Hedgehogs are among the most abundant species to be found within wildlife shelters and after successful rehabilitation they are frequently translocated. The effects and potential impact of these translocations on gene flow within wild populations are largely unknown. In this study, different wild hedgehog populations were compared with artificially created "shelter populations", with regard to their genetic diversity, in order to establish basic data for future inferences on the genetic impact of hedgehog translocations. Observed populations are located within central Europe, including the species Erinaceus europaeus and E. roumanicus. Shelters were mainly hosting one species; in one case, both species were present syntopically. Apart from one exception, the results did not show a higher genetic diversity within shelter populations, indicating that individuals did not originate from a wider geographical area than individuals grouped into one of the wild populations. Two shelters from Innsbruck hosted individuals that belonged to two potential clusters, as indicated in a distance analysis. When such a structure stems from the effects of landscape elements like large rivers, the shelter management-related translocations might lead to homogenization across the dispersal barrier.

• Klíčová slova
• animal shelter, genotyping by amplicon sequencing, hedgehog, translocation,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Cats are important hosts for different zoonotic parasites that can be hazardous to human health. To date, few studies have attempted to identify the factors affecting parasitic infections in shelter animals. This study aims to analyse the presence of endoparasites in shelter cats in Tartu, Estonia, and identify factors affecting endoparasite prevalence and intensity. The risk factors considered were age, location (urban vs rural cats) and time spent in shelter. In total, 290 faecal samples were collected from cats at an animal shelter in 2015-2016 and investigated for endoparasites using the concentration flotation technique. In total, 138 shelter cats (47.6%) were infected with endoparasites and their overall prevalence was: Toxocara cati (36.6%), Cystoisospora spp. (12.4%), Taeniidae gen. sp. (4.1%), Toxoplasma gondii/Hammondia hammondi (3.4%), Eucoleus aerophilus (2.1%), Cryptosporidium spp. (2.1%), Ancylostoma sp. (0.7%) and Giardia sp. (0.7%). Coinfections occurred in 38 cats (13.1%) most frequently of T. cati and Cystoisospora spp. (4.5%), Cystoisospora spp. and T. gondii/H. hammondi (2.1%). Where species identification of cestode and nematode samples was not possible according to morphology, genetic analysis of the mitochondrial cox1 gene was carried out. DNA was successfully analysed for 6 out of 13 samples that required genetic identification, revealing Ancylostoma tubaeforme in one nematode sample and Hydatigera taeniaeformis in five cestode samples. Cats from rural areas had significantly higher endoparasite prevalence than cats from urban areas. Helminth prevalence decreased to some extent due to anthelmintic treatment in cats available for adoption (held ≥15 days in the shelter), whereas the prevalence of infection with protists increased significantly in these animals. It is important to note that the analysis revealed lower infection intensity for quarantine cats (held 1-14 days in the shelter) compared with cats available for adoption. The relatively high prevalence of endoparasites (including zoonotic) in shelter cats ready for adoption suggests that current anthelminthic procedures require improvements.

• Klíčová slova
• Hydatigera taeniaeformis, Toxocara cati, rural cats, shelter cats, shelter management, urban cats,
• MeSH
• Ancylostoma izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Cestoda izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• cizopasní červi MeSH
• Coccidia izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Cryptosporidium izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• feces parazitologie   MeSH
• geny helmintů MeSH
• Giardia izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• giardiáza MeSH
• hlístice izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• kočky parazitologie   MeSH
• paraziti * klasifikace   izolace a purifikace   patogenita   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• respirační komplex IV genetika   MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• Toxocara izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Toxoplasma izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• zoonózy parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• kočky parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Estonsko epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• respirační komplex IV MeSH

OBJECTIVE: To prevent osteoporotic fractures in nursing home residents a combination of bisphosphonates, calcium and vitamin D is recommended. This study assessed the prevalence of pharmacological osteoporosis prevention in nursing home residents from eight countries, and assessed its association with patient characteristics. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analyses of the SHELTER study data. We assessed the overall prevalence of osteoporosis medication (OM) use (vitamin D, calcium and bisphosphonates) in residents stratified for falls and fractures over last 30 days, health instability with high mortality risk, cognitive impairment, and dependence in walking. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Nursing home residents in the Czech Republic, England, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands and Israel. RESULTS: Of 3832 eligible residents, vitamin D, calcium and bisphosphonates were used by 16.2%, 10.4%, and 4.5% respectively. All 3 classes of OM together were used by 1.5% of all residents. Of residents with a recent fracture, 9.5% used a bisphosphonate (2.7% all 3 OMs). In patients with recent falls, 20.8% used vitamin D and 15.3% calcium. In residents with severe cognitive impairment, 15.5% used vitamin D and 9.3% used calcium. Of the bisphosphonate users, 33.7% also used both vitamin D and calcium, 25.8% used only calcium in addition and 17.4% only vitamin D in addition. The use of any OM varied widely across countries, from 66.8% in Finland to 3.0% in Israel. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: We found substantial pharmacological under-treatment of prevention of osteoporosis in residents with recent falls, fractures and dependence in walking. Only two-thirds of bisphosphonate users also took a vitamin D-calcium combination, despite guideline recommendations. On the other hand, possible over-treatment was found in residents with high mortality risk in whom preventive pharmacotherapy might not have still been appropriate. The prevalence of pharmacological prevention of osteoporosis differed substantially between countries. Efforts are needed to improve pharmacotherapy in residents.

• Klíčová slova
• life expectancy, nursing home, osteoporosis, osteoporosis medication,
• MeSH
• bisfosfonáty terapeutické užití   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• osteoporotické fraktury prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• osteoporóza farmakoterapie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• pečovatelské domovy statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• spotřeba léčiv statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• úrazy pádem MeSH
• vápník dietní terapeutické užití   MeSH
• vitamin D terapeutické užití   MeSH
• vitaminy terapeutické užití   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH
• Izrael MeSH
• Názvy látek
• bisfosfonáty MeSH
• vápník dietní MeSH
• vitamin D MeSH
• vitaminy MeSH

At any moment, there are millions of cats housed in foster care facilities for abandoned and stray animals for various reasons worldwide. Care, management and regulation among these facilities differ. Moreover, shelters can never substitute the full comfort of a good home for the animal, and the welfare of cats in shelters is a subject of discussion in many respects. Cats are animals sensitive to changes; for most of them, placement in a shelter is a stressful experience because of changes in routine, environment and the presence of other animals. Stress is reflected in changes in behaviour, causes fluctuations in physiological values and disrupts the immune system, which is a predisposition to the development or reactivation of disease. Evaluation of the presence and intensity of negative impacts is possible through the use of evaluation tools based on indicators that help set the environment and management of keeping so as to disrupt the quality of life as little as possible. Although a comprehensive and valid welfare tool that would evaluate animal-based and at the same time resource-based (or management-based) indicators of cats in shelters is not currently available, it is possible to use partial evaluation of individual welfare indicators to assess welfare. This review aims to provide the readers with an insight into current options of assessment of the welfare of cats in shelters with an emphasis on behavioural, physiological and health indicators with an application in both practical and scientific contexts.

• Klíčová slova
• animal-based measures, assessment, cats, shelters, welfare,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

BACKGROUND: Shelters and similar facilities with a high concentration and fluctuation of animals often have problems with various infections, which are usually difficult to solve in such environments and are very expensive to treat. This study investigated the eradication of Microsporum canis, the widespread cause of zoonotic dermatophytosis in shelters, even in immunosuppressed feline leukaemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus positive cats. RESULTS: Our study showed the increased effectiveness of an alternative topical therapy for affected animals using the mycoparasitic fungus Pythium oligandrum, which is gentler and cheaper than the standard systemic treatment with itraconazole, and which can also be easily used as a preventative treatment. A decrease in the number of M. canis colonies was observed in cats treated with a preparation containing P. oligandrum 2 weeks after the start of therapy (2 cats with P-1 score, 2 cats with P-2 score, 5 cats with P-3 score) compared with the beginning of the study (9 cats with P-3 score = massive infection). The alternative topical therapy with a preparation containing P. oligandrum was significantly more effective compared with the commonly used systemic treatment using itraconazole 5 mg/kg in a 6-week pulse. After 16 weeks of application of the alternative topical therapy, the clinical signs of dermatophytosis were eliminated throughout the whole shelter. CONCLUSION: The complete elimination of the clinical signs of dermatophytosis in all cats indicates that this therapy will be useful for the management and prevention of zoonotic dermatophytosis in animal shelters.

• Klíčová slova
• Animal shelter, Dermatophytosis, FIV, FeLV, Itraconazole, Microsporum canis, Pythium oligandrum,
• MeSH
• antifungální látky aplikace a dávkování   škodlivé účinky   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• aplikace lokální MeSH
• dermatomykózy mikrobiologie   prevence a kontrola   terapie   veterinární   MeSH
• itrakonazol terapeutické užití   MeSH
• kočky MeSH
• lentivirové infekce veterinární   MeSH
• Microsporum * MeSH
• nemoci koček farmakoterapie   mikrobiologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• pilotní projekty MeSH
• Pythium * MeSH
• retrovirové infekce veterinární   MeSH
• virus kočičí imunodeficience izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• virus kočičí leukemie izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• kočky MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antifungální látky MeSH
• itrakonazol MeSH

BACKGROUND: Information about unit costs of psychiatric care is largely unavailable in Central and Eastern Europe, which poses an obstacle to economic evaluations as well as evidence-based development of the care in the region. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to calculate the unit costs of inpatient and community mental health services in Czechia and to assess the current practices of data collection by mental healthcare providers. METHODS: We used bottom-up microcosting to calculate unit costs from detailed longitudinal accounts and records kept by three psychiatric hospitals and three community mental health providers. RESULTS: An inpatient day in a psychiatric hospital costs 1504 Czech koruna (CZK; €59), out of which 75% is consumed by hotel services and the rest by medication and therapies. The costed inpatient therapies include individual therapies provided by a psychiatrist or psychologist, consultations with a social worker, group therapies, organised cultural activities and training activities. As regards the community setting, we costed daycare social facilities, case management services, sheltered housing, supported housing, crisis help, social therapeutic workshops, individual placement and support, and self-help groups. CONCLUSIONS: The unit costs enable assigning financial value to individual items monitored by the Czech version of the Client Service Receipt Inventory, and thus estimation of costs associated with treatment of mental health problems. The employed methodology might serve as a guideline for the providers to improve data collection and to calculate costs of services themselves, with this information likely becoming more crucial for payers in the future.

• MeSH
• lékařská praxe založená na důkazech * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• reforma zdravotní péče * MeSH
• služby v oblasti duševního zdraví komunity ekonomika   MeSH
• ústavy pro duševně nemocné ekonomika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

BACKGROUND: Equity and social inclusion for vulnerable groups in policy development processes and resulting documents remain a challenge globally. Most often, the marginalization of vulnerable groups is overlooked in both the planning and practice of health service delivery. Such marginalization may occur because authorities deem the targeting of those who already have better access to healthcare a cheaper and easier way to achieve short-term health gains. The Government of Malawi wishes to achieve an equitable and inclusive HIV and AIDS Policy. The aim of this study is to assess the extent to which the Malawi Policy review process addressed regional and international health priorities of equity and social inclusion for vulnerable groups in the policy content and policy revision process. METHODS: This research design comprised two phases. First, the content of the Malawi HIV and AIDS Policy was assessed using EquiFrame regarding its coverage of 21 Core Concepts of human rights and inclusion of 12 Vulnerable Groups. Second, the engagement of vulnerable groups in the policy process was assessed using the EquIPP matrix. For the latter, 10 interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of representatives of public sector, civil society organizations and development partners who participated in the policy revision process. Data was also collected from documented information of the policy processes. RESULTS: Our analyses indicated that the Malawi HIV and AIDS Policy had a relatively high coverage of Core Concepts of human rights and Vulnerable Groups; although with some notable omissions. The analyses also found that reasonable steps were taken to engage and promote participation of vulnerable groups in the planning, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes of the HIV and AIDS Policy, although again, with some notable exceptions. This is the first study to use both EquiFrame and EquIPP as complimentary tools to assess the content and process of policy. CONCLUSION: While the findings indicate inclusive processes, commitment to Core Concepts of human rights and inclusion of Vulnerable Groups in relation to the Malawi HIV and AIDS Policy, the results also point to areas in which social inclusion and equity could be further strengthened.

• Klíčová slova
• EquIPP, EquiFrame, Equity, Human Rights Core Concepts, Social Inclusion, Vulnerable Groups,
• MeSH
• AIDS MeSH
• HIV infekce * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lidská práva MeSH
• psychologický odstup * MeSH
• rovnost ve zdraví * MeSH
• vytváření politiky * MeSH
• zdravotní politika * MeSH
• zranitelné populace MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Malawi MeSH

The low survival rate of leverets may significantly contribute to steep population declines and slow recovery of European hares (Lepus europaeus). However, the leveret survival rate in farmlands with different landscape structures is poorly understood, and the existing evidence comes mainly from Western Europe. In this study, we explored the survival of leveret hare dummies along linear semi-natural habitats in homogeneous Central European arable farmland during the main part of the European hare reproduction period (March-April) in 2019 and 2020. The survival rate of hare leverets during the 14-day period was only 22.2%, and all predation events were recorded during the first six days of the experiment. Mammalian predators were responsible for 53.1% of predation events, avian predators for 40.8%, and agricultural operations for 6.1%. The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was the dominant predator in our study area and was the primary cause of leveret dummy mortality (32.7%), but it also had the highest use-intensity and visit frequency of all of the study plots. Predation by avian predators was associated with patches of lower vegetation height and cover (such as plowed fields) and during daylight hours, whereas the opposite was true for mammalian predators. We propose that improving the habitat quality of arable landscapes by increasing the proportion and quality of extensively used non-farmed habitats (e.g., set-asides, wildflower areas, extensive meadows, fallow land, and semi-natural habitats on arable land) providing cover and shelter for leverets could be an effective management measure for reducing predation risk on leverets.

• Klíčová slova
• Camera-trapping, Edge effect, Farmland biodiversity, Generalist predators, Habitat degradation, Predation, Wildlife management,
• MeSH
• ekosystém * MeSH
• farmy MeSH
• lišky MeSH
• populační dynamika MeSH
• predátorské chování * MeSH
• ptáci MeSH
• zajíci * MeSH
• zemědělství MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH

The newly excavated rockshelter of Yeghegis-1 in Armenia reflects an occupation of five centuries, as attested by radiocarbon dates from ∼ 4100 to 4000 cal BCE in the lowest layer to ∼ 3600-3500 cal BCE at the top. It is a partially collapsed cave in which pastoralists, we hypothesize, wintered with their herds. The stone tool assemblage is predominantly obsidian (92.1%), despite the shelter being > 60 km on foot from the nearest sources. We use obsidian sourcing to investigate two purported trends in the Southern Caucasus during the Chalcolithic Period: (1) occupation of more varied high-altitude environments and (2) more expansive social networks. Our data show both trends were dynamic phenomena. There was a greater balance in use of the nearest pasturelands over time, perhaps linked to risk management and/or resource sustainability. During later occupations, artifacts from distant sources reveal more extensive connections. This increase in connectivity likely played a central role in the shifts in societal complexity that gave rise to widely shared material culture throughout the Armenian Highlands around the start of the Early Bronze Age. In such a model, greater social connectivity becomes a key mechanism for, rather than a product of, the spread of cultural and/or technological innovations.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH