Intercohort cannibalism and post-partum behaviour of juvenile swordtail Xiphophorus helleri Heckel (Pisces: Poeciliidae)

Newborn (i.e. neonate) swordtail Xiphophorus helleri Heckel attempted to escape cannibalization attempts in a downward direction more frequently than in any other direction. The downward escape response is likely to be anti‐predator behaviour. In addition, neonates were often able to escape cannibalization at the time of birth, despite no previous exposure to predators, which suggests that this anti‐predator behaviour is innate. However, neonates at the time of birth were more vulnerable to cannibalism than older juveniles, which supports the hypothesis that anti‐predator behaviour is, at least in part, further developed as a result of previous experience (i.e. learning).     

Risk increase and economic consequences of the introduction of contagious animal diseases in the Netherlands

The paper describes the development of the Monte Carlo simulation model VIRiS (Virus Introduction Risk Simulation) and the results obtained with this model. VIRiS simulates the introduction of Classical Swine Fever (CSF) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) into the Netherlands. The model is based on objective information (research, databases), complemented by expert knowledge. Various questionnaire techniques (Conjoint Analysis, ELI) were used in order to elicit the experts' estimates in an objective and quantitative way. VIRiS provides information on the number of primary outbreaks in a certain period, their geographic location, causative risk factor, and causative country (or region). The information provided by VIRiS in combination with the outcome of models describing the spread and economic consequences of epidemics provides a tool that can be used to evaluate prevention strategies for their ability to reduce annual losses due to outbreaks.     

Spectroscopic characterization of mucilage (Chia seed) and polygalacturonic acid

Polygalacturonic acid (PGA) has frequently been suggested and used as a model substance for studying mucilage properties and effects in soil. While PGA has a defined chemical structure, the composition of mucilage as natural product can vary in space and time depending on the plant and soil conditions. However, it is still unclear if PGA can be used as surrogate for original mucilage when considering soil–mucilage interactions in the rhizosphere. Here the organic matter (OM) composition of PGA was compared with that of Chia seed mucilage and small‐scale spatial distribution of OM composition in mucilage droplets was analysed using Fourier transform mid infrared spectroscopy in KBr‐transmission technique (FTIR). Selected regions of dried Chia seed mucilage droplets were analysed using micro‐ Fourier transform mid infrared spectroscopy in transflection technique (micro‐FTIR). For PGA, the FTIR spectra revealed lower C–H/C=O and higher C=O/C–O–C ratios as compared to Chia seed mucilage, indicating a relatively lower potential hydrophobicity and higher sorption capacity of the OM in PGA than OM in mucilage. The micro‐FTIR spectra revealed that the potential hydrophobicity of a single freeze‐dried mucilage droplet was higher at the tip as compared to regions located above the tip. The results suggest that the use of PGA as model substance for mucilage is limited especially when trying to imitate the sorption and wettability properties of the Chia seed mucilage OM. The spatial heterogeneity in OM composition as well as shifts in maxima of C=O and O–H bands in micro FTIR spectra of the cross sectioned mucilage droplet suggest that the composition of mucilage is changing with time. These findings may help initiating future studies on the dynamics and variability of OM composition of mucilage.     

Germination of Fusarium oxysporum in root exudates from tomato plants challenged with different Fusarium oxysporum strains

The response of microconidia from pathogenic and non-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum to root exudates from tomato plants inoculated with different pathogenic and non-pathogenic F. oxysporum strains was studied. Root exudates from non-inoculated tomatoes highly stimulated the microconidial germination of the two tomato pathogens, F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici strain Fol 007 and F. oxysporum f.sp. radicis-lycopersici strain Forl 101587. In root exudates from tomato plants challenged with the pathogen Fol 007 the microconidial germination of Fol 007 was increased, whereas in root exudates from plants challenged with Forl 101587 the microconidial germination of Fol 007 was reduced. Root exudates of tomato plants challenged with the non-pathogenic unspecific F. oxysporum strain Fo 135 and the biocontrol strain Fo 47 clearly reduced microconidial germination of the pathogenic strain Forl 101587. Moreover, the microconidial germination rate of the biocontrol strain Fo 47 was increased in the presence of root exudates of tomato plants challenged with the tomato wilt pathogen Fol 007. These results indicate that pathogenic and non-pathogenic F. oxysporum strains alter the root exudation of tomato plants differently and consequently the fungal propagation of pathogenic and non-pathogenic F. oxysporum strains in the rhizosphere is affected differently.     

Short-term feeding of vitamin D3 improves color but does not change tenderness of pork-loin chops

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of short-term feeding of vitamin D3 (D3) on blood plasma calcium concentrations and meat quality of pork-loin chops. Three experiments were carried out to meet this objective. Experiment 1 used 250,000 IU and 500,000 IU/d to determine the effective dose of dietary D3 to raise blood plasma calcium concentration. Experiment 2 used 500,000 IU D3/d to determine the appropriate length of feeding time to elevate blood plasma calcium prior to harvest. Experiment 3 used 500,000 IU D3/d to determine the effectiveness of increased blood plasma calcium in improving postmortem quality and tenderness of pork-loin chops. Pigs fed 500,000 IU D3/d in Exp. 1 exhibited higher (P < 0.05) and more stable plasma calcium concentration over a 14-d feeding trial compared with pigs fed 250,000 IU D3/d and control pigs. Therefore, 500,000 IU D3/d was the dose chosen for Exp. 2, in which pigs fed 500,000 IU D3/d for 3 d prior to harvest exhibited elevated and stable plasma calcium concentrations; this length of time was deemed sufficient in which to observe differences in postmortem meat tenderness in Exp. 3. Vitamin D3 supplementation resulted in lower (P < 0.02) L* values and higher (P < 0.03) a* values of loin chops at 7 and 14 d of shelf storage. Vitamin D3 supplementation did not affect quality characteristics (measured by use of subjective scores) or tenderness (quantified via Warner-Bratzler shear force or Star probe values). On the basis of these findings, feeding 500,000 IU D3/d to finishing pigs improved most Hunter color values at 14 d of storage but did not improve pork-loin chop tenderness at 1 to 21 d of retail shelf storage.     

Effect of vitamin D3 supplementation level on the postmortem tenderization of beef from steers

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of different doses of vitamin D3 (VITD) on beef feedlot performance, plasma and muscle Ca2+, tissue residues, and improvement of Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBS) and panel tenderness. A total of 167 steers were fed one of six levels of VITD. The VITD treatments (28 steers/treatment) were 0, 0.5 x 10(6), 1 x 10(6), 2.5 x 10(6), 5 x 10(6), and 7.5 x 10(6) IU/steer daily of VITD fed nine consecutive days before slaughter. Feedlot performance and plasma Ca2+ were measured during the last 21 days on feed. Warner-Bratzler shear force was measured on strip loin and top round steaks at 7, 10, 14, and 21 d postmortem. The VITD treatments of 5 and 7.5 x 10(6) IU/steer daily decreased (P < 0.05) ADG, and VITD supplementation of 2.5, 5, and 7.5 x 10(6) IU/steer daily decreased average dry matter feed intake (P < 0.05) at the end of the feeding trial. Plasma Ca2+ increased linearly with VITD treatment (P < 0.01). Calpastatin and calpain activity were not influenced by treatment (P > 0.05), but muscle Ca2+ was increased (P < 0.05) by VITD treatments of 1, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 10(6) IU/steer daily. Feeding VITD did not influence (P > 0.05) carcass quality or yield traits. Supplementing VITD at levels of 1, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 10(6) IU/steer daily increased (P < 0.05) VITD concentrations in strip loin and liver samples. Cooking liver decreased VITD concentrations 10 to 28%. Vitamin D3 treatments of 0.5 and 7.5 x 10(6) IU/d reduced strip loin steak WBS at d 7 (P < 0.05), but VITD treatments did not decrease strip loin steak WBS at any other time postmortem. The VITD treatments of 0.5, 1, and 5 x 10(6) IU/steer daily decreased top round steak WBS at 7 d, and all VITD treatments decreased 10-d top round steak WBS (P < 0.05). Supplementing steers with 0.5 x 10(6) IU/steer daily of VITD also decreased (P < 0.05) top round steak WBS at 21 d postmortem compared with controls. Sensory tenderness at 7 d postmortem was increased (P < 0.05) by all VITD treatments in top round steaks, yet strip loin tenderness scores were not affected (P > 0.05) by VITD treatment. Treatment with VITD quadratically decreased (P < 0.05) round WBS. Thus, VITD treatment will effectively improve tenderness when cattle tend to be tough and have no impact on cattle that produce tender beef. Feeding steers 0.5 x 10(6) IU of VITD daily for 9 d improved tenderness in two muscles without negatively affecting feedlot performance or tissue residues.     

Einheimische Zecken als Überträger menschlicher Infektionskrankheiten

Zusammenfassung Es wird der Stand der Kenntnisse über die beiden von Zecken übertragenen menschlichen Infektionskrankheiten, FSME und Lyme, kurz dargestellt. Die Lyme-Krankheit ist erst jüngst als multi-systemischer Störungskomplex entdeckt worden, der u. a. dermale, neurologische und Herz-Veränderungen hervorrufen kann. Sie wird von Zecken, in Europa hauptsächlich vonIxodes ricinus, die mitBorrelia burgdorferi infiziert sind, übertragen. Für die Bundesrepublik Deutschland kann mit jährlich etwa 10000 Infektionen beim Menschen gerechnet werden. Die Lyme-Krankheit ist von der Sommer-Meningoenzephalitis zu unterscheiden, die ebenfalls von Zecken übertragen wird. Sie ist vor allem in Österreich und den südlichen Teilen der Bundesrepublik endemisch. Die frühen Stadien der Lyme-Krankheit können erfolgreich mit Antibiotika behandelt werden. Im Gegensatz zur Sommer-Meningoenzaphilitis ist bei Lyme eine vorbeugende Schutzimpfung derzeit noch nicht möglich.

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Native tics as transmittors of human infectious diseases

Lyme-Disease is a recently discovered multi-system disorder causing dermal, neurological, heart and joint lesions. It is transmitted by tic bites, in Europe chieflyIxodes ricinus infected withBorrelia burgdorferi. Yearly approximately 10,000 cases of diseased persons can be estimated for the Federal Republic of Germany. Lyme-Disease has to be distinguished from Early-Summer Meningoencephalitis which is caused by virus-carrying tics of the same species, and are endemic in the southern parts of Germany and Austria. In early stages Lyme-Disease can successfully be treated by antibiotics. Contrary to Early Summer Meningoencephalitis prophylactic vaccination is not yet possible.

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