Analysis of the growth of Chetumal grass established in a tropical climate

Objective: To evaluate the growth of Chetumal grass (Urochloa humidicola CIAT 679), in order to determine the optimal moment for the first harvest. Design/Methodology/Approach: A completely randomized experimental block design, with measurements repeated over time, and three repetitions was used. Morphological composition (MC), growth rate (GR), plant height (PH), intercepted radiation (IR), leaf:stem ratio (L:S), leaf:no-leaf ratio (L:NL), and aerial biomass (AB) —as well as leaf biomass (LB), stem biomass (SB), dead material (DM), net growth (NG), and total biomass (TB)— were evaluated every fifteen days, except for the two first samplings, which were carried out on a monthly basis. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of the SAS software and Tukey’s mean comparison test (α£0.05). Results: The morphological composition (MC) of the Chetumal grass was statistically different (p<0.05), during the different growth ages. The maximum accumulation of total biomass (TB) (13,324 kg DM ha-1), leaf biomass (LB) (2,569 kg DM ha-1), and growth rate (GR) (99 kg DM ha-1 d-1) was reached at 135 DAS. On that day, the prairie reached a 68 cm plant height (PH) and 100% intercepted radiation (IR). The L:S ratio decreased from 1.62 to 0.31, while L:NL ratio changed from 1.62 to 0.22. Study Limitations/Implications: The Brachiaria humidicola cv. Chetumal grass reached its highest potential during the rainy season. Findings/Conclusions: The first cut of the Urochloa humidicola cv. Chetumal grass can be carried out at 135 DAS, when the highest accumulation of total biomass (TB), leaf biomass (LB), and growth rate (GR) is recorded

Análisis de crecimiento del pasto Toledo Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster en clima cálido subhúmedo

Objective: Perform a growth analysis of Toledo grass (Urochloa brizantha CIAT 26110) during de rainy season, from sowing to 180 days, to determine the optimum harvesting moment. Design/methodology/approach: The morphological composition (CM), growth rate (GR), plant height, intercepted radiation (RI), leaf / stem ratio (L:S), leaf / non-leaf (L:NL), and biomass accumulation were evaluated every fifteen days during a 180 days period, except for the first two samples (monthly). Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS, under an experimental design of randomized blocks, with repeated measures over time, with three replicates.  Results: The CM varied significantly (P<0.01) through the different physiological states. The maximum production of aerial biomass (19.9 t DM ha-1) and GR (131.9 kg DM ha-1 day-1) were reached 150 days after sowing (dap) and that of leaves (3.9 t DM ha-1) was at 135 dap. At this time the RI was 100% and the height of plant was 106 cm. Limitations on study/implications: Toledo grass should be planted in the rainy season to be used when the canopy reaches a coverage greater than 80%, because the proportion of leaves decreases as the age of the plant progresses. Findings/conclusions: The highest accumulated total biomass, so it is suggested that the cut be made at 135 days after plantingObjetivo: realizar un análisis de crecimiento del pasto Toledo (Urochloa brizantha CIAT 26110) en la época de lluvias, desde la siembra hasta los 180 días, para determinar el momento óptimo de cosecha. Diseño/metodología/aproximación: Se evaluó la composición morfológica (CM), tasa de crecimiento (TC), altura de planta, radiación interceptada (RI), relación hoja/tallo (H:T), hoja/no hoja (H:NH) y la acumulación de biomasa aérea, a intervalos de quince días, a excepción de los dos primeros muestreos que fueron mensuales. Los datos fueron analizados mediante el procedimiento GLM de SAS, bajo un diseño experimental de bloques al azar, con medidas repetidas en el tiempo, con tres repeticiones. Resultados: La CM varió (P£0.01) a través de los diferentes estados fisiológicos. La máxima producción de biomasa aérea (19.9 t MS ha-1) y TC (131.9 kg MS ha-1 día-1) se alcanzó a los 150 días después de la siembra (dds), y la de hojas (3.9 t MS ha-1) fue a los 135 dds, en este momento la RI fue del 100% y la altura de 106 cm. Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: El pasto Toledo debe ser sembrado a inicio de la época de lluvias para ser usado cuando la cobertura del suelo sea mayor a 80 %, debido a que la proporción de hojas decrece conforme avanza la edad de la planta. Hallazgos/conclusiones: La máxima TC coincidió con la mayor biomasa total acumulada a los 135 (dds), por lo que se sugiere realizar el corte en este momento

Prosthetic Valve Candida spp. Endocarditis: New Insights Into Long-term Prognosis—The ESCAPE Study

International audienceBackground: Prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Candida spp. (PVE-C) is rare and devastating, with international guidelines based on expert recommendations supporting the combination of surgery and subsequent azole treatment.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed PVE-C cases collected in Spain and France between 2001 and 2015, with a focus on management and outcome.Results: Forty-six cases were followed up for a median of 9 months. Twenty-two patients (48%) had a history of endocarditis, 30 cases (65%) were nosocomial or healthcare related, and 9 (20%) patients were intravenous drug users. "Induction" therapy consisted mainly of liposomal amphotericin B (L-amB)-based (n = 21) or echinocandin-based therapy (n = 13). Overall, 19 patients (41%) were operated on. Patients <66 years old and without cardiac failure were more likely to undergo cardiac surgery (adjusted odds ratios [aORs], 6.80 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59-29.13] and 10.92 [1.15-104.06], respectively). Surgery was not associated with better survival rates at 6 months. Patients who received L-amB alone had a better 6-month survival rate than those who received an echinocandin alone (aOR, 13.52; 95% CI, 1.03-838.10). "Maintenance" fluconazole therapy, prescribed in 21 patients for a median duration of 13 months (range, 2-84 months), led to minor adverse effects.Conclusion: L-amB induction treatment improves survival in patients with PVE-C. Medical treatment followed by long-term maintenance fluconazole may be the best treatment option for frail patients