Social-ecological assessment of Lake Manyara basin, Tanzania: A mixed method approach.

The social-ecological system of the Lake Manyara basin (Northern Tanzania), a UNESCO Biosphere reserve (BR) suffers from social-economic and environmental problems due to decreasing water levels, erosion and land and water use conflicts. We propose an integrated assessment of the social-ecological interactions of the area to support future sustainable management. Within the Drivers-Pressures-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework an integrated literature review and several methods of knowledge collection were combined to identify future management priorities and challenges. During focus groups with farmers and pastoralists, stakeholders confirmed the role played by land use changes as driver and pressure in the landscape, e.g. through increased erosion rates and siltation of the lake. Moreover, economic and social issues were identified as prominent factors being influenced by, or influencing these processes. These statements match the scientific literature. During participatory mapping exercises different spatial and resource allocation perceptions appeared amongst pastoralists and farmers. The multidisciplinary approach proved to be useful to acquire an integrated and comprehensive understanding of the state, challenges and opportunities of Lake Manyara BR, to feed into a decision support system in service of an integrated management plan. Our assessment suggests that improved water governance in a multi-actor approach (with a focus on distribution of benefits, rights, and a specific role of the water authorities) should be a priority for future integrated management strategies. Also, awareness raising amongst decision makers, scientists and local communities is needed to demonstrate the advantages of an integrated approach. And finally, visible and fair mechanisms to share conservation revenues should be designed in a way that local benefits can be obtained together with incentive mechanisms for co-management and conservation.

Fish collagen is an important panallergen in the Japanese population.

Collagen was identified as a fish allergen in early 2000s. Although its allergenic potential has been suggested to be low, risks associated with collagen as a fish allergen have not been evaluated to a greater extent. In this study, we aimed to clarify the importance of collagen as a fish allergen. Our results showed that 50% of Japanese patients with fish allergy had immunoglobulin E (IgE) against mackerel collagen, whereas 44% had IgE against mackerel parvalbumin. IgE inhibition assay revealed high cross-reactivity of mackerel collagen to 22 fish species (inhibition rates: 87-98%). Furthermore, a recently developed allergy test demonstrated that collagen triggered IgE cross-linking on mast cells. These data indicate that fish collagen is an important and very common panallergen in fish consumed in Japan. The high rate of individuals' collagen allergy may be attributable to the traditional Japanese custom of raw fish consumption.

[Functional assessment and rehabilitation of eosinophilic fasciitis]. / Intérêt du bilan fonctionnel et de la rééducation dans la fasciite à éosinophile.

PURPOSE: To evaluate functional assessment and rehabilitation in eosinophilic fasciitis. METHOD: Description of a clinical case of eosinophilic fasciitis, including the evolution of functional assessment after treatment with corticotherapy and rehabilitation. CASE REPORT: Our case was a 33-year-old patient with major walking disability and pain in the left calf. Biological examination and imaging, including nuclear magnetic resonance and bone scintigraphy, showed inflammation of the adipose and muscular tissues of the posterior area of the leg. Cutaneomuscular biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of eosinophilic fasciitis. Corticotherapy was then instituted in parallel with rehabilitation to limit deficiencies and disability function. DISCUSSION-CONCLUSION: Functional assessment used as indicating objective could, in partnership with follow-up of the biological inflammatory syndrome, lead to decreased use of corticoids in iosinophilic fasciitis. Moreover, supplemental rehabilitation could limit deficiencies and the functional disability resulting from the fasciitis.

[Osteochondroma of the clavicle and pain syndrome of the shoulder. Apropos of a case. Review of the literature]. / Ostéochondrome de la clavicule et syndrome douloureux de l'épaule. A propos d'un cas. Revue de la littérature.

INTRODUCTION: Osteochondroma, a frequent benign tumor of the bone, is in most cases asymptomatic. Localization in the clavicle is extremely rare. The authors report an isolated case occurring in the coraco-clavicular area responsible for a painful shoulder syndrome evoking rotator cuff tendinitis. METHODS: A 47 years female patient consulted for painful shoulder syndrome. Pain occurred following an effort and at night. On clinical examination, the area around the coracoid process was tender as was the supraspinatus fossa. Passive anterior elevation of the shoulder was limited to 150 degrees. She had a positive Job's sign as well as a painful << Gross armtest >>. Initial Radiological assessment showed no anomalies. Arthrographic CT scan revealed an expansive process compatible with osteochondroma. The lesion was in contact with the supraspinatus muscles and the coracoid process. Extraperiosteal resection was performed through a delto-pectoral approach. Recovery of a painless mobile joint was rapid. DISCUSSION: Clavicular embryology is not yet well understood. The appearance of an exostosis at this localization seems to confirm that the clavicular cartilage behaves as an epiphyseal bone plate. The exostosis, which has a congenital origin, can appear, when it reaches a certain size or when it mechanically interferes with surrounding muscles and tendons. In our observation, the lesion led to irritation of the supraspinatus muscle leading to tendinitis. Diagnosis is usually made on standard roentgenographic evaluation. CT scan and MRI show a cartilaginous coating which should not exceed 10 mm in the case of a benign tumor. There exists a possibility of sarcomatous degeneration, but this is rare on the peripheral skeleton. Treatment should be performed by complete extraperiosteal resection of the exostosis along with its perichondral cover. CONCLUSION: Clavicular localization of an osteochondroma is very rare. This case report illustrates the possibility of a painful shoulder syndrome associated with this lesion. This report also seems to suggest the hypothesis that the cartilage at this level behaves as an epiphyseal bone plate.