Effects of genotype,environment, and postharvest storage on the total ascorbate content of potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers

The total ascorbate content of potato tubers from 33 Solanum tuberosum genotypes grown at three geographically diverse sites in Europe in each of two years was determined immediately postharvest and after approximately 4 months of storage at 4 degrees C. Statistically significant differences in total ascorbate concentration were observed between genotypes both at harvest and after storage. In all genotypes, the levels of ascorbate decreased during storage. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for diet and health as well as in terms of breeding for improved vitamin C content in potatoes.     

Preparation of tetrahydroagathic acid: a serum metabolite of isocupressic acid, a cattle abortifacient in ponderosa pine

Isocupressic acid (1) was used to synthetically prepare a mixture of (8S,13R,S)-labda-15,19-dioic acid (tetrahydroagathic acid) (5) via a two-step oxidation procedure followed by hydrogenation of the double bonds at C13 and C8. Reduction of the C8,17 double bond was stereospecific producing only the 8S isomer and confirmed by the nOe interaction between the resulting C17 and C20 methyl groups. The 13R and 13S isomers of 5 were separated and analyzed by HPLC/MS, and (13S)-tetrahydroagathic acid was isolated and identified by comparison to a standard prepared by hydrogenation of naturally occurring (13S)-dihydroagathic acid (4). (13R,S)-dihydroagathic acid was prepared by selective sodium metal-catalyzed hydrogenation of the C13,14 allylic double bond of agathic acid (3). The prepared compounds were then used as standards to confirm the presence of 4 and 5 and their respective 13R and 13S isomers in bovine serum samples. Tetrahydroagathic acid was shown to be the only metabolite detected in serum samples taken from a suspected cattle abortion case submitted for diagnosis; and, thus, 5 could be a valuable diagnostic marker for pine needle-induced abortions.     

Burrow building in seabird colonies: a soil-forming process in island ecosystems

Soil modification via biopedturbation by burrow-building seabirds was examined in a Mediterranean, island ecosystem. Physical and chemical soil properties were compared between a colony of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters (Puffinus pacificus) and adjacent heath across a 14-month period. When compared to heath soil, the biopedturbated soil was 28% drier (6.04±5.40 vol%), had increased bulk density (by 29% to 1.30±0.11 g cm⁻³, 51% porosity), wetting capacity (by 83% to 0.55±0.83 molarity of ethanol droplet), hydraulic conductivity (by 266% to 398.91±252.04 mm h⁻¹), and a greater range in soil surface temperature (31.7±6.2 °C diurnally to 18.3±3.2 °C nocturnally). Soil penetration resistance was reduced by 26% at a depth of 0–100 mm (326.5±122.4 kPa) and by 55% at 500–600 mm (1116.8±465.0 kPa). Colony soil also had increased levels of nitrate (by 470%), phosphorous (118%), ammonium (102%), sulphur (69%), and potassium (34%), decreased levels of iron (by 50%) and organic carbon (61%), was more alkaline, and had a 78% greater conductivity. Shearwaters deposited guano at a rate of 234.4 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (dry mass). Chemical analysis of guano equated this to 50.9, 5.7, 5.5, and 3.6 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ of nitrogen, potassium, sulphur, and phosphorous, respectively. Experimentally constructed burrows demonstrated that digging alone can alter physical and chemical soil factors, but that changes in the nutrient profile of colony soils are predominantly guano-driven. We argue that the physical impact of seabirds on soil should not be overlooked as a soil-forming and ecosystem-shaping factor in island ecosystems, and that biopedturbation can exert major bottom-up influences on insular plant and animal communities.     

Fertility-mycorrhizal-isolate interactions in production of containerized pin oak seedlings

Slow-release fertilizer rates (0, 1.1 and 4.5 kg/m³ of 14 N-6 P-11.6 K Osmocote) and isolates of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker and Couch affected growth and mycorrhizal development on pin oak (Quercus palustris Meunchh.) seedlings. Mycorrhizae developed on all inoculated seedlings after 8 weeks regardless of fertility regime. Through the first 14 weeks, the best mycorrhizal development occurred on all inoculated seedlings fertilized at the lower fertilizer rate. The higher fertilizer rate delayed mycorrhizal development. However, after 18 weeks there were no significant differences in mycorrhizae on inoculated seedlings receiving fertilizer. Inoculated, non-fertilized seedlings had significantly less mycorrhizae than fertilized seedlings throughout the experiment. Only one isolate increased seedling growth, and only at the higher fertilizer rate. No differences in plant height were found among non-inoculated control and inoculated seedlings at the low fertilizer rate.     

Liquoid-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation in the blue fox

The present experiments were performed to study the effects of a single high intravenous dose of Liquoid (10 mg/kg body weight) upon platelets, coagulation activities and hematocrit in blue foxes, and their correlation with the survival time. Both “short-living” (< 9 h) and “long-living” (24 h or more) blue foxes showed a marked consumption of coagulation factors, initial fall in fibrinogen, positive ethanol gel test and a gradual decrease in platelet counts. In addition “short-living” animals developed a marked rise in hematocrit, reflecting a considerable increase in vascular permeability. We conclude that activation of plasma proteases has as one of its effects increased permeability in microvasculatory vessels and that this may play a central role for the course and outcome of Liquoid-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation.     

Breeding and gestation facilities for swine. Matching biology to facility design.

The rate-limiting phase of commercial swine production is breeding. The design of the breeding/gestation facilities influences the capacity of the producer to efficiently manage the breeding stock around the time of service and during the postservice period. Thus, breeding design potentially affects total born litter size and farrowing rates. In general, with original construction and facility renovation, the three principal activities of the breeding/gestation phase of production, (1) boar exposure/estrus detection, (2) breeding, and (3) gestation and pregnancy detection, should be independently considered.     

Effect of Ampicillin on E. Coli of Swine Origin

The in vitro susceptibility of 103 cultures of E. coli isolated from scouring and nonscouring pigs, and four cultures of Salmonella isolated from a case of necrotic enteritis was tested against Ampicillin contained in nutrient broth at concentrations of 0, 0.1, 1.0 and 5.0 uG per ml. of the medium. All but three cultures of E. coli were found to be susceptible to 5.0 uG/ml., all Salmonella isolates were also susceptible to this concentration of the antibiotic. Susceptibility of E. coli was also tested by plating dilutions of fecal samples obtained from either a scouring or a nonscouring pig, with E.M.B. agar containing 0, 0.1, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 uG Ampicillin per ml. of the medium. No difference in the growth of E. coli was observed at 0, 0.1 and 1.0 uG concentrations. The three higher concentrations of the antibiotic inhibited the growth of E. coli proportional to the amount of Ampicillin in each concentration.

Ampicillin proved very effective in alleviating the symptoms of hemorrhagic enteritis in a 11-week old pig. The disappearance of scours was associated with the replacement of the previously existing sero-biotypes of fecal E. coliwith another aberrant type of E.coli which produced H₂S. No Ampicillin resistant strains of E. coli emerged following treatment of the animal with this antibiotic.

     

The Effect of Selenium Treatment on the Weight Gains of Lambs

Two trials were conducted with lambs to evaluate the growth promoting effects of selenium administered orally at a level of 5 mg per month during the pasture season.

No statistically significant effect on weight gains was found to be attributable to selenium administration in either the single lamb or the twin lamb experiment. In both trials there was a trend in the data that suggested a deleterious effect of selenium on weight gains.