bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A perspective on community‐based management at Lake Zangi Nawar, Baluchistan, Pakistan
Authors: Khan Aleem Ahmed , Sheik Kashif M. , Wright Gordon 
Published: June 2006

AbstractPakistan covers 79.1 million ha in which the area of water is estimated at 7.8 million ha and provides food and shelter to the local inhabitants as well as visiting and resident wildfowl. From early July to late September, monsoons reach into Pakistan and are of immense significance to the country's wildlife and agro‐based communities. However, a vast part of the country, mainly Baluchistan province, remains deprived of this rain but in winter seasonal rains and snow occur, particularly in Quetta, Zhoba and Pishin valleys. This rain and snow melt water provides a source of sustenance to the people of not only Baluchistan, but also Afghanistan. This water settles in a chain of lagoons in the Chagai desert, and provides much bird habitat. For centuries, Lake Zangi Nawar has been used by hundreds of thousand of birds and many local tribes. The people and governments have collectively made small dams so that this large source of water may be of help through seasonal agriculture and pasture management for their livestock, on which the people mainly depend. The lake is the sole source for raising the water‐table for the nearby villages who use this for drinking purposes. These Baluch tribes are barely literate, but with experience they have recognized that the lake and its valuable by‐products are of immense advantage. Thus, they carefully watch and guard the whole area. The study considers the available resources, the community response, and the development made by the visitors at Zangi Nawar. It also provides options and suggestions for long‐term sustainable management of the wetland and its resources.
Regulation of plankton and benthic communities and water quality by cyprinid fish
Authors: Tátrai István , Oláh János , Józsa Vilmos , Kawiecka Barbara J. , Mátyás Kálmán , Paulovits Gábor , Pekár Ferenc , Szabó Pal 
Published: June 2006

AbstractDuring the first year of a 4 year pond experiment, the conditions under which fish manipulation has any effect on lower trophic levels and water clarity was studied. Cyprinid fish of mature age classes (3+‐ 4+) were introduced into each of three experimental ponds with an area of 0.3 ha (average depth ∼1.7 m), while a fourth pond was left free of fish. Bream (Abramis brama L.), white bream (Blicca bjoerkna L.) and roach (Rutilus rutilus L.) made up 75% of the total cyprinid biomass, with wild carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) as the remaining 25%. The introduced fish spawned successfully. Different fish stocks (100, 300 and 500 kg ha−1) were simulated in each of the three experimental ponds. The high (above 300 kg ha−1) planktivorous and benthivorous fish stocks resulted in several qualitative and quantitative alterations to the food chain structure in these simulation pond experiments. These alterations must largely be assigned to changes caused by both the zooplanktivorous and benthivorous nature of the stocked fish populations. At the higher levels of fish biomass, Secchi depth was influenced significantly by chlorophyll a concentration. Most of the variance in suspended solids concentration could be explained by the biomass ratio of the mature benthivorous fish. There was a clear shift in algal cell size in the ponds with the higher fish stocks; ponds with more fish had large cells later in the summer. The relative influence of young cyprinid fish on crustacean species composition and biomass, and mature populations on benthic fauna abundance and biomass, was significantly greater at higher (300‐500 kg ha−1) fish stock rates.
Geochemistry of mercury in sediments from Lake Biwa in Japan
Authors: Chandrajith Rohana , Okumura Minoru 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThree core samples from Lake Biwa, Japan, were analysed for mercury (Hg) and other heavy metals (iron, manganese, zinc, copper, lead, nickel, chromium, cobalt). The concentration of Hg in the core samples investigated varied from 106 to 222 ng/g. The sedimentary records of the lake indicate that the anthropogenic input of Hg parallels the increasing intensity of cultural activities in the lake basin. The maximum anthropogenic input could be identified for Hg during the mid‐1960s. The geo‐chemical data of the lake sediments are used to evaluate the behaviour of Hg with other trace metals.
Towards sustainable utilization of Lake Naivasha, Kenya
Authors: Abiya I. O. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe current trend of utilization of the resources of Lake Naivasha poses serious threats to the fragile lake ecosystem and its biodiversity. The paper considers the dynamics of the changing lake ecosystem, imminent threats to, and the community‐based approach towards the sustainable utilization of the lake. The sustainable use of the lake will not be fully realized without a sound management plan. There is a need to enact consolidated environmental legislation in Kenya, which will enable the strengthening of environmental conservation and the protection for sustainable utilization of natural resources.
The impacts of power boating and water skiing on lakes and reservoirs
Authors: Mosisch Thorsten D. , Arthington Angela H. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractOver the last 30 years, the use of motorised recreational craft on inland waters has increased significantly, and it is likely that this trend will continue. This growing use of rivers, lakes and water storage reservoirs for recreational purposes has led to concerns about increasing anthropological pressures on freshwater environments. As a result, numerous studies focusing on the possible impact of power boats on inland waterbodies have been undertaken since the early 1970s, when attention started to be drawn to environmental impacts associated with this type of recreation. This paper presents an overview of identified and documented physical, chemical and biological impacts as a result of motorised recreational activities on lakes and reservoirs. Relevant literature, including research papers, government reports and bibliographies, was consulted in the preparation of this review. It has become obvious that in the past, biological impacts have been underestimated. Thus, there is a need for further, more focused, research into the impacts on not only freshwater ecosystems but on terrestrial biota surrounding recreational waters.
Estimation of bacterial production through the coupling of (methyl 3H) Thymidine incorporation and several parameters over a Microcystis aeruginosa bloom in a hypereutrophic reservoir
Authors: Aleya Lotfi , Durieu Michel , Devaux Jean 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe coupling of the changes in bacterial quantitative and metabolic aspects during Microcystis aeruginosa bloom conditions together with several environmental parameters was studied in the hypereutrophic Villerest reservoir, France. Bacterial abundance varied from 5.20 to 21.28 × 106 bacteria‐mL−1, while bacterial biomass ranged between 75 and 507 μg C mL−1. These results confirmed the highly eutrophic status of the Villerest reservoir. The relative quantitative importance of attached bacteria increased as Microcystis proliferated. Methyl‐3H incorporation and D‐(U‐14C) glucose uptake varied from 8.99 to 60.57 × 106 cells‐mL−1, and 0.016 to 1.587 μg CL−1 h−1, respectively. Correlations between several abiotic and biotic parameters showed that phytoplankton regulated bacterial growth by releasing organic carbon which is directly uptaken by heterotrophic bacteria. In the hypolimnion, the sedimentation of decaying algae represented a substantial substrate for bacterial growth.
Modelling and prediction of phyto‐ and zooplankton dynamics in Lake Kasumigaura by artificial neural networks
Authors: Recknagel Friedrich , Fukushima Takehiko , Hanazato Takayuki , Takamura Noriko , Wilson Hugh 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAn artificial neural network model was developed for Lake Kasumigaura to predict timing and magnitudes for chlorophyll a, five species of blue‐green algae and three zooplankton groups. The model was trained by 8 years of limnological time series and validated by two independent years. The validation showed the potential of neural networks as predictive tools for highly non‐linear phenomena such as blue‐green algal blooms in freshwater lakes.
Treatment with insulin glargine does not suppress serum IGF‐1
Authors: Slawik M. , Schories M. , Busse Grawitz A. , Reincke M. , Petersen K.‐G. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAims  A 6–8‐fold higher insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) receptor binding affinity in vitro is reported for the insulin analogue glargine compared with human insulin. This study evaluates the in vivo significance by exploring the growth hormone (GH)–IGF‐1 axis. Assuming a higher binding affinity of insulin glargine to pituitary IGF‐1 receptors, serum IGF‐1 concentrations should decrease via negative feedback.Methods  In a crossover study, insulin glargine or NPH insulin, respectively, were used in identical doses as basal insulins in treatment periods of 3 weeks.Results  Overall glycaemic control was not different between the treatment regimens. In contrast to the hypothesis, serum IGF‐1 concentrations were higher during insulin glargine treatment compared with NPH insulin in patients with Type 1 diabetes (177 ± 18 vs. 159 ± 18 µg/l, P < 0.02, n = 17, age 28 ± 2 years). The effect on IGF‐1 was most pronounced in male patients with Type 1 diabetes (174 ± 11 vs. 146 ± 10 µg/l, P < 0.02, n = 10), but was not significant in patients with Type 2 diabetes (92 ± 9 vs. 86 ± 8 µg/l, NS, n = 25, age 66 ± 2 years).Conclusions  In contrast to our hypothesis, serum IGF‐1 did not decrease, but rose during insulin glargine treatment, suggesting an absence of relevant IGF‐1‐like activity of glargine at the level of the pituitary. Improved plasma glucose at dawn during glargine treatment may intensify growth hormone surges and increase IGF‐1 synthesis. Significant increases were seen in younger patients, compatible with the higher activity of the GH–IGF‐1 axis in this age group.
Successful cardiovascular risk reduction in Type 2 diabetes by nurse‐led care using an open clinical algorithm
Authors: Woodward A. , Wallymahmed M. , Wilding J. , Gill G. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAims  To implement a protocol‐driven, nurse‐led cardiovascular risk reduction clinic using an open clinical algorithm. The primary aim of the clinic was to optimize blood pressure (BP) control; secondary aims were to reduce modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.Methods  We studied 110 people with Type 2 diabetes attending a diabetes out‐patient centre at University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool. Patients taking one or more antihypertensive drugs were selected for referral to the nurse‐led clinic if BP was > 140/85 mmHg; there was no age threshold. An open clinical algorithm was designed to direct the nurse on the use of antihypertensive, statin and aspirin therapy plus lifestyle advice and concordance.Results  Thirty‐one percent of patients attending for a first visit to the nurse‐led clinic had BP within target when measured to British Hypertension Society standards out of the consultant clinic. Mean BP was 150/76 mmHg compared with 178/88 mmHg (P < 0.001). Subsequently, BP was reduced to 130/68 mmHg (P < 0.001), this reduction being sustained at review 9 months later (mean BP 133/67 mmHg), with 87 (79%) achieving BP ≤ 140/85 mmHg. Treatment modalities were adjusted to reduce cardiovascular risk, including antihypertensive medication, lipid‐lowering therapy and antiplatelet therapy. High‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol improved from 1.2 ± 0.5 mmol/l to 1.4 ± 0.5 mmol/l (P = 0.004). The number of patients with microalbuminuria decreased from 41 (47%) to 25 (28%) (P = 0.02), with a fall in urinary albumin:creatinine ratio from 3.0 (1.3–7.9) to 1.8 (1.0–5.0) mg/mmol (P = 0.01). The number of smokers decreased from 22 (20%) to 14 (13%) (P = 0.01). Although not included as an intervention in the protocol, HbA1c improved to 8.1 ± 1.6% from 8.7 ± 1.6% (P < 0.001).Conclusion  A protocol‐driven, nurse‐led clinic using an open clinical algorithm can be used effectively to manage cardiovascular risk reduction in Type 2 diabetes.
Prevalence of silent myocardial ischaemia in new‐onset middle‐aged Type 2 diabetic patients without other cardiovascular risk factors
Authors: Fornengo P. , Bosio A. , Epifani G. , Pallisco O. , Mancuso A. , Pascale C. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAims  Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in patients with Type 2 diabetes and is often asymptomatic. Silent myocardial ischaemia (SMI) is frequent in diabetic subjects and is responsible for a late diagnosis of CAD; its early detection is important. There are some data about the prevalence of SMI in Type 2 diabetic patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease, while no data are available in subjects at the onset of diabetes without other cardiovascular risk factors.Methods  We screened 274 consecutive patients (mean age 64.3 ± 8.4 years, 66% male) at the time of diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes; we enrolled 111 subjects without other cardiovascular disease risk factors (dyslipidaemia, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, retinopathy, microalbuminuria, history of heart disease) and with normal resting electrocardiogram (ECG). Participants performed a maximal ECG exercise protocol and, if positive, underwent coronary angiography.Results  The ECG exercise test was positive in 19 patients (17.1%); of those 14 (13%) had angiographic coronary disease (one with three‐vessel disease, three with two vessels and 10 with one vessel involved). The positive predictive value of the exercise ECG for predicting angiographic coronary disease was 73%.Conclusions  The prevalence of SMI was 17% and angiographic coronary disease was found in 13% of middle‐aged subjects with new‐onset Type 2 diabetes without other cardiovascular risk factors. This prevalence is similar to that observed in studies of subjects with long duration diabetes who have additional cardiovascular risk factors.
Beyond Balassa–Samuelson: Real appreciation in tradables in transition countries1
Authors: Cincibuch Martin , Podpiera Jiří 
Published: June 2006

AbstractWe decompose real appreciation in tradables derived from producer price indexes in three Central European countries between the pricing‐to‐market component (disparity) and the local relative price component (the substitution ratio). Appreciation is only partially explained by local relative prices. The rest is absorbed by disparity, depending on the size of the no‐arbitrage band. The observed disparity fluctuates in a wider band for differentiated products than for commodity like goods.
Growth in transition economies: A trade policy perspective1
Authors: Barlow David 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThis paper examines the influence of trade liberalization on GDP growth during the transition from communism. The level of trade liberalization is found to raise the growth rate, particularly in the early part of the transition and for the countries nearest to the European Union. For the remaining countries and for the later transition period, the positive influence of trade reform on growth requires the negative effect of the interaction between trade reform and privatization to be taken into account. Even with the interaction terms the effect of trade liberalization is not statistically significant in the later transition period.
Skin problems after a tsunami
Authors: Lee SH , Choi CP , Eun HC , Kwon OS 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground  On December 26, 2004, the biggest earthquake for 40 years, measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale, triggered a tsunami that pounded the coastal areas of South Asia and East Africa. The effects of the tsunami on skin conditions have not been evaluated.Objective  To determine the influence of the tsunami on skin conditions by evaluating the skin problems of patients presenting at hospitals after the tsunami.Methods  Between 5 and 25 January 2005, two dermatologists evaluated patients who complained of skin problems at an outpatient clinic and emergency room of a general hospital in Banda Aceh, Aceh Province, Indonesia.Results  The total number of patients that presented during the study period was 235 (131 males and 104 females), and they had a total of 265 skin problems. In terms of age distribution, most subjects were in their fourth decade (23.0%), followed by the third (22.6%) and fifth decade (16.6%). The most prevalent skin problems were infections–infestations (32.5%), followed by eczemas (29.8%) and traumatic skin disorders (29.4%). In males, traumatic skin disorders were most common. The great majority of infection–infestation cases involved superficial fungal infections. Contact dermatitis accounted for three‐quarters of eczema cases, and mainly involved the arms (40.0%) and legs (27.1%). The majority of traumatic skin disorders were lacerations, punctures and penetrations, and the feet (44.7%) and hands (18.8%) were most frequently affected.Conclusions  Unhygienic conditions, exposure to a hazardous environment and contact with various objects during and after the tsunami probably increased the prevalence of infections–infestations, traumatic skin disorders and contact dermatitis. To prevent these problems and associated secondary bacterial infections, health‐related education and early medical management are required.
Treatment of chronic hepatitis delta with pegylated interferon‐α2b
Authors: Erhardt Andreas , Gerlich Wolfram , Starke Christine , Wend Ulrike , Donner Andreas , Sagir Abdurrahman , Heintges Tobias , Häussinger Dieter 
Published: June 2006

Abstract: Background/Aims: Chronic hepatitis D is difficult to treat. The present pilot study investigated the efficacy and tolerability of pegylated (PEG)‐interferon (IFN)‐α2b in chronic hepatitis D.Patients and Methods: Twelve patients with chronic hepatitis D were prospectively treated with 1.5 μg/kg PEG‐IFN‐α2b for 48 weeks and followed for 24 weeks. Sustained response (SR) was defined as undetectable hepatitis delta virus (HDV) RNA by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) at 6 months after treatment. Investigations included HDV RNA kinetics, determination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HDV genotypes and histological evaluation.Results: An SR was achieved in two out of 12 of patients (17%). The negative predictive value of a less than 3 log HDV RNA decrease at month 6 was 100%. The positive predictive value of a more than 3 log HDV RNA decrease at month 6 was 67%. A marked ALT reduction at the end of treatment was observed in responders and nonresponders. Ishak histological score was comparable at baseline and significantly improved in responders compared with nonresponders at the end of follow‐up (13.5 vs. 8.0; P<0.02).Conclusion: The present study indicates that PEG‐IFN‐α2b is a promising treatment option in chronic hepatitis D. Nonresponders could be identified by a less than 3 log decrease of HDV RNA at 6 months of treatment.
Remission of severely impaired subjective wellbeing in 727 patients with schizophrenia treated with amisulpride
Authors: Lambert M. , Naber D. , Eich F. X. , Schacht M. , Linden M. , Schimmelmann B. G. 
Published: June 2006

Objective:  Studies of subjective wellbeing (SW) in schizophrenia have missed to define and to assess rate and predictors of SW response (SW‐res) and SW remission (SW‐rem).Method:  A total of 727 patients with schizophrenia and severely impaired SW at entry (Subjective Wellbeing under Neuroleptics Scale, short version, SWN‐K, total score ≤60) were treated with amisulpride over 12 weeks. SW‐res was defined as SWN total score increase of at least 20% and by at least 10 points and SW‐rem as total score of ≥80 points.Results:  Seventy percent fulfilled the SW‐res criterion at week 4. At week 4 and week 12 (endpoint), the SW response criterion distinguished between patients with or without later SW remission and overall symptomatic and functional response. While 39% fulfilled the SW‐rem criterion at endpoint, only 9.1% without early SW‐res were in SW‐rem at follow‐up. Regression analyses indicated that SW‐res was mainly predicted by greater severity of positive symptoms at baseline and SW‐rem by lower severity of negative symptoms and better social functioning, and particularly by early SW‐res.Conclusion:  Patients with a risk of SW non‐remission need to be identified early with subsequent treatment adaptation according to recommendations for incomplete remission and treatment resistance in schizophrenia.
Therapeutic effect of passive mobilization exercise on improvement of muscle regeneration and prevention of fibrosis after laceration injury of rat
Authors: Hwang J. H. , Ra Y. J. , Lee K. M. , Lee J. Y. , Ghil S. H. 
Published: June 2006

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the muscle healing effect of passive mobilization exercises after a laceration injury.DESIGN: Randomized‐controlled trial.SETTING: Basic science laboratory.ANIMALS: Male Sprague–Dawley rats (N=36), age ranging from 8 to 10 weeks and weight ranging from 300 to 400 g.INTERVENTION: The bilateral gastrocnemius muscles were lacerated. The left‐leg muscles were used as the study groups and the right side was used as the control (lacerated muscles without any treatment, n=8). In the exercise group (n=24), passive mobilization exercise (15 min/day) was performed for 5 days starting from different time points (2, 7, and 14 days postlaceration). The decorin group (n=8) was injected with decorin (50 μg at 14 days postlaceration), which is a well‐known antifibrotic agent. Four animals were used as the normal controls, in which only the muscle strength was evaluated. All the animals were killed 4 weeks after the laceration.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The histologic characterization of muscle regeneration (hematoxylin and eosin staining, number and diameter of the centronucleated, regenerating myofibers), muscle fibrosis (vimentin‐positive area, Masson modified trichrome staining positive area), and muscle strength (analysis of fast twitch strength).RESULTS: The level of fibrosis was more than 50% lower in the exercise and decorin groups than in the control (P<0.05). The decorin group showed the highest number of regenerated, new myofibers, and the highest muscle strength. All of the exercise groups, regardless of the starting time of exercise, also showed significant improvement in regeneration and strength. However, the exercise group starting 14 days after the laceration showed the best results.CONCLUSIONS: Stretching exercises after a muscle laceration injury has a strong antifibrotic effect, as much as a well‐known antifibrotic agent, decorin. According to the results, the best time to begin stretching exercises is 14 days after laceration for antifibrosis and muscle regeneration.