Effect of poplar and eucalyptus based agroforestry system on soil biochemistry

The field experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2016-17 at the experimental site of Agroforestry Research Centre, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. Poplar and eucalyptus were intercropped with different wheat varieties (UP-2526, UP-2565, UP-2628, and DPW-621-50). After harvesting the wheat crop, the soil sampling was performed to determine the soil parameters like electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon and the minerals content. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassiumcontent and other biochemical constituents were higher in the agroforestry system as compared to the open farming system. A high soil pH (7. 53) was found in an open farming system and lower pH in an agroforestry system. Soil EC in the agroforestry system was slightly higher than the open farming system. Organic carbon was maximum (1. 33%) under the poplar agroforestry system compared to the eucalyptus based agroforestry system. Overall, this study determines the effect of poplar and eucalyptus based agroforestry systems on soil biochemistry.

Tolerance to irrigation water salinity in physalis plants: productive aspects / Tolerância à salinidade da água de irrigação em plantas de fisális: aspectos produtivos

The cultivation of non-traditional fruits has gained ground in the horticulture sector, but which, in certain situations, are plants that require previous studies related to soil adaptability, climate, and irrigation water quality. In this sense, this work aimed to evaluate the effects of irrigation water salinity on Physalis peruviana L. (fisális) plants in the different growth phases. The experimental area was installed on the premises of the Federal University of Campina Grande, adopting a casualized block design, with four saline levels of irrigation water (0.3; 1.2; 2.1 and 3.0 dS m-1) and five repetitions per treatment. The variables analyzed were: stem diameter, plant height and number of leaves every 15 days, leaf area at 55 days after transplanting, number of side branches, number of flower buds, number of flowers, average fruit weight, polar diameter, and equatorial diameter of fruits, number of fruits per plant and productivity. According to the results, the plants were tolerant to saline levels of irrigation water of up to 3.0 dS m-1, without prejudice to the phenological and productive characteristics of the crop. The unitary increase in the salinity of the irrigation water did not result in damage to the physiological characteristics of the plants until the 60 days of transplanting. (AU)

O cultivo de frutas não tradicionais tem ganhado espaço no setor de hortifrútis, mas que, em determinadas situações, são plantas que requerem estudos prévios relacionados a adaptabilidade de solo, clima e qualidade da água de irrigação. Neste sentido, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da salinidade da água de irrigação em plantas de Physalis peruviana L. (fisális) nas distintas fases de crescimento. A área experimental foi instalada nas dependências da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, adotando o delineamento em blocos casualizados, com quatro níveis salinos da água de irrigação (0,3; 1,2; 2,1 e 3,0 dS m-1) e cinco repetições por tratamento. As variáveis analisadas foram: diâmetro do caule, altura das plantas e número de folhas a cada 15 dias, área foliar aos 55 dias após o transplantio, número de ramos laterais, número de botões florais, número de flores, peso médio dos frutos, diâmetro polar e diâmetro equatorial dos frutos, número de frutos por planta e produtividade. Conforme os resultados, as plantas se mostraram tolerantes a níveis salinos da água de irrigação de até 3,0 dS m-1, sem prejuízos nas características fenológicas da cultura e produtivas. O aumento unitário da salinidade da água de irrigação não resultou em danos nas características fisiológicas das plantas até os 60 dias de transplantio. (AU)

Tratamiento de residuos de agar caduco mediante el proceso de compostaje / Treatment of agar waste expired by composting process

Resumen Los residuos generados en los laboratorios de las instituciones de educación superior (IES) suelen ser considerados peligrosos por sus características fisicoquímicas, al igual de otros materiales que representan una alta carga orgánica si son dispuestos inadecuadamente. El objetivo del presente trabajo, fue tratar agar residual generado en los laboratorios de microbiología del edificio multifuncional de la División Académica de Ciencias Biológicas (DACBiol), mediante compostaje tradicional. Con la finalidad de conocer la viabilidad del proceso de compostaje, se trabajó con dos pilas de composta conformadas de 95.95 kg lodos y 141.5 kg residuos vegetales (un total de 237.45 kg), a una de ellas (pila 1), se le añadió 25 kg de agar caduco. Se monitorearon los parámetros fisicoquímicos y analíticos durante 63 días. Se obtuvo una temperatura máxima de 57.71±5.07 °C, en la pila con agar y en la segunda pila de 50.23±4.30 °C. Los valores de pH inicial fueron de 5.93±0.02 y 7.02±0.01, estabilizándose al final con valores de 8.00±0.07 y 7.95±0.11. La conductividad eléctrica presentó valores finales de 6.87±0.46 dS m-1 y 3.02±0.09 dS m-1. El compostaje es una tecnología opcional para el tratamiento de agar residual ya que los valores de pH y temperatura no se afectaron durante el proceso, solo se presenta un valor elevado de conductividad eléctrica. Además, la DACBiol, por contar con una certificación en calidad ambiental y contar con un programa de manejo de residuos de laboratorios, debe cumplir el objetivo de minimizar la generación de residuos.

Abstract Waste generated in the laboratories of higher education institutions (HEIs) is often considered hazardous due to its physicochemical characteristics, as well as other materials that represent a high organic load if inadequately disposed. The objective of this work, was to treat residual agar generated in the microbiology laboratories of the multifunctional building of the Academic Division of Biological Sciences (DACBiol), through traditional composting. To know the viability of the composting process, was worked with two compost piles made of 95.95 kg sludge and 141.5 kg plant residues (a total of 237.45 kg), to one of them (stack 1), 25 kg of waste agar was added. Physicochemical and analytical parameters were monitored for 63 days. A maximum temperature of 57.71±5.07 °C was obtained, in the agar cell and in the second cell of 50.23±4.30 °C. The initial pH values were 5.93±0.02 and 7.02±0.01, stabilizing at the end with values of 8.00 ± 0.07 and 7.95±0.11. The electrical conductivity presented final values of 6.87±0.46 dS m-1 and 3.02±0.09 dS m-1. Composting is an optional technology for the treatment of residual agar since the values of pH and temperature were not affected during the process, only a increase of electrical conductivity is presented. In addition, DACBiol, for having a certification in environmental quality and have a program of waste management of laboratories, must meet the objective of minimizing the generation of waste.

The application research of endoscopic equipment with power through detection of electrical prop-erties in sterilization and supply center / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of the failure rate of laparoscopic apparatus with power through detecting the electrical properties before packaging it. Methods The laparoscopic apparatus with power used in the operation in January to June 2014 were randomly selected and divided into the control group and the observation group according to whether they underwent electricity performance detection. The control group did not receive testing of electrical properties before packing. The observation group tested the electrical conductivity of the single or double pole conductor, unipolar electric coagulation hook, bipolar electric coagulation forceps, the handle of electric knife by digital multimeter and the performance of the uterus rotary cutting machine by electric hysterectomy controller before packing. The difference of equipment in the number of failures, the type of failure, the number of cases and the satisfaction of medical personnel were observed between the two groups. Results In the observation group, 12 cases with unipolar and bipolar coagulation failure, 10 cases with electrocision handle failure, 2 cases with uterine rotary- cutting failure, 18 cases with adverse conductive or non-conductive, 6 cases with short circuit, which were significantly lower than those in the control group (36,25, 11, 48, and 26 cases), the differences were statistically significant (χ2=5.627-12.063, P<0.05). The satisfaction degree in the observation group was 94.74% (36/38), which was better than 76.32%(29/38) of the control group, the difference was statistically significant (Z=-2.267, P<0.05). Conclusions Testing the electric performance of laparoscopic apparatus with power before packing could reduce the incidence of intraoperative equipment failure rate, This method can provide safe and high quality surgical instruments.

Anticipation of vertebral pedicle breach through dynamic surgical guidance / Previsão de rotura do pedículo vertebral por meio de guia cirúrgico dinâmico / Previsión de rotura del pedículo vertebral por medio de guía quirúrgica dinámica

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of a pedicle probe to anticipate an impending breach and allow redirection during placement of a pilot pedicle hole. METHODS: Purposely four cortical wall sites were drilled: medial and lateral pedicle wall, and lateral and anterior wall of the vertebral body. The surgeon stopped probing when the sound changed, suggesting abutment against the cortical wall ("anticipation" of impending breach). A fluoroscopy image was then obtained. The surgeon then advanced the PediGuard through the cortex until the sound changed, indicating a breach. In the second part of the study three probes were used: 1) DSG (PediGuard) with curved tip with electronics ON; 2) DSG with electronics OFF; 3) standard Lenke probe. After the images were taken, the operating surgeon (blinded to x-rays) was instructed to redirect and continue drilling into the vertebral body. RESULTS: The surgeon accurately anticipated 60 of 75 (80%) of the breaches, 17 of 19 (89%) in the medial pedicle wall. In the second part of the study the DSG with electronics ON was superior to the DSG with electronics OFF as well as the standard Lenke probe (100% vs. 90% vs. 79%, p = 0.0191). CONCLUSION: Successful redirection by passing the pedicle probes into the vertebral body without a breach after anticipation of an impending pedicle wall breach occurred in 100% of the drillings when done with the DSG with the electronics ON vs only 84% when there was no electronic feedback. .

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a efetividade da sonda pedicular para prever a rotura iminente e permitir o redirecionamento durante o posicionamento de orifício piloto no pedículo. MÉTODOS: Intencionalmente, foram feitos quatro orifícios na parede cortical: parede medial e lateral do pedículo e parede lateral e anterior do corpo vertebral. O cirurgião parava a sondagem à mudança do som, que sugeria a proximidade da parede cortical ("previsão" de rotura iminente). A imagem por fluoroscopia era obtida. A seguir, o cirurgião avançava a sonda PediGuard através do osso cortical até a alteração do som, que indicava a rotura. Na segunda parte do estudo foram utilizadas três sondas: GCD (PediGuard) com ponta curva ligada, PediGuard curva desligada e sonda Lenke padrão. Depois que as radiografias eram feitas, o cirurgião (sem ver as imagens) era instruído a redirecionar e a continuar perfurando o corpo vertebral. RESULTADOS: O cirurgião previu com precisão 60 das 75 (80%) roturas, 17 de 19 (89%) na parede medial do pedículo. Na segunda parte do estudo, o guia cirúrgico dinâmico ligado foi superior à desligado, assim como à sonda Lenke padrão (100% vs. 90% vs. 79%, p = 0,0191). CONCLUSÃO: O redirecionamento bem-sucedido da sonda pedicular no interior do corpo vertebral, sem rotura devido à previsão de rotura iminente da parede do pedículo ocorreu em 100% das perfurações com a utilização do o guia cirúrgico dinâmico com o dispositivo ligado, em comparação com 84% das perfurações com o dispositivo desligado. .

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la efectividad de la sonda pedicular para prever la rotura inminente y permitir el redireccionamiento durante el posicionamiento de orificio piloto en el pedículo. MÉTODOS: Intencionalmente, fueron hechos cuatro orificios en la pared cortical: pared medial y lateral del pedículo y pared lateral y anterior del cuerpo vertebral. El cirujano paraba el sondeo al cambiar el sonido, que sugería la proximidad de la pared cortical ("previsión" de rotura inminente). Era obtenida imagen por fluoroscopia. A seguir, el cirujano avanzaba la sonda PediGuard a través del hueso cortical hasta la alteración del sonido, que indicaba la rotura. En la segunda parte del estudio fueron utilizadas tres sondas: ECMT (PediGuard) con punta curva encendida, PediGuard curva apagada y sonda Lenke estándar. Después que las radiografías eran realizadas, el cirujano (sin ver las imágenes) era instruido a redireccionar y a continuar perforando el cuerpo vertebral. RESULTADOS: El cirujano previno con precisión 60 de las 75 (80%) roturas, 17 de 19 (89%) en la pared medial del pedículo. En la segunda parte del estudio, la sonda ECMT encendida fue superior a la apagada, así como a la sonda Lenke estándar (100% vs. 90% vs. 79%, p = 0,0191). CONCLUSIÓN: El redireccionamiento exitoso de la sonda pedicular en el interior del cuerpo vertebral, sin rotura debido a la previsión de rotura inminente de la pared del pedículo ocurrió en 100% de las perforaciones con el uso de la sonda ECMT con el dispositivo encendido, en comparación con 84% de las perforaciones con el dispositivo apagado. .

Studies Involving a Commercial Extract of Three Ballerina: ii- Evaluation of the in Vitro Effect on the Labeling of Blood Constituents of rats with Technetium-99m and on the Morphology of the Red Blood Cell.

The aim of this work is to characterize (electric conductivity and refractive index) a Three Ballerina (TB) and to evaluate its in vitro effect on the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc and on the morphology of the red blood cells (RBC). Anticoagulated whole blood (Wistar rat) was incubated with a TB extract and the labeling of the blood constituents with technetium-99m (99mTc) was performed. Plasma (P) and blood cells (BC) were isolated and aliquots were also precipitated with trichloroacetic acid to separate soluble (SF) and insoluble fractions (IF). The %ATI in these samples was calculated. The morphology of the treated RBC showed no shape’s qualitative alterations. The TB extract was characterized with an electric conductivity of 1.35±0.04mSv/cm and refractive index of 2.21±0.15%BRIX. TB extract decreased significantly (p<0.05) the radioactivity distribution in the cellular compartment from 96.97±1.30% to 88.48±7.13%, and in IF-P from 74.29±4.12 to 14.26±5.73%. In conclusion, our data show some physical chemical parameters that could be suitable to characterize the preparation of an extract of TB. Moreover, substances present in the TB extract should probably have an effect on transport of the ions through the RBC membrane and/or should have redoxi properties and the stannous ion would decrease and could justify the effect on the fixation of the radioactivity on the plasma proteins. Moreover, although our experiments were carried out with animals, it is suggested precaution in the interpretation of the examinations that use labeled blood constituents in patients who are undergone TB extract.

Síndrome de Guillian-Barré y embarazo. Reporte de dos casos / Guillian-Barré syndrome and pregnancy. Two cases report

Se presentan dos pacientes obstétricas con el síndrome de Guillian-Barré, ingresadas en la sala de terapia intensiva del Hospital Docente «Manuel Ascunce Domenech¼, la primera, una gestante de 18 años de edad con tiempo de gestación de 16 semanas, ingresada por sospecha de hepatitis viral, que comenzó con debilidad muscular en ambos miembros inferiores con imposibilidad en la marcha. La segunda gestante con 22 años de edad y 21 días del puerperio, acudió al hospital con pérdida de la fuerza muscular en miembros superiores e inferiores, posteriormente hizo toma de músculos respiratorios. Esta enfermedad no es epidémica, ni está relacionada con determinadas estaciones del año. Mundialmente se reporta una incidencia anual de 0.4 a 1.7 casos por 100 000 personas. El embarazo no predispone a la enfermedad. La principal manifestación clínica es la debilidad que progresa más o menos simétricamente en un período de una a dos semanas, se observa afectación en el tronco, los músculos intercostales, el cuello y las paredes craneales. Apoyan el diagnóstico la presencia de proteínas mayor al 0.5 % en el líquido cefalorraquídeo y pleocitosis menor de 50 células por cada milímetro. Los estudios de conducción nerviosa son de gran utilidad y constituyen un indicador en el diagnóstico temprano de la enfermedad.

Two obstetric patients with Guillian-Barré syndrome are presented, admitted in the intensive therapy room at «Manuel Ascunce Domenech¼ Educational Hospital, the first one, a 18 years-old expectant mother with 16 weeks of gestation time, admitted by suspects of viral hepatitis, that began with muscular weakness in both lower limbs with walking impossibility. The second expectant mother with 22 years-old and 21 days of the puerperium, came to the hospital with loss of the muscular force in upper and lower limbs, subsequently took the respiratory muscles. This is not an epidemic disease; neither is related to any season of the year. Globally an annual incidence from 0.4 to 1.7 cases for 100 000 people is reported. Pregnancy does not predispose the disease. The main clinical manifestation is the weakness that progresses more or less symmetrically in a period from one to two weeks; affectation in the trunk, the intercostal muscles, the neck and the cranial walls is observed. Support the diagnosis the presence of proteins greater than 0.5% in the cerebrospinal liquid and pleocytosis less than 50 cells by each millimeter. The studies of nerve conduction are of great utility and constitute an indicator in the early diagnosis of the disease.

Optimal salt concentration of vehicle for plasmid DNA enhances gene transfer mediated by electroporation

In vivo electroporation has emerged as a leading technology for developing nonviral gene therapies, and the various technical parameters governing electroporation efficiency have been optimized by both theoretical and experimental analysis. However, most electroporation parameters focused on the electric conditions and the preferred vehicle for plasmid DNA injections has been normal saline. We hypothesized that salts in vehicle for plasmid DNA must affect the efficiency of DNA transfer because cations would alter ionic atmosphere, ionic strength, and conductivity of their medium. Here, we show that half saline (71 mM) is an optimal vehicle for in vivo electroporation of naked DNA in skeletal muscle. With various salt concentrations, two reporter genes, luciferase and beta-galactosidase were injected intramuscularly under our optimal electric condition (125 V/cm, 4 pulses x 2 times, 50 ms, 1 Hz). Exact salt concentrations of DNA vehicle were measured by the inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES) and the conductivity change in the tissue induced by the salt in the medium was measured by Low-Frequency (LF) Impedance Analyzer. Luciferase expression in-creased as cation concentration of vehicle dec-reased and this result can be visualized by X-Gal staining. However, at lower salt concentration, transfection efficiency was diminished because the hypoosmotic stress and electrical injury by low conductivity induced myofiber damage. At optimal salt concentration (71 mM), we observed a 3-fold average increase in luciferase expression in comparison with the normal saline condition (p < 0.01). These results provide a valuable experimental parameter for in vivo gene therapy mediated by electroporation.

Optimal salt concentration of vehicle for plasmid DNA enhances gene transfer mediated by electroporation

In vivo electroporation has emerged as a leading technology for developing nonviral gene therapies, and the various technical parameters governing electroporation efficiency have been optimized by both theoretical and experimental analysis. However, most electroporation parameters focused on the electric conditions and the preferred vehicle for plasmid DNA injections has been normal saline. We hypothesized that salts in vehicle for plasmid DNA must affect the efficiency of DNA transfer because cations would alter ionic atmosphere, ionic strength, and conductivity of their medium. Here, we show that half saline (71 mM) is an optimal vehicle for in vivo electroporation of naked DNA in skeletal muscle. With various salt concentrations, two reporter genes, luciferase and beta-galactosidase were injected intramuscularly under our optimal electric condition (125 V/cm, 4 pulses x 2 times, 50 ms, 1 Hz). Exact salt concentrations of DNA vehicle were measured by the inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES) and the conductivity change in the tissue induced by the salt in the medium was measured by Low-Frequency (LF) Impedance Analyzer. Luciferase expression in-creased as cation concentration of vehicle dec-reased and this result can be visualized by X-Gal staining. However, at lower salt concentration, transfection efficiency was diminished because the hypoosmotic stress and electrical injury by low conductivity induced myofiber damage. At optimal salt concentration (71 mM), we observed a 3-fold average increase in luciferase expression in comparison with the normal saline condition (p < 0.01). These results provide a valuable experimental parameter for in vivo gene therapy mediated by electroporation.