bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term changes of diatoms and chemistry in headwater streams polluted by atmospheric deposition of sulphur and nitrogen compounds
Authors: VAN DAM HERMAN , MERTENS ADRIENNE 
Published: May 2006

SUMMARY1. Samples for the analysis of attached diatoms and surface water chemistry were taken at thirty‐five stations in sixteen soft‐water streams in the Netherlands during autumn 1990. Most were located in pine forest and heathland catchments, fed by deep groundwater (median residence time 87 years), with no direct influence of agricultural or urban drainage water.2. The chemical data from sixteen stations were compared with data collected in 1974 and 1981. There were no significant increases in pH (6.3 in 1974, 6–4 in 1990) or in sulphate (200 mmol m−3in 1974, 229 mmol m−3in 1990). Over the same period nitrate increased significantly from 17 to 158 mmol m−3, while alkalinity decreased significantly from 355 to 251 meq m−3.3. The most important correlates with the distribution of diatoms, as revealed by canonical correspondence analysis, were pH, nitrate, cross‐sectional area of the stream and the Ca/(Ca + Cl) ratio.4. Diatom assemblages of upstream stations indicated more acid conditions than those of downstream stations. Also there was considerable variation in the diatom assemblages of different habitats,5. A diatom‐pH transfer function was developed using the weighted‐averaging method. The function was applied to comparable pairs of samples which were collected in 1974 and 1990 at ten stations. There was a significant decrease in the median diatom‐inferred pH from 6.78 in 1974 to 6.55 in 1990.6. The diatom assemblages are diverse and contain a high proportion of filamentous diatoms, particularlyAulacoseira crenulataandA. alpigena, which are rare in Western Europe. This is a response to the low current velocity (median 5 cm−1) and the relatively constant deep groundwater discharge.
The stream as a habitat templet for bryophytes: species' distributions along gradients in disturbance and substratum heterogeneity
Authors: MUOTKA TIMO , VIRTANEN RISTO 
Published: May 2006

SUMMARY1. The structure of bryophyte communities in streams in relation to habitat characteristics, especially disturbance, is described. Disturbance in rivers is quantified as movement of the stream bed, whereas in small streams water level fluctuation is used as an indicator of disturbance frequency.2. Canonical correspondence analysis differentiated frequently disturbed sites from more stable ones. The existence of a disturbance gradient was confirmed in a subset of the study sites using long‐term records of discharge variation. A parallel change was detected in the species composition of bryophyte communities with low‐statured, potentially fast colonizers dominating the disturbed end and large perennial species the stable end of the gradient.3. A consistent pattern of zonation of bryophyte species was found along the gradient from continually submersed to persistently dry conditions in small streams and lake outlets. An abrupt increase in species richness occurred at or just above the water line, where facultatively aquatic species tolerant of both conditions formed the bulk of the community.4. The relationship between species richness and standing crop in stream bryophyte communities was consistent with the hump‐backed model of Grime (1979), especially at the within‐habitat scale. Quadrats of low and very high standing crop were characterized by low species richness, while peak richness was observed at intermediate standing crops.5. A few perennial species (e.g. Fontinalis spp. and Rhynchostegium riparioides) capable of monopolizing space dominated the most stable habitats. Species composition in low biomass sites was more variable, yet only one basic growth‐form (small‐statured species with high allocation to spore production) seemed possible in these highly disturbed streams. In habitats of intermediate biomass, small‐scale disturbances apparently allow the formation of a more varied bryophyte community.6. A habitat templet for stream bryophyte life strategies and community structure is presented. Disturbance is proposed to be the factor filtering out traits unsuitable for a given environment. The potential of stream bryophytes for testing and developing general ecological theory is emphasized.
Food selection by calanoid copepods in response to between‐lake variation in food abundance
Authors: DEMOTT WILLIAM R. 
Published: May 2006

SUMMARY1. Food selection experiments were conducted by acclimating calanoid copepods (Eudiaptomus spp.) in suspensions of natural seston and then adding pairs of dual‐labelled (14C/32P) algae. Each feeding trial measured selectivity between a small, high‐quality reference alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardii, and a test alga that differed in size and/or food quality. The influence of food concentration on food selection was tested by using seston from two lakes with contrasting food abundance and by including treatments with filtered lake water ('starved’) and seston diluted with filtered water or enriched with cultured algae.2. Copepods that had been starved or acclimated to natural seston with low food abundance preferred the larger of two labelled algae, regardless of the nutritional quality of the algae. In agreement with the predictions of an optimal diet model, however, copepods that were acclimated to high food conditions discriminated against low‐quality foods, including digestion‐resistant algae and dead algae.3. Selectivity coefficients showed excellent agreement with a previous study involving the same taxa of copepods and labelled algae but in which the copepods had been acclimated to pairs of cultured algae rather than natural seston. Thus, these comparisons emphasize the importance of food availability in modulating copepod selectivity for foods that differ in nutritional quality and suggest that such behaviour occurs in nature.
Influence of bacterial density and water temperature on the grazing activity of two freshwater ciliates
Authors: IRIBERRI JUAN , AYO BEGOÑA , SANTAMARIA ESTHER , BARCINA ISABEL , EGEA LUIS 
Published: May 2006

SUMMARY1. The influences of bacterial density and water temperature on the grazing activity of the ciliates Uronema sp. and Colpoda inflata were studied. The conditions assayed were two prey densities (106 and 4 × 107 bacteria ml−1) and three water temperatures (10, 15 and 22 °C).2. The response of the ciliates was measured from changes in protistan biovolumes and specific clearance rates. At high prey density, both ciliates showed lower biovolumes as water temperature increased, while at low prey density this tendency was minimized.3. At the intermediate temperature of 15 °C both ciliates filtered ten times more body volume when bacteria were scarce; however, the ingested bacteria were fewer than at high prey density. At low prey density, a decrease from 15 to 10 °C evidenced different strategies of the two ciliates, which led to a similar ingestion of bacteria: C. inflata reduced its specific clearance rates and increased its biovolume, while Uronema sp. did not show changes. At high prey density, an increase from 15 to 22 °C caused lower biovolumes and a noticeable increase in specific clearance rates in both ciliates, indicating opportunist behaviour.
Factors influencing the stability of nutrient‐enriched freshwater macrophyte communities: the role of sticklebacks Pungitius pungitius and freshwater snails
Authors: DALDORPH P.W.G. , THOMAS J.D. 
Published: May 2006

SUMMARY1. Enclosures, with the following characteristics, were used to investigate the effects of increased nutrient (nitrate and phosphate) loading on freshwater communities: (a) controls with normal densities of invertebrates, and including macrophytes, molluscs and fish (sticklebacks), and communities similar to the controls but with (b) much reduced snail densities and (c) increased fish densities.2. The addition of nutrients resulted in increases in the biomass of phytoplankton and epiphyton, as well as zooplankton counts, in all the experimental enclosures.3. A reduction in the snail population density resulted in a significant decrease in phytoplankton density and an increase, compared to controls, in the density of epiphytic algae growing on the leaves of the submerged macrophytes, Potamogeton crispus and Groenlandia densa. It also resulted in a significant increase (3.5 times that in the controls) in chlorophyll‐a values of epilithic algae growing on glass slides, an increase in senescent tissue in macrophytes and a decline in the mass of Groenlandia densa by the end of the experiment.4. An increase in the fish population resulted in a significant decline, compared to the controls, in the densities of zooplankton (including Chydorus sphaericus and copepods), Lymnaea peregra (from May to mid‐June), Asellus meridianus, Crangonyx pseudagracilis, Culex (P.) molestus and Physa fontinalis. It also resulted in a change in the composition of the phytoplankton, with an increase in the large colonial Eudorina elegans and a decline in smaller planktonic algae, including Ankistrodesmus and Cryptomonas spp.5. The possible mechanisms responsible for the effects are evaluated and their relevance to conservation and management of freshwater macrophyte communities are discussed.
Distraction in a case of otopalatodigital syndrome type II
Authors: BATRA P. , RYAN F. S. , WITHEROW H. , CALVERT M. L. 
Published: May 2006

Summary.  Introduction.  Otopalatodigital syndrome type II is a rare X‐linked recessive disorder with generalized skeletal dysplasia and hearing anomalies. Its features include conductive hearing loss, unusual facies, cleft palate, micrognathia, and overlapping flexed fingers and toes. It is a more lethal variant of otopalatodigital syndrome type I. There are many consistently reported craniofacial and dental findings; however, no case has been published in dental literature.Case report.  We report a case of otopalatodigital syndrome type II with micrognathia, cleft of the soft palate, and partial anodontia, and discuss the combined orthodontic and surgical management.Conclusion.  We also discuss the differential diagnosis and consider more recent theories on possible aetiology as well as clinical management strategies for such cases.
Predictors of exercise participation in female hospital nurses
Authors: Kaewthummanukul Thanee , Brown Kathleen C. , Weaver Michael T. , Thomas Robert R. 
Published: May 2006

Aim.  This paper presents a study to ascertain the relationship between exercise participation and selected personal factors, perceived benefits of and barriers to exercise, perceived self‐efficacy, perceived social support, job demands and motivation. Factors that were the best predictors of exercise participation among Thai female hospital nurses were examined.Background.  Although current evidence demonstrates positive outcomes from participation in exercise, most individuals do not engage in regular exercise. Perceptions of benefits have been shown to facilitate adoption of exercise. If individuals do not perceive their health to be threatened, they may not see the need to exercise, even though they may believe that exercise improves health. Perceived barriers to exercise, including work, lack of social support, inaccessibility of exercise facilities, the cost of exercise, lack of energy and health reasons also have been shown to affect participation in exercise. Most studies have found that perceived self‐efficacy and social support were statistically significant predictors of exercise participation, especially social support from family and friends.Methods.  A correlational cross‐sectional study was conducted at a hospital located in Thailand. Social cognitive theory and the Health Promotion Model guided this study. Thai language translations of the questionnaire were distributed to all Thai female nurses. The data were collected in 2002.Results.  The response was 87% and resulted in 970 completed questionnaires. There was a statistically significant relationship between exercise participation and the set of selected personal factors, perceived benefits of and barriers to exercise, perceived self‐efficacy, and perceived social support (r2 = 0·17, P < 0·0001). The addition of job demands and its interactions did not contribute statistically significantly to the prediction of exercise participation. The addition of motivation contributed statistically significantly to the prediction of exercise participation, t(947, 0·975) = 2·81, P < 0·01 (two‐tailed). Not all variables included in the models were statistically significant independent predictors of exercise participation.Conclusions.  The results indicate that increased exercise participation is dependent on the nurses’ perceptions of exercise, self‐efficacy and social support as well as their motivation to participate in exercise. Occupational variables, such as occupational stress and work assignment, should be investigated in future studies, to examine their influence on nurses’ participation in exercise.
Nutritional counselling: an intervention for HIV‐positive patients
Authors: Tabi Marian , Vogel Robert L. 
Published: May 2006

Aim.  This paper reports an investigation of the effectiveness of nutritional counselling as an intervention to improve health outcomes for HIV‐positive patients in Ghana, West Africa.Background.  In Ghana, like many developing countries, more patients with HIV and AIDS die because of their poor nutritional status than from the disease itself. With the lack of highly active anti‐retroviral therapy for most HIV‐infected patients in developing countries, nutritional counselling about high protein diet can be an essential intervention to reduce weight loss and improve weight gain and survival outcomes.Method.  We used secondary‐analytic data collected in summer 2003. Recorded monthly weights of HIV‐positive patients were obtained and analysed for 25 people, whose ages ranged from 21 to 60 years, with a mean of 39·4 years (sd = 10·13).Results.  HIV‐positive patients responded favourably to nutritional counselling about protein dietary intake as an intervention to improve weight gain. Repeated measures showed a statistically significant weight gain (P = 0·008).Conclusion.  In the absence of anti‐retroviral therapy, high protein nutrition can be an effective intervention for HIV‐positive patients in developing countries. The health and nutritional status of the patients can be improved through nutritious food, allowing them to lead longer and better quality lives.
Women and abortion: the past reaches into the present
Authors: Trybulski JoAnn 
Published: May 2006

Aim.  This paper reports a study of women's responses to abortion over an extended time.Background.  Most studies of postabortion responses do not portray what women experience over an extended time period, since many only use a 24 month follow‐up period. Results from previous studies indicate that women have thoughts about their abortion that they suppress or find intrusive.Method.  Sixteen women who had chosen to terminate a pregnancy for non‐medical reasons at least 15 years previously were interviewed during the years 1999–2001. This phenomenological study revealed their responses to and thoughts about their abortion(s).Findings.  Each of the women spoke about thinking of their abortion(s) at varied times. The abortion(s) was/were not a time‐limited event; instead thoughts, emotions, and insights about the meaning of these experiences were on‐going, as life events unfolded. The past reached into the present in varied ways and at unplanned times. Difficulties with subsequent pregnancies, life milestones, and mundane occurrences involving friends' children were common triggers for recurring thoughts about past abortions. These recurrent thoughts had characteristics of avoidance or suppression and intrusion.Conclusion.  When taking an obstetric history, nurses and midwives should be sensitive when inquiring about discrepancies between the number of times a woman has been pregnant and the number of living children. Opportunity should be given for a woman to discuss in a safe, non‐judgmental environment any emotions or thoughts she may express. Providers of women's healthcare services must reflect about ways to reassure women of the common nature of recurrent thoughts and the spectrum of emotional responses that, even years later, is normal.
Netherton syndrome: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Sun Joannie D. , Linden Kenneth G. 
Published: May 2006

Netherton syndrome is a rare disorder inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern consisting of ichthyosiform dermatosis, hair shaft abnormalities (trichorrhexis invaginata), and an atopic diathesis. Patients with Netherton syndrome have been found to have a mutation on chromosome 5q32 in a gene named SPINK5 (serine protease inhibitor, Kazal type‐5), which encodes an inhibitor of serine proteases called LEKTI.We report a female patient with previously undiagnosed Netherton syndrome who presented to participate in a clinical research trial investigating the benefit of topical tacrolimus 0.03% ointment [Protopic® (Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Japan)] for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. This patient was confirmed to have a gene mutation in SPINK5. Current literature suggests a relative contraindication for use of topical tacrolimus in patients with Netherton syndrome owing to concern for increased systemic absorption of the drug. Our patient was not able to tolerate topical tacrolimus owing to local irritation, and did not derive any benefit from therapy.Though rare, when evaluating patients with a possible diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, an index of suspicion for Netherton Syndrome must be maintained. History and overall clinical findings, especially in regards to examination of the hair, will aid in diagnosis.
Lean body mass‐adjusted Cockcroft and Gault formula improves the estimation of glomerular filtration rate in subjects with normal‐range serum creatinine
Authors: LIM WAI H , LIM EE M , McDONALD STEPHEN 
Published: May 2006

SUMMARY:Background:  Assessment of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in individuals with normal‐range serum creatinine is important in certain clinical situations, such as in potential living kidney donors. Accurate measurements of GFR invariably involve using an invasive method (e.g. inulin clearances), but is inconvenient. The aim of the present study was to determine whether serum creatinine‐based prediction formulae adjusted for lean body mass (LBM) could improve the accuracy of GFR estimation in these subjects.Methods:  Glomerular filtration rate was determined by the clearance of technetium‐99m‐labelled diethylenetriamine penta‐acetic acid (99mTc DTPA) from plasma in 56 subjects with normal serum creatinine. For each subject, GFR was estimated using prediction formulae ± LBM adjustment and compared with measured GFR. Formulae analysed include Cockcroft–Gault, Levey, Gates, Mawer, Hull, Toto, Jellife and Bjornsson.Results:  All formulae ± LBM adjustment underestimated measured GFR, with poor precision, poor agreement and correlation (r 2 ≤ 0.25). Between 69% and 95% of the estimated GFR determined by the formulae correctly classified those with a normal measured GFR. LBM‐adjusted formulae significantly improved the accuracy of GFR estimation compared with unadjusted formulae.Conclusion:  The lean body mass‐adjusted Cockcroft–Gault formula was the closest to measured GFR but is not accurate enough to replace radionuclide GFR measurement. Prediction formulae should be adjusted for LBM to improve GFR estimation.
Can spot urine protein/creatinine ratio replace 24 h urine protein in usual clinical nephrology?
Authors: LANE CATHIE , BROWN MARK , DUNSMUIR WILLIAM , KELLY JOHN , MANGOS GEORGE 
Published: May 2006

SUMMARY:Background:  This prospective study was designed to assess whether a single urine specimen, collected at the time of clinical assessment, could be used to estimate 24 h urinary protein excretion.Methods:  The spot urinary protein/creatinine ratio (P/Cr) and 24 h urine protein and creatinine excretion were determined from 103 patients attending a nephrology clinic. Using the spot urine P/Cr, a regression equation was derived, predicting 24 h protein excretion. The performance of the regression equation was tested on a new cohort of 85 patients. Within this new cohort, agreement between the predicted and the actual 24 h urinary protein excretion was assessed using the Bland–Altman technique. The ability of spot urine P/Cr and dipstick urinalysis to predict different threshold levels of protein excretion was assessed using a series of receiver operator curves.Results:  A logarithmic relationship exists between the spot P/Cr and 24 h protein excretion, with a correlation of 0.92, P < 0.0001. Agreement between the actual and predicted 24 h urine protein and between spot and 24 h urine P/Cr ratios was suboptimal at higher levels of protein excretion. Discriminant spot urine P/Cr values reliably predicted protein excretion thresholds of 0.3, 0.5, 1.0 and 3.0 g/day. Urinalysis was a poor test for quantitating protein excretion.Conclusion:  Random spot urinary P/Cr predicts actual 24 h protein excretion with reasonable accuracy in patients with lower levels of protein excretion but is unreliable in patients with high protein excretion and should not be used in the clinical setting unless 24 h urine collection is unavailable.
Incidence and risk factors for the development of acute renal failure in patients with ventilator‐associated pneumonia
Authors: GURSEL GUL , DEMIR NALAN 
Published: May 2006

SUMMARY:Aim:  Infections are one of the most important risk factors for the development of acute renal failure (ARF) and ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP) has been reported as one of the most frequent infection in intensive care units (ICU). Sepsis, shock, multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS), use of nephrotoxic antibiotics and mechanical ventilation are potential risk factors for development of ARF during VAP. The objective of the study was to evaluate the incidence of ARF in patients with VAP and the role of VAP‐related potential risk factors in the development of ARF.Methods:  One hundred and eight patients who were admitted to the pulmonary ICU of a university hospital and developed VAP were included in this prospective observational cohort study. Only first episodes of VAP were studied. Diagnosis was based on microbiologically confirmed clinical findings. Potential outcome variables including responsible pathogens, recurrence, polymicrobial aetiology, bacteraemia, multidrug resistance of microorganisms, late/early VAP and sepsis and other known risk factors for development of ARF were evaluated. Risk factors were analysed by logistic regression analysis for significance.Results:  Incidence of ARF was 38% (n = 41). Pneumonia with multidrug resistant pathogens (odds ratio, (OR) 5; 95% confidence interval (95%CI), 1.5–18; P = 0.011), sepsis (OR, 5.6; 95%CI, 1.7–18; P = 0.005) and severity of admission disease (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score: OR, 1.1; 95%CI, 1.02–1.3; P = 0.017) were independent risk factors for the development of ARF during VAP episodes in multivariate analysis.Conclusion:  These results showed that the incidence of ARF is high during the VAP episodes and that VAP developed with multidrug resistant pathogens and sepsis have an independent effect on the development of ARF.