Regional Ileitis in Pigs Isolation of Campylobacter from Affected Ileal Mucosa

In the last few years special interest has been focused on enteric diseases localized to the lower alimentary tract, especially the ileum of weaned pigs. An increasing frequency of disorders of unknown aetiology described as regional ileitis (Emsbo 1951), necrotic enteritis (Jubb & Kennedy 1970), and intestinal adenomatosis (Rowland et al. 1973) has been reported. The changes include thickening of the ileal mucosa with hypertrophy of the muscular wall. The normal structure of villi is replaced by a proliferation of crypt cells. Necrosis of the mucosa and granulation-tissue proliferation in the submucosa occur in later stages. Regional ileitis in man (Crohn et al. 1932) which is described as a chronic enteric disease with granulomatous inflammatory changes localized to segments of the ileum is also attracting increasing attention in medical research (Liljefors 1972). The lesions are also found in the colon, and the presence of a transmissible agent involved in the aetiology of Crohn''s disease has been discussed on the basis of animal experiments (Cave et al. 1973). The disease in pigs is accompanied by haematological changes, including decreased concentration of total serum protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, and zinc (Martinsson et al. 1974, 1976).     

Does long-term farmyard manure fertilization affect short-term nitrogen mineralization from farmyard manure?

One of the challenges in organic farming systems is to match nitrogen (N) mineralization from organic fertilizers and crop demand for N. The mineralization rate of organic N is mainly determined by the chemical composition of the organic matter being decomposed and the activity of the soil microflora. It has been shown that long-term organic fertilization can affect soil microbial biomass (MB), the microbial community structure, and the activity of enzymes involved in the decomposition of organic matter, but whether this has an impact on short-term N mineralization from recently applied organic substances is not yet clear. Here, we sampled soils from a long-term field experiment, which had either not been fertilized, or fertilized with 30 or 60 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ of farmyard manure (FYM) since 1989. These soil samples were used in a 10-week pot experiment with or without addition of FYM before starting (recent fertilization). At the start and end of this experiment, soil MB, microbial basal respiration, total plant N, and mineral soil N content were measured, and a simplified N balance was calculated. Although the different treatments used in the long-term experiment induced significant differences in soil MB, as well as total soil C and N contents, the total N mineralization from FYM was not significantly affected by soil fertilization history. The amount of N released from FYM and not immobilized by soil microflora was about twice as high in the soil that had been fertilized with 60 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ of FYM as compared with the non-fertilized soil (p < 0.05).     

A genetic linkage map of Spinacia oleracea and localization of a sex determination locus

A genetic map of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) was constructed in a classical back cross population using 101 AFLP and 9 microsatellite markers. The map was divided into seven linkage groups with a total length of 585 cM and an average distance between the markers of 5.18 cM. The linkage map was constructed with LOD 3.5, but was quite stable with seven linkage groups remaining until LOD 7.0. Gender segregated 1 male to 1 female in the mapping population and was mapped to a small area of one linkage group with a distance of 1.9 cM to a microsatellite marker termed SO4. This small chromosomal region co-segregating with sex determination in the species is in contrast to previous reports on a heterologous XY chromosome system in spinach. Microsatellite markers used as anchors in the map construction were isolated from sequences of known nuclear encoded genes in spinach. This enabled simultaneous positioning on the map of these genes: Rubisco activase (Rca), Photosytem 1 subunit V (PsaG), Protein Kinase (Pk), Nitrate reductase (Nir), ferrodoxin:thioredoxin reductase (Ftr), Ribosomal protein L1 (Rps22), Choline monooxygenase (Cmo), Pseudogene for BZIP protein (Bzip), Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (Act1) and stromal ascorbate peroxidase, thylakoid-bound ascorbate peroxidase (Apx2). Spinach has a small genome, which makes it suitable for basic genomic studies and many physiologically important genes have been cloned from the species. The present map anchored with user friendly microsatellite markers will be useful for future studies of physiology and genetics of the species as well as studies of the nature of gender determination.     

Are mineral nutrients a critical factor for lime intolerance of lupins?

Poor growth of lupins on calcareous soils may be attributed to a number of soil physical and chemical factors. Nutrient imbalances, such as deficiency of phosphorus (P) and micronutrients or calcium (Ca) excess have been reported to be responsible for the calcifuge behavior of the plants. In the present study we investigated the importance of nutrient imbalances for the growth reduction of lupins on a lime‐containing soil. Three lupin species (Lupinus luteus, Lupinus angustifolius, and Lupinus albus) were compared with lime‐tolerant Pisum sativum. Plants were cultivated in a sandy soil containing 0.2% or 10% magnesium (Mg) limestone and were fertilized with a complete nutrient solution except for iron (Fe). In each lime treatment, three of six pots per species were supplied with iron as FeEDDHA. Strong liming greatly decreased shoot growth, rate of leaf appearance, and shoot dry matter accumulation in all Lupinus species, but only marginally in P. sativum. All Lupinus species displayed chlorosis on the strongly limed soil, whereas on the slightly limed soil, only L. luteus did so. Shoot concentrations of P, potassium (K), Ca, Mg, manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) were generally in the adequate range. Decreased shoot growth was not associated with increased Ca concentrations. FeEDDHA fertilization alleviated chlorosis in most cases, but was not able to restore shoot growth. Therefore it is concluded, that, at least in the juvenile stage, nutrient imbalances do not play a major role in growth limitation of lupins on calcareous soils.     

Physical,Chemical and Biological Processes for Optimizing Decentralized Composting

On-site composting of nonpolluted organic wastes avoids costs and energy for transportation since the volume to be transported can be reduced to about 20% of the original. This paper describes the aerobic processes in a small-scale composting reactor, and evaluates how these processes can be optimized. The optimized composting process has a relatively short turnover time for organic matter; at the same time the temperature of about 60°C decreases the problems with pathogens and weeds in the mature compost. The compost produced has a high nutritional value, with high concentrations of especially nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, while the contamination by heavy metals and other toxic substances are very low.     

LDH and LDH Isoenzymes of Synovial Fluid in the Horse

LDH is an intracellular enzyme, which when cells degenerate is released to the extracellular spaces and body fluids. Cells and organs in the mammalian body differ from each other with respect to their LDH isoenzyme patterns. These circumstances have led to the use of LDH isoenzyme determinations in laboratory diagnostic work. In the present investigation total LDH activity and LDH isoenzyme distribution in equine synovial fluid from healthy joints, joints with serous arthritis, osteochondrosis dissecans and arthrosis, were determined. The fluids from the diseased joints differed from normal synovial fluid with respect to total LDH activity, and the different joint diseases each seemed to give rise to a characteristic isoenzyme pattern. In order to examine possible sources of the increased LDH activity and altered isoenzyme patterns, blood plasma, red and white blood cells, synovial membrane and articular cartilage were also studied. It was found that LDH4 and LDH5 were present in high amounts in articular cartilage, and an increase in these isoenzymes was the most characteristic feature in synovial fluid from joints with arthrosis. The results were discussed in view of possible diagnostic value of isoenzyme determinations on synovial fluid.