[Reduction of 137caesium contamination in wild boars by supplementing offered food with ammonium-iron-hexa-cyanoferrate]. / Reduktion der 137Cäsium-Aktivität in Wildschweinen durch Zusatz von Ammonium-Eisen-Hexacyanoferrat ("Berliner Blau") zum Kirrfutter.

OBJECTIVE: This replication study investigated whether the 137caesium (137Cs) contamination of wild boars could be relevantly reduced under field conditions by adding ammonium-iron-hexa-cyanoferrate (AFCF; Prussian blue) to the food. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 285 wild boars that had been shot in six Bavarian hunting territories during the season (November until May) between 01 November 2010 and 10 December 2011 137Cs contamination was analysed. Thirty-five animals originated from two hunting territories in which offered food had been supplemented with 1250 mg AFCF per kilogram food. RESULTS: The control animals showed a mean 137Cs contamination of 522 Bq/kg lean skeletal muscle meat. Direct (univariable) comparisons of the two experimental territories with the four control territories yielded a mean reduction in 137Cs contamination due to Prussian bluefeeding by -211 Bq/kg (p < 0.001). Multivariable models that took potential confounders into account (age, weight, sex, hunting date, territory) estimated the effect to be -344 Bq/kg (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This replication study confirmed the finding of Kienzle et al. (12) who described a statistically significant reduction in 137Cs contamination by -380 Bq/kg due to the feeding of Prussian blue in other territories.

[Schummer's plastoid corrosion procedure in scanning electron microscopy of blood vessel systems]. / Das Schummersche Plastoid-Korrosionsverfahren in der Rasterelektronenmikroskopie von Blutgefässsystemen.

In 1951 Plastoid was introduced into the anatomical reconstruction technique of vascular system by Schummer. Now the present study shows Plastoid as a casting-material even for scanning electron microscope-technique superior to other resins used for this purpose. Its special benefit is well-founded in intensive temperature stability, variable polymerization time, changeable viscosity and last not least in his low priced application-mode. Plastoid corrosion-casting models exhibit endothel nuclear impressions and cell borders, smooth muscle layers ("Plastic-Strips") (Castenholz et al. 1982) and inner elastic elements of blood vessels in scanning electron microscopy.