Alien Registration- Drouin, Alma (Auburn, Androscoggin County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/30260/thumbnail.jp

Pathogenesis of Bartonella Henselae in the Domestic Cat: Use of a PCR-based Assay for the Detection and Differentiation of B. Henselae Genotype I and Genotype II in Chronically Infected Cats.

Bartonella henselae is a zoonotic agent in which the domestic cat serves as the natural reservoir, and humans acquire potentially serious infections associated with this microorganism. The purpose of this research is to contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of B. henselae in the domestic cat using a molecular approach. Using sequence differences in a portion of the I 6S rRNA gene between B. henselae genotype I, and B. henselae genotype II, a nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) was designed and used to investigate various phases of feline bartonellosis. The nPCR detected 3.2 organisms per milliliter of blood which is below the detection limits of standard bacterial culture. Bartonella henselae LSU 16 genotype II, Bartonella henselae Baby genotype II, Bartonella henselae 87--66 genotype I, and Bartonella henselae Houston-1 genotype I were used in this study to infect cats. The PCR assay detected Bartonella DNA in 40 blood samples that were culture negative. The bacteremia as determined by PCR lasted for a period of 1 to 9 weeks longer than determined by culture methods in 10 of the 16 cats. An episode of relapsing bacteremia occurred in two cats during the infection. Of the twenty-three cats examined, Bartonella DNA was detected in various tissues from 10 of the 23 cats. The spleen of nine of the 10 cats was positive for Bartonella DNA. The other tissues in which Bartonella DNA was detected included bone marrow, lymph node, kidney, lung, liver, brain, and heart valve. Histopathological lesions associated with nonspecific antigenic stimulation were seen in the cats but organisms could not be visualized in tissue. RNA expression analysis using the RT-PCR assay with primers specific for the 16S rRNA and the citrate synthase gene (gltA) of Bartonella detected no Bartonella RNA expression in the tissue of infected cats. Bartonella genotypes remained the same throughout the period of the acute bacteremia and in the recurring bacteremia as determined by the PCR assay. The persistent Bartonella DNA detected in tissue was B. henselae genotype II. B. henselae genotype I was not detected in any of the infected cats

Agenda de investigación y monitoreo en bosques secos de Colombia (2013-2015): fortaleciendo redes de colaboración para su gestión integral en el territorio

Tropical dry forests are the most threatened, yet among the least studied ecosystems in the Neotropics. These forests hold a unique combination of plants, animals and microorganisms that have adapted to the rain seasonality that characterizes tropical dry forest, thus holding many endemic species. In addition, this ecosystem provides key environmental services such as water regulation, soil retention and carbon sequestration, which regulates local climate, water and nutrients availability. In Colombia, dry forests occur in six regions: the Caribbean, the inter-Andean valleys of Cauca and Magdalena, the Northeastern Andes, the Patía valley, and the Llanos (Orinoquia region). In this working paper we discuss the three lines of research that the Instituto Alexander von Humboldt has been leading (2013-2015) to enhance tropical dry forest research, longtermmonitoring, and sustainable management: i) distribution and conservation status, ii) composition, ecological dynamics and functioning, and iii) characterization and conservation of tropical dry forests associated biodiversity.El bosque seco tropical tiene una diversidad única de plantas, animales y microorganismos que se han adaptado a condiciones de estrés hídrico, por lo cual presenta altos niveles de endemismo. Presta además servicios fundamentales como la regulación hídrica, la retención de suelos y la captura de carbono que regula el clima y la disponibilidad de agua y nutrientes. En Colombia el bosque seco se encuentra en seis regiones biogeográficas: el Caribe, los valles interandinos del Cauca y el Magdalena, la región Norandina en Santander y Norte de Santander, el valle del río Patía y afloramientos rocosos en los departamentos de Arauca y Vichada en los Llanos Orientales. Pese a su importancia para la conservación de la biodiversidad y los beneficios derivados para las sociedades humanas, este ecosistema es considerado el más amenazado del neotrópico y cuenta con muy poca información disponible, producto de la investigación científica. Bajo este contexto, el Instituto Humboldt, bajo el liderazgo de los Programas de Ciencias de la Biodiversidad y de Gestión Territorial, ha liderado la consolidación de una Agenda de Investigación y Monitoreo a escala de país para fortalecer la gestión integral de este ecosistema a partir del conocimiento científico. En este documento de trabajo se analizan las tres líneas de investigación que se han venido liderando desde 2013 hasta 2015 con el objetivo de fomentar la investigación, el monitoreo a largo plazo y un manejo integral del bosque seco en Colombia: i) distribución espacial y estado de conservación, ii) composición, dinámica y funcionamiento, y iii) caracterización y conservación de la biodiversidad asociada

Employment and ability to work after kidney transplantation in the Netherlands:The impact of preemptive versus non-preemptive kidney transplantation

Background: Work can have a major positive impact on health and wellbeing. Employment of kidney transplant recipients (KTR) of working age is much lower than in the general population. The first aim of this study was to examine the impact of a preemptive kidney transplantation (PKT) on employment, in addition to other possible influencing factors. The second aim was to explore differences in work ability, absenteeism and work performance among employed KTR with different types of transplantations. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted between 2018 and 2019 in nine Dutch hospitals. PKT as potential predictor of employment was examined. Furthermore, work ability, absenteeism and loss of work performance were compared between employed preemptive recipients with a living donor (L-PKT) and non-preemptive recipients with a living donor (L-nPKT) and with a deceased donor (D-nPKT). Results: Two hundred and twenty four KTR participated; 71% reported having paid work. Paid work was more common among PKT recipients (82% vs. 65% in L-nPKT and 55% in D-nPKT) and recipients who were younger (OR .950, 95%CI .913-.989), had no comorbidities (1 comorbidity: OR .397, 95%CI .167-.942; 2 comorbidities: OR .347, 95%CI .142-.844), had less fatigue (OR .974, 95%CI .962-.987) and had mentally demanding work tasks (only in comparison with physically demanding tasks, OR .342, 95%CI .145-.806). If recipients were employed, D-nPKT recipients worked fewer hours (mean 24.6 +/- 11.3 vs. PKT 31.1 +/- 9.6, L-nPKT 30.1 +/- 9.5) and D-nPKT and L-nPKT recipients received more often supplemental disability benefits (32 and 33.3%, respectively) compared to PKT recipients (9.9%). No differences were found for self-reported ability to work, sick leave (absenteeism) and loss of work performance with the exception of limitations in functioning at work. Conclusions: Preemptive kidney transplantation recipients with a kidney from a living donor are employed more often, work more hours per week (only in comparison with D-nPKT) and have a partial disability benefit less often than nPKT recipients. More knowledge regarding treatments supporting sustainable participation in the labor force is needed as work has a positive impact on recipients' health and wellbeing and is also beneficial for society as a whole

Position statement part two: maintaining immune health

The physical training undertaken by athletes is one of a set of lifestyle or behavioural factors that can influence immune function, health and ultimately exercise performance. Others factors including potential exposure to pathogens, health status, lifestyle behaviours, sleep and recovery, nutrition and psychosocial issues, need to be considered alongside the physical demands of an athlete’s training programme. The general consensus on managing training to maintain immune health is to start with a programme of low to moderate volume and intensity; employ a gradual and periodised increase in training volumes and loads; add variety to limit training monotony and stress; avoid excessively heavy training loads that could lead to exhaustion, illness or injury; include non-specific cross-training to offset staleness; ensure sufficient rest and recovery; and instigate a testing programme for identifying signs of performance deterioration and manifestations of physical stress. Inter-individual variability in immunocompetence, recovery, exercise capacity, non-training stress factors, and stress tolerance likely explains the different vulnerability of athletes to illness. Most athletes should be able to train with high loads provided their programme includes strategies devised to control the overall strain and stress. Athletes, coaches and medical personnel should be alert to periods of increased risk of illness (e.g. intensive training weeks, the taper period prior to competition, and during competition) and pay particular attention to recovery and nutritional strategies. [...continues]

Long-term trends in PM2.5 mass and particle number concentrations in urban air : The impacts of mitigation measures and extreme events due to changing climates

Urbanisation and industrialisation led to the increase of ambient particulate matter (PM) concentration. While subsequent regulations may have resulted in the decrease of some PM matrices, the simultaneous changes in climate affecting local meteorological conditions could also have played a role. To gain an insight into this complex matter, this study investigated the long-term trends of two important matrices, the particle mass (PM2.5) and particle number concentrations (PNC), and the factors that influenced the trends. Mann-Kendall test, Sen's slope estimator, the generalised additive model, seasonal decomposition of time series by LOESS (locally estimated scatterplot smoothing) and the Buishand range test were applied. Both PM2.5 and PNC showed significant negative monotonic trends (0.03-0.6 mg m(-3).yr(-1) and 0.40-3.8 x 10(3) particles. cm(-3). yr(-1), respectively) except Brisbane (+0.1 mg m(-3). yr(-1) and +53 particles. cm(-3). yr(-1), respectively). For the period covered in this study, temperature increased (0.03-0.07 degrees C.yr(-1)) in all cities except London; precipitation decreased (0.02-1.4 mm.yr(-1)) except in Helsinki; and wind speed was reduced in Brisbane and Rochester but increased in Helsinki, London and Augsburg. At the change-points, temperature increase in cold cities influenced PNC while shifts in precipitation and wind speed affected PM2.5. Based on the LOESS trend, extreme events such as dust storms and wildfires resulting from changing climates caused a positive step-change in concentrations, particularly for PM2.5. In contrast, among the mitigation measures, controlling sulphur in fuels caused a negative step-change, especially for PNC. Policies regarding traffic and fleet management (e.g. low emission zones) that were implemented only in certain areas or in a progressive uptake (e.g. Euro emission standards), resulted to gradual reductions in concentrations. Therefore, as this study has clearly shown that PM2.5 and PNC were influenced differently by the impacts of the changing climate and by the mitigation measures, both metrics must be considered in urban air quality management. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Avifaunal assemblage in the expansion sites of the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, Mindanao, Philippines

The Protected Area of the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (MHRWS) was proposed for expansion in 2016 to protect the remaining biodiversity of the buffer zones and to fortify the core zone. This study provides data on avifaunal assemblage and assessment on the added value of the ca. 2.99 km2 MHRWS expansion sites to the already protected zone. A combination of transect line survey and mist netting technique were used to sample bird species in four sampling sites in the MHRWS expansion sites. Our inventory of the MHRWS expansion sites revealed 41 species of birds distributed to 10 orders, 24 families and 34 genera. This adds 24 avifauna species to the previously reported birds in Mt. Hamiguitan Range making it a home to 83 species. The low species diversity in the MHRWS expansion sites could be attributed to the poor soil, low forest productivity and habitat loss. The presence of threatened and endemic species of birds in the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary expansion sites appeals for conservation initiatives by the stakeholders

Ultrafine particles and PM2.5 in the air of cities around the world : Are they representative of each other?

Can mitigating only particle mass, as the existing air quality measures do, ultimately lead to reduction in ultrafine particles (UFP)? The aim of this study was to provide a broader urban perspective on the relationship between UFP, measured in terms of particle number concentration (PNC) and PM2.5 (mass concentration of particles with aerodynamic diameter 1 for roadside sites and <1 for urban background sites with lower values for more polluted cities. The Pearson's r ranged from 0.09 to 0.64 for the log-transformed data, indicating generally poor linear correlation between PNC and PM2.5. Therefore, PNC and PM2.5 measurements are not representative of each other; and regulating PM2.5 does little to reduce PNC. This highlights the need to establish regulatory approaches and control measures to address the impacts of elevated UFP concentrations, especially in urban areas, considering their potential health risks.Peer reviewe