bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of low‐dose rabeprazole and omeprazole on gastric acidity: results of a double blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, three‐way crossover study in healthy subjects
Authors: Bruley des Varannes S. , Gharib H. , Bicheler V. , Bost R. , Bonaz B. , Stanescu L. , Delchier J. C. , Bonnot‐Marlier S.
Published: October 2004

Background : The treatment of acid‐related symptoms requires rapid and consistent acid suppression, especially with on‐demand regimens.

Aim : To compare the antisecretory activity of low‐dose rabeprazole and omeprazole in healthy, Helicobacter pylori‐negative subjects.

Methods : In this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, three‐way crossover study, 27 volunteers were given rabeprazole 10 mg, omeprazole 10 mg, or placebo once daily for 7 days with a 10–14‐day washout between treatments. Intragastric pH was monitored for 24‐h on days 1 and 7 of each treatment.

Results : Median gastric pH was significantly higher with rabeprazole than with omeprazole or placebo: day 1: 2.3, 1.4 and 1.3, respectively (P = 0.0056, rabeprazole vs. omeprazole; P < 0.0001, rabeprazole vs. placebo); day 7: 3.7, 2.2 and 1.3, respectively (P = 0.0016 rabeprazole vs. omeprazole; P < 0.0001, rabeprazole vs. placebo). Time with gastric pH above 4 was significantly higher with rabeprazole than with omeprazole: day 1, 5.8 h vs. 3.7 h, respectively (P < 0.02); day 7, 10.5 h vs. 4.6 h, respectively (P = 0.0008).

Conclusions : Rabeprazole 10 mg provides more rapid acid inhibition compared with omeprazole 10 mg. After 7 days, the time with pH above 4 is more than doubled with rabeprazole 10 mg vs. omeprazole 10 mg.
Intravenous and oral lansoprazole are equivalent in suppressing stimulated acid output in patient volunteers with erosive oesophagitis
Authors: Kovacs T. O. G. , Lee C. Q. , Chiu Y.‐L. , Pilmer B. L. , Metz D. C.
Published: October 2004

Background : Some patients requiring acid suppression may be unable to take oral medications.

Aim : To compare the gastric acid inhibition effects of lansoprazole 30 mg administered either intravenous or orally in erosive oesophagitis patients.

Methods : The study included 87 Helicobacter pylori‐negative patients with erosive oesophagitis. Each patient received 7 days of lansoprazole 30 mg orally prior to being randomized in a 3:1 fashion to intravenously lansoprazole 30 mg or intravenously placebo for 7 days. Basal acid output and pentagastrin‐stimulated acid output were measured on days 8, 9 and 15.

Results : Median pentagastrin‐stimulated acid output was 7.2 mmol/h after 7 days of oral lansoprazole. The median pentagastrin‐stimulated acid output increased to 7.6 mmol/h after 7 days of intravenous lansoprazole compared with 26.9 mmol/h after intravenous placebo (P < 0.001).

Conclusions : Lansoprazole 30 mg administered intravenous was equivalent to the 30 mg oral capsule in gastric acid suppression. Intravenous proton pump inhibitor therapy represents an important treatment option for those with acid‐related diseases who are unable to take oral medications.
International validation of ReQuest in patients with endoscopy‐negative gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease
Authors: Bardhan K. D. , Stanghellini V. , Armstrong D. , Berghöfer P. , Gatz G. , Mönnikes H.
Published: October 2004

Background : Reflux Questionnaire (ReQuest), a newly developed gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease‐sensitive scale, can be used to reliably evaluate the effect of treatment on gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease symptoms.

Aim : International validation of this scale, in patients suffering from endoscopy‐negative gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease.

Methods : In this open, multicentre and multinational clinical trial 840 endoscopy‐negative gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease patients received pantoprazole 20 mg daily for 28 days. The long and short versions of ReQuest were completed both in the pre‐treatment and treatment phases. For scale development an item reduction analysis was performed. Internal consistency, test–retest reliability and responsiveness were calculated for psychometric analysis. Construct validity was evaluated by comparison with the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale and the Psychological General Well‐being questionnaire by means of correlation coefficients.

Results : Factor analyses confirmed the content validity of both long and short version of ReQuest. Psychometric calculations proved high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.9), test–retest reliability [Intraclass Correlation Coefficient: 0.9 (long vs. long) and 0.8 (short vs. short)], and responsiveness (Responsiveness Index 320.3) of the scale, for which also good construct validity was achieved (correlation coefficient: Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale –0.6; Psychological General Well‐being −0.4).

Conclusion : ReQuest proved valid, reliable, and responsive in this multinational clinical trial to evaluate treatment response in endoscopy‐negative gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease patients.
Therapeutic roles of acupuncture in functional gastrointestinal disorders
Authors: Ouyang H. , Chen J. D. Z.
Published: October 2004

Acupuncture has been practiced empirically in China for several millennia, and is being increasingly accepted by practitioners and patients worldwide. Functional gastrointestinal disorders are common in clinical gastroenterology. The prevalence of one or more functional gastrointestinal disorders is estimated to be as high as 70% in general population using Rome diagnostic criteria. Since functional gastrointestinal disorders are diagnosed based on symptoms and the exact aetiologies for most of functional gastrointestinal disorders are not completely known, it is not unusual that the treatment for these disorders is unsatisfactory and alternative therapies are attractive to both patients and practitioners. During the latest decades, a considerable number of studies have been performed on acupuncture for the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders and underlying mechanisms. In this article, we reviewed available data in the literature on the applications and mechanisms of acupuncture for the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders, including functional oesophageal disorders, nausea and vomiting, functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, etc. A summary is provided based on the quality and quantity of published studies regarding the efficacy of acupuncture in treating these various disorders. In addition, the methodology of acupuncture is also introduced.
Accurate continuous drug delivery at low infusion rate with a novel microvolumetric infusion pump (MVIP): pump design, evaluation and comparison to the current standard
Authors: Weiss M. , Gerber S. , Füchslin R. M. , Neff T. A.
Published: October 2004

Infusion devices for continuous and precise drug administration are indispensable tools in anaesthesia and critical care medicine. Problems such as start‐up delays, non‐continuous flow and susceptibility to hydrostatic pressure changes at low infusion rates resulting in accidental bolus release or prolonged flow interruption are inherent to current infusion technology. In order to improve precise drug delivery, an innovative technical concept has been realised in a novel microvolumetric infusion pump (MVIP) device. The MVIP principle includes repeated filling and emptying of a non‐compliant microsyringe without the use of valves. The performance of the MVIP prototype has been evaluated and compared with standard syringe infusion pump assemblies. The novel MVIP concept has thereby proven to eliminate most problems during infusion start‐up, steady state flow and vertical pump displacement, and has the potential of revolutionising infusion technology and setting a new dimension in patient safety.
Changes of serum chloride and metabolic acid‐base state in critical illness
Authors: Funk G.‐C. , Doberer D. , Heinze G. , Madl C. , Holzinger U. , Schneeweiss B.
Published: October 2004

Alterations of electrolytes and albumin cause metabolic acid‐base disorders. It is unclear, however, to what degree these plasma components affect the overall metabolic acid‐base state in the course of critical illness. We performed serial analyses of the metabolic acid‐base state in 30 critically ill patients over the course of 1 week. We applied a physical–chemical acid‐base model and used a linear regression model to determine the influence of sodium, chloride, unmeasured anions and albumin on the net metabolic acid‐base state. Progressive hypochloraemia was identified as the main cause of developing metabolic alkalosis. Changes in serum chloride and unmeasured anions were responsible for changes of 41% and 22% in the metabolic acid‐base state, respectively. Sodium and albumin played a minor role. In conclusion, chloride is the major determinant of metabolic acid‐base state in critical illness.
Ultrasound for central venous cannulation: economic evaluation of cost‐effectiveness
Authors: Calvert N. , Hind D. , McWilliams R. , Davidson A. , Beverley C. A. , Thomas S. M.
Published: October 2004

We compared the economics of using two‐dimensional ultrasound locating devices and more traditional landmark methods for central venous cannulation in the National Health Service (NHS). The evaluation consisted of a systematic review of randomised controlled trials and an economic evaluation using decision analytic cost‐effectiveness modelling. Incremental costs per complication avoided associated with landmark and ultrasound central venous cannulation were modelled for patients scheduled for central venous cannulation. The marginal economic cost of using ultrasound for central venous cannulation was less than £10 per procedure, assuming that a machine is used for 15 procedures each week. The base case scenario implied that £2000 worth of resource savings result for every 1000 procedures undertaken and 90 avoided complications. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the results of modelling appear robust to the central assumptions used. Ultrasound guidance used in central venous cannulation procedures saves NHS resources even with conservative modelling assumptions.
Effectiveness of bupropion as an aid to stopping smoking before elective surgery: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Myles P. S. , Leslie K. , Angliss M. , Mezzavia P. , Lee L.
Published: October 2004

Smoking is a risk factor for complications during and after surgery, but most smokers are unable to quit before elective surgery. We tested the efficacy of bupropion in improving smoking cessation rates in this setting by enrolling 47 patients from the elective surgery waiting list in a double‐blind randomised controlled trial. Patients receiving bupropion had a lower daily cigarette consumption at the time of hospital admission, median (IQR) cigarettes per day: 6 (2–7) vs. 15 (9–20), p = 0.046. They also had a reduction in end‐expired carbon monoxide (p = 0.004), a known contaminant of cigarette smoke, and increased arterial oxygen saturation on pulse oximetry (p = 0.011). They were more likely to have stopped smoking at the 3‐week visit (p = 0.036), but not at the 6‐week visit (p = 0.25) or at the time of hospital admission for surgery (p > 0.99). This study found that smokers waiting for elective surgery are more likely to reduce or stop smoking when treated with bupropion.
Postoperative 12‐lead ECG predicts peri‐operative myocardial ischaemia associated with myocardial cell damage
Authors: Böttiger B. W. , Motsch J. , Teschendorf P. , Rehmert G. C. , Gust R. , Zorn M. , Schweizer M. , Layug E. L. , Snyder‐Ramos S. A. , Mangano D. T. , Martin E.
Published: October 2004

Peri‐operative myocardial ischaemia is the single most important risk factor for an adverse cardiac outcome after non‐cardiac surgery. The present study examines whether intermittent 12‐lead ECG recordings can be used as an early warning tool to identify patients suffering from peri‐operative myocardial ischaemia and subsequent myocardial cell damage. Fifty‐five vascular surgery patients at risk for or with a history of coronary artery disease were monitored for peri‐operative myocardial ischaemia using intermittent 12‐lead ECG recordings taken pre‐operatively and at 15 min, 20 h, 48 h, 72 h and 84 h postoperatively. The effectiveness of the 12‐lead ECG was gauged by examining concordance with continuous 3‐channel Holter monitoring and capturing peri‐operative myocardial ischaemia by serial analyses of creatine kinase myocardial band isoenzyme and cardiac troponin T and I. The incidence of peri‐operative myocardial ischaemia detected by 12‐lead ECG was 44% and was identifiable in most patients (88%) 15 min after surgery. The incidence of peri‐operative myocardial ischaemia detected by continuous monitoring was 53%, with the most severe episodes occurring intra‐operatively and during emergence from anaesthesia. The concordance of the 12‐lead method with continuous monitoring was 72%. The concordance of creatine kinase myocardial band isoenzyme activity with the 12‐lead method was 71% and with Holter monitoring 57%. The concordance of mass concentration of creatine kinase myocardial band with 12‐lead ECG recordings was 75%, and the corresponding value for Holter monitoring was 68%. The concordance of cardiac troponin T and I levels with the 12‐lead method was 85% and 87%, respectively, and concordance with Holter monitoring was 72% and 66%, respectively. The postoperative 12‐lead ECG identified peri‐operative myocardial ischaemia associated with subsequent myocardial cell damage in most patients undergoing vascular surgery.
Effect of head posture on tracheal tube position in children*
Authors: Olufolabi A. J. , Charlton G. A. , Spargo P. M.
Published: October 2004

Changes in the tracheal tube tip to carina distance were measured by radiographic screening following various head postures in 45 children undergoing cardiac catheterisation under general anaesthesia who were intubated via nasal and oral routes. Extension of the head moved the tracheal tube away from the carina and flexion moved it towards the carina in both routes. Endobronchial intubation was noted during neck flexion in a significant proportion of children intubated orally but none occurred during nasal intubation. Extension produced greater upward movement of the tracheal tube tip in the oral route than the nasal route. In contrast, flexion produced greater downward movement in the nasal route in some patients. The direction of movement with lateral rotation and use of a shoulder roll was inconsistent.
Phagocytosis of apoptotic eosinophils but not neutrophils by bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Sexton D. W. , Al‐Rabia M. , Blaylock M. G. , Walsh G. M.
Published: October 2004

Background
We have previously demonstrated that human bronchial epithelial cells engulf apoptotic eosinophils.

Objectives
To compare and contrast the phagocytic capabilities of monocyte‐derived macrophage and primary airway epithelial cells for apoptotic granulocytes.

Results
Here we compared phagocytosis of human apoptotic eosinophils and neutrophils by small and large airway epithelial cells (SAEC and LAEC) and monocyte‐derived macrophages. Confocal microscopy of F‐actin staining and scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed phagocytic cup formation around apoptotic eosinophils by airway epithelial cells (AEC) membranes with evidence of their digestion. Resting and cytokine‐stimulated AEC did not recognize and ingest apoptotic neutrophils. The latter were phagocytosed by macrophages that exhibited greater ingestion of and higher capacity for, apoptotic eosinophils over apoptotic neutrophils. Cytochalasin D completely abolished uptake of apoptotic eosinophils by SAEC, LAEC or macrophage monolayers. Ligation of epithelial cell CD44 receptors for 24 h increased phagocytosis of apoptotic eosinophils by SAEC and LAEC with a potency comparable with that of IL‐1. Phagocytosis was a specific receptor‐mediated process involving integrin‐ (αvβ3, αvβ5, CD36), phosphatidylserine receptor‐ and lectin‐dependent mechanisms. No significant differences were observed in avarice for apoptotic eosinophils by SAEC or LAEC either resting, CD44 monoclonal antibodies‐ or cytokine‐ stimulated, or in their usage and expression of recognition receptors.

Conclusion
These findings further suggest and define an important role for the bronchial epithelium in the selective removal of apoptotic eosinophils from the airways in asthma.
Desloratadine partially inhibits the augmented bacterial responses in the sinuses of allergic and infected mice
Authors: Kirtsreesakul V. , Blair C. , Yu X. , Thompson K. , Naclerio R. M.
Published: October 2004

Background
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is considered a major predisposing factor for the development of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. How AR augments a bacterial infection is unknown.

Objective
Our purpose in this study was to test whether an H1 receptor antagonist, desloratadine, could reduce the augmented effect of an ongoing allergic reaction on acute bacterial rhinosinusitis.

Methods
Three groups of infected and ovalbumin (OVA)‐sensitized mice were studied: (1) infected and allergic mice treated with desloratadine, (2) infected and allergic mice treated with placebo, and (3) infected mice. A fourth group of uninfected, non‐sensitized mice served as a control for the cellular changes. BALB/c mice were sensitized by two intraperitoneal injections of OVA given 8 days apart. One day after the second injection, the mice were nasally exposed daily to 6% OVA (the groups treated with desloratadine or placebo) or phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) (the infection‐only group) for 5 days. After the second OVA exposure, the mice were intranasally inoculated with Streptococcus pneumoniae. Desloratadine or placebo was given daily throughout the OVA exposure period. Nasal allergic symptoms were observed by counting of nasal rubbing and sneezing for 10 min after OVA or PBS nasal challenge. On day 5 post‐infection, nasal lavage culture was done, and the inflammatory cells in the sinuses were evaluated by flow cytometry.

Results
Mice that were made allergic, infected, and treated with placebo showed more organisms and phagocytes than did only infect mice. They also manifested allergic nasal symptoms and eosinophil influx into the sinuses. Desloratadine treatment during allergen exposure reduced allergic symptoms and reduced sinonasal infection (P<0.05). There tended to be less myeloid cell and neutrophil influx (P=0.09 both), but not eosinophil influx (P=0.85) compared with that in the placebo‐treated group.

Conclusion
Desloratadine treatment during nasal challenge inhibited allergic symptoms and reduced sinonasal infection, suggesting that histamine via an H1 receptor plays a role in the augmented infection in mice with an ongoing allergic reaction.
Allergen‐specific immunosuppression by ovalbumin fused with diphtheria toxin in mice sensitized with albumins of different origin
Authors: Lee B. K. , Yoo J. E. , Jang Y. S. , Kim J. Y. , Hong C. S. , Ro J. Y.
Published: October 2004

Background
We previously reported that ovalbumin–diphtheria toxin (OVA–DT) fusion protein eliminates mast cells bearing OVA‐specific IgE and protects OVA‐sensitized mice from fatal anaphylaxis induced by OVA challenge.

Objective
To prove the specificity of therapeutic effect of OVA–DT to allergy induced by OVA only and not by other allergens such as human serum albumin (HSA), and to examine the cytotoxic effect of OVA–DT on B cells bearing OVA‐specific IgE.

Methods
Mice were sensitized with two different antigens, OVA and HSA, and then treated with OVA–DT. The therapeutic effect of OVA–DT on the allergy response to each of allergen was evaluated by anaphylactic test. The effect of OVA–DT on the production of allergen‐specific Ig isotypes of the sensitized mice and the cytotoxic effect of OVA–DT on B cells expressing OVA‐specific IgE were examined.

Results
OVA–DT suppressed only OVA‐induced allergy but not HSA‐induced allergy in mice sensitized with a mixture of OVA and HSA. The suppression was prolonged even to the mice boosted with the same allergen 14 days after last treatment of OVA–DT.

In addition, when the sensitized mice were boosted with the same allergens 14 days after last treatment of OVA–DT, the mice showed to increase the production of OVA‐specific IgG2a/IgG3 and decreased that of OVA‐specific IgE. OVA–DT targeted B cells bearing OVA‐specific IgE, and killed them by DT‐mediated cytotoxicity.

Conclusion
The therapeutic effect of OVA–DT was specific to OVA‐induced allergy and the suppression of OVA‐induced allergy was continuously shown in the mice boosted with the same allergens. This is considered to be caused by the increase of OVA‐specific IgG2a and IgG3, and because of the decrease of OVA‐specific IgE by killing of B cells bearing OVA‐specific IgE.
Anaphylaxis to excipient mannitol: evidence for an immunoglobulin E‐mediated mechanism
Authors: Hegde V. L. , Venkatesh Y. P.
Published: October 2004

Background
Anaphylaxis to mannitol present naturally in pomegranate and cultivated mushroom in a sensitized subject has been described recently, and an IgE‐mediated mechanism to this sugar alcohol has been proposed. The same subject also experienced severe allergic reactions to a chewable pharmaceutical (cisapride drug).

Objective
The purpose of the study was to identify allergenic component in the pharmaceutical preparation, and also, to understand the mechanism of immediate hypersensitivity to mannitol.

Methods
Methodology involved skin prick tests (SPTs), high‐performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis of pharmaceutical preparations, separation of mannitol by Ca++‐ion‐moderated cation‐exchange chromatography, preparation of alditol–protein conjugates by reductive amination, SPT using the conjugates, hapten affinity purification of the allergic serum on d‐mannitol–keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH)–Sepharose CL‐6B, and detection of serum mannitol‐specific IgE by ELISA.

Results
Component testing by SPT, and HPLC analysis of various pharmaceuticals indicated that the excipient mannitol is the causative allergen. Mannitol separated from Cisapid MPS showed allergenic activity by SPT. Among the several conjugates tested by SPT, d‐mannitol–bovine serum albumin and d‐mannitol–KLH showed positive weal/flare reaction, demonstrating the presence of cell‐bound mannitol‐specific IgE in vivo. Negative results with d‐glucitol, d‐galactitol, meso‐erythritol, and l‐mannitol protein conjugates clearly showed that the mannitol‐specific human IgE is very specific to the d‐isomer of mannitol. ELISA using the hapten affinity‐purified allergic serum was positive, demonstrating the presence of mannitol‐specific serum IgE in the allergic subject.

Conclusion
Mannitol, which is widely used as a food and drug additive (excipient), can rarely cause IgE‐mediated anaphylaxis. This study is the first one to demonstrate the presence of mannitol‐specific human IgE in a sensitized allergic subject to validate an IgE‐mediated hypersensitivity mechanism for mannitol.
Self‐reported prevalence and risk factors of asthma among Korean adolescents: 5‐year follow‐up study, 1995–2000
Authors: Hong S.‐J. , Lee M.‐S. , Sohn M. H. , Shim J. Y. , Han Y. S. , Park K. S. , Ahn Y. M. , Son B. K. , Lee H. B. ,   the Korean ISAAC Study Group
Published: October 2004

Objectives
The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaires have shown that the prevalence of childhood asthma is increasing worldwide. Although Asian countries used to have lower prevalence rates of allergic disease than Western countries, this prevalence is increasing in several Asian countries. To determine whether the prevalence of childhood asthma is changing in Korean adolescents, we compared findings from nationwide cross‐sectional surveys in 1995 and 2000 on populations of middle‐school children using the Korean version of the ISAAC questionnaire.

Methods
We developed Korean versions of the ISAAC written (WQ) and video (AVQ) questionnaires for allergic diseases. In 1995, the enrolled population consisted of 15 481 children, ages 12–15, and encompassing all three grades in middle school, selected from 34 schools across the nation; the response rate was 97.3%. In 2000, 15 894 children were selected from 31 of the same schools, and the response rate was 96.4%. The SAS system version 8.0 was utilized for all statistical analyses.

Results
The WQ showed that the lifetime and 12‐month prevalence of wheeze did not change from 1995 to 2000. While the 12‐month prevalence rates of sleep disturbed by wheezing and night cough increased, the rates of severe attack of wheezing and exercise‐induced wheeze did not change, over this period of time. The lifetime prevalence of asthma diagnosis, however, increased significantly, from 2.7% in 1995 to 5.3% in 2000, as did the 12‐month prevalence of asthma treatment, from 1.0% in 1995 to 1.9% in 2000. The AVQ also showed increases in the lifetime and 12‐month prevalence rates of wheeze at rest, exercise‐induced wheeze, nocturnal wheeze, nocturnal cough, and severe wheeze over this period of time. These were especially because of significant increases in the Provincial cities of Korea. Interestingly, the 12‐month prevalence of wheeze was consistently high in Cheju with low air pollution indices, whereas this rate was low in Ulsan and Ansan with very high air pollution indices. Risk factor analysis showed that body mass index (BMI), passive smoking, and living with a dog or cat, but not air pollution, were associated with higher risk of wheeze.

Conclusions
In the 5‐year period from 1995 to 2000, the prevalence of asthma symptoms has increased in Korean adolescents, much of it because of increases in Provincial Centers. BMI, passive smoking, and living with a dog or cat are important risk factors. Environmental factors other than air pollution may be associated with increases in asthma, especially in Provincial Centers.
Effects of nutrient enrichment on the decomposition of wood and associated microbial activity in streams
Authors: Gulis Vladislav , Rosemond Amy D. , Suberkropp Keller , Weyers Holly S. , Benstead Jonathan P.
Published: October 2004

1. We determined the effects of nutrient enrichment on wood decomposition rates and microbial activity during a 3‐year study in two headwater streams at Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, NC, U.S.A. After a 1‐year pretreatment period, one of the streams was continuously enriched with inorganic nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) for 2 years while the other stream served as a reference. We determined the effects of enrichment on both wood veneers and sticks, which have similar carbon quality but differ in physical characteristics (e.g. surface area to volume ratios, presence of bark) that potentially affect microbial colonisation and activity.

2. Oak wood veneers (0.5 mm thick) were placed in streams monthly and allowed to decompose for approximately 90 days. Nutrient addition stimulated ash‐free dry mass loss and increased mean nitrogen content, fungal biomass and microbial respiration on veneers in the treatment stream compared with the reference. The magnitude of the response to enrichment was great, with mass loss 6.1 times, and per cent N, fungal biomass and microbial respiration approximately four times greater in the treatment versus reference stream.

3. Decomposition rate and nitrogen content of maple sticks (ca. 1–2 cm diameter) also increased; however, the effect was less pronounced than for veneers. Wood response overall was greater than that determined for leaves in a comparable study, supporting the hypothesis that response to enrichment may be greater for lower quality organic matter (high C : N) than for higher quality (low C : N) substrates.

4. Our results show that moderate nutrient enrichment can profoundly affect decomposition rate and microbial activity on wood in streams. Thus, the timing and availability of wood that provides retention, structure, attachment sites and food in stream ecosystems may be affected by nutrient concentrations raised by human activities.
Females from resting eggs and parthenogenetic eggs in the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus: lipid droplets, starvation resistance and reproduction
Authors: Gilbert John J.
Published: October 2004

1. In the heterogonic life cycle of monogonont rotifers, amictic (female‐producing) females develop from two types of eggs: fertilised resting (diapausing) eggs and parthenogenetic subitaneous eggs. Females hatched from resting eggs initiate clonal populations by female parthenogenesis and are called stem females. This study compares females from resting and parthenogenetic eggs that were produced under identical culture conditions and were of similar birth order.

2. Newborn stem females had many more lipid droplets in their tissues than similar‐sized, newborn females from parthenogenetic eggs. When neonates were stained with Nile Red and viewed under epifluorescent illumination, these droplets were shown to be sites of neutral‐lipid storage products.

3. Stem females had no posterolateral spines and short anterior spines, while their mothers and offspring in subsequent, parthenogenetic generations typically had long posterolateral spines and elongated anterior spines.

4. Newborn stem females survived starvation significantly longer than newborn females from parthenogenetic eggs.

5. When females from resting and parthenogenetic eggs were cultured from birth to death at a high food concentration, the reproductive potential (r day−1) of the stem females was significantly higher (0.82–0.88 versus 0.70), primarily because of egg production at an earlier age. The mean lifetime fecundity (Ro) of stem females was significantly greater than that of females from parthenogenetic eggs.

6. Extensive lipid reserves should increase the ability of stem females to colonise new habitats. Firstly, compared with females from parthenogenetic eggs, stem females are more likely to experience starvation or food limitation. Resting eggs hatch in response to physical and chemical factors that are not directly related to food availability, and from sediments that may be far from food‐rich surface waters. Secondly, when food is abundant, stem females have a greater reproductive potential.
Phylogeography in a galling insect, grape phylloxera, Daktulosphaira vitifoliae (Phylloxeridae) in the fragmented habitat of the Southwest USA
Authors: Downie D. A.
Published: October 2004

Aim  The Southwest USA is characterized by fragmented habitat for a range of species in a manner analogous to island systems. This can restrict gene flow among populations and may promote genetic differentiation and the evolution of endemic populations or species among the forested terrestrial islands. The region has experienced cycles of cooling and warming throughout the Pleistocene and the current isolation among populations may date back only c. 11,000 years. Thus, some studies have found genetic structure that predates the current distribution of organisms. The effect of habitat fragmentation on genetic structure was tested using DNA sequences in a highly specialized herbivorous insect, grape phylloxera, Daktulosphaira vitifoliae, that exhibits poor dispersal capacity and natal‐host associated mating that would seem to predispose it to genetic differentiation.

Location  Southwestern USA.

Methods  Phylogenetic trees and statistical parsimony networks were estimated from 458 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene sampled from 12 populations in Arizona and New Mexico.

Results  There was no evidence that populations were differentiated at the level of canyon or mountain range but significant structure was found at the larger level of geographic region. The pattern was confounded by the polyphyly of Southwest (SW) grape phylloxera relative to eastern populations and the coexistence of two highly divergent lineages within populations.

Main conclusions  An early split of grape phylloxera into the SW has resulted in some differentiation between populations in the Transition and Sonoran + Chihuahuan geographic regions. It is hypothesized that this differentiation has been overlaid by a more recent introduction of haplotypes from midwestern USA populations that occur primarily in the Transition region. The importance of sampling broadly is stressed.
Further evidence and characterization of Artemia franciscana (Kellogg, 1906) populations in Argentina
Authors: Amat Francisco , Cohen Rosa Graciela , Hontoria Francisco , Navarro Juan Carlos
Published: October 2004

Aim  This paper reports the presence of Artemia franciscana (Kellogg, 1906) in Mar Chiquita (CHI) salt lake and in Las Tunas (TUN) lagoon, as well as at a shallow lake in Salinas Grandes (Province of Córdoba) in Argentina. To date, this species has been considered absent from Argentina. This study also provides further data on the characterization of the A. franciscana populations from this area.

Location  Province of Córdoba (Argentina).

Methods  The cyst samples collected at the three hypersaline environments were measured to assess its mean diameter with a dissecting microscope. The length of the nauplii hatched from the cysts was also determined with the microscope. The adults raised from these nauplii under strictly controlled conditions were analysed for 12 morphological parameters and compared through multivariate discriminant analysis with other American populations. Fatty acids from the total lipids were analysed by gas chromatography. Reproductive compatibility was evaluated from single‐pair intraspecific and interspecific crosses of adult specimens.

Results  The results endorse the morphometric assimilation of the Artemia populations of this area to other American populations of the A. franciscana‘super‐species’, together with its morphometric differentiation from the species A. persimilis (Piccinelli & Prosdocimi, 1968). The more conspicuous population from CHI shows cross‐fertility with A. franciscana original from San Francisco Bay (California, USA). Both populations from CHI and TUN show cross‐fertility between them and reproductive isolation with A. persimilis from Hidalgo (Province of La Pampa), which to date is considered to be endemic or exclusive of hypersaline ecosystems in Argentina. The reproductive characteristics displayed by the population from TUN lagoon suggest the existence of an occasional hybridization between A. franciscana and A. persimilis (Papeschi et al., 2000). Artemia cysts from CHI and TUN show a fatty acid profile rich in eicosapentaenoic acid differing markedly from the fatty acid profiles found in A. persimilis cysts.

Main conclusions:  Artemia franciscana is present in Argentina at 36° S and north of this latitude. Artemia persimilis is confined to the south of latitude 37°10′ S. There are different pieces of evidence that point to a certain level of hybridization of the two species taking place in the land belt between these parallels.
Macroecological explanations for differences in species richness gradients: a canonical analysis of South American birds
Authors: Bini Luis Mauricio , Diniz‐Filho José Alexandre Felizola , Hawkins Bradford A.
Published: October 2004

Aim To evaluate how spatial variation of species richness in different bird orders responds to environmental gradients and determine which order level trait best predicts these relationships.

Location South America.

Methods A canonical correlation analysis was performed between the species richness in each of 17 bird orders and eight environmental variables in 374, 220 × 220 km cells. Loadings associated with the first two canonical variables were regressed against six order‐level predictors, including diversification level (number of species in each order), body size, median geographical range size and characteristics included in the model to control Type I error rates (the phylogenetic relationship among orders and levels of local‐scale spatial autocorrelation).

Results Richness patterns of 14 bird orders were highly correlated with the first canonical axis, indicating that most orders respond similarly to energy‐water gradients (primarily actual evapotranspiration, minimum temperature and potential evapotranspiration). In contrast, species richness within Trochiliformes, Apodiformes and Galliformes were also correlated with the second canonical variable, representing measures of mesoscale climatic variation (range in elevation within cells, minimum temperature, and the interaction term between them) and landcover (habitat diversity). We also found that total diversification within orders was the best predictor of the loadings associated with the first canonical axis, whereas body size of each order best predicted loadings on the second axis.

Conclusion Our results broadly support climatic‐related hypotheses as explanations for spatial variation in species richness of different orders. However, both historical (order‐specific variation in speciation rates) and ecological (dispersal of species that evolved by independent processes into areas amenable to birds) processes can explain the relationship between order level traits, such as body size and diversification level, and magnitude of response to current environment, furnishing then guidelines for a further and deeper understanding of broad‐scale diversity gradients.
Relationship between host diversity and parasite diversity: flea assemblages on small mammals
Authors: Krasnov Boris R. , Shenbrot Georgy I. , Khokhlova Irina S. , Allan Degen A.
Published: October 2004

Aim  We examined the relationship between host species richness and parasite species richness using simultaneously collected data on small mammals (Insectivora, Rodentia and Lagomorpha) and their flea parasites.

Location  The study used previously published data on small mammals and their fleas from 37 different regions. All the world's main geographical regions other than Australasia and Wallacea were represented in the study, i.e. neotropical, nearctic, palaearctic, oriental and afrotropical realms.

Methods  We controlled the data for the area sampled and sampling effort and then tested this relationship using both cross‐region conventional analysis and the independent contrasts method (to control for the effects of biogeographic historical relationships among different regions). Brooks parsimony analysis was used to construct a region cladogram based on the presence/absence of a host species and host phylogeny.

Results  Both cross‐region and independent contrasts analyses showed a positive correlation between host species richness and flea species richness. Conventional cross‐region regression under‐ or overestimated fleas species richness in the majority of regions.

Main conclusions  When the regression derived by the independent contrasts method was mapped onto the original tip data space, points that deviated significantly from the regression originated from Kenya, Mississippi and southern California (lower than expected flea richness) and Chile, Idaho, south‐western California and Kyrgyzstan (higher than expected flea richness). These deviations can be explained by the environmental mediation of host–flea relationships and by a degree of environmental variety in sampled areas.
Systemic and mucosal antibody response in tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus(L.), following immunization withFlavobacterium columnare
Authors: Grabowski L D , LaPatra S E , Cain K D
Published: October 2004

Specific antibody responses toFlavobacterium columnare(isolate ATCC 23463T) were characterized in plasma and mucus of tilapia following intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection or immersion immunization with formalin‐killed sonicated or whole cell preparations. Fish (30 per treatment) received a primary immunization and were booster immunized 4 weeks later. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was developed for detection and quantification of specific anti‐F. columnareantibody, and it was found that formalin‐killed sonicated cells in Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) injected i.p. stimulated a significant systemic antibody response within 2 weeks (mean titre 11 200) which increased to 30 600 following secondary immunization. At 10 weeks post‐immunization, the mean titre remained significantly elevated above the controls. Antibodies were also observed in cutaneous mucus of fish immunized i.p. with formalin‐killed sonicated cells in FCA at 6 and 8 weeks post‐immunization (mean titres 67 and 33, respectively). Although some individual fish responded, mean plasma and cutaneous mucus antibody titres were not significantly greater than controls in any of the other treatment groups. The results of this study demonstrate that tilapia can mount a significant humoral response in plasma and cutaneous mucus toF. columnare, but i.p. immunization with FCA is required to elicit this response.
PCR‐based detection of betanodaviruses from cultured and wild marine fish with no clinical signs
Authors: Gomez D K , Sato J , Mushiake K , Isshiki T , Okinaka Y , Nakai T
Published: October 2004

Betanodaviruses are the causative agents of viral nervous necrosis (VNN) or viral encephalopathy and retinopathy (VER) in cultured marine fish. A total of 131 apparently healthy fish from 30 species were collected in two geographically remote aquaculture areas, Yashima Bay (Kagawa Prefecture) and Tamanoura Bay (Nagasaki Prefecture), in Japan. The brains of fish were examined by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and nested PCR to detect the coat protein gene of betanodavirus. In Yashima Bay, two and 13 of 20 cultured fish were positive for nodavirus in RT‐PCR and nested PCR, respectively, and four of five wild fish were positive only in nested PCR. In Tamanoura Bay, 28 and 99 of 106 wild fish were positive for the virus in RT‐PCR and nested PCR, respectively. All the sequences of the nested PCR products (177 nt) from 27 fish species (10 cultured and 17 wild) were highly homologous to each other (99–100%) and were closely related to that of the known betanodavirus, redspotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV). These results illustrate that large populations of cultured and wild marine fish in aquaculture areas are subclinically infected with genetically closely related betanodaviruses, suggesting an importance of such infected fish as a carrier or reservoir of betanodaviruses.
Characterization of nodavirus and viral encephalopathy and retinopathy in farmed turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.)
Authors: Johansen R , Sommerset I , Tørud B , Korsnes K , Hjortaas M J , Nilsen F , Nerland A H , Dannevig B H
Published: October 2004

An outbreak of nodavirus infection in turbot larvae is described with respect to histopathology, immunohistochemistry, cell culture cultivation, RT‐PCR amplification and sequence analysis of the capsid protein gene RNA2. Affected turbot developed classical signs of viral encephalopathy and retinopathy (VER) with abnormal swimming behaviour and high mortality levels. In the acute stage of infection, light microscopy revealed vacuolation of the central nervous system (CNS), with positive immunohistochemical staining for nodavirus. Later in the infection, CNS lesions appeared more chronic and contained clusters of cells immunopositive for nodavirus. Bacterial overgrowth in the intestines of the fish may have provoked or influenced the course of the nodavirus infection. We were unable to propagate the virus in cell culture. While RT‐PCR using primers designed to detect Atlantic halibut nodavirus gave negative results, further testing with primers complementary to a more conserved region of RNA2 resulted in amplification of a product of the expected size. The entire RNA2 segment was cloned and sequenced. Sequence alignment showed that the turbot nodavirus (TNV) was different from previously described fish nodaviruses. In addition, phylogenetic analysis based on an 823 nt region of the sequence indicated that TNV clustered outside the four established fish nodavirus genotypes, suggesting a fifth genotype within the betanodaviruses.
Three polyphenol oxidases from hybrid poplar are differentially expressed during development and after wounding and elicitor treatment
Authors: Wang Jiehua , Constabel C. Peter
Published: October 2004

The expression of three polyphenol oxidase (PPO; EC 1.10.3.1) genes was investigated in hybrid poplar (Populus trichocarpa × P. deltoides). PtdPPO1 was previously isolated as a wound‐ and herbivore‐inducible PPO (Constabel et al. Plant Physiol 124: 285–295, 2000), whereas PtdPPO2 and PtdPPO3 are two novel hybrid poplar PPO genes isolated from stem and root tissue, respectively. Sequence analysis revealed that the three PPOs were 60–66% identical at the amino acid level. Using gene‐specific probes, the expression patterns of the three PPOs was investigated in various organs at different developmental stages. Under normal growing conditions, PtdPPO1 mRNA was absent from all organs tested, while PtdPPO2 was found to be expressed in mid‐veins, petioles, stems and roots. PtdPPO3 was expressed only in roots. PtdPPO1 and PtdPPO2 were induced by mechanical wounding and methyl jasmonate, but in different tissues. Overall, the expression patterns suggest that the three PPO genes may have specialized physiological functions in hybrid poplar.
Mechanical wounding and abscission in citrus
Authors: Kostenyuk Igor A. , Burns Jacqueline K.
Published: October 2004

Fruit detachment force (FDF), ethylene evolution, fruit and leaf drop were determined in Citrus sinensis for periods up to 96 h after mechanical wounding. Injury by removing a thin section of mature fruit flavedo reduced FDF, increased ethylene evolution and promoted abscission. Injuring flavedo 1 cm below the calyx was more effective at reducing FDF than injuring flavedo at the equator or the blossom‐end of mature fruit. Injuring the calyx or peduncle of mature fruit, or injuring three leaves closest to the mature fruit did not reduce FDF. Immature fruitlets either did not abscise or underwent low rates of abscission in response to mechanical wounding, depending on age. Inhibiting ethylene binding in wounded mature fruit with 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) increased ethylene evolution compared with wounded fruit alone, but the reduction in FDF was similar. When an ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor (aminoethoxyvinylglycine, AVG) was used, reduction in FDF of wounded mature fruit exposed to AVG was similar to that of wounded fruit alone but ethylene production was markedly reduced. Wounding mature leaf blades in the presence or absence of 1‐MCP resulted in elevated but equal ethylene evolution up to 48 h after wounding, however, no leaf drop occurred. Thereafter, ethylene evolution was higher in 1‐MCP‐treated wounded leaves. Removing up to 77% of the total mature leaf area did not cause leaf drop, nor did wounding tissue across the laminar or petiolar abscission zones. Leaflets of 5 mm length reached nearly 100% abscission after mechanical wounding, whereas wounding leaves 20 mm length resulted in 15% abscission. The data suggest that mechanical wounding of flavedo results in mature fruit abscission, and ethylene binding may not be mandatory to initiate abscission in citrus fruit. The differential response of fruit and leaves at different ages to wounding may be related to potential contribution to carbohydrate accumulation, and production and sensitivity of tissues to an abscission signal(s).