Selenium deficiency in the Federal Republic of Germany

A mean selenium of 123 mg/kg dry wt was observed in 195 samples of agricultural soils, and a mean of .158mg Se/kg dry wt in 304 samples of grassland soils collected at 354 sites in various regions of the Federal Republic of Germany. For grassland soil, a north/south gradient of Se concentrations was observed. In the industrialized regions of the North, higher Se levels were generally observed, the highest value of .652 mg Se/kg dry wt at a site in Northrhine-Westphalia. The mean selenium content of grass from the respective collection sites was .045 mg/kg dry wt in all regions of the FRG, a level insufficient for the maintenance of health of farm animals. The absence of a correlation between the soil-and grass-Se contents indicates that Se uptake by plants is not solely dependent on the presence of Se. Grass may be deficient in Se even if grown on Se-rich soils. Fixation of Se by acidic soils appears to be a major factor; the high Se levels in the soils of industrialized areas is not bioavailable. Based on these findings, it is concluded that locally produced feedstock must be supplemented with Se to prevent the outbreak of deficiency diseases in farm animals.     

Scale–bearing Chrysophyceae (Mallomonadaceae) from Central and Northern Canada

In this study, scale–bearing Chrysophyceae (Mallomonadaceae) have been examined by means of transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Lakes in four areas in central and northern Canada, viz. Experimental Lakes Area (ELA), in northwestern Ontario, Whiteshell Provincial Park and Southern Indian Lake in eastern and northern Manitoba, respectively, and Saqvaqjuac on the west coast of Hudson Bay in the Northwest Territories have been investigated. Forty–three species of the genera Mallomonas, Paraphysomonas, Spiniferomonas and Synura have been identified in addition to three species of the genus Chrysochromulina (Prymnesiophyceae). Ten species are new to Canada; five of these have not previously been recorded from North America. Paraphysomonas elegantissima sp. nov. is described. The composition of the Canadian chrysophycean flora is compared with the chrysophycean flora of North America as a whole.     

Isolation of Yersinia enterocolitica and Y. frederiksenii from forest soil, Federal Republic of Germany

This is the first report of Yersinia frederiksenii from soil in Europe and of Yersinia enterocolitica sensu stricto from soil in the Federal Republic of Germany. These organisms were isolated from deciduous forest soil, but were not found in grassland soils.     

Foraminifers from the uppermost devonian and the dinantian of the rhenish massif (Federal Republic of Germany)

Foraminifers from typical Kulm environments are described from 4 localities at the eastern and northern border of the Rhenish Massif: aQuasiendothyra fauna of uppermost Devonian age (Famennian); a Chernyshinellinae fauna of the lower Dinantian Cf1 Zone (middle Tournaisian); upper Dinantian foraminifers from the Cf4δ to Cf6γ Zones (Middle and Upper Viséan). The foraminifer assemblages of the Cf6 Zone (V3b + c), in theGoniatites crenistria schmidtianus toNeoglyphioceras spirale Subzones, seem to be variegated in Germany and Belgium, but they are definitively poorer than contemporaneous faunes in the British Isles and the Russian Platform.     

Bone marrow transplantation in childhood leukaemia--experience and strategies in the Federal Republic of Germany

BMT has gained its place in the treatment of childhood leukaemia. Nevertheless, there are still many questions open. In acute lymphoblastic leukaemia children should normally be grafted in 2nd remission (CR). Some high risk cases, however, should probably be grafted in 1st CR. It is not clear whether children with late relapses benefit more from BMT than from renewed chemotherapy. Children with a relapse during maintenance therapy, however, have a better survival rate with BMT. In acute nonlymphoblastic leukaemia certain high risk patients should be grafted in 1st CR but it has still to be shown that BMT is superior to chemotherapy in such cases. It is not clear whether children with a relapse following intensive chemotherapy (such as the BFM-protocols) will benefit from BMT at all. In chronic myelocytic leukaemia, BMT in chronic phase should be performed. Thus, for the first time cure has become possible for this disease. Waiting for acceleration or even the occurrence of a blast crisis decreases the chance of survival after BMT dramatically. Since complications of BMT such as graft-versus-host reaction or severe infections are less frequent in children, relapses remain the main problem after BMT in childhood leukaemia.     

Studies on Chrysophyceae from some ponds and lakes in Alaska

Summary A new variety, Mallomonopsis elliptica var. salina, of M. elliptica var. elliptica Matwienko is described as seen in the living state in the light microscope, and in the electron microscope. The locality in which it was found is described.

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Zusammenfassung Eine neue Varietät, Mallomonopsis elliptica var. salina, von M. elliptica var. elliptica Matwienko wird beschrieben. Sie wurde in lebendiger Gestalt in dem Lichtmikroskop and in dem Elektronenmikroskop beobachtet. Der Fundort wird beschrieben.

     

Monitoring activities in the Federal Republic of Germany pursuant to international conventions and national legislation

The main activities of the Federal Republic of Germany regarding the monitoring of the pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea are described. Reference is also made to research projects concerned with the investigation of the processes of transportation and transformation of harmful substances in the marine ecosystem. Political conclusions drawn by the Federal Government are mentioned. Environmental protection measures are only dealt with marginally; combatting measures are not dealt with. Presented at the VI International Wadden Sea Symposium (Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Wattenmeerstation Sylt, D-2282 List, FRG, 1–4 November 1988)     

Studies on Paraphysomonadaceae (Chrysophyceae) from Andong Lake in Korea

During a study of the Paraphysomonadaceae in a multipurpose artificial reservoir Andong Lake, located in the central part of South Korea, 21 taxa of three genera were found: three species of Chrysosphaerella , seven of Spiniferomonas and eleven species of Paraphysomonas . All of these are known from many parts of the world, but are new to South Korea. Five of the species have previously been found in North Korea, but sixteen are new to Korea as a whole. Their seasonal occurrence has been followed through one year.     

Sibs of probands with neural tube defects —A study in the Federal Republic of Germany

Summary Data for the risk of neural tube defects in sibs of affected children are needed for genetic counselling, for decision on prenatal studies, and for planning of preventive measures. Data have been reported from various populations but were lacking for Germany. This study presents data on the siblings of 240 index patients in the Western part of the Federal Republic of Germany. The prevalence among sibs of affected individuals was found to be 2.6%. This figure agrees well with reports from other countries in Continental Europe and the United States, and fits the expectation of lower recurrence risks in low incidence populations.