Enzyme arrangement of various tissues in swine. 1. Studies of the effect of 32 hours of fasting, administration of actinomycin D, and fasting in combination with administration of actinomycin D on crude protein level, activities of GOT, GTP, fructose-1,6-diphoaphatase as well as ATPase of liver, kidneys and semitendinous muscle in newborn piglets]

The effects of sufficient milk intake as well as of 32 hours of fasting after birth, administration of actinomycin D (intraperitoneal application of 1 mg/kg five weight), and fasting in combination with actinomycin D on the development of body and liver weights, crude protein levels in homogenate and supernatant of liver, kidneys, and M. semitendinosus as well as on the activities of certain tissue enzymes were analysed with four groups of piglets (n = 4). Fasting, administration of actinomycin, and fasting in combination with actinomycin D resulted in rapid reduction in body and liver weights, while the crude protein levels in those tissues were not affected with significance. GOT and fructose-1,6-diphosphatase activities in supernatant from liver tended to decline under fasting conditions. The ATPase activity in the homogenate of the above tissues did not change in response to differentiated treatment.     

Intussusception following renal transplantation in dogs (author's transl)]

In a consecutive and non-selected study of 54 kidney transplanted dogs, 12 cases of intussusception of the small intestine developed in 8 dogs. The patogenesis is still unknown. It has been postulated that the time of the operation (4--7 hours) and the segmental termination of the post-operative atony in the intestine are essential factors in this fatal complication. The last 16 dogs in this material were peroperatively treated with antikolinergics (Mestinon NFN), which was continued until normal function of the intestine. In these dogs there were no evidence of intussusception. The value of this profylaxis is open to discussion and it is essential to solve the problem of intussusception through a "blind" and controlled trial.     

The use of the sugar beet in swine nutrition. 2. The effect of different preparation processes on the apparent prececal and fecal digestibility

With ileum cannulated sows were tested the apparent precaecal and faecal digestibility of crude nutrients from raw and thermically treated fodder sugar beets of size "Rosamona". Two samples from two different harvest years, differing extremely in the content of disaccharides were tested. The crude nutrient digestibility affected stronger by content of sucrose then by treatment. Fodder sugar beets with contents of disaccharide lower then 400 g/kg DM showed low precaecal and faecal digestibilities. A longer cooling phase decreased the feed value of steamed beets through the microbial attack in the formation of precaecal indigestible sugar alcohols (mannitol).     

Contribution to the morphology and biochemistry of mustelide blood. 1. Blood specimen collection in various mustelides with special reference to the use of the tissue adhesive "Fimomed"]

An account is given of various techniques of blood sampling in the context of certain mustelids, including cardiopuncture, amputation of tail tip, talon cutting, incision of the ear vein, puncture of the jugular or femoral vein, and catheterisation of the abdominal aorta. Reference is made to details of use of all techniques, characteristics, advantages and potential setbacks, and preferable use of some of the tested methods to collect blood from mustela and martes species. Blood collection from the abdominal aorta may be helpful in obtaining no-haemolysis and no-additive plasma for biochemical multi-screening. Biochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological follow-up checks may be feasible under certain conditions following surgical exposure of the external jugular vein. The use of "Fimomed" (n-butylcyano-acrylate), a tissue adhesive, may help to reduce effort in terms of time and material and consequently, rationalise veterinary hygiene action as a whole, provided that the conditions for its application are observed. The skin adhesive is properly applicable to skin lesions of mustelids. A combination of suturing with adhesive should be used to close laparotomy wounds for better mechanical strength of the abdominal wall. Possible applications of "Fimomed" should be tested with other species as well.     

Impact of environmental factors on infestation of tea leaves byHelopeltis theivora, and associated changes in flavonoid flavor components and enzyme activities

Attack of tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) leaves by the tea mosquito bugHelopeltis theivora (Hemiptera: Miridae) was positively correlated to temperature and rainfall, and partially to humidity, as determined in 12 varieties during the period 2000–2002. The insect attack was severe during the months of May–September, which had high temperature and rainfall, and led to severe loss of biomass due to curling and drying up of the leaves. The biochemical response of these 12 varieties of tea to attack by the insect was determined with special reference to oxidative enzymes and flavonoid flavor components. Insect attack led to an increase in the activities of the oxidative enzymes peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase. Activities of phenyl alanine ammonia lyase generally decreased as a result of insect attack, which was significant in the United Planters Association of South India (UPASI) varieties. A significant decrease in polyphenols was also obtained in UPASI varieties. HPLC analysis of catechins revealed a decrease in some of the catechins in the infected leaves. Analysis of theaflavins from infusion of healthy andHelopeltis-infested tea leaves revealed no changes. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 19, 2004.     

Serodiagnosis of Burkholderia mallei Infections in Horses: State‐of‐the‐art and Perspectives

Burkholderia mallei causes glanders or farcy in solipeds, a disease that must be reported to the OIE (Office International des Epizooties, Paris, France). The number of reported outbreaks has increased steadily during the last decade. Serodiagnosis is hampered by the considerable number of false‐positives and ‐negatives of the internationally prescribed tests. The major problem leading to low sensitivity and specificity of complement fixation test (CFT) and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been linked to the test antigens currently used, i.e. crude preparations of whole cells. Future perspectives for the development and evaluation of serological test kits using well‐characterized single antigens are discussed in the light of recent molecular research on B. mallei and the closely related saprozoonotic agent B. pseudomallei.