bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expert review remains important in the histopathological diagnosis of cutaneous melanocytic lesions
Authors: Van Dijk M C R F , Aben K K H , Van Hees F , Klaasen A , Blokx W A M , Kiemeney L A L M , Ruiter D J 
Published: August 2010

Aims:  To assess the type of problems encountered in diagnosing melanocytic lesions and to evaluate the contribution of expert review.Methods and results:  Data from 1887 lesions submitted for consultation to one of the expert pathologists of the Dutch Melanoma Working Group Pathology Panel between 1991 and 2004 were analysed. Referring pathologists can voluntarily submit lesions which are difficult to classify to the panel. Most cutaneous melanocytic lesions (n = 1217) were submitted with a presumed diagnosis by the referring pathologists. Relevant underdiagnoses of melanoma (in situ) and overdiagnoses of naevi were prevented in 12% (144/1217) and 15% (178/1217) of cases, respectively. Problematic melanocytic lesions were (i) spitzoid and dysplastic lesions, (ii) lesions with histological features that hampered the diagnosis such as regression, lymphocytic infiltrate, or a combination with other melanocytic lesions, and (iii) lesions with unusual clinical features, e.g. childhood melanoma. Remarkably, the features of the lesions that were submitted and the types of over‐ and under‐diagnosis remained consistent from 1991 to 2004.Conclusions:  A second opinion from an expert pathologist on problem‐prone melanocytic lesions improves patient care, in our series in 27% of cases.
Immunohistochemical expression of GCIP in breast carcinoma: relationship with tumour grade, disease‐free survival, mucinous differentiation and response to chemotherapy
Authors: Chen W‐C , Su P‐F , Jin Y‐T , Chang M‐C , Chang T‐W 
Published: August 2010

Aims:  Grap2 and cyclin‐D interacting protein (GCIP) is a putative tumour suppressor in human cancer. The aim was to investigate its prognostic significance in human breast carcinoma.Methods and results:  Immunohistochemical analysis of breast carcinoma specimens from 107 female patients was performed. Decreased cytoplasmic expression of GCIP was detected in breast carcinomas compared with normal ductal epithelium (P < 0.001). Higher GCIP scores were observed in patients with lower histological grade, mucinous carcinomas and better clinical outcome (P < 0.05). Disease‐free survival was significantly longer in patients with high GCIP scores than in those with low GCIP scores (P = 0.010). However, GCIP expression was independent of the status of oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, Her‐2/neu and cancer stage. Moreover, in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, those with higher GCIP scores showed potentially more reduction of tumour size compared with those with lower GCIP scores (borderline significance, P = 0.053).Conclusions:  The current data provide evidence that decreased expression of GCIP in vivo is present in human breast carcinoma and indicate that GCIP is a potential indicator of good prognosis. In patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, it may also have predictive value for the chemotherapeutic response.
Overexpression of EGFR and absence of C‐KIT expression correlate with poor prognosis in salivary gland carcinomas
Authors: Ettl T , Schwarz S , Kleinsasser N , Hartmann A , Reichert T E , Driemel O 
Published: August 2010

Aims:  To evaluate the prognostic impact of expression of receptor tyrosine kinases epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), HER2, and C‐KIT in relation to established clinicopathological parameters in salivary gland carcinomas.Methods and results: Immunohistochemistry for EGFR, HER2, C‐KIT and the proliferation marker Ki67 was performed in 101 cases of salivary gland carcinoma and related to long‐term clinical follow‐up. Immunopositivity of C‐KIT was common in adenoid cystic carcinoma (92%). Lack of C‐KIT expression occurred in salivary duct carcinoma (P < 0.001) and was associated with high‐grade tumours (P = 0.002), positive lymph nodes (P = 0.002) and high expression of Ki67 (P = 0.001). HER2 was typically expressed in salivary duct carcinomas (83%), but was not associated with any other parameter. EGFR overexpression occurred independently of histological type and clinical parameters. On univariate survival analysis, overexpression of EGFR (P = 0.011) and lack of C‐KIT (P = 0.014) were associated with worse prognosis, whereas HER2 was of no prognostic significance. On multivariate analysis, the strongest negative predictor of survival was high proliferative activity measured by Ki67 (P = 0.002), followed by presence of residual tumour (P = 0.006), overexpression of EGFR (P = 0.026) and advanced tumour stage (P = 0.041).Conclusions:  The expression of receptor tyrosine kinases confers additional prognostic impact on disease‐specific survival. EGFR overexpression is an independent negative prognostic factor.
Can morphology predict 1p/19q loss in oligodendroglial tumours?
Authors: Scheie D , Cvancarova M , Mørk S , Skullerud K , Andresen P A , Benestad I , Helseth E , Meling T , Beiske K 
Published: August 2010

Aims:  To investigate the relationship between phenotype and genotype in oligodendroglial tumours and evaluate whether 1p/19q status can be reliably predicted from histological findings.Methods and results:  Three neuropathologists reviewed the association between 10 histological variables, location and genetic losses at 1p, 19q and 17p13 in 63 oligodendroglial tumours (cohort 1). Based on these findings, a multiple logistic regression model for prediction of 1p/19q status was constructed. The ability of this model to predict 1p/19q status was tested on cohort 2, comprising 20 oligodendroglial tumours. Loss of heterozygosity at 1p, 19q and 17p13 was analysed using polymerase chain reaction. Combined 1p/19q loss and losses at 17p13 were mutually exclusive (P < 0.001). The variable H1a (more or <50% of cells with round, uniform nuclei and perinuclear halos) demonstrated the strongest association with 1p/19q status (odds ratio 11.9, 95% confidence interval 3.6, 39.6, P < 0.001). Calcifications, absence of gemistocytic cells and a non‐temporal/non‐insular location were also associated. The correct 1p/19q status was predicted in 80% of cases in cohort 2.Conclusions:  There is a strong association between phenotype and genotype in oligodendroglial tumours. However, even when all significant variables are accounted for, perfect prediction (100%) of 1p/19q status cannot be obtained.
Feasiblity of The G.I. guide to increase knowledge about the glycaemic index in practice
Authors: Vermeulen A. , Turnbull W. H. 
Published: August 2010

Background Research findings support the application of the glycaemic index concept in the dietary treatment of diabetes. However, it is still unclear how to use this concept in general practice. The G.I. guide was accordingly developed to be used as an educational tool when introducing the glycaemic index in practice.Methods A sample of 21 professionals involved with the treatment of diabetes (expert population), and 18 individuals with diabetes (lay population), were included in a pilot study to determine the feasibility of The G.I. guide to increase knowledge about the glycaemic index in practice. All participants were asked to complete a knowledge questionnaire on the glycaemic index before and directly after meeting and discussing The G.I. guide.Results The mean change in knowledge about the glycaemic index before and after being exposed to The G.I. guide was highly significant in both the expert (P < 0.0001) and the lay group (P < 0.0001). The G.I. guide did not change lay or expert participants’ opinions about healthy eating guidelines.Conclusion The G.I. guide was effective in increasing knowledge and raising interest about the glycaemic index in practice.
Infection of Norway spruce container seedlings byGremmeniella abietina
Authors: Petäistö R.‐L. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryFirst‐ and second‐year containerized Norway spruce seedlings were inoculated with conidia of type A (large tree type) and type B (small tree type) ofGremmeniella abietinavar.abietinaat different times during the summer. The appearance of symptoms after artificial inoculation and natural infection on spruce seedlings were recorded the following spring and compared with the disease symptoms on Scots pine seedlings. The proportion of diseased seedlings after inoculation reached as high as 80%. The susceptible period during the summer began later on the first‐year seedlings than on the second‐year seedlings, and was similar for the pine seedlings. Susceptibility of first‐year seedlings was highest in August and on second‐year seedlings in July. The accumulated temperature sum, relative humidity and height growth for first‐ and second‐year seedlings was assessed. Natural infection in 2002 caused more disease on pine than on spruce seedlings. Experimental thinning of seedlings had no effect on disease incidence.In a preliminary comparison between the ability of A and B types to cause disease in Norway spruce seedlings, type B caused more damage than type A after inoculation. However, type A caused a high disease frequency in other experiments in this study.Symptoms on Norway spruce seedlings often first occurred in the mid‐section of the shoot, and were similar to those observed on pine seedlings: needles turned brown, starting at the needle base, in the spring following inoculation. On first‐year spruce, diseased needles were shed rapidly, in contrast to a slower rate of shedding on first‐year pine seedlings. Pycnidia developed about 2 years after inoculation (on pine 1 year after inoculation). On Norway spruce seedlings the lower part of the shoot, including the lateral shoots, often remained alive.The experiments show thatG. abietinacan cause disease on containerized Norway spruce seedlings under nursery conditions in Finland. The coincidence of spore dispersal, seedling susceptibility and predisposing factors are important in disease development.
Modelling of energy transformations in fertilized tropical fish ponds
Authors: Chakrabarty Debajyoti , Das Sanjib Kumar , Das Mrinal Kanti 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe energy budget patterns of three tropical ecosystems in which the polyculture of fish was practised were studied. The rates of organic production of the three tropical ponds over two annual cycles were evaluated. Study of the utilization of energy in the three ponds, which were fertilized with vermicompost, cow dung and diammonium phosphate, revealed that herbivores were more efficient in utilizing energy than were autotrophs. The available energy in these systems was supplied by autochthonous sources. Silver carp was found to be the most efficient organism in converting energy in the grazer food chain in the ponds. The efficiency of the system in regard to fish production was 0.052, 0.049, and 0.051%, respectively, of the total available solar radiation. Organisms in various trophic levels were all characterized by energy changes in the studied ponds, forming the food webs contained in them.
Metals in the sediments of the Huron‐Erie Corridor in North America: Factors regulating metal distribution and mobilization
Authors: Szalinska Ewa , Haffner G. Doug , Drouillard Ken G. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractSediment samples from the Huron‐Erie Corridor (Great Lakes, North America) were collected to quantify the relative importance of natural and anthropogenic sources of contamination, and to study the spatial metal distribution patterns of metals as a function of the characteristics of the Corridor sediments. A stratified random sampling design was used to measure the spatial patterns of metal inputs, settling and sorting along the length of the Corridor. Factors regulating metal mobilization were assessed by determining metal affinities with the total organic fraction (TOM), the mineral fraction (represented as Al), and the granulometric characteristic (represented as <0.063 mm fraction). The study revealed that anthropogenic factors primarily regulated metal distributions and mobilization throughout the Huron‐Erie Corridor. In the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers, the spatial pattern of metal distributions strongly reflected local industrial sources. In the Walpole Delta and Lake St. Clair, however, inorganic (clays) and organic (TOM) particles dominated the contaminant distribution. Sediment contamination issues throughout the Huron‐Erie Corridor were dominated by mercury, released from sources along the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers. The mean enrichment factor EFAl for mercury in these sediments has reached 68.3. Other metal pollutants were confined to the sediments in the lower depositional reach of the Corridor.
Restoration of small lakes through cooperative management: A suitable strategy for poverty‐laden areas in developing countries?
Authors: Gurung Tek Bahadur 
Published: August 2010

AbstractLake Rupa is a small, subtropical, shallow lake with a surface area of 100 ha situated 600 m a.s.l. in Central Himalaya, Nepal. This degraded lake was studied between 2000 and 2006, with the goal of determining whether or not it could be restored by a community‐based cooperative of local people living in its catchment. Main threats to the lake, its aquatic life and its very existence include encroachment by excessive aquatic vegetation, sedimentation, and low in‐lake concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO). Small lakes (≤ 500 ha) are relatively prone to the process of ‘succession and climax’, although they also can be of social, environmental and ecological importance. Thus, their disappearance could spark social chaos and disorder in areas already having to cope with other rapid environmental changes. This means that credible mechanisms for revitalizing or protecting small lakes are an important goal. Accordingly, a lake cooperative of 329 households living in close vicinity to Lake Rupa was formed in 2002, by prioritizing traditional fishers, women and other deprived community members with the goals of respecting the citizenry and equity. Following the cooperative's campaigns directed at weed removal and fish stocking, encroachment of vegetation on the lake margins was halted, its aquatic weeds became under control, and its fisheries improved. In addition to the cooperative's restoration activities, several water quality parameters, including water transparency and DO and chlorophyll‐a concentrations, were monitored on a monthly basis. The measured water transparency was inconsistent, exhibiting large variations between 2000 and 2003. Relatively low, but consistent, values, however, were measured after 2004. The results imply that the removal of weeds, and sufficient nutrients and solar radiation are subsequently available to the lake's phytoplankton communities. Supporting this notion is that the chlorophyll‐a concentration spiked to 205 µg L−1 in November 2006, the water transparency became consistent, and the DO concentration increased to >3.8 mg L−1 during the critical months (March–May) after 2004. These water quality indicators indicated improvement in the degraded Lake Rupa, suggesting that the establishment of cooperatives such as that highlighted in this study could be a powerful and sustainable mechanism for restoring degraded lakes in similar socioeconomic settings by maintaining equity, by connecting communities with their resources, and by facilitating integrity, equity, citizenry and social justice.
An overview of the current status of Lake Victoria fishery: Opportunities, challenges and management strategies
Authors: Njiru M. , Kazungu J. , Ngugi C. C. , Gichuki J. , Muhoozi L. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractLake Victoria is African's most important source of inland fishery production, exhibiting an annual catch of ≈500 000 mt. The lake moderates local climate, serves as a means of transport, and a source of human food and raw material for the fishmeal industry. The introduction of Nile perch transformed the fisheries from a locally based artisanal fishery to a national and international capital investment industry. The fisheries produce an annual income of $US 600 million, providing employment opportunities for over 3 million people. Although the benefits of transforming the fishery of Lake Victoria appear to be quite remarkable, the negative impacts of this development are even more dramatic.Several challenges face the lake fishery, including environmental degradation, the introduction of exotic species, overfishing, and a fish export ban. Nutrients inputs into the lake have resulted in eutrophication and increased algal blooms. Deteriorated water quality and increased anoxia have caused the displacement and decline of some fish species. Exotic tilapiines have hybridized, displacing the indigenous fish species. Nile perch predation has caused the disappearance of once abundant native fish species. The once complex food web is now dominated by Nile perch. Unhygienic fishing methods have led to several fish export bans, while water hyacinth invasion in the lake has affected water quality, fishing and transportation possibilities. The current top‐down management and use of different regulations by the riparian states have been a major drawback to sustainable management of the lake. There is a need for a paradigm shift, in which the lake is considered to be one ecosystem and relevant stakeholders are involved in the decision‐making process.
Impact of damming the Mogi‐Guaçu River (São Paulo State, Brazil) on reservoir limnological variables
Authors: Brandimarte Ana Lúcia , Anaya Maurício , Shimizu Gisela Yuka , Meirelles Sérgio Tadeu , Caneppele Danilo 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThis study examined the effects of the damming of the Mogi‐Guaçu River (São Paulo State, Brazil) on the surface current velocity, water temperature, Secchi disc transparency, turbidity, colour, conductivity, pH and concentrations of nutrients and pigments. Surface‐water samples were taken before, during and after the reservoir was filled. Three sampling sites were established, one in the upper reach of the reservoir, one in the central area of the reservoir and one downstream from the dam. An additional sampling site was established on the Peixe River, the major tributary of the Mogi‐Guaçu in the study area. After filling of the reservoir, the surface current velocity tended to decrease, excepting downstream of the dam. The pH, and the Kjeldahl nitrogen, ammonia and chlorophyll‐a concentrations, tended to increase. The nitrite concentrations increased mainly in the upper reach and central area of the reservoir. The Secchi disc transparency and colour tended to decrease. A decreasing trend in dissolved oxygen concentration was observed mainly at the central area of reservoir. The conductivity tended to decrease, later returning to levels observed prior to reservoir filling. The nitrate, total phosphorus and orthophosphate concentrations exhibited an increasing trend after reservoir filling, followed by a decreasing concentration, reaching lower levels than those found prior to reservoir filling. High phaeophytin concentrations were measured for the filling phase. The observed water quality changes for Mogi‐Guaçu Reservoir generally were not as extreme as those observed for other tropical reservoirs. This trend was related to the operation of the reservoir. As Mogi‐Guaçu Reservoir is a run‐of‐the‐river reservoir with a short water retention time, the flooded area is not extensive and the retention of material and sedimentation upstream from the dam is not remarkable. These facts explain the small water quality changes observed for most of the variables after reservoir filling. The water quality decreased at the in‐lake site in the central part of the reservoir, attaining a hypereutrophic condition. This fact was related to the ageing of the reservoir and to cultural eutrophication.
Recruitment of Heliozoa, rhizopods and rotifers from the sediments of an extremely acidic lake during spring and early summer
Authors: Bell Elanor M. , Weithoff Guntram 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe goal of this study was to investigate the recruitment of zooplankton from the littoral sediment of Lake 111, an acidic lake in north‐east Germany, in April (spring) and June (early summer), and its role in coupling the benthos and the pelagic. Maximum heliozoan and rhizopod recruitment occurred in early summer from sediment cores incubated at ambient water temperatures (20°C). Conversely, recruitment of the rotifer Cephalodella sp. was highest in spring at ambient spring temperatures of 12°C. A combination of passive and active recruitment processes is likely responsible. The seasonal abiotic and biotic sediment characteristics were relatively constant and therefore not likely responsible for the observed temporal recruitment pattern. The sediment water and carbon content ranged from 20 to 50% (mean = 29 ± 6% standard deviation) and 2–12% (mean = 5 ± 2% standard deviation), respectively. Similarly, there was little variation in the chlorophyll‐a (mean = 0.2 ± 0.2 µg Chl‐a g−1 dry weight ≡ 6.1 ± 3.9 mg Chl‐a m−2). The in situ sediment bacterial density (0.82 × 109 ± 0.26 × 109 g−1 dry weight ≡ 1.01 × 109 ± 0.34 × 109 cells cm−3) was high. In contrast, the abundance of zoobenthos and their resting stages was low (< 25 individuals cm−3, and mean of 90 ± 75 cysts cm−3, respectively), with no temporal pattern being observed. Temperature was the only abiotic factor influencing recruitment.This study suggests that, even in relatively young, chemically extreme lakes, the benthos can play an important role in whole lake microbial processes and zooplankton community composition. Such benthic repositories of resting stages potentially provide protection against adverse environmental changes.
Impacts of land‐use/cover changes on the hydrology of the transboundary Mara River, Kenya/Tanzania
Authors: Mati Bancy M. , Mutie Simon , Gadain Hussein , Home Patrick , Mtalo Felix 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe Mara River is the lifeline of the transboundary Mara basin across Kenya and Tanzania. The basin is considered one of the more serene subcatchments of the Lake Victoria Basin and ultimately the Nile Basin, and traverses the famous Maasai Mara and Serengeti National Parks. The basin also contains forests, large‐scale farms, smallholder farms, pastoral grazing lands, as well as hunter gatherers and fishers. There is growing concern, however, regarding land degradation in the basin, particularly deforestation in the headwaters, that is affecting the natural resource base and the river flows. Accurate scientific data are required to advise policy, and to plan appropriate mitigation measures. This study utilizes remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) tools, and hydrological and ground‐truth studies to determine the magnitude of the land‐use/cover changes in the Mara River Basin, and the effects of these changes on the river flows over the last 30 years. The study results indicate that land‐use/cover changes have occurred. In 1973, for example, rangelands (savannah, grasslands and shrublands) covered 10 989 km2 (79%) of the total basin area. The rangelands had been reduced to 7245 km2 (52%) by 2000, however, while the forest areas were reduced by 32% over the same period. These changes have been attributed to the encroachment of agriculture, which has more than doubled (203%) its land area over the same period. The hydrology of the Mara River also has changed, with sharp increases in flood peak flows by 7%, and an earlier occurrence of these peaks by 4 days between 1973 and 2000. There is evidence of increased soil erosion in the upper catchments, with silt build‐up in the downstream floodplains. This has caused the Mara wetland to expand by 387%, adversely affecting riparian agriculture. There is need for urgent action to stem the land degradation of the Mara River Basin, including planning and implementing appropriate mitigation measures.