Synthesis, molecular structure, and EPR analysis of the three-coordinate Ni(I) complex [Ni(PPh3)3][BF4].

The compound [Ni(PPh(3))(3)][BF(4)] x BF(3) x OEt(2) was isolated in crystalline form from the olefin oligomerization catalyst system Ni(PPh(3))(4)/BF(3) x OEt(2) and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. The influence of vibronic coupling on the EPR parameters of three-coordinate metal complexes with a 3d(9) electronic configuration was investigated within the framework of ligand field theory. Analytical expressions for g-tensor components and isotropic hyperfine coupling constants with ligand nuclei were obtained using first-order perturbation theory. It has been shown that the account of the vibronic interaction in the excited state predicts the existence of three-axial anisotropy of the g-tensor even at the level of first-order perturbation theory; two axes of the g-tensor located in a plane of three-coordinate structure can rotate about the main z axis when a compound is distorted by motion of ligands. It has been shown that in three points of the potential energy surface minimum, for which linear and quadric constants of the vibronic interactions have an identical signs, the HFS isotropic constant from one ligand is larger than HFS constants from the other two; for different vibronic constant signs the ratio between HFS constants varies on opposite. This theoretical researches are in the quality consent with experimental data for a three-coordinate Ni(I) and Cu(II) flat complexes.

Effects of type of forage fed to dairy heifers: associations between claw characteristics, clinical lameness, environment and behaviour.

Heifers were reared separately on wet fermented (WF) (grass silage based) or dry unfermented (DU) (straw based) diets. Clinical lameness was recorded and physical claw attributes were measured regularly, up to six months after calving at approximately two years of age. Two months before calving, some aspects of animal behaviour and the properties of slurry were studied. The incidence of lameness due to claw horn lesions was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in WF than in DU. WF suffered more serious heel erosion prior to calving (P < 0.05) and had softer claw horn at two (heel and axial sole) out of five sites throughout (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). The slurry produced by WF had lower total solids content (P < 0.05) and viscosity (P < 0.001). WF spent longer standing and feeding (P < 0.001). It is proposed that standing for longer in less viscous slurry contributed to softer claw horn and more severe heel erosion, predisposing WF to claw horn lesions causing lameness. Reducing contact with low dry matter slurry is recommended for improving claw health.

Neutrophil neutral endopeptidase variation and its regulation by opioid peptides.

The opioid peptide methionine-enkephalin (MENK) has significant immunomodulatory ability in addition to its neurotransmitter function. Since neutral endopeptidase (NEP, CD10, enkephalinase EC 3.4.24.11) cleaves opioid peptides, the presence and activity of NEP in neutrophils from different persons might be responsible for the diverse, neuropeptide-induced, responses of neutrophils from different donors [Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 650 (1992) 146]. The results obtained showed statistically significant differences in NEP activity among donors (high, medium and low). A 10-fold higher NEP activity in neutrophils (160-280 nmol/10(6) cells/h) and in their corresponding membrane preparations (550 nmol/mg protein/min) in our study, as compared to literature data, was a result of high specificity and affinity of Suc-Ala-Ala-Phe-pNA as substrate. In control nontreated neutrophils, the number of CD10 positive cells were not correlated with NEP activity. However, in neutrophils treated with a physiological (10(-10) M) concentration of MENK, two main events occurred; not only did the number of CD10 positive cells correlate with NEP activity, but contrary to control samples, MENK upregulated the expression of CD10 marker as demonstrated by an increase of mean florescence intensity (F-mean) in donors with low NEP activity. Taken together, these data add some clarity to the diverse activity of enkephalins in association with enzyme cleavage of those molecules.

Streamwater nitrate concentrations in six agricultural catchments in Scotland.

The concentrations of nitrate-N (NO3-N) in catchment inputs and outputs have been compared and contrasted between 6 farm catchments in Scotland, 3 in the West and 3 in the North-East. Forms of intensive animal farming ranging between beef and dairy cattle, sheep and poultry give different sources for potential NO3-N leakage from the systems. While stream reaches bordered by intensive cereal production give rise to the largest inputs to surface waters, climatic influences result in the more-efficient use of fertilizer- and farm waste-N in the West, and an enhanced potential for N-loss to waters in the cooler North-East, regardless of the N-inputs being considerably lower in the latter region. Although the EC Nitrate Directive limit of 11.3 mg NO3-N 1(-1) was not exceeded, peak values occurring during summer baseflows and autumn soil rewetting were commonly larger than the 'target' maximum concentration of 5.65 mg NO3-N 1-1.

Waste management systems of dairy cattle farms in Japan.

Recently, the size of livestock farms in Japan has been expanding and the pollution from farm wastes has become a serious problem in rural areas. Therefore it is necessary to design treatment strategies and improve the recycling of livestock manure for sustainability of agriculture in Japan. The dairy cattle waste management systems were studied at dairy farms in Aomori prefecture and in Hokkaido, Japan. The four farms, typical for the respective regions in Japan, were investigated on the basis of the land and livestock size, housing, overall farm and waste management, type of machinery and a farm labour force. A statistical comparison was made for housing, milking and waste handling systems of dairy farms. One of the waste handling strategies was aerobic slurry treatment and land irrigation of the treated liquid fraction. Such methods began to solve some of waste management problems created since 1967 in grassland farming areas of Hokkaido. The irrigation system supplies water fertiliser and organic material to land as well as shortening the spreading times. It recycles livestock resources, increases the soil fertility and rationalizes the farm management.

A complex containing both five- and six-coordinate

The title compound, aquachloro4,4'-dibromo-2, 2'-[o-phenylenebis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenolato-O,N,N', O'iron(III)-chloro4,4'-dibromo-2, 2'-[o-phenylenebis(nitrilomethyli-dyne)]diphenolato-O,N,N', O'iron(III)-dimethylformamide (1/1/1), [FeCl(C(20)H(12)Br(2)N(2)O(2))][FeCl(C(20)H(12)Br(2)N(2)O(2))(H(2)O)] .C(3)H(7)NO, contains one independent five-coordinate [FeCl(C(20)H(12)Br(2)N(2)O(2))] monomer, one six-coordinate [FeCl(C(20)H(12)Br(2)N(2)O(2))(H(2)O)] monomer and a non-coordinating dimethylformamide solvent molecule in the asymmetric unit. In the five-coordinate monomer, the Fe atom shows distorted square-pyramidal geometry, with the N and O atoms of the ligand at the base and the Cl atom at the apex of the pyramid. In the six-coordinate monomer, the Fe atom is in a distorted octahedral geometry and coordinated by the donor atoms of the tetrafunctional ligand in the horizontal plane, and the coordination sphere is completed by the O atom of the water molecule and the Cl atom at the axial positions. The title compound contains intermolecular O-H.O hydrogen bonds. Apart from these hydrogen bonds, there are also intermolecular C-H.Cl and C-H.O contacts.

[Detection of bovine leukemia virus antibodies using the cytotoxicity test in comparison with other serologic methods]. / Prükaz protilátek proti viru bovinní leukózy cytotoxickým testem ve srovnání s jinými sérologickými metodami.

In ninety-five serum samples taken in a herd of five-year to seven-year cattle that was heavily infected by bovine leukosis virus, the four serological assays were used for demonstration of the antibodies to bovine leukosis virus; cytotoxic test, immunodiffusion test in agar-agar, immunoenzymatic test and serum neutralizing test. The serum neutralizing test was found to be the most sensitive: further seven positive reagents were diagnosed in comparison with immunoenzymatic test; cytotoxic and immunodiffusion tests in agar-agar have the lowest sensitivity and the results of these tests are almost identical. It was found out in forty titrated samples that serum neutralizing test was by as much as 20 times more sensitive than immunoenzymatic test, the latter being about 50 times more sensitive than cytotoxic and immunodiffusion tests.

[Differential diagnosis of viral diarrheas in calves]. / Diferenciální diagnostika virových prujmu telat.

There is a description of the enzymoimmunologic method (ELISA), which was used for demonstration of rotaviruses and coronaviruses in the samples of excrements of the calves suffering from diarrheas. It is shown by a comparison with the results obtained by electron microscopy that the ELISA method provides by up to 50% higher capture rate and the reaction is highly specific. The method can also be applied to a detection of human rotavirus in the children's stool.

[Experimental and natural infection with the enzootic leukosis virus of cattle]. / Experimentální a prirozená infekce virem enzootické leukózy skotu (BLV).

A trial was performed with heifers at the age of six to seven months. The animals were experimentally infected with the lymphocytes of a virus-productive donor. Infection was produced in all the nine cases, as demonstrated by means of the positive syncytial test. As indicated by the results of the trial, the antibodies to the enzootic bovine leucosis virus (BLV) were produced soon after experimental infection. A high sensitivity of the serum-neutralization test and the ELISA method was demonstrated in this connection: by these methods, the antibodies were identified already two to three weeks after experimental infection whereas by the immunodiffusion test they could be detected only after five weeks. Twenty-four animals were exposed to natural contact infection. Within 270 days of the trial, the disease after contact was recorded only in one heifer out of the four that were in close contact with the experimentally infected animals. In this case, as compared with experimental infection, the antibodies were produced much later--after 85 to 93 days. Leucosis was recorded in none of the remaining animals. The reasons why such a favourable result was obtained were the thorough disinfection of the stables after blood collections and the strict observance of the aseptic conditions. The results of experimental infection in three cows were identical with those obtained in young cattle. In the experimentally infected dairy cows, antibodies in milk were determined by the ELISA method. As found, in milk the antibodies to BLV appear two to three weeks later than they do in serum. The ELISA method of BLV antibody detection can be used for the identification of infected animals in herds where enzootic bovine leucosis occurs.

[Radioimmunologic detection of antibodies to bovine leukemia virus]. / Radioimunologický prukaz protilátek proti viru leukózy skotu.

The radioimmunologic assay (RIA) was elaborated for a demonstration of serum antibodies to bovine leukosis virus. The procedure makes use of the viral antigen bond to the fixed phase of a polystyrene carrier. The method was compared with the ELISA method and pseudoneutralizing and immunodiffusion tests. High congruence of the results of the RIA and ELISA methods was achieved, making 95%. The RIA method is more sensitive than the immunodiffusion test.

Detection of cellular immunity to tumor-associated antigen(s) in mice by the macrophage spreading inhibition test.

Soluble preparations of antigens from a methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma of C57BI mice were prepared by homogenization of tumor tissue and high-speed centrifugation of the homogenate. These preparations were able to sensitize syngeneic mice to tumor-associated antigens (TAA) of the fibrosarcoma, and to provoke a delayed hypersensitivity reaction when injected into the footpad of sensitized mice. Furthermore, the same soluble preparations could inhibit in vitro the spreading of peritoneal macrophages from mice sensitized to TAA. A similar inhibition of macrophage spreading was obtained when peritoneal cells from C57BI mice, bearing transplants of the fibrosarcoma, were incubated with the preparations. We conclude that the macrophage spreading inhibition test, like other in vitro assays, can detect cell-mediated immunity to tumor-associated antigens.

(Bis[2-(2-oxido-1-naphthylmethylideneamino)phenyl]disulfide)chloroiron(III).

The crystal structure of the title compound, (bis[2-(2-oxido-2-naphthylideneamino)phenyl] disulfide-kappa(5)O,N,S,N',O')chloroiron(III), [FeCl(C(34)H(22)N(2)O(2)S(2))], has been determined. The structure consists of monomeric iron(III) complexes with distorted octahedral coordination. The disulfide functions as a pentadentate ligand and the Fe(III) atom is coordinated through two N, two O and one S atom, and one chloride ion. The distance between the second S atom and the Fe(III) atom is a non-bonding 3.8473 (14) A.

5-Chloro-N-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)salicylaldimine.

The title compound, N-(5-chloro-2-oxidobenzylidene)-2-hydroxy-5-methylanilinium, C(14)H(12)ClNO(2), is a tridentate Schiff base with almost planar molecules. Each molecule contains a strong intramolecular N-H.O hydrogen bond [2.576 (2) A]. There is also an intermolecular O-H.O hydrogen bond [2.695 (2) A] linking neighbouring molecules into infinite chains along the [101] direction.

Induction effects of polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other widespread aromatic environmental pollutants on microsomal monooxygenase activities in chick embryo liver.

Cytochrome P450-dependent 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), 7-pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase (PROD) and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD) activities in 14-day-old chick embryo livers were determined 24 h after pretreatment with selected widespread aromatic environmental contaminants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), hexachlorobenzene, and dialkylesters of phthalic acid, and compared with the inducing potencies of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and the coplanar and mono-o-chlorinated PCBs. The effects of other model inducers, i.e. phenobarbital and pyrazole, were also examined. Specificity of EROD induction was estimated with regard to contaminants frequently present in environmental samples and dose-response curves for EROD induction were determined. A strong induction (comparable with that by mono-o-chlorinated biphenyl treatment) by dibenzo[a,h]anthracene, benzo[k]fluoranthene or benzo[b]fluoranthene was found, but the maximal level of EROD activity inducible by TCDD was not achieved, partly due to the high toxicity of the tested PAHs. 3-Methylcholanthrene showed moderate inducing potencies; benz[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, chrysene and 2,2',3,4,4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl appeared to be weak inducers. Other PAHs and PCBs tested, as well as hexachlorobenzene, dialkyl phthalates, phenobarbital and pyrazole had no marked effects on the EROD level. ECOD activities were increased non-specifically by TCDD, 3-methylcholanthrene, hexachlorobenzene and phenobarbital. A significant enhancement of PROD activity by TCDD and related inducers was observed, while phenobarbital induced the PROD activity only weakly; SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the chicken phenobarbital-inducible cytochromes P4502H with apparent molecular weights 50 kDa were not markedly induced by the TCDD- or 3-methylcholanthrene treatments. Inhibition of EROD and PROD by 9-hydroxyellipticine, a specific inhibitor of rat hepatic cytochrome P4501A1, revealed that PROD induction by TCDD and other P4501A-inducers was probably a result of a broader substrate specificity of chick embryo P4501A. Measurement of EROD activities in chick embryo liver is highly sensitive, specific and suitable for the determination of TCDD-type toxicity of new drugs, agrochemicals, and industrial pollutants.

[N,N'-Bis(5-bromosalicylidene)-1,3-diaminopropane]nickel(II) and [N, N'-bis(5-chlorosalicylidene)-1,3-diaminopropane]copper(II).

The title compounds, ¿4,4'-dibromo-2,2'-[1, 3-propanediylbis(nitrilomethylidyne-N)]diphenolato-O,O '¿nickel(II), [Ni(C(17)H(14)Br(2)N(2)O(2))], and ¿4,4'-dichloro-2,2'-[1, 3-propanediylbis(nitrilomethylidyne-N)]diphenolato-O,O '¿copper(II), [Cu(C(17)H(14)Cl(2)N(2)O(2))], lie on crystallographic twofold axes. In both structures, the metal coordination sphere is a tetrahedrally distorted square plane formed by the four-coordinate N(2)O(2) donor set of the Schiff base imine-phenol ligands. In the Ni compound, the Ni-O and Ni-N distances are 1.908 (3) and 1.959 (4) A, respectively, while in the Cu compound, the Cu-O and Cu-N distances are 1.907 (2) and 1.960 (2) A, respectively. The two Schiff base moieties, which themselves are nearly planar, are inclined at an angle of 29.26 (7) degrees for the Ni compound and 29.26 (5) degrees for the Cu compound.

The effect of summer and winter seasons on the survival of Salmonella typhimurium and indicator micro-organisms during the storage of solid fraction of pig slurry.

AIMS: Investigations were carried out to observe the influence of winter/spring and summer periods on the survival of Salmonella typhimurium and indicator bacteria (psychrophilic, mesophilic, coliform and faecal coliform bacteria and faecal streptococci) in the solid fraction of pig slurry from agricultural wastewater treatment plant. METHODS AND RESULTS: Leather squares and PVC bottles with openings served as test carriers. They were inoculated with broth culture of Salm. typhimurium and introduced directly into the solid fraction. During the experiment, quantitative and qualitative examinations were carried out to determine the presence of Salm. typhimurium and observe the dynamics of indicator bacteria in the solid fraction. CONCLUSIONS: Salmonella typhimurium survived for 26 d in summer and for 85 d in winter/spring. The T90 values of indicator bacteria in summer ranged from 35.44 d (coliform bacteria) up to 100.29 d (mesophilic bacteria). The winter T90 values of indicator bacteria ranged from 74.58 d (faecal coliform bacteria) to 233.07 d (coliform bacteria). SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The present study demonstrated that it is necessary to pay increased attention to the manipulation of slurry solid fraction.