Piscine orthoreovirus‐3 is prevalent in wild seatrout (Salmo trutta L.) in Norway

In 2017, a PCR‐based survey for Piscine orthoreovirus‐3 (PRV‐3) was conducted in wild anadromous and non‐anadromous salmonids in Norway. In seatrout (anadromous Salmo trutta L.), the virus was present in 16.6% of the fish and in 15 of 21 investigated rivers. Four of 221 (1.8%) Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) from three of 15 rivers were also PCR‐positive, with Ct‐values indicating low amounts of viral RNA. All anadromous Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus L.) were PCR‐negative. Neither non‐anadromous trout (brown trout) nor landlocked salmon were PRV‐3 positive. Altogether, these findings suggest that in Norway PRV‐3 is more prevalent in the marine environment. In contrast, PRV‐3 is present in areas with intensive inland farming in continental Europe. PRV‐3 genome sequences from Norwegian seatrout grouped together with sequences from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) in Norway and Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch Walbaum) in Chile. At present, the origin of the virus remains unknown. Nevertheless, the study highlights the value of safeguarding native fish by upholding natural and artificial barriers that hinder introduction and spread, on a local or national scale, of alien fish species and their pathogens. Accordingly, further investigations of freshwater reservoirs and interactions with farmed salmonids are warranted.     

Acidification of Solid and Solution Phases at Greater Depths (> 150 cm) at Solling Spruce Site

The acidification of the soil and percolation water at soildepths from 150 to 500 cm was studied at the Solling spruce sitefrom 1991 to 1996. NH₄Cl exchangeable cations of the fineearth and bedrock fractions were obtained from different depthsand the soil solution composition was monitored at 150, 200,300, 400 and 500 cm depths using seven suction lysimeters at each depth.In the seepage water collected from 150 and 200 cm depth, pHvalues decreased in the period 1991 to 1996, but no significantchanges were observed in solutions collected below 200 cm depth.Element budgets of Al and M_b (Na, K, Mg, Ca) cationsindicated that buffering by exchange of Al with M_b cationsoccurred mainly in surface 200 cm soil depth. High variabilities in concentrations of SO₄ (at 150 cm) andM_a (Al, Mn, H, Fe) cations (at 300 and 500 cm) wereobserved. High variabilities in M_a cations could beassigned to one of the lysimeters at each depththat extracted low pH solutions. The amount of exchangeablecations in the fine earth and the bedrock fractions indicatedthat the acidification front (exchangeable M_b cations < 80equivalent percent) had occurred to soil depth of more than 360cm, but the extent of acidification that might have occurred inthe preindustrial period is not known. In both fine earth andbedrock fractions, depthwise changes of exchangeable M_a andM_b cations were quite similar, suggesting that rockfractions have contributed to proton buffering not only bysilicate weathering but also by cation exchange.     

Detection of weed algae in open pond cultures of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyanobacterium aponinum</Emphasis> using PAM

The potential use of non-arable land in the al-Wusta region of the Sultanate of Oman for the production of algae biomass was examined. Brackish cleaned production water from oil production supplemented with commercial fertilizer was used as growth medium. The indigenous isolate Cyanobacterium aponinum WP7(1) was grown in open ponds using batch or semi-continuous cultivation. Biomass production rates of 15–24 g/m²/day were achieved. The change of salinity due to evaporation, which was thought to be a major challenge, did not exceed 35 ppt. All cultures showed contaminations with weed algae. Contaminations with green algae or diatoms were detectable using fluorescence pattern excited by four different wavelengths using a pulse-amplitude-modulation chlorophyll fluorometer (PAM). It is possible to estimate the health level and the mayor groups of which a culture is composed using the PAM method. Therefore, the fluorescence of the photosynthetically inactive sample is compared with the fluorescence after all copies of photosystem II were closed by exposing the sample to a high-intensity light beam. A detection limit of one weed algae cell in a hundred cells was achieved.     

Evaluating fisheries systems: A comprehensive analytical framework and its application to the EU's Common Fisheries Policy

Despite regular reforms, problems under the EU's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) persist. In order to identify priorities for future reforms of the policy, we developed an analytical framework consisting of 17 criteria and specifying indicators, derived from scientific, wider fisheries, and common resources literature. We applied the framework to the CFP governance system, its regulations, institutions, and processes at EU as well as member state level. The results show that the CFP does not fully meet any of the 17 criteria for an effective resource policy. Its performance was assessed as “neutral” regarding 10 criteria and “negative” regarding seven criteria. Trend analysis shows that there is a slightly positive trend regarding the CFP's performance, with five criteria trending positively, 11 showing a neutral trend and only one criterion trending negatively (simplicity of rules). The analysis identified five criteria which are performing badly and have not improved over time: simplicity of rules, user‐pays principle, resource efficiency, accountability, and compliance mechanisms. Future reforms of the CFP should first and foremost address these criteria while continuing efforts to improve the CFP's performance regarding other criteria. The evaluation of the CFP demonstrates the applicability of the analytical framework which can also be applied to other multilevel fisheries governance systems. Moreover, the results can inform reforms of Regional Fisheries Management Organisations. Like the CFP, these institutions manage transboundary fisheries and have not effectively addressed the issues of resource rent capture and resource efficiency.     

Comparison of meniscal fibrochondrocyte and synoviocyte bioscaffolds toward meniscal tissue engineering in the dog

Tissue engineering is a promising field of study toward curing the meniscal deficient stifle; however the ideal cell type for this task is not known. We describe here the extraction of synoviocytes and meniscal fibrochondrocytes from arthroscopic debris from six dogs, which were cultured as tensioned bioscaffolds to synthesize meniscal-like fibrocartilage sheets. Despite the diseased status of the original tissues, synoviocytes and meniscal fibrochondrocytes had high viability at the time of removal from the joint. Glycosaminoglycan and collagen content of bioscaffolds did not differ. Meniscal fibrochondrocyte bioscaffolds contained more type II collagen, but collagen deposition was disorganized, with only 30–40% of cells viable. The collagen of synoviocyte bioscaffolds was organized into sheets and bands and 80–90% of cells were viable. Autologous, diseased meniscal fibrochondrocytes and synoviocytes are plausible cell sources for future meniscal tissue engineering research, however cell viability of meniscal fibrochondrocytes in the tensioned bioscaffolds was low.     

Culture of canine synoviocytes on porcine intestinal submucosa scaffolds as a strategy for meniscal tissue engineering for treatment of meniscal injury in dogs

Meniscal injury is a common cause of canine lameness. Tissue engineered bioscaffolds may be a treatment option for dogs suffering from meniscal damage. The aim of this study was to compare in vitro meniscal-like matrix formation and biomechanical properties of porcine intestinal submucosa sheets (SIS), used in canine meniscal regenerative medicine, to synoviocyte-seeded SIS bioscaffold (SSB), cultured with fetal bovine serum (SSBfbs) or chondrogenic growth factors (SSBgf). Synoviocytes from nine dogs were seeded on SIS and cultured for 30 days with 17.7% fetal bovine serum or recombinant chondrogenic growth factors (IGF-1, TGFβ1 and bFGF). The effect on fibrochondrogenesis was determined by comparing mRNA expression of collagen types Iα and IIα, aggrecan, and Sry-type homeobox protein-9 (SOX9) as well as protein expression of collagens I and II, glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and hydroxyproline.The effect of synoviocyte seeding and culture conditions on biochemical properties was determined by measuring peak load, tensile stiffness, resilience, and toughness of bioscaffolds. Pre-culture SIS contained 13.6% collagen and 2.9% double-stranded DNA. Chondrogenic growth factor treatment significantly increased SOX9, collagens I and IIα, aggrecan gene expression (P < 0.05), and histological deposition of fibrocartilage extracellular matrix (GAG and collagen II). Culture with synoviocytes increased SIS tensile peak load at failure, resilience, and toughness of bioscaffolds (P < 0.05). In conclusion, culturing SIS with synoviocytes prior to implantation might provide biomechanical benefits, and chondrogenic growth factor treatment of cultured synoviocytes improves in vitro axial meniscal matrix formation.     

Effects of meliorative additives on the adsorption and binding forms of heavy metals in a contaminated topsoil from a former sewage farm

In a laboratory study, a heavy metal contaminated topsoil from a former sewage farm in Berlin was amended with different additives: lime, ash/gypsum, bark mulch, brown coal and combinations of these treatments. After 8 weeks of incubation, pH of the lime and ash/gypsum treatments increased to 6.2–6.3 compared to 5.2–5.3 in the control and the other treatments. Organic-C content rose from 42 g/kg in the control to 46–53 g/kg in the organic amendments. In reaction to the pH-increase the water soluble fraction of Cd, Cu and Zn was reduced by roughly 60%, 30% and 80% respectively. Cd- and Zn-binding forms as determined with NH₄-acetate- and EDTA-extracts were not affected by the treatments, while the ash/gypsum-treatment increased EDTA-extractable Pb by 17%. The exchangeable Cu-Fraction (NH₄-acetate extract) was reduced in all treatments to 82–93% of the control values, with the greatest effects in the tree bark amendment. The FREUNDLICH adsorption isotherms also show an increased sorption of heavy metals in the lime and ash/gypsum treatments. Organic amendments alone or in combination with lime had little effect on heavy metal adsorption.     

Abteilung Integrierter Pflanzenschutz und Diagnostik

Faced with a large diversity of pests and diseases of regular or variable importance to fruit production, the Plant Protection Section has to deliver timely disease forecasts and decisions concerning potential control measures. The main strength of the Plant Protection Section has been a functional experimental set-up which lays an important foundation for the regional advisory service. Applied research has been a basis for developments in crop protection in the Lower Elbe region. Thus, crucial prerequisites for the introduction of Integrated Crop Protection have been established and further developed, always looking for solutions to existential problems. Problems in controlling of apple sucker and apple scab led to the establishment of the Fruit Experiment Station (OVA) Jork. Existential threats in subsequent years were posed by a large number of pests and diseases, including water voles and bitter rot in apple production, and fire blight, tree decline and little-cherry in sweet cherry production. Specific legislation covering the special fruit production area??Altes Land?? has been a milestone in securing the future of regional fruit production. Along similar lines, comprehensive surveys of the behaviour of crop protection compound residue have been conducted recently, the results being used as arguments against scientifically unfounded demands by food retailers concerning limitations of the number of detectable residues. The Plant Protection Section will continue to play a crucial role in the Fruit Experiment Station. Future challenges have to be met by a highly motivated and well equipped team.     

Structure and chemical composition of bast fibers isolated from developing hemp stem

Microscopic and chemical changes of hemp bast fibers were studied during the maturation from vegetative to grain maturity stages at both apical and basal regions of the stems. The content of protein was the main factor related to fiber maturation, whereas increased proportions of mannose and glucose and decreasing levels of galactose were also highly significant. Enhanced glucose deposition in apical fibers could be related to the gradual thickening of the fibers, whereas in basal regions the thickness of the fibers nearly reached the maximum at vegetative stages. In contrast, the extent of lignification remained close to 3-4% during plant growth. Hemp fiber lignins were rich in guaiacyl units and would be rather condensed in nature. In addition, the proportion of p-hydroxyphenyl units displayed a constant decline during maturation. A progressive chemical fractionation of hemp fibers provided further insights to the occurrence and nature of noncellulosic polysaccharides. Notably, these data pointed out that maturation is accompanied by a significant increase in water- and alkali-soluble components containing glucose- and mannose-related polymers and a decrease in arabinose and galactose components disrupted by diluted hydrochloric acid. Taken together, chemical features of the noncellulosic components suggest that the architecture of hemp fibers differs slightly from that of the more widely studied flax fibers.