Functional feeding traits as predictors of invasive success of alien freshwater fish species using a food-fish model.

Invasions of Ponto-Caspian fish species into north-western European river basins accelerated since the opening of the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal in 1992. Since 2002, at least five Ponto-Caspian alien fish species have arrived in The Netherlands. Four species belong to the Gobiidae family (Neogobius fluviatilis, Neogobius melanostomus, Ponticola kessleri, and Proterorhinus semilunaris) and one to the Cyprinidae family (Romanogobio belingi).

Epizoic acoelomorph flatworms impair zooplankton feeding by the scleractinian coral Galaxea fascicularis.

Many scleractinian coral species host epizoic acoelomorph flatworms, both in aquaculture and in situ. These symbiotic flatworms may impair coral growth and health through light-shading, mucus removal and disruption of heterotrophic feeding. To quantify the effect of epizoic flatworms on zooplankton feeding, we conducted video analyses of single polyps of Galaxea fascicularis (Linnaeus 1767) grazing on Artemia nauplii in the presence and absence of symbiotic flatworms.

Prevalence and distribution of hand fractures.

A retrospective survey of the medical charts of all 36,518 patients attending the Accident and Emergency Department of the VU University Medical Centre, in Amsterdam, from January 1 to December 31, 1996 was performed. Of these, 4303 sustained one or more fractures, and hand fractures accounted for 19% of all fractures. Patients with hand fractures were typically men aged between 15 and 35 years.

The 'mirrored' Bennett fracture of the base of the fifth metacarpal.

Fractures of the base of the metacarpals are usually treated conservatively. The intra-articular fracture of the base of the first metacarpal ('Bennett fracture') is an exception to this rule because inadequate repositioning and fixation of the dislocated radial fragment lead to permanent deformity of the joint and subsequent degenerative joint disease. The dislocated intra-articular fracture of the base of the fifth metacarpal is similar to a Bennett fracture in many aspects.

Effects on serum lipids, lipoproteins and fat soluble antioxidant concentrations of consumption frequency of margarines and shortenings enriched with plant stanol esters.

Objective: To examine in humans the effects on serum lipids, lipoproteins and fat-soluble antioxidants of a daily consumption of 2.5 g plant stanols, consumed either once per day at lunch or divided over the three meals.

Design: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design.

Factors related to multiple organ system failure and mortality in a surgical intensive care unit.

We retrospectively studied the relative contribution of factors related to the extent of multiple organ system failure (MOSF) and mortality, using multivariate methods to account for the interactions between studied factors, in 538 consecutive patients admitted to a surgical intensive care unit during a 1-year period. MOSF (MOSF score > or = 5) occurred in 88 (16%) of patients. Multiple linear regression selected advancing age, malnutrition, APACHE II score, shock and coma on admission, number of blood transfusions, use of H2 receptor antagonists or antacids, bacteraemia and intra-abdominal infection as independent factors related to the MOSF score.