Trophic interactions in soils as they affect energy and nutrient dynamics. IV. Flows of metabolic and biomass carbon

Flows of biomass and respiratory carbon were studied in a series of propylene-oxide sterilized soil microcosms. One-half of the microcosms received three pulsed additions of 200 ppm glucose-carbon to mimic rhizosphere carbon inputs. Biotic variables were: bacteria (Pseudomonas) alone, or amoebae (Acanthamoeba) and nematodes (Mesodiplogaster) singly, or both combined in the presence of bacteria.Over the 24-day experiment, respiration was significantly higher in the microcosms containing the bacterial grazers. Biomass accumulation by amoebae was significantly higher than that by nematodes. The nematodes respired up to 30-fold more CO₂ per unit biomass than did amoebae. Similar amounts of carbon flowed into both respiratory and biomass carbon in microcosms with fauna, compared with the bacteria-alone microcosms. However, partitioning of available carbon by the microfauna varied considerably, with little biomass production and relatively more CO₂-C produced in the nematode-containing microcosms. The amoebae, in contrast, allocated more carbon to tissue production (about 40% assimilation efficiency) and correspondingly less to CO₂.     

Alpha-Glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (insoluble) and lactic dehydrogenase activities in the skeletal muscles of two insects.

The flight muscle preparations of the dragonfly Pantala flavescens and the aquatic beetle Cybister confusus showed extremely low levels of lactic dehydrogenase activity and high levels of alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (insoluble) activity. The activities of these two enzymes in the leg muscle of the beetle were approximately the same (1:1), but lactic dehydrogenase activity was several times higher than that in the flight muscles of both Insects. These results have been interpreted as indicating the high energy-yielding demands of the flight muscles during continuous sustained activity, while the leg muscles of the beetle which are involved in swimming activity derive their energy predominantly through anaerobic glycolysis.     

Endocrine cells of the mucous membrane of the fundus region of the stomach of hibernating rodents]

The gastric mucous membrane was studied in the hibernating animal Citellus erythrogenys in different seasons (during 7-8 months a year the animal is in hibernation and its digestive tract is not functioning). During hibernation the general amount of enterochromaffin-like cells decreases and their composition changes: the number of active cells diminishes and that of less active cells grows. Such dynamics of cells suggests the participation of enterochromaffin-like cells of Citellus erythrogenys in the regulation of gastric secretion (in rats and mice these cells contain histamine stimulating the mucous membrane glands). The amount of true enterochromaffin cells is not sufficiently changed and they seem to be not directly related with digestion but to be producers of serotonin which (together with serotonin of the brain) takes part in sustaining the mechanisms of appearance and supporting of winter hibernation.     

FURTHER STUDIES ON THE BREAKDOWN OF 2:4-DICHLOROPHENOXYACETIC ACID BY A SOIL BACTERIUM

Bacterial growth rates and the kinetics of detoxication have been followed during the course of breakdown of 2:4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in a liquid mineral salt medium by cultures of Bacterium globiforme isolated from garden soil. It was found that toxicity persisted apparently unchanged long after bacterial growth had ceased, and finally disappeared suddenly after a lag period comparable in duration with those obtained in soil perfusion experiments. These results can best be explained by the production of highly phytotoxic intermediates in the first stages of 2:4-D breakdown. Preliminary experiments involving paper partition chromatography indicate that there may be at least two such intermediates.     

Viral and Bacterial Pathogens in Bovine Respiratory Disease in Finland

Pathogens causing bovine respiratory tract disease in Finland were investigated. Eighteen cattle herds with bovine respiratory disease were included. Five diseased calves from each farm were chosen for closer examination and tracheobronchial lavage. Blood samples were taken from the calves at the time of the investigation and from 86 calves 3–4 weeks later. In addition, 6–10 blood samples from animals of different ages were collected from each herd, resulting in 169 samples. Serum samples were tested for antibodies to bovine parainfluenza virus-3 (PIV-3), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine coronavirus (BCV), bovine adenovirus-3 (BAV-3) and bovine adenovirus-7 (BAV-7). About one third of the samples were also tested for antibodies to bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) with negative results. Bacteria were cultured from lavage fluid and in vitro susceptibility to selected antimicrobials was tested. According to serological findings, PIV-3, BAV-7, BAV-3, BCV and BRSV are common pathogens in Finnish cattle with respiratory problems. A titre rise especially for BAV-7 and BAV-3, the dual growth of Mycoplasma dispar and Pasteurella multocida, were typical findings in diseased calves. Pasteurella sp. strains showed no resistance to tested antimicrobials. Mycoplasma bovis and Mannheimia haemolytica were not found.     

Thrombocyte substitution in acute leukemia. Effect of histocompatibility on the clinical efficacy

Thrombocyte substitution is an essential prerequisite for intensive cytoreductive therapy in acute leukemia. Evaluating 228 thrombocyte transfusions in 17 patients shows that the clinical effectiveness of thrombocyte concentrates can be increased by making the coordination of HLA antigens of donor and receiver as good as possible. When measured in the corrected increment (CI) 24 hours after transfusion, the effectiveness of A3/B1 match preparations (CI = 7.0 +/- 1.6) is significantly higher than that of random preparations (CI = 3.0 +/- 0.5). With the presence of HLA antibodies an effective substitution (CI24 greater than or equal to 4.5) can only be achieved by A3/B1 match thrombocytes. This can only be realized by applying the fourfold thrombapheresis of single donors.     

Daphniopsis australis nov.sp. (Crustacea: Cladocera), a further daphniid in Australian salt lakes

Daphniopsis australis, a new species of cladoceran in Australian salt lakes, is described, and some brief comments on its distribution are given.     

Chemical composition of a preparation of the cell walls of Corynebacterium diphtheriae

The chemical characteristics of 6 batches of the preparation, obtained from the cell wall of C. diphtheriae grown in liquid and solid culture media, with respect to their content of nitrogen, hexoses, pentoses, total amino sugars, lipids and to the possible admixture of nucleic acids are presented. From the results of the chemical analysis of these batches their standardization according to the ratio of total amino sugars and pentoses to total nitrogen in C. diphtheriae cell-wall preparation is proposed.