An epidemiological description of human-hazardous incidents caused by nonhematophagous bats in Brazil, 2002-2003

The interaction of bats with humans and pets increases the risk for rabies transmission. The purpose of the present study was to describe and analyze the epidemiological picture of injuries and related incidents caused by bats, to characterize the profile of these incidents, and to define recommendations for improving the health care delivered to patients. Fifty-three records of human anti-rabies treatment of injuries or related incidents caused by bats in Campo Grande, MS, Brazil, in 2002 and 2003 were investigated. The frequency of fields with missing or incorrect information was very high in the record forms surveyed. The frequency of incidents was higher for male patients. Most patients were in the 20-29 years age range. Bites and indirect contacts accounted for 49 and 22%, respectively, of the types of exposure. The time lag between the incidents and the presentation of patients for anti-rabies assessment ranged from 0 to 3 days in most cases. As many as 49% of the patients did not complete the treatment prescribed. The results revealed the need for improving the current human rabies control program in order to reduce noncompliance rates and to decrease the occurrence of flaws in patients' records and in the provision of health care.     

Poverty and biodiversity trade-offs in rural development: A case study for Pujiang county,China

Both, poverty reduction and preservation of biodiversity are high on the global agenda on sustainable development. The relationships between poverty, biodiversity of agro-ecosystems and agricultural development are complex and poorly understood. In this paper, we present an integrated framework for analysis of agricultural development and natural resource management options at agro-ecosystem level, using Pujiang county, in Zhejiang province, China as a case study area to perform the analysis. A regional linear programming (LP) model is applied, maximizing regional economic surplus, given production and labour market conditions in Pujiang. We use the model to examine the consequences for a set of regional poverty and biodiversity indicators, of four so-called poverty reduction strategies, i.e., (i) intensification of production, (ii) diversification towards livestock production, (iii) land expansion, and (iv) an exit from agriculture. The analysis indicates that diversification is the most promising poverty reduction strategy, but requires efficient use of animal manure in cropping systems to avoid environmental problems. Improved nutrient management in cropping systems is effective in reducing the regional nitrogen surplus, but less effective in increasing per capita income. The exit strategy is effective in reducing poverty and achieving biodiversity goals, but may have important social consequences that are not addressed in this study. Further reduction in rural poverty is hampered by labour constraints during the harvesting period in high value crops such as vegetables and fruits, which calls for research and development in the field of agricultural mechanization.     

Dexmedetomidine continuous rate infusion during isoflurane anaesthesia in canine surgical patients

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of three rates of dexmedetomidine (DMED) constant rate infusion (CRI) on overall tissue perfusion, isoflurane (ISO) requirements, haemodynamics and quality of recovery in canine surgical patients. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, blinded clinical study. ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs presented for soft tissue or orthopaedic surgery. METHODS: Following intravenous (IV) pre-medication with DMED (5 microg kg(-1)) and buprenorphine (10 microg kg(-1)) and propofol induction, anaesthesia was maintained with ISO in oxygen/air supplemented with a DMED CRI (1, 2 or 3 microg kg(-1) hour(-1); groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively). Ventilation was controlled in all animals using intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV). Monitoring included end-tidal (ET) gases, ECG, arterial blood pressure, body temperature and sequential arterial blood gas and lactate measurements. Quality of recovery was scored after intramuscular (IM) administration of atipamezole (ATI) (12.5 microg kg(-1)). Immediate post-operative analgesia was provided with carprofen and/or buprenorphine. An analysis of variance was conducted for repeated measurements obtained during 80 minutes after first incision. Categorical data were evaluated with Chi-square analyses. RESULTS: Arterial blood pressure remained stable and within clinically acceptable limits. Mean heart rate in group 2 was significantly lower than in group 1. The incidence of 2nd degree AV block type II was significantly higher in group 3. Mean arterial lactate concentrations remained below 2 mmol/L in all groups during the study, with a significant increase occurring during recovery compared with surgery for group 3. Mean e'ISO% was similar and <1% in all groups. Complete recovery from anaesthesia was achieved after ATI administration and was of good quality in all but three animals. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dexmedetomidine CRI is a reliable and valuable adjunct to ISO anaesthesia in maintaining surgical anaesthesia in ASA I-II dogs. Data reported indicate adequate overall tissue perfusion and a low ISO requirement while enabling a smooth and rapid recovery following ATI. The DMED CRI of 1 microg kg(-1) hour(-1) following a loading dose of 5 microg kg(-1) produced the most favourable results.     

Antibody-dependent mechanisms of immunity against migrating larvae of Trichinella spiralis

Normal rat peritoneal exudate cells adhere to new-born Trichinella spiralis larvae in the presence of specific antibodies produced during the course of an oral infection. After 24 hours incubation with the peritoneal cells and antibodies most of the larvae were killed. Heated immune serum had less activity. With normal serum no adherence was observed. In order to investigate the influence of antibodies on new-born larvae in vivo, larvae were pre-treated in vitro with immune serum and then inoculated intravenously into normal mice. After 30 days the yield of normal larvae was 50% of the number recovered in a control group infected with non-treated new-born larvae.     

Combined effects of zinc and earthworm density on soil ecosystem functioning

In traditional environmental risk assessment for soils, interactions between biota, contaminants and soil functioning are seldom taken into account. Also, single species toxicity tests are conducted with a fixed number of test animals. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of zinc (0–620 mg Zn kg^?1 dry soil) on soil ecosystem processes at different densities of the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus. Experiments were conducted using 1-liter microcosms equipped with respirometers. The presence of L. rubellus stimulated relevant soil processes and parameters: litter fragmentation, leaf litter mass loss from the soil surface, soil organic matter (SOM) content and soil respiration. Zinc was not lethal to L. rubellus, but negatively impacted soil respiration at the highest concentrations. Litter mass loss from the soil surface was also decreased by zinc and there was a significant interaction with worm density. The results of the study demonstrate that the impact of zinc on soil processes depends on the presence and densities of key soil organisms such as earthworms that influence decomposition and SOM content. The outcome of this research can be used to make existing models for site-specific risk assessment more ecologically relevant, linking effects of contaminants on soil fauna populations with effects on ecosystem functioning.