Analysis of Brown Bear Damages in Croatia in the Period from 2004 until 2009

Jedan od najvažnijih elemenata modernog gospodarenja smeđim medvjedima je sukob između medvjeda i ljudi, a ekonomski gubitci su čimbenik koji najviše doprinosi negativnim stavovima javnosti prema smeđem medvjedu. U Hrvatskoj je populacija od oko 1 000 medvjeda gotovo dosegla biološki i socijalni kapacitet. Medvjed je u Hrvatskoj divljač, zaštićena lovo­stajem i odstrijelnim kvotama koje se propisuju godišnjim Akcijskim plano­vima. Plan gospodarenja smeđim medvjedom u Republici Hrvatskoj i Zakon o lovstvu reguliraju naknadu štete koju počini medvjed. Na područjima gdje je medvjed stalno prisutan i njime se gospodari, štetu nadoknađuje ovlaštenik prava lova, dok na područjima gdje nisu ustanovljena lovišta štetu nadokna­đuje osoba koja upravlja zemljištem. Cilj rada je prikazati i analizirati poda­tke o štetama koje je smeđi medvjed počinio u Hrvatskoj u prvih 6 godina (2004–2009) provođenja Plana gospodarenja smeđim medvjedom tj. prvih šest godina organiziranog prikupljanja takvih podataka. U tom razdoblju pri­javljeno je ukupno 227 slučajeva šteta (prosječno 37,8 slučaja godišnje), od čega većina (54,2 %) na poljoprivrednim kulturama. Prijavljeno je 23,8 % na­pada na domaće životinje, te 8,8 % slučajeva štete na pčelinjacima. Nije zabi­lježen niti jedan napad na čovjeka. Materijalna šteta koju smeđi medvjed počini u Hrvatskoj niska je glede veličine populacije od 1 000 grla.One of the most important elements of a modern brown bear management is human – bear conflict. Economic losses are one of the key factors influencing negative public attitudes towards brown bears. In Croatia a population of 1000 bears has almost reached its biological and social capa­city. Brown bear in Croatia is a game species, protected by a closed hunting season and hunting quotas defined by yearly Action plans. National Brown bear Management Plan and Hunting Act regulate compensation of damage caused by brown bears. In areas where bears are permanently present and hunted damage compensation is paid by hunting unit leaseholders, whereas in national parks, areas where bears are not hunted and in areas with only acci­dental presence of bears compensation is paid from the state budget. The goal of this paper was to present and analyze data about brown bear damages in Croatia during the first 6 years (2004–2009) of the Management Plan imple­mentation, in other words the first 6 years of organized data collection. Totally 227 damage cases have been reported in this period (on average 37.8 cases per year). Most of the damage has been done on agricultural goods (54.2%), attacks on domestic animals (23.8%) and apiaries (8.8%). During this period attacks on humans have not been registered. Considering the population size of 1000 animals, brown bears cause low material damage in Croatia

Upotreba kontrolne regije mitohondrijske DNA za identifikaciju vrsta i razlikovanje vuka i psa iz Hrvatske.

Dogs worldwide share a single genetic origin from Asian wolves. While dog and wolf lineages are difficult to separate in terms of nuclear genes, mitochondrial lineages are clearly distinguishable for the two species, offering a good opportunity to evaluate the differences between them. Species identification from DNA is an important tool for wolf conservation in Croatia, and wolf - dog differentiation is necessary for forensic cases, wildlife management and scientific research. The goal of this paper was to provide a data set on Croatian dog and wolf mitochondrial DNA control region sequences, and to research if these sequences can be used as a reference for species identification. We analyzed 281 base pair sequences of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region of 20 mixed breed dog blood samples, 91 grey wolf muscle samples and two muscle samples of wolf-like animals. We identified 12 dog and 4 wolf mtDNA control region haplotypes. None of the haplotypes were shared, confirming that mtDNA control region haplotypes can be used to discriminate between Croatian wolves and dogs, and to confirm the maternal ancestry of putative hybrids. The sequences of the two wolf-like animals clearly grouped into a dog cluster.Psi diljem svijeta imaju jedinstveno genetsko podrijetlo od azijskih vukova. Dok je vukove i pse teško razlikovati na temelju jezgrenih gena, mitohondrijska DNA jasno se razlikuje što daje dobru mogućnost za istraživanje razlika između tih dviju vrsta. Identifikacija vrste na temelju DNA važan je alat za zaštitu vuka u Hrvatskoj, a razlikovanje između vuka i psa prijeko je potrebno u forenzičkim slučajevima, upravljanju divljim životinjama i u znanstvenim istraživanjima. Cilj ovoga rada bio je dobiti podatke o sekvencijama mitohodrijske DNA vuka i psa iz Hrvatske te istražiti da li se te sekvencije mogu upotrijebiti kao referencija za razlikovanje vrsta. Analizirali smo sekvenciju kontrolne regije mitohondrijske DNA dugu 281 parova baza izdvojenu iz 20 uzoraka krvi pasa mješanaca, 91 uzorka mišića sivoga vuka i dva uzorka mišića životinja sličnih vuku. Pronašli smo 12 psećih i 4 vučja haplotipa kontrolnoga područja. Nijedan od haplotipova nije bio zajednički psima i vukovima, potvrđujući da se kontrolno područje mitohondrijske DNA može rabiti za razlikovanje pasa i vukova, te za određivanje majčinskih predaka mogućih hibrida. Sekvencije dviju životinja sličnih vuku jasno su pripadale psima

Added value of combined acromiohumeral distance and critical shoulder angle measurements on conventional radiographs for the prediction of rotator cuff pathology

Purpose: To investigate the role of acromiohumeral distance (AHD) and critical shoulder angle (CSA) measurements from conventional radiographs (CR) in isolation and combined (prognostic index PIAHD-CSA) as predictors of full thickness rotator cuff tendon tears (RCT) and critical fatty degeneration (CFD; i.e. as much fat as muscle). Method: In this retrospective study AHD and CSA were measured in 127 CR. MR arthrograms served as reference standard and were screened for RCT and CFD. Statistical analysis for inter-reader agreement, Spearman's rank correlation, linear stepwise regression and logistic regression for AHD and CSA with ROC analyses including PIAHD-CSA were performed. Results: In 90 subjects (17 females, mean age 36.1 ± 14.1) no RCT were found on MR imaging and served as control group. In 37 patients (13 females, mean age 58.7 ± 13.2) ≥ one RCT was found. Inter-reader agreements rated between к = 0.42-0.82 for categorical and 0.91-0.96 for continuous variables. No significant correlation of AHD and CSA with either age or sex was seen (p = 0.28 and p = 0.74, respectively). Case group had significantly smaller mean AHD (8.7 ± 3.2 vs. 10.8 ± 2.2 mm; p < 0.001) and larger mean CSA (36.5 ± 4.5° vs. 33.1 ± 4.0°; p < 0.001). PIAHD-CSA increased diagnostic performance for prediction of RCT and CFD (AUC = 0.78 and 0.71), compared to isolated AHD (0.74 and 0.71) and CSA (0.71 and 0.66). Conclusions: AHD and CSA do not depend on age or sex but differ significantly between healthy and pathologic rotator cuffs. A decreased AHD is most influenced by infraspinatus muscle atrophy and fatty degeneration. Combined PIAHD-CSA increases diagnostic performance for predicting RCT and CFD. Keywords: Acromiohumeral distance; Conventional radiography; Critical shoulder angle; Fatty degeneration; Magnetic resonance arthrography; Magnetic resonance imaging; Rotator cuff tear

Zdravstveno stanje jelena i srna u Gorskom kotaru u Hrvatskoj.

To determine the general health status of the main prey species of wolf (Canis lupus) and lynx (Lynx lynx), we examined 66 cervids (41 red deer - Cervus elaphus and 25 roe deer - Capreolus capreolus), shot in two hunting areas of Gorski kotar during the hunting season in 2007. We collected a total of 687 organ samples of shot deer, where 472 samples belonged to red deer and 215 samples to roe deer. Analyses were performed for various parasite invasions, non specific bacterial infections and for three specific bacteria. In five (12.2%) samples of red deer and seven (17.1%) roe deer, we determined the presence of Streptococcus sp. Specific tests for Mycobacterium sp., Brucella sp. and Leptospira sp. were all negative. The prevalence of Dictyocaulus spp., Ostertagia spp. and Elaphostrongylus cervi in red deer was 29.3%, 17.1% and 14.6%, respectively. The prevalence of Chabertia ovina, Ostertagia spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. in roe deer was 36.0%, 24.0% and 20.0%, respectively. The estimated number of red deer and roe deer in the hunting areas Smrekova Draga (182 km2) and Bjelolasica (303 km2) in the management year 2007-2008 were 430 and 290 respectively, with densities of 236 and 148 individuals per 100 km2. The low prevalence of parasite invasions and the absence of serious bacterial infections were the consequences of low ungulate densities, and the presence of large carnivores - predators that quickly eliminate animals weakened by disease.Za određivanje općega zdravstvenoga stanja glavnih vrsta plijena vuka (Canis lupus) i risa (Lynx lynx), pretraženo je 66 cervida (41 jelen - Cervus elaphus i 25 srna - Capreolus capreolus), odstrijeljenih u dva lovišta na području Gorskoga kotara tijekom lovne sezone u 2007. godini. Sakupljeno je ukupno 687 uzoraka organa, od čega je 427 bilo od jelena, a 215 od srna. Provedene su pretrage na razne parazitske invazije, nespecifične bakterijske infekcije, te za tri specifične bakterijske infekcije. U pet (12,2%) uzoraka jelena i sedam (17,1%) srna bio je prisutan Streptococcus sp. Testovi na Mycobacterium sp., Brucella sp. i Leptospira sp. bili su negativni. Zastupljenost parazita Dictyocaulus spp., Ostertagia spp. i Elaphostrongylus cervi u jelena bila je 29,3%, 17,1%, odnosno 14,6%. Zastupljenost parazita Chabertia ovina, Ostertagia spp. i Trichostrongylus spp. u srna bila je 36,0%, 24,0% odnosno 20,0%. Procijenjeni broj jelena i srna u lovištima Smrekova Draga (182 km2) i Bjelolasica (303 km2) u lovnoj godini 2007./2008. bio je 430 odnosno 290, s gustoćama od 236 i 148 jedinki na 100 km2. Niska zastupljenost parazitarnih invazija i odsutnost ozbiljnijih bakterijskih zaraza, bile su posljedica niske gustoće parnoprstaša i prisutnosti velikih zvijeri - grabežljivaca koji hitro uklanjaju životinje oslabljene bolešću

Enhanced TCR-induced Apoptosis in Interferon Regulatory Factor 4–deficient CD4+ Th Cells

Transcription factors of the interferon regulatory factor (IRF) family contribute to the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Here, we show that CD4+ T helper (Th) cells lacking IRF4 (IRF4−/−) are highly sensitive to apoptosis. After infection of IRF4−/− mice with the protozoan parasite Leishmania major, the lesion-draining lymph nodes developed the prototypic lymphadenopathy of wild-type mice after 4 wk, but demonstrated almost total loss of cellularity and enhanced apoptosis after 7 wk. In vitro, activation of IRF4−/− CD4+ Th cells led to greatly increased apoptosis compared with wild-type cells. Coculture of IRF4−/− and IRF4+/+ CD4+ cells did not increase survival of IRF4−/− CD4+ cells, indicating that the enhanced rate of IRF4−/− Th cell apoptosis was neither transferable nor due to lack of a cytokine. Enhanced CD4+ cell apoptosis was also observed after anti-CD95 mAb treatment, despite normal CD95 expression. Removal of endogenous cytokines, notably interleukin (IL)-4, led to increased and equally high levels of IRF4−/− and IRF4+/+ cell apoptosis, whereas the protective activity of exogenous IL-4 was reduced in IRF4−/− CD4+ cells despite normal expression of the IL-4 receptor. Therefore, IRF4 is central in protecting CD4+ cells against proapoptotic stimuli

Razlikovanje sljedova Y kromosoma hrvatskih kanida - kratko priopćenje.

Detecting the hybridization between species is important for evolutionary studies of speciation processes, conservation biology and management, but we still lack a general empirical perspective of hybridization problems in canids. Hybridization may occur between many species of the canid family, sometimes threatening the survival of endangered species or populations. Mitochondrial DNA control region haplotypes can be used to discriminate between Croatian wolves, dogs and jackals, and the goal of our research was to identify species specific Y chromosome haplotypes that could be used in detection of paternal origin in possible hybrids. We analyzed three non-overlapping Y chromosome fragments of the grey wolf, golden jackal and dog in the total length of 1,898 base pairs. Two haplotypes were identifi ed, one shared among grey wolf and dog, and one specific golden jackal haplotype. We did not find polymorphic sites that could be used to distinguish the paternal line in wolf - dog hybrids, but six polymorphic sites were identified that can be used to discriminate golden jackal from grey wolf and domestic dog.Otkrivanje hibridizacije među vrstama važno je za evolucijska istraživanja procesa nastajanja vrsta, konzervacijsku biologiju i upravljanje populacijama, no još uvijek nemamo empirijske podatke o problemu hibridizacije kod porodice pasa. Hibridizacija se javlja među mnogim vrstama iz porodice pasa, što ponekad predstavlja opasnost opstanku ugroženih vrsta ili populacija. Na temelju haplotipova kontrolne regije mitohondrijske DNK mogu se razlikovati vukovi, psi i čagljevi iz Hrvatske, te je cilj našeg istraživanja bio utvrditi vrsno specifične haplotipove Y kromosoma koji se mogu koristiti u otkrivanju očinske linije kod mogućih hibrida. Istražili smo tri nepreklapajuća slijeda Y kromosoma vuka, psa i čaglja u dužini od 1898 parova baza. Utvrdili smo prisutnost dvaju haplotipova, jedan zajednički vuku i psu, te jedan haplotip specifičan za čaglja. Nismo pronašli polimorfna mjesta koja se mogu koristiti za istraživanje očinske linije kod hibrida vuka i psa, no pronašli smo šest polimorfnih mjesta pomoću kojih se mogu razlikovati čagljevi od vuka i psa