January Till April Research Articles

Quality of Antenatal Care Services in Four Accredited Primary Health Care Centers in Cairo, Egypt

Abstract Background Antenatal care (ANC) is a careful, systematic assessment and follow-up of pregnant women, that includes education, counseling, screening, and treatment to assure the best possible health of the mother and her fetus. In order to assure each women gets the best quality of care, quality assessment of all items of antenatal care should be arranged regularly. This study aims to measure the perceived quality of antenatal care services, the adherence of the primary care physician to the Egyptian ministry of health guidelines as well as the overall satisfaction of pregnant women about their antenatal care services. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted from January till April 2021 among women aged 1849 years old who attend antenatal care clinics at four primary health centres in Cairo, Egypt. All health centres included in the study are government run facilities. Results Despite the high overall satisfaction (98%) reported for the antenatal care services, the total quality score was low (<60%), the highest satisfaction was reported from most of accessibility point and cleanliness of the primary care centers, answering inquiries, number of the doctors, discussion of the delivery plan, health education about importance of folic acid and iron supplements, family planning and cost of the service. Lowest satisfaction reported from the PHC was for working hours of the center, history taking, examination time, health education about diet, breastfeeding, and the harmful effects of passive smoking. Although most women reported that they had the majority of the Egyptian antenatal guidelines covered by their physician, items like past medical history, personal hygiene and oral glucose challenge test were missed. Conclusion The findings showed the need for new approaches to upgrade the quality of antenatal care and improve the health education skills for the primary care physicians, despite the high overall satisfaction.

POST-COVID SUICIDE: FORENSIC SCIENCE ANALYSIS.

The aim: The article draws attention to the raise of suicide incidents after COVID-19 and proposes special knowledge to use in some forensic examinations for patients with COVID-19 and after as a measure of suicide preventing. Materials and methods: Scientific researches and comparative analyzes of criminal cases marked as a suicide were done based on statistics method. 415 suicide cases were fixed in Ukraine in 2020, and other persons' influence for suicide committing was revealed only in 61cases. In 2021, the tendency has increased, and only during the first four months (from January till April) there were 213 suicide cases. Conclusions: There are so many cases of suicide after COVID-19 caused by mental and neurological disorders due to the coronavirus effects on human brain and psyche, not only at hospitals but at home as well. The virus can disrupt nervous system work both directly and indirectly, activating the immune system excessively (the so-called cytokine storm). Complex forensic medical and psychological examination may be appointed to determine the mental state of persons after COVID-19. There are two ways to solve the problem with the help of special knowledge and forensic science. On the one hand, investigate person's predisposition for suicide after covid to prevent a suicide. On the other hand, if you had failed and the person committed a suicide use the information received to prevent other persons' suicides.

Hubungan antara Drug-Related Problems dan Lama Rawat Inap pada Pasien dengan Diabetes Tipe 2

Drug-Related Problems have been associated to blood glucose control along with the morbidity and mortality of type 2 diabetes patients through previous studies. However, studies that associate Length of Stay (LOS) with DRPs in type 2 diabetes patients have not been done. The study that had been done was to associate between LOS and Medication Errors (ME). Medication errors include DRPs because other researchers state that errors are also kind of problem. This study was aimed to identify Drug-Related Problems (DRPs) and to associate between DRPs and LOS in type 2 diabetes patients who were hospitalized. This study was a prospective observation study with a cross-sectional design. Sample collection was carried out by consecutive sampling method in type 2 diabetic patients hospitalized in internal medicine ward in one academic hospital in Yogyakarta. Data analysis was done descriptively to see DRPs description and the association between DRPs and LOS was analyzed using Chi-square or Fisher's exact test whenever Chi-square test conditions were not met. Data collection was carried out in January till April 2018. The results showed that the DRPs in hospitalized type 2 diabetic patients were 80.56% with unnecessary drug therapy occurring at 34.72%; dosage too low of 25%; needs additional drug therapy 13.38%; dosage too high 12.5%; ineffective drug 11.11%; and there was no association seen between DRPs and LOS.

Elevated serum TSH concentrations are associated with higher BMI Z-scores in southern Iranian children and adolescents

BackgroundSubclinical hypothyroidism is defined as elevated TSH levels while T4 or FT4 levels are normal. Elevated TSH levels are linked with obesity in adults. In a recent meta-analysis in Iran, 6.1% of children below 18 had obesity. Due to the low number of studies on the subject in children we, designed the study to assess the relation between BMI Z-score and TSH levels in children and adolescence.MethodThis cross-sectional study was performed in a pediatric endocrinology clinic in Shiraz. Children aged between 2 to 18 years that came to the clinic for routine growth assessment follow up from January till April 2018 were considered. 850 children including 365 boys and 485 girls were included.ResultsPrevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism is increased in higher BMI groups. 9.9, 13.8, 17.2 and 20.5% of underweight, healthy weight, overweight and obese had subclinical hypothyroidism respectively. Obese and overweight participants had higher odds of subclinical hypothyroidism than those who were not (OR:1.649, P = 0.010, CI95% 1.126–2.413). On the other hand, Subclinical hypothyroid participants had higher odds of overweight or obesity than those who were euthyroid (OR:1.650, P = 0.010, CI95% 1.128–2.413). When TSH is set as a dependent value, TSH level is increased (β = 0.126, r = 0.125, P = 0.001) with an increase in BMI Z-score. When BMI Z-score is set as a dependent value, BMI Z-score is increased (β = 0.113, r = 0.243, P = 0.001) with an increase in TSH level.ConclusionBMI Z-score and elevated TSH levels are positively correlated however studies should be performed on establishing the causality.

Amoxicillin Induced Behavioral Neurotoxicity and Histopathological Changes in Organs of Albino Rats

Background: There are various adverse drug reactions of penicillin. Neurotoxicity is attracting the attention of researchers all over the world. It also affects other organs like liver, kidney, heart and testes
 Methods: The study was conducted at pharmacy and pharmacology department of Gandaki Medical College (GMC) from January till April, 2018. Albino rats were divided six each in test and control group. Tests were administered amoxicillin 90mg/kg/d and control with distilled water for 10 days. After 10 days, rats were tested for neurotoxicity with rota-rod (RR) and modified forced swim test (MFST). They were then sacrificed under anesthesia, organs were dissected and sent for histopathological investigation.
 Results: The latency to fall from RR apparatus decreased significantly in test rats than control. (P value = 0.0001) In MFST, immobility time was significantly increased than control (P value = 0.0001). Swimming time(ST) was significantly decreased (P value = 0.001) and climbing time (CT) was not significantly altered in test rats than control (P value = 0.352). The liver enzyme, AST and ALT were significantly increased in the test rats (TR) as compared to controls. (P value 0.049 and 0.001 respectively) Brain of test rats (TR) showed shrunken neurons surrounded by perineuronal vacuolations, liver and kidney showed degenerative changes. Vacuolations and pyknotic cells were seen in spermatogonic cells.
 Conclusions: Neurotoxic effects were seen in test rats which recommends regulation of the administration of high dose of penicillin.

Marketable yield quantity and quality of leek and residual soil mineral nitrogen in relation to nitrogen fertilization

In Flanders threshold values of soil mineral nitrogen (Nmin) in the soil profile (0-90 cm) in autumn are used in legislation to judge fertilization practices and evaluate the nitrate (NO3-) leaching risk during winter. The average Nmin measured in leek fields are high compared to most arable crops. The objective of this study was to investigate if high Nmin values at harvest can be decreased without reducing yield quantity and quality. We re-analyzed Flemish leek field experiments with various nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rates (2001-2016). We examined marketable yield quantity and quality and residual soil mineral N (RSMN) to rooting depth (0-60 cm) at harvest from July till April the next year. Considering the N supply (= applied effective N + Nmin (0-60 cm) at planting), the marketable yield was on average higher in July till December than in January till April. The maximum marketable yield was obtained at ≈150-200 kg N supply ha‑1. Generally RSMN values measured in July till December were higher than those in January till April. This can be explained by higher N mineralization rates in the first case and possibly some NO3- leaching in the latter case. There was no significant difference in scores of abrasion hardness nor leaf color or uniformity at ≈150-200 kg N supply ha‑1 compared to higher N supplies. Taking into account a mean Nmin value (0-60 cm) at planting of 69±45 kg N ha‑1 (average±standard deviation), effective N application rates in the order of 80-130 kg N ha‑1 are maximum, which allows Nmin values below 50 and 70 kg N ha‑1 in the 0-60 cm and 0-90 cm layer, respectively. These results indicate that N fertilization advices of leek can be reduced without risking a decreased marketable yield quantity and quality but minimizing NO3- leaching during winter.

Space-time variability of wave characteristics near the coasts of the Southern Kuril Islands

Significant wave heights and most probable wave heights in the nearshore areas of the Southern Kuril Islands are considered in this paper. These characteristics were obtained from data of in-situ measurements of hydrostatic pressure in the depth range from 5 to 25 m. The measurements have been performed in 2008 and 2009. It is shown in the paper that relatively calm sea surface was observed in time period from July till first half of September. Most probable wave heights varied from 0.17 m to 0.27 m and maximal values of significant wave heights varied from 0.75 m to 1m in the depth range from 15 to 25 m. For depths less than 15 m most probable wave heights varied from 0.05 m to 0.1 m and maximal values of significant wave heights varied from 0.68 m to 1m. Time period from second half of September is characterized as stormy period. Maximal values of significant wave height reached 5 m at that time and most probable wave heights varied from 0.1 to 1 m depending on depth and location. Period from January till April can be characterized by high number of moderate storms with maximal value of significant wave heights 1.8 m and most probable wave heights from 0.13 to 0.33 m.

Hubungan Pengetahuan dan Kepatuhan Diet dengan Kadar Gula Darah pada pasien Diabetes Melitus Di Poli Penyakit Dalam RSUD Idaman Banjarbaru Tahun 2018

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder due to the pancreas not producing enough insulin or the body cannot use insulin that is produced effectively. Indonesia has 10.3 million sufferers and standon 7th position in the world after China, India, United States of America, Brazil, Russia, Mexico, on 2017 at the province of South Kalimantan’s on 2nd position that were 10.875, at Banjarbaru in 2017 is held on 2nd ranked which had 2.968 cases, at Idaman Banjarbaru Hospital on the Internal Medicine Polyclinic there were 394 patients from January till April and estimated that will be 100 diabetes mellitus patients. This research is aimed to knowing the correlation of knowledge and compliance of diet with blood sugar levels of patients with diabetes mellitus at the Internal Medicine Polyclinic in Banjarbaru Hospital 2018. This type of research is a description of correlation research using cross sectional design. This research was carried out to 55 respondents. The results that tested using Chi-Square with a value of α=0.1 proved to have no correlation of knowledge with blood sugar levels (p=0.234) and proved to have a correlation of adherence to diet with blood sugar levels (p=0.00). From this study it can be concluded that knowledge proved to have not correlation with blood sugar levels and dietary compliance was shown to have a correlation with blood sugar levels in diabetes mellitus patients at Internal Medicine Polyclinic Idaman Banjarbaru Hospital 2018.

Examination of the ozone layer condition and level of ultraviolet irradiation within the territory of Ukraine in 2018

The paper contains the results of daily monitoring of the ozone layer condition and level of ultraviolet irradiation within the territory of Ukraine in 2018. The analysis was carried out using the values of total ozone content measured by a satellite device Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and estimated ultraviolet values / ultraviolet index. The monitoring was implemented for a regular grid with 1̊ spatial resolution and separately for grid nodes matching the geographic grids of Ukrainian administrative centres. Most of the year total ozone values slightly differed from average long-term values and varied from 270 to 370 Dobson units (D.u.). The paper defines and establishes the reasons for two positive ozone anomalies for the period from February, 24 to March, 4 which resulted in two independent processes of ozone-rich air masses inflow from north. Advective air masses were characterized by high ozone content, which was typical for cold season. First air inflow lasted from February, 24 till February, 26 and caused ozone content increase over the north-western part of Ukraine to 490 D.u. The second inflow over the northern and western parts of Ukraine which lasted from February, 28 to March, 4 caused ozone content increase to 500 D.u. Ozone layer instability over the territory of Ukraine observed from January till April was replaced by slight ozone field variations. From May until the end of the year maximum deviations from average values did not exceed 0.5σ by absolute values. It was established that minimum and maximum ranges of ozone content values constantly changed, however, lower values were observed mainly over the eastern and south-eastern regions. Observations indicated the total ozone spread increase which is typical for seasonal increase of concentrations. Stability of ozone layer total values during the most of the year and absence of significant negative deviations led to ultraviolet index not exceeding 7. In summer, with the highest solar irradiance near the earth's surface, stable ozone content varying within average long-term values not more than by 0.2σ, prevented dangerous ultraviolet index values exceed. Therefore, no high or extremely high ultraviolet irradiation values were observed during the year.

Evaluation of Pain Scale Decrease and Adverse Effects of Ketorolac Injections: An Observational Study in Patients with Postoperative Pain

The use of ketorolac injections in Indonesia is restricted with the provision of 2-3 ampoules per day with a maximum of two days even though the literature states that ketorolac could be used for no more than five days. This study aimed to determine the decrease in pain scale as well as gastrointestinal and renal adverse effects of ketorolac injections in two days of use. This study was an observational study with one-group pre-test post-test design conducted prospectively. The group was a group of patients with postoperative pain who received ketorolac injections and were treated during January till April 2018 in an academic hospital in Yogyakarta. The results showed that ketorolac injections did not provide a statistically significant decrease in pain scale in two days of use compared to before surgery (median [range] = 2.0[0.0-9.33] vs 1.33[0.0-8.33]; p=0.32). Ketorolac injections decreased the kidney function of subjects in two days of use compared to before surgery based on creatinine values (0.76mg/dL vs 0.80mg/dL; p=0.024) and GFR (96.13mL/min/m 2 vs 87.52mL/min/m 2 ; p=0.023), and as many as 31 subjects (43.06%) experienced complaints that were suspected to be the gastrointestinal adverse effects of ketorolac injections with the three most complaints were bloating (18.06%), nausea (16.67%), and heartburn (15.28%). Those three results support the use of ketorolac injections following what has been regulated in the Indonesian National Formulary.

Survival Time and Prognostic Factors for Breast Cancer among Women in North-East Peninsular Malaysia

Background:Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease and the leading cause of cancer death among women globally. This study aimed to determine the median survival time and prognostic factors for breast cancer patients in a North-East State of Malaysia.Methods:This retrospective cohort study was conducted from January till April 2017 using secondary data obtained from the state’s cancer registry. All 549 cases of breast cancer diagnosed from 1st January 2007 until 31st December 2011 were selected and retrospectively followed-up until 31st December 2016. Sociodemographic and clinical information was collected to determine prognostic factors.Results:The average (SD) age at diagnosis was 50.4 (11.2) years, the majority of patients having Malay ethnicity (85.8%) and a histology of ductal carcinoma (81.5%). Median survival times for those presenting at stages III and IV were 50.8 (95% CI:25.34, 76.19) and 6.9 (95% CI:3.21, 10.61) months, respectively. Ethnicity (Adj. HR for Malay vs non-Malay ethnicity=2.52; 95% CI: 1.54, 4.13; p<0.001), stage at presentation (Adj. HR for Stage III vs Stage I=2.31; 95% CI: 1.57, 3.39; p<0.001 and Adj. HR for Stage IV vs Stage I=6.20; 95%CI: 4.45, 8.65; p<0.001), and history of surgical treatment (Adj. HR for patients with no surgical intervention=1.95; 95%CI: 1.52, 2.52; p<0.001) were observed to be the statistically significant prognostic factors associated with death caused by breast cancer.Conclusion:The median survival time among breast cancer patients in North-East State of Malaysia was short as compared to other studies. Primary and secondary prevention aimed at early diagnosis and surgical management of breast cancer, particularly among the Malay ethnic group, could improve treatment outcome.

Evaluating the Implementation Process of an Integrated Care Program in a Region

Evaluating the Implementation Process of an Integrated Care Program in a Region

Evaluating the Impact of an Integrated Care Program

An introduction: The Strategy of Care for People with Chronic Diseases (SCPCD) is one of the main strategies in the Madrid Region. This strategy proposes some key elements for its application in each territory in order to achieve a better integrated-care, elements that include interventions that have proven to be effective and efficient as well as the adaptation of the care model to the needs of the patients. The Westernarea of Madrid, in particular, the area of influence of “Rey Juan Carlos” Hospital, is a territory where continuity of care and the integration of services has become a priority. It is the Madrid areawith the highest percentage of patients with high level of risk. The institutionalized population in nursing homes constitutes 2.5% of the total population and it is estimated that 4% of the population has complex chronic diseases. It is considered as one of the most advanced area in the application of new care routes and tools and also with initiatives such as a social and health plan for the integration between the hospital and social services and nursing homes. Short description of practice change implemented: Between 2012 and the present time, and with the impulse of the SCPCD as reference, different projects including effective and efficient integrated interventions have been implemented in this region. These interventions have been described in a previous work and they are: new coordination structures, new rolls, new pathways for people with complex needs and in nursing homes, new ways of communications between professionals of different organizations, and new IT tools, with a shared electronic Health Record. and theory of change: The aim of the project is to evaluate the impact of an integrated care model in a territory within Madrid region, Spain. We will use as reference for obtaining indicators the Report on Results in of the Madrid Region and the Proposal of indicators to evaluate the attention to chronicity in the framework of the Strategy for Addressing Chronicity in the National Health Systemof the Catalan Agency for the evaluation of health technologies. Finally, we will use the Conceptual Framework of the Triple Aim as a reference scheme for the construction of our map of indicators Targeted population and stakeholders: We will take as reference the total population assigned to the “Rey Juan Carlos” Hospital at the cut-off date of December 31st, 2016: 174.000 inhabitants distributed in 18 municipalitiesfrom the West area of the Madrid Region. The institutionalized population in nursing homes belonging to this area will be also included as well as the population with a high level of risk using the Adjusted Morbidity Groups (GMA) grouper as a stratification tool. The managers of the different health and social institutions are also collaborating in the project as stakeholders. Timeline: The activities to developed will be: (1) Selection of Indicators; (2) Prioritization; (3) Build of Map of indicators (3) Obtention of data (4) Analysis comparing and following data from 2012 to 2016 specially for high risk-high needs and institutionalized people From January till April 2017. Highlights: The project will contribute to increase the knowledge in T4 Research as defined in the NIH Roadmap. This project has been approved as part of a set of studies promoted by a research team from the University of Berkeley and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Comments on sustainability: It is necesary to assess the impact of integrated program of iniciatives in real conditions to show its effectiveness and efficiency. Comments on transferability: We will establish a map of indicators of integrated-care that will allow the assessment of the impact of an integrated-care program in any territory. Conclusions: The final report with full results and conclusions will be finalized in April 2017. Discussions: Evaluating the impact of a program that includes different interventions, implemented with a variable time sequence, and in a population that is in turn influenced or contaminated by general health policies, or by non-controllable context factors, is difficult and represents a challenge. Lessons learned: The final report will summarize the results of the research oriented towards the detection of strengths and the development of improvements. The map of indicators will be an instrument to be use to assess and monitor the outcomes

Impact of Women’s Body Mass Index (BMI) on the Outcomes of Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperms Injection (ICSI)

Obesity is one of major health problems across the world that negatively impact many body systems and organs including reproductive system. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of body-mass index (BMI) on the outcomes of intra-cytoplasmic sperms injection (ICSI). Eighty five women entering an ICSI program in the fertility center of Al-Sadr medical city / Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf, from January till April 2015, were enrolled in this study and divided according to BMI to normal weight group [(BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2) (n=22)], overweight group [(BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2) (n=43)] and obese group [(BMI≥30 kg/m2) (n=20)]. The patients underwent standard controlled ovarian hyperstimulation protocols and ICSI procedures. The outcome measures in the form of embryological outcomes and most importantly pregnancy rates were studied. The results revealed a significantly negative impact of high BMI in obese women group on total oocytes number retrieved (p value 0.021), mature oocytes number [oocytes in meiosis II (M II)] (p value 0.003), good quality oocytes number (p value 0.005), grade I embryos number (p value 0.040) and clinical pregnancy rate (p value 0.001). On behalf of these results, it is worthy to encourage women with high BMI to lower their body weight before entering an ICSI program.

LIVING WITH MENTAL DISORDER IN CHILDHOOD: FEELINGS AND REACTIONS OF THE FAMILY

Descriptive study with a qualitative approach, involving 14 families of children with mental disorders assisted at the Psychosocial Child Care Center of Maringá, Paraná, Brazil. The objective was to understand the experiences, feelings and reactions of families of child with mental disorder. Data were collected from January till April 2013 through open interviews and then analyzed using thematic Content Analysis. Two categories emerged "Living with mental disorder in childhood: a daily battle" and "Feeling and reacting: experiencing the mental disorder in childhood". It is concluded that the family needs to understand the disease to accept it and thus learn how to live with it, and it is up to the nurse to provide support in order to face the difficulties.

Vitamin D3 supplementation: Response and predictors of vitamin D3 metabolites – A randomized controlled trial

Large parts of the population are insufficiently supplied with vitamin D, in particular when endogenous synthesis is absent. Therefore many health care providers recommend the use of vitamin D supplements. The current study aimed to investigate the efficacy of an once-daily oral dose of 20 μg vitamin D3 to improve the vitamin D status and to evaluate predictors of response. The study was conducted as a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled parallel trial from January till April 2013. In total, 105 subjects (20-71 years) were allocated to receive either a vitamin D3 supplement (20 μg/d) or a placebo for 12 weeks. Circulating levels of vitamin D3 metabolites such as the 25(OH)D3 and the 24,25(OH)2D3, and biomarkers of calcium and phosphate metabolism were quantified. The 25(OH)D3 serum concentrations in the placebo group decreased from 38 ± 15 nmol/L at baseline to 32 ± 14 nmol/L and 32 ± 13 nmol/L at weeks 8 and 12 of the study, respectively (p < 0.01). In the vitamin D3 group, the serum 25(OH)D3 concentration increased from 38 ± 14 nmol/L at baseline to 70 ± 15 nmol/L and 73 ± 16 nmol/L at weeks 8 and 12 of vitamin D3 supplementation (p < 0.001), respectively. As a result, 94% of the vitamin D3-supplemented participants reached 25(OH)D3 concentrations of ≥50 nmol/L and thereof 46% attained 25(OH)D3 levels of ≥75 nmol/L until the end of the study. The extent of the 25(OH)D3 increase upon vitamin D3 supplementation depended on 25(OH)D3 baseline levels, age, body weight and circulating levels of triglycerides. In contrast to 25(OH)D3, the response of 24,25(OH)2D3 to the vitamin D3 treatment was affected only by baseline levels of 24,25(OH)2D3 and age. The average improvement of 25(OH)D3 levels in individuals who received 20 μg vitamin D3 per day during the winter months was 41 nmol/L compared to individuals without supplementation. As a result almost all participants with the vitamin D3 supplementation attained 25(OH)D3 concentrations of 50 nmol/L and higher. The suitability of 24,25(OH)2D3 as a marker of vitamin D status needs further investigation. Clinical trial registration number at clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01711905.

N.D.L. Clark. Amber, Tears of the Gods. Dunedin Academic Press Ltd., 2010, 128 pp. Fully illustrated in colour. Price £ 25 (hardback). ISBN 978-1-906716-16-5

This interesting and attractively presented book was published to coincide with the exhibition, `Amber – Treasures from Poland' at the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow, from January till April 2010. On display in the exhibition were items from the Malbork Castle Museum and the Amber Museum in Gdansk. The book is divided into thirteen chapters, each one looking at different aspects of amber or historical era. It is clearly written and very informative. The first chapter tells where, how and when amber formed, and describes its colours. This is …

Induced out-of-season and seasonal tank spawning and stripping of pike perch (Sander lucioperca L.)

Nine trials were carried out on the induced propagation of pike perch in out-of-season as well as in the natural reproduction period. From January till May, periodically, 16–20 pairs were transported to the hatchery, and acclimated to 15–16°C. The following hormonal treatments were used to induce reproduction: carp pituitary homogenate (CP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) alone or in combination; gonadotrop-releasing hormone ‘Ovurelin’ (D-Phe6-LH-RH) alone or with metaclopramid (MTC); and ‘Ovopel’ [containing des-Gly10-(D-Ala6)-LH-RH-ethylamide and MTC]. The effects of daylight regime, water temperature and the length of the pre-spawning conditioning period on the reproduction performance were determined. From the 130 hormonally treated pairs, 122 either spawned in tanks or were stripped. There were no differences in the ovulation rate between out-of-season (93%) and seasonal (91%) propagation. The developmental stage of the eggs correlated with the latency period, which significantly declined from January till April. The latency period was the shortest in fish treated with hCG and, secondly, with CP. The germinal vesicle migration did not proceed without hormonal treatment, although in some trials breeders were kept at the spawning temperature for 1–2 weeks. The results demonstrate that the pike perch can be successfully induced to spawn about 3 months earlier than its natural spawning season, which allows a significantly prolonged yearly supply of fry.

The influence of the trade winds on the coastal development of the Guianas at various scale levels: a synthesis

The coastal development of the Guianas is dominated by extensive, shoreface-attached and alongshore westward migrating mudbanks. The behaviour of these mudbanks is mainly determined by a combination of the large supply of Amazon-borne silt and clay and the trade wind generated wave action. In the front zone of the mudbanks, fluid mud is formed. As a result, the incoming waves are strongly attenuated and deposition is favoured. At their rear side, compacted clay deposits are eroded by waves. The mudbanks, migrating in this manner, are the driving mechanism in the development of the smallest coastal unit, which consists of a mudbank and the eastward adjacent interbank area. Eisma et al. [Neth. J. Sea Res. 28 (1991) 181] has demonstrated that the frequency of the northeast trade wind, which blows towards the coast of the Guianas, in the windy season (January till April), shows a systematic change in time. For the period 1953–1986, there is evidence that the frequency of winds coming from directions between 50° and 80° (roughly east–northeast) increases. The same applies to the wind velocity from that direction. In the last 10 years a reversal of these trends appears to occur. For a more or less east–west directed coastal section, e.g. the coastline of Suriname, a more easterly direction of the northeast trade wind results in an increased longshore wave energy flux in the coastal waters. This causes an increase in length of the mudbanks, at the detriment of the usually eroding interbank parts of the coast. This is evidenced by the large-scale coastal development during the related period, demonstrating an increasing length of the mudbanks and consequently an increasing net accretion. It is hypothesised that this development will reverse if the new trends in wind direction and velocity develop further. At the geological scale, it is considered that a coincidence of a systematic increase of more northerly directed wind frequencies and a fall in sea level are responsible for the two erosive interruptions in the generally accreting coastal plain during the Young Holocene Period.