Application of 14N NQR to the Study of Sulfanilamide, Piroxicam, and Nifedipine Polymorphism

14N NQR is a new method in pharmacy that has a potential to establish itself as an additional and valuable analytical tool for characterizing solid state of a substance [1]. [...

Surveillance and control of communicable diseases related to passenger ships in Europe

This study was conducted within the European SHIPSAN (ship sanitation) project and aims at exploring the legislative framework and current practices related to surveillance of communicable diseases and response aboard passenger ships in Europe. A detailed questionnaire was disseminated and completed by 59 competent authorities in 27 European countries. The majority of competent authorities used national legislation without special provisions for passenger ships. Only 20% had specific provisions for ships regarding quarantine, while a smaller proportion of new Member States (MS) have specific legislation in comparison with old MS (p = 0.01). The Maritime Declaration of Health (MDH) was the main reporting tool used. About 30.5% of the competent authorities declared that they require submission of MDH by all arriving ships, but 28.8% only from affected areas, and 11.9% never require MDH. A total of 45 outbreaks or incidents (36 gastrointestinal, 1 incident of legionellosis, 3 respiratory, and 1 influenza-like illness outbreak, occupational tuberculosis, varicella, scabies, and meningitis) were reported to EU competent authorities during 2006. About 75% of the responders stated that there are gaps in the surveillance and control of communicable diseases. A diversity of approaches in EU countries, and gaps regarding surveillance and response and training needs of personnel were identified

Osmoderma eremita (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) in Europe

Research, monitoring and development of preservation strategies for threatened species are often limited by national borders even though a global perspective would be more appropriate. In this study, we collected data on the occurrence of a threatened beetle, Osmoderma eremita, associated with tree hollows in 2,142 localities from 33 countries in Europe where it is or has been present. The larvae develop in tree hollows and very few observations of larvae have been observed in dead logs on the ground. As long as there is a suitable tree hollow, it appears that O. eremita may use any tree species. Oaks (Quercus spp.) are the trees mainly used by O. eremita, followed by lime (Tilia spp.), willow (Salix spp.), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and fruit trees (Prunus spp., Pyrus spp., Malus domestica). O. eremita is still found in some remnants of natural forest, but is mainly observed on land that has long been used by man, such as pasture woodlands, hunting parks, avenues, city parks and trees around agricultural fields and along streams. The occurrence of O. eremita seems to have decreased in all European countries. Relatively high densities of O. eremita localities occur in Central Europe (northern Italy, Austria, Czechia, southern Poland and eastern Germany), some parts of Northern Europe (south-eastern Sweden, Latvia) and France. In some regions in north-western Europe, the species is extinct or may occur at some single sites (Norway, Danish mainland, The Netherlands, Belgium, north-eastern France). There are few data from south-eastern Europe. Many local extinctions of O. eremita are to be expected in the near future, especially in regions with recent habitat loss and fragmentation. O. eremita is useful as an indicator and umbrella species for the preservation of the entire invertebrate community associated with hollow trees in Europe. A preservation plan for O. eremita should include three aspects that are of general importance in nature conservation in Europe today: (1) preservation of remnants of natural forests with old, broad-leaved trees, (2) preservation and restoration of habitats related to traditional agricultural landscapes and (3) preservation of remaining ‘islands’ of nature in urban areas

Osmoderma eremita (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) in Europe

Osmoderma eremita (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) en Europa.¿ La investigación, el control y el desarrollo de estrategias de conservación de especies amenazadas en peligro de extinción están habitualmente confinadas por fronteras nacionales aunque sería más apropiado una perspectiva más global. En este trabajo se recogen datos sobre la presencia de un escarabajo en peligro de extinción, Osmoderma eremita, asociado a huecos de árboles en las 2.142 localidades de 33 regiones de Europa donde se ha encontrado. La larva se desarrolla en los huecos de los árboles y se ha observado pocas veces en troncos muertos en el suelo. Parece ser que O. eremita es capaz de utilizar cualquier especie de árbol siempre que tenga un hueco disponible. Los árboles más utilizados por O. eremita son los robles (Quercus spp.), seguidos del tilo (Tilia spp.), el sauce (Salix spp.), el haya (Fagus sylvatica) y los árboles frutales (Prunus spp., Pyrus spp., Malus domestica). O. eremita se encuentra todavía en algún remanente de bosque natural, pero se observa principalmente en tierras que han sido usadas por el hombre como zonas de bosques aclarados, cotos de caza, avenidas, parques urbanos y en árboles alrededor de campos agrícolas y a lo largo del curso de ríos. Parece ser que la presencia de O. eremita ha disminuido en todas las regiones europeas. Las mayores concentraciones de localidades con presencia de O. eremita aparecen en Europa central (norte de Italia, Austria, República Checa, sur de Polonia y Alemania del este), en algunas partes del norte de Europa (sureste de Suecia, Latvia) y en Francia. En algunas regiones del noroeste de Europa, se ha extinguido o puede encontrarse de forma aislada (Noruega, Dinamarca, Países Bajos, Bélgica, noreste de Francia). Hay pocos datos del sureste europeo. Se prevén algunas extinciones locales de O. eremita en un futuro inmediato, especialmente en regiones con una pérdida y fragmentación del hábitat. O. eremita es una especie útil como indicador y paraguas para la preservación de toda la comunidad de invertebrados asociados a los agujeros de árboles en Europa. Un plan de preservación de O. eremita debería incluir tres aspectos que son de importancia general en la conservación de la naturaleza en Europa hoy en día: (1) preservación de los remanentes de bosques naturales con árboles viejos, (2) preservación y restauración de hábitats relacionados con los paisajes agrícolas tradicionales y (3) preservación de las "islas" de naturaleza que se mantienen en áreas urbanas

Osmoderma eremita (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) in Europe

Osmoderma eremita (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) in Europe.— Research, monitoring and development of preservation strategies for threatened species are often limited by national borders even though a global perspective would be more appropriate. In this study, we collected data on the occurrence of a threatened beetle, Osmoderma eremita, associated with tree hollows in 2,142 localities from 33 countries in Europe where it is or has been present. The larvae develop in tree hollows and very few observations of larvae have been observed in dead logs on the ground. As long as there is a suitable tree hollow, it appears that O. eremita may use any tree species. Oaks (Quercus spp.) are the trees mainly used by O. eremita, followed by lime (Tilia spp.), willow (Salix spp.), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and fruit trees (Prunus spp., Pyrus spp., Malus domestica). O. eremita is still found in some remnants of natural forest, but is mainly observed on land that has long been used by man, such as pasture woodlands, hunting parks, avenues, city parks and trees around agricultural fields and along streams. The occurrence of O. eremita seems to have decreased in all European countries. Relatively high densities of O. eremita localities occur in Central Europe (northern Italy, Austria, Czechia, southern Poland and eastern Germany), some parts of Northern Europe (south–eastern Sweden, Latvia) and France. In some regions in north–western Europe, the species is extinct or may occur at some single sites (Norway, Danish mainland, The Netherlands, Belgium, north–eastern France). There are few data from south–eastern Europe. Many local extinctions of O. eremita are to be expected in the near future, especially in regions with recent habitat loss and fragmentation. O. eremita is useful as an indicator and umbrella species for the preservation of the entire invertebrate community associated with hollow trees in Europe. A preservation plan for O. eremita should include three aspects that are of general importance in nature conservation in Europe today: (1) preservation of remnants of natural forests with old, broad–leaved trees, (2) preservation and restoration of habitats related to traditional agricultural landscapes and (3) preservation of remaining "islands" of nature in urban areas. Key words: Saproxylic, Cavity, Habitat Directive, Pollarding, Bioindicator, Scarabaeoidea