Investigations on the radiocaesium contamination of wild boar (Sus scrofa) meat in Rhineland-Palatinate: a stomach content analysis

To substantiate the pathways of radiocaesium contamination in wild boars in parts of Rhineland-Palatinate, we analysed radiocaesium-activityconcentration of 2,433 wild boars shot in an area covering 45,400 ha in the western part of the Palatinate Forest between January 2001 and February 2003. Also, for a fraction of 689 animals shot between May 2002 and February 2003, we collected their stomachs for the examination of content and Cs-activity concentration. Wild boar meat contamination followed a seasonal curve with maximum proportions exceeding accepted levels in the summer (21–26%) and minimum levels in winter (1–9.3%) indicating a higher consumption of a contaminating source during the vegetation period. The autumn decline is obviously attributed to the extensive consumption of low-contaminated beech nuts. An exact analysis of food composition in 18 stomachs with maximum Cs-activity concentrations [345–1,749 Bq/kg (fresh matter: fm)] and 18 with low Cs-activity concentrations (20–199 Bq/kg) was carried out in the summer of 2002. Deer truffles (Elaphomyces granulatus) were found in significantly higher proportions in stomachs with maximum contamination levels than in stomachs with lowcontamination levels. This fungus was found in the Palatinate Forest, by a trained dog, in average densities of 1 truffel/20 m² primarily in spruce stands, showing an average Cs-concentration of 6,030 Bq/kg (fm). On the basis of our findings we stress the hypothesis that deer truffles function as a main Cs-source for the wild boar in Rhineland-Palatinate.     

Physical Fitness Percentiles of German Children Aged 9–12 Years: Findings from a Longitudinal Study

Background

Generating percentile values is helpful for the identification of children with specific fitness characteristics (i.e., low or high fitness level) to set appropriate fitness goals (i.e., fitness/health promotion and/or long-term youth athlete development). Thus, the aim of this longitudinal study was to assess physical fitness development in healthy children aged 9–12 years and to compute sex- and age-specific percentile values.

Methods

Two-hundred and forty children (88 girls, 152 boys) participated in this study and were tested for their physical fitness. Physical fitness was assessed using the 50-m sprint test (i.e., speed), the 1-kg ball push test, the triple hop test (i.e., upper- and lower- extremity muscular power), the stand-and-reach test (i.e., flexibility), the star run test (i.e., agility), and the 9-min run test (i.e., endurance). Age- and sex-specific percentile values (i.e., P₁₀ to P₉₀) were generated using the Lambda, Mu, and Sigma method. Adjusted (for change in body weight, height, and baseline performance) age- and sex-differences as well as the interactions thereof were expressed by calculating effect sizes (Cohen’s d).

Results

Significant main effects of Age were detected for all physical fitness tests (d = 0.40–1.34), whereas significant main effects of Sex were found for upper-extremity muscular power (d = 0.55), flexibility (d = 0.81), agility (d = 0.44), and endurance (d = 0.32) only. Further, significant Sex by Age interactions were observed for upper-extremity muscular power (d = 0.36), flexibility (d = 0.61), and agility (d = 0.27) in favor of girls. Both, linear and curvilinear shaped curves were found for percentile values across the fitness tests. Accelerated (curvilinear) improvements were observed for upper-extremity muscular power (boys: 10–11 yrs; girls: 9–11 yrs), agility (boys: 9–10 yrs; girls: 9–11 yrs), and endurance (boys: 9–10 yrs; girls: 9–10 yrs). Tabulated percentiles for the 9-min run test indicated that running distances between 1,407–1,507 m, 1,479–1,597 m, 1,423–1,654 m, and 1,433–1,666 m in 9- to 12-year-old boys and 1,262–1,362 m, 1,329–1,434 m, 1,392–1,501 m, and 1,415–1,526 m in 9- to 12-year-old girls correspond to a “medium” fitness level (i.e., P₄₀ to P₆₀) in this population.

Conclusions

The observed differences in physical fitness development between boys and girls illustrate that age- and sex-specific maturational processes might have an impact on the fitness status of healthy children. Our statistical analyses revealed linear (e.g., lower-extremity muscular power) and curvilinear (e.g., agility) models of fitness improvement with age which is indicative of timed and capacity-specific fitness development pattern during childhood. Lastly, the provided age- and sex-specific percentile values can be used by coaches for talent identification and by teachers for rating/grading of children’s motor performance.     

Isolated ruptures of the supraspinatus muscle

We rarely encounter isolated ruptures of the supraspinatus muscle. At the Clinic of Orthopedics at the Faculty Hospital in Olomouc, we encountered only 21 cases out of 385 arthroscopic operation cases from October 1998 to October 2003. The patients were examined by USG, 5 patients were examined arthrographically and 3 patients underwent MRI examination. Of these 21 patients, only 3 were operated for acute post-injury haemarthrosis of the shoulder joint. During arthroscopic operation, an isolated rupture of the supraspinatus muscle was discovered in all these patients. The remaining 40 patients were only treated at our clinic for problems associated with impingement syndrome after an interval of 3-11 months and were indicated for operational therapy for the rupture of the supraspinatus muscle, verified sonographically and by MRI. Surgically we performed end to end sutures in 12 patients, in 9 cases we performed refixation using 1-2 titanium MITEK anchors. We supplemented the work by a detailed anatomical study of the supraspinatus muscle on 27 cadaverous anatomical preparations. It was noted that the supraspinatus muscle may be divided into three parts, with a superficial and deep layer of muscle fascicles. An aponeurotic insertion tendon runs through the center, to which part of the superficial muscle fascicles are attached. The muscle fascicles, including the central attachment tendon, run across the superior margin of the shoulder joint and by broad tendon are attached to the superior surface of the greater tubercle of the humerus. Together with the long head of the biceps muscle, they act as a significant shoulder stabiliser. The authors believe that due to the course of the muscle fascicles, this muscle acts as a significant shoulder stabiliser and a powerful abductor and elevator in the shoulder joint. The inferior portion of the muscle fascicles acts as an external rotator of the shoulder.     

Particle disease. A comprehensive theory of periprosthetic osteolysis: a review

Aseptic loosening and osteolysis are considered the main long-term problems of hip arthroplasty. Pathogenesis of periprosthetic osteolysis is multifactorial, and both the biological and mechanical factors seem to play an important role. Bearing surfaces continuously generate excessive amounts of micron and submicron particles provoking an adverse inflammatory response of periprosthetic connective tissues. In general, a key role has been attributed to macrophages. Cytokines, growth factors, PGE2, and enzymes are secreted with activated periprosthetic cells resulting in formation of osteolytic granulomas. The final osteolytic step is taken predominantly by osteoclasts which are getting ready for action mainly by an osteoprotegerin ligand (RANKL) and TNFalpha. Rankl is expressed by activated macrophages, osteoblasts, and lymphocytes. In parallel, a repetitive hydraulic effect of the joint fluid is manifested on the susceptible bone.     

Development of a digital infrared video camera system for recording and remote capturing

A digital infrared video camera system was developed for recording and remote capturing. The components are described in detail. Based on 2 years of experience within a wild boar (Sus scrofa) project, the system gave proof of its practicability, reliability and efficiency.     

TIBETIELLA PULCHRA GEN. NOV. ET SP. NOV., A NEW FRESHWATER EPILITHIC DIATOM (BACILLARIOPHYTA) FROM RIVER NUJIANG IN TIBET,CHINA1

Tibetiella pulchra Y. L. Li, D. M. Williams et Metzeltin is described from River Nujiang. Its main features are heteropolar valves, which are linear with capitate ends; narrow sternum, expanding at its center; 2–5 rimoportulae at each apex; uniseriate striae; two short projections arising on the surface above each apical pore plate; and an ocellulimbus, extending from the edge of the valve margin to the edge of the valve surface. Of these characters, it is defined by the 2–5 rimoportulae at each apex. T. pulchra was common to abundant on rocks in the samples examined herein.     

Can hair traps sample wild boar (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sus scrofa</Emphasis>) randomly for the purpose of non-invasive population estimation?

Reliable estimation of population size remains a major challenge in wildlife ecology and management. Lately, genotyping of non-invasively obtained tissue samples integrated in a modified capture–recapture approach provides new perspectives. Faeces, moulted feathers, or hairs can be easily sampled in the field. However, an important assumption is homogeneity of sampling across the population. In this pilot study, we tested the suitability of baited barbed wire hair sampling stations (‘hair traps’) for homogeneous genetic sampling for population estimation. A video system based on a new network internet protocol was used to observe the behaviour of wild boar visiting baited hair traps for gaining information about potential heterogeneities in the individual sampling probability. Within 92 monitoring nights at two sampling stations, 216 wild boar visits were recorded and 142 hair samples containing 2,124 single hairs were collected. Video analysis revealed distinct differences in the behaviour of wild boar with respect to the sampling station which are most likely to result in heterogeneous individual sampling probabilities. Adult and subadult animals differed in their behaviour dependent on their group status. This result indicates that hair sampling with baited hair traps is not suitable for representative non-invasive sampling of free ranging wild boar populations.