scholarly journals A retrospective study of the prevalence and seasonal variation of Fasciola gigantica in cattle slaughtered in the major abattoirs of Zimbabwe between 1990 and 1999

2004 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
D.M. Pfukenyi ◽  
S. Mukaratirwa
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Information Management ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
Fasciola Gigantica ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Catchment Areas ◽  
Condemnation Data

A retrospective study covering a period of 10 years (1990-1999) was conducted using post mortem meat inspection records of the Veterinary Department Information Management Unit at Harare to determine the prevalence and seasonal variation of bovine fasciolosis in Zimbabwe. Records of monthly and annual returns from five major abattoirs were examined in regard to total cattle slaughtered and the corresponding number of livers condemned due to Fasciola gigantica infection. Prevalence of fasciolosis was calculated as the number of cattle found to be infected with F. gigantica, expressed as a percentage of the number of cattle slaughtered. Seasonal variations in the prevalence were examined by pooling respective monthly condemnation data over a 10-year (1990- 1999) period. A total of 2 474 232 cattle were slaughtered during this period and 917 565 (37.1 %) of these cattle were infected with F. gigantica. The pattern of distribution of F. gigantica was significantly higher in cattle originating from catchment areas of high rainfall than in those of relatively low rainfall, and in those slaughtered during the wet season than those slaughtered during the dry season (P < 0.05). Based on the study findings a control programme for the disease in Zimbabwe is suggested.

scholarly journals Factors related to tuberculosis delays: Evidence from nationwide retrospective study in Portugal

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Lutfor Rahman ◽  
C Nunes ◽  
P Aguiar
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Diagnostic Delay ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
Alcohol Addiction ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Median Delay ◽  
Cox's Regression

Abstract Background Globally, tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the top 10 causes of deaths and the leading cause from a single infectious agent. Delayed TB diagnosis and/or treatment may result in the transmission of bacilli, increasing infectivity, the risk of severe disease states, morbidity and mortality. It is essential to identify the factors that prolong delays in TB services so that health planners can initiate necessary measures to control TB infections. Methods A nationwide retrospective study was conducted from 2010 until 2013 to analyze tuberculosis delays under the setting of the Portuguese National Tuberculosis Control Programme. There were 16824 participants who were from 25 administrative districts under 7 regions and were originated from 70 countries in the world. The log-rank test, Cox's regression, and the Kaplan-Meier method have employed to analyze TB delay data. Results The median of patients` delay was 34 days with interquartile ranges (IQR) 50 days. Alcohol addicted people with TB infection were delayed by 40 days with 95% CI 37.73-42.28 whereas the non-addicted people took 33 days with 95% CI 32.35-33.65. The median diagnostic delay was 12 days with an IQR of 38 days. The female participants were delayed more than that of male (median delay for female 17 days with 95% CI 15.80-18.19) in TB diagnosis. Further, comorbidities e.g. lung cancer affected TB candidates were delayed more than their counterparts (median delay 37 days with 95% CI 23.29-50.70). The median of public health delays was 63 days with IQR 72 days. The females were delayed more than that of males (median delay 68 days with 95% CI 66.06-69.94). The adjusted Cox's regression identifies the features - older age, female, drug addiction, and community residence as potential factors that might affect TB delays. Conclusions It is essential to emphasize on the influencing dynamics - older age, female patients, HIV patients, alcohol addiction, and comorbidities to minimize TB delays. Key messages To minimize spreading risk of TB infections the dynamics of TB delays e.g. older age, female patients, drug, and alcohol addiction, comorbidities should be prioritized in the TB control programs. Special attention should be given to other lung diseases while diagnosing TB infections.

scholarly journals Rates of hippocampal atrophy and presence of post-mortem TDP-43 in patients with Alzheimer's disease: a longitudinal retrospective study

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 917-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith A Josephs ◽  
Dennis W Dickson ◽  
Nirubol Tosakulwong ◽  
Stephen D Weigand ◽  
Melissa E Murray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Hippocampal Atrophy ◽  
Post Mortem

scholarly journals Seasonal Variation in Abundance, Distribution and Environmental Impacts of Geomicrobiological Communities in the Lower Calabar River Channel, Calabar, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
F A Abija ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Environmental Contaminants ◽  
Total Coliform ◽  
River Channel ◽  
Abundance Distribution ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Environmental Health Risk ◽  
Domestic Use ◽  
Abundance And Distribution

Microbes act as geochemical agents for the degradation of environmental contaminants hence their abundance and distribution influences ecological response to pollution stress in soils, sediments, and rivers systems and in environmental protection. In this paper seasonal variation in geomicrologicl abundance in the river water, sediments and adjoining soils have been assessed. The results indicate a higher microorganism count during the wet season. The presence of E. coli in 100ml of water implies that water is unsuitable for any domestic use without disinfection. The Faecal and Total Coliform counts also indicate that undesirable sources are contaminating the river and posing environmental health risk. However environmental self-remediation and possible absence of sources of the microorganisms was promoted during the wet season than the dry season.

scholarly journals Seasonal migrations, body temperature fluctuations, and infection dynamics in adult amphibians

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4698 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Daversa ◽  
Camino Monsalve-Carcaño ◽  
Luis M. Carrascal ◽  
Jaime Bosch
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Body Temperature ◽  
Annual Cycle ◽  
Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
The Body ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Body Temperatures ◽  
Annual Cycles ◽  
Prediction And Prevention

Risks of parasitism vary over time, with infection prevalence often fluctuating with seasonal changes in the annual cycle. Identifying the biological mechanisms underlying seasonality in infection can enable better prediction and prevention of future infection peaks. Obtaining longitudinal data on individual infections and traits across seasons throughout the annual cycle is perhaps the most effective means of achieving this aim, yet few studies have obtained such information for wildlife. Here, we tracked spiny common toads (Bufo spinosus) within and across annual cycles to assess seasonal variation in movement, body temperatures and infection from the fungal parasite, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Across annual cycles, toads did not consistently sustain infections but instead gained and lost infections from year to year. Radio-tracking showed that infected toads lose infections during post-breeding migrations, and no toads contracted infection following migration, which may be one explanation for the inter-annual variability in Bd infections. We also found pronounced seasonal variation in toad body temperatures. Body temperatures approached 0 °C during winter hibernation but remained largely within the thermal tolerance range of Bd. These findings provide direct documentation of migratory recovery (i.e., loss of infection during migration) and escape in a wild population. The body temperature reductions that we observed during hibernation warrant further consideration into the role that this period plays in seasonal Bd dynamics.

Flowering and fruiting phenologies of seasonal and aseasonal neotropical forests: the role of annual changes in irradiance

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jess K. Zimmerman ◽  
S. Joseph Wright ◽  
O. Calderón ◽  
M. Aponte Pagan ◽  
S. Paton
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Solar Irradiance ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Barro Colorado Island ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Neotropical Forests ◽  
Seasonally Dry ◽  
Solar Declination

The seasonality of both rainfall and solar irradiance might influence the evolution of flowering and fruiting in tropical forests. In seasonally dry forests, to the degree that soil moisture limits plant productivity, community-wide peaks in reproduction are expected during the rainy season, with seedfall and germination timed to allow seedlings to become well established while soil moisture is available. Where soil moisture is never seasonally limiting, seasonal changes in light availability caused by periods of cloudiness or seasonally low zenithal sun angles should favour reproduction during seasons when irradiance levels are high. To evaluate these predictions, we documented the timing of flower and fruit fall for 10 and 15 y at El Verde, Puerto Rico, and Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama. At El Verde, rainfall is abundant year-round and solar declination largely determines seasonal variation in irradiance. At BCI, rainfall is abundant throughout the 8-mo wet season while drought develops and average solar irradiance increases by 40–50% over the 4-mo dry season. Seasonal variation in the number of species flowering and fruiting at both sites was generally consistent with the hypothesis that seasonal variation in irradiance limits the evolution of reproductive phenologies. Community-level metrics provided no evidence for a similar role for moisture availability at BCI. Seasonal variation in irradiance also strongly influenced seed development times at both sites. Thus, community-wide phenologies reveal a strong signature of seasonal changes in irradiance, even in those forests that exhibit some degree of seasonality in rainfall.

Myocarditis Misdiagnosed as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anat Shatz ◽  
Jehuda Hiss ◽  
Baruch Arensburg
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Sudden Infant Death ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sudden Infant ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Vocal Cords ◽  
Myocardial Diseases ◽  
Basement Membrane Thickening ◽  
Reported Study

In a retrospective study spanning five years, the histologic sections of 35 autopsies of infants diagnosed as SIDS victims were reviewed. Based on a recently reported study in which findings on marked basement membrane thickening (BMT) in the true vocal cords was suggested as a pathognomonic marker of SIDS, we expected to find BMT in all these cases. However, in seven of the reviewed autopsies (20%) no BMT was detected. Examination of new histologic sections of all the victims revealed myocarditis in these seven cases. In a control group (n=18) of children with known cause of death, neither BMT nor myocarditis were found. The incidence of myocardial diseases in infants and young adults (20% and 22% respectively) reported in the literature indicates that myocarditis is not a rare cause of sudden death in infants. Therefore, in SIDS-suspected cases a meticulous post-mortem microscopic examination of the heart should be carried out, especially whenever BMT of the vocal cords is absent.

Seasonal variation in field body temperatures of the lizard Mabuya striata punctatissima

1992 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.W. Patterson
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
High Activity ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Body Temperatures ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Low Activity ◽  
Activity Times

AbstractField body temperatures (Tbs) were studied in Mabuya striata punctatissima, a high altitude lizard from central Africa. Body temperatures were recorded in the middle of the day when the sun was shining brightly (high activity) and in other weather conditions (low activity). There was a significant correlation between Tb and air temperature (Ta) under both of these conditions, although the slope of the regression was higher in the former. The slope was negative for high activity times during the rainy season. In general, Tbs were higher during high activity than low activity. There were significant differences in the regressions of Tb on Ta between early dry, late dry and wet season.

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