Macroinvertebrate Community Index (MCI) and Quantitative Macroinvertebrate Community Index (QMCI) Analysis: A Comparative Study between Le Afe and Mulivaifagatoloa Rivers, Upolu Island, Samoa

The diversity of Samoa’s freshwater macroinvertebrates remains largely unexplored, with past studies focusing on specific species without comprehensive cataloguing. This research evaluated the health of Upolu Island’s rural rivers through macroinvertebrate analysis, particularly in the Le Afe and Mulivaifagatoloa Rivers. Collaborating with Samoa’s Water Resources Division in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), three sites along each river were sampled, representing a gradient from pristine to anthropogenically impacted areas. A total of 2953 macroinvertebrates were collected and classified into five categories using established identification keys. The Macroinvertebrate Community Index (MCI) and Quantitative Macroinvertebrate Community Index (QMCI) were applied for analysis. The results showed no clear pattern of pollutant-sensitive species prevalence or decline in less disturbed rivers. High MCI scores with low QMCI values indicated numerous low-scoring species, while the opposite suggested a richness of high-scoring taxa. Although MCI and QMCI are tools for monitoring freshwater health, this study lays the groundwork for future research to categorize Samoan macroinvertebrates and assign tolerance scores based on their presence in varying river conditions. .

Applicability of Community Periodontal Index Teeth and Random Half-mouth Examination to Gingival Bleeding Assessment in Untreated Adult Population in Beijing

Objective To assess whether Community Periodontal Index (CPI) teeth and random half-mouth methods are representative of full-mouth method in gingival bleeding examination. Methods Data from 1000 untreated adults (age > 18) collected in Beijing from January 2000 to January 2001 were utilized in the analysis. Half of the subjects were examined by Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI) and the other half by Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI). The data were sorted out and calculated according to CPI teeth and random half-mouth teeth methods. The results of the 2 methods were separately compared with those of full-mouth examination. Results There was a significant difference between CPI teeth method and full-mouth examination (P<0.05) in both GBI and SBI. In contrast, compared with full-mouth examination, significant difference was not observed in diagonal or ipsilateral half-mouth results in SBI (P>0.05), nor in diagonal half-mouth results in GBI (P>0.05) Conclusions The results of CPI teeth method on gingival bleeding could not reflect the full-mouth situation. Ipsilateral and diagonal half-mouth results can serve as a substitute for full-mouth results in SBI, while diagonal half-mouth results in GBI.

Association between Diabetes Mellitus and Oral Health Status in Japanese Adults

Aim The objective of this study was to analyze the oral health among Japanese adults, with and without diabetes mellitus. Methodology The subjects were 518 community residents aged 20 to 91 years in Japan, who participated in the ＂Akita health and nutrition survey＂ and the ＂Akita dental disease survey＂, conducted in 2006. The surveys comprised a self-administered questionnaire, along with medical and dental examinations. Results Using the community periodontal index （CPI）, the mean numbers of sextants presenting codes 0, 1 and 2 were significantly lower in diabetics than non-diabetics among the 59 years or younger age group. Although the mean numbers of sextants with codes 0, 1 and 2 among the 60 to 69 years age group were lower, and sextants with a code X among the 59 years or younger age group were higher in diabetics than non-diabetics, no statistically significant differences were detected. The tendency of lower mean numbers of natural teeth and functional tooth units in diabetics than non-diabetics was observed, however no differences were statistically significant. Conclusion The outcome of periodontal disease seemed to be influenced by the diabetic state to some degree, but a clear association between diabetes and oral health status was not found.

Health risk from fluoride exposure of a population in selected areas of Tamil Nadu South India

Prevalence of fluorosis is a public health problem in many states of India.It is necessary to find out the different sources through which fluoride enters human metabolism.Only when the sources are identified,suitable remedial measures can be initiated.This study was attempted to find out the contribution of fluoride from various sources such as drinking water,staple food grains,cooked rice,green leafy vegetables and cow milk in the selected area of the study.Percentage of incidence of fluorosis was estimated using a clinical survey.Calculated community fluorosis index values in all the 22 villages were greater than the accepted index value.Fluoride intake from all manor dietary sources of different age groups such as infants,children,adolescents,adults and aged above 70 was determined.The study revealed that,of all the sources,fluoride contribution from drinking water is significant irrespective of age.Hence,it is advised that people of South India,where there similarity in diet pattern,consume drinking water with lesser fluoride to minimize the debilitating effect of fluoride.The study also recommends to the government authorities concerned with supply to provide water with low fluoride level.©2013 Beijing Academy of Food Sciences.Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.All rights reserved.

Groundwater Quality and Its Impact on Health: A Preliminary Evaluation of Dental Fluorosis in Julimes, Chihuahua, Mexico

Medical Geology can be defined as the branch of geology dealing with the relationship between natural geological aspects and health in organisms (humans and animals), trying to determine the influence of ordinary environmental factors on the geographical distribution of health issues. The main goals of this research were: 1) to evaluate the severity of dental fluorosis (DF) and fluoride concentration in groundwater, used for human consumption, as an indicator of overexposure to fluorides, 2) to estimate the Community Fluorosis Index (CFI) in the Julimes municipality in Chihuahua, Mexico. Nine water samples were collected in four locations in the Julimes area: Hacienda Humboldt, La Regina, Colonia San Jose, and Julimes. Samples were collected and stored in accordance with the Mexican standard (NOM-014-SSA1-1993). All the samples exceeded the maximum permissible limit established in the modified Mexican standard (NOM-127-SSA1-1994) of 1.5 mgL-1 for fluoride in water for human consumption. Average concentrations of 2.74 mgL-1 were found in Colonia San Jose, 2.19 mgL-1 in La Regina, 2.17 mgL-1 in Julimes and 2.06 mgL-1 in Hacienda Humboldt. Dental Fluorosis diagnosis was evaluated using the Dean Index and the CFI applied to residents. A total of 100 inhabitants were examined, with interviews and oral examinations also carried out. Dental Fluorosis prevalence was 92% overall for the municipality, while for Colonia San Jose was of 100%, of 88.89% for Hacienda Humboldt, 88.24% for Julimes and 96% for La Regina. Dental Fluorosis’ severity for the Julimes municipality was distributed as follows: 2% normal, 6% questionable, 8% very mild, 13% mild, 19% moderate, and 52% severe. An average CFI was found for the four localities of 3.02 points, with a very notable impact on public health.

Effects of Wetland Utilization Change on Spatial Distribution of Soil Nematodes in Heihe River Basin, Northwest China

The first account of the effects of wetland reclamation on soil nematode assemblages were provided, three sites in Heihe River Basin of Northwest China, that is grass wetland(GW), Tamarix chinensis wetland(TW) and crop wetland(CW) treatments, were compared. Results showed that the majority of soil nematodes were presented in the 0–20 cm soil layers in CW treatments, followed by in the 20–40 cm and 40–60 cm layers in GW treatments. Plant-feeding nametodes were the most abundant trophic groups in each treatment, where GW(91.0%) > TW(88.1%) > CW(53.5%). Generic richness(GR) was lower in the TW(16) than that in GW(23) and CW(25). The combination of enrichment index(EI) and structure index(SI) showed that the soil food web in GW was more structured, and those in TW was stressed, while the enrichment soil food web was presented in the CW treatment. Several ecological indices which reflected soil community structure, diversity, Shannon-Weaver diversity(H′), Evenness(J′), Richness(GR) and modified maturity index(MMI) were found to be effective for assessing the response of soil namatode communities to soil of saline wetland reclamation. Furthermore, saline wetland reclamation also exerted great influence on the soil physical and chemical properties(p H, Electric conductivity(EC), Total organic carbon(TOC), Total nitrogen(Total-N) and Nitrate Nitrogen(N-NO3–)). These results indicated that the wetland reclamation had significantly effects on soil nematode community structure and soil properties in this study.

Influence of sampling frequency on detectability of fish community and fish species in a fishery-independent survey

Understanding the dynamics and regulation of a particular ecological process requires monitoring of the process at appropriate spatial and temporal scales.Information collected at an inappropriate spatiotemporal scale may be insufficient for capturing spatio-temporal dynamics of fish populations and community.In this study,a Monte Carlo method was developed to evaluate the detectability performances of different sampling frequencies,sampling timings and sampling intensities on fish community indices and fish species.Species richness indices tended to decrease with an increased sampling frequency,while species diversity indices had small changes in response to changes in sampling frequency.The diversity index was more likely to be influenced by the choice of sampling timing compared to the richness index.The total number of species,especially seasonal and rare species present in the simulated sampling,increased with sampling frequency.Although sampling frequency is more important than sampling intensity,sampling intensity is also important for the detectability of fish species.This study showed that sampling frequency and intensity could greatly influence the estimation of fish community.Choices of sampling timing,sampling frequency and intensity may result in different estimates of fish species compositions and community structure.It is very necessary to consider the importance of sufficient sampling frequency and intensity in a survey program.

Does palynological diversity reflect floristic diversity?A case study from Northeast China

Fossil pollen data can provide important information of past vegetation diversity,on the basis of established relationship between modern palynological and floristic diversity.However,current studies on modern pollen assemblages in China have not examined this relationship yet.Herein,we report a case study from Northeast China,aiming to investigate the representation of modern palynological diversity to regional floristic diversity.A total of 87 sets of modern pollen and vegetation data from various vegetation types were applied to assess modern palynological diversity and floristic diversity in Northeast China,and the relationship between palynological and floristic diversity was studied using spatial pattern comparison and correlation analysis.Moreover,to reduce representation bias related to pollen production and dispersal,we calibrated pollen data using the Regional Estimates of Vegetation Abundance from Large Sites(REVEALS)model with Pollen Productivity Estimates(PPEs)and Fall Speeds of Pollen(FSP).The results show that the spatial variations of palynological and floristic richness among vegetation types are similar,and have a good positive correlation(r=0.41,p<0.01).However,palynological evenness presents a different spatial pattern from floristic evenness,with a weaker positive correlation(r=0.21,p>0.05).The calibration on pollen data using REVEALS model minimized the differences in spatial patterns between palynological and floristic diversity,and improved the correlations between them(richness,r=0.50,p<0.01;evenness,r=0.33,p<0.01).Our study indicates that palynological richness in Northeast China could reflect regional floristic richness in general,and the calibration with REVEALS model is recommended for reconstructing past floristic diversity from pollen data.