Generalized slope map of the Big Fork-Avon environmental study area, Flathead, Lake, Missoula, and Powell counties, Montana

In order to remove the excessive nutrient salt at Port of Amagasaki, we have established the method to utilize the cycle of life: by cultivating seaweed at the port, removing shellfish from the upright sea walls, and turning them into compost. In cooperation with the local junior high school students, local citizens, experts, and administration, the junior high schools of Amagasaki provided the environmental study through this activity, based on the theme of “Cycle of Life”. In this report, we describe about the effects of this study. 1) Before the study, a survey showed that most of the students had bad impression toward Amagasaki Sea, such as “dirty” and “smelly”. However, after the study, the impression turned into better impression such as “fun” and “more familiar”. 2) In the Technology class, the students successfully cultivated more than 50 kinds of vegetation. As the students cooked and ate the vegetables and fruits they grew, the study also developed into “Food Education”-learning the connection between their health, environment, and food. 3) The students cooked using the oil extracted from the seeds of rape blossoms cultivated with their compost. Then they watched waste oil being refined and turned into bio diesel fuel, which activated car engine. Through such experiences, many students realized the cycle of life as “the life continues in different forms”, and the respect for life as well as developing their awareness to improve the natural environment.

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CHANGES IN SEDIMENT CHARACTERISTICS WITH DEPTH AT THE RONALD R. RHEIN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY AREA

10.1130/abs/2020se-345250 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Tyler W. Buck ◽

◽

Kyle Matthew Krezdorn ◽

Louis Dimatteo ◽

Jacob O. Sewall ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Environmental Study ◽

Sediment Characteristics

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An Integrated Study of Toxocara Infection in Honduran Children: Human Seroepidemiology and Environmental Contamination in a Coastal Community

Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease ◽

10.3390/tropicalmed5030135 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 135 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sergio A. Hernández ◽

José A. Gabrie ◽

Carol Anahelka Rodríguez ◽

Gabriela Matamoros ◽

María Mercedes Rueda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Environmental Study ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Student Body ◽

Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Serological Tests ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Coastal Community ◽

Pcr Rflp

(1) Background: Infections caused by Toxocara canis and T. cati are considered zoonoses of global importance. Reports from North and South America indicate that human infections are widespread in both continents, but epidemiological information from Central America is still lacking. (2) Methodology: In the present cross-sectional multi-year study, we aimed to undertake the first seroepidemiological and environmental study on toxocariasis in Honduras. This included the determination of seroprevalence of anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies in children using a Toxocara spp. purified excretory-secretory antigens enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TES-ELISA) and a confirmatory Western blot. As well, through statistical analysis including logistic regression we aimed at identifying relevant biological and epidemiological factors associated with seropositivity. The study also entailed detection of parasites’ eggs in the soil samples both through Sheather’s concentration method and a nested polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. (3) Results: The study was undertaken in a coastal community of Honduras in 2 different years, 2015 and 2017. A total of 88 healthy schoolchildren completed the study, with participation of 79% (73/92) and 65% (46/71) of the student body in 2015 and 2017, respectively. Thirty-one children participated in both years (i.e., dual participants). Through both serological tests, seropositivity was confirmed in 88.6% (78/88) of children. Due to the high number of seropositives, logistic regression analysis was not possible for most socio-economic and epidemiological variables. Eosinophilia, on the other hand, was associated with seropositivity, independently of other intestinal helminthic infections. Continued seropositivity was observed in most of the dual participants, while seroconversion was determined in 8 of these children. Microscopic examination of soil samples did not yield any positive results. Through nested PCR-RFLP, 3 of the 50 samples (6%) were positive for Toxocara spp.; two were identified as T. canis and one as T. cati. (4) Conclusions: This work documents for the first time, high levels of human exposure to Toxocara spp. in Honduras. These findings, along with the country’s favorable epidemiological conditions for this zoonosis, emphasize the need for more research to determine whether this infection is underreported in the country.

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