Soil protection for a sustainable future: options for a soil monitoring network for Ireland

The increased recognition of the importance of soil is reflected in the UN Post‐2015 Development Agenda with sustainable development goals that directly and indirectly relate to soil quality and protection. Despite a lack of legally binding legislation for soil protection, the European Commission remains committed to the objective of soil protection. However, the achievement of a legally binding framework for soil protection relies on the implementation of a soil monitoring network (SMN) that can detect changes to soil quality over time. As beneficiaries do not pay for the provision of soil information, the options for soil monitoring are limited. The use of existing data sets should be considered first. Using Ireland as an example, this research explored the opportunities for a SMN for Ireland considering three existing national data sets. The options for a SMN are considered in terms of their spatial and stratified distribution, the parameters to be measured and an economic analysis of the options proposed. This research finds that for Ireland, either a 10 or a 16 km² grid interval stratified by land use and drainage class offers the best potential in relation to the spatial distribution of existing data sets to reflect local data at a national level. With existing data, the stratified SIS data using the 16 km² grid offers the best value for money, with baseline costs for analysis, excluding field costs, of between €706 481 and €2.8 million. Acknowledging the impossibility of measuring all parameters with ideal frequency, this study proposes a two‐tier system for optimized monitoring frequency. Parameters must anticipate future policy requirements. Finally, the implementation of a SMN must be accompanied by standardized methods, defined thresholds and action mandates to maintain soil quality within allowable limits.     

Epidermal growth factor-like activity in mares' milk.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like activity was measured in mares' colostrum and milk by radioreceptor assay. Milk samples were collected from 22 mares 1 or more times during early lactation. Samples of colostrum were taken after parturition and before the foal first suckled (presuckle), within 6 hours after the foal first suckled (postsuckle), and on days 1, 2, 4, and 8 of lactation. In the 5 mares from which milk samples were obtained at each sampling time, presuckle colostral mean EGF-like activity (17.8 ng/ml) was greatest (P less than 0.05). The mean values for EGF-like activity at all other sampling times were not significantly different from each other (postsuckle colostrum, 9.7 ng/ml; day 1, 9.6 ng/ml; day 2, 8.5 ng/ml; day 4, 8.0 ng/ml; day 8, 7.8 ng/ml).     

Blindness associated with toxoplasmosis in canaries.

Seven of 30 canaries in an aviary in New Zealand developed ophthalmic problems. Clinically, 5 birds had unilateral and 2 birds had bilateral lesions characterized by conjunctivitis, crusty exudates on eyelids, and collapse of the eyeball. Microscopic lesions in 12 of 14 eyes examined included inflammation of the choroid and retina, with osseous replacement of the globe in some. Numerous Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites were seen in the detached retina and vitreous humor of acutely affected birds. The diagnosis of toxoplasmosis was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining with T gondii antiserum. Affected birds had encephalitis, and T gondii was localized in the brains of these by immunohistochemical examination and by use of bioassays in mice. Toxoplasmosis should be considered in differential diagnosis of ophthalmitis in canaries.     

Pilot study of the effect of acemannan in cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus.

Acemannan, a complex carbohydrate shown to stimulate interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor alpha and prostaglandin E2 production by macrophages, has also demonstrated antiviral activity in vitro against human immunodeficiency virus, Newcastle disease virus and influenza virus. A pilot study was undertaken to determine acemannan's effect in 49 feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infected cats with clinical signs of disease (Stage 3, 4 or 5), 23 of which had severe lymphopenia. Cats received acemannan either by intravenous (Group 1) or subcutaneous (Group 2) injection once weekly for 12 weeks, or by daily oral (Group 3) administration for 12 weeks. Upon entry into the study, cats were randomly assigned to one of the three groups. Laboratory analyses were performed at the beginning of the study and at Weeks 6 and 12. Cats were allowed to continue with a predetermined maintenance regimen of acemannan after completing the 12-week study. Thirteen cats died during the course of treatment. Upon necropsy, the most frequent histopathologic findings were neoplastic, kidney and pancreatic disease. Friedman's two-way ANOVA test showed no significant differences in efficacy among groups administered acemannan by the different routes. Therefore, groups were combined and a signed-ranks test was used to determine changes over time. A significant increase was seen in lymphocyte counts (P < 0.001). Neutrophil counts decreased significantly (P = 0.007), as did incidence of sepsis (P = 0.008). When cats entering with lymphopenia were analyzed separately, a much greater increase in lymphocyte counts was noted (235%) compared with non-lymphopenic cats (42%). A survival rate of 75% was found for all three groups. Thirty-six of 49 animals are alive 5-19 months post-entry. These results suggest that acemannan therapy may be of significant benefit in FIV-infected cats exhibiting clinical signs of disease.     

Brachycephalic airway syndrome.

The range of clinical syndromes and the pathophysiology of respiratory disorders in brachycephalic animals are presented. The problem of deciding which patients require surgical management is reviewed in the light of recent studies and the author's clinical experience. Newer information from related disorders in humans suggests that serious problems can be subclinical and difficult to diagnose. The index of suspicion and guidelines for providing surgical relief to veterinary patients may need to undergo revision.     

Use of monoclonal antibodies against human HLA II antigens for the detection of bovine B lymphocytes and macrophages]

The crossreactivity of mouse monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) (Tab. I) prepared against human HLA-DR and HLA-DP antigens was studied in various bovine cells: lymphocytes from lymph nodes and peripheral blood, adherent (B) and nonadherent (T) lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes and platelets. In the immunofluorescence test, MoAbs Bra13, Bra14, Bra20, Bra22, Bra30, Bra70, HL-38 reacted with bovine B lymphocytes and monocytes, but not with other tested cells (Tab. III, IV). These antibodies, except Bra22, were positive with B lymphocytes in the complement dependent cytotoxic test (Tab. II). The similarity of the bovine antigens and HLA-DR antigens determined by used MoAbs was also proved by immunoblotting. Monoclonal antibodies Bra38 and BraFB6 did not react with the bovine cells and separated antigens. The epitope (HLA-DR) recognized by the antibody Bra38 is probably absent in cattle. The presence of HLA-DP analogue determined by the antibody BraFB6 has not been confirmed. The crossreactive MoAbs could be used for the detection of B lymphocytes and macrophages in veterinary immunology.     

Analysis of glycoprotein I (gI) negative and aberrant pseudorabies viral diagnostic isolates.

Glycoprotein I (gI) phenotypes and genotypes of 4 pseudorabies viral diagnostic isolates were evaluated by use of in vitro DNA amplification, monoclonal antibody binding, gI-specific serodiagnostic responses, and in vivo virulence approaches. Three viruses were avirulent and did not elicit gI-specific serologic responses, react with gI-specific monoclonal antibodies, or contain gI epitope-encoding DNA sequences. The fourth virus was virulent and did elicit a gI-specific serodiagnostic response. Compared with reference virulent pseudorabies viruses, however, the fourth isolate had reduced reactivity with a group of gI monoclonal antibodies and had a single nucleotide sequence substitution with a corresponding putative amino acid change in the epitopically dominant portion of the gI molecule. Presumably, the first 3 isolates represented diagnostic recoveries of viruses derived from gI-deleted modified-live pseudorabies viral vaccines, whereas the fourth isolate was a virulent but gI-aberrant wild-type virus. Thoroughly assessing the gI status of pseudorabies viral diagnostic isolates was considered to be essential in evaluating the epidemiologic importance of these viruses and in monitoring the validity of gI-based vaccine companion tests now used worldwide in pseudorabies control and eradication programs.