Magnetic direction finding: evidence for its use in migratory indigo buntings

The orientational capabilities of caged migratory indigo buntings were studied under differing magnetic field conditions. When tested in a situation allowing minimal exposure to visual cues but in the presence of the normal geomagnetic field, the birds demonstrated a significant orientation in the appropriate migratory direction (to the north). When the horizontal component of the magnetic field was deflected clockwise 120 degrees by activation of Helmholtz coils surrounding the cage, the orientation of the buntings shifted accordingly (clockwise to geographic east-southeast). These results suggest that indigo buntings are not only able to detect the geomagnetic field, but also can use this information in the finalization of their migratory direction.     

History matters: Impact of historical land use on butterfly diversity in clear-cuts in a boreal landscape

In Swedish boreal landscapes, the loss of species-rich semi-natural grasslands is largely due to a long history of agricultural abandonment. Large areas historically managed as meadows have become mature coniferous forest. This study focused on the potential biological legacy following a long period of grassland abandonment. The butterfly fauna in clear-cuts which was historically meadows and abandoned long enough to allow a generation of conifers to mature (70-90 years) was compared with clear-cuts which were historically coniferous forest. The results showed that clear-cuts historically managed as meadows were: (i) much richer in individuals, (ii) more species-rich, and (iii) contained many more grassland specialists than clear-cuts with a history as forest, with many of these species threatened in other parts of Europe.The results from our study demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, that the legacy of historical land-use in remnant plant communities can affect butterfly diversity in clear-cuts and hence the large-scale dynamics over a timescale of a full tree rotation. The results of this study have implications for forest management practices. Replanting clear-cuts on land that was previously meadows with deciduous trees or allowing the forest to regenerate naturally instead of planting conifers would make it possible to preserve a greater diversity of habitats for butterflies and other organisms.     

Low pre-death growth rates of oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus robur</Emphasis> L.)—Is oak death a long-term process induced by dry years?

• Background and purpose   

A complex interplay between biotic and abiotic factors is believed to be responsible for several oak declines in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.). This study aims to clarify the temporal process of oak declines, as well as identifying individual tree and environmental variables that affects growth rate and that may increase the risk of mortality. The study was performed in southern Sweden at three sites.     

Hapten syntheses and antibody generation for the development of a polybrominated flame retardant ELISA

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of brominated flame retardants that are increasingly an environmental concern. Several antibodies were developed for the polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardant BDE-47 (1), often found in the highest concentration in human milk, plasma, and adipose tissue. Four haptens with different bromine and linker substitution patterns were synthesized and utilized to generate five polyclonal antibodies from goats and two polyclonal antibodies from rabbits. Competition was assessed using four different coating antigens for all seven antibodies. The coating antigen showed marked effects on competition. When the same hapten was used for antibody and the coating antigen less competition was observed. The effect of BDE structure on competition was evaluated by using BDE-47 (1), BDE-99 (2), BDE-100 (3), BDE-153 (4), and BDE-183 (5). None of the compounds showed high competition with antibody I-KLH, presumably because steric hindrance prevented formation of an efficient binding site. As predicted from structural considerations, BDE-47 (1) competed well with the remaining antibodies, whereas BDE-100 (3) competed well with only II-KLH. The remaining congeners (BDE-99 (2), BDE-153 (4), and BDE-183 (5)) contain bromines that cannot be positioned in binding sites and thus cross-react poorly. The competition study demonstrated that a bromine substitution on the congener could occupy a position analogous to the linker's position.     

Prognostic markers for canine melanocytic neoplasms: a comparative review of the literature and goals for future investigation

Many studies have evaluated various prognostic markers for canine melanocytic neoplasms either as primary or secondary goals; however, design, methodology, and statistical validation vary widely across these studies. The goal of this article was to evaluate and compare published canine melanocytic neoplasm studies in relation to the principals established in the Recommended Guidelines for the Conduct and Evaluation of Prognostic Studies in Veterinary Oncology. Based on this evaluation, we determined which parameters currently have the most statistically supported validity for prognostic use in canine melanocytic neoplasia. This information can also be used as part of evidence-based prospective evaluations of treatment regimens. Additionally, we highlight areas in which the current data are incomplete and that warrant further evaluation. This article represents an initiative of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists' Oncology Committee and has been reviewed and endorsed by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association.     

East coast fever: Field challenge of cattle immunised againstTheileria parva (Muguga)

Summary This paper describes some of the work of the Edinburgh University East African Veterinary Expedition of 1969, carried out in conjunction with the F.A.O. Tickborne diseases project at Muguga. Cattle of proven immunity toT.parva (Muguga), together with controls, were exposed to field theirleriosis in two experiments. In both all animals died, though some protective effects of immunisation were demonstrable. The death of immunised animals is considered to be a result of aT.parva challenge by a strain of partial immunogenic difference fromT.parva (Muguga) concurrent with a profound anaemia caused byT.mutans infection.

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Sumario Este artículos describe parte del trabajo de la Expedición Veterinaria al Africa Oriental de la Universidad de Edimburgo en 1969 la cual, se realizó de acuerdo con el proyecto de “enfermedades transmitidas por garrapatas”, de FAO en Muguga. Ganado bovino de inmunidad probada haciaT. parva (Muguga), conjuntamente con controles, fueron expuestos a Theileriosis de campo en dos experimentos. Todos los animales de ambos grupos murieron, aunque se demostraron algunos efectos protectivos de inmunización. La muerte de los animales inmunizados se considera ser un resultado del desafió conT. parva con una cepa de una differencia inmunogénica parcial deT. parva de Muguga, concurrente con una profunda anemia causada por la infección conT. mutans.

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Résumé L’article décrit une partie du travail de l’expédition vétérinaire de l’Université d’Edinburgh, réalisé en Afrique de l’Est en 1969, en collaboration avec le projet de la FAO pour les maladies transmises par les tiques à Muguga. Des bovins dont l’immunité àT. parva (Muguga) avait été prouvée, ont été exposés, avec des témoins, à la theilériose naturelle au cours de deux expériences. Dans les deux cas, tous les animaux sont morts, bien qu’un certain effet protecteur de l’immunisation ait pu être démontré. On considère que la mort des animaux immunisés est due à l’infection par une souche deT. parva ayant une structure immunogène partiellement différent de celle deT. parva (Muguga), combinée à une anémie intense causée par une infection parT. mutans.

     

Lymphocyte Stimulation and Leucocyte Migration Inhibition as Diagnostic Tools for the Detection of Mycobacterium Avium Infection in Cattle

The tuberculin skin test is the conventional method of detecting infections with mycobacteria in animals. A positive reaction is considered to reflect cell-mediated immunity (CMI). CMI against mycobacteria can be studied by in vitro systems using suspensions of blood lymphocytes or leucocytes. The reactivity of these cells to different antigens can be measured in the lymphocyte stimulation (LS) (Muscoplat et al 1975, Bergman 1976, Johnson & Morein 1976), or leucocyte migration inhibition (LMI) (Aalund 1970, Clausen 1973) tests.