Prevalence and subtypes of Influenza A Viruses in Wild Waterfowl in Norway 2006-2007

The prevalence of influenza A virus infection, and the distribution of different subtypes of the virus, were studied in 1529 ducks and 1213 gulls shot during ordinary hunting from August to December in two consecutive years, 2006 and 2007, in Norway. The study was based on molecular screening of cloacal and tracheal swabs, using a pan-influenza A RT-PCR. Samples found to be positive for influenza A virus were screened for the H5 subtype, using a H5 specific RT-PCR, and, if negative, further subtyped by a RT-PCR for the 3'-part of the hemagglutinin (HA) gene, encompassing almost the entire HA2, and the full-length of the neuraminidase (NA) gene, followed by sequencing and characterization. The highest prevalence (12.8%) of infection was found in dabbling ducks (Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal and Mallard). Diving ducks (Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Scoter, Common Eider and Tufted Duck) showed a lower prevalence (4.1%). In gulls (Common Gull, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull and Kittiwake) the prevalence of influenza A virus was 6.1%. The infection prevalence peaked during October for ducks, and October/November for gulls. From the 16 hemagglutinin subtypes known to infect wild birds, 13 were detected in this study. Low pathogenic H5 was found in 17 dabbling ducks and one gull

Virological and serological surveillance for type A influenza in the black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The epidemiology of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in gulls is only partially known. The role of the world's most numerous gull species, the black-legged kittiwake (<it>Rissa tridactyla</it>), as a potential AIV reservoir species has been unclear. The prevalence of AIV and humoral response against AIV were therefore studied in a colony of apparently healthy black-legged kittiwakes breeding in a nesting cliff in the South West Barents Region of Norway (70°22' N, 31°10' E), in 2008 and 2009.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>AIVs were detected from the oropharynx and cloaca in low amounts, with prevalences of 15% and 5%, in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Direct, partial sequencing of the hemagglutinin (HA) gene revealed that the H4 subtype was present. In 2009, antibodies to influenza A virus were detected in sera from 57 of 80 adult birds. In contrast, none of the three-week-old chicks (n = 18) tested seropositive. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays demonstrated that the adult kittiwakes primarily had antibodies specific to the gull-associated H13 and H16 subtypes, with antibodies to H16 being most common.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results support that the highly pelagic black-legged kittiwake is a reservoir of AIV. The serological findings suggest that H16 might be the main AIV subtype in the black-legged kittiwake. Further studies are needed to understand the ecology of AIV in the black-legged kittiwake and in gulls in general.</p

Patterns in the social representation of “hearing loss” across countries: how do demographic factors influence this representation?

International audienceThis study aims to understand patterns in the social representation of hearing loss reported by adultsacross different countries and explore the impact of different demographic factors on response patterns.The study used a cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected using a free association task and analysed using qualitative content analysis, cluster analysis and chi-square analysis. The study sampleincluded 404 adults (18 years and over) in the general population from four countries (India, Iran,Portugal and UK). The cluster analysis included 380 responses out of 404 (94.06%) and resulted in fiveclusters. The clusters were named: (1) individual aspects; (2) aetiology; (3) the surrounding society; (4) limitations and (5) exposed. Various demographic factors (age, occupation type, education and country)showed an association with different clusters, although country of origin seemed to be associated withmost clusters. The study results suggest that how hearing loss is represented in adults in general population varies and is mainly related to country of origin. These findings strengthen the argument aboutcross-cultural differences in perception of hearing loss, which calls for a need to make necessary accommodations while developing public health strategies about hearing loss

Birds and Viruses at a Crossroad : Surveillance of Influenza A Virus in Portuguese Waterfowl

During recent years, extensive amounts of data have become available regarding influenza A virus (IAV) in wild birds in northern Europe, while information from southern Europe is more limited. Here, we present an IAV surveillance study conducted in western Portugal 2008-2009, analyzing 1653 samples from six different species of waterfowl, with the majority of samples taken from Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). Overall 4.4% of sampled birds were infected. The sampling results revealed a significant temporal variation in the IAV prevalence, including a pronounced peak among predominantly young birds in June, indicating that IAV circulate within breeding populations in the wetlands of western Portugal. The H10N7 and H9N2 subtypes were predominant among isolated viruses. Phylogenetic analyses of the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase sequences of H10N7, H9N2 and H11N3 virus showed that sequences from Portugal were closely related to viral sequences from Central Europe as well as to IAVs isolated in the southern parts of Africa, reflecting Portugal's position on the European-African bird migratory flyway. This study highlights the importance of Portugal as a migratory crossroad for IAV, connecting breeding stationary waterfowl with birds migrating between continents which enable transmission and spread of IAV

Brand promotion in Latvian clothing and accessories market by using merchandising

Maģistra darba temats ir “Merčendaizinga izmantošana zīmolu virzīšanā Latvijas apģērbu un to aksesuāru tirgū”. Maģistra darba mērķis ir, pamatojieties uz teorijā iegūto informāciju un tās atziņām, uz ekspertu aptaujas un klientu anketas rezultātiem izpētīt zīmola virzīšanas spēku, vai tas ir apslēpts merčendaizinga kontekstā apģērbu un to aksesuāru tirgū kā to pasniedz maģistra darbā, izpētītā merčendaizinga teoriju un beigās izstrādāt, un sniegt priekšlikumus merčendaizinga pilnveidošanā. Darbs sastāv no trim nodaļām, kurās tiek izskatīta merčendaizinga teorētiskā puse, praktiskais ieskats konkrētos zīmols, kā arī ekspertu un respondentu aptauja par merčendaizingu. Darba apjoms ir 86 lappuses. Darbs ir uzrakstīts latviešu valodā un tajā ir iekļauti 37 attēli un 2 tabulām. Atslēgvārdi: merčendaizings, vizuālais merčendaizings, plūsmas manipulācija, veicināt pārdošanu, vizuālais noformējums.The research topic of master thesis: “Brand promotion in Latvian clothing and accessories market by using merchandising”. The aim of thesis is based on theoretical information and insights, expert and client surveys result analysis, investigate brands driving force, is it hidden in clothing and it’s accessories shops, as merchandising context, research how it’s served in this masters work, investigate merchandising theory and in the ending develop and submit proposals for merchandising improvement. Thesis is written in three chapters, where we explore merchandising from theoretical side, practical side from one of the brands and two types of survey. Thesis contains 86 pages, is written in Latvian language and has 37 pictures and 2 tables. Keywords: merchandising, visual merchandising, flow manipulation, promote sales, visual display