-eyed Vireo). Furthermore, on average, species were in poor condition (i.e. body condition scores were negative) in these coffee farms. Thus, the extent to which this agricultural system represents high quality habitat should be looked with caution. Overall, our data contribute novel information on daily patterns of body condition improvement for several common migratory birds in Andean shaded plantations.