Fungal infection of the eyes of the snake Epicrates chenchria maurus: enucleation under halothane narcosis

In a rainbow boa (Epicrates chenchria maurus) an affection of the spectacle of the eyes caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum is described for the first time. Enucleation was performed under premedication of Hypnodil and inhalation anesthesia with tracheal intubation, using Halothane. Résumé. On décrit, pour la première fois, chez le boa Epicrates chenchria maurus une affection des paupières transparentes causée par le fongus Fusarium oxysparum. L'énucléation a été faite sous prémédication d'Hypnodil et d'inhalation anesthésie avec intubation trachéale, utilisant Halothane. Zusammenfassung. In einer Boa, Epicrates chenchria maurus, wurde eine Erkrankung von der durchsichtigen Kapsel über dem Auge, verursacht durch den Fungus Fusarium oxysporum zum ersten Ma1 beschrieben. Enukleation wurde vorgenommen, unter Basisnarkose van Hypnodil und Einatmungsanästhesie mit trachealer Intubation, indem man Halothane gebrauchte.     

Surgical and conservative methods for removing mummified fetuses in cattle

The purpose of this study was to describe the findings and therapy in 4 cows and 1 heifer with mummified fetus. All animals were admitted at the clinic after several unsuccessful therapies with prostaglandin F2alpha and local uterine infusions. All animals were in good condition. In case 1, diagnosis of mummified fetus could not be confirmed after manual rectal palpation and ultrasonography whereas cases 2, 4, 5 all had mummified fetus. In case 3, the fetus was in maceration. Initial therapy consisted of administration of prostaglandin F2alpha and prostaglandin E2 followed by repeated administration of prostaglandin E2. Mummies (length from apex to rump 13-32 cm) could be taken out within 3 to 6 days per vias naturales in cases 2, 4, 5 and in case 3, bones (maximal length 4 cm) could be unhinged. The structure in the uterus of case 1 could not be mobilised and was consequently removed under sight control using colpotomy followed by hysterotomy. Animals 2, 3, 4 and 5 were pregnant on the occasion of telephone inquiry. On the basis of our results, we recommend the conservative medical therapy with PGE2 for cases of mummified fetus. Colpotomy and hysterotomy are reserved as therapy feasible if the use of prostaglandin E2 is not successful.     

Cutaneous leishmaniosis in a horse in southern Germany caused by Leishmania infantum

This report describes a case of cutaneous leishmaniosis in a horse in southern Germany. Diagnosis is based on histopathology, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. The protozoan was identified as Leishmania infantum via PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism. The horse did not show specific Leishmania antibodies. The lesions healed completely within 6 months without any specific treatment. Since neither the infected horse nor its dam had ever left their rural area, autochthonous infection in Germany cannot be excluded. Factors possibly influencing the epidemiological situation are discussed.     

Hygroscopic salts on the leaf surface as a possible cause of forest decline symptoms

Forest decline has been observed for about 20 years, especially in Central Europe and eastern North America. Whereas the direct effects of acid rain, acid fog and several trace gases on aerial parts of trees have been investigated, deposited atmospheric particles on leaf surfaces have been regarded as inert so far. By conductance measurements on the surface of coniferous needles an invisible wetness was observed over extended times. Washing experiments revealed this to be due to hygroscopic salts on the leaf surface, which will absorb water vapour mostly from leaf transpiration. The possible influence of salts on the microclimatic conditions on the leaf surface is outlined and it is concluded that they will act similar to a wick or a drying agent. This could form a direct link between air pollution and those forest decline symptoms which are connected with the water status of the trees.     

喹烯酮合成方法的改进

改进了专利报道的喹烯酮合成方法.改进后的方法使用廉价易得的反应原料、催化剂及溶剂,采用一步反应合成喹烯酮的生产工艺,产品经红外光谱、氢核磁共振及质谱等分析,与对照品一致.     

Increased density and spatial uniformity increase weed suppression by spring wheat

It has been hypothesized that increased crop density and spatial uniformity can increase weed suppression and thereby play a role in weed management. Field experiments were performed over 2 years to investigate the effects of the density and spatial arrangement of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) on weed biomass and wheat yield in weed-infested fields. We used three crop spatial patterns (normal rows, random and uniform) and three densities (204, 449 and 721 seeds m⁻²), plus a fourth density (1000 seeds m⁻²) in the random pattern. Increased crop density reduced weed biomass in all three patterns. Weed biomass was lower and crop biomass higher in wheat sown in the random and uniform patterns than in normal rows in both years. At 449 seeds m⁻², weed biomass was 38% lower in the uniform and 27% lower in the random pattern than in rows. There was evidence of decreasing grain yield due to intraspecific competition only at 1000 seeds m⁻². The results not only confirm that increasing density and increasing crop spatial uniformity increase the suppression of weeds, but also suggest that a very high degree of spatial uniformity may not be necessary to achieve a major increase in weed suppression by cereal crops. Rows represent a very high degree of spatial aggregation. Decreasing this aggregation increased weed suppression almost as much as sowing the crop in a highly uniform spatial pattern. While the random pattern produced as much crop biomass and suppressed weeds almost as well as the uniform pattern, the uniform pattern gave the highest yield.