Polyomavirus infection in hamsters and trichoepitheliomas/cutaneous adnexal tumours

Multiple skin nodules, with histological features of adnexal tumours consistent with trichoepithelioma, were observed on the head and trunk of Syrian hamsters. Skin biopsies from 20 hamsters from five different colonies were affected, and two of the affected hamsters also had lymphoma. Two owners reported that 16 of 70 hamsters and 50 of 100 hamsters in their colonies had similar skin lesions. These tumours have previously been associated in laboratory colonies with hamster polyomavirus (HaPV) infection. Examination of skin tissues by electron microscopy failed to reveal intranuclear virus particles. Using recombinant major capsid protein VP1 of HaPV, VP1-specific antibodies were detected in sera from 12 of 12 affected hamsters and in four of four unaffected in-contact hamsters, by ELISA. The ELISA data were verified by immunoblot analysis. Eleven of 13 serum samples contained antibodies which reacted with at least one recombinant structural HaPV protein (VP2), including samples from three in-contact unaffected hamsters. Nine of the 11 anti-VP2-positive samples also reacted with recombinant VP3 of HaPV, and six reacted with VP1. Amplification by PCR and sequencing detected VP1 -encoding sequences showing a high degree of homology with HaPV. The findings suggest a possible infection by HaPV or a HaPV-like virus and it is likely that such an infection was enzootic within the affected colonies.     

Successful direct transfer of a deep frozen-thawed equine embryo

Embryos were flushed on day 7 after ovulation from two mares, and frozen using a conventional slow freezing procedure in phosphate buffered (PBS) saline supplemented with 10% FCS, 1.5 mol/L ethylene glycol and 0.25 mol/L sucrose. One of the two embryos was thawed after 10 months of storage in liquid nitrogen and transferred directly (without dilution of the cryoprotectant and quality examination) to a synchronized recipient. This transfer resulted in the birth of a live female foal. To our knowledge, this is the first live foal born after direct transfer of a frozen-thawed equine embryo.     

New ELISA test for detection of bovine leukemia virus infections in cattle, using bacterially synthesized p24

A new ELISA test is described for the detection of antibodies to bovine leukemia virus protein p24. This test employs a bacterially synthesized p24 antigen which represents a hybrid protein consisting of beta-galactosidase and about 70% of the mature viral p24. The antigen preparation was enriched from Escherichia coli cells to 95% purity and was used for the detection of antibodies in cattle. In a selected set of 100 positive field sera, 97 could be verified by the new test.     

The effects of Douglas-fir on tree-specific arthropod communities in mixed species stands with European beech and Norway spruce

The ecological effects of planting exotic Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] in Central Europe are still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to answer the question of whether Douglas-fir affects tree specific arthropod communities in different mature forest types (Douglas-fir, spruce and beech dominated) in Southern Germany. Therefore, arthropod communities of stem and tree crown strata of Douglas-fir and spruce (Picea abies L.) were sampled in the years 1999–2001 using arboreal photo-eclectors and flight interception traps. Statistical analysis was conducted for all species and focused on conifer specialists at three levels: (1) species diversity, (2) guild structure and (3) community structure. Within the stem stratum, species diversity was significantly higher on spruce than on Douglas-fir independent of year and stand composition. This could not be explained by a single feeding guild, rather by species changing strata during the vegetation period. In contrast, species diversity in tree crowns was approximately the same for both conifer species. However, communities in Douglas-fir crowns were conspicuously different from those in spruce crowns, especially in the Douglas-fir dominated stand type. While zoophagous insects exhibited higher activity on Douglas-fir in 2000, xylophagous beetles were more abundant on spruce in 2001. In European beech stands with widely spaced Douglas-fir trees, the site specific and broad-leaved tree related fauna might be maintained. In addition, Douglas-fir with its resource of Adelges cooleyi and crowns that overtop the broad-leaved tree canopy, offer additional resources for several aphidophagous and thermophile species.     

Nutrient Management for Eucalypt Plantations in South China

Eucalypts are very popular for revegetation in many parts of south China because of their capacity to tolerate degraded sites and unfertile soils,and their fast growth potential to coppice. This paper reviews a decade of field trials in china, undertaken as part of several bilateral researchprograms in plantation forestry, concerning the use of fertilizers, harvest residue management and inoculation with ectomycorrhizal fungi. One of the key questions addressed is whether the productivity of plantation eucalypts in south China can be increased to the world average by nutrient management across a rotation.     

The nameless counterpart: a reconstruction of the experiences of private forestry extension officers with their clients

The changes to the forest ownership structure of small private forests in recent times have opened up an intensive field of research throughout Europe. Most of the studies completed to date adhere to the classic survey model and describe the behaviour and attitudes of forest owners. The research presented in this article analyses the changes to small private forests with the aid of data collected from focus groups comprised of forestry extension officers in Germany. Through the reconstruction of the experiences gleaned by the consultants, it was possible to describe the manner in which they characterise their clientele, and the changes they have observed, against the backdrop of changes occurring across rural areas. The consultants’ strategies for describing forest owners are presented. The orientation pattern presented by the extension officers is compared with the urban orientation of forest owners’ model developed by social scientists.     

Versuche über die Empfindlichkeit vonTrichogramma (Hymenoptera,Chalcidoidea) gegenüber Fungiziden

Zusammenfassung Die Wirkung von 12 im Obstbau gebräuchlichen Fungiziden in praxisüblichen Anwendungskonzentrationen aufTrichogramma-Imagines wurde in Laborversuchen geprüft.Alle berücksichtigten Mehltau-Bekämpfungsmittel, Binapacryl, Dinocap, Triamphos und Chinomethionat, erwiesen sich als mehr oder weniger toxisch, desgleichen die Schorf-Bekämpfungsmittel Mancozeb, Dichlofluanid, Metiram und TMTD. Für die Schorf-Bekämpfungsmittel Captan, Dithianon, Dodin und Zineb wurde unter den Versuchsbedingungen keine Giftwirkung nachgewiesen.Die Angaben der Literatur über die Wirkung der genannten Fungizide aufTrichogramma und andere Chalcidoidea werden diskutiert.

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Summary The effects uponTrichogramma adults of 12 fungicides which are commonly in use in orchards, in normal concentrations were examined by laboratory trials.The mildew fungicides, binapacryl, dinocap, triamphos, and oxythioquinox proved to be toxic as well as the apple scab fungicides mancozeb (= coordination product of zinc ion and [ethylenebis(dithiocarbamato)] manganese), dichlofluanid, metiram (= zinc-activated polyethylene thiuram disulfide), and thiram. Under the conditions of the experiments, there was no evidence of a toxic effect exerted by the apple scab fungicides captan, dithianon, dodine, and zineb.The available data from literature on the effects of the fungicides mentioned uponTrichogramma and other chalcidoids are discussed.

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Durchgeführt mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.

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Dem Direktor des Instituts, Herrn Professor Dr. J. M. Franz, danke ich für sein reges Interesse an den Versuchen und die mir jederzeit gewährte Unterstützung.