bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of time‐dependent response to psoralen plus UVA (PUVA) treatment with topical 8‐methoxypsoralen (8‐MOP) gel in palmoplantar dermatoses
Authors: Engin Burhan , Oguz Oya
Published: March 2005

Background  Topical psoralen plus UVA (PUVA) is an effective treatment for localized forms of eczema, psoriasis, and palmoplantar pustulosis, which avoids some of the undesirable side‐effects of systemic psoralens.

Aims  In this study, the efficacy of topical PUVA treatment with 8‐methoxypsoralen (8‐MOP) gel was compared with placebo plus UVA in chronic recurrent palmoplantar dermatoses.

Methods  Twenty‐two patients with palmoplantar disease (11 with psoriasis vulgaris, six with eczema, and five with pustulosis) were enrolled in the study. The study design was a left–right comparison: one hand or foot was treated with 8‐MOP 0.01% gel plus UVA, whilst the contralateral hand or foot received placebo and UVA for 6 weeks. Twenty minutes after application of the gel, both sides were exposed to UVA. The treatment regimen was three times a week, and the UVA dose was increased weekly by 20%.

Results  A comparison of the pre‐ and post‐treatment scores with regard to the severity of the clinical picture and the infiltration of plaques showed a significant decrease (from 7.5 ± 2.0 to 2.5 ± 2.1 and from 2.0 ± 0.7 to 0.3 ± 0.5, respectively) in the sites treated with 8‐MOP gel compared with placebo after 6 weeks.

Conclusion  The results of the study indicate that at least 18 courses of local PUVA within 6 weeks, with a cumulative dose of 87 J/cm2, are required to induce a significant decrease in the disease severity and an improvement in the infiltration of plaques due to 8‐MOP gel at a concentration of 0.01% when treating chronic recurrent palmoplantar dermatoses.
Nosocomial nasal myiasis owing to Cochliomyia hominivorax: a case in French Guiana
Authors: Couppié Pierre , Roussel Morgane , Rabarison Patrick , Sockeel Marie‐Josée , Sainte‐Marie Dominique , Marty Christian , Carme Bernard
Published: March 2005

The larval stages of the fly Cochliomyia hominivorax are responsible for myiasis, which primarily affects wounds. We report the case of a bed‐ridden patient with dementia who developed right nasal myiasis during his stay at Cayenne Hospital. Progression was favorable, but the nasal pyramid was partially destroyed. In zones where this fly is endemic, particular attention should be given to hospitalized patients with wounds and consciousness problems.
Willan's itch and other causes of pruritus in the elderly
Authors: Ward Jon R. , Bernhard Jeffrey D.
Published: March 2005

Itch in the elderly presents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. A thorough history, review of systems, and physical examination are critical to determining its cause. Examination of the skin may be misleading. There are frequently only secondary lesions, eczematous changes, lichenification, and excoriation, which may be misdiagnosed as a primary dermatitis. Xerosis may be the cause, but it is sometimes merely coincidental. If primary lesions are present, a skin biopsy can enable a diagnosis to be made. Systemic causes of itch, such as cholestasis, uremia, hyperthyroidism, medications, or lymphoma, must be considered. If the cause remains elusive, idiopathic itching of the elderly or so‐called “senile pruritus” may be considered. However, we propose to discard the term “senile pruritus”, which can be offensive and frightening. We propose to replace it with “Willan's itch”. Robert Willan (1757–1812) is honored as one of the founders of modern dermatology thanks to his book, On Cutaneous Diseases, and its morphological approach to skin disease. He was probably the first to give a good clinical description of itching in the elderly. The diagnosis of Willan's itch should be reserved for generalized pruritus in the absence of xerosis or other recognizable cause. The pathophysiology of this form of pruritus is poorly understood, but it is likely that age‐related changes of the skin, cutaneous nerves, and other parts of the nervous system play a role. Anecdotal and limited data suggest that gabapentin, cutaneous field stimulation, serotonin antagonists, and ultraviolet B phototherapy may attenuate itch in some of these patients.
Hypertrophic and keloidal scars: an approach to polytherapy
Authors: Boutli‐Kasapidou Fotini , Tsakiri Amalia , Anagnostou Eleni , Mourellou Olga
Published: March 2005

Background  Cryotherapy and intralesional corticosteroids have been used separately or in combination as a treatment for hypertrophic and keloidal scars. The addition of silicone gel to the treatment schedule might be of interest.

Methods  Twenty patients with hypertrophic and keloidal scars received two 15‐s cycles (in total 30 s) of cryotherapy treatments at every session (once monthly for 12 months) with intralesional injections of trimcinolone acetonide 0.1% (10–40 mg/mL, once monthly for 3 months). Topical application of silicone gel was added three times daily (for 12 months). The control group included 10 patients who received treatment with silicone sheeting.

Results  After 1 year there was improvement in all the parameters studied, especially in terms of symptoms, cosmetic appearance and associated signs (P < 0.0001) compared to baseline and compared to the control group.

Conclusion  Our study suggests that polytherapy may be an effective tool in the therapy of hypertrophic and keloidal scars.
Clinical, histopathological and virological findings in patients with focal epithelial hyperplasia from Colombia
Authors: González Leonor V. , Gaviria Angela M. , Sanclemente Gloria , Rady Peter , Tyring Stephen K. , Carlos Roman , Correa Luis A. , Sanchez Gloria I.
Published: March 2005

Background  Focal epithelial hyperplasia (FEH) is a rare oral HPV‐related disease, highly prevalent in certain ethnic communities. A previous study found 7.5% prevalence among school children from the Indian community Embera‐Chamí in Colombia.

Objective  To determine the prevalence and Human Papillomavirus (HPVs)‐type in children with FEH.

Materials and methods  One hundred and thirty‐eight students were screened. All FEH samples were HPV‐tested by two PCR‐based systems.

Results  We identified 18 FEH cases. β‐globin amplification was obtained in 15 cases and nine were HPV‐55‐positive by the HPV‐PCR‐hybridization method. Nine cases (50%) were HPV‐13‐positive by the GP5+/GP6+‐based method. Twelve cases (80%) were HPV‐positive by one or the other method. Forty‐four percent and 88% of interviewed parents reported family histories of FEH and toothbrush sharing, respectively.

Conclusions  Human Papillomavirus‐DNA was identified in the majority of FEH cases and HPV‐13 was the only genotype involved. Frequent familiar infection suggests interfamiliar transmission, genetic predisposition or infection susceptibility among family members.
Effect of glucose toxicity on intraportal tilapia islet xenotransplantation in nude mice
Authors: Al‐Jazaeri Ayman , Xu Bao‐You , Yang Hua , MacNeil Danielle , Leventhal Joseph R. , Wright James R.
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  Background:  Discordant xenogeneic islets transplanted intraportally into athymic nude rats experience primary non‐function and are rapidly destroyed. Recently, it has been reported that adult porcine islets transplanted intraportally into nude mice are also rapidly destroyed and that this constitutes a new model for instant blood‐mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR).

Methods:  Tilapia (fish) islets were harvested, mechanically broken into mammalian islet‐sized fragments, cultured for 48 h, and transplanted via the portal vein into athymic or euthymic mice.

Results:  There were several groups of recipient mice. Streptozotocin‐diabetic nude mice received 400 islets via the portal vein (n = 12). Recipients were killed when hyperglycemic (>200 mg/dl); livers and native pancreases were examined histologically. Mean graft survival time, based on function, was 5.4 ± 1.2 days; at autopsy, histology showed occasional viable islets. We also performed a group of transplants in non‐diabetic nude mice (n = 6) and then killed the recipients 2 or 4 weeks later; all had abundant viable, well‐granulated islet grafts based on histology. Therefore, the intraportal environs in nude mice are not incompatible with discordant fish islets; rather, it appears as if hyperglycemia adversely affects the intraportal islet grafts (i.e. ‘‘glucose toxicity’’). To test this hypothesis, transplants were performed into non‐diabetic nude mice and allowed to engraft for either 3 days (n = 6) or 10 days (n = 8) prior to injection of streptozotocin (200 to 220 mg/kg i.v.) to destroy the β‐cells in the recipients’ native islets (n.b. tilapia islets are exceedingly resistant to streptozotocin); these recipients were followed for 28 days post‐transplantation (or until hyperglycemic) and then killed for histology. Mean graft function exceeded 25 days for both groups and viable well‐granulated, tilapia islets grafts were readily identified in all recipients; in all but one, the native pancreases were markedly β‐cell depleted – confirming that normoglycemia was due to functional fish islet xenografts.

Conclusions:  Our results suggest that ‘‘glucose toxicity’’ plays a role in the immediate demise of intraportal tilapia islet xenografts.
Prey Escape Direction is Influenced by the Pivoting Displays of Flush‐Pursuing Birds
Authors: Jabłoński Piotr G. , McInerney Caitríona
Published: March 2005

Painted redstart, Myioborus pictus, and its congeners in Central and South America, belong to a small fraction of insectivorous flush‐pursuing birds. Unlike most of the small insectivorous birds, which glean prey from substrates, the flush pursuers spread and pivot their conspicuously patterned tails and wings. This display triggers prey escape flights which are hypothesized to occur through visual stimulation of prey escape circuits [giant descending neuron cluster (GDNC) in Diptera] sensitive to the looming motion of an approaching bird, translational motion of a pivoting body with widely spread tail and contrast of the white‐black plumage pattern. In this paper, data from field observations of redstarts and experiments with bird models show an increase in the frequency of prey escapes away from the strong visual stimulation of an open tail, and in the direction opposite to that of the horizontal translational motion present in the pivots. We discuss how the effect on prey escape direction may enhance prey interception capabilities of redstarts during aerial pursuits. Combined with an earlier study the results show that, unlike the movements of typical gleaner–foragers, the flush displays by redstarts affect prey escape direction in a manner that may facilitate prey tracking and capture by birds. Because the GDNs, which mediate escape initiation, are not sensitive to motion direction, we hypothesize that other neurons, in addition to the GDNs, are involved in influencing the direction of escape responses.
Snake Species Discrimination by Wild Bonnet Macaques (Macaca radiata)
Authors: Ramakrishnan Uma , Coss Richard G. , Schank Jeffrey , Dharawat Amita , Kim Susan
Published: March 2005

Wild bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata) were studied in southern India to assess their ability to discriminate non‐venomous, venomous and predatory snakes. Realistic snake models were presented to eight troops of bonnet macaques at feeding stations and their behavior was video‐recorded 3 min before and 3 min after snake exposure. Snakes presented were: (1) venomous Indian cobra (Naja naja) displaying an open hood with ‘eyespots’; (2) venomous common Indian krait (Bungarus caeruleus); (3) non‐venomous green keelback (Macropisthodan plumbicolor); (4) non‐venomous rat snake (Ptyas mucosus); and (5) Indian python (Python molurus) which preys on macaques. Latencies to detect and react to the snakes were evaluated to determine initial responsiveness. Longer‐term assessment was measured as the percentage of time individuals looked at the snakes and monitored the activity of nearby individuals before and after snake detection. All snake models engendered caution and maintenance of a safe distance. Alarm calling occurred only during python presentations. The cobra engendered a startle response or running in the largest percentage of individuals after its detection, whereas the rat snake and python elicited bipedal standing or ambulating to monitor the snakes. We also examined the influence of age on snake recognition. Juveniles and subadults looked at the cobra, krait, and python for a larger percentage of time than adults did; albeit, adults looked at the python substantially longer than at the other snakes. Age differences in behavior suggest that, with the exception of the python, repeated experience with snakes in the wild moderates excitability, consistent with the likely threat of envenomation.
Geographic and Temporal Variation of the Male Zebra Finch Distance Call
Authors: Runciman David , Zann Richard A. , Murray Neil D.
Published: March 2005

Temporal and geographic variation of acoustic signals can provide insights into dispersal patterns, population history and speciation. Vocalizations that are transmitted from one generation to the next are of particular value in this respect because they can reveal patterns of gene flow, effectively behaving as population markers. The male zebra finchTaeniopygia guttatadistance call is one such vocalization; sons learn their father's distance call in the first 40 d of life and it is individually stereotyped thereafter. We investigated geographic variation in the zebra finch by comparing the structure of distance calls recorded from 61 males from six populations across the continent‐wide range of the Australian subspeciesT. g. castanotis. Intra‐population variation was high, in many cases greater than the variation among all males recorded, possibly because of population interchange. However, three of six call variables measured, including the newly discovered modulated element, varied geographically although the pattern of distance call variation did not agree with that of geographic proximity of populations. The proportion of calls with a modulated element increased dramatically over 7 yr in central Australia but there was no change over a similar period of time in south‐eastern Australia where no calls contained the element. The findings suggest that interchange among widely separated populations may be commonplace in Australian zebra finches, with the possible exception of those from south‐eastern Australia.
A Quantified Ethogram for Oviposition inTriturusNewts: Description and Comparison ofT. helveticusandT. vulgaris
Authors: Norris Karen M. , Hosie Charlotte A.
Published: March 2005

Female newts of the genusTriturusdeposit and wrap their eggs individually in the submerged leaves of aquatic macrophytes. Although this behaviour has previously been described, the different elements of the oviposition process have not been fully characterized nor any attempt made to quantify the behavioural elements. The study examined the oviposition behaviour of the two similarly sized species,Triturus helveticusandT. vulgarison a standardized substrate macrophyte,Rorippa nasturtium–aquaticum. Continuous focal sampling was used to develop a baseline of discrete behavioural elements enabling quantification and comparison of oviposition behaviour between the two species. The results showed that the same pattern of elements was followed for each egg laid and the same key elements of the process were present in each newt species. Although these are broadly similar in size, there were striking differences in certain aspects of the oviposition sequence between the two species. Key findings were that leaf sniffing and leaf flexing and a measure of the duration of ovipositing were all significantly greater in females ofT. helveticusand females ofT. vulgarislaid significantly more eggs than those ofT. helveticusin a standard observation period. The work presented here defines a baseline ethogram and shows how it can be used to reveal quantifiable differences in closely related species. This demonstrates its value in furthering our understanding of oviposition – a key aspect of female behaviour currently understudied inTriturusbehavioural ecology, despite its intrinsic interest and value in understanding recruitment and maintenance of populations.
In Vitro Fertilization Reveals Offspring Recognition via Self‐Referencing in a Fish with Paternal Care and Cuckoldry
Authors: Neff Bryan D. , Sherman Paul W.
Published: March 2005

Male bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) exhibit alternative life histories: some males (parentals) delay maturation for up to 7 yr, then build nests, court females, and care for the eggs and fry, whereas other males (cuckolders) mature precociously, attempt to steal fertilizations from parentals, and provide no parental care. Parental males could avoid misdirecting their nepotism (i.e. caring for unrelated young) by abandoning entire broods if they were sired mainly by cuckolders or by discriminating between offspring and non‐kin fry within broods for which they care. We tested for kin discrimination by obtaining sperm from parental and cuckolder males and eggs from several females, and using them to conceive fry in vitro. In ‘blind’ laboratory tests, parental males (but not cuckolder males) distinguished between sources of dripping water that had been conditioned by their own offspring vs. unrelated fry. Parental males that were in the best physical condition were especially choosy. Because the only referents available to our experimental subjects were chemical cues emanating from their own body, our results imply that parental males can use self‐referent phenotype matching for kin recognition. This mechanism enables males to make the adaptive, nepotistic adjustments in paternal care that have been documented in previous studies.
Threat‐Sensitive Responses to Predator Attacks in a Damselfly
Authors: Gyssels Freya G. M. , Stoks Robby
Published: March 2005

The threat sensitivity hypothesis predicts that prey species assess and adjust their behavior flexibly in accordance with the magnitude of the threat imposed by a predator. We tested this hypothesis with regard to escape behavior and thanatosis (feigning of death to escape predation) in larvae of the damselfly Ischnura elegans. We manipulated the perceived predation threat of the larvae by changing three factors: lamellae autotomy (an escape strategy where animals sacrifice a body part when grasped by a predator; lamellae present or absent), kairomone type (odors released by predators; control, dragonfly kairomones or fish kairomones), and population of origin (fishpond or fishless pond). We demonstrated that thanatosis increased survival both when confronted with dragonfly and fish predators. We could show, for the first time, costs of past autotomy to be predator‐dependent: larvae without lamellae suffered higher predation mortality but only in the presence of a dragonfly predator and not in the presence of a fish predator. This is in accordance with the observed reduced escape speed of larvae after autotomy, which may affect escape probability toward dragonfly predators but not to the very fast fish predators. Unexpectedly, kairomone type did not affect the escape response of the larvae. In accordance with the threat sensitivity hypothesis, after an unsuccessful attack, larvae without lamellae had a higher frequency to enter thanatosis than larvae with lamellae and larvae from the fishpond showed longer thanatosis durations than larvae from the fishless pond. Consistent with the hypothesis, the reaction of the larvae to a simulated attack depended jointly on lamellae status and population. In fishless ponds, larvae with lamellae swam away more frequently than larvae without lamellae; in fishponds both groups almost never swam away and relied mostly upon immobility. Given the obvious benefits of adaptively varying escape responses we hypothesize this threat sensitivity to be widespread. Moreover, we argue that former inconsistencies between studies with regard to escape behavior may have been partly because of such adaptive variation.
Erschwerter Verlauf von Ösophagusperforationen durch Pilzinfektion
Authors: Jungbluth T. , Bouchard R. , Kujath P. , Bruch H.‐P.
Published: March 2005

Die Ösophagusperforation hat eine hohe Letalitätsrate, welche zwischen 7 und 49% schwankt. Im untersuchten Kollektiv aus den Jahren 1986 bis 2003 war die hohe Letalitätsrate von 28% vorwiegend durch septische Komplikationen wie Mediastinitiden und Pneumonien verursacht. In den mikrobiologischen Untersuchungen unterschiedlicher Lokalisationen und Sekrete wurden bei 28% der Patienten (n = 16) Pilze nachgewiesen. Im Vergleich zum Gesamtkollektiv führte der Pilzbefall zu einer erhöhten Letalität um 50%. Die invasive ösophageale Candidose kann ihrerseits Ursache einer Ösophagusperforation sein. Begleitende Pilzinfektionen entstehen bei Ösophagusperforationen durch das Einbrechen der Perforation in sterile Kompartimente oder durch hämatogene und lymphogene Ausbreitung bis hin zur Sepsis. Bei unkompliziertem Krankheitsverlauf ist eine antimykotische Therapie nicht erforderlich. Vom Anfang der Behandlung an sollte ein mikrobiologisches Monitoring erfolgen, insbesondere des intraoperativen Befundes. Je nach Risikofaktoren und klinischem Verlauf der Patienten muss mit einer antimykotischen Therapie reagiert werden. Besondere Bedeutung kommt einer chirurgischen Sanierung und einer suffizienten Drainage der beteiligten Kompartimente wie Pleura und Mediastinum zu.
Die chirurgische Therapie des pulmonalen Aspergilloms
Authors: Schulte T. , Welcker K. , Schatz J. , Branscheid D.
Published: March 2005

Die invasive pulmonale Aspergillose ist eine potentiell lebensbedrohliche Erkrankung, die durch die Besiedlung der Lunge oder Pleurahöhle überwiegend mit dem Fadenpilz Aspergillus fumigatus hervorgerufen wird. Insbesondere findet sich diese opportunistische Mykose bei immunsupprimierten Patienten, bei Tuberkulose‐, AIDS‐ oder Tumor‐Patienten. In vielen Fällen kommt es zu Hämoptoe oder sogar zu lebensgefährlichen Massenblutungen. Der Stellenwert der Chirurgie bezüglich des Aspergilloms wird herausgestellt, insbesondere übe Zeitpunkt und Indikation von operativen Maßnahmen sollte interdisziplinär entschieden werden. In jedem Falle sollte eine Resektion den anatomischen Grenzen folgen um ein Rezidiv sicher zu verhindern. Das Ligamentum pulmonale muss immer gelöst werden, um das Aufsteigen der Restlunge in den Apex zu ermöglichen und somit keine intrathorakalen Hohlräume zu hinterlassen. Sollten trotzdem Hohlräume zurückbleiben, stehen Verfahren wie die Thorakoplastik oder die Muskelplombe mit z. B. Latissimus dorsi oder Pectoralismuskel zur Verfügung. Werden die genannten Maßnahmen konsequent durchgeführt, lassen sich auch bei schwerkranken Patienten befiedigende Ergebnisse hinsichtlich Mortalität, Morbidität und Rezidivhäufigkeit erzielen.
Indikationsstellung zur antimykotischen Therapie bei der tracheobronchialen Candidose unter Beatmung
Authors: Großherr M. , Sedemund‐Adib Beate , Klotz K.‐F.
Published: March 2005

Die Candidose der Atemwege bei beatmeten Patienten stellt eine schwerwiegende Komplikation des intensivmedizinischen Verlaufes dar. Die vorliegende Arbeit stellt ein Konzept vor, das durch die Erfassung der Häufigkeiten von Untersuchungsmaterial, Keimart und Resistenz Rückschlüsse auf die Wirksamkeit der geleisteten Arbeit geben kann. Ein Vergleich von Intensivstationen im Sinne des Benchmarkings wird durch diese qualitätssichernde Maßnahme ermöglicht. Die Aufarbeitung von entsprechenden Krankheitsverläufen eröffnet die Möglichkeit, die eigene Arbeit im Einzelfall zu reflektieren und an den aktuellen Therapieempfehlungen auszurichten. Ziel ist es, gezielt durch beide Vorgehensweisen die antimykotische Therapie auf einer Intensivstation zu verbessern und Resistenzlagen zu vermeiden. Pilznachweise im respiratorischen System sind häufig, dies alleine rechtfertigt keine Therapie. Die aktuelle Literatur empfiehlt strikte Zurückhaltung, relativiert diese aber bei häufig unklarer Infektionslage, kritischem Allgemeinzustand des Patienten bei Multiorganversagen und zusätzlicher Infektion und bei Langzeitbeatmung. Daher wird die Festlegung einer Therapiestrategie für individuelle Situationen und eine engmaschige Diagnostik empfohlen. Eine frühzeitige Therapie der tracheobronchialen Candidose ist indiziert bei positiver Blutkultur oder bei Candida‐Nachweis aus zwei Untersuchungsmaterialien.
Fehlendes granulozytäres Infiltrat bei der Pityriasis versicolor – ein Hinweis für eine spezifische antiinflammatorische Aktivität des Erregers?
Authors: Wroblewski N. , Bär Silja , Mayser P.
Published: March 2005

Der Hefepilz Malassezia furfur gehört zur Standortflora des Menschen. Gleichzeitig ist er Erreger verschiedener Erkrankungen wie der Pityriasis versicolor. Bei dieser Erkrankung finden sich trotz deutlicher klinischer Symptome (z.B. Hypopigmentierung) kaum Entzündungszeichen. Aufschluss hierüber könnte das aus der Pathophysiologie resultierende morphologische Bild geben. Angaben in der Literatur sind zum Teil kontrovers, daher wurde in dieser Arbeit das Entzündungsinfiltrat der Pityriasis versicolor mit dem der Tinea corporis verglichen. Als Untersuchungsmaterial dienten jeweils 40 humane Hautpräparate von Pityriasis versicolor bzw. Tinea corporis, die im Rahmen der klinischen Diagnostik entnommen wurden. Jedes Präparat wurde HE und PAS gefärbt. In der HE‐Färbung wurden alle neutrophilen Granulozyten, in der PAS‐Färbung die Hyphen und Sporen gezählt. Die Anzahl der ausgezählten Zellen wurde auf die Größe der jeweiligen Fläche bezogen und die Werte zwischen Pityriasis versicolor und Tinea corporis verglichen. Bei der Tinea corporis fanden sich signifikant mehr neutrophile Granulocyten (P > 0,01). Diese waren bei der Pityriasis versicolor praktisch nicht nachzuweisen. Dies ist insofern erstaunlich, da die Pilzlast im Stratum corneum bei Pityriasis versicolor signifikant erhöht ist (P > 0,01). Trotz hoher Erregerlast bleibt offensichtlich die Immunantwort mit neutrophilen Granulozyten aus. Ein Erklärungsmodell könnte eine verminderte Immunogenität durch den hohen Gehalt an Lipiden in der Zellmembran sein. Ferner könnten auch die im Rahmen des Tryptophan‐Stoffwechsels gebildeten Pityriarubine beteiligt sein, die in vitro die ROS‐Produktion neutrophiler Granulozyten stimulusabhängig unterdrücken können.
WITHDRAWAL OF INTRAVENOUS GLYCERYL TRINITRATE: ABSENCE OF REBOUND PHENOMENA WITH TRANSITION TO ORAL ISOSORBIDE DINITRATE
Authors: Kelly Elizabeth A , Ahmed Rebekah M , Horowitz John D
Published: March 2005

1. Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) is frequently infused intravenously as a component of the management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Abrupt cessation of GTN infusion after periods of more than 24 h administration often induces rebound vasoconstriction reflecting ‘pseudotolerance’; this is also the basis of the ‘zero hour phenomenon’ during chronic nitrate therapy. The efficacy of oral nitrate regimens to prevent vasoconstriction following cessation of intravenous GTN has not been previously examined. Therefore, we investigated the effects of transition from intravenous GTN to oral isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) on a parameter of apparent arterial stiffness in patients with ACS.

2. The effects of GTN infusion at 5 µg/min on augmentation index (AIx) were quantified in patients (n = 10) with stable angina pectoris in order to establish the magnitude of effect on apparent arterial stiffness.

3. This infusion rate of GTN reduced AIx from 23 ± 10% (SD) to 3 ± 14% (SD) (P < 0.01). The effect of transition from GTN infusion of greater than 24 h duration to ISDN (10 mg tds) were examined in patients (n = 16) with ACS (unstable angina/non‐Q‐wave myocardial infarction). No patient developed recurrent angina during the 24 h following cessation of GTN infusion. The level of AIx was 8 ± 4% (SD) prior to GTN cessation and fell to 5 ± 6% (SD) on ISDN (P = 0.05).

4. Thus, in patients treated for ACS, transition from intravenous GTN to low dose oral ISDN is associated with an incremental vasodilatation and no evidence of ‘rebound’ ischaemia.
Temporal Dioecism and Pollination by Wasps and Bees in Allophylus serratus (Roxb.) Radlk. (Sapindaceae)
Authors: ALURI JACOB SOLOMON RAJU , REDDII CHILAKALA SUBBA , DAS KANAKALA RAMA
Published: March 2005

Abstract
Allophylus serratus produces staminate and morphologically hermaphroditic but functionally pistillate flowers, thus becoming functionally monoecious. The staminate and pistillate phases are temporally separated at the inflorescence and plant level, and in a majority of the plants staminate phase precedes, thus becoming “temporally dioecious”. An individual is either staminate or pistillate at any given time during the flowering period, thus it is functionally unisexual. In some individuals there is overlapping of sexual phases. The plants are compatible to both geitonogamous and xenogamous pollen. Temporal dioecism enforces cross‐pollination. The flowers are small, white, with short corolla and an open cup shape resembling wasp flowers. They are visited for nectar and pollen by bees and for nectar by wasps. The staggering of sexual phases enforces interplant visits especially by wasps and honeybees. Other bees mostly effect geitonogamy. Staggering of sexual phases excludes deposition of self‐pollen that quickly buries cross‐pollen, and the massive display of staminate flowers serves to attract and habituate the pollinators.
Population Genetic Structure ofArctomecon californicaTorrey & Frémont (Papaveraceae) in Fragmented and Unfragmented Habitat
Authors: HICKERSON LAURA L. , WOLF PAUL G.
Published: March 2005

AbstractArctomecon californica (the Las Vegas bearpoppy) is endemic to gypsum outcrops of the northern Mojave Desert. Native habitat of this plant in the Las Vegas Valley has been severely fragmented, while relatively undisturb ed, unfragmented habitat still exists in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Allozyme data from seven loci for 16 populations indicate high levels of genetic variability. Neis genetic identity andGSTvalues suggest that populations in fragmented habitat are more differentiated with increasing geographic distance. Populations in unfragmented habitat show no relationship between geographic distance and genetic identity. Three indices of genetic variation were significantly lower for populations in fragmented habitat. However, there was little evidence of increased inbreeding, as indicated by fixation indices, for any population. Habitat fragmentation is discussed as a possible contributing factor to reduced levels of genetic variation in populations in the Las Vegas Valley.
The Significance of the Mode of Clonal Growth in the Life History of Bamboos
Authors: MAKITA AKIFUMI
Published: March 2005

Abstract
The flowering behavior and juvenile growth habits of bamboos are reviewed in relation to clonal growth, and the significance of the mode of clonal growth in the life history of bamboos is discussed. The rhizome system composes the basic frame of bamboo plants and determines fundamental ecological features. We can recognize clear differences in the rhizome systems between tropical and temperate regions, as well as changes in flowering behavior. Bamboos in warmer regions have the clump‐forming pachymorph rhizome system and tend to flower at shorter intervals and less synchronously. Temperate bamboos tend to form closed bamboo forests with a leptomorph rhizome system and have a conspicuous mass flowering pattern with a long interval. The adaptive significance of differences in flowering behavior can be understood by analyzing the population structure and pattern of genet distribution in tropical and temperate regions. The population dynamics of juveniles are also strongly affected by the mode of clonal growth, especially by the pattern of expansion. The mode of clonal growth plays an important role in determining the pattern of population recovery after flowering. It is thus indispensable to analyze species‐specific characteristics of clonal growth for the elucidation of evolutionary trends of bamboo life history.
A Sensitivity Analysis of the Population Dynamics of Erythronium japonicum, a Liliaceous Perennial
Authors: TAKADA TAKENORI , NAKAYAMA SHUlCHI , KAWANO SHOlCHI
Published: March 2005

Abstract
An individual‐based model for the population dynamics of a representative Japanese woodland herb, Erythronium japonicum, was constructed based on census data for eight years. The effects of intra‐specific competition were incorporated into the model. Several statistics on population dynamics, including intrinsic growth rate (r) carrying capacity (K), and steady‐state frequency distribution, were calculated by the model. Two kinds of sensitivities for intrinsic growth rate and carrying capacity were also obtained to examine the response of the population to the changes in several life history parameters. The changes in the relative growth rate (RGR) provided a higher sensitivity for intrinsic growth rate than the changes in mortality and in number of seedlings established. Incontrast, the changes in mortality gave a higher sensitivity for carrying capacity than for other vital rates. The sensitivity for sizeclass structure was also obtained: the size structure drastically changed in response to the changes in mortality in spite of the fact that changes in mortality showed a relatively low sensitivity to both intrinsic growth rate and carrying capacity. Several statistics on population dynamics obtained from a projection matrix model of E. japonicurn were compared to those from the individual‐based model. The population growth rate in the former model was smaller than that in the latter. The steady‐state frequency distribution in the former model was composed of more seedlings and fewer mature individuals than that in the latter model.
Travelling stock reserves: refuges for stock and biodiversity?
Authors: Davidson Ian , Scammell Allan , O'Shannassy Peter , Mullins Michael , Learmonth Shaun
Published: March 2005

Travelling stock reserves (TSRs) in New South Wales contain some of the healthiest examples of remnant vegetation left in some rural areas – leading to an emerging biodiversity management role for Rural Lands Protection Boards. Ian Davidson tells the story, with the help of four on‐ground managers.
Restoring Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) to grassland and woodland understoreys: a review of establishment requirements and restoration exercises in south‐east Australia
Authors: Cole By Ian , Lunt Ian D.
Published: March 2005

Summary  Temperate grassy ecosystems are amongst Australia's most endangered ecosystems. Most remnants are small, fragmented and highly degraded. Practical methods for restoring native understorey species are urgently required. Dominant native grasses such as Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra Forssk.) and Tussock‐grasses (Poa species) have been eliminated from many remnants by heavy grazing in the past. The reintroduction of these grasses is a critical step for understorey restoration. This paper (i) reviews the literature on Themeda seed biology and seedling establishment; (ii) summarizes the lessons learnt from three major attempts to establish Themeda stands in south‐east Australia; and (iii) identifies the research needed to enhance Themeda restoration. Considerable information is available on Themeda seed and establishment biology, and restoration exercises have shown that Themeda stands can be readily established by surface‐spreading awned seeds in seed‐bearing hay. However, many practical challenges remain, including the need to identify optimal sowing periods, create better seedbed conditions, develop practical mulching techniques, and improve weed control. The use of seed‐bearing hay has constrained restoration to relatively small areas in the past. Future trials may benefit by using more concentrated seed products such as seed‐bearing florets and pure seeds which permit larger areas to be restored at one time.
Establishment of native grassland vegetation at Organ Pipes National Park near Melbourne, Victoria: Vegetation changes from 1989 to 2003
Authors: McDougall Keith L. , Morgan John W.
Published: March 2005

Summary  Native grassland establishment works undertaken on former agricultural land at Organ Pipes National Park, Victoria, during the 1980s were monitored from 1989 to 2003 to assess whether re‐introduced native plant populations had established and persisted at the site. Trends in vegetation were determined by examining the composition and cover of native and weed species in permanent transects at 2‐year intervals. The average number of native and weed species in plots changed little over 15 years, although weed species richness exhibited great variability. Of the 85 native species introduced to the grassland by seed, sods and tubestock, 33 were still present in 2003. The dominant native species, Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra), the native intertussock spear grasses (Austrostipa spp.), and the nationally endangered Large‐headed Groundsel (Senecio macrocarpus), have become common elements of the grassland but most other native species remain minor components. The cover of native and weed species has fluctuated dramatically over the study period in response to fire and drought. While the site remains largely weedy, the project has served to introduce native species into a secure reserve. It is clear that on‐going management (weed control, fire) and supplemental plantings will be necessary to maintain and expand the native species populations in the re‐established grassland.
Modelling curved S–N curves
Authors: LORÉN S. , LUNDSTRÖM M.
Published: March 2005

The fatigue limit distribution is estimated using fatigue data and under the assumption that the fatigue limit is random. The stress levels for the broken and unbroken specimens are used. For the broken specimen the number of cycles to failure is also used. By combining the finite life and fatigue limit distribution it is possible to get the probability of not surviving a certain life. This probability is used to estimate a curved S–N curve by using the method of likelihood. The whole S–N curve is estimated at the same time. These curves show the predictive life given a certain stress level. The life and the quantile of the fatigue limit distribution are also predicted by using profile predictive likelihood. In this way the scatter around the S–N curve as well as the uncertainty of the S–N curve are taken into account.
Differential resistance to freezing and spatial distribution in a chemically polymorphic plant Thymus vulgaris
Authors: Amiot Justin , Salmon Yann , Collin Christian , Thompson John D.
Published: March 2005

Secondary compounds play multiple ecological roles. In this study, we present novel experimental evidence of differential tolerance to freezing temperatures among chemotypes of a chemically polymorphic plant, Thymus vulgaris. Non‐phenolic chemotypes showed a significantly better survival and re‐growth after early‐winter freezing (−10° in early December) than phenolic chemotypes. Comparison of temperature data (1971–2002) at a phenolic and non‐phenolic site showed that whereas early‐winter freezing occurred in 6 years in the non‐phenolic site they never occurred at the phenolic site. Observations of trichome morphology (where the essential oil is stocked) with and without intense freezing indicate that non‐phenolic chemotypes may escape any negative effects of freezing by releasing their essential oil into the atmosphere during severe freezing. The correlation between tolerance of freezing and local temperature regimes strongly suggests that differential freezing resistance is a key ingredient of the distribution of thyme chemotypes in space.
Overyielding in experimental grassland communities – irrespective of species pool or spatial scale
Authors: Roscher Christiane , Temperton Vicky M. , Scherer‐Lorenzen Michael , Schmitz Martin , Schumacher Jens , Schmid Bernhard , Buchmann Nina , Weisser Wolfgang W. , Schulze Ernst‐Detlef
Published: March 2005

In a large integrated biodiversity project (‘The Jena Experiment’ in Germany) we established two experiments, one with a pool of 60 plant species that ranged broadly from dominant to subordinate competitors on large 20 × 20 m and small 3.5 × 3.5 m plots (= main experiment), and one with a pool of nine potentially dominant species on small 3.5 × 3.5 m plots (= dominance experiment). We found identical positive species richness–aboveground productivity relationships in the main experiment at both scales. This result suggests that scaling up, at least over the short term, is appropriate in interpreting the implications of such experiments for larger‐scale patterns. The species richness–productivity relationship was more pronounced in the experiment with dominant species (46.7 and 82.6% yield increase compared to mean monoculture, respectively). Additionally, transgressive overyielding occurred more frequently in the dominance experiment (67.7% of cases) than in the main experiment (23.4% of cases). Additive partitioning and relative yield total analyses showed that both complementarity and selection effects contributed to the positive net biodiversity effect.
When do localized natural enemies increase species richness?
Authors: Adler Frederick R. , Muller‐Landau Helene C.
Published: March 2005

The Janzen–Connell hypothesis states that local species‐specific density dependence, mediated through specialist enemies of offspring such as fungal pathogens and insect seed predators, can facilitate coexistence of species by preventing recruitment near conspecific adults. We use spatially explicit simulation models and analytical approximations to evaluate how spatial scales of offspring and enemy dispersal affect species richness. In comparison with model communities in which both offspring and enemies disperse long distances, species richness is substantially decreased when offspring disperse long distances and enemies disperse short distances. In contrast, when both offspring and enemies disperse short distances species richness more than doubles and adults of each species are highly spatially clumped. For the range of conditions typical of tropical forests, locally dispersing specialist enemies may decrease species richness relative to enemies that disperse long distances. In communities where dispersal distances of both offspring and enemies are short, local effects may enhance species richness.
Popularity Function Forecasts for the 2005 UK General Election
Authors: Sanders David
Published: March 2005

The article provides a set of contingent forecasts for the forthcoming UK general election. The forecasts are based on popularity function derived from monthly time series data covering the period 1997–2004. On most likely assumptions, the forecasts produce a clear Labour victory in the early summer of 2005, with the Liberal Democrats increasing their vote share by roughly four percentage points.
A Political Economy Forecast for the 2005 British General Election
Authors: Bélanger Éric , Lewis-Beck Michael S. , Nadeau Richard
Published: March 2005

Recently, we proposed an original statistical model for forecasting general elections in the United Kingdom, based on the observation of a few key indicators of the political and economic system. That vote function model was tested against the results of the 2001 general election. Here we evaluate the results of that test, and offer an appropriately revised model for the forecasting of the upcoming 2005 general election. According to our forecast, a Labour victory appears the most likely outcome.
Neo-Liberalism and the Decline of Democratic Governance in Australia: A Problem of Institutional Design?
Authors: Marsh Ian
Published: March 2005

This paper is a preliminary attempt to evaluate changing patterns of democratic governance, at least in Westminster-style parliamentary settings, and possibly more generally. It has two specific purposes: first, to propose a paradigm for evaluating the empirical evolution of democratic governance; and second, to illustrate the explanatory potential of this paradigm through a mini-case study of changing patterns of governance in one particular polity. The conceptual framework is drawn from March and Olsen's eponymous study (1995) from which polar (‘thick’ and ‘thin’) forms of democratic governance are derived. Four conjectures about its evolution are then explored. First, in its mass party phase, the pattern of democratic governance approximated the ‘thick’ pole. Second, the subsequent evolution of democratic politics has been in the direction of the ‘thin’ (minimalist or populist) pole. Third, the cause of this shift was a failure to adapt political institutions to changing citizen identities, which was masked by the ascendancy amongst political elites of the neo-liberal account of governance. Fourth, the paper considers the means by which democratic governance might be renewed. The approach is applied to explain changes in Australian politics over recent decades.
Æthelweardus redivivus
Authors: Jezierski Wojtek
Published: March 2005

The tenth‐century Chronicon Æthelweardi has usually been treated as nothing more than a Latin translation of the Anglo‐Saxon Chronicle. This article reinterprets it by postulating the chronicle's originality and its author's careful consideration of its composition. Both the content and the form of the Chronicon Æthelweardi are here discussed from several points of view: the question of the coming of the Anglo‐Saxons to Britain; the ideological and narrative consequences of the book division and the use of time; and Æthelweard's use of genealogy.
The early Irish Stowe Missal's destination and function
Authors: Meeder Sven
Published: March 2005

In 1929 the great James Kenney argued that the early Irish Stowe Missal must have been produced as a private service‐book which a priest could easily carry around with him, but in recent decades scholars have claimed, either explicitly or implicitly, a different purpose for it. The codicological arguments proposed by Kenney are nevertheless still valid and this paper will argue that close linguistic examination of the manuscript's liturgical contents supports the theory that the Stowe Missal was an itinerarium, a book for a travelling cleric.
An anatomical and biometrical study of the femoral trochlear groove in the human fetus
Authors: Glard Yann , Jouve Jean‐Luc , Panuel Michel , Adalian Pascal , Tardieu Christine , Bollini Gérard
Published: March 2005

We performed a biometric analysis of the femoral trochlear groove in the fetus and compared our findings with those observed in adults. We studied 44 formalin‐preserved fetuses (13–38 weeks) and used digitized images to obtain measurements (α angle of the groove, trochlear slopes θL and θM). A comparison of means between our series and adults was achieved. For each angle of the distal epiphysis (α, θL, θM) there was no significant difference between our fetal series and adults. This is the first biometric study of fetal trochlea. The morphology of the lower femur appears to be the same in the fetus and the adult.