Pooling European all-cause mortality: methodology and findings for the seasons 2008/2009 to 2010/2011

Several European countries have timely all-cause mortality monitoring. However, small changes in mortality may not give rise to signals at the national level. Pooling data across countries may overcome this, particularly if changes in mortality occur simultaneously. Additionally, pooling may increase the power of monitoring populations with small numbers of expected deaths, e.g. younger age groups or fertile women. Finally, pooled analyses may reveal patterns of diseases across Europe. We describe a pooled analysis of all-cause mortality across 16 European countries. Two approaches were explored. In the ‘summarized' approach, data across countries were summarized and analysed as one overall country. In the ‘stratified' approach, heterogeneities between countries were taken into account. Pooling using the ‘stratified' approach was the most appropriate as it reflects variations in mortality. Excess mortality was observed in all winter seasons albeit slightly higher in 2008/09 than 2009/10 and 2010/11. In the 2008/09 season, excess mortality was mainly in elderly adults. In 2009/10, when pandemic influenza A(H1N1) dominated, excess mortality was mainly in children. The 2010/11 season reflected a similar pattern, although increased mortality in children came later. These patterns were less clear in analyses based on data from individual countries. We have demonstrated that with stratified pooling we can combine local mortality monitoring systems and enhance monitoring of mortality across Europ

Biodiversity of the Collembola Fauna of Wetland Kerkini (N. Greece), with description of the sexual dimorphism of Entomobrya atrocincta Schött 1896 (Collembola: Entomobryomorpha)

A report on the results of a research into some aspects of the collembolan fauna of the Greek Nature Reserve associated with Lake Kerkini, known as Wetland Kerkini, is presented. The nature reserve is large and includes a wide variety of habitats, many of which were not included in this preliminary survey. From the areas sampled we recorded 44 species, of which 39 were previously described, two (Folsomia potapovi Jordana & Baquero n. sp., Entomobrya naziridisi Jordana & Baquero n. sp.), are new to science, while three are identifi ed to generic level; a further 21 are new records for Greece, and an additional 11 species are new records to the Greek Mainland. Sampling with Berlese- Tullgren funnels and Malaise traps allowed us to capture species typical of soil and species present over vegetation. This summary is based on the records held in the online database of the Fauna Europaea Project

Animal welfare attitudes: Effects of gender and diet in university samples from 22 countries

Animal Welfare Attitudes (AWA) are defined as human attitudes towards the welfare of animals in different dimensions and settings. Demographic factors, such as age and gender are associated with AWA. The aim of this study was to assess gender differences among university students in a large convenience sample from twenty-two nations in AWA. A total of 7914 people participated in the study (5155 women, 2711 men, 48 diverse). Participants completed a questionnaire that collected demographic data, typical diet and responses to the Composite Respect for Animals Scale Short version (CRAS-S). In addition, we used a measure of gender empowerment from the Human Development Report. The largest variance in AWA was explained by diet, followed by country and gender. In terms of diet, 6385 participants reported to be omnivores, 296 as pescatarian, 637 ate a vegetarian diet and 434 were vegans (n = 162 without answer). Diet was related with CRAS-S scores; people with a vegan diet scored higher in AWA than omnivores. Women scored significantly higher on AWA than men. Furthermore, gender differences in AWA increased as gender inequality decreased

Social Memory and the Resilience of Communities Affected by Land Degradation

Based on evidence collected in 22 village communities from nine study sites situated in Spain, Italy, Greece, Morocco and China, this study analyses the complex interlinkages between social memory, community resilience and land degradation. Social memory is seen as an important explanation regarding the ability of a local community to manage and cope with land degradation. Emphasis is placed on the importance of three components of social memory – rites, traditions and social learning processes – for shaping community resilience in coping with land degradation processes. The study argues that, although there are subtle differences between the 22 village communities, the loss of social memory and learning pathways associated with managing land degradation is emerging as a critical factor constraining stakeholders from effectively responding to land degradation issue

Laboratory and clinical characteristics of human west nile virus infections during 2011 outbreak in southern Greece

During the summer-autumn of 2011, a human outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) infection occurred in southern Greece, following the first outbreak during 2010 in northern Greece. An investigation was performed to analyze laboratory diagnosis, geographic distribution, and clinical features of WNV cases in southern Greece. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from all patients seeking laboratory diagnosis for suspected WNV infection were tested for the presence of specific WNV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies. Detection of WNV RNA in CSF and whole blood samples was accomplished by real-time PCR. During August-October of 2011, 31 confirmed or probable cases of WNV infection were identified. In 25 of them, individuals experienced severe neurological manifestations and were classified as WNV neuroinvasive disease cases. Risk factors such as advanced age, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were identified in most cases with neurological complications. As many as 25 of the WNV cases occurred in the broader region of Athens; the majority of them (17 cases) were identified in municipalities of Eastern Attica, located almost 40 km from the metropolitan area of Athens and 500 km from Central Macedonia, where the 2010 WNV outbreak occurred. The spread of the virus in a newly affected area of the country suggests that WNV has been established in Greece and disease transmission will be continued in the future. © 2014, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc

Land-use and land degradation processes affecting soil resources: Evidence from a traditional Mediterranean cropland (Greece)

Land degradation is a complex process resulting from the permanent interaction between physical and human factors. The effect of changes in land-use and land management on soil erosion and desertification risk has been studied in Messara Valley (Crete, Greece) over the last six decades (1950–2010). Vegetation cover and land-use have been analyzed using representative aerial photographs and ortho-photomaps for representative dates. Soil attributes have been described in a semi-detailed survey in 2010. Soil erosion rates and desertification risk have been assessed for each period using the PESERA and TERON models and the MEDALUS methodology, respectively. Based on distinct socio-ecological characteristics of the area three major time intervals have been identified. Cereals extensively cultivated during the first time interval were progressively replaced by olive plantations and vineyards in the following periods. Soil erosion due to water runoff was important especially in the olive transition period, declining in the olive subsidy period. However, tillage erosion became an important degradation process especially in the olive subsidy period due to mechanization of the agriculture determining soil losses ranging from 0.5 to 30 cm in sloping areas. Desertification risk due to soil erosion and land characteristics has significantly increased during the olive subsidy period