Prevalence of the Crayfish Plague Pathogen Aphanomyces astaci in Invasive American Crayfishes in the Czech Republic

Abstract:  In Central Europe invasive North American crayfishes are carriers of the oomycete Aphanomyces astaci, which causes crayfish plague. This lethal disease currently represents one of the major threats to native European crayfishes. We used molecular methods—species-specific amplification and sequencing of the pathogen DNA—to investigate the prevalence of individuals latently infected with A. astaci in 28 populations of two invasive American crayfish species (6 of the signal crayfish [ Pacifastacus leniusculus ] and 22 of the spiny-cheek crayfish [ Orconectes limosus ]) in the Czech Republic. The pathogen occurred in 17 investigated populations. We recorded a high variation in positive reactions, ranging from 0% to 100%, in populations of O. limosus . In P. leniusculus, however, only one individual out of 124 tested positive for the pathogen. There was a clear relationship between the water body type and pathogen prevalence in O. limosus . Infection ratios in isolated standing waters were usually low, whereas in running waters, pathogen prevalence often exceeded 50%. Other evaluated characteristics of potential plague pathogen carriers (size, sex, and the presence of melanized spots in the cuticle) seemed to be unrelated to infection. Our data suggest that in contrast to other European countries, O. limosus seems to be the primary reservoir of crayfish plague in the Czech Republic. Although all populations of alien American crayfishes may be potential sources of infections and should be managed as such, knowledge on the prevalence of the plague pathogen at various localities may allow managers to focus conservation efforts on the most directly endangered populations of native crayfishes.     

Integrating Top-Down with Bottom-Up Conservation Policy in Africa

Abstract:  Developed nations intervened in conservation policy across Africa during the 20th century to address needs to protect species and biodiversity that were based on their own perceptions and priorities. In the 21st century, conservationists in Africa have revised these perceptions and begun the process of identifying conservation priorities from an African perspective and in consideration of Africans' priorities. Although foreign conservation interveners struggled to identify mechanisms to which local people would respond, African conservationists are now demonstrating how to integrate the continent's unique socioeconomic circumstances into efforts to protect biodiversity. In Africa effective conservation policy must include the generation of wealth, reduction of disease and hunger, and support of traditional land-use practices.     

Early detection of fetal cardiac abnormalities: how effective is it and how should we manage these patients?

Congenital heart defects (CHDs), the most commonly occurring congenital malformations, cause significant mortality and morbidity. With the recognition of early markers for CHD and the development of better ultrasound resolution, interest has turned toward performing a screening anomaly scan, including the heart, together with the nuchal scan. It is also possible, with adequate skill and training, to competently perform an echocardiogram <16 weeks' gestation. This article reviews the detection of major CHD in the first trimester and early second trimester including specific markers that help to identify high-risk groups for early fetal echocardiography (EFEC). CHD detection during first-trimester screening is low (2.3–56%) depending on the center's experience and the population studied. An increased nuchal translucency, abnormal ductus venosus flow, and tricuspid regurgitation in the first trimester are associated with an increased CHD risk and can be used together to identify high-risk fetuses for EFEC. EFEC requires skilled scanning and the expertise of a fetal echocardiographer. In high-risk populations, it is 78.5% sensitive with a 74.5% concordance between the EFEC and the mid-gestational echocardiogram. The availability of qualified personnel and diagnostic accuracy are prerequisites before EFEC can be introduced into management protocols. The limitations of EFEC should be recognized, and a later confirmatory echocardiogram is recommended. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Field Intercomparison and Fundamental Characterization of Various Dust Samplers with a Reference Sampler

The European Economic Community Council Directive 80/779/EEC¹ describes air quality limit values and guide values for sulfur dioxide and suspended particulates. However, article 10, paragraph 1 does not define well enough the reference method required, amongst others, for the gravimetric measurement of suspended particulates. It is explicity stated in article 10, paragraph 5 of the directive, that “the commission shall, in selected locations in the member states and in cooperation with the latter, carry out studies on the sampling…of suspended particulates. These studies shall be designed in particular to promote the harmonization of methods of sampling and analysis of these pollutants.” Therefore, in a joint research program the Umweltbundesamt (grant #104 02263), the commission of European Communities (grant #84-B-6642-11-017-11-N) and the U.S. EPA (grant #2-43211-3580) funded the development of a reference dust sampler by the Fraunhofer-lnstitute of Toxicology and Aerosol Research (FhITA, in Hannover, Federal Republic of Germany) in order: ? to study the particle size distribution of ambient air aerosol at a number of selected sites;

? to compare the results obtained with the reference dust sampler with those of particle samplers operated in Europe and the United States;

? to verify the applicability of wind tunnel results to sampling behaviour in the free atmosphere.

     

New correlations predict aqueous solubility and density of carbon dioxide

In this paper, new correlations for predicting density and the solubility of carbon dioxide in pure water as well as the aqueous sodium chloride solutions are developed, where using the generated interaction parameters, the solubility model is applied to correlate the carbon dioxide solubilities in aqueous solutions for temperatures between 300 and 400 K and pressures from 50 to 700 bar. The correlation developed for predicting density of carbon dioxide accurately works for pressures between 25 and 700 bar and temperatures between 293 and 433 K. The results have been compared with the reported data and it was found that there is a good agreement between the prediction results and observed values.     

Biodiversity Conservation, Ecosystem Functioning, and Economic Incentives under Cocoa Agroforestry Intensification

Abstract:  World chocolate demand is expected to more than double by 2050. Decisions about how to meet this challenge will have profound effects on tropical rainforests and wild species in cocoa-producing countries. Cocoa, "the chocolate tree," is traditionally produced under a diverse and dense canopy of shade trees that provide habitat for a high diversity of organisms. The current trend to reduce or eliminate shade cover raises concerns about the potential loss of biodiversity. Nevertheless, few studies have assessed the ecological consequences and economic trade-offs under different management options in cocoa plantations. Here we describe the relationships between ant ecology (species richness, community composition, and abundance) and vegetation structure, ecosystem functions, and economic profitability under different land-use management systems in 17 traditional cocoa forest gardens in southern Cameroon. We calculated an index of profitability, based on the net annual income per hectare. We found significant differences associated with the different land-use management systems for species richness and abundance of ants and species richness and density of trees. Ant species richness was significantly higher in floristically and structurally diverse, low-intensity, old cocoa systems than in intensive young systems. Ant species richness was significantly related to tree species richness and density. We found no clear relationship between profitability and biodiversity. Nevertheless, we suggest that improving the income and livelihood of smallholder cocoa farmers will require economic incentives to discourage further intensification and ecologically detrimental loss of shade cover. Certification programs for shade-grown cocoa may provide socioeconomic incentives to slow intensification.     

Bioluminescence in the high Arctic during the polar night

This study examines the composition and activity of the planktonic community during the polar night in the high Arctic Kongsfjord, Svalbard. Our results are the first published evidence of bioluminescence among zooplankton during the Arctic polar night. The observations were collected by a bathyphotometer detecting bioluminescence, integrated into an autonomous underwater vehicle, to determine the concentration and intensity of bioluminescent flashes as a function of time of day and depth. To further understand community dynamics and composition, plankton nets were used to collect organisms passing through the bathyphotometer along with traditional vertical net tows. Additionally, using a moored bathyphotometer closed to the sampling site, the bioluminescence potential itself was shown not to have a diurnal or circadian rhythm. Rather, our results provide evidence for a diel vertical migration of bioluminescent zooplankton that does not correspond to any externally detectable changes in illumination.     

Cesium inhibition of motor activity in comparison to Lithium and Rubidium †

The biochemical and toxicological significance of cesium is scarcely understood, and could be evaluated in comparison with lithium widely used as a psychotropic drug. Two male Wistar rat groups of 200–220 g are administered independently, lithium, sodium, rubidium and cesium chloride, in doses of 3mEq/Kg/day (0.024 Eq/L drinking water) during 29 days. Motor activity was measured after the injection of 70 mg pargyline/Kg animal i.p. as inhibitor of MAO A + B with an activimeter of Tedeschy type. Accumulative movements per minute are presented in function of time. Total brain proteins, alkaline and acid phosphatases and blood parameters, haematocrit, haemoglobin and erythrocytes, were determined.

The maximal increase of motor activity was seen in rats treated with RbCl 2 h after the pargyline administration and the diminution was Rb>Li>Cs. Cesium induced a decrease of the total serum protein concentration from 6.39 ± 0.1 to 5.8±0.5mg/100ml serum in controls. Acid and alkaline phosphatase were decreased in cesium treated rats. The three determined blood parameters, haematocrit, haemoglobin and erythrocytes, show also a decrement with cesium treatment compared to the control ones.