Outcomes and complications reported from a multiuser canine hip replacement registry over a 10-year period.

OBJECTIVE: To report outcomes and complications associated with total hip replacements (THR) using a multiuser canine hip registry (CHR) and owner-administered questionnaire. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal clinical study. ANIMALS: Dogs (n = 1852). METHODS: Total hip replacement cases submitted to a CHR were reviewed. An online questionnaire including an adapted "Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs" (LOAD) score was e-mailed to owners. Data were analyzed to determine associations between clinical variables and the agreement by veterinary surgeons and owners for complications. RESULTS: A group of 1329 (72%) dogs had unilateral THRs and another group of 523 (28%) dogs had bilateral THRs, resulting in 2375 THRs. Indications included hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis (n = 2028/2375, 85%). Implants were manufactured by Kyon (n = 1087, 46%), BioMedtrix CFX (n = 514, 22%), BioMedtrix hybrid (n = 264, 11%), BioMedtrix BFX (n = 221, 9%), and Helica (n = 107, 4.5%). Median veterinary surgeon and owner follow up were 1328 and 900 days respectively. Postoperative LOAD scores (21 ± 9) reported by 461 owners improved compared to preoperative scores (11 ± 9) (P < .001). Veterinary surgeons reported complications in 201/2375 (8.5%) THRs and owners in 107/461 (23%) THRs, with moderate agreement (weighted kappa = 0.44). No associations were identified between complications and weight, age, sex, or breed. BioMedtrix BFX and Helica implants were associated with increased complications (P = .031) when used for revisions of femoral head and neck excisions. CONCLUSION: Excellent outcomes, including improved canine mobility, were reported after THRs. Complications were underreported by veterinary surgeons compared to owners in this first multiuser CHR. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Canine THRs are safe, effective procedures but THR implants should be carefully selected when revising femoral head and neck excisions.

Habitat provision is a major driver of native bird communities in restored urban forests.

Urbanization, and the drastic loss of habitat it entails, poses a major threat to global avian biodiversity. Ecological restoration of urban forests is therefore increasingly vital for native bird conservation, but control of invasive predators may also be needed to sustain native bird populations in cities where species invasions have been particularly severe. We evaluated restoration success by investigating changes in native bird communities along a restoration chronosequence of 25 restored urban forests representing 72 years of forest development, which we compared to two target reference systems and a control system. We hypothesized that total species richness and relative abundance of native forest birds would increase with the age of restoration planting. We further hypothesized that relative abundance of rats, possums and cats would negatively impact native birds, while amount of native forest in the surrounding landscape would have a positive effect. We used structural equation modelling (SEM) to investigate the relative influence of forest structure (complexity index, tree height, canopy openness, basal area, species richness and density), landscape attributes (patch area, perimeter length, landscape composition within three buffer zones, distance to the nearest road and water source) and invasive mammalian predator indices of relative abundance on total species richness and relative abundance of native forest birds. Species richness increased with age of restoration planting, with community composition progressing towards that found in target reference systems. SEM revealed that years restored was a direct driver of bird species richness but an indirect driver of abundance, which was directly driven by canopy openness. Contrary to our predictions, invasive mammals had no significant effect on native bird species richness or abundance. Our results demonstrate that provision and improvement of habitat quantity and quality through restoration is the vital first step to re-establishing native forest bird communities in cities.

Dynamics of pollutant emissions from wildfires in Mainland China.

We analyzed the dynamics of pollutant emissions from wildfires in mainland China from 2001 to 2019 using MODIS fire products combined with the measurements of emission factors of different vegetation types. The biomass distribution in Mainland China has heterogeneous temporal and spatial pattern, with inter-year variations and a decreasing trend from east to west. Overall, from 2001 to 2019, biomass combustion in Mainland China reached 479.59 Tg (25.24 Tg·a-1), in which northeast, north, east, south, central, northwest, and southwest regions accounted for 20.95%, 31.14%, 8.89%, 9.06%, 3.98%, 0.33% and 25.64% of total biomass combustion, respectively. The emissions of CO, CO2, CxHy, NOx, PM2.5, TC, OC and EC were 47.30, 288.05, 12.90, 0.40, 1.43, 0.83, 0.70, and 0.12 Tg (1 Tg = 1012g), respectively. PM2.5, TC and OC emissions increased in the southwest, while all pollutant emissions declined significantly in the southern region. For particulate matter from wildfires, both the ratio of its emissions to total dust and the ratio of its concentration to atmospheric PM2.5 showed an increasing trend, implying that the relative environmental impacts of particulate emissions from wildfires may be rising. In addition, our results show that the current Chinese wildfire management has successfully reduced on average more than 80% of pollutant emissions from wildfire from 2001 to 2019 compared to the natural wildfire regime (no strict wildfire management). This research on the temporal-spatial changes of pollutant emissions from wildfires in Mainland China provides support for further exploration of wildfire impacts on regional environments, and indicates the effectiveness of Chinese current wildfire policy on the pollutant emission mitigation.

[Forests and trees: A public health perspective]. / La forêt et les arbres : une perspective de santé publique.

Forests have historically supplied humans with timber, fuel, and forage. They have also provided goods and services associated with human physical, mental, social, and spiritual health. Given competing priorities for funding in healthcare, research on forests and health is important from a health economics perspective. Engagement with forests (including wilderness areas, managed production forests, and urban forests) for enhanced human health and wellbeing, and perhaps for illness prevention at a fraction of the cost of medical interventions, is a major opportunity for forest management in the 21st century. Despite this general recognition, there is a lack of information regarding public health policies and approaches that exist in relation to forests and trees. The available literature suggests that the majority in the field of public health view the natural environment with ambivalence. However, a paradigm shift is underway and there is an emerging field working with the positive impacts that trees and forests have on human health and wellbeing. While the value of forests has been noted by many health practitioners in Europe and Japan, health practitioners and the associated health industry in North America remain largely focused on treatment rather than preventative approaches. Largely as a result of advocacy from forestry and recreational organizations, this view is beginning to change, but the focus in the healthcare industry on treatment rather than prevention remains deeply entrenched.

The effect of intra-articular botulinum toxin A on substance P, prostaglandin E2, and tumor necrosis factor alpha in the canine osteoarthritic joint.

BACKGROUND: Recently, intra-articular botulinum toxin A (IA BoNT A) has been shown to reduce joint pain in osteoarthritic dogs. Similar results have been reported in human patients with arthritis. However, the mechanism of the antinociceptive action of IA BoNT A is currently not known. The aim of this study was to explore this mechanism of action by investigating the effect of IA BoNT A on synovial fluid (SF) and serum substance P (SP), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in osteoarthritic dogs. Additionally, the aim was to compare SF SP and PGE2 between osteoarthritic and non-osteoarthritic joints, and investigate associations between SP, PGE2, osteoarthritic pain, and the signalment of dogs. Thirty-five dogs with chronic naturally occurring osteoarthritis and 13 non-osteoarthritic control dogs were included in the study. Osteoarthritic dogs received either IA BoNT A (n = 19) or IA placebo (n = 16). Serum and SF samples were collected and osteoarthritic pain was evaluated before (baseline) and 2 and 8 weeks after treatment. Osteoarthritic pain was assessed with force platform, Helsinki Chronic Pain Index, and joint palpation. Synovial fluid samples were obtained from control dogs after euthanasia. The change from baseline in SP and PGE2 concentration was compared between the IA BoNT A and placebo groups. The synovial fluid SP and PGE2 concentration was compared between osteoarthritic and control joints. Associations between SP, PGE2, osteoarthritic pain, and the signalment of dogs were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no significant change from baseline in SP or PGE2 after IA BoNT A. Synovial fluid PGE2 was significantly higher in osteoarthritic compared to control joints. Synovial fluid PGE2 correlated with osteoarthritic pain. No associations were found between SP or PGE2 and the signalment of dogs. The concentration of TNF-α remained under the detection limit of the assay in all samples. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the antinociceptive effect of IA BoNT A in the joint might not be related to the inhibition of SP nor PGE2. Synovial fluid PGE2, but not SP, could be a marker for chronic osteoarthritis and pain in dogs.

Peak Vertical Force and Vertical Impulse in Dogs With Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture and Meniscal Injury.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) in dogs with naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) disease with or without concurrent meniscal injury. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series. STUDY POPULATION: Client-owned dogs with naturally occurring CCL disease. METHODS: Dogs with hind limb lameness because of CCL disease that required surgery underwent force plate gait analysis. Force plate analysis was performed at a walking gait (speed 1-1.3 m/s; acceleration ± 0.5 m/s(2)) and data were analyzed using commercial proprietary software. Meniscal injury was diagnosed either by mini-arthrotomy or arthroscopy. The primary outcome was PVF and the secondary outcome was VI. Comparisons were made between dogs with or without meniscal injury, and dogs with partial or complete CCL rupture. RESULTS: Forty dogs were included. Meniscal injury was present in 18/40 dogs (45%). PVF (P = .003) and VI (P = .01) were significantly lower in dogs with meniscal injury than in dogs without meniscal injury. CONCLUSION: Dogs with CCL disease and medial meniscal injury had significantly reduced PVF and VI.

Vitamin D deficiency and TB disease phenotype.

BACKGROUND: Extrapulmonary TB is increasingly common, yet the determinants of the wide clinical spectrum of TB are poorly understood. METHODS: We examined surveillance data (Birmingham, UK: 1980-2009 and USA Centers for Disease Control: 1993-2008) to identify demographic factors associated with extrapulmonary TB. We then directly tested association of these factors and serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D) concentration with extrapulmonary TB by multivariable analysis in a separate UK cohort. RESULTS: Data were available for 10,152 and 277,013 TB cases for Birmingham and US, respectively. Local-born individuals of white ethnicity had a lower proportion of extrapulmonary disease when compared with local-born non-whites (p<0.0001); both groups had a lower proportion of extrapulmonary disease when compared with foreign-born non-whites (p<0.0001). In a separate UK cohort (n=462), individuals with extrapulmonary TB had lower mean serum 25(OH)D concentration than those with pulmonary TB (11.4 vs 15.2 nmol/L, respectively, p=0.0001). On multivariable analysis, vitamin D deficiency was strongly associated with extrapulmonary TB independently of ethnicity, gender and other factors. Doubling in serum 25(OH)D concentration conferred substantially reduced risk of extrapulmonary disease (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.73). CONCLUSIONS: We identify vitamin D deficiency as a probable risk factor for extrapulmonary dissemination in TB, which may account for the associations of dark-skinned ethnicity and female gender with extrapulmonary disease. Our findings implicate vitamin D status in Mycobacterium tuberculosis containment in vivo and, given the high prevalence of deficiency, may inform development of novel TB prevention strategies.

Predator-Free New Zealand: Conservation Country.

Eradications of invasive species from over 1000 small islands around the world have created conservation arks, but to truly address the threat of invasive species to islands, eradications must be scaled by orders of magnitude. New Zealand has eradicated invasive predators from 10% of its offshore island area and now proposes a vision to eliminate them from the entire country. We review current knowledge of invasive predator ecology and control technologies in New Zealand and the biological research, technological advances, social capacity and enabling policy required. We discuss the economic costs and benefits and conclude with a 50-year strategy for a predator-free New Zealand that is shown to be ecologically obtainable, socially desirable, and economically viable. The proposal includes invasive predator eradication from the two largest offshore islands, mammal-free mainland peninsulas, very large ecosanctuaries, plus thousands of small projects that will together merge eradication and control concepts on landscape scales.

Traits influencing range contraction in New Zealand's endemic forest birds.

Understanding vulnerability of endemic taxa to predation is clearly important for conservation management. In New Zealand, predation by introduced mammals such as rats and mustelids is widely recognized as the primary factor responsible for declines of indigenous fauna. The aim of our study was to evaluate the vulnerability of New Zealand's surviving endemic forest bird species to impacts of introduced mammalian predators, and identify key life history attributes underlying this vulnerability. We measured range contraction following the introduction of exotic mammalian predators for 23 endemic forest bird species using information on both pre-human and current distributions. We used Bayesian modeling techniques to analyze whether variation in range contraction was associated with life history traits potentially influencing species' predation vulnerability, while accounting for phylogenetic relatedness. Our results showed that the extent of range contraction varied greatly among species, with some species remaining in available forest habitat throughout most of their pre-human range, and others having disappeared completely from the main islands. Cavity nesting was the key trait associated with more extensive range decline, suggesting that cavity-nesting species are more vulnerable to predation than species that nest in more open sites.

A canine-specific anti-nerve growth factor antibody alleviates pain and improves mobility and function in dogs with degenerative joint disease-associated pain.

BACKGROUND: There is a critical need for proven drugs other than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for treatment of degenerative joint disease (DJD) pain in dogs. Antibodies against nerve growth factor (NGF) are analgesic in rodent models and in humans with DJD. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a novel caninised anti-NGF antibody (NV-01) for the treatment of DJD pain in dogs. In a randomized, parallel group, stratified, double masked, placebo controlled, proof of principle clinical pilot study design, 26 dogs with DJD received NV-01 (200 mcg/kg IV) or placebo on day 0 (D0). In addition to objective accelerometry measures, owners completed clinical metrology instruments (Client-Specific Outcome Measures [CSOM], Canine Brief Pain Inventory [CBPI] and Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs Index [LOAD]) on D0, D14 and D28. CBPI subscales (pain severity [PS] and pain interference [PI]), CSOM and LOAD scores were evaluated within and between groups for change over time. Recognized success/failure criteria were applied and success compared between groups. RESULTS: CBPI PS and PI scores significantly improved in the NV-01 group (PS: D0-14, P = 0.012 and D0-28, P = 0.019; PI: D0-14, P = 0.012 and D0-28, P = 0.032) but not in the placebo group. CSOM scores showed similar patterns with a significant difference between within-group changes at D14 and D28 (P = 0.038 and P = 0.009, respectively), and significantly more successes at D28 (P = 0.047). LOAD scores significantly improved in the NV-01 group (D0-14, P = 0.004 and D0-28, P = 0.002) but not in the placebo group. There were significant differences between the groups for change in LOAD score at D14 (P = 0.014) and D28 (P = 0.033). No side effects were noted. Activity in the NV-01 group increased over the study period compared to placebo (P = 0.063) and the difference between the groups for change in activity over the time period 9am-5pm (8 hours) was significant (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: These pilot data demonstrate a positive analgesic effect of anti-NGF antibody in dogs suffering from chronic pain. The magnitude of the effect appeared identical to that expected with an NSAID.

Public awareness of aesthetic and other forest values associated with sustainable forest management: a cross-cultural comparison among the public in four countries.

Korea, China, Japan and Canada are all members of the Montreal Process (MP). However, there has been little comparative research on the public awareness of forest values within the framework of Sustainable Forest Management, not only between Asia and Canada, but also among these three Asian countries. This is true of aesthetic values, especially as the MP framework has no indicator for aesthetic values. We conducted surveys to identify similarities and differences in the perceptions of various forest values, including aesthetic values, between residents of the four countries: university student groups in Korea, China, Japan and Canada, as well as a more detailed assessment of the attitudes of Koreans by including two additional groups, Korean office workers, and Koreans living in Canada. A multivariate analysis of variance test across the four university student groups revealed significant differences in the rating of six forest functions out of 31. However the same test across the three Korean groups indicated no significant differences indicating higher confidence in the generalizability of our university student comparisons. For the forest aesthetic values, an analysis of variance test showed no significant differences across all groups. The forest aesthetic value was rated 6.95 to 7.98 (out of 10.0) depending on the group and rated relatively highly among ten social values across all the groups. Thurstone scale rankings and relative distances of six major forest values indicated that climate change control was ranked as the highest priority and scenic beauty was ranked the lowest by all the groups. Comparison tests of the frequencies of preferred major forest values revealed no significant differences across the groups with the exception of the Japanese group. These results suggest that public awareness of aesthetic and other forest values are not clearly correlated with the cultural backgrounds of the individuals, and the Korean university students' awareness could potentially be representative of the Koreans general public's opinion. We expect this research to contribute to the development of aesthetic and social indicators, and to the enhancement of balancing social with environmental and economic values within the SFM framework.

Mechanical Testing of a Synthetic Canine Gastrocnemius Tendon Implant.

OBJECTIVE: To test a polyethylene terephthalate prosthesis (STIF, Chenove, France) for gastrocnemius tendon repair in dogs (cadaver model). STUDY DESIGN: In vitro mechanical study. ANIMALS: Pelvic limbs (n = 8) from 4 recently euthanatized adult dogs (weighing 30-45 kg). METHODS: Proximally the implant was sutured at the myotendinous junction of the gastrocnemius and distally secured in a 4.5 mm blind ending tunnel in the medullary cavity of the calcaneus using an interference screw (STIF, Chenove, France). Proximal and distal fixation were tested independently using an electrodynamic testing machine (Electropuls 3000, Instron, UK). RESULTS: Mean ± SD failure loads for the proximal fixation (266.13 ± 43.88 N) was significantly less than for the distal fixation (649.25 ± 210.36 N; P = .042, paired t-test). Mean stiffness of the proximal and distal constructs were 19.08 ± 8.16 N/mm and 139.76 ± 24.51 N/mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Failure loads exceeded the values reported after experimental repair of chronic gastrocnemius tendon injuries using other methods involving suturing tendon to bone. Failure of this repair method clinically is predicted to occur proximally at the level of the myotendinous junction.

Genetic basis of cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) in dogs.

Cranial Cruciate Ligament rupture (CCLR) is one of the most common forms of lameness in dogs and is analogous to rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in humans, for which it can serve as a model. As there is a strong breed-related predisposition to CCLR in dogs, a study was undertaken to consider putative genetic components in susceptible dog breeds. A candidate gene, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping approach using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (Sequenom Ltd) was designed to investigate several CCLR-susceptible dog breeds and identify CCLR-associated genes/gene regions that may confer susceptibility or resistance. A meta-analysis was performed using the breed case/control candidate gene data to identify SNP associations that were common to the whole cohort of susceptible dogs. We identified SNPs in key genes involved in ligament strength, stability and extracellular matrix formation (COL5A1, COL5A2, COL1A1, COL3A1, COL11A1, COL24A1, FBN1, LOX, LTBP2) which were significantly associated with CCLR susceptibility across the dog breeds used in this study. These SNPs could have an involvement in CCLR due to a detrimental effect on ligament structure and strength. This is the first published candidate gene study that has revealed significant genetic associations with canine CCLR.

Prospective evaluation of a complex public health intervention: lessons from an initial and follow-up cross-sectional survey of the tuberculosis strain typing service in England.

BACKGROUND: The national tuberculosis strain typing service (TB-STS) was introduced in England in 2010. The TB-STS involves MIRU-VNTR typing of isolates from all TB patients for the prospective identification, reporting and investigation of TB strain typing clusters. As part of a mixed-method evaluation, we report on a repeated cross-sectional survey to illustrate the challenges surrounding the evaluation of a complex national public health intervention. METHODS: An online initial and follow-up questionnaire survey assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices of public health staff, physicians and nurses working in TB control in November 2010 and March 2012. It included questions on the implementation, experience and uptake of the TB-STS. Participants that responded to both surveys were included in the analysis. RESULTS: 248 participants responded to the initial survey and 137 of these responded to the follow-up survey (56% retention). Knowledge: A significant increase in knowledge was observed, including a rise in the proportion of respondents who had received training (28.6% to 67.9%, p = 0.003), and the self-rated knowledge of how to use strain typing had improved ('no knowledge' decreased from 43.2% to 27.4%). Attitudes: The majority of respondents found strain typing useful; the proportion that reported strain typing to be useful was similar across the two surveys (95.7% to 94.7%, p = 0.67). Practices: There were significant increases between the initial and follow-up surveys in the number of respondents who reported using strain typing (57.0% to 80.5%, p < 0.001) and the proportion of time health protection staff spent on investigating TB (2.74% to 7.08%, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of a complex public health intervention is challenging. In this example, the immediate national roll-out of the TB-STS meant that a controlled survey design was not possible. This study informs the future development of the TB-STS by identifying the need for training to reach wider professional groups, and argues for its continuation based on service users' perception that it is useful. By highlighting the importance of a well-defined sampling frame, collecting baseline information, and including all stakeholders, it provides lessons for the implementation of similar services in other countries and future evaluations of public health interventions.

Mechanical properties of canine patella-ligament-tibia segment.

OBJECTIVE: To test the ex vivo mechanical properties of canine patella-ligament-tibia (PLT) segment and establish the relationship between donor size and PLT dimensions to the mechanical properties of PLT grafts. STUDY DESIGN: Ex vivo mechanical testing study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Canine PLT segments (n = 21 dogs; 42 PLT). METHODS: Morphometric measurements of PLT segments were taken from computed tomography (CT) images and compared with results obtained using calipers. PLT were tested to failure at a rate of 100% length/s. Mechanical properties and failure mode were recorded. RESULTS: PLT width and thickness (P < .001 for both) measured by calipers were significantly lower than those taken from CT images. Thirty-five (83%) specimens failed by avulsion fracture from the patella, 1 failed mid-ligament, and 6 failed by tibial fracture. Dog weight and PLT length had the strongest Pearson's r value when correlated with load at failure (r = 0.73, 0.81, respectively). CONCLUSION: Dog weight and PLT length were the best predictors of load at failure. PLT failure load of dogs weighing >25 kg were similar to those reported for the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) suggesting that the PLT may be a suitable allograft for CCL replacement.

Survive, revive, and thrive: The impact of COVID-19 on global park visitation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had detrimental effects on both the physical and psychological well-being of individuals. Throughout the pandemic and in response to various policies, such as lockdowns, movement restrictions and social distancing measures, parks and greenspaces received renewed attention as people used them to help cope with the adverse effects of the pandemic. This study explored the factors influencing park and greenspace visitation at different stages of the pandemic in 2020, 2021, and 2022, from both global and regional perspectives. Data were collected primarily from Our World in Data, Google's Community Mobility Reports and the Oxford Coronavirus Government Response Tracker, and a total of 125,422 park visits were processed. Stay-at-home mandates, vaccination availability, and school closures were the most influential factors globally affecting park and greenspace visitation in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. Post-2021, vaccination-related policies began to play a significantly positive role in the increase in park and greenspace visits. Following a global analysis, countries were categorized into five clusters based on social, economic, and cultural indices. The analysis revealed varying patterns of factors influencing park visitation across these clusters. Notably, income support policies were positively correlated with higher park visitation, particularly in low-income countries. Recognizing the significance of parks and green spaces as essential green infrastructure, this study suggests how the use of parks might have better coped with the COVID-19 pandemic and how future health crises might be addressed. At the same time, it considers different social, economic, and cultural contexts. Additionally, this work provides insights and suggestions as to how parks and greenspaces might be used to reduce the social inequalities exacerbated during the pandemic, especially in low-income developing countries.

Rodent management in Aotearoa New Zealand: approaches and challenges to landscape-scale control.

Aotearoa-New Zealand has only four rodent species, all introduced. In order of arrival, they are Pacific rat Rattus exulans, brown rat R. norvegicus, house mouse Mus musculus, and black rat R. rattus. Rodent management in New Zealand aims mainly to conserve indigenous biodiversity rather than to protect crops or manage diseases, as is usual elsewhere. We describe four major "regimes" and one major vision for rodent control in New Zealand to meet ecological restoration objectives. Current challenges for island eradications are for large islands that are remote or populated by people. Aerial 1080 is the only large-scale (tens of thousands of hectares) option for black rat control, but its application requires adjustment to counter subsequent rapid black rat repopulation. Unfenced "ecosanctuaries" (mean 720 ha) use ground-based traps and poisons to target mainly black rats and face constant reinvasion. Ecosanctuaries with mammal-resistant fences (up to 3500 ha) limit reinvasion and target more pest species and have enabled the return of previously extirpated taxa to the main islands. Predator Free 2050 aims to eradicate the rat species (but not mice) plus some other introduced mammals from New Zealand by 2050. This vision is not attainable with current tools, but research and experimental management is exploring techniques and technologies. The large scale (to 100 000 ha) at which black rats are now targeted for control to extremely low abundance seems to be unique to New Zealand.

Ethnicity and mycobacterial lineage as determinants of tuberculosis disease phenotype.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence suggests that Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) lineage and host ethnicity can determine tuberculosis (TB) clinical disease patterns but their relative importance and interaction are unknown. METHODS: We evaluated prospectively collected TB surveillance and Mtb strain typing data in an ethnically heterogeneous UK population. Lineage assignment was denoted using 15-loci mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units containing variable numbers of tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR) and MIRU-VNTRplus. Geographical and ethnic associations of the six global Mtb lineages were identified and the influence of lineage and demographic factors on clinical phenotype were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Data were available for 1070 individuals with active TB which was pulmonary only, extrapulmonary only and concurrent pulmonary-extrapulmonary in 52.1%, 36.9% and 11.0% respectively. The most prevalent lineages were Euro-American (43.7%), East African Indian (30.2%), Indo-Oceanic (13.6%) and East Asian (12.2%) and were geo-ethnically restricted with, for example, Indian subcontinent ethnicity inversely associated with Euro-American lineage (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.39) and positively associated with the East African-Indian lineage (OR 4.04; 95% CI 2.19 to 7.45). Disease phenotype was most strongly associated with ethnicity (OR for extrathoracic disease 21.14 (95% CI 6.08 to 73.48) for Indian subcontinent and 14.05 (3.97 to 49.65) for Afro-Caribbean), after adjusting for lineage. With East Asian lineage as the reference category, the Euro-American (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.32 to 0.91) and East-African Indian (OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.29 to 0.86) lineages were negatively associated with extrathoracic disease, compared with pulmonary disease, after adjusting for ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: Ethnicity is a powerful determinant of clinical TB phenotype independently of mycobacterial lineage and the role of ethnicity-associated factors in pathogenesis warrants investigation.

The implications of new forest tenure reforms and forestry property markets for sustainable forest management and forest certification in China.

This study examines issues existing in the southern collective forests in China, particularly prior to the implementation of new forest tenure reforms, such as continued illegal logging and timber theft, inadequate availability of finance and inconsistent forest-related policies. Such problems are believed to be hindering the adoption of sustainable forest management (SFM) and forest certification by forest farmers in China. Two strategies were introduced by the Chinese government with the purpose of addressing these issues, namely forest tenure reforms and their associated supporting mechanism, forestry property markets. Through two case studies in southern China, we investigated the effectiveness of the two strategies as well as their implications for the adoption of SFM and forest certification. The two cases were Yong'an in Fujian province and Tonggu in Jiangxi province. Personal interviews with open-ended questions were conducted with small-scale forest farmers who had already benefited from the two strategies as well as market officers working for the two selected forestry property markets. The study identified eight issues constraining the potential adoption of SFM and certification in China, including limited finance, poorly developed infrastructure and transport systems, insecure forest tenures, inconsistent forest policies, low levels of awareness, illegal forest management practices, lack of local cooperative organizations, and inadequate knowledge and technical transfer. We found that the new forest tenure reforms and forestry property markets had generally fulfilled their original objectives and had the capacity to assist in addressing many of the issues facing forests prior to the reforms.