Differences between intestinal segments and soybean meal–induced changes in intestinal mucus composition of common carp Cyprinus carpio L.

The alimentary tract is a possible site where pathogens and toxins can enter. The alimentary tract is protected, amongst others, by mucus. In this study, tissue samples and crude mucus preparations from different parts of the intestinal tract of Cyprinus carpio (from intestinal bulb onto the hindgut) were examined using histological, histochemical and biochemical techniques. Furthermore, the response of the intestinal mucosal layer and intestinal mucus of C. carpio to acute soybean meal (SBM)‐induced enteritis was investigated. In the present study, an indication for a different protein core of mucus high molecular weight glycoproteins (HMGs) for first and second segment could not be found. However, differences in mucus glycosylation could be found. Along the gut axis, the size of the major protein peaks were not similar, which can be caused by a different glycosylation. Also, differences in staining for the antimicrobial peptide beta‐defensin 2 were found. Furthermore, changes in HMGs upon SBM diet were found similar to those found in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in humans. Initial changes include: changes in mucin composition, the presence of BD3 and of bacteria in internal organs. After the initial changes, all values measured returned back to the initial pre‐SBM diet values.     

Seroprevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in dogs in Germany

To determine the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in dogs in Germany serum samples from 1124 dogs that were under suspicion of having anaplasmosis were examined. The samples were tested by an indirect immunofluorescence test (OFT) for antibodies to A. phagocytophilum. The geographical origin of positive cases were analysed with an geographic information system. Antibodies to A. phagocytophilum were found in 563 (50.1%) of the tested dogs. 166 dogs came from Saarland, 161 from North Rhine-Westphalia, 134 from Baden-Wuerttemberg, 33 from Bavaria, 22 from Rhineland-Palatinate, 11 from Hamburg, 10 from Brandenburg, 9 from Lower Saxony, 8 from Hesse and Berlin respectively and 1 from Schleswig-Holstein. Clinical signs and laboratory findings of 26 seropositive dogs were analysed. Those dogs showed a low haematocrit, thrombocytopenia and leucocytoses as well as higher values for alkaline phosphatase, ALAT und bilirubin. The clinical signs were lameness in 13 dogs, lethargy in 5, and uveitis in 3 dogs. Rhinitis and lymphadenopathy was found in 2 dogs and retinal detachment with blindness in 1 dog.     

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Expression of mRNA for the angiopoietin-tie system in granulosa cells during follicular development in cows

Recent findings indicate that the changing profile of angiopoietins (ANPT) and their receptor Tie2 are closely associated with development and regression of the vascular network in the cyclic ovary. We previously reported that mRNA expression for the ANPT-Tie system in theca interna changes during bovine follicular development and atresia, and both ANPTs affect steroidogenesis in the preovulatory follicle. The aim of this study was to investigate mRNA expression for ANPT1, ANPT-2 and Tie2 in granulosa cells (GC) during follicular development in the cow. Bovine follicles were classified according to the estradiol-17beta (E(2)) concentration in follicular fluid (FF) as follows: (1) E(2)<0.5, (2) 0.5180 ng/ml FF. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of ANPT-1 mRNA was not detected in most of the follicle with E(2)<5 ng/ml (diameter of 5-10 mm), but clearly detected in all follicles with E(2)>5 ng/ml (diameter of >10 mm). The mRNA expression for ANPT-2 was drastically decreased in the follicles with E(2)>5 ng/ml. Tie2 mRNA expression remained unchanged at the different stages of follicular development. The present data show that ANPT-1 becomes predominant in the follicle producing high levels of E(2), indicating the possible switch-over from ANPT-2 (antagonist) to ANPT-1 (agonist). Thus, the result suggests that the ANPT-Tie system in bovine GC may stimulate E(2) secretion rather than angiogenesis in the late stages of follicular development.     

Forest decline and soil nutritional problems in Pacific areas

Soil nutrient stresses have been determined to contribute to stand-level dieback in two Pacific forest biomes, the Hawaiian Metrosideros rain forest and remnants of the eastern Australian Eucalyptus forest. In the Hawaiian dieback, low levels of N limit indigenous forest development early in primary succession on volcanic soils, while later in primary succession, stresses appear to be associated with soil aging, acidification, loss of cations, decreasing levels of P, increases in soluble Al, and, under poor drainage, sharp increases in soluble Fe. These nutrient limitations put a ceiling on stand development and growth and are considered as one of the three causes predisposing stands to dieback. In the rural or New England dieback of eastern Australia, indigenous eucalypts are adapted to ancient soils with very low levels of P, but pasture improvement with clover and fertilization with superphosphate has imposed different stresses on remnant eucalypts in pastures and nearby forest islands. After fertilization, the trees grow faster initially, but their foliage becomes highly nutritious for insects. Other factors also contribute to a build-up of insects as pests, which now threaten the remaining eucalypts. The rural dieback represents an example of how forests with low canopy species diversity, simplified structure, lack of successional species, and which are prone to dieback under natural conditions, can be destroyed by intensification of agricultural development. The paper closes with a summary of generic factors that were found to cause forest dieback under natural conditions and compares these to the anthropogenically superimposed stresses that led to aggravated tree and forest decline in the Australian rural or New England dieback. The suggestion is made that comparative dieback research at the global level will lead to an improved understanding of natural forest dynamics as an aid in interpreting the new stresses. imposed on forests by human activity.     

Die Chromosomenzahlen einiger bisher nicht untersuchterVicia-Arten

Summary The chromosome numbers of the followingVicia species are reported:V. amurensis 2n=12,V. baicalensis 2n=12,V. eriocarpa 2n=14,V. incisa 2n=14,V. japonica 2n=24,V. melanops 2n=10,V. venulosa 2n=12,V. sparsiflora 2n=12 (the same as mentioned by Baksay).

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Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacteria isolated from animals: considerations concerning the predefinition of breakpoints from the clinical pharmacological viewpoint

In vitro susceptibility tests are performed to receive information for selecting the most suitable antibacterial agent. As result of in vitro susceptibility tests, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) indicates bacteria as resistant or sensitive. To determine MIC, therapeutically relevant breakpoints have to be defined. Microbiological criteria, chemical and physical characteristics as well as pharmacokinetic and toxicological (tolerance) properties of the antimicrobial compounds have to be considered in the selection of the therapeutic agent in addition to clinical experiences. Using some concentration and time dependent antibiotics as examples, it is demonstrated that the above mentioned criteria are not sufficiently considered in currently defined breakpoints.     

In vivo evidence that local cortisol production increases in the preovulatory follicle of the cow

The aim of the present in vivo study was to monitor real-time fluctuations of cortisol (Cr) in the wall of preovulatory follicles using a microdialysis system (MDS) implanted in the theca layer as well as changes in ovarian venous plasma (OVP) and jugular venous plasma (JVP). Seven cows were superovulated using FSH and prostaglandin F2alpha injections. Dialysis capillary membranes were surgically implanted into the theca layer of mature follicles and connected to a microdialysis system. Fractions of the perfusates were collected from Day -1 (Day 0=LH surge) to Day 3. No difference in the concentrations of Cr between JVP and OVP was detected throughout the experiment. Circulating concentrations of Cr ranged from 20 to 35 ng/ml 8 h after surgery in ovulatory and anovulatory cows. In five ovulatory cows, the Cr concentration decreased to basal levels (<10 ng/ml) between 12 and 24 h after surgery, however, two anovulatory cows retained high Cr levels (>10 ng/ml) up to 42 h after surgery. There was a clear increase in the local concentration of Cr from 13.3+/-2.1 pg/ml at -24 h to 27.5+/-1.7 pg/ml at 0 h (peak of the LH surge) within the wall of ovulatory follicles. This increase was not detected in anovulatory follicles. This transient increase in Cr occurred only in the follicle wall, but not in the OVP or JVP, indicating that the presence of a local regulatory mechanism for Cr production/conversion in ovulatory follicles, and this mechanism may modulate the inflammatory-like reaction induced by LH surge in the follicle wall. The present results demonstrate that the glucocorticoid environment in the follicular wall adjusts at the local level in bovine ovulatory follicles. This mechanism may protect follicles from the adverse effects of glucocorticoid, and it may prevent excess inflammatory reactions associated with ovulation by temporarily increasing local concentrations of glucocorticoid, thus forming an integral part of the regulatory mechanism in ovarian physiology.