Effects of macrocyclic lactone anthelmintics on seed germination of temperate grassland species.

Macrocyclic lactone anthelmintics are widely used to control invertebrate pests in livestock, such as sheep. While anthelmintic effects on non-target animals, such as dung-dwelling insects, are well studied, effects on seed germination are largely unknown. Seeds can come into contact with anthelmintics either during passage through the gastro-intestinal tract of grazing animals or when anthelmintics are excreted with their dung into the environment, which may result in changed germination patterns. We used four commonly applied macrocyclic lactones to assess their effects on germination: moxidectin, ivermectin, abamectin and doramectin as pure substances; moxidectin and ivermectin also in formulated form. We tested these pharmaceuticals on 17 different temperate grassland species from five plant families. Seeds were exposed to three concentrations of macrocyclic lactones (0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 mg·l-1 ) under controlled conditions, and germination was assessed over a 6-week period. From these data, we calculated germination percentage, mean germination time and germination synchrony. Most of the tested species were significantly affected in germination percentage and/or mean germination time by at least one of the tested pharmaceuticals, with formulated moxidectin having the largest impact. In general, the effects found were species- and pharmaceutical-specific. While formulated substances generally reduced germination percentage and increased mean germination time, pure substances increased germination percentage. Synchrony showed less clear patterns in all pharmaceuticals. Although effect size and sign varied between species, our study shows that non-target effects of macrocyclic lactones commonly occur in terrestrial plants. This may impede successful seed exchange between habitats via sheep, and even translate into profound changes to grazed ecosystems.

Inter-laboratory exercise on steroid estrogens in aqueous samples.

An inter-laboratory comparison exercise was organized among European laboratories, under the aegis of EU COST Action 636: "Xenobiotics in Urban Water Cycle". The objective was to evaluate the performance of testing laboratories determining "Endocrine Disrupting Compounds" (EDC) in various aqueous matrices. As the main task three steroid estrogens: 17alpha-ethinylestradiol, 17beta-estradiol and estrone were determined in four spiked aqueous matrices: tap water, river water and wastewater treatment plant influent and effluent using GC-MS and LC-MS/MS. Results were compared and discussed according to the analytical techniques applied, the accuracy and reproducibility of the analytical methods and the nature of the sample matrices. Overall, the results obtained in this inter-laboratory exercise reveal a high level of competence among the participating laboratories for the detection of steroid estrogens in water samples indicating that GC-MS as well as LC-MS/MS can equally be employed for the analysis of natural and synthetic hormones.

Microwave assisted methodology for the determination of organic pollutants in organic municipal wastes and soils: extraction of polychlorinated biphenyls using heat transformer disks.

Known benefits of microwave assisted extraction (MAE) of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) from solid matrices could be proven by the described approach using n-heptane as solely applied extraction solvent. Heat transfer within the extraction vessels was achieved by heat transformer disks which absorb microwave energy and transform it into heat rapidly and independently of the temperature present in the sample-solvent system. Disadvantageous co-extraction of polar substances could be ruled out and thus clean-up of the samples was simplified and sufficient for subsequent GC-MS analysis. Comparison with other extraction techniques confirmed the efficiency of this method also for aged samples.

[Antithrombin III level in normal pregnancy and patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension]. / Antithrombin-III-Spiegel bei Normalschwangeren und Patientinnen mit schwangerschaftsinduzierter Hypertonie.

During pregnancy an increase of antithrombin III can be observed. In hypertensive pregnant women this increase may be smaller. This fact may be a sign of hypertension induced disseminated intravascular coagulation and important for prognosis and therapy of pregnancy-induced hypertension. We carried out estimations of antithrombin III by double determinations using radial immundiffusion. Antithrombin III levels were lower in patient with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

[Tocolysis with ethanol--effects on the ethanol content of the blood in the mother and neonate]. / Tokolyse mit Ethanol--Auswirkungen auf den Blutethanolgehalt von Mutter und Neugeborenem.

In 10 pregnant women infusions with fructose and ethanol have been performed during labour until delivery. Ethanol concentration in blood have been estimated during delivery and in the post partum period. A decrease of labour activity could be found already with ethanol blood level below 0.5 mg/g. Ethanol elimination in newborn was delayed about 30 per cent in comparison with their mothers. We couldn't observe any risk neither fetal nor maternal by ethanol infusion.

[Factor VIII-associated antigen/factor VIII ratio in pregnant patients with and without hypertension]. / Faktor VIII-assoziiertes Antigen/Faktor VIII-Ratio bei Graviden mit und ohne Hypertonus.

During pregnancy there is an elevation of factor VIII. In hypertensive pregnancy this increase may be smaller. On the other hand factor VIII associated antigen-factor VIII-ratio is said to be increased in these women compared with normotensive ones. There is a discussions about using these change for early detection of PIH. Estimations of factor VIII have been made chemically. Estimations of factor VIII associated antigen have been carried out immunologically. Factor VIII associated antigen-factor VIII-ratio was higher in pregnant women with hypertension than in normotensive ones.

[Treatment of fetal hemolytic disease using plasmapheresis]. / Therapie des Morbus haemolyticus fetalis mittels Plasmapherese.

Report about the therapy of severe Morbus haemolyticus fetalis in 15 pregnant women by plasmapheresis alone. Fetal survival rate was 67%. One of three children with hydrops fetalis survived. Plasmapheresis may be used in combination with intrauterine transfusion and improves treatment of Morbus haemolyticus fetalis.

[Intrauterine intraperitoneal transfusion controlled by ultrasound. A case report]. / Intrauterine intraperitoneale Transfusion unter Ultraschallkontrolle. Ein Fallbericht.

Two intrauterine transfusions in one fetus have been performed utilizing continuous ultrasound supervision by Sonolayer SSA-90 A in the 31st and 33rd gestational week.

[Results of prenatal amniotic fluid diagnosis in suspected hemolytic disease of newborn]. / Ergebnisse der pränatalen Fruchtwasserdiagnostik bei Verdacht auf Morbus haemolyticus fetalis.

759 amniotic fluid samples have been examined spectrophotometrically according to Liley and chemically for bilirubin from 286 patients with suspicion of morbus haemolyticus fetalis. The results obtained, gave the following findings for the procedure of Liley: sensitivity 75.0 per cent, specivity 96.5 per cent, accuracy 85.3 per cent, predictive value of positive test 95.6 per cent and predictive value of negative test 79.1 per cent and for the chemical test respectively: 88.2 per cent, 81.7 per cent, 85.0 per cent, 83.0 per cent and 87.2 per cent. A pathological delta E value is suspect of a serious erythroblastosis. But a serious morbus haemolyticus fetalis may be excluded with higher likelihood by concentration of bilirubin chemically determined below the pathological range then by correlated values of delta E. Finally we conclude that two different methods for amniotic fluid diagnostic are of higher predictability.

[Report of experiences in 20 years use of intrauterine fetal transfusion in severe Rh-induced hemolytic disease of newborn]. / Erfahrungsbericht über 20 Jahre der Anwendung der intrauterinen fetalen Transfusion bei schwerem Rh-bedingten Morbus haemolyticus fetalis.

136 intrauterine transfusions in 90 fetuses between the 25th and 34th gestational week with severe hemolytic disease because of Rh-incompatibility have been performed after a prenatal step by step diagnostic in the years 1967 till 1986. The reason of the immunization was mistransfusion or omitted immune prophylaxis in 25 cases. 25 from 67 live born children died. There were 23 still births. 34 from 43 fetuses without hydrops survived, but only 8 from 47 fetuses with hydrops. The survival rate over all was 46.7 per cent.

[Comparison of the effectiveness of Partusisten and ethanol tocolysis. II. Short-term tocolysis with Partusisten or ethanol]. / Vergleich der Effektivität von Partusisten- und Ethanoltokolyse. Teil II: Kurzzeittokolyse mit Partusisten oder Ethanol.

A prospectively randomised study for treatment of premature labor either by Partusisten or ethanol short term tocolysis was done in the years 1981 to 1983. The tocolysis was successful in 54 per cent (Partusisten) respectively 50 per cent (ethanol) by reaching a birth weight 2,500 g. 36 per cent respectively 37 per cent pregnant women reached 37th gestational week. Prolongation index 21 or more allows to predict a birth weight of 2,500 g or more. Success score 12 is not identical with corresponding birth weight. Ethanol tocolysis is an alternative to Partusisten treatment.

[Experiences with the use of sulprostone (Nalador) for the termination of pregnancy in the 1st trimester in primigravidae]. / Erfahrungen beim Einsatz von Sulproston (Nalador) zum Schwangerschaftsabbruch im 1. Trimenon bein Primigravidae.

Sulprostone in different doses and application forms (25, 50 or 100 micrograms extra-amnionic; 500 micrograms or 3 times 500 micrograms every 4 hours intramuscularly) was given to perform termination of pregnancy between 7th and 12th week. The dose of 500 micrograms three times given was most effectiveness, but there were the most side effects, too. The dose of 500 micrograms Sulproston was accompanied by less side effects and the therapeutic success was sufficient. The extra-amnionic application was effective also in all used dosages.

[Comparative coagulation studies in induced therapeutic abortions with prostaglandin]. / Vergleichende Gerinnungsuntersuchungen bei induzierten therapeutischen Aborten mittels Prostaglandin.

Therapeutic abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy have been done in ten primigravidae using PGF2 alpha, 15-methyl-PGF2 alpha, or Sulprostone. Bleeding and recalcification time, platelet count, fibrin, platelet adhesiveness, partial thromboplastin time and thromboplastin time were examined before, during and after treatment. We found a decrease of platelet count and a prolongation of bleeding and recalcification time. There was no intensive-influence on coagulation system by the prostaglandin used. Therefore prostaglandins may be used for therapeutic abortion.

PIP: 30 healthy primigravidae aged 16-19 were treated (10 each) with PGF2 alpha, 15-Methyl-PGF2 alpha or Sulproston. Bleeding time, recalcification time, platelet count, fibrin, platelet adhesiveness, partial thromboplastin time and thromboplastin time were examined before, during, and after treatment. A decrease in platelet count and a prolongation of bleeding and recalcification time were observed. In all, none of the coagulation parameters showed any harmful change. PGF2 alpha and 15-Methyl-PGF2 alpha showed a greater tendency toward prolongation of bleeding and recalcification time than did Sulproston. The authors conclude that Sulproston is especially suitable for induction of abortion in the 1st trimester of pregnancy in young primigravidae.

[Comparison of the effectiveness of Partusisten and ethanol tocolysis. I: long-term tocolysis with Partusisten or ethanol]. / Vergleich der Effektivität von Partusisten und Ethanoltokolyse. Teil I: Langzeittokolyse mit Partusisten oder Ethanol.

Effectiveness of long term tocolysis with fenoterol (Partusisten) (n = 124) or ethanol (n = 117) has been compared in a retrospective study of the years 1978 to 1980. Situation of starting therapy has been estimated by Bishop-Score, tocolysis index and gestational week. Criterias of success were duration of gestation (reaching greater than or equal to 37th gestational week), neonatal parameters (weight greater than or equal to 2500 g, RDS morbidity, neonatal mortality) and prolongation index by Richter and success score by Weidinger. Fenoterol (Partusisten) is the better drug for treatment of premature labor. In cases of contraindications or incompatibility ethanol tocolysis is justified.

[Comparison of the effectiveness of Partusisten and ethanol tocolysis. III: Comparison of long-term and short-term tocolysis with Partusisten and ethanol]. / Vergleich der Effektivität von Partusisten- und Ethanol-Tokolyse. Teil III: Vergleich von Langzeit- und Kurzzeittokolyse mit Partusisten und Ethanol.

The effectivity of Partusisten or ethanol long term respectively short term tocolysis by combination of a retrospective and a prospective-randomised study has been compared. Long term tocolysis was better than short term tocolysis. Partusisten was more effective than ethanol. Partusisten long term tocolysis was different to other forms or treatment with a high significance. 70% of newborns after Partusisten long term tocolysis had a birth weight of 2500 g or more.

Variation in the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges in repeated human lymphocyte cultures.

Repeated blood samples from two healthy donors were taken over a period of about one year to determine the temporal variation in human lymphocyte baseline sister chromatid exchange (SCE)-frequencies. The investigations were performed on whole blood cultures and purified lymphocyte cultures using a standardized protocol for blood collection and cultures. Significant differences in the frequencies of SCEs were found between the two cultivation systems and the two blood donors but also between repeated cultures of the same individual. There was no systematic relationship between the proliferation of the cultures and the basal SCE values. The results indicate the necessity of concurrent controls and repeated blood samples whenever SCEs are used as a test for monitoring human exposure to potential mutagens. Temporal variation in human lymphocyte baseline SCE frequencies is a limiting factor for the detection of minor effects of genotoxic agents.

[The fight against hemolytic disease of the newborn-- an example of interdisciplinary cooperation]. / Die Bekämpfung des Morbus hämolyticus neonatorum--ein Beispiel interdisziplinärer Kooperation.

The practical proceeding used in checking anti-D-immunoprophylaxis, in monitoring carriers of antibodies during gravidity and in treating newborns is represented. Details of patients selecting by means of step by step prenatal diagnostics as well as technique and results of intrauterine transfusion are described. After the general introduction of anti-D-prophylaxis, the morbidity resulting from morbus haemolyticus could be reduced by 80% approximately. The survival rate of foeti intrauterinely transfused amounts to 49%.

[Therapy of cervix insufficiency--cerclage or support pessary?]. / Therapie der Zervixinsuffizienz--Zerklage oder Stützpessar?

To evaluate the efficiency of cerclage or pessary a prospective random study has been done from 1982 to 1983. Pelvic score of Bishop and tocolysis index of Baumgarten were used to define the situation at the beginning. Success has been estimated with help of neonatal parameters (birth weight, Apgar score and RDS-morbidity) and final gestational week. Both methods are equal in their effects.

[Measurement of uteroplacental circulation--methods of determination and clinical evaluation]. / Messung der uteroplazentaren Durchblutung--Methoden der Bestimmung und klinische Anwendung.

Numerous factors influence the rate of transfer of various substances across the placental barrier between mother and fetus. Placental metabolism is of eminent importance. The metabolic exchange capacity is dependent decisively from placental blood flow. Different methods have been tested measuring uteroplacental blood supply, but for clinical purpose only isotope techniques are suitable.