Osmotolerant Cytokinin Producing Microbes Enhance Tomato Growth in Deficit Irrigation Conditions

The authors have reported the evaluation of two osmotolerant rhizospheric microbial strains for their abilities to promote tomato growth and alleviate deficit irrigation stress effects at 100, 50 and 25 % water holding capacity (WHC) of a red sandy loam soil in pot culture conditions. It was observed that osmotolerant microbial inoculation significantly enhanced the stomatal conductivity, rates of transpiration, photosynthesis and the relative water contents of tomato plants across stress levels. A similar trend was also observed with respect to the biomass production and marketable fruit yields at harvest. Plants inoculated with Actinobacterium, Citrococcus zhacaiensis recorded 24 and 9 % higher yields, while Bacillus amyloliquefaciens inoculated plants recorded 42.0 and 12.7 % higher yield at 50 and 25 % WHC, respectively, as compared to uninoculated controls.     

An alternative approach to maxillofacial arteriovenous malformations with transosseous direct puncture embolization

The management of arteriovenous (AVM) malformations of the jaws is complex and requires an integrated team approach. Subspecialists, such as maxillofacial surgeons, interventional radiologists, and critical care intensivists, are commonly involved in the management of these patients. The current treatment options for maxillofacial AVMs are surgical resection combined with endovascular embolization. Surgical treatment of arteriovenous malformations has been associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to potential for massive blood loss. In the pediatric population extensive resection of the craniofacial skeleton may be associated with growth disturbance, functional compromise, and cosmetic deformity. We report a novel technique using endovascular embolization via direct transosseous puncture for a high-flow vascular malformation, obviating the need for extensive surgical resection, and review the important clinical aspects of these life-threatening lesions.