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Biomedical subjects

M Rott

Publications and source records attributed to M Rott.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Growth and form of planetary seedlings: results from a microgravity aggregation experiment.

The outcome of the first stage of planetary formation, which is characterized by ballistic agglomeration of preplanetary dust grains due to Brownian motion in the free molecular flow regime of the solar nebula, is still somewhat speculative. We performed a microgravity experiment flown onboard the space shuttle in which we simulated, for the first time, the onset of free preplanetary dust accumulation and revealed the structures and growth rates of the first dust agglomerates in the young solar system. We find that a thermally aggregating swarm of dust particles evolves very rapidly and forms unexpected open-structured agglomerates.

Models, Theoretical↗

Incidence of classical swine fever (CSF) in wild boar in a densely populated area indicating CSF virus persistence as a mechanism for virus perpetuation.

A virological survey was carried out to establish the distribution of classical swine fever (CSF) virus among wild boar in the Federal State of Brandenburg, Germany. Organ materials and blood samples were collected from 11,670 wild boar shot or found dead during the period March 1995 to December 1997. In total 211 (1.8%) wild boar were positive for CSF virus or antigen. The incidence of CSF-positive animals decreased continuously from 4.6% at the beginning of the epidemic in 1995 to 0.7% in 1997. The highest incidence of positive animals (22%) was found in wild-boar piglets younger than 3 months of age in 1995. The findings were indicative for the decisive role which young wild boar play in the epidemiology of CSF. Following intrauterine transfer some of the wild-boar piglets were probably persistently infected with CSF virus as experienced experimentally. Such piglets can be held responsible for CSF virus perpetuation within the wild-boar population. No CSF virus was isolated from adult wild boar weighing more than 75 kg. During 3 years of monitoring a sufficient number of susceptible wild boar, in particular young animals, was available to maintain the infection chain in that area. It was concluded that persistently infected piglets and the high population density of wild boar in the Brandenburg region offered optimal conditions for the establishment of an CSF epidemic.

Age Factors↗

[The frequency of detection of Mycoplasma meleagridis in breeding turkeys depending on the laying age].

Coating of air sacs was recorded from day-old chicks from parents with Mycoplasma (M.) meleagridis infection, with positive findings being obtained from 9.52% of all animals early in the laying period and from 34.09% up to the 8th laying week. M. meleagridis was isolated from palatine and cloacal swabs taken of laying hens and insemination cocks, with positive findings being 50-60% prior to the laying period (28th week of age), 100% at start of laying, and 80% in the 14th laying week. M. meleagridis was identified in 50% of all embryonated eggs as of the 1st laying week and in 100% as of the 4th week. M. meleagridis was cultured from 30.67% of all sperm samples tested, between the 30th and 46th week of production. Differences were found to exist between individual cocks, with 4 cocks being without M. meleagridis at all. There was usually agreement between positive M. meleagridis findings from sperm and cloacal swabs. M. meleagridis was eliminated from cock sperm by spectinomycin (0.6 mg/ml diluting medium), but M. iowae was not.

Age Factors↗

[Diagnostic experiences in the routine restrained inspection of turkey stock for mycoplasma infections].

A combined culturing medium has been developed and has proved to clearly increase rates of detection of avian mycoplasmas, as compared to mycoplasma culturing media previously used in the GDR. The medium can be used to culture all mycoplasma species relevant to turkey. Experimental studies have shown that pH values should be between 7.0 and 7.2 in liquid culturing media and should not exceed 7.2 in mycoplasma agar, in order to be capable of isolating, in cases of mixed infections, not only Mycoplasma (M.) meleagridis but also M. gallisepticum. Culturing media should be incubated at 38.5 degrees C. The living animal should best be diagnosed by examination of palatine and cloacal swabs, with sperm being additionally checked of insemination cocks. A monitoring programme has been drafted for mycoplasma-free broods of turkey parents.

Animals↗

Hemolytic activity of Trichomonas vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus.

The hemolytic activity of live isolates and clones of Trichomonas vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus was investigated. The isolates were tested against human erythrocytes. No hemolytic activity was detected by the isolates of T. foetus. Whereas the isolates of T. vaginalis lysed erythrocytes from all human blood groups. No hemolysin released by the parasites could be detected. Our preliminary results suggest that hemolysis depend on the susceptibility of red cell membranes to destabilization and the intervention of cell surface receptors as a mechanism of the hemolytic activity. The mechanism could be subject to strain-species-genera specific variation of trichomonads. The hemolytic activity of T. vaginalis is not due to a hemolysin or to a product of its metabolism. Pretreatment of trichomonads with concanavalin A reduced levels of hemolysis by 40%.

Animals↗