Soil organic carbon allocation and dynamics under perennial energy crops and their feedbacks with soil microbial biomass and activity

The cultivation of perennial instead of annual energy crops has received growing interest. Previous studies identified numerous beneficial effects of perennial energy crop (PEC) cultivation for the agricultural landscape such as promotion of agrobiodiversity, reduced requirements for agrochemicals and fertilizers as well as a large potential for carbon accumulation in soil. However, the mere presence of soil organic matter (SOM) accumulation gives no indication about the persistence of the SOM for example after a recultivation of the stands. Therefore, this study focused on SOM pools of different density fractions and soil microbial parameters. Six different PECs were tested against a typical benchmark system as feedstock for anaerobic digestion. The study has shown that all PEC species increased soil microbial activity and provided an insight how they sequester carbon in soil. Moreover, significant modifications in basic soil properties caused by plant growth were observed. For example, the cultivation of giant knotweed has lowered the soil pH by more than 0.5 pH units compared to the benchmark system. After 5 years of PEC cultivation, total soil organic carbon stocks were increased between 1,500 ± 400 and 4,500 ± 1,500 kg C ha^-1 for the upper 10 centimetres of soil. The distribution among different soil fractions showed species-specific patterns. Tall wheatgrass and Virginia mallow showed particular high accumulation rates in the mineral-associated SOM fraction which indicates long residence times of the SOM after a possible recultivation of the fields.     

Clinical response of nasal adenocarcinoma to cisplatin chemotherapy in 11 dogs.

In 11 dogs with nasal adenocarcinoma, IV treatment with 2 to 8 cycles of cisplatin at a dosage of 60 mg/m2 of body surface, given at 3-week intervals, resulted in a survival time of 8 to 128 weeks (mean, 32.7 weeks; median, 20 weeks). Radiography revealed complete remission in 2 dogs and partial remission in 1 dog, for an overall response rate of 27%. Clinical problems such as nasal discharge (n = 11), sneezing (n = 6), and epistaxis (n = 4) resolved in 1 to 2 weeks in all dogs after beginning chemotherapy.     

Limits and risks of biotechnology in veterinary medicine from the viewpoint of the reproductive biologist

New biotechnical methods in reproduction have been introduced in animal breeding via embryo transfer. There are no serious objections against these methods as long as the variety of species is reassured and the animal protection law is considered. More substantial objections exist against genetic engineering methods which alter the genome of animals. Beside for legal protection there is a strong public demand for the adequete awareness and responsibility of scientists who are active in this field. Comprehensive information on such research projects can lead to a better understanding of the aims and methods and might, therefore, help to reduce inadequate apprehensions.     

Investigation of a possible chain of Streptococcus suis infection in a pig breeding community using PCR-based genotyping

Streptococcus (S.) suis plays an important role in pig breeding causing invasive diseases such as meningitis and polyarthritis. Herd problems with Streptococcus suis are common in many pig farms and are frequently characterised by disease outbreaks. In this context, it is often important to identify chains of infection, e.g. between a farrow-to-wean and a grower farm. In the following case report a possible chain of infection among the different farms of a farrow-to-finish system was investigated. In two grower units herd problems with S. suis were present; the mortality was higher than 5 %. It appeared likely, that the streptococci causing these problems were transmitted from a single farrow-to-wean unit to the two different grower farms. In the respective farms swabs were taken from different healthy animals and, in the case of the grower farms, also from the infected animals. Genotypic profiling of strains by a multiplex-PCR and AFLP typing method revealed that two different S. suis pathotypes were responsible for the herd problems. Both pathotypes could not be detected in the farrow-to-wean farm.Thus, a chain of infection originating from the farrow-to-wean farm appeared unlikely. The multiplex PCR was in this case sufficient to elucidate the described problem.     

A neurologic syndrome in Golden Retrievers presenting as a sensory ataxic neuropathy

BACKGROUND: A sensory ataxic neuropathy has been observed in Swedish Golden Retrievers recently. ANIMALS: Twenty-one affected Golden Retrievers. METHODS: Clinical and neurologic status, electrophysiologic, and pathologic status as well as pedigree analyses were evaluated. RESULTS: Clinical signs had an insidious onset between 2 and 8 months of age and a slowly progressive course. Affected dogs were ataxic and dysmetric. They had abnormal postural reactions and decreased spinal reflexes but no apparent muscle atrophy. Clinical pathology, radiography, and electrophysiology of motor systems were all within reference values. Sensory nerve conduction results of affected dogs were significantly different from those of a group of control dogs. Necropsy revealed a chronic progressive central and peripheral sensorimotor axonopathy; the proprioceptive pathways were most severely affected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This disease in these Golden Retrievers is distinct from other canine breed-related neurodegenerative diseases or hereditary neurodegenerative diseases described in humans. Pedigree analyses indicated a hereditary background, but the mode of inheritance could not be established.