Nitrogen-fixing stem nodules on Aeschynomene afraspera

Présentation d'#Aeschynomene Afraspera qui est une légumineuse tropicale qui se caractérise par de nombreuses nodulations sur la tige, fixateur d'azote. Grâce à ce potentiel de fixateur d'azote, #Aeschynomene Afraspera pourrait être utilisé en tant qu'engrais vert pour la rizicultur

Diversity of stem nodulation sites in Aeschynomene spp.

Présentation et analyse de 14 espèces de la légumineuse tropicale #Aeschynomene$ qui développe des nodules fixateur d'azote à la fois sur la tige et les racine

Propagation of Casuarina equisetifolia through axillary buds of immature female inflorescences cultured in vitro

The study of the actinorhizal symbiosis in #Casuarina equisetifolia$ requires an homogenous plant material. Consequently, we devised a method of micropropagation based on the use of immature female inflorescences (IFI) as explants. IFI excised from an adult tree formed multiple buds after 4-week incubation on Murashige and Skoog medium with 0.05 micromol 1-1 NAA and 11.1 micromol 1-1 BAP. The axillary buds evolved into 5-6 cm long shoots 5 weeks after the transfer of IFI on a similar medium except for the addition of activated charcoal. Rooting of the shoots was obtained on a third medium, without BAP or charcoal, but with 1 micromol 1-1 NAA. The plantlets were transferred into soil. Their growth was satisfactory and no plagiotropic tendency was observed. (Résumé d'auteur

Diversity of stem nodulation sites in Aeschynomene spp.

Summary Fourteen species of Aeschynomene growing in waterlogged soils of Western Africa develop nodules on both stems and roots. Stem nodules are formed at predetermined sites called nodulation sites, which always include a lateral root primordium. Aeschynomene species fall into three groups according to the anatomy of their nodulation sites: a) In the most evolved nodulation site, the root primordium breaks through the epidermal dome (e.g. A. &aspera). b) In the least evolved nodulation site, the root primordium remains embedded in the cortical tissues of the'stem (e.g. A. ehphroxylon). epidermal cells (e.g. A. indica). .c) In an intermediate type of nodulation site, the apex of the roo! primordium is overlayed with intact The frequency of stem nodulation is related to the accessibility of the root primordium for rhizobia

Casuarina glauca prenodule cells display the same differentiation as the corresponding nodule cells

Recent phylogenetic studies have implied that all plants able to enter root nodule symbioses with nitrogen-fixing bacteria go back to a common ancestor (D.E. Soltis, P.S. Soltis, D.R. Morgan, S.M. Swensen, B.C. Mullin, J.M. Dowd, and P.G. Martin, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 92:2647-2651, 1995). However, nodules formed by plants from different groups are distinct in nodule organogenesis and structure. In most groups, nodule organogenesis involves the induction of cortical cell divisions. In legumes these divisions lead to the formation of a nodule primordium, while in non-legumes they lead to the formation of a so-called prenodule consisting of infected and uninfected cells. Nodule primordium formation does not involve prenodule cells, and the function of prenodules is not known. Here, we examine the differentiation of actinorhizal prenodule cells in comparison to nodule cells with regard to both symbionts. Our findings indicate that prenodules represent primitive symbiotic organs whose cell types display the same characteristics as their nodule counterparts. The results are discussed in the context of the evolution of root nodule symbiose

Can a pharmacy intervention improve the metabolic risks of mental health patients? Evaluation of a novel collaborative service

Background: The pressure on healthcare services worldwide has driven the incorporation of disease state management services within community pharmacies in developed countries. Pharmacists are recognised as the most accessible healthcare professionals, and the incorporation of these services facilitates patient care. In Australia, the opportunity to manage pharmacy patients with mental illness has been underutilised, despite the existence of service models for other chronic conditions. This paper is an independent evaluation of a novel service developed by a community pharmacy in Perth, Western Australia. The service represents collaboration between a nurse practitioner and community pharmacy staff in the management of mental health patients with metabolic risks. Methods: We applied practice service standards for Australian community pharmacies to develop an evaluation framework for this novel service. This was followed by semi -structured interviews with staff members at the study pharmacy to explore service processes and procedures. Descriptive analysis of interviews was supplemented with analysis of patients’ biometric data. All data were evaluated against the developed framework. Results: The evaluation framework comprised 13 process, 5 out comes, and 11 quality indicators. Interview data from eight staff members and biometric data from 20 community-dwelling mental health patients taking antipsychotics were evaluated against the framework. Predominantly, patients were managed by the pharmacy’s nurse practitioner, with medication management provided by pharmacists. Patients’ biometric measurements comprised weight, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, lipid profiles and management of obesity, smoking, hypertension and diabetes. Positive outcomes observed in the patient data included weight loss, smoking cessation, and improved blood pressure, blood glucose and lipid levels. Conclusions: The developed framework allowed effective evaluation of the service, and may be applicable to other pharmacy services. The metabolic clinic met key process, quality and outcomes indicators. The positive patient outcomes may assist in securing further funding

The Return of the Mid-infrared to the VLT: News from the VISIR Upgrade

The VLT mid-infrared imager and spectrometer VISIR returns to science operations following an extended upgrade period. Among the most important modifications are: the imaging and spectroscopic detectors have been replaced with larger AQUARIUS (1024 by 1024 pixel) detector arrays; the N-band low-resolution grating has been exchanged; and support is now provided for precipitable water vapour monitoring, in order to select the best observing conditions. The AQUARIUS detectors stem from a development for very low background applications which result in excess noise under ground-based conditions. A series of interventions was needed to find a scheme that effectively exploits these detectors for ground-based use, involving the implementation of faster chopping. VISIR has been returned to service at the VLT with enhanced capabilities