Endometrial Adenocarcinoma and Mucometra in a 6-year-old Alaska Malamute Dog

A 6-year-old female Alaska Malamute dog was presented for evaluation of abdominal enlargement referred by a local veterinarian. On the history, the owner complained of chronic abdominal enlargement initiated more than 4 months ago, reduced appetite, occasional vomiting and general dullness. He also complained of greenish mucous intermittent vaginal discharge starting 10 days ago. The bitch was chronically treated with medroxiprogesterone acetate. A laparatomy was performed and fluid in the abdomen was found and aspirated during the surgery. Also a very fluid-filled distended uterus and a mass in the distal part of the left uterine horn were found. The mass was encapsulated by the omentum, but areas of necrosis and calcification were identified. Histopathological diagnosis was endometrial adenocarcinoma.     

Oestradiol Induced Inhibition of Neuroendocrine Marker Expression in Leydig Cells of Adult Rats

The objectives of this work were to determine the changes in the expression of neuroendocrine markers in Leydig cell by oestradiol treatment, and to determine whether testosterone is able to recover partially the effects of hormonal suppression induced by oestradiol. Adult male rats were injected daily with either 50 microg of oestradiol or oestradiol plus testosterone propionate (25 mg every 3 days) for 15 days. The animals were sacrificed and testicles were dissected and processed by routine histological protocols. FSH and LH serum levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. The visualization of antigens was achieved by the streptavidin-peroxidase immunohistochemical method. Antibodies against chromogranin A (CrA), S-100 protein (S-100), P substance (PS), synaptofisin (SYN), neurofilament protein (NF), gliofibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neuron specific enolase (NSE) were used. The mean LH and FSH serum concentrations were consistently suppressed with hormonal treatments. Intermediate filaments (NF and GFAP) showed no difference in their expression. The expression of S-100, NSE and SYN was significantly lower in both hormone-treated groups. In oestradiol-treated rats, the immunoreactivity of CrA and SP decreased significantly but was restored after testosterone supplementation. Although the nature and functions of many of these substances in Leydig cells remain unknown, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that the expression of some neuroendocrine markers is hormonally controlled.     

Intraspecific Relationship of Plasmopara halstedii Isolates Differing in Pathogenicity and Geographic Origin Based on ITS Sequence Data

Sequence parts of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA were analysed to screen for the intraspecific variability of a non-coding genomic region in 15 Plasmopara halstedii populations of different pathotype and geographic origin. Samples revealed uniformity in a ca. 790 Bp fragment comprising of the ITS-1, 5.8S and front parts of the ITS-2. In contrast, clear differences were found in a ca. 810 Bp fragment of the ITS-2 thus allowing differentiation between populations of pathotype 100, 310 and 330 and a group of populations representing pathotypes 700, 701, 703, 710 and 730. Samples of pathotypes 700 to730 originated from Slovakia, France, and Germany, but were uniform in both ITS sequence parts, thus indicating very recent origin of these highly aggressive physiological races. The potential use of ITS sequences for pathotype differentiation and phylogenetic studies in P. halstedii is discussed.     

Relationship of blood corticosterone, immunoglobulin and haematological values in young crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) to water temperature, clutch of origin and body weight

Objective To examine whether sub-optimal temperature induced stress and immunosuppression in farmed saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) hatchlings. Design A clinico-pathological study. Animals A total of 140 hatchlings were used. Procedure Body weight and length, plasma corticosterone and immunoglobulin concentrations and total and differential white blood cell counts were measured in 140 hatchlings from five clutches divided between five water temperature treatment groups. Initially all groups were housed at 32°C for 10 weeks, then two groups (L, LC) were changed to low temperature (28°C) and two groups (H, HC) to high temperature (36°C), while one group (C) remained at 32°C. The LC and HC groups were maintained at these temperatures for 10 days, after which the water temperature of both groups was returned to 32°C. Blood samples were collected twice (at 6 and 9 weeks of age) before the initial temperature change, and at 10 days and 4 weeks after the initial temperature change (at 11.5 and 14 weeks of age). Results Except for an increase in plasma corticosterone in the HC group and a decrease in the L group when the temperature change was first introduced, changes in plasma corticosterone were not significant. There were no significant changes in immunoglobulin concentrations. There were, however, significant decreases in the total white cell and lymphocyte counts in the LC group after the temperature was decreased to 28°C, and an increase in these counts after water temperature was returned to 32°C. Clutch of origin had significant effects on body weight and length gains, and there were negative relationships between body weight and corticosterone concentrations and between body weight and immunoglobulin concentrations. Conclusions As haematological changes indicative of stress were not associated with significant changes in serum corticosterone, immunosuppression in young crocodiles may be independent of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortical axis.     

Zur räumlichen Verteilung und Gestaltung von Erholungswäldern

Summary One of the essential aims of land planning is to satisfy the people's need for recreation. For this purpose it seems to be efficient to differentiate between “local” recreation and “long-distance” recreation areas and to consider them separatly in regional planning. To determine the location of recreational forests we need appropriate aids for decision making. Therefore activities that bring about deterioration of natural conditions, e.g. water pollution, soil erosion etc., as well as injuries to the optical value of the landscape, are not allowed in natural recreational areas. On the other hand it is possible to delimit forests after an analysis of stand composition and also by interpretation of maps giving the physiological effects of the climate. Above all the habits of the people are of importance, especially when they are based on irrational motives. These factores are of great importance in addition to the sociological conditions of an area and therefore do not allow the organization of long-distance recreation areas from simply a regional point of view. In the case of areas designed for local recreation, however, it might be sufficient to appraise the demands of the people through a regional analysis.

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Herrn Professor Dr. Dr. h. c.Julius Speer zum 65. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Rundschau

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Elektronische Datenverarbeitung in der Forstwissenschaft

Zusammenfassung In der Forstwissenschaft gewinnen neben der herk?mmlichen elektronischen Datenverarbeitung die zahlreichen Formen fortentwickelter automatisierter Datenverarbeitung zunehmende Bedeutung. Wichtigste Voraussetzung für ihre Anwendung ist, da? Rechenanlagen mit ausreichender Maschinenkonfiguration und leistungsf?higem Betriebssystem zur Verfügung stehen und eine angemessene Programmversorgung gew?hrleistet ist, was heute i. d. R. vorausgesetzt werden kann. Daneben mu? eine Reihe personeller und finanzieller Mindestvoraussetzungen geschaffen sein. Die Programmversorgung für die Datenverarbeitung in der Forstwissenschaft der Bundesrepublik stützt sich im wesentlichen auf Programm-Bibliotheken der internationalen EDV-Benutzungsorganisationen und auf Programmquellen aus dem engeren Bereich der mathematischen Statistik, in jüngster Zeit auch zunehmend auf Programmbest?nde forstlicher Fachinstitute des Auslandes und auf eigene Programmentwicklungen. Die vielf?ltigen Einsatzm?glichkeiten der elektronischen Datenverarbeitung in der Forstwissenschaft werden an Beispielen aus der Holzvorratsinventur und Stichprobensimulation, der Ertragstafelforschung, Planungs- und Optimierungstechnik sowie am Beispiel eines neuen ?kologischen Forschungsprojektes dargestellt. Abschlie?end wird auf einige Aussagegrenzen hingewiesen, die bei Auswertung und Interpretation von Datenverarbeitungsergebnissen zu beachten sind. Herrn Professor Dr.E. Assmann zu seinem 65. Geburtstag in Verehrung gewidmet.