bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early Enteral Feeding by Nasoenteric Tubes in Patients with Perforation Peritonitis
Authors: Kaur Navneet , Gupta Manish K. , Minocha Vivek Ratan
Published: June 2005

Malnutrition is well recognized as a potential cause of increased morbidity and mortality in surgical patients. Early postoperative enteral nutrition through a feeding jejunostomy has been shown to improve results in patients undergoing major resections for gastrointestinal malignancies, trauma, and perforation peritonitis. We conducted a prospective study to assess the feasibility and short‐term efficacy of early enteral feeding through a nasoenteric tube placed intraoperatively in patients with nontraumatic perforation peritonitis with malnutrition. One hundred patients with nontraumatic perforation peritonitis with malnutrition undergoing exploratory laparotomy were randomly divided into a test group (TG) and a control group (CG) of 50 patients each. TG patients had a nasoenteric tube placed at the time of surgery and were started on an enteral feeding regime 24 hours postoperatively. Patients in CG were allowed to eat orally once they passed flatus. The differences between the two groups with respect to nutritional intake in terms of energy and protein, changes in nutritional status as assessed by anthropometric, biochemical, and hematological values, amount of nasogastric aspirate, return of bowel motility, and complication rates were analyzed. The nasoenteric feeding was well tolerated. Total calorie and protein intake in TG was significantly higher than in CG: 981 vs. 505 kcal (p < 0.01), protein 24 vs. 0 g on day 3 and 1498 vs. 846 kcal (p < 0.01), protein 44 vs. 23 g (p < 0.01) on day 7, respectively. There was reduction in the amount of nasogastric aspirate in TG compared with that in CG: 431 vs. 545 ml/24 h on day 2 and 301 vs. 440 ml/24 h on day 3, respectively. There was much faster recovery of bowel motility in TG than in CG at 3.34 vs. 4.4 days (p < 0.01). Complications developed in 39 of 50 patients in TG and in 47 of 50 in CG. The major complications occurred in 6 patients in TG and 12 patients in CG (p < 0.05). Patients with perforation peritonitis with malnutrition are likely to develop large energy deficits postoperatively, resulting in higher incidence of infective complications. Early enteral feeding through a nasoenteric tube is well tolerated by these patients and helps to improve energy and protein intake, reduces the amount of nasogastric aspirate, reduces the duration of postoperative ileus, and reduces the risk of serious complications.
Long‐term Efficacy of Distal Splenorenal Shunt with Splenopancreatic and Gastric Disconnection for Esophagogastric Varices in Patients with Idiopathic Portal Hypertension
Authors: Hase Ryunosuke , Hirano Satoshi , Kondo Satoshi , Okushiba Shunichi , Morikawa Toshiaki , Katoh Hiroyuki
Published: June 2005

Idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) requires invasive measures to prevent rupture and bleeding of esophagogastric varices. However, the long‐term results of shunt surgery for IPH have not been reported. In particular, the pros and cons of surgery that preserves the spleen and its long‐term hematologic effects have not been described.

The records of 15 patients who underwent distal splenorenal shunt with splenopancreatic and gastric disconnection (DSRS with SPGD) for IPH between 1983 and 1998 was reviewed retrospectively.

One patient died within 3 years of surgery, for a 3‐year survival rate of 93%; the 10‐year survival rate was 64%. Three patients (18%) suffered rebleeding from esophagogastric varices. The white blood cell and platelet counts were higher 3–5 years and 7–13 years postoperatively compared with preoperative values. Four of five patients who underwent postoperative computed tomography had a smaller spleen postoperatively.

DSRS with SPGD provides long‐term hemostasis for esophagogastric variceal bleeding in IPH and alleviates hypersplenism. DSRS with SPGD is an effective treatment for patients with IPH in whom long‐term survival is expected.
The Impact of the Risk Factor “Age” on the Early Postoperative Results of Surgery for Colorectal Carcinoma and Its Significance for Perioperative Management
Authors: Marusch Frank , Koch Andreas , Schmidt Uwe , Steinert Ralf , Ueberrueck Torsten , Bittner Reinhard , Berg Eugen , Engemann Rainer , Gellert Klaus , Arbogast Rainer , Körner Thomas , Köckerling Ferdinand , Gastinger Ingo , Lippert Hans
Published: June 2005

The risks and benefits of surgery for colorectal cancer in old patients have not been unequivocally defined. The present investigation was carried out in 309 hospitals as a prospective multicenter study. In the period between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2001, a total of 19,080 patients were recruited for the study; 16,142 (84.6%) patients were younger than 80 years (<80) and 2932 (15.4%) were 80 years and older (≥ 80). Significant differences between the age groups were observed for general postoperative complications (22.3% for <80 years; 33.9% for ≥ 80). Specific postoperative complications were identical in both groups. Overall, significantly elevated morbidity and mortality rates were found with increasing age (morbidity: 33.9% vs. 43.5%; mortality: 2.6% vs. 8.0%). The distribution of tumor stages revealed a significantly higher percentage of locally advanced tumors in the older age group (stage II: 28.0% vs. 34.4%). In contrast, no increase in metastasizing tumors was found in the older age group (stage IV: 17.4% vs. 14.1%). Logistic regression showed that, in concert with a number of other parameters, age is a significant influencing factor on postoperative morbidity and mortality. The increase in postoperative morbidity and mortality rates associated with aging is a result of the increase in general postoperative complications, in particular, pneumonia and cardiovascular complications. Age as such does not represent a contraindication for surgical treatment. The short‐term outcome and quality of life are of overriding importance for the geriatric patient.
A Critical Comparison of Robotic Versus Conventional Laparoscopic Splenectomies
Authors: Bodner Johannes , Kafka‐Ritsch Reinhold , Lucciarini Paolo , III John H. Fish , Schmid Thomas
Published: June 2005

The benefit of robotic systems for general surgery is a matter of debate. We compare our initial series of robotic splenectomies with our first series of conventional laparoscopic ones. A retrospective analysis of the first six robotic versus the first six conventional laparoscopic splenectomies is presented. Patients were matched with regard to age, bodymass index, ASA score, and preoperative platelet levels. All procedures were performed by a single surgeon. Size and weight of the resected specimens were comparable in both groups. Median overall operating time was 154 (range, 115–292) min for the robotic and 127 (range, 95–174) min for the laparoscopic group. No complications occurred. There were no open conversions. The median postoperative hospital stay was 7 (robotic group) and 6 (laparoscopic group) days. Median average costs were $6927 for the robotic procedure versus $4084 for the conventional laparoscopic procedure (p < 0.05). Minimally invasive splenectomies are feasible using either conventional laparoscopic techniques or the da Vinci™ robotic system. In this analysis, procedures performed with the da Vinci™ robotic system resulted in prolonged overall operative time and significantly higher procedural costs. The use of a robotic system for laparoscopic splenectomy offers, at this stage, no relevant benefit and thus is not justified.
Ill‐defined Edge on Ultrasonographic Examination Can Be a Marker of Aggressive Characteristic of Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma
Authors: Ito Yasuhiro , Kobayashi Kaoru , Tomoda Chisato , Uruno Takashi , Takamura Yuuki , Miya Akihiro , Matsuzuka Fumio , Kuma Kanji , Miyauchi Akira
Published: June 2005

We have previously demonstrated that, although most papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PMC) do not grow or grow only slowly, cases showing lateral node metastasis diagnosed by ultrasonography (US) show an aggressive characteristic associated with poor disease‐free survival. In this study, we focused on two prominent US features: tumor, edge definition and strong echoes. We investigated whether these findings reflect aggressive characteristics of PMC in a series of 155 cases. Poor edge definition was observed in 21.5% of patients, all of who showed worse disease‐free survival (p = 0.0477) than those with a well‐defined edge. Furthermore, this finding was directly linked to US‐diagnosed lateral node metastasis (p = 0.0001). Strong echoes were observed in 63.9% of the cases, and fine strong echoes were seen in 25.2%. Cases demonstrating fine strong echoes tended to frequently show recurrence (p = 0.0902), and this finding was also significantly linked to US‐diagnosed lateral node metastasis (p = 0.0494). These findings suggest that an ill‐defined tumor edge is an important US feature of biologically aggressive PMC. We should carefully follow such patients, regardless of the therapeutic strategy, observation, or surgical treatment chosen.
Bile Duct Injuries at Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Single‐Institution Prospective Study. Acute Cholecystitis Indicates an Increased Risk
Authors: Söderlund Claes , Frozanpor Farshad , Linder Stefan
Published: June 2005

During the last decade laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become established as the gold standard. The drawbacks in the form of bile duct (BD) injuries have also come into focus. We present the results of a prospective, consecutive series of 1568 patients with reference to BD injuries regarding risks, management, and preventive measures. The significant complications of all patients operated upon with LC between October 1999 and December 2003 were recorded prospectively. BD injuries were classified according to Strasberg into types A–E. Transected major BDs, injuries of type E, were regarded as “major” injuries and types A, B, C, and D were “minor” injuries. Major BDs were transected in five patients (0.3%), three of whom had acute cholecystitis. In the two patients operated on electively, the BD injuries were detected postoperatively, while they were detected intraoperatively when the operation was performed of necessity. The BDs were all reconstructed with a Roux‐en‐Y hepaticojejunostomy. Two patients had anastomotic strictures. Minor BD injuries were encountered in 19 patients (1.2%). The 13 patients with leakage from the cystic duct or gallbladder bed, injury type A, were treated by endoscopic (ERC) stenting without sequelae. Five patients sustained a lateral BD injury, type D; they were treated with a simple suture over a T‐tube (at LC) or endoscopically (ERC) without further problems. A transected aberrant right hepatic BD, type C injury, was due to its small‐caliber sutured. Minor BD injuries could be managed at the primary hospital if the endoscopic expertise were at hand. Acute cholecystitis seems to be a risk factor for BD injuries.
Groin Hernia Repair: Postherniorrhaphy Pain
Authors: J.O’Dwyer Patrick , Alani Ahmed , McConnachie Alex
Published: June 2005

Persistent pain after hernia repair is common, although it is usually mild. In 3% of patients it is severe, however, and has significant effects on work and social activities. The purpose of this review was to examine factors that affect pain after hernia repair. Although the type of anaesthetic used, local or general, and the operation type, open or laparoscopic, seems to affect acute pain, chronic persistent pain is influenced by the age of the patient and whether the hernia was painful preoperatively. Preliminary evidence indicating that use of a lightweight mesh may reduce chronic pain requires further research before definitive conclusions can be drawn.
Incisional Hernia Repair: Abdominoplasty, Tissue Expansion, and Methods of Augmentation
Authors: Van Geffen Hendrikus J.A.A. , Simmermacher Roger K.J.
Published: June 2005

Incisional hernia repair without mesh mainly consists of tissue transfer to bridge or close the defect. Bridging includes rotational or free musculocutaneous flaps, rendering acceptable short‐term results but a rather disappointing long‐term outcome. Abdominal wall closure where there has been significant loss of domain, with intraperitoneal organs residing permanently outside the abdominal cavity, can only be achieved using the patients’ own tissue if preoperative expansion of the abdominal cavity is performed using artificial expanders or pneumoperitoneum. From a scientific point of view, however, evidence supporting any treatment option is weak because prospective randomized controlled trials are virtually impossible to conduct owing to the inhomogeneity of the patient population being considered. Treatment of this condition by the above‐mentioned means should therefore be proposed on an individual basis utilizing one or more of the many possible techniques described.
Preventing and Treating Parastomal Hernia
Authors: Israelsson Leif A.
Published: June 2005

Parastomal hernia represents a major surgical challenge. There is no uniform definition of parastomal hernia, and the true rate is therefore difficult to establish, although it is probably higher than 30%. Many surgical techniques have been tried to prevent and treat parastomal hernia; but despite these efforts, herniation continues to be a problem. The only method that has reduced the rate of parastomal hernia in a randomized trial is the use of a prophylactic prosthetic mesh. A large‐pore low‐weight mesh with reduced polypropylene content and a high proportion of absorbable material placed in a sublay position at the primary operation significantly reduces the rate of parastomal hernia. Recurrence rates after surgical treatment of parastomal hernia are high unless mesh is used. Relocation of the stoma, with prophylactic mesh in a sublay position at the new site and sublay mesh repairing the incisional hernia at the primary site, is the standard method for treating parastomal hernia in our department.
Escort Density Operators and Generalized Quantum Information Measures
Authors: Naudts Jan
Published: June 2005

Parameterized families of density operators are studied. A generalization of the lower bound of Cramér and Rao is formulated. It involves escort density operators. The notion of ϕ-exponential family is introduced. This family, together with its escort, optimizes the generalized lower bound. It also satisfies a maximum entropy principle and exhibits a thermodynamic structure in which entropy and free energy are related by Legendre transform.
A Simple Proof of the Jamiołkowski Criterion for Complete Positivity of Linear Maps
Authors: Salgado D. , Sánchez-Gómez J. L. , Ferrero M.
Published: June 2005

We give a simple direct proof of the Jamiołkowski criterion to check whether a linear map between matrix algebras is completely positive or not. This proof is more accessible for physicists than other ones found in the literature and provides a systematic method to give any set of Kraus matrices of the Kraus decomposition.
Treatment concepts of day hospitals for general psychiatric patients. Findings from a national survey in Germany
Authors: Seidler Klaus-Peter , Garlipp Petra , Machleidt Wielant , Haltenhof Horst
Published: June 2005

Psychiatric day hospital treatment concepts have to deal with a wide spectrum of mental disorders. We raised the question, if day hospitals can be differentiated concerning their treatment concepts and if so how much this is reflected in their structural and procedural features. In 1999 a survey was initiated concerning structure, concept and method of treatment in psychiatric day hospitals for adults in Germany. Furthermore data concerning rate of utilization, patients' characteristics and aspects of referral and further treatment were ascertained. One hundred and seventy-three (63.4%) of 273-day hospitals contacted took part in the inquiry. The data were interpreted using multivariate as well as non-parametric procedures. The results show that treatment concepts of day hospitals can be specified as three main areas of function (psychotherapy, crisis intervention orientated treatment alternative, rehabilitation) and four therapeutic orientations (psychodynamic social psychiatric, behavioral social psychiatric, psychodynamic, sociotherapeutic). Structural features are predominantly comparable and the differences found concerning the treatment concepts are especially related to patients' characteristics and some procedural features. The conclusion is that the differentiation of day hospital treatment concepts should be taken into consideration in planning psychosocial treatment services as well as in day hospital evaluation research.
ALK5 and Smad4 are involved in TGF‐β1‐induced pulmonary endothelial permeability
Authors: Birukova Anna A. , Adyshev Djanibek , Gorshkov Boris , Birukov Konstantin G. , Verin Alexander D.
Published: June 2005

The ability of inflammatory cytokine TGF‐β1 to alter endothelial cell phenotype suggests its role in the regulation of vascular endothelial cell permeability. We demonstrate that depletion of TGF‐β1 receptor ALK5 and regulatory protein Smad4, but not ALK1 receptor attenuates TGF‐β1‐induced permeability increase and significantly inhibits TGF‐β1‐induced EC contraction manifested by actin stress fiber formation and increased MLC and MYPT1 phosphorylation. Consistent with these results, EC treatment with SB 431542, an inhibitor of ALK5 but not ALK1 receptor, significantly attenuates TGF‐β1‐induced permeability. Thus, our data demonstrate for the first time direct link between TGF‐β1‐mediated activation of ALK5/Smad and EC barrier dysfunction.
Impact of time-limited feeding and dietary carbohydrate content on weight loss in group-housed cats
Authors: Michel Kathryn E. , Bader Amy , Shofer Frances S. , Barbera Claudia , Oakley Donna A. , Giger Urs
Published: June 2005

Twenty-four adult cats were transitioned to time-limited feeding and randomized to either a dry low carbohydrate diet (LC) or a dry reduced energy diet (HC). In Trial 1 the LC and HC groups received equal amounts of food (by weight) for 13 weeks. Both groups consumed all food offered, hence the LC group received more energy/day than the HC group. In Trial 2 all cats were fed the LC diet for 12 weeks, but each group received the energy that the opposite group had received in Trial 1. In Trial 1 only the overweight HC cats (body condition score>6/9) experienced a significant change in body weight (−0.52±0.08 kg). In Trial 2, LC/Low Calorie overweight cats lost 0.62±0.10 kg, whereas, the LC/High Calorie normal weight cats gained 0.68±0.05 kg. In conclusion, body condition and energy intake but not type of diet influenced weight in this cohort of group-housed cats.
Effectiveness of Lifesaving Skills Training and Improving Institutional Emergency Obstetric Care Readiness in Lam Dong, Vietnam
Authors: Sloan Nancy L. , Ngoc Nguyen Thi Nhu , Hieu Do Trong , Quimby Charlotte , Winikoff Beverly , Fassihian Goli
Published: June 2005

Essential obstetric care is promoted as the prime strategy to save women's lives in developing countries. We measured the effect of improving lifesaving skills (LSS) capacity in Vietnam, a country in which most women deliver in health facilities. A quasi‐experimental study was implemented to assess the impact of LSS training and readiness (availability of essential obstetric equipment, supplies, and medication) on the diagnosis of life‐threatening obstetric conditions and appropriate management of labor and birth. The intervention (LSS training and readiness) was provided to all clinics and hospitals from 1 of 3 demographically similar districts in southcentral Vietnam, to hospitals only in another district, with the third district serving as the comparison group. Detection of life‐threatening obstetric conditions increased in both experimental clinics and hospitals, but the intervention only improved the management of these conditions in hospitals. Management of life‐threatening obstetric conditions is most effective in hospitals. The intervention did not clearly benefit women delivering in clinics.
Cultural Barriers to Exclusive Breastfeeding by Mothers in a Rural Area of Cameroon, Africa
Authors: Kakute Peter Nwenfu , Ngum John , Mitchell Pat , Kroll Kathryn A. , Forgwei Gideon Wangnkeh , Ngwang Lillian Keming , Meyer Dorothy J.
Published: June 2005

Because of the known nutritional and health benefits to the infant, the World Health Organization recommends that women in resource‐poor countries exclusively breastfeed until their babies reach 6 months of age. In the primarily rural geographical region of the North West Province of Cameroon, previous studies identified the prevalence of breastfeeding to be 90%. It is common knowledge that women are culturally encouraged to mix‐feed their infants, but the extent of these feeding practices is not known. The objective of this study was to identify the extent of mixed feeding/supplementation and the cultural/social barriers to exclusive breastfeeding. All women surveyed introduced water and food supplementation prior to 6 months of age, with more than 38% giving water in the first month of life. Mothers identified cultural factors influencing their decision to mix‐feed their babies, which included 1) pressures by village elders and families to supplement because it is a traditional practice, 2) belief that breast milk is an incomplete food that does not increase the infants weight, 3) belief that all family members should receive the benefit of food grown in the family farm, and 4) the taboo of prohibiting sexual contact during breastfeeding.
Observations From a Maternal and Infant Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan—2003
Authors: Williams Jennifer L. , McCarthy Brian
Published: June 2005

Afghanistan is believed to have one of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the world. As a result of decades of war and civil unrest, Afghan women and children suffer from poor access to health services, harsh living conditions, and insufficient food and micronutrient security. To address the disproportionately high infant and maternal mortality rates in Afghanistan, the US Department of Health and Human Services pledged support to establish a maternal health facility and training center. Rabia Balkhi Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, was selected because this hospital admits approximately 36,000 patients and delivers more than 14,000 babies annually. This article reports the initial observations at Rabia Balkhi Hospital and describes factors that influenced women's access, the quality of care, and the evaluation health care services. This observational investigation examined areas of obstetric, laboratory and pharmacy, and ancillary services. The investigators concluded that profound changes were needed in the hospital's health care delivery system to make the hospital a safe and effective health care facility for Afghan women and children and an appropriate facility in which to establish an Afghan provider training program for updating obstetric skills and knowledge.
Recognition of and Response to Postpartum Hemorrhage in Rural Northern India
Authors: Sibley Lynn , Caleb‐Varkey Leila , Upadhyay Jayant , Prasad Rajendra , Saroha Ekta , Bhatla Neerja , Paul Vinod K.
Published: June 2005

This study describes the results of a Morbidity and Performance Assessment (MAP) conducted to provide insight into the medical factors contributing to maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality in a rural district of northern India, and to use these insights to develop a locally appropriate, community‐based safe motherhood program The MAP study was based on verbal autopsy method. Five hundred ninety‐nine women (or in the case of 9 maternal deaths, a family member) participated in the study. This article describes a subsample of women who reported signs or symptoms suggesting excessive bleeding (n = 159). Findings include a poor knowledge of danger signs; poor problem recognition during labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum period; and a low level of health seeking that was consistent with poor recognition. Maternal sociodemographic characteristics, antenatal care use, and knowledge of danger signs were generally not associated with problem recognition and health seeking. The case fatality rate was 4%. These findings suggest an urgent need to understand the phenomenon of problem recognition and to integrate this into the design of interventions to reduce delays in health seeking.
Obstetric Fistula: A Preventable Tragedy
Authors: Miller Suellen , Lester Felicia , Webster Monique , Cowan Beth
Published: June 2005

Obstetric fistula disables millions of women and girls in developing countries, primarily in sub‐Saharan Africa and South Asia. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) recently launched a global campaign to end fistula, labeling this condition a preventable and treatable tragedy. Obstetric fistula overwhelmingly results from obstructed labor, which occurs in cases of cephalopelvic disproportion and malpresentation. Cephalopelvic disproportion often complicates deliveries in young, primiparous women of low gynecologic age. Social factors, including young age at marriage and malnutrition of girl children, can also contribute to cephalopelvic disproportion. These social etiologies must be addressed by prevention campaigns. Direct prevention of fistula can occur during delivery when skilled providers identify women and girls at risk for obstetric fistula and link them with innovative interventions, such as Fistula Prevention Centers, through which they can more readily access emergency obstetric care, and by setting strict time limits for laboring at home without progress. Community‐based programs, such as the Tostan program in West Africa, use social education to prevent fistula. Moreover, effective surgical techniques for fistula repair are available in some settings and should be expanded to reach those in need. Midwives can play a key role in the prevention and treatment of this tragic obstetric complication.
Treatment options for acute mania
Authors: Thomas Pierre
Published: June 2005

Mood disorders that have no medical or pharmacological causes are divided into depressive disorders (unipolar, or major depressive disorder) and bipolar disorders. In bipolar disorders, both depressive and manic episodes occur sequentially.

A manic episode is characterised as an abnormally excited mood that is experienced by a patient for a distinct period (at least a week). Diagnosis of mania requires that a patient’s work and social life be significantly affected, or that the patient needs hospitalisation. Diagnosis also requires the presence of three or more of the following symptoms: inflated self-esteem or grandiosity; decreased need for sleep; increased talkativeness; racing thoughts/ideas; distraction; increased goal-directed activity; excessive involvement in pleasurable activities [1].
Treatment pathways for bipolar disorder in the USA and Europe: convergence or divergence?
Authors: Bowden Charles , Boyer Patrice
Published: June 2005

Mood stabilising therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for bipolar disorder, a disease that is commonly associated with disabling psychosocial morbidity [37,11]. A variety of drugs have been approved for use in bipolar disorder, thus providing a wide array of options for clinicians when deciding on a course of treatment [28]. In order to assist clinical decision-making, facilitate optimal quality of care and reduce unnecessary variation in clinical practice, several clinical practice guidelines and treatment algorithms have been developed [4,19,20,21]. As well as similarities, there are some differences between guidelines developed from an American perspective and those developed from a European perspective [4,19], and there is a pervasive view in the clinical community that treatment of patients with bipolar disorder differs substantially between the United States (US) and Europe. This article discusses what is known about the similarities and differences of treatment practices for bipolar disorder between the US and Europe.
Summer mesozooplankton distribution in coastal waters of central Greece (eastern Mediterranean). II. Species assemblages
Authors: Ramfos Alexis , Somarakis Stylianos , Koutsikopoulos Constantin , Fragopoulu Nina
Published: June 2005

Mesozooplankton distribution was investigated over an intensive grid of 124 stations in coastal and pelagic waters of central Greece (eastern Mediterranean) during July 1998. The complex topography of the area consisted of various semi-enclosed gulfs as well as open-sea areas and provided excellent fieldwork for determining species assemblages, their relationships to environmental parameters and the distribution and abundance patterns of the copepod species.

Three coastal and one pelagic group of stations were revealed by cluster analysis. Inverse analysis of species affinities defined distinct ‘coastal’ and ‘pelagic’ species assemblages. All coastal areas were dominated by a small number of species (e.g. Penilia avirostris, Podon spp., Ctenocalanus vanus, Paracalanus parvus and Centropages typicus) all belonging to the ‘coastal’ assemblage. Differences among these coastal areas were mainly due to small changes in relative abundance of a common-species list. On the contrary, pelagic stations were characterized by higher species diversity, low dominance and the presence of characteristic epipelagic and mesopelagic species of the Mediterranean Sea (e.g. Calocalanus spp., Haloptilus longicornis, Lucicutia flavicornis, Mecynocera clausi, Farranula rostrata, Mesocalanus tenuicornis and Oncaea mediterranea).

The observed differences in taxonomic composition and abundance of zooplankton were related to the marked differences in salinity values observed between the eastern and western part of the surveyed area. Bathymetry, temperature and fluorescence were also related with the inshore–offshore gradient of the zooplankton community observed in the pelagic areas as well as with the discrimination of the zooplankton communities of the various semi-enclosed gulfs of the region.
Observation of live specimens of Pseudotontonia cornuta (Ciliophora: Oligotrichida) reveals new distinctive characters
Authors: Skovgaard Alf , Legrand Catherine
Published: June 2005

A large planktonic ciliate, Pseudotontonia cornuta, was observed during a cruise in the North Sea, Denmark, in summer 2001. Live cells as well as fixed and protargol-stained specimens were studied. The species possessed the characteristic tail of Tontoniidae, somatic ciliature classifying it as a Pseudotontonia, and cell proportions and oral ciliature corresponding to P. cornuta. Observation of live cells, however, revealed distinctive features as chloroplast-containing tentacles emerging just below the apical membranelles and an S-shaped proximal rim of the left margin of the oral cavity. These characters are eye-catching in live specimens, but have passed unnoticed till now because all previous studies on P. cornuta have been made on fixed samples.
Diatom assemblages associated with Sphaerotylus antarcticus (Porifera: Demospongiae)
Authors: Totti Cecilia , Calcinai Barbara , Cerrano Carlo , Camillo Cristina Di , Romagnoli Tiziana , Bavestrello Giorgio
Published: June 2005

Sphaerotylus antarcticus is a common Antarctic sponge characterized by a dense spicule fur that covers its surface. This sponge has been sampled at Terra Nova Bay from 22 November 2001 to 29 January 2002 at weekly intervals. On its spicules, a rich assemblage of benthic diatoms has been observed, mainly composed of Hyalodiscus sp., a centric sessile diatom, forming short colonies. The temporal trend of the abundances of these diatoms showed a maximum of 115×106 cells g−1 dry weight (dw) at the end of December. Almost all the diatom frustules observed in the sponge choanosome belonged to the planktonic species Fragilariopsis curta, which displayed a peak (50×106 cells g−1 dw) in the second half of January. Diatoms that were observed in the choanosome were of a size comparable to that of the inhalant pores, suggesting that sponges actively engulf diatoms, due to the pumping activity of their choanocyte chambers. Sponges, as active filter feeders, therefore represent one important vector in the transfer of energy from planktonic to benthic trophic chains in Antarctic habitats.
A new species of alcyonacean octocoral from the Galápagos Archipelago
Authors: Breedy Odalisca , M. Guzman Hector
Published: June 2005

The genus Heterogorgia is reported for the first time from the shallow waters of the Galápagos Archipelago, and a new species found in the southern islands is described. The new species is distinguished from the other species of the genus described thus far by having thick branches with large, densely packed calyces, being mostly unbranched, and having larger sclerites. The occurrence of Heterogorgia verrucosa is also reported.
Effect of intermediate host size (Cerastoderma edule) on infectivity of cercariae of Himasthla quissetensis (Echinostomatidae: Trematoda)
Authors: de Montaudouin Xavier , Jensen K. Thomas , Desclaux Céline , Wegeberg Anne M. , Sajus Marie C.
Published: June 2005

The edible cockle (Cerastoderma edule), a common marine bivalve in semi-sheltered sandflats, is a natural host for many parasite species of the genus Himasthla (Echinostomatidae: Trematoda). In a previous paper, Wegeberg et al. (1999) showed segregation of cockle infection by three Himasthla species (H. interrupta, H. continua, H. elongata) in relation to host tissue (foot, mantle, siphon) and host size (1·5 to 14 mm shell length). Following the same experimental procedure, a fourth species, H. quissetensis, an introduced dominant parasite of cockles in Arcachon Bay (south-west France) was investigated. The infection pattern was very similar to the patterns shown by H. elongata and H. continua. Cercariae (the free-living stage shed from prosobranch snails and encysting as metacercariae in bivalves) were most successful in the shell-length range of 6–14 mm, where 74% of the added cercariae were recovered as metacercariae. The comparison with the other Himasthla species supports the previous conclusion that the efficiency of cercariae to infect cockles depends on host size.
Alien species of spionid polychaetes (Streblospio gynobranchiata and Polydora cornuta) in Izmir Bay, eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Çinar Melih Ertan , Ergen Zeki , Dagli Ertan , Petersen Mary E.
Published: June 2005

The present study reports the occurrence of two exotic species of polychaetes in Izmir Bay, the eastern Mediterranean: Streblospio gynobranchiata, newly reported for the Mediterranean, and Polydora cornuta. Their establishment in the area is most probably transport by ballast water since these two species greatly dominated polluted muddy bottoms near and in Alsancak Harbour. The maximum density and biomass of S. gynobranchiata in the area were 34,270 ind m−2 and 9·4 g wwt m−2, and those of P. cornuta were 3170 ind m−2 and 2·1 g wwt m−2, respectively. These two species accounted for more than 60% of total faunal populations in the majority of samples collected in winter. Both species are capable of reproducing in the area both in summer and winter. The morphological, ecological and distributional characteristics of these species as well as their impacts on the prevailing ecosystem are analysed and discussed.
Taxonomic distinction of Ophelia barquii and O. bicornis (Annelida: Polychaeta) in the Mediterranean as revealed by ISSR markers and the number of nephridiopores
Authors: Maltagliati Ferruccio , Casu Marco , Lai Tiziana , Sareri Daniela Iraci , Casu Daniela , Galletti Marco Curini , Cantone Grazia , Castelli Alberto
Published: June 2005

Ophelia bicornis sensu lato is a polychaete living in intertidal sandy habitats of Mediterranean and European Atlantic coasts, whose systematics have been strongly debated in the past few decades. In the present work the count of nephridiopores was coupled with genetic analysis carried out with DNA markers (inter simple sequence repeats) for a total of 30 individuals collected at six Italian beaches. Exact test, analysis of molecular variance, non-metric multidimensional scaling and assignment tests clearly separated individuals with five nephridiopore pairs from those with six pairs. This finding validated results of a recent allozyme study in which O. bicornis sensu lato was split into O. bicornis sensu stricto (six nephridiopore pairs) and O. barquii (five nephridiopore pairs). This paper represents a further contribution to the estimation of biodiversity within marine invertebrates.
The occurrence of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) larvae off the Portuguese coast
Authors: dos Santos Antonina , Peliz Álvaro
Published: June 2005

Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) larvae have been investigated in northern European waters, particularly in the Irish Sea where biomass estimation studies are used for the annual larval production method. However, nothing is known of their distribution in southern European waters, off the Portuguese coast or in the Mediterranean Sea. From zooplankton sampling off the Portuguese coast between October 1986 and March 2001, planktonic larvae of this species were known to occur from January to April off the north-west and south coasts. In the north, larvae were only observed over the shelf, shoreward of the upper limit of the adults' distribution. Larvae were never collected off the south-west coast of Portugal, even though this is one of the largest fishing grounds for this species off the Iberian Peninsula. The absence of larvae from all surveys in this region may relate to the local oceanographic conditions and shelf width.
Interspecific differences in the burrow morphology between the sympatric mud shrimps, Austinogebia narutensis and Upogebia issaeffi (Crustacea: Thalassinidea: Upogebiidae)
Authors: Kinoshita Kyoko , Itani Gyo
Published: June 2005

The morphology of burrows constructed by the upogebiid mud shrimps Austinogebia narutensis and Upogebia issaeffi was studied using resin castings of burrows in situ on Mukaishima Island, Seto Inland Sea, Japan, where the two species occurred sympatrically. The burrow structure of both shrimps is a relatively simple Y-shaped pattern, which is typical of the family Upogebiidae. Total burrow length, and length and overall width of the U-shaped section of A. narutensis were greater than those of U. issaeffi, possibly because A. narutensis is the larger species. When the ratios of the burrow measurements to the mean burrow diameter were compared to exclude possible size effects, the burrows of A. narutensis had a wider and shallower U-shaped section than those of U. issaeffi. Because the casts were made where the two species occurred sympatrically, the differences in the burrow morphology were not due to the differences in environmental factors but to the difference in the shrimp species, whether they are adaptive or not.
Genetic variation at microsatellite loci in northern populations of the European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis)
Authors: Sobolewska Halina , Beaumont Andy R.
Published: June 2005

Samples of Ostrea edulis were collected during 1999 and 2000 from five sites in Scotland, and from one site each in Northern Ireland, Ireland, France, The Netherlands and Norway. Samples were scored at four microsatellite loci. Mean numbers of alleles per locus varied from 12·6 to 16·6 and observed heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0·801 to 0·845. Samples derived originally from hatchery seed showed significantly fewer alleles per locus and significantly reduced expected heterozygosity compared with wild populations. However, observed heterozygosity did not differ significantly between the two groups. Significant deficiencies of heterozygotes were present at one or more loci in four of the ten populations sampled and a significant excess of heterozygotes was present at one locus in a hatchery-sourced Scottish population. Genetic distance indices revealed that the Norway population was the most distinct from all others and that hatchery-sourced populations were also relatively distinct from other wild populations. However, genetic subdivision was generally low implying high historical ‘migration’ rates for these populations.
Trematode-induced alterations in shell shape of the mud snail Zeacumantus subcarinatus (Prosobranchia: Batillariidae)
Authors: Hay K.B. , Fredensborg B.L. , Poulin R.
Published: June 2005

The shell morphology of mud snails, Zeacumantus subcarinatus, both uninfected and infected by trematodes, was compared to determine if different trematode species induce different degrees of alteration in host shell shape. Snails harbouring either the echinostomatid Acanthoparyphium sp., or a double infection by the microphallid Maritrema novaezealandensis and an undescribed philophthalmid species, had a wider shell base relative to the rest of the shell spire, than uninfected snails or snails infected by only one of the latter two trematode species. These results are independent of any differences in shell length among the different infection groups. The findings of this study suggest that alterations in host shell morphology are species-specific trematode manipulations of host phenotype rather than a generalized host response to castrating trematodes.
Renal coccidiosis in the European cormorant Phalacrocorax aristotelis aristotelis from the Galician coast
Authors: Abollo Elvira , Pascual Santiago
Published: June 2005

A developmental stage of a species of eimeriorin Apicomplexa was found heavily infecting the kidney of the European cormorant Phalacrocorax aristotelis aristotelis beached on the coast of Galicia after the oil spill from the ‘Prestige’. The immature condition of the parasite made a precise taxonomic identification impossible. The infection caused kidney damage as a result of pressure atrophy and mechanical displacement exerted by oocysts which occupied large areas of host tissue. A cellular host reaction was always apparent in the kidney of the infected cormorants. Although the oil effect is assumed to be responsible for the death of the cormorants, the impact of the coccidiosis should be monitored in the European shag populations.
Temporal variation in abundance and diversity of butterflies in Bornean rain forests: opposite impacts of logging recorded in different seasons
Authors: Hamer K. C. , Hill J. K. , Mustaffa N. , Benedick S. , Sherratt T. N. , Chey V. K. , Maryati M.
Published: June 2005

We used traps baited with fruit to examine how the temporal variation of butterflies within primary forest in Sabah, Borneo differed between species. In addition, we compared patterns of temporal variation in primary and selectively logged forest, and we tested the hypothesis that selective logging has different recorded impacts on species diversity of adults during the wet monsoon period and the drier remaining half of the year. Species of Satyrinae and Morphinae had significantly less-restricted flight periods than did species of Nymphalinae and Charaxinae, which were sampled mainly during the drier season, especially in primary forest. Species diversity of adults was significantly higher during the drier season in primary forest, but did not differ between seasons in logged forest. As a consequence, logging had opposite recorded impacts on diversity during wetter and drier seasons: primary forest had significantly higher diversity than logged forest during the drier season but significantly lower diversity than logged forest during the wetter monsoon season. The results of this study have important implications for the assessment of biodiversity in tropical rain forests, particularly in relation to habitat disturbance: short-term assessments that do not take account of seasonal variation in abundance are likely to produce misleading results, even in regions where the seasonal variation in rainfall is not that great.
Sarcocystosis of chital (Axis axis) and dhole (Cuon alpinus): ecology of a mammalian prey–predator–parasite system in Peninsular India
Authors: Jog Maithili M. , Marathe Rahul R. , Goel Shantanu S. , Ranade Sachin P. , Kunte Krushnamegh K. , Watve Milind G.
Published: June 2005

The question as to whether predators preferentially kill sick or disabled individuals has been addressed by many ecologists working with different predator–prey systems. Rau & Caron (1979) showed that heavily infected moose were more susceptible to hunting. Kruuk (1972) observed that hyenas appeared to select sick animals in the Serengeti. Vorisek et al. (1998) demonstrated that voles infected with a species of Frenkelia were taken more frequently by buzzards. As a broad generalization, wherever prey capture is difficult and involves large energy expenditure a greater proportion of sick animals seems to be captured (Fitzgibbon & Fanshawe 1989, Holmes & Bethel 1972, Temple 1987). In a host–parasite association where the prey species is an intermediate host and the predator is the definitive host, the capture of the prey is often an essential part of the life cycle. Therefore any mechanism which makes the prey susceptible to predation would enhance the parasite's fitness. In such relationships the susceptibility induced by the parasite can be very specific to the predator host (Levri 1998). Freedman (1990) suggested that a mutualistic association between the predator and parasite might exist. A mutualistic relationship can be said to exist between a predator and a parasite if the cost of harbouring the parasite is less than the benefit of greater success in catching the prey. There is perhaps no demonstrated example of such a mutualism in natural populations since it is difficult to weigh the parasite cost against the predation benefit.
Spatial patterns in the understorey shrub genus Psychotria in central Amazonia: effects of distance and topography
Authors: Kinupp V. F. , Magnusson William E.
Published: June 2005

We evaluated the effects of topography on the distribution of understorey herbs, shrubs and small trees of the pantropical genus Psychotria (Rubiaceae) in a 10000-ha rain-forest reserve in central Amazonia. As plots were long and thin, and followed altitudinal isoclines, we were able to avoid the trade off between plot size and precision of measurement of topographical variables. The minimum distance between plots (1 km) was sufficient to avoid spatial autocorrelation in topographical variables. However, indices of plot similarity based on species composition were spatially autocorrelated to distances of at least 4 km. Although Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) indicated significant effects of altitude, slope, and watershed on species composition within plots, topographical variables were generally poor surrogates for species distributions. Differences between eastern and western watersheds within the reserve were not due to distance effects, and most species occurred in both watersheds, indicating that differences in species assemblages between watersheds are determined by ecological factors. Habitat specialization and local density were not clearly associated with rarity. At scales of 1–10 km, both distance and habitat affect the distribution of understorey shrubs of the genus Psychotria, but much of the variation in species abundances remains unexplained.