Selection of regenerative genotypes from highly productive cultivars of alfalfa

Summary Seedlings from Canadian alfalfa cultivars Algonquin and Apica were selected on the basis of ability to regenerate plants from hypocotyl callus. A total of eleven genotypes were selected, resulting in regeneration frequencies of 4.5 and 11.7% for Algonquin and Apica, respectively. Regeneration capacity within these cultivars was also compared with cultivars and breeding lines for which regeneration frequencies have previously been documented. Two genotypes (A1 93 and Ap 20) exhibited prolific embryogenesis from hypocotyl and petiole callus and also regenerated plants from suspension culture. Flowering and seed set have been observed for regenerated plants.     

CONTRAST HARMONIC ULTRASOUND OF SPONTANEOUS LIVER NODULES IN 32 DOGS

Thirty-two dogs with spontaneous hepatic nodules were given intravenous ultrasound contrast medium (Definity or Sonovue) and imaged with contrast harmonic software on a conventional ultrasound machine system. Digital video images were initially reviewed to describe the perfusion pattern of malignant nodules. The images were reviewed again to test this pattern against all individual nodules. Subjectively, there was improved conspicuity of malignant nodules after contrast enhancement compared with conventional imaging and increased numbers of malignant nodules were often noted. There was decreased conspicuity of benign nodules and no additional nodules were seen after contrast enhancement. There was a highly significant (P < 0.0001) association of malignancy with a hypoechoic nodule at surrounding normal liver peak contrast enhancement. Benign nodules were isoechoic to the surrounding normal liver at peak contrast enhancement. Only one benign nodule (hepatoma) had regions of hypoechogenicity compared with the surrounding normal liver at peak liver contrast enhancement. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were highly significant (P < 0.0001) (100%, 94.1%, 93.8%, 100%, and 96.9%, respectively). No complications or morbidity was noted throughout the course of the study. Contrast harmonic ultrasound appears to be accurate at discriminating between naturally occurring benign and malignant nodules in the liver of dogs.     

TISSUE HARMONIC ULTRASOUND FOR IMAGING NORMAL ABDOMINAL ORGANS IN DOGS AND CATS

Normal cats (n = 38) and dogs (n = 40) were imaged with fundamental ultrasound and tissue harmonic ultrasound. Images of the liver, gall bladder, spleen, left kidney, urinary bladder, and jejunum were collected in all animals. Images of the left adrenal gland were collected in all dogs. All normal cats and dogs had improved imaging with tissue harmonic ultrasound. The number of organs with improved conspicuity ranged from one to all organs imaged. The most common organ to have improved conspicuity was the jejunum (100% of dogs and 89% of cats). Significant improvement by tissue harmonic ultrasound was seen in images of gall bladder (p = .05) and left adrenal gland (p = .02) in dogs, and spleen, urinary bladder, and intestinal images (p = .01) in cats. Significant improvement was seen in tissue harmonic ultrasound images of the gall bladder in dogs weighing greater than 16 kilograms (p = .03) and in the images of the urinary bladder of dogs weighing less than 16 kilograms (p = .02). These data suggest that image quality improvement of normal organs using tissue harmonic ultrasound is consistent but not predictable. The exception was the jejunum, where improvement was seen in all dogs. Sonographers should be cognizant of the potential benefits of tissue harmonic ultrasound.     

Estimation ofPinus radiata D. Don clear wood properties by near-infrared spectroscopy

The use of calibrated near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for predicting of a range of solid wood properties is described. The methods developed are applicable to large-scale nondestructive forest resource assessment and to tree breeding and silviculture programs. A series ofPinus radiata D. Don (radiata pine) samples were characterized in terms of density, longitudinal modulus of elasticity (E _L), and microfibril angle (MFA). NIR spectra were obtained from the radial/longitudinal face of each sample and used to generate calibrations for the measured physical properties. The relations between laboratory-determined data and NIR fitted data were good in all cases, with coefficients of determination (R ²) ranging from 0.68 for 100/MFA to 0.94 for density_strip. A good relation (R ² = 0.83) was also obtained forE _L estimated using data collected by SilviScan-2. The finding suggests that an NIR instrument could be calibrated to estimate theE _L of increment cores based on SilviScan data. In view of the rapidly expanding range of applications for this technique, it is concluded that appropriately calibrated NIR spectroscopy could form the basis of a testing instrument capable of predicting a range of properties from a single spectrum obtained from the product or from the raw material.