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Contents The objective of this study was to detect the reasons of rooster's fertility decrease at 50 weeks of age. Therefore, the reproductive system of broiler breeder roosters was laparoscopic, macroscopic and histopathology evaluated, and a comparison of the anatomical aspect with the sperm analysis and birds’ age was realized. Cobb roosters (n = 59) were distributed into two groups (30 and 50 weeks). Evaluations were performed with laparoscopy, macroscopy and histopathology, and seminal quality, blood serum testosterone concentration and weight were also determined. The old roosters presented smaller testicle size, higher intensity epididymal lithiasis and lower testicle sperm production, compared to the young roosters. The use of the endoscope could easily distinguish a normal-sized testicle than an atrophic one. Four old roosters with severe testicular atrophy did not show spermatogenesis, although three still had sperm in the ejaculate. This would falsely indicate a wrong diagnosis of normal fertility before the testicular atrophy took place. In conclusion, in addition to the weight increase with age, the testicular atrophy and impairment of sperm production seemed to be the main reason to the decrease in the rooster's fertility at 50 weeks of age. Therefore, the use of the laparoscopy as a way to detect the roosters with testicular atrophy before 50 weeks of age and their removal from them flock could be useful as a diagnostic tool to prevent the birds’ fertility loss.

This article employs the concept of socio-ecological metabolism for historical analyses of agroecosystems. We empirically investigate two case studies in the Austrian Alps of c. 1830 in terms of food and feed provision and soil nitrogen (N) balances. Total biomass extraction and food production were higher in the prealpine Enns valley. However, the larger non-agricultural population working in metal processing relied on food imports. In the high alpine Moll valley, food production was lower, but sustained the smaller regional population. There is no evidence of soil N-depletion at the regional scale in the Enns valley, but it cannot be ruled out in the Moll valley. While our results confirm that output intensity of land use increases with population density, the lower soil N-balance of the less densely populated Moll valley indicates that system-level land-use intensity was unexpectedly higher.

Seventy-eight chickens from a very high poultry density (approximately eight million) region and twelve backyard chickens from neighboring areas were analyzed by histopathology and additional techniques for the presence of the infectious laryngotracheitis virus. The virus distribution was determined in different tissues using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The disease was histopathologically diagnosed in 41.0% (32/78) of the commercial layers. Lesions were mainly characterized by syncytial cells with eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion body formed from the hyperplastic epithelium of the upper respiratory tract, primary and secondary bronchi, and conjunctiva. IHC showed 70% (21/30) positive signal in the larynx/trachea and, 53.8% (14/26) in the lungs, either in epithelial cells or syncytia. In the turbinates and paranasal sinuses, 29.6% (8/27) of samples showed positive signal. PCR detected the following gallid herpesvirus 1-positive percentages: conjunctiva 63.2% (31/49), lungs 57.6% (30/52), turbinates and paranasal sinuses 56% (28/50), and larynx/trachea 50% (39/78). IHC showed to be a useful additional tool for definitive ILT diagnosis, especially during the subacute phase of the disease when syncytial cells with intranuclear inclusion bodies are no longer observed. PCR using specific primers from ICP4 gene, generating a product of 237 base pairs, was sensitive for ILT diagnosis, and very useful for rapid detection of GaHV-1 in chickens. Fixed tissues allowing histopatological examination and detection of GaHV-1 by PCR, are a good option in areas where farms are located several hundred kilometers away from a diagnostic center, reducing problems with conservation of fresh samples and the risk of virus spread.

The virus responsible for an outbreak of infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) in a multi-age flock of egg layer chickens under quarantine in Brazil was characterized. Layer chickens from this area with circulating gallid herpesvirus 1 (GaHV 1) were evaluated using histopathology and molecular characterization techniques based on sequences of infected-cell polypeptide 4 (ICP4) and thymidine kinase (TK) genes. The infected chickens that were analyzed were PCR-positive for GaHV-1 in the trachea and negative in most trigeminal ganglia. The lack of ILT lesions in the conjunctiva and respiratory tissues, combined with detection of viral DNA in the trachea, was found to be associated with latent infection. The sequences from five farms obtained in the present study were identical, and there were no deletions within the 272- to 283-bp region of the ICP4 gene, as observed in the sequences of vaccine strains (CEO and TCO). The lack of a deletion in the ICP4 fragment analyzed in this study indicates that the chickens were infected with a field virus. The absence of the T252M mutation in a fragment of the TK gene, in addition to the low mortality rate observed, suggests that the outbreak in the state of Minas Gerais was not caused by a highly virulent strain but rather by a field virus of lower virulence. In addition, using phylogenetic reconstructions, it was found that this field strain was grouped together in a separate branch, apart from the previously characterized Brazilian strains. The introduction of vectored vaccines apparently has been effective in reducing clinical disease and lesions, and preventing new outbreaks of disease.

Das wissenschaftliche Verstandnis von Prozessen in Flusslandschaften stellt eine wichtige Basis fur die Einbindung der Bevolkerung in ein wirkungsvolles und nachhaltiges Flussgebietsmanagement dar. Durch Vermittlung von Systemwissen an SchulerInnen sollen diese als zukunftige BewohnerInnen und NutzerInnen von Flusslandschaften Zusammenhange erkennen, Projektentscheidungen und Masnahmen verstehen und nachhaltige Planungen unterstutzen. Im Oktober 2012 startete aus diesem Grunde im Rahmen des Forschungsprogrammes „Sparkling Science“ des Bundesministeriums fur Wissenschaft und Forschung das Projekt „FlussAu:WOW!“. Im Rahmen dieses Projektes arbeiten WissenschaftlerInnen gemeinsam mit SchulerInnen zweier BG/BRG-Oberstufenklassen uber einen Zeitraum von zwei Jahren zu Forschungsfragen des Flusslandschaftsmanagements. Fachliches Ziel des Projektes ist die Erarbeitung eines Indikatorensets, um die Funktionalitat des Fluss-Auen-Niveaus abzubilden. Gemeinsam mit den SchulerInnen wurden im ersten Schuljahr Forschungsfragen in Workshops bearbeitet, Freilandkartierungen durchgefuhrt und die Ergebnisse der Feldarbeit analysiert. In den Bearbeitungen und Diskussionen wurden von Seiten der WissenschaftlerInnen immer wieder die komplexen Zusammenhange in Fluss-Auensystemen aufgezeigt. Die Wissensevaluierung der im Projekt beteiligten SchulerInnen erfolgte mittels Pra- und Post-Tests. Die Analyse der Pra-Tests zeigte grose Wissenslucken zu Fragen des Flusslandschaftsmanagements u. a. uber signifikante Belastungen von Flusslandschaften. Der Vergleich der Pra- und Post-Tests dokumentierte einen signifikanten Anstieg des Faktenwissens der Jugendlichen nach dem ersten Schuljahr. Eine Vernetzung des Wissens und das Erkennen von Ursache-Wirkungs-Beziehungen waren aber nur in Einzelfallen im Post-Test erkennbar. Neben Faktenwissen stellt vor allem das Wissen um die Vernetzung einzelner Systemelemente eine wesentliche Basis der wissenschaftlichen Bildung dar. Interaktive, moderne Ansatze haben bei der Vermittlung von Systemwissen eine grose Bedeutung. Im Rahmen des „FlussAu:WOW!“-Projektes wird das systembasierende Lernen im zweiten Schuljahr mithilfe einer neuartigen Modellierungs- und Simulationssoftware umgesetzt. Die Befragung der SchulerInnen nach deren Interessen zeigte sowohl im Pra- als auch im Post-Test eine hohe Motivation an der Forschungsmitarbeit und groses Interesse an Fragen zu Umwelt und Natur. Bereits nach dem ersten Schuljahr konnte die Zusammenarbeit WissenschaftlerInnen/ PadagogInnen/ SchulerInnen damit einen wertvollen Beitrag zu einem nachhaltigen Flussgebietsmanagement liefern.

SummaryNeurological cases, especially in foals, are rare in the daily practical work. The most common causes are traumata and infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). This case report provides further insights into the wide spectrum of possible neuropathological lesions by detailing a complex malformation with unilateral neurological signs that occurred later post natum. Thus, clinicians should also be aware of malformations in case of respective neurological patients. A Hanoverian foal was presented with progressive ataxia. General and blood examination revealed no further alterations. By neurologic examination, a unilateral hypermetria was diagnosed and a cysternography of the head was performed. A cerebellar malformation was assumed and the foal was euthanized due to poor prognosis. At necropsy, a unilateral absence of a cerebellar hemisphere and vermis accompanied by contralateral malformation of the mesencephalon was diagnosed. The missing areas of the right cerebellar hemisphere were replaced by a cystic formation. The left part of the mesencephalic lamina quadrigemina was reduced in size and the corpus callosum was hypoplastic. Additional microscopical findings were most obvious near the cyst formation and included angiofibrosis in remaining cerebellar and mesencephalic parenchyma and leptomeninges, heterotopia of cerebellar neurons, sclerosis in cerebellar cortex, focal proliferation of meningeal cells and mild mononuclear perivascular infiltrates. Occassional irregular neuronal arrangement in the mesencephalon was also present. Infectious agents such as Borna disease virus, rabies virus, and equine herpesvirus were not detected. Therefore, the complex malformation in this foal might have been caused by a destructive, possibly ischemic event, or could represent a sequel of a primary retrocerebellar cyst with accompanying compression of adjacent parenchyma.

SUMMARY. Toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in a vinaceous Amazon parrot based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. The bird was prostrate on the bottom of the cage and died. Necropsy revealed edema and congestion of the lungs, cloudy air sacs, and mild hepatomegaly. Histopathology revealed severe pulmonary congestion and edema and interstitial mononuclear cell inflammation associated with many cysts containing bradyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii scattered throughout. The heart had mild multifocal lymphocytic myocarditis and free tachyzoites in the muscle fibers, and the kidneys had mild interstitial nephritis and a few cysts containing bradyzoites of T. gondii. Immunohistochemistry was negative for Sarcocystis falcatula and Neospora caninum and confirmed the protozoa as T. gondii. This is the first description of T. gondii in an endangered species of a Brazilian psittacine.

This paper describes the use of a panel of antibodies (CD117, CD3, CD79a, CD45, cytokeratin, vimentin and E-cadherin) on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of canine cutaneous round cell tumours. Neoplastic tumours were diagnosed by histology and histochemical stains and included 107 mast cell tumours, 31 cutaneous histiocytomas, two localized histiocytic sarcomas, 21 cutaneous lymphomas, three plasma cell tumours, one transmissible venereal tumour and seven unclassified round cell tumours. The histologic diagnosis was modified in 39.5% of the total 172 neoplasms. The staining for CD45 and Ecadherin were variable, and therefore, the final diagnoses of cutaneous histiocytoma and localized histiocytic sarcoma were made based on histology in association with negative results for CD3, CD79a, CD117 and cytokeratin. The cellular origin of unclassified round cell tumours was defined in all cases. Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma and plasma cell tumours were CD79a-positive and could be distinguished from each other by the morphological characteristics. Mast cell tumours and T cell lymphoma were CD117 and CD3 positive, respectively. The positive staining for vimentin and the negative staining for CD3, CD79a, CD117 and cytokeratin favoured the diagnosis of transmissible venereal tumours. Thus, the final diagnosis of cutaneous round cell tumours should be based on the interpretation of immunohistochemical results together with the cellular morphology observed by histology. Therefore, more studies to optimize the specific markers in formalin-fixed, paraffinembedded tissues (especially for histiocytes) are required for definitive diagnosis of round cell tumours in dogs.

Psittacid herpesvirus (PsHV) was isolated from 41 birds kept in captivity in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais/Brazil using chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) cell cultures. For this study, leukocytes or cloacal swabs of live birds were used. Also, portions of liver, spleen or kidney from birds collected at necropsy were utilized for these tests. PCR tests confirmed the presence of PsHV in 100% of samples. Thirty-three of the PCR products were sequenced and the results disclosed a 99% and 100% identity when compared with other sequences PsHV-1 (AY372243.1 and AF261756.1), previously deposited in GenBank. In addition, histopathology was performed and 19 of the 29 birds contained random multifocal lymphoplasmacytic hepatitis with necrotic foci, suggestive of viral infection. Three samples were examined by electron microscopy to visualize the viral particles obtained from cell culture. The viral structures measured 269 nm in average, had envelopes with an icosahedral capsid and tegument, consistent with herpesvirus. Thus, a total of 41 isolates were obtained from PsHV cell cultivation in CEF, confirming the circulation of the virus between parrots kept in captivity in Belo Horizonte, and affirming the importance of further studies in this area.

Die Nutzung der Fliesgewasser wird sowohl auf globaler als auch nationaler Ebene weiterhin intensiviert, was zunehmend auch zu Veranderungen und Beeintrachtigungen der Gewasserokosysteme und Gefahrdung der bereits stark in Anzahl und Ausdehnung reduzierten, intakten Fliesgewasser-Okosysteme fuhrt. Mit der EU-Richtlinie "Erneuerbare Energien" (RES 2009/28/EC) wurde das EU weite Ziel definiert, bis zum Jahr 2020 20 % des Endenergieverbrauchs aus erneuerbaren Energien zu decken. Somit ist zukunftig mit einem weiter forcierten Wasserkraftausbau zu rechnen. Vor diesem Hintergrund stellt sich bei zukunftigen Nutzungseingriffen die Frage nach einer Abstimmung okologischer, gesellschaftlicher und okonomischer Interessen. Zudem machen die normativen Vorgaben des Verschlechterungsverbotes sowie des Verbesserungsgebotes der Wasserrahmenrichtlinie – in Zusammenschau mit anderen, naturschutzrelevanten Richtlinien – die Handlungserfordernisse in Hinblick auf Schutzstrategien deutlich. Fur diesen Abstimmungs- und in der Folge Priorisierungsprozess werden erstmalig sowohl auf EU- als auch nationaler Ebene neue Herangehensweisen im Sinne raumlich ubergeordneter, fachubergreifender "pre-planning Instrumente" diskutiert. Ziel ist eine raumlich differenzierte Ausweisung jener Flussstrecken, in denen eine masvolle Nutzung der Wasserressourcen grundsatzlich moglich ist und jener, deren okologische Funktionsfahigkeit vorrangig zu sichern ist. Im gegenstandlichen Artikel werden – als Basis fur weiterfuhrende Arbeiten zur Ausweisung okologisch sensibler Gewasserstrecken – Schutzwerte und -kriterien im Bereich des Fliesgewasserschutzes anhand von Literaturrecherchen auf internationaler Ebene betrachtet. Weiters wird ein Uberblick uber den Stand der Kriterienfestlegung in einzelnen Alpenstaaten gegeben und der Prozess der Implementierung von Schutzkriterien und -konzepten beispielhaft fur die Schweiz und Osterreich aufgezeigt. Anhand einer raumlichen Anwendung ausgewahlter sektoraler Kriterien fur das osterreichische Fliesgewassernetz werden schlussendlich exemplarisch Fliesgewasserstrecken dargestellt, die hohe okologische Wertigkeit aufweisen.

In der steirischen Mur gibt es derzeit 29 Wasserkraftwerke, 26 % der Mur sind gestaut und 11 % ausgeleitet (Restwasser). Etwa 25 % des Flusslaufes weisen noch einen guten hydromorphologischen Zustand auf. Hohe Fliesstreckenanteile existieren im Abschnitt Landesgrenze bis Bruck/Murzmundung und in der Grenzmur. Die Huchenpopulation der Mur ist von sehr hoher internationaler Schutzwurdigkeit und weist eigenstandige Reproduktion auf. Mit ca. 1.500 Adulttieren liegt die Huchenpopulation der Mur bereits unter der kritischen Grenze langfristig uberlebensfahiger Minimalpopulationsgrosen. Teilpopulationen mit jeweils uber 100 Adulttieren befinden sich nur in langeren durchgehenden Fliesstrecken, v.a. flussauf von Leoben. Ein Verschwinden des Huchens in Abschnitten mit gutem Zustand entsprechend FIA fuhrt zu einer Verschlechterung zum masigen Zustand. Generell weisen Stauhaltungen starke Defizite im Artenspektrum und Fischokologischen Zustand auf (Zustandsklasse 4 bis 5). Vollwasser-Fliesstrecken weisen zu 89 % den Guten oder sehr Guten Zustand auf, Restwasserstrecken noch zu 77 % den Guten Zustand. Mit zunehmenden Stau- oder Restwasseranteil verschlechtert sich der Fischokologische Zustand.

In diesem Artikel werden Moglichkeiten und Limits der Verwendung historischer Karten fur die Rekonstruktion fruherer gewassermorphologischer Verhaltnisse diskutiert. Anhand von Fallbeispielen zu Moll, Lech, Kamp und zur Donau wird dargestellt, dass teils sehr detaillierte Analysen moglich sind. Im Gewassermanagement liefern solche Rekonstruktionen wichtige Beitrage fur die Formulierung eines Leitbilds, okologischer Defizite sowie Vorgaben fur die Planung von Masnahmen und fur ein okologisches Monitoring. Gleichzeitig gibt es aber auch klare Einschrankungen. Verfugbare Kartenwerke entstammen meist dem 19. Jahrhundert und damit aus einer Zeit, in der Gewasser nicht mehr unbeeinflusst waren. Zudem haben sich die Rahmenbedingungen fur die zukunftige morphologische Entwicklung von Gewassern haufig geandert, sodass historisch basierte Leitbilder und Bewertungsmasstabe nur eingeschrankt umgesetzt werden konnen.

Als Folge von umfassenden Regulierungstatigkeiten in der Vergangenheit und der intensiven landwirtschaftlichen Nutzung des Gebiets weisen zahlreiche kleine Bache im Weinviertel eine degradierte Gewassermorphologie und eine massive Belastung der Wasserqualitat durch Nahrstoffe auf. Im ETZ-Projekt ProFor wurde der Einfluss der Hydromorphologie auf die Wasser- und Sedimentqualitat sowie auf den Nahrstoffruckhalt im Gewasser untersucht, um Sanierungsansatze fur stark belastete Gewasseroberlaufe im Weinviertel auszuarbeiten, die auf eine Verbesserung des Nahrstoffhaushalts abzielen. Die Untersuchungen zeigten vor allem in den degradierten, schilfbewachsenen Strecken eine Akkumulation an nahrstoffreichem, organisch belasteten Feinsediment aus erodiertem Ackerboden mit einem hohen Freisetzungspotential fur Ammonium und Phosphat (bis zu 20 mg m−2 h−1). Der Nahrstoffruckhalt war generell masig. Die mittleren Transportdistanzen fur geloste Nahrstoffe betrugen meist mehrere Kilometer, die mittleren Aufnahmeraten fur Ammonium und Phosphat lagen bei ca. 5 mg m−2 h−1. Abschnitte mit einem Geholzsaum wiesen im Allgemeinen eine bessere Sedimentqualitat und einen hoheren Nahrstoffruckhalt auf als degradierte Strecken. Die Studie zeigt, dass eine Verminderung der stofflichen Belastung und eine Verbesserung der okologischen Funktionsfahigkeit, insbesondere in Bezug auf die Wiederherstellung der Selbstreinigungskapazitat, nur durch eine Masnahmenkombination aus einer Restrukturierung der Gewassermorphologie und einer gleichzeitigen Reduktion des Bodeneintrags aus dem Umland erreicht werden kann.

In diesem Artikel werden drei neue Ansatze im integrierten Hochwassermanagement vorgestellt, welche in FloodRisk II entwickelt oder optimiert wurden. (I) Die Floodplain Evaluation Matrix (FEM) ermoglicht die objektive Evaluierung von Uberflutungsflachen in einem Einzugsgebiet und/oder einer Flussstrecke aus hydrologisch/hydraulischer, okologischer und soziologischer Sicht. (II) Der flussmorphologische Raumbedarf (FMRB) zeigt sich insbesondere bei grosen Hochwassern und wurde auf Basis der Untersuchungen minimal mit der insgesamt drei- bis siebenfachen Flussbreite (gemessen ab Boschungsoberkante) festgelegt, wo weder Bauten noch hoherwertige Nutzungen zulassig sind. Wo moglich, sollte beim FMRB eine Annaherung an das potenzielle Fluss-Auensystem (maximaler FMRB) erfolgen. (III) Mit dem raumlich differenzierten Vegetationsmanagement (VeMaFlood) erfolgt eine Einteilung der Flussabschnitte in vegetationsdynamische Strecken, Ubergangsstrecken und sensible Strecken mit unterschiedlicher Breite und Dichte der Vegetation, um damit eine verstarkende Retentionswirkung (hydrologisch) oder Minimierung des Wasserspiegels (hydraulisch) zu ermoglichen.

Summary 1Wood is increasingly used in restoration projects to improve the hydromorphological and ecological status of streams and rivers. However, despite their growing importance, only a few of these projects are described in the open literature. To aid practitioners, we conducted a postal mail survey to summarize the experiences gained in central Europe and compile data on 50 projects. 2Our results indicated the potential for improvement from an ecological point of view, as the number and total wood volume, and the median volume of single wood structures placed in the streams per project, were low compared with the potential natural state. Moreover, many wood structures were placed nearly parallel to the water flow, reducing their beneficial effect on stream hydraulics and morphology. 3Restoration success has been monitored in only 58% of the projects. General conclusions drawn include the following. (i) The potential effects of wood placement must be evaluated within a watershed and reach-scale context. (ii) Wood measures are most successful if they mimic natural wood. (iii) Effects of wood structures on stream morphology are strongly dependent on conditions such as stream size and hydrology. (iv) Wood placement has positive effects on several fish species. (v) Most projects revealed a rapid improvement of the hydromorphological status. 4Most of the wood structures have been fixed, called ‘hard engineering’. However, soft engineering methods (use of non-fixed wood structures) are known to result in more natural channel features for individual stream types, sizes and sites, and are significantly more cost-effective. 5Synthesis and applications. Large wood has been used successfully in several projects in central Europe, predominantly to increase the general structural complexity using fixed wood structures. Our results recommend the use of less costly soft engineering techniques (non-fixed wood structures), higher amounts of wood, larger wood structures and improved monitoring programmes for future restoration projects comparable with those in this study. We recommend the use of ‘passive restoration’ methods (restoring the process of wood recruitment on large scales) rather than ‘active restoration’ (placement of wood structures on a reach scale), as passive restoration avoids the risk of non-natural amounts or diversity of wood loading developing within streams. Local, active placement of wood structures must be considered as an interim measure until passive restoration methods have increased recruitment sufficiently.

Die Hochwasser und Uberschwemmungen des August 2002 betrafen auch das Kamptal und setzten hier fur das Leben und Wirtschaften ganzlich neue Rahmenbedingungen. Vor allem der Hochwasserschutz und die Raum- und Landschaftsplanung wurden dadurch vor zukunftsweisende Herausforderungen gestellt. Aus okologischer Sicht fuhrte das Extremereignis aber auch zu einer ausergewohnlichen Entwicklung. Es entstanden im Kamptal naturnahe, Flussabschnitte, wie sie an anderen Flussen Osterreichs erst mit grosem finanziellem Aufwand gezielt hergestellt werden. Vor diesem Hintergrund beauftragte die NO Landesakademie in Kooperation mit dem Land NO im September 2003 die Universitat fur Bodenkultur mit der Erarbeitung eines integrativen Gesamtkonzepts zur “Nachhaltigen Entwicklung der Kamptal-Flusslandschaft”. Dabei galt es zukunftsorientierte Losungen zu finden, die den Bedurfnissen der Menschen vor Ort gerecht werden und den rechtlichen Vorgaben entsprechen. Das Projekt wird Ende 2006 finalisiert; als zentrales Ergebnis wird ein sogenannter ubergeordneter Managementplan vorliegen, der die unterschiedlichen Nutzungen im Kamptal vom Hochwasserschutz uber Energiewirtschaft, Siedlungs- und Wirtschaftstatigkeit bis hin zu Freizeit und Okologie optimal miteinander verbindet. Vorliegender Beitrag bildet als “Uberbau” zu den folgenden Fachartikeln Projektstruktur und Projektablaufe der Studie ab und stellt die wichtigsten Planungsgrundsatze, welche zur Anwendung kamen, dar.

Im Rahmen des integrativen Gesamtprojektes „Nachhaltige Entwicklung der Kamptal-Flusslandschaft”1 wurden die Themen Vegetation und Totholz sowohl aus wasserwirtschaftlicher als auch aus okologischer Sicht untersucht. Die umfangreiche Istbestandsanalyse umfasste die Kartierung der Vegetationsstrukturen und eine geneaue Erhebung der „geometrischen” Vegetationsparameter. Darauf aufbauend wurden unterschiedliche Vegetationsszenarien vor allem in Hinblick auf Breite und Dichte der Geholzvegetation entwickelt und deren Einfluss auf das Abflussgeschehen in einem wasserbaulichen Modellversuch untersucht. Aufgrund der unterschiedlichen Herausforderungen in Siedlungen und Freilandbereichen wurde fur das Management eine Einteilung in „sensible”, „vegetationsdynamische” und „Ubergangsstrecken” vorgeschlagen.

In diesem Beitrag werden Ergebnisse aus dem Projekt „Nachhaltige Entwicklung der Kamptal Flusslandschaft” vorgestellt, die sich mit der Dokumentation bzw. Prozessanalyse von flussmorphologischen Veranderungen durch das Hochwasser 2002 auseinandersetzen. Es galt, (1) Umlagerungsflachen/Verwerfungen auszuweisen bzw. Erosionen zu quantifizieren, (2) Verwerfungstypen zu klassifizieren, um in der Folge (3) physikalische Prozesse in diesen Umlagerungsflachen mit Hilfe von hydrodynamisch-numerischen (HN) Modellen zu beschreiben. Fur ein zukunftiges Management dieser Umlagerungsflachen wurden (4) Untersuchungen nach Hochwasserschutz-bzw. okologischen Kriterien an Hand eines Fallbeispiels durchgefuhrt. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass vor allem Abflusskontraktionen bzw. flussab folgende Abflussexpansionen wesentlich zur Verwerfungsbildung durch das Hochwasser 2002 beitrugen. Die Umlagerungsflachen brachten lokal sowohl aus Sicht des Hochwasserschutzes, als auch aus Sicht der Fischokologie, eine Verbesserung gegenuber dem Zustand vor dem Hochwasser 2002. Die hier vorgestellten Projektergebnisse wurden im Auftrag der NO Landesakademie in Kooperation mit der Gruppe Wasser beim Amt der NO Landesregierung vom Institut fur Wasserwirtschaft, Hydrologie und Konstruktiven Wasserbau (IWHW) gemeinsam mit dem Institut fur Hydrobiologie und Gewassermanagement (IHG) des Departments fur Wasser-Atmosphare-Umwelt der Universitat fur Bodenkultur erarbeitet.

Voraussetzung fur das Gelingen eines Partizipations prozesses ist eine rechtzeitige und vertiefte Information und Bewusstseinsbildung der Bevolkerung, die moglichst fruhzeitige Erhebung der Interessen, Wunsche und Angste der Bevolkerung (BurgerInnen-Leitbild/partizipatives Leitbild) und eine gezielte, moderierte Einbindung der BurgerInnen in den Planungsprozess selbst. Diesen Grundsatzen folgt das ProjektNachhaltige Entwicklung der Kamptal-Flusslandschaft1. Im Zentrum steht dabei dieaktive Einbindung der interessierten Kamptalerinnen und Kamptaler, welche diesen die Moglichkeit einraumt, auf den Prozess selbst sowie die Ergebnisse Einfluss zu nehmen. Die BurgerInnen-beteiligung erfolgt von Beginn des Projektes an und begleitet samtliche Projektphasen. Parallel dazu erfolgt — als Grundlage jeder Beteiligung — die kontinuierliche Information der Offentlichkeit uber Medien, Informationsveranstaltungen und das Internet.

In diesem Beitrag werden Ergebnisse einer Studie vorgestellt, deren Ziel die Flachensicherung als Basis fur ein zukunftiges Flusslandschaftsmanagement fur den Kamp nach dem Hochwasser 2002 war. Es galt, (1) Flachen hoher okologischer Wertigkeit mit Hauptaugenmerk auf die von den Hochwassern 2002 neu geschaffenen Flussstrukturen abzugrenzen, (2) diese Flachen anhand einer Prioritatenreihung als Grundlage fur Grundverhandlungen und-ankaufe zu kennzeichnen sowie (3) Bedeutung und Funktionen der ausgewiesenen Flachen fur Hochwasserschoz und Okologie aufzuzeigen. Auf Basis dieser Untersuchungen konnten fur das Kamptal knapp 321 ha als potenziell sichernswerte Flachen ausgewiesen werden. Mit Mitteln des Landes Niederosterreich sowie des BMLFUW wurden uber 90 ha dieser Flachen, die durch die Hochwasser 2002 stark beeintrachtigt waren, fur zukunftige Masnahmen des passiven Hochwasserschutzes erworben und in das offentliche Wassergut ubergefuhrt. Die hier vorgestellte Studie wurde im Auftrag des Landes Niederosterreich (Gruppe Wasser) vom Institut fur Hydrobiologie und Gewassermanagement gemeinsam mit dem Institut fur Wasserwirtschaft, Hydrologie und konstruktiven Wasserbau des Departments fur Wasser-Atmosphare-Umwelt der Universitat fur Bodenkultur Wien erarbeitet.

One ferret (Mustela putorius furo) from Finland and two ferrets from Austria, aged 1–4.5 years and of both genders, were presented with pyogranulomatous subcutaneous inflammation affecting the inguinal, preputial and femoral regions, respectively. Histologically, microorganisms were detected within the lesions. The organisms had a capsule that stained positively by the periodic acid–Schiff reaction. Pseudomonas spp. were cultured from the lesions in two cases. In the third case, electron microscopy revealed a prokaryotic organism surrounded by an electron lucent matrix. 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed highest sequence homology to Pseudomonas luteola in all three cases. In combination with recent reports of pleuropneumonia in ferrets due to P. luteola infection, these cases might indicate a predisposition of ferrets for infection by these bacteria.

We report a 9-year-old boy with a sinonasal ossifying fibroma, probably congenital, with atypical findings on CT and MRI. CT revealed a soft-tissue density mass in the sphenoethmoidal sinuses, nasal cavity and right maxillary sinus with a few foci of calcification and with remodelling and destruction of the adjacent facial bones. MRI showed high signal on T2- and intermediate signal on T1-weighted images. A thin, partly enhancing outer shell and some nonenhancing septa were visible on contrast-enhanced images. MRI also showed the tumour to extend into the anterior cranial fossa. Subtotal removal was performed. We compare our findings with reports in the literature and discuss the differences from fibrous dysplasia.

We describe 9-year-old monozygotic male twins with a developmental language disorder of the phonologic-syntactic type and learning difficulties. High-resolution MRI revealed bilateral parieto-temporal grey matter heterotopias in both twins, on the left more than on the right, and more pronounced in the more affected twin. This suggests a causal relationship between the heterotopias and the neuropsychological findings in this twin pair.Neuronal migration defects and ensuing focal heterotopias may be causally related to developmental language disorders.

Materials and methods This work describes an antibody panel (CD117, CD3, CD79a, CD45, cytokeratin, vimentin and E-cadherin) for immunohistochemistry analyses of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of canine cutaneous round cell tumours. Neoplastic tumours were diagnosed by histology and histochemical staining and included 89 mast cell tumours, 31 cutaneous histiocytomas, 21 cutaneous lymphomas, three plasma cell tumours, and seven unclassified round cell tumours.

(1993). The preparation of the present article has taken place during the last months of my assignment with the Danish Center for Human Rights, Copenhagen, in the Autumn of 1994. I am grateful to the researchers at the Center, particularly Katarina Tomasevski and Karin Poulsen, as well as the Center's Director, Morten Kjaerum, for stimulating discussions which have inspired my work. The research would not have been possible without the patient assistance of the Center's two librarians, Karen-Lise Thylstrup and Agnete Olesen, to whom I am equally grateful. Associate Professor Michael Whyte, Institute of Anthropology, University of Copenhagen, read an earlier draft of the article, and his comments have, as usual, been extremely useful in clarifying some of its most difficult issues. Last but not least, the shaping of my theoretical approach to human rights has benefitted immensely from discussions with Mr. Maurice Boussidan, philosopher and psychoanalyst, Association Freudienne Internationale, Paris. 2. Statement on Human Rights, 49 AM. ANTHROPOLOGIST 539, 542 (1947). This statement was submitted to one of the commissions of the United Nations, which, as is well-known, in 1947 carried out a theoretical inquiry into the foundations of an international declaration of human rights, drawing on a large number of individual philosophers, social scientists, jurists, and writers from UNESCO member states. For details, see Tore Lindholm, Prospects for Research on the Cultural Legitimacy of Human Rights: The Cases of Liberalism and Marxism, in HUMAN RIGHTS IN CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECIVES: A QUEST FOR CONSENSUS 387 (Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na'im ed., 1992) [hereinafter HUMAN RIGHTS IN

Neurological cases, especially in foals, are rare in the daily practical work. The most common causes are traumata and infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). This case report provides further insights into the wide spectrum of possible neuropathological lesions by detailing a complex malformation with unilateral neurological signs that occurred later post natum. Thus, clinicians should also be aware of malformations in case of respective neurological patients. A Hanoverian foal was presented with progressive ataxia. General and blood examination revealed no further alterations. By neurologic examination, a unilateral hypermetria was diagnosed and a cysternography of the head was performed. A cerebellar malformation was assumed and the foal was euthanized due to poor prognosis. At necropsy, a unilateral absence of a cerebellar hemisphere and vermis accompanied by contralateral malformation of the mesencephalon was diagnosed. The missing areas of the right cerebellar hemisphere were replaced by a cystic formation. The left part of the mesencephalic lamina quadrigemina was reduced in size and the corpus callosum was hypoplastic. Additional microscopical findings were most obvious near the cyst formation and included angiofibrosis in remaining cerebellar and mesencephalic parenchyma and leptomeninges, heterotopia of cerebellar neurons, sclerosis in cerebellar cortex, focal proliferation of meningeal cells and mild mononuclear perivascular infiltrates. Occassional irregular neuronal arrangement in the mesencephalon was also present. Infectious agents such as Borna disease virus, rabies virus, and equine herpesvirus were not detected. Therefore, the complex malformation in this foal might have been caused by a destructive, possibly ischemic event, or could represent a sequel of a primary retrocerebellar cyst with accompanying compression of adjacent parenchyma.

Clinical, gross, and histopathology lesions and molecular characterization of Trichomonas spp. infection were described in two striped owls (Asio (Rhinoptynx) clamator), one American kestrel (Falco sparverius), two green-winged saltators (Saltator similis), and in a toco toucan (Ramphastos toco) from Brazil. These birds presented clinical signs including emaciation, ruffled feathers, abundant salivation and open mouth breathing presumably due to abundant caseous material. Gross lesions were characterized by multifocal yellow friable plaques on the surface of the tongue, pharynx and/or caseous masses partially occluding the laryngeal entrance. In the owls, the caseous material extended into the mandibular muscles and invaded the sinuses of the skull. Histopathologically, marked necrotic and inflammatory lesions were associated with numerous round to oval, pale eosinophilic structures (6–10μm) with basophilic nuclei, consistent with trichomonads. Organisms similar to those described above also were found in the liver of the two green-winged saltators. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of trichomonosis in a striped owl and a toco toucan. Sequence analysis of the Trichomonas spp. internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) region and partial 5.8S of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) disclosed significant genetic diversity. Two sequences had 100% identity to Trichomonas gallinae, whereas two sequences had a 99% and 92% identity to a Trichomonas vaginalis-like sequence, respectively. One sequence (green-winged saltator 502-08) had a 100% identity to a newly recognized genus Simplicomonas.

STUDY OBJECTIVE This study prospectively investigated the outpatient once daily therapy with ceftriaxone alone or if necessary in combination with teicoplanin, in the treatment of infections in children and adolescents with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia or aplastic anemia. PATIENTS 42 patients 1-22 years of age suffering from solid tumors, hematological and oncological diseases, with clinical signs of infection, increased serum CRP (> 1 mg/dl) and/or fever above 38.5 degrees C and neutropenia (WBC count and/or ANC < 1 x 10(9)/l) were included in this outpatient based study. One important exclusion criterion was poor clinical condition with symptoms of septic shock. METHODS After bacterial, fungal and viral cultures had been obtained, single agent broad spectrum cephalosporin treatment was initiated with ceftriaxone applied once daily in a dose of 80 mg/kg body weight as short infusion over 30 min. Daily examinations included WBC, CRP, physical inspection and reassessment. In case of persistence or increase of fever and CRP, either outpatient management was carried on with teicoplanin added or patients were hospitalized and switched to combination antibiotic regimen. RESULTS There were 64 febrile episodes in 42 patients. Single agent once daily broad spectrum cephalosporin was adequate in 43/64 (67%) of infectious episodes in neutropenic patients. For persisting or increased fever or CRP elevation, 9 patients were treated with ceftriaxone and teicoplanin successfully. Thus hospitalized was avoided in 52/64 (81%) of infectious episodes.

Bradykinin is a potent vasodilating and natriuretic peptide, which is potentiated by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. In our investigations we studied the effect of bradykinin on systemic and pulmonary circulation as well as on dorsal hand vein tone. The effects of bradykinin on systemic and pulmonary circulation were tested by injection of bradykinin into the right atrium. Parameters were determined for blood pressure, cardiac output, ECG and mean pressure in pulmonary artery. Heart rate, total peripheral resistance, pulmonary vascular resistance, and pulmonary arteriolar resistance were calculated by these measured parameters. The data raised in our investigations showed clearly that bradykinin reduced blood pressure by reducing total peripheral vascular resistance in a dose-dependent manner. In pulmonary circulation bradykinin develops a direct effect. All circulatory actions of bradykinin are not mediated by prostaglandins, since inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis by indomethacin (100-150 mg) was without any effect. ACE inhibition by ramipril (5 mg) or captopril (50 mg) potentiated all effects of bradykinin about 20- to 50-fold, whereas it decreased angiotensin I effects only about four- to fivefold. These results suggest, that endogenous kinins, if they will be similarly potentiated by ACE inhibition like the exogenous bradykinin in our experiments, might play an important role in the blood pressure lowering effect of ACE inhibitors. Dorsal hand vein tone was reduced by bradykinin too, indicating that kinins can lower cardiac preload by increasing venous blood pooling.

The following items emerged to be critical when optimizing this proteinfree high cell density perfusion process the initial cell density, cell viability and the stage of cell growth the procedures for the cell attachment phase a well balanced medium for proteinfree perfusion the control of the perfusion rate to ensure optimal conditions

In our studies, we investigated the vasodepressor effects of bradykinin in vivo in normotensive and hypertensive subjects. Bradykinin was injected intravenously and intra-arterially (40-6,050 pM/kg) and was infused intra-arterially (40-6,050 pM/kg/min). The investigations were performed in 21 normotensive and 15 hypertensive patients. Bradykinin injections were performed after the following pharmacological interventions: salt restriction (10 mmol of Na/day), salt loading (300 mmol of Na/day), captopril (50 mg), ramipril (5 mg), lisinopril (20 mg), ketotifen (2 X 1 mg), indomethacin (2 X 50 mg), and propranolol (80 mg). The results show that bradykinin lowers blood pressure in a dose-related manner by marked reduction in peripheral vascular resistance. The blood pressure reduction was strongly correlated with the increase in kinin concentration. This effect of bradykinin appears to be independent of changes in sodium metabolism, beta-adrenoceptors, histamine-1 receptors, and prostaglandins. ACE inhibitors protentiate the blood pressure-lowering effect of bradykinin approximately 20- to 50-fold. In the case of intra-arterial injection of bradykinin, only 2-5% of the intravenously used dose of bradykinin are needed to produce an identical fall in blood pressure. From these experiments, a pulmonary clearance rate of bradykinin of over 95% can be calculated. In the pulmonary arteries, bradykinin has no effect on vascular resistance. In patients suffering from primary or renovascular hypertension, the blood pressure response to bradykinin was enhanced. The bradykinin potentiating effect of the ACE inhibitors was not altered in the hypertensives. In patients suffering from borderline hypertension or primary hyperaldosteronism, bradykinin caused the same blood pressure lowering effect as in the normotensives.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), the prodrug of myco- phenolic acid (MPA), is an immunosuppressive agent commonly used after organ transplantation. Because diabetes mellitus may affect disposition of pharmacologic agents, we investigated the influence of diabetes on the pharmacokinetics of MPA, unbound MPA (fMPA) and its phenyl and acyl glucuronide metabolites (MPAG and AcMPAG respectively). The study included 13 diabetic and 11 non- diabetic, stable, kidney-transplant recipients who were receiving a triple maintenance immunosuppressive regimen. Serial plasma sam- ples were obtained predose and at regular intervals for 12 hours. Gastric emptying was assessed using an acetaminophen absorption test and glomerular filtration rate was estimated using iohexol clearance. Treatment groups were well matched. The time to maxi- mum concentration (Tmax) of MPAwas 86.4 6 41.4 minutes versus 52.8 6 31.8 minutes in D and ND patients respectively (P = 0.04) indicating a delay in MMF absorption. Neither the maximum MPA concentration nor the 0- to 12-hour area under the concentration-time curve were different. All parameters derived for fMPA and the MPA metabolites were comparable between the 2 groups, except for the metabolite ratio of MPAG and AcMPAG, which was higher for dia- betic patients (P = 0.03). Delayed gastric emptying seemed to have reduced the initial rate but not the extent of MPA absorption in diabetic patients. The profiles of fMPA were similar in both patient groups. With the exception of metabolite concentration ratio, none of the other parameters associated with MPA metabolism were different between the 2 groups.

The large scale production of recombinant proteins is mainly routed by the stability and production potential of the master cell bank. Biological safety of the product is accessed to the history of the cell line as well as to production conditions, down stream procedures and quality control. The quality of a recombinant cell line is assessed predominantly at the lab scale fermentation but at that time the physiologic and genomic status is already defined. For that reason it is inevitable to control parameters influencing the productivity and growth properties already during clone development. Clonal changes in transcriptional and translational behavior according to stress during selection and amplification have to be identified and comprised into the screening process. In different examples we have analyzed production titers and growth rates as well as genotypic variables concerning house keeping genes, selection markers and target genes providing information on the further development of recombinant clones.

This paper describes the development of a 3.5 inch diagonal Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode Display on flexible metal foils. The active matrix array had the VGA format and was fabricated using the polysilicon TFT technology. The advantages that the metal foil substrates offer for flexible display applications will first be discussed, followed by a discussion on the multilayer coatings that were investigated in order to achieve a high quality insulating layer on the metal foil substrate prior to TFT fabrication. Then the polysilicon TFT device performance will be presented as a function of the polysilicon crystallization method. Both laser crystallized polysilicon and solid phased crystallized polysilicon films were investigated for the TFT device fabrication. Due to the opaque nature of the metal foil substrates the display had a top emission structure. Both small molecule and polymer based organic material were investigated for the display emissive part. The former were evaporated while the latter were applied by spin-cast. Various transparent multi-layer metal films were investigated as the top cathode. The approach used to package the finished AMOLED display in order to protect the organic layers from environmental degradation will be described. The display had integrated polysilicon TFT scan drivers consisting of shift registers and buffers but external data drivers. The driving approach of the display will be discussed in detail. The performance of the finished display will be discussed as a function of the various materials and fabrication processes that were investigated.

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) were oxidized in the gas phase by photocatalytic oxidation (PCO). Transient PCO was carried out at room temperature on TiO2 (Degussa P25), 0.2% Pt-TiO2, and 2% Pt-TiO2 catalysts. Surface-adsorbed reaction by-products were characterized by temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and oxidation (TPO). Continuous flow PCO was also carried out at 373 K on TiO2. Acetone, H2O, and CO2 were the gas-phase products for PCO of TBA and MTBE, and formic acid was adsorbed on the TiO2 surface. Temperature-programmed desorption of TBA and MTBE formed 2-methyl-1-propene, water (TBA), and methanol (MTBE). During continuous-flow PCO, acetone desorbed in molar amounts equal to the amount of decomposed TBA and MTBE. The Pt/TiO2 catalysts had higher rates of complete oxidation during PCO and TPO. Injection of water during transient PCO increased the rates of oxidation of adsorbed TBA, formic acid, and acetone. Photocatalytic oxidation of TBA proceeded faster in humid air than dry air, but MTBE oxidation was less sensitive to humidity. The TiO2 catalyst was stable for MTBE, TBA, and acetone PCO at 373 K. The PCO at low conversions followed the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model.

a Departamento de Clinica e Cirurgia Veterinarias, Escola de Veterinaria, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antonio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil b Fundacao Zoo-Botânica de Belo Horizonte, Av. Otacilio Negrao de Lima 8000, 31365-450 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil c Department of Poultry Sciences, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA d Department of Wildlife Management, North Slope Borough, P.O. Box 69, Barrow, AK 99723, USA e Center for Wildlife Health, Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries, The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Knoxville, TN, USA

Papillon-Lefevre syndrome is a rare autosomal-recessive congenital differentiation disorder; the external signs are hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles. Intraorally, the most salient manifestations are dystrophic periodontal problems that affect both the primary and permanent dentitions and frequently lead to premature tooth loss. Two children were treated with acitretin 0.5 mg/kg of body weight per day from November 1992 to November 1993, and another child since October 1993. Concurrently, the children received professional oral hygiene care (scaling, root planing, and curettage). The combination of retinoid therapy and periodontal treatment improved the dermatologic and periodontal conditions.

We report a 16-year-old growth deficient boy with craniosynostosis, radial hypoplasia and hypoplastic thumbs. These findings are consistent with the autosomal recessively inherited Baller-Gerold syndrome (BGS) which furthermore shows a great variability of concomitant occasional anomalies. At the age of 16 years our patient suffered from an osteosarcoma of the left distal femur. The occurrence of malignancies has not yet been reported in the hitherto described 22 patients with BGS.

Laut Nationalem Gewasserbewirtschaftungsplan verfehlen 63 % der osterreichischen Fliesgewasser das in der EU-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie definierte Umweltziel, was zum Grosteil auf Beeintrachtigung der Gewasserstrukturen sowie der Abfluss- und Kontinuumsverhaltnisse zuruckzufuhren ist. Die Wasserkraft zahlt mit den Eingriffen "Stau", "Restwasser" und "Schwall" neben dem Hochwasserschutz zu den masgeblichen Belastungsfaktoren. Die Energiestrategie Osterreich sieht einen Ausbau der Wasserkraft um 3,5 TWh/a vor. Anhand des Belastungsfaktors "Stau" und vergleichender Ausbauszenarien wird im Rahmen vorliegender Arbeit aufgezeigt, dass Speicher-, Lauf- und Kleinkraftwerke sehr unterschiedliche Belastungen fur Fliesgewasserokosysteme mit sich bringen. Da das Potenzial an naturbelassenen Flusslandschaften in Osterreich schon sehr limitiert ist, sollten nur jene Varianten bzw. Erhohungen des Ausbaugrads weiter verfolgt werden, die lediglich zu geringfugigen okologischen Beeintrachtigungen fuhren.

Bradykinin is a potent vasodilating and natriuretic peptide, which is potentiated by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. In our investigations we studied the effect of bradykinin on systemic and pulmonary circulation as well as on dorsal hand vein tone. The effects of bradykinin on systemic and pulmonary circulation were tested by injection of bradykinin into the right atrium. Parameters were determined for blood pressure, cardiac output, ECG and mean pressure in pulmonary artery. Heart rate, total peripheral resistance, pulmonary vascular resistance, and pulmonary arteriolar resistance were calculated by these measured parameters. The data raised in our investigations showed clearly that bradykinin reduced blood pressure by reducing total peripheral vascular resistance in a dose-dependent manner. In pulmonary circulation bradykinin develops a direct effect. All circulatory actions of bradykinin are not mediated by prostaglandins, since inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis by indomethacin (100-150 mg) was without any effect. ACE inhibition by ramipril (5 mg) or captopril (50 mg) potentiated all effects of bradykinin about 20- to 50-fold, whereas it decreased angiotensin I effects only about four- to fivefold. These results suggest, that endogenous kinins, if they will be similarly potentiated by ACE inhibition like the exogenous bradykinin in our experiments, might play an important role in the blood pressure lowering effect of ACE inhibitors. Dorsal hand vein tone was reduced by bradykinin too, indicating that kinins can lower cardiac preload by increasing venous blood pooling.

In our studies, we investigated the vasodepressor effects of bradykinin in vivo in normotensive and hypertensive subjects. Bradykinin was injected intravenously and intra-arterially (40-6,050 pM/kg) and was infused intra-arterially (40-6,050 pM/kg/min). The investigations were performed in 21 normotensive and 15 hypertensive patients. Bradykinin injections were performed after the following pharmacological interventions: salt restriction (10 mmol of Na/day), salt loading (300 mmol of Na/day), captopril (50 mg), ramipril (5 mg), lisinopril (20 mg), ketotifen (2 X 1 mg), indomethacin (2 X 50 mg), and propranolol (80 mg). The results show that bradykinin lowers blood pressure in a dose-related manner by marked reduction in peripheral vascular resistance. The blood pressure reduction was strongly correlated with the increase in kinin concentration. This effect of bradykinin appears to be independent of changes in sodium metabolism, beta-adrenoceptors, histamine-1 receptors, and prostaglandins. ACE inhibitors protentiate the blood pressure-lowering effect of bradykinin approximately 20- to 50-fold. In the case of intra-arterial injection of bradykinin, only 2-5% of the intravenously used dose of bradykinin are needed to produce an identical fall in blood pressure. From these experiments, a pulmonary clearance rate of bradykinin of over 95% can be calculated. In the pulmonary arteries, bradykinin has no effect on vascular resistance. In patients suffering from primary or renovascular hypertension, the blood pressure response to bradykinin was enhanced. The bradykinin potentiating effect of the ACE inhibitors was not altered in the hypertensives. In patients suffering from borderline hypertension or primary hyperaldosteronism, bradykinin caused the same blood pressure lowering effect as in the normotensives.

This paper presents LEDAS Scheduler 3.0, a new version of the environment for specification, modification and resolution of scheduling problems in PLM. Version 3.0 is based on the new LSE engine that improves efficiency of solution due to new high performance algorithms designed by our company. The paper presents basic information about the project: its architecture, algorithms and results of testing. It also examines the possibilities for integration of the Scheduler by the example of two LEDAS projects: MORE+, a client-server system for automated meeting scheduling on conventional and mobile platforms, and a project scheduling system for the Eclipse platform.