Factors affecting the component community structure of haemoparasites in bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) from the Mazury Lake District region of Poland

The prevalence and abundance of infections with haemoparasites were studied over a 3 year period in Clethrionomys glareolus (bank vole, n=420) sampled from forests in the NE of Poland. Total species richness was 5 (Prevalence=Haemobartonella sp. 63.1%, Bartonella grahamii 27.4%, Hepatozoon erhardovae 31.4%, Trypanosoma evotomys 15% and Babesia microti 1.0%) with 81.9% of the voles carrying at least 1 species and a mean infracommunity species richness of 1.4. Variation in species richness was determined primarily by season and year, and the interaction of these factors. The observed frequency distribution of infracommunity species richness did not differ from that predicted by a null model, suggesting that there were no marked associations between the species. Analyses of prevalence and abundance of infection with each species in turn, revealed that overall the principal causes of variation were temporal and seasonal and their interaction, intrinsic factors such as age and sex playing only a minor role. However, the relative importance of specific extrinsic, and rarely intrinsic, factors varied and was distinct for each of the species in the study. Prevalence data revealed 4 sets of 2-way associations between species, mostly varyingly dependent on combinations of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Analysis of quantitative associations suggested 4 sets of positive 2-way interactions, 3 of which remained after controlling for the effect of extrinsic and intrinsic factors on the abundance of each species, but only one could be unequivocally accepted (Haemobartonella sp. +B. grahamii) after correction for multiple comparisons. These data are discussed in the context of the changing ecological profiles in this region of Eastern Europe and, in a wider context, in relation to current understanding of the factors which shape component community structures of haemoparasites in wild rodents

Photoplethysmography for Quantitative Assessment of Sympathetic Nerve Activity (SNA) During Cold Stress

The differences in the degree of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) over cutaneous blood vessels, although known to be more prominent in the periphery than the core vasculature, has not been thoroughly investigated quantitatively. Hence, two studies were carried out to investigate the differences in SNA between the periphery and the core during the cold pressor test (CPT) (right-hand immersion in ice water) and cold exposure (whole body exposed to cold air) using photoplethysmography (PPG). Two methods utilizing PPG, namely differential multi-site PTT measurements and low-frequency spectral analysis were explored for quantitative determination of SNA. Each study involved 12 healthy volunteers, and PPG signals were acquired from the right index finger (RIF), left index finger (LIF) (periphery) and the ear canal (core). During CPT, Pulse Transit Time (PTT) was measured to the respective locations and the mean percentage change in PTT during ice immersion at each location was used as an indicator for the extent of SNA. During cold exposure, the low-frequency spectral analysis was performed on the acquired raw PPGs to extract the power of the sympathetic [low-frequency (LF): 0.04–0.15 Hz] and parasympathetic components [high-frequency (HF): 0.15–0.4 Hz]. The ratio of LF/HF components was then used to quantify the differences in the influence of SNA on the peripheral and core circulation. PTT measured from the EC, and the LIF has dropped by 5 and 7%, respectively during ice immersion. The RIF PTT, on the other hand, has dropped significantly (P < 0.05) by 12%. During the cold exposure, the LF/HF power ratio at the finger has increased to 86.4 during the cold exposure from 19.2 at the baseline (statistically significant P = 0.002). While the ear canal LF/HF ratio has decreased to 1.38 during the cold exposure from 1.62 at baseline (P = 0.781). From these observations, it is evident that differential PTT measurements or low-frequency analysis can be used to quantify SNA. The results also demonstrate the effectiveness of the central auto-regulation during both short and long-term stress stimulus as compared to the periphery

Prevalence and abundance of Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia spp. in wild rural rodents from the Mazury Lake District region of Poland

Prevalence and abundance of Cryptosporodium parvum and Giardia spp. were studied in 3 species of rodents from forests and abandoned agricultural fields in N.E. Poland (Clethrionomys glareolus n=459; Microtus arvalis n=274; Apodemus flavicollis n=209). Overall prevalence was consistently higher in the voles compared with A. flavicollis (70±6, 73±0 and 27±8% respectively for C. parvum and 93±9, 96±3 and 48±3% respectively for Giardia spp.). Prevalence and abundance of infection also varied markedly across 3 years with 1998 being a year of higher prevalence and abundance with both species. Fewer older animals (especially C. glareolus and M. arvalis) carried infection with C. parvum and infections in these animals were relatively milder. Although seasonal differences were significant, no consistent pattern of changes was apparent. Host sex did not influence prevalence or abundance of infection with C. parvum, but made a small contribution to a 4-way interaction (in 5-way ANOVA) with other factors in the case of Giardia spp. The 2 species co-occurred significantly and in animals carrying both parasites there was a highly signficant positive correlation between abundance of infection with each, even with between-year, seasonal, host age, sex and species differences taken into account. Quantitative associations were confined to the 2 vole species in the study. These results are discussed in relation to the importance of wild rodents as reservoir hosts and sources of infection for local human communities

Medium-term temporal stability of the helminth component community structure in bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) from the Mazury Lake District region of Poland

The structure of helminth communities in wild rodents is subject to seasonal variation, and is dependent on host age within years. Although between-year variation has been monitored, seldom has it been assessed rigorously by appropriate multifactorial analysis with potentially confounding factors taken into account. In this study we tested the null hypothesis that despite seasonal, host age and sex effects, helminth communities should show relative stability between years. Over a period of 3 years (1998–2000) we sampled bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) populations (total n=250) at 2 points in the year: in spring, at the start of the breeding season, and in autumn, after the cessation of breeding. In spite of seasonal differences and strong age effects, the between-year effects were surprisingly small. Measures of component community structure (Berger- Parker dominance index, the dominant species, S. petrusewiczi) did not vary, or varied only slightly from year to year. The majority of measures of infracommunity structure [Brillouin’s index of diversity, prevalence of all helminths combined, prevalence and abundance of H. mixtum (the most prevalent helminth), mean species richness] did not differ significantly between years when other factors such as age, sex and seasonal variation had been taken into account. Some between-year variations were found (at the component community level, Simpson’s index of diversity ; at the infracommunity level, prevalence and abundance of S. petrusewiczi and abundance of all helminths combined), but even these were modest in comparison to seasonal and age differences, and were primarily attributable to S. petrusewiczi. We conclude that despite dynamic within-year fluctuations, helminth communities in bank voles in this region of Poland show relative stability across years. The sporadic occurrence of individual platyhelminths at low prevalence, makes little difference to the overall structure, which is largely maintained by the key roles played by the dominant intestinal nematodes of bank voles and the rarer species collectively

Variation in the helminth community structure in bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) from three comparable localities in the Mazury Lake District region of Poland

We tested the null hypothesis that populations of hosts trapped in isolated neighbouring locations showing comparable habitat quality, should support similar helminth parasite communities. The study was undertaken in a 2-week period in late summer in NE Poland in a single year, thereby eliminating seasonal and between-year variation in parasite burdens. A total of 139 Clethrionomys glareolus (bank vole) were sampled from 3 forest sites of similar habitat quality. Total species richness was 11 (6 nematodes and 5 cestodes) with 85±6% of the voles carrying at least 1 species and an overall mean species richness of 1±4. At the component community level, the fewest species of helminths were recorded from site 2 (n=6, compared with 9 at each of the other sites), but site 3 had the lowest Berger-Parker Dominance Index and the highest Simpson's Index of Diversity. At the infracommunity level, site 3 had the highest mean no. of helminthspecies}vole, the highest mean Brillouin's Index of Diversity but the lowest mean no. of helminths/vole. Voles from sites 1 and 3 differed in the nematodes that were most common (site 1, Heligmosomum mixtum ± 95%; site 3, Heligmosomoides glareoli ± 79±3%). At site 2 no species exceeded 50% but prevalence of Syphacia petrusewiczi was higher than at the other sites. The prevalence of cestodes was too low to test reliably (12±9%), but the highest prevalence of adult cestodes was recorded at site 1 (22±5%compared with 4±9 and 1±7%for sites 2 and 3 respectively). Host sex did not ifluence infection, but mean species richness increased with age. The different sites were responsible for most of the variation in our data, and the intrinsic factors (sex and age) were less important in shaping the component community structure of helminths. We conclude that even locations in relative close proximity to one another (13±25 km), selected on the basis of similar habitat quality, have rodent populations that differ in their helminth parasite communities, although for reasons other than the factors quantified in the present study

Local variation in endoparasite intensities of bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus )from ecologically similar sites: morphometric and endocrine correlates

Much interest has centred recently on the role of adaptive trade-offs between the immune system and other components of life history in determining resistance and parasite intensities among hosts. Steroid hormones, particularly glucocorticoids and sex steroids, provide a plausible mechanism for mediating such trade-offs. A basic assumption behind the hypothesis, however, is that steroid activity will generally correlate with reduced resistance and thus greater parasite intensities. Here, we present some findings from a field study of bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus ) in which we have looked at associations between parasite intensities, anatomical and morphometric measures relating to endocrine function and life history variation in three local populations inhabiting similar but mutually isolated woodland habitats. In general, sites with greater parasite intensities were those in which male C. glareolus had significantly larger adrenal glands, testes and seminal vesicles for their age and body size. Females also showed a site difference in adrenal gland weight. Some aspects of site-related parasite intensity were associated with asymmetry in adrenal gland weight and hind foot length, which may have reflected developmental effects on glucocorticoid activity

Long-term spatiotemporal stability and dynamic changes in helminth infracommunities of bank voles (Myodes glareolus) in NE Poland

Parasites are considered to be an important selective force in host evolution but ecological studies of host-parasite systems are usually short-term providing only snap-shots of what may be dynamic systems. We have conducted four surveys of helminths of bank voles at three ecologically similar woodland sites in NE Poland, spaced over a period of 11 years, to assess the relative importance of temporal and spatial effects on helminth infracommunities. Some measures of infracom- munity structure maintained relative stability: the rank order of prevalence and abundance of Heligmosomum mixtum, Heligmosomoides glareoli and Mastophorus muris changed little between the four surveys. Other measures changed markedly: dynamic changes were evident in Syphacia petrusewiczi which declined to local extinction, while the capillariid Aonchotheca annulosa first appeared in 2002 and then increased in prevalence and abundance over the remaining three surveys. Some species are therefore dynamic and both introductions and extinctions can be expected in ecological time. At higher taxonomic levels and for derived measures, year and host-age effects and their interactions with site are import- ant. Our surveys emphasize that the site of capture is the major determinant of the species contributing to helminth community structure, providing some predictability in these systems

Gender and leadership in animal sheltering organizations.

This study explores the connection between gender, leadership and implementation of best practice strategies to reduce or eliminate euthanasia of healthy, adoptable companion animals in animal sheltering organizations. The purpose of this mixed methods study utilizing an online survey and in-depth interviews is to explore the impact of gender and animal sheltering leadership on organizational policies, as well as workers’, and volunteers’ attitudes toward reducing euthanasia in sheltering organizations. It is anticipated that the knowledge generated from this research will provide new insights into animal sheltering policies and procedures and inform sheltering organizations about the connection between gendered leadership in animal sheltering organizations and euthanasia rates. In the United States we are experiencing a paradigm shift regarding animals in society culturally, scientifically and relationally. Attitudes toward animals are changing from animal as object to animal as subject. This paradigm shift converges center stage with the problem of pet overpopulation in the United States and the use of euthanasia to address that problem. The findings for this dissertation are divided into three chapters, four through six. Chapter four focuses on identity issues via the ethic of care and ethic of justice framework. Chapter five focuses on altruistic leadership, organizational learning and the impact that leadership has on the sheltering organization. Chapter five combines identity, leadership and organizational issues to examine the impact on the sheltering organization and policies. The final chapter, seven, provides analysis of the previous three chapters and the closing of the dissertation. While qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews found support for difference between gender use of ethic of care and ethic of justice, quantitative significance was not found between gender and the two scores of care and justice. A significant difference was found on ethic of care scores between former and current employees, with former employees having significantly lower ethic of care scores. Women held higher scores on a measure of altruistic leadership and several areas of organizational learning. Female leaders also have a significantly lower rate of canine euthanasia rates within the organization. A regression analysis finds that leader gender, altruistic leadership score, private organizations, fostering, and transporting significantly predict rates of canine euthanasia in sheltering organizations. Finally, leaders, workers and volunteers in sheltering organizations are strongly impacted by their work. Case studies of both a toxic environment where change was not successful and a supportive environment where change was successfully made to reduce or remove euthanasia of healthy, adoptable companion animals highlights the centrality of the work to meaning of identity for individuals

Itinerários no adoecimento pelo câncer: entre mulheres, homens e culturas

Cancer has gained increasing prominence in public health worldwide, as with each new estimate the cases increase, this is related to a population progressively more exposed to risk factors over long periods. Thus, understanding how individuals experience illness is essential to assist in the dynamics of health care. This research aims to interpret the therapeutic itineraries experienced by women and men sick with cancer. Qualitative methodology study using the theoretical framework of Medical Anthropology, being developed in the oncology unit of a public hospital that is a reference in the southern region of Brazil. 63 patients were interviewed using the indepth interview data collection technique, and the data were analyzed using the thematic analysis technique, which served as a basis for the construction of the participants' narratives. Based on the experience of the 32 men and 31 women participating, it was possible to elaborate two narratives, the first one being entitled “Female experiences in illness: submissions in treatment”, a time when women reported greater concern in the care of their health, being part of of the care performed with the use of formal knowledge ­ medical knowledge ­ and the other informal ­ common sense. While, in the second narrative, “Power x Disease: experiencing masculinity in becoming ill with cancer”, men only sought help when there was an aggravation of the disease, that is, they delayed assuming that they were ill, as this is a behavior that makes their masculinities vulnerable. Thus, the study of the therapeutic itineraries of women and men helped identify the existence of vulnerable behaviors for both, but in their singularities, where women were more vulnerable in the psychological and social dimension, while men were vulnerable because they did not recognize themselves as such. Both experiences of gender interfere in the decision­making for health care, therefore interfering in the course of illness.O câncer tem ganhado cada vez mais destaque na saúde pública mundial, pois a cada nova estimativa os casos aumentam, isso está relacionado a uma população progressivamente mais exposta a fatores de risco por longos períodos. Assim, entender como os indivíduos vivenciam o adoecimento é fundamental para auxiliar na dinamicidade do cuidado em saúde. Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo, interpretar os itinerários terapêuticos vivenciados por mulheres e homens adoecidos pelo câncer. Estudo de metodologia qualitativa com o emprego do referencial teórico da Antropologia Médica, sendo desenvolvida na unidade de oncologia de um hospital público que é referência na região sul do Brasil. Foram entrevistados 63 pacientes utilizando­se a técnica de coleta de dados da entrevista em profundidade, e os dados foram analisados com a técnica de análise temática, esta que serviu de base para a construção das narrativas dos participantes. A partir da experiência dos 32 homens e 31 mulheres participantes, foi possível elaborar duas narrativas, sendo a primeira intitulada de “Experiências femininas no adoecimento: submissões no tratamento”, momento em que as mulheres relataram maior preocupação no cuidado à sua saúde, sendo parte do cuidado realizado com uso do conhecimento formal – saber médico – e outro o informal – senso comum. Enquanto, na segunda narrativa, “Poder x Doença: vivenciando a masculinidade no adoecimento pelo câncer”, os homens só buscaram auxílio quando houve o agravo da doença, ou seja, protelaram assumirem­se adoecidos, pois isso é um comportamento vulnerabilizador de suas masculinidades. Sendo assim, o estudo dos itinerários terapêuticos de mulheres e homens propiciaram identificar a existência de comportamentos vulneráveis para ambos, porém em suas singularidades, onde as mulheres estavam mais vulneráveis na dimensão psicológica e social, enquanto os homens estavam vulneráveis por não se reconhecerem como tal. Ambas as experiências de gênero interferem na tomada de decisão para o cuidado em saúde, logo interferem no curso do adoecimento