Long-term rice-rice-green manure rotation changing the microbial communities in typical red paddy soil in South China

On the basis of a long-term(30 years) field experiment that involved four rotation systems, rice-rice-winter fallow(RRF), rice-rice-ryegrass(RRG), rice-rice-rape(RRP), and rice-rice-milk vetch(RRV), this study described the effects of green manure on the microbial communities in the red paddy soils using 454 pyrosequencing for the 16 S r RNA gene. The Chao1 richness and non-parametric Shannon's index increased in all soil samples that received green manure treatments. The communities' structures with the green manure applications were significantly dissimilar from that under the winter fallow. Using Metastats tests, many genera in the RRG, RRP and RRV soils were significantly different from those in the RRF soil, including a number of genera that functioned in the nitrogen and sulfur cycles. Analyses of the genera with these functions revealed the shifts in microbial ecosystem functions after long-term green manuring. Changes in the microbial communities increased the ammonium supply and decreased the soil acidification in green-manure-amended soils. Together, these data suggested powerful effects of green manure on both the microbial communities and the biogeochemical cycle driven by the shifts in bacterial functional groups.     

Will breeding for nitrogen use efficient crops lead to nitrogen use efficient cropping systems?: a simulation study of G×E×M interactions

The benefits of improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in crops are typically studied through the performance of the individual crop. However, in order to increase yields in a sustainable way, improving NUE of the cropping systems must be the aim. We did a model simulation study to investigate how improvement of NUE traits of individual crops affects the succeeding crops and the NUE of the crop rotation. Based on experimental results parameterization was altered for different types of improved NUE in the EU-Rotate_N model, e.g. through higher N harvest index, reduced litter loss or improved root depth penetration rate. The different ways of improving NUE have different effects on the cropping system, affecting either N uptake, the ability of the crop to hold on to N already taken up, or the fraction of crop N being harvested. Due to the different modes of action, the model simulations show that these changes in NUE traits will also have different effects on N leaching loss and on N availability and N loss in the following years. Simulations also show that the effect of genotypes with improved NUE depend on environment and crop management. This is true for the improved crop itself and when its effect is analyzed for the whole cropping system. The environmental conditions, crop choices and management will all affect the fate of the N left in the soil, and whether this will contribute mainly to leaching loss or be used for production in later crops. As an example, increasing pre-crop fertilization was shown to affect the leaching after the following oilseed rape crop with up to 50 kg N ha^?1 taken up before it was lost to the environment when pre-crop fertilization as well as root depth penetration rate was high. All in all, the simulations illustrate the concept of NUE as the result of interactions between genotype, environment and crop management (G×E×M).     

Development, characterization and diagnostic application of a monoclonal antibody specific for a proteinase K resistant Lawsonia intracellularis antigen

Proliferative enteropathy (PE) is one of the most important infections in pigs caused by Lawsonia intracellularis, an obligate intracellular bacterium. The purpose of the present investigation was to develop monoclonal antibodies with specificity to L. intracellularis useful both for diagnostic purposes (by immunohistochemistry) and for bacterial characterization. Several antibody producing hybridomas were established by fusion of mouse myeloma with spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with mucosa scrapings of the intestinal mucosa from a L. intracellularis infected pig. A monoclonal antibody (mAb), Law1-DK, isotyped as IgG2b was selected by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Histological sections of the intestines from pigs affected by proliferative enteropathy and in vitro grown bacteria in cell culture were tested positive for the presence of L. intracellularis with the mAb. A molecule at 21 kDa was recognized by the mAb in a Western blotting analysis when a whole-cell preparation of L. intracellularis was run on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). This antigen was released from L. intracellularis by mild heat treatment and was resistant to proteinase K digestion, suggesting it to be non-protein, e.g., lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This suggestion was supported by its presence in the aqueous phase of a phenol-water extract. The inhibitory effect of periodate oxidation on the antigen-antibody binding confirmed the participation of a carbohydrate epitope. The new mAb was tested highly specific for L. intracellularis by applying in situ hybridization with a L. intracellularis specific probe targeting 16S ribosomal RNA simultaneously with the IFAT.     

The influence of topography on the development of Alfisols on calcareous clayey till in Denmark

A detailed macro- and micro-morphological study of seven closely-adjacent soil profiles on calcareous clay tills in a long-established beech wood in central Denmark, shows that depth of decalcification, thickness of textural B horizon, development of umbric epipedons and development of albic sub-horizons are all related to slope inclination, slope form and to relative situation in the slope complex.The soils may be classified within four subgroups of Alfisols, while one is a Mollisol. The MAST of 8°C poses problems of typification at suborder level between frigid and mesic classes.Development of clay skins and of glaebules and concretions as indicators of the redeposition of mobilised components, are present to greater extent in stable slope situations; with least lateral subsoil water movement. Development of albic horizons is related to greater lateral water movement.Development of cutanic features by argilluviation - argillans - do not exclude features formed by redeposition of carbonates - calcitans. Soil plasmic fabrics with both features are termed calcisepic fabrics and prove deposition of clay and carbonates in the same soil horizons, usually the lower B and C(g) horizons.Morphologically the dark epipedons show intense humification and many fecal pellets because of the undisturbed and high plant productivity and intense biotic activity. The micromorphology is one of isotic argillasepic plasmic fabrics. The argillic horizons are dominantly insepic or vosepic, while the calcareous C horizons are either argillasepic, or calci-vosepic or calcisepic. It is possible that some of the carbonate reprecipitation post-dates the argilluviation, the carbonates derived during secondary dissolution in the suprajacent horizons.     

Occurrence of gaffkaemia in Lobsters in Norway.

Gaffkaemia is a bacterial disease which causes periodic, lethal epizootics in holding facilities for live American (Homarus americanus) and European (Homarus vulgaris) lobsters (Snieszko & Taylor 1947, Roskam 1957). Gaffkaemia, with the causative agent Aerococcus viridans, has been diagnosed in many countries in Europe and elsewhere. Roskam (1957, 1958) reported the disease in lobsters imported to the Netherlands from Norway. In Norway, however, the disease has never before been reported, though an experiment has shown that gaffkaemia could be induced in lobsters from a Norwegian area with injections of the A.T.C.C. type strain no. 10400 of the causative agent (Møllerud 1971).     

Energy balance,leptin, NEFA and IGF-I plasma concentrations and resumption of post partum ovarian activity in swedish red and white breed cows

In the purpose to provide further information in respect of the relationship between metabolism and post partum (PP) ovarian activity resumption in dairy cows, the aim of the present study was to characterize the energy balance (EB) and leptin, NEFA and IGF-I plasma levels in Swedish Red and White (SRW) cows with and without ovarian activity re-initiation within 7 weeks PP. The study was conducted on 12 primiparous SRW cows fed the same diet as total mixed ration for ad libitum intake. The EB was calculated weekly from parturition until seven weeks PP. Blood samples were collected weekly from one week before until 7 weeks after calving for leptin, NEFA and IGF-I analysis. For progesterone (P4) analysis, blood samples were collected two times per week from parturition until the end of the study. P4 profile was used in addition to the clinical examination to detect cows with and without ovarian activity resumption. The clinical and ultrasonographic examination, coupled with P4 profile analysis showed the resumption of ovarian activity within 7 weeks after calving in 8 (group A) and no ovarian resumption in 4 cows (group B). No significant differences were detected in the whole period of observation in the amount of milk production between the two groups, while the mean milk protein content was significantly lower in group B at the third week PP. The calculated EB was negative in both groups in the first three weeks after calving, but more marked in group B. NEFA and Leptin plasma levels did not show significant differences between the two groups. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that, when low milk producing primiparous cows are concerned, no significant differences in BW loss, milk yield, EB and leptin and NEFA plasma levels between the cows with and without resumption of ovarian activity within 7 weeks post partum were seen. However, significantly higher IGF-I levels in the first two weeks after calving were found in cows with post partum ovarian activity resumption, highlighting the important role of IGF-I as sensitive signal between metabolism and reproduction.     

The foot and ankle of Australopithecus sediba

A well-preserved and articulated partial foot and ankle of Australopithecus sediba, including an associated complete adult distal tibia, talus, and calcaneus, have been discovered at the Malapa site, South Africa, and reported in direct association with the female paratype Malapa Hominin 2. These fossils reveal a mosaic of primitive and derived features that are distinct from those seen in other hominins. The ankle (talocrural) joint is mostly humanlike in form and inferred function, and there is some evidence for a humanlike arch and Achilles tendon. However, Au. sediba is apelike in possessing a more gracile calcaneal body and a more robust medial malleolus than expected. These observations suggest, if present models of foot function are correct, that Au. sediba may have practiced a unique form of bipedalism and some degree of arboreality. Given the combination of features in the Au. sediba foot, as well as comparisons between Au. sediba and older hominins, homoplasy is implied in the acquisition of bipedal adaptations in the hominin foot.     

Characterisation of Non-Autoinducing Tropodithietic Acid (TDA) Production from Marine Sponge Pseudovibrio Species

The search for new antimicrobial compounds has gained added momentum in recent years, paralleled by the exponential rise in resistance to most known classes of current antibiotics. While modifications of existing drugs have brought some limited clinical success, there remains a critical need for new classes of antimicrobial compound to which key clinical pathogens will be naive. This has provided the context and impetus to marine biodiscovery programmes that seek to isolate and characterize new activities from the aquatic ecosystem. One new antibiotic to emerge from these initiatives is the antibacterial compound tropodithietic acid (TDA). The aim of this study was to provide insight into the bioactivity of and the factors governing the production of TDA in marine Pseudovibrio isolates from a collection of marine sponges. The TDA produced by these Pseudovibrio isolates exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of clinical pathogens, while TDA tolerance was frequent in non-TDA producing marine isolates. Comparative genomics analysis suggested a high degree of conservation among the tda biosynthetic clusters while expression studies revealed coordinated regulation of TDA synthesis upon transition from log to stationary phase growth, which was not induced by TDA itself or by the presence of the C10-acyl homoserine lactone quorum sensing signal molecule.     

Pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin administered in drinking water to recently weaned 3- to 4-week-old pigs with diarrhea experimentally induced by Escherichia coli O149:F4

OBJECTIVE: To measure effects of Escherichia coli O149:F4-induced diarrhea on water consumption and pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin after administration in drinking water. ANIMALS: 24 recently weaned 24- to 28-day-old crossbred pigs. PROCEDURE: 10 pigs were inoculated with E. coli O149:F4; all 10 pigs subsequently developed diarrhea. Pigs were medicated by administration of amoxicillin in the drinking water (0.75 mg/mL) for a 4-hour period on 2 consecutive days. Fourteen age-matched noninfected healthy pigs (control group) were medicated in a similar manner. Blood samples were obtained from both groups daily, and plasma concentrations of amoxicillin were analyzed by use of high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Diarrhea reduced the area under the plasma concentration-versus-time curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) of amoxicillin on the first day of medication by 56% and 63%, respectively. The AUC of amoxicillin on the second day of medication for diarrheic pigs did not differ significantly from that of control pigs on the first day of medication. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: E. coli-induced diarrhea reduced the AUC of amoxicillin and time that plasma concentration of amoxicillin was > 0.025 microg/mL and, hence, less likely to have a therapeutic effect on the first day of administration in drinking water. On the assumption that plasma concentrations may indirectly reflect concentrations at the site of infection, analysis of our results suggests that higher doses of amoxicillin may be appropriate for administration in drinking water during a 4-hour period on the first day that pigs have diarrhea attributable to E. coli O149:F4.