Thresholds in forest bird occurrence as a function of the amount of early-seral broadleaf forest at landscape scales.

Recent declines in broadleaf-dominated, early-seral forest globally as a function of intensive forest management and/or fire suppression have raised concern about the viability of populations dependent on such forest types. However, quantitative information about the strength and direction of species associations with broadleaf cover at landscape scales are rare. Uncovering such habitat relationships is essential for understanding the demography of species and in developing sound conservation strategies. It is particularly important to detect points in habitat reduction where rates of population decline may accelerate or the likelihood of species occurrence drops rapidly (i.e., thresholds). Here, we use a large avian point-count data set (N = 4375) from southwestern and northwestern Oregon along with segmented logistic regression to test for thresholds in forest bird occurrence as a function of broadleaf forest and early-seral broadleaf forest at local (150-m radius) and landscape (500-2000-m radius) scales. All 12 bird species examined showed positive responses to either broadleaf forest in general, and/or early-seral broadleaf forest. However, regional variation in species response to these conditions was high. We found considerable evidence for landscape thresholds in bird species occurrence as a function of broadleaf cover; threshold models received substantially greater support than linear models for eight of 12 species. Landscape thresholds in broadleaf forest ranged broadly from 1.35% to 24.55% mean canopy cover. Early-seral broadleaf thresholds tended to be much lower (0.22-1.87%). We found a strong negative relationship between the strength of species association with early-seral broadleaf forest and 42-year bird population trends; species most associated with this forest type have declined at the greatest rates. Taken together, these results provide the first support for the hypothesis that reductions in broadleaf-dominated early-seral forest due to succession and intensive forest management have led to population declines of constituent species in the Pacific northwestern United States. Forest management treatments that maintain or restore even small amounts of broadleaf vegetation could mitigate further declines.

Detection of avian pneumovirus in wild Canada (Branta canadensis) and blue-winged teal (Anas discors) geese.

Choanal cleft swab samples from 770 wild Canada geese (Branta canadensis) and 358 blue-winged teal (Anas discors), captured for relocation or banding, were examined for the presence of avian pneumovirus (APV) RNA by reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and for virus isolation. The swab samples were pooled into groups of 5 or 10. Sixty eight of 102 (66.7%) pooled goose samples were RT-PCR positive for APV RNA. Thirteen of 52 (25.0%) pooled blue-winged teal samples were RT-PCR positive for APV RNA. APV RNA-positive samples were inoculated onto chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF) and QT-35 cells. Infectious APV was isolated from five Canada goose pooled samples in CEF and from one Canada goose pool in QT-35 cells but not from blue-winged teal.

Reflecting upon the left superior mediastinum.

Pathology developing within the confines of the superior mediastinum may produce changes that appear quite subtle on conventional radiographs. The zone of contact of lung with the left superior mediastinum is represented radiographically as a series of interrelated pleural reflections. These reflections may be altered by mediastinal disease, and an understanding of this anatomy can facilitate detection of abnormalities.

Avian pneumovirus (APV) RNA from wild and sentinel birds in the United States has genetic homology with RNA from APV isolates from domestic turkeys.

Nasal turbinates or swabs were collected from wild ducks, geese, owls, sparrows, swallows, and starlings and from sentinel ducks placed next to turkey farms experiencing avian pneumovirus (APV) infections and were analyzed for APV genome and infectious particles. APV RNA was detected in samples examined from geese, sparrows, and starlings. APV RNA and antibodies were also detected in two different groups of sentinel ducks. Infectious APV was recovered from sentinel duck samples. The APV M gene isolated from the wild birds had over 96% predicted amino acid identity with APV/Minnesota 2A, which was isolated earlier from domestic turkeys showing respiratory illness, suggesting that wild birds may be involved in spreading APV infection.

Multiple lung abscesses due to Ochroconis gallopavum, a dematiaceous fungus, in a nonimmunocompromised wood pulp worker.

An occurrence of multiple chronic lung abscesses managed by lobectomy is described. These abscesses were present for 13 years in the patient, a nonimmunocompromised wood pulp worker. The patient had hemoptysis at presentation. The organism isolated was Ochroconis gallopavum, a dematiaceous fungus known to cause disease in immunocompromised patients and epidemic encephalitis in poultry. The fungus is typically found in warm environments and in decaying compost; for this reason, we postulate that his illness was occupationally acquired.

Susceptibility of broiler chicks to infection by avian pneumovirus of turkey origin.

In this paper we present the results of studies on the infectivity of an isolate of avian pneumovirus (APV) from turkeys to broiler chickens. Two-week-old broiler chicks free of antibodies to APV were exposed either by oculonasal or oral route with a cell cultured APV of turkey origin. Chickens from both APV-inoculated groups exhibited clinical signs that included coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and watery eyes during 2-8 days postinoculation. Tissue samples from birds in the APV-inoculated group were positive for APV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) up to 9 days postinoculation. Samples of blood from both oculonasally and orally infected chickens were positive for APV. Intestinal samples from chickens infected with APV orally were positive for the presence of APV on PCR up to 9 days postinoculation. APV was reisolated from samples taken from chickens in both groups inoculated orally and oculonasally. Sera from birds exposed by the oculonasal or by the oral route showed the presence of APV-specific antibodies.

US-assisted bronchoscopy with use of miniature transducer-containing catheters.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the value of ultrasound (US) guidance during flexible bronchoscopic procedures in a series of patients with known or suspected pulmonary neoplasms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: US-guided bronchoscopy was carried out as an adjunct to conventional bronchoscopy for the diagnosis of mediastinal, hilar, or parenchymal neoplasms in 25 patients with masses previously detected with chest radiography or computed tomography. Miniature transducer-containing catheters were inserted through the biopsy port of the flexible bronchoscope, and cross-sectional real-time US scans of tumors, lymph nodes, and blood vessels were obtained. RESULTS: Among six cases of peripheral masses and 19 cases of central masses, additional information was provided in 18 cases (72%). This information was used to choose the optimal site for transmural biopsy. CONCLUSION: These preliminary results suggest that this US procedure may become an important diagnostic tool during bronchoscopy, due to the ability to identify structures beyond the lumen of the tracheobronchial tree.

Chlorambucil treatment of sarcoidosis.

1) PURPOSE: To demonstrate usefulness of chlorambucil in patients with severe sarcoidosis unresponsive to, or intolerant of, corticosteroids. 2) PATIENTS AND METHODS: Corticosteroid therapy was required in 192 (48%) of 401 patients with sarcoidosis seen at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital 1985-89. Chlorambucil was given to 31 of these patients because complicating diseases or problems made adequate corticosteroid dosage impossible (5 cases) or because of failure of corticosteroid in tolerable doses to control the disease (26 cases). 3) RESULTS: Marked improvement was observed in 15 cases, and moderate improvement in 13 others. Chlorambucil was well tolerated and complications attributable to immunosuppression did not occur. A six month course of chlorambucil was often followed by relapse, and prolonged therapy in reduced dosage appears necessary in most patients requiring this treatment. 4) CONCLUSION: Failure of corticosteroids in tolerable dosage to control sarcoidosis is not uncommon, and in such patients chlorambucil treatment is a useful alternative.

CT evidence of calcification within a small cell carcinoma of the lung.

Calcification in bronchogenic carcinoma is rare. When found it is usually focal in nature and felt by many to be coincidental granulomatous disease. To our knowledge this case report is the first computerized tomography (CT) description of diffuse, amorphous calcification in bronchogenic carcinoma, specifically, small cell.

Ocular bobbing with ruptured giant distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm.

A patient presented comatose with an intraventricular hemorrhage of unknown etiology, and manifested the unusual clinical phenomenon of ocular bobbing. Further evaluation revealed a giant aneurysm of the distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery, which was successfully treated surgically. The pathophysiology of ocular bobbing is discussed as well as the association of this unusual sign with a rare aneurysm.

Intraosseous pneumatocysts of the ilium. Findings on radiographs and CT scans.

CT scans demonstrated a localized collection of gas adjacent to a normal sacroiliac joint in 5 patients. In each case the lesion was sharply demarcated by a thin sclerotic rim. A benign bone cyst was confirmed histologically in 2 cases. The radiologist should be aware of this appearance so as to avoid invasive procedures based on a misdiagnosis of infection or neoplasm.