Acoustic signalling and behaviour of Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis).

Acoustic signalling is the predominant form of communication among cetaceans. Understanding the behavioural state of calling individuals can provide insights into the specific function of sound production; in turn, this information can aid the evaluation of passive monitoring datasets to estimate species presence, density, and behaviour. Antarctic minke whales are the most numerous baleen whale species in the Southern Ocean. However, our knowledge of their vocal behaviour is limited. Using, to our knowledge, the first animal-borne audio-video documentation of underwater behaviour in this species, we characterize Antarctic minke whale sound production and evaluate the association between acoustic behaviour, foraging behaviour, diel patterns and the presence of close conspecifics. In addition to the previously described downsweep call, we find evidence of three novel calls not previously described in their vocal repertoire. Overall, these signals displayed peak frequencies between 90 and 175 Hz and ranged from 0.2 to 0.8 s on average (90% duration). Additionally, each of the four call types was associated with measured behavioural and environmental parameters. Our results represent a significant advancement in understanding of the life history of this species and improve our capacity to acoustically monitor minke whales in a rapidly changing Antarctic region.

The risk of genital edema after external pump compression for lower limb lymphedema.

In a single lymphedema treatment facility, 128 consecutive patients with lower limb lymphedema were retrospectively analyzed for the development of genital edema. The patients were separated for analysis on the basis of who used or did not use compressive pump therapy. Of the 128 patients with lower limb lymphedema, 75 received no pump therapy, and 53 used pumps. Of the 75 who did not use pump compression, only 2 had genital edema. Of the 53 patients who used pump compression, 23 patients developed genital edema after pump therapy (p < .0001). The incidence of genital edema was unaffected by age, sex, grade or duration of lymphedema, whether lymphedema was primary or secondary, whether a single or sequential pump was used, the pressure level applied, or duration or hours per day of pump therapy. Compressive pump therapy for lower limb lymphedema produces an unacceptably high incidence of genital edema.

Treatment for lymphedema of the arm--the Casley-Smith method: a noninvasive method produces continued reduction.

BACKGROUND: This paper gives an outline of the Casley-Smith method for the treatment of lymphedema of the arm. It includes a brief summary of the development of manual techniques and the terminology applied to them. METHODS: The four principles of this method are skin care, manual lymphatic drainage, compression in the form of bandaging and/or garments, and exercise. The massage techniques, especially where they differ from other schools, are described in some detail, as are the principles that apply in compression and maintenance of reduction in lymphedema. RESULTS: The results of this method have been analyzed both in Australia and in the United States and are discussed briefly. Mention is made of the benefits of the benzopyrones, which have been used for many years, when added to the above treatment. Both benzopyrones and exercise will produce a continued reduction after the treatment course. They are particularly useful in a less compliant patient. It is stressed that the effect of patient compliance, particularly after treatment, makes a great difference to the ongoing success of the regime. CONCLUSIONS: A comparison is drawn between the efficacy of various current treatments and their cost. This shows that this combined and conservative method of treatment should be considered before recourse to pumps or surgery. The latter seldom achieve the results of decongestive lymphatic drainage, and, in the long term, they are more expensive. Certain preventive measures may be indicated following, e.g., mastectomies. Prevention of the onset of lymphedema is of extreme importance. However, a return to as normal a lifestyle as possible by the patient is also essential. The earlier treatment begins after the onset of lymphedema, the better the prognosis for the patient. Lymphedema can and should be treated.

Persistence of lymphedema reduction after noninvasive complex lymphedema therapy.

We treated 119 consecutive patients with lymphedema with complex lymphedema therapy (CLT). Lymphedema reductions after CLT averaged 62.6% in the 56 patients with one affected arm and 68.6% in the 38 patients with one affected leg. In the 23 patients with bilateral affected lower limbs, lymphedema volume decreased by 3,681 cm3 in the right leg and by 3,433 cm3 in the left leg. Due to its small number, the group with bilateral affected arms was not analyzed. After 36 months' follow-up, the average reduction increased to 63.8% in individuals with one affected arm and remained at 62.7% in those with one affected leg. For statistical analysis, the amount of reduction after CLT in the group with bilateral affected legs was considered to be 100%. During follow-up, the right leg was maintained at 99.59% of the initial reduction and the left leg improved to 120%. Patients who were compliant showed significant increases in lymphedema reduction, whereas noncompliant patients lost part of their initial reduction.

Lymphedema reduction by noninvasive complex lymphedema therapy.

Noninvasive complex lymphedema therapy (CLT), a technique of manual lymph drainage, compressive bandaging, and specific physical therapy exercises, has been utilized successfully to treat lymphedema in Europe and Australia. This paper reports the results of such therapy in 38 patients (16 females with arm lymphedema secondary to breast surgery, 18 patients with unilateral lower extremity lymphedema, and 4 individuals with bilateral leg disease) for 1 month. Reduction of edema averaged 73% among the patients with arm disease, and 88% among those with leg lymphedema; both reductions are statistically significant. Thirty patients have been followed for up to 1 year. During this period, their average reduction in lymphedema of 80% improved to 86%. We conclude that CLT significantly and safely reduces lymphedema. Reductions not only are maintained after the initial therapy but may increase in magnitude.

Low doses of animal antigen attenuates the late asthmatic reaction.

Five subjects with a history of asthma after exposure to cat or dog underwent a trial of low-dose antigen injection followed by bronchoprovocation with the relevant antigen. The neutralization dose of antigen was determined by serial and point dilution skin testing. In a crossover protocol, patients received this antigen or placebo injections. They then underwent bronchoprovocation with the same antigen. The results of the early and late reaction to bronchoprovocation were compared, with each patient serving as her own control. As measured by the number of breath units to lower the FEV1 by 20%, placebo group tolerated only 6.9 +/- 2 breath units, whereas the neutralization group tolerated 29 +/- 3 breath units (p less than 0.05). The maximum decline in FEV1 during the late reaction was 27 +/- 13% after injection of placebo and 12 +/- 12% after injection of antigen (p less than 0.05). In this model of antigen-induced asthma, injection of low doses of allergen immediately preceding bronchoprovocation blunted the immediate and delayed asthmatic reaction.

Injection of low-dose antigen attenuates the response to subsequent bronchoprovocative challenge.

Injection of low-dose antigen on a co-seasonal basis has been proposed as an alternative to conventional immunotherapy in allergic disorders. Few studies of efficacy have been attempted, and available data do not support the use of this technique. We evaluated the effect of low-dose antigen injection in 21 subjects with histories of asthma, after exposure to animal antigen. Each subject was injected with low-dose animal antigen, as determined by skin test end point titration, or with placebo. Twenty minutes after the injection, bronchoprovocative challenge was performed with the use of the same antigen. The provocative dose 20% (PD20), FEV1 after antigen injection, was 28.52 +/- 1.74, was compared to 6.50 +/- 1.15 after placebo injection (p less than 0.01). This experiment was repeated after pretreatment of patients with indomethacin. The protective effect of antigen injection was abolished. In a third experiment, the PD20, FEV1 for methacholine, was 10.74 breath units (BU) after antigen injection and 6.84 BU after placebo injection (PD less than 0.05). Low-dose antigen injection causes rapid reduction of bronchial sensitivity to inhaled antigen and methacholine. This effect is abolished by treatment with indomethacin.