1,3-Bis(p-chlorobenzylideneamino)guanidine hydrochloride (robenzidene): new poultry anticoccidial agent

At 66 parts per million in the feed, robenzidene is highly effective in preventing chicken coccidiosis caused by any one of eight Eimeria species. Three times this dose is safe for broiler chickens. In dogs and rats, the toxicity was relatively low over a period of 90 days. In laboratory trials, the drug completely prevents oocyst production by seven species and greatly reduces oocyst production by Eimeria maxima.     

Truffle seedling production method has long-term consequences for tree growth and root colonization

Cultivation of Burgundy black truffles (Tuber aestivum syn. T. uncinatum) in Midwestern agroforestry has the potential to provide important income not only to landowners, but also to the hospitality industry. Economically viable harvest depends upon both successful seedling colonization by the truffle fungus and successful growth of the fungus along with the extending root system. We evaluated an established hybrid oak (Quercus bicolor × Q. robur) truffière 5 and 6 years after planting in May 2005, to evaluate the effects of three seedling production methods on tree growth and root colonization by T. aestivum. Oak seedlings produced using two variations on the RPM^© (Root Production Method) substrate grew significantly faster in height and diameter, but were significantly less well colonized by the truffle fungus compared with saplings from seedlings produced by the “Typical” method. We found that 0.7–19.8 % of root tips (mean 5.1 %) sampled from saplings grown from Typical seedlings were colonized by T. aestivum. By 2010, two distinct canopy forms had developed: ‘upright’ versus ‘spreading’. Although root colonization was not related to canopy form, future fruit body production may be influenced by the greater soil shading provided by the spreading canopy form. A comparison of autumn/winter air temperatures in Missouri, USA with European conditions suggests that fruit body production in Missouri will likely be greatest from mid-September through mid-December. Soil pH modification by application of crushed limestone prior to planting was effective in maintaining average pH at 7.16 through 2010, a level consistent with fruit body production.     

The importance of Mycobacterium bovis as a zoonosis

Mycobacterium bovis and closely associated acid-fast bacilli cause disease in humans. Epidemiologic investigations reveal that the organism may be ingested or inhaled. Extra pulmonary lesions may occur associated to the consumption of infected milk, even though with the practice of boiling milk, and the growth of milk pasteurization plants all over the world, the digestive route of infection became less important. On the other hand, airborne infection continues to occur among meat industry and slaughterhouse workers, in regions where the infection is still prevalent in cattle. Evidence of person to person transmission is rare. Main causes of concern related to M. bovis in industrialized countries are: epizootics in domesticated and wild mammals and latent infection in immigrants. Although multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of M. bovis have been identified, case reports reveal that anti-tuberculosis drugs routinely used to treat Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected patients are effective when properly administered.     

Relation between work and phosphate metabolite in the in vivo paced mammalian heart

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to monitor, on a beat-to-beat basis, the concentration of creatine phosphate and adenosine triphosphate during alterations in the work output of canine hearts in vivo. Over a wide range of rate-pressure products (5,000 to 25,000 mmHg/min), the relative amounts of creatine phosphate and adenosine triphosphate within the heart remained constant. The relative concentration of free adenosine diphosphate was calculated under the reasonable assumption that the creatine kinase-catalyzed reaction is near equilibrium in this tissue. The free concentration of adenosine diphosphate also did not change over this range of rate-pressure products. The data demonstrate that the concentration of these compounds is highly regulated in vivo and suggest that factors other than their concentration may be involved in the modulation of steady-state myocardial work output with oxygen consumption.     

Polyhydroxyamic acid from 3,3′-dihydroxybenzidine and pyromellitic dianhydride as a fire-safe polymer

In order to assess the potential of the hydroxy-containing polyamic acid (PHAA) synthesized from 3,3′-dihydroxy benzidine and pyromellitic dianhydride for a fire-safe polymer, the cyclization pathway of PHAA has been investigated using a model compound prepared from 2-aminophenol and phthalic anhydride. The reaction was monitored by¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance. N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)phthalamic acid is converted to N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)phthalimide at ca. 175°C, showing endothermic reaction. The imide structure is rearranged to the benzoxazole structure over ca. 400°C. These results are similar with that of PHAA. According to pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) data, water and carbon dioxide are released during the cyclization and rearrangement reaction. One DMAc molecule is complexed with one carboxyl acid group in PHAA, which accelerates the imidization process to release more easily the flame retardant, water.     

Colonization of Pedunculate oak by the Burgundy truffle fungus is greater with natural than with pelletized lime

European black truffles can be profitable agroforestry crops outside their native ranges. Truffle fungi grow symbiotically as ectomycorrhizae on the roots of host trees, notably hazels and oaks. Conditions in the central USA appear conducive to cultivation of the Burgundy truffle (Tuber aestivum Vitt. syn. T. uncinatum Chatin), but research is needed to determine effects of management practices on truffle establishment and fruiting. In a greenhouse study we tested the effect of lime type, inoculation technique, and two truffle sources on Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) growth and mycorrhizal colonization. We found that the type of lime used to raise potting mix pH can differentially affect the growth rate of root systems inoculated with different selections of Burgundy truffle inoculum. Seedlings inoculated with one selection of the truffle and grown in potting mixes amended with natural crushed dolomitic limestone developed larger root systems with more truffle mycorrhizae compared with potting mix amended with high-calcium pelletized quick-release lime. Seedlings inoculated with a second truffle selection were not affected by lime source and developed root systems as large as those developed with the first truffle source grown with natural lime. Supplemental root dip inoculation did not improve levels of colonization beyond those accomplished by potting mix infestation with truffle ascospores. Use of a hygroscopic polymer to maintain ascospore suspension in the inoculum slurry used to infest the potting mix had no effect on root system development or mycorrhiza formation.