scholarly journals Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Anaplasma spp. in German Small Ruminant Flocks

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2793
Author(s):  
Wiebke Rubel ◽  
Clara Schoneberg ◽  
Annika Wolf ◽  
Martin Ganter ◽  
Benjamin Ulrich Bauer
Keyword(s):  
Small Ruminant ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Landscape Conservation ◽  
Lower Saxony ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Federal States ◽  
German Federal States ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Antibody Levels ◽  
The Impact

Knowledge about the distribution of Anaplasma spp. in small ruminants from Germany is limited. Therefore, serum samples were examined from 71 small ruminant flocks (2731 sheep, 447 goats) located in the five German federal states: Schleswig-Holstein (SH), Lower Saxony (LS), North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Baden-Wuerttemberg (BW) and Bavaria (BAV). Antibodies to Anaplasma spp. were determined by a cELISA based on the MSP5 antigen. A risk factor analysis at animal and flock level was also performed. Antibodies to Anaplasma spp. were detected in 70/71 flocks without significant difference in the intra-flock prevalence (IFP) between the federal states. The mean antibody levels from sheep were significantly lower in northern Germany (LS, SH) compared to west (NRW) and south Germany (BW, BAV). Sheep had a 2.5-fold higher risk of being seropositive than goats. Females and older animals (>2 years) were more likely to have antibodies to Anaplasma spp. in one third and one quarter of cases, respectively. Flocks used for landscape conservation had a five times higher risk of acquiring an IFP greater than 20%. Cats and dogs on the farms increased the probability for small ruminant flocks to have an IFP of above 20% 10-fold and 166-fold, respectively. Further studies are necessary to assess the impact of Anaplasma species on the health of small ruminants in Germany.

scholarly journals Serological Investigation of Peste Des Petits Ruminants in East Shewa and Arsi Zones, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Getachew Gari ◽  
Biressaw Serda ◽  
Dejene Negesa ◽  
Fethu Lemma ◽  
Hagos Asgedom
Keyword(s):  
Significant Variation ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
High Seroprevalence ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Important Disease

Peste des petits ruminant (PPR) is an economically important disease of small ruminants with a rapidly expanding geographical distribution. There are fragmented reports to the occurrence and distribution of the disease in Ethiopia. A total of 700 serum samples were collected from goats and sheep to detect the presence of antibody against PPR virus using Competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (C-ELISA). An overall PPR seropositivity was reported to be 48.43% in the area. There is no statistically significant difference in the seroprevalence of the disease between sheep and goats (50.85% and 46.68%), respectively. However, there was statistically significant variation (P<0.05) in the seroprevalence of the disease in young (33.9%) and adult (55.8%) age categories. The seroprevalence in male and female was 42.07% and 50.09%, respectively, where the variation was statistically not significant (P>0.05). High seroprevalence of Peste des petites ruminants in the study area indicated the virus circulation and endemicity of the disease. The disease causes substantial economic losses by affecting the livelihood of the farmers. Therefore, control measures should be put in place to minimize the loss associated with the disease.

scholarly journals Estimating vaccine effectiveness against laboratory-confirmed influenza among children and adolescents in Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, 2012–2016

2017 ◽  
Vol 146 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. MÖHL ◽  
L. GRÄFE ◽  
C. HELMEKE ◽  
D. ZIEHM ◽  
M. MONAZAHIAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Vaccine Effectiveness ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Lower Saxony ◽  
Federal States ◽  
German Federal States ◽  
Influenza A H1n1

SUMMARYInfluenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) has to be estimated anew for every season to explore vaccines’ protective effect in the population. We report VE estimates against laboratory-confirmed influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and influenza B among children aged 2–17 years, using test-negative design. Pooled data from two German federal states’ surveillance systems for acute respiratory illness from week 40/2012 to 20/2016 was used, yielding a total of 10 627 specimens. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the association between laboratory-confirmed influenza and vaccination status were calculated by multivariate logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, illness onset and federal state. VE was estimated as 1-Odds Ratio. Overall adjusted VE was 33% (95% CI: 24·3–40·7). A strong variation of VE between the seasons and subtypes was observed: highest season- and subtype-specific VE of 86·2% (95% CI: 41·3–96·7) was found against A(H1N1)pdm09 in 7–17-year-olds in 2015/16. Low estimates of VE were observed against A(H3N2) in any season, e.g. 1·5% (95% CI: −39·3–30·3) in 2014/15. Estimates showed a tendency to higher VE among 7–17-year-old children, but differences were not statistically significant. Although our findings are common in studies estimating influenza VE, we discussed several explanations for observed low VE.

Gleicher Lohn für gleiche Arbeit im öffentlichen Dienst?

2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-120
Author(s):  
Tony Mudrack ◽  
Mario Stoffels
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Civil Service ◽  
Middle Grade ◽  
Pay Gap ◽  
Federal States ◽  
Municipal Employees ◽  
German Federal States ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
East German ◽  
Pay Differences

Abstract The individual pay level is an emotionally discussed subject. Some pay differentials evince significant characteristics which are analysed in scientific literature. There are three significant pay gaps of particular significance to Germany: the gender pay gap between women and men of more than 20 percent, the regional pay gap especially between West and East Germany caused by differences in productivity and the pay gap between the private and public sector. This article investigates a previously unobserved pay gap within the public sector. By analysing a data collection, specific pay differentials in municipal administrations are determined. These differentials exist despite identical labour output in administration services in German municipalities and are caused by specific regional and economic determinants. So, the municipalities of East German Federal States and financially weak West German Federal States evince a pay level of municipal employees below average. Generally, there is a significant pay gap between East and West German municipalities. In addition, this article analyses the structure of the identified pay differences by separating the municipal employees according to their specific pay and qualification categories. As a result, East German municipalities have a smaller number of staff in the higher grade of the civil service and their pay level is below average. This effect is compensated by a higher number of staff in the middle grade of the civil service. The pay level of municipal employees in the middle grade of the civil service does not indicate significant difference among German municipalities. There are similar results in municipalities of financially weak West German Federal States. Despite identical administration services in municipalities, the pay level and pay structure evince interjurisdictional differentials. The results suggest that equal pay for equal work is not even in public service.

A New Cytokine-Based Stratification Is Highly Predictive of Survivals in AML Patients

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1412-1412
Author(s):  
Pierre Peterlin ◽  
Joelle Gaschet ◽  
Thierry Guillaume ◽  
Alice Garnier ◽  
Marion Eveillard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Risk Stratification ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
First Line ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Gm Csf ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Recently, a significant impact of the kinetics of Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand concentration (FLc) during induction (day[D]1 to D22) has been reported on survivals in first-line acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients (pts) (Peterlin et al, 2019). Three different FLc profiles were disclosed i) sustained increase of FLc (FLI group, good-risk), ii) increase from D1 to D15, then decrease at D22 (FLD group, intermediate-risk) and iii) stagnation of low levels (&lt;1000 pg/mL, FLL group, high-risk). An update of this prospective monocentric study (www.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02693899) is presented here evaluating also retrospectively the impact on outcomes of 6 other cytokine level profiles during induction. Methods: Between 05/2016 and 01/2018, 62 AML pts at diagnosis (median age 59 yo [29-71], &lt;60 yo n=33) eligible for first intensive induction were included and provided informed consent. They received standard of care first-line chemotherapy. Serum samples collected on D1, 8, 15 & 22 of induction were frozen-stored until performing ELISA for FL, TNFa, SCF, IL-1b, IL-6, IL-10, GM-CSF. Normal values were assessed in 5 healthy controls. Pts outcomes considered were relapse/leukemia-free (LFS) and overall (OS) survivals. Results: FLI, FLD and FLL profiles were observed for 26, 22 and 14 pts respectively. A total of 372 samples were assayed for the 6 other cytokines. Median concentrations at D1, D8, D15, D22 for these 6 cytokines were as follows, considering the whole cohort (and healthy donors): TNFa: 0.53, 0, 0, 0 (0); SCF: 5.91, 0, 0, 0 (3); IL-1b : 0, 0, 0, 0 (0); IL-6: 4.85, 16.28, 10.11, 7.1 (0), IL-10: 0, 0, 0, 0 (0) and GM-CSF:1.63, 1.8, 0.67, 1.34 (9.98). Median IL-6 and GM-CSF levels, compared to healthy controls, were respectively higher and lower during induction. No significant difference was observed in terms of median cytokine concentrations at any time when comparing the three FL sub-groups or FLI vs FLD pts. With a median follow-up of 28 months (range: 17-37), FLI and FLD pts show now similar 2-y LFS (62.9% vs 59%, p=0.63) and OS (69.2% vs 63.6%, p=0.70). FLL pts have a significantly higher rate of relapse (85,7% vs FLI 19,2% vs FLD 32%, p=0,0001). Comparing FLL vs FLI+FLD pts disclosed significantly different LFS (7.1% vs 61.1%, p&lt;0.001) but not OS (36.7% vs 66.6%, p=0.11). In univariate analysis, 2y LFS and OS were not affected by the concentration (&lt; or &gt; median) of the 7 cytokines studied except for LFS and GM-CSFc at D8 (p=0,04) and D15 (p=0,08), for LFS and FLc at D1 (p=0.06), D8 (p=0,03), D15 (p=0,04) and D22 (p=0,03) and for OS and GM-CSF at D15 (p=0.08). A significant association between LFS was observed with ELN 2017 risk stratification (2-y LFS: favorable: 68,1% vs intermediate: 48,1% vs unfavorable: 30,7%, p=0.03) but not OS (2 y: 77% vs 55,5% vs 46,1%, p=0.09). Multivariate analysis showed that no factor was independently associated with OS while LFS remained significantly associated with the FLc profile (FLL vs others, HR: 5.79. 95%CI: 2.48-13.53, p&lt;0.0001) and GM-CSF at D15 (HR: 0.45; 95%CI: 0.20-0.98, p=0.04) but not with ELN 2017 risk stratification (p=0.06). Cytokine levels were then assessed to try to better discriminate FLI and FLD pts. A significant higher IL-6 level at D22 was found in relapsed or deceased FLI/FLD pts (median:15,34 vs 5,42 pg/mL, p=0,04). FLI/FLD pts with low IL-6 at D22 (&lt; median, 15.5 pg/mL, n=35 vs n=14 with high level) had significant better 2y LFS and OS (74,2% vs 38,4%, p=0,005 and 77,1% vs 38,4%, p=0,009, respectively). A new prognostic risk-stratification could thus be proposed, i.e. FLI/FLD with IL-6 &lt;15.5 pg/mL (favorable), FLI/FLD with IL-6 &gt;15.5 pg/mL (intermediate) and FLL (unfavorable). This new classification was considered for a second multivariate analysis, showing that it is the strongest factor associated with OS (p=0.006, ELN p=0.03, FL profile p=0.04) and LFS (p&lt;0.0001, ELN p=0.005, GM-CSFc D15 p=0.03) (figure 1). Conclusion: This study confirms stagnation of low FLc during AML induction as a strong poor prognosis factor. Moreover, IL-6 levels at D22 further discriminate FLI/FLD pts. Thus, a new cytokine-based risk-stratification integrating FL kinetics and IL-6 levels during induction may help to better predict outcomes in first-line AML patients. These results need to be validated on a larger cohort of AML patients while anti-IL-6 therapy should be tested in combination with standard 3+7 chemotherapy. Figure 1 Disclosures Peterlin: AbbVie Inc: Consultancy; Jazz Pharma: Consultancy; Daiichi-Sankyo: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy. Moreau:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria. Chevallier:Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria.

Neurofilament light antibodies in serum reflect response to natalizumab treatment in multiple sclerosis

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 1355-1362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Amor ◽  
Baukje J van der Star ◽  
Isabel Bosca ◽  
Joel Raffel ◽  
Sharmilee Gnanapavan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Treatment Response ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Drug Efficacy ◽  
Predictive Biomarker ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Neurofilament Light ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Natalizumab Treatment ◽  
Antibody Levels

Background: Increased levels of antibodies to neurofilament light protein (NF-L) in biological fluids have been found to reflect neuroinflammatory responses and neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: To evaluate whether levels of serum antibodies against NF-L correlate with clinical variants and treatment response in MS. Methods: The autoantibody reactivity to NF-L protein was tested in serum samples from patients with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) ( n=22) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS) ( n=26). Two other cohorts of RRMS patients under treatment with natalizumab were analysed cross-sectionally ( n=16) and longitudinally ( n=24). The follow-up samples were taken at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after treatment, and the NF-L antibody levels were compared against baseline levels. Results: NF-L antibodies were higher in MS clinical groups than healthy controls and in RRMS compared to SPMS patients ( p<0.001). NF-L antibody levels were lower in natalizumab treated than in untreated patients ( p<0.001). In the longitudinal series, NF-L antibody levels decreased over time and a significant difference was found following 24 months of treatment compared with baseline measurements ( p=0.001). Conclusions: Drug efficacy in MS treatment indicates the potential use of monitoring the content of antibodies against the NF-L chain as a predictive biomarker of treatment response in MS.

New Police Responses to Domestic Violence: The Go-Order in Germany

2006 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-105
Author(s):  
Rebecca Löbmann
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Influence Factors ◽  
Policy Reforms ◽  
Patrol Officers ◽  
Lower Saxony ◽  
Federal States ◽  
Police Responses ◽  
German Federal States ◽  
And Control

In recent years, several policy reforms have been instituted encouraging tougher criminal justice system responses to domestic violence. In Germany, go-orders were implemented: Police can insist on the abuser leaving the home for a couple of days. The present study discusses the rate of go-orders, influence factors on police decisions and problems with this intervention. Data sources were a police database of 7098 incidents of domestic violence and a questionnaire survey of 374 patrol officers in Lower Saxony. Findings revealed that the rate of go-orders (36%) was within the range of other German federal states. Factors indicating danger of repeated violence, e.g., intoxication of perpetrator, exerted an influence on police decisions for go-orders. Moreover, the presence of children and the offender’s gender had an influence. The paper concludes that prevention can still be improved with respect to danger prognosis and control of go-orders.

scholarly journals Resilience of Small Ruminants to Climate Change and Increased Environmental Temperature: A Review

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleena Joy ◽  
Frank R. Dunshea ◽  
Brian J. Leury ◽  
Iain J. Clarke ◽  
Kristy DiGiacomo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Environmental Temperature ◽  
Small Ruminant ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Continuous Exposure ◽  
Hot Environments ◽  
The Impact

Climate change is a major global threat to the sustainability of livestock systems. Climatic factors such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, direct and indirect solar radiation and wind speed influence feed and water availability, fodder quality and disease occurrence, with production being most efficient in optimal environmental conditions. Among these climatic variables, ambient temperature fluctuations have the most impact on livestock production and animal welfare. Continuous exposure of the animals to heat stress compromises growth, milk and meat production and reproduction. The capacity of an animal to mitigate effects of increased environmental temperature, without progressing into stress response, differs within and between species. Comparatively, small ruminants are better adapted to hot environments than large ruminants and have better ability to survive, produce and reproduce in harsh climatic regions. Nevertheless, the physiological and behavioral changes in response to hot environments affect small ruminant production. It has been found that tropical breeds are more adaptive to hot climates than high-producing temperate breeds. The growing body of knowledge on the negative impact of heat stress on small ruminant production and welfare will assist in the development of suitable strategies to mitigate heat stress. Selection of thermotolerant breeds, through identification of genetic traits for adaption to extreme environmental conditions (high temperature, feed scarcity, water scarcity), is a viable strategy to combat climate change and minimize the impact on small ruminant production and welfare. This review highlights such adaption within and among different breeds of small ruminants challenged by heat stress.

scholarly journals The Impact of the Climate Action Programme 2030 and Federal State Measures on the Uptake of Renewable Heating Systems in Lower Saxony’s Building Stock

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 2533
Author(s):  
Isabel Haase ◽  
Herena Torio
Keyword(s):  
Energy Demand ◽  
National Level ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Lower Saxony ◽  
Building Stock ◽  
Federal States ◽  
Climate Action ◽  
Action Programme ◽  
The Impact

A heating transition is urgently needed to fulfil the national CO2 reduction targets in Germany. Thus, in 2019, there has been a strong policy push towards increasing the share of renewables in heating through the introduction of the Climate Action Programme 2030 and the reform of existing policies. In addition to the policy landscape on the national level, federal states have further leeway to implement policies; these options are currently largely unresearched. In order to fill this gap, we developed a System Dynamics Model for Lower Saxony to determine the effect of recent policy changes as well as additional regional subsidy schemes on the heating market. The results show that even though changes in subsidies can increase the renewable uptake considerably, the CO2e and energy demand reduction targets are not met in any of the examined scenarios. Furthermore, the model shows that policy formulation must take the inertia of the sector into account and completely turn away from fossil fuels to reach the stipulated emission reductions.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 IgG seroprevalence in blood donors located in three different federal states, Germany, March to June 2020

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (28) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bastian Fischer ◽  
Cornelius Knabbe ◽  
Tanja Vollmer
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Lower Saxony ◽  
Federal States ◽  
German Federal States

Most cases of coronavirus disease 2019 are mild or asymptomatic. Therefore, many cases remain unrecorded. We determined seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 3,186 regular blood donors in three German federal states between 9 March and 3 June 2020. The IgG seroprevalence was 0.91% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.58–1.24) overall, ranging from 0.66% (95% CI: 0.13–1.19) in Hesse to 1.22% (95% CI: 0.33–2.10) in Lower-Saxony.

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