Demography of the George River Caribou Herd: Evidence of Population Regulation by Forage Exploitation and Range Expansion

The George River caribou herd in northern Quebec/Labrador increased from about 5000 animals in 1954 to 472,200 (or 1.1 caribou/km) prior to the 1984 calving season. The range used by the herd expanded from 160,000 to 442,000 sq km for the period 1971-84. The exponential rate of increase (r) was estimated at 0.11 in the 1970s. Calf:female ratio in autumn was relatively constant (x=0.52) from 1973 to 1983, but decreased to about 0.39 in 1984-86. The harvest rate was relatively low in the 1970s (about 3%/y), but seemingly increased in the mid-1980s to 5-7% as a result of more liberal regulations and a greater impetus to exploit caribou for subsistence. The cumulative impact of lower calf recruitment and more intensive hunting may have appreciably depressed the growth rate of the herd in 1984-86. A greater year-round competition for food resources and a greater energy expenditure associated with range expansion are presented as probable regulatory factors for the George River herd. It is argued that the nature of caribou-habitat interactions in continental regions generate long-term fluctuations in caribou numbers if human exploitation remains low. At present, wolf predation does not appear to be an important mortality factor capable of regulating the George River herd.Key words: caribou, population regulation, food limitation, northem Quebec, Labrador, wolf predationMots clés: caribou, régulation de la population, limitation de la nourriture, nord du Québec, Labrador, prédation des loup

Hereditary pancreatitis in children: surgical implications with special regard to genetic background.

PURPOSE: Hereditary pancreatitis (HP) is the primary etiology of chronic pancreatitis during childhood, progressing through recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis and finally leading to pancreatic insufficiencies. Hereditary pancreatitis is because of mutations of the cationic trypsinogen (PRSS1) gene. Some other genes, such as SPINK1 or CFTR, have been associated with familial idiopathic chronic pancreatitis. The aim of our study was to clearly define diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for HP patients, through an analysis of our study group and a review of the literature. METHODS: All children admitted from 1995 to 2007 with a final diagnosis of hereditary pancreatitis were restrospectively included in the study. We analyzed all medical records with special attention given to cases involving genetic screening (PRSS1, SPINK1, and CFTR genes). RESULTS: Ten children were included. Eight had HP with PRSS1 mutation, 2 of them without a familial history of chronic pancreatitis. The 2 others patients had SPINK1 mutations. Three HP patients were operated on for acute complications of pancreatitis and are well with a mean follow-up of 5.5 years. No patient had pancreatic insufficiencies or weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: Hereditary pancreatitis is associated with severe pancreatitis, with a greater risk of developing pancreatic cancer. It must therefore be diagnosed correctly and treated to prevent its considerable complications

2015/16 seasonal vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation with influenza a(H1N1)pdm09 and B among elderly people in Europe: Results from the I-MOVE+ project

We conducted a multicentre test-negative caseâ\u80\u93control study in 27 hospitals of 11 European countries to measure 2015/16 influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) against hospitalised influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and B among people aged â\u89¥ 65 years. Patients swabbed within 7 days after onset of symptoms compatible with severe acute respiratory infection were included. Information on demographics, vaccination and underlying conditions was collected. Using logistic regression, we measured IVE adjusted for potential confounders. We included 355 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 cases, 110 influenza B cases, and 1,274 controls. Adjusted IVE against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 was 42% (95% confidence interval (CI): 22 to 57). It was 59% (95% CI: 23 to 78), 48% (95% CI: 5 to 71), 43% (95% CI: 8 to 65) and 39% (95% CI: 7 to 60) in patients with diabetes mellitus, cancer, lung and heart disease, respectively. Adjusted IVE against influenza B was 52% (95% CI: 24 to 70). It was 62% (95% CI: 5 to 85), 60% (95% CI: 18 to 80) and 36% (95% CI: -23 to 67) in patients with diabetes mellitus, lung and heart disease, respectively. 2015/16 IVE estimates against hospitalised influenza in elderly people was moderate against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and B, including among those with diabetes mellitus, cancer, lung or heart diseases

« Des paysans du Coglais »

Le Henaff F. « Des paysans du Coglais ». In: Norois, n°112, Octobre-Décembre 1981. pp. 647-652

Les IS30 contribuent à la diversité génétique chez les Oenococcus oeni.

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