45 research outputs found
The relative effects of bottom trawling, organic enrichment, and natural environmental factors on coastal seabed communities
This is the final version. Available from Elsevier via the DOI in this record. Data availability:
Data will be made available on request.Coastal regions are under intense and growing pressure from human activities. Here, we examine how human and natural drivers interact with benthic communities, species, and life-history traits across four distinct coastal areas. Sediment organic content was a key driver of seabed community characteristics, with positive (increased benthic biomass) and strongly adverse (depauperate communities) effects observed. Similarly, environmental factors such as bottom currents were highly influential. In contrast, bottom trawling impacts varied by location. Beam trawling in areas of low organic enrichment was most damaging to seabed fauna, even in the presence of strong bottom currents. However, we did not observe any faunal impacts of trawling under chronic enrichment, despite the fishery using relatively heavy gears (e.g. otter trawls) at high intensities. Lastly, we discuss how human and natural factors interact and shape seabed ecosystems under different conditions, and how management measures can be adapted to improve coastal seabed health.European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)DTU Aqu
Addison's disease symptoms - a cross sectional study in urban South Africa
BACKGROUND: Addison's disease is a potentially life-threatening disorder, and prompt diagnosis, and introduction of steroid replacement has resulted in near normal life-expectancy. There are limited data describing the clinical presentation of Addison's disease in South Africa. It is hypothesised that patients may present in advanced state of ill-health, compared to Western countries. Patients A national database of patients was compiled from primary care, referral centres and private practices. 148 patients were enrolled (97 white, 34 mixed ancestry, 5 Asian and 12 black). METHODS: Demographic and clinical data were elicited using questionnaires. Biochemical data were obtained from folder reviews and laboratory archived results. RESULTS: The majority of the cohort was women (62%). The median and inter-quartile age range (IQR) of patients at enrolment was 46.0 (32.0-61.0) years, with a wide range from 2.8-88.0 years. The median and IQR age at initial diagnosis was 34.0 (20.0-45.0) years (range 0.02-77.0) years, indicating that at the time of enrolment, the patients, on average, were diagnosed with Addison's disease 12 years previously. Hyperpigmentation was observed in 76%, nausea and vomiting occurred in more than 40%, and weight loss was noted in 25%. Loss of consciousness as a presenting feature was recorded in 20 %. with a 95% confidence interval [CI] of (14-28%) and shock occurred in 5% CI (1.5-8.5%). Case-finding was recorded at 3.1 per million. CONCLUSIONS: The usual constellation of hyperpigmentation, nausea, vomiting and weight loss suggests Addison's disease, but a significant proportion present with an advanced state of ill-health and Addisonian crises. A lower prevalence rate, compared to Western countries is suggested
Humans and Ecosystems Over the Coming Millennia: Overview of a Biosphere Assessment of Radioactive Waste Disposal in Sweden
Difference in Particle Transport Between Two Coastal Areas in the Baltic Sea Investigated with High-Resolution Trajectory Modeling
The Rotterdam Study: 2012 objectives and design update
The Rotterdam Study is a prospective cohort study ongoing since 1990 in the city of Rotterdam in The Netherlands. The study targets cardiovascular, endocrine, hepatic, neurological, ophthalmic, psychiatric, dermatological, oncological, and respiratory diseases. As of 2008, 14,926 subjects aged 45 years or over comprise the Rotterdam Study cohort. The findings of the Rotterdam Study have been presented in over a 1,000 research articles and reports (see www.erasmus-epidemiology.nl/rotterdamstudy). This article gives the rationale of the study and its design. It also presents a summary of the major findings and an update of the objectives and methods