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PubMed2004

[Vegetation restoration in western Liaoning hilly region: a study based on succession theory and degradation degree of ecosystem].

Analysis with some habitat indexes of different succession stage, this paper quantitatively measured the degradation degree of degraded ecosystems in this region. The results showed that the average dissimilarities between natural Quercus forest, natural Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) forest and Populus-Quercus forest in Nanliuzhangzi forestry centre and Chinese pine plantations in Niuheliang region and Qitian forestry centre were 0.655, 0.665, 2.029 and 3.919, respectively, and as a whole, the dissimilarities represented the places of the forests in the process of ecosystem succession/degradation. It was also showed that most habitats were degraded to the stage between shrubbery and pioneer arbor forest, and closer to the succession stage of pioneer arbor forest. Some suggestions were made for the management of the existing plantation and the construction of mixed forest, e.g., to increase the proportion of shrubbery and pioneer arbor species, especially that of nitrogen fixation tree species. The plant species list of several main vegetation types in western Liaoning we offered could provide scientific reference for the vegetation restoration and the management of pure Chinese pine plantation in this region.

China↗

PubMed2006

Seroprevalence of leptospirosis among high-risk population of Andaman Islands, India.

Leptospirosis is a severe spirochetal zoonosis in the world. It is considered an occupational disease of persons engaged in agriculture, sewage works, forestry, and animal slaughtering. A study was conducted with an objective of assessing the seroprevalence of leptospirosis among the high-risk groups of Andaman Islands. A total of 611 sera samples from different high-risk populations were collected and tested by microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Genetic characterization of the isolate was done by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting, and serological characterization was done using monoclonal antibody technique. Antibodies to leptospires were detected in 322 samples giving an overall seroprevalence of 52.7%. The seroprevalence was highest among agriculture workers (62.5%) followed by sewage workers (39.4%), animal handlers (37.5%), forest workers (27.3%), and butchers (30.0%). Seroprevalence among control population was 14.7%, which was comparatively less than that of the high-risk population groups. Subject sera were most commonly reacted with organisms of the serogroup Grippotyphosa followed by Australis, and the pattern was similar in control group. Four leptospires were isolated from agriculture workers who were admitted to the public health center (PHC) with complaints of fever and body ache. Human isolates were compared with two rodent (Rattus norvegicus) isolates from the same area of agriculture workers to get initial information about the transmission cycle of leptospirosis in the study community. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting pattern of the strains recovered from the rodents and human patients were identified as belonged to genomo-species Leptospira interrogans. The antigenic characterization of the strains recovered from them belonged to serovar Valbuzzi of serogroup Grippotyphosa. The study showed that people engaged in high-risk activities such as agriculture, sewage cleaning, animal handling, animal slaughtering, and forestry are frequently exposed to leptospirosis, and hence control strategies targeting these populations could be more effective.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

[Landscape diversity and stability of Korean pine broad-leaved forest in Xiaoxing'anling forest region].

Taking the Dongfanghong Forestry Farm of Dailing Forestry Bureau in Heilongjiang Province as the study area, and based on the GIS information and the analysis of current forest management measures, a landscape dynamic model was established, which indicated that the indexes of landscape classification at the first and second levels were rather low, due to the forest covered about 91% of the whole study area. The dominance index of forest cover was increased from 0.611 to 0.692 during the period from 1985 to 1993, and that of climax forest community was increased by 70%. During the years of 2041-2049, the Korean pine broad-leaved forest would become the climax forest community in this area, with an area around 13,120-13,242 hm2 if taking selective cutting as the prevailing harvesting method.

Biodiversity↗

PubMed2006

[Forest biomass carbon storage and its dynamics in Tanjiang River basin].

Based on an improved estimation method of forest carbon storage and the inventory of forest resources, this paper estimated the forest carbon storage and its dynamic changes in Tanjiang River basin, and analyzed the relationships of the carbon storage and its density with the increase of population density and GDP during the urbanization in 1990-2001. The results showed that the forest carbon storage in Tanjiang River basin increased from 5.906 x 10(6) t in 1990 to 7.852 x 10(6) t in 2001, with an annual average accumulation amount of 0.18 x 10(6) t or an annual average accumulation rate of 3.05%, and playing a role of carbon sink. The rapid increase of population density and GDP didn't influence the increase of forest carbon storage and density, but the development of forestry was far lower than that of economy. To have a better service function of forest ecosystem in the process of urbanization, and to promote the sustainable development of regional ecological environment, the key point is the reasonable coordination of forestry management with the development of economy.

Biomass↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Esthesiometric thresholds in workers exposed to neuropathogenic chemical and physical agents].

Two-point discrimination (TPD) and depth sense perception (DSP) were measured by means of two aesthesiometers in the fingertips of 65 forestry workers exposed to chain saw vibrations and 46 shoe industry workers exposed to neurotoxic solvents (n-hexane). Two control groups, consisting of 31 and 46 healthy subjects, were also examined. The compound means of the TPD and DSP threshold values for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th digits of the right and left hands were significantly higher in the chain saw workers suffering from peripheral sensorineural disorders than in the asymptomatic chain saw workers and the controls (p less than 0.001). Among the forestry workers, a significant relationship was found between loss of tactile perception and vibration dose expressed in terms of four-hour energy-equivalent frequency-weighted acceleration (ISO 5349). The shoe workers, who were asymptomatic, had higher DSP threshold values than the controls (p less than 0.01). No differences in the mean values of TPD thresholds were observed between the exposed and control subjects. These results indicate that DSP is more sensitive than TPD in detecting "sub-clinical neuropathy". On the basis of our previous investigations, the specificity of aesthesiometric threshold testing was high, ranging from 93 to 100%. The sensitivity of the aesthesiometric method was lower than the specificity, varying from 52-56% for TPD to 67-72% for DSP. These findings suggest that aesthesiometry may be considered as a useful testing method to differentiate on a group basis between healthy subjects and workers exposed to physical and chemical agents affecting the peripheral nervous system.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1987

[Serological studies of early summer meningoencephalitis risk in the Saarland].

To evaluate the risk of acquiring TBE in the Saarland, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) antibodies were investigated in the sera of 408 persons working in forestry, 44 patients with suspected viral infection of the central nervous system, and of 439 animals which had been particularly exposed to ticks. A complement fixation test was used for all sera. The human sera were additionally tested with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. TBE antibodies were found in eight forestry employees who had been vaccinated against TBE. All other persons as well as the animals did not show TBE antibodies. The very low antibody rate in the risk groups indicates that the Saarland is free of natural foci of TBE. At present, there is no argument for a general TBE immunprophylaxis in that area.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

Soft tissue sarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in relation to phenoxyherbicide and chlorinated phenol exposure in western Washington.

A population-based case-control study was conducted in western Washington State to evaluate the relationship between occupational exposure of men aged 20-79 to phenoxyacetic acid herbicides and chlorinated phenols and the risks of developing soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Occupational histories and other data were obtained by personal interviews for 128 STS cases and 576 NHL cases, diagnosed between 1981 and 1984, and for 694 randomly selected controls without cancer. Among the study subjects with any past occupational exposure to phenoxyherbicides, the estimated relative risk and 95% confidence interval of developing STS was 0.80 (0.5-1.2), and of developing NHL, 1.07 (0.8-1.4). Risk estimates of developing STS and NHL associated with past chlorophenol exposure were 0.99 (0.7-1.5) and 0.99 (0.8-1.2), respectively. No increasing risk of either cancer was associated with overall duration or intensity of chemical exposure or with exposure to any specific phenoxyherbicide per se. However, estimated risks of NHL were elevated among men who had been farmers, 1.33 (1.03-1.7), forestry herbicide applicators, 4.80 (1.2-19.4), and for those potentially exposed to phenoxyherbicides in any occupation for 15 years or more during the period prior to 15 years before cancer diagnosis, 1.71 (1.04-2.8). Increased risks of NHL were also observed among those with occupational exposure to organochlorine insecticides, such as DDT [1.82 (1.04-3.2)] and organic solvents [1.35 (1.06-1.7)], and to other chemicals typically encountered in the agricultural, forestry, or wood products industries. These results demonstrate small but significantly increased risks of developing NHL in association with some occupational activities where phenoxyherbicides have been used in combination with other types of chemicals, particularly for prolonged periods. They do not demonstrate a positive association between increased cancer risks and exposure to any specific phenoxyherbicide product alone. Moreover, these findings provide no evidence of increased risks of developing NHL associated with chlorinated phenol exposure or of developing STS associated with exposure to either class of chemical.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[Malaria in a changed health care system in Vietnam].

OBJECTIVE: To determine how and where malaria was diagnosed in a forestry area in South-Vietnam and how it was treated. DESIGN: Descriptive. SETTING: Hieu Liem, Dong Nai province, Vietnam. METHOD: In the government hospital and health posts malaria diagnosis and treatment were free of charge while treatment had to be paid for in four private clinics. A population survey was carried out in the forestry area and outside this area: the people were examined for splenic enlargement and a blood sample was analysed. RESULTS: Most patients went to private clinics and it was here that malaria was most frequently diagnosed. In 7.5% of the population in the forest area parasites were found while 1.8% of those living outside the forest appeared to have parasites in the blood. None of the persons with parasitaemia had splenomegaly. Splenomegaly was found in 2.9% of the population, 6.7% in and 0.9% outside the forest area. CONCLUSION: Recent changes in the health sector in Vietnam have liberalized malaria treatment, possibly control. The wide distribution and extensive use of effective drugs like artesunate and mefloquine have probably contributed to reduction of (severe) malaria, but development of resistance to these drugs is to be feared. Control of drug distribution and of prescription practices is urgently needed.

Antimalarials↗

PubMed1994

Vibration exposure and prevention in Finland.

The number of annually compensated occupational diseases due to exposure to hand-arm vibration (HAV) has decreased during the last 15 years. The number of exposed workers has been declining in Finland, especially in forestry work, as harvesters have increasingly replaced manual chain saw operations. During the entire 1970s, forest work caused more cases of vibration-induced occupational diseases than all industrial branches together. The decrease is mainly due to the technical development of chain saws, but also to the effective health care services in Finland. Other factors such as warm transport, warm rest cabins in which to take pauses at work, warm meals, adequate protective clothing, and vocationally adjusted early medical rehabilitation have helped to cut down health hazards, especially in forest work. The number of new cases has been decreasing in Finland not only in forestry but also in other industries. In Finland a considerable amount of research has been conducted to hand-arm vibration, resulting in the increased awareness of the health risks related to certain occupations. This has helped to carry out the Primary Health Care Act (1972) followed by the Occupational Health Care Act (1979) which obligates employers to arrange occupational health care for their employees. We believe that the research activity has contributed significantly to achieving the present health in Finnish work places. The purpose of the present paper is to describe the cases of occupational exposure to HAV, and the effectiveness of different preventive measures in Finland.

Finland↗

PubMed1995

[Lung function and prevalence of irritation of eyes and respiratory airways on days with elevated ozone concentrations].

In order to evaluate potential health effects on days with elevated ozone concentrations, lung function parameters and subjective votes on irritations of eyes and airways were taken repeatedly from subjects belonging to four assumed ozone risk groups and one control group (at least 40 subjects each) - senior citizens, juvenile asthmatics, forestry workers, athletes and clerks - in comparison of days with elevated (at least 100 micrograms/m3) and low ozone concentrations (at most 80 micrograms/m3). The results show no relevant ozone effects for the groups, "senior citizens" and "athletes", only minor pulmonary effects for "juvenile asthmatics", but significantly higher airway resistances on "ozone days" for "forestry workers" (by 21%) and "clerks" (by 16%). On days with moderately elevated levels of ozone in the environment it is assumed that ozone itself has minor influence on pulmonary responses compared to that of other constituents of the air in certain location like forest or indoors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Japanese authority GLP inspections for pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Preparing for and handling agency inspections.

This presentation covers the essentials of recent Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) inspections conducted in Japan, after applications have been made for new ethical drugs to be authorized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW) or for agricultural chemicals by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery. Recently, the functions of MHW/GLP inspections were, for the most part, transferred from MHW to "The Organization for Drug ADR Relief, R&D Promotion and Product Review" ("Drug Organization," in short). This organization is now responsible for the audit and facility inspections for GLP compliance, both for new drug applications and for animal safety tests conducted at contract laboratories. The methods of inspection are expected to be the same as those used by MHW. A recent inspection audited by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries is also reviewed here, for comparison.

Agrochemicals↗

PubMed1995

Clinical studies of the vibration syndrome using a cold stress test measuring finger temperature.

Since nine years multicentre, transversal and longitudinal clinical studies on hand-arm, vibration-exposed patients are being performed in cooperation with French occupational medicine centers and social security institutions. These studies are based upon current clinical assessment and standardized, temperature-measuring cooling tests. Data acquisition uses a portable, 10-channel, micro-processor-based temperature recorder and miniature thermal sensors. Temperature is monitored at the ten finger tips continuously, before, during and after a cold stress performed in strictly controlled conditions. Data from examinations performed at outlying sites are transferred through the telephonic network to a central processing unit. Data analysis uses a specific, expert-type software procedure based upon previous clinical studies on (i) 238 "normal" subjects, and (ii) 3,046 patients with vascular disturbances of the upper extremities of various etiologies. This procedure includes a staging process which assigns each finger a class representing the degree of severity of the abnormalities of response to cold ("dysthermia") related to vascular disorders. All data processing is fully automatic and results in a printed examination report. To date, over 1,623 vibration-exposed forestry, building and mechanical workers were examined. Sixty-three per cent of patients had received high dose of vibration (daily use of chain saws, air hammers, ballast tampers over many years). Typical white finger attacks or only neurological symptoms were found in 36% and 23% of patients respectively. The rate of sever dysthermia was much higher in patients with white finger attacks (83%) than in patients without (32%). In 90% of the vibration-exposed patients, the severity of dysthermia has differed greatly from one finger to another and between hands, while in non-exposed patients with primary Raynaud syndrome the dysthermia are generally similar for all fingers but the thumbs. Of 208 forestry workers who were asymptomatic but had dysthermia on a first examination, 31% have developed vascular or neural symptoms within subsequent follow-up. Of 223 symptomatic patients with more or less severe dysthermia at a first examination performed in winter, 17% had the same abnormalities in summer and microvascular lesions at capillaroscopy, while the other 83% had reversible dysthermia and only functional capillaroscopic abnormalities. These studies suggest that temperature-measuring cooling tests performed under well-defined, standard conditions provide significant data for grading the severity and assessing the reversibility of Raynaud phenomena, and for detecting subclinical vasomotor disorders in asymptomatic patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Biology and applications of mycorrhizal fungi.

Mycorrhizae have been shown to increase growth and yield of plants. They have been identified with both nutrient mobilization and nutrient cycling. Arbuscular (or endo-) mycorrhizae play a significant role in agriculture and most natural ecosystems, whereas ectomycorrhizae have a great potential in forestry and wasteland regeneration. The use of mycorrhizal fungi would reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers besides minimizing environmental pollution. The present review addresses the progress that there has been in the area of the ecto- and endomycorrhizae. It also examines the potential of field applications of mycorrhizal biotechnology in agriculture and forestry.

Agriculture↗

PubMed2006

Costs differences across demographic groups and types of occupational injuries and illnesses.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about cost differences for demographic groups or across occupational injuries and illnesses. METHODS: In this incidence study of nationwide data for 1993, an analysis was conducted on fatal and non-fatal injury and illness data recorded in government data sets. Costs data were from workers' compensation records, estimates of lost wages, and jury awards. RESULTS: The youngest (age < or = 17) and oldest (age > or = 65) workers had exceptionally high fatality costs. Whereas men's costs for non-fatal incidents were nearly double those for women, men's costs for fatal injuries were 10 times the costs for women. The highest ranking occupation for combined fatal and non-fatal costs--farming, forestry, and fishing--had costs-per-worker (5,163 US dollars) over 18 times the lowest ranking occupation-executives and managers (279 US dollars). The occupation of handlers, cleaners, and laborers, ranked highest for non-fatal costs. Gunshot wounds generated especially high fatal costs. Compared to whites, African-Americans had a lower percentage of costs due to carpal tunnel syndrome, circulatory, and digestive diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Costs comparisons can be drawn across age, race, gender, and occupational groups as well as categories of injuries and illnesses.

Administrative Personnel↗

PubMed2001

Regional industrial ecology: examples from regional economic systems of forest industry and energy supply in Finland.

Industrial ecology (IE) promotes the development of industrial systems based on recycling of matter and cascading of energy through cooperation. In this paper, the local/regional industrial ecosystem approach is reflected in two examples from Finland. The local forest industry system is based on renewable resources, waste materials and energy utilisation between forestry companies, a saw-mill, a pulp mill, a paper mill and a forest industry power plant. Waste energy from electricity production is used for production of heat and process steam. Regional city energy supply systems in Finland are also to a large extent arranged around power plants that utilise waste energy. The potential of combining the forest industry system with the energy supply systems of cities is considered and the conditions for success in the Finnish case are discussed.

Cities↗

PubMed2002

Belief network models of land manager decisions and land use change.

A two-stage model of land use change is described, which is driven by the types of decisions that land managers make when changing their broad styles of use. The first stage uses decision modelling techniques to assess if a manager is currently satisfied with the present situation, when compared to various potential alternatives. If this evaluation indicates satisfaction, it is assumed that the present land use will continue. However, if it indicates dissatisfaction, Belief Network techniques are used to estimate, in more detail, both how dissatisfied the manager is and whether the costs of changing, from the present use to a potentially better one, will be out-weighed by the anticipated benefits. The proposed models can use a variety of cost and benefit criteria (e.g. financial, social and ecological). The approach is illustrated with a case-study of the factors that might influence changes from farming to forestry in marginal upland areas of the UK.

Agriculture↗

PubMed1994

Responses of cutaneous microcirculation to cold exposure and neuropathy in vibration-induced white finger.

In order to clarify the mechanisms of cold temperature on vibration-induced white finger (VWF), three groups of forestry chain saw operators served as the subjects of this study. Groups I and II worked in a cold high-altitude area, and group III worked in a warm low mountain climate. Group I workers had VWF sign [VWF(+)] but groups II and III did not [VWF(-)]. In the present study, finger nailfold microcirculation before and after cold exposure, finger skin sympathetic alpha receptor response, and sympathetic skin response were measured. The results showed that there was no significantly different neuropathy in any of the groups. However, vibration-induced microcirculatory disturbances including blood stasis and red blood cell aggregation were more prominent in VWF(+) group, whereas both of the VWF(-) groups (groups II and III) had no significant difference in microcirculatory disturbances. This suggests that the severity of the microcirculatory disturbances is dose-effect correlated and is aggravated by cold in vibration syndrome. Thus it can be realized that a cold working environment is an important contributing factor in causing microcirculatory disturbances of VWF.

Altitude↗

PubMed1993

Physiological and subjective responses to maximal repetitive lifting employing stoop and squat technique.

To establish safe levels for physical strain in occupational repetitive lifting, it is of interest to know the specific maximal working capacity. Power output, O2 consumption, heart rate and ventilation were measured in ten experienced forestry workers during maximal squat and stoop repetitive lifting. The two modes of repetitive lifting were also compared with maximal treadmill running. In addition, electromyogram (EMG) activity in four muscles was recorded and perceived central, local low-back and thigh exertion were assessed during the lifting modes. No significant difference was found in power output between the two lifting techniques. Despite this the mean O2 consumption was significantly greater during maximal squat lifting [38.7 (SD 5.8) ml.kg-1.min-1] than maximal stoop lifting [32.9 (SD 5.7) ml.kg-1.min-1] (P < 0.001). No significant correlation was found between O2 consumption (in millilitres per kilogram per minute) during maximal treadmill running and maximal stoop lifting, while O2 consumption during maximal squat lifting correlated highly with that of maximal treadmill running (r = 0.928, P < 0.001) and maximal stoop lifting (r = 0.808, P < 0.01). While maximal heart rates were significantly different among the three types of exercise, no such differences were found in the central rated perceived exertions. Perceived low-back exertion was rated significantly lower during squat lifting than during stoop lifting. The EMG recordings showed a higher activity for the vastus lateralis muscle and lower activity for the biceps femoris muscle during squat lifting than during stoop lifting. Related to the maximal voluntary contraction, the erector spinae muscle showed the highest activity irrespective of lifting technique.

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