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Total Mortality (total + mortality)
Terms modified by Total Mortality Selected AbstractsEffects of air pollution on natural enemies of the leaf beetle Melasoma lapponicaJOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2000Elena L. Zvereva Summary 1. ,Air pollution might have differential effects on herbivores and their natural enemies, thus changing population dynamics. Therefore, from 1993 to 1998 we studied mortality caused by parasitoids and predators to the willow-feeding leaf beetle Melasoma lapponica in the impact zone of the Severonikel nickel,copper smelter (Kola Peninsula, north-western Russia). 2. ,Densities of M. lapponica were very low at clean forest sites (below five beetles per 10-min count) but higher in polluted areas (10,340 beetles per count). There were, however, variations between study years. 3. ,Egg predation, mainly by syrphid larvae and zoophagous bugs, was higher at relatively clean sites (55·3%) than at polluted sites (22·2%). Similarly, predation on larvae by zoophagous bugs and wood ants was higher at clean sites (68·4%) than at polluted sites (32·9%). 4. ,In contrast to predation, mortality caused by the parasitoid flies Megaselia opacicornis (Phoridae) and Cleonice nitidiuscula (Tachinidae) was lower at clean sites (12·3%) than at polluted sites (35·3%). Total parasitism levels increased significantly with pollution load. 5. ,Total mortality caused by natural enemies was higher at clean sites (93·7%) than at polluted sites (79·4%) due to higher predation rates, which may partly explain increased leaf beetle density within the smelter's impact zone. The effects of predators in clean forests were confirmed by the extinction of adults of M. lapponica introduced to one of the forest sites. 6. ,Although some individual sources of mortality appeared to be density dependent (direct or inverse), the joint effect of all natural enemies was not. 7. ,Our data show that a decrease in predation can contribute to increased leaf beetle density at polluted sites. However, the overall effects of natural enemies in this case were not sufficient to account for all density variations between sites. To our knowledge this is the first study to assess how pollution affects the partitioning of mortality in herbivorous insects between predators and parasitoids. [source] Aspects of the population biology of Cephalopholis fulva from the central coast of BrazilJOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 3 2009J. N. Araújo Summary Age and size composition samples of Cephalopholis fulva from the central coast of Brazil were collected from research surveys and from line fishery landings between 1997 and 1999. The samples suggest that the submarine banks located further offshore are characterized by having fish larger than those caught in the continental shelf area. Although the oldest specimens were caught in the continental shelf area, only 34.6% of the specimens were older than 10 years as compared to 51.4% in the submarine banks. The observed size and age differences seem to be related to the lower fishing pressure on the submarine banks, although size composition bias resulting from different sampling procedures and different catchability between sites cannot be excluded. A resampling scheme was used to overcome the influences of size composition bias and to generate a three-dimensional plot of parameters as a means to compare the growth between the submarine banks and the continental shelf area; this plot showed no overlap between growth patterns of the two sites. The natural mortality (M) estimate based on the oldest specimen observed was 0.17 year,1. Total mortality (Z) estimated from catch-curve analyses using samples from both areas varied from 0.24 to 0.34 year,1, depending on the age range used. With this level of mortality, the C. fulva stock in the central coast area of Brazil was close to or already at the level of overexploitation in the late 1990s. [source] Age, growth, mortality and population structure of the oyster, Crassostrea madrasensis, in the Moheskhali Channel (southeastern coast of Bangladesh)JOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 1 2008S. M. Nurul Amin Summary The population structure, age, growth, mortality and harvest intensity of the oyster Crassostrea madrasensis were examined in the Moheskhali Channel, Bangladesh between June 2003 and May 2004. The channel is a representative habitat for the area. C. madrasensis monthly length frequency data were analyzed using FiSAT software for estimating population parameters, including asymptotic length (L), growth co-efficient (K) and recruitment pattern to assess the status of the stock. Asymptotic length (L,) and growth co-efficient (K) were 20.88 cm and 0.35 year,1, respectively. The growth performance index (,,) was calculated with 2.18. The growth pattern showed negative allometric growth (b < 3), with an asymptotic weight (W) of about 1124.6 g. The oyster attained an average length of 6.17 cm at the end of 1 year. Total mortality (Z) by length-converted catch curve was estimated at 1.78 year,1, fishing mortality (F) at 0.77 year,1, and natural mortality (M) at 1.01 year,1. The exploitation level (E) of C. madrasensis was 0.43, while the maximum allowable limit of exploitation (Emax) was 0.45 for the highest yield. The recruitment pattern was continuous, displaying a single major peak event per year. Habitat temperatures were 25.5,31.0°C (mean ± SD, 29 ± 1.62°C); salinity range was from 12.36 to 26.0 ppt (mean ± SD, 19.6 ± 4.7 ppt). The exploitation level (0.43) indicated that the oyster stock was exploited at almost maximum yield in this channel. [source] Effects of the timing of initial feeding on growth and survival of spotted mandarin fish Siniperca scherzeri larvaeJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2009L. Zhang The effects of delayed first feeding on growth and survival of spotted mandarin fish Siniperca scherzeri larvae were examined under controlled conditions. Morphometric characters [yolk-sac volume, oil globule volume, head depth (HD), body depth (BD), eye diameter (ED), musculature height (MH), mouth diameter (MD) and total length (LT)], body mass (M), specific growth rate (SGR) and survival were evaluated under different first-feeding time (2, 3, 4 and 5 days after hatching). Larvae began to feed exogenously at 2 days after hatching (DAH) and the point of no return (PNR) occurred between 5 and 6 DAH at 23° C, range ±1·0° C. The yolk volume of larvae first-fed at 2 days had a significant difference compared with that of larvae first-fed at 3, 4 and 5 days on 3 and 4 DAH. The larvae first-fed at 2 days achieved comparatively better growth performance than that of 3, 4 and 5 days. On 5 DAH, all morphometric characters had significant differences between 2 and 5 days and 2 and 4 days initial feeding, respectively. Total mortality was recorded on 9 DAH for the larvae first-fed at 5 days. On 12 DAH, significant differences were observed between 2 and 4 days and 3 and 4 days initial feeding for all morphometric characters. From 16 DAH to the end of experiment, all growth variables of the larvae first-fed at 2 days were significantly higher than those in other treatments. The SGR (2,9 DAH) first-fed at 2 and 3 days were significantly higher than 4 and 5 day treatments, and the SGR (9,16 DAH) first-fed at 2 days was significantly higher than 3 and 4 day treatments. There was no significant difference, however, of SGR (16,28 DAH) among treatments. Survival rate was significantly higher at 2 days initial feeding (27·42%) when compared with 3 (15·96%) and 4 days (7·92%) initial feeding at the end of experiment. The present study suggests that the first feeding of S. scherzeri larvae should be initiated at 2 days after hatching for achieving good growth and survival. [source] Population dynamics and stock status of cobia, Rachycentron canadum, caught in Australian recreational and commercial coastal fisheriesFISHERIES MANAGEMENT & ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2010G. C. FRY Abstract, Age and growth of Rachycentron canadum (L.) was studied in northern and eastern Australia to provide data for a preliminary assessment of the stock and to explore possible fisheries management strategies using minimum legal lengths. Fish collected from commercial and recreational fisheries ranged in size and weight from 125 to 1633 mm fork length (FL) and 0.031 to 55 kg respectively. Annual growth increments in sectioned otoliths formed by November,December. Estimated ages ranged from 0 to 7 yr for both genders. Longevity was estimated to be at least 13 yr. Von Bertalanffy growth function parameters were L = 1160 mm FL, K = 0.63 yr,1 and t0 = ,0.21 yr,1. Rachycentron canadum reach 600 mm FL in their first year and over 1000 mm FL in 3 years. Natural and total mortalities were estimated at 0.35 yr,1 and 0.85 yr,1, respectively. Populations of R. canadum may be vulnerable to growth overfishing under the current minimum legal length of 750 mm total length (TL) in Queensland waters. An increase in minimum legal length to 850 mm TL is recommended. [source] Use of a probiotic to control lactococcosis and streptococcosis in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 12 2005J Brunt Abstract From a comparison of 125 bacterial isolates recovered from the digestive tract of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, and carp, Cyprinus sp., a culture was obtained which was effective at preventing clinical disease caused by Lactococcus garvieae and Streptococcus iniae when used as a feed additive. The culture, Aeromonas sobria GC2, was incorporated into the feed and fed to rainbow trout (average weight = 20 g) for 14 days at a dose equivalent to 5 × 107 cells g,1 of feed. Whereas the untreated controls experienced losses of 75,100% when challenged intraperitoneally with L. garvieae and S. iniae, the probiotic-treated groups remained healthy with total mortalities of only 0,6%. Formalized and sonicated preparations of GC2 and cell-free supernatant fared less well. The mode of action reflected stimulation of innate immunity, namely an increased number of leucocytes and enhanced phagocytic and respiratory burst activity. [source] Prediction of cardiovascular and total mortality in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients by the WHO definition for the metabolic syndromeDIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 1 2006G. T.-C. Aim:, The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MES) in type 2 diabetic patients and the predictive values of the World Health Organization (WHO) and National Cholesterol Education Programme (NCEP) definitions and the individual components of the MES on total and cardiovascular mortality. Methods:, A prospective analysis of a consecutive cohort of 5202 Chinese type 2 diabetic patients recruited between July 1994 and April 2001. Results:, The prevalence of the MES was 49.2,58.1% depending on the use of various criteria. There were 189 deaths (men: 100 and women: 89) in these 5205 patients during a median (interquartile range) follow-up period of 2.1 (0.3,3.6 years). Of these, 164 (87%) were classified as cardiovascular deaths. Using the NCEP criterion, patients with MES had a death rate similar to those without (3.51 vs. 3.85%). By contrast, based on the WHO criteria, patients with MES had a higher mortality rate than those without (4.3 vs. 2.4%, p = 0.002). Compared to patients with neither NCEP- nor WHO-defined MES, only the group with MES defined by the WHO, but not NCEP, criterion had significantly higher mortality rate (2.6 vs. 6.8%, p < 0.001). Using Cox regression analysis, only age, duration of diabetes and smoking were identified as independent factors for cardiovascular or total death. Among the various components of MES, hypertension, low BMI and albuminuria were the key predictors for these adverse events. Conclusions:, In Chinese type 2 diabetic patients, the WHO criterion has a better discriminative power over the NCEP criterion for predicting death. Among the various components of the MES defined either by WHO or NCEP, hypertension, albuminuria and low BMI were the main predictors of cardiovascular and total mortality. [source] All-cause mortality and fatal alcohol poisoning in Belarus, 1970,2005DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 5 2008YURY E. RAZVODOVSKY Abstract Introduction and Aims. Although alcohol appears to be an important contributor to the burden of disease in the countries of eastern Europe, little systematic research has been undertaken on its impact on mortality in the former Soviet republic of Belarus. There may be a number of factors underlying the particularly negative effect of alcohol on mortality in Belarus, including the pattern of drinking and use of surrogates. A solid body of research and empirical evidence suggests that hazardous patterns of alcohol consumption (binge drinking) lead to quicker and deeper intoxication, increasing the propensity for alcohol-related mortality. Design and Method. To estimate the aggregate level effect of binge drinking on the all-cause mortality rate, trends in the all-cause mortality and fatal alcohol poisoning rates (as a proxy for binge drinking) in Belarus from 1970 to 2005 were analysed employing AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) time,series analysis in order to assess a bivariate relationship between the two time,series. Results. The results of time,series analysis suggest a close relationship between all-cause mortality and fatal alcohol poisoning rates at the population level. Conclusions. This study supports the hypothesis that alcohol and all-cause mortality are connected closely in countries where the drinking culture is characterised by heavy drinking episodes and adds to the growing body of evidence that a substantial proportion of total mortality in Belarus is due to acute effects of binge drinking. [source] Trade-off in oviposition strategy: choosing poor quality host plants reduces mortality from natural enemies for a salt marsh planthopperECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 3 2006DANIEL C. MOON Abstract 1.,Both host plant nutrition and mortality from natural enemies have been predicted to significantly impact host plant selection and oviposition behaviour of phytophagous insects. It is unclear, however, if oviposition decisions maximise fitness. 2.,This study examined whether the salt marsh planthopper Pissonotus quadripustulatus prefers higher quality host plants for oviposition, and if oviposition decisions are made so as to minimise mortality at the egg stage. 3.,A controlled laboratory experiment and 4 years of field data were used to assess the rates of planthopper oviposition on higher quality ,green' and lower quality ,woody' stems of the host plant Borrichia frutescens. The numbers and percentages of healthy eggs and eggs that were killed by parasitoids or the host plant were recorded. 4.,In all years, including the laboratory experiment, Pissonotus planthoppers laid more eggs on lower quality woody stems than on higher quality green stems. While host plant related egg mortality was higher in woody stems, the percentage of eggs parasitised was much greater in green stems. This resulted in a lower total mortality of eggs on woody stems. 5.,The results of this study demonstrate that, although Pissonotus prefers lower quality host plants for oviposition, this actually increases fitness. These data seem to support the enemy free space hypothesis, and suggest that for phytophagous insects that experience the majority of mortality in the egg stage, oviposition choices may be made such that mortality is minimised. [source] How does variability in alcohol consumption over time affect the relationship with mortality and coronary heart disease?ADDICTION, Issue 4 2010Annie Britton ABSTRACT Objective To examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and risk of mortality and incident coronary heart disease (CHD), taking account of variation in intake during follow-up. Method Prospective cohort study of 5411 male civil servants aged 35,55 years at entry to the Whitehall II study in 1985,88. Alcohol consumption was reported five times over a 15-year period. Mortality, fatal CHD, clinically verified incident non-fatal myocardial infarction and definite angina were ascertained during follow-up. Results We found evidence that drinkers who vary their intake during follow-up, regardless of average level, have increased risk of total mortality (hazard ratio of high versus low variability 1.52: 95% CI: 1.07,2.17), but not of incident CHD. Using average consumption level, as opposed to only a baseline measure, gave slightly higher risk estimates for CHD compared to moderate drinkers at the extremes of the drinking range. Conclusions Multiple repeated measures are required to explore the effects of variation in exposure over time. Caution is needed when interpreting risks of exposures measured only once at baseline, without consideration of changes over time. [source] Out-of-hospital Care of Critical Drug Overdoses Involving Cardiac ArrestACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 1 2004Valentine L. Paredes MD Objectives: Death from acute drug poisoning, also termed drug overdose, is a substantial public health problem. Little is known regarding the role of emergency medical services (EMS) in critical drug poisonings. This study investigates the involvement and potential mortality benefit of EMS for critical drug poisonings, characterized by cardiovascular collapse requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Methods: The study population was composed of death events caused by acute drug poisoning, defined as poisoning deaths and deaths averted (persons successfully resuscitated from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by EMS) in King County, Washington, during the year 2000. Results: Eleven persons were successfully resuscitated and 234 persons died from cardiac arrest caused by acute drug poisoning, for a total of 245 cardiac events. The EMS responded to 79.6% (195/245), attempted resuscitation in 34.7% (85/245), and successfully resuscitated 4.5% (11/245) of all events. Among the 85 persons for whom EMS attempted resuscitation, opioids, cocaine, and alcohol were the predominant drugs involved, although over half involved multiple drug classes. Among the 11 persons successfully resuscitated, return of circulation was achieved in six following EMS cardiopulmonary resuscitation alone, in one following CPR and defibrillation, and in the remaining four after additional advanced life support. Conclusions: In this community, EMS was involved in the majority of acute drug poisonings characterized by cardiovascular collapse and may potentially lower total mortality by approximately 4.5%. The results show that, in some survivors, return of spontaneous circulation may be achieved with CPR alone, suggesting a different pathophysiology in drug poisoning compared with cardiac arrest due to heart disease. [source] Synergistic effects of esfenvalerate and infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus on juvenile chinook salmon mortalityENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 7 2005Mark A. Clifford Abstract Sublethal concentrations of pollutants may compromise fish, resulting in increased susceptibility to endemic pathogens. To test this hypothesis, juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) were exposed to sublethal levels of esfenvalerate or chlorpyrifos either alone or concurrently with infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV). Three trials were performed with fish exposed to concentrations of IHNV between 0.8 × 102 and 2.7 × 106 plaque-forming units/ml and to 5.0 ,g/L of chlorpyrifos or 0.1 ,g/L of esfenvalerate. The presence and concentration of IHNV in dead fish were assayed by virus isolation and plaque assay techniques, respectively. Among groups exposed to both esfenvalerate and IHNV, 83% experienced highly significant (p < 0.001) mortality, ranging from 20 to 90% at 3 d post-virus exposure, and cumulatively died from 2.4 to 7.7 d sooner than fish exposed to IHNV alone. This trend was not seen in any other treatment group. Virus assays of dead fish indicate a lethal synergism of esfenvalerate and IHNV. Chlorpyrifos had no observed effect on total mortality or IHNV susceptibility. The present results suggest that accepted levels of pollutants may be seemingly nonlethal to fish but, in fact, be acting synergistically with endemic pathogens to compromise survivorship of wild fish populations through immunologic or physiologic disruption. [source] Methadone maintenance treatment: the balance between life-saving treatment and fatal poisoningsADDICTION, Issue 3 2007A. Fugelstad ABSTRACT Aim To determine the total mortality related to the Stockholm methadone programme during the period 1988,2000, both the mortality related to the treatment and fatal methadone intoxications in the Stockholm area during the same period. Methods The study comprised all individuals (n = 848) who had been in contact with the methadone programme in Stockholm during the study period, including those patients who had been discharged from treatment and those opiate users who had applied for but not received methadone treatment. All deaths that had been the subject of medico-legal examination at the Department of Forensic Medicine in Stockholm where methadone was found in blood or urine were also analysed during the same period. Results The mortality was lower among those opiate users who remained in maintenance treatment and 91% of the deceased individuals had died due to natural causes, in most cases related to HIV or hepatitis C, acquired before admission to the programme. Those who had been discharged from methadone treatment had a 20 times higher risk of dying from unnatural causes compared to the patients who remained in treatment. The majority died due to heroin injections (,overdoses'). Eighty-nine cases of fatal methadone intoxication were found, but in only two of these cases was there evidence of leakage from maintenance treatment. Conclusion The ,high threshold programme' is safe as long as the patients remain in treatment and there are very few deaths due to leakage from the programme. However, there is a high mortality among those discharged from the programme and only a minority of the heroin users in Stockholm had applied for treatment. [source] Alcohol drinking pattern and subjective health in a population-based studyADDICTION, Issue 9 2006Saverio Stranges ABSTRACT Aims Some patterns of alcohol consumption (e.g. binge drinking, drinking outside of meals) have been associated with detrimental effects on health outcomes. Subjective health provides a global assessment of health status and is a strong predictor of total mortality; however, little is known about its relationship with alcohol drinking pattern. The association between several drinking patterns (i.e. drinking intensity and frequency, frequency of intoxication, drinking outside of meals, and beverage type) and subjective health was examined in a random sample of 3586 women and men. Design A population-based cross-sectional study. Methods Subjective health was assessed using the physical and mental health component summaries of the Short Form-36 health survey questionnaire. Alcohol consumption refers to the 30 days before the interview. Analysis of covariance compared gender-specific mean scores across alcohol drinking patterns. Findings Overall, non-current drinkers reported poorer physical and mental health than life-time abstainers and current drinkers, while no consistent differences were found between life-time abstainers and current drinkers. In female current drinkers, daily drinking, beer and mixed beverage consumption were associated with better mental health. In male current drinkers, moderate alcohol consumption (2,2.9 drinks per day), wine and mixed beverage consumption were associated with better physical health. Intoxication and liquor consumption were associated with poorer mental health in women and poorer physical health in men. No consistent associations were found for drinking outside meals. Conclusions Aspects of drinking pattern may affect subjective health differentially in women and men. Overall, intoxication and liquor drinking are associated with poorer self-perceived health status than regular, moderate consumption of other alcoholic beverages. [source] Alcohol and mortality: methodological and analytical issues in aggregate analysesADDICTION, Issue 1s1 2001Thor Norström This supplement includes a collection of papers that aim at estimating the relationship between per capita alcohol consumption and various forms of mortality, including mortality from liver cirrhosis, accidents, suicide, homicide, ischaemic heart disease, and total mortality. The papers apply a uniform methodological protocol, and they are all based on time series data covering the post-war period in the present EU countries and Norway. In this paper we discuss various methodological and analytical issues that are common to these papers. We argue that analysis of time series data is the most feasible approach for assessing the aggregate health consequences of changes in population drinking. We further discuss how aggregate data may also be useful for judging the plausibility of individual-level relationships, particularly those prone to be confounded by selection effects. The aggregation of linear and curvilinear risk curves is treated as well as various methods for dealing with the time-lag problem. With regard to estimation techniques we find country specific analyses preferable to pooled cross-sectional/time series models since the latter incorporate the dubious element of geographical co-variation, and conceal potentially interesting variations in alcohol effects. The approach taken in the papers at hand is instead to pool the country specific results into three groups of countries that represent different drinking cultures; traditional wine countries of southern Europe, beer countries of central Europe and the British Isles and spirits countries of northern Europe. The findings of the papers reinforce the central tenet of the public health perspective that overall consumption is an important determinant of alcohol-related harm rates. However, there is a variation across country groups in alcohol effects, particularly those on violent deaths, that indicates the potential importance of drinking patterns. There is no support for the notion that increases in per capita consumption have any cardioprotective effects at the population level. [source] Seasonal and spatial mortality patterns of holm oak seedlings in a reforested soil infected with Phytophthora cinnamomiFOREST PATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2005M. C. Rodríguez-Molina Summary The viability of 1-year-old holm oak (Quercus ilex) seedlings in a soil naturally infected with Phytophthora cinnamomi was studied during 2 consecutive years in a plot located in south-western Spain. In both years, total mortality during autumn and winter was not noticeable (<2.1%). In spring, mortality levels were higher (8.3,4.6%), especially the first year. A steep increase in total mortality occurred in summer, both in the first (11.4%) and second (24.2%) year, but mortality attributable to P. cinnamomi was 1.9 and 7.6%, respectively. Thus, 2 years after planting, total cumulative mortality was 43.4%, and that attributable to P. cinnamomi 9.6% (i.e. 22.1% of total mortality). Fungus-derived mortality followed a spatially aggregated pattern in the reforestation plot, suggesting a clustered distribution of the inoculum in the soil. Furthermore, mortality by P. cinnamomi was also associated with nearness of infected adult trees in the plot. Results obtained are discussed in the framework of seasonal water deficit, P. cinnamomi damage, weed competition and sanitation techniques to be used in declined holm oak stands in Spain. Résumé La viabilité de semis de chênes verts d'un an dans un sol naturellement infecté par P. cinnamomi a été suivie pendant deux années consécutives dans une parcelle du sud-ouest de l'Espagne. La mortalité en automne et hiver a été négligeable (<2.1%) au cours des deux années. La mortalité a été plus forte au printemps (8.3 ,4.6%), particulièrement la première année. Un pic de mortalité a été observé pendant l'été, aussi bien la première (11.4%) que la deuxième année (24.2%) mais la mortalité attribuable àP. cinnamomi n'est que de 1.9% et 7.6% respectivement. Deux ans après plantation, la mortalité cumulée est de 43.4%, dont 9.6% attribuable àP. cinnamomi (22% de la mortalité totale). La mortalité associée à l'agent pathogène présente une agrégation spatiale dans la parcelle reboisée, suggérant une distribution en agrégats de l'inoculum dans le sol. De plus cette mortalité est associée à la proximitéà des arbres infectés dans la parcelle. Les résultats sont discutés dans la perspective du déficit hydrique estival, des dégâts causés par P. cinnamomi, de la compétition herbacée et des techniques sanitaires à utiliser dans les peuplements dépérissants de chênes verts en Espagne. Zusammenfassung Während zwei aufeinander folgenden Jahren wurde die Überlebensrate von einjährigen Steineichen (Quercus ilex)-Sämlingen in einem natürlich mit Phytophthora cinnamomi infizierten Boden auf einer Versuchsfläche in Süd-West-Spanien untersucht. In beiden Jahren war die Mortalität im Herbst und Winter sehr gering (<2.1%). Im Frühling lag die Absterberate besonders im ersten Jahr höher (8,3,4,6%). Im Sommer stieg die Gesamtmortalität stark an, im ersten Jahr betrug sie 11,4%, im zweiten Jahr 24,2%, jedoch lagen die P. cinnamomi zuzuordnenden Raten bei nur 1,9 bzw. 7,6%. Somit lag die Gesamtmortalität zwei Jahre nach der Pflanzung bei 43,4%, die P. cinnamomi zuzuordnende Mortalität bei 9,6% (d.h. 22,1% der abgestorbenen Pflanzen). Die pilzbedingte Mortalität war in der Aufforstungsfläche räumlich aggregiert, was auf eine klumpige Verteilung des Inokulums im Boden schliessen lässt. Zudem war die Mortalität durch P. cinnamomi mit der Nähe zu infizierten adulten Bäumen assoziiert. Diese Ergebnisse werden in Zusammenhang mit jahreszeitlichem Wassermangel, Schäden durch P. cinnamomi, Konkurrenz durch Unkräuter und mögliche phytosanitäre Massnahmen an Standorten mit absterbenden Steineichen diskutiert. [source] Effects of ultraviolet radiation on the eggs of landlocked Galaxias maculatus (Galaxiidae, Pisces) in northwestern PatagoniaFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2000M. Battini Summary 1Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) damages early life stages of several fish species. Galaxias maculatus is a small catadromous fish, with landlocked forms occurring in many lakes within the Nahuel Huapi National Park (Patagonia, Argentina). In this work, the vulnerability of G. maculatus eggs exposed to both natural and artificial UVR was investigated in relation to water transparency. 2Field experiments were performed in two lakes differing in UVR attenuation. Galaxias maculatus eggs were exposed to in situ levels of UVR in quartz tubes incubated at various depths. For laboratory experiments, the eggs were exposed to five levels of artificial UVB radiation. 3Exposure to natural UVR causes various degrees of egg mortality depending on water transparency and incubation depth. In the less transparent lake (Kd320 = 3.08 m -1), almost complete mortality was observed near the surface. At a depth of 43 cm the observed mortality was only 22%, but was still significantly different from the dark control. In the most transparent lake (Kd320 = 0.438 m -1), almost total mortality was observed in tubes incubated at 2.56 m or shallower. A gradual decline in mortality was recorded from that depth to 3.78 m where the values approached those in the dark control treatments. 4A monotonic relationship between mortality and UV exposure could be observed both in field and laboratory experiments. Using the results from field incubations, a LD50 of 2.5 J cm -2 nm -1 was estimated. In a few mountain lakes, this value would be exceeded even if the eggs were laid at the maximum depth of the lake. Thus UVR seems a sufficient cause to explain the absence of G. maculatus populations in some mountain lakes. For most lakes, however, UVR is probably one of several important environmental factors, which together determine the habitat suitability. [source] Power of the Rank Adjacency Statistic to Detect Spatial Clustering in a Small Number of RegionsGEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS, Issue 1 2001John Paul Ekwaru The rank adjacency statistic D is a statistical method for assessing spatial autocorrelation or clustering of geographical data. It was originally proposed for summarizing the geographical patterns of cancer data in Scotland (IARC 1985). In this paper, we investigate the power of the rank adjacency statistic to detect spatial clustering when a small number of regions is involved. The investigations were carried out using Monte Carlo simulations, which involved generating patterned/clustered values and computing the power with which the D statistic would detect it. To investigate the effects of region shapes, structure of the regions, and definition of weights, simulations were carried out using two different region shapes, binary and nonhinary weights, and three different lattice structures. The results indicate that in the typical example of considering Canadian total mortality at the electoral district level, the D statistic had adequate power to detect general spatial autocorrelation in twenty-five or more regions. There was an inverse relationship between power and the level of connectedness of the regions, which depends on the weighting function, shape, and arrangement of the regions. The power of the D statistic was also found to compare favorably with that of Moran's I statistic. [source] The collaborative atorvastatin diabetes study: preliminary results,INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 1 2005Olwen Glynn Owen Summary The Collaborative AtoRvastatin Diabetes Study (CARDS) is the first large primary prevention study to focus specifically on the role of a statin in patients aged 40,75 years with type 2 diabetes, but no signs or symptoms of pre-existing vascular disease and who had only average or below average cholesterol levels. The trial was a prospective double-blind randomised trial with 2383 type 2 diabetic subjects randomised to either 10-mg atorvastatin daily or placebo. Originally designed to run for 5 years, the trial was terminated over a year early in June 2003 on account of a clear benefit demonstrated for the intervention group. Over half of patients had a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) below 3.3 mmol/l at entry and a quarter had an LDL-C <2.6 mmol/l. Atorvastatin 10 mg reduced LDL-C by 40% (1.2 mmol/l) on average. Results at 4 years showed a 37% relative risk reduction (p < 0.001) for atorvastatin 10 mg in the primary endpoint (acute coronary heart disease death, fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring hospital admission, resuscitated cardiac arrest, coronary revascularisation procedures and stroke). Among the secondary endpoints, total mortality was reduced by 27% (p = 0.05), acute coronary events by 36%, coronary revascularisation by 31% and stroke by 48%. The same magnitude of benefit was observed among patients with LDL-C above or below 3 mmol/l. Results observed were against a background where 9% of placebo patients had been permitted to start statin therapy after enrolment and 15% of patients on active treatment had discontinued atorvastatin. The true benefit of the intervention is therefore probably around 25% greater than the intention to treat analysis reports. [source] Constructing life-tables for the invasive maize pest Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Col.; Chrysomelidae) in EuropeJOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2006S. Toepfer Abstract:, The western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, Col.; Chrysomelidae) is an alien invasive species in Europe. It is a univoltine species with eggs that overwinter in the soil and larvae that hatch in spring. Three larval instars feed on maize roots, which can cause plant lodging and yield loss of economic importance. Adults emerge between mid-June and early August and can reduce yields through intensive silk feeding. In order to provide a thorough understanding of the population dynamics of this invasive pest species in the invaded European region, complete age specific life-tables were constructed in two maize fields in southern Hungary assessing the significance of natural mortality factors acting on D. v. virgifera populations. This information provides a rational basis for devising sustainable integrated pest management programmes, in particular, by enabling the identification of vulnerable pest age intervals for the timely application of various management tools. The life-table for D. v. virgifera in Europe resulted in a total mortality of about 99% from the egg stage in the autumn to the emergence of adult females in the following year (KTotal = 2.48), which is comparable with North America. The highest reduction of D. v. virgifera numbers resulted from the mortality in first instar larvae (94% marginal death rate) and from the unrealized fecundity (80%). However, only the variation in mortality between years can change the generational mortality and thus influence population growth. High variation in the marginal death rate between fields and years was found in the second and third instar larval stages, and in the overwintering egg stage. These mortality factors therefore have the potential to cause changes in the total generational mortality. Furthermore, the life-table suggested that a high fecundity could compensate for a high generational mortality and would lead to population increase. [source] Population biology of the red gurnard (Aspitrigla cuculus L.; Triglidae) in the inshore waters of Eastern Anglesey and Northwest WalesJOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 4 2010A. L. Marriott Summary ICES has identified red gurnard Aspitrigla cuculus (L.) as a potential commercial species and recommended that monitoring programmes should be conducted to derive information on biological parameters for stock assessment purposes. In this paper, data on the population biology of red gurnard in the coastal waters of Northwest Wales and Eastern Anglesey are presented. Total length (TL) of fish sampled ranged from 15.4 to 35.0 cm (males) and 10.5 to 43.1 cm (females), with the majority of females between 20 and 30 cm TL (70.0%) and males between 20 and 30 cm TL (71.0%). TL/weight (W) relations were similar between immature and mature individuals for both sexes and between both sexes (all maturity stages combined), producing a combined data equation W = 0.005 TL3.19. Age of fish ranged from 1 to 7 years and 1 to 6 years, respectively, for females and males, with the majority of females age 3 (37%) and the majority of males age 2 (49%). The age structures of female and male red gurnards were significantly different, with the older age classes consisting predominantly of female fish. Both males and females exhibited similar asymptotic growth patterns; the combined von Bertalanffy growth function was . Instantaneous rates of total mortality were calculated as 1.13 year,1 for males and 0.98 year,1 for females. The size (L50) and age at first maturity (A50) were estimated to be 26.3 cm TL and 3.6 years for males, 28.1 cm TL and 3.5 years for females and 25.6 cm TL and 3.7 years for both sexes combined. [source] A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers in Diabetic NephropathyJOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPERTENSION, Issue 10 2007Panagiotis C. Stafylas MD The aim of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers in patients with diabetic nephropathy. A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed based on a meta-analysis of studies investigating the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) as part of a treatment regimen on the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in patients with diabetic nephropathy. The primary outcome was the cost to prevent 1 patient from developing ESRD. Cost analysis was performed from a third-party payer perspective in 2006 US dollars. As part of a treatment regimen, ARBs significantly reduced the incidence of ESRD and doubling of serum creatinine concentration (P<.05) but not total mortality. The cost to prevent 1 patient from developing ESRD was $31,729 (95% confidence interval, $19,443,$85,442; P<.01), $189,190 (P=.13) and $51,585 (P=.068) for patients receiving ARBs, ACE inhibitors, or either of them, respectively. This study demonstrates that blocking the RAAS, which delays the progression to ESRD, appears to be cost-effective. The current analysis favors ARBs in terms of cost-effectiveness. [source] Habitat use, migration pattern and population dynamics of chevron snakehead Channa striata in a rainfed rice farming landscapeJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 2005E. Amilhat Habitat use, migration, mortality and growth of the chevron snakehead Channa striata in a rainfed rice farming landscape of north-east Thailand were studied through a tagging experiment. A total of 751 fish were captured, tagged and released during three distinct events in the late dry season, and in the beginning and at the end of the wet season. Rice fields provided the major wet season habitat for C. striata. Small trap ponds built to provide dry season habitat on farms provided 20% of catches and, if not harvested, could increase recruitment to the spawning stock by >30% despite accounting for <1% of dry season habitat by area. Migrations were localized (mostly <500 m). Up-migration from perennial to seasonal water bodies at the beginning of the wet season involved longer distances and took place over a longer time than down-migration at the end of the wet season. Natural mortality rates were extremely high, particularly during the period of down-migration. Fishing mortality rates were high in absolute terms, but contributed only 6,36% to the total mortality. Growth was seasonal with a maximum towards the end of the wet season. Snakeheads have successfully colonized the rainfed rice farming landscape, where populations can withstand intensive exploitation and respond well to aquatic habitat management on farmland. [source] Physical activity and exercise performance predict long-term prognosis in middle-aged women surviving acute coronary syndromeJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2007F. Al-Khalili Abstract. Aim., To evaluate the importance of exercise testing (ET) parameters and leisure time physical activity in predicting long-term prognosis in middle-aged women hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods and results., Women aged <66 years recently hospitalized for ACS in the Greater Stockholm area in Sweden were recruited. All underwent baseline clinical examinations including ET and then were followed up for 9 years. Nonparticipation in ET had a hazard ratio of 4.26 (95% confidence interval 2.02,8.95) for total mortality and 3.03 (1.03,8.91) for cardiovascular mortality. All ET parameters were significantly different between survivors than nonsurvivors, except for chest pain and ST-segment depression during ET. Sedentary lifestyle and ET parameters were related to total mortality and cardiovascular mortality in a multivariate analysis adjusting for potential confounders. Predictors of total mortality were sedentary lifestyle 2.94 (1.31,6.62), exercise time 1.75 (1.07,2.87) and inadequate haemodynamic responses: low increase in pulse rate 2.04 (1.16,3.60) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) 1.88 (1.19,2.95) from rest to peak exercise. Parameters that predicted cardiovascular mortality were sedentary lifestyle 3.15 (1.13,8.74) and poor increase in SBP 2.76 (1.30,5.86) from rest to peak exercise. The relation of sedentary lifestyle to survival was substantially weakened when exercise parameters were added to the multivariate analysis model. Conclusion., In female patients <66 years surviving ACS, important independent predictors of long-term all-cause mortality were sedentary lifestyle, low physical fitness and inadequate pulse rate and SBP increase during exercise. Predictors of cardiovascular mortality were sedentary lifestyle and inadequate blood pressure response during exercise. [source] Intentional weight loss and mortality among initially healthy men and womenNUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 7 2008Mette K Simonsen Most prospective observational studies suggest that weight loss increases the risk of premature death among obese individuals. This is surprising because clinical studies show that weight loss generally leads to overall improvements in cardiovascular risk factors. It is sometimes argued that the increased mortality observed with weight loss must depend on confounding or poor study designs. This review was conducted to summarize results from studies on intentional weight loss and mortality among healthy individuals, while carefully considering the designs and problems in these studies. Evaluation criteria with a rating scale were developed. Of the studies evaluated, two found decreased mortality with intentional weight loss, three found increased mortality, and four found no significant associations between intentional weight loss and total mortality. Thus, it is still not possible for health authorities to make secure recommendations on intentional weight loss. More studies designed to specifically address this issue are warranted. [source] Associations of factor VIIIc, D-dimer, and plasmin,antiplasmin with incident cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortalityAMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Aaron R. Folsom To examine the associations of three understudied hemostatic factors,D-dimer, factor VIIIc, and plasmin-antiplasmin (PAP) complex,with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all cause mortality in the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis cohort. Hemostatic factors were measured at baseline in 45,84-year-old patients (n = 6,391) who were free of clinically recognized CVD. Over 4.6 years of follow-up, we identified 307 CVD events, 207 hard coronary heart disease events, and 210 deaths. D-dimer, factor VIIIc, and PAP were not associated with CVD incidence after adjustment for other risk factors. In contrast, each factor was associated positively with total mortality, and D-dimer and factor VIIIc were associated positively with cancer mortality. When modeled as ordinal variables and adjusted for risk factors, total mortality was greater by 33% (95% CI 15,54) for each quartile increment of D-dimer, 26% (11,44) for factor VIIIc, and 20% (4,38) for PAP. This prospective cohort study did not find D-dimer, factor VIIIc, or PAP to be risk factors for CVD. Instead, elevated levels of these three hemostatic factors were associated independently with increased risk of death. Elevated D-dimer and factor VIIIc were associated with increased cancer death. Am. J. Hematol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Herbivory and Abiotic Factors Affect Population Dynamics of Arabidopsis thaliana in a Sand Dune AreaPLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2005A. Mosleh Arany Abstract: Population dynamics of the annual plant Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. were studied in a natural habitat of this species on the coastal dunes of the Netherlands. The main objective was to elucidate factors controlling population dynamics and the relative importance of factors affecting final population density. Permanent plots were established and plants were mapped to obtain data on survival and reproductive performance of each individual, with special attention to herbivore damage. In experimental plots we studied how watering, addition of nutrients, artificial disturbance, and natural herbivores affected survival and growth. Mortality was low during autumn and early winter and high at the time of stem elongation, between February and April. A key factor analysis showed a high correlation between mortality from February to April and total mortality. The specialist weevils Ceutorhyncus atomus and C. contractus (Curculionidae) were identified as the major insect herbivores on A. thaliana, reducing seed production by more than 40 %. These herbivores acted in a plant size-dependent manner, attacking a greater fraction of the fruits on large plants. While mortality rates were not affected by density, fecundity decreased with density, although the effect was small. Adding water reduced mortality in rosette and flowering plant stages. Soil disturbance did not increase seed germination, but did have a significant positive effect on survival of rosette and flowering plants. Seed production of A. thaliana populations varied greatly between years, leading to population fluctuations, with a small role for density-dependent fecundity and plant size-dependent herbivory. [source] Mortality in a Swedish rubber tire manufacturing plant: Occupational risks or an "unhealthy worker" effect?AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 8 2006Gun Wingren PhD Abstract Background In this cohort study a classification of 12 work categories, with specified common exposures, is used to evaluate the mortality among workers in a Swedish rubber tire plant. Methods Mortality among the cohort members is compared with expected values from national rates. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated for the total cohort, for sub-cohorts and with the inclusion of a latency requirement. Results Male workers had increased risks for total mortality, circulatory death, respiratory death, mental disorders, epilepsy, injuries/poisoning, and for alcohol-related death. Many risks were noted among workers exposed to dust, fumes, or vapor. No trend in risk with increasing duration of employment was seen. Discussion Some established risks for rubber workers could be related to some specified work categories. The highest risks were noted among workers having a very short duration of employment indicating a possible "unhealthy worker effect" associated with life-style factors or to tasks offered to unskilled workers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Intensive insulin treatment in coronary and intensive carePRACTICAL DIABETES INTERNATIONAL (INCORPORATING CARDIABETES), Issue 1 2007Dr C Jones MRCP, MB ChB Specialist Registrar Abstract Hyperglycaemia in the setting of acute illness carries a poor prognosis. The first Diabetes and Insulin-Glucose infusion in Acute Myocardial Infarction (DIGAMI) study demonstrated a reduction in total mortality with intravenous insulin to reduce hyperglycaemia followed by multi-dose subcutaneous insulin in diabetic patients following myocardial infarction. Unfortunately, there were several problems with the follow-up DIGAMI-2 study, so that it is not clear if maximum benefit was obtained by intravenous insulin, subcutaneous insulin, or a combination of both. In the surgical intensive care unit (ICU) setting, intensive insulin to restore normoglycaemia reduced total mortality in patients admitted to a surgical ICU who developed hyperglycaemia. In a follow-up study in medical ICU patients the results were disappointing, and there was no overall reduction in mortality. There is a need for a study which would combine these two complementary approaches, examining the possible benefits of using very intensive insulin treatment to achieve normoglycaemia following myocardial infarction in patients with diabetes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons. [source] QT Dispersion and Mortality in the ElderlyANNALS OF NONINVASIVE ELECTROCARDIOLOGY, Issue 3 2001Juha S. Perkiömäki M.D. Background: The prognostic value of QT interval dispersion measured from a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) in the general population is not well established. The purpose of the present study was primarily to assess the value of QT interval dispersion obtained from 12-lead ECG in the prediction of total, cardiac, stroke, and cancer mortality in the elderly. Methods: A random population sample of community-living elderly people (n = 330, age ,; 65 years, mean 74 ±; 6 years) underwent a comprehensive clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, and 12-lead ECG recordings. Results: By the end of the 10-year follow-up, 180 subjects (55%) had died and 150 (45%) were still alive. Heart rate corrected QT (QTc) dispersion had been longer in those who had died than in the survivors (75 ±; 32 ms vs 63 ±; 35 ms, P = 0.01). After adjustment for age and sex in the Cox proportional hazards model, prolonged QTc dispersion (,; 70 msec) predicted all-cause mortality (relative risk [RR] 1.38, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 1.02,1.86) and particularly stroke mortality (RR 2.7, 95% Cl 1.29,5.73), but not cardiac (RR 1.38, 95% Cl 0.87,2.18) or cancer (RR 1.51, 95% Cl 0.91,2.50) mortality. After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol concentrations, functional class, history of cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, smoking, previous myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, medication, left ventricular hypertrophy on ECG, presence of atrial fibrillation and R-R interval, increased QTc dispersion still predicted stroke mortality (RR 3.21, 95% Cl 1.09,9.47), but not total mortality or mortality from other causes. The combination of increased QTc dispersion and left ventricular hypertrophy on ECG was a powerful independent predictor of stroke mortality in the present elderly population (RR 16.52, 95% Cl 3.37,80.89). QTcmin (the shortest QTc interval among the 12 leads of ECG) independently predicted total mortality (RR 1.0082, 95% Cl 1.0028,1.0136, P = 0.003), cardiac mortality (RR 1.0191, 95% Cl 1.0102,1.0281, P < 0.0001) and cancer mortality (RR 1.0162, 95% Cl 1.0049,1.0277, P = 0.005). Conclusions: Increased QTc dispersion yields independent information on the risk of dying from stroke among the elderly and its component, QTcmin, from the other causes of death. A.N.E. 2001; 6(3):183,192 [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||