Fishing for conservation of freshwater tropical fishes in the Anthropocene

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Serum immunoglobulin E concentrations in West Highland White Terrier puppies do not predict development of atopic dermatitis

Sera from 154 West Highland White Terrier puppies between 6 and 12 weeks of age were assayed for total IgE using a sandwich ELISA method. Development of clinical signs of atopic dermatitis in these dogs was monitored by use of an annual owner questionnaire, until the dog reached 3 years of age. Of 114 evaluated dogs, skin disease severe enough to warrant veterinary examination was reported in 52 (46%) during the three study years. A diagnosis of atopic dermatitis was made by the attending veterinarian in 28 dogs (25%). Certain litters had an especially high prevalence of apparently atopic dogs, consistent with the genetic predisposition towards atopy in this breed, but clear evidence of consistent heritability was not present. The median IgE concentration in 154 puppies at 6–12 weeks of age was 0.9 units mL⁻¹, with a skewed distribution. Significant ( P < 0.01) variation in serum IgE concentrations was observed between litters, with median serum IgE concentrations for a litter ranging from 0 to 27.7 units mL⁻¹. The median serum IgE concentration in puppies that later developed clinical signs of atopic dermatitis was not significantly different from that of puppies that remained healthy. There were no apparent correlations or significant differences found between serum IgE concentration as a puppy, parental history of skin disease, and subsequent emergence of clinical signs of atopic dermatitis. We conclude that early total serum IgE determinations seem to have little usefulness in predicting the later onset of atopic dermatitis in this breed.     

Dermatophagoides farinae-specific IgG subclass responses in atopic dogs undergoing allergen-specific immunotherapy

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is thought to be caused by immunologic abnormalities expressed as a Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance in both humans and dogs. Several studies have focused on the therapeutic effects of IFNγ in human AD with successful results; however, the mechanism of action of IFNγ is not fully understood. We investigated the effect of recombinant canine interferon gamma (rCaIFNγ) on 10 dogs with AD and evaluated the ratio of IL-4 mRNA to IFNγ mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, serum total IgE levels, and histological changes in skin. After six injections of rCaIFNγ over a span of 2 weeks, seven of the 10 dogs showed improvement, and six of these seven dogs exhibited decreased IL-4:IFNγ mRNA ratios. Two of the three cases that did not improve had increased IL-4:IFNγ mRNA ratios. Total serum IgE levels were significantly decreased in nine of 10 cases. The number of IgE-positive cells detected by immunostaining and the number of mast cells in skin biopsy samples were decreased. A reduction of epidermal cell layers was demonstrated by histopathology after treatment. These results demonstrated that rCaIFNγ may be a novel safe and effective therapeutic option for the treatment of canine AD, and the mechanism of action of rCaIFNγ may be related to the modulation of Th2 cytokines to Th1 cytokines with the reduction of serum IgE production.
Funding: Self-funded.     

Hydrogeomorphic controls of early post-logging successional pathways in a southern floodplain forest

Successful management or restoration of southern floodplain forest ecosystems requires an understanding of how subtle changes in environmental conditions such as site hydroperiod affect species suitability as well as the importance of recruitment limitation. In this research, we examined the effects of elevation, modeled flood regime, soil conditions and forest proximity on early, post-logging succession in clearcuts on the Congaree River floodplain near Columbia, South Carolina. Analyses of community composition clearly demonstrated that regeneration was structured along environmental gradients associated with site hydroperiod, with obligate wetland species dominating sites with the lowest elevations and deepest projected flood inundation depths. The effects of soil characteristics on site composition were in some cases inter-correlated with site hydroperiod, reflecting the influence of flood regime on soil drainage, aeration, and soil redox potential. In other cases, though, site composition was distinguished along a second, but equally important, orthogonal axis that was more reflective of the effects of geomorphic history on edaphic conditions. There was no evidence that fine-scale dispersal limitation affected succession, in part because of the effects of resprouting, but it is possible that past human activities have altered landscape-scale patterns of commercially valuable species such that seed and sprout sources for advance regeneration may have been absent at the time of the most recent clearcutting. Our examination of regeneration patterns, processes and controls clarified the relationships between current conditions and community composition, but, because patterns of elevation, flooding and soil characteristics across a floodplain have their roots in geomorphic processes, they are also ultimately a reflection of past hydrogeomorphic events.     

Sulphate Mobilization and Pore Water Chemistry in Relation to Groundwater Hydrology and Summer Drought in two Conifer Swamps on the Canadian Shield

Variations in sulphate (SO₄ ^2-) concentration of porewater and net SO₄ ^2- mobilization were related to differences in water level fluctuations during wet and dry summers in two conifer swamps located in catchments which differed in till depth and seasonality of groundwater flow. Sulphate depletion at the surface and in 20 cm porewater coincided with anoxia and occurred mainly during the summer when water levels were near the peat surface and water flow rates were low in both catchments. There was an inverse relationship between net SO₄ ^2- mobilization and water level elevation relative to the peat surface, explaining variation in SO₄ ^2- dynamics between the swamps during summer drought periods. Aeration of peat to 40 cm and a large net SO₄ ^2- mobilization (10–70 mg SO₄ ^2- m^-2 d^-1) occurred during a dry summer in which the water level dropped to 60 cm below the surface in the swamp receiving ephemeral groundwater inputs from shallow tills within the catchment. This resulted in high SO₄ ^2- concentrations in the surface water and porewater (30–50 mg L^-1), and elevated SO₄ ^2- concentrations remained through the fall and winter. In contrast, within the swamp located in the catchment with greater till depth (> 1 m), continuous groundwater inputs maintained surface saturation during the dry summer, and SO₄ ^2- mobilization and concentrations of SO₄ ^2- in the pore water during the following fall did not increase. Susceptibility to large water table drawdown and mobilization of accumulated SO₄ ^2- is influenced by the occurrence of ephemeral vs. continuous groundwater inputs to valley swamps during dry summer periods in the Canadian Shield landscape. This study reveals that extrapolation of results of SO₄ ^2- cycling from one wetland to another requires knowledge of the hydrogeology of the catchment in which the wetlands are located.     

Use of computerized image analysis to quantify staphylococcal adhesion to canine corneocytes: does breed and body site have any relevance to the pathogenesis of pyoderma?

An optimized system of computerized image analysis was used to investigate variations in the adherence of Staphylococcus intermedius to canine corneocytes from four different breed groups and six different anatomical sites. S. intermedius showed significantly greater adherence to the head and neck compared with the dorsum, but adherence to the limb, axilla and groin did not differ from other sites. Furthermore, there was significantly greater adherence of S. intermedius to corneocytes from the dorsum, forelimb, axilla and groin of Boxers and Bull Terriers than Spaniels and Hounds. S. intermedius, and also Pseudomonas aeruginosa, exhibited abundant adherence, which was significantly greater than Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus canis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. In addition, S. intermedius adherence demonstrated a sigmoid dose-response curve with increasing bacterial concentration. These results suggest that S. intermedius adheres to canine corneocytes by a specific receptor-ligand interaction and adheres to the skin of some breeds more avidly than others. However, variations in adherence between body regions would not account for the predilection sites of canine bacterial pyoderma.     

An empirical bio-economic stocking model for floodplain beels in Bangladesh

While stocking floodplain depressions or beels with fingerlings is a common form of fisheries management in Bangladesh, bio‐economic guidance for improving the outcome of stocking strategies is sparse. The Community‐Based Fisheries Management (CBFM) Project, funded by the Ford Foundation and the UK Government's Department for International Development (DfID) promoted stocking practices in beels throughout the country as a means to improve fisher livelihoods. This paper describes an empirical bio‐economic model developed using data generated under the CBFM project. The model offers guidance on selecting stocking densities depending upon the available size (length) of fingerlings to maximize profit and return on investment while minimizing risk. Because large fingerlings are relatively inexpensive and have lower rates of natural mortality, the model predicts that it is more profitable to stock large fingerlings at low densities than small fingerlings at high densities. These general recommendations were found to be largely insensitive to the market price for harvested fish. To minimize credit burden and financial risk, minimum stocking densities should be selected according to the length of fish available that maximizes profit. Because of its empirical nature, the model recommendations may not be applicable beyond the project sites. Furthermore, it is recommended that attempts be made to field test the model predictions before widespread adoption or promotion.     

The effects of kin and familiarity on interactions between fish

Fish have been shown to discriminate between individuals on very general bases such as species, body length and colour. More recently, evidence has been accumulating from a number of species that relatedness and familiarity may be extremely important in mediating a range of interactions between individual fish. Studies have shown that fish are able to recognize kin and/or familiars, and that this ability potentially conveys significant benefits, including increased inclusive fitness, reduced inbreeding costs, reduced competition and enhanced antipredator behaviour. Here, we review the literature and consider future directions and applications for this research.