Training fish for restocking: refuge and predator training in the hatchery has limited benefits for a marine fish.

Large numbers of hatchery-reared fish are released in stocking programmes; however, success is limited by high mortality. Predation is seen as the main cause of deaths but might be reduced by training fish before release to avoid predators and/or use refuge. In this study on a potential restocking species, yellowfin bream Acanthopagrus australis, the effects of predator training and refuge on the behaviour of fish in the hatchery were tested. In the first experiment, juvenile bream were exposed to predatory mangrove jack (Lutjanus argentimaculatus) fed exclusively on bream flesh while housed in tanks with and without refuge. Predator training altered fish behaviour when fish were re-exposed to predators, but the effects were subtle and varied between groups of fish. In contrast, refuge created strong and consistent changes in behaviour, significantly slowing down the amount of time that fish took to consume food. A second experiment focused on the effects of refuge. Bream were trained to use artificial seagrass or house bricks as refuge and then exposed to mangrove jacks in a laboratory predation experiment. When refuge was available, fish significantly slowed down their feeding rate. There was a small, transient increase in survival for fish given seagrass refuges, but this was irrespective of whether the bream were trained to use refuge. The results of this study indicate that the use of refuge may be innate and the benefits of refuge may be available to naive hatchery-reared fish or fish trained to use refuge shortly before release. This suggests that there is potential to improve post-release survival of fingerlings without time-consuming and expensive hatchery training.

An evaluation of wild bird avian influenza surveillance in Great Britain.

This study presents a method for evaluation of surveillance for avian influenza (AI) in wild birds and compares surveillance activities before and after changes in surveillance strategy in Great Britain (GB). In October 2008 the AI Wild Bird Surveillance (AIWBS) system in GB was modified to focus on passive surveillance (birds found dead), including those found during warden patrols of wetlands and wildlife reserves, with less emphasis on public reporting of birds found dead. The number of birds sampled by active surveillance (birds live-trapped or shot) was also reduced. In the present study the impact of these changes was investigated by comparing the 12 mo prior to October 2008 with the subsequent 12 mo. Four factors were considered for each surveillance system component: 1) the number of wild birds tested; 2) whether the tested wild birds were considered "higher risk species" (HRS) for being infected with AI; 3) the location of the birds tested with respect to counties designated as a priority for surveillance; and 4) the probability that the birds tested might yield a positive AI virus result based on surveillance results in wild birds across Europe. The number of birds tested by both surveillance types was greatly reduced after the strategy change. The proportion of birds sampled in priority counties also significantly decreased in the second year for both active and passive surveillance. However, the proportion of HRS sampled by active surveillance significantly increased, while a significant decrease in these species was seen for passive surveillance in the second year. The derived probability scores for detecting AI based on European surveillance results indicated a reduction in sensitivity for H5N1 highly pathogenic AI detection by passive surveillance. The methods developed to evaluate AIWBS in GB may be applicable to other European Union countries. The results also reflect the complex issues associated with evaluation of disease surveillance in wildlife populations in which the disease ecology is only partially understood.

A national population-based assessment of 2007-2008 election-related violence in Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Following the contested national elections in 2007, violence occurred throughout Kenya. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence, characteristics, and health consequences of the 2007-2008 election-related violence. METHODS: A cross-sectional, national, population-based cluster survey of 956 Kenyan adults aged ≥ 18 years was conducted in Kenya in September 2011 utilizing a two-stage 90 x 10 cluster sample design and structured interviews and questionnaires. Prevalence of all forms of violence surrounding the 2007 election period, symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and morbidity related to sexual and physical violence were assessed. RESULTS: Of 956 households surveyed, 916 households participated (response rate 95.8%). Compared to pre-election, election-related sexual violence incidents/1000 persons/year increased over 60-fold (39.1-2370.1; p < .001) with a concurrent 37-fold increase in opportunistic sexual violence (5.2-183.1; p < .001). Physical and other human rights violations increased 80-fold (25.0-1987.1; p < .001) compared to pre-election. Overall, 50% of households reported at least one physical or sexual violation. Households reporting violence were more likely to report violence among female household members (66.6% vs. 58.1%; p = .04) or among the Luhya ethnic group (17.0% vs. 13.8%; p = 0.03). The most common perpetrators of election-related sexual violence were reported to be affiliated with government or political groups (1670.5 incidents/1000 persons per year); the Kalenjin ethnic group for physical violations (54.6%). Over thirty percent of respondents met MDD and PTSD symptom criteria; however, symptoms of MDD (females, 63.3%; males, 36.7%; p = .01) and suicidal ideation (females, 68.5%; males, 31.5%; p = .04) were more common among females. Substance abuse was more common among males (males, 71.2%; females, 28.8%; p < .001). CONCLUSION: On a national level in Kenya, politically-motivated and opportunistic sexual and physical violations were commonly reported among sampled adults with associated health and mental health outcomes.

Strengthening the scientific contribution of botanic gardens to the second phase of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation.

The need for action on the global environment is now well understood and governments, agencies, non-governmental organizations and botanic gardens have all been working in their various ways to promote environmental sustainability and reduce species and habitat loss for at least 10­20 years. The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) has been widely adopted, particularly by the botanic garden community, and has resulted in many successes despite failing to achieve its ultimate goal of halting the loss of plant biodiversity. The objectives and targets for Phase 2 of the GSPC, running from 2010 to 2020, mirror those of Phase 1 and had been largely agreed prior to their formal adoption at the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya in October 2010. However, to be successful, the scientific contribution of botanic gardens needs to be strengthened, as does government policy and commitment. Botanic garden research to underpin conservation action, including the role of botanic garden horticulture, training and international capacity building, has a major part to play and needs to be better understood and better coordinated. We provide examples based on the experience of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in the UK and overseas. Government policy, at national and international levels, needs to reflect the fundamental importance of plant diversity in maintaining the biosphere and supporting humanity. The commitment of significant new resources is an essential prerequisite for success, but this needs to be well coordinated, inclusive of all stakeholders and carefully targeted. A further challenge is the need to integrate better the plant diversity-related activities of what are currently diverse and disconnected sectors, including agriculture, forestry, protected area management and botanic gardens.

Does moderate celiac axis stenosis identified on preoperative multidetector computed tomographic angiography predict an increased risk of complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy for malignant pancreatic tumors?

OBJECTIVES: To identify any association between celiac artery compromise found on computed tomographic angiography and the incidence of postoperative and perioperative complications. METHODS: The computed tomographic angiograms of 36 patients who underwent the Whipple procedure for pancreatic adenocarcinoma were examined retrospectively. The association between the results and surgical course was investigated. RESULTS: Twelve patients (33%) had significant postoperative complications. Ten (28%) had evidence of celiac artery stenosis. Stenosis ranged from 20% to 60%. There was no evidence of a difference between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: There seems to be no evidence of an increased risk of postoperative or perioperative complication in patients undergoing the Whipple procedure, with a celiac stenosis of up to 60%.

Preoperative staging accuracy of multidetector computed tomography in pancreatic head adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the preoperative computed tomography (CT) findings in patients with potentially operable pancreatic malignancy with findings at surgery. METHODS: In a retrospective analysis, 140 consecutive patients with carcinoma of the pancreatic head were studied. All were imaged using a standardized multidetector CT (MDCT) protocol. Patients with disease that was clearly inoperable were excluded. The remaining patients had their CT studies double-reported using a standard method. Images were scored for vascular involvement, tumor size, nodal disease, pancreatic duct diameter, and size of the gastrocolic trunk. Preoperative staging was compared with findings at surgery. RESULTS: One hundred forty patients presented with pancreatic head tumors. One hundred were not suitable for surgery. Forty patients were considered for curative surgery. For assessing preoperative operability, MDCT has an accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 72.7, 81.8, 68.2, 56, and 88.2%, respectively. Subjects with inoperable tumors tended to have larger tumors and more dilated pancreatic ducts (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: There remains a group of patients with small pancreatic tumors that show early local dissemination, undetectable with high-resolution anatomical imaging.