Palatabihty of silver birch seedlings to root voles Microtui oeconomus -Ecography 20 83-87We used laboratory feeding tnals to test the palatabihty of silver birch Betula pendula seedlings to root voles Mtcrotui oeconomui Seedlings of two B pendula families (A and B) were grown in growth chambers on three soil types and under two light intensities. Seedlings from family A grew taller and had more resin droplets on their bark than seedlings from family B The more light or nutnents the seedlings received the taller they grew and the more resm droplets they had on their bark We offered 10 root voles both basal and top 5-10 cm segments of winter-dormant seedlings one treatment at a Ume (no-choice arrangement) in a random order The seedlings grown on low-fertility soil were eaten more than those grown on non-fertilized or fertilized peat The top segments of seedlings grown in low light were slightly more eaten than those grown in high light Birch family did not have any effect on the consumption Consumption correlated negatively with the amount of resin droplets on the bark when the seedling matenal was compared over different treatments These results indicate that root voles would prefer young birch seedhngb that have low amount of resin droplets on the bark and that grow in poor soils or under low light conditions A Harju (correspondence) and J Tahvanatnm,
The effect of protein and birch bark powder (BBP) content of forage on detoxification capacity of root voles (Microtus oeconomus) was studied. Young voles were fed with eight different diets for two weeks. Individuals on low (3%) protein diets had significantly lighter livers and kidneys than those on moderate (6%) or high (12%) protein diets. Birch bark powder addition did not have significant effect on organ weight. Detoxification was significantly induced, apparently due to secondary compounds in BBP. The activity of ethoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase (EROD) was high when protein content or BBP concentration in forage was high as compared to low protein diets or diets containing no BBP. Glucuronidation, on the other hand, was not induced by BBP. High BBP content caused serious physiological stress to the voles. The only individuals surviving were those capable of sufficiently allocating energy and protein to detoxification.
We assessed the mite exposure of patients in the Skin and Allergy Hospital by collecting samples of settled dust from their workplaces and homes. Mites were counted and identified microscopically. Mites were found in 26% of the samples. Three samples (3%) contained more than 100 mites per gram dust and another sample (1%) had more than 500 mites per gram dust, the suggested limits for mite sensitisation and at which acute allergic symptoms can be expected, respectively. Mites were a more common finding from water damaged houses and workplaces with visible mould but they also existed in large numbers in buildings with no reported indoor air quality problems. Dust mites (Pyroglyphidae) were the most abundant species. However, storage mites were also frequently found. Patients reported a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms, especially nose and eye irritation which may partly be due to sensitisation especially to storage mites. Although mites are commonly found in workplaces and homes they are seldom present in high concentrations. Mite sensitisation and especially a positive reaction to storage mites in skin prick tests may be an indication of a moisture problem in the domestic or work environments.
In grocery stores, the personnel are exposed to SMs. The risk of sensitization to mites is obvious and an IgE response can occur without any reactivity to common aeroallergens. SM allergy may in some cases explain the chronic rhinitis related to moisture-damaged buildings.
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