Decrease in the Incidence of Hepatitis in Dialysis Units associated with Prevention Programme

A prospective survey of hepatitis in more than two-thirds of the dialysis units in the United Kingdom since January 1968 shows that after a prevention and control programme was started in 1970 the rising incidence of hepatitis B was halted. The programme has continued, with a sustained decline in the incidence among patients from 4·9% in 1970 to 1·4% in 1972 and among staff from 1·3% in 1970 to 0·4% in 1972.     

Three decades of longlining in Bimini,Bahamas, reveals long‐term trends in lemon shark Negaprion brevirostris (Carcharhinidae) catch per unit effort

In Bimini, Bahamas, the consistent employment of longlines, beginning in 1982, provided a rare opportunity to explore population trends for large resident sharks. This study assessed three shallow water longline survey periods at this location; 1982–1989, 1992–2002 and 2003–2014, with the aim of determining trends in annual catch per unit effort (CPUE) for an IUCN listed near‐threatened species, the lemon shark Negaprion brevirostris. A general additive model (GAM) was used to analyse the non‐linear annual CPUE values over the entire 32‐year research period. The GAM displayed high variability of annual CPUE, with a peak value of 0·026 N. brevirostris per hook day (hooks day^?1) in 2000. The temporal pattern of CPUE indicated an abundance trend with a complete cycle, from trough to trough, occurring over a period of approximately 18 years. The 1982–1989 survey period saw the highest proportion of mature individuals (19·8%) and the smallest average pre‐caudal length (L_PC; 124·8 cm). The 1992–2002 survey period had the highest average annual CPUE (0·018 hooks day^?1), while the 2003–2014 research period saw largest average L_PC size (134·8 cm) and the lowest average CPUE values (0·009 hooks day^?1) of the entire research period. The long‐term trend identified in this study provides a baseline for future assessment.     

HIV Seroprevalence among Tuberculosis Patients in India, 2006–2007

Background

Little information exists regarding the burden of HIV among tuberculosis patients in India, and no population-based surveys have been previously reported. A community-based HIV prevalence survey was conducted among tuberculosis patients treated by the national tuberculosis control programme to evaluate the HIV prevalence among tuberculosis patients in India.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Fifteen districts (total population: 40.2 million) across 8 states were stratified by HIV prevalence in antenatal clinic HIV surveillance sites and randomly selected. From December 2006 to May 2007, remnant serum was collected from patients'' clinical specimens taken after 2 months of anti-tuberculosis treatment and subjected to anonymous, unlinked HIV testing. Specimens were obtained and successfully tested for 5,995 (73%) of 8,217 tuberculosis patients eligible for the survey. HIV prevalence ranged widely among the 15 surveyed districts, from 1% in Koch Bihar, West Bengal, to 13.8% in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. HIV infection was 1.3 times more likely among male TB patients than among female patients. Relative to smear-positive tuberculosis, HIV infection was 1.4 times more likely among smear-negative patients and 1.3 times more likely among extrapulmonary patients. In 4 higher-HIV prevalence districts, which had been previously surveyed in 2005–2006, no significant change in HIV prevalence was detected.

Conclusions

The burden of HIV among tuberculosis patients varies widely in India. Programme efforts to implement comprehensive TB-HIV services should be targeted to areas with the highest HIV burden. Surveillance through routine reporting or special surveys is necessary to detect areas requiring intensification of TB-HIV collaborative activities.     

Psychiatric illness in inpatients with neurological disorders: patients' views on discussion of emotional problems with neurologists.

The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in inpatients with neurological disorders and the extent to which it is detected by neurologists were measured by using a two stage model of psychiatric assessment and from information recorded in the patients'' medical notes. The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity was estimated as 39%, of which 72% was unrecognised by the neurologists. Only a minority of patients with an uncertain physical diagnosis had a psychiatric illness, showing the error in assuming that a patient''s physical symptoms arise from a psychological disturbance if an organic aetiology cannot be determined. When the patients were interviewed on their discharge from hospital they were divided on whether they had wished to discuss their mood with neurologists while they were in hospital. The reasons that they gave suggested that interactions between patients and doctors and the lack of ward facilities for private consultations with doctors are important determinants of hidden psychiatric morbidity in medical inpatients.     

Evaluation of a 25-year-program for the control of schistosomiasis mansoni in an endemic area in Brazil

Background

Various studies showed that chemotherapy can control schistosomiasis morbidity, but association of measures (water supply, sewage disposal and increase of socioeconomic conditions) is necessary for transmission control.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A survey dealing with socioeconomic conditions, snail survey, contact with natural waters, and clinical and stool examinations was undertaken at an endemic area in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The methodology used was the same for both evaluations (1981 and 2005). Four hundred and seventy-five out of 1,474 individuals studied in 1981 could be contacted. From these, 358 were submitted to stool examination, and 231 of them were clinically examined. Patients eliminating S. mansoni eggs in their stools were treated. The results showed that the prevalence rate in Comercinho, a municipality of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, was substantially reduced to 70.4% and 1.7% in 1981 and 2005, respectively, as well as the frequency of the hepatosplenic form (7% to 1.3%) after five treatments effectuated between 1981 and 1992. No other new case of this form was detected from 1981 onwards. Another important aspect to be considered was the improvement of people''s living standard that occurred in the region after more than two decades'' efforts (better housing, professional skill and adequate basic sanitation).

Conclusion/Significance

The control of morbidity and very significant decrease of schistosomiasis transmission in an area until then considered as hyperendemic was possible by means of association of successive specific treatments of the local population, together with the construction of privies, water supply in the houses and improvement of socioeconomic conditions.     

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the Canadian adult population

Background:

Metabolic syndrome refers to a constellation of conditions that increases a person’s risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We describe the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components in relation to sociodemographic factors in the Canadian adult population.

Methods:

We used data from cycle 1 of the Canadian Health Measures Survey, a cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of the population. We included data for respondents aged 18 years and older for whom fasting blood samples were available; pregnant women were excluded. We calculated weighted estimates of the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components in relation to age, sex, education level and income.

Results:

The estimated prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 19.1%. Age was the strongest predictor of the syndrome: 17.0% of participants 18–39 years old had metabolic syndrome, as compared with 39.0% of those 70–79 years. Abdominal obesity was the most common component of the syndrome (35.0%) and was more prevalent among women than among men (40.0% v. 29.1%; p = 0.013). Men were more likely than women to have an elevated fasting glucose level (18.9% v. 13.6%; p = 0.025) and hypertriglyceridemia (29.0% v. 20.0%; p = 0.012). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher among people in households with lower education and income levels.

Interpretation:

About one in five Canadian adults had metabolic syndrome. People at increased risk were those in households with lower education and income levels. The burden of abdominal obesity, low HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and hypertriglyceridemia among young people was especially of concern, because the risk of cardiovascular disease increases with age.Chronic disease contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in the Canadian population.¹ As such, the economic costs are substantial. Metabolic syndrome refers to a constellation of conditions that approximately doubles a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, independently of other risk factors.^2–5 The cause of metabolic syndrome has not been fully elucidated; a summary of the current proposed mechanisms is discussed elsewhere.⁶Several sets of criteria have been established for the detection of metabolic syndrome, many of which have been continually updated.^6–8 The set of criteria most commonly used in the past was published in the third report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III criteria).⁹ Recently, the International Diabetes Federation, the American Heart Association, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and other organizations collaborated to release a unified set of criteria.¹⁰The Canadian Health Measures Survey, conducted in 2007–2009, was the first cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of Canadians that collected biological samples since the Canadian Heart Health Surveys about 20 years ago.¹¹ We used data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey to describe the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components by age, sex, education level and income adequacy in a sample of the Canadian adult population. Because different studies have used various criteria in the past to define metabolic syndrome, and because there is continuing controversy as to the appropriate criteria, we calculated the prevalence according to several types of criteria to better facilitate comparison to findings from past and future studies.     

Age and growth of round goby Neogobius melanostomus associated with depth and habitat in the western basin of Lake Erie

Round goby Neogobius melanostomus were examined from the Bass Islands area in the western basin of Lake Erie, U.S.A., to determine age and growth correlations. A total of 188 specimens were collected and examined during summer 2011 with 90 aged using scale analysis. Fish were grouped by sex, depth of habitat and habitat type (anthropogenically modified shallows, natural shallows and open lake deep water). Fish ranged from 17 to 117 mm total length (L_T) and 0+ to 3+ years. Males dominated the population (1·94:1) and backcalculated age showed that both sexes grew exponentially, with male growth rate increasing faster than female. Males were significantly larger than females in L_T and mass (both P < 0·001). The relative mass index (W_r) was low for the sampled population (mean ± s.d . = 32·00 ± 26·87 g), implying that the health of the Bass Island area population is very poor when compared with the species throughout its range. This could be due to a lack of food resources related to population size or that the fish is not optimally utilizing the available food resources. In contradiction to these findings, regression slope coefficient (b), calculated using Fulton's condition factor (K) (mean ± s.d . =1·50 ± 0·20), was very low for each habitat, implying a healthy population throughout. This seemingly opposite effect may be due to more individuals per unit area in shallow waters, which would cause increased competition for resources. Poor condition may indicate that the Lake Erie population has reached saturation or may reflect indirect fitness costs associated with increasing anoxic or hypoxic hypolimnion conditions.     

Budgerigar-fancier's lung: the commonest variety of allergic alveolitis in Britain.

A questionnaire survey of 1005 consecutive attenders at four outpatient clinics yielded 117 (12%) budgerigar fanciers (exposed to budgerigars- known in North America as parakeets-for at least three months) and 296 (29%) former fanciers. Twnety had precipitins to budgerigar serum or droppings or both, and 10 of these together with 39 precipitin-negative patients reported undue breathlessness on exertion during exposure to buderigars. These 59 patients were investigated further, seven completing a series of inhalation provocation tests with budgerigar antigens designed to confirm or exclude budgerigar-fancier''s lung (BrFL). Typical positive responses were obtained from four current and one former fancier. The prevalence of confirmed BrFL among the 11n current budgerigar fanciers was 3.4% (four cases). This was biased, however, by the inclusion of one patient whose attendance at the surveyed clinic was attributable to the disease. With the exclusion of this patient, confidence limits suggested that the true prevalence of BrFL among current budgerigar fanciers in the general population lies between 0.5% and 7.5%, which is similar to the prevalence of farmer''s lung in farm workers. In view of the enormous population at risk, however, this implies that BrFL rather than farmer''s lung is by far the commonest type of allergic alveolitis in Britain.     

Assessment of the fishery of a stunted population of the cichlid, Sarotherodon melanotheron (Rüppel), in a "closed" lagoon in Ghana

This aper examines the status of the tilapia fishery in Fosu Lagoon at Cape Coast, inthe Central Region of GLana (5°07’ N,1°6’ W). The blackchin tilaia, Sarotherodon melanotheron (Rüppel), constitutes about 90 % by weight of the total fish catch, and the annual yield of 452—664 kg/ha is apreciably higher than those reported for other tropical lagoons. Variations in the CPUE (0·30—0·96 kg/man-h) were related to fluctuations in the water level of the lagoon. Using the ELEFAN method, estimates of the growth and mortality parameters, based on length-frequency data were: Loo = 16·1 cm TL, K = 0·82/ yr, Z = 4·95/yr, M = 1·90/yr and F = 3·05/yr. The growth estimates and the maturity-length ratio suggest that the population is stunted. The mean length at first capture(Lcso) was estimated to be 6·2 cm TL. Although the present rate of exploitation (E= 0·62) appears high, an analysis of the relative yield-er-recruit (Y/R) and highrecruitment shows that this exploitation rate can be maintained by the Egoon population. Recruitment occurs throughout the year with two peaks, and this probably ensures the sustenance of the high yield.     

Survey of Campylobacter jejuni in stray cats in southern Italy

Aim: To evaluate the presence of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. in stray cats in southern Italy. Methods and Results: One hundred and thirteen animals were trapped in two different environments (urban area, harbour area) of the city of Naples. From each cat, rectal swabs were collected. The samples were processed in order to detect thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. by culture methods. The positive samples were then confirmed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from 19/113 (16·8%) stray cats, whereas Campylobacter coli was not isolated. The cat data (age, environment and sex) were analysed by two statistical analyses using the C. jejuni status (positive/negative) as a dependent variable. As regards statistical regression model results, age and environment were risk factors for C. jejuni positivity. In particular, cats older than 1 year had a significantly higher risk of being positive for C. jejuni than cats aged up to 1 year (OR = 10·440; P = 0·000). Moreover, cats living in the harbour area had a significantly higher risk to be a carrier of C. jejuni than cats living in urban area (OR = 17·911; P = 0·008). Conclusion: The findings of the present survey confirm stray cats as potential carriers of C. jejuni. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first study on the prevalence of C. jejuni in stray cats in Europe.     

Migration of alate morphs of the bird cherry aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) and implications for the epidemiology of barley yellow dwarf virus

Suction trapping data indicate three periods of migration of Rhopalosiphum padi in spring, summer and autumn. Four alate morphs are present at different times during the year. A comparison of data from suction traps operating at 12·2 and 1·5 m suggests a different behaviour of females in autumn with more being recorded at 12·2 than 1·5 m. Males, which are only present in autumn, were also more numerous at 12·2 m. During tests to measure barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) infectivity, only 9% of female R. padi reproduced on oat seedlings in autumn compared with 74% in summer. Tests on alate female R. padi trapped alive showed that in summer all were exules, but during the first half of September these were largely replaced by gynoparae so that in autumn only 5% of all R. padi trapped at 12·2 m were alate exules. The aerial densities of gynoparae and males were 10 times greater at 12·2 than 1·5 m while densities of alate exules were similar at both heights. It is suggested that gynoparae and males fly higher to increase the chance of finding a taller dispersed host plant. The implications for BYDV epidemiology of the behaviour and presence of the various R. padi alate morphs indicate that autumn-sown cereals emerging before mid-September are particularly at risk from colonisation by alate exules before the transition to a mainly sexual migrant population is complete. Alate exules introduce BYDV from comparatively local sources. The ratio of total R. padi to Sitobion avenae in suction trap samples in autumn usually exceeds 100: 1, but on crops it was only 10: 1. The ratio of alate exule R. padi to S. avenae in suction traps in autumn was only 12: 1, similar to that observed on crops.     

Family incidence of type B hepatitis

Family incidence of HBsAg-positive viral hepatitis was confirmed to be high. In 499 families with a type B viral hepatitis patient, type B viral hepatitis morbidity among 1116 contacts amounted to 2.24% within 6 months of the primary patients' hospitalization (being 188.2 times higher than semiannual morbidity of the population of the Czech Socialist Republic, CSR) and the prevalence of HBsAg amounted to 8.96% (being 22.4 times higher than among the population of CSR). On deducting positive findings at first blood samplings, which at least partially eliminated individuals who could themselves have been the source of infection for the first patient in each family, the rate for contact cases equalled 0.70% (58.8 times higher morbidity than among the population) and the rate for HBsAg prevalence equalled 2.50% (6.25 times higher than among the population). Among 917 members of 335 families where a case of HBsAg-negative viral hepatitis occured, 0.32% developed HBsAg-positive viral hepatitis within 6 months (26.8 times higher morbidity than population morbidity) and the HBsAg prevalence was 2.94% (7.35 greater than among the population). On deducting the first positive findings no clinical illness remained and HBsAg prevalence equalle 0.98% (2.45 times higher than among the population). The highest HBsAg prevalence was found among contacts aged 0-5 years (17.09% for the whole period, 3.41% after deducting first positive findings) and 40 years and over (10.82% and 3.39%, respectively). Type B viral hepatitis morbidity was again highest in the age groups of 0-5 years (5.12%) and 40 years and over (2.54%) for the whole period. On deducting first positive findings, the 40+ years group displayed the highest morbidity (1.27%), whereas the 0-5 years group displayed zero morbidity. Disclosure of the mechanisms of nonparenteral or inapparently parenteral transmission specific for family environments would be important for the prospect of introducing adequate measures to limit or prevent the spread of type B viral hepatitis.     

Increased seawater temperature and decreased dissolved oxygen triggers fish kill at the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Indian Ocean

At the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the north‐eastern Indian Ocean >592 fishes from at least 11 species died in a series of events in December 2007, January and February 2008 and April 2009. The dead fishes were from a wide range of taxonomic families, indicating that conditions exceeded the tolerances of a broad array of species. The 2007–2008 die‐off events occurred on the warmest and calmest days of a significantly warmer and calmer summer. Fishes died in the southern inshore areas of the coral atoll lagoon at survey sites where seawater temperature was highest (33–35° C) and dissolved oxygen was lowest (1·4–1·8 mg l^?1). The water temperature at these fish‐kill survey sites (33–35° C) was significantly warmer than previous years (1997 to 2005, mean ±s.e. = 28·7 ± 0·1° C). Fishes probably died because they were unable to obtain the additional oxygen required for metabolism at higher temperatures. Repeated die‐off events over the last 130 years indicate that some fishes have not yet adapted to rises in seawater temperature. This study provides empirical evidence to support suggestions that differences in physiological tolerances to increasing sea temperatures may be important in determining the structure of future coral‐reef fish communities with respect to climate change.     

A Bayesian modelling framework to estimate Campylobacter prevalence and culture methods sensitivity: application to a chicken meat survey in Belgium

Aims: To estimate the true prevalence of Campylobacter and the diagnostic sensitivity of routine detection methods by applying a Bayesian modelling approach. Methods and Results: Results from a Belgium‐wide survey of Campylobacter contamination in chicken meat preparations (n = 656 samples) showed that Campylobacter was detected in 24·2% of the samples by enrichment, compared with 41% detected by direct plating. Combining positive results from both methods increased the apparent prevalence to 48·02%. Bayesian model was set up in WinBUGS software, the model estimates Campylobacter prevalence as 60% (95% Credibility interval (CI): 47–82%), and the sensitivity of enrichment culture and direct plating as 41% (95% CI: 31–52%) and 69% (95% CI: 50–85%), respectively. Conclusions: The parallel use of direct plating and enrichment culture adds value for Campylobacter detection from chicken meat preparations, but the false‐negative results from each culture method must be taken into account. Significance and Impact of the Study: Monitoring data could be strongly biased by the microbiological techniques used to generate it. To circumvent this bias, we describe an applied Bayesian framework for better interpretation of Campylobacter survey data in view of the imperfect test characteristics of routine culture methods.     

Comparing competitive ability and associated metabolic traits between a resident and migratory population of bull trout against a non-native species

Juvenile bull trout Salvelinus confluentus from two geographically and ecologically distinct populations were compared with regard to their ability to compete with non-native brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis in an artificial stream, and with respect to their rates of oxygen consumption. Bull trout collected from a migratory population foraged more successfully against brook trout competitors than those from a resident population, capturing more of a limited amount of food items presented. The migratory population was also more aggressive (measured by the number of nips, chases and lateral threat displays) against brook trout competitors than the resident population. Bull trout from the migratory population had a higher oxygen consumption rate (203 mg O₂ kg · hr^-1) in the field than similar sized fish from the resident population (183 mg O₂ kg · hr^-1). These results suggest native bull trout have population-level variation in competitive ability against a non-native species and such competitive ability is positively associated with metabolism and migratory life history.     

Individual and population energetics of a lizard on a Mediterranean islet

Summary Population density in the lacertid lizardPodarcis lilfordi on the Mediterranean islet of Nitge, Menorca, Balearic Islands, was found to be 12 190 ind · ha^-1 (SE, ±2135), exceeding densities reported for other island or mainland lizard populations. Field metabolic rates inP. lilfordi were measured by the doubly labeled water method, allowing estimation of a population metabolizable energy demand of 13.86 MJ · ha^-1 · day^-1-only 9.8% of that for a theoretical mammal population of the same body mass and density. Energy demand was considerably higher than that estimated for other lizard populations, primarily due to high population density but also because of high individual daily energy expenditure (1255 KJ · day^-1; body mass=5.13 g). Field metabolic rates were partitioned into maintenance and activity components by respirometry of captive animals at field body temperatures. Activity metabolism formed the main component (77.4%) of total respiratory metabolism resulting from a combination of long daily activity periods (ca. 12 h), and greatly elevated metabolism during activity (5.7 times greater than resting levels). It is hypothesized that low food availability per individual constrains the time-energy budget of this species, obligating long periods of intense foraging.     

内蒙古高原甘蒙锦鸡儿光合作用和水分代谢的生态适应性研究

 对分布于内蒙古高原和林格尔和阿拉善的甘蒙锦鸡儿（Caragana opulens）种群的光合特性和水分代谢特性进行了比较研究。结果发现：和林格尔种群的光补偿点（500 μmol proton·m-2·s-1以下）、光饱和点（1 200 μmol proton·m-2·s-1）、光合最适温度（26 ℃）均低于阿拉善种群（光补偿点为700～800 μmol proton·m-2·s－1之间;光饱和点为1 500 μmol proton·m－2·s－1;光合最适温度为28～29 ℃）,在低温、低光强下表现出更高的光合速率;和林格尔种群比阿拉善种群需要更高的空气湿度来维持其光合速率;和林格尔种群表现高蒸腾、高光合和低水分利用效率的代谢特点,阿拉善种群采取低蒸腾、低光合和高水分利用效率的节水对策。这些生理特性与它们分布区的光、温、湿条件相适应。阿拉善种群的净光合速率、蒸腾速率和光能利用效率远低于和林格尔种群,而水分利用效率和叶水分亏缺明显高于和林格尔种群。这主要是由于两地区水分状况差异引起的。     

The Load of Hereditary Diseases in the Population of Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

Summarized data of medical genetic survey of the population of Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) are presented. The number of the population examined constituted 1 000 700 individuals (including 424 500 of urban and 576 200 of rural population, respectively). Regarding the ethnicity, 33 regions of the Republic examined were at most inhabited by Yakuts (36%) and Russians (55%). A total of 400 families (606 patients) with autosomal dominant, 274 families (369 patients) with autosomal recessive, and 42 families (53 patients) with X-linked pathologies were detected. The segregation analysis performed showed good correlation with the expected type of inheritance for both dominant and recessive diseases. The prevalence rate of monogenic hereditary diseases for rural and urban populations, as well as for solely Yakuts, was calculated. It was shown that weighted average prevalence of dominant (0.68; 1.44) and recessive (0.43; 0.86) disorders in Yakuts was two times higher than in total population examined.     

Plasma Magnesium Concentration in Primary Hyperparathyroidism

The plasma magnesium concentration has been determined in 73 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. In most patients it lay within the normal range (1·7-2·3 mg./100 ml.), but in five it was less than 1·6 mg./100 ml. These patients had relatively high urinary magnesium outputs, and one of them, studied in greater detail, failed to retain parenterally administered magnesium. Hence hypomagnesaemia in hyperparathyroidism may be associated with a defect in renal magnesium conservation, which may be reversible.     

甘蔗野生种割手密远缘杂交后代品质性状的遗传研究

利用甘蔗品种Co419与野生种割手密云南75-1-2远缘杂交,ROC25与远缘杂交后代云野02-356进行回交,分别获得F1和BC1群体;利用R软件,分析了2个群体全部真实性后代品质性状的遗传表现.结果表明,杂交后代品质性状广义遗传力高,正态分布特性明显,品质性状间显著正相关;F1含糖量和纤维含量高于商业亲本,但甘蔗蔗糖分、蔗汁糖分、蔗汁锤度和简纯度等性状劣于商业亲本;BC1除含糖量高于双亲外,其他性状介于双亲之间,但主要性状均优于F1,后代性状恢复快.