Studi penyebaran populasi dan daya dukung habitat Kuskus Beruang (Ailurops ursinus) di Pulau Manado Tua Sulawesi Utara

STUDY OF SPREADING POPULATION AND HABITAT CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE SULAWESI BEAR CUSCUS (Ailurops ursinus) AT MANADO TUA ISLAND OF NORTH SULAWESI.  Manado Tua Island is still keeping the endemic Sulawesi bear cuscus (Ailurops ursinus), dwarf cuscus (Strigocuscus celebensis), black macaque (Macaca nigra), tarsius (Tarsius spectrum) as well as some kinds of plant biodiversity including forest galangal (Alpina sp.) and forest pandanus (Pandanus sp.), all should be protected intensively. Objective of this study was to evaluate spreading population and habitat carrying capacity of bear cuscus (Ailurops ursinus) at the Island of Manado Tua I and II, to be used for recommendation package of conservation model on the base of administrative condition of Manado governmental areas. The Variables observed in this study were population density of bear cuscus and dwarf cuscus as well as their habitat carrying capacity of plant vegetation including categories of try, bush, thicket and seedling levels. Data of wild animals were found by Line Transect Method. Plant vegetations were calculated based on the important index values of each category level. Result showed that Manado Tua I Island was inhabited by dwarf cuscus (Strigocuscus celebensis) of about 295 heads and bear cuscus (Ailurops Ursinus) of about 49 heads. Manado Tua II Island was inhabited by dwarf cuscus (Strigocuscus celebensis) of about 305 heads and bear cuscus (Ailurops Ursinus) of about 57 heads. Habitat carrying capacity of try vegetation level of the important index values was about 298,65% and seedling vegetation level of about 300,68%. These mean that carrying capacity was supporting the conservation for both kinds of cuscus in Manado Tua Island. These population of the endemic wild animals in Manado Tua I dan II Islands should be protected as their habitat area was degrading due to uncontrol illegal logging and hunting by local community.Keywords: habitat carrying capacity, dwarf cuscus, bear cuscu

De arts als direktief therapeut : een onderzoek naar de toepassing van direktieve therapie door de huisarts

In dit onderzoek wordt nagegaan of en in hoeverre patiënten met psychosociale problemen in een eerstelijns-kontekst, c.q. de huisarts, adekwaat behandeld kunnen worden door middel van technieken uit de direktieve therapie. Onder 'direktieven' verstaan we aanwijzingen, adviezen en opdrachten, die toegepast kunnen worden binnen de psychologische hulpverlening, om problemen te verhelderen en veranderingen te bewerkstelligen. Geïnspireerd door de bevinding dat studenten klinische psychologie, na het volgen van een kursus direktieve therapie, goed overweg konden met de behandeling van kliënten met psychosociale problemen, afkomstig uit diverse huisartsenpraktijken, werd de vraagstelling geformuleerd of en in hoeverre huisartsen na het volgen van een kursus direktieve therapie, in staat waren deze vorm van therapie zelf toe te passen. De aan het onderzoek deelnemende huisartsen participeerden gedurende de onderzoeksperiade in zgn. intervisiegroepe

Decompression surgery for treating nerve damage in leprosy

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows:To assess the effects of decompression surgery for treating nerve damage in leprosy.<br/

Leprosy New Case Detection Trends and the Future Effect of Preventive Interventions in Pará State, Brazil: A Modelling Study

Background: Leprosy remains a public health problem in Brazil. Although the overall number of new cases is declining, there are still areas with a high disease burden, such as Pará State in the north of the country. We aim to predict future trends in new case detection rate (NCDR) and explore the potential impact of contact tracing and chemoprophylaxis on NCDR in Pará State. Methods: We used SIMCOLEP, an existing individual-based model for the transmission and control of M. leprae, in a population structured by households. The model was quantified to simulate the population and observed NCDR of leprosy in Pará State for the period 1990 to 2014. The baseline scenario was the current control program, consisting of multidrug therapy, passive case detection, and active case detection from 2003 onwards. Future projections of the NCDR were made until 2050 given the continuation of the current control program (i.e. baseline). We further investigated the potential impact of two scenarios for future control of leprosy: 1) discontinuation of contact tracing; and 2) continuation of current control in combination with chemoprophylaxis. Both scenarios started in 2015 and were projected until 2050. Results: The modelled NCDR in Pará State after 2014 shows a continuous downward trend, reaching the official elimination target of 10 cases per 100,000 population by 2030. The cessation of systematic contact tracing would not result in a higher NCDR in the long run. Systematic contact tracing in combination with chemoprophylaxis for contacts would reduce the NCDR by 40% and bring attainment of the elimination target two years forward to 2028. Conclusion: The NCDR of leprosy continues to decrease in Pará State. Elimination of leprosy as a public health problem could possibly be achieved around 2030, if the current control p

Decompression surgery for treating nerve damage in leprosy

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows:To assess the effects of decompression surgery for treating nerve damage in leprosy.<br/

Interventions for erythema nodosum leprosum:A Cochrane review

Introduction: Treatment for erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), an immunological complication of leprosy, is diverse. We undertook a systematic review as it was not clear which treatments were most beneficial. Methods: We did a systematic search to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing treatment with placebo, no treatment or another therapy. Two authors assessed quality and checked data. Results: We included 13 studies involving 445 participants. These trials assessed: betamethasone, thalidomide, pentoxifylline, clofazimine, indomethacin and levamisole. The quality of the trials was generally poor and no results could be pooled due to the treatments being so heterogeneous. Treatment with thalidomide showed a significant benefit compared to aspirin (RR 2.43; 95% CI 1.28 to 4.59). Clofazimine treatment was superior to prednisolone (more treatment successes; RR 3.67; 95% CI 1.36 to 9.91) and thalidomide (fewer recurrences; RR 0.08; 95% CI 0.01, 0.56). Minor adverse events were significantly lower in participants on a low dose thalidomide regimen compared to a high dose thalidomide regimen (RR 0.46; 95% CI 0.23 to 0.93). Significantly more minor adverse events were reported in participants taking clofazimine compared with prednisolone (RR 1.92; 95% CI 1.10 to 3.35). None of the studies assessed quality of life or economic outcomes. Conclusion: There is some evidence of benefit for thalidomide and clofazimine, but generally we did not find clear benefits for interventions in the management of ENL.</p

Randomized clinical trial of adenosine 5'-triphosphate in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND: Extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) is involved in the regulation of a variety of biologic processes, including neurotransmission, muscle contraction, and liver glucose metabolism, via purinergic receptors. In nonrandomized studies involving patients with different tumor types including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), ATP infusion appeared to inhibit loss of weight and deterioration of quality of life (QOL) and performance status. We conducted a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effects of ATP in patients with advanced NSCLC (stage IIIB or IV). METHODS: Fifty-eight patients were randomly assigned to receive either 10 intravenous 30-hour ATP infusions, with the infusions given at 2- to 4-week intervals, or no ATP. Outcome parameters were assessed every 4 weeks until 28 weeks. Between-group differences were tested for statistical significance by use of repeated-measures analysis, and reported P values are two-sided. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were allocated to receive ATP treatment and 30 received no ATP. Mean weight changes per 4-week period were -1.0 kg (95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.5 to -0.5) in the control group and 0.2 kg (95% CI = -0.2 to +0.6) in the ATP group (P =.002). Serum albumin concentration declined by -1.2 g/L (95% CI= -2.0 to -0.4) per 4 weeks in the control group but remained stable (0.0 g/L; 95% CI = -0.3 to +0.3) in the ATP group (P =.006). Elbow flexor muscle strength declined by -5.5% (95% CI = -9.6% to -1. 4%) per 4 weeks in the control group but remained stable (0.0%; 95% CI= -1.4% to +1.4%) in the ATP group (P =.01). A similar pattern was observed for knee extensor muscles (P =.02). The effects of ATP on body weight, muscle strength, and albumin concentration were especially marked in cachectic patients (P =.0002, P =.0001, and P =. 0001, respectively, for ATP versus no ATP). QOL score changes per 4-week period in the ATP group showed overall less deterioration than in the control group-physical scores (-0.2% versus -2.4%; P =. 0002); functional scores (+0.4% versus -5.5%; P =.02); psychologic scores (-0.7% versus -2.4%; P =.11); overall QOL score (+0.1% versus -3.5%; P =.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This randomized trial demonstrates that ATP has beneficial effects on weight, muscle strength, and QOL in patients with advanced NSCLC

Interventions for erythema nodosum leprosum:A Cochrane review

Introduction: Treatment for erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), an immunological complication of leprosy, is diverse. We undertook a systematic review as it was not clear which treatments were most beneficial. Methods: We did a systematic search to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing treatment with placebo, no treatment or another therapy. Two authors assessed quality and checked data. Results: We included 13 studies involving 445 participants. These trials assessed: betamethasone, thalidomide, pentoxifylline, clofazimine, indomethacin and levamisole. The quality of the trials was generally poor and no results could be pooled due to the treatments being so heterogeneous. Treatment with thalidomide showed a significant benefit compared to aspirin (RR 2.43; 95% CI 1.28 to 4.59). Clofazimine treatment was superior to prednisolone (more treatment successes; RR 3.67; 95% CI 1.36 to 9.91) and thalidomide (fewer recurrences; RR 0.08; 95% CI 0.01, 0.56). Minor adverse events were significantly lower in participants on a low dose thalidomide regimen compared to a high dose thalidomide regimen (RR 0.46; 95% CI 0.23 to 0.93). Significantly more minor adverse events were reported in participants taking clofazimine compared with prednisolone (RR 1.92; 95% CI 1.10 to 3.35). None of the studies assessed quality of life or economic outcomes. Conclusion: There is some evidence of benefit for thalidomide and clofazimine, but generally we did not find clear benefits for interventions in the management of ENL.</p

Nest temperature fluctuations in a cavity nester, the southern ground-hornbill

Southern ground-hornbills Bucorvus leadbeateri inhabit savanna and bushveld regions of South Africa. They nest in the austral summer, which coincides with the wet season and hottest daytime temperatures in the region. They are secondary cavity nesters and typically nest in large cavities in trees, cliffs and earth banks, but readily use artificial nest boxes. Southern ground-hornbills are listed as Endangered in South Africa, with reintroductions into suitable areas highlighted as a viable conservation intervention for the species. Nest microclimate, and the possible implications this may have for the breeding biology of southern ground-hornbills, have never been investigated. We used temperature dataloggers to record nest cavity temperature and ambient temperature for one artificial and 11 natural southern ground-hornbill tree cavity nests combined, spanning two breeding seasons. Mean hourly nest temperature, as well as mean minimum and mean maximum nest temperature, differed significantly between southern ground-hornbill nests in both breeding seasons. Mean nest temperature also differed significantly from mean ambient temperature for both seasons. Natural nest cavities provided a buffer against the ambient temperature fluctuations. The artificial nest provided little insulation against temperature extremes, being warmer and cooler than the maximum and minimum local ambient temperatures, respectively. Nest cavity temperature was not found to have an influence on the breeding success of the southern ground-hornbill groups investigated in this study. These results have potentially important implications for southern ground-hornbill conservation and artificial nest design, as they suggest that the birds can tolerate greater nest cavity temperature extremes than previously thought.The Ford Wildlife Foundation and the First Rand Foundation (Project reference : 033391).http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jtherbio2018-05-31hb2017Veterinary Tropical Disease