| 1. |
- Vågsholm, Ivar, et al.
(författare)
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Antimicrobial sensitivity-A natural resource to be protected by a Pigouvian tax?
- 2010
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Ingår i: Preventive Veterinary Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5877 .- 1873-1716. ; 96:1-2, s. 41535-41535
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Since their discovery more than 70 years ago antibiotic drugs have been efficient tools for treating bacterial infections, and their use has reduced the number of fatalities and the suffering from bacterial diseases. However, the use of antibiotics may lead to resistance to the same or other antibiotics. The risk of resistance appears to be larger in veterinary medicine, since antibiotics have been given as feed-additives in animal production, the amounts given are larger, and the risk of selecting the wrong antibiotic is higher due to lack of diagnostic facilities. Historically, as resistance developed, new classes of antibiotics were developed, but today however, the flow of new substances has slowed. The resistance that arises from antibiotic use is a negative externality or a cost that is not included in the price of antibiotics since it affects the public good of antibiotic sensitivity. The negative externality implies that antibiotic consumption becomes too high. Antibiotic use can be restricted by e.g., prohibiting the use in animal feeding stuffs, prescription only use, or banning the use for animals or by using economic incentives, but restrictions on antibiotic use could have negative effects on the development of new antimicrobials since restrictions might reduce the profitability of such efforts to the pharmaceutical industry. It is therefore of interest to see what economic theory can contribute towards a solution. The objective of this study is to examine if a Pigouvian tax is an option for balancing the externalities and incentives for veterinary drug use. However, as a practical solution, it is suggested to use the costs of developing new antibiotics for determining the tax. The magnitude the tax based on European Union numbers ranges between 29 and 287(sic) per kilogram active substance or between 9 and 86% of the average price of commonly used antibiotics depending on the foreseen period in years (1-10 years) between the development of a new antibiotic drug. Hence, the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics should be managed as a finite natural resource. A tax based on the expected costs of development new antibiotic substances may offer a practical option for balancing the incentives and externalities of antibiotic use and development. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 2. |
- Prykhodko, Olena, et al.
(författare)
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Hormonal and immune profiles in blood were unaffected by PHA provocation in suckling and weaning pigs
- 2010
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Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 133:1-3, s. 253-256
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The lectin, phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), from red kidney beans has been shown as an inducer of growth and precocious gastrointestinal (Cl) maturation in suckling animals, thus better preparing piglets for the weaning procedure. PHA exposure results in the release of gut peptide hormones and/or activation of the Cl immune system. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms of PHA provocation by studying changes in the blood/plasma levels of major gut hormones, immune parameters and acute phase proteins. Suckling, 9-10 day-old, littermate piglets were gavage fed PHA, either in purified or crude form or, as a control, alpha-lactalbumin (n = 5-6 pigs/group) and blood was obtained repeatedly during one week and after weaning at 5 weeks. No significant differences in the blood parameters between PHA-treated pigs in comparison to their time-matched controls were found during the first week after treatment. At weaning significant changes in hormonal (insulin) and immune (WBC) parameters and CRP were observed, however, these effects were independent of earlier PHA treatment. In conclusion, PHA, given enterally as a single dose, did not affect the basal blood parameters analysed, during both the suckling and post-weaning periods in piglets. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 3. |
- Rengman, Sofia, et al.
(författare)
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The growth of exocrine pancreatic insufficient young pigs fed an elemental diet is dependent on enteral pancreatin supplementation
- 2010
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Ingår i: Livestock Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 1871-1413 .- 1878-0490. ; 134:1-3, s. 50-52
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Young exocrine pancreas insufficient (EPI) pigs given a commercial feed (polymeric diet) show growth retardation that can be reversed by dietary supplementation with pancreatic enzymes. Our aim was to investigate if providing an elemental diet, mimicking a pre-digested diet, can support body growth in EPI-pigs. Thus, EPI-pigs, pancreatic duct-ligated at 12.2 +/- 2.6 weeks of age (15.3 +/- 4.8 kg), were fed for 6 days either a commercial polymeric pig feed or infused i.v. with an elemental diet, with or without oral supplementation with a porcine enzyme preparation (Creon (R)). The body weight (BW) gain was then compared at day 7. Control pigs (with intact pancreata) showed a 14.0 +/- 1.3% increase in BW independent of the diet, while EPI-pigs given the same diets either lost (polymeric diet) or slightly increased (elemental diet) their BW. In contrast, EPI-pigs fed the polymeric feed with Creon supplementation showed a normalised growth and EPI-pigs given the elemental diet with Creon supplementation gained 8.5 +/- 0.7% in BW. In conclusion, control pigs maintained a normal growth, independently of the diet being given in polymeric or elemental form, while EPI-pigs showed an impaired growth when receiving the same diets without oral enzyme supplementation. This suggests that pancreatic juice or enzyme preparations, in addition to their digestive properties, stimulate nutrient assimilation and anabolic processes in young fast-growing pigs. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 4. |
- Skiöldebrand, Eva, et al.
(författare)
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Ultrastructural immunolocalization of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in the articular cartilage on the equine third carpal bone in trained and untrained horses
- 2010
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Ingår i: Research in Veterinary Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0034-5288 .- 1532-2661. ; 88:2, s. 251-257
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The present study was designed to delineate the presence of COMP at the ultrastructural level comparing concentrations between two areas of articular cartilage from the equine third carpal bone, subjected to different loading, from trained and untrained horses. We also analyzed the fibril thickness of collagen type II in the same compartments and zones. Samples were collected from high load-bearing areas of the dorsal radial facet (intermittent high load) and an area of the palmar condyle (low constant load) in five non-trained and three trained young racehorses. The data show that COMP is much less abundant in the matrix in intermittent high loaded areas of articular cartilage from trained horses as compared to the untrained horses (p = 0.036). On the other hand, the untrained horses often displayed a higher immunolabeling in loaded areas compared to unloaded areas, indicating that an adequate dynamic load promotes COMP synthesis and/or retention, while an excessive load may have an opposite effect. The collagen fibril diameter showed marked variation between individuals. The present study indicates that dynamic in vivo compression at high load and frequency lowers matrix content of COMP in the articular cartilage of the third carpal bone. It also indicates that the collagen network is influenced by mechanical load following by strenuous exercise. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 5. |
- van Wieringen, Tijs, et al.
(författare)
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The streptococcal collagen-binding protein CNE specifically interferes with {alpha}V{beta}3-mediated cellular interactions with triple helical collagen
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - 0021-9258 .- 1083-351X. ; 285:46, s. 35803-35813
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Collagen fibers expose distinct domains allowing for specific interactions with other extracellular matrix proteins and cells. To investigate putative collagen domains that govern integrin α(V)β(3)-mediated cellular interactions with native collagen fibers we took advantage of the streptococcal protein CNE that bound native fibrillar collagens. CNE specifically inhibited α(V)β(3)-dependent cell-mediated collagen gel contraction, PDGF BB-induced and α(V)β(3)-mediated adhesion of cells, and binding of fibronectin to native collagen. Using a Toolkit composed of overlapping, 27-residue triple helical segments of collagen type II, two CNE-binding sites present in peptides II-1 and II-44 were identified. These peptides lack the major binding site for collagen-binding β(1) integrins, defined by the peptide GFOGER. Peptide II-44 corresponds to a region of collagen known to bind collagenases, discoidin domain receptor 2, SPARC (osteonectin), and fibronectin. In addition to binding fibronectin, peptide II-44 but not II-1 inhibited α(V)β(3)-mediated collagen gel contraction and, when immobilized on plastic, supported adhesion of cells. Reduction of fibronectin expression by siRNA reduced PDGF BB-induced α(V)β(3)-mediated contraction. Reconstitution of collagen types I and II gels in the presence of CNE reduced collagen fibril diameters and fibril melting temperatures. Our data indicate that contraction proceeded through an indirect mechanism involving binding of cell-produced fibronectin to the collagen fibers. Furthermore, our data show that cell-mediated collagen gel contraction does not directly depend on the process of fibril formation.
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| 6. |
- Akselsson, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
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Assessing the risk of N leaching from forest soils across a steep N deposition gradient in Sweden.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Environmental Pollution. - : Elsevier BV. - 0269-7491 .- 1873-6424. ; 158:12, s. 3588-3595
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Nitrogen leaching from boreal and temporal forests, where normally most of the nitrogen is retained, has the potential to increase acidification of soil and water and eutrophication of the Baltic Sea. In parts of Sweden, where the nitrogen deposition has been intermediate to high during recent decades, there are indications that the soils are close to nitrogen saturation. In this study, four different approaches were used to assess the risk of nitrogen leaching from forest soils in different parts of Sweden. Nitrate concentrations in soil water and C:N ratios in the humus layer where interpreted, together with model results from mass balance calculations and detailed dynamic modelling. All four approaches pointed at a risk of nitrogen leaching from forest soils in southern Sweden. However, there was a substantial variation on a local scale. Basing the assessment on four different approaches makes the assessment robust.
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| 7. |
- Anderbrant, Olle, et al.
(författare)
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Pheromone of the elm bark beetle Scolytus laevis (Coleoptera Scolytidae) : stereoisomers of 4-methyl-3-heptanol reduce interspecific competition
- 2010
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Ingår i: Chemoecology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0937-7409 .- 1423-0445. ; 20:3, s. 179-187
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Stereoisomers of 4-methyl-3-heptanol (MH) are pheromone components of several Scolytus bark beetles. The elm bark beetle Scolytus laevis (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) has in previous studies been caught in traps baited with commercial MH containing all four stereoisomers, but the lure has been considered a weak attractant. In this study, we addressed the question whether stereospecific responses by S. laevis to stereoisomers of MH might contribute to its niche separation from other sympatric Scolytus species. Using GC-MS, we analyzed extracts of hindguts and abdomens from male and female S. laevis and the sympatric S. triarmatus. We also tested all four MH-stereoisomers individually and in combinations in the field to determine their role for S. laevis. All four stereoisomers were synthesized via a boronic ester method with 1,2-dicyclohexylethanediol as chiral director. In addition, the (3S,4R)-stereoisomer of MH was prepared through enantioselective, lipase-mediated transesterification of a mixture of the four stereoisomers of MH. Females of both species contained small amounts of syn-MH, and males contained trace amounts of anti-MH. The anti stereoisomer (3R,4S)-MH was attractive to male and female S. laevis, whereas the syn stereoisomer (3S,4S)-MH acted as an inhibitor or deterrent and reduced the catch when added to the attractive isomer. The syn isomer is the main aggregation pheromone component of the larger and sympatric S. scolytus and possibly also of S. triarmatus. The avoidance response of S. laevis to the (3S,4S)-stereoisomer may reduce interspecific competition for host trees.
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| 8. |
- Aronsson, Pär, et al.
(författare)
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Treatment of landfill leachate by irrigation of willow coppice - Plant response and treatment efficiency
- 2010
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Ingår i: Environmental Pollution. - : Elsevier BV. - 0269-7491 .- 1873-6424. ; 158:3, s. 795-804
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Landfill leachates usually need to be treated before discharged. and using soil-plant systems for this has gained substantial interest in Sweden and in the UK A three-year field study was conducted in central Sweden to quantify plant response, treatment efficiency and impact on groundwater quality of landfill leachate irrigation of short-rotation willow coppice (Salix) Two willow varieties were tested and four irrigation regimes in sixteen 400-m(2) plots. The willow plants did not react negatively, despite very high annual loads of nitrogen (<= 2160 kg N/ha), chloride (<= 8600 kg Cl/ha) and other elements. Mean annual growth was 15. 98 and 12.6 tonnes DM/ha during years 1-3 For one of two willow varieties tested. relative leaf length accurately predicted growth rate. Irrigation resulted in elevated groundwater concentrations of all elements applied. Treatment efficiency varied considerably for different elements, but was adequate when moderate loads were applied. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Rundlöf, Maj, et al.
(författare)
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Does conservation on farmland contribute to halting the biodiversity decline?
- 2011
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Ingår i: Trends in ecology & evolution. - : Elsevier BV. - 0169-5347 .- 1872-8383. ; 26, s. 474-481
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Biodiversity continues to decline, despite the implementation of international conservation conventions and measures. To counteract biodiversity loss, it is pivotal to know how conservation actions affect biodiversity trends. Focussing on European farmland species, we review what is known about the impact of conservation initiatives on biodiversity. We argue that the effects of conservation are a function of conservation-induced ecological contrast, agricultural land-use intensity and landscape context. We find that, to date, only a few studies have linked local conservation effects to national biodiversity trends. It is therefore unknown how the extensive European agri-environmental budget for conservation on farmland contributes to the policy objectives to halt biodiversity decline. Based on this review, we identify new research directions addressing this important knowledge gap.
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