Social, economic and cultural perspectives of European inland fisheries: review of the EIFAC symposium on fisheries and society

The contributions presented at the EIFAC Symposium on Fisheries and Society in 2000 are reviewed. There have been considerable advances in many sectors of inland fisheries over the past decade. Nowadays the value of inland fisheries to society is generally better understood and increasingly recognized. However, it was recognized that the allocation of fishery resources and their management could still be made more effective through more extensive application of the recent approaches and techniques discussed during the Symposium and reviewed in the paper.     

Evaluation of two N cycle models for the prediction of N mineralization from grassland soils in the UK

Abstract. The ability of two nitrogen cycle models, of contrasting complexity, to predict N mineralization from a range of grassland soils in the UK, was evaluated. These were NCYCLE, a simple mass balance model of the N cycle in UK grasslands, and CENTURY, a more complex model simulating long-term C, N, P & S dynamics in grassland ecosystems. The models were tested using field measurements of net N mineralization from a range of grassland soils (differing in soil type, history & management practice), obtained over a 2 year period using a soil core incubation technique. This method was considered to measure the total net release of mineral N from the soil organic matter over a specified time, including N which may have been recycled several times. NCYCLE consistently under-estimated mineralization rates at all sites. By contrast, there was some correlation between CENTURY predictions of net N mineralization and field measurements. This may have reflected the different abilities of the two models to simulate N recycling. Neither model, however, was able to predict adequately the effect of cultivation and reseeding on net N mineralization.     

Factors Affecting the use of Dreissena polymorpha as a Bioindicator: the PCB Pollution in Lake Como (N. Italy)

The aim of this study was to assess the PCB pollutionof the South-Western branch of Lake Como by using thezebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) as abioindicator since its recent reintroduction. Someenvironmental and physiological variables influencingaccumulation processes of organochlorine compounds inDreissena were investigated because climaticfactors may affect life cycle, reproductive stage andage. PCB levels were highest in the soft tissues ofDreissena close to the industrialized area ofComo (2298 ng g^-1 of lipids) and slowly decrease goingnorth, reaching approximately half this value at theclosing section of the lake branch. Nonetheless, thePCB concentrations are well below the dangerous levelsfor the aquatic environment.     

Acupuncture for general veterinary practice.

Since the International Society of Veterinary Acupuncture (IVAS) was founded in 1974, acupuncture (AP) has received greater acceptance by veterinary professionals throughout the world. This article introduces some important animal diseases that respond well to AP therapy. These include resuscitation of small animals, treatment of anoestrous gilts and sows, bovine reproductive disease, canine vertebral problems and equine backpain, etc. Conventional medicine considers these to be difficult cases to treat. Veterinarians have become more aware of the benefits of AP especially for those diseases, thanks to the efforts of experienced practitioners and scientists, and the many published reports on veterinary AP that have introduced some good indications for AP therapy in veterinary practice. Possible mechanisms behind the effectiveness of AP are discussed. This article aims to introduce veterinarians to good indications for AP to initiate their interest in the practice of AP. Although this is a rapidly expanding field, a long march must begin with one step. We wish this article to be the shoes for such a march. For more information on veterinary AP, contact IVAS , P.O. Box 1478, Longmont, CO.. 80502, USA (http://www.ivas.org), or your national veterinary acupuncture society (http://www.komvet.at/ ivadkom/vapsocs.htm).     

Detection of chlamydial antibody by fetal serology--an aid to the diagnosis of ovine abortion.

Two serological tests (indirect immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) were developed for the detection of fetal antibody to Chlamydia psittaci. Fetal blood and thoracic fluid from 126 field cases of suspected ovine chlamydial abortion were examined using both tests. Placenta and fetal tissues (lung, liver, and kidney) from the same animals were also examined by the following conventional diagnostic methods: isolation in McCoy cells, detection of chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), modified Ziehl-Nielsen staining, and direct fluorescent antibody staining of chlamydia in frozen cryostat sections. Seventy cases were positive by fetal serology, and of these, 68 were also positive by isolation and/or LPS detection. The remaining 56 cases had negative fetal serology, and of these, 39 were positive by isolation and/or LPS detection. Results indicate that fetal serology, although less sensitive than either isolation in McCoy cells or detection of chlamydial LPS antigen, may be of particular use when placenta is not available.     

Prevalence of ovine and bovine respiratory syncytial virus infections in cattle determined with a synthetic peptide-based immunoassay.

Subgroup-specific peptide-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays from the G-protein of the ovine and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), respectively, were used to determine the prevalence of the ovine and bovine subgroup strains of RSV infections in cattle. A total of 1,102 bovine serum samples were obtained from 6 diagnostic laboratories located in the northwestern and the southeastern USA and were tested for antibody to either the bovine or ovine subgroups of RSV. Antibody to viruses from each subgroup was present in samples from each region and all states tested. The Southeast had a higher prevalence of the bovine subgroup strains (69.5%). Then did the Northwest (40.9%). The prevalence of the ovine strain was similar for the two regions (16.7% in the southeast, 14.9% in the northwest). The overall prevalence was 56.6% for the bovine strain and 15.9% for the ovine strain. These results suggest members of the ovine subgroup of RSV circulate in the cattle population but with less frequency than those viruses of the bovine subgroup.     

Puncture Wounds of the Navicular Bursa in 38 Horses A Retrospective Study

The medical records of 38 horses with puncture wounds of the navicular bursa were reviewed. Only 12 horses had a satisfactory outcome (breeding or riding). Of the remaining 26 horses, 19 were euthanized, five were sold due to persistent severe lameness, one died, and one was lost to long-term follow-up. Different combinations of conservative management prior to surgical debridement and drainage of the navicular bursa were unsuccessful in resolving the condition. Horses that were treated surgically within 1 week of the injury and had a hind leg affected had the best chance of a satisfactory outcome. Additional wound debridement was necessary in 15 horses after initial surgical treatment. The most common complications encountered were navicular bone osteomyelitis and sepsis of the deep digital flexor tendon. Thirteen of 14 horses that had rupture of the deep digital flexor tendon and subluxation of the distal interphalangeal joint had an unsatisfactory outcome. One mare subsequently developed ankylosis of the distal interphalangeal joint and was a useful brood mare. Two horses that had biaxial palmar digital neurectomy because of persistent lameness were later euthanized because of navicular bone fracture and rupture of the deep digital flexor tendon. Results from limited numbers of bacterial cultures and antibiotic sensitivities suggest that penicillin and an aminoglycoside antibiotic should be used as initial antibiotic therapy. Immediate surgical debridement and appropriate antibiotic treatment are recommended as the minimum therapy for penetrating wounds of the navicular bursa in horses.