Monitoring of leptospirosis seroprevalence in a colony of captive collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) from the Peruvian Amazon

Leptospirosis, an endemic zoonoses, is maintained in the environment by several wildlife species in the Peruvian Amazon. In order to evaluate the possible role of collared peccaries (CP) in the maintenance this disease, two serological surveys of leptospirosis were performed and zootechnical parameters were monitored in a captive CP colony in an interval of 27 months. Total seroprevalence changed from 100% (n = 27) to 86.4% (n = 22), with reactions to a diversity of serogroups of zoonotic importance. Serological reactions to Leptospira licerasiae serogroup Iquitos, a new species recently identified locally and Leptospira interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae were highly prevalent. The observation of leptospiral antibodies in both surveys, changes on serological reactions to different serogroups in large part of the herd and poor reproductive performances, provided an indication of the role of CP farms as a favourable environment for maintaining leptospirosis. Further research regarding the role of CP in the epidemiology of leptospirosis in the Peruvian Amazon is encouraged.     

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in wild mammals in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

This study determined the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in faecal samples from elephant (Loxodonta africana), buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and impala (Aepyceros melampus) in the Kruger National Park (KNP) and an adjacent game reserve in South Africa. Two of the study areas were in close proximity to rural communities on the western KNP boundary and the third study area was located in the centre of the KNP. Fresh stool samples (n=445) were collected and tested using an immunofluorescent antibody test (IFA) for Cryptosporidium parvum. A total of 278 of these were randomly selected (approximately 90 samples per wildlife species) and tested with the modified Ziehl Neelsen staining technique (ZN) for Cryptosporidium spp. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was highest in elephants (25.8% [95% confidence interval: 17.3, 35.9]), compared to buffalo (5.5% [1.8, 12.4]) and impala (4.3% [1.2, 10.5]). C. parvum showed similar patterns, being most prevalent in elephants (4.2% [1.5, 8.8]), compared to buffalo (1.4% [0.2, 5.1]) and impala (1.9% [0.4, 5.3]). 29 samples, including ZN positive and IFA positive samples, were retested using a real time PCR (rtPCR) technique. Of the 28 ZN-positive samples, 14 (50%) were positive with rtPCR and of the 9 IFA-positive samples 6 (67%) were confirmed positive by rtPCR. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts was significantly higher in both of the two study areas adjacent to the western KNP boundary compared to the area in the centre of the KNP (OR=3.2 [1.2, 9.0]; P=0.024). Our study demonstrates for the first time the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in wildlife in South Africa. The transmission of this parasite between wildlife, domestic animals and humans is a plausible hypothesis and represents a potential risk for immunodeficient human populations.     

Time consumption, productivity, and cost analysis of the motor manual tree felling and processing in the Hyrcanian Forest in Iran

An empirical time study was conducted to evaluate the per- formance of the current felling and tree processing methods used in Northern Iran’s Hyrcanian forest. Motor-manual felling is done mostly in winter, while tree processing starts when the felling season ends. We identified the elements of felling and processing work phases, and 142 cycles and 110 cycles were respectively recorded for felling and proc- essing. On the basis of data analysis (time study), we developed statisti- cal models of effective time consumption in the respective work phase and for its total productivity. The production rate of felling with and without delay time was 9.7 and 11.65 trees per hour (0.17 USD·m -3 and 0.21 USD·m -3 ), and the average production cost with and without delay was 1.21 USD and 1.45 USD per tree, respectively. The average produc- tivity of processing was 35 m 3 per effective hour and the average unit cost of processing was 0.22 USD·m -3 .     

Contacts between domestic livestock and wildlife at the Kruger National Park Interface of the Republic of South Africa

One of the most important transboundary animal diseases (TADs) in the southern African region is foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). In this region, a pathway for spread of FMD virus is contacts between cattle and certain species of wildlife. The objective of this study was to evaluate contacts between cattle and wildlife in the Kruger National Park (KNP) and the adjacent Limpopo province for the time periods October 2006 to March 2007 and April to September 2007. In this study, 87 livestock owners and 57 KNP field rangers were interviewed. Fifteen (17%) livestock owners reported contacts between wildlife and cattle. More livestock owners reported observing contacts between cattle and all wildlife species during October-March than April-September (p = 0.012). However, no difference was found between these periods for contacts between cattle and individual wildlife species. A total of 18 (32%) field rangers reported contacts between cattle and wildlife. The most common species-specific contacts were between cattle and buffalo (63/year), cattle and impala (17/year) and cattle and lion (10/year). There were no significant differences in rangers reporting observed contacts between cattle and wildlife during October-March versus April-September or between rangers reporting observed contacts outside versus within the KNP. Overall, there was no evidence of higher contact rates between cattle and wildlife in the study area during October-March compared to April-September. Contact data collected in this study can be used to better understand the transmission of FMD virus in this region.     

Predicting probability of A-quality lumber of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) prior to or concurrently with logging operation

Knot properties have a profound influence on the suitability of wood for many wood products leading to significant value differences between different quality grades. It would therefore be rather advantageous to maximise the volume of good quality timber attained from the logs. The objective of this study was to assess how well A-quality lumber of Scots pine derived from log tomography features can be predicted with characteristics measured prior to or concurrently with the logging operation. The study is based on field experiments and X-ray scanning of 204 stems from southern Finland in 2014. We employed mixed logistic regression techniques to model the relationship between the main stem characteristics and probability of A-quality lumber. From the tree characteristics that can be measured or detected from standing trees, the height from the ground level to the lowest dead branch was found to be the best predictor of A-quality lumber. From the characteristics that could, at least in theory, be detected and measured at the moment of harvest, early growth rate and size of tree were found to be the best combination for predicting the probability of A-class quality.     

Response of C and N transformations in birch soil to coniferous resin volatiles

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the resin volatile compounds of two coniferous tree species, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) on C and N transformations in soil under silver birch (Betula pendula L.). Humus layers from two study sites were used, referred here as a N-poor soil (C:N ratio 30) and a N-rich soil (C:N ratio 19.5). In addition to these, N-poor soil added with arginine was used to ensure that the soil was not N-limited. Humus layers were subjected to resin treatments during a 28-day incubation period in the laboratory. The most abundant volatile compound in both resins was α-pinene; in spruce resin β-pinene was also abundant. Resins and pure α-pinene increased CO₂-C production, i.e. C mineralization, in both soils. In contrast, net N mineralization was clearly decreased in both soils, and net nitrification was completely stopped. There was no consistent effect on soil microbial biomass C or N. Based on these results, we conclude that volatile resin compounds affect C and N transformations in soil, but the mechanism behind these effects is still unclear.     

Seven distinct dietary patterns identified among pregnant Finnish women--associations with nutrient intake and sociodemographic factors

OBJECTIVES: To identify and describe dietary patterns in a cohort of pregnant women and investigate whether the dietary patterns are associated with dietary intake and sociodemographic factors. DESIGN: Mothers entering the Finnish Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention (DIPP) Nutrition Study in 1997-2002 were retrospectively asked to complete a food-frequency questionnaire concerning their diet during pregnancy. Principal components analysis was used to identify dietary patterns. SETTING: Finland. SUBJECTS: Subjects were 3730 women with a newborn infant carrying increased genetic susceptibility to type 1 diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: Seven factors were identified and named. Energy intake correlated positively with 'Healthy', 'Fast food', 'Traditional bread', 'Traditional meat' and 'Coffee' patterns and inversely with the 'Alcohol and butter' pattern. Intake of dietary fibre correlated positively with 'Healthy', 'Traditional bread' and 'Low-fat foods' patterns and inversely with the 'Alcohol and butter' pattern. The seven dietary patterns seemed to account for relatively large proportions of the variance in energy and nutrient intakes except for the intake of vitamin D, vitamin C, carotenoids and calcium. Maternal age and higher level of education were associated with higher scores on 'Healthy', 'Low-fat foods' and 'Alcohol and butter' patterns. CONCLUSION: Principal components analysis produced seven dietary patterns which may be useful for further research concerning maternal diet and health outcomes among both mothers and their offspring.     

Liming of acidified lakes and rivers in Norway

Acidification is one of the most serious environmental problems in Norway. International agreements to reduce emissions are the only acceptable solution to the acidification problem. The “Sulphur Protocol”, signed in Oslo in 1994, will certainly improve matters, but southern Norway will have large acidified areas for decades. Norwegian environmental authorities therefore carry out liming as a temporary alleviatory measure to reduce damage for freshwater ecosystems. In 1995, about NOK 92 mill, was spent on liming. Acidification has wiped out the salmon in 25 rivers, and they are threatened in another 28 rivers. Because of varying water flow and rapidly changing water quality, liming a Norwegian salmon river is a huge operation demanding sophisticated equipment. Eleven rivers carrying anadromous fish are being limed in 1995. The largest is the River Audna where liming has meant that a salmon stock could be reintroduced. Most rivers are limed using automatic lime dosers. The most sophisticated ones control the amount of lime using pH sensors and water flow to neutralize major episodes of acidic water flow, which regularly occur in Norwegian rivers.