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The design and construction of CARMENES has been presented at previous SPIE conferences. It is a next-generation radial-velocity instrument at the 3.5m telescope of the Calar Alto Observatory, which was built by a consortium of eleven Spanish and German institutions. CARMENES consists of two separate échelle spectrographs covering the wavelength range from 0.52 to 1.71¿m at a spec-tral resolution of R < 80,000, fed by fibers from the Cassegrain focus of the telescope. CARMENES saw ¿First Light¿ on Nov 9, 2015. During the commissioning and initial operation phases, we established basic performance data such as throughput and spectral resolution. We found that our hollow-cathode lamps are suitable for precise wavelength calibration, but their spectra contain a number of lines of neon or argon that are so bright that the lamps cannot be used in simultaneous exposures with stars. We have therefore adopted a calibration procedure that uses simultaneous star / Fabry Pérot etalon exposures in combination with a cross-calibration between the etalons and hollow-cathode lamps during daytime. With this strategy it has been possible to achieve 1-2 m/s precision in the visible and 5-10 m/s precision in the near-IR; further improvements are expected from ongoing work on temperature control, calibration procedures and data reduction. Comparing the RV precision achieved in different wavelength bands, we find a ¿sweet spot¿ between 0.7 and 0.8¿m, where deep TiO bands provide rich RV information in mid-M dwarfs. This is in contrast to our pre-survey models, which predicted comparatively better performance in the near-IR around 1¿m, and explains in part why our near-IR RVs do not reach the same precision level as those taken with the visible spectrograph. We are now conducting a large survey of 340 nearby M dwarfs (with an average distance of only 12pc), with the goal of finding terrestrial planets in their habitable zones. We have detected the signatures of several previously known or suspected planets and also discovered several new planets. We find that the radial velocity periodograms of many M dwarfs show several significant peaks. The development of robust methods to distinguish planet signatures from activity-induced radial velocity jitter is therefore among our priorities. Due to its large wavelength coverage, the CARMENES survey is generating a unique data set for studies of M star atmospheres, rotation, and activity. The spectra cover important diagnostic lines for activity (H alpha, Na I D1 and D2, and the Ca II infrared triplet), as well as FeH lines, from which the magnetic field can be inferred. Correlating the time series of these features with each other, and with wavelength-dependent radial velocities, provides excellent handles for the discrimination between planetary companions and stellar radial velocity jitter. These data are also generating new insight into the physical properties of M dwarf atmospheres, and the impact of activity and flares on the habitability of M star planets. © 2018 SPIE., CARMENES is an instrument for the Centro Astronomico Hispano-Aleman de Calar Alto (CAHA, Almeria, Spain). CARMENES is funded by the German Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (MPG), the Spanish Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), the European Union through FEDER/ERF FICTS-2011-02 funds, and the members of the CARMENES Consortium (Max-Planck-Institut fur Astronomie, Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia, Landessternwarte Konigstuhl, Institut de Ciencies de l'Espai, Insitut fur Astrophysik Gottingen, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Thuringer Landessternwarte Tautenburg, Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias, Hamburger Sternwarte, Centro de Astrobiologia and Centro Astronomico Hispano-Aleman), with additional contributions by the Spanish Ministry of Science, the German Science Foundation through the Major Research Instrumentation Program and DFG Research Unit FOR2544 "Blue Planets around Red Stars", the Klaus Tschira Stiftung, the states of Baden-Wurttemberg and Niedersachsen, and by the Junta de Andalucia.

Mastitis is a frequent disease in modern dairy cows, but ancient cattle breeds seem to be naturally more resistant to it. Primary bovine mammary epithelial cells from the ancient Highland and White Park (n = 5) cattle and the modern dairy breeds Brown Swiss and Red Holstein (n = 6) were non-invasively isolated from milk, cultured, and stimulated with the heat-inactivated mastitis pathogens Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus to compare the innate immune response in vitro. With reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), the breeds differed in the basal expression of 16 genes. Notably CASP8, CXCL8, Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 (TLR2 and TLR4) expression were higher in the ancient breeds (P

ZusammenfassungIm Oktober 2011 verendeten in einem Freilandschweinebestand im Tierpark Arche Warder e. V. (Deutschland) 16 Schweine unterschiedlichen Alters und Geschlechts. Im Rahmen der pathologisch-anatomischen Untersuchung wurden Tympanie, Leberemphysem, subkutane Ödeme, Hämoperikard, Hämothorax und hochgradige Gasödeme in der Muskulatur festgestellt. Die Mägen waren gefüllt. Die anaeroben bakteriologischen Untersuchungen verliefen zunächst ohne Erregernachweis. In weiterführenden Untersuchungen von Gewebeproben konnte mittels PCR das Flagellin-Gen von C. novyi Typ A und B nachgewiesen werden. Aufgrund der pathologisch-anatomischen und bakteriologischen Befunde sowie den Ergebnissen der PCR war vermutlich eine Infektion mit C. novyi die Todesursache.

The population of White Park Cattle in Germany is composed of 11 males and 33 females. This group of cattle has been analysed with regards to generation intervals, coancestry, and inbreeding on the basis of three generations of ancestors. The average interval between the current and the parental generation amounts to seven years. The average coefficient of coancestry in the population is estimated to be 18 % and the average degree of inbreeding at 16 %. The rate of inbreeding in the last generation is approximately 12 %. These values exceed those reported for most breeds of production animals.

The competences of the immune systems of the ancient pig breed Turopolje (T×T), German Landrace × Turopolje (L×T) and 'modern' pig breed German Landrace × Pietrain (L×P) were compared in this study. All pigs were immunized with a modified live vaccine against 'Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome' (PRRS) virus (Ingelvac PRRS MLV(®)) to simulate an infection. Antibody production against PRRS MLV was evaluated in serum. Elimination of the viral infectious fragments during the experimental period was monitored in serum, leukocytes and tonsils by RT-qPCR. Furthermore relevant immune marker genes were quantified either on gene expression level using RT-qPCR [toll like receptor (TLR) 7, TLR8, TRAF6, CD163, SIGLEC1, CD4, CD8, CD14, CD19, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin (IL) 1, IL2, IL6, IL12], and on protein level using ELISA [interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-12]. The three breeds showed individual inactivation efficiencies as a reaction to the PRRS MLV vaccination. T×T eliminated the virus in serum within 16 days, followed by L×T (28 days) and L×P (36 days). The antibody titers against PRRS MLV of L×T and L×P were significantly higher compared to T×T (p

Classic microtia is combined with external ear canal atresia and middle ear malformation. In order to evaluate whether an operation to improve hearing ability and the use of computer-assisted surgery are indicated, preoperative high-resolution navigation CT is mandatory. We combined atresia surgery and tympanoplasty with auricular reconstruction in the case of an 8-year-old boy with bilateral microtia, aural atresia and malformation of the middle ear. After creating an auricle framework with rib cartilage and transplanting it under the skin of the mastoid plane, we shifted it forward in the second step, and the new auditory canal was drilled under computer-assisted navigation and facial nerve monitoring. In the same operation, tympanoplasty was accomplished, and a silastic cylinder, wrapped into pieces of rib cartilage, was inserted into the constructed canal and removed 2 months later. For lining the new auditory canal, we used the patient’s prepuce, harvested by elective circumcision.

We present the case of a female infant born prematurely at 34 weeks of gestation. Prenatally a midsized ventricular septal defect was diagnosed. Due to marked respiratory distress intubation was attempted but failed, since the tube could not be placed beyond the glottis. Oxygenation could be improved by nasopharyngeal bag ventilation. The clinical course as well as radiographic imaging was suggestive for a complete tracheal agenesis with broncho-oesophageal fistula which was confirmed at autopsy. Tracheal agenesis (TA) is a rare differential diagnosis of postnatal respiratory distress and the obstetrician or neonatologist will regularly be surprised by this malformation. Partial or complete absence of the trachea without associated malformations will be rarely diagnosed antenatally. In the case of the absence of an oesophageal fistula to the remaining airway a congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) ensues, leading to enlarged hyperechogenic lungs, dilated and fluid-filled trachea and bronchi and an absent tracheal flow during foetal breathing. Aetiology of TA is unknown, therapeutic options are limited thus making TA a usually fatal disorder.

Zusammenfassung Gegenstand und Ziel: Zur klinischen Beurteilung innerer Erkrankungen von Haus-, Zoo- und Wildtieren sind Blutparameter ein wichtiges diagnostisches Hilfsmittel. Ziel dieser Untersuchungen war die Erarbeitung verlässlicher hämatologischer Referenzwerte für den Wisent (Bison bonasus). Gleichzeitig sollten die Werte gesunder männlicher Tiere mit denen an Balanoposthitis erkrankter Bullen verglichen werden. Material und Methoden: Von 170 gesunden und 52 an Balanoposthitis erkrankten Wisenten wurde Blut aus der Vena jugularis entnommen. Von diesen Tieren lebten 179 in freier Wildbahn und 43 im Zuchtreservat der Nationalparkverwaltung des Urwaldes von Bialowieza bzw. in verschiedenen deutschen Zoos. Letztere wurden vor der Probennahme immobilisiert. Die Untersuchung umfasste folgende Parameter: Hämatokrit, Differenzialblutbild, Kalzium, Phosphor, Aspartataminotransferase, Kreatinkinase, Harnstoff, Kreatinin und Bilirubin. Ergebnisse: Bei den Parametern Kreatinin und Phosphat konnten statistisch signifikante Altersunterschiede festgestellt werden. Statistisch signifikante geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede wurden nicht gefunden. Es gab ferner keinerlei signifikante Unterschiede zwischen gesunden und an Balanoposthitis erkrankten männlichen Tieren. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Zur Abklärung des Gesundheitsstatus von Wisenten sind neben der klinischen Untersuchung verlässliche Blutwerte notwendig. Diese stehen mit der vorgelegten Untersuchung zur Verfügung. Der Vergleich der Werte gesunder Tiere mit den an Balanoposthitis erkrankten Tieren zeigt keine signifikanten Unterschiede der Blutwerte, was möglicherweise bedeutet, dass durch die Balanoposthitis keine generalisierte, sondern nur eine lokale Immunreaktion ausgelöst wird.

Adipose-derived Stromal Cells (ASC) - Basics and Therapeutic Approaches in Otorhinolaryngology Mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue can be easily harvested with less discomfort, low donor-site morbidity and high amount compared to bone marrow-derived stem cells. Due to their multilineage differentiation potential in various cell types, immunmodulatory properties and their capability to enhance wound healing, ASC are a promising cell source for tissue engineering approaches and regenerative medicine. They are characterized by the expression of specific surface marker proteins and their differentiation potential into the mesenchymal lineages. Whereas only preclinical studies are published for otorhinolaryngology-related therapeutic options using ASC, various diseases, for instance graft-versus-host disease, have already been treated with ASC in single cases or clinical trials. Safety and genomic stability of ASC as well as the risk of spontaneous malignant transformation are still disputed. This review summarizes the current literature on characterization and anatomic localization of ASC. In addition, beside the presentation of preclinical studies concerning therapeutic approaches in otorhinolaryngology as well as of current clinical applications, the issue of safety of ASC in human stem cell therapy is discussed.

Bei Untersuchungen von 100 Feldhasenseren aus dem Jahr 1994 und von 402 Feldhasenseren aus dem Jahr 1997 auf Antikorper gegen EBHSV (EBHSV-AK) mit einem Antikorper-ELISA konnten 20% resp. 10% Reagenten ermittelt werden. Die Blutproben stammten von frisch erlegten Feldhasen verschiedener hessischer, angrenzender rheinland-pfalzischer und zweier auserhalb dieser Region liegender Reviere. Die festgestellten Titerhohen — im Jahr 1994 bis 10.000, im Jahr 1997 bis 100 — differierten zwischen den beiden Zeitraumen. Signifikante Unterschiede ergaben sich hinsichtlich des Anteils der serologischen Reagenten in den einzelnen Revieren. Eine Beziehung zwischen der Zahl der Reagenten und der meist durch Scheinwerfertaxation geschatzten Besatzdichte ergab sich nicht. In den Seren von 1994 mit der Hamagglutinationshemmungsreaktion (HAH) ermittelte Antikorper gegen RHDV zeigten eine weitgehende Unabhangigkeit von den jeweiligen EBHSV-Antikorpertitern. Bei bis zu einem Jahr alten Jungtieren liesen sich EBHSV-AK in gleicher Frequenz und Hohe nachweisen wie bei Alttieren. Die vorliegenden Daten weisen auf eine zuruckgehende Bedeutung des EBHS fur die Hasenpopulationen der untersuchten Gebiete hin.

In blood samples of seven captive equid species from four German zoos EHV-1 specific antibodies were detected in 76% and EHV-4 specific antibodies in 73% of the 55 animals, whereas 93% were tested positive for EHV-2 and EHV-5, respectively. In only one blood sample from a Przewalski's wild horse EHV-4 DNA was amplified by PCR. From seven Przewalski's wild horses EHV-2, and from another one EHV-5 was isolated by cocultivation. The identity of the virus isolates was verified by PCR and restriction enzyme digestion.

A consensus primer PCR approach was used to (i) investigate the presence of herpesviruses in wild and zoo equids (zebra, wild ass, tapir) and to (ii) study the genetic relationship of the herpesvirus of pigeons (columbid herpesvirus 1) to other herpesvirus species. The PCR assay, based on degenerate primers targeting highly conserved regions of the DNA polymerase gene of herpesviruses, was modified by using a mixture of degenerate and deoxyinosine-substituted primers. The applicability of the modification was validated by amplification of published DNA polymerase genes of 16 herpesvirus species and of the previously uncharacterized DNA polymerase genes of equine herpesvirus 3 (EHV-3) and equine herpesvirus 5 (EHV-5). The modified assay was then used for partial amplification of the polymerase of columbid herpesvirus 1 which is presently classified as a β-herpesvirus based on biological criteria. Sequence analysis of amplicons obtained from four different viral strains revealed a close relationship of columbid herpesvirus 1 to members of the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, especially to Marek’s disease herpesvirus. This was confirmed by characterization of additional 1.6 kb of the columbid herpesvirus 1 polymerase. Consensus PCR analysis of blood samples from zebras, a wild ass and a tapir revealed amplicons showing high percentages (>50%) of sequence identity to DNA polymerases of γ-herpesviruses. In particular, the zebra and the wild ass sequence were closely related to each other and to the polymerases of the equine γ-herpesviruses EHV-2 and EHV-5 with sequence identities of >80%. This is a first indication that novel γ-herpesviruses are present in wild and zoo equids.

This study describes the occurrence of clinical keratoconjunctivitis in a Spanish red deer(Cervus elaphus) population 150 km south of Madrid. Necropsy findings, microbiological and serological results are reported. In September 1996 a total of 28 carcasses of stags were inspected, of which 11 (39%) showed macroscopic lesions of keratitis or keratoconjunctivitis. Conjunctival swabs and frozen tissue samples of the eyeballs were taken from six stags and used for isolation trials ofMoraxella sp. andMycoplasma sp., Smears and histological sections were stained with Stamp technique for the detection ofChlamydia psittaci. None of these pathogenic organisms could be detected. Serum samples were taken from 19 red deer of different age and sex and tested for antibodies againstChlamydia psittaci by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay as well as against three different alpha-herpesviruses (bovine herpesvirus-1, caprine herpesvirus-1, cervid herpesvirus-1) by virus neutralization test. Antibodies againstChlamydia psittaci were detected in 16 samples (84%), while none of the tested individuals was seropositive against any of the three alpha-herpesviruses. The serological results indicate, that this Spanish red deer population has been exposed toChlamydia psittaci and therefore this pathogen agent might be involved in the infection process of keratoconjunctivitis in this deer population.

We present the case of a female infant born prematurely at 34 weeks of gestation. Prenatally a midsized ventricular septal defect was diagnosed. Due to marked respiratory distress intubation was attempted but failed, since the tube could not be placed beyond the glottis. Oxygenation could be improved by nasopharyngeal bag ventilation. The clinical course as well as radiographic imaging was suggestive for a complete tracheal agenesis with broncho-oesophageal fistula which was confirmed at autopsy. Tracheal agenesis (TA) is a rare differential diagnosis of postnatal respiratory distress and the obstetrician or neonatologist will regularly be surprised by this malformation. Partial or complete absence of the trachea without associated malformations will be rarely diagnosed antenatally. In the case of the absence of an oesophageal fistula to the remaining airway a congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) ensues, leading to enlarged hyperechogenic lungs, dilated and fluid-filled trachea and bronchi and an absent tracheal flow during foetal breathing. Aetiology of TA is unknown, therapeutic options are limited thus making TA a usually fatal disorder.

In an outdoor pig-breeding unit of the Tierpark Arche Warder e. V. (Germany), 16 pigs of different age and sex died in October 2011. Necropsy findings revealed tympany, liver emphysema, subcutaneous oedema, haemopericardium, haemothorax, and intense gas bubble infiltrations in muscles. The stomachs were filled. The initial anaerobic bacteriological investigations gave negative results. In further analyses of tissue samples, the flagellin gene of C. novyi types A and B was detected using PCR. Based on the anatomical-pathological and bacteriological findings as well as PCR testing, a C. novyi infection was assumed to be the cause of the pig mortality.

Cytopathogenic pestiviruses were isolated from two seronegative free-ranging roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from northern Germany (Schleswig-Holstein): an adult female and a young buck collected on 6 December 1990 and 26 July 1991, respectively. The two isolates were identified by polymerase chain reaction as pestiviruses. However, they were negative when primers specific for bovine virus diarrhea virus or classical swine fever virus were used, indicating that the two isolates might belong to a separate group of pestiviruses of wild ruminants different from BVDV.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) mainly affecting cervids in North America. The accumulation of an abnormal form of host-encoded prion protein (PrP(CWD) ) in the CNS and lymphoid tissues is characteristic of the disease and known to be caused by pathogenic prion proteins (PrP(res) ), which are thought to be transmitted mainly by contact with body fluids, such like saliva. Species known to be naturally infected by CWD include Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). Recently, large-scale disease eradication or control programs have been attempted to curtail the spread of disease. But reports of diseased free-ranging and farmed cervids in many locations in the USA and Canada are still continuing. The goal of this study was to find sensitive rapid test systems that are reliably able to detect CWD-associated PrP(CWD) in cervids, thereby reviewing an important control tool in case the disease spreads further and reaches Europe. Seven tests, originally developed for the detection of other TSE diseases such as Scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy, including two Western blots, four enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), and one lateral flow device, were included in this study. All seven tests evaluated were able to detect pathogenic prion proteins (PrP(CWD) ) in Northern American infected animals and distinguish physiologic prion protein (PrP(c) ) in brainstem (obex region) and lymph node samples from North American and European cervids, respectively. However, the specificity and sensitivity of the tests differed significantly. Highly sensitive tests for the detection of prion proteins are an important tool both for the design of effective disease surveillance and control strategies and the safety of the food chain. Thus, this study contributes to the emergency preparedness against CWD.

Objective Numerous reports have shown the influence of renin, nitric oxide (NO) and the endothelin (ET) systems for regulation of blood pressure and renal function. Furthermore, interactions between these peptides have been reported. Aim of our study was to investigate the relative contribution of these compounds in long-term renovascular hypertension/renal ischemia. Methods Hypertension/left-sided renal ischemia was induced using the 2K1C-Goldblatt rat model. Renal renin, ET-1, ET-3 and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) gene expression was measured by means of RNAse protection assay at different timepoints up to 10 weeks after induction of renal artery stenosis. Results Plasma renin activity and renal renin gene expression in the left kidney were increased in the clipped animals while eNOS expression was unchanged. Furthermore, an increase in ET-1 expression and a decrease of ET-3 expression was detected in early stenosis. Conclusions While renin is obviously involved in regulation of blood pressure and renal function in unilateral renal artery stenosis, ET-1, ET-3 and endothelium derived NO do not appear to play an important role in renal adaptation processes in long-term renal artery stenosis, although ET-1 and ET-3 might be involved in short-term adaptation processes.

European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) is a highly contagious, acute disease of the European hare (Lepus europeaus) and mountain hare (Lepus timidus) first described in the early 1980s in Northern Europe (Gavier-Widen and Morner 1991). The aetiology of EBHS remained unclear until it was shown through animal experiments and electron microscopy (EM) analysis (Eskens and Volmer 1989; Lavazza and Vecchi 1989) that it is caused by a non-enveloped positive-strand RNA virus with a diameter of about 32–35 nm, showing morphological characteristics indistinguishable from those of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) (Capucci et al. 1991) and biochemical features typical of the Caliciviridae family (Wirblich et al. 1994). EBHSV is composed of a single-stranded RNA of about 7.5 kb and a subgenomic RNA of 2.2 kb in length. It has a single major capsid protein of approximately 60 kD that shares epitopes with the capsid protein of RHDV (Wirblich et al. 1994) and haemagglutinates human group O red blood cells (Gavier-Widen and Morner 1991). Due to the existence of many similarities with regard to aetiology, epidemiological data and clinical-pathological features, at least initially, EBHS and RHD were considered as the same disease caused by a single agent. However, significant antigenic, structural, and molecular differences between the two viruses were found using RHDV-monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) (Capucci et al. 1991, 1995), cross-hybridisation and genomic sequence analysis (Wirbilch et al. 1994). Alignment of the RNA sequences of the EBHSV and RHDV genomes reveals 71% nucleotide identity, and amino acid alignment reveals 78% identity and 87% similarity (Le Gall et al. 1996). All known EBHSV isolates appear to belong to one serotype. The complete sequence of geographically different EBHSV strains has been reported and compared by phylogenetic analysis (Nowotny et al. 1997; Le Gall et al. 2004). This

Ductile and microcrystalline thin Fe-Cr-Al foils with an elevated aluminium content up to 12 wt.-% were produced by a rapid soldification process. Alloys with different compositions were tested in isothermal oxidation experiments (He-O2, p(O2) = 133 mbar, T = 1273 K) and in cyclic oxidation experiments (dry air). The rapidly solidified alloys show a better oxidation resistance compared to conventionally rolled material. Cerium addition to the alloy leads to an improved oxide adhesion onto the substrate. The oxidation resistance is further improved by increasing the aluminium and decreasing the chromium content of the alloy. Hochtemperaturoxidation schnellerstarrter Legierungen Dunne, mikrokristalline und duktile Fe-Cr-Al-Folien mit erhohtem Aluminiumgehalt bis 12 Gew.-% wurden durch rasche Erstarrung hergestellt. Legierungen mit verschiedener Zusammensetzung wurden in isothermen Oxidationsexperimenten (He-O2, p(O2) = 133 mbar, T = 1273 K) und in zyklischen Oxidationsexperimenten (in trockener Luft) untersucht. Die rasch erstarrten Legierungen zeigen im Vergleich zu konventionell gewalztem Material eine bessere Oxidationsbestandigkeit. Ein Cer-Zusatz zu der Legierung verbessert die Haftung des Oxids auf dem Substrat. Die Oxidationsbestandigkeit wird durch Erhohung des Aluminium- und Erniedrigung des Chromgehaltes der Legierung weiter verbessert.

As grown single crystals YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7− x has been characterized by a.c. susceptibility measurement as well as by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Existence of oxygen vacancy ordering area in the centre of the crystal observed by TEM is correlated with a transition step at 52K as measured by a.c. susceptibility at a.c. field amplitudes higher than 0.5 mT.

The lifetime of rapidly solidified Fe-22%Cr-12%Al ribbons at 1200°C in air under cyclic conditions is about 600 h, which is more than 10 times the lifetime of conventionally rolled Fe-22%Cr-5%Al ribbons. The oxidation kinetics of the rapidly solidified Fe-22%Cr-12%Al ribbon has been shown to be determined by the thermally activated diffusion of oxygen through the protective Al2O3 layer on the ribbon. According to the small thickness of the ribbons the supply of aluminium is limited and the aluminium depletion leads to failure—thus the increased aluminium content explains the considerable increase of the lifetime of the rapidly solidified ribbons. Besides the improvement of the oxidation resistance, the scale to metal adherence is improved in rapidly solidified ribbons in comparison with conventionally rolled material.

A consensus primer PCR approach was used to (i) investigate the presence of herpesviruses in wild and zoo equids (zebra, wild ass, tapir) and to (ii) study the genetic relationship of the herpesvirus of pigeons (columbid herpesvirus 1) to other herpesvirus species. The PCR assay, based on degenerate primers targeting highly conserved regions of the DNA polymerase gene of herpesviruses, was modified by using a mixture of degenerate and deoxyinosine-substituted primers. The applicability of the modification was validated by amplification of published DNA polymerase genes of 16 herpesvirus species and of the previously uncharacterized DNA polymerase genes of equine herpesvirus 3 (EHV-3) and equine herpesvirus 5 (EHV-5). The modified assay was then used for partial amplification of the polymerase of columbid herpesvirus 1 which is presently classified as a beta-herpesvirus based on biological criteria. Sequence analysis of amplicons obtained from four different viral strains revealed a close relationship of columbid herpesvirus 1 to members of the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, especially to Marek's disease herpesvirus. This was confirmed by characterization of additional 1.6kb of the columbid herpesvirus 1 polymerase. Consensus PCR analysis of blood samples from zebras, a wild ass and a tapir revealed amplicons showing high percentages (50%) of sequence identity to DNA polymerases of gamma-herpesviruses. In particular, the zebra and the wild ass sequence were closely related to each other and to the polymerases of the equine gamma-herpesviruses EHV-2 and EHV-5 with sequence identities of80%. This is a first indication that novel gamma-herpesviruses are present in wild and zoo equids.

Between 1973 and 1994, blood samples were collected at Whipsnade Wild Animal Park (UK) from three ungulate species kept in enclosures, including 28 European bison (Bison bonasus), 37 scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), and 49 Père David's deer (Elaphurus davidianus), and also from 144 semi-free-living Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis). These samples were tested for the presence of antibodies against three bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV)-like strains, three alpha-herpesvirus strains, enzootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) of deer, bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine adenovirus 3 (BAV-3), and enzootic bovine leucosis virus (EBLV). Thirty-three individuals (13.1%) had antibodies to one or more of the three BVDV-like viruses, with titers ranging from 1:5 to 1:16, and 17 individuals (6.6%) were positive for antibodies to one or more of the three alpha-herpesviruses, with titers between 1:4 and 1:80. The highest titers and greatest proportion of seropositivity were against SH9/11, a recently isolated cytopathogenic pestivirus from wild roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). There were no positive reactors to BRSV and EHDV, and there was only one BAV-3 positive reactor, a scimitar-horned oryx, and one EBLV reactor, a European bison. There is no serologic evidence that semi-free-ranging Chinese water deer are important reservoirs or transmitters of the viral diseases investigated.

A system of automated microscopic picture analysis was used in an examination of 272 gliomas (70 glioblastomas, 91 astrocytomas, 56 pilocytic astrocytomas or spongioblastomas , and 55 oligodendrogliomas). The specimens were prepared as Feulgen sections, 4 microns in thickness. Thirteen morphometric-densitometric parameters of tumor cell nuclei were tested together with two mitotic parameters. Objective and reproducible data on numerical nuclear density ( KRNZ , AREA), nuclear size ( KOFL , KFRL , P250 ), nuclear shape ( FOFK , FOFR , P150), optical density ( EXTU , EXTS , EXSR , EXTM , EXMR ), and mitotic activity ( MITZ , VHMK ) of the gliomas were obtained from the morphometric-densitometric parameters. All gliomas but glioblastomas were subdivided by four tumor grades. The morphometric-densitometric and mitotic data recorded were statistically checked, depending on tumor grade (Student's t-test, Wilcoxon's test, alpha = 0.05). Numerical nuclear density, deformation of nuclei, and mitotic activity were found to grow with significance along with increasing tumor grade up to glioblastoma. The relative standard deviation (SD) of nuclear size ( KFRL ), relative SD of shape factors ( FOFR ), and relative SD of extinction sums ( EXSR ) are high-accuracy parameters for the pathologist to describe variability of sizes, polymorphism, and polychromasia of nuclei. These parameters show a significant increase of values in parallel with rising tumor grade, with maximum values being recordable from cases of glioblastomas. In cases of astrocytomas, optical values of nuclei decrease along with rising tumor grade. The data thus obtained were used as reference values for objective, reproducible automatic glioma grading. The classifier method, described in an earlier publication, proved to be more effective than the regression method.

Tissue of myocardium from (8262) hamsters, 2, 6 and 27 weeks of age, were analyzed with quantitative microscopic techniques. Besides alterations of some other structures, we found the most evident changes in the mitochondrial abnormalities exist at all ages. They may be related to defective energetic mechanism.

The organization and structure of data masses including results of scientific research is presented on the base of the morphometric method. The data massif is realized on ESER-1056 large scale computer. Currently, all the results of the universally scientific programme "Statist", designed for mathematical and statistical morphometric data processing, are collected in this data massif. A personal computer is linked with a large-scale computer by a cable for data transfer by telecommunication, the whole system accomplishes distributed ata processing. This enables the scientist to use the data massif directly from his working site.