Rainfall and crop residue effects on soil dispersion and Beauveria bassiana spread to corn

The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana infects a wide range of insects and survives as a soil saprophyte and a plant endophyte. The objective of our study was to determine the role of rainfall in dispersing B. bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin to the surface of corn (Zea mays) from soil with different levels of crop residue. Laboratory studies which simulated field tillage systems, had levels of crop residue which covered 0.53 (control), 34, 59 and 84% of the soil surface. Simulated rainfall in a raindrop tower at an intensity of 73 mm/h caused a significant increase in the mean number of B. bassiana colony forming units (CFU) isolated from the surface of corn plants. Plants receiving rain had a mean (±S.E.M.) of 8.8±2.8 CFU per plant; controls had a mean of 0.03±0.01 CFU per plant. The mg of soil collected from the surface of plants also was significantly influenced by rainfall. Plants receiving rain had a mean of 15.7±1.7 mg of soil per plant while controls had a mean of 3.4±0.4 mg of soil per plant. Linear regression revealed highly significant negative relationships between the mean mg of soil and the mean number of CFU per plant, over the four levels of crop residue. The amount of soil and number of CFU per plant decreased significantly with increasing levels of crop residue. In field studies with conservation- and no-till systems, results were similar to those recorded in the raindrop tower. The mean number of CFU and mg of soil per plant were both higher in conservation-till plots than in no-till plots, where surface residue averaged 45 and 95%, respectively. Rainfall plays an active role in the dispersal of B. bassiana from the soil environment to the surface of whorl-stage corn. Increased levels of crop residue reduce the amount of soil and fungal transfer to the surface of young corn.     

Radiological features of inflammatory conditions of the canine pancreas

The radiological signs of pancreatitis in six cases are described, and where possible, correlated with surgical and pathological findings. The use of radiography as an aid to diagnosis of pancreatic disease is discussed.
Résumé . Les signes radiologiques de malfonction du pancréas dans six cas sont déscrits, et où possible sont mis en correlation avec découvertes chirurgicales et pathologiques. L'usage da la radiographic comme une aide à la diagnose de la maladie pancréatique est discuté.
Zusammenfassung . Die radiologischen Zeichen der Bauchspeicheldrüsenentzündung werden in sechs Fällen beschrieben, und wo möglich werden mit chirurgischen und pathologischen Untersuchungsergebnissen korreliert. Der Gebrauch der Röntgenphotographie wie ein Beistand fur die Diagnose der pankreatischen Krankheit wird besprochen.     

Anaesthetic and surgical technique for bilateral adrenalectomy in stress sensitive pigs

A technique for anaesthesia of Pietrain pigs using thiopentone or ketamine, ventilation with nitrous oxide and oxygen and muscle relaxation with pancuronium, is described. Bilateral adrenalectomy was carried out by a mid line laparotomy and details of the surgical technique are illustrated. Four of the 10 animals died 7--13 hours after surgery with a hyperthermic response.     

Reaction wood anatomy and lignin distribution in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gnetum gnemon</Emphasis> branches

This study investigated the anatomical and chemical characteristics of the reaction wood of a gymnpsperm species, Gnetum gnemon, and discussed on contributing factor for the type of reaction wood in this species. Cell morphology, microfibril angle (MFA) of the S₂ layer and lignin distribution in secondary walls of tracheary elements, and lignin content were examined on three branches. Observations included no G-layer formation, significant decreases in vessel frequency, and altered MFA, and visible-light absorbance after lignin colour reactions in tracheid and fiber tracheid walls on the upper side in almost all samples. These results suggest that reaction wood in G. gnemon was similar to that in ‘tension-wood-like-reaction wood’ in angiosperms. On the other hand, reaction wood showed decrease in the lignin concentration in the fiber tracheid walls compared to the tracheid walls. In addition, the lignin in the tracheid and fiber tracheid walls was originally rich in syringyl units, suggesting that changes in the anatomical and chemical characteristics of secondary xylem due to reaction wood formation might relate to the ratio of the syringyl to guaiacyl units in lignin in the cell walls which function for mechanical support.     

Remote intramuscular injection of immobilising drugs into fish using a laser-aimed underwater dart gun

Sixty coldwater and warmwater fish ranging in weight from 2 to 35 kg were injected intramuscularly with the hypnotics alphaxalone-alphadolone and metomidate hydrochloride and the non-depolarising muscle relaxant gallamine triethiodide using a laser-aimed underwater dart gun. Alphaxalone-alphadolone produced sufficient sedation for easy netting within five to 20 minutes at doses between 0.3 and 0.5 ml/kg, with induction being somewhat faster in warmwater species. The pattern of induction was similar with metomidate but required doses of 40 to 60 mg/kg. The muscle relaxant gallamine triethiodide showed promise as a practical agent for the capture and handling of large fish by virtue of its smooth induction of paralysis at doses between 1 and 3 mg/kg and its reversible supplementation with orally administered metomidate hydrochloride.     

Effect of improved nutrition during calfhood on serum metabolic hormones, gonadotropins, and testosterone concentrations, and on testicular development in bulls

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of improved nutrition during calfhood on serum metabolic hormones, gonadotropins and testosterone concentrations, and on sexual development in bulls. Bulls received high (n = 17) or control nutrition (n = 16) diets from 10 to 30 week of age and the same control nutrition diet from 31 to 74 week of age. Improved nutrition during calfhood resulted in a more sustained period of elevated LH secretion (pulse frequency and total secretion in 10 h) during the early gonadotropin rise. GnRH-stimulated LH secretion was not affected by diet, indicating that pituitary responsiveness was not altered; therefore, improved nutrition had direct effects on GnRH secretion by the hypothalamus. Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) concentrations were greater during calfhood in bulls receiving high nutrition, indicating that these metabolic hormones might be involved in regulating GnRH and LH secretion. Improved nutrition also resulted in increased testosterone secretion that was associated with greater circulating IGF-I concentrations, suggesting a role for this metabolic hormone in regulating Leydig cell number and function. Furthermore, improved nutrition during calfhood resulted in greater testicular weight and sperm production in mature bulls, indicating that increased LH secretion during calfhood, and increased IGF-I and testosterone concentrations during calfhood and peripubertal period were associated with greater testicular cell proliferation and enhanced function.