Pesticide contamination of the upper Elbe River and an adjacent floodplain area

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Pesticide contamination of river waters is a global problem, and therefore, authorities regularly monitor the water quality status. Especially, flood events might...     

Forest decline, nutrient supply and diagnostic fertilization in southwestern Germany and in southern California

Since the mid-1970's new types of forest damage (of unknown origin) were observed in West Germany. Nonspecific foliage losses and foliar discolorations are the most common symptoms. This resulted in a comprehensive research program being initiated in the fall of 1983 to investigate the nutritional status of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stands in southwest Germany, growing on a variety of sites. Forests at these sites revealed light to moderate damage or acute site-and species-specific nutritional disturbances involving Mg, K, Ca, Mn, and Zn. Historical comparisons of needle-analysis data showed a dramatic change of the nutrient supply at many sites over the last one or two decades.

As a working hypothesis, the adverse impacts of air pollutants (e.g. photo-oxidants) and/or acidic atmospheric precipitation are seen as inciting factors causing increased leaching of nutrient elements. The tree's potential to compensate for the nutrient losses by increased uptake are limited by the often poor nutrient supply for forest soils. Accelerated soil acidification increase nutrient leaching from the soil, probably enhancing decline. Over a short period, fertilization led to a decrease or to the disappearance of the symptoms, and to the improvement in the nutrient composition of the foliage.

Microscopy investigation of Norway-spruce needles indicated the regeneration potential on a histological level for moderate yellowed needles after fertilization. Furthermore, needles of nutrient-deficient-trees reveal typical tissue damages different to those caused by SO₂ or O₃.

Acid mist increased the leaching of K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn from the foliage. Even when nutrients are being leached from the foliage, nutrient uptake canbe increased by improving the nutrient supply in the soil.

Preliminary studies on the effects of damages caused by ozone (O₃) on ponderosa pine suggest imbalance in micronutrient concentrations of foliage.     

Preliminary biochemical observations of fishes inhabiting an acidified lake in Ontario,Canada

Blood serum and other tissues of white suckers (Catostomus commersoni) and other species of fish have been examined in a preliminary effort to understand losses of fish from acid lakes. Maturing females of highly acid George Lake failed to show the normal degree of increase in serum Ca over males captured in the same location. Elevated serum Ca was always observed in females, relative to males, from non-acid locations when maturation stages were similar. A number of body tissues were examined to determine whether the distributions of Ca or other elements were altered and the only striking change evident in fish from George Lake was their high Mn content. Bone in particular was examined for N, Na, Mg, P, K, and Ca and no evidence of demineralization was found. Other tests such as hemoglobin indicated that an anticipated adaptive response to asphyxia was absent. Our results indicate that potential mechanisms of fish losses such as asphyxia and starvation are unlikely to have been significant, however, they do not firmly establish any alternate mechanism. As a working hypothesis we suggest that Ca dynamics may limit ovarian development and that absorption of this metal at exchange surfaces may be impaired.     

Comparison of 2 Doses of Recombinant Human Thyrotropin for Thyroid Function Testing in Healthy and Suspected Hypothyroid Dogs

Background: Various protocols using different doses of recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) in TSH stimulation testing have been described. However, the influence of TSH dosage on thyroxine (T4) concentration has not yet been evaluated in suspected hypothyroid dogs.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of 2 doses of rhTSH.
Animals: Fifteen dogs with clinical signs consistent with hypothyroidism and abnormal stimulation results with 75 μg rhTSH and 18 clinically healthy dogs.
Methods: All dogs were stimulated with 75 and 150 μg rhTSH IV in a 1st and 2nd stimulation test, respectively. Blood samples were taken before and 6 hours after rhTSH administration for determination of total T4 concentration.
Results: Using the higher dose led to a normal test interpretation in 9 of the 15 dogs, in which stimulation had been abnormal using the lower dose. Based on follow-up information, hypothyroidism was excluded in 7 of these 9 dogs. In all 6 dogs with a blunted response to the higher dose, hypothyroidism could be confirmed. Healthy dogs showed significantly higher post-TSH T4 concentrations with the higher compared with the lower dose. Post-TSH T4 concentrations after TSH stimulation were not related to dogs' body weight in either healthy or diseased dogs.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: TSH dose significantly influenced test interpretation in suspected hypothyroid dogs. Differentiation between primary hypothyroidism and nonthyroidal disease was improved with 150 μg rhTSH. Because this effect was independent of the dogs' body weight, the higher dose is recommended in dogs that have concurrent disease or are receiving medication.     

Feline rabies. ABCD guidelines on prevention and management

OverviewRabies virus belongs to the genus Lyssavirus, together with European bat lyssaviruses 1 and 2. In clinical practice, rabies virus is easily inactivated by detergent-based disinfectants.InfectionRabid animals are the only source of infection. Virus is shed in the saliva some days before the onset of clinical signs and transmitted through a bite or a scratch to the skin or mucous membranes. The average incubation period in cats is 2 months, but may vary from 2 weeks to several months, or even years.Disease signsAny unexplained aggressive behaviour or sudden behavioural change in cats must be considered suspicious. Two disease manifestations have been identified in cats: the furious and the dumb form. Death occurs after a clinical course of 1–10 days.DiagnosisA definitive rabies diagnosis is obtained by post-mortem laboratory investigation. However, serological tests are used for post-vaccinal control, especially in the context of international movements.Disease managementPost-exposure vaccination of cats depends on the national public health regulations, and is forbidden in many countries.Vaccination recommendationsA single rabies vaccination induces a long-lasting immunity. Kittens should be vaccinated at 12–16 weeks of age to avoid interference from maternally derived antibodies and revaccinated 1 year later. Although some vaccines protect against virulent rabies virus challenge for 3 years or more, national or local legislation may call for annual boosters.     

Feline leukaemia. ABCD guidelines on prevention and management

OverviewFeline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that may induce depression of the immune system, anaemia and/or lymphoma. Over the past 25 years, the prevalence of FeLV infection has decreased considerably, thanks both to reliable tests for the identification of viraemic carriers and to effective vaccines.InfectionTransmission between cats occurs mainly through friendly contacts, but also through biting. In large groups of non-vaccinated cats, around 30–40% will develop persistent viraemia, 30–40% show transient viraemia and 20–30% seroconvert. Young kittens are especially susceptible to FeLV infection.Disease signsThe most common signs of persistent FeLV viraemia are immune suppression, anaemia and lymphoma. Less common signs are immune-mediated disease, chronic enteritis, reproductive disorders and peripheral neuropathies. Most persistently viraemic cats die within 2–3 years.DiagnosisIn low-prevalence areas there may be a risk of false-positive results; a doubtful positive test result in a healthy cat should therefore be confirmed, preferably by PCR for provirus. Asymptomatic FeLV-positive cats should be retested.Disease managementSupportive therapy and good nursing care are required. Secondary infections should be treated promptly. Cats infected with FeLV should remain indoors. Vaccination against common pathogens should be maintained. Inactivated vaccines are recommended. The virus does not survive for long outside the host.Vaccination recommendationsAll cats with an uncertain FeLV status should be tested prior to vaccination. All healthy cats at potential risk of exposure should be vaccinated against FeLV. Kittens should be vaccinated at 8–9 weeks of age, with a second vaccination at 12 weeks, followed by a booster 1 year later. The ABCD suggests that, in cats older than 3–4 years of age, a booster every 2–3 years suffices, in view of the significantly lower susceptibility of older cats.     

Midwest (U.S.A.) reservoir water quality modification

The impact of a flood control, low flow argumentation reservoir in the Midwestern part of the United States on BOD, COD, and ammonia was evaluated in this paper. Fifteen years of weekly water quality data (9 yr before impoundment and 6 yr after impoundment) from four sampling stations upstream and downstream of the reservoir were available for analysis. The annual loading rates of these parameters (kg ha^?1 vr^?1) were found to correlate well with annual runoff (cm yr^?1). Besides, the reservoir was found to have had a significant and beneficial impact on the downstream loading rates of BOD and COD, which were reduced by 55 and 75%, respectively. As for ammonia, the results of this study indicate that its annual loadings at downstream locations were not significantly affected by the reservoir. Average non-point source contributions of BOD and ammonia loadings into the system were found to be about 80 and 55%, respectively.     

Relationships between soil properties and feeding activity of soil fauna in acid forest soils

We investigated the relationships between soil chemical properties, humus form, and feeding activity in eight forest sites in Northrhine‐Westphalia, Germany. The study sites varied in forest type (oak, oak‐hornbeam, spruce, and pine). Three study sites were located under the same climatic conditions, and five study sites were distributed all over Northrhine‐Westphalia. We determined humus form, soil chemical properties, and feeding activity in three replication plots per site. We used the bait‐lamina test to determine feeding activity of soil fauna. Independent of forest type, all study sites were very acid with pH(CaCl₂) values in the Ah horizon between 2.8 and 4.0. The three study sites located under the same climatic conditions showed very homogenous soil chemical properties (pH in Ah: 2.9–3.0), whereas the five other sites varied significantly due to their soil chemical parameters (pH in Ah: 2.8–4.0). All single sites presented feeding activities with a very low spatial heterogeneity. Forest types and climatic conditions were not related to activity of soil fauna. Feeding activity and thickness of the O layer were strongly negatively correlated, whereas the activity was strongly positively correlated to soil pH in the five study sites with a wide range of soil chemical parameters. The three extremely acid forest sites presented significant differences in feeding activities that were not related to soil chemical properties.     

Meaningful combinations of chemotherapeutic agents

It is frequently assumed that, in general, combinations of antibiotics and similar chemotherapeutic agents are more efficient than the single chemotherapeutic, and that they can be combined without disadvantages for the activity of the single component. However, the specific properties of the combined substances, such as their antimicrobial spectrum and resistance, their pharmacokinetics and side effects, as well as their physical properties and formulation, have an enormous impact on the activity of combined chemotherapeutics. They may lead to an advantageous, but also to an indifferent or diminished activity of the combination in patients. Some of the important requirements for an advantageous combination of antibiotics and similarly functioning compounds will be reviewed and ways of avoiding mistakes are described.     

Combining agent-based and stock-flow modelling approaches in a participative analysis of the integrated land system in Reichraming, Austria

The integrated modelling of coupled socio-ecological systems in land-change science requires innovative model concepts capable of grasping the interrelations between socioeconomic and natural components. Here, we discuss the integrated socio-ecological model SERD (Simulation of Ecological Compatibility of Regional Development) that was developed for the municipality of Reichraming in Upper Austria in a participative 2-year process involving local stakeholders. SERD includes three main components: (1) an agent-based actors module that simulates decisions of farmsteads, the municipal administration and other important actors; (2) a spatially explicit (GIS based) land-use module that simulates land-use change at the level of individual parcels of land and (3) an integrated socio-ecological stock-flow module that simulates carbon and nitrogen flows through both socioeconomic and ecological system compartments. We report on outcomes of a scenario analysis that outlines possible future trajectories depending on both external (e.g. agricultural subsidies and prices) and internal (e.g. innovation, willingness to co-operate) factors. We find that both external and internal factors can affect the behaviour of the integrated system considerably. Local and regional policies are found to be able to counteract adverse global socioeconomic conditions to some extent, but not to reverse the trend altogether. We also find strong interdependencies between socioeconomic and ecological components of the system. Fully evaluating these interdependencies is, however, not possible at the local scale alone and will require explicit consideration of higher-level effects in future research.