The river continuum concept represents the most general framework addressing the spatial variation of both structure and function in river ecosystems. In the Mediterranean ecoregion, summer drought events and dams con...The river continuum concept represents the most general framework addressing the spatial variation of both structure and function in river ecosystems. In the Mediterranean ecoregion, summer drought events and dams constitute the main sources of local disturbance to the structure and functioning of river ecosystems occurring in the river basin. In this study, we analysed patterns of spatial variation of detritus processing in a 7th order river of the Mediterranean ecoregion(River Tirso, Sardinia-Italy) and in three 4th order sub-basins which were exposed to different summer drought pressures. The study was carried out on Phragmites australis and Alnus glutinosa leaf detritus at 31 field sites in seasonal field experiment Detritus processing rates were higher for Alnus glutinosa than for Phragmites australis plant detritus. Processing rates of Alnus glutinosa leaves varied among seasons and study sites from 0.006 d -1 to 0.189 d -1 and those of Phragmites australis leaves ranged from 0.0008 d -1 to 0.102 d -1, with the lowest values occurring at sites exposed to summer drought. Seasons and sites accounted for a significant proportion of such variability. Alder detritus decay rates generally decreased with increasing stream order, while reed detritus decay rates generally increased on the same spatial gradient. Summer drought events affected these spatial patterns of variation by influencing significantly the decay rates of both plant detritus. The comparisons among and within sub-basins showed strong negative influence of summer drought on detritus processing rates. Similarly, in the entire River Tirso basin decay rates were always lower at disturbed than at undisturbed sites for each stream order; decay rates of reed detritus remained lower at those sites even after the end of the disturbance events, while alder decay rates recovered rapidly from the summer drought perturbations. The different recovery of the processing rates of the two leaves could also explain the different patterns of spatial variation observed between the two leaves.展开更多
AIM: To assess whether regular Mediterranean diet and regular intake of vegetables may reduce the risk of blindness, cataract, and glaucoma in these type 2 diabetics. · METHODS: A cross-sectional design was carri...AIM: To assess whether regular Mediterranean diet and regular intake of vegetables may reduce the risk of blindness, cataract, and glaucoma in these type 2 diabetics. · METHODS: A cross-sectional design was carried out among known black diabetics admitted at the diabetic clinics of Kinshasa, between October 2008 and March 2009. The Mediterranean-style dietary score (MSDPS) was used to characterize a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern in the study population using the Harvard semi quantitative FFQ adapted for Africa. · RESULTS: Five hundred Type 2 diabetic patients were included in this study (48% of males; 40% aged ≥60 years). There was a significant association between blindness, cataract and aging; between blindness (P <0.05), cataract (P<0.05), glaucoma (P <0.05), and physical inactivity; between blindness (P<0.05), cataract (P <0.0001), glaucoma (P <0.01) and high SES, and a very significant association between blindness (P <0.0001), cataract (P <0.0001), glaucoma (P <0.0001) and exposure to sunlight. There was also a significant association between blindness, glaucoma, and male sex. Regular intake of Mediterranean diet, Brassica Rapa, beans, Abelmoschus, Musa acuminata reduced significantly the risk of blindness, cataract and glaucoma. · CONCLUSION: Regular intake of Mediterranean diet, Brassica Rapa, beans, Abelmoschus, and Musa acuminata may significantly reduce the risk of blindness or its major causes among type 2 diabetes mellitus in Africa.展开更多
Type 2 diabetes is a major, non-communicable disease with increasing prevalence at a global level. Therefore, in order to prevent this condition action should be taken regarding the modifiable factors that influence i...Type 2 diabetes is a major, non-communicable disease with increasing prevalence at a global level. Therefore, in order to prevent this condition action should be taken regarding the modifiable factors that influence its development - lifestyle and dietary habits. As the Mediterranean dietary pattern has beneficial effects on both human health and regarding the development and treatment of type 2 diabetes, promoting adherence to this pattern is of considerable public health importance.展开更多
Background: Conclusive evidence has yet to emerge regarding the effectiveness and applicability of the Mediterranean diet on middle-aged Hispanic women, the largest female minority group in the United States who is at...Background: Conclusive evidence has yet to emerge regarding the effectiveness and applicability of the Mediterranean diet on middle-aged Hispanic women, the largest female minority group in the United States who is at-risk of metabolic disorders. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the Mediterranean diet (MED) on the BMI in middle-aged Hispanic women with pre-obesity and obesity in Central Washington State. Design: A prospective study was performed to determine the effect of Mediterranean diet on the BMI of 67 Hispanic women with pre-obesity and obesity between 45 to 65 years of age in Central Washington State. The study was carried out for eight weeks. Dietary adherence was monitored to ensure consistent results. Results: The proportion of Hispanic women who reported a reduction in BMI was 94%, with a decrease in mean BMI after eight weeks of 2.8 (95% CI: 2.5 to 3.0) and P = 0.02, with an odds ratio of 2.6. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to adjust for age, education, physical activity, and smoking. Conclusion: The reduction in BMI demonstrates that the Mediterranean diet can be a promising, culturally appropriate therapy to address the obesity epidemic that is prevalent among Hispanic women.展开更多
文摘The river continuum concept represents the most general framework addressing the spatial variation of both structure and function in river ecosystems. In the Mediterranean ecoregion, summer drought events and dams constitute the main sources of local disturbance to the structure and functioning of river ecosystems occurring in the river basin. In this study, we analysed patterns of spatial variation of detritus processing in a 7th order river of the Mediterranean ecoregion(River Tirso, Sardinia-Italy) and in three 4th order sub-basins which were exposed to different summer drought pressures. The study was carried out on Phragmites australis and Alnus glutinosa leaf detritus at 31 field sites in seasonal field experiment Detritus processing rates were higher for Alnus glutinosa than for Phragmites australis plant detritus. Processing rates of Alnus glutinosa leaves varied among seasons and study sites from 0.006 d -1 to 0.189 d -1 and those of Phragmites australis leaves ranged from 0.0008 d -1 to 0.102 d -1, with the lowest values occurring at sites exposed to summer drought. Seasons and sites accounted for a significant proportion of such variability. Alder detritus decay rates generally decreased with increasing stream order, while reed detritus decay rates generally increased on the same spatial gradient. Summer drought events affected these spatial patterns of variation by influencing significantly the decay rates of both plant detritus. The comparisons among and within sub-basins showed strong negative influence of summer drought on detritus processing rates. Similarly, in the entire River Tirso basin decay rates were always lower at disturbed than at undisturbed sites for each stream order; decay rates of reed detritus remained lower at those sites even after the end of the disturbance events, while alder decay rates recovered rapidly from the summer drought perturbations. The different recovery of the processing rates of the two leaves could also explain the different patterns of spatial variation observed between the two leaves.
文摘AIM: To assess whether regular Mediterranean diet and regular intake of vegetables may reduce the risk of blindness, cataract, and glaucoma in these type 2 diabetics. · METHODS: A cross-sectional design was carried out among known black diabetics admitted at the diabetic clinics of Kinshasa, between October 2008 and March 2009. The Mediterranean-style dietary score (MSDPS) was used to characterize a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern in the study population using the Harvard semi quantitative FFQ adapted for Africa. · RESULTS: Five hundred Type 2 diabetic patients were included in this study (48% of males; 40% aged ≥60 years). There was a significant association between blindness, cataract and aging; between blindness (P <0.05), cataract (P<0.05), glaucoma (P <0.05), and physical inactivity; between blindness (P<0.05), cataract (P <0.0001), glaucoma (P <0.01) and high SES, and a very significant association between blindness (P <0.0001), cataract (P <0.0001), glaucoma (P <0.0001) and exposure to sunlight. There was also a significant association between blindness, glaucoma, and male sex. Regular intake of Mediterranean diet, Brassica Rapa, beans, Abelmoschus, Musa acuminata reduced significantly the risk of blindness, cataract and glaucoma. · CONCLUSION: Regular intake of Mediterranean diet, Brassica Rapa, beans, Abelmoschus, and Musa acuminata may significantly reduce the risk of blindness or its major causes among type 2 diabetes mellitus in Africa.
文摘Type 2 diabetes is a major, non-communicable disease with increasing prevalence at a global level. Therefore, in order to prevent this condition action should be taken regarding the modifiable factors that influence its development - lifestyle and dietary habits. As the Mediterranean dietary pattern has beneficial effects on both human health and regarding the development and treatment of type 2 diabetes, promoting adherence to this pattern is of considerable public health importance.
文摘Background: Conclusive evidence has yet to emerge regarding the effectiveness and applicability of the Mediterranean diet on middle-aged Hispanic women, the largest female minority group in the United States who is at-risk of metabolic disorders. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the Mediterranean diet (MED) on the BMI in middle-aged Hispanic women with pre-obesity and obesity in Central Washington State. Design: A prospective study was performed to determine the effect of Mediterranean diet on the BMI of 67 Hispanic women with pre-obesity and obesity between 45 to 65 years of age in Central Washington State. The study was carried out for eight weeks. Dietary adherence was monitored to ensure consistent results. Results: The proportion of Hispanic women who reported a reduction in BMI was 94%, with a decrease in mean BMI after eight weeks of 2.8 (95% CI: 2.5 to 3.0) and P = 0.02, with an odds ratio of 2.6. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to adjust for age, education, physical activity, and smoking. Conclusion: The reduction in BMI demonstrates that the Mediterranean diet can be a promising, culturally appropriate therapy to address the obesity epidemic that is prevalent among Hispanic women.