Revisiting the phylogeography and demography of European badgers (Meles meles) based on broad sampling, multiple markers and simulations.

Although the phylogeography of European mammals has been extensively investigated since the 1990s, many studies were limited in terms of sampling distribution, the number of molecular markers used and the analytical techniques employed, frequently leading to incomplete postglacial recolonisation scenarios. The broad-scale genetic structure of the European badger (Meles meles) is of interest as it may result from historic restriction to glacial refugia and/or recent anthropogenic impact. However, previous studies were based mostly on samples from western Europe, making it difficult to draw robust conclusions about the location of refugia, patterns of postglacial expansion and recent demography. In the present study, continent-wide sampling and analyses with multiple markers provided evidence for two glacial refugia (Iberia and southeast Europe) that contributed to the genetic variation observed in badgers in Europe today. Approximate Bayesian computation provided support for a colonisation of Scandinavia from both Iberian and southeastern refugia. In the whole of Europe, we observed a decline in genetic diversity with increasing latitude, suggesting that the reduced diversity in the peripheral populations resulted from a postglacial expansion processes. Although MSVAR v.1.3 also provided evidence for recent genetic bottlenecks in some of these peripheral populations, the simulations performed to estimate the method's power to correctly infer the past demography of our empirical populations suggested that the timing and severity of bottlenecks could not be established with certainty. We urge caution against trying to relate demographic declines inferred using MSVAR with particular historic or climatological events.

No emergence of Echinococcus multilocularis in foxes in Flanders and Brussels anno 2007-2008.

Echinococcus multilocularis is highly endemic in red foxes in southern Belgium (region of Wallonia), especially in the higher located forested areas. The north of Belgium, including the regions of Flanders and Brussels, is more urbanized and has been colonized entirely by red foxes since the 1980s. A temperospatial analysis of compiled epidemiological data from 1996 to 2003 predicted a northwest spread of the cestode from Wallonia and the Netherlands towards Flanders and Brussels (Prev. Vet. Med. 2006, 76, 137-150). In 2007-2008, none of 187 examined foxes from the north tested positive (<2.8%, α = 0.01), compared to 1.7% in 1996-1999. This suggests that the parasite is not emerging in the examined area and the endemic region has not significantly extended northwest during the last decade. The possible reasons are discussed in the article, including the relatively low altitude, milder climate or low abundance of suitable intermediate hosts. The low prevalence in foxes and the generally low infection rate in humans imply that the risk for public health in Flanders and Brussels is limited anno 2007-2008.

Weed seed bank response to 12 years of different fertilization systems.

Fertilizer amendments can impact weed populations in a variety of ways. This study evaluated the effects of 12 year-long applications of different fertilization systems on size and composition of the weed seed bank in a conventionally managed maize monoculture field. Fertilization systems included all factorial combinations of two dairy cattle slurry rates, three vegetable, fruit and garden waste (VFG) compost rates, and three synthetic N fertilizer rates. Soil samples were taken in each subplot in May 2008 after sowing and prior to herbicide application. Residues recovered from soil samples were tested for weed seedling emergence to characterize soil seed banks. Total weed seed bank density was affected by mineral N fertilization but not by compost or animal slurry application. Weed seed bank composition was related to compost amendment and mineral N fertilization. Annual compost amendments reduced seed bank density of some persistent species (e.g., Chenopodium album and Solanum nigrum) irrespective of mineral N fertilization. Compost is a promising tool for incorporation into integrated weed control strategies aimed at reducing weed seed bank persistence.

Symptomatic hypoparathyroidism based on a 22q11 deletion first diagnosed in a 43-year-old woman.

Congenital hypoparathyroidism usually manifests in early childhood with hypocalcaemia with or without clinical characteristics. This report describes a Caucasian woman who, at the age of 43 years, was diagnosed with dysgenesis of the parathyroid glands due to a de novo microdeletion in chromosome 22q11 or DiGeorge syndrome. This syndrome is characterised by a considerable variability in clinical symptoms, including heart defects, thymic hypoplasia and mental retardation. Our patient presented with generalised convulsions due to extreme, symptomatic hypocalcaemia. The convulsions had been apparent for 18 months at the time of the diagnosis. Remarkably, whereas parathyroid hormone levels were undetectable, the 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D level was normal. Chromosome 22q11 deletion was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridisation analysis.

Erectile dysfunction as the presenting symptom of a pheochromocytoma.

We report the case of a 59-year-old man with a pheochromocytoma in which erectile dysfunction was the main symptom. Erectile function was related to the amount of noradrenaline secreted by the tumor, as was determined when recurrence of the malignancy was diagnosed twice. Erectile function could be restored by lowering the level of noradrenaline excretion, either by removal of the noradrenaline-producing tumor or by treatment with doxazosin. By stimulating alpha-1-adrenoceptors, high levels of noradrenaline are likely to result in excessive contraction of the corpus cavernosum and penile vessels and, thereby, cause erectile dysfunction.

Echinococcus multilocularis (Cestoda, Taeniidae) in Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in northern Belgium.

The first record of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis (Cestoda, Taeniidae) in Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in northern Belgium is described. Between 1996 and 1999, 237 dead foxes were examined for the presence of this tapeworm using the intestinal scraping technique. Four foxes (1.7%) were found to be infected with E. multilocularis and showed medium to very high parasitic burdens. Three infected foxes originated from the south of the study area and the fourth animal came from the north of the study area near the border with The Netherlands. These findings are discussed in relation to the high endemicity of E. multilocularis in southern Belgium and to the increased distribution of the Red fox (V. vulpes) in northern Belgium during the last two decades.