Health status of free-ranging ring-necked pheasant chicks (Phasianus colchicus) in North-Western Germany.

Being a typical ground-breeding bird of the agricultural landscape in Germany, the pheasant has experienced a strong and persistent population decline with a hitherto unexplained cause. Contributing factors to the ongoing negative trend, such as the effects of pesticides, diseases, predation, increase in traffic and reduced fallow periods, are currently being controversially discussed. In the present study, 62 free-ranging pheasant chicks were caught within a two-year period in three federal states of Germany; Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein. The pheasant chicks were divided into three age groups to detect differences in their development and physical constitution. In addition, pathomorphological, parasitological, virological, bacteriological and toxicological investigations were performed. The younger chicks were emaciated, while the older chicks were of moderate to good nutritional status. However, the latter age group was limited to a maximum of three chicks per hen, while the youngest age class comprised up to ten chicks. The majority of chicks suffered from dermatitis of the periocular and caudal region of the head (57-94%) of unknown origin. In addition, intestinal enteritis (100%), pneumonia (26%), hepatitis (24%), perineuritis (6%), tracheitis (24%), muscle degeneration (1%) and myositis (1%) were found. In 78% of the cases, various Mycoplasma spp. were isolated. Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) was not detected using an MG-specific PCR. Parasitic infections included Philopteridae (55%), Coccidia (48%), Heterakis/Ascaridia spp. (8%) and Syngamus trachea (13%). A total of 8% of the chicks were Avian metapneumovirus (AMPV) positive using RT-PCR, 16% positive for infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) using RT-PCR, and 2% positive for haemorrhagic enteritis virus (HEV) using PCR. All samples tested for avian encephalomyelitis virus (AEV), infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) or infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) were negative. The pool samples of the ten chicks were negative for all acid, alkaline-free and derivative substances, while two out of three samples tested were positive for the herbicide glyphosate. Pheasant chick deaths may often have been triggered by poor nutritional status, probably in association with inflammatory changes in various tissues and organs as well as bacterial and parasitic pathogens. Theses impacts may have played a major role in the decline in pheasant populations.

Right on track? Performance of satellite telemetry in terrestrial wildlife research.

Satellite telemetry is an increasingly utilized technology in wildlife research, and current devices can track individual animal movements at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions. However, as we enter the golden age of satellite telemetry, we need an in-depth understanding of the main technological, species-specific and environmental factors that determine the success and failure of satellite tracking devices across species and habitats. Here, we assess the relative influence of such factors on the ability of satellite telemetry units to provide the expected amount and quality of data by analyzing data from over 3,000 devices deployed on 62 terrestrial species in 167 projects worldwide. We evaluate the success rate in obtaining GPS fixes as well as in transferring these fixes to the user and we evaluate failure rates. Average fix success and data transfer rates were high and were generally better predicted by species and unit characteristics, while environmental characteristics influenced the variability of performance. However, 48% of the unit deployments ended prematurely, half of them due to technical failure. Nonetheless, this study shows that the performance of satellite telemetry applications has shown improvements over time, and based on our findings, we provide further recommendations for both users and manufacturers.

[Infection-associated Acute Posterior Multifocal Placoid Pigment Epitheliopathy]. / Infektassoziierte akute posteriore multifokale plakoide Pigmentepitheliopathie.

Acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE) is a rare inflammatory chorioretinopathy, which mainly affects young light-skinned, myopic adults between 20 and 30 years of age. The exact aetiology of APMPPE is unknown. Some patients report a viral or flu-like illness preceding the onset of APMPPE symptoms. This condition is usually bilateral and self-limiting with a good overall prognosis. Visual loss is sudden, but usually temporary. Relapses are very rare. Foveal involvement may lead to a worse visual prognosis. There is no current consensus on treatment. A wait-and-see approach with monitoring at short intervals is often sufficient. Based on a case example from our clinic we will demonstrate symptoms, diagnostic work-up and treatment options.

The effect of landscape structure on the distribution of brown hare Lepus europaeus in farmlands of Germany and Poland.

Habitat management should be an important part of the brown hare (Lepus europaeus) conservation, but the habitat requirements of this species are not fully recognised. The aim of our research was to estimate these requirements by analysing the effect of various agricultural landscape structure features on the distribution of hares in five agricultural areas in Germany and Poland. The local density of hares was assessed in the spring and autumn of 2006 by using the method of spotlight-strip counts on 9-15 subareas in each research region. The structure of agricultural landscape has been described for each subarea: the share of grain, other crops and grasses as well as the density of crop edges and uncultivated places with wild vegetation. The density of hares was considerably higher in Germany than in Poland (18.8-48.4 vs. 4.1-9.5 indiv./km(2)). The hare density was positively correlated with non-grain crops in an area, with crop edges in two areas and with wild vegetation without trees in two areas, and negatively correlated with grassfields in two areas. The occurrence of wild vegetation without trees affected the hare density only in the study areas, where this habitat was relatively rare (<3 km/km(2)). It was suggested that proper projects aimed at habitat management for brown hares should be elastic, i.e. the projects should be modified depending on the structure of local landscapes. Moreover, the protection and creation of structures with wild vegetation among cropland seem to be considerable methods of brown hare or generally wildlife conservation; therefore, such measures should be an important part of agro-environmental packages.

[Corneal ulcers in systemic autoimmunologic diseases]. / Hornhautulzera bei systemischen Autoimmunerkrankungen.

BACKGROUND: Keratolysis is a rare severe complication following systemic autoimmunologic diseases. Despite of complex therapeutic treatments, the prognosis is very poor. PATIENTS: Ten eyes from seven patients with corneal ulcers were reported (age 45 - 73 years, mean 63 years; 6 women, 1 man). The corneal ulcer was perforated in 7 eyes. Five patients suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, and one patient developed a Sjögren's syndrome. Besides, one patient had shown both autoimmunologic diseases. After clinical attendance, visual acuity in the eyes with nonperforated ulcers was between 0.1 and 0.4, and in the eyes with perforated ulcers between light perception and 0.2. RESULTS: In 7 eyes with perforated corneal ulcers an emergency tectonic conjunctival plasty and, 1 - 2 days later, a keratoplasty had been performed. Postoperatively, local therapies had been initiated with antibiotic and immunosuppressive eyedrops as well as with conventional drops for dry-eye symptoms. Because of the autoimmunologic diseases of the patients, a systemic immunosuppressive therapy had been arranged. Follow-up period had been between 4 weeks and 3,5 years (mean 16 months). In the three eyes with nonperforated ulcers which received an antibiotic and immunosuppressive treatment, visual acuity was found at 1 / 20 and 0.4. However, in spite of stabilized findings in the 5 eyes with perforated ulcers, the visual acuity was in this case only between light perception and 0.05. One patient with a perforated ulcer and one patient with a recurrent corneal perforation after keratoplasty refused further operative procedures. Finally, both eyes had to undergo evisceration. CONCLUSIONS: Despite of intensive local and systemic immunosuppressive as well as operative therapies, corneal ulcers associated with autoimmunologic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome) may cause a marked decrease of visual acuity or the loss of an eye. With regard to the healthy eye, an immunosuppressive therapy for life is most important.

[Change of retinal oxygen saturation in healthy subjects and in early stages of diabetic retinopathy during breathing of 100% oxygen]. / Anderung der retinalen Sauerstoffsättigung bei Gesunden und in frühen Stadien der diabetischen Retinopathie nach Atmung von 100 % Sauerstoff.

BACKGROUND: Disturbances in the microcirculation are a source of retinal diabetic alterations. Comprehensive studies of blood flow parameters have been performed, but it is not known how ageing, duration of diabetes, blood sugar, glycolysed haemoglobin and elevated systemic blood pressure act in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The arterial and venous oxygen saturation (aOS, vOS) were measured with a Jena Ophthalmo Spectrometer in 28 healthy subjects (NP) (30.3 +/- 13.1 years), 31 Type I diabetics (T I) (42.2 +/- 12.9 years), and in 25 Type II diabetics (T II) (58.9 +/- 6.9 years), suffering form mild or moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, before, during breathing of 100 % oxygen for 6 minutes, and after respiration of air during 10 minutes. RESULTS: Before oxygen breathing, the venous oxygen saturation in diabetics increased with age. During breathing of 100 % oxygen, the vOS increased considerably by 20 % in all groups. The arterio-venous difference of oxygen saturation was decreased with age in diabetics, but there was no dependence on age in normals. In Type II diabetics, the vOS before oxygen breathing was increased with HbA1c. There was also a positive correlation between vOS and blood pressure before oxygen breathing. CONCLUSION: Healthy subjects and diabetics in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy exhibit comparable changes of oxygen saturation during breathing of 100 % oxygen. Measurements of venous OS are most evident. First differences were detectable between diabetics and normals in the normalisation after oxygen respiration.

Structured diabetes therapy and education improves the outcome of patients with insulin treated diabetes mellitus. The 10 year follow-up of a prospective, population-based survey on the quality of diabetes care (the JEVIN Trial).

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: JEVIN (Jena's St. Vincent Trial) is a prospective, 10 year follow-up, population-based survey of all insulin treated patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus aged 16 to 60 years and living in the city of Jena (100,000 inhabitants), Thuringia, Germany. It aims to show the effects of implementation of the St. Vincent Declaration and to evaluate the effect of recent changes in the health care system and new treatment strategies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 190 patients (83% of the target population), 244 patients (90%) and 261 patients (90%) were studied in 1989/90, 1994/95 and 1999/2000, respectively. RESULTS: Up to 1994/95, the HbA1c of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus increased (1994/95: 8.50+/-1.80% versus 1989/90: 7.83+/-1.60%, p=0.002). For patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, it remained constant (9.01+/-2.06% versus 9.17+/-1.60%, n. s.). During the period from 1994/95 to 1999/2000, there was a substantial improvement in the relative HbA1c of both, patients with type 1 (7.62+/-1.55%, p<0.0001), and with type 2 diabetes (7.57+/-1.29%, p<0.0001). Up to 1999/2000, 87.7% of the patients with type 1 (1989/90: 0%, 1994/95: 73.2%) and 96.6% of the patients with type 2 diabetes (1989/90: 0%, 1994/95: 89.7%) participated in TTP's. The incidence of acute and the prevalence of long-term complications remained constant. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the population-based, prospective trial to optimise patients' quality of diabetic control suggest: For patients with insulin treated type 2 diabetes mellitus, excellent treatment can be available by primary care physicians interested, educated and highly engaged in diabetes therapy. Moreover, structured diabetes therapy consisting of treatment and teaching programmes, regular self-monitoring, patients' insulin dose adjustment and patients' empowerment, should be offered to all patients with diabetes mellitus.

Improvement of the quality of diabetes control and decrease in the concentrations of AGE-products in patients with type 1 and insulin-treated type 2 diabetes mellitus: results from a 10 year-prospective, population-based survey on the quality of diabetes care in Germany (JEVIN).

BACKGROUND: Advanced glycation end (AGE)-products are a complex group of compounds that have been implicated in diabetes related long-term complications. Up to the present only few data exist about serum levels of the AGE-proteins N-epsilon-Carboxymethyllysine (CML) and pentosidine in patients with diabetes mellitus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the present 10-year, population-based trial of a selection-free cohort of patients with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus, serum CML and pentosidine levels were examined in correlation to the patients' quality of diabetes control and the prevalence of diabetes related long-term complications. RESULTS: Following the reunification of Germany in 1989 the health care system was decentralised. Up to 1994/95 the relative HbA1c (HbA1c/mean normal) of patients with type 1 diabetes increased (1.65 +/- 0.35 versus 1.52 +/- 0.31, p = 0.002). For patients with type 2 diabetes it remained constant (1.75 +/- 0.4 versus 1.78 +/- 0.31, p = 0.669). During the following period (from 1994/95 to 1999/2000) specialised diabetes care, structured treatment and teaching programmes (TTP), intensified insulin therapy and blood glucose self-monitoring for all patients were broadly implemented. This was accompanied by a substantial improvement in the relative HbA1c of both, patients with type 1 (1.48 +/- 0.3, p<0.0001), and insulin-treated type 2 diabetes mellitus (1.47 +/- 0.25, p<0.0001). During the same period the mean concentration of the AGE-product CML in the sera of patients with type 1 and insulin-treated type 2 diabetes decreased (type 1: 1994/95: 1158.1 +/- 410.0 ng/ml versus 1999/2000: 938.5 +/- 422.4 ng/ml, p<0.0001, type 2: 1994/94: 1244.7 +/- 1231.3 ng/ml versus 1999/2000: 970.9 +/- 458.6 ng/ml, p = 0.007). For pentosidine the same tendency was found for patients with type 1 diabetes (1994/95: 253.6 +/- 280.7 pmol/ml versus 1999/2000: 148.2 +/- 91.4 pmol/ml, p<0.0001). For patients with type 1 diabetes there was a positive correlation between the relative HbA1c-value calculated over the total follow-up period of 10 years and the CML-concentration in 1999/2000 (r = 0.405, p = 0.017). In 1999/2000 a reduced creatinine clearance (

[Neuritis of the optic nerve after vaccinations against hepatitis A, hepatitis B and yellow fever]. / Optikusneuritis nach Impfung gegen Hepatitis A, B und Gelbfieber mit irreversiblem Visusverlust.

BACKGROUND: Vaccinations are preventive measures against serious infections. In relation to the number of vaccinations per year, the incidence of severe complications is extremely low. PATIENT: Two weeks after vaccinations against hepatitis A, hepatitis B and yellow fever in preparation for a trip to Africa a 21-year-old woman experienced an acute and irreversible loss of vision to 0,05 and nasal visual field defect in the left eye. Whereas vision acuity did not recover the scotoma disappeared within 6 weeks. Cerebrospinal fluid showed a lymphocytic pleocytosis. Oligoglonale bands were absent. Pathological parameters were not presented in the serum. The MRI showed a hyperintense thickening of optic nerve,as well as a hyperintense focus in right temporal side using the T(2)W-Sequence. CONCLUSION: Only few cases have been reported with neurological complications, such as encephalitis, following vaccinations each of the above mentioned. As no other causes for the inflammation were found, the optic nerve involvement must have been caused by the vaccination. Which of the three vaccinations caused encephalitis can not be classified.

[YAG laser capsulotomy in multifocal intraocular lenses]. / YAG-Laserkapsulotomie bei multifokalen Intraokularlinsen.

INTRODUCTION: Multifocal intraocular lenses (MIOLs) have been implanted with good results for several years. Because the light is distributed between two or more focuses, there is slight light reduction for every picture. Capsular fibrosis can cause additional reduction of the amount of light to the retina. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A diffractive MIOL 811X from Pharmacia & Upjohn was implanted in 40 eyes of 40 patients. Within 1 year postoperatively, 13 patients underwent YAG Laser capsulotomy between the 4th and the 6th month. Before and after the YAG laser the visual acuity for distance and near vision was tested. In addition, a contrast test (Ginsburg test) was performed. RESULTS: Before YAG laser capsulotomy, the visual acuity for distance without correction was 0.5 (+/- 0.17) and near vision J 2.4 (+/- 1.4). After the YAG laser procedure, uncorrected visual acuity improved to 0.65 (+/- 0. 21) for distance and J 1 (+/- 0) for near vision. With the best distance correction the distance vision was 0.85 (+/- 0.18) and near vision was J 1.77 (+/- 0.89) before capsulotomy. After the YAG laser treatment, patients reached with best correction a visual acuity of 1.1 (+/- 0.24) at distance and J 1 (+/- 0) at near vision. The contrast equivalent acuity increased from 20/70 before the YAG laser treatment to 20/40 after ward. DISCUSSION: Patients with a MIOL feel early visual discomfort due to capsular fibrosis. In most cases the patients still have good visual acuity, but decreased contrast sensitivity. Early YAG laser capsulotomy increases the visual acuity and the contrast sensitivity significantly.

[The course of ovulation in gilts after the use of two GnRH injections for ovulation stimulation]. / Untersuchungen zum Ovulationsverlauf bei Jungsauen nach Anwendung von zwei Gn-RH-Injektionen zur Ovulationsstimulation.

The status of ovulation and amount of ovulated follicles in 410 gilts which had received differentiated pretreatment produced evidence to the feasibility of substitution of HCG by Gn-RH vet. "Berlin-Chemie" to stimulate ovulation. Yet, 2 injections are necessary with an adequate interval between them and with appropriate dosage. The highest synchronisation effect in all experimental variants was obtained from 350 and 750 micrograms of Gn-RH with 50 minutes in between or 750 plus 750 micrograms of Gn-RH with an interval of 40 minutes. Ovulation was most reliably stimulated by 500 I.U. of HCG.

[Antimicrobial chemoprevention in colorectal interventions: a single parenteral dose at the start of surgery is adequate]. / Antimikrobielle Chemoprophylaxe bei colorectalen Eingriffen: Parenterale Einmalgabe bei Operationsbeginn ausreichend.

The effectivity in reducing septic complications after colorectal operations of oral 1 g Neomycin plus 0.25 g Metronidazol t.i.d. on the last preoperative day vs. intravenous single dose 5 g Mezlocillin plus 0.5 g Metronidazole was tested by sequential medical plan. There was no statistically significant difference between both chemoprophylaxis groups (p = 0.10). It is concluded that the intravenous chemoprophylaxis should be preferred because of the lowest dosage and therefore the fewest side-effects.

[Effect of perioperative antibiotics on septic complications following emergency interventions on the small and large intestine]. / Einfluss perioperativer antibiotika auf septische Komplikationen nach notfalleingriffen an Dünn- und Dickdarm.

The effect of perioperative antibiotics on septic complications in emergency bowel surgery was studied by reviewing the charts of patients. The rate of septic complications was essentially reduced in patients, who had received antibiotics pre-, intra- or immediately postoperatively compared with patients without any antibiotic medication (without antibiotics [n = 25] 6 abdominal wound infections, 5 lethal anastomotic disruptions, 2 urinary infections; with antibiotics [n = 24] 0 abdominal wound infections, 2 lethal anastomotic disruptions, 1 urinary and 1 pulmonary infections). Because of the significant reduction of abdominal wound infections which could be achieved in treating patients (X2 = 6,56; p less than 0,05) with antibiotics, these medicaments should be given in emergency bowel surgery with a further prospective controlled study being not necessary.