The influence of antibiotics on the immune system: immuno-pharmokinetic investigations on the primary anti-SRBC response in carp, Cyprinus carpio L., after oxytetracycline injection

Abstract. The present study was performed to obtain further details on the immuno-modulating effects of oxytetracycline (OTC) in carp, Cyprinus carpio L. The immuno-logical study was extended by investigating the pharmacokinetic behaviour of OTC. Oxytetracycline, at a dosage of 60 mg/kg, was administered five times intra-peritoneally at 3-day intervals; the first injection was given 1 day before immunization. The kinetics of the primary anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) response, during a short-term OTC treatment revealed that the kinetics of the plaque-forming cell (PFC) response was not significantly affected by OTC nor its solvent. In contrast, the number of plaque-forming cells was significantly decreased. The anti-SRBC antibody production was delayed by 2–4 days in both experimental groups (OTC and solvent). However, within 12–14 days post-immunization, the same antibody levels were detected as in the control group. High OTC plasma levels (>50 μg/ml) were detected about 10 h after a single i. p. injection. A mean plasma elimination half-life (T¹/₂) of 34·5 h was calculated.     

Root development of winter wheat in erosion‐affected soils depending on the position in a hummocky ground moraine soil landscape

Agricultural soil landscapes of hummocky ground moraines are characterized by 3D spatial patterns of soil types that result from profile modifications due to the combined effect of water and tillage erosion. We hypothesize that crops reflect such soil landscape patterns by increased or reduced plant and root growth. Root development may depend on the thickness and vertical sequence of soil horizons as well as on the structural development state of these horizons at different landscape positions. The hypotheses were tested using field data of the root density (RD) and the root lengths (RL) of winter wheat using the minirhizotron technique. We compared data from plots at the CarboZALF‐D site (NE Germany) that are representing a non‐eroded reference soil profile (Albic Luvisol) at a plateau position, a strongly eroded profile at steep slope (Calcaric Regosol), and a depositional profile at the footslope (Anocolluvic Regosol). At each of these plots, three Plexiglas access tubes were installed down to approx. 1.5 m soil depth. Root measurements were carried out during the growing season of winter wheat (September 2014–August 2015) on six dates. The root length density (RLD) and the root biomass density were derived from RD values assuming a mean specific root length of 100 m g^?1. Values of RD and RLD were highest for the Anocolluvic Regosol and lowest for the Calcaric Regosol. The maximum root penetration depth was lower in the Anocolluvic Regosol because of a relatively high and fluctuating water table at this landscape position. Results revealed positive relations between below‐ground (root) and above‐ground crop parameters (i.e., leaf area index, plant height, biomass, and yield) for the three soil types. Observed root densities and root lengths in soils at the three landscape positions corroborated the hypothesis that the root system was reflecting erosion‐induced soil profile modifications. Soil landscape position dependent root growth should be considered when attempting to quantify landscape scale water and element balances as well as agricultural productivity.     

THE EFFECT OF POSITIONING ON THE RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF CAUDODORSAL MEDIASTINAL MASSES IN THE DOG

In this prospective study, the effect of thoracic positioning on the visibility and size of caudal esophageal masses caused by spirocercosis was investigated. Dorsoventral (DV), ventrodorsal (VD) as well as left lateral recumbent (LLR) and right lateral recumbent (RLR) thoracic radiographs of 28 dogs, diagnosed endoscopically with spirocercosis, were evaluated. The radiographic findings were compared with those of esophageal endoscopy. Masses were seen equally well in left vs. right recumbency as well as in DV vs. VD positions but in DV/VD views 86% of masses were detected whereas in lateral views only 50% of masses were identified. In spirocercosis-endemic areas DV and RLR views are advised as they also allow for better visualization of descending aorta aneurysms and to avoid interpreting the potentially normally visible esophagus in LLR in large dogs as a mass.     

The use of vitamin D3 and its metabolites to improve beef tenderness

Three experiments were conducted to determine whether feeding 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH D3) or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2 D3) improves the tenderness of longissimus dorsi (LD), semimembranosus (SM), and infraspinatus (IF) muscles similar to supplemental vitamin D3 without leaving residual vitamin D3 and its metabolites in muscle. In the first two experiments, 24 crossbred steers were used to determine the effects of different oral amounts of 1,25-(OH)2 D3 (Exp. 1; n = 12) and 25-OH D3 (Exp. 2; n = 12) on plasma Ca2+ concentrations. In the third experiment, crossbred steers were allotted randomly to one of four treatments: 1) control placebo (n = 7); 2) 5 x 10(6) IU of vitamin D3/d (n = 9) for 9 d and harvested 2 d after last treatment; 3) single, 125-mg dose of 25-OH D3 (n = 8) 4 d before harvest; or 4) single, 500-microg dose of 1,25-(OH)2 D3 (n = 9) 3 d before harvest. The LD and SM steaks from each animal were aged for 8, 14, or 21 d, whereas steaks from the IF were aged for 14 or 21 d. All steaks were analyzed for tenderness by Warner-Bratzler shear force and for troponin-T degradation by Western blot analysis. Supplementing steers with vitamin D3 increased (P < 0.01) the concentration of vitamin D3 and 25-OH D3 in all muscles sampled. Feeding steers 25-OH D3 increased (P < 0.05) the concentration of 25-OH D3 in meat, but to an amount less than half that of cattle treated with vitamin D3. Supplemental 1,25-(OH)2 D3 did not affect (P < 0.10) shear force values; however, there was a trend (P < 0.10) for supplemental vitamin D3 and 25-OH D3 to produce LD steaks with lower shear values after 8 and 14 d of aging, and lower (P < 0.10) shear force values for the SM aged for 21 d. Analysis of Western blots indicated that LD steaks from cattle supplemented with vitamin D3 and 25-OH D3 had greater (P < 0.05) troponin-T degradation. Antemortem supplementation of 25-OH D3 seems to increase postmortem proteolysis and tenderness in the LD and SM without depositing large concentrations of residual vitamin D3 and its metabolite 25-OH D3.     

Origin and distribution of facial nerve anatomy in van cats

This study aims to reveal the morphological properties of facial nerve and the middle ear in Van cats. Study material was composed of 6 female Van cats. Dissections were performed under a Zoom Stereo Microscope. There was no plexus buccalis in Van cats. The chorda tympani was observed to pass through an opening in the tympanic cavity, emerge through a small opening just behind the retroarticular process, and join the lingual nerve. A rounded anatomical formation with a size of 2.75 ± 0.3 mm was found to be located within the mastoid process of the temporal bone between the facial nerve and the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. The stapes nerve was not present. The geniculate ganglion was very prominent and about 1.00 mm high. The deep petrosal nerve was observed to emerge from the plexus tympanicus. The bulla tympanica was 18.96 ± 0.10 mm long, 13.03 ± 0.20 mm wide and 13.16 ± 0.20 mm high. After leaving the mandibular nerve, the n.tensoris tympani coursed caudally around the a.maxillaris, formed an ansa, entered the tympanic cavity through the canalis musculotubarius and reached an end in the m. tensor tympani. Due to the scarcity of studies on the middle ears of Van cats, it is thought that this study will fill a gap in the field of veterinary anatomy.     

Usefulness of serological examinations in the analysis of Salmonella infections in pig herds

The development of the antibody concentration against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of S. Typhimurium und S. Choleraesuis in rearing pigs during the fattening period and in breeding sows of the corresponding age was recorded. The studies revealed the following results. Antibodies of isotypes IgG1 and IgG2 revealed a more pronounced specificity against the according Salmonella serovar than IgM antibodies. The calculated "antibody percent value" based on the total amount of Salmonella antibodies is mainly determined by the IgM antibodies in sera and meat juice, respectively. In fattening pigs a significant increase of antibodies against IgM and total Ig was observed between week 3 and 10 after beginning of the rearing period. In breeding pigs this increase was detectable already earlier. In only 3 out of 10 groups an increase of IgG1 and IgG2 was also seen. The detected significant increase of total Ig and IgM in the other groups might be the result of a less intensive exposure to salmonellas or it might be due to an increase of unspecific antibodies induced by other antigens. Serological investigations represent a valuable tool to record the intensity and development in time of the Salmonella exposure in pigs farms. Examination of total Ig is an appropriate method to detect pig herds with a high level of Salmonella exposure, for detailed epidemiological studies in pig farms the examination of antibody isotypes will give more comprehensive information.     

噬菌体用于柞蚕空胴病生物防治的研究

应用柞蚕链球菌噬菌体对作蚕空胴病进行生物防冶的结果证明:用噬菌体卵面消毒具有明显的效果,而用钠一噬菌体其效果更为明显,对蚕卵的孵化率无明显影响。大面积生产鉴定证明:蚕茧的产量可增产4倍。方法简便、安全、有效,易于推广。     

Seasonal changes in germination response of buried seeds of Orobanche crenata Forsk.

Orobanche crenata seeds, collected in Syria, Egypt and Spain, were buried in the field in Syria (all three seed lots) and Spain (only Spanish seeds) and at regular intervals exhumed and tested for germination, to investigate whether the seeds exhibit an annual dormancy/non-dor- mancy cycle. When exposed directly to the synthetic germination stimulant GR24 for 7 days at 20°C, seeds only germinated in autumn after the first rains and to a limited extent in winter. When the seeds were conditioned for 11 days at 20°C prior to exposure to GR24, germination occurred during summer and autumn, but seeds were dormant in winter and early spring. The observed seasonal pattern in germinability, in relation to rainfall and soil temperature, was largely consistent with the results of an in vitro experiment by Van Hezewijk et al. (1993), investigating the effect of conditioning temperature and conditioning period on germination capacity and the development of secondary dormancy. Moisture and temperature can therefore be considered the major factors regulating induction and alleviation of dormancy in buried O. crenata seeds. There were no basic differences in response owing to site of collection of O. crenata seeds, nor to the location where they were buried. Variations saisonnières des exigences de germination de graines enfouies d'Orobanche crenata Forsk. Des graines d'Orobanche crenata récoltées en Syrie, en Égypte et en Espagne ont été enfouies au champ en Syrie (les 3 lots) et en Espagne (seules les graines d'Espagne) puis ont été exhumées a intervalles régulier pour que leur aptitude à la germination soil évaluée. Le but était de déterminer si les graines possédaient un cycle annuel dormance/non dormance. Quand elles étaient directement exposées au stimulant de germination synthétique GR24 pendant 7 jours à 20°C, les graines ne germaient qu'à l'automne après les premières pluies et peu en hiver. Quand les graines restaient pendant 11 jours à 20°C avant leur exposition au GR24, la germination seproduisait en été et à l'automne mais les graines restaient dormantes en hiver et au début du prin-temps. Les variations saisonnières d'aptitude à la germination, liées aux précipitations et à la temperature du sol, étaient en accord avec les résultats d'une expérience in vitro de Van Hezewijk et al. (1993) concernant l'effet de la température et de la durée pendant laquelle elle est appliquée, sur l'aptitude à la germination et le développement de la dormance secondaire. L'humidité du sol et sa température peuvent ainsi être considérées comme les principaux facteurs qui induisent et lèvent la dormance de graines de O. crenata enfouies. On n'observait pas de différences importantes dues au lieu de récolte ou à l'endroit oü elles étaient enfouies. Jahreszeitliche Änderungen der Keimung von vergrabenen Samen von Orobanche crenata Forsk. Proben von in Syrien, Ägypten und Spanien gesammelten Orobanche-crenata-Samen wurden in Syrien und Proben nur spanischer Herkunft in Spanien im Freiland im Boden ausgelegt und in regelmäßigen Zeitabständen ausgegraben und auf ihre Keimfähigkeit getestet, um zu untersuchen, ob die Samen einen jährlichen Dormanz-Zyklus haben. Beim direktem Auslegen in dem synthetischen Keimungsmittel GR24 öber 7 d bei 20°C keimten die Samen nur im Herbst nach den ersten Regenfällen und in beschränktem Umfang im Winter. Wenn die Samen för 11 d bei 20°C vor dem Auslegen in GR24 vorbehandelt worden waren, keimten sie im Sommer und Herbst, aber im Winter und fröhen Fröhjahr waren sie dormant. Das jahreszeitliche Verhalten der Keimfähigkeit in Abhängigkeit von Niederschlag und Bodentemperatur stimmte weitgehend mit den Ergebnissen eines In-vitro-Versuches von Van Hezewijk et al. (1993) öber die Wirkung einer Wärmevorbehandlung und Vorbehandlungszeit auf die Keimfähigkeit und die Ausprägung sekundärer Dormanz öberein. Bodenfeuchte und -temperatur können deshalb als die wichtigsten Faktoren för die Induktion und Aufhebung der Dormanz von Orobanche-crenata-Samen im Boden angesehen werden. Herkunft und Versuchsort hatten keinen erheblichen Einfluß auf die Ergebnisse.