Phenological and physiological evaluation of first and second cropping periods of sorghum and maize crops

Environmental conditions influence phenology and physiological processes of plants. It is common for maize and sorghum to be sown at two different periods: the first cropping (spring/summer) and the second cropping (autumn/winter). The phenological cycle of these crops varies greatly according to the planting season, and it is necessary to characterize the growth and development to facilitate the selection of the species best adapted to the environment. The aim of this study was to characterize phenological phases and physiological parameters in sorghum and maize plants as a function of environmental conditions from the first cropping and second cropping periods. Two parallel experiments were conducted with both crops. The phenological characterization was based on growth analyses (plant height, leaf area and photoassimilate partitioning) and gas exchange evaluations (net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration and water-use efficiency). It was found that the vegetative stage (VS) for sorghum and maize plants was 7 and 21 days, respectively, longer when cultivated during the second cropping. In the first cropping, the plants were taller than in the second cropping, regardless of the crop. The stomatal conductance of sorghum plants fluctuated in the second cropping during the development period, while maize plants showed decreasing linear behaviour. Water-use efficiency in sorghum plants was higher during the second cropping compared with the first cropping. In maize plants, in the second cropping, the water-use efficiency showed a slight variation in relation to the first cropping. It was concluded that the environmental conditions as degree-days, temperature, photoperiod and pluvial precipitation influence the phenology and physiology of both crops during the first and the second cropping periods, specifically cycle duration, plant height, leaf area, net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and water-use efficiency, indicating that both crops respond differentially to environmental changes during the growing season.     

Impact of postovulatory food deprivation on the ova transport, hormonal profiles and metabolic changes in sows.

The effect of food deprivation on ova transport, hormonal profiles and metabolic changes was studied in 20 crossbred multiparous sows during their second oestrus after weaning. To determine the time of ovulation, transrectal ultrasonographic examination was performed. The sows were divided into 2 groups, one control group (C-group), which was fed according to Swedish standards, and one experimental group (E-group). The E-group sows were deprived of food from the first morning meal after ovulation until slaughter. Blood samples were collected every second hour from about 12 h before expected ovulation in the second oestrus after weaning until slaughter and were analysed for progesterone, prostaglandin F2 alpha-metabolite, insulin, glucose, free fatty acids and triglycerides. All sows were slaughtered approximately 48 h after ovulation and the genital tract was recovered. The isthmic part of the oviduct was divided into 3 equally long segments and flushed separately with phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Uterine horns were also flushed with PBS. A significantly greater number of ova were found in the first and second part of the isthmus in the E-group (p = 0.05) while in the C-group most of the ova were found in the third part of the isthmus or the uterus (p = 0.01). The level of prostaglandin F2 alpha-metabolite was significantly higher in the E-group compared with the C-group. The concentration of progesterone increased in both groups after ovulation but there were no significant differences between the groups. The other blood parameters showed that the food-deprived sows were in a catabolic state. The 48 h period of fasting results, directly or indirectly in an delayed ova transport, which may be due to a delayed relaxation in the smooth circular muscle layer of the isthmus.     

Inflammatory mammary carcinoma in dogs: 33 cases (1995-1999).

OBJECTIVE: To determine epidemiologic, clinical, and pathologic characteristics of inflammatory mammary carcinoma (IC) in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 33 dogs with IC and 153 dogs with malignant mammary tumors other than IC. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed, and signalment, history, physical examination findings, and results of thoracic radiography and necropsy were obtained. RESULTS: 33 of 436 (7.6%) dogs examined at a veterinary teaching hospital because of dysplasia or tumors of the mammary glands and 33 of 186 (17.7%) dogs with at least 1 malignant tumor had IC. Thirty-two of the 33 dogs were sexually intact. Dogs with IC were significantly older than were dogs with other malignant mammary tumors, and in dogs with IC, the tumor was initially noticed a mean of 52 days after the beginning of the last observed estrus, whereas in dogs with other mammary tumors, the tumor was initially noticed a mean of 137 days after the beginning of the last observed estrus. Dogs with IC were more likely to be anorectic and to have generalized weakness, weight loss, and thoracic metastases. Dogs with IC survived a mean of 25 days with palliative treatment. Histologically, involvement of dermal lymphatic vessels was identified in 14 of 19 (74%) dogs with IC. Two clinical forms of IC (primary and secondary) were identified. Dogs with primary IC had a worse clinical condition. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that IC is an uncommon but distinct entity in dogs. A histologic finding of dermal lymphatic involvement should be considered a hallmark for the pathologic diagnosis of IC in dogs.     

羔羊全营养代乳粉对羔羊增重影响的试验

为了研究羔羊出生后采取人工饲喂代乳粉溶液的效果，对10日龄羔羊称重，以平均日增重与母乳组比较，用t检验方法检验差异显著性。研究结果显示羔羊平均日增重试验组为0.097-0.126kg，母乳组为0.071-0.113kg，二者没有显著差异。在生产中，代乳粉能替代绵羊母乳饲喂羔羊，对多胎品系羊的推广应用以及解决绵羊缺乳、少乳或无乳问题具有重要意义。     

多肽生长因子生理功能的研究进展

多肽生长因子作为动物体细胞分泌的活性物质，具有重要的生理功能，其抗体对肿瘤也具有良好的抑制效果。本文对七种多肽生长因子在生理功能方面的研究进展做一综述。     

提高阅卷与试题分析速度的有效方法探讨

分析了核对、打孔、光照透明、光电机器阅读和扫描等几种快速手工和自动阅卷评分方法。采用我校目前广泛使用的“成绩记载”中的浮动“阅卷面板”鼠标点击，以及自动阅读机与“成绩记载”间的“数据转换”程序，可大大提高成绩录入、成绩分析和试题分析速度。     

Cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest.

Severe heart disease may cause hypotension and hypoperfusion, and ultimately circulation may cease altogether. These two clinical syndromes are cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest, respectively. This review summarizes the causes and clinical features of each, and describes the treatment options available to clinicians managing patients in cardiogenic shock.     

Landscape change under indirect effects of human use: the Savanna of Central Chile

The Chilean Intermediate Depression to the north of Santiago has experienced a physiognomical transformation from a Prosopis chilensis woodland to an Acacia caven savanna. Today P. chilensis trees are scarce and belong mostly to the larger size classes. By contrast A. caven seems to reproduce frequently and its populations consist of individuals of all size classes. In this paper we document these changes and report the results of tests aimed at determining the causes of these physiognomical changes. We found that livestock, leporids, introduced Mediterranean forbs and agriculture account for differences in seed dispersal and survival of A. caven and P. chilensis, which can explain the documented changes in the Chilean landscape.     

Skeletal muscle characteristics in young trained and untrained standardbred trotters.

Muscle biopsies were taken from the middle gluteal muscle of 28 Standardbred trotters, 3-4 years of age. The 13 horses in Group T were trained consistently from 18 months of age, whereas the 15 horses in Group UT were not exposed to any systematic training before 3 years of age. Group T horses had a lower percentage of Type IIB fibres (31%) than did Group UT horses (39%). Citrate synthase (CS) activity, representing oxidative capacity, was higher in Group T (72 mmol kg-1 min-1) than in Group UT (47 mmol kg-1 min-1). Biopsies were taken from 4 horses in each group when they were foals and then annually until 3-4 years of age. Results from this study indicate that regular training of Standardbreds from 18 months of age resulted in increased CS activity and a decrease in the percentage of Type IIB fibres. This study shows that training, not growth, is the main factor that induces a high oxidative capacity and a high Type IIA/IIB fibre ratio in muscle of Standardbred trotters.