Genetic structure of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in Denmark

OBJECTIVES:Low genetic diversity can lead to reduced average fitness in a population or even extinction. Preserving genetic connectivity across fragmented landscapes is therefore vital to counteract the negative consequences of genetic drift and inbreeding. This study aimed to assess the genetic composition and consequently the conservation status of a nationwide sample of European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in Denmark. METHODS:We applied an adaptation of the genotyping by sequencing (GBS) technique to 178 individuals from six geographically distinct populations. We used a Bayesian clustering method to subdivide individuals into genetically distinct populations. We estimated individual observed (iHO), observed (HO), and unbiased expected (uHE) heterozygosity, inbreeding coefficient (FIS), percentage of polymorphic loci (P%) and tested for deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). We used linear models to test for potential anthropogenic effects on the genetic variability of hedgehogs with iHO, uHE, P% and FIS as response variables, and assessed the demographic history of the population. RESULTS:The Danish hedgehog population is composed of three genetic clusters. We found a mean P% of 54.44-94.71, a mean uHE of 0.126-0.318 and a mean HO of 0.124-0.293 in the six populations. The FIS was found to be significantly positive for three of the six populations. We detected a large heterogeneity of iHO values within populations, which can be due to inbreeding and/or fragmentation. FIS values decreased with increasing farmland density, but there was no significant association with human population or road density. CONCLUSIONS:We found a low level of genetic variability and evidence for genetic substructure and low effective population size, which are all consequences of habitat fragmentation. We failed to detect signs of a recent population bottleneck or population increase or decline. However, because the test only identifies recent changes in population size, we cannot reject the possibility of a longer-term decline in the Danish hedgehog population

Наноалмазы как идеальные наноносители для циансодежащих цитостатиков

Цианосодержащие цитостатики - новый класс открытых нами лекарств, которые благодаря цианогруппам хорошо закрепляются на наноалмазах, с увеличением активности

Eco-Forecasting for Domestic Electricity Use

Over the past decade we have seen an increased awareness about domestic energy consumption and a growing focus on eco-feedback displays. In this paper we explore the concept of providing forecasts in such displays as a supplement to information about past usage. Our prototype, eForecast, extends the display of past electricity usage with forecasts about expected usage, electricity price, availability of wind power, and expected demand drops and peaks. Building on previous eco-feedback display research, our approach specifically enables people to use electricity at more opportune times – when it is cheap, green, or when there is an abundance of capacity. We evaluated eForecast in real world use in three domestic households for 22 weeks, where we explored potentials and limitations of forecasting for shifting electricity consumption. In this way, families were able to act in a more sustainable way – without necessarily reducing the amount of electricity consumed. Author Keywords Sustainability; forecasting; energy consumption; domesti

Short Bowel Patients Treated for Two Years with Glucagon-Like Peptide 2 (GLP-2): Compliance, Safety, and Effects on Quality of Life

Background and aims. Glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) has been shown to improve intestinal absorption in short bowel syndrome (SBS) patients in a short-term study. This study describes safety, compliance, and changes in quality of life in 11 SBS patients at baseline, week 13, 26, and 52 during two years of subcutaneous GLP-2 treatment, 400 microgram TID, intermitted by an 8-week washout period. Methods. Safety and compliance was evaluated during the admissions. The Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), Short Form 36 (SF 36), and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) evaluated quality of life. Results. The predominant adverse event was transient abdominal discomfort in 5 of 11 patients, but in 2, both suffering from Crohns disease, it progressed to abdominal pain and led to discontinuation of GLP-2 treatment. One had a fibrostenotic lesion electively resected at the jejuno-ascendo-anastomosis. The investigator excluded a patient due to unreliable feedback. Stoma nipple enlargement was seen in all 9 jejunostomy patients. Reported GLP-2 compliance was excellent (>93%). GLP-2 improved the overall quality of life VAS-score (4.1 ± 2.8 cm versus 6.0 ± 2.4 cm, P < .01), the overall SIP score (10.3 ± 8.9% versus 6.2 ± 9.5%, P < .001), the mental component of the SF-36 (45 ± 13% versus 53 ± 11%, P < .05), and the overall IBDQ score (5.1 ± 0.9 versus 5.4 ± 0.9, P < .007) in the 8 patients completing the study. Conclusions. Long-term treatment with GLP-2 is feasible in SBS patients, although caution must be exercised in patients with a history of abdominal pain. Although conclusions cannot be made in a noncontrolled trial, the high reported compliance might reflect a high treatment satisfaction, where the clinical benefits of GLP-2 may outweigh the discomforts of injections

Short Bowel Patients Treated for Two Years with Glucagon-Like Peptide 2: Effects on Intestinal Morphology and Absorption, Renal Function, Bone and Body Composition, and Muscle Function

Background and aims. In a short-term study, Glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) has been shown to improve intestinal absorption in short bowel syndrome (SBS) patients. This study describes longitudinal changes in relation to GLP-2 treatment for two years. Methods. GLP-2, 400 micrograms, s.c.,TID, were offered, to eleven SBS patients keeping parenteral support constant. 72-hour nutritional balance studies were performed at baseline, weeks 13, 26, 52 during two years intermitted by an 8-week washout period. In addition, mucosal morphometrics, renal function (by creatinine clearance), body composition and bone mineral density (by DEXA), biochemical markers of bone turnover (by s-CTX and osteocalcin, PTH and vitamin D), and muscle function (NMR, lungfunction, exercise test) were measured. Results. GLP-2 compliance was >93%. Three of eleven patients did not complete the study. In the remaining 8 patients, GLP-2 significantly reduced the fecal wet weight from approximately 3.0 to approximately 2.0 kg/day. This was accompanied by a decline in the oral wet weight intake, maintaining intestinal wet weight absorption and urinary weight constant. Renal function improved. No significant changes were demonstrated in energy intake or absorption, and GLP-2 did not significantly affect mucosal morphology, body composition, bone mineral density or muscle function. Conclusions. GLP-2 treatment reduces fecal weight by approximately 1000 g/d and enables SBS patients to maintain their intestinal fluid and electrolyte absorption at lower oral intakes. This was accompanied by a 28% improvement in creatinine clearance

Correlation between serological results from level 3 herds in the Danish Salmonella surveillance and control programme system and swab samples from carcasses from the same herd

One of the elements of the Danish Salmonella Surveillance and Control Programme is surveillance of slaughter pig herds. All herds delivering more than 100 slaughter pigs per year are included in the surveillance. At the slaughterhouses meat samples are collected randomly according to the legislation from the Danish Veterinary Service. The meat samples are analysed at The Danish Veterinary Laboratory for the presence of specific Salmonella antibodies by a indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the so-called mix-ELISA (I). The results of the analysis are registered in the Zoonosis data base owned by the Danish Ministry of Food. Agriculture and Fisheries. The results are registered under the herd specific Central Herd Register (CHR) number

Mobile phones improve antenatal care attendance in Zanzibar:a cluster randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Applying mobile phones in healthcare is increasingly prioritized to strengthen healthcare systems. Antenatal care has the potential to reduce maternal morbidity and improve newborns’ survival but this benefit may not be realized in sub-Saharan Africa where the attendance and quality of care is declining. We evaluated the association between a mobile phone intervention and antenatal care in a resource-limited setting. We aimed to assess antenatal care in a comprehensive way taking into consideration utilisation of antenatal care as well as content and timing of interventions during pregnancy. METHODS: This study was an open label pragmatic cluster-randomised controlled trial with primary healthcare facilities in Zanzibar as the unit of randomisation. 2550 pregnant women (1311 interventions and 1239 controls) who attended antenatal care at selected primary healthcare facilities were included at their first antenatal care visit and followed until 42 days after delivery. 24 primary health care facilities in six districts were randomized to either mobile phone intervention or standard care. The intervention consisted of a mobile phone text-message and voucher component. Primary outcome measure was four or more antenatal care visits during pregnancy. Secondary outcome measures were tetanus vaccination, preventive treatment for malaria, gestational age at last antenatal care visit, and antepartum referral. RESULTS: The mobile phone intervention was associated with an increase in antenatal care attendance. In the intervention group 44% of the women received four or more antenatal care visits versus 31% in the control group (OR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.03-5.55). There was a trend towards improved timing and quality of antenatal care services across all secondary outcome measures although not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The wired mothers’ mobile phone intervention significantly increased the proportion of women receiving the recommended four antenatal care visits during pregnancy and there was a trend towards improved quality of care with more women receiving preventive health services, more women attending antenatal care late in pregnancy and more women with antepartum complications identified and referred. Mobile phone applications may contribute towards improved maternal and newborn health and should be considered by policy makers in resource-limited settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01821222

Different ways of handling the bung (rectum) during pig slaughter dressing related to Salmonella sero-positivity in slaughtered pigs and the number of Salmonella positive meat samples

Some of the elements of the Danish Salmonella Surveillance and Control Programme are surveillance of slaughterpig herds and surveillance of the Salmonella prevalence in fresh pork. All herds delivering more than I 00 slaughter pigs per year are included in the surveillance. At the slaughterhouses meat samples are collected randomly according to the legislation from the Danish Veterinary Service. The meat samples are analysed at The Danish Veterinary Laboratory for the presence of specific Salmonella antibodies by an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the so-called mixELISA. The results of the analysis are registered in the Zoonosis data base owned by the Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries. The results are registered under the herd specific Central Herd Register (CHR) number. Depending on the sero-prevalence during the previous three months the herds are assigned to one of three levels: Level I including the herds with no or very few reactors, Level 2 the herds with higher sero-prevalence, or Level 3 the herds with an unacceptable high sero-prevalence

Differential Measurement of Trident Production in Strong Electromagnetic Fields

In this paper, we present experimental results and numerical simulations of trident production, $e^-\rightarrow e^-e^+e^-$, in a strong electromagnetic field. The experiment was conducted at CERN for the purpose of probing the strong-field parameter $\chi$ up to 2.4, using a 200 GeV electron beam penetrating a 400 $\mu$m thick germanium crystal oriented along the $\langle 110\rangle$ axis. For the current experimental parameters we found that the trident process is primarily a two-step process, and show remarkable agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental data. This paper is an extension of the previously published paper (Phys. Rev. Lett. 130, 071601 (2023)) and features new analysis differential in the energy of the produced positron and electron in the trident process. Even for the more demanding differential analysis, we find good agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental data, while a slight discrepancy is found in the high energy tail of the trident spectrum. This discrepancy could be an indication of the direct process, but further investigation is needed due to the large uncertainties in this part of the spectrum. Finally we present a suggestion for a future experiment, aiming to probe the direct process using thin crystals