Extremozymes for improving wool properties.

The project 'EXTRETEX' funded by the German Federal Foundation Environment (DBU, Osnabrück, Germany) aims at the improvement of wool properties dyeability, handle, felting behaviour and degree of whiteness by means of enzymes derived from extremophilic micro-organisms. In this paper the effects of a commercial thermo- and alkalistable protease on wool with regard to the degree of whiteness, the dyeability and the felting behaviour are presented. A method to treat wool top and wool fabric was developed on a laboratory scale in which the protease was integrated into the pre-washing step of a dyeing process. This treatment method was than scaled up and tested on an industrial winch beck for fabric. With this method-the addition of enzyme in the pre-washing step-the degree of whiteness is generally enhanced. Dyeing untreated and the enzyme-treated wool with Lanasol Blue 8G leads to an improved dyestuff uptake and a distinctive difference in the colour shade for the latter. Microscopy pictures of fibre cross-sections of these samples display a more even distribution of the dyestuff and a better penetration in the enzyme-treated wool fibres but the colour fastness of the enzyme-treated wool is decreased. Though the felting behaviour of the protease treated wool is significantly improved the felting tendency is still too high for an antifelting finish. An increased damage of the enzyme-treated wool in comparison with the untreated one was not observed.

The effect of selenium supplementation during the early post-mating period on embryonic survival in sheep.

The effect of selenium (Se) supplementation of ewes with blood Se concentrations ranging between 100-200 ng/ml on embryonic survival during the early post-mating period (days 15-35) was studied in 4 trials. In the 1st 2 trials 137 ewes were used in 1991 and 118 in 1992. After being mated as a single flock, these ewes were stratified randomly into 3 groups. One group served as a control, the 2nd was injected with 1 ml Deposel (containing 50 mg Se as Ba selenate) and the 3rd group injected with 1 ml containing 1 mg Se as Na selenite. During 1991, supplementation was administered immediately after the mating period. It was postponed by 14 days in 1992. Parenteral Se supplementation reduced (p < 0.10) the number of ewes that lambed by > 19% during 1991 but not during 1992. The number of ewes producing twins was unaffected. In Trials 3 and 4 there was a consistent indication that parenteral Se supplementation of pregnant ewes between 15-35 days after mating resulted in a reduced (22-40%) embryonic survival rate, although significant (p < or = 0.10) differences were only observed after the pooling of treatments receiving parenteral Se supplementation. Drenching of ewes with 50 mg Se as Na selenite resulted in a similar tendency. Biochemical appraisal of the blood, kidney and liver Se status of ewes failed to reveal toxic levels. The possible mechanisms involved in impaired embryonic survival are unclear. Supplementation of ewes during the 1st month of pregnancy with parenteral Se preparations is not recommended.

Cyanobacterial (blue-green algae) poisoning of livestock in the western Cape Province of South Africa.

Three outbreaks of cyanobacterial (blue-green algae) poisoning involving cattle and sheep are described. In 2 of these acute mortality was followed by photodermatitis in some of the surviving animals. In all 3 outbreaks the hepatotoxicity of the water collected from the dams where the animals had been drinking was confirmed following the intraperitoneal administration to mice. Nodularia spumigena was the dominant cyanobacterium in the first 2 outbreaks, and Microcystis aeruginosa in the third. The presence of the heptapeptide toxin microcystin-LR in the third outbreak was demonstrated by high pressure liquid chromatography.

Parenteral copper and selenium supplementation of sheep on legume-grass pastures: biochemical and production responses in lambs to maternal treatment.

Liver and kidney copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) concentrations were studied over a 7-month period after parenteral supplementation using Cu heptonate and barium (Ba) selenate in 44 8-month-old South African (SA) Mutton Merino wethers. Responses in plasma Cu and blood Se concentrations, as well as fecundity were also measured in a breeding flock of SA Mutton Merino ewes for 3 consecutive years. The effect of maternal supplementation with Cu and Se was assessed in terms of biochemical parameters and production responses in 654 lambs produced by these ewes. Parenteral treatments with Cu and Se raised liver and kidney concentrations (P < or = 0.05) for up to 7 months in wethers under conditions where liver Cu and Se respectively declined to concentrations below 30 mg/kg DM and 300 micrograms/kg dry matter (DM) in spring. Plasma Cu concentrations of breeding ewes which received Cu heptonate were increased (P < or = 0.05) by 18% relative to the control group in which concentrations declined to 91 micrograms/dl during late pregnancy. Blood Se concentrations of control ewes exceeded 200 ng/ml, and were unaffected by parenteral Se supplementation. Survival of progeny of Cu heptonate treated ewes tended (P < or = 0.10) to be improved by 13% (0.68 vs 0.60). This tendency was accompanied by generally higher (P < or = 0.10) plasma Cu concentrations of these lambs relative to control lambs at 10 - 20 and 45 - 55 d of age. Lambs of Cu supplemented ewes that died prior to weaning, had higher (P < or = 0.05) liver Cu concentrations than control group contemporaries.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Production responses of sheep supplemented with copper, cobalt and selenium on kikuyu ryegrass pastures.

The copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) status of SA Mutton Merino ewes grazing kikuyu-ryegrass pastures was investigated by analysing blood and liver samples. The response of ewes to oral supplementation with Cu, Cobalt (Co) and Se as single elements, or in 4 combinations were simultaneously assessed in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial experiment. Pastures grazed were low in Cu (less than 5 mg Cu/kg DM) except for the summer months, while pasture Se concentrations remained at concentrations less than 0,03 mg Se/kg DM for almost the entire period. Plasma Cu concentrations remained in excess of 80 micrograms/dl until pasture Cu concentrations decreased below 5 mg/kg DM. Blood Se concentrations generally reflected liver Se concentrations. Supplementation of ewes with 5 g Cu oxide needles (Embamin Copper LA, Rhône Poulenc) markedly increased (P < or = 0,01) hepatic Cu and plasma Cu concentrations. The monthly drenching of ewes with 5 mg Se as sodium selenite elevated blood Se concentrations to normal levels in excess of 100 ng/ml while ewes not supplemented with Se had blood Se concentrations indicative of a deficiency (50-100 ng/ml). Supplementation of ewes with Cu and Se elevated (P < or = 0,05) concentrations of these trace elements in the plasma and blood of their progeny. Supplementation of ewes with Cu and Se resulted in respective improvements (P < or = 0,05) of 5,3 and 4,8% in live mass during lactation, compared to contemporaries which did not receive either Cu or Se.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cobalt deficiency in pastured sheep in the south-western Cape Province.

Annually recurrent illthrift and mortalities in a small flock of pastured sheep at the Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Stellenbosch were cured by the supplementation of cobalt. The similarities between acute cobalt deficiency and ovine white liver disease are discussed.

The bent-leg syndrome in sheep. I. The effect of pregnancy and age of the ewe on concentrations of plasma minerals.

The effect of age of the ewe and pregnancy on concentrations of plasma calcium, phosphorus and magnesium and its relationship to the bent-leg syndrome in lambs, were investigated. This study included Merino ewes (n = 74), Dohne Merino ewes (n = 127), S A Mutton Merino ewes (n = 123) and S A Mutton Merino lambs (n = 145). Over a period of 8 years, 52 S A Mutton Merino ram lambs out of a total of 602 ram lambs weaned (8,6%), developed the bent-leg syndrome compared to the 2 ewe lambs out of 591 ewe lambs (0,3%) weaned. It was found that both the age of the ewe and pregnancy had no contributing effect in the development of this syndrome. The ewes of which the offspring developed the bent-leg syndrome, had an inverse plasma Ca:P ratio. Approximately 15% of the S A Mutton Merino ewes which gave birth to offspring which developed the bent-leg syndrome, had more than one lamb which developed this condition over the past 8 years. It is suggested that these ewes are carriers of certain genetic factors which can cause excessive phosphorus absorption. No differences in the concentration of plasma calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were found between ewe and ram lambs.

Cervical spine injury and radiography in alert, high-risk patients.

Controversy exists over the need for cervical spine radiographs in alert, nonintoxicated victims of blunt trauma. We identified 286 patients admitted to a Level II trauma center over a 14-month period who were alert (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] greater than 13) and considered at high risk for cervical spine injury by published criteria. All 5 (1.7%) fractures or ligament disruptions occurred in the group with neck pain or tenderness. Of the study group, 141 (49%) were asymptomatic for cervical injury and nonintoxicated (blood alcohol concentration (BAC) less than 100 mg/dL). Mandatory cervical spine radiography in this group would have resulted in an additional cost of $33,699. Routine cervical spine radiography in alert, nonintoxicated asymptomatic victims of blunt trauma is a costly practice that warrants further examination.

Breed differences in plasma calcium, phosphorus and magnesium concentrations of Merino, Dohne Merino and S.A. Mutton Merino sheep with relation to the bent-leg syndrome.

Plasma calcium, phosphorus and magnesium concentrations were determined in ewes and their single and twin lambs from birth for 120 days in Merino, Dohne Merino and South African Mutton Merino sheep. Mineral concentrations as well as the plasma calcium: phosphorus ratio were compared between breeds. Throughout the experimental period, plasma calcium and phosphorus concentrations were higher in both single and twin lambs than in the ewes of all 3 breeds. No breed differences in plasma calcium concentrations were found. Animals of the S.A. Mutton Merino breed had significantly higher (P less than 0.05) plasma phosphorus concentrations than the other 2 breeds. The plasma Ca:P ratio in the Merino and Dohne Merino ram lambs was approximately 1.1:1 and in the S.A. Mutton Merino 0.9:1. This converse plasma Ca:P ratio found in both the S.A. Mutton Merino ewes and lambs is believed to result in an induced plasma ionised calcium deficiency which leads to improper calcification of bone. This is believed to be a contributing factor in the bent-leg syndrome. No difference was recorded in body mass between ram lambs suffering from the bent-leg syndrome and unaffected ram lambs. Plasma magnesium concentrations were not affected by breed or age of the animals.

Family care of impaired elderly: a role theory approach.

To understand the behaviour of family members who take care of their impaired parents, a role theoretical model is presented. The model defines three dimensions of human behaviour for assessing the behaviour of role-incumbents. These three dimensions are indicated by the questions: What should be done? What is one willing to do? What can be done? This heuristic model is applied to the caring behaviour of adult children towards their impaired parents. Within each dimension a number of variables are specified and for each of them the scattered research findings of many recent studies in this area have been summarized and integrated. It seems justified to consider the model a useful guide for future research on family care of the elderly.

Nickel requirement for active hydrogenase formation in Alcaligenes eutrophus.

The nickel-dependent chemolithoautotrophic growth of Alcaligenes eutrophus is apparently due to a requirement of nickel for active hydrogenase formation. Cells grown heterotrophically with fructose and glycerol revealed a specific activity of soluble and membrane-bound hydrogenase which was severalfold higher than the normal autotrophic level. The omission of nickel from the medium did not affect heterotrophic growth, but the soluble hydrogenase activity was reduced significantly. In the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), almost no hydrogenase activity was detected. The addition of nickel allowed active hydrogenase formation even when EDTA was present. When chloramphenicol was added simultaneously with nickel to an EDTA-containing medium, almost no hydrogenase activity was found. This indicates that nickel ions are involved in a process which requires protein synthesis and not the direct reactivation of a preformed inactive protein. The formation of the membrane-bound hydrogenase also appeared to be nickel dependent. Autotrophic CO2 assimilation did not specifically require nickel ions, since formate was utilized in the presence of EDTA and the activity of ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase was not affected under these conditions.