Large-scale climatic signatures in lakes across Europe: a meta-analysis

Recent studies have highlighted the impact of the winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) on water temperature, ice conditions, and spring plankton phenology in specific lakes and regions in Europe. Here, we use meta-analysis techniques to test whether 18 lakes in northern, western, and central Europe respond coherently to winter climate forcing, and to assess the persistence of the winter climate signal in physical, chemical, and biological variables during the year. A meta-analysis approach was chosen because we wished to emphasize the overall coherence pattern rather than individual lake responses. A particular strength of our approach is that time-series from each of the 18 lakes were subjected to the same robust statistical analysis covering the same 23-year period. Although the strongest overall coherence in response to the winter NAO was exhibited by lake water temperatures, a strong, coherent response was also exhibited by concentrations of soluble reactive phosphorus and soluble reactive silicate, most likely as a result of the coherent response exhibited by the spring phytoplankton bloom. Lake nitrate concentrations showed significant coherence in winter. With the exception of the cyanobacterial biomass in summer, phytoplankton biomass in all seasons was unrelated to the winter NAO. A strong coherence in the abundance of daphnids during spring can most likely be attributed to coherence in daphnid phenology. A strong coherence in the summer abundance of the cyclopoid copepods may have been related to a coherent change in their emergence from resting stages. We discuss the complex nature of the potential mechanisms that drive the observed changes

Sleep and quality of life in long-term lung cancer survivors

Background: Steep problems are common in lung cancer survivors, yet little is known about the prevalence, determinants, and effects on quality of life (QoL) of these steep problems in tong-term Lung cancer survivors. Methods: A case-control study design comparing 76 elderly lung cancer survivors (LCS, >5 years post diagnosis with mean survival time of 8 years +/- 2.1 years) and 78 elderly non-cancer controls (NCC). Measurements included a standardized questionnaire for steep (Pittsburgh Steep Quality Index-PSQI), and analogue scales for dyspnea, pain, and other comorbid symptoms, as well as demographic factors and cancer history. Results: Overall, 56.6% of LCS had poor steep (PSQI global score > 5) as compared to only 29.5% of NCC (p <0.001), and 49.2% of LCS who did not have steep difficulties prior to their lung cancer diagnosis ultimately developed them. There was also evidence of significant impairments in steep efficiency in LCS (78.3%) relative to NCC (89.6%, p <0.001), predominantly due to increased nocturnal awakenings. A single-item analogue scale for steep quality was not as effective in identifying steep problems as more specific questions about steep duration and steep efficiency. Poor steep quality was significantly correlated with impairments in quality of life, even when controlling for other factors, such as dyspnea. Conclusions: Even 8 years after diagnosis, LCS continue to have significant steep difficulties. By asking specific questions about steep medication use, nocturnal awakenings and steep efficiency, health care providers can identify steep problems that could be treated and potentially improve the quality of life of their patients. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved