Stickstoffdüngungsversuche in einer Fichtenwuchsstockung (Picea abies Karst.) auf devastierter Kalkmergel-Rendzina: III. Einflüsse von Ernährungszustand und Inokulation auf die Inhaltsstoffe von Bast und Holz

Zusammenfassung In einem kombinierten Düngungs- und Infektionsversuch wurden die Beziehungen zwischen dem Ern?hrungszustand, dem Wachstum und der Rotf?uledisposition von N-Mangel-Fichten auf Kalkmergel-Rendzina geprüft. Die vorliegende Arbeit berichtet über die Wirkung der N-Düngung und künstlicher Infektionen mit Heterobasidion-Mycel auf den Gehalt an Extraktstoffen im Bast und Holz. Wurzelbast vom August (nicht aber vom April) von mehrmals gedüngten Fichten enthielt mehr Chloroform-und Ethanol/Wasser-Extrakt sowie Zucker- und Phenolkomponenten als die ungedüngten Varianten. Auch das Wurzelholz gedüngter Fichten war im August reicher an Extraktstoffen. Die N-Gaben steigerten au?erdem in beiden Geweben den Gehalt an l?slichen N-Verbindungen. Im Stamm erh?hte die Düngung die Gehalte an. Methanol-Extrakt sowie an einigen N-haltigen und phenolischen Verbindungen nur im ?u?eren Splint. Die Inokulation der St?mmchen durch Anbohren induzierte die Bildung von Reifholz und übergangszonen (zwischen Splint und verf?rbtem Reifholz), die besonders reich an Petrolether-Extrakt, Methanol-Extrakt und Lignanen waren. Diese Reaktionen der Fichten waren durch Düngung nicht beeinflu?t, da sie in inneren, vor der Düngung angelegten Stammbereichen abliefen. Die wiederholte N-Düngung führte im Wurzelbast vom April zu geringerer, in den August-Proben zu gesteigerter Hemmwirkung gegenüber Heterobasidion annosum im Biotest. Die Hemmung im August war mit dem Gehalt an phenolischen Komponenten positiv korreliert. Wurzelholz und ?u?erer Stamm-Splint von gedüngten B?umchen enthielten mehr Stickstoff und mehr Aminos?uren als die Kontrollfichten und stellten deshalb ein besonders günstiges, Substrat für den Pilz dar. Die Hemmwirkung des Reifholzes war positiv korreliert mit dem Gehalt an Methanol-Extrakt bzw. an Lignanen; ein Düngungseinflu? war nicht erkennbar. Für Stammholzfraktionen der inokulierten Fichten fand sich ein positiver Zusammenhang zwischen der Hemmwirkung und dem Gehalt an harzartigen Komponenten, die als Reaktion des Baumes auf die Verletzung vermehrt produziert wurden.

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Nitrogen fertilization experiments in a Norway spruce stand (Picea abies Karst.) of stagnant growth on devastated marly rendzina: III. Influence of fertilization and inoculation on the extractives in phloem and wood

Summary A combined fertilization and inoculation experiment was designed to study the interrelationships between nutritional status, growth, and susceptibility to heart rot of planted N-deficient Norway spruce growing on a rendzina soil (Rendoll). The present report describes the impact of N-fertilization and of inoculation withHeterobasidion annosum mycelium on the contents of extractives in the phloem and in the wood. Root phloem in August (but not in April) of spruces fertilized repeatedly contained more chloroform- and ethanol/water-soluble substances, and more sugars and phenolic compounds as compared with phloem from the controls. Root wood of fertilized trees was also richer in extractives. N-fertilization, in addition, always raised the contents of soluble N-fractions in both tissues, as well as the amount of methanol-soluble substances, N-containing compounds, and phenolics in the outer sapwood region of the stem. Inoculation of stems by introducingH.a. mycelium into auger holes induced the formation of heartwood and of transition zones (between sapwood and heartwood) which were especially rich in petrolether- and methanol-soluble substances and in lignans. These reactions were not influenced by fertilization, since they were located in the inner stem regions formed in advance of fertilization. Repeated N-application reduced the fungistatic effect onH.a. of root phloem in April but increased it in August. The inhibition in August was positively correlated with the contents of phenolic compounds. Root wood and outerstem sapwood of fertilized spruces were richer in N and amino acids than control trees and therefore offered a favorable substratum for the fungus. The inhibitory effect of heartwood was positively related to the content of methanol-soluble compounds and lignans; an effect of fertilization could not be found. For wood fractions of inoculated trees a positive interrelationship was detected between fungistatic effect and content of resin compounds, the production of which was promoted as a reaction of the tree to wounding.

     

Traditional phytotherapy in Central Italy (Marche, Abruzzo, and Latium)

In this study, the more significant results of extensive ethnopharmacobotanical research carried out by the author in the years 1977-2000 in 175 localities of three regions of Central Italy (Marche, Abruzzo, and Latium) have been reported and compared. The usages of 80 species belonging to 36 families are described, of which 71 were used in human therapy and 29 in veterinary medicine. Uses are suited with the number of localities in which they have been mentioned. Among the wild plant mainly still used, Malva sylvestris, Urtica dioica, and Sambucus nigra are particularly highly considered, while major uses of plants concern these plants in addition to Allium sativum, Rubus ulmifolius, Parietaria diffusa, Cynodon dactylon, and Ficus carica. Unusual phytotherapic uses concern Brassica oleracea, Taraxacum officinale (warts), Ruscus aculeatus, S. nigra (chilblains), Allium cepa (chilblains; to remove thorns and splinters), Juglans regia, R. ulmifolius (burns), and Euphorbia paralias (bites of weevers). Among new uses with only one quotation, we remember Cirsium arvense (intestinal disturbances), Centaurea bracteata (cough), Lupinus albus (calluses), Melittis melissophyllum (eye inflammations, antispasmodic), and Artemisia absinthium (tendon inflammations), while among plants employed in various regions with interesting less-known properties, there are C. arvense (emergency haemostatic), P. diffusa (insect bites), and Scrophularia canina (antiseptic and cicatrizing agent for wounds in bovines and sheep).     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN 57 CATS WITH PRIMARY PULMONARY NEOPLASIA

Primary pulmonary neoplasia is relatively uncommon in cats and generally has a poor prognosis. In this multicenter, retrospective study of 57 cats with pulmonary neoplasia, the most frequent presenting signs were anorexia/inappetence (39%) and cough (37%). The pulmonary tumors were considered to be incidental findings in 9% cats. In computed tomographic (CT) images, primary pulmonary tumors appeared as a pulmonary mass in 55 (96%) cats and as a disseminated pulmonary lesion without a defined mass in two (4%) cats. Most pulmonary tumors were in the caudal lobes, with 28 (49%) in the right caudal lobe and 17 (30%) in the left caudal lobe. CT features associated with pulmonary tumors included mass in contact with visceral pleura (96%), irregular margins (83%), well‐defined borders (79%), bronchial compression (74%), gas‐containing cavities (63%), foci of mineral attenuation (56%), and bronchial invasion (19%). The mean (range) maximal dimension of the pulmonary masses was 3.5 cm (1.1–11.5 cm). Additional foci of pulmonary disease compatible with metastasis were observed in 53% cats. Pleural fluid was evident in 30% cats and pulmonary thrombosis in 12% cats. The histologic diagnoses were 47 (82%) adenocarcinomas, six (11%) tumors of bronchial origin, three (5%) adenosquamous cell carcinomas, and one (2%) squamous cell carcinoma. In this series, adenocarcinoma was the predominant tumor type, but shared many features with less common tumor types. No associations were identified between tumor type and CT features. Prevalence of suspected intrapulmonary metastasis was higher than in previous radiographic studies of cats with lung tumors.     

Questionnaire study and postmortem findings in backyard chicken flocks in Finland

Background

Although modern commercial poultry production today is based on large farms and intensive husbandry, keeping backyard poultry has regained popularity in industrialized countries. However, the health status of backyard flocks is still relatively poorly documented. A questionnaire was sent to the owners of 376 backyard poultry flocks (<500 birds) in order to study health management procedures and characterize backyard poultry populations in Finland. Information was also collected on the postmortem findings from non-commercial flocks using necropsy data from the Finnish Food Safety Authority (Evira).

Results

Backyard flocks in Finland are small in size (<50 birds), comprising mainly chickens. Based on the results of the questionnaire, the health of such flocks is good, mortality low and vaccinations are not commonly used. Most of the flocks were registered in the national poultry register. The standard biosecurity practices are not generally applied and contact with wild birds, pets and farm animals is frequent, which can make the flocks more prone to infectious diseases. We conducted an 11-year retrospective study of the postmortem necropsy findings of the Evira in order to document the diseases, which caused mortality in backyard chickens in Finland. Necropsy was performed on a total of 132 non-commercial laying hens during 2000 – 2011. The most common postmortem findings were Marek’s disease (27%) and colibacillosis (17%).

Conclusions

This study is the first to report data on characteristics of and management practices for backyard chicken flocks in Finland. Close connections with commercial flocks are rare and farms are usually distantly located suggesting that the risk that these backyard flocks pose to commercial poultry is low.     

Enhanced inactivation of avian influenza virus at ?20°C by disinfectants supplemented with calcium chloride or other antifreeze agents

Avian influenza outbreaks have occurred during winter months, and effective disinfection of poultry premises at freezing temperatures is needed. The commercial disinfectants Virkon and Accel, supplemented with an antifreeze agent [propylene glycol (PG), methanol (MeOH), or calcium chloride (CaCl₂)], were evaluated for their effectiveness in killing avian influenza virus (AIV) at −20°C or 21°C. An AIV suspension was applied to stainless steel disks, air-dried, and covered with a disinfectant or antifreeze agent for 5 to 30 min. Virkon (2%) and Accel (6.25%) with 30% PG, 20% MeOH, or 20% CaCl₂ inactivated 6 log₁₀ AIV within 5 min at −20°C and 21°C. At these temperatures PG and MeOH alone did not kill AIV, but the 20% CaCl₂ solution alone inactivated 5 log₁₀ AIV within 10 min. The results suggested that CaCl₂ is potentially useful to enhance the effectiveness of disinfection of poultry facilities after outbreaks of AIV infection in warm and cold seasons.     

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of canine pyoderma isolates of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius for biofilm formation

Biofilm-forming ability is increasingly being recognized as an important virulence factor in several Staphylococcus species. This study evaluated the biofilm-forming ability of sixty canine derived clinical isolates of S. pseudintermedius, using three phenotypic methods, microtiter plate test (MtP), Congo red agar method (CRA) and tube adherence test, and the presence and impact of biofilm-associated genes (icaA and icaD). The results showed that icaA and icaD genes were detected concomitantly in 55 (91.7%) of 60 isolates. A majority (88.3%) of the strains screened had matching results by the tube adherence test, MtP and PCR analysis. Better agreement (95%) was found between the PCR-based analysis and the CRA. Results of the icaA and icaD gene PCRs showed good agreement with CRA results, with a kappa of 0.7. Comparing the phenotypic methods, the statistical analysis showed that the agreement among the phenotypical tests using categorical data was generally good. Considering two classes (biofilm producer and biofilm non-producer), the percentage of matching results between the CRA method and the tube adherence test and between the CRA method and the MtP was 93.3%. A concordance of 100% was revealed between the MtP and the tube adherence test. The results indicate a high prevalence of the ica genes within S. pseudintermedius isolates, and their presence is associated with in vitro formation of a biofilm. A combination of phenotypic and genotypic tests is recommended for investigating biofilm formation in S. pseudintermedius.     

Biology,incidence and host susceptibility of Pineus boerneri (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) in Colombian pine plantations

Adelgids (Hemiptera) in the genus Pineus have been reported as introduced insect pests causing serious losses to Pinus plantations worldwide. In 2008, Pineus boerneri was recorded for the first time in Colombia, with infestations noted on Pinus kesiya, P. tecunumanii, P. maximinoi and P. oocarpa. The lack of information on this insect in Colombia prompted investigations of its life cycle and infestation levels as well as host susceptibility of the main Pinus species planted in Colombia. In addition, the possibility of using a Ceraeochrysa species, an already established predator of adelgids in Colombia, for biological control was considered. Results showed that Pineus boerneri in Colombia has an anholocyclic life cycle comprised of four instars with a complete duration of between 49 and 97 d. Infestations were higher in the middle and upper part of trees. Pinus kesiya and P. maximinoi had the highest levels of susceptibility in field as well as in greenhouse trials. A survey of naturally infested trees showed P. tecunumanii to be moderately susceptible, whereas P. patula and P. oocarpa had low levels of susceptibility in a greenhouse trial but were not susceptible in the field. Investigations considering the impact of predation of Ceraeochrysa species showed a high predation rate of up to 140 P. boerneri consumed per day by a single Ceraeochrysa individual. Other predators of P. boerneri were recorded but were not sufficiently common to warrant detailed study.