Elephant damage in Masai Mara

Elefanter är och har varit mycket hotade genom tiderna men har börjat öka i antal på grund av kontroll av tjuvskytte, förbud av elfenbensförsäljning, samt en förändring av såväl mänsklig utbredning samt regn mönster, och flera nationalparker upplever nu ökade skador på grund av rikliga elefantpopulationer, det så kallade elefantproblemet. Det finns sen 30 år tillbaka rapporter från östra och södra Afrika om minskning av Acacier och andra kapellträd på grund av elefantbetning. Några av dessa skador kan till och med leda till lokal utrotning av vissa arter. På grund av detta finns det en konflikt inom bevarandeprogram mellan att bevara livskraftiga elefantpopulationer och bevara den biologiska mångfalden i växtriket. Syftet med denna studie var att se om det fanns något problem med elefanter i Masai Mara Nationalreservat, Kenya, genom att göra en beteendestudie om deras matvanor och jämföra skador på de två träden Acacia gerrardii och Balanites aegyptiaca. Trädstudiens resultat är inte fullständigt statistiskt trovärdiga med anledning av för lite införskaffade uppgifter, på grund av brist på tid, utrustning och information men det finns en tydlig trend. En trend som pekar mot mer skador på Acacia träd, då bara de är fällda av elefanterna. Elefanterna verkade äta mer örter än träd, som kan leda till en obalans mellan dessa arter och påverka balansen i ekosystemet. Taggstorleken hos Acacia och Balanites är signifikant olika långa, där Balanites är längre, vilket kan vara av intresse för elefanters val av vilket träd de väljer att äta. Då längre taggstorlek verkar skydda mot skada. Det verkar inte finnas några akuta problem med elefanterna i Masai Mara men mer forskning måste göras för att erhålla tillräcklig information för att göra några riktiga slutsatser om elefanters påverkan på träd och vegetation i reservatet.Elephants are and have been very threatened over the decades but have started to increase in numbers due to control of poaching, prohibition of ivory sales, and a change in both human distribution and rainfall patterns. Several national parks are now experiencing increased damage because of abundant elephant populations, the so called elephant problem. There have been reports from eastern and southern Africa on reduction in Acacias and other canopy trees due to elephant browsing for over 30 years. Some of these damages can even lead to local extinction of species. Because of this there is a conflict within conservation programmes, between conserving viable elephant populations and conservation of plant biodiversity. The aim of this study was to see if there were any elephant damages in Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, by performing a behavioural study on their eating habits and comparing damage caused to the two trees Acacia gerrardii and Balanites aegyptiaca. The results from the tree study are not fully statistically reliable because of too little contained data material, due to lack of time, equipment and information. However there is a trend pointing toward more damage caused to Acacia trees while only they are the ones that have been pushed over by elephants. The elephants seemed to eat more herbs than grass, which may lead to an unbalance between these species and then affect the balance in the ecosystem. The thorn size of Acacia and Balanites is significantly different, where Balanites have longer thorns, and might be of interest in elephants’ choice of which tree they will eat. The longer the thorns the less damage, in other words less eating of that tree. There seems to be no urgent problem with the elephants in Masai Mara, but more research has to be done to retain sufficient data to make any real conclusions about elephants’ impact on the trees and vegetation in the reserve

Histochemical localisation of carbonic anhydrase in the digestive tract and salivary glands of the house cricket, Acheta domesticus

The house cricket (Acheta domesticus) is one of several cricket species with great potential to be farmed as a sustainable protein source. In order to succeed in large-scale cricket farming, knowledge of cricket digestion is essential. The digestive tract morphology of A. domesticus is well documented, but knowledge of the salivary glands is lacking. In the digestive tract of insects, the carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme family is believed to contribute to the luminal pH gradient. Presence of CA in the digestive tract of A. domesticus has been reported, but not the cellular localisation. This study examined the digestive tract of A. domesticus, including salivary glands, and the cellular localisation and activity of CA in fed or starved (48 h) males and females. Tissues were collected from third-generation offspring of wild A. domesticus captured in Sweden and the histology of the salivary glands and the cellular localisation of CA in the digestive tract of A. domesticus were determined, to our knowledge for the first time. The salivary glands resembled those of grasshoppers and locusts, and we suggest the two main cell types present to be parietal and zymogenic cells. Histochemical analysis revealed that CA activity was localised in midgut epithelium, both main cell types of salivary gland, and muscle along the entire digestive tract. These findings support the suggestion that CA contributes to digestive tract luminal pH gradient, by driving acidic secretions from the salivary glands and alkaline secretions from the midgut. Starvation resulted in significantly reduced body size and weight, but neither starvation nor sex had any effect on CA activity or localisation

Common founder effects of hereditary hemochromatosis, Wilson´s disease, the long QT syndrome and autosomal recessive deafness caused by two novel mutations in the WHRN and TMC1 genes.

BACKGROUND: Genealogy and molecular genetic studies of a Swedish river valley population resulted in a large pedigree, showing that the hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) HFE/p.C282Y mutation is inherited with other recessive disorders such as Wilson´s disease (WND), a rare recessive disorder of copper overload. The population also contain individuals with the Swedish long QT syndrome (LQTS1) founder mutation (KCNQ1/p.Y111C) which in homozygotes causes the Jervell & Lange Nielsen syndrome (JLNS) and hearing loss (HL).Aims of the study were to test whether the Swedish long QT founder mutation originated in an ancestral HFE family and if carriers had an increased risk for hemochromatosis (HH), a treatable disorder. We also aimed to identify the pathogenic mutation causing the hearing loss disorder segregating in the pedigree. METHODS: LQTS patients were asked about their ancestry and possible origin in a HH family. They were also offered a predictive testing for the HFE genotype. Church books were screened for families with hearing loss. One HH family had two members with hearing loss, who underwent molecular genetic analysis of the LQTS founder mutation, connexin 26 and thereafter exome sequencing. Another family with hearing loss in repeat generations was also analyzed for connexin 26 and underwent exome sequencing. RESULTS: Of nine LQTS patients studied, four carried a HFE mutation (two p.C282Y, two p.H63D), none was homozygous. Three LQTS patients confirmed origin in a female founder ( b 1694, identical to AJ b 1694, a HFE pedigree member from the Fax river. Her descent of 44 HH families, included also 29 families with hearing loss (HL) suggesting JLNS. Eleven LQTS probands confirmed origin in a second founder couple (b 1614/1605) in which the woman b 1605 was identical to a HFE pedigree member from the Fjällsjö river. In her descent there were not only 64 HH, six WND families, one JLNS, but also 48 hearing loss families. Most hearing loss was non syndromic and caused by founder effects of the late 16th century. One was of Swedish origin carrying the WHRN, c.1977delC, (p.S660Afs*30) mutation, the other was a TMC1(NM_138691),c.1814T>C,(p.L605P) mutation, possibly of Finnish origin. CONCLUSIONS: Deep human HFE genealogies show HFE to be associated with other genetic disorders like Wilson´s disease, LQTS, JLNS, and autosomal recessive hearing loss. Two new homozygous HL mutations in WHRN/p.S660Afs*30 and TMC1/p.L605P were identified,none of them previously reported from Scandinavia. The rarity of JLNS was possibly caused by miscarriage or intrauterine death. Most hearing loss (81.7%) was seen after 1844 when first cousin marriages were permitted. However, only 10 (10.3%) came from 1st cousin unions and only 2 (2.0 %) was born out of wedlock

Campylobacter jejuni Colonization in Wild Birds: Results from an Infection Experiment

Campylobacter jejuni is a common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in most parts of the world. The bacterium has a broad host range and has been isolated from many animals and environments. To investigate shedding patterns and putative effects on an avian host, we developed a colonization model in which a wild bird species, the European Robin Erithacus rubecula, was inoculated orally with C. jejuni from either a human patient or from another wild bird species, the Song Thrush Turdus philomelos. These two isolates were genetically distinct from each other and provoked very different host responses. The Song Thrush isolate colonized all challenged birds and colonization lasted 6.8 days on average. Birds infected with this isolate also showed a transient but significant decrease in body mass. The human isolate did not colonize the birds and could be detected only in the feces of the birds shortly after inoculation. European Robins infected with the wild bird isolate generated a specific antibody response to C. jejuni membrane proteins from the avian isolate, which also was cross-reactive to membrane proteins of the human isolate. In contrast, European Robins infected with the human isolate did not mount a significant response to bacterial membrane proteins from either of the two isolates. The difference in colonization ability could indicate host adaptations

Regression of albuminuria and its association with incident cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in type 1 diabetes: the FinnDiane Study

Aims/hypothesis Our aim was to assess regression of albuminuria and its clinical consequences in type 1 diabetes. Methods The analysis included 3642 participants from the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy (FinnDiane) Study with a 24 h urine sample and a history of albuminuria available at baseline. A total of 2729 individuals had normal AER, 438 a history of microalbuminuria and 475 a history of macroalbuminuria. Regression was defined as a change from a higher category of albuminuria pre-baseline to a lower category in two out of the three most recent urine samples at baseline. The impact of regression on cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary procedure) and mortality was analysed over a follow-up of 14.0 years (interquartile range 11.9-15.9). Results In total, 102 (23.3%) individuals with prior microalbuminuria and 111 (23.4%) with prior macroalbuminuria had regressed at baseline. For individuals with normal AER as a reference, the age-adjusted HRs (95% CI) for cardiovascular events were 1.42 (0.75, 2.68) in individuals with regression from microalbuminuria, 2.62 (1.95, 3.54) in individuals with sustained microalbuminuria, 3.15 (2.02, 4.92) in individuals with regression from macroalbuminuria and 5.49 (4.31, 7.00) in individuals with sustained macroalbuminuria. Furthermore, for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality rates, HRs in regressed individuals were comparable with those with sustained renal status at the achieved level (i.e. those who did not regress but remained at the most advanced level of albuminuria noted pre-baseline). Conclusions/interpretation Progression of diabetic nephropathy confers an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and premature death. Notably, regression reduces the risk to the same level as for those who did not progress.Peer reviewe

The pattern-recognition molecule H-ficolin in relation to diabetic kidney disease, mortality, and cardiovascular events in type 1 diabetes

H-ficolin recognizes patterns on microorganisms and stressed cells and can activate the lectin pathway of the complement system. We aimed to assess H-ficolin in relation to the progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), all-cause mortality, diabetes-related mortality, and cardiovascular events. Event rates per 10-unit H-ficolin-increase were compared in an observational follow-up of 2,410 individuals with type 1 diabetes from the FinnDiane Study. DKD progression occurred in 400 individuals. The unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) for progression was 1.29 (1.18-1.40) and 1.16 (1.05-1.29) after adjustment for diabetes duration, sex, HbA(1c), systolic blood pressure, and smoking status. After adding triglycerides to the model, the HR decreased to 1.07 (0.97-1.18). In all, 486 individuals died, including 268 deaths of cardiovascular causes and 192 deaths of complications to diabetes. HRs for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality were 1.13 (1.04-1.22) and 1.05 (0.93-1.17), respectively, in unadjusted analyses. These estimates lost statistical significance in adjusted models. However, the unadjusted HR for diabetes-related mortality was 1.19 (1.05-1.35) and 1.18 (1.02-1.37) with the most stringent adjustment level. Our results, therefore, indicate that H-ficolin predicts diabetes-related mortality, but neither all-cause mortality nor fatal/non-fatal cardiovascular events. Furthermore, H-ficolin is associated with DKD progression, however, not independently of the fully adjusted model.Peer reviewe

Health-related quality of life in patients with surgically treated lumbar disc herniation: 2- and 7-year follow-up of 117 patients

To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field.BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instruments have been of increasing interest for evaluation of medical treatments over the past 10-15 years. In this prospective, long-term follow-up study we investigated the influence of preoperative factors and the change in HRQoL over time after lumbar disc herniation surgery. METHODS: 117 patients surgically treated for lumbar disc herniation (L4-L5 or L5-S1) were evaluated with a self-completion HRQoL instrument (EQ-5D) preoperatively, after 2 years (96 patients) and after 7 years (89 patients). Baseline data (age, sex, duration of leg pain, surgical level) and degree of leg and back pain (VAS) were obtained preoperatively. The mean age was 39 (18-66) years, 54% were men, and the surgical level was L5-S1 in 58% of the patients. The change in EQ-5D score at the 2-year follow-up was analyzed by testing for correlation and by using a multiple regression model including all baseline factors (age, sex, duration of pain, degree of leg and back pain, and baseline EQ-5D score) as potential predictors. RESULTS: 85% of the patients reported improvement in EQ-5D two years after surgery and this result remained at the long-term follow-up. The mean difference (change) between the preoperative EQ-5D score and the 2-year and 7-year scores was 0.59 (p < 0.001) and 0.62 (p < 0.001), respectively. However, the HRQoL for this patient group did not reach the mean level of previously reported values for a normal population of the same age range at any of the follow-ups. The changes in EQ-5D score between the 2- and 7-year follow-ups were not statistically significant (mean change 0.03, p = 0.2). There was a correlation between baseline leg pain and the change in EQ-5D at the 2-year (r = 0.33, p = 0.002) and 7-year follow-up (r = 0.23, p = 0.04). However, when using regression analysis the only statistically significant predictor for change in EQ-5D was baseline EQ-5D score. INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest that HRQoL (as measured by EQ-5D) improved 2 years after lumbar disc herniation surgery, but there was no further improvement after 5 more years. Low quality of life and severe leg pain at baseline are important predictors of improvement in quality of life after lumbar disc herniation surgery.Marianne och Marcus Wallenberg Foundation ALF Vastra Gotaland. Gothenburg Medical Association. Swedish Society of Medicine. Felix Neubergh Foundation

Sulfatide Recognition by Colonization Factor Antigen CS6 from Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

The first step in the pathogenesis of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infections is adhesion of the bacterium to the small intestinal epithelium. Adhesion of ETEC is mediated by a number of antigenically distinct colonization factors, and among these, one of the most commonly detected is the non-fimbrial adhesin coli surface antigen 6 (CS6). The potential carbohydrate recognition by CS6 was investigated by binding of recombinant CS6-expressing E. coli and purified CS6 protein to a large number of variant glycosphingolipids separated on thin-layer chromatograms. Thereby, a highly specific binding of the CS6-expressing E. coli, and the purified CS6 protein, to sulfatide (SO3-3Galβ1Cer) was obtained. The binding of the CS6 protein and CS6-expressing bacteria to sulfatide was inhibited by dextran sulfate, but not by dextran, heparin, galactose 4-sulfate or galactose 6-sulfate. When using recombinantly expressed and purified CssA and CssB subunits of the CS6 complex, sulfatide binding was obtained with the CssB subunit, demonstrating that the glycosphingolipid binding capacity of CS6 resides within this subunit. CS6-binding sulfatide was present in the small intestine of species susceptible to CS6-mediated infection, e.g. humans and rabbits, but lacking in species not affected by CS6 ETEC, e.g. mice. The ability of CS6-expressing ETEC to adhere to sulfatide in target small intestinal epithelium may thus contribute to virulence

EMERALD and EMIT—worldwide computer aided education and training packages in medical physics

This paper describes the development of two web based education and training packages EMERALD and EMIT designed to meet the training needs of professional medical physicists. The program has been developed over a number of years by collaboration between hospitals and universities across Europe. The program concentrates on assisting competence development in five initial areas: diagnostic radiology; nuclear medicine; magnetic resonance tomography; ultrasound; and radiotherapy. Each of the topic areas includes around 50 training tasks in five hypertext workbooks, supplemented by a topical image database. The training materials have been extensively refereed during the development phase and are now in use in 65 countries across the globe. Initial evaluation has shown that the material enhances the training experience and produces a more consistent output