Bark beetles and pinhole borers (Curculionidae, Scolytinae, Platypodinae) alien to Europe

Invasive bark beetles are posing a major threat to forest resources around the world. DAISIE’s web-based and printed databases of invasive species in Europe provide an incomplete and misleading picture of the alien scolytines and platypodines. We present a review of the alien bark beetle fauna of Europe based on primary literature through 2009. We find that there are 18 Scolytinae and one Platypodinae species apparently established in Europe, from 14 different genera. Seventeen species are naturalized. We argue that Trypodendron laeve, commonly considered alien in Europe, is a native species; conversely, we hypothesize that Xyleborus pfeilii, which has always been treated as indigenous, is an alien species from Asia. We also point out the possibility that the Asian larch bark beetle Ips subelongatus is established in European Russia. We show that there has been a marked acceleration in the rate of new introductions to Europe, as is also happening in North America: seven alien species were first recorded in the last decade

A medical perspective of chiropractic, based on a survey conducted amongst medical professionals in the western region of Johannesburg and how they view chiropractic compared to physiotherapy in the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal conditions

Worldwide there was a growing trend towards the recognition of Chiropractic, but little was known of this recognition in South Africa. However, with regards to the Western Region of Johannesburg, it was unclear how the medical profession viewed Chiropractic and how effective they viewed Chiropractic in the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal conditions. This study attempted to establish how medical doctors viewed Chiropractic and to determine how Chiropractors compared to physiotherapists in the opinion of the medical profession in the treatment of common neuromusculoskeletal conditions. A questionnaire was hand-delivered to the consulting rooms of each general practitioner, orthopedic surgeon and neurologist/neurosurgeon in the Western Region of Johannesburg. The researcher with the aid of a statistical consultant drew up the questionnaire. The data was analysed using the SPSS 13 (2005), SPSS Incorporated, Chicago using descriptives and frequencies. To compare Chiropractic treatment to physiotherapy, statistical significance was calculated using a Paired Samples Test (T-Test). The results of this study found that the doctors had a positive view of Chiropractic as a profession. When comparing Chiropractic to physiotherapy, statistical analysis revealed that physiotherapy was seen as more effective. Physiotherapists were also more likely to receive referrals from medical doctors than Chiropractors. The results of this study were in accordance with worldwide trends in that Chiropractic was growing in recognition and was viewed as beneficial in the health care system. However, more education of the medical profession with regards to Chiropractic and more research comparing Chiropractic effectiveness compared to physiotherapy were needed.Dr. M. Moodley Dr. J. Mitchel

Handbuch der Zoopharmakologie für Thierärzte : vorzüglich zum Gebrauch bei Vorlesungen in der Königlichen Thierarzneischule zu Berlin

von Christian Ratzebur