Germination response of alder and birch seeds to applied gibberellic acid and priming treatments in combination with chilling

The effects of seed moisture content (MC), gibberellic acid (GA₃) concentration, chilling and priming pretreatments on the germination of common alder (Alnus glutinosa) and downey birch (Betula pubescens) seeds were examined. After treatment, the seeds were allowed to germinate for 42 days at 15 °C or 20 °C (dark)/30 °C (light). Treatment responses were similar at both temperatures and in both species. GA₃ treatment of seeds in fully imbibed (FI) state for 30 days, or at the lower, target moisture content (TMC) for 30–90 days, significantly improved germination, but longer treatment periods reduced it (FI seeds) or had no effect (TMC seeds). Priming for two days improved germination in the FI seeds, but more than 4 days reduced it. Priming for up to 14 days had little effect on the germination of the TMC seeds.     

Future yield growth in field crops: what evidence exists?

Crop yields are an important determinant of C input into the soil and ultimately of soil organic carbon (SOC). Models to predict changes in SOC require crop yield and future yield growth information. In this review, yield trends for 11 major crops in the US for the period 1939–1994 are analyzed. Historical data are analyzed to detect evidence of a yield plateau. Yields are extrapolated to the year 2020 based on linear and exponential yield trends estimated in the paper. Forward-looking information on yield gaps, on the biological potential for future yield growth, and socio-economic determinants of yield growth is examined for evidence that yield growth may plateau in the near future. A linear model of yield growth indicates a compound annual rate of growth of between 0.7% and 1.3% per year for major US crops through 2020. Under an exponential model, growth rates could range up to 3% per year. This could lead to substantial increases in SOC if crop residues are retained. Biophysical limits, including those imposed by agronomic and tillage practices, do not appear to prevent rates of growth consistent with the linear model. How socioeconomic forces will affect future growth are subject to greater uncertainty.     

钙调素与核酸在梨花芽分化中的动态研究

以梨为试格,对成花过程中ＣａＭ和核酸的含量进行了分析测定,结果表明;短枝芽的ＣａＭ含量在成花的发端期成倍增加形成高峰,而新梢芽却一直保持较低的水平;短果枝叶的ＣａＭ与新梢叶有着相近的变化趋势。但在成花前后,短果枝叶的ＣａＭ含量要明显高于新梢叶的,短枝芽所含核酸,尤其是ＲＮＡ开始回升时与ＣａＭ的峰值相吻合,并且在整个成花期间都呈上升的趋势。     

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the pathogenesis of asthma

Airway eosinophilia, epithelial desquamation, and hyperresponsiveness are characteristics of the airway inflammation underlying bronchial asthma. The contribution of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) to eosinophil migration and airway responsiveness was studied. ICAM-1 partially mediated eosinophil adhesion to to endothelium in vitro and was upregulated on inflamed bronchial endothelium in vivo. ICAM-1 expression was also upregulated on inflamed airway epithelium in vitro and in vivo. In a primate model of asthma, a monoclonal antibody to ICAM-1 attenuated airway eosinophilia and hyperresponsiveness. Thus, antagonism of ICAM-1 may provide a therapeutic approach to reducing airway inflammation, hyperresponsiveness, and asthma symptoms.     

小麦航天诱变后代的条锈病抗性变异及选择效果研究

为明确小麦航天诱变后代条锈病抗性的变异和选择效果,在甘肃陇南用系谱法对8个小麦品种的诱变后代进行了研究。结果表明,兰天10号、兰天14号、兰天17号在SP1(诱变一代)和SP2(诱变二代),PASCAL和85-173-4在SP2的群体病谱均较原品种对照发生了不显著的变异,但它们在SP1和SP2都没有出现显著的条锈病抗性突变体;郑麦9023、陇原031和DORICO在SP2均出现了显著的条锈病抗性突变系且有分离现象。8个品种的SP2和SP3(诱变三代)共获得9个显著的条锈病抗性突变系和12个显著的非条锈病抗性突变系,其中15个突变系的后代都出现了条锈病抗性的分离和变异。经过4代的选择,证明感病品种在SP2出现的抗性不显著提高株系具有一定的选择可靠性,从郑麦9023和陇原031中分别获得了抗条锈、大粒和兼抗条锈、白粉病的优良突变系。这些结果表明,航天诱变小麦种子能够引起后代条锈病抗性的丰富变异;变异可能出现在SP1、SP2或以后世代;对于感病品种在SP2出现的抗性不显著提高株系可以进行选择;不论哪一方面性状的显著突变系,一般会随世代进展出现条锈病抗性的分离和变异,都应作为抗性选择的目标对象而注意保留。     

Traumatic bilateral stylohyoid bone fracture in an Appaloosa

An Appaloosa gelding presented for a traumatic puncture wound of the head ventral to the base of his left ear, bilateral epistaxis and upper respiratory compromise. The horse did not exhibit dysphagia or cranial nerve deficits. The horse suffered bilateral oblique fractures of both stylohyoid bones due to the traumatic incident, diagnosed upon endoscopy of the guttural pouches. Treatment consisted of anti‐inflammatory medication, broad‐spectrum antibiotics, guttural pouch lavage and dietary management with soft feeds. At a one‐month follow‐up examination, endoscopic evaluation revealed a union at both stylohyoid bone fracture sites. Guttural pouch mycosis was diagnosed in the left guttural pouch on the lateral wall at the entrance of the lateral compartment. The guttural pouch mycosis was treated with a nystatin and gentamicin flush, followed by a course of oral fluconazole. At the 3‐month re‐evaluation, the guttural pouch mycosis had completely responded to treatment.     

Cross-Sectional Imaging Characteristics of Pituitary Adenomas, Invasive Adenomas and Adenocarcinomas in Dogs: 33 Cases (1988–2006)

Background: Pituitary tumors in dogs can be adenomas, invasive adenomas, or adenocarcinomas. In people, invasive adenomas and pituitary adenocarcinomas carry a worse prognosis than adenomas.
Hypothesis/Objective: To identify differentiating features on cross-sectional imaging in dogs with pituitary adenomas, invasive adenomas, and adenocarcinomas.
Animals: Thirty-three dogs that had computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed and a necropsy diagnosis of pituitary adenoma ( n = 20), invasive adenoma ( n = 11), or adenocarcinoma ( n = 2).
Methods: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for signalment, history, and diagnosis. CT and MR images were reviewed for characteristics of pituitary tumors.
Results: Mean (± standard deviation) age for dogs with pituitary adenomas (10.6 ± 2.9 years) was greater than that of those with invasive adenomas (8.3 ± 2.7 years, P = .04). Eighteen out of 20 (90%) dogs with adenomas had contrast-enhancing masses. Thirteen out of 20 (65%) had homogeneous enhancement. Mean adenoma height was 1.2 ± 0.7 cm. Eight out of 20 (40%) adenomas were round and 8/20 (40%) compressed surrounding brain. Eleven out of 11 dogs (100%) with invasive adenomas had contrast-enhancing masses. Seven out of 11 (64%) masses were homogeneous. Mean invasive adenoma height was 1.8 ± 0.7 cm, which was significantly greater than adenomas ( P = .03). Mass shape varied from round to oval to irregular. Six out of 11 (55%) masses compressed surrounding brain. Clinical and imaging features were variable for 2 dogs with adenocarcinomas.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Invasive adenoma should be suspected if a dog with a pituitary tumor is <7.7 years of age and has a mass >1.9 cm in vertical height. Adenocarcinomas are uncommon and metastatic lesions were not seen with imaging.