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Whole Study Period (whole + study_period)
Selected AbstractsAbundance, Population Structure and Production of Scrobicularia plana and Abra tenuis (Bivalvia: Scrobicularidae) in a Mediterranean Brackish Lagoon, Lake Ichkeul, TunisiaINTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF HYDROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2005Caterina Casagranda Abstract Abundance, growth and production of the deposit-feeding bivalves were studied in the Ichkeul wetland, northern Tunisia, from July 1993 , April 1994. Scrobicularia plana(Da Costa, 1778) occurred at annual mean densities (biomasses) of 299 ± 65 to 400 ± 100 individuals/m2 (22.54 ± 3.00 to 34.27 ± 3.96 g ash-free dry mass (AFDM)/m2) depending on the study area. The annual mean density of Abra tenuis(Montagu, 1803) amounted to 640 ± 74 individuals/m2 during the whole study period, in contrast the biomass rose from 2.87 g AFDM/m2 in July to 10.29 g AFDM/m2 in April. Both species were largely dominated by age class I. Although not very successful, recruitment presented a two-period pattern: the main period at the beginning of spring, and a secondary one in late summer/autumn. S. plana rarely exceeded 40 mm and lived for only 2 years, while most individuals of A. tenuis lived for only 15,18 months growing to a length of 12 mm. The annual bivalve deposit-feeder production for the whole lagoon system (90 km2) was 8.24 g AFDM/m2 (5.26 g C/m2, 0.65 g N/m2). The annual P/ ratio was about 0.4 and therefore in the same order of magnitude as estimates from other brackish coastal waters. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] The Role of Fish Communities in Water Quality Management of a Large Shallow LakeINTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF HYDROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2003István Tátrai Abstract Management measures of Lake Balaton such as wetland reconstruction at the main inflow to the lake along with the "unplanned" commercial fishery led to great changes in the density and biomass of fish populations. There was no significant difference in CPUE data between the two, eastern and western, basins. Biomass of total fish stock in Lake Balaton has decreased substantially, 2,3 times between 1991,1999, and ranges between 120,194 kg ha,1. Bottom-up effects are more important than the top-down effects due to the impact of internal nutrient load. Changes in the biomass and thus the activity of omnivorous fish in the lake lowered the intensity of various indirect effects and feedback mechanisms causing changes in the nutrient metabolism of the lake. Intensified fishery effort in Lake Balaton did not result in an increased stock of piscivores. The ratio of piscivores and omnivores remained at 5% during the whole study period. Despite this low piscivores to omnivores ratio, the water quality has improved in all basins. [source] Ciprofloxacin-releasing bioabsorbable polymer is superior to titanium in preventing Staphylococcus epidermidis attachment and biofilm formation in vitroJOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 1 2006Sanna-Mari Niemelä Abstract Antibiotic coating systems have been successfully used to prevent bacterial attachment and biofilm formation. Our purpose was to evaluate whether bioabsorbable polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) 80/20 on its own, and PLGA together with ciprofloxacin (PLGA+C) have any advantages over titanium in preventing Staphylococcus epidermidis attachment and biofilm formation in vitro. Cylindrical specimens of titanium, PLGA, and PLGA+C in triplicate were examined for S. epidermidis ATCC 35989 attachment and biofilm formation after incubation with a bacterial suspension of about 105 cfu/mL for 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days, using scanning electron microscopy. Growth inhibition properties of PLGA and PLGA+C cylinders were tested on agar plates. On days 1, 3, and 21, no bacterial attachment was seen in 19.5, 9.2, and 41.4% of the titanium specimens; in 18.4, 28.7, and 34.5% of the PLGA specimens; and in 57.5, 62.1, and 57.5% of the PLGA+C specimens, respectively. During the whole study period, no biofilm was observed on 74,93% of the titanium specimens, 58,78% of the PLGA specimens, and 93,100% of the PLGA+C specimens. PLGA+C showed clear bacterial growth inhibition on agar plates, while PLGA and titanium did not show any inhibition. PLGA+C bioabsorbable material was superior to titanium in preventing bacterial attachment and biofilm formation and may have clinical applicability, for example, in prevention of infection in trauma surgery or in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006 [source] Temporal distribution and composition of the ichthyoplankton from Leopoldo's Inlet on the Upper Paraná River floodplain (Brazil)JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, Issue 4 2002Reinaldo José de Castro Abstract Temporal distribution and composition of ichthyoplankton and their relationships with some environmental variables of Leopoldo's Inlet (Ressaco do Leopoldo) on the upper Paraná River floodplain, southern Brazil, were analysed. Samples were taken from February 1991 to February 1992, and 3480 larvae were collected. The highest density of larvae was observed in November 1991 (36.79 larvae/10 m3) at night (night/day ratio 7: 1). Species composition showed a predominance of Characiformes (80%). There was a high density (4.28 larvae/10 m3) of Bryconamericus stramineus throughout almost the whole study period. The majority of the species were more frequently collected at night. Pearson's correlation indicated a relationship between larval density, temperature, and pluviometric index. Leopoldo's Inlet, whose ichthyofauna is mainly composed of grazing and resident species, shows favourable conditions for fish reproduction and development. [source] Genetic diversity, population structure, effective population size and demographic history of the Finnish wolf populationMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 6 2006J. ASPI Abstract The Finnish wolf population (Canis lupus) was sampled during three different periods (1996,1998, 1999,2001 and 2002,2004), and 118 individuals were genotyped with 10 microsatellite markers. Large genetic variation was found in the population despite a recent demographic bottleneck. No spatial population subdivision was found even though a significant negative relationship between genetic relatedness and geographic distance suggested isolation by distance. Very few individuals did not belong to the local wolf population as determined by assignment analyses, suggesting a low level of immigration in the population. We used the temporal approach and several statistical methods to estimate the variance effective size of the population. All methods gave similar estimates of effective population size, approximately 40 wolves. These estimates were slightly larger than the estimated census size of breeding individuals. A Bayesian model based on Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations indicated strong evidence for a long-term population decline. These results suggest that the contemporary wolf population size is roughly 8% of its historical size, and that the population decline dates back to late 19th century or early 20th century. Despite an increase of over 50% in the census size of the population during the whole study period, there was only weak evidence that the effective population size during the last period was higher than during the first. This may be caused by increased inbreeding, diminished dispersal within the population, and decreased immigration to the population during the last study period. [source] Modulation of the inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass by dopexamine and epidural anesthesiaACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 10 2002F. Bach Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) induces a systemic inflammatory reaction. Microcirculation-dependent alteration of the gut mucosal barrier with subsequent translocation of endotoxins is a postulated mechanism for this inflammatory response. This study was designed to elucidate whether two different approaches to modulate splanchnic perfusion may influence systemic inflammation to CPB. Methods: We examined 40 patients scheduled for elective coronary bypass surgery in a prospective, randomized study. One group (DPX) received dopexamine (1 µg · kg,1 · min,1) continuously after induction of anesthesia until 18 h after CPB. The control group (CON) received equal volumes of NaCl 0.9% in a time-matched fashion. In a third group (EPI) a continuous epidural infusion of bupivacaine 0.25% [(body height (cm) , 100) · 10,1=ml·h,1] was administered for the whole study period. Procalcitonin (PCT), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-,), soluble TNF receptor, human soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocyte count were measured as parameters of inflammation. Results: All parameters significantly increased following CPB. Increases of PCT, TNF-, and leukocyte count were significantly attenuated in the DPX and EPI groups at different time points. However, neither splanchnic blood flow nor oxygen delivery and consumption were different when compared with the CON-group. Conclusion: These results do suggest that mechanisms other than an improved splanchnic blood flow by DPX and EPI treatment have to be considered for the anti-inflammatory effects. [source] Action of a silk fabric treated with AEGISTM in children with atopic dermatitis: A 3-month trialPEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2007D. Y. Koller Irritation of the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis by contact with rough fibres of synthetic or woollen clothes is well known. Therefore, it has been recommended that patients should wear cotton clothes. However, cotton also consists of rough fibres able to irritate the skin, whereas silk is characterized by smooth fibres without irritating potential. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical effect of Dermasilk®, a special silk fabric (sericin-free silk treated with AEGIS AEM5772/5 which has antibacterial properties) , in children with atopic dermatitis. A total of 22 children with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis were recruited for a study period of 3 months. All of them received three different tube-fabrics , Dermasilk, sericin-free silk fabric without AEGIS AEM 5772/5 and cotton, covering the cubital region. Patients were advised to wear the Dermasilk fabric all day long during the whole study period on one arm, whereas the sericin-free AEGIS-free silk tube had to be used during the first 2 wk only on the other arm followed by the use of the cotton tube for the rest of the study period. Evaluation of the local SCORAD score was carried out at the beginning of the study, after 2, 4, 8 and 12 wk. A significant reduction of the local SCORAD index of the Dermasilk covered arm was observed after 4, 8 and 12 wk in comparison with the cotton-covered arm score [median (quartile 1,quartile 3)] 6.5 (5,8) vs. 8 (7,9), p < 0.002; 6 (5.25,7.75) vs. 8 (7,9), p < 0.0001; and 6 (5,6) vs. 8 (7.25,10), p < 0.0001. The use of Dermasilk has a significant beneficial effect in atopic dermatitis because of the non-irritating properties of silk as well as the antibacterial capacity of AEGIS AEM 5772/5. [source] Effect of Cyclosporine Therapy With Low Doses of Corticosteroids on Idiopathic Nephrotic SyndromeARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 3 2010Ioannis Griveas Abstract Cyclosporine (CyA) has an immunosuppressive effect that might suggest a therapeutic role in idiopathic glomerular conditions. We focused on the optimization of CyA treatment control in patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome by using trough-level CyA measurements (C0) and the 2-h postdose levels (C2). Twenty-two patients (14 male, 8 female) with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and the mean age of 51 ± 18 months (mean [M] ± standard deviation [SD]) were enrolled in our study during a period of 10 months (range: 3,18 months). All of the patients received CyA (2,3 mg/kg) in combination with methylprednisolone. In the present study protocol CyA concentrations (C0, C2), renal function, lipid profile, and degree of proteinuria were determined. The mean proteinuria of our patients before treatment was 11 972 ± 7953 mg/24 H (±SD) and the mean creatinine level (Cr) was 0.99 ± 0.37 mg/dL (±SD). Proteinuria decreased significantly already from the first month of therapy with CyA to 3578 ± 2470 mg/24 H (M± SD), and during the whole study period this reduction was significant (0.56 ± 0.37 gr/24 H (M ± SD), P < 0.05). At the same time renal function preserved, 1.09 ± 0.48 mg/dL (M ± SD). The blood levels of C0 were 135.10 ± 97.36 ng/mL (M ± SD) and the blood levels of C2 were 725 ± 256 ng/mL (M ± SD) at the first month of therapy. At the same time renal function preserved, 1.09 ± 0.48 mg/dL (M ± SD). Total cholesterol levels reduced significantly during study period (276.89 ± 45.57 to 200.67 ± 40.27 mg/dL [M ± SD]). The mean number of antihypertensive medication remained the same. The whole therapeutic protocol did not provoke any kind of side effects and CyA was quite tolerated by our patients. Treatment of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome with low doses of CyA with methylprednisolone leads to remission of proteinuria without deterioration of renal function. Blood levels of C0 for monitoring and treatment of nephrotic syndrome agrees with recent literature, while our study focus on establishing the proper levels of C2 for the treatment of nephrotic syndrome. The efficacy of CyA is combined with safety and tolerance. [source] The long learning curve of gynaecological cancer surgery: an argument for centralisationBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 1 2000J. Baptist Trimbos Professor Objective To study the development of surgical performance of an unchanging surgical team over 13 years. Design Prospective, observational study. Setting A university hospital, The Netherlands. Participants Three hundred and eight women who underwent surgical treatment for early cervical cancer. Interventions Radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy between 1 January 1984 and 31 December 1996. Results The surgical procedure and indication for treatment remained unchanged during the study period. This applied also to the surgical team. The women's age increased significantly during the study years, as was the case with the number of nodes removed. The depth of infiltration by the tumour increased steadily throughout the study, but this failed to reach statistical significance. The distribution of FIGO stages, percentage of positive lymph nodes, radicality of the surgical margins and post-operative morbidity remained the same. Overall, the five year survival rate was 83%; for women with negative nodes 91%, and for women with positive nodes 53%. Survival tended to improve during the course of the study, but this was not statistically significant. Blood loss during surgery decreased consistently during the whole study period, from a mean of 1515 mL at the beginning of the study to a mean of 1071 mL at the end (P < 0.0001). The operating time also diminished significantly by 8 minutes per year (P < 0.0001). In 1985 the average operating time was 270 minutes, compared with 187 minutes in 1996. Conclusions These findings indicate that it takes a long time to acquire skill in the surgical treatment of early cervical cancer. Centralisation of relatively infrequent operations for cancer should be encouraged. [source] Immediate functional loading of TiOblast dental implants in full-arch edentulous mandibles: a 3-year prospective studyCLINICAL ORAL IMPLANTS RESEARCH, Issue 7 2008H. De Bruyn Abstract Introduction: Implant-prosthetic rehabilitation of the completely edentulous mandible has evolved to a simplified procedure with shorter treatment time and survival rates of 95,100% depending on the implant system used. Purpose: The aim was to evaluate the 3-year clinical success of Astra Tech TiOblast implants, functionally loaded on the day of surgery with a fixed full-arch bridge in the mandible. Materials and methods: One hundred and twenty-five implants of 3.5,4 mm width and 11,17 mm length were installed in 25 edentulous mandibles of 15 female and 10 male patients. Implants were functionally loaded on the day of surgery with a provisional, acrylic, glassfibre reinforced, 10 unit bridge. After 3,4 months, the final 12-unit bridge was constructed. Radiographical bone loss was measured on peri-apical radiographs after 3, 12, 24 and 36 months. Results: All implants were functional during the whole study period yielding a survival rate of 100%. None of the fixtures showed pain or mobility after manual torque with 20 N cm at the 3-month control. Mean radiographical bone loss after 3 months and 1, 2 and 3 years was 0.6 mm (SD 0.7), 0.8 mm (SD 0.8), 1 mm (SD 0.8) and 1.3 (SD 1) respectively, which was statistically significantly increasing up to 1 year. Conclusion: Immediate loading of full-arch mandibular bridgework on five TiOblast implants offers a long-lasting clinical result with 100% fixture survival and stable bone-to-implant contact up to 3 years. [source] | |||||||||||||