奇异的南非花卉（二）——帝王花木百合系列

木百合是,静王花家族中分布最广泛的品种,木百合雌雄异株,这在帝王花家族中是很少见的。它的花期很长（从5月到12月）,加上色彩丰富的树叶和苞叶,使之成为非常有吸引力的园林树种。在自然条件下,木百合能长到0．75m～2m的高度,适应从平原地区的暖冬气候到高山的冰雪霜冻天气,使得木百合成为园艺种植的主选品种。     

Diversity of rhizobia isolated from an agricultural soil in Argentina based on carbon utilization and effects of herbicides on growth

Seventy-six rhizobial isolates belonging to four different genera were obtained from the root nodules of several legumes (Vicia sativa, Vicia faba, Medicago sativa, Melilotus sp., Glycine max and Lotus corniculatus). The action of five commonly used herbicides [2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), glyphosate (GF), dicamba, atrazine and metsulfuron-methyl] on the growth of rhizobial strains was assessed. Subsequently, GF and 2,4-D were tested in a minimum broth as C and energy sources for 20 tolerant strains. The ability of these strains to metabolize different carbon sources was studied in order to detect further differences among them. Tolerance of the bacteria to agrochemicals varied; 2,4-D and GF in solid medium inhibited and diminished growth, respectively, in slow-growing rhizobial strains. Among slow-growing strains we detected Bradyrhizobium sp. SJ140 that grew well in broth + GF as the sole C and energy source. No strain was found which could use 2,4-D as sole C source. The 20 strains studied exhibited different patterns of C sources utilization. Cluster analysis revealed three groups, corresponding to four genera of rhizobia: Rhizobium (group I), Sinorhizobium (group II) and Mesorhizobium–Bradyrhizobium (group III). On the basis of the results obtained on responses to herbicides and C sources utilization by the isolates investigated, it was possible to differentiate them at the level of strains. These results evidenced a considerable diversity in rhizobial populations that had not been previously described for Argentinean soils, and suggested a physiological potential to use natural and xenobiotic C sources.     

Effects of Vermicompost and Vermiwash on Plant,Phenolic Content,and Anti-oxidant Activity of Mexican Pepperleaf (Piper auritum Kunth) Cultivated in Phosphate Rock Potting Media

The aim of this investigation was to determine the effect of vermicompost, vermiwash, and phosphate rock on plant, total phenols, flavonoids, and anti-oxidant activity in Piper auritum Kunth leaves. P. auritum plants were obtained from cuttings and were planted according to the Box-Behnken experimental design with three repetitions at the central point. The factors and levels were vermicompost (10, 20, and 30 g plant^?1), vermiwash (5, 10, and 15 mL plant^?1), and phosphate rock (1, 2, and 3 g plant^?1). Plant growth parameters (plant height, stem diameter, leaves number) and chlorophyll content were measured 1 month after treatment applications. Total phenols, total flavonoids, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radical scavenging activity was measured after 4 months. Vermicompost, vermiwash, and phosphate rock had no statistically significant effect on plant growth. Plant height, stem diameter, leaves number, chlorophyll, innermost number, fresh weight stem, fresh weight leaves, fresh weight root, dry weight stem, dry weight leaves, and dry weight root were not different among treatments. Total phenolic compounds were statistically affected for both vermiwash and phosphoric rock (p < 0.05) and the anti-oxidant activity decreased by vermicompost addition. The application of 15 mL plant^?1 vermiwash, 1 g phosphate rock, and 20 g vermicompost plant^?1 increased the total phenol content.     

Residual setup error in the canine intracranial region after megavoltage,kilovoltage, or cone‐beam computed tomographic image guidance for radiation therapy

Sources of residual setup error after image guidance include image localization accuracy, errors associated with image registration, and inability of some treatment couches to correct submillimeter translational errors and/or pitch and roll errors. The purpose of this experimental study was to measure setup error after image‐guided correction of the canine intracranial region, using a four degrees‐of‐freedom couch capable of 1 mm translational moves. Six cadaver dogs were positioned 45 times as for clinical treatment using a vacuum deformable body cushion, a customizable head cushion, a thermoplastic mask and an indexed maxillary plate with a dental mould. The location of five fiducial markers in the skull bones was compared between the reference position and after megavoltage (MV), kilovoltage (kV) and cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT)‐guided correction using orthogonal kV images. The mean three‐dimensional distance vectors (3DDV) after MV, kV and CBCT‐guided correction were 1.7, 1.5 and 2.2 mm, respectively. All values were significantly different (P < .01). The 95th percentiles of the 3DDV after online MV, kV and CBCT‐guided correction were 2.8, 2.6 and 3.6 mm, respectively. Residual setup error in the clinical scenario examined was on the order of millimetres and should be considered when choosing PTV margins for image‐guided radiation therapy of the canine intracranial region.     

Growth and Fruit Chemical Characteristics of Blackberry (Rubus Fruticosus) Cultivated with Vermicompost,Glomus Mosseae and Phosphate Rock

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to determine the effect of vermicompost (V) and phosphate rock (PR) on blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L. agg.) plants inoculated with Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerdemann & Trappe (AMF). Plant growth parameters, total phenol compounds and total flavonoids were evaluated on leaves. Anthocyanin contents, soluble solids (SS), pH, titratable acidity (TA) and SS/TA ratio was evaluated in blackberries fruits. Blackberry plants were obtained from cuttings from field plants, which were distributed in soil according to a randomized complete block design with three repetitions. Treatments were vermicompost (10?g plant^?1), phosphate rock (1?g plant^?1), Glomus mosseae (AMF), (1?g plant^?1), PR + AMF, V + PR, V +AMF, V + PR+ AMF and control without any amended. Plant height and stem diameter were measured five months after treatments, while total phenols and total flavonoids in leaves were evaluated eight months later. Anthocyanins, SS, pH, and TA were determined in blackberry fruits ten months after. Plant height was not statistically affected (p≤0.05), although total phenol compounds were higher (21.1?mg g^?1 dry plant) in the V+PR+AMF treatment, whereas the V + AMF treatment produced more dry plant total flavonoids (1.4?mg g^?1), compared with control plants. Blackberries produced with the vermicompost treatment had more anthocyanins (9.54?mg g^?1) than control plants. Soluble solids, pH and titratable acidity were not statistically (p≤0.05) affected by any treatment.     

Associations of Bird Species Richness and Community Composition with Local and Landscape-scale Environmental Factors in Borneo

A comprehensive understanding of variables associated with spatial differences in community composition is essential to explain and predict biodiversity over landscape scales. In this study, spatial patterns of bird diversity in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, were examined and associated with local-scale (habitat structure and heterogeneity) and landscape-scale (logging, slope position and elevation) environmental variables. Within the study area (c. 196 km²) local habitat structure and heterogeneity varied considerably, largely due to logging. In total 9747 individuals of 177 bird species were recorded. Akaike's information criterion (AIC) revealed that the best explanatory models of bird community similarity and species richness included both local- and landscape-scale environmental variables. Important local-scale variables included liana abundance, fern cover, sapling density, tree density, dead wood abundance and tree architecture, while important landscape-scale variables were elevation, logging and slope position. Geographic distance between sampling sites was not significantly associated with spatial variation in either species richness or similarity. These results indicate that deterministic environmental processes, as opposed to dispersal-driven stochastic processes, primarily structure bird assemblages within the spatial scale of this study and confirm that highly variable local habitat measures can be effective means of predicting landscape-scale community patterns.     

Effects of nitrous oxide on IOP and pupillary diameter in dogs anesthetized with varying concentrations of desflurane

Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of nitrous oxide on IOP and pupillary diameter (PD) of dogs anesthetized with varying desflurane concentrations. Animals studied Twenty adult Mongrel dogs were used. Methods They were anesthetized with propofol (10 mg/kg, IV) and maintained with varying concentrations of desflurane (1.6, 1.4, and 1.2 MAC) diluted in 100% oxygen (G1) or in 70% nitrous oxide and 30% oxygen (G2) (30 mL/kg/min). IOP was measured by applanation tonometry and horizontal PD was taken with a caliper adjacent to the cornea. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and end‐tidal CO₂ (etCO₂) were also measured. All parameters were measured at T0, T30, T45, and T60 time points. One‐way repeated measures anova and the t‐test were used to assess statistical differences (P < 0.05). Results T30, T45, and T60 IOP measures were within normal limits for both groups and IOP did not differ between groups at any time. There was a significant decrease in PD in G1 between T0 and T30, T45 and T60, and also between T30 and T60. PD did not differ between groups. All vital parameters were within normal limits throughout anesthesia. Conclusions Administration of nitrous oxide with desflurane results in maintenance of normal IOP and prevents a decrease in horizontal PD during anesthesia. Therefore, this may be a suitable protocol in dogs undergoing intraocular surgeries that require mydriasis and maintenance of normal IOP.     

Bispectral index in dogs at three intravenous infusion rates of propofol

ObjectiveTo establish the correlation between the bispectral index (BIS) and different rates of infusion of propofol in dogs.Study designProspective experimental trial.AnimalsEight adult dogs weighing 6–20 kg.MethodsEight animals underwent three treatments at intervals of 20 days. Propofol was used for induction of anesthesia (10 mg kg⁻¹ IV), followed by a continuous rate infusion (CRI) at 0.2 mg kg⁻¹ minute⁻¹ (P2), 0.4 mg kg⁻¹ minute⁻¹ (P4) or 0.8 mg kg⁻¹ minute⁻¹ (P8) for 55 minutes. The BIS values were measured at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 minutes (T10, T20, T30, T40, and T50, respectively) after the CRI of propofol was started. Numeric data were submitted to analysis of variance followed by Tukey test (p < 0.05).ResultsThe BIS differed significantly among groups at T40, when P8 was lower than P2 and P4. At T50, P8 was lower than P2. The electromyographic activity (EMG) in P2 and P4 was higher than P8 at T40 and T50.ConclusionsAn increase in propofol infusion rates decreases the BIS values and EMG.     

Tissue-Specific Variations of Esterase Activities in the Tadpoles and Adults of Pseudis paradoxa (Anura: Hylidae)

Water, Air, &; Soil Pollution - We determined basal levels of cholinesterase (ChE) and carboxylesterase (CbEs; two substrates: α-naphthyl acetate and 4-nitrophenylvalerate) in different...     

Epidemiological surveillance of ovine hydatidosis in Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia Argentina, 1997-1999

Cystic echinococcosis is the most prevalent zoonosis in Tierra del Fuego province, Argentina, with important economic, productive and public health consequences. The present work was performed to determine the ovine prevalence in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, as well as to evaluate the quality of diagnostic systems in slaughterhouses. Moreover, genetic analyses to characterize the strain of Echinococcus granulosus involved in the region were done. The first actions to perform a diagnosis of the epidemiological situation of hydatidosis in Tierra del Fuego were done between 1976 and 1977. A canine prevalence of 80% and an ovine prevalence of 55% results were obtained. Since 1979 the control program of Hydatidosis of Tierra del Fuego was implemented. It was based on semiannual canine anthelmintic treatment with praziquantel at dose of 5mg/kg, and complemented with sanitary education and canine and ovine epidemiological surveillance. During May 1997-January 1999: 5,916 sheep coming from 20 farms of the programmatic area were evaluated. In the lamb category, hydatid cysts were not found. In the adults category, 62 infected animals were found (3.2%). The ovine prevalence was 1.1% and there was 100% of coincidence between diagnosis in the slaughterhouse, re-inspection in the laboratory and histopathological study. The marked decrease in the prevalence observed for sheep infection evidenced a destabilization of the biological cycle of the parasite. This could be explained by the application of a control program with uninterrupted systematic actions. Polymerase chain reaction-ribosomal ITS-1 DNA (rDNA) restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis and partial sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene were used to characterize E. granulosus isolates collected from different regions of Tierra del Fuego to determine which genotypes occurred in this region. The results revealed the presence of the G1 genotype (sheep-dog strain). This is the first time that a molecular analysis was performed for the E. granulosus isolates from Tierra del Fuego.