STUDIES ON THE NONSPECIFIC DEPRESSION OF THE IMMUNE RESPONSE

Calf serum has been shown to suppress the primary immune response to erythrocytes and some bacterial antigens in mice if administered prior to and not after immunization. The importance of the route of iniection of antigens and immunosuppressant is indicated. It is suggested that immunosuppression is achieved by phagocytosis and enyzmatic destruction of the injected antigen by peritoneal macrophages. A similar mechanism is probably involved in the type of immunosuppression induced by PHA

Pan troglodytes (errata version published in 2018)

Assessment Information: Although Pan troglodytes is the most abundant and widespread of the great apes, and many populations exist in protected areas, the declines that have occurred are expected to continue, satisfying the criteria for an Endangered listing (Oates 2006). Due to high levels of poaching, infectious diseases, and loss of habitat and habitat quality caused by expanding human activities, this species is estimated to have experienced a significant population reduction in the past 20–30 years and it is suspected that this reduction will continue for the next 30–40 years. Due to their slow life history and a generation time estimated to be 25 years, Chimpanzee populations cannot sustain high levels of mortality, whether disease-induced or caused by poaching. The maximum population reduction over a three-generation (75 year) period from 1975 to 2050 is suspected to exceed 50%, hence qualifying this taxon as Endangered under criterion A. Although conservation efforts directed at Chimpanzees and other wildlife have increased significantly in recent years, the assumption that population reductions will continue is a precautionary approach based on the rapid growth of human populations in sub-Saharan Africa, continuing poaching for bushmeat, the commercial bushmeat trade, the arrival of industrial agriculture (which requires clearcutting of forest), corruption and lack of law enforcement, lack of capacity and resources, and political instability in some range states. At the same time, zoonosis and disease outbreaks present significant risks; there is, for example, evidence that Ebolavirus will continue to spreadin some parts of the Chimpanzee's geographic range(Walshet al.2005)

Cross River gorilla

55 p. : ill., maps ; 26 cm.Includes bibliographical references (p. 52-55).This study presents the results of a new set of measurements made on museum specimens of gorilla skeletons from the Cross River headwaters. It provides a review of the taxonomy of Cross River gorillas and describes their distribution and related aspects of their natural history. Considering their distinctiveness and geographic isolation, Cross River gorillas are best regarded as a distinct subspecies, G.g. diehli. Compared to other western gorilla populations, Cross River gorillas have smaller dentitions, smaller palates, smaller cranial vaults, and shorter skulls. Although Cross River gorillas do not seem to differ from other western gorillas in either body size or limb long bone lengths, measurements from a single male suggest that they may have shorter hands and feet and a larger opposability index than other western gorillas. Marked variation in the habitats of Cross River gorillas and insufficient data on behavior frustrate attempts to directly associate morphology with ecology. Many of their distinguishing characters, however, are parts of an adaptive complex that in most primates is characteristic of increasing terrestriality. A subspecific designation for Cross River gorillas correlates with other biogeographic patterns, since many primate species and subspecies inhabiting the Cross River area are distinct from their counterparts further south where other western gorillas occur

Obituary: Dr. Annie Gautier-Hion (1940–2011)

First paragraph: The primatology community recently lost one of its most important contributors, taken away by the illness against which she fought for two years. Dr. Annie Gautier-Hion studied central African primates in the field for 35 years. She was best known for her pioneering work on the ecology, evolution and biogeography of guenons, and for a study of western lowland gorillas in Odzala-Kokoua National Park. She contributed greatly to the field of primate evolutionary biology and ecology at the Paimpont Biological Station (University of Rennes), and her work led to the production of over 170 publications

Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of the Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli)

From Executive Summary: This document represents the consensus of experts who met at a workshop in April 2006 in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, to formulate a set of priority actions that would increase the survival prospects for the Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli). The Cross River gorilla is recognized by IUCN as Critically Endangered, and is the most threatened taxon of ape in Africa. It is the most westerly and northerly form of gorilla, and occurs only in a limited area around the mountainous headwaters of the Cross River, straddling the border between Cameroon and Nigeria. Participants at the 2006 workshop, which built upon the outcomes of previous meetings in Calabar in 2001 and Limbe, Cameroon, in 2003, included representatives of forestry and wildlife conservation agencies from the two range countries, of local and international nongovernmental conservation and development organizations, and of university-based researchers

Electrophysiologic actions of high plasma concentrations of propranolol in human subjects

The authors have previously shown that 40% of patients whose ventricular arrhythmias respond to propranolol require plasma concentrations in excess of those producing substantial beta-receptor blockade (> 150 ng/ml). However, the electrophysiologic actions of propranolol have only been examined in human beings after small intravenous doses achieving concentrations of less than 100 ng/ml. In this study, the electrophysiologic effects of a wider concentration range of propranolol was examined in nine patients. Using a series of loading and maintenance infusions, measurements were made at baseline, at low mean plasma propranolol concentrations (104 ± 17 ng/ml) and at high concentrations (472 ± 68 ng/ml). Significant (p < 0.05) increases in AH interval and sinus cycle length were seen at low concentrations of propranolol, with no further prolongation at the high concentrations; these effects are typical of those produced by beta-blockade. However, progressive shortening of the endocardial monophasic action potential duration and QTc interval were seen over the entire concentration range tested (p < 0.05). At high concentrations, there was significant (p < 0.05) further shortening of both the QTc and monophasic action potential duration beyond that seen at low propranolol concentrations, along with a progressive increase in the ratio of the ventricular effective refractory period to monophasic action potential duration. No significant changes were seen in HV interval, QRS duration or ventricular effective refractory period.In summary, the concentration-response relations for atrioventricular conductivity and sinus node automat-icity were flat above concentrations of 150 ng/ml. On the other hand, the durations of the monophasic action potential and the QTc interval shortened at high concentrations. It is concluded that propranolol, in addition to blocking beta-receptors, produces other beta-receptor independent electrophysiologic effects in human beings

Primates in peril: The world's 25 most endangered primates, 2006-2008

From first paragraph: Here we report on the fourth iteration of the biennial listing of a consensus of 25 primate species considered to be amongst the most endangered worldwide and the most in need of urgent conservation measures. The first was drawn up in 2000 by the IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group, together with Conservation International (Mittermeier et al. 2000). The list was subsequently reviewed and updated in 2002 during an open meeting held during the 19th Congress of the International Primatological Society (IPS) in Beijing, China (Mittermeier et al. 2002). That occasion provided for debate among primatologists working in the field who had first-hand knowledge of the causes of threats to primates, both in general and in particular with the species or communities they study

Primates in peril: The world's 25 most endangered primates, 2006-2008

From first paragraph: Here we report on the fourth iteration of the biennial listing of a consensus of 25 primate species considered to be amongst the most endangered worldwide and the most in need of urgent conservation measures. The first was drawn up in 2000 by the IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group, together with Conservation International (Mittermeier et al. 2000). The list was subsequently reviewed and updated in 2002 during an open meeting held during the 19th Congress of the International Primatological Society (IPS) in Beijing, China (Mittermeier et al. 2002). That occasion provided for debate among primatologists working in the field who had first-hand knowledge of the causes of threats to primates, both in general and in particular with the species or communities they study

Primates in Peril: The world's 25 most endangered primates 2008-2010

Introduction Here we report on the fifth iteration of the biennial listing of a consensus of 25 primate species considered to be amongst the most endangered worldwide and the most in need of urgent conservation measures. The first was drawn up in 2000 by the IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group, together with Conservation International (Mittermeier et al. 2000). The list was subsequently reviewed and updated in 2002 during an open meeting held during the 19th Congress of the International Primatological Society (IPS) in Beijing, China (Mittermeier et al. 2002). That occasion provided for debate among primatologists working in the field who had first-hand knowledge of the causes of threats to primates, both in general and in particular with the species or communities they study. The meeting and the review of the list of the World’s 25 Most Endangered Primates resulted in its official endorsement by the IPS, and became as such a combined endeavor of the Primate Specialist Group, the IPS, and Conservation International. A third revision was carried out at a meeting in August 2004, at the 20th Congress of the IPS in Torino, Italy (Mittermeier et al. 2006). The fourth, covering the biennium 2006–2008, was the result of a meeting held during the 21st Congress of the International Primatological Society (IPS), in Entebbe, Uganda, 26–30 June 2006 (Mittermeier et al. 2007)