Zwei Parasitenarten(Hym., Chalc., Eupelmidae undPteromalidae von Megastigmus pictus (Först.)(Hym., Chalc., Torymidae) in Lärchensamen

Zusammenfassung Auf Grund von 1968–1970 in Polen durchgeführten Untersuchungen wurden als bisher nicht bekannte Parasiten der in Lärchensamen lebendenMegastigmus pictus (Förster) (=M. seitneri Hoffm.) (Hymen., Torymidae) die ChalcidoidenEupelmus urozonus Dalm. (Hymen., Eupelmidae) undMesopolobus zetterstedtii (Dalla Torre) (Hymen., Pteromalidae) nachgewiesen.Die Zuchten aus Samen und Zapfen von 69 polnischen Oberförstereien (104 Standorte) zeigten, daß die beiden Parasiten eine beträchtliche Rolle bei der Einschränkung der Population vomMegastigmus pictus spielen können. Die Untersuchungen bilden die Grundlage für einen eventuellen Einsatz beider Parasitenarten zur biologischen Bekämpfung des Samenschädlings.

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Summary The autor demonstrates, as a result of investigation carried out in the years 1968–1970, thatEupelmus urozonus Dalm. (Hymen., Eupelmidae) andMesopolobus zetterstedtii (Dalla Torre) (Hymen., Pteromalidae) being parasites ofMegastigmus pictus (Förster) (=M. seitneri Hoffm.) (Hymen., Torymidae), an insect damaging the seeds of the European and Polish larch.It was stated from 69 forest districts (104 localities) in the area of Poland, that these parasites are able to play a considerable role in the limitation ofMegastigmus pictus populations. An indication of the se parasites may presage the possibility of a biological restriction of damages caused by this harmful insect.

     

Reaction of Oilseed Rape Cultivars to Sclerotinia Stem Rot in Field Environments

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, as an ubiquitous phytopathogenic Ascomycete fungus capable of infecting a wide range of plants, has increased in importance for oilseed rape production worldwide in recent years. The objective of this research was to determine the effectiveness of two measurements of disease rating in predicting the field reaction of cultivars to sclerotinia stem rot. One hundred and ten cultivars or lines of oilseed rape were repeatedly evaluated the disease severity index (DSI) and lesion length for their resistance to nine isolates of S. sclerotiorum in two field stations.There were greatly significant differences between two stations, among isolates, among population of cultivars for the disease severity index and lesion length, and also significant station×isolate interaction for lesion length and population×isolate interactions for DSI and lesion length, but interactions of station×isolate for DSI were not significant.Cultivars such as Pomorzanin and Lisek consistently had the lowest disease severity ratings in the field tests. However,most of cultivars were susceptible to sclerotinia stem rot in the field test. A positive correlation between the mean DSI and lesion length was found for both isolates (Sc23 and B1). The correlations ranged from 0.23 to 0.83 at various plots, with nine of the twelve correlations significant. The correlations for disease caused by different fungal isolates were statistically significant difference. These correlations ranged from -0.44 to 0.90, with nine of the thirty-two correlations significant. It indicated that resistance to some isolates was significantly correlated and selection of some varieties for resistance to one isolate appeared to improve resistance to other isolates.     

The Effect of Consumption of Selenium Enriched Rye/Wheat Sourdough Bread on the Body’s Selenium Status

The potential of selenium-enriched rye/wheat sourdough bread as a route for supplementing dietary selenium intakes is reported. In addition to their normal diets, 24 female volunteers (24 to 25 years old) were fed either selenium-enriched bread or non-enriched bread each day (68.02 and 0.84 μg selenium day⁻¹ respectively) for 4 weeks. The chemical form of the selenium in the bread had been characterised using HPLC-ICP-MS, which showed that 42% of the extractable selenium was present as selenomethionine. Plasma selenium levels and plasma platelet glutathione peroxidase (GPx1) activity were measured in the volunteers’ blood over a 6-week period. A statistically significant difference (p = 0.001) was observed in the mean percentage change data, calculated from the plasma selenium level measurements for the enriched and control group, over the duration of the study. A comparable difference was not observed for the platelet GPx1 activity (p = 0.756), over the same period. Two weeks after cessation of the feeding stage, i.e., at t = 6 weeks, the mean percentage change value for the selenium plasma levels in the enriched group was still significantly elevated, suggesting that the absorbed selenium had been incorporated into the body’s selenium reserves, and was then being slowly released back into the volunteers’ blood.     

Altered vitamin D metabolic system in follicular cysts of sows

This study aimed to examine 25OHD₃ concentration in the fluid of follicular and follicular lutein cysts of sows in comparison with preovulatory follicles as well as immunolocalize vitamin D metabolic enzymes (CYP27B1 and CYP24A1) and determine their protein abundances in the cyst wall. We have shown for the first time that 25OHD₃ level in the fluid of both cyst types was significantly lower than in preovulatory follicles. Furthermore, we have demonstrated CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 protein immunolocalization and abundance in follicular and follicular lutein cysts. The abundance of protein for both metabolic enzymes was decreased in ovarian cysts when compared to preovulatory follicles. We propose that altered VD metabolism in ovarian cyst might associate with their formation in sows.     

Bioefficacy of Hen Feather Keratin Hydrolysate and Compost on Vegetable Plant Growth

ABSTRACT

The potential of keratin wastes originating from poultry farms in practical application as a valuable organic fertilizer, gives rise to the need for intensive study on their effect on plants. In this study, for the first time there has been examined the influence of hen feather keratin bio-hydrolysate (FKH) and hen feather keratin compost (FKC) on plant growth, and the following features that indicate the plant condition: the leaf chlorophyll content, the activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) enzymes. The results of pot experiments showed a potential plant growth promoting effect of FKH, applied as a leaf treatment and of FKC manure. Fertilization of tested plants with FKC resulted in significant increase of their fresh weight. There was no effect on plant biomass after FKH treatment. The stimulating effect on plant physiology was expressed by decreased PAL activity after FKC treatment, and enhanced GPX activity, after FKH and FKC treatment. The application of FKC as a manure gave better effects for the plant condition expressed by the activity of PAL and GPX in comparison with FKH spraying. The chlorophyll content did not prove to be an efficient parameter to evaluate the impact of FKH or FKC on white cabbage, tomato, and maize plant. However, a significant increase in the leaf chlorophyll a, b, and a+b concentration was observed in cucumber plant after FKC treatment. Among the tested plants, the cucumber has shown the most profitable effect of feather compost on plant growth.     

Simultaneous application of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor inhibitor PTK787/ZK 222584 and ionizing radiation does not further reduce the growth of canine oral melanoma xenografts in nude mice

PTK787/ZK 222584 is an inhibitor of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor tyrosine kinases. In this study, the effectiveness of PTK787/ZK 222584 and radiation on canine oral melanoma xenografts was assessed. Xenografts were treated with radiotherapy (4x6Gy), or with PTK787/ZK 222584, or with a combination of both. Treatment efficacy was assessed using a tumour growth delay assay, serial power Doppler and pO(2) measurements during and after therapy. There was a significant growth delay for the group treated with radiation alone and for the combined treatment group. However, tumour growth delay was similar in both groups. Tumours were hypoxic before irradiation and no significant re-oxygenation occurred during therapy. In all tumours, vascularity and perfusion were significantly lower at the end of the study but no significant differences in perfusion, vascularity and oxygenation status were observed between and within treatment groups. The combination of PTK787/ZK 222584 and radiotherapy did not perform better than radiotherapy alone in this model.     

Immunolocalisation of oestrogen receptors alpha (ERalpha) and beta (ERbeta) in porcine embryos and fetuses at different stages of gestation

The sites of oestrogen action can be shown by the localisation of their receptors in the target tissues. The aim of the present study was to show the localisation of oestrogen receptors in porcine embryos and fetuses obtained on days 18, 22, 32, 40, 50, 60, 71 and 90 post coitum (p.c.). The visualisation of proteins was conducted in embryos and various fetal organs such as gonads, uterus, lung, kidney, intestine and adrenal gland. Both ERs were observed in the blastocysts on day 18 p.c. In the male, ERbeta was detected in the testis and epididymis, whereas ERalpha was present in the efferent ductules. In the female, ERbeta was detected in the ovarian stromal cells investing the oocyte nests, while ERalpha protein was detected in the surface epithelium. In the uterus, ERs were present in the stromal cells, while ERbeta was present in the luminal epithelium. In the non-reproductive fetal porcine tissues ERbeta was localised in the lungs, kidneys, adrenal glands and in the umbilical cords. Both ERs were observed in the intestine. It is possible that ERbeta may play important roles in the development of the adrenal gland, testis, kidney and lungs, while both ERs are involved in the development of the ovary, uterus, epididymis and intestine of the porcine fetus.     

Preliminary study of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) during low- and high-dose radiation therapy of dogs with spontaneous tumors

High plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations are associated with radiation resistance and poor prognosis. After an exposure to ionizing radiation in cell culture an early phase and a late phase of increased VEGF have been documented. The activation was dependent on the radiation dose. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to measure baseline plasma VEGF and changes in VEGF over the course of fractionated radiation therapy in dogs with spontaneous tumors. Dogs with tumors had a significantly higher pretreatment plasma VEGF than did dogs without tumors. Immediately after irradiation no increased plasma VEGF was observed. Over the course of radiation therapy there was an increased plasma VEGF in dogs treated with low doses per fraction/high total dose, whereas plasma VEGF remained stable in dogs irradiated with high doses per fraction/low total dose. The regulatory mechanisms are very complex, and therefore the value of plasma VEGF measurements as an indirect marker of angiogenesis induced by radiotherapy is limited.