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.     

The in vivo sensitivity of ATPases to DDT,DDE, and physical immobilization in American cockroaches

American cockroaches injected with sublethal doses of DDT (0.75 μg/roach) at 5-day intervals showed a 40% reduction in oligomycin-sensitive Mg²⁺ATPase from muscle homogenates, and a 23% reduction of Na⁺-K⁺ATPase from nerve cords. Thus, the maximum effect measured occurred with the same enzyme and tissue as determined from in vitro studies. The metabolite, DDE, used at 15 μg per roach, gave no significant change in activity of the ATPase system following injection. In contrast, high single doses of DDT (7.5 μg/roach) and 100 μg DDE and dicofol per roach caused over 30% increase in oligomycin-sensitive Mg²⁺ATPase of muscle and a 10–15% increase in Na⁺-K⁺ATPase of nerve cords measured 24 and 48 hr later. While a similar response was observed for Mg²⁺ATPase activities in cockroaches that were immobilized, the increase in enzyme activities were much greater than that caused by the pesticides.     

Pharmacokinetics of carfentanil and naltrexone in domestic goats (Capra hircus).

Using a crossover study design, the pharmacokinetics of carfentanil and naltrexone after i.v., i.m., and s.c. administration were determined in eight domestic goats (Capra hircus). Serial blood samples were taken up to 120 hr after carfentanil administration, and the plasma drug concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy. All goats were immobilized with 40 microg/kg carfentanil i.m., although the resulting neurologic effects varied considerably. Plasma profiles showed rapid carfentanil absorption and a simple biphasic decline for 12-48 hr. Naltrexone given at 100 mg naltrexone/mg carfentanil 30 min after carfentanil administration produced rapid reversal of immobilization after all routes of administration. Variable fluctuations in the naltrexone plasma concentrations during the first 2.5-3.5 hr were observed, followed by a more consistent biphasic decline. The time to standing was significantly shorter after i.v. compared with s.c. naltrexone, although the time difference (1 min) had little clinical relevance. No statistically significant differences between the naltrexone pharmacokinetic parameters measured for the three routes of naltrexone administration were identified, although the recoveries after i.m. administration were, subjectively, the smoothest. The carfentanil half-life did not differ significantly in the goats given naltrexone by different routes. Although it is currently recommended that the naltrexone dose be divided into s.c. and i.v. portions, this practice does not appear to offer any benefit.     

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.