Autonomous nervous system with respect to dressing of cattle carcasses and its probable role in transfer of PrP(res) molecules.

Pathogen prions are widely recognized as the causative agent in bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and other transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. However, more research on the possible transmission mutes of this agent once it has reached the host is needed. There is evidence based on the anatomy and physiology of the autonomous nervous system (ANS), as well as observations for different animal species, that the ANS might be involved in the axonal drainage of pathogen prions toward the central nervous system. In this context, more attention should be paid to the cranial cervical ganglion, the stellate ganglion, the chain of paravertebral ganglia next to the first six thoracic vertebrae, the chain of the paravertebral ganglia next to loin vertebrae 1 through 6, the vagus nerve in the neck region and in the mediastine, and the esophagus (because of its close connection to the vagus nerve). For a more detailed risk analysis with respect to these tissues, the ANSs of animals having shown clinical signs of BSE might be examined to corroborate the evidence presented here. In the meantime, as a precautionary measure, the tissue addressed should be taken out of the human food chain, taken out of animal feed, and handled as if it were specified risk material. It is technically possible to remove these parts during cutting and dressing.

Straussenhaltung in Deutschland / Straussenfleisch aus Namibia--ein Fallbeispiel. [Ostrich husbandry in Germany / ostrich meat from Namibia - a case study].

Within the European Union, academic professions themselves are expected to reach a comparable level of professionalism, a fact that veterinary medicine as well should not ignore. At present, a working group is developing a concept of a teaching module for the Socrates programme "Education in Veterinary Public Health (VPH)", enabling the students by "case studies" to be induced to an integrated approach of tackling problems. In an attempt to demonstrate the didactic procedure, a study of ostrich meat as food for human consumption is presented as a concrete example. In the detailed teacher's guide, informations are given about ostrich husbandry, slaughter procedure and meat inspection, as well as detailed explanations how the health of human consumer can be safeguarded by the introduction of the HACCP system.

Chromosome aberrations induced in patients treated with chemotherapeutic drugs and irradiation for acute lymphatic leukemia.

Chromosome analyses were carried out in lymphocytes of ten children with ALL, prior to and during combined therapy with antineoplastic drugs and cranial irradiation. Chromosome preparations from group I (four patients) were analysed by conventional staining. For group II (six patients) the FPG technique (fluorescence plus Giemsa) was applied after BrdU treatment of cultures and cells were scored exclusively in first division. A significant clastogenic effect could not be detected in samples collected during or after chemotherapy for either group. After cranial irradiation of those patients in group II. linear dose-effect relationships for dicentric plus ring chromosomes, and for excess acentrics, could be demonstrated after correction for the relative amount of irradiated volume.