Effects of a novel missense polymorphism within the SIGLEC5 gene on fertility traits in Holstein‐Friesian cattle

The aim of the study was to find functional polymorphism within two exons of the SIGLEC5 (sialic acid‐binding Ig‐like lectin‐5) gene and to examine its effects on the production and fertility traits of cows and bulls. Two hundred seventytwo Holstein‐Friesian cows and 574 bulls were included in the study. Novel missense polymorphism (A > G) within exon 3 causing substitution of amino acid arginine by glutamate in position 260 of SIGLEC5 protein (R260Q) was identified by sequencing and digestion by restriction enzyme Msp I. Basic production and fertility traits of cows and estimated breeding values (EBV) of bulls were analysed. The study demonstrated a significant association of SIGLEC5 R260Q polymorphism with days open and calving interval in cows as well as with breeding value for calving interval in bulls. An opposite effect of SIGLEC5 alleles for production and fertility traits was observed: the allele G increased the breeding value for the protein yield, while the allele A increased the breeding value for the calving interval. The current study suggests the involvement of SIGLEC5 R260Q polymorphism in biological processes related to fertility traits. This finding can be applied as a biomarker for a genetic improvement programme in Holstein‐Friesian cattle.     

Untersuchungen über wirksame Verfahren zur Schabenbekämpfung auf Schiffen

Studies on Effective Methods to Control Cockroaches Abroad Ships Organization and common methods of the control or arthopods and rodents abroad ships of the Polish navy and merchant marine are discussed. It is outlined that disinsecting is mainly based upon the application of hydrogen cyanide (Zyklon B) and to a minor extend upon the application of chemicals acting as contract poisons. However, the methods mentioned which have been applied so far occasionally and on a private basis, are generally little effective.More effective methods of cockroach control in this environment were tried by using chemical preparations (insect-killing lacquer made by Azot, the Gertoks preparation made by Fregata and the dust, Blattosep, by Azot) as well as biological preparations ofBac. thuringiensis (Biotrol 25 W, Biotrol 5 D, E-58 made by Buean Park and Institut Pasteur). By these methods, a favourable disinsecting effect was achieved, so that an application of these preparations instead of the little effective, expensive, and costly gassing with hydrogen cyanide (Zyklon B) is recommended.

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81-304 Gdynia (Polen), Slaska 72 m 40     

Synthesis and herbicidal activity of isoxazole-substituted 1-aminoethylphosphonates and 1-hydroxyethylphosphonates

Isoxazole-substituted 1-aminoethyl- and 1-hydroxyethyiphosphonates were synthesized by a multi-step procedure and were screened for herbicidal activity against Lepidium sativum L. and Cucumis sativus L. All the synthesized compounds exhibited notable herbicidal activity.     

Zinc Forms and Plant Availability in a Compost Amended Soil

Compost can be used to remediate metal-contaminatedsites because it binds metals and reduces metal uptakeby plants. A greenhouse experiment was conducted totest the effectiveness of compost to remediate Zntoxicity to plants and to determine its effect on zinc(Zn) distribution among operationally defined forms. Cecil soil (Typic kanhapludults) was amendedwith 0 to 5000 mg kg^-1 Zn and biosolid compost at0, 100, and 300 tons ha^-1, and then corn (Zea mays L.) was planted. After 42 days of growthplants were weighed and analyzed for Zn concentration. Soil was analyzed for Mehlich 1-extractable Zn andfractionated by a sequential extraction procedure forforms of Zn. Compost lowered soil pH while increasingCEC, exchangeable hydrogen and percent carbon. Concentrations of Mehlich 1-extractable Zn weredecreased by compost addition. Compost additionsdecreased plant Zn concentration and allowed moreplant survival with toxic levels of soil Zn. Compostamendment redistributed Zn from the water soluble andexchangeable fractions to the manganese oxide andamorphous iron oxide fractions, which shows a changein form of Zn from more plant available to less plantavailable. Biosolid compost soil amendments decreaseplant availability of Zn making it less toxic toplants even where it decreases soil pH, which wouldtend to have the opposite effect.     

Effect of solid-phase speciation on metal mobility and phytoavailability in sludge-amended soil

Sequential extraction was utilized for partitioning Cd, Cr, Ni, and Zn, in soil and sludge samples into five operationally-defined fractions: exchangeable, bound to carbonates, bound to Fe-Mn oxides, bound to organic matter and residual. The highest amounts of Cd, Ni, and Zn, expressed as per cent of the total, were found in the Fe-Mn oxide fraction of the sewage sludge. Chromium was significantly associated with the organic fraction of the sludge. The residue was the most abundant fraction for all metals studied in the untreated soil, and for Cd and Ni in the sludge-treated soil. The concentration of exchangeable Cd and Cr was relatively low in the untreated soil and did not change much after sludge application, whereas the concentrations of exchangeable Zn increased about 50 times and the concentrations of exchangeable Ni doubled in the sludge-treated soil. The lysimetric experiment revealed an increase in Zn and Ni uptake by ryegrass and in the percentage of metals leached from the soil profile after massive sludge application. In contrast only negligible changes were observed for Cd and Cr. The assumption that mobility and biological availability are related to metal speciation was confirmed by the agreement between the distribution pattern of Cd, Cr, Ni and Zn in the soils, the uptake of the metals by plants and their capacity for leaching out from the soils.     

Cadmium and lead in human body fluids,air and drinking water in the area of Cracow

The amount of Cd and Pb in full blood and in the urine of males in Cracow and in a control area were measured and compared to the background of the level of these metals in air, dust fall and drinking water. The investigations were carried out in the years 1984–85. The mean Cd level in body fluids of Cracow's inhabitants was significantly higher than in the control group, and it amounted to: 0.54 μg Cd 100 mL^?1 in blood and 2.13 μg Cd L^?1 in urine. The Pb content in blood of the Cracow group (15.74 μg 100 mL^?1) was also significantly higher than in the control one, while the Pb level in urine was similar in both populations, reaching values below 10 μg L^?1. The mean annual Cd concentration in air and the Cd content in the dust fall in Cracow were 3 times higher than in the control area. The mean annual Pb concentration in Cracow's air exceeded the permissible Polish norm. In comparison with the control area, the Pb concentration level in air and its content in the dust fall in Cracow were 5 and 2 times higher, respectively. The level of Cd and Pb concentration in drinking water in Cracow and in the control area were much lower than the permissible values; however, in Cracow they were somewhat higher than in the control area.     

Effect of soil application of cadmium contaminated lime on soil cadmium distribution and cadmium concentration in strawberry leaves and fruit

Heavy metal environmental pollution which occurs as a result of lime contaminated with cadmium (Cd) poses a potential health hazard. This investigation was undertaken to study uptake of Cd by strawberry plants grown in soil amended with three different sources and two different rates of industry waste lime containing 3.4, 14.3, and 60.0 mg Cd/kg, respectively. The effects of Cd applied to the soil were investigated, including its distribution in the soil and effect on Cd concentration in strawberry cv. Senga Sengana (Fragaria anassa) leaves and fruit in response to soil organic matter content and lime rates. Cadmium accumulated mainly in the plough layer, increasing from 0.170 mg Cd/kg (background level) to a maximum of 1.2 mg Cd/kg. Fruit had very high, hazardous Cd concentrations regardless of its content in the soil. This indicates that Cd was easily taken up by strawberry plants and accumulated in upper plant parts, including the fruit. Soil Cd content had no effect on concentration of this element in strawberry fruit. However, plant Cd uptake and fruit concentration was increased in acid soils even when soil Cd concentration was low.     

当前水禽研究亮点

由哈雷--维滕贝格大学和WPSA(世界家禽科学协会)水禽工作组赞助的国际鸭鹅研讨会于2001年11月13～15日在靠近德国哈雷市的Wermsdorf举行.来自埃及、法国、德国、波兰、匈牙利、意大利、乌克兰的研究者及许多德国水禽饲养者和育种人员出席了会议.     

Estimation of maximum permissible levels of cadmium in a light soil by using cereal plants

A pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse to establish the threshold level of Cd in a light soil planted with cereals. During three consecutive years barley, wheat, rye, and corn were grown in the soil treated with 2.5; 5; 25 g g^–1 of Cd applied in sulphate form. The Cd concentration of 5 g g^–1 (plus native Cd content of the soil) was considered as the maximum permissible Cd level in a soil for the soil-plant systems studied. Besides the estimation of total Cd concentrations, several forms of Cd in soils (exchangeable, carbonate, Fe-Mn oxides, organic, and residual) were determined by mean of sequential extraction to define the phytoavailable form of Cd in the soil. The Cd concentration in studied plants increased with the doses of this metal in soil but to different extents for various plant species and various plant parts. The highest Cd enrichment ratios (ER) were found for wheat and corn leaves (2 to 3), whereas, the lowest ERs were detected for corn and rye grains (0.05 to 0.2) grown at the treated soils. All samples of the control plants had ER below 1. A close relationship was found between Cd content of plants and the exchangeable form of Cd in soil, which indicates that this form of the element is readily available for plants. The proposed maximum permissible level of Cd (5 g g^–1 of added metal plus native Cd content of soils) in light soils proved to be too high for cereal plants. The threshold concentration for light soil should not exceed 3 g g^–1.     

Baseline data for cadmium and lead in soils and some cereals of Poland

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - A survey was conducted to establish baseline contents of Cd and Pb in the surface soil of Poland and in some cereals (oats and rye), and orchard grass. Geometric...