Occurrence of salmonid alphavirus and piscine orthoreovirus-1 infections in migrating salmon (Salmo salar L.) post-smolt in western Norway.

Viral diseases are a serious problem in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) farming in Norway, often leading to reduced fish welfare and increased mortality. Disease outbreaks in salmon farms may lead to spread of viruses to the surrounding environment. There is a public concern that viral diseases may negatively affect the wild salmon populations. Pancreas disease (PD) caused by salmonid alphavirus (SAV) and heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) caused by piscine orthoreovirus-1 (PRV-1) are common viral diseases in salmon farms in western Norway. In the current study, we investigated the occurrence of SAV and PRV-1 infections in 651 migrating salmon post-smolt collected from three fjord systems (Sognefjorden, Osterfjorden and Hardangerfjorden) located in western Norway in 2013 and 2014 by real-time RT-PCR. Of the collected post-smolts, 303 were of wild origin and 348 were hatchery-released. SAV was not detected in any of the tested post-smolt, but PRV-1 was detected in 4.6% of them. The Ct values of PRV-1 positive fish were usually high (mean 32.0; range: 20.1-36.8). PRV-1 prevalence in post-smolts from the three fjords was 6.1% in Sognefjorden followed by 4.8% in Osterfjorden and 2.3% in Hardangerfjorden. The prevalence PRV-1 was significantly higher in wild (6.9%) compared to hatchery-released post-smolt (2.6%). The occurrence of PRV-1 infection in the fish was lowest in the Hardangerfjorden which has the highest fish farming intensity. Our results suggest that SAV infection are uncommon in migrating smolt while PRV-1 infection can be detected at low level. These findings suggest that migrating smolts were at low risk from SAV or PRV-1 released from salmon farms located in their migration routes in 2013 and 2014.

Occurrence of salmonid alphavirus (SAV) and piscine orthoreovirus (PRV) infections in wild sea trout Salmo trutta in Norway.

Viral diseases represent a serious problem in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) farming in Norway. Pancreas disease (PD) caused by salmonid alphavirus (SAV) and heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) caused by piscine orthoreovirus (PRV) are among the most frequently diagnosed viral diseases in recent years. The possible spread of viruses from salmon farms to wild fish is a major public concern. Sea trout S. trutta collected from the major farming areas along the Norwegian coast are likely to have been exposed to SAV and PRV from farms with disease outbreaks. We examined 843 sea trout from 4 counties in Norway for SAV and PRV infections. We did not detect SAV in any of the tested fish, although significant numbers of the trout were caught in areas with frequent PD outbreaks. Low levels of PRV were detected in 1.3% of the sea trout. PRV-infected sea trout were caught in both salmon farming and non-farming areas, so the occurrence of infections was not associated with farming intensity or HSMI cases. Our results suggest that SAV and PRV infections are uncommon in wild sea trout. Hence, we found no evidence that sea trout are at risk from SAV or PRV released from salmon farms.

Change in anthropometrics and aerobic fitness in Air Force cadets during 3 years of academy studies.

INTRODUCTION: Favorable anthropometrical status and aerobic fitness levels are emphasized in Norwegian Air Force personnel. However, it is unknown how these variables develop in Air Force cadets. Thus, the main aim of the present study was to examine how anthropometrics and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2(max)) change among Norwegian Air Force cadets during 3 yr of Academy studies. METHODS: There were 30 male cadets included in the study. Bodyweight, body mass index (BMI), estimated percent body fat, and VO2(max) were measured at entry and at the end of the first year of Academy studies. After the first year, 14 cadets left the Academy, while the remaining cadets were retested at the end of the second and third years. RESULTS63: At entry, mean (95% CI) bodyweight, BMI, percent body fat, and VO2(max) were 78.4 (75.2, 81.6) kg, 24.3 (23.5, 25.1) kg x m(-2), 17.8 (16.3, 19.3)%, and 4.48 (4.25, 4.72) L x min(-1), respectively. Percent body fat decreased significantly by 1.1 (0.2, 2.0) percentage points at the end of the first year, while the other variables did not change during the first year. Between entry and end of third year there was no change in any of the main outcome variables. DISCUSSION: Anthropometrical status and VO2(max) did not change in Norwegian Air Force cadets between entry and the end of 3 yr of Air Force Academy studies. From the 1- and 3-yr follow-up analysis, the only significant change was a small reduction in estimated percent body fat from entry to the end of the first year.

Proxy measures of fitness suggest coastal fish farms can act as population sources and not ecological traps for wild gadoid fish.

BACKGROUND: Ecological traps form when artificial structures are added to natural habitats and induce mismatches between habitat preferences and fitness consequences. Their existence in terrestrial systems has been documented, yet little evidence suggests they occur in marine environments. Coastal fish farms are widespread artificial structures in coastal ecosystems and are highly attractive to wild fish. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To investigate if coastal salmon farms act as ecological traps for wild Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and saithe (Pollachius virens), we compared proxy measures of fitness between farm-associated fish and control fish caught distant from farms in nine locations throughout coastal Norway, the largest coastal fish farming industry in the world. Farms modified wild fish diets in both quality and quantity, thereby providing farm-associated wild fish with a strong trophic subsidy. This translated to greater somatic (saithe: 1.06-1.12 times; cod: 1.06-1.11 times) and liver condition indices (saithe: 1.4-1.8 times; cod: 2.0-2.8 times) than control fish caught distant from farms. Parasite loads of farm-associated wild fish were modified from control fish, with increased external and decreased internal parasites, however the strong effect of the trophic subsidy overrode any effects of altered loads upon condition. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Proxy measures of fitness provided no evidence that salmon farms function as ecological traps for wild fish. We suggest fish farms may act as population sources for wild fish, provided they are protected from fishing while resident at farms to allow their increased condition to manifest as greater reproductive output.

Quality benchmark for trans-tibial prostheses in low-income countries.

Based on four series of patients (N=141) participating in clinical field testing of prosthetic feet and all provided with trans-tibial prostheses in accordance with the polypropylene component and assembly system developed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) a series of quality benchmarks was developed and tested against historical data. The patient compliance demands were set for walking >1 km at 90 +/- 10%, non-users at 5 +/- 5%, discomfort at 10 +/- 10%, pain at 10 +/- 10%, and patient satisfaction at 90 +/- 10%. The technical performance demands were set for good socket fit at 60 +/- 10%, misalignment at 15 +/- 10%, insufficient craftsmanship at 10 +/- 10%, and requirements for socket change at 10 +/- 10%.