Haemosporidian infection and co-infection affect host survival and reproduction in wild populations of great tits.

Theoretical studies predict that parasitic infection may impact host longevity and ultimately modify the trade-off between reproduction and survival. Indeed, a host may adjust its energy allocation in current reproduction to balance the negative effects of parasitism on its survival prospects. However, very few empirical studies tested this prediction. Avian haemosporidian parasites provide an excellent opportunity to assess the influence of parasitic infection on both host survival and reproduction. They are represented by three main genera (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) and are highly prevalent in many bird populations. Here we provide the first known long-term field study (12 years) to explore the effects of haemosporidian parasite infection and co-infection on fitness in two populations of great tits (Parus major), using a multistate modeling framework. We found that while co-infection decreased survival probability, both infection and co-infection increased reproductive success. This study provides evidence that co-infections can be more virulent than single infections. It also provides support for the life-history theory which predicts that reproductive effort can be adjusted to balance one's fitness when survival prospects are challenged.

The storage of sewage sludge: influence of liming on the evolution of copper chemical fractions.

Sewage sludge re-used in agriculture has to be stabilized and is often stored for several months before land spreading. Stabilization treatment may affect the behaviour of heavy metals such as Cu, which is an element potentially toxic to the environment. In the present study, the chemical forms of copper have been investigated in heaps of limed and unlimed sludge coming from the wastewater treatment plant of Roselies (Belgium). These limed and unlimed aerobically digested sludges were stored during 4 mo in controlled conditions close to field ones. The sequential extraction procedure developed by Tessier was used to determine the copper chemical forms of representative samples taken in the outer shell and in the depth of the heaps. The physico-chemical properties (pH, organic matter, dry matter and temperature) of these samples were also monitored. This study shows that liming transforms part of organically-bound copper into both exchangeable and residual copper. These changes mainly occur during the first 2 wk of storage. After several months of storage, copper passes from the residual fraction to the exchangeable and oxide fractions. During the whole experiment, changes occur faster in the outer shell than in the depth of the heaps. Thus, we demonstrate that the distribution of the copper forms depends on the storage time and it is different in the outer shell from that in the depth of the heaps.

Methylmalonic acidaemia and nonketotic hyperglycinaemia. Clinical and biochemical aspects.

The clinical and metabolic data of 2 cases of methylmalonic acidaemia with propionic acidaemia are reported together with those of 3 other patients with nonketotic hyperglycinaemia. Liver enzymatic studies showed decreased activity in vitro of the glycine cleavage enzyme in one patient with methylmalonic acidaemia as well as in 2 unrelated patients with nonketotic hyperglycinaemia, while the activity of the serine hydroxymethylase enzyme was normal. Hyperammonaemia was substantiated in one patient with methylmalonic acidaemia and also in one child with nonketotic hyperglycinaemia. The activity of the enzymes of the urea cycle, determined in the liver of this nonketotic child, was normal except for a decrease of the carbamyl phosphate synthetase enzyme to 15% of normal.