Zur Verbreitung und Bedeutung von Pilzkrankheiten in K?rnerfuttererbsen (Pisum sativum L.) in Deutschland

Monitoring of the pathogen spectrum in grain peas (Pisum sativum L.) was conducted in Germany between 2005 and 2007. The outcome of this study implies that the infections of pathogens depend on the annual weather condition and the geographic area.Ascochyta pinodes, which infects aerial plant organs, was the pathogen found most frequently (on average 61, 8%). Especially in years with moist weather conditions a more severe spreading of the pathogen could be observed. Similarly, the occurrence ofBotrytis cinerea depends on the weather conditions. In 2007 were optimal conditions for infections and consequentlyB. cinerea was found with a high frequency of about 70%. Regarding diseases on root and stem base, this study clearly shows that infection of less prominent Fusarium species, such asF. redolens andF. avenaceum was significantly higher compared toF. oxysporum andF. solani.     

Activity of feline interferon-omega after ocular or oral administration in cats as indicated by Mx protein expression in conjunctival and white blood cells

OBJECTIVE: To assess the biological response to recombinant feline interferon-omega (rFeIFN-omega) following ocular or oral administration in cats via estimation of Mx protein expression in conjunctival cells (CCs) and WBCs. ANIMALS: 10 specific pathogen-free cats. PROCEDURES: In multiple single-dose drug experiments, each cat received various concentrations of rFeIFN-omega administered topically into both eyes (50 to 10,000 U/eye) and orally (200 to 20,000 units). The same cats received saline (0.9% NaCl) solution topically and orally as control treatments. The CCs and WBCs were collected prior to treatment (day 0), on day 1, and every third or seventh day thereafter until samples yielded negative results for Mx protein. Samples were examined for Mx protein expression via immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting procedures involving murine anti-Mx protein monoclonal antibody M143. RESULTS: After topical application of 10,000 U of rFeIFN-omega/eye, CCs stained for Mx protein for a minimum of 7 days, whereas WBCs were positive for Mx protein for a minimum of 31 days. After topical application of lower concentrations, CCs did not express Mx protein, in contrast to WBCs, which stained for Mx protein at 1,000 units for at least 1 day. Following oral administration, Mx protein was expressed in WBCs at rFeIFN-omega concentrations as low as 200 units, whereas CCs did not stain for Mx protein at any concentration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicate that Mx protein expression (a marker of the biological response to rFeIFN-omega) in CCs and WBCs of rFeIFN-omega-treated cats depends on the dose of rFeIFN-omega, site of administration, and cell type.     

Type of kindergarten and other potential determinants of overweight in pre-school children

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess the relationship of various types of kindergarten differing in length of care and food availability with the development of overweight in pre-school children. DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2002 in Stuttgart, Germany, as part of the school entrance examination. Height and weight of 2140 children (participation 70.2%) were measured and information on type of kindergarten and other potential determinants of overweight was collected by a parental questionnaire. Change in relative body mass index (BMI) position between the ages of 4 and 6 years was assessed using medical records. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight or change in relative BMI position did not differ according to the type of kindergarten. For the prevalence of overweight in German children, adjusted odds ratios (OR) comparing institutions that open only in the morning with those opening in the morning and afternoon or for the full day were 0.86 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.40, 1.83) and 0.63 (95% CI 0.25, 1.58), respectively. Parental BMI and duration of television watching were positively associated, and maternal educational status and duration of breast-feeding were negatively associated, with overweight and/or change in relative BMI position. The prevalence of overweight was substantially higher among non-German than among German children (adjusted OR 2.17 (95% CI 1.53, 3.07)). CONCLUSIONS: These data show no association between different types of kindergarten and the development of overweight in early childhood. Duration of television watching and breast-feeding, as well as the relatively high prevalence of overweight in ethnic minorities, deserve further attention.     

Assessing the effects of plant protection products on organic matter breakdown in arable fields—litter decomposition test systems

There is a need for plant protection products (PPPs) to be assessed for their effects on the breakdown of organic matter (OM), which is an important functional process in terrestrial ecosystems. Little information is available on to how to assess effects of PPPs on this complex system and formal guidelines for a standardised test method are lacking. We critically reviewed the literature to determine appropriate methods to investigate OM breakdown for the risk assessment of PPPs. Five methods appeared to be potentially suitable: namely the use of mini-containers or litter-bags to enclose OM, cotton-strip and bait-lamina assays which provide an artificial OM substrate, and stable isotopes to track the chemical decomposition of OM. These methods were compared on the basis of 10 suitability criteria, which included ecological relevance, ease of use and relevance to risk assessors. Each test method has limitations but the use of litter-bags, which is the most frequently used method, has distinct advantages over the other approaches. Accordingly, literature describing OM breakdown in litter-bags when applying PPPs are reviewed, gaps in the methodology are highlighted and recommendations for the development of a standardised and validated test method are proposed.     

Field measurements of the water content in the top soil using a new capacitance sensor with a flat sensitive volume

Water content directly near the soil surface plays an essential role for degradation of natural organic material and agrochemicals by soil microbes. Furthermore, the water losses by evaporation depend sensitively on the top‐soil water content. Rain, irrigation, evaporation, and the water flow between the soil horizons together with the natural inhomogeneity of soils cause a high spatial gradient and a pronounced time dependence of the water content in the top soil. To understand processes in top soil such as redox gradients, the knowledge on ecological conditions in the top soil, which is subject to rapid changes, is essential. In order to meet the requirements for such field measurements, a capacitance sensor with a depth resolution of 1 cm and an active area of 7.5 cm × 14 cm was constructed and operated by a special electronic circuit. Field measurements using these sensors at 1 cm depth showed the high dynamics when measurements were carried out every 10 min. As simultaneous measurements of the soil temperature at 1 cm depth exhibit large temperature variations during the day, its influence on the measurements must be compensated for. As the data, measured during drying periods, allow the assessment of the temperature coefficient, the water content at a reference temperature can be calculated. The course of the water content reflects precipitation events and quantifies the drying of the soil, providing these parameters for process evaluation. Furthermore, the diurnal variation exhibits the drying during the day and the possible rewetting from deeper horizons during the night.     

Cloudwater chemistry in the subcooled droplet regime at Mount Sonnblick (3106 M A.S.L., Salzburg,Austria)

Cloudwater and wet precipitation (snow) samples were collected at Mount Sonnblick during two field campaigns in May and November 1991. A newly designed active cloud water samples was used. Concentrations of major anions, cations and carboxylic acids were determined. Cloudwater and wet precipitation samples were generally more acidic in the warm season than in the cold season. Average cloudwater pH was 4.2 in May and 4.5 in November, average pH in snow was 4.4 in May and 5.1 in November. Average levels for sulfate (May: 96 μeq L^?1, November: 64 μeq L^?1) and nitrate (May: 27 μeq L^?1, November: 32 μeq L^?1) in cloudwater at SBO (3 km altitude) were considerably lower than at high mountain sites (0.9–2 km altitude) in the Eastern U.S.A. Cold season levels of sulfate in cloud water at SBO were as low as cloud water levels observed in Alaska. Equivalent concentrations of sulfate, nitrate and ammonium in snow precipitation were basically lower or equal compared to cloudwater but showed higher concentrations and stronger acidity in both phases in May than in November. Cloud to snow ratios for major ions were higher in November showing a wider spread than in May. Average cloud to snow ratios for sulfate were 2.4 in May and 3.5 in November. For nitrate the ratio was 1.7 in May and 2.1 in November. The lower cloud to snow ratios for nitrate are explained by the ability of the ice phase to scavenge nitric acid. Cloud to snow ratios were similar to measurements from the Swiss Alps and generally equal or lower than high elevation cloud to rain ratios from the U.S.A. Cloud to snow ratios for sulfate were used to reconstruct the mixing ratio of sublimation grown ice phase and cloud water droplets during the riming process of the ice particles in the seeder-feeder mechanism. The mixing ratio of ice phase and cloud droplets was estimated to be 1.4 in May and 2.5 in November. Sulfate to nitrate ratios were higher in cloud water than in snow and within the range of values found in North America. Generally, sulfate was more concentrated than nitrate at an equivalent basis for both cloudwater and rainwater. Total equivalent concentrations of acetate were generally higher than those of formate which is in contrast to measurements at remote high elevation sites in the U.S.A.     

BMBF Coordinated Research Project SEDYMO (2002-2006) - Sediment Dynamics and Pollutant Mobility in River Basins

-  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1065/jss2005.08.002 Background and Scope   Characteristic dynamic features of sediment-related processes in rivers include (i) dramatic effects of stormwater events on particle transport, (ii) rapid and far-reaching effects of sulfide oxidation during resuspension, and (iii) biological accumulation and potential release of toxic chemicals. Pollutant mobility is the net result from stabilizing and mobilizing effects in both hydraulic and chemical fields. In practice, emphasis has to be given to fine-grained sediments and suspended matter, since these materials exhibit large surface areas and high sorption capacities. Discussion   Organic materials are highly reactive. Degradation of organic matter will induce depletion of oxygen and may enhance formation of flocs and biofilms. Study of variations of sediment and water chemistry should predominantly include changes of pH and redox conditions, competition of dissolved ions and processes such as complexation by organic substances. All these processes will influence solution/solid equilibrium conditions and have to be studied prior to modeling the overall effects of pollutants on the water body and aquatic ecosystems. Conclusion   The cooperative program SEDYMO ('Fine Sediment Dynamics on Pollutant Mobility in Rivers') is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) since May 2002. It comprises 13 research projects and its interdisciplinary approach focuses on the release of DOC, nutrients and pollutants into the open water due to hydrodynamic processes in rivers and estuaries. Three themes are studied: 'experimental techniques', 'processes and properties', 'development/validation of models'.     

Impact of climate change on the temporal and regional occurrence of Cercospora leaf spot in Lower Saxony

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The effect of climate change on the temporal and regional occurrence of Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) of sugar beet in Lower Saxony is analysed using the...     

Sebaceous adenitis in Havanese dogs: a retrospective study of the clinical presentation and incidence

Sebaceous adenitis is a suspected immune-mediated disease that targets and destroys sebaceous glands. This retrospective study evaluated the clinical presentation and incidence of sebaceous adenitis in Havanese dogs. Sebaceous adenitis was diagnosed in 35% (12 of 34) of Havanese dogs presented over a 5-year period. Onset of clinical signs occurred during young adulthood. Follicular casts were present in 92% (11 of 12) of affected dogs. Other common clinical signs included alopecia and hypotrichosis. The trunk, head and ears were commonly affected, with 67% (8 of 12) of cases having pinnal and/or external ear canal involvement. Secondary pyoderma was seen in 42% (5 of 12) of dogs. Histopathology revealed absent sebaceous glands in 83% (10 of 12) and a lymphoplasmacytic periadnexal infiltrate in 92% (11 of 12) of samples. Treatment included multiple modalities. Cyclosporin was prescribed in 83% (10 of 12) of cases. Other systemic therapies included vitamin A and fatty acid supplementation. Topical therapies included antiseborrhoeic shampoos and sprays, and oil soaks. Follow-up ranging from 2 months to 3 years was obtained in 67% (8 of 12) of dogs. Improvement ranged from minimal to marked, with better clinical response associated with longer duration of treatment. Owners with follow-up of more than 1 year commonly reported occasional flares of the clinical signs. This study found that sebaceous adenitis was a common diagnosis in Havanese dogs, that the ears were commonly affected and that a lymphoplasmacytic periadnexal infiltrate associated with absent sebaceous glands was frequently seen on dermatohistopathological examination.