The LOE classification was carried out by using indicators scored by comparing site specific conditions to reference conditions measured in lagoon reference sites, or provided by local, national or European regulations (e.g. Environmental Quality Standards, EQS, for chemicals). Finally, the overall quality status for each water body was calculated by a probabilistic approach, i.e. by reporting the final result as the frequency distribution of quality
classes. The developed procedure was applied by using data and information concerning selected LOE and collected from monitoring programs and research studies carried out in the last 15 years in the lagoon of Venice. A set of sampling stations characterized by spatially and temporally coherent information for each LOE was selected, Daporinad datasheet and among these stations, potential reference sites for each water body typology were identified. The quality assessment highlighted that there are specific lagoon areas, especially those located near the industrially developed area, which are highly affected by anthropogenic activities, and that chemical contamination is one of the main pressures affecting ecological
status (e.g. macro-benthonic biodiversity) in the Venice lagoon. The integrated quality assessment procedure that was developed provided a new tool supporting decision making, as well as lagoon assessment and management. (C) 2010 Elsevier HIF inhibitor Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Aim This study aimed to clarify the association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and childhood overweight during different periods using two cohort studies from the same population: the birth cohort (the 1st cohort) and the non-overweight children at 5 years of age cohort (the 2nd cohort) by sex. Material and Methods
The study population comprised children born between 1 April 1991 and 31 March 1999 in Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, and their mothers. learn more The dependent variables were diagnosis of overweight in each cohort. The primary independent variable was maternal smoking during pregnancy. Multiple logistic regression models were applied for these statistical analyses. Results Mothers who answered the questionnaire during early pregnancy gave birth to a total of 1644 babies during the study period. The 1st cohort consisted of these babies and were followed until 5 years of age. The 2nd cohort consisted of 1131 children who were diagnosed as normal weight at 5 years of age and followed until 910 years of age. There was an association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and overweight only in boys in the 1st cohort analysis (adjusted odds ratio, 4.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.010.2).