bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adoption and maintenance of a Mediterranean diet in patients with coronary heart disease from a Northern European population: a pilot randomised trial of different methods of delivering Mediterranean diet advice
Authors: Logan K. J. , Woodside J. V. , Young I. S. , McKinley M. C. , Perkins‐Porras L. , McKeown P. P. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBackground:  A Mediterranean diet has been shown to protect against coronary heart disease (CHD). Adherence to a Mediterranean diet can be assessed using a Mediterranean diet score. The primary aim of this pilot study was to examine whether CHD patients in a Northern European population would adopt and maintain a Mediterranean diet, with a secondary aim of comparing the effectiveness of different methodologies aimed at improving compliance.Methods:  Sixty‐one patients with a diagnosis of CHD were randomised to one of three groups: either to receive conventional dietetic advice for CHD or advice to implement a Mediterranean‐style diet using either behavioural counselling or nutritional counselling. Patients received a follow‐up assessment at 6 months (adoption) and a subset of patients was followed up at 12 months (maintenance). The primary outcome measure was the between‐group difference in the mean change in Mediterranean diet score (MDS).Results:  The change in MDS was not significantly different between groups. However, all three groups reported a significant within‐group increase in MDS (P < 0.01) at 6 and 12 months follow‐up.Conclusions:  All three groups made dietary changes towards a Mediterranean diet, but behavioural counselling did not have significant additional benefit over nutritional counselling in initiating and maintaining dietary change, and neither method offering specific Mediterranean diet advice had any significant benefit in terms of improvement in MDS over conventional dietetic practice.
Nutritional status of Irish older people in receipt of meals‐on‐wheels and the nutritional content of meals provided
Authors: O’Dwyer C. , Corish C. A. , Timonen V. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBackground:  Research has suggested that meals‐on‐wheels recipients can be at risk for poor nutritional status. Despite this, few countries have statutory minimum requirements for the nutrient content of meals‐on‐wheels. This study examined both the nutritional status of a sample of Irish recipients and the nutrient content of a sample of meals provided to determine whether Irish recipients would benefit from statutory minimum nutritional standards.Methods:  The study had two phases. First, a nutritional assessment was carried out to analyse the nutritional status of a sample of Irish meals‐on‐wheels recipients (Mini Nutritional Assessment and 24‐h dietary recall with 63 self‐selected respondents). Second, an assessment of the nutrient content of a sample of 46 meals from eight meals‐on‐wheels services was undertaken to characterise the nutritional content of the meals.Results:  Over one‐third of recipients (38.5%) were malnourished or at‐risk of malnutrition and over half (52.3%) were overweight or obese. The mean (SD) energy [kJ (kcal)] content of the meals assessed was 3008 (498) kJ [719 (119.1) kcal], contributing 35–40% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for males aged 65 years and over and 42–45% of the RDA for females aged 65 years and over. In the meals assessed, the levels of vitamin C (25.3%), vitamin D (11.6%), folate (24.8%) and calcium (20.9%) were below one‐third of the Irish RDA for these nutrients.Conclusions:  Irish recipients may not be receiving adequate micronutrients from meals‐on‐wheels. Legislation that sets out minimum standards for the nutrient content of meals‐on‐wheels and greater variation in the portion sizes offered may benefit recipients.
Multi‐modal Aedes aegypti mosquito reduction interventions and dengue fever prevention
Authors: Ballenger‐Browning Kara K. , Elder John P. 
Published: September 2009

SummaryObjective  To systematically review the effectiveness of biological, chemical and educational dengue fever prevention programs on the reduction of entomologic indicators.Methods  Searches of PubMed, GoogleScholar, CabDirect databases and reference lists yielded over 1000 articles containing mosquito abatement interventions. Inclusion criteria were: Vector control programs targeting Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes; Studies providing pre‐ and post‐test data. Intervention effectiveness was assessed using Mulla’s formula to determine percent reductions for all studies with control groups. Twenty‐one studies were reviewed.Results  Twelve dependent variables were presented, however, the Breteau, House and Container indices were the primary measurement tools for monitoring larval populations. Behavioural methods consisting of educational campaigns and maintaining water containers to reduce the mosquito population were applied in eight studies. Eight studies involved the use of biological methods such as predatory organisms or bacteria. Finally, eight studies used chemical control techniques including insecticide sprays, larvicides, insecticide‐treated materials, and cleaning water of containers with household chemicals with three studies using a combination of intervention techniques. Post‐intervention reduction in entomologic indices ranged from 100% to an increase of 13.9% from baseline.Conclsuion  Little evidence exists to support the efficacy of mosquito abatement programs owing to poor study designs and lack of congruent entomologic indices. Creation of a standard entomological index, use of clustered and randomized‐controlled trials, and testing the generalizability of proven methods are recommended for future research.
Dandy‐Walker malformation in patients with KID syndrome associated with a heterozygote mutation (p.Asp50Asn) in the GJB2 gene encoding connexin 26
Authors: Todt Ingo , Mazereeuw‐Hautier Juliette , Binder Barbara , Willems Patrick J. 
Published: September 2009

The Keratitis‐Ichthyosis‐Deafness syndrome (KIDS) is an autosomal dominant ectodermal dysplasia characterized by ocular, skin, and ear anomalies, including keratitis, palmoplantar keratoderma, and congenital hearing loss. Most cases are due to mutations in the GJB2 gene encoding connexin 26. The Dandy‐Walker malformation (DWM) is a developmental anomaly of the midline of the cerebellum with complete or partial agenesis of the vermis and cystic dilatation of the fourth ventricle. The association of KID syndrome with DWM has been reported a few times, but thought to be coincidental.We report 4 additional patients with KIDS and DWM, supporting the possibility that this is an association and not a coincidental finding. This also suggests that the GJB2 gene may have a role in other cases with DWM of, as yet, unknown etiology.
Intraoperative blood salvage and leukocyte depletion during liver transplantation with bacterial contamination
Authors: Liang Ting‐Bo , Li Jun‐Jian , Li Dong‐Lin , Liang Liang , Bai Xue‐Li , Zheng Shu‐Sen 
Published: September 2009

Liang T‐B, Li J‐J, Li D‐L, Liang L, Bai X‐L, Zheng S‐S. Intraoperative blood salvage and leukocyte depletion during liver transplantation with bacterial contamination. Clin Transplant 2009 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2009.01091.x © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Background:  Bacterial contamination is considered to be a contraindication for intraoperative blood salvage (IBS) during OLT. The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficiency of the autotransfusion device with an additional leukocyte depletion filter (LDF) for eliminating bacterial contaminations, and its clinical outcomes in terms of post‐operative infections during OLT.Methods:  Forty‐five patients with end‐stage liver disease and cirrhotic ascites were enrolled in this study. The blood from the surgical field was collected and processed by an autotransfusion device (Cell Saver 5) and a LDF for bacteriological analysis. Among them, 12 patients with chronic severe hepatitis B received autologous transfusion for analysis of the effect on post‐operative infections.Results:  Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) (p < 0.05, OR = 20.1) and a long duration of operation (p < 0.01, OR = 8.3) were found to be critical risk factors for contamination. Autotransfusion devices with an additional LDF significantly eliminated bacterial contaminants from shed blood (p < 0.05). About 33% (4/12) of the patients who received autologous transfusion with salvaged and filtered erythrocytes got post‐operative bacterial infection.Conclusions:  Autotransfusion devices with an additional LDF could significantly eliminate bacterial contaminants of shed blood during OLT. The new mode of IBS might be a good option in reducing post‐operative infections, and deserves a large‐scale clinical trial.
Comparison of nutritional status in hemodialysis patients with and without failed renal allografts
Authors: Yelken B.M. , Gorgulu N. , Caliskan Y. , Yazici H. , Turkmen A. , Yildiz A. , Sever M.S. 
Published: September 2009

Yelken MB, Gorgulu N, Caliskan Y, Yazici H, Turkmen A, Yildiz A, Sever MS. Comparison of nutritional status in hemodialysis patients with and without failed renal allografts Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 481–487. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Background:  The survival of patients returning to hemodialysis (HD) following kidney transplant failure is unfavorable. However, the factors responsible for this poor outcome are largely unknown; chronic inflammation due to failed allograft and malnutrition may contribute to morbidity and mortality. We aimed to compare the nutritional status and its relation with inflammation in patients on HD with and without previous kidney transplantation.Methods:  Forty‐three patients with failed renal allografts (27 males; mean age 36 ± 9 yr) and 40 never transplanted HD patients (24 males; mean age 39 ± 9 yr) were included in the study. Body weight, triceps (TSF), biceps (BSF), subscapular (SSSF), and suprailiac skinfold thicknesses (SISF); mid‐arm, mid‐arm muscle, hip and waist circumferences; as well as body mass indices (BMIs) were determined as anthropometric parameters. Moreover, biochemical markers of nutritional status, including serum cholesterol and albumin as well as high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), as a marker of inflammation, were measured. Associations among these variables were analyzed.Results:  There were no significant differences considering age, gender or duration of renal replacement therapy between the two groups. The TSF (p < 0.0001), BSF (p = 0.005), SSSF (p = 0.001), SISF (p < 0.0001) skinfold thicknesses; mid‐arm (p = 0.003) and mid‐arm muscle circumferences (p = 0.037) and BMIs (p = 0.001) of the patients with failed renal allografts were significantly lower than those of the never transplanted HD patients. Waist circumference was significantly lower as well (p = 0.028). Patients with failed transplants were characterized by lower serum albumin (p < 0.0001) and higher hs‐CRP levels (p = 0.001) as compared with never transplanted HD patients.Conclusions:  This study confirms the concept that retained failed allografts may induce chronic inflammation in chronic HD patients which may result in a worse nutritional status.
Comparison of benthic and pelagic suspension feeding in shallow water habitats of the Northeastern Baltic Sea
Authors: Lauringson Velda , Kotta Jonne , Orav‐Kotta Helen , Kotta Ilmar , Herkül Kristjan , Põllumäe Arno 
Published: September 2009

AbstractCombining field experiments with the biomass distribution data of dominant suspension feeders we compared the benthic and pelagic suspension feeding rates in shallow non‐tidal brackish water coastal habitats. We found that pelagic grazing exceeded benthic grazing in almost all cases, on average from 14 to 4819 times depending on the site. Benthic grazing rates were related to site‐specific environmental parameters and showed no relationship with water chlorophyl a (Chl a) content, whereas pelagic grazing rates varied both spatially and temporally and were related to water Chl a content. Our results indicate that in several shallow coastal habitats, pelagic suspension feeding substantially exceeds benthic suspension feeding. This suggests that pelagic recycling is higher than the amounts of energy redirected from pelagic to benthic food webs by benthic suspension feeders. These results increase our knowledge of the energy flows in coastal ecosystems.
Macroalgal turfs in the Azores
Authors: Wallenstein Francisco M. , Terra Marlene R. , Pombo Joana , Neto Ana I. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractStudies on macroalgal communities of the Azores report algal turfs as one of the most conspicuous ecological entities occurring on the rocky shores of these islands. The present study investigates the influence of shore height and substratum on turf composition. Data were analysed using the software PRIMER and results confirmed the previous distinction between calcareous, dominated by articulated coralline algae, and non‐calcareous turfs, characterized mainly by small red algae. However, no differences in species composition were found in either type of turf occurring on different substrata or at different shore levels.
Effect of exposure time on the bioaccumulation of Cd, Mg, Mn and Zn in Cystoseira abies‐marina samples subject to shallow water hydrothermal activity in São Miguel (Azores)
Authors: Wallenstein Francisco M. , Torrão Daniel F. , Neto Ana I. , Wilkinson Martin , Rodrigues Armindo S. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractShallow water hydrothermal vents can be compared to polluted places due to high concentrations of heavy metals, and are thus good models for bioaccumulation studies. The present study intended to estimate the time of exposure required for the accumulation of certain elements to stabilize in specimens of Cystoseira abies‐marina, to be used as a reference in future work. Cystoseira abies‐marina intertidal specimens were transplanted from Mosteiros (a non‐hydrothermal and pristine site) to Ferraria (with hydrothermal activity) and left there. Transplanted samples were collected after 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks and the concentrations of Cd, Mg, Mn and Zn were measured through flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Although further studies with increased periods of exposure are needed because the concentration of these elements never stabilized in the collected samples, there is strong evidence that increased time of exposure led to increased concentrations of Cd, Mg, Mn, but not Zn. These results are consistent with the assumption that C. abies‐marina is bioaccumulating some of the heavy metals and can thus be a good indicator for polluted waters.
Effect of observation method on the perception of community structure and water quality in a brackish water ecosystem
Authors: Möller Tiia , Kotta Jonne , Martin Georg 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe EU Water Framework Directive is a Community legislative instrument in the field of environmental protection that establishes a common framework for keeping water quality at a favourable level. To implement the directive, classification systems need to be established that allow detection of human impacts at early stages and, thus, more effective management of coastal communities. Due to the spatial variability of communities, however, the results of any assessment are highly dependent on the selection of data. In this study we identified local spatial scales in which variability of macrophyte communities was maximised, quantified links between observed patterns of sediment types and communities and estimated how selection criteria impacted the outcome of the assessment of indicator class value in four different communities of the Northern Baltic Sea. The main findings of the study were that: (i) there were no clear local spatial scales in which the variability of benthic communities was maximised; (ii) hard‐bottom communities were better predicted by the spatial arrangement of sediment characteristics than soft‐bottom communities; (iii) the selection of method had no effect on the estimates of macrophyte cover and indicator class; but (iv) method impacted independently of habitat type on error estimates of macrophyte cover and indicator class. To conclude, in such homogeneous and low diversity macrophyte communities it is preferable to use methods that result in lower error estimates of algal coverage and, thus, result in lower uncertainties of estimates in the water quality class.
Distribution and population structure of the fish Helicolenus dactylopterus dactylopterus (Delaroche, 1809) in the Central Mediterranean (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea)
Authors: Pirrera Laura , Bottari Teresa , Busalacchi Barbara , Giordano Daniela , Modica Larissa , Perdichizzi Anna , Perdichizzi Francesco , Profeta Adriana , Rinelli Paola 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe blue‐mouth, Helicolenus dactylopterus dactylopterus (Delaroche, 1809) (Pisces: Scorpaenidae), is a scorpionfish widespread in the whole Mediterranean basin, where it plays an important ecological role in deep‐sea fish communities. The depauperation of this large‐size sedentary and slow‐growing fish can be an index of overexploitation. This species is found throughout all Italian seas; the juveniles are mainly located around 150–300 m depth, whereas the adult specimens are spread over a wider depth range from 200 m to as deep as 1000 m. The abundance in number and weight, the spatial distribution, the population structure, the growth and the recruitment pattern of H. dactylopterus were analysed in this study. The present paper integrates data from 11 bottom trawl surveys carried out in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Central Mediterranean) along Calabrian and Sicilian coasts, within the framework of the MEDITS Project. A total of 1412 specimens of H. dactylopterus weighting 20.051 kg were caught. The species appeared in 40% of the 296 hauls analysed, throughout the whole depth range surveyed. The highest values of frequency of occurrence (>67%) were obtained in the slope, whereas in the shelf they fell to around 16%. On the continental shelf the species was found between 106 and 196 m depth, and in the slope between 400 and 645 m. The highest mean density index (N·km−2) value was obtained in the 100–200 m depth stratum, whereas the highest mean biomass index (kg·km−2) value was recorded in the deeper 200–500 m stratum. The length distribution of the specimens ranged between 2.5 and 24.5 cm. From the Von Bertalanffy growth model the following parameters for the whole population were obtained: L∞: 30 cm; K: 0.16 year−1; t0: −0.02. The sampled population is composed mainly of the young‐of‐the‐year fraction, which can reach up to 98% of the whole catch. Recruits (age 0+) and juveniles (age up 4 years) are limited to waters shallower than 500 m, whereas adults are present below this depth.
Reproduction of the eelgrass Zostera marina at the species southern distributional limit in the Eastern Atlantic
Authors: Cabaço Susana , Santos Rui 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe plant reproductive effort, the seed germination rate and the seedling survival and development of Zostera marina (eelgrass) were assessed in four populations (Fuzeta, Culatra, Barrinha and Armona) at the species’ southern distribution limit in the Eastern Atlantic, the Ria Formosa lagoon. Germinated seeds were individually placed in Petri dishes with natural sandy sediments and kept in a culture chamber at the same temperature and salinity conditions as the natural environment. In addition, seeds from three different depths of Fuzeta population were cultivated in outdoor mesocosms. The populations of Fuzeta and Barrinha showed higher seed production and the seeds produced were heavier than the other populations. The germination of the seeds both in the laboratory and in the outdoor tanks began c. 8–12 weeks after the collection of the flowering shoots at a water temperature of 22 °C. The spontaneous germination in the laboratory (2.4–5.3%) and in the mesocosm experiment (5.6–8.9%) was low and from all the germinated seeds (n = 20) only three reached the seedling stage. The spontaneously germinated seeds from Fuzeta survived for a longer period than those from Barrinha, but only the germinated seeds of Barrinha reached the seedling stage (one‐leaf seedling stage). In outdoor tanks, higher seed germination and earlier seedling emergence (2 weeks after seeding) and survival (for 208 days) occurred for the seeds obtained from the shallow meadow. The reproductive effort of Z. marina populations of Ria Formosa showed that flowering shoots and seed traits are site‐specific. The low reproductive success indicated by the low germination and seedling survival suggests a bottleneck in the species’ reproductive cycle that may account for the scarce presence of the species in Ria Formosa lagoon. The high water temperatures of Ria Formosa in winter may partly explain this bottleneck. Increased temperatures due to climate change may reduce even further the sexual reproduction of Z. marina in its southern distributional limit in the Eastern Atlantic.
Deep‐water Corallium rubrum (L., 1758) from the Mediterranean Sea: preliminary genetic characterisation
Authors: Costantini Federica , Taviani Marco , Remia Alessandro , Pintus Eleonora , Schembri Patrick J. , Abbiati Marco 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe precious red coral Corallium rubrum (L., 1758) lives in the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent Eastern Atlantic Ocean on subtidal hard substrates. Corallium rubrum is a long‐lived gorgonian coral that has been commercially harvested since ancient times for its red axial calcitic skeleton and which, at present, is thought to be in decline because of overexploitation. The depth distribution of C. rubrum is known to range from c. 15 to 300 m. Recently, live red coral colonies have been observed in the Strait of Sicily at depths of c. 600–800 m. This record sheds new light on the ecology, biology, biogeography and dispersal mechanism of this species and calls for an evaluation of the genetic divergence occurring among highly fragmented populations. A genetic characterization of the deep‐sea red coral colonies has been done to investigate biological processes affecting dispersal and population resilience, as well as to define the level of isolation/differentiation between shallow‐ and deep‐water populations of the Mediterranean Sea. Deep‐water C. rubrum colonies were collected at two sites (south of Malta and off Linosa Island) during the cruise MARCOS of the R/V Urania. Collected colonies were genotyped using a set of molecular markers differing in their level of polymorphism. Microsatellites have been confirmed to be useful markers for individual genotyping of C. rubrum colonies. ITS‐1 and mtMSH sequences of deep‐water red coral colonies were found to be different from those found in shallow water colonies, suggesting the possible occurrence of genetic isolation among shallow‐ and deep‐water populations. These findings suggest that genetic diversity of red coral over its actual range of depth distribution is shaped by complex interactions among geological, historical, biological and ecological processes.