Tree-ring δ15N as an indicator of nitrogen dynamics in stands with N2-fixing Alnus rubra

Tree-ring δ15N may depict site-specific, long-term patterns in nitrogen (N) dynamics under N2-fixing species, but field trials with N2-fixing tree species are lacking and the relationship of temporal patterns in tree-ring δ15N to soil N dynamics is controversial. We examined whether the tree-ring δ15N of N2-fixing red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) would mirror N accretion rates and δ15N of soils and whether the influence of alder-fixed N could be observed in the wood of a neighboring conifer. We sampled a 27-year-old replacement series trial on south-eastern Vancouver Island, with red alder and coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) planted in five proportions (0/100, 11/89, 25/75, 50/50 and 100/0) at a uniform stem density. An escalation in forest floor N content was evident with an increasing proportion of red alder, equivalent to a difference of ~750 kg N ha-1 between 100% Douglas-fir versus 100% alder. The forest floor horizon also had high δ15N values in treatments with more red alder. Red alder had a consistent quadratic fit in tree-ring δ15N over time, with a net increase of $\sim$1.5‰, on average, from initial values, followed by a plateau or slight decline. Douglas-fir tree-ring δ15N, in contrast, was largely unchanged over time (in three of four plots) but was significantly higher in the 50/50 mix. The minor differences in current leaf litter N content and δ15N between alder and Douglas-fir, coupled with declining growth in red alder, suggests the plateau or declining trend in alder tree-ring δ15N could coincide with lower N2-fixation rates, potentially by loss in alder vigor at canopy closure, or down-regulation via nitrate availability.

Host population effects on ectomycorrhizal fungi vary between low and high phosphorus soils of temperate rainforests

Geographic distinctions in the affinity of tree populations for select ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) may occur where strong edaphic pressures act on fungal communities and their hosts. We examine this premise for Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii of southwest British Columbia, using ten native seedlots collected from a range of mean annual precipitation (MAP), as a proxy for podzolization extent and phosphorus (P) deficiencies, and evaluated in contrasting low P and high P soils. After two growing seasons, seedling biomass in the high P soil dwarfed that of the low P soil, and better growth rates under high P were detected for populations from very dry and very wet origins. EMF communities on the high P soil displayed more symmetry among host populations than the low P soil (average community dissimilarity of 0.20% vs. 0.39%, respectively). Seedling foliar P% differed slightly but significantly in relation to MAP of origin. EMF species richness varied significantly among host populations but independently of climatic parameters. There were significant shifts in EMF species abundance related to seedlot MAP, particularly on the low P soil where nonlinear relationships were found for Wilcoxina mikolae, Hyaloscypha finlandica, and Rhizopogon villosulus. Despite efforts to enhance colonization by native fungi, the predominance of ruderal EMF species hindered a realistic evaluation of local adaptation among host-fungi populations. Nevertheless, the shifting affinity in taxa abundance and wider community disparity on low P soil reflected the potential for a consequential host genetic effect related to geographical patterns in P availability across temperate rainforests.

Temperature effects on nitrogen form uptake by seedling roots of three contrasting conifers

Plant species may show a preference for uptake of particular nitrogen (N) forms, but little is known about how N form preference is influenced by soil temperature. Potential future changes in soil N form availability and plant N form preference in warmer soils might shift competitive interactions among forest tree species. We compared the N uptake and growth of three conifer species from contrasting environments grown at rhizosphere temperatures of 10, 16 or 20 °C and supplied with ammonium (NH4 (+)) or nitrate (NO3 (-)) or a mix of arginine and alanine. Short-term N uptake was assessed using ion-selective microelectrodes and application of (15)N, and long-term uptake was assessed by plant N status. Species exhibited preferences for particular N forms, and these preferences related to the N form most available in native soils. Specifically, Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) showed a preference for nitrate (a N form commonly found in warmer areas), Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) preferred ammonium (a N form abundant in cold soils) and Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) showed a preference for ammonium and organic N (organic N is often abundant in cold soils). Relative N form preference, as indicated by plant growth, changed with temperature in some species, indicating that these species could acclimate to changing rhizosphere temperatures. Understanding how conifers utilize available soil nutrients at different temperatures can help to predict species' future performance as soil temperatures rise.

Nitrogen uptake over entire root systems of tree seedlings

Uptake of nitrogen (N) by sequential root regions in six tree species was measured in roots of 16- to 26-month-old seedlings at 50 and 1500 µM NH4NO3 concentration, at the cell level using oscillating microelectrodes and at the root region level using enriched (15)N application. Our objective was to determine the root regions making the greatest contribution to total N uptake in each species as measured by the two contrasting techniques. White and condensed tannin zones were the regions with the smallest surface area in all species, but these zones often had the highest net flux of NH4(+) and NO3(-). For most species, little variation was found among root regions in N flux calculated using a (15)N mass balance approach, but where significant differences existed, high N flux was observed in white, cork or woody zones. When N fluxes measured by each of the two methods were multiplied by the estimated surface area or biomass of each root region, the effect of root region size had the greatest influence on regional N uptake. Root regions of greatest overall N uptake were the cork and woody zones, on average. Total N uptake may thus be greatest in older regions of tree seedling roots, despite low rates of uptake per unit area.

A comparison of ammonium, nitrate and proton net fluxes along seedling roots of Douglas-fir and lodgepole pine grown and measured with different inorganic nitrogen sources

Significant spatial variability in NH4+, NO3- and H+ net fluxes was measured in roots of young seedlings of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) with ion-selective microelectrodes. Seedlings were grown with NH4+, NO3-, NH4NO3 or no nitrogen (N), and were measured in solutions containing one or both N ions, or no N in a full factorial design. Net NO3- and NH4+ uptake and H+ efflux were greater in Douglas-fir than lodgepole pine and in roots not exposed to N in pretreatment. In general, the rates of net NH4+ uptake were the same in the presence or absence of NO3-, and vice versa. The highest NO3- influx occurred 0-30 mm from the root apex in Douglas-fir and 0-10 mm from the apex in lodgepole pine. Net NH4+ flux was zero or negative (efflux) at Douglas-fir root tips, and the highest NH4+ influx occurred 5-20 mm from the root tip. Lodgepole pine had some NH4+ influx at the root tips, and the maximum net uptake 5 mm from the root tip. Net H+ efflux was greatest in the first 10 mm of roots of both species. This study demonstrates that nutrient uptake by conifer roots can vary significantly across different regions of the root, and indicates that ion flux profiles along the roots may be influenced by rates of root growth and maturation.

Family variation in nutritional and growth traits in Douglas-fir seedlings

Nitrogen (N) uptake and utilization in seedlings of six full-sib families of coastal Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) known to differ in growth rate were assessed at the whole plant and root levels. Seedlings were grown in soil or aeroponically with high and low nutrient availability. Consistent family differences in growth rate and N utilization index were observed in both soil and aeroponic culture, and high-ranking families by these measures also had greater net N uptake in soil culture. Two of the three families found to be fast-growing in long-term field trials exhibited faster growth, higher N utilization indices and greater net N uptake at the seedling stage. Mean family net influx of ammonium (NH4+) and efflux of nitrate (NO3-) in the high- and low-nutrient treatments were significantly correlated with measures of mean family biomass. The high-nutrient availability treatment increased mean net fluxes of NH4+ and NO3- in roots. These results indicate that efficiency of nutrient uptake and utilization contribute to higher growth rates of trees. Nutrient-related traits should be considered in tree breeding programs, as the indications are that assessments may be made at an early stage.

Freezing tolerance of conifer seeds and germinants

Survival after freezing was measured for seeds and germinants of four seedlots each of interior spruce (Picea glauca x engelmannii complex), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Donn). Effects of eight seed treatments on post-freezing survival of seeds and germinants were tested: dry, imbibed and stratified seed, and seed placed in a growth chamber for 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 30 days in a 16-h photoperiod and a 22/17 degrees C thermoperiod. Survival was related to the water content of seeds and germinants, germination rate and seedlot origin. After freezing for 3 h at -196 degrees C, dry seed of most seedlots of interior spruce, Douglas-fir and western red cedar had 84-96% germination, whereas lodgepole pine seedlots had 53-82% germination. Freezing tolerance declined significantly after imbibition in lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir and interior spruce seed (western red cedar was not tested), and mean LT50 of imbibed seed of these species was -30, -24.5 and -20 degrees C, respectively. Freezing tolerance continued to decline to a minimum LT50 of -4 to -7 degrees C after 10 days in a growth chamber for interior spruce, Douglas-fir and lodgepole pine, or after 15 days for western red cedar. Minimum freezing tolerance was reached at the stage of rapid hypocotyl elongation. In all species, a slight increase in freezing tolerance of germinants was observed once cotyledons emerged from the seed coat. The decrease in freezing tolerance during the transition from dry to germinating seed correlated with increases in seed water content. Changes in freezing tolerance between 10 and 30 days in the growth chamber were not correlated with seedling water content. Within a species, seedlots differed significantly in freezing tolerance after 2 or 5 days in the growth chamber. Because all seedlots of interior spruce and lodgepole pine germinated quickly, there was no correlation between seedlot hardiness and rate of germination. Germination rate and freezing tolerance of Douglas-fir and western red cedar seedlots was negatively correlated. There was a significant correlation between LT50 after 10 days in the growth chamber and minimum spring temperature at the location of seedlot origin for interior spruce and three seedlots of western red cedar, but no relationship was apparent for lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir.

Distal clavicle osteolysis unrelated to trauma, overuse, or metabolic disease

Osteolysis of the distal clavicle has been reported to occur from traumatic, atraumatic (overuse), or systemic causes. Three patients with bilateral osteolysis of the distal clavicles whose osteolysis did not fit these etiologic categories were evaluated. Clinical, imaging, and laboratory evaluations were nonspecific, and histologic sections of the distal clavicle showed evidence of chronic inflammation with reactive change of the articular surface. Patients either had complete resolution or marked improvement of their symptoms after bilateral distal clavicle resection at mean followup of 5 years 3 months. These cases of osteolysis of the distal clavicle represent a category of this disorder not previously described.

Nutrition and bud removal affect biomass and nutrient allocation in Douglas-fir and western red cedar

Seedlings of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and western red cedar (Thuja plicata J. Donn ex D. Don) were grown at high (250 mg l(-1)) and low (20 mg l(-1)) nitrogen (N) supply for a year. Before the second growing season, half of the seedlings in each nutrient treatment were allocated to the other treatment. Half of the seedlings in each nutrient treatment then had all growing points removed. Biomass and N, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) concentrations of old and new shoots and roots were measured three times in the second year to test the interaction of current-year and previous-year nutrient supply on biomass and nutrient allocation in these two species with different growth habits. Pruned seedlings served as controls. Unpruned seedlings of both species increased in height throughout the second growing season, except for Douglas-fir in the N250 --> N20 treatment. Repeated pruning did not prevent new shoot growth, but resulted in a 12 to 52% reduction in biomass of new shoots and new and old roots. Seedlings receiving a low N supply in the first growing season were more severely affected by pruning than seedings receiving a high N supply. Growth was reduced more by pruning in western red cedar than in Douglas-fir. Concentrations of N, P and K were higher in pruned seedlings than in unpruned seedlings. Although dry weights of all plant parts in all treatments increased throughout the second growing season, some retranslocation of N, P and K was observed from old shoots of both species in the N250 --> N20 and N20 --> N20 treatments after August. Quantities of N, P and K retranslocated were greatest in seedlings grown the previous year in the high-N treatment.

Biomass and nutrient allocation in Douglas-fir and amabilis fir seedlings: influence of growth rate and temperature

Allocation of biomass and nutrients to current-year and one-year-old shoots and roots of two-year-old conifer seedlings with differing rates of growth was studied. Differences in growth rate were achieved by selecting fast- and slow-growing populations of the relatively fast- and slow-growing conifer species, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco and Abies amabilis Dougl. ex Loud, respectively. Environmentally controlled differences in growth rate were induced by placing half of the seedlings in a 10 degrees C growth chamber and half in a 20 degrees C growth chamber in their second growing season. Seedling samples were harvested in May, before the temperature treatment, and in July and November of the second growing season, and biomass and nutrient concentrations of current-year and one-year-old shoots and roots were determined. Seedling biomass and nutrient allocation differed among the high-growth treatments. Seedlings exhibiting high growth in response to the 20 degrees C treatment and faster growing populations within species both showed increased allocation to new shoots, whereas seedlings of the fast-growing species showed greater allocation to old shoots than to new shoots. Increased growth increased nutrient uptake, but nutrient concentration decreased with growth rate as a result of dilution, so that faster-growing seedlings had greater nutrient-use efficiency than slower-growing seedlings. Retranslocation of P and K was seen in the second year only in slow-growing populations at 10 degrees C. Nutrient concentrations of one-year-old plant parts decreased in the second year, indicating new growth was a stronger sink for nutrients than second-year growth.

Biomass and nutrient allocation in Douglas-fir and amabilis fir seedlings: influence of growth rate and nutrition

Allocation of biomass and nutrients to shoots and roots was followed for three years in fast and slow growing populations of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), a fast growing pioneer species, and amabilis fir (Abies amabilis Dougl. ex J. Forbes), a slow growing shade-tolerant species. Seedlings were grown for three seasons in five nutrient treatments containing varying proportions of nitrogen and phosphorus (N:P). In both species, growth was greatest in the 250:20 N:P treatment followed by the 100:60 and 100:20 treatments. Vector analysis showed that, in both species, relative to the 100:20 treatment, seedlings in the 20:20 treatment were N deficient and seedlings in the 100:4 treatment were P deficient, i.e., where deficiency is defined to mean that an increase in nutrient supply increases nutrient content, nutrient concentration and plant dry weight. Seedlings in the 100:60 treatment had a higher P content than seedlings in the 100:20 treatment but the same dry weight, indicative of what Timmer and Armstrong (1987) termed luxury consumption. No nutrient retranslocation was observed in either species until the third growing season. In Douglas-fir, the greatest percentage of nutrients was exported from one-year-old shoots between May and July of the third growing season to support new growth. The total amount and percent of nutrients retranslocated was higher in Douglas-fir than in amabilis fir. Amabilis fir seedlings also exported N and P from older shoots, but this was later partially replenished. In both species, P retranslocation was greatest in treatments with a high N:P ratio. Nitrogen retranslocation was greatest in amabilis fir seedlings in treatments with a low N:P ratio, and greatest in Douglas-fir seedlings in the 250:20 and 100:60 treatments. Potassium retranslocation was correlated with seedling size. Douglas-fir retranslocated more of its shoot N reserves into new growth at the expense of older needles when soil fertility was high and sinks were strong. Otherwise, both species preferentially translocated the elements in short supply. Thus, retranslocation varied with the ecological characteristics of species, the relative availability of soil nutrients and sink strength.

An anatomic analysis of endoscopic plantar fascia release

Eighteen fresh-frozen cadaver foot specimens underwent release of the plantar fascia via a newly described endoscopic technique. A 75% release was attempted on each specimen in order to represent a partial fascial release. Each specimen was then dissected to assess the success of the procedure. Five separate measurements were recorded evaluating the reproducibility of the procedure, adequacy of the release considering accepted etiologies for chronic heel pain, and the possibility of damage to local structures. Partial release was noted to be possible, but controlling the exact percentage of the incision was difficult. The release averaged 82% of the width of the fascia, with a range of 53% to 100%. There was no damage in any specimen to the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve, the structure considered most at risk during the procedure. Release of the deep fascia of the abductor hallucis muscle was not possible with this approach.

Catastrophic complication of simple cast treatment: case report

We report the case of a 36-year-old man who developed a compartment syndrome after a minor ankle fracture was casted. The treatment was inadequately monitored and he subsequently developed the manifestations of a crush syndrome. This case demonstrates that relatively minor injuries can indeed be fatal if appropriate vigilance is not maintained.

The effects of carbon monoxide on persistent changes in young rat heart: cardiomegaly, tachycardia and altered DNA content

Newborn rat pups that inhale 500 ppm carbon monoxide (CO) for 32 days and develop increased heart mass (i.e. cardiomegaly) show persistent cardiomegaly and elevated resting heart rate as adults. Studies were carried out to explore the relationship of these phenomena to CO concentration and initial cardiomegaly using exposures of 350, 500 and 700 ppm CO. Initial cardiomegaly was greater in the right ventricle free wall (RV) than in the left ventricle plus interventricular septum (LV + S) at all three CO concentrations, and RV mass excess increased with CO concentration. Initial RV cardiomegaly was greater at 350 and 700 ppm CO in females than in males. Persistent cardiomegaly in the RV also increased with CO concentration, and was significantly greater in the females. Persistent cardiomegaly in the RV increased with initial cardiomegaly but at a decreasing rate at the higher CO concentrations, and when expressed as a percentage of initial cardiomegaly (i.e. 'efficiency'), the relative response was greatest at 500 ppm CO. For LV + S, efficiency of development of persistent cardiomegaly was greatest at 350 ppm CO. Persistent tachycardia increased with CO concentration in males but failed to do so in females, and was only weakly correlated with degree of persistent cardiomegaly. Thus, persistent cardiomegaly and persistent tachycardia (in males) are related to CO concentration. Myocardial DNA content of 32-day-old juveniles was significantly increased at 350 and 700 ppm CO. Adult DNA content of the RV was significantly elevated at 350 ppm CO (females) and continued to rise with CO concentration. DNA concentrations of the RV and LV were increased at 700 ppm CO.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hallux rigidus

This article discusses the pathophysiology in the development of the hallux rigidus deformity. The clinical and radiographic findings are discussed and identified. Various modalities of conservative and surgical care are discussed.

Periodontal disease. Therapy and prevention

Success in veterinary dentistry lies in good home care and regular, thorough dental prophylaxis. The removal of supragingival and subgingival calculus must be accomplished before periodontal disease can be controlled. When gingival sulcus depths exceed 4 or 5 mm, the gingivae must be excised or reflected to allow proper treatment of the pocket area. Antibiotic therapy should be instituted in the extensively involved veterinary dental patient.

Acute oral marijuana poisoning in the dog

Ingestion of marijuana by three dogs in unrelated incidents resulted in depression-type toxicosis in each case. The most evident clinical signs were central nervous system depression and ataxia. Emesis and hypothermia were noted in two of the cases. Symptomatic and supportive treatment was accompanied by clinical improvement. In two cases, recovery was slow, with clinical signs apparent for 36 to 48 hours after onset. In the third case, clinical signs were apparent for only 3 hours.