Maturation of the European sardine Sardina pilchardus under experimental conditions strengthens bioenergetic estimate.

This study aims at (1) experimentally estimating first sexual maturation of the European sardine S. pilchardus, (2) using the results to calibrate existing bioenergetic models. During the 183 days-experiment, fish growth and body condition were assessed by biometry, and gonads were weighed when present.

A comparison of bicarbonate kinetics and acid-base status in high flux hemodialysis and on-line post-dilution hemodiafiltration.

Objectives: To compare bicarbonate kinetics and acid base status in HD and HDF for the same patient; and to investigate the effect of patient physiologic parameters on these kinetics.

Methods: In order to monitor HCO3- kinetics during dialysis, acid-base parameters, pH, blood gases partial pressures, and HCO3- concentrations were recorded during 3 regular dialysis (HD) and 3 on-line post-dilution HDF sessions performed on 12 patients, using same dialysis fluid with a 38 mmol/l HCO3- concentration. HCO3- mass transfers through the hemodialyzers membranes and into the patients were continuously calculated during the sessions from HCO3- concentrations, together with HCO3-dialysance.

Lost at sea: genetic, oceanographic and meteorological evidence for storm-forced dispersal.

For many species, there is broad-scale dispersal of juvenile stages and/or long-distance migration of individuals and hence the processes that drive these various wide-ranging movements have important life-history consequences. Sea turtles are one of these paradigmatic long-distance travellers, with hatchlings thought to be dispersed by ocean currents and adults often shuttling between distant breeding and foraging grounds. Here, we use multi-disciplinary oceanographic, atmospheric and genetic mixed stock analyses to show that juvenile turtles are encountered 'downstream' at sites predicted by currents.

[Proportion of surgical workload related to chronic renal failure in an urology and transplantation operating room].

Objective: To evaluate the proportion of surgical workload, in terms of time and number of procedures, devoted to chronic renal failure surgery in an urology and transplantation operating room.

Material And Methods: Analysis of the operative activity of the urology and transplantation operating room of Amiens Hospital over a period of one year (2003), by evaluating the number of procedures and the operating room occupation time (time between entry and exit from the operating room) recorded on ecology forms completed for each operation. Procedures performed in this operating room comprise conventional adult urological surgery and chronic renal failure procedures (from creation of venous access sites for haemodialysis to treatment of complications of renal transplantation).