Seismic anisotropy beneath Ruapehu volcano: a possible eruption forecasting tool

The orientation of crustal seismic anisotropy changed at least twice by up to 80 degrees because of volcanic eruptions at Ruapehu Volcano, New Zealand. These changes provide the basis for a new monitoring technique and possibly for future midterm eruption forecasting at volcanoes. The fast anisotropic direction was measured during three seismometer deployments in 1994, 1998, and 2002, providing an in situ measurement of the stress in the crust under the volcano. The stress direction changed because of an eruption in 1995-1996. Our 2002 measurements revealed a partial return to the pre-eruption stress state. These changes were probably caused by repeated filling and depressurizing of a magmatic dike system.     

Diversity of laccase genes from basidiomycetes in a forest soil

Fungal oxidative exo-enzymes lacking substrate specificity play a central role in the cycling of soil organic matter. Due to their broad ecological impact and available knowledge of their gene structure, laccases appeared to be appropriate markers to monitor fungi with this kind of oxidative potential in soils. A degenerate PCR-primer pair Cu1F/Cu2R, specific for basidiomycetes, was designed to assess directly the diversity of laccase genes in soils. PCR amplification of mycelial cultures and fruit-bodies of a wide spectrum of basidiomycetes, covering all functional groups (saprophytes, symbionts, and pathogens), produced multiple DNA fragments around 200 bp. A neighbor-joining tree analysis of the PCR-amplified laccase sequences showed a clear species-specificity, but also revealed that most fungal taxa possess several laccase genes showing a large sequence divergence. This sequence diversity precluded the systematic attribution of amplified laccase of unknown origin to specific taxa. Amplification of laccase sequences from DNA, extracted from a brown (moder) forest soil, showed a specific distribution of laccase genes and of the corresponding fungal species in the various soil horizons (O_h, A_h, B_v). The most organic O_h-horizon displayed the highest gene diversity. Saprophytic fungi appeared to be less widespread through the soil horizons and displayed a higher diversity of laccase genes than the mycorrhizal ones.     

Enterohepatic circulation and biliary secretion of 5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxy[14C]carbaryl glucuronide in the rat

Intestinal absorption (enterohepatic circulation) and biliary secretion of ¹⁴C from a metabolite of carbaryl isolated from rat bile, 5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxy[¹⁴C]carbaryl glucuronide, and its aglycone were observed: Lincomycin and kanamycin sulfate were also given to rats to determine the effect of an altered intestinal microflora on the above processes. Net absorption of ¹⁴C from the glucuronide occurred in the small intestine and cecum of control rats (68.5%); 10% of the infused ¹⁴C was secreted in the bile. Antibiotic treatment affected the site of absorption and the biliary secretion of ¹⁴C from the glucuronide since net ¹⁴C absorption occurred only in the small intestine of antibiotic-treated rats (32.5%) and biliary secretion accounted for less than 1% of the infused ¹⁴C. The site of absorption of ¹⁴C from the aglycone and biliary secretion of ¹⁴C (17%, control rats; 14%, antibiotic-treated rats) were not affected by antibiotic treatment. Carbon-14 from the aglycone was absorbed primarily in the small intestine (89.3%, control rats; 84.2%, antibiotic-treated rats). The results indicate that the intestinal microflora influence the enterohepatic circulation and biliary secretion of the glucuronic acid conjugate of 5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxycarbaryl.     

Phosphorus availability,root exudates,and microbial activity in the rhizosphere

Field and pot experiments showed that the P demand of wheat is highest in early stages of growth (up to 1.67 μg P per cm² root surface and day). The needed orthophosphate ions H₂PO₄? and HPO₄²-move from soil to the root by diffusion. This process is controlled by the concentration gradient of the diffusible phosphate and the effective diffusion coefficient according to Pick's first law. Root excretions (rhizodeposition) are able to affect both characteristics. The water soluble portion of rhizodeposition contains more than 50% of up to 8 different sugars, 10–40% carboxylic acids and 10–15 amino acids and amides. The composition varies in dependence on the age of the root parts and on nutrition (Zea mays L., Brassica napus L., Pisum sativum L.). Diffusion experiments using small soil blocks showed that 50–75% of the root exudates were decomposed by respiration within 3 days. The rest was largely chemically converted. Originally present sugars disappeared. Due to the biosynthesis of different organic acids from the individual sugars the mobilisation of Ca₃(PO₄)₂ by Pantoea agglomerans increased when the sugar mixture was derived from the rhizodeposition of P deficient plants with more pentoses instead of glucose and fructose (mainly effect of anions). In the rhizosphere therefore a mixture of rhizodeposition and its conversion products exists which affects the binding of phosphorus in soil and the P transport to the root. This should be considered both for the development of new soil extractants and for modelling the P supply to plants.     

Nonregenerative immune‐mediated anemia associated with a diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma in a captive jaguar (Panthera onca)

An 18‐year‐old male castrated jaguar (Panthera onca) was presented with anorexia and continuous bleeding from the oral cavity after a history of fighting with the partner animal. Clinical evaluation revealed ulcerating lesions on the gingiva and hard palate and a hematoma on the tongue. Computed tomography of the head and endoscopic examination of the esophagus and stomach were unremarkable. Hematology and clinical chemistry revealed severe nonregenerative anemia, mild thrombocytopenia, and moderate azotemia. Several PCRs for feline hemotropic mycoplasmas (Mycoplasma haemofelis, M heamominutium, M turicensis), Babesia felis, and Bartonella spp., as well as an FeLV antigen test were negative. The cytologic examination of a bone marrow aspirate was consistent with ineffective erythropoiesis, most likely due to immune‐mediated destruction of the erythroid precursor cells. Prednisolone therapy was initiated (1.25 mg/kg/day), and the CBC returned to normal 16 days after the initiation of the therapy. Anemia relapsed after 4 months and severe splenomegaly was noted. A repeat bone marrow aspirate revealed active erythropoiesis in the presence of erythroid precursor phagocytosis suggesting an immune‐mediated process. Splenic fine‐needle aspiration and tissue biopsies were taken, and all findings including histology and immunohistochemistry were consistent with a diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Five days later, the clinical condition deteriorated and the jaguar died. Histopathology following necropsy showed infiltration with neoplastic lymphoblasts in the spleen, liver, and abdominal lymph nodes. This case report describes a nonregenerative immune‐mediated anemia associated with a DLBCL in a jaguar.     

Formation of early and advanced Maillard reaction products correlates to the ripening of cheese

The present study deals with the characterization of the ripening of cheese. A traditional German acid curd cheese was ripened under defined conditions at elevated temperature, and protein and amino acid modifications were investigated. Degree of proteolysis and analysis of early [Amadori compound furosine (6)] and advanced [N(ε)-carboxymethyllysine (4), N(ε)-carboxyethyllysine (5)] Maillard reaction products confirmed the maturation to proceed from the rind to the core of the cheese. Whereas 6 was decreased, 4 and 5 increased over time. Deeper insight into the Maillard reaction during the ripening of cheese was achieved by the determination of selected α-dicarbonyl compounds. Especially methylglyoxal (2) showed a characteristic behavior during storage of the acid curd cheese. Decrease of this reactive structure was directly correlated to the formation of 5. To extend the results of experimental ripening to commercial cheeses, different aged Gouda types were investigated. Maturation times of the samples ranged from 6 to 8 weeks (young) to more than 1 year (aged). Again, increase of 5 and decrease of 2 were able to describe the ripening of this rennet coagulated cheese. Therefore, both chemical parameters are potent markers to characterize the degree of maturation, independent of coagulation.     

Constitutive emission of the aphid alarm pheromone, (E)-β-farnesene, from plants does not serve as a direct defense against aphids

Background  

The sesquiterpene, (E)-β-farnesene (EBF), is the principal component of the alarm pheromone of many aphid species. Released when aphids are attacked by enemies, EBF leads aphids to undertake predator avoidance behaviors and to produce more winged offspring that can leave the plant. Many plants also release EBF as a volatile, and so it has been proposed that this compound could act to defend plants against aphid infestation by 1) deterring aphids from settling, 2) reducing aphid performance due to frequent interruption of feeding and 3) inducing the production of more winged offspring. Here we tested the costs and benefits of EBF as a defense against the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, using transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana lines engineered to continuously emit EBF.     

Distribution of lesions and antigen of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus A/Swan/Germany/R65/06 (H5N1) in domestic cats after presumptive infection by wild birds

In early 2006, the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 of the Asian lineage caused the death of wild aquatic birds in Northern Germany. In the mainly affected areas, a trans-species transmission of HPAIV H5N1 to mammals occurred between birds and domestic cats and 1 Stone Marten (Martes foina), respectively. Here, we report lesions and distribution of influenza virus antigen in 3 cats infected naturally with HPAIV H5N1 A/swan/Germany/R65/06. The hemagglutinin partial nucleotide sequences of the viruses were genetically closely related to a H5N1 HPAIV obtained from a dead Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) of the same area. At necropsy, within the patchy dark-red and consolidated lungs, there was granulomatous pneumonia caused by Aelurostrongylus sp. Histologically, the main findings associated with influenza in all cats were bronchointerstitial pneumonia and marked random hepatic necrosis. In addition, all animals displayed lymphoid necrosis in the spleen and Peyer's patches and necrosis of the adrenal cortex. Immunohistochemically, nucleoprotein of HPAIV was present intralesionally in the lungs, liver, adrenal glands, and lymphoid tissues. Oropharyngeal swabs were shown to be suited to detect HPAIV by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in these cats, despite the paucity of influenza virus antigen in the upper respiratory tract by means of immunohistochemistry. The results show that outdoor cats in areas affected by HPAIV in wild birds are at risk for lethal infection. In conclusion, hepatic necrosis was, besides bronchointerstitial pneumonia, the primary lesion, suggesting that in naturally infected cats, damage to the liver plays an important role in the pathogenesis of H5N1 influenza.     

Comparison of different extractants for the determination of inorganic sulphate in gypsum‐free agricultural soils

Four frequently used extractants (H₂O, 0.1 M NaCl, 0.016 M KH₂PO₄, and 0.5 M NaHCO₃) as well as different extraction conditions have been tested for sulphate extraction from gypsum‐free agricultural soils. Water is the preferable extractant for soils with pH > 6. Two extraction steps have to be carried out for complete extraction (> 95%). A 0.016 M KH₂PO₄ solution was found to be the most efficient extractant for soils with a pH < 6 within a single extraction step. A shaking frequency of 170 min^‐1 and a duration of extraction of 4 hours are the optimized conditions for the sulphate extraction with H₂O and KH₂PO₄ solution.