Right on track? Performance of satellite telemetry in terrestrial wildlife research.

Satellite telemetry is an increasingly utilized technology in wildlife research, and current devices can track individual animal movements at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions. However, as we enter the golden age of satellite telemetry, we need an in-depth understanding of the main technological, species-specific and environmental factors that determine the success and failure of satellite tracking devices across species and habitats. Here, we assess the relative influence of such factors on the ability of satellite telemetry units to provide the expected amount and quality of data by analyzing data from over 3,000 devices deployed on 62 terrestrial species in 167 projects worldwide. We evaluate the success rate in obtaining GPS fixes as well as in transferring these fixes to the user and we evaluate failure rates. Average fix success and data transfer rates were high and were generally better predicted by species and unit characteristics, while environmental characteristics influenced the variability of performance. However, 48% of the unit deployments ended prematurely, half of them due to technical failure. Nonetheless, this study shows that the performance of satellite telemetry applications has shown improvements over time, and based on our findings, we provide further recommendations for both users and manufacturers.

[Correlation between exfoliatio linguae areata and atopy]. / Korrelationen zwischen Exfoliatio linguae areata und Atopie.

One hundred thirty-two atopic patients have been investigated for coincidental tongue lesions. There was a significantly increased frequency of exfoliatio linguae areata (35.7%) amongst the patients when compared to a control group. These results let suggest that exfoliatio linguae areata is a possible manifestation of atopy. Psychosomatic factors which probably contribute to both exfoliatio linguae areata and atopy are suggested to explain the high incidence of this anomaly of the tongue in atopics.

[Glossitis rhombica mediana. A study of 4422 dermatologic patients]. / Glossitis rhombica mediana. Eine Studie an 4422 dermatologischen Patienten.

Though known for a long time and by no means rare, median rhomboid glossitis (MRG) still gives rise to questions concerning its dignity and etiology. MRG was found in 54 out of 4,422 stomatologically investigated dermatological patients. The patient's ages ranged from 10 to 69 years, the sex ratio was 3:1 male to female. Candida albicans was found in 18 out of 22 MRG lesions examined mycologically. These findings, the constant location and the stationary course were interpreted as a secondary Candida albicans colonization on a dysembryogenetically determined locus minoris resistentiae. Dysembryogenetic, anatomic and microbial factors contribute to the etiology and pathogenesis of MRG.

Immunofluorescent identification of Type 12 group A streptococci.

The fluorescent antibody (FA) conjugate prepared by labeling streptococcal M type 12 antibody with fluorescein isothiocyanate was found to exhibit considerable nonspecific FA staining with other group A M-serotypes. The cross-reactions could be reduced sufficiently or eliminated by the addition of adsorbed homologous blocking serum (AHB) but not by preimmune serum. The AHB was prepared by adsorbing type 12 antiserum with untreated homologous cells. Comparative staining with unblocked and AHB-blocked FA conjugates enabled type 12 streptococci from clinical specimens to be rapidly and accurately identified.

Immunochemistry of the cell walls of Listeria monocytogenes.

The antigenic specificity of Listeria monocytogenes types I, II, III, IVa, and IVb was studied by immunochemical techniques. Immunologically active carbohydrates of the various types were extracted from cell walls and were chemically analyzed. Types I and II contained predominantly glucosamine and rhamnose; type III, galactose, rhamnose, and glucosamine; and types IVa and IVb, glucose and galactose. Quantitative precipitin inhibition tests with purified monosaccharides indicated that the major antigenic determinant of types I and II is rhamnose. Precipitin reactions could not be detected with type III carbohydrate and homologous or heterologous antisera. The major determinants of types IVa and IVb were found to be galactose and glucose, respectively. As much as 87% inhibition of the quantitative precipitin test for types I and II was obtained with rhamnose, 72% for type IVa with galactose, and 72% for type IVb with glucose. The immunochemical basis for the antigenic specificity of L. monocytogenes types I, II, IVa, and IVb was further confirmed by using agar gel diffusion. Cross-reactions among the various type-specific carbohydrates and heterologous antisera were also studied. Type II carbohydrate was found to contain galactose and react with type IVa antisera. This reaction could be blocked by galactose. Type I carbohydrate did not contain galactose nor did it react with antiserum prepared from type IVa cells. Therefore, the somatic antigens of type I and type II L. monocytogenes, previously thought to be identical, appeared to differ. The dominant immuno-specific group in the cross-reaction between type IVb carbohydrate and type IVa antisera was found to be galactose. Type IVa absorbed antisera did not produce a significant cross-reaction with type IVb carbohydrate. The results obtained from this investigation indicate a lesser degree of antigenic relationship between type IVa and type IVb L. monocytogenes than was previously believed to exist.