Electrophoretic evidence of the integrity of humic substances separated by means of electrofocusing

The alkaline extracts of an andic soil, a Bhir horizon of a spodic soil and leonardite which, after electrofocusing, displayed bands in the neutral region of the pH gradient, were fractionated by electrophoresis in phosphate buffer at pH 6.5. The non-migrated fraction gave an electrofocusing profile containing only bands focused at pH values above that of the electrophoretic separation. Electrophoresis in sodium acetate buffer pH 4.8 of humic substances extracted from peat permitted isolation of bands focusing above pH4.8. The distribution of metals after electrophoresis suggests that a great part of humic substances which originate bands above pH 6.5 consists of negatively charged Fe and Al complexes. Addition of EDTA to solutions of humic substances extracted from the samples resulted in the disappearance of bands in the neutral region of the pH gradient in the electrofocusing profile of the Bhir sample, while a consistent lessening of these bands was observed in the leonardite and andic soil samples.     

Screening of 170 Peruvian plant species for allelopathic activity by using the Sandwich Method

Peru is one of the 20 botanically extremely diverse countries in the world, with >17 000 flowering plants, of which 30% are endemic. So far, no systematic research has been conducted on the screening of the allelopathic plants. In this study, the allelopathic activity of 170 species from 61 families of Peruvian plants that were collected from the three main regions of Peru – the Costa (Pacific coastline), the Sierra (Andean mountains), and the Selva (Amazonian rainforest) – was evaluated. The allelopathic activity was determined by the Sandwich Method, which can evaluate the activity of leaf leachates. The species that were found to be highly inhibitory in this screening, under the criterion of >90% inhibition of the radicle of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) seedlings, were Aristeguietia ballii and Diplostephium foliosissimum (Asteraceae) and Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae). All of these species are native plants from Peru. This study gives a strong clue regarding the potential of isolating potent allelochemicals from these plants in the future.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—INTRAPERICARDIAL RIGHT AURICLE ANEURYSM IN A DOG

An 11‐year‐old, male, Pekinese was examined because of a sporadic, nonresponsive, nonproductive cough. Radiographically there was cardiomegaly and a soft tissue mass in the cranial mediastinum. Echocardiographically, chronic degenerative valvular disease was diagnosed. Furthermore, a large anechoic structure located cranial to the right atrium was detected. Computed tomography was performed to define the mediastinal mass and a right auricle aneurysm was diagnosed. The dog died suddenly 1 day after the diagnostic imaging procedures. At necropsy, a right auricular aneurysm without discontinuity of the pericardial sac was confirmed. Intrapericardial right auricular aneurysm should be included in the differential diagnoses of cranial mediastinal masses.     

Effects of Soybean Fortification on Protein Quality of Tortilla-Based Diets Produced from Regular and Quality Protein Maize

The physiological development of laboratory rats fed with a typical indigenous tortilla diet was studied for two generations. The experiment compared casein control diet and five different types of diets: (1) a diet of tortillas obtained from fresh masa (FM); (2) regular tortillas produced from enriched dry masa flour containing vitamins B₁, B₂, niacin, folic acid, and the microminerals iron and zinc (REDMF); (3) tortillas produced from enriched dry masa flour fortified with 6% defatted soybean meal (FEDMF); (4) tortillas produced from enriched quality protein maize flour (EQPM); and (5) and, tortillas produced from enriched quality protein maize flour fortified with 3% defatted soybean meal (FEQPM). The growth of rats fed FEDMF and FEQPM diets was significantly higher (P<0.05) in both generations than their counterparts fed EQPM, REDMF, or FM diet. Animals fed quality protein maize (QPM) tortilla had the highest protein digestibility, but the FEQPM and FEDMF diets had the highest biological value (BV), net protein utilization (NPU), and protein-digestibility-corrected EAA scores (PDCEAAS). The difference among treatments was more evident in the second-generation rats. The pregnancy rate, number of newborns/litter, litter weight, and newborn survival rate was also higher for rats fed FEDMF, EQPM, and FEQPM diets than their counterparts fed REDMF and FM.     

Potential allelopathic rice lines for weed management in Cambodian rice production

In Cambodia, the planting of rice lines with a competitive and/or allelopathic ability would be a very useful way to supplement weed management in the rain‐fed, low‐input production systems. The present study examines a wide range of rice germplasm, mainly from Cambodia, and uses a series of bioassay techniques to identify those that might have a weed growth‐suppressing, allelopathic trait. A laboratory bioassay study that involved 359 rice lines showed that there were 15 that could significantly reduce the growth of awnless barnyard grass seedlings. In a second laboratory bioassay, involving the best 96 rice lines that were identified in the first study, 14 were shown to suppress the shoot growth of awnless barnyard grass, 11 could suppress the shoot growth of barnyard grass, six could suppress the shoot growth of small umbrella sedge, four could suppress the shoot growth of two‐leaf fimbristylis, four could suppress the shoot growth of water primrose, and three could suppress the shoot growth of gooseweed. Of the 13 rice lines that were able to suppress the growth of at least two weed species, there were three lines that could suppress the growth of three weed species, one line that could suppress the growth of four weed species, and one line that could suppress the growth of five weed species. In a third soil‐based, pot bioassay that studied the 18 best lines coming from the second laboratory bioassay, all showed a significant weed growth‐suppressive ability. A linear regression analysis showed that there was no correlation between their weed growth‐suppressive ability and their physical seedling size, supporting the idea that the growth suppression was allelopathic in nature and not a physical competition effect. In summary, the results indicate that an allelopathic trait does exist in some Cambodian rice lines and that this trait is effective in the growth suppression of a number of major rice weeds.     

Quelques aspects de la germination des caryopses de Leersia oryzoides (L.) Sw.

Les semences de Leersia oryzoides (L.) Sw. germent mal au moment de leur récolte parce qu'elles sont dormantes. Leur germination exige des températures élevées, mais une alternance de températures fraîches et de températures élevées est plus favorable. La dormanee résulte en partie de l'action inhibitrice des glumellcs qui sont capables de fixer de l'oxygène, ce qui réduit la quantité de ce gaz disponible pour le grain. Elle s'élimine très lentement au cours de la conservation au sec ou pendant un prétraitement au froid humide. A 20°C, les caryopses nus germent mieux en hypoxie (3 à 15% d'0₂) qu'à l'air et un excès d'oxygène est très nocif. A 30°C, par contre, leur germination reste possible dans des atmosphères enrichies en ce gaz (50 à 100%d'0₂). Les caractéristiques physiologiques de la dormance et de la germination de ces semences sont discutées en relation avec l'adaptation de la mauvaise herbe à son environnement. Some aspects of the germination of caryopses of Leersia oryzoides (L.) Sw. Freshly harvested seeds of Leersia oryzoides (L.) Sw. show low germination as a result of dormancy. Germination requires high températures but is improved at a diurnal alternation between high and low temperature. Dormancy is partially due to inhibition by the glumes which are capable of oxygen uptake and thus reduce the amount of oxygen available to the grain. This dormancy is gradually reduced during dry storage, or low temperature incubation. Germination of naked caryopses at 20°C is higher at sub-aimospheric 0₂ (3–15%) than in normal air, while excess oxygen is noxious. At 30°C, however, germination takes place even in 0₂-enriched atmospheres (50–100%), The physiological characteristics of dormancy and of germination of this species are discussed in relation to the adaptation of this weed to its environment. Uber die Keimung der Karyopsen von Leersia oryzoides (L.) Sw. Die Samen von Leersia oryzoides (L.) Sw. befinden sich zur Zeit der Ernte in einer Ruhephase; sie keimen deshalb zu diesem Zeitpunkt Schlecht. Zur Keimung sind höhere Temperaturen erforderlich. Ein Wechsel zwischen niederen und höheren Temperaturen ist jedoch noch günstiger. Diese Ruhezeit wird z.T. durch eine Hemmwirkung der Deckspelzen, welche Sauerstoff fixieren können, verursacht, wodurch die für das Korn zur Verfügung stehende Sauerstoffmenge reduziert wird. Während einer Kühllagerung oder einer Vorbehandlung in feucht-kalter Athmosphäre verschwindet die Ruheperiode langsam. Bei 20°C keimen die nackten Karyopsen in Gegenwart geringer Sauerstoffmengen (3–15% 0₂) besser als in normal zusammengesetzter Luft, während ein erhöhter 0₂ Gehalt sogar schädlich wirkt. Bei 30°C hingegen, ist die Keimung auch in mit Sauerstoff angereicherter Athmosphäre (50–100%) möglich. Die physiologischcn Grundlagen von Samenruhe und Keimung werden in Beziehung mit der Anpassung dieses Unkrautes an seine Standorte diskutiert.     

Lack of prevention of chlorsulfuron-induced inhibition by amino acids

The amino acids valine and isoleucine, which had been indicated by Ray (1984) as antidotes against growth inhibition of pea plants induced by chlorsulfuron, were ineffective in preventing the damage induced by chlorsulfuron on the plasma membrane of maize roots as measured by K⁺ uptake. In addition, in seedlings of two corn genotypes and three pea genotypes grown in culture solution containing chlorsulfuron, growth inhibition was not alleviated by valine and isoleucine. However, in agreement with Ray's results, acetolactate synthase, the key enzyme of the biosynthesis of valine and isoleucine, was inhibited in vitro by chlorsulfuron in both maize and pea. It is suggested that the chlorsulfuron mechanism of action involves several sites.     

Analysis of Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose Administration and Related Factors Associated with Postoperative Colic and Survival in Horses with Small Intestinal Disease

Objective— To analyze the effect of the intraoperative use of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CBMC) and related perioperative factors on postoperative colic and survival in horses that had abdominal surgery for colic.
Study Design— Retrospective study.
Animals— Horses (n=203) that had surgery for small intestinal disease; 33 horses had intraoperative administration of CBMC.
Methods— Information was obtained from medical records for 170 horses that had surgery for colic before use of CBMC and 33 horses that had intraoperative CBMC. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used to estimate median survival time and a Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratio for the effect of CBMC and other perioperative variables on survival.
Results— Seventy-five percent of horses administered CBMC survived to 180 days, whereas 75% of untreated horses survived 8 days (median survival time=18 days). Horses not administered CBMC were twice as likely to die compared with horses administered CBMC. Horses that had postoperative ileus (POI) were 1.4 times more likely to die than horses without ileus. Similarly, horses with signs of colic after surgery were 1.3 times more likely to die than horses without postoperative signs of colic.
Conclusions— CBMC administration is seemingly protective against death and prolongs survival when used intraoperatively in horses with small intestine disease, particularly horses with postoperative colic or POI. Both POI and colic increased risk of death after surgery.
Clinical Relevance— Intraoperative administration of CBMC in horses that have surgery for small intestinal disease may improve survival, possibly by reducing early adhesion formation.     

Groundfish species associations with distinct oceanographic habitats in the Northern California Current

Ecosystem-based management places a strong emphasis on habitat, but little work has been done to examine how water column properties may influence the distribution, abundances and structure of groundfish assemblages. We identified and described oceanographic habitats in the northern California Current based on temperature, salinity, chlorophyll- a and the inherent variability in these factors. We then examined the distribution and the abundance of groundfishes in relation to these oceanographic habitats and conditions with the long-term goal of improving science for ecosystem-based management of the groundfish fishery of the west coast of the USA. Five summertime oceanographic habitats with distinct physical and biological characteristics were identified in the northeast Pacific Ocean off the northwest Coast of the USA: Offshore Habitat, Upwelling Habitat, Highly Variable Upwelling Habitat, River Plume Habitat, and Highly Variable Habitat. Overall, the species composition differed among the five oceanographic habitats, with certain groundfish species being highly indicative of some habitats; however, the majority of the associations were weak due to overlap of species distributions in the nearshore oceanographic habitats. In contrast, groundfish species showed strong associations with individual oceanographic factors, primarily depth, surface chlorophyll- a , and bottom salinity and temperature. In addition, latitudinal variations in upwelling intensity, river discharge and productivity led to the identification of three regions where high chlorophyll- a concentrations were associated with large abundances of specific groundfish species. The combined oceanographic datasets and data products that we produced have the potential to be a powerful tool for improving our knowledge of the west coast ecosystem.