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Background Effective communication is an important component of any healthcare system. There is frequent communication of patient care and information between the EDITH (Emergency Department In The Home) and the FIT (Frailty Intervention Therapy) teams, which are based across two sites. Traditionally handovers between therapists were completed via email/ fax. Siilo is a secure medical messaging app designed to facilitate instant communication of patient information between healthcare professionals in a confidential manner. Methods A 3-month pilot of the Siilo app was commenced in August 2021 to improve the flow of information between teams, facilitate timely decision making and improve patient care. A questionnaire to rate speed, efficiency, accuracy, accessibility and confidentiality on a 4point scale was completed by all therapy staff members. Qualitative questions regarding positive and negative aspects, and future suggestions were included. Results Pre-pilot the median time from EDITH assessment to receipt of handover was 20 hours. During the pilot, median time to handover was 1 hour. Speed, efficiency and accessibility of communication between teams received a median rating of 2 (“average”) pre-pilot, increasing to 4 (“excellent”) during the pilot. Accuracy and confidentiality received a median rating of 3 (“good”) pre-pilot, improving to a median rating of 4 (“excellent”). 100% of respondents reported Siilo had a positive impact on decision making and on patient care.Qualitative themes included; earlier acute care discharge planning; ease of use and reduction in paperwork. Suggestions to further improve communication between the services were made and will be explored at a later date. Conclusion A significant reduction in time from assessment to handover improved the flow of communication between the teams, reduced duplication of assessments and improved patient care for older patients. Confidentiality and accuracy were maintained over this period. The use of the app will be continued and suggestions to further improve the integration between the services will be implemented.

Since 2013, badger culling has been part of the UK Government's strategy for controlling bovine tuberculosis (bTB) within a high-risk area (HRA) in England. Government surveillance data now enables an examination of bTB herd incidence and prevalence, its headline indicators, within and outside cull areas over the period 2009-2020.Analysis compared herd incidence and prevalence data from within and outside badger culling areas. A range of models (GLMs, GLMMs, GAMs and GAMMs) were used to analyse incidence and prevalence in culled and unculled areas using frequentist and Bayesian approaches. Change in incidence across ten county areas within the HRA for the period 2010-2020 was also compared.Analyses based on Defra published data using a variety of statistical methodologies did not suggest that badger culling affected herd bTB incidence or prevalence over the study period. In 9 of 10 counties, bTB incidence peaked and began to fall before badger culling commenced.There are limitations around the data available on culling location, temporal information and other confounding factors. As such, further analysis of any future datasets that may be released on bTB levels in areas where badger culling has been implemented is warranted.This examination of government data obtained over a wide area and a long time period failed to identify a meaningful effect of badger culling on bTB in English cattle herds. These findings may have implications for the use of badger culling in current and future bTB control policy.

The outcome of competition between different reproductive strategies within a single species can be used to infer selective advantage of the winning strategy. Where multiple populations have independently lost or gained sexual reproduction it is possible to investigate whether the advantage is contingent on local conditions. In the New Zealand stick insect Clitarchus hookeri, three populations are distinguished by recent change in reproductive strategy and we determine their likely origins. One parthenogenetic population has established in the United Kingdom and we provide evidence that sexual reproduction has been lost in this population. We identify the sexual population from which the parthenogenetic population was derived, but show that the UK females have a post‐mating barrier to fertilisation. We also demonstrate that two sexual populations have recently arisen in New Zealand within the natural range of the mtDNA lineage that otherwise characterizes parthenogenesis in this species. We infer independent origins of males at these two locations using microsatellite genotypes. In one population, a mixture of local and nonlocal alleles suggested males were the result of invasion. Males in another population were most probably the result of loss of an X chromosome that produced a male phenotype in situ. Two successful switches in reproductive strategy suggest local competitive advantage for outcrossing over parthenogenetic reproduction. Clitarchus hookeri provides remarkable evidence of repeated and rapid changes in reproductive strategy, with competitive outcomes dependent on local conditions.

Agricultural intensification was a major driver of declines in western European wildlife populations during the twentieth century, including those of bats. Agri-environment schemes are advocated as the key government-funded mechanism to restore biodiversity, but evidence for their effects has been mixed. We examined the response of six bat species to Tir Gofal (TG), a Welsh AES that operated from 1999 to 2011. A large-scale multi-site study compared bat activity and key habitat variables on TG farms paired with control farms not in the scheme. Observations were made over three years (2009 to 2011) using three types of bat detector survey. Pipistrellus pipistrellus, P. pygmaeus, Myotis daubentonii, Rhinolophus hipposideros and R. ferrumequinum showed similar overall and foraging activity on TG and control farms (occurrence, intensity of activity where present). Occurrence of Nyctalus noctula and Nyctalus group was also similar on both farm types, but where they were present, the intensity of their activity was higher on control farms. The lack of influence of TG status on bat activity may reflect the close similarity in occurrence and condition of many key habitats on the two farm types and should be seen in the context of a mainly traditional extensively farmed landscape. Habitat prescriptions may have been insufficiently mature, implemented at too low density or lacking roosting provision to stimulate a species response, or may have had greater impact in a more intensively farmed landscape where less high quality bat habitat was available. A more targeted approach to creating and enhancing field and landscape scale roosting, foraging and commuting resources may be needed to effect positive responses in bat populations.

Rates of head and neck cancer are high in patients with a low socioeconomic status (SES) and outcomes are often poor. The degree to which people from different socioeconomic groups use the fast-track, two-week suspected cancer referral system is, however, unclear. The aim of this audit was therefore to analyse these referrals with reference to SES, and to focus on differences in clinical characteristics, source of referral, and rates of disease. The sample included all patients who were referred to the head and neck department at an inner-city hospital in the northwest of England between July and September 2017. According to the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), most (62%) of them lived in the most deprived quintile. A total of 390 referrals were analysed of which 60% were female, 53% were under 60 years of age, 33% smoked, and 69% consumed fewer than 10 units of alcohol/week. Only 24 were referred by dentists, but these accounted for almost one quarter of those referred to maxillofacial surgery. Common symptoms included a swelling or lump (n = 153, 39%), hoarseness (n = 101, 26%), ulcer (n = 29, 7%), and sore throat (n = 23, 6%). Forty-five per cent were referred with other symptoms. A total of 28 (7%) were diagnosed with cancer of the head and neck. Rates were higher in patients referred by dentists (p = 0.02) and in those who drank more alcohol (p = 0.02). The positive predictive value was higher in the least deprived (17%) than in the most deprived (6%). In primary care, more education that is aimed specifically at people of lower SES might reduce the number of “worried well” and lessen the pressure on departments to achieve the two-week target.

© 2020 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Oral cancer is referred to specialists by both general practitioners (GPs) and dentists, with varying proportions reported in different studies. However, some have noted that dentists more commonly refer oral cancer in the absence of patient-perceived symptoms and may refer at an earlier stage. Unfortunately, approximately half the UK adult population do not receive regular dental care. We have conducted a systematic review of studies that compare GPs and dentists in the referral of oral cancer and have focused on three aspects: the proportion of diagnosed oral cancers, stage on presentation, and delay. Searches of the databases Medline, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and CINAHL, together with additional searches of reference lists, authors, and conference proceedings, found 22 studies from 10 countries, which included a total of 4953 oral cancers. The percentage of medical referrals ranged from 13% to 86%; dental referrals ranged from 15% to 80%. Random-effects meta-analysis indicated a combined relative risk of medical referral to dental referral of 1.36 (95% CI: 0.99 to 1.86). For UK-based studies, the relative risk was also 1.36 (95% CI: 1.05 to 1.76). There was considerable heterogeneity for all studies and for a subgroup of UK studies: I296.4% (95% CI 95.4 to 97.1) and 81.0% (95% CI 63.3 to 90.1), respectively. Several studies showed a lower stage for dentally-referred cancers; the combined risk for dentists and GPs referring early (stages 1 and 2) disease was 1.37 (95% CI: 1.17 to 1.60), and one cause may be the much higher number of cases referred by dentists in the absence of symptoms. No studies showed a significant difference in delay. Oral cancer is referred by both GPs and dentists, typically about 50% and 40%, respectively, although there is a wide range, probably depending on local circumstances. Both groups require skills in oral examination, recognition of lesions, and knowledge of the risk factors. Effectively, regular dental attenders are a select group that is regularly screened for oral cancer, and it is likely that screening is not delivered to those with the highest risk. We suggest that further work is required on how to access high-risk individuals both for possible screening and preventive interventions.

The southern Appalachian Mountains in eastern North America host exceptional diversity, a substantial proportion of which has been generated in place. Yet, beyond broad generalities, bio- and phylogeographical patterns, and the temporal scale of diversification in the region are poorly resolved. Using one mitochondrial and one nuclear marker, we analyze intraspecific diversity patterns in a flightless, litter-inhabiting rove beetle Dasycerus carolinensis Horn. Our goals were to reconstruct the phylogeographical history of this species, producing a dated intraspecific phylogeny, and to examine previous hypotheses of possible cryptic divergence across populations of the species. Samples derive from a mix of old-growth fragments and secondary growth forests, and we also ask whether old-growth remnants host a larger proportion of genetic diversity in the species. We recover a strong primary subdivision among major lineages across the French Broad River basin (dated to ~5.8 MYBP), and a secondary subdivision among western populations dating to ~4.5 MYBP. Most interpopulation uncorrected divergences exceed 5%, strongly suggesting cryptic differentiation. Old-growth populations do not show greater genetic diversity than secondary-growth populations, indicating that most populations have persisted through recent anthropogenic disturbance.

The incidence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the military has risen dramatically. OSA is considered "service connected" and compensable by the Veterans Administration. The association between body mass index (BMI) (kg/m(2)) measured at initial enlistment and development of OSA has yet to be assessed.Data were obtained from the Defense Medical Surveillance System, the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, U.S. Department of Defense, Silver Spring, Maryland (inclusive dates:1993-2012; release date: December 2013). A study population of 550,000 randomly-selected active duty enlisted personnel was followed retrospectively from January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2012, or until diagnosis with OSA, separation from the military, or death occurred. The main exposure of interest was BMI recorded at time of enlistment.Adjusted hazard ratios for enlistment BMI were calculated using BMI of 23 to 23.9 as reference. Exponentially increasing risk for OSA was observed as BMI increased. The heaviest individuals (BMI35) were at the highest risk (hazard ratio: 3.93; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.35-4.62) for developing OSA.Enlistment BMI's role in developing OSA may be valuable in designing screening tools and preventive interventions in higher-risk groups, as well as prompt further consideration in the realm of military enlistment policy.

One-year survival after head and neck cancer in England has been reported to be worse than that in Europe, despite five-year conditional survival being similar, which implies that patients present later in England. One country with better rates is The Netherlands. There are many possible causes, one of which may be the system of referral from primary to secondary care. We have compared the views of secondary care specialists in the two countries about their systems for referral, and identified aspects that might have an impact on outcomes. We organised semistructured qualitative interviews of surgical specialists in head and neck cancer in England and The Netherlands (n = 12 in each). The most common theme was communication between primary care and specialists. Surgeons in England identified this as the aspect most lacking under the English “two-week” rule, while Dutch specialists felt that the good communication in their system was one of its best points. Other themes included the educational needs of primary care practitioners, criticism of “tick box” referrals in England, and too many patients referred who do not have cancer. Overall, specialists in both countries identified good aspects of their respective referral systems, but those in England felt strongly that the “two-week” rule/NICE guidance system could be improved with better direct communication between primary and secondary care, which might improve the speed and quality of referrals, reduce unnecessary ones, and assist in educating primary care physicians. It is not clear whether such improvements would improve survival, but further research and piloting of such a system should be considered in England.

Documenting natural hybrid systems builds our understanding of mate choice, reproductive isolation and speciation. The stick insect species Clitarchus hookeri and C. tepaki differ in their genital morphology and hybridize along a narrow peninsula in northern New Zealand. We utilize three lines of evidence to understand the role of premating isolation and species boundaries: (a) genetic differentiation using microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA; (b) variation in 3D surface topology of male claspers and 2D morphometrics of female opercular organs; and (c) behavioural reproductive isolation among parental and hybrid populations through mating crosses. The genetic data show introgression between the parental species and formation of a genetically variable hybrid swarm. Similarly, the male and female morphometric data show genital divergence between the parental species as well as increased variation within the hybrid populations. This genital divergence has not resulted in reproductive isolation between species, instead weak perimating isolation has enabled the formation of a hybrid swarm. Behavioural analysis demonstrates that the entire mating process influences the degree of reproductive isolation between species undergoing secondary contact. Mechanical isolation may appear strong, whereas perimating isolation is weak.

Monitoring data on hibernating bats were aggregated for the first time across a number of European countries. These supranational trends revealed that nine out of 16 bat species examined increased at their hibernation sites in Europe between 1993 and 2011, while only one is decreasing. This is reflected in the positive trend shown by a prototype multispecies bat indicator which combined the individual species trends. Our findings suggest that after a period of strong decline in the 20th century, populations of most of the investigated bat species are stabilising or recovering, although with profound differences between European bio-geographical regions and countries. Bat populations in the Continental region have a less positive tendency, compared to those in the Atlantic region. More data from more countries may reveal whether these differences are systematical. So far, the prototype indicator covers 9 countries and 16 of the 45 bat species found in Europe. The next steps will be to refine the methodology behind the indicator and to improve the indicator's representation of European bat populations and its capacity to compare trends among biogeographic regions. This should be achieved by participation of more countries and incorporating data from additional bat species, including data collected by other surveillance methods, such as summer roost counts. Robust information on trends in bat populations at a range of geographic scales is essential to the long-term conservation of bats. Further development of this indicator will make an important contribution to conservation of bats because it will stimulate international cooperation and capacity building for monitoring and research, thus exchanging and broadening knowledge of the status of bats and improving the identification of threats.

In response to correspondence in last week’s issue on the role of badgers in bovine TB (bTB) ( VR , 22 June 2019, vol 184, p 774-775). Roger Blowey might consider the cited recent reference1 covering trial blindness and David King’s input. The paper challenges the Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT) finding that proactive badger culling can influence rates of new herd breakdown. Blindness is considered a fundamental quality of good experimental design. In the RBCT it is not inconceivable that …

National bovine TB policy is based on the outcome of a single unblinded trial and we need stronger evidence that badger culling is appropriate, argues Tom Langton.

A robust and cost-efficient method for monitoring some of Ireland’s more common bat species was devised in 2003 and has been carried out yearly since then. The objective of the scheme is to provide information on bat population trends and distributions in Ireland. Night-time surveys are conducted in July and August, whereby bat vocalizations are recorded from a time expansion bat detector to a minidisc while driving a known route by car at a constant driving speed. Bat vocalizations are subsequently analysed using sound analysis software. In Ireland, the roadside populations of three target species, the common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle and Leisler’s bat, can be monitored effectively using this car-based method of survey. Power statistics indicate that a decline of high conservation priority of the least frequently encountered species of the three, Leisler’s bat, could be detected within 12 years of monitoring if 25, 30 � 30 km survey squares, each with fifteen 1.6 km transects, are surveyed twice annually. The scheme has revealed new data on the relative bat activity distributions across the island of Ireland. Common pipistrelles are more frequent in the south of the country and Leisler’s bats are more frequent in the south and east. Analysis of yearly count data indicated an initially increasing trend in the common pipistrelle and Leisler’s bat for the first 4 years of the survey, followed by more recent declines. Ireland has a relatively depauperate bat fauna; hence, a potentially greater number of microchiropteran species could be monitored in other regions using this method. The protocol is easily repeatable and does not have to be carried out by bat specialists. In Ireland, it takes c. 300 h of volunteer time annually to carry out this statistically robust monitoring scheme for all three bat species.

1. This study aimed to develop and test a predictive model of Daubenton's bat Myotis daubentonii distribution and abundance at waterway sites in England and Wales. 2. A preliminary ‘core’ model to predict Daubenton's bat distribution, developed in 2003 and containing terms relating to biological water quality, waterway width, mean annual discharge and the presence of trees, was re-fitted to more comprehensive datasets. A ‘data mining’ exercise was conducted after testing the core model, in order to investigate other important variables and to suggest alternative models, with the overall aim of improving the confidence and utility of the results. 3. On average, Daubenton's bat activity was higher on larger waterways with abundant woodland nearby. There was, however, considerable variation in the levels of activity predicted by the models, possibly due to site-specific factors. 4. Daubenton's bat activity was significantly related to aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity, demonstrating the potential relevance of this species as an indicator of a pollution-sensitive biodiversity group. High aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity was associated with good chemical water quality. 5. The analysis demonstrates that Daubenton's bat activity on rivers can be predicted from habitat and water quality data, although the precision of these predictions is low. Where practical, field surveys yield better information. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Amphibian populations are at risk of adverse impacts from roads and traffic. Roads constructed in the vicinity of wetlands and streams often interrupt amphibian movement pathways and can prevent individuals from accessing critical habitats. High numbers of amphibians are either deterred from crossing or killed by traffic, contributing to population declines. Although information on how best to mitigate the impacts of roads on amphibians is lacking in many areas of the world, several important lessons can be identified. 1 Roads and traffic contribute to amphibian mortality and population declines. 2 Planning the location of new roads to avoid amphibian habitat is critical. 3 Road construction should be timed to avoid periods of high amphibian activity. 4 Good design and placement of wildlife crossing structures is paramount. 5 Fencing must be designed to keep amphibians off the road. 6 Construction of replacement ponds as mitigation and compensation measures may provide solutions. 7 Wildlife crossing structures and fences must be maintained at least annually and to a high standard. 8 Some circumstances involve management of traffic flow and assistance with amphibian migrations. 9 The effectiveness of mitigation for amphibians should be studied pre- and post-construction. Owing to the uncertainty surrounding the ability of crossing structures to mitigate road impacts for many amphibians, design and installation must be done under supervision by experienced and qualified biologists, and effectiveness demonstrated through monitoring. This approach is especially warranted in areas outside of Europe and North America, where there is little information on amphibian usage rates of crossing structures.

The European and International Standard method for the enumeration of Listeria monocytogenes, described in EN ISO 11290 Part 2: 1998 [EN ISO 11290-2 Microbiology of Food and Animal Feedingstuffs-Horizontal Method for the Detection and Enumeration of L. monocytogenes: Part 2. Enumeration; International Organisation for Standardisation, Geneva.] was validated by order of the European Commission (Standards, Measurement and Testing Fourth Framework Programme Project SMT4-CT96-2098). The objective was to determine the precision of the method in terms of repeatability (r) and reproducibility (R) using three different food types inoculated with various levels of L. monocytogenes and a typical background flora. The results are intended for publication in the associated standards. Cheese, meat, dried egg powder and reference materials were examined by 21 laboratories in 16 countries in Europe. Each participant received eight test materials per food type: blind duplicates at four inoculum levels (0, 10(2), 10(3), 10(4) cfu/g). In addition, two reference materials containing L. monocytogenes were included in the study. All test materials were subjected to stringent homogeneity and stability testing before being used in the collaborative trial. Participants were required to use only PALCAM agar for enumeration of L. monocytogenes, as prescribed by the reference method. Statistical analyses has been performed using a newly introduced approach for food microbiology (draft standard prEN ISO 16140 [prEN ISO 16140 Microbiology of Food and Animal Feedingstuffs-Protocol for the Validation of Alternative Methods, International Organisation for Standardisation, Geneva.], the precision data being calculated using robust estimates. Overall values for repeatability (r) of EN ISO 11290-2 when used with food test materials were r = log10 0.58 (expressed as an absolute difference between log10-transformed test results) or r = 3.8 (expressed as an absolute ratio between test results on the normal scale). For the reference materials (capsules containing approximately 5000 cfu), r = log10 0.34 (expressed as an absolute difference between log10-transformed test results) or r = 2.2 (expressed as an absolute ratio between test results on the normal scale). Overall values for reproducibility (R) of EN ISO 11290-2 when used with food test materials were R = log10 0.81 (expressed as a difference between log10-transformed test results) or R = 6.5 (expressed as an absolute ratio between test results on the normal scale). For the reference materials, R = log10 0.51 (expressed as a difference between log10-transformed test results) or R = 3.2 (expressed as an absolute ratio between test results on the normal scale). Further studies have been initiated by ISO TC34/SC9 to try to enhance the isolation of L. monocytogenes from foods and improve the confirmation procedures.

There are two main theories explaining offspring sex biases in polygynous mammals. Trivers and Willard (1973) argue that mothers with greater reproductive resources should invest in the sex with the greater variance in reproductive success, usually sons. In contrast, because daughters in many polygynous mammals stay with their mother and compete with her for food, Local Resource Competition theory (e.g. Clark, 1978; Silk, 1983) predicts that the mothers with the greatest reproductive resources should invest in daughters. We investigated the strategy of sex allocation of a captive, outdoor population of 139 mouflon mothers, Ovis musimon, kept in a game state. A complex picture emerged in which, despite weight and body condition being correlated with age in female mouflons, mothers lambed more daughters with increasing age but also, within a given age, gave birth to more sons with increasing weight. Results may be useful in game management aimed at increasing the recruitment or quality o f males in managed populations.

Suspensions of poliovirus, a typical enteric virus, were subjected to high hydrostatic pressures of 200 MPa for 15 min, 400 MPa for 15 min, 600, MPa for 15 min, and 600 MPa for 1 h. Suspensions of respiratory adenovirus (a dissimilar virus type) were treated likewise for comparison. Whereas adenoviruses were inactivated at pressures of 400 MPa and above, poliovirus showed no statistically significant inactivation by hydrostatic pressures up to 600 MPa for 1 h. This finding may have implications for the use of high pressure in food processing, as poliovirus has physical similarities to significant foodborne pathogenic enteric viral agents such as hepatitis A virus.

Data gathered from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) National Rabbit Survey sites in the 1980s showed substantial site-to-site and year-to-year variation in rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus abundance. Data on physical and biological factors from 450 sites were collected to seek explanations for this variation. The rabbit abundance index on the 2.25 km transects (walked along the edge of fields, woods, hedges, etc.) was used as the dependent variable for multiple regression and principal components analyses. Additionally, a preliminary attempt at mapping rabbit abundance and distribution in England and Wales using a GIS system was made. Each of the analyses produced a list of the important variables enhancing or reducing rabbit indices. Common to each list were aspects of woodland ‐ area, number of pieces and length of edge; the dryness and patchiness of soils on site; rainfall in late winter, or variables associated with wetness of soil (e.g. number of days with rain, altitude). Other important variables included predator removal policy and the site location nationally. The two strongest components, woodland parameters and predator removal policy, are under human influence. The effects of region, county and year were small, but year-to-year variation within sites was larger, suggesting that rabbit populations were reacting markedly to unmeasured variables, e.g. myxomatosis outbreaks. The analysis provides a useful explanation of the factors that affect rabbit populations and a basis for how these factors may be manipulated.

Summary 1. The European badger (Meles meles) is implicated as a reservoir of Mycobacterium bovis (bovine TB) infection for cattle in Britain and Ireland. In the present study the spatio-temporal distribution of M. bovis infection was investigated. Analyses were carried out on data from a long-term epidemiological and ecological study of the dynamics of bovine TB in a wild population of badgers at Woodchester Park in south-west England. 2. During the 15 years of the capture–mark–recapture study (1982–96), 3316 trapping and post-mortem records were obtained from 1270 individual badgers. Annual prevalence of infection based on positive serological and bacterial tests varies between 10·3% and 17·7% of the population. 3. Infection was aggregated in social groups in the west of the study area, confirming the findings of previous studies. However, temporal trends in disease were not synchronized amongst neighbouring groups, suggesting low rates of disease transfer between them. 4. There was significant serial correlation in the disease status within groups over time, suggesting that infection persists for many years in some social groups. The presence of infectious adult female badgers in groups was associated with new infections, and provides further evidence for their importance in the maintenance of infection within groups. However, no statistically significant correlations were detected between the demographic characteristics of social groups and group infection status. 5. The distribution of disease reflects stable persistent foci of infection in the badger population, with limited evidence of transfer between social groups. The accurate identification of stable foci of infection would allow a range of management strategies for the control of bovine TB to be efficiently targeted in such populations. However, the extent to which this pattern of infection is representative of low-density and disturbed badger populations is unknown.

The compatibility of infectivejuveniles (IJs) of entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema feltiae, and chemical insecticides tocontrol larval stages of the South American leafminer,Liriomyza huidobrensis, was investigated.Initially the effect of direct IJ exposure to 5insecticides (abamectin, deltamethrin, dimethoate,heptenophos and trichlorfon) for 24 hours was testedagainst Galleria mellonella in a standard sandtube bioassay. Trichlorfon and dimethoate did notreduce the nematodes ability to locate and infect G. mellonella larvae to an unacceptable level. However,nematode infectivity was significantly reducedfollowing exposure to abamectin, deltamethrin andheptenophos. Secondly, IJ infectivity for L.huidobrensis in the presence of dry pesticideresidues on foliage was tested. No significantdetrimental effects on the level of control of L. huidobrensis was recorded when compared with theeffect of nematodes applied to residue free foliage.The integration of these agents into a pest managementprogramme is discussed.

The movement of 1763 badgers trapped between 36 social groups in Woodchester Park, Gloucestershire, over 18 years was analysed to determine the frequency and duration of moves, the factors associated with a predisposition to move and the spatial pattern of movements. Of those badgers whose capture history could be categorized, nearly half had moved. Of these, 73.1% were classified as 'occasional movers', 22.1% as 'permanent movers' and 4.8% as 'frequent movers'. Most adult badgers that moved made occasional moves (78.8%, n = 67). Cubs made all types of move including permanent moves (29%, n = 10). Seventy per cent of females were non-movers compared with 37% of males. Badgers were significantly more likely to move to smaller groups, whereas male badgers were significantly more likely to move to groups with a greater proportion of females. The spatial pattern of movement differed from the distribution of groups with bovine tuberculosis in the study area. However, temporal changes in movement were significantly related to the incidence of Mycobacterium bovis infection in the following year, indicating that as the movement of badgers between groups varies so does the incidence of bovine tuberculosis in the population. This finding is of central importance in the formulation of badger control policy.

Ninety-eight children aged 1–15 years entered a randomized double-blind study investigating an appropriate dose of oral prednisolone in children admitted to hospital with an acute exacerbation of asthma. None of the children had recently been treated with oral prednisolone. Following admission, the children were randomized to receive prednisolone 0·5 mg kg−1, 1·0 mg kg−1 or 2·0 mg kg−1 in a single daily dose in addition to nebulized bronchodilators. Clinical asthma scores, oxygen saturations, pulse rate, duration of admission and number of nebulizers given were compared in the three treatment groups.Thirty-five children received 0·5 mg kg−1, 33 received 1·0 mg kg−1 and 30 received 2·0 mg kg−1. There were no significant differences in the pattern of recovery between the three treatment groups. There were no advantages in using higher doses of prednisolone. We recommend 0·5 mg kg−1 day−1 of prednisolone as an appropriate dose for treating an acute exacerbation of asthma.

The body weights of badgers were examined to look for density-dependent effects of the increase in group size at Woodchester Park, Gloucestershire. The weight of badgers in 21 groups were studied from 1978–1993. A significant negative relationship was found between weight and group size in breeding adult females in autumn and winter, and adult males in summer, such that increase in group size caused a decrease in weight. However, these relationships were affected by year-to-year changes and random variation, and overall there was no downward trend in body weight. The existence of density-dependent effects on badger populations at high density was consistent with previous findings

Bats are an important component of mammalian biodiversity and fill such a wide array of ecological niches that they may offer an important multisensory bioindicator role in assessing ecosystem health. There is a need to monitor population trends of bats for their own sake because many populations face numerous environmental threats related to climate change, habitat loss, fragmentation, hunting, and emerging diseases. To be able to establish bat ultrasonic biodiversity trends as a reliable indicator, it is important to standardize monitoring protocols, data management, and analyses. This chapter discusses the main issues to be considered in developing a bat ultrasonic indicator. It focuses on the results from indicator bats program (iBats), a system for the global acoustic monitoring of bats, in Eastern Europe. Finally, the chapter reviews the strengths and weaknesses of the Program and considers the opportunities and threats that it may face in the future.

In 1992 we began an investigation into incidents of unusual and mass mortalities of the common frog ( Rana temporaria ) in Britain which were being reported unsolicited to us in increasing numbers by members of the public. Investigations conducted at ten sites of unusual mortality resulted in two main disease syndromes being found: one characterized by skin ulceration and one characterized by systemic haemorrhages. However, frogs also were found with lesions common to both of these syndromes and microscopic skin lesions common to both syndromes were seen. The bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila, which has been described previously as causing similar lesions, was isolated significantly more frequently from haemorrhagic frogs than from those with skin ulceration only. However, as many of the latter were euthanased, this may have been due to differences in post mortem bacterial invasion. An iridovirus-like particle has been identified on electron microscopical examination of skin lesions from frogs with each syndrome and iridovirus-like inclusions have been detected in the livers of frogs with systemic haemorrhages. Also, an adenovirus-like particle has been cultured from one haemorrhagic frog. A poxvirus-like particle described previously from diseased frogs has now been found also in control animals and has been identified as a melanosome. Both the prevalence of the iridovirus-like particle and its association with lesions indicate that it may be implicated in the aetiology of the disease syndromes observed. Specifically, we hypothesize that primary iridovirus infection, with or without secondary infection with opportunistic pathogens such as A. hydrophila , may cause natural outbreaks of ‘red-leg’, a disease considered previously to be due to bacterial infection only.

1. The mechanism of the interaction between ciprofloxacin and theophylline was investigated in nine healthy subjects. 2. Subjects were given a single oral dose of theophylline (3.4 mg kg-1), before and after 60 h of ciprofloxacin therapy at a dose of 500 mg twice daily. 3. Ciprofloxacin reduced the oral clearance of theophylline by 19% (-7.73 +/- 6.42 ml kg-1 h-1 (95% confidence limits -12.66, -2.79)). Some subjects (group A, n = 4) showed little decrease in clearance (mean 4.4%; -1.6 +/- 0.7 ml kg-1 h-1 (-2.6, 0.5)), whereas others (group B, n = 5) showed a marked decrease (mean 30%; -12.7 +/- 3.7 ml kg-1 h-1 (-17.2, -8.1)). 4. Comparing groups A and B, the decrease in oral clearance of theophylline in group B could not be ascribed to differences in the AUC of ciprofloxacin. Group A subjects showed only slight inhibition of 1-demethylation (-12.8 +/- 5.5% (-21.5, -4.0)), while group B subjects showed a significantly greater inhibition of 1-demethylation (-49.9 +/- 9.8% (-62.1, -37.7)), 3-demethylation (-44.8 +/- 8.6% (-55.4, -34.1)) and 8-hydroxylation (-27.0 +/- 3.7% (-31.6, -22.4)). 5. The results suggest that inter-individual variability in the inhibition of theophylline metabolism by ciprofloxacin can be attributed to inter-individual differences in the level of CYP1A2 expression and/or in the degree of inhibition of hepatic CYP1A2 and CYP3A4. 6. The interaction between ciprofloxacin and theophylline can be clinically significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The reproductive cycle of male and female badgers in the south-west of England was studied by post-mortem examination of 1875 badgers collected in 1973–80. The sample was obtained by several methods and showed that animals obtained as road casualties were not representative of the total population samples. Active spermatogenesis was present throughout the year, and in some males aged 8–9 months. A few females first ovulated as yearlings but most primiparous females were adults. Births were in general confined to the early part of the year, but ovulations and matings also occurred at other times. Almost all (97%) adult females possessed corpora lutea. Unimplanted blastocysts were found in females for 11 months of the year (over 80% of adult females in July-November). Implanted embryos were found in only 32% of adults in January and February: the number of blastocysts per female and the number of implanted embryos per female were not significantly different, indicating that sows implanted all blastocysts or none. Foetal mortality was 36% and post-natal losses were estimated at 42% from the proportion of lactating females.

A number of different types of edge effects on experimental plots are defined, and it is shown that they are frequently important in agroforestry experiments. Methods of eliminating edge effects, either at the design or the analysis stage, are described. Computer simulations, based on uniformity data, are used to investigate the efficacy of neighbour-balanced designs, with and without neighbour terms, for reducing the problem of neighbour effects between different treatments. It is concluded that, while neighbour-balanced designs may be useful in certain situations or in combination with other methods, it is preferable to eliminate edge effects by using adequate guard rows. Recommendations are therefore made concerning the correct use of guard areas in agroforestry experimentation.

A series of studies were performed, using poliovirus, to ascertain the potential for enteric pathogenic viruses to survive on various foodstuffs. The extraction protocols, which could be performed in just a few hours, were developed for use with quantities of food that would normally constitute a portion for consumption. The protocols were based on elution of viruses from food surfaces, followed by differential centrifugation to remove food debris and concentrate viruses. The studies were mostly performed using fresh produce stored at refrigeration temperature for 2 weeks or so, which was considered to represent the maximum time elapsing between purchase and consumption. Each food sample was inoculated with a viral suspension, and samples were analyzed immediately and at intervals throughout the experiment. Statistical analyses were performed on the results, and the decimal reduction times (D-values), or number of days after which the initial virus numbers had declined by 90%, were calculated. In summary, the resulting D-values were as follows: lettuce, 11.6 days; green onion, no decline; white cabbage, 14.2 days; fresh raspberries, no decline; and frozen strawberries, 8.4 days. The results showed that enteric viruses may persist on fresh fruit and vegetables for several days under conditions commonly used for storage in households. Therefore, if contamination has occurred before purchase, there will always be a risk of infection from consumption of the food.

Background: Lipid components are considered to play an important role in ischaemia reperfusion injury although the mechanism of their action remains unknown. Accumulation of lipid metabolites in ischaemic tissues is a consistent observation, but exactly how these lipids are cleared from the tissues by the circulating blood during reperfusion is still open to speculation. In the present study, levels of blood lipids (fatty acids, phospholipids, triglycerides, cholesterol, lysolecithin and lysolecithin platelet activating factor (lyso PAF)) and the enzyme phospholipase A2 were determined in an experimental animal model (dogs) of ischaemic reperfusion injury. Methods: The injury was induced by 4 h of aortic clamping followed by 2 h of reperfusion (unclamping). Blood samples were collected before clamping and at predetermined time intervals (0, 15, 60 and 120 min) after the release of clamp. The lipid contents were analysed and compared with sham-treated control dogs. Results: The results showed significantly elevated levels of triglycerides and phospholipase A2, during ischaemia and reperfusion in experimental animals indicating tissue damage in the ischaemic phase continuing into the reperfusion phase and the risk of systemic damage from these toxic substances. Total fatty acid content in the circulating blood showed decreasing trends during the same time interval, which suggested possible reduced clearance of accumulated fatty acids from the affected tissues. Serum cholesterol, phospholipids, lyso PAF and lysolecithin did not show any significant variation compared with control dogs. Conclusions: It is possible that the delayed clearance of fatty acids may be due to the presence of fatty acids binding proteins in the ischaemic tissue, which trap these fatty acids in the tissues during ischaemic reperfusion injury. The prolonged retention of the accumulated fatty acids in the tissues in association with elevated triglycerides and phospholipase A2 activity may contribute to ischaemia reperfusion injury.