Micropropagation of Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz from young and mature plants.

Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz (Algarrobo de Chile) is an important native tree species that can be grown in arid and semiarid regions for wood and forage production and environmental protection. Developing a simple and reliable in vitro protocol for cloning it would enable to improve it genetically. Explants of P. chilensis were taken from 4 months-old plants grown in the greenhouse or from adult trees grown in a natural environment. Nodal segments 1-2 cm long containing an axillary bud were selected from elongating shoots. These cuttings were aseptically cultured on two agar-solid basal media, MS or BTMm, and treated with 0.05 mg L-1 BA and 3 mg L-1 of either IAA, IBA or NAA. Sucrose (3% w/v) was used as carbon source. The percentage of sprouted cuttings and whole plant regeneration as well as its shoot and root length were recorded. Number, length and dry weight of shoots and roots were also measured. Rooting was successful with cuttings taken from young or adult plants, but explants from young plants showed a better response. Culturing in BTMm resulted in significantly greater shoot and root biomass than culturing in MS. Moreover, this response was higher in young explants when IBA was used as growth regulator. This paper reports a simple and effective method to micropropagate P. chilensis from young and adult plants.

Micropropagation of Prosopis chilensis (Mol. ) Stuntz from young and mature plants

Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz (Algarrobo de Chile) is an important native tree species that can be grown in arid and semiarid regions for wood and forage production and environmental protection. Developing a simple and reliable in vitro protocol for cloning it would enable to improve it genetically. Explants of P. chilensis were taken from 4 months-old plants grown in the greenhouse or from adult trees grown in a natural environment. Nodal segments 1-2 cm long containing an axillary bud were selected from elongating shoots. These cuttings were aseptically cultured on two agar-solid basal media, MS or BTMm, and treated with 0.05 mg L-1 BA and 3 mg L-1 of either IAA, IBA or NAA. Sucrose (3 w/v) was used as carbon source. The percentage of sprouted cuttings and whole plant regeneration as well as its shoot and root length were recorded. Number, length and dry weight of shoots and roots were also measured. Rooting was successful with cuttings taken from young or adult plants, but explants from young plants showed a better response. Culturing in BTMm resulted in significantly greater shoot and root biomass than culturing in MS. Moreover, this response was higher in young explants when IBA was used as growth regulator. This paper reports a simple and effective method to micropropagate P. chilensis from young and adult plants.

Micropropagation of Prosopis chilensis (Mol. ) Stuntz from young and mature plants

Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz (Algarrobo de Chile) is an important native tree species that can be grown in arid and semiarid regions for wood and forage production and environmental protection. Developing a simple and reliable in vitro protocol for cloning it would enable to improve it genetically. Explants of P. chilensis were taken from 4 months-old plants grown in the greenhouse or from adult trees grown in a natural environment. Nodal segments 1-2 cm long containing an axillary bud were selected from elongating shoots. These cuttings were aseptically cultured on two agar-solid basal media, MS or BTMm, and treated with 0.05 mg L-1 BA and 3 mg L-1 of either IAA, IBA or NAA. Sucrose (3 w/v) was used as carbon source. The percentage of sprouted cuttings and whole plant regeneration as well as its shoot and root length were recorded. Number, length and dry weight of shoots and roots were also measured. Rooting was successful with cuttings taken from young or adult plants, but explants from young plants showed a better response. Culturing in BTMm resulted in significantly greater shoot and root biomass than culturing in MS. Moreover, this response was higher in young explants when IBA was used as growth regulator. This paper reports a simple and effective method to micropropagate P. chilensis from young and adult plants.(AU)

Micropropagation of Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz from young and mature plants.

Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz (Algarrobo de Chile) is an important native tree species that can be grown in arid and semiarid regions for wood and forage production and environmental protection. Developing a simple and reliable in vitro protocol for cloning it would enable to improve it genetically. Explants of P. chilensis were taken from 4 months-old plants grown in the greenhouse or from adult trees grown in a natural environment. Nodal segments 1-2 cm long containing an axillary bud were selected from elongating shoots. These cuttings were aseptically cultured on two agar-solid basal media, MS or BTMm, and treated with 0.05 mg L-1 BA and 3 mg L-1 of either IAA, IBA or NAA. Sucrose (3

w/v) was used as carbon source. The percentage of sprouted cuttings and whole plant regeneration as well as its shoot and root length were recorded. Number, length and dry weight of shoots and roots were also measured. Rooting was successful with cuttings taken from young or adult plants, but explants from young plants showed a better response. Culturing in BTMm resulted in significantly greater shoot and root biomass than culturing in MS. Moreover, this response was higher in young explants when IBA was used as growth regulator. This paper reports a simple and effective method to micropropagate P. chilensis from young and adult plants.

[Parasitosis in an adult population with chronic gastrointestinal disorders]. / Parasitosis en una población adulta con trastornos gastrointestinales crónicos.

We worked with 185 middle-class patients above 18 years of age, both sexes, who presented diarrhea and/or chronic gastrointestinal disorders. The faeces were collected serially in formol 10% and processed in the following way: direct microscopy, with and without wet staining, concentration by Ritchie's method, 1% safranine technique for a specific investigation of Cryptosporidium sp., and faecal sieving macroparasites. Twenty eight point six of the studied patients showed at least one enteroparasite in their faeces, 48 harboured one parasite and 5 harboured two parasites. The following parasites were found and their corresponding percentages in the entire studied population are given below: Blastocystis hominis 15.7%, Giardia lamblia 7.5%, Cryptosporidium sp. 1.6%, Entamoeba coli 3.3%, Chilomastix mesnilii 1.1%, Ancylostoma duodenale-Necator americanus 0.5%, Ascaris lumbricoides 0.5%, Enterobious vermicularis 0.5% y Endolimax nana 0.5%. The most frequently found enteroparasites in the positive patients were B. hominis and G. lamblia. Cryptosporidium sp. was diagnosed in only three patients. The source of infection could be presumed in all of them. The symptomatology coincided with that described for this coccid in the bibliography. In spite of the fact that they were HIV seronegative patients the diarrhea was not self-limiting, but the immunologic profile of their relatives remained unknown and no other cause of immunosuppression could be detected with justified chronicity. The treatment with spiramycin was effective. Giardiasis was found in 17 patients, and the source of infection could not be inferred in any of them. They all had chronic diarrhea and their most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain, metallic taste, flatulency and nausea. Most of these patients were harboured one parasite, and only 2 of them simultaneously presented another faecal parasite associated to G. lamblia. Treatment with metronidazole was successful in all of them. Twenty nine patients were found to have B. hominis. The source of infection could not be inferred, this amoeboid was present as the only parasite in 25 patients. Predominant symptoms were flatulence, abdominal distention and colis. All patients suffered from chronic diarrhea, alternating, in some cases, with constipation. Good therapeutic results were obtained with metronidazole. Considering that one third of the patients examined presented faecal parasites associated to chronic disorders, it is important to insist on the detection of parasites to chronic disorders, it is important to insist on the detection of parasites using appropriate diagnostic techniques since the application of specific therapy made their eradication possible as well as relieving the patients' symptomatology.

Prevalencia de enteroparasitosis en la ciudad de Rosario, Argentina / Enteroparasitic prevalence in the city of Rosario, Argentina

Se procesan los datos correspondientes al período 1983-1993 de los exámenes coproparasitológicos efectuados por demanda espontánea en el Laboratorio Asistencial del Area Parasitología del Departamento de Microbiología de la Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas de la Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Se consideraron las variables de sexo, edad, prevalencia parasitaria y asociaciones más frecuentes. En el lapso estudiado se observó un aumento de resultados positivos del 7,5 por ciento. Los grupos etarios entre 0-15 años fueron los más impactados. Concomitantemente hubo un incremento de poliparasitosis (3 o más parásitos) del 11,38 por ciento. En orden decreciente figuran Giardia lamblia, Blastocystis hominis, Enterobius vermicularis y Entamoeba coli. Ascaris lumbricoides aumentó significativamente en el período comprendido entre 1983-1993.

Prevalencia de enteroparasitosis en la ciudad de Rosario, Argentina / Enteroparasitic prevalence in the city of Rosario, Argentina

Se procesan los datos correspondientes al período 1983-1993 de los exámenes coproparasitológicos efectuados por demanda espontánea en el Laboratorio Asistencial del Area Parasitología del Departamento de Microbiología de la Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas de la Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Se consideraron las variables de sexo, edad, prevalencia parasitaria y asociaciones más frecuentes. En el lapso estudiado se observó un aumento de resultados positivos del 7,5 por ciento. Los grupos etarios entre 0-15 años fueron los más impactados. Concomitantemente hubo un incremento de poliparasitosis (3 o más parásitos) del 11,38 por ciento. En orden decreciente figuran Giardia lamblia, Blastocystis hominis, Enterobius vermicularis y Entamoeba coli. Ascaris lumbricoides aumentó significativamente en el período comprendido entre 1983-1993. (AU)

Effects of policosanol chronically administered in male monkeys (Macaca arctoides).

Policosanol, administered orally, has shown a cholesterol-lowering effect in different experimental models. Because lipid-lowering therapy is administered chronically, it is necessary to know the effects of these drugs after long-term administration. 18 adult male Macaca arctoides monkeys were used to study the cholesterol-lowering effects and possible toxicity produced by oral administration of policosanol (0.25, 2.5 and 25 mg/kg) for 54 wk. After 8 wk, a significant reduction of serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was observed in policosanol-treated animals when compared with the controls; this effect persisted throughout the study. The animals' behavioural repertoire, physical condition, haematology and blood biochemistry, as well as spermiogram analysis and electrocardiography, were monitored during the study; ophthalmological and pathological anatomy examinations were performed at the end of the administration period. No drug-related toxicity was detected by any examination. The results gave further evidence of the marked and persistent cholesterol-lowering effects of policosanol that had been observed in different experimental models. There was a significant reduction of spontaneous aortic atherosclerotic lesions in treated animals compared with controls. Policosanol (0.25-25 mg/kg) administered orally for 54 wk brought about a persistent reduction in blood cholesterol levels and was very safe and well tolerated during long-term administration.

Estudio del efecto sobre lípidos y lipoproteínas séricos y de la tolerancia al tratamiento oral con dosis crecientes de policosanol en monos macaca arctoides / Study of effect of oral treatment with increased dosis of policosanol on serum an lipoproteins macaca arctoides mankeys

En diferentes modelos experimentales se ha demostrado que el Policosanol reduce los niveles séricos de colesterol. En el presente trabajo se investiga el efecto del tratamiento oral con dosis sucesivas crecientes de Policosanol sobre los lípidos y las lipoproteínas séricos de monos de la especie Macaca arctoides, así como la tolerancia a este tratamiento. Dosis de 50, 150, 300, 400 y 500 mg/kg de Policosanol se administraron a 4 animales adultos por períodos de 10 días. Los valores séricos de los lípidos y lipoproteínas se determinaron antes de iniciar el tratamiento, al finalizar la administración de cada dosis y a los 15, 30 y 45 días del período de lavado. De igual forma se cuantificaron los parametros de hematología y bioquímica sanguínea investigados. Además, se controló sistemáticamente el estado físico de los animales, su peso corporal, así como su repertorio conductual para determinar si el tratamiento afectaba alguno de los parámetros conductuales habituales de esta especie o si aparecía algún signo de fármaco toxicidad. Mediante la décima de Freidman se compararon los valores de los diferentes períodos de tratamiento con los niveles basales, así como los del período de lavado con la última etapa de tratamiento. Los resultados sugieren que la administración oral de dosis sucesivamente crecientes de Policosanol producen un rápido y notable decremento de las cifras de colesterol y LDL-C en monos de la especie Macaca arctoides y que el tratamiento es bien tolerado por esta especie a dosis tan elavadas como 500 mg/kg de peso corporal

Epicuticular wax and water stress in Eragrostis curvala cultivars: I. Morphology and distribution

Se estudió la ultraestructura de la superficie foliar en seis cultivares de pasto llorón, Eragrostis curvula (Schrader) Nees, de diferente grado de tolerancia a la sequía. Mediante microscopía eletrónica de barrido se observó que los cultivares más tolerantes a dicho factor ambiental poseen una capa cerosa apicuticular abaxial más gruesa y compleja que los susceptibles. Por gravimetría se determinó también que en estos cultivares más tolerantes la cantidad total de cera es mayor. Se discute la relación entre la cantidad y distribución de la cera epicuticular y la resistencia a la sequía en esta especie

Epicuticular wax and water stress in Eragrostis curvula cultivars: II. Effect of water stress on the quantity and morphology of epicuticular wax

Se estudió el efecto del déficit hídrico sobre la cantidad, morfología y distribución de la cera epicuticular en dos cultivares de pasto llorón de diferente grado de tolerancia a la sequía. Mediante gravimetría y microscopía electrónica de barrido se encontró que la cantidad de cera epicuticular foliar aumentó luego que las plantas fueron sometidas a un régimen de sequía. Sin embargo, el contenido de cera epicuticular en plantas normalmente regadas de este cultivar es menor que en aquellas pertenecientes al cv. Don Eduardo, más resistentes al estrés hídrico. También se observó un cambio en la morfología de los cristales de cera en tal situación

Epicuticular wax and water stress in Eragrostis curvala cultivars: I. Morphology and distribution

Se estudió la ultraestructura de la superficie foliar en seis cultivares de pasto llorón, Eragrostis curvula (Schrader) Nees, de diferente grado de tolerancia a la sequía. Mediante microscopía eletrónica de barrido se observó que los cultivares más tolerantes a dicho factor ambiental poseen una capa cerosa apicuticular abaxial más gruesa y compleja que los susceptibles. Por gravimetría se determinó también que en estos cultivares más tolerantes la cantidad total de cera es mayor. Se discute la relación entre la cantidad y distribución de la cera epicuticular y la resistencia a la sequía en esta especie (AU)

Epicuticular wax and water stress in Eragrostis curvula cultivars: II. Effect of water stress on the quantity and morphology of epicuticular wax

Se estudió el efecto del déficit hídrico sobre la cantidad, morfología y distribución de la cera epicuticular en dos cultivares de pasto llorón de diferente grado de tolerancia a la sequía. Mediante gravimetría y microscopía electrónica de barrido se encontró que la cantidad de cera epicuticular foliar aumentó luego que las plantas fueron sometidas a un régimen de sequía. Sin embargo, el contenido de cera epicuticular en plantas normalmente regadas de este cultivar es menor que en aquellas pertenecientes al cv. Don Eduardo, más resistentes al estrés hídrico. También se observó un cambio en la morfología de los cristales de cera en tal situación (AU)

Haptic to visual cross-modal recognition of objects in the vervet monkey.

Five juvenile vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) were tested using the Cowey and Weiskrantz technique. The animals had access in the dark to distasteful biscuits of one shape and tasteful biscuits of another shape. Later they were shown a pair of biscuits, one of each shape, and the animal’s first selection was scored. A single pair of shapes was used with flavor assigned daily according to a Gellerman schedule. In 69 percent of trials the monkeys selected the tasteful shape (P less than 0.001). The performance in the second half of testing was higher than in the beginning which suggests that some kind of learning set develops.