scholarly journals A long-term study on crustacean plankton of a shallow tropical lake: the role of invertebrate predation

Author(s):  
Marlene S. Arcifa ◽  
Tânia C. Dos Santos Ferreira ◽  
Claudia Fileto ◽  
Maria S. Maioli Castilho-Noll ◽  
Taís C. Bunioto ◽  
...  

<p>The primary factor that governs the size and species composition of zooplankton is still a controversial issue and temperature is considered the main factor responsible for latitudinal differences. In waters with a narrow temperature range, such as in the tropics, predation may be a more important factor. Nearly three decades of intermittent studies of the crustacean plankton in a shallow tropical lake revealed that the main event that led to their restructuring was the appearance of a second predator, the water mite <em>Krendowskia </em>sp. The new predator and larvae of the dipteran <em>Chaoborus brasiliensis</em> Theobald exerted a combined, although asymmetrical effect on microcrustaceans. The period when the mite was detected was followed by the restructuring of the crustacean plankton community. Predation by these two invertebrates emerged as the factor responsible for community changes, involving an increased contribution of copepods and decreases in the relative abundance of smaller cladoceran species. In the short term, the mite caused a decrease in species richness and the annual mean instantaneous composition of cladocerans, a predominance of large-sized species (<em>Daphnia ambigua </em>Scourfield<em> </em>and <em>Daphnia gessneri</em> Herbst) and the virtual disappearance of small species (e.g., <em>Bosmina tubicen</em> Brehm). The long-term impact resulted in increased species richness and the dominance of large and medium-sized cladocerans, such as <em>D. gessneri</em> and <em>Ceriodaphnia richardi</em> Sars. The larger body size of three cladocerans, the two <em>Daphnia</em> species and <em>B. tubicen</em>, in the long term, may be a response to the dominant predator, <em>Chaoborus</em>. The seasonal variation in the predator abundance, mainly <em>Chaoborus </em>larvae, allowed the prey to recover during the cool season. The copepods <em>Tropocyclops prasinus meridionalis</em> (Fischer) and <em>Thermocyclops decipiens</em> Kiefer were less affected by predation than the cladocerans; their contribution to the crustacean plankton increased 12-28% after the mite appeared. The top-down effect on crustacean plankton did not affect the phytoplankton, which remained dominated by chlorophyceans and the nanoplankton fraction before and after the zooplankton community restructuring.</p>

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 953-959 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. G. PIERZYNOWSKI ◽  
B. R. WESTRÖM ◽  
B. W. KARLSSON ◽  
B. NILSSON ◽  
J. SVENDSEN

A surgical model and an experimental procedure were developed in the pig to enable the long-term collection of pancreatic juice under natural conditions from the first week of life until several weeks after weaning. Purebred Swedish Landrace pigs of varying ages were operated on as follows: at 3–4 d of age (n = 3) and returned to the sow; at 3 wk of age (n = 5), returned to the sow for 1 wk and then weaned; at 4–5 wk of age (n = 3), weaned on the day of surgery, and at 8–9 wk of age (n = 6). The pancreatic duct was catheterized; the catheter was exteriorized through an abdominal cannula and connected to a re-entrant perforated duodenal T-cannula. Using this model, long-term experiments were performed on alternate days for periods of 1–12 wk, and pancreatic juice was collected before and after feeding. The growth of the pigs did not appear to be seriously disturbed; postmortem examination did not reveal any major problems at the operation sites. The procedure permitted the collection of pure unactivated pancreatic juice, and did not appear to interfere with normal physiological responses to both feeding and hormonal stimulation with cholecystokinin (CCK) and secretin. Our observations indicated that this animal model may be used to study the postnatal development of the exocrine pancreas and the adaptation processes taking place when the feeding regime is changed at weaning. Key words: Pig, exocrine pancreas, chronic cannulation, development


Author(s):  
Suzanne Franzway ◽  
Nicole Moulding ◽  
Sarah Wendt ◽  
Carole Zufferey ◽  
Donna Chung

The challenge of violence against women should be recognised as an issue for the state, citizenship, and the whole community. This book examines how responses by the state sanction violence against women and shape a woman's citizenship long after she has escaped from a violent partner. Drawing from a long-term study of women's lives in Australia, including before and after a relationship with a violent partner, it investigates the effects of intimate partner violence on aspects of everyday life including housing, employment, mental health, and social participation. The book contributes to theoretical explanations of violence against women by reframing it through the lens of sexual politics. Finally, it offers critical insights for the development of social policy and practice.


2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 1859-1866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Landfeldt ◽  
Anna Castelo-Branco ◽  
Axel Svedbom ◽  
Emil Löfroth ◽  
Andrius Kavaliunas ◽  
...  

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with considerable morbidity and serious disability, but little is known of the long-term impact of the disease on work ability. Objectives: To assess sick leave (short-term absence) and disability pension (long-term absence) before and after diagnosis of MS. Methods: Patients with MS in Sweden were identified in a nationwide disease-specific register and matched with general population controls. Sick leave and disability pension were measured before and after index (i.e. the MS diagnosis date). Results: The final sample comprised 6092 patients and 60,345 controls (mean age 39 years; 70% female). The mean annual prevalence of sick leave ranged from 12% the first year after index to 23% after 11 years among patients and from 13% to 13% among controls. Corresponding estimates for disability pension were 12% and 55% for patients and 7% and 9% for controls. Significant differences in sick leave were observed up to 15 years before index and 3 years for disability pension. Conclusion: Patients with MS in Sweden have elevated levels of sick leave and disability pension up to 15 years before disease diagnosis. Our results highlight the burden of disease on affected patients and society and underscore the substantial unmet medical need.


2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Durieux ◽  
Philippe Ravaud ◽  
Raphaél Porcher ◽  
Yvonne Fulla ◽  
Catherine-Sophie Manet ◽  
...  

Objective: To evaluate the long-term impact of an intervention designed to reduce the ordering of three tumor markers frequently prescribed for gastroenterologic diseases (carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha-fetoprotein, carbohydrate antigen 19-9).Methods: A prospective study with time series analysis in a teaching hospital. Local clinical guidelines were developed and implemented through a new order form, designed as a reminder to the physician, restricting the ordering of laboratory tests. Ratios between the number of markers ordered and number of admissions were recorded during a 3-month period before and after intervention in the whole hospital and monthly on a 4-year period in two wards of the hospital (Department of Gastroenterology and Department of Internal Medicine). To evaluate the appropriateness of tumor marker orders, audits were performed on a sample of order forms, before and after (1 month and 2 years after) the implementation of the new order form.Results: The analysis of covariance showed a significant effect of the intervention in the hospital (p < .01), and in the Departments of Gastroenterology (p < .01) and Internal Medicine (p < .007). The decrease of tumor marker orders ranged from 25% (Internal Medicine Department) to 55% (whole hospital). A similar decrease was observed for the three studied markers. The appropriateness of prescriptions increased from 54.6% before to 73.6% after the implementation of the new order form, but decreased to 52.9% 2 years after intervention.Conclusions: Providing a reminder to clinicians through a specific order form represents an inexpensive and easy way to implement guidelines on use of laboratory tests.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Mohamed Mubarak ◽  
Qasim Isa ◽  
Mahmood Alsaeed ◽  
Mohamed Alalawi

Introduction. Transurethral catheterization (TUC) is a common hospital procedure. According to the literature, junior doctors contribute to the majority of TUC-related injuries. Our aim is to evaluate the immediate and long-term impact of a short procedure-centric TUC workshop on junior doctor’s confidence, procedural knowledge, and ability to identify potential complications of catheterization. Materials and Methods. Intern doctors were invited to attend a one-hour workshop on TUC. A questionnaire was completed before and after the workshop. Three months later, the questionnaire was readministered to assess the workshop’s long-term impact. The questionnaire consisted of three domains. A: experience, training, and confidence levels (using 5-point Likert scales), B: procedural knowledge (the highest possible score was 10 points), and C: identification of TUC-related complications (the highest possible score was 3 points). Results. 81 interns participated and reported a confidence level of 3.03 ± 1.05 in performing a straightforward TUC. Preworkshop domain B and domain C were 3.92 ± 1.63 and 1.75 ± 0.69 points, respectively. After the workshop, reported confidence levels improved to 3.71 + 1.02 ( p < 0.05 ). Likewise, the scores in domains B and C increased significantly to 8.85 ± 1.40 ( p < 0.005 ) and 2.65 ± 0.6 ( p < 0.005 ), respectively. Three months later, the same parameters were evaluated, and confidence levels were higher than those of the preworkshop levels at 3.83 ± 0.77 ( p < 0.05 ). The average domain B score was 7.85 ± 1.88 ( p < 0.005 ), and domain C score was 2.69 ± 0.53 ( p < 0.005 ). All scores reported after three months were significantly better than the preworkshop levels ( p < 0.005 ), but there were no statistically significant differences when compared to the immediate postworkshop scores ( p > 0.05 ). Conclusion. Short peer-led TUC workshops positively impact intern doctors’ confidence levels, procedural knowledge, and identifying complications.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (9) ◽  
pp. 3692-3697 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hehua Ye ◽  
Jiming Zhang ◽  
Yiyong Qian

Objective To investigate the long-term safety and efficacy of Nd:YAG laser anterior capsulotomy for the treatment of anterior capsular phimosis. Methods We retrospectively analyzed a consecutive case series of Nd:YAG laser anterior capsulotomy in patients with anterior capsular phimosis, who were treated between November 2012 and April 2014. Data collected included risk factors, interval between surgery and capsulotomy, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and diameter of anterior capsule opening before and after Nd:YAG laser anterior capsulotomy. Results Eleven eyes of 11 patients were included in the study. The mean follow-up time was 30.1 ± 4.5 months (range: 26–42 months). At the last follow-up, the mean diameter of the anterior capsule opening was 5.1 ± 0.2 mm, which was significantly greater than the diameter before laser capsulotomy (2.2 ± 0.8 mm). BCVA remained stable or improved in nine eyes (81.8%) following capsulotomy. No patients experienced recurrence of phimosis. Conclusions In a long-term study of >2 years, we found that Nd:YAG laser anterior capsulotomy is safe and effective for the treatment of anterior capsule phimosis.


2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana Rabelo Araújo ◽  
Paloma Marinho Lopes ◽  
Jayme Magalhães Santangelo ◽  
Francisco de Assis Esteves ◽  
Reinaldo Luiz Bozelli

Aquatic coastal systems are affected by high fluctuations in salinity and the zooplankton may rely on dispersal or dormancy to recolonise these environments. Here, we analysed the long-term dynamics of the zooplankton community over 6 years during large salinity fluctuations in a coastal lagoon (Garças Lagoon, Brazil) and the effect of salinity on the hatching patterns of the resting egg bank. We hypothesised that salinity is the main driving factor of the zooplankton community structure, and that increases in salinity reduce the species richness and the abundance of hatchlings. Multiple regression analysis showed that salinity was associated negatively with species richness in the open water, whereas total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a concentrations were negatively and positively related to abundance respectively. Redundancy analysis demonstrated that temporally structured environmental variables (total phosphorus and salinity) were important for zooplankton composition. Periods of low salinity allowed the presence of freshwater organisms, changing the zooplankton composition over the years. However, our hatchling experiment showed a depauperate resting egg bank. Overall, our results showed a strong influence of salinity on the structure and dynamics of the zooplankton at Garças Lagoon, and that the resting egg bank likely plays a minor role in the zooplankton colonisation during low-salinity periods.


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (102) ◽  
pp. 20141089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lijun Sun ◽  
Jian Gang Jin ◽  
Kay W. Axhausen ◽  
Der-Horng Lee ◽  
Manuel Cebrian

Understanding the long-term impact that changes in a city's transportation infrastructure have on its spatial interactions remains a challenge. The difficulty arises from the fact that the real impact may not be revealed in static or aggregated mobility measures, as these are remarkably robust to perturbations. More generally, the lack of longitudinal, cross-sectional data demonstrating the evolution of spatial interactions at a meaningful urban scale also hinders us from evaluating the sensitivity of movement indicators, limiting our capacity to understand the evolution of urban mobility in depth. Using very large mobility records distributed over 3 years, we quantify the impact of the completion of a metro line extension: the Circle Line (CCL) in Singapore. We find that the commonly used movement indicators are almost identical before and after the project was completed. However, in comparing the temporal community structure across years, we do observe significant differences in the spatial reorganization of the affected geographical areas. The completion of CCL enables travellers to re-identify their desired destinations collectively with lower transport cost, making the community structure more consistent. These changes in locality are dynamic and characterized over short timescales, offering us a different approach to identify and analyse the long-term impact of new infrastructures on cities and their evolution dynamics.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Krasnov ◽  
V. Kryukov ◽  
E. Samedova ◽  
I. Emelianova ◽  
I. Ryzhova

This paper represents data of long-term open prospective study. 312 male clean-up workers, who participated in elimination of the Chernobyl disaster consequences in 1986-87, were observed and examined in Moscow Research Institute of Psychiatry. The average age of patients was 57,0 ± 6,8 years. All patients were diagnosed with psychoorganic syndrome, caused by combination of different factors, which led to early cerebrovascular pathology, which was confirmed by clinical, neuropsychological, and instrumental examination. Anamnesis and the level of social adaptation were also assayed. Clinical estimation was done with the use of specially developed Clinical Psychopathological Chart. All the symptoms were divided into 4 groups (asthenic, psychovegetative, dysthymic, and cognitive symptom-complexes). No pronounced signs of dementia were observed. The control group included 44 clean-up workers without mental disorders. Predomination of various exogenous factors before and after accident was noted. Therapy included different vasotropic remedies, as well as family therapy, art therapy, and cognitive training. The possibilities of the reverse development of symptoms were statistically proved. The results allow making a conclusion that these disorders could not be explained either by radiation effects or by PTSD but connected with cerebrovascular pathology.


2009 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tasha Robertson ◽  
Garry Walter ◽  
Nerissa Soh ◽  
Glenn Hunt ◽  
Michelle Cleary ◽  
...  

Objectives: The objectives were, first, to determine attitudes towards psychiatry as a career among medical students currently enrolled at the University of Sydney and, second, to establish the immediate impact on those attitudes of a promotional DVD, released by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Method: Medical students enrolled in the University of Sydney in 2008 were invited to complete a voluntary online questionnaire, in which their attitudes towards psychiatry were explored, and the immediate effects of a 15-minute DVD were ascertained. Results: A total of 123 students participated. Only one student identified psychiatry as their chosen career. Medical students viewed psychiatry as the least attractive specialty for the degree to which patients are helped effectively and in terms of having a reliable scientific foundation. However, it rated well in regard to being intellectually challenging, a rapidly advancing field of medicine, and providing research opportunities and a good lifestyle. Psychiatry is less respected than most other specialties by students and they perceive this discipline to be poorly respected by other medical students and current medical practitioners. After viewing the DVD, there were improved student ratings of the benefits of a career in psychiatry, especially in relation to the specialty being enjoyable, offering effective treatment and having a scientific foundation. There was also enhanced understanding of the role of a psychiatrist in just over half of the participants and increased interest in psychiatry in about 30% of participants. The DVD was most effective in increasing awareness of the diversity of subspecialties available within psychiatry, good lifestyle factors, and the training involved. Conclusion: Among medical students, psychiatry is perceived as unattractive and fails to command the respect afforded other specialties. The viewing of a promotional DVD by medical students was found to be effective in improving their attitudes towards psychiatry and increasing their interest in pursuing a career in the specialty. However, the long-term impact of this modest improvement is unknown and the low survey response rate limits the extent to which the results can be generalized.


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