COMPOSITION OF LANDFILL GAS ON PRUDINEC/JAKUŠEVEC LANDFILL

Nagli razvoj urbanizacije i industrijalizacije utjecao je na povećanje problema sakupljanja i odlaganja čvrstog otpada. Neadekvatno rješavanje tog problema može negativno utjecati na zdravlje ljudi i kvalitetu čovjekova okoliša. Na velikim odlagalištima komunalnog otpada stvaraju se znatne količine odlagališnog plina što može imati potencijalno velik utjecaj na kakvoću zraka posebno ako se otpad odlaže na neadekvatan način. U okviru ovog rada provedena je analiza sastava odlagališnog plina na ulazu u postrojenje za obradu odlagališnih plinova na odlagalištu otpada Prudinec/Jakuševec u Zagrebu, za razdoblje od 2008. do 2011. godine. S obzirom na sanaciju smetlišta Prudinec/Jakuševec i njegovu transformaciju u uređeno odlagalište otpada I. kategorije, a sve u skladu s hrvatskim propisima i normama Europske unije, napravljen je veliki korak u zaštiti okoliša te otvorena mogućnost energetskog iskorištavanja nastalog odlagališnog plina.The rapid urban and industrial development has influenced the accumulation of problems in the sector of solid waste collecting and disposal. Non-efficient solving of this problem could negatively impact human health and quality of the environment. On the big municipal waste landfills the large amounts of landfill gas has been produced and can have potentially significant impact on air quality especially if the waste is disposed on non-adequate way. Within this work, the analysis of the landfill gas composition on the Prudinec/Jakuševec landfill in Zagreb, in the period from 2008. up to 2011. has been performed. Due to sanitation imrovement of Prudinec/Jakuševec landfill and its transformation in arranged waste landifll of the I. category in accordance with Croatian law and Europien Union standars, a large step in environmental protection was made and the possibility of the use of formed landfill gas as a source of energy has founded

Emerging novel porcine parvoviruses in Europe: origin, evolution, phylodynamics and phylogeography

To elucidate the spatiotemporal phylodynamics, dispersion and evolutionary processes underlying the emergence of novel porcine parvovirus 2 (PPV2), PPV3 and PPV4 species, we analysed all available complete capsid genes, together with ours, obtained in Europe. Bayesian phylogeography indicates that Romania (PPV2 and PPV4) and Croatia (PPV3) are the most likely ancestral areas from which PPVs have subsequently spread to other European countries and regions. The timescale of our reconstruction supported a relatively recent history of the currently circulating novel PPV species (1920s to 1980s) in the domestic or sylvatic host. While PPV2 strains exhibited a large genetic exchange characterized by significant recombination and gene flow between distinct regions and hosts, PPV3 and PPV4 showed a diversification reflected by the accumulation of geographically structured polymorphisms. The RNA-like evolutionary rates detected inter- and intrahost recombination and the positive selection sites provided evidence that the PPV2-4 capsid gene plays a prominent role in host adaptation

Two detrimental mutations in cattle mitogenome indicate the presence of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy

While mitochondriopathies, mitochondrial diseases, caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), are well documented in humans, single pathogenic mtDNA mutation or disorders are unknown in livestock populations. In a survey of 799 complete cattle mtDNAs belonging to more than 120 breeds two mutations, one in ND1 (C4171T) and the other in ND4L (T10663C) gene were identified, that are confirmed to be pathogenic in humans causing Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). In one Cika cow with T10663C mutation, which was in humans reported to cause an acute onset of visual loss or/and many other LHON associated clinical manifestations, an exophthalmia of the right eye that might fit to the pathogenesis of LHON was observed. This work supports the existence of potentially detrimental mtDNA mutations in cattle, while aetiology and pathogenesis need to be further documented

Investigating porcine parvoviruses genogroup 2 infection using in situ polymerase chain reaction

Abstract Background Porcine parvovirus 2 (PPV2) was detected in swine serum without showing any relationship with disease. The emergence of the virus seemed to be a unique event until other genetically highly similar parvoviruses were identified in China and, later in 2012, the presence of the virus was also described in Europe. PPV2 is widely distributed in pig populations where it is suspected to be involved in respiratory conditions, based on its frequent detection in lung samples. In order to investigate the potential pathogenic involvement of PPV2, 60 dead pigs were examined from two farms. They were necropsied and tested for PPV2 and PCV2 (Porcine circovirus type 2) by PCR; by Brown and Brenn (B&B) staining for bacteria; by immunohistochemistry (IHC) to detect CD3, Swine leukocyte antigen class II DQ (SLAIIDQ), lysozyme, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), swine influenza (SIV), Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhyo); and by in situ hybridization (ISH) to detect ssDNA and dsDNA of PCV2. PPV2 positive samples were subjected to in situ polymerase chain reaction (IS-PCR) including double staining method to detect PPV2 and host cell markers. To calculate statistical difference we used GENMOD or LOGISTIC procedures in Statistical Analysis System (SAS®). Results We found that the PPV2 was localized mostly in lymphocytes in lungs, lymph nodes and liver. Neither CD3 antigen nor lysozyme was expressed by these infected cells. In contrast, low levels of SLAIIDQ were expressed by infected cells, suggesting that PPV2 may have a specific tropism for immature B lymphocytes and/or NK lymphocytes though possibly not T lymphocytes. Conclusion The overall conclusion of this study indicates that PPV2 may contribute to the pathogenesis of pneumonia

Clenbuterol Residues in Plasma and Urine Samples of Food-Producing Pigs During and After Subchronic Exposure to a Growth-Promoting Dose

The aim of the study is to evaluate the suitability of plasma and urine as matrices for clenbuterol residue determination during and after its subchronic administration at a growth-promoting dose to male pigs, using previously validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a screening method and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) as a confirmation method. A high correlation coefficient between these analytical methods was obtained for both urine (R=0.9800) and plasma (R=0.9970) concentrations. Study results show the plasma and urine concentration to vary greatly during oral treatment with clenbuterol for 28 days. The peak urine concentration ((88.54±50.54) ng/mL) recorded on day 21 was 40-fold peak plasma concentration ((2.25±1.54) ng/mL). After withdrawal period, the peak urine clenbuterol concentration ((42.93±10.52) ng/mL) recorded on day 0 was 24-fold plasma concentration ((1.79±0.97) ng/mL). The maximum allowed concentration of 0.5 ng/g in the liver as a regulated matrix for control of clenbuterol abuse was achieved in plasma on day 3 ((0.52±0.26) ng/mL) and in urine on day 7 of treatment withdrawal ((0.45±0.11) ng/mL). Study results indicate that urine and plasma may be suitable matrices for the control of clenbuterol abuse during fattening of food-producing pigs but have a limited value because of the rapidly decreasing concentration upon treatment withdrawal, in plasma in particular

Ostaci klenbuterola u uzorcima plazme i urina tijekom i nakon subkroničnog izlaganja tovnih svinja dozi klenbuterola koja potiče rast

The aim of the study is to evaluate the suitability of plasma and urine as matrices for clenbuterol residue determination during and after its subchronic administration at a growth-promoting dose to male pigs, using previously validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a screening method and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) as a confirmation method. A high correlation coefficient between these analytical methods was obtained for both urine (R=0.9800) and plasma (R=0.9970) concentrations. Study results show the plasma and urine concentration to vary greatly during oral treatment with clenbuterol for 28 days. The peak urine concentration ((88.54±50.54) ng/mL) recorded on day 21 was 40-fold peak plasma concentration ((2.25±1.54) ng/mL). After withdrawal period, the peak urine clenbuterol concentration ((42.93±10.52) ng/mL) recorded on day 0 was 24-fold plasma concentration ((1.79±0.97) ng/mL). The maximum allowed concentration of 0.5 ng/g in the liver as a regulated matrix for control of clenbuterol abuse was achieved in plasma on day 3 ((0.52±0.26) ng/mL) and in urine on day 7 of treatment withdrawal ((0.45±0.11) ng/mL). Study results indicate that urine and plasma may be suitable matrices for the control of clenbuterol abuse during fattening of food-producing pigs but have a limited value because of the rapidly decreasing concentration upon treatment withdrawal, in plasma in particular.Svrha je rada utvrditi prikladnost plazme i urina kao matriksa za određivanje ostataka klenbuterola tijekom i nakon subkroničnog davanja doze koja potiče rast muških svinja, primjenom prethodno validirane metode: ELISA kao screening metodu i tekućinsku kromatografiju s masenom spektrometrijom (LC-MS/MS) kao potvrdnu metodu. Primijenjenim analitičkim metodama određen je visoki korelacijski koeficijent u urinu (R=0,9800) i plazmi (R=0,9970). Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su da se koncentracije klenbuterola u plazmi i urinu značajno razlikuju tijekom 28 dana oralne primjene klenbuterola. Najveća koncentracija u urinu ((88,54±50,54) ng/mL), određena 21. dan, bila je 40 puta veća od najveće koncentracije određene u plazmi ((2,25±1,54) ng/mL). Nakon prestanka obrade, najveća koncentracija klenbuterola u urinu ((42,93±10,52) ng/mL) određena je 0. dan i bila je 24 puta veća od one određene u plazmi ((1,79±0,97) ng/mL). Maksimalno dopuštena koncentracija od 0,5 ng/g u jetri, kao regulatornom matriksu što se koristi u kontroli zlouporabe klenbuterola, u plazmi je određena 3. dan ((0.52±0.26) ng/mL), a u urinu 7. dan ((0,45±0,11) ng/mL) nakon tretmana. Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da urin i plazma mogu biti prikladni matriksi u kontroli zlouporabe klenbuterola tijekom tova svinja, ali s ograničenom primjenom zbog naglog opadanja koncentracije nakon prestanka tretmana, a posebno u plazmi

Detection and characterisation of hepatitis E virus in naturally infected swine in Croatia

Hepatitis E is a viral zoonotic disease infecting swine worldwide. Since pigs represent a likely animal reservoir for the hepatitis E virus, the epidemiology of naturally occurring hepatitis E was investigated in Croatian swine herds. Nearly all tested animals were seropositive for antibodies against the hepatitis E virus (55/60, 91.7%). Active infection was detected in all age groups by RT-PCR of viral RNA in serum (8/60, 13.3%) and bile samples (3/37, 8.1%), which was further confirmed by histopathological findings of characteristic lesions in the livers of the infected animals. Three new strains of hepatitis E virus were isolated from Croatian pig herds. Phylogenetic analysis using median-joining networks clustered those Croatian strains with isolates from various parts of the world, indicating their likely origin in international trade. Similarity to human isolates implies a zoonotic potential of Croatian strains, which raises a public health concern, especially in the light of the high prevalence of hepatitis E in the herds studied

Is the Illegal Trade of Glass Eels (Anguilla anguilla) Increasing the Spread of Disease? A Case of EVEX

The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is a catadromous species that inhabits the rivers of the Adriatic watershed in Croatia. It is a critically endangered fish species, according to the IUCN, due to its declining abundance in European rivers caused by overfishing and trafficking and by diseases caused by nematodes, pathogenic bacteria and viruses. An illegal parcel of glass eels was confiscated at the Zagreb Airport and was intended to re-populate Croatian rivers. Barcoding was employed to determine species affiliation, and a thorough health check was carried out. This study reports the evaluation of gross lesions, histological findings, and EVEX virus isolation and identification. Since the confiscated glass eels were of unknown origin and given the serological and genetic similarities of EVA and EVEX, we designed primers and probes for almost whole genome sequencing to elucidate the origin of glass eels based on viral phylogeny. Bayesian phylogeny showed that the isolated strain had the most common ancestor with a Danish isolate and likely evolved from the French isolate of EVEX. These findings are discussed in light of the divergence of recently isolated strains and their possible contribution to the decrease of the abundance of the European eel in European waters