Commingling of horses from various populations, together with physiological stress associated with transport and confinement at a sales complex, may be associated with detection and transmission of equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) and -4 (EHV-4). This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the currently undefined prevalence of EHV-1 and -4 in young Thoroughbreds at an auction sale in South Africa, and associations between clinical signs, physiological stress and viral detection. Ninety, two-year old Thoroughbreds (51 colts, 39 fillies) were consigned from eight farms and sampled at a South African auction sale. The horses were monitored for pyrexia and nasal discharge. Nasal swabs were collected for quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay to detect EHV-1 and -4 and faecal samples were collected for enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to determine faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations. EHV-4 nucleic acid was detected in some and EHV-1 nucleic acid in none of the population. Pyrexia and nasal discharge were poor indicators of EHV-4 status. Variation in FGM concentrations was best explained by transportation and preparation for auction. Peaks in EHV-4 detection and increases in FGM concentrations were identified shortly post-arrival and on the first day of auction. Temporal changes in FGM concentrations of horses from individual farms showed two distinct patterns: Pattern A (biphasic peaks) and Pattern B (single peak). It was concluded that sales consignment was associated with some EHV-4 nucleic acid detection and distinctive physiological stress patterns in this population of young Thoroughbreds. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Companion Animal Clinical Studies / MSc / Unrestricted

The Ullafelsen at 1869 m above sea level (a.s.l.) in the Tyrolean Stubai Alps next to Innsbruck is an important (geo)archeological reference site for the Mesolithic period. Buried fireplaces on the Ullafelsen plateau were dated at 10.9 to 9.5 ka cal BP and demonstrate together with thousands of flint stone artifacts the presence of hunter-gatherers during the Early Holocene. Grazing livestock has been a predominant anthropozoological impact in the Fotsch Valley presumably since the Bronze Age (4.2–2.8 ka). In order to study the human and/or livestock faeces input on the Ullafelsen, we carried out steroid analyses on 2 modern ruminant faeces samples from cattle and sheep, 37 soil samples from seven archeological soil profiles, and 9 soil samples from five non-archeological soil profiles from the Fotsch Valley used as reference sites. The dominance of 5β-stigmastanol and deoxycholic acid in modern cattle and sheep faeces can be used as markers for the input of ruminant faeces in soils. The OAh horizons, which have accumulated and developed since the Mesolithic, revealed high contents of steroids (sterols, stanols, stanones and bile acids); the eluvial light layer (E (LL)) horizon coinciding with the Mesolithic living floor is characterized by medium contents of steroids. By contrast, the subsoil horizons Bh, Bs and BvCv contain low contents of faecal biomarkers, indicating that leaching of steroids into the podsolic subsoils is not an important factor. High content of 5β-stigmastanol and deoxycholic acid in all soil samples gives evidence for faeces input of ruminants. The steroid patterns and ratios indicate a negligible input of human faeces on the Ullafelsen. In conclusion, our results reflect a strong faeces input by livestock, rather than by humans as found for other Anthrosols such as Amazonian dark earths. Further studies need to focus on the question of the exact timing of faeces deposition.

Effective management of the excreta or faecal sludge (FS) emptying, transport and disposal mechanisms from the on-plot latrines in urban areas of many low-income countries is critical for the sustainability of urban sanitation. However the literature mentions the lack of an effective management system for urban FS emptying, transport and disposal in the low-income countries. The current management of FS has been fragmented and improper with attendant poor health and environmental pollution problems. In particular, no substantive information was found relating to how far the excreta or sludge removed from the latrines is transported to the disposal points. Also information on household financial needs and their perceptions regarding emptying and transport services was lacking. No study had been done regarding the effects of disposal distance and accessibility on the cost of emptying and transport; neither has work been done on FS reuse implications for emptying, transport and disposal mechanisms. Based on these issues, the research questions and hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. Qualitative and quantitative research techniques were used to triangulate and ensure the reliability and validity of the findings and analysis. From the analysis of the findings, the thesis concludes on these key issues: i) Emptying, transport and disposal mechanisms of the excreta and FS as well as the costs of these depend on the type of latrines, latrine use and the technology available for emptying and transport. ii) Owing to the nature of latrines and the emptying methods used the disposal of the FS was indiscriminate and much was found closer to its source of generation. iii) FS was in high demand for reuse but lacked appropriate marketing strategy that could match supply with the demand. iv) The Household Centred Environmental Sanitation (HCES) approach was found to be limited in content and capacity to effectively address the urban excreta and FS emptying, transport and disposal without the active and full involvement of the municipal and local authorities with clear roles and regulations that address the key processes, linkages, and capacity development issues. Thus, the HCES approach needs periodic review and modifications to take care of the new developments and peculiarities of each urban setting. The study also recommends the need to look at streamlining technologies and developing capacity to address cross-cutting issues in urban sanitation. It further recommends the need for households, the sanitation authorities and practitioners to understand the links between latrine technology in terms of type, size, use and location vis-à-vis the required emptying, transport and disposal mechanisms in the urban areas of the low-income countries.

Background: Currently, participation in the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (NHSBCSP) is poor, with around half of all people invited returning their (FOBT) kits. The research programme aimed to investigate whether a general practitioner’s (GP) letter encouraging participation and a detailed leaflet explaining how to complete the (FOBT) included with the invitation materials would improve uptake. Methods: The research programme was divided into three phases which were designed to sequentially develop and evaluate the two interventions. The initial and second phases developed and refined the two interventions and the trial outcome measures with previous participants and stakeholder representatives. The final phase was a randomised 2x2 factorial trial conducted with people invited to screening in October 2009. Participants were randomised to either a GP’s endorsement letter and/or a detailed procedural leaflet with their FOBT kit. The primary outcome was verified participation in the NHSBCSP. Questionnaires were also used to evaluate participant perceptions of CRC screening and GPs views on involvement with the NHSBCSP. Results: The factorial trial demonstrated both the GP’s endorsement letter and the detailed procedural leaflet increased participation in the NHSBCSP. In the intention-to-treat analysis, participation improved by 6% for the detailed procedural leaflet and 5.8% for the GP endorsement letter 20 weeks after receipt of the FOBT kit. The random effects logistic regression model confirmed that there was no important interaction between the two interventions, and estimated an adjusted rate ratio of 1.11 (P=0.038) for the GP’s letter and 1.12 (P=0.029) for the leaflet. The per protocol analysis indicated that the insertion of an electronic GP’s signature on the endorsement letter was associated with increased participation (P=0.039). Conclusions: Including both an endorsement letter from each patient’s GP and a detailed procedural leaflet could increase participation in the NHSBCSP by around 10%, a relative improvement of 20% on the current participation rate. Both interventions were well-received by participants and there was minimal impact on GP workload.

A presente tese foi elaborada em três capítulos, correspondente às seções 2, 3 e 4. No primeiro objetivou-se avaliar a associação de quitosana com grão de soja integral nas dietas sobre o consumo, fermentação ruminal, digestibilidade e metabolismo de nutrientes e seus efeitos sobre a produção de leite, perfil de ácidos graxos do leite e a eficiência produtiva de vacas em lactação. Para tal, 24 vacas multíparas da raça Holandesa, oito dessas com cânula ruminal, foram distribuídas em quadrados latinos 4×4 replicados. Os tratamentos foram obtidos por esquema fatorial 2×2 pela combinação de quitosana e grão de soja integral nas dietas. De modo geral, a associação de quitosana com grão de soja aumentou a eficiência de fermentação ruminal, reduziu as populações bacterianas ligadas à biohidrogenação e aumentou o teor de ácidos graxos insaturados na gordura do leite, mas houve significativa redução do consumo e digestibilidade dos nutrientes, da síntese de proteína microbiana e da produção de leite. No entanto, a adição de quitosana em dietas sem suplementação lipídica pode ser uma boa estratégia nutricional para aumentar a retenção de N e a eficiência alimentar de vacas em lactação, e adicionalmente, aumentar o teor de ácidos graxos insaturados e de cis-9, trans-11 CLA no leite. No segundo capítulo, o objetivo geral foi avaliar os indicadores externos Cr2O3 e TiO2 e os internos MSi, FDNi e FDAi, estes analisados em diferentes sacos de incubação in situ, a partir da acurácia, precisão e robustez das estimativas de excreção fecal em ensaio de digestão com vacas leiteiras consumindo diferentes dietas. Foram utilizadas oito vacas canuladas no rúmen para a realização de coletas totais de fezes com 24, 48 e 72 h de duração. De modo geral, o Cr2O3 gerou estimativas acuradas e precisas, no entanto a recuperação fecal e a robustez foram afetadas pelo consumo de extrato etéreo das vacas. O indicador TiO2 apresentou incompleta recuperação fecal, baixa acurácia, precisão e robustez. Dentre as combinações avaliadas para os indicadores internos, a FDNi em sacos de poliéster teve completa recuperação fecal e gerou as estimativas mais acuradas, precisas e robustas. A falta de acurácia e precisão dos indicadores têm grande impacto final sobre as estimativas de digestibilidade. No terceiro capítulo, o objetivo foi avaliar o uso da creatinina como indicador do volume urinário para estimativas de excreção total de derivados de purinas como técnica de avaliação da produção microbiana ruminal em vacas leiteiras alimentadas com diferentes dietas. Também foram utilizadas as oito vacas canuladas no rúmen para a realização de coletas totais de urina com 24, 48 e 72 h de duração. De modo geral, a creatinina foi afetada pelas condições experimentais do estudo, incluindo efeito de dieta e variações conforme o período experimental e animais. Apesar da relação entre excreção observada e estimada de derivados de purinas, essa deve ser vista com cautela, em razão de que o volume urinário foi subestimado e que as estimativas não identificaram corretas diferenças entre as dietas, comprometendo as avaliações sobre a produção microbiana ruminal. / The present thesis was elaborated in three chapters, corresponding to sections 2, 3 and 4. In the first one, the aim was to evaluate the association of chitosan (C) and whole raw soybean (WRS) in diets, evaluating the intake, ruminal fermentation, digestibility and nutrient metabolism and its effects on milk production, milk fatty acids profile and the productive efficiency of lactating cows. Twenty four multiparous Holstein cows, eight of them fitted with ruminal cannula, were distributed in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin squares. The treatments were a combination of C and WRS diets arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design. This association increased the efficiency of ruminal fermentation, reducing the bacterial population responsible for the biohydrogenation and increased the unsaturated fatty acids in milk. The C and WRS diets caused a significant reduction in DMI and nutrient digestibility, in microbial protein synthesis and milk yield. However, the addition of C in diets without a lipid supplementation may be a good nutritional strategy to increase the N retention and increase the food efficiency of lactating cows, and, indeed, to increase the unsaturated fatty acids content, mainly cis-9, trans-11 CLA. In the second chapter, the objective was to evaluate the external indicators Cr2O3 and TiO2 and the indigestible internal DM, NDF and ADF that were determined in in situ different incubation bags from the accuracy, precision and robustness of the fecal excretion estimates in a digestion assay with different dairy cow diets. Eight cows fitted with ruminal cannula were used to perform total fecal collection over 24, 48 and 72 hours. The Cr2O3 generated accurate estimates, however, the fecal recovery and robustness were affected by the ether extract intake. The TiO2 indicator showed incomplete fecal recovery, low accuracy, precision and robustness. Among the combinations for the internal indicators, the iNDF in polyester bags had a complete recovery and generated the most accurate and robust estimates. The lack of accuracy and precision of the indicators have a big impact on the digestibility estimates. In the third chapter, the aim was to evaluate the use of creatinine as an indicator of urinary volume. It would be possible to estimate the total excretion of purine derivatives to evaluate the ruminal microbial protein synthesis in different cow diets. Also, eight multiparous cows fitted with ruminal cannula were used to make total urine collection over 24, 48 and 72 hours. The creatinine was affected by the study experimental conditions, including dietary effect and variations according to period and animals. The relationship between observed and estimated excretion of purine derivatives should be viewed with caution, because the urinary volume was underestimated and the estimates did not identify the correct differences between diets, that could compromise the evaluations of ruminal microbial production.

O veado-mão-curta (Mazama nana) é uma espécie de cervídeo que ocupa a região Sul do Brasil, norte da Argentina e leste do Paraguai, tendo sido severamente afetada pela redução drástica das áreas florestadas. Trata-se, também, da espécie de cervídeo neotropical menos estudada pela ciência. Frente a essa situação, o presente projeto propôs-se a entender como essa espécie se distribui em sua área de ocorrência, propôs áreas prioritárias para sua conservação e estimou a densidade de duas populações. Dada a raridade e a alta elusividade da espécie, propôs-se o uso de metodologias indiretas para se atingir o objetivo proposto. Assim, foram usadas metodologias baseadas na coleta de amostras fecais, extração do DNA e posterior análises molecular e genética. Foram coletadas amostras fecais com o auxílio de um cão farejador em unidades de conservação distribuídas ao longo do Sul do Brasil. Após a identificação da espécie por meio da amplificação de um fragmento do citocromo B e corte com enzimas de restrição (PCR/RFLP) e com os dados de localização das amostras, foram feitas modelagens de distribuição com o software Maxent. Foram escolhidas duas unidades de conservação, onde foram realizadas coletas de amostras fecais, baseadas em faixas, para possibilitar a estimativa da densidade de animais nestas populações. Estabeleceu-se a distribuição geográfica potencial de M. nana no Brasil para os Estados do Paraná, Santa Catarina, norte e centro do Rio Grande do Sul, extremo sul de São Paulo e Mato Grosso do Sul. Porção leste do Paraguai e, na Argentina para a província de Missiones. A densidade da espécie para a região norte do Parque Nacional do Iguaçu foi de 1,9 ind/km2 e para o Parque Estadual Vila Rica do Espírito Santo foi de 5,5 ind/km2. A população potencial da espécie foi de 152.991 indivíduos, sendo 15.524 indivíduos a população dentro das áreas protegidas. Sugere-se a manutenção do estado de conservação da espécie como Vulnerável, tanto na lista Brasileira como na lista Internacional de fauna ameaçada de extinção. / The Brazilian dwarf brocket (Mazama nana) is a deer species that occupies the forests of southern Brazil, north of Argentina and east of Paraguay. It has been greatly affected by the drastic reduction of forested areas. It is also the less studied neotropical deer. Considering this situation, this project aimed to shed light on the species distribution along its range, to indicate conservation priority areas and estimate the density of two populations. Given the rarity and high elusiveness of the species, it is proposed the use of indirect methods to achieve this goal. Fecal samples collection based methodologies were used, followed by DNA extraction and subsequent molecular and genetic analysis. Fecal samples were tracked and collected in protected areas spread over south Brazil, with the help of a scat detection dog. After species identification by PCR/RFLP and samples spatialization, species distribution modeling was carried out using Maxent software suit. Two protected areas were chosen for a faecal sampling based on transects, in order to estimate the population density. Potential geographical distribution of M. nana in Brazil was stablished at states of Paraná, Santa Catarina, northern and center Rio Grande do Sul, extreme South of São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul. Also at Eastern Paraguay and Missiones province in Argentina. Species density at the northern area of Iguaçu National Park was 1.9 ind/km2 and at the State Park of Vila Rica do Espírito Santo was 5.5 ind/km2. The species potential population was 152,991 individuals, including 15,524 individuals inside protected areas. It is suggested to maintain species conservation status as vulnerable on the Brazilian and on the International red list of threatened species.

Introdução: A gravidez e o parto são frequentemente associados à redução da força dos músculos do assoalho pélvico (FMAP) e à incontinência urinária (IU) e anal (IA), devido às alterações que ocasionam nos mecanismos de controle e suporte das estruturas do assoalho pélvico. Objetivos: O objetivo geral foi analisar a FMAP e a IU e IA no período pós-parto e os específicos foram verificar a associação da FMAP com a IU e a IA após o parto e identificar os fatores associados à FMAP, à IU e à IA após o parto e a interferência da IU na vida da puérpera. Método: Estudo transversal, com 128 mulheres nos primeiros 6 meses após o parto, conduzido em um serviço do setor suplementar de saúde, em Guarulhos, SP. Foram incluídas todas as mulheres integrantes da coorte Cuidado perineal na gestação e após o parto: prevenção e morbidade relacionadas à força muscular perineal, função sexual e continência urinária, que compareceram ao menos a um retorno do pós-parto. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista, a FMAP foi mensurada pela perineometria (Peritron) e o International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) foi aplicado às mulheres que referiram IU. Foram realizadas análise descritiva, inferencial e múltipla. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Escola de Enfermagem da Universidade de São Paulo. Resultados: A média da FMAP foi 33,1 (d.p.=16,0) cmH2O. Não houve redução estatisticamente significante com relação à FMAP na gestação (p=0,088). A prevalência de IU e IA foi de 7,8% e 5,5%, respectivamente. A média do escore do ICIQ-SF foi 9,4 (d.p.=6,0), maior entre as mulheres com parto normal que entre aquelas com cesariana (13,0, d.p.=6,4 e 5,8, d.p.=2,6, respectivamente). Na análise múltipla, as variáveis tempo de coabitação (IC 95% 2,29-20,92), cesariana anterior (IC 95% 1,45-,26) e tipo de parto atual (IC 95% -16,71- -1,14) foram associadas à FMAP; peso do recém-nascido atual (OR 1,03; IC 95% 1,0005-1,0517), gestação anterior (OR 13,14; IC 95% 1,63-106,27), IU na gestação (OR20,43; IC 95% 1,70-244,98) e atividade sexual após o parto (OR 0,06; IC 95% 0,01-0,49) foram associadas à IU; apenas a IA prévia (OR 6,26; IC 95% 1,08-36,43) foi associada à IA. Conclusão: Não há associação da FMAP com IU e IA após o parto. O parto vaginal predispõe à redução da FMAP e a cesariana é fator protetor à sua redução. A IU durante a gestação é preditora da IU após o parto e em mulheres com gestação anterior e recém-nascido de maior peso a IU é mais frequente. A interferência da IU na vida da mulher foi moderada. Apenas a IA prévia teve associação com a IA após o parto. Não é possível concluir que há associação direta entre tempo de coabitação com o parceiro e FMAP e IU e atividade sexual após o parto / Introduction: Pregnancy and childbirth are often associated with reduced pelvic floor muscles strength (PFMS), urinary (UI) and anal incontinence (AI) because of the changes in the mechanisms of control and support of the pelvic floor structures. Objectives: To analyse the PFMS, UI and AI during postpartum period. To verify the association of PFMS with UI and AI after birth. To identify factors associated with PFMS, UI and AI after birth and the interference of UI in the quality of life after birth. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 128 women in the first six months after birth, held in an insurance health care facility in Guarulhos, SP. All women participants of the cohort Perineal care during pregnancy and after birth: prevention and morbidity related to PFMS, sexual function and UI who attended at least one postpartum consultation were included. Data were collected through interviews, PFMS was measured by perineometry (Peritron) and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) was applied to women who reported UI. Descriptive, inferential and multivariate analyses were performed. The research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of School of Nursing of University of Sao Paulo. Results: The main score of PFMS was 33.1 cmH2O (SD=16.0). There was no statistically significant difference between PFMS during pregnancy and after birth (p=0.088). The prevalence of UI and AI was 7.8% and 5.5%, respectively. The mean ICIQ-SF score was 9.4 (SD=6.0). Higher mean score was verified among women with vaginal birth than among those with caesarean (13.0, SD=6.4 and 5.8, SD=2.6, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, period of cohabitation (95%CI 2.29 to 20.92), previous caesarean (95%CI 1.45 to 19.26) and type of birth (95%CI -16.71 to -1.14) were associated with PFMS; newborn weight (OR=1.03; 95%CI 1.0005 to 1.0517), previous pregnancy (OR=13.14; 95%CI 1.63 to 106.27), UI during pregnancy (OR=20.43; 95%CI 1.70 to 244.98) and sexual activity after birth (OR=0.06; 95%CI 0.01 to 0.49) were associated with UI; just previous AI (OR=6.26; 95%CI 1.08 to 36,43) is associated with AI. Conclusion: There is no association between PFMS and UI or AI after birth. Vaginal birth predisposes a reduction on PFMS and caesarean is a protective factor. UI during pregnancy is predictive of UI after birth and UI is more frequent in women with previous pregnancy and higher weight newborn. UI had moderate interference in women\'s lives. Just previous AI is associated with AI after birth. We can not conclude that there is an association between period of cohabitation and PFMS, UI and sexual activity after childbirth

O gênero Mazama é composto por cinco espécies no Brasil. São animais de visualização dificultada por causa de comportamentos evasivos, o que torna as capturas e os estudos comportamentais quase impossíveis. Assim, o uso de metodologias não invasivas para estudos ecológicos e genéticos destas espécies se torna necessário. A análise do DNA fecal está dentro das técnicas mais promissoras para esse fim. Este estudo objetivou genotipar amostras fecais, de uma população de veado-mateiro (Mazama americana) para a obtenção de informações genéticas e ecológicas. Para tanto, foram coletadas, com auxílio de um cão farejador, georreferenciadas e estocadas em etanol absoluto, 52 amostras fecais de cervídeos. A coleta realizou-se em um fragmento (21o20S 47o17W) de 600 ha de floresta estacional semidecidual. Dessas amostras coletadas, 31% (n=16) foram classificadas como frescas e 69% (n=36) como não frescas. O DNA foi extraído em torno de 30 dias após a coleta, usando o kit comercial QIAamp® DNA Stool Mini Kit, seguindo o protocolo do fabricante. Das 52 amostras, 45 foram identificadas por PCR/RFLP como pertencentes a M. americana e as demais apresentaram problemas de amplificação e digestão, permanecendo sem identificação. Amplificaram-se por PCR cinco locos microssatélites, e o sucesso de amplificação, visualizado em gel de agarose, variou com o tamanho dos locos e com a classe das amostras. O sucesso de amplificação foi de 65% das amostras da categoria fresca e 35% das amostras da categoria não fresca. Encontrou-se uma correlação negativa (R= -0,82) entre o tamanho dos fragmentos dos locos de microssatélites e o sucesso de amplificação. Foi possível identificar o sexo do animal em 43,7% das amostras fecais, pela amplificação do gene da amelogenina. Os locos microssatélites amplificados foram analisados em sequenciador automático. Os eletroferogramas gerados pelo seqüenciador impossibilitaram a genotipagem da maioria dos locos e amostras, tornando inviável qualquer análise genética e ecológica com confiabilidade. Fica evidente a dificuldade de se trabalhar com a metodologia do DNA fecal para a identificação individual e sexagem de amostras obtidas de Cervídeos florestais em vida livre. Algumas melhorias metodológicas (coleta de amostras fecais frescas, seleção de iniciadores para locos menores e quantificação do DNA extraído por PCR em tempo real) são sugeridas para o aumento nos índices de sucesso na genotipgem em estudos futuros. / Mazama genus is composed by five species in Brazil. All of them are difficult to observe due to their evasive behaviors, what makes the captures and behavioral studies almost impossible. Thus, the use of non invasive methodologies is necessary to study the ecology and genetics of these species. The fecal DNA analysis is one of the most promising techniques for this purpose. This study aimed to genotype a Mazama americana population faecal samples for obtaining genetics and ecological information. For this, 52 deer faecal samples were collected in a 600ha seasonal semideciduos forest fragment (21o20S 47o17W), with the help of a detection dog, stored in ethanol and georeferenced. Of these samples 31% (n=16) was classified as fresh and 69% (n=36) as not fresh. About thirty days after the collection the DNA was extracted using the QIAamp® DNA Stool Mini Kit following the manufacturers instructions. From the 52 samples collected and extracted, 45 were identified by PCR/RFLP as M. americana and the others showed amplification and digestion problems, remaining without identification. Five microsatellite loci were amplified by PCR and the amplification success, visualized in agarose gel, varied with the loco size and age class. The amplifications success occurred in 65% of the fresh samples and in 35% of the non-fresh samples and a negative correlation (R= -0.82) was found between amplification success and loci sizes. It was possible to identify the animal sex in 43% of the samples by the amelogenin gene. The microsatellite loci amplifications were analyzed in an automatic sequencer. The majority of the samples and loci were impossible to genotype because of the quality of the elestroferograms, what made impossible any reliable genetic and ecological analysis. It is evident the difficulty to work with the faecal DNA methodology using field collected forests deer samples for individual and sexual identifications. Some methodological improvements (collect fresh samples, select primers for shorter loci and quantify the extracted DNA by real time PCR) are suggested to increase the genotyping success indexes in future studies

The Central Queensland University developed an on-site wastewater treatment and reuse technology. Septic tanks were used for primary treatment and the discharged effluent was then pumped though a series of contained channels. The channels were designed to be a modified evapotranspiration trench; they were comprised of an aggregate layer and a soil layer in which were planted a variety of plants. The aggregate and the soil provided physical filtration, the microorganisms within the effluent, aggregate and soil provided nutrient reuse and transformation and the plants also used the nutrients and reused the treated effluent through evapotranspiration. Any effluent that was not transpired was returned to a holding tank and pumped through the evapotranspiration again. The treatment technology was assessed in relation to its ability to treat effluent in a sustainable manner. The water and soil was examined for concentrations of nutrients, heavy metals, salts, sodium, and organic carbon %. The pH, temperature and number of colony forming units of certain microorganism potential pathogens were also inspected in the soil and the water. The plants grown within the evapotranspiration channels were assessed in regards to their health, water usage, and in some cases potential pathogens on fruit. The infrastructure that was used to construct the wastewater treatment and reuse system was also evaluated in regards to reliability and maintenance. Certain limiting factors, in particular sodicity and salinity were identified, but the trial was successful and a sustainable form of on-site wastewater treatment and reuse technology was developed.

Bakgrund: Avföringsproblemen förstoppning, avföringsinkontinens och irritabel tarm är vanliga åkommor hos människor i det västerländska samhället. Alla tre har liknande symtom och problematik. Åkommorna påverkar hela människan inte bara den fysiska kroppen. Få studier har fokuserat på människors upplevelse av att leva med avföringsproblem. Syfte: Syftet med litteraturstudien var att beskriva hur människor med avföringsproblem upplever sin livssituation. Metod: Studien var baserad på tio vetenskapliga artiklar med kvalitativ ansats. Resultat: Studien resulterade i tre huvudteman; upplevelsen av det egna lidandet, upplevelsen av det dagliga livet och upplevelsen av relationer med åtta underteman. Resultatet visade att människor som lider av avföringsproblemen förstoppning, irritabel tarm och avföringsinkontinens upplevde att hela deras livssituation påverkades av avföringsproblemen. Hela människan drabbades psykiskt, emotionellt, fysiskt och socialt. Människorna var tvungna att leva ett liv fullt av dagliga begränsningar. Slutsats: Att leva med avföringsproblem innebar för människorna att vara involverad i en evig kamp som de ofta var ensamma i. Resultatet indikerar på att avföringsproblem är ett dolt problem och tystnaden kring problemen gör att många människor inte får den hjälp och stöd som de behöver. / Background: Bowel movement problems as constipation, faecal incontinence and irritable bowel syndrome are common problems in the community. All three has similar symptoms and the same complex of problems. The disorders affect the whole human being not just the physical body. Few studies have been focusing on peoples experiences of living with bowel movement problems. Aim: The aim of this literature study was to describe how people with bowel movement problems experienced their life situation. Method: The study was based on ten scientific articles in qualitative approach. Results: The study resulted in three main themes; the experience of the own suffering, the experience of the daily life and the experience of relations with eight subthemes. The result showed that people suffering from bowel movement problems as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and faecal incontinence experienced that their whole life situation was affected by the problems. The whole human being was affected psychological, emotional, physical and social. These people had to live a life full of daily restrictions. Conclusion: A life with bowel movement problems meant being involved in an everlasting fight, which they often fought alone. The result indicates that bowel movement problems are a hidden problem in the community and because of the silence many people does not get the help and support that they need.