Vergleichende Untersuchung von Phosphorwasserstoff entwickelnden Präpapaten zur Getreidebegasung

Zusammenfassung Die Ergebnisse der hier dargestellten Versuche zeigen, sowohl bezüglich der Verteilung des Phosphorwasserstoffes im Getreide als auch bezüglich der Wirksamkeit der PH₃-Präparate auf die Abtötung der Schädlinge, eindeutig, daß die Art der Verteilung der Präparate eine wesentliche Rolle für den Begasungserfolg spielt. Hierbei stellt das Gewicht der Präparate (Pellet, Tablette, Beutel) einen entscheidenden Faktor für ihre Verteilung im Getreide und damit für den Erfolg der Begasung dar.Selbstverständlich ist auch das Präparat in Beutelform brauchbar für die Begasung von Schä dlingen in gelagertem Getreide. Der Hauptunterschied zwischen dem Beutel und der Tablette bzw. dem Pellet in der praktischen Anwendung besteht aber darin, daß Tablette und Pellet durch ihre gleichmäßigere Verteilung eine bessere Wirksamkeit m der Abtötung der Schädlinge bei gleichzeitig geringerer Dosierung pro Tonne Getreide besitzt.Bei der Getreidebegasung spielen schließlich auch ökonomische Gesichtspunkte eine Rolle.Es kann also der Schluß gezogen werden, daß Präparate in Papierbeuteln für die Getreidebegasung weder anwendungstechnische noch ökonomische Vorteile gegenüber dem bei uns bisher bekannten Tabletten- bzw. Pellet-Präparat besitzt.Auf Grund der Ergebnisse dieser Versuche wie auch der bisher gemachten Erfahrung bei der Anwendung von PH₃-Präparaten in der Getreidebegasung kann gesagt werden, daß Präparate wie Tabletten und Pellets für unsere Bedingungen sowohl hinsichtlich der Wirksamkeit gegenüber Getreideschädlingen wie auch in ökonomischer Hinsicht ausgezeichnet verwendbar sind.

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Summary Referring to the distribution of hydrogen phosphide in grain as well as to the effectiveness of the PH₃ preparations for the destruction of insect pests, the results of the herein described tests show clearly that the method of distribution of the preparations plays an essential part for the success of the fumigation. Hereby the weight of the preparations (pellet, tablet, bag) is a decisive factor for their distribution in grain and therefore also for the succes of the fumigation.Naturally, the preparation in bags is also usable for the fumigation of insect pests in stored grain. The main difference between bag and tablet, respectively pellet, in the practical application lies, however, in the fact that tablet and pellet, due to their more uniform distribution, are more effective for the destruction of insect pests allowing at the same time a reduced dosage rate per ton of grain. Last but not least, economical aspects represent an important factor in grain fumigation.It, therefore, can be concluded that reparations in paper bags have no advantages in grain fumigation, as far as technique of application and economy are concerned, when compared with the tablet and pellet preparations so far known in this country.Based on the results of these tests and on the experience gained in application of PH₃ preparations in grain fumigation, one can say that preparations like tablets and pellets are most suitable under our conditions as far as efficacy against grain insect pests and economical aspects are concerned.

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Karadjordjeva 17 (Jugoslawien)     

Outbreak of tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium caprae in a zoological garden

In the autumn of 2004, tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium caprae occurred in a zoo in Slovenia. A dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) was killed after a history of progressive emaciation. Necropsy findings indicated disseminated tuberculosis, which was confirmed by cultivation of M. caprae. Consequently, a tuberculin skin test was performed in all epidemiologically linked animals and another dromedary camel and six bison (Bison bison) were positive and killed. Mycobacterium caprae was isolated from two bison while M. scrofulaceum and Mycobacterium spp. were found in two other bison, respectively. The second dromedary camel was found to be negative for mycobacteria under both microscopic and culture tests. The isolates were investigated with commercial identification kits, IS6110 PCR, IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, spoligotyping and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units typing. Genotyping results revealed that the dromedary camel and the two bison were infected by the same M. caprae.     

Immunomodulatory effects of the methanolic extract of Epimedium alpinum in vitro

The effect of the methanolic extract of root and rhizome of Epimedium alpinum (MEEA) on phenotype and functions of rat lymphocytes in vitro was studied. It has been found that MEEA at lower concentrations (0.1 microg/ml and 1 microg/ml) significantly enhanced proliferation of splenocytes and thymocytes triggered by concanavalin A (Con A), whereas higher concentrations of the extract (50 microg/ml-500 microg/ml) were inhibitory. The stimulatory effect of MEEA on Con A-induced proliferation of splenocytes correlated with the up-regulation of interleukin-2 receptor alpha (IL-2Ralpha) expression. In addition, increased production of IL-2 was observed when a blocking IL-2Ralpha monoclonal antibody (mAb) was added to cell cultures. MEEA-suppressed proliferation of splenocytes was due to the inhibition of IL-2 production, the down-regulation of IL-2Ralpha expression and the induction of apoptosis. Cellular proliferation in the presence of inhibitory concentrations of MEEA higher than 50 microg/ml could not be restored by the addition of exogenous IL-2.     

Levamisole synergizes experimental F4ac+ Escherichia coli oral vaccine in stimulating ileal Peyer's patch T cells in weaned pigs

Recent findings demonstrate that priming by levamisole of weaned pigs experimentally vaccinated against postweaning colibacillosis (PWC) contributes to immune protection from challenge-induced clinical disease through stimulation of the mesenteric lymph node cells that participate in cell-mediated immunity. With the objective of better understanding the mechanisms by which levamisole induces protective mucosal cell-mediated immune response to vaccination against PWC, it was tested whether the drug synergizes experimental F4ac+ Escherichia coli oral vaccine in stimulating T cells also in the jejunal lamina propria (JLP) and ileal Peyer's patch (IPP) upon virulent challenge. Commercial crossbred pigs weaned at 4 weeks were allocated into two equal groups. The experimental group was i.m. primed with levamisole at an immunostimulatory dose of 2.5 mg/kg once daily, for 3 consecutive days, and controls received saline. Both groups were vaccinated orally with the vaccinal E. coli strain on day 0 and challenged with the virulent E. coli strain 7 days later. All pigs were killed on postchallenge day 6. The results determined by immunophenotyping of isolated cells indicate that priming by levamisole of the vaccinated weaned pigs selectively recruited and activated T cells in the IPP, a lymphoid organ-generating B lymphocytes. The pig IPP is normally populated with up to 5% of CD3+ T cells and CD6 is an activation antigen expressed exclusively by T cells in swine. Therefore, a significantly higher number of CD3+ (P < 0.01) and CD6+ (P < 0.001) cells observed within the IPP follicles of the primed-vaccinated vs. unprimed-vaccinated challenge-infected pigs suggest enhanced T cell-mediated immunity in this B-cell compartment induced by the potentiating action of the drug and vaccine. The ability of levamisole to influence interaction between activated T cells and B cells in the IPP of primed-vaccinated weaned pigs, and the possibility that this interaction plays a role in regulating B-cell maturation within the IPP follicles, are discussed.     

Chemical composition of the essential oils of serbian wild-growing Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia vulgaris

The chemical composition of the aerial and root essential oils, hydrodistilled from Artemisia absinthium L. and Artemisia vulgaris L. (wild-growing populations from Serbia), were studied by gas chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance. During the storage of plant material under controlled conditions, a significant decrease of essential oil yields (isolated directly after drying and after 1 year of storage) and significant differences in their chemical compositions were observed. A possible mechanism for the observed oil component interconversion has been discussed. The noticeable differences in the chemical composition of the oils isolated from roots and aerial parts of A. absinthium and A. vulgaris were also correlated with the diverging biosynthetic pathways of volatiles in the respective plant organs. The antimicrobial activities against the common human pathogens of all of the isolated oils were tested according to National Committee on Clinical Laboratory Standards. The oils showed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against the tested strains. Therefore, these oils can be used as flavor and fragrance ingredients.     

Cross-sectional survey on Toxoplasma gondii infection in cattle, sheep and pigs in Serbia: seroprevalence and risk factors

Toxoplasmosis is a globally distributed zoonosis with a clinical impact in the unborn fetus and in the immunosuppressed individual. In Serbia, studies of risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans have shown that the relatively high prevalence is associated mainly with consumption of undercooked meat and/or meat products. However, data on T. gondii infection in domestic animals mostly used for human consumption are scarce. We thus conducted a cross-sectional survey on the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in a representative sample of cattle, sheep and pigs from different regions of Serbia between June 2002 and June 2003, and analyzed the main risk factors associated with the infection. Sera from 611 cattle (yearlings and adults of both sexes), 511 ewes, and 605 pigs (market-weight and sows), were examined for T. gondii antibodies by the modified agglutination test. The seroprevalences determined were 76.3% in cattle, 84.5% in sheep and 28.9% in pigs. The antibody levels ranged from 1:25 to 1:400 in cattle, and up to 1:25,600 in sheep and to 1:12,800 in pigs. Among the seropositive, the proportion of high antibody levels (> or =1:1600), suggestive of acute infection, was 10% in sheep, and 4% in pigs. Possible association of the infection with biologically plausible risk factors including gender, age, herd size/farm type, type of housing, feeding practices and region, was analyzed by univariate analysis, and variables significant at P< or =0.1 were included in multivariate logistic regression models. The results showed that risk factors for cattle were small herd size (odds ratio, OR=2.19, 95% confidence interval, CI=1.28-3.75, P=0.004) and farm location in Western Serbia (OR=2.04, 95% CI=1.10-3.79, P=0.024), while housing in stables with access to outside pens was protective (OR=0.37, 95% CI=0.21-0.67, P=0.001). In sheep, an increased risk of infection was found in ewes from state-owned flocks (OR=4.18, 95% CI=2.18-8.00, P<0.001) vs. private flocks, and, interestingly, also in those from Western Serbia (OR=4.66, 95% CI=1.18-18.32, P=0.028). In pigs, the risk of infection was highly increased in adult animals (OR=3.87, 95% CI=2.6-5.76, P<0.001), as well as in those from finishing type farms (OR=3.96, 95% CI=1.97-7.94, P<0.001). In addition to providing data on the current T. gondii seroprevalence in meat animals in Serbia, the results of this study show the main risk factors associated with infection, thereby pointing to the type of preventive measures to reduce T. gondii infection.     

Integrated standardization concept for Angelica botanicals using quantitative NMR

Despite numerous in vitro/vivo and phytochemical studies, the active constituents of Angelica sinensis (AS) have not been conclusively identified for the standardization to bioactive markers. Phytochemical analyses of AS extracts and fractions that demonstrate activity in a panel of in vitro bioassays, have repeatedly pointed to ligustilide as being (associated with) the active principle(s). Due to the chemical instability of ligustilide and related issues in GC/LC analyses, new methods capable of quantifying ligustilide in mixtures that do not rely on an identical reference standard are in high demand. This study demonstrates how NMR can satisfy the requirement for simultaneous, multi-target quantification and qualitative identification. First, the AS activity was concentrated into a single fraction by RP-solid-phase extraction, as confirmed by an alkaline phosphatase, (anti-)estrogenicity and cytotoxicity assay. Next, a quantitative ¹H NMR (qHNMR) method was established and validated using standard compounds and comparing processing methods. Subsequent 1D/2D NMR and qHNMR analysis led to the identification and quantification of ligustilide and other minor components in the active fraction, and to the development of quality criteria for authentic AS preparations. The absolute and relative quantities of ligustilide, six minor alkyl phthalides, and groups of phenylpropanoids, polyynes, and poly-unsaturated fatty acids were measured by a combination of qHNMR and 2D COSY. The qNMR approach enables multi-target quality control of the bioactive fraction, and enables the integrated biological and chemical standardization of AS botanicals. This methodology can potentially be transferred to other botanicals with active principles that act synergistically, or that contain closely related and/or constituents, which have not been conclusively identified as the active principles.     

The Pollution Load by Nitrogen and Phosphorus in the Cetina River

The objective of the investigations of the Cetina River, located in southern Croatia, was to record specific characteristics and properties of the Cetina waters at nine stations. In addition to measurements undertaken in the Cetina River, the water quality of its most significant springs and tributaries, such as Kosinac, ?ilovka, Studenci and Mala Ruda, Velika Ruda and Grab, has also been measured. The water quality in the Cetina watershed has been evaluated in the following storage reservoirs: Peru?a, Bu?ko Blato and Pran?evi?i. The nitrogen compounds and phosphorus concentrations have been estimated at all these sampling sites over a 3-year period (2005–2008). Concentration levels at the Cetina-Vinali? sampling site for total N (from August 2005 to December 2008) ranged from 0 to 1.759 mg/L, for NH₃–N from 0 to 0.374 mg/L, for NO₃–N from 0.063 to 0.916 mg/L and for PO₄–P from 0 to 0.099 mg/L. The results prove that the Cetina-Vinali? sampling site is not polluted by nitrogen and phosphorus compounds. The river section from Trilj to the Pran?evi?i dam, where the water is used for the water supply of Omi?, Makarska and Dalmatian islands, has been polluted by wastewater because the majority of agricultural area, roads, industry and settlements are located upstream of it. The highest concentration for total N of 1.128 mg/L and of 1,527 total coliforms in 100 mL, expressed as a mean value for a 3-year period of investigations, was found at the sampling site Trilj. The results of concentration changes at the ?ikotina La?a and Cetina Radmanove Mlinice sampling sites show no regularities. The highest concentration for total N of 0.941 mg/L was measured at the Cetina Radmanove Mlinice during 2007. The highest concentration for NO₃–N of 0.916 mg/L was measured at the same sampling site. According to the investigations of the water quality of the Cetina springs and tributaries, the bacteriological most polluted river spring is Kosinac, and the bacteriological most polluted river tributary is Grab. With reference to the water quality in the Cetina storage reservoirs, it may be concluded that the lowest quality standard has been found within the Pran?evi?i storage reservoir regarding nitrogen compounds and phosphorus concentration levels.