Chronic cryptosporidiosis in Australian elapid snakes: control of an outbreak in a captive colony

An outbreak of chronic cryptosporidiosis resulting in hypertrophic gastritis occurred in a captive colony of Australian elapid snakes. Two species of the genus Notechiswere involved: Notechis ***ater(Black Tiger Snake) and Notechis scutatus (Eastern or Mainland Tiger Snake). The infection was eventually fatal in all 9 affected snakes. Typical histopathological findings of the stomach included mucosal thickening with cystic dilatation of gastric glands, moderate oedema and fibrosis of the lamina propria, and a mild to moderate patchy infiltration of inflammatory cells. Procedures implemented to contain the outbreak included the use of a formaldehyde-based disinfectant, prompt removal of faecal matter, uneaten and regurgitated food from enclosures, and examination of faecal specimens for Cryptosporidium oocysts and other pathogens.     

Intestinal microbiota differentially affect brush border enzyme activity and gene expression in the neonatal gnotobiotic pig

To study microbial influence on intestinal development pertaining to nutrient digestion, two separate gnotobiotic experiments were performed, each with 16 piglets allocated to four treatment groups: germfree (GF), monoassociation with Escherichia coli, monoassociation with Lactobacillus fermentum or conventionalization with faecal bacteria (CV). Enzyme activity and gene expression of lactase phlorizin hydrolase (LPH) and aminopeptidase N (APN) were measured in isolated enterocytes, harvested on day 14, using specific substrates and quantitative PCR respectively. Enterocytes of CV pigs had reduced APN activity, but had increased gene expression relative to GF, making the specific activity:mRNA (A:G) ratio dramatically lower (p < 0.05). Similarly, LPH A:G ratio was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in enterocytes of CV pigs as compared with GF. The results of co‐incubation of L. fermentum, E. coli and faecal bacteria with APN indicate a direct relationship between enzyme inactivation and specific A:G ratio in enterocytes. We conclude that enterocyte up‐regulation of APN expression occurs as either a direct response to microbial colonization or as a feedback mechanism in response to reduced enzyme activity through microbial degradation. This mechanism may play a role in ensuring effective competition of the host with the intestinal microbiota for available nutrients.     

Sickersaft-Austrag und Stickstoff-Fracht aus Mistmieten

Leachates and nitrogen leakage from farmyard manure heaps
Leachates from differently covered cattle manure heaps amount to 88.7–117.4 1/m³ within 177 days, nitrogen leakage to 89.0–119.0 g, respectively. A total protection against precipitation with plastic foil led to the lowest quantity of leachates indeed, but not to the lowest nitrogen leakage. During the first decomposition period no rain fell, but the quantities of leachates as well as the leakage of nitrogen were highest. After 20 days (11,7% of the experimental period) already 55.0–81.3% of total leachates and 71.2-87.0% of total nitrogen leakage were found, but only 1.7 % of the precipitate, fallen within 177 days. This clearly shows, that only the covering of manure heaps can not be sufficient either to reduce liquid leaching or nitrogen leakage significantly.     

面积比原理和泵的性能

介绍了离心泵的面积比原理,在假设v_(u1)=0及在最高水力效率点处v_2=v_t时,对面积比Y作了理论推导,获得了在Y<1,Y=1和Y>1时扬程曲线及轴功率曲线的大致形状。在试验的基础上,对无过载离心泵,建议Y在1.0～2.0范围内选择。