Information Needs of Non-industrial Private Forest Owners After Logging Operations in Finland: A Case Study

In this study, the information needs of non-industrial private forest owners in Finland, after logging operations, were investigated. The study was carried out as an online survey in 2017. The survey was targeted at non-industrial private forest owners who had sold their timber during the previous 10 years (2008–2017) and whose email addresses were in the customer relationship management system of a large wood procurement company in Finland. A response link for the survey was successfully sent to 31,988 forest owners, of whom 3323 replied (response rate: 10.4%). The final study data included 3284 non-industrial private forest owners. The results of the study, which need to be interpreted cautiously due to the low response rate, showed that the forest owners want better-quality reporting after logging operations. Furthermore, the results suggested that gender, age, education, occupational status, place of living, size of, and access to, forest property, and length of, and objectives for, forest ownership have a significant effect on their information needs. Younger, highly-educated, female, urban-living and multi-objective forest owners with larger forest holdings and short forest ownership tenures desired more information. Particularly, the respondents conveyed that they would like more and better information about thinning harvesting result. The results also indicated that when different groups of forest owners call for certain information, there is a need for producing different types of reports after logging operations for different forest owner segments.

     

Die Ihierwanderungen in den Jappmarfen und den nördlichen Iheilen von Jinnland in den Jahren 1839 und 1840

Ohne Zusammenfassung (Borgetragen in der Societ?t der Wiffenfchaften zu Helfingfors am 29. April 1850.) Ueberfekt aus Notises ur S?llskapets pro Fauna et Flora Fennica F?rhandlingar; Andra H?ffes, Helsingfors 1852 von dem Dberforftrath von Berg.     

Interaction of sub-epithelial connective tissue components with Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci from bovine mastitis

Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) isolated from bovine mastitis were examined for their ability to interact with 125I-labelled fibronectin, fibrinogen and type II collagen. Their relative surface hydrophobicity and production of extracellular capsule were also investigated. Almost all S. aureus strains bound fibronectin (mean value 23%), fibrinogen (mean value 12%) and type II collagen (mean value 16%). CNS bound fibronectin (mean value 6%) and type II collagen (mean value 7%), but not fibrinogen (mean value 2%). The specificity of binding of these proteins to S. aureus strain F1440 and to coagulase-negative Staphylococcus chromogenes strain BO52 was studied by adding an excess of unlabelled proteins. Fibronectin and collagen binding were observed to be specific, varying between 50 and 75%, whereas the specificity of fibrinogen binding to S. aureus strain F1440 was lower (26%). Most of the S. aureus strains (63%) showed very high surface hydrophobicity (autoaggregation) or lower hydrophobicity (29% of the strains) and the rest were hydrophilic. None of the CNS strains autoaggregated, 44% were classified as hydrophilic strains. Hydrophilic strains (except the reference strains) did not show extracellular capsule production. However, the encapsulated (reference) strains showed low binding to these proteins as compared to their unencapsulated variants. Pre-treatment of S. aureus strain F1440 and S. chromogenes strain BO52 with trypsin decreased their fibronectin binding capacity and surface hydrophobicity, whereas pre-treatment with bovine milk (except on collagen binding to strain F1440) did not significantly affect binding to these proteins. These data indicate that S. aureus and CNS isolated from bovine udder infection have the ability to bind to tissue matrix and plasma proteins which may be exposed in the traumatized or toxin-damaged udder epithelial lesions.     

Leaching potential and decomposition of fluroxypyr in Swedish soils under field conditions

The mobility and decomposition of the herbicide fluroxypyr (4-amino-3,5-dichloro-6-fluoro-2-pyridyloxyacetic acid) was studied under field conditions in a sandy soil and a clay soil. Leachate was collected in lysimeters with undisturbed soil (sand) and in tile-drained plots (clay). Soil samples to a depth of one metre were also collected in both soils to characterize the temporal depth distribution of fluroxypyr in the profiles. The herbicide was applied as the I-methylheptyl ester of fluroxypyr at two rates, 187.5 and 375.0 g a.e. ha^?1, representing the normal and double the dose of the compound used for spring cereals. Some lysimeters received supplementary watering. Only two leachate samples (one from each soil) had concentrations of fluroxypyr above the detection limit (1 μg litre^?1), i.e. 2 and 5 μg litre^?1. Both samples were collected within two months after application, when less than 2 mm of drainage had been collected. The methylheptyl ester of fluroxypyr was not found in any of the samples. Fluroxypyr levels above the detection limit in soil (5 μg kg^?1 dry soil), were never found below the topsoil (0.2 m) in the clay profile, while, in the sandy profile, levels just above the detection limit were found occasionally in deeper soil layers. Concentrations were reduced to undetectable or very low levels within three months after spraying.     

Persistence of Ehrlichia phagocytophila infection in two age groups of lambs

Tick-borne fever (TBF) is caused by the rickettsiae Ehrlichia phagocytophila and is a common disease in sheep in tick (Ixodes ricinus) infested areas in Norway. Earlier investigations have shown that some sheep could remain infected for several months after the primary infection. In this study, the persistence of E. phagocytophila after experimental infection was investigated in 2 age groups of lambs. Six lambs (1-2 weeks old) and 14 lambs (6-8 months old) were inoculated intravenously with an ovine strain of E. phagocytophila and thereafter examined clinically (including daily body temperature recording) and by haematological and serological (E. equi antibodies) methods for the next 4 months. At the end of this period, the lambs were examined for a TBF infection by blood smear investigation and blood inoculation studies. The infection was demonstrated in 19 (95%) of the 20 lambs.     

The effect of two different oxytetracycline treatments in experimental Ehrlichia phagocytophila infected lambs

The effect of 2 different oxytetracycline treatments in acute E. phagocytophila infected lambs was investigated. Twenty 5-month-old lambs of the Dala and Rygja breeds were used. Ten lambs were inoculated intravenously with a stabilate of an ovine E. phagocytophila strain. On the third day of fever, 4 lambs were given long-acting oxytetracycline (Terramycin prolongatum vet, Pfizer) (20 mg/kg) intramuscularly and another 4 lambs were given short-acting oxytetracycline (Terramycin vet, Pfizer) (10 mg/kg) intravenously for 5 consecutive days. The lambs were examined for the presence of Ehrlichia infection by blood smear evaluation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and antibody titre against E. equi. One month after the last antibiotic treatment, 250 ml citrate blood from each of these lambs were inoculated into each of 10 susceptible lambs, which were observed during the following 6 weeks. The results indicate that oxytetracycline given in the acute stage of the infection may effectively terminate the development of fever, rickettsemia and weight reduction in E. phagocytophila infected lambs. No difference was observed between the 2 treatment groups. However, at least 3 of 8 antibiotic treated lambs (37.5%) were still infected with granulocytic Ehrlichia 3 months after treatment.     

Emended descriptions of indole negative and indole positive isolates of Brachyspira (Serpulina) hyodysenteriae

Two type/reference strains of Brachyspira (B.) hyodysenteriae, 14 Belgian and German indole negative, and 14 Belgian, German and Swedish indole positive field isolates of strongly β-haemolytic intestinal spirochaetes were compared by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns, biochemical reaction patterns, 16S rDNA sequences and MIC determinations of six antibacterial substances. Three tests for indole production, including a spot indole test, were compared with congruent results. All field isolates were classified as B. hyodysenteriae due to a high genetic and phenotypic similarity with the type strains. The Belgian and German indole negative isolates had identical and unique PFGE patterns for the tested restriction enzymes MluI and SalI, as well as identical 16S rDNA sequences, and they could not be differentiated by any of the methods used. Seven unique PFGE patterns were achieved from the 14 indole positive field isolates. The patterns were identical and unique for epidemiologically related isolates. Type/reference strains and isolates without known relation to other tested isolates showed unique banding patterns. The MICs of tylosin, tiamulin, erythromycin, clindamycin, carbadox and virginiamycin were determined in broth for all isolates. In contrast to Belgian and German isolates, the majority of the Swedish field isolates were susceptible to tylosin, erythromycin and clindamycin. Probable pathways of infection for some of the Swedish isolates were determined. The PFGE patterns of epidemic clones of B. hyodysenteriae remained stable for a period of up to 8 years. In vivo development of resistance to macrolide and lincosamide antibiotics due to use of tylosin was clearly indicated for two epidemic clones.     

Auscultation in mild mitral regurgitation in dogs: observer variation, effects of physical maneuvers, and agreement with color Doppler echocardiography and phonocardiography

Observer variation in diagnosing mild mitral regurgitation in dogs by cardiac auscultation was assessed by having 6 veterinarians with different levels of experience examine 57 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Comparisons with color Doppler echocardiography and phonocardiography were made, and the effects of 2 physical maneuvers on the auscultatory findings were evaluated. Using mildly diseased dogs, interobserver agreement in diagnosing the presence or absence of left-sided murmurs ranged from 63% to 88%. The agreement with phonocardiography (range, 53-91%) increased with the amount of observer experience. The 2 most experienced observers could discern soft ejection murmurs from regurgitant murmurs and were able to diagnose 89% of the dogs with regurgitant jets larger than 30% of the left atrial area. In general, less experienced observers diagnosed most jets larger than 50%. In many dogs with small jets, no murmur was found by auscultation and phonocardiography. The audibility of mild regurgitation was significantly reduced in dogs that were difficult to auscultate. Early systolic murmurs were typical of mild regurgitation, whereas holosystolic murmurs typified severe regurgitation. In a few dogs, late systolic murmurs alternated with holosystolic murmurs. Systolic clicks were found phonocardiographically in 18 dogs with mild to moderate regurgitation, but the audibility apparently was low. In many mildly affected dogs, physical maneuvers increased murmur intensity. Thus, some form of dynamic auscultation might facilitate the diagnosis of mild regurgitation. Auscultatory findings in mild regurgitation appear to depend on observer experience, circulatory status, and how difficult the dog is to auscultate.     

TGF-beta3 exists in bony fish

A partial nucleotide sequence of transforming growth factor-beta3 (TGF-beta3) has been isolated from the Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and European eel (Anguilla anguilla), confirming a ubiquitous presence in the ray-finned (Actinopterygian) bony fish. The bony fish TGF-beta3 is highly conserved, with some 83-84% nucleotide identity (coding region) and 90-95% predicted amino acid identity to known homeotherm TGF-beta3's. Far lower homologies are apparent with other known TGF-beta isoforms in fish (e.g. 64-66% and 81-82% amino acid identity to trout TGF-beta 1/5 and carp TGF-beta2 respectively). Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that the fish TGF-beta3's clustered with the known homeotherm TGF-beta3's. The relatively tight clustering of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2 and TGF-beta3 was in contrast to the TGF-beta5's, which are clearly a more heterogenous group.     

A retrospective evaluation of a Bovine Herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) antibody ELISA on bulk-tank milk samples for classification of the BHV-1 status of Danish dairy herds

Bulk-tank milk samples analysed in a Bovine Herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) blocking ELISA are still in use in the Danish BHV-1 programme as a tool to classify dairy herds as BHV-1 infected or BHV-1 free herds. In this retrospective study, we used data from the Danish BHV-1 eradication campaign to evaluate performance characteristics of the BHV-1 blocking ELISA in 1039 BHV-1-seropositive and 502 repeatedly BHV-1-negative dairy herds using the results of blood testing of the individual animals as the true infection status. At a cut-off value of 30% blocking reaction, the herd-level relative sensitivity and relative specificity were 82 and 100%, respectively. The herd-level relative sensitivity depended on the within-herd prevalence of seropositive cows and the cut-off value in the assay, but not on the time interval (up to 90 days) between the collection of the bulk-tank milk sample and the individual serum samples. The BHV-1 blocking ELISA on bulk-tank milk could detect seropositive herds (few), with prevalence proportions as low as one seropositive cow out of 70 cows.