Effects of feeding Kentucky 31 tall fescue seed infected with acremonium coenophialum to laboratory rats

An endophytic fungus found in Kentucky 31 (KY-31) tall fescue has been associated with the "summer syndrome" (fescue toxicity) in grazing cattle. Four experiments were conducted to investigate the use of weanling rats as an animal model to study the fescue toxicity syndrome. When graded levels of fungus-infected (INF) or fungus-free (FF) KY-31 seed were fed, feed intake and growth rates were inversely related to the amount of INF seed in the diet. When diets containing 50% seed were fed, rats eating INF seed had reduced (P less than .05) daily water consumption (9 vs 20 ml) and lowered (P less than .05) body temperatures (36.8 vs 37.7 C) when compared with the FF treatments. Autoclaving the seed increased feed intake and growth rate of rats receiving both INF and FF seed diets, but daily gains continued to be less (P less than .05) in the rats fed autoclaved INF diets when compared with rats fed autoclaved FF diets (2.3 vs 6.8 g). Rats fed diets containing either 40% shredded wheat on which the fescue endophyte had been grown or 40% shredded wheat that was not innoculated did not differ in performance. Crude fiber, nitrogen-free extract, gross energy and dry matter digestibilities were enhanced (P less than .05) by the presence of INF seed in the diets when compared with the FF seed treatments. Crude protein and ether extract digestibilities and apparent biological value of fescue protein were not affected by presence of the fungus. The effect of INF seed on organ weights was inconsistent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Gastric dilatation-volvulus associated with diaphragmatic hernia in three cats: clinical presentation, surgical treatment and presumptive aetiology

Three cats were examined because of acute dyspnoea and sudden abdominal enlargement. In all cats, radiographs revealed gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) and diaphragmatic hernia. Cardiovascular shock and dyspnoea were treated by intravenous fluid-therapy, oxygen administration and relief of diaphragmatic pressure by means of stomach decompression and in one case placing the patient in an inclined position. Gastric decompression was performed by needle gastrocentesis, placement of a rhino-gastric tube, or a combination of these. Diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy was performed in either case; one cat also underwent gastropexy. The immediate postoperative period resolved uneventfully and the cats were doing well at follow-up. Feline GDV is a rare event in which diaphragmatic hernia may be a predisposing factor.     

Zum Stand der Kenntnisse überProstephanus truncatus (Horn) (Col., Bostrichidae), einen gef?hrlichen Maissch?dling in Afrika

Es wird ein gedrängter Überblick über die Lebens- und Schadensweise sowie Möglichkeiten der Bekämpfung des BostrichidenProstephanus truncatus gegeben, der nach seiner Einschleppung aus Mittelamerika in Afrika zu einem gefürchteten Maisschädling werde. Besonders zahlreich vermehrt er sich in belieschten Maiskolben, eine in ländlichen Regionen der Tropen häufig praktizierte Lagerform. Neuere Untersuchungen deuten darauf hin, daß der Käfer die Kolben an der Pflanze schon vor der Einlagerung befällt.Die Verluste in Maislägern mitP. truncatus-Befall liegen durchschnittlich 4fach über dem sonst üblichen Niveau. Schätzungen ergaben, daß eine landesweite Ausbreitung des Schädlings in Kenia, das durch seine direkte Nachbarschaft mit dem außerordentlich stark betroffenen Tansania potentiell gefährdet ist, zu einem Ernteverlust von mindestens DM 33 Mio. pro Jahr führen würde. Dieser Ausfall müßte durch entsprechend hohe Importe ausgeglichen werden.     

Organic carbon-14 in the Amazon river system

Coarse and fine suspended particulate organic materials and dissolved humic and fulvic acids transported by the Amazon River all contain bomb-produced carbon-14, indicating relatively rapid turnover of the parent carbon pools. However, the carbon-14 contents of these coexisting carbon forms are measurably different and may reflect varying degrees of retention by soils in the drainage basin.     

The dissemination of Salmonella by meat and meat products from swine

Pork and pork products which are consumed raw, e.g. mincemeat or fresh Bologna sausage, are relatively often contaminated with salmonellae. In the average of one year we detected salmonellae in about 5% of the samples investigated. Due to seasonal and local influences up to 45% of the minced meat samples can be positive for salmonellae. In minced meat salmonellae grow only at temperatures above 7 degrees C. During frozen storage of meat for several weeks, the salmonella count decreases on an average of about 50%. A damaging of surviving salmonellae by the freezing and thawing process was not observed. On the contrary, in thawed mincemeat stored at 8 degrees C the growth of salmonellae is stimulated, i.e. they grow better than in mincemeat not frozen before. Growth of salmonellae in Bologna sausage ("frische Mettwurst") can be inhibited by adding of at least 2.5% nitrit curing salt, 0.3% glucono-delta-lactone, and lactic acid starter cultures, even if the product is stored at temperatures up to 25 degrees C. Likewise in spreadible and sliceable fermented sausage ("streichf?hige und schnittfeste Rohwurst") no growth of salmonellae is to be expected, if a similar technology secures a sufficient microbiological stability during the ripening and smoking process. Therefore, the dissemination of salmonellae by pork and pork products can be avoided by technological measures, but also by a reasonable conduct of the consumer in the household.     

Untersuchungen zur Lagerung von Erdbeeren unter Berücksichtigung verschiedener Verpackungsmaterialien

In order to reduce the loss of quality of freshly harvested strawberries during storage, the effects of different packaging materials were examined with regard to storage time and temperature regime (20°C with relative humidity 75%, 4°C with relative humidity 88%). Strawberry containers (500?g) were used differing in form, alignment and number of ventilation openings, top and material. It was found that a drop in temperature to 4°C preserved the quality of strawberries longer in all packaging variants. Nevertheless, the used packaging material had different effects on the quality parameters. The packaging material made of polypropylene, which was closed with a lid and was equipped only with little ventilation openings, yielded the best results, e.?g. the transpiration losses were strongly reduced, thus favouring the preservation of pulp consistency and colour stability of the fruits. On the other hand, the fresh mass during storage was reduced by the materials polyethylenterephthalat, polyactid and groundwood. The quality loss was less dependent on the material, but more dependent on the number of ventilation openings. The results showed that with increasing numbers of ventilation openings the transpiration losses increased and the consistency and colour stability of the fruits decreased. In this context, a strong reduction of pathogenic infestation in relation to the ventilation openings could not be observed. As such, the loss of freshness was lowest with the packaging material of polypropylene, followed by the polyethylenterephthalat, polyactid and groundwood. Moreover, it was found that the kind of packaging material and the ventilation openings had an effect on the amount of pressure marks and the discharge of cell sap of the strawberries. The uneven ground surface of the materials made of polyethylenterephthalat and polyactid increased the punctual pressure on the strawberry fruits, which led to pressure marks and injuries of the fruit surface. Sharp-edged ventilation openings close to the ground surface of these variants favoured injuries and cell sap discharges of the packaging.