bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elephants versus butterflies: the ecological role of large herbivores in the evolutionary history of two tropical worlds
Authors: Cristoffer Cris , Peres Carlos A.
Published: August 2003

AimLarge herbivores have important effects upon Paleotropical ecosystems, but attain much lower biomass densities in the Neotropics. We assess how this difference in herbivore activity has generated different ecological and evolutionary trajectories in the New and Old World tropics. We also propose an explanation for how the greater biomass density in the Old World came about.

LocationData were compiled primarily from moist tropical forests, although more of the relevant information to address most of our hypotheses was available from the mainland areas of Africa, Asia, and South America than elsewhere.

MethodsWe gleaned data from published information and personal communication. We compared body masses and a variety of other types of information for the New‐ and Old‐World tropics. We proposed that interhemispheric differences exist in a variety of processes, including herbivory, frugivory, and flower visitation. We erected hypotheses and evaluated them qualitatively, and, when information was available, tested them using simple ratios of species in various taxonomic and trophic categories. To make the comparisons more meaningful, we specified appropriate data selection criteria.

ResultsA general pattern of differences emerges from this review. Compared with Neotropical forests, the much greater biomass densities of large herbivores in Paleotropical forests are associated with a lesser diversity of small herbivores, different hunting methods used by indigenous humans, larger arboreal vertebrates, larger fruits, different patterns of fruit and flower dispersion in space and time, a lesser abundance of most types of reproductive plant parts, and other features. The existence of a species‐rich fauna of large herbivores in the pre‐Holocene Neotropical rain forest was not supported.

Main conclusionsThe potential for large herbivores to cause functional differences between the New and Old World tropical forests has been virtually unexplored, despite the well‐known importance of large herbivores in the Old World tropics. The evaluations of our hypotheses suggest that the abundance of large herbivores in the Old World tropics has launched it onto a different evolutionary trajectory than that of the NewWorld tropics. The relevant evidence, although scanty, suggests that the interhemispheric ecological differences are not an artefact of recent megafaunal extinctions in the New World. Recent human activities have, however, reduced population sizes of large wild herbivores in the Old World, and increased population sizes of livestock. This has likely created a rather homogeneous, anthropogenic selection pressure that tends to erase the evolutionary differences between the two tropical worlds.
Explaining bird species composition and richness in eucalypt‐dominated remnants in subhumid Tasmania
Authors: MacDonald Michael A. , Kirkpatrick J. B.
Published: August 2003

Aim To determine the factors influencing the distribution of birds in remnants in a fragmented agricultural landscape.

Location Forty‐seven eucalypt remnants and six sites in continuous forest in the subhumid Midlands region of Tasmania, Australia.

Methods Sites were censused over a two‐year period, and environmental data were collected for remnants. The avifauna of the sites was classified and ordinated. The abundances of bird species, and bird species composition, richness, abundance and diversity were related to environmental variables, using simple correlation and modelling.

Results There were two distinct groups of sample sites, which sharply differed in species composition, richness, diversity and bird abundance, separated on the presence/absence of noisy miner (Manorina melanocephala Latham) colonies, remnant size, vegetation structural attributes and variables that reflected disturbance history. The approximate remnant size threshold for the change from one group to another was 20–30 ha. Remnant species richness and diversity were most strongly explained by remnant area and noisy miner abundance, with contributions from structural and isolation attributes in the second case. Segment richness was explained by precipitation, logging history and noisy miner abundance. Bird abundance was positively related to precipitation and negatively related to tree dieback. The 28 individual bird species models were highly individualistic, with vegetation structural variables, noisy miner abundance, climatic variables, variables related to isolation, area, variables related to floristics, disturbance variables, the nature of the matrix and remnant shape all being components in declining order of incidence. Age of the remnant did not relate to any of the dependent variables.

Main conclusions Degraded and small remnants may have become more distinct in their avifaunal characteristics than might otherwise be the case, as a result of the establishment of colonies of an aggressive native bird, the noisy miner. The area, isolation and shape of remnants directly relate to the abundance of relatively few species, compared to vegetation attributes, climate and the abundance of the noisy miner. The nature of the matrix is important in the response of some species to fragmentation.
Area, shape and isolation of tropical forest fragments: effects on tree species diversity and implications for conservation
Authors: Hill Jennifer L. , Curran Paul J.
Published: August 2003

Aim To quantify the influences of forest area, shape and isolation on tree species diversity in Ghana and to compare their significance with the influences of climate (average annual rainfall) and disturbance (fire burn, logging, agriculture).

Location The forest zone of southern Ghana, West Africa (between 5 and 8° N).

Methods For twenty‐two forest fragments (1) bivariate regression analyses of tree species diversity (number and composition) were employed with forest spatial geometry, climate and disturbance variables. (2) Multivariate regression analyses of tree species number and all seven environmental variables were used to determine the variability in tree species number that could be accounted for by these environmental variables.

Results Forest area, shape and isolation accounted for sharply decreasing proportions of variability in tree species diversity. Large forest fragments contained the greatest numbers of tree species and the highest proportions of rare tree species; irregular fragments had high proportions of regenerating, light‐demanding pioneers and mature, animal‐dispersed species and isolated fragments were floristically similar to less isolated fragments. Fire burn and average annual rainfall accounted for small, but nevertheless significant, proportions of variability in tree species diversity. Logging and agriculture were non‐significant variables.

Main conclusions (1) Forest area is the most important consideration when planning tropical forest reserves. (2) Management of disturbance should take priority over management of forest shape if higher levels of tree diversity and species quality are to be maintained. (3) If new reserves are to be designated, they should be located within different climatic zones in order to capture a large fraction of the regional biota. (4) Biogeographers have an important role to play in formulating and testing hypotheses at a broad spatial scale and ultimately, informing conservation management within the tropical biome.
Phytogeography of upwelling areas in the Arabian Sea
Authors: Schils Tom , Coppejans Eric
Published: August 2003

Aim The identification of the marine plant communities of two islands from different upwelling areas of the Arabian Sea, with a similar diversity in biotopes. A comparison of the species composition of these macroalgal communities and their biogeographical affinities within the Indian Ocean should give insight into the biogeographical position of the Arabian Sea within the larger Indian Ocean. The incorporation of environmental parameters in the analysis is instructive in understanding their importance in shaping the diverse marine assemblages of the Arabian Sea.

Location Arabian Sea: (1) the Socotra Archipelago (Yemen; 12.47° N, 53.87° E) in the Somali upwelling area, (2) Masirah Island (Oman; 20.42° N, 58.79° E) in the upwelling area of the southern Arabian Peninsula.

Methods The marine flora of different biotopes around both islands were examined by means of qualitative assessments. Ordination analysis [detrended correspondence analysis (DCA)] was used to identify the different plant communities and to correlate these with environmental parameters. The species composition of the identified communities were compared (tripartite similarity index) and their biogeographical affinity with nations bordering the Indian Ocean was determined. Indicator species analyses were performed to identify the characteristic species of the different plant communities and their biotopes.

Results The DCA analysis shows a clustering of sites (plant communities) corresponding with their geographical position, linked in turn to the prevailing environmental conditions of the different coastal areas. The combined interpretation of the ordination, similarity and biogeographical analyses results in the aggregation of similar plant communities of both upwelling areas into four biotopes.

Main conclusions The north coast communities of Socotra and the west coast communities of Masirah can be grouped into three biotopes related to the degree of exposure (to upwelling) and sedimentation. These biotopes are typified by indicator species, characteristic for specific substrata, and have a high biogeographical affinity with the East African coast. The plant communities of Socotra's south coast and Masirah's east coast constitute a fourth biotope, being diverse and species rich, typified by a large proportion of red macroalgae including the characteristic species of the unique Arabian Sea flora. This biotope has a pronounced biogeographical affinity with distant regions (disjunctly distributed taxa) as South Africa's East Coast and Western Australia. Within the different biotopes, the communities of Masirah are more divergent from an East African flora in comparison to Socotra, the latter being a stepping stone between the East African and Arabian Sea flora.
Effects of fire and drought in a tropical eucalypt savanna colonized by rain forest
Authors: Fensham R. J. , Fairfax R. J. , Butler D. W. , Bowman D. M. J. S.
Published: August 2003

AimThis study documents the effects of multiple fires and drought on the woody structure of a north Australian savanna never grazed by domestic stock.

LocationThe study was conducted in a 500 ha pocket ofEucalyptus‐dominated savanna surrounded by a late Quaternary lava flow. The flow is known as the Great Basalt Wall, locatedc.50 km northeast of Charters Towers in semi‐arid north‐eastern Australia. This region was exposed to the largest 5‐year rainfall deficit on record between 1992 and 1996.

MethodsAll individual woody plants were tagged within a 1.56 ha plot. Species were segregated into their habitat affinities (rain forest, ecotone, savanna) and regeneration strategy (resprouter, seeder). The survivorship of plants within these categories was analysed in relation to fire intensity from the first fire, and to each of four fires lit between 1996 and 2001.

ResultsBefore the first fire, the plot contained thirty‐one tree species including twenty‐one typical of the surrounding dry rain forest. These rain forest species were represented by small individuals and constituted <1% of the total basal area of woody plants. The basal area of savanna trees was 7.5 m2 ha−1at the commencement of monitoring, although 31% had recently died and others had major crown damage. Further death of the drought debilitated savanna trees was substantial during the first year of monitoring and the basal area of live savanna trees declined to 1.1 m2 ha−1after 5 years. Most species from both rain forest and savanna were classified as resprouters and are capable of regenerating from underground organs after fire. Species without this ability (rain forest seeders and ecotone seeders) were mostly eliminated after the first two consecutive fires. Among resprouters, survivorship declined as fire intensity increased and this was more pronounced for rain forest than for savanna species. Repeated burning produced a cumulative effect of decreasing survivorship for rain forest resprouters relative to savanna resprouters.

Main conclusionsThe study provides evidence that savanna and rain forest trees differ in fire susceptibility and that recurrent fire can explain the restricted distribution of rain forest in the seasonally arid Australian tropics. The time of death of the savanna trees is consistent with the regional pattern after severe drought, and highlights the importance of medium term climate cycles for the population dynamics of savanna tree species and structure of Australian savannas.
The pristine rain forest? Remnants of historical human impacts on current tree species composition and diversity
Authors: van Gemerden Barend S. , Olff Han , Parren Marc P.E. , Bongers Frans
Published: August 2003

Abstract Aim Tropical rain forests are often regarded as pristine and undisturbed by humans. In Central Africa, community‐wide disturbances by natural causes are rare and therefore current theory predicts that natural gap phase dynamics structure tree species composition and diversity. However, the dominant tree species in many African forests recruit poorly, despite the presence of gaps. To explain this, we studied the disturbance history of a species‐rich and structurally complex rain forest.

Location Lowland rain forest in Southern Cameroon.

Methods We identified the recruitment conditions of trees in different diameter classes in 16 ha of species‐rich and structurally complex ‘old growth’ rain forest. For the identification of recruitment preference we used independent data on the species composition along a disturbance gradient, ranging from shifting cultivation fields (representing large‐scale disturbance), to canopy gaps and old growth forest.

Results In nine of sixteen 1‐ha forest plots the older trees preferred shifting cultivation fields for recruitment while younger trees preferred gaps and closed forest conditions. This indicates that these nine sites once experienced large‐scale disturbances. Three lines of evidence suggest that historical agricultural use is the most likely disturbance factor: (1) size of disturbed and undisturbed patches, (2) distribution of charcoal and (3) historical accounts of human population densities.

Main conclusions Present‐day tree species composition of a structurally complex and species‐rich Central African rain forest still echoes historical disturbances, most probably caused by human land use between three to four centuries ago. Human impact on African rain forest is therefore, contrary to common belief, an issue not of the last decades only. Insights in historical use will help to get a more balanced view of the ‘pristine rain forest’, acknowledging that the dualism between ‘old growth’ and ‘secondary’ forest may be less clear than previously thought.
Phytogeography of Hong Kong bryophytes
Authors: Zhang Li , Corlett Richard T.
Published: August 2003

AimHong Kong is in a biogeographically interesting location on the northern margins of the Asian tropics. This paper analyzes the phytogeography of Hong Kong's bryophyte flora for the first time.

LocationHong Kong lies on the South China coast, 22°9′–22°37′ N, 113°52′–114°30′ E. It is one of the most densely populated places in the world, but because of the rugged topography only 20% of the total land area of 1100 km2is urbanized. Although 130 km south of the Tropic of Cancer, it has a subtropical climate with distinct hot, humid and cool, dry seasons.

MethodsThe analysis is based on a new and relatively complete inventory of Hong Kong's bryoflora. Each taxon was assigned to a phytogeographical pattern on the basis of its present worldwide distribution. Krober's percentage similarity was employed to evaluate the floristic affinities between different regions.

ResultsThe bryophyte flora consists of at least 360 species and twelve infraspecific taxa in 159 genera and seventy families, of which four taxa are locally endemic. The largest families are Lejeuneaceae (fifty‐one taxa), Fissidentaceae (28), Hypnaceae (21), Dicranaceae (20), Calymperaceae (18), and Sematophyllaceae (15). The largest genera areFissidens(28),Cololejeunea(17),Lejeunea(10),Syrrhopodon(9),Frullania(8), andMacromitrium(8). Fourteen phytogeographical patterns are recognized. The East Asian pattern is the commonest (seventy‐three taxa, 19.6%), followed by Asian–Australian–Oceanian (45, 12.1%) and Temperate (44, 11.8%). Overall, a third of taxa have tropical distributions. The bryofloras of eleven regions were compared with that of Hong Kong. The most similar regions are Hainan Province, Taiwan Province, and Japan. Mosses and liverworts show very similar phytogeographical distributions.

Main conclusions(1) The Hong Kong bryoflora is best described as northern marginal tropical, with a strong Eastern Asian and Temperate influence; (2) the region of closest phytogeographical affinity for which information is available is Hainan; (3) in comparison with vascular plants, vertebrates and those invertebrate groups for which there is information, the bryoflora has a relatively low proportion of tropical taxa; (4) the bryoflora of Hong Kong appears to be exceptionally rich for its small area.
Biodiversity and biogeography of the islands of the Kuril Archipelago
Authors: Pietsch Theodore W. , Bogatov Victor V. , Amaoka Kunio , Zhuravlev Yuri N. , Barkalov Vyacheslav Y. , Gage Sarah , Takahashi Hideki , Lelej Arkady S. , Storozhenko Sergey Y. , Minakawa Norobu , Bennett Daniel J. , Anderson Trevor R. , Ôhara Masahiro , Prozorova Larisa A. , Kuwahara Yasuhiro , Kholin Sergey K. , Yabe Mamoru , Stevenson Duane E. , MacDonald Erin L.
Published: August 2003

Abstract Aim Based on seven consecutive seasons of biotic survey and inventory of the terrestrial and freshwater plants and animals of the 30 major islands of the Kuril Archipelago, a description of the biodiversity and an analysis of the biogeography of this previously little known part of the world are provided.

Location The Kuril Archipelago, a natural laboratory for investigations into the origin, subsequent evolution, and long‐term maintenance of insular populations, forms the eastern boundary of the Okhotsk Sea, extending 1200 km between Hokkaido, Japan, and the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia. A chain of more than 56 islands, the system is only slightly smaller than the Hawaiian Islands, covering an area of 15,600 km2 and providing 2409 km of coastline.

Methods Collections of whole specimens of plants and animals, as well as tissue samples for future molecular studies, were made by teams of scientists from Russia, Japan, and the USA, averaging 34 people for each of the seven annual summer expeditions (1994–2000). Floral and faunal similarities between islands were evaluated by using Sorensen's coefficient of similarity. The similarity matrix resulting from pair‐wise calculations was then subjected to UPGMA cluster analysis.

Results Despite the relatively small geographical area of all islands combined, the Kuril Island biota is characterized by unusually high taxonomic diversity, yet endemism is very low. An example of a non‐relict biota, it originated from two primary sources: a southern source, the Asian mainland by way of Sakhalin and Hokkaido, and a northern source by way of Kamchatka. The contribution of the southern source biota to the species diversity of the Kurils was considerably greater than the northern one.

Main conclusion The Bussol Strait, lying between Urup and Simushir in the central Kurils, is the most significant biogeographical boundary within the Archipelago. Of lesser importance are two transitional zones, the De Vries Strait or ‘Miyabe Line’, which passes between Iturup and Urup in the southern Kurils, and the fourth Kuril Strait, between Onekotan and Paramushir in the northern Kurils.
The phytogeographical affinities of the Pitcairn Islands – a model for south‐eastern Polynesia?
Authors: Kingston Naomi , Waldren Steve , Bradley Una
Published: August 2003

Aim To identify how the Pitcairn group relates biogeographically to the south‐eastern Polynesian region and if, as a subset of the regions flora, it can then be used as a model for biogeographical analyses.

Location The Pitcairn group (25°4′ S, 130°06′ W) comprises four islands: Pitcairn, a relatively young, high volcanic Island; Henderson, an uplifted atoll, the uplift caused by the eruption of Pitcairn; and two atolls, Ducie and Oeno. The remote location, young age and range of island types found in the Pitcairn Island group makes the group ideal for the study of island biogeography and evolution.

Methods A detailed literature survey was carried out and several data sets were compiled. Dispersal method, propagule number and range data were collected for each of the 114 species that occurs in the Pitcairn group, and environmental data was also gathered for islands in Polynesia. Analyses were carried out using non‐metric multidimensional scaling and clustering techniques.

Results The flora of the Pitcairn Islands is derived from the flora of other island groups in the south‐eastern Polynesian region, notably those of the Austral, Society and Cook Islands. Species with a Pacific‐wide distribution dominate the overall Pitcairn group flora. However, each of the islands show different patterns; Pitcairn is dominated by species with Pacific, Polynesian and endemic distributions, with anemochory as the dominant dispersal method (39.5%); Henderson is also dominated by species with Pacific, Polynesian and endemic distributions, but zoochory is the dominant dispersal method (59.4); Oeno and Ducie are dominated by Pantropic species with hydrochory as the most common dispersal method (52.9% and 100%, respectively).

Main conclusions • Habitat availability is the most significant factor determining the composition and size of the flora.

• South‐east Polynesia is a valid biogeographical unit, and should include the Cook, Austral, Society, Marquesas, Gambier, Tuamotu and Pitcairn Islands with Rapa, but should exclude Easter Island, Tonga and Samoa.

• Regionalization schemes should take island type into consideration.

• The Pitcairn Island group can serve as a useful model for Pacific biogeographical analyses.
Evaluation of a score designed to predict sepsis in foals
Authors: Corley Kevin T. T. , Furr Martin O.
Published: August 2003

Objective:To evaluate the accuracy of a published score designed to predict sepsis in foals in a clinical setting and to evaluate the association of clinical and clinicopathological variables with sepsis.

Design:Observational study. Retrospective for data from 1998. Prospective in 1999–2001.

Setting:Foal intensive care unit of a university hospital.

Animals:Client‐owned foals of less than 10 days of age, presenting from 1998 to 2001.

Interventions:None.

Measurements and main results:Data from the history and physical examination, together with admission hematology, biochemistry and arterial blood gas analysis were used to generate the published sepsis scores. The same data were investigated for their statistical relationship with sepsis. The presence or absence of sepsis was determined from blood culture, culture of sites of suspected local infection, clinical course and/or post‐mortem examination.

The modified sepsis score was calculated for 168 foals, which were classified as septic (86), non‐septic (45) or not possible to classify (37). The modified sepsis score correctly predicted sepsis in 58 out of 86 foals and non‐sepsis in 34 out of 45 foals, resulting in a sensitivity of 67%, a specificity of 76%, a positive predictive value of 84% and a negative predictive value of 55%. Abnormal neutrophil cytology, an immunoglobulin concentration of less than 400 mg/dl, and low blood glucose concentration had the strongest association with sepsis.

Conclusions:The low negative predictive value of the sepsis score limited its clinical utility. The sepsis score should not be used to define sepsis in clinical studies, unless previously validated in the study center.
How young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds experience mental health: Some insights for mental health nurses
Authors: Gorman Don , Brough Mark , Ramirez Elvia
Published: August 2003

ABSTRACT:
This article reports on part of a study that looked at the mental health of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) young people. The research sought to learn from CALD young people, carers, and service providers experiences relevant to the mental health of this group of young people. The ultimate goal was to gain insights that would inform government policy, service providers, ethnic communities and most importantly the young people themselves. To this end, qualitative interviews were undertaken with 123 CALD young people, 41 carers and 14 mental health service providers in Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. Only one aspect of the study will be dealt with here, namely the views of the young CALD participants, which included risk factors, coping strategies and recommendations about how they could be supported in their struggle to maintain mental health. One of the most important findings of the study relates to the resilience of these young people and an insight into the strategies that they used to cope. The efforts of these young people to assist us in our attempts to understand their situation deserve to be rewarded by improvements in the care that we provide. To this end this article sets out to inform mental health nurses of the results of the study so that they will be in a position to better understand the needs and strengths of their CALD clients and be in a better position to work effectively with them.
Nurses’ perceptions of mental health assessment in an acute inpatient setting in New Zealand: A qualitative study
Authors: Bishop Darryl , Ford‐Bruins Ines
Published: August 2003

ABSTRACT:
This qualitative study explores the perceptions of mental health nurses regarding assessment in an acute adult inpatient setting in Central Auckland. Fourteen mental health nurses took part in semistructured interviews answering five open‐ended questions. The analysis of data involved a general inductive approach, with key themes drawn out and grouped into four categories (roles, attitudes, skills and knowledge) in order to explore the meaning of information gathered. The outcome of the study acknowledged the importance of contextual factors such as the physical environment and bureaucratic systems, as well as values and beliefs present within the unit. The participants expressed concern that their input to assessment processes was limited, despite belief that 24‐hour care and the nature of mental health nursing generally suggested that a crucial role should exist for nurses. In order for nurses to be established as central in the assessment process on the unit the study concludes that a nursing theoretical framework appropriate for this acute inpatient setting needs to be developed.
At‐risk children: A demographic analysis of the children of clients attending mental health community clinics
Authors: Ahern Kathy
Published: August 2003

ABSTRACT:
Children of parents with mental illness have an increased risk of psychological problems. The aim of this study was to identify the demographic characteristics of dependent children of adults presenting at mental health clinics in Western Australia. A survey of clients who attended the clinics indicated that half reported having had children. Of these, 21% had a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia. Although schizophrenia was the most common illness, there were almost seven times more children living with a parent with a primary diagnosis of depression than schizophrenia. Recommendations include that children of clients with mental illness be included as part of a wider client focus.
Accessory scrotum attached to a perineal lipoma in an adult male
Authors: GÖKTAŞ SERDAR , AYDUR EMIN , YILDIRIM BRAHIM , SÜMER FAHRI
Published: August 2003

Abstract Accessory scrotum is a condition in which a scrotum is located in the perineal region, in addition to the presence of normally located primary scrotum, testes and penis. The condition is extremely rare and the majority of reported cases have been diagnosed in infants. Herein, we present a case of accessory scrotum attached to a perineal lipoma in a 40‐year‐old man. The perineal mass was present at birth and grew very slowly over the years. There were no other congenital abnormalities or problems related to this anomaly. The case was easily managed by complete excision of the accessory scrotum and perineal lipoma. Gross and microscopic examination of the surgical specimen revealed an accessory scrotum attached to an encapsulated perineal lipoma. The present case demonstrates an adult prognosis of a patient born with this type of abnormality. To our knowledge, it is the first case of its kind to be reported in the literature.
Alteration of apoptotic regulatory molecules expression during carcinogenesis and tumor progression of renal cell carcinoma
Authors: SEJIMA TAKEHIRO , ISOYAMA TADAHIRO , MIYAGAWA IKUO
Published: August 2003

Background: In order to characterize the alteration of apoptotic regulatory molecule expressions during carcinogenesis and tumor progression of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), we compared the expressions between tumor and normal tissues, and evaluated the relationships between expressions in tumors with pathological and clinical characteristics.

Methods: Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) allowed the determination of Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), and bcl‐2 mRNA expressions in surgically resected tissues of 40 cases of RCC .

Results: In comparing the mRNA expression incidence between tumor and normal tissues, RT‐PCR analysis demonstrated that the Fas and bcl‐2 incidence in tumors was significantly lower than that in normal tissues. An IHC analysis was supportive of the RT‐PCR results that higher immunoreactivity was recognized in mRNA positive cases than in negative cases. With regard to relationships with pathological and clinical characteristics, FasL mRNA expression was recognized significantly more frequently in pT3a tumors than in pT1 tumors, and also more frequently in G2 tumors than in G1 tumors. A similar result was obtained by IHC analysis. Five patients died of cancer. Four of these patients had tumors which showed positive mRNA expression and a strong immunoreactivity of FasL.

Conclusion: It is suggested that the alteration of the down‐regulated expression of Fas and bcl‐2 might contribute to the carcinogenesis of RCC. It is also suggested that the alteration of up‐regulated expression of FasL in tumors, which establishes the immune evasion mechanism in some malignancies, might be characterized during the tumor progression of RCC.
Adjuvant hydrodistension under epidural anesthesia for interstitial cystitis
Authors: YAMADA TETSUO , MURAYAMA TETSUO , ANDOH MASAHIKO
Published: August 2003

Background: Hydrodistension is the first choice of treatment for interstitial cystitis because it allows for diagnosis, bladder biopsy and treatment. However, the method and efficacy of hydrodistension are variable. We performed adjuvant hydrodistension and examined the efficacy and factors that influence prognosis.

Methods: Fifty‐two patients participated in the present study as subjects; they satisfied the diagnostic inclusion and exclusion criteria established by the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK) in 1987, USA. Under epidural anesthesia, the bladder was repeatedly distended up to the maximal bladder capacity for treatment, diagnosis and biopsy. Hydrodistension was performed again on the following day for approximately 30 min under epidural anesthesia in a ward until macroscopic hematuria disappeared.

Results: Five patients were classified into the good, 30 into the moderate and 17 into the poor response group. In the good response group, three patients had type I allergy and one patient did not fulfil all of the positive factors in the NIDDK criteria. The poor response group included one patient with collagen disease. The poor response group was further divided into two subgroups based on bladder capacity. One subgroup included eight patients with a bladder capacity of less than 100 mL and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). The other subgroup included nine patients with a bladder capacity of more than 100 mL. Among these nine patients there were five patients who lacked one or two positive factors in the NIDDK criteria.

Conclusion: Adjuvant hydrodistension under epidural anesthesia is effective for about 70% of patients for more than 3 months. It can be performed in a ward without any serious complications. It was observed that patients lacking one or two positive factors were included in the good and poor response groups.
Effects of androgen deprivation on chronic bacterial prostatitis in a rat model
Authors: SEO SEONG IL , LEE SEUNG‐JU , KIM JOON CHUL , CHOI YEONG‐JIN , SAE WOONG  , HWANG TAE KON , CHO YONG‐HYUN
Published: August 2003

Background:Many attempts have been made to improve the treatment success rate of chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP). However, no treatment modality has achieved complete cure. The growth and development of the prostate is under direct hormonal control, and it is possible that prostatitis may be directly influenced by its hormonal milieu in a similar fashion to benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. Therefore, the effects of androgen deprivation on the treatment of CBP were investigated in rats.

Methods:Experimental CBP was induced in one hundred, male Wistar rats by instillation of bacterial suspension (Escherichia coliZ17, O2: K1: H‐) containing 1 × 108 CFU/µL into the prostatic urethra. Microbiologically and histologically proven CBP was demonstrated in 62% (62 of 100) of the rats after 4 weeks of bacterial instillation. The 62 rats demonstrating CBP were randomly divided into five groups: control; castration; finasteride; estrogen; and levofloxacin groups. All drug treatments were conducted over a period of 4 weeks.

Results:Microbiological cultures and histological findings of the prostate and urine samples demonstrated reduced bacterial growth and improved inflammatory responses in all four experimental groups compared with the control group. The castration and estrogen groups showed coherent trends of decrease in bacterial growth and improvements in prostatic inflammation compared with the control group, but not to a statistically significant degree (P > 0.05). However, the finasteride and levofloxacin groups did show statistically significant decreases in bacterial growth and improvements in prostatic inflammation compared with the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:These results suggest that androgen deprivation is an effective modality in CBP treatment. In particular, the finasteride treatment reduced the severity of CBP in the animal model without reducing the systemic testosterone level. The combination of finasteride and levofloxacin maybe one of the effective treatment modalities for CBP.
Adenocarcinoma arising at the ileoileal anastomotic site of Scheele's ring
Authors: YOKOYAMA MINATO , FUJII YASUHISA , OKUNO TETSUO , KAWAKAMI SATORU , KOBAYASHI TSUYOSHI , MASUDA HITOSHI , KAGEYAMA YUKIO , KIHARA KAZUNORI
Published: August 2003

Abstract Most tumors arising after augmentation ileocystoplasty have been reported to develop adjacent to the ileovesical anastomosis. Herein, we report a case of adenocarcinoma arising at the ileoileal anastomotic site 33 years after augmentation ileocystoplasty (Scheele's ring plasty) for tuberculous contracted bladder. The present case shows the possibility of late malignancy developing at the ileoileal junction after ileal neobladder.
Adult Wilms’ tumor mimicking hemorrhagic renal cyst
Authors: FUJITA KAZUTOSHI , NISHIMURA KAZUO , YASUNAGA YUTAKA , MIYAKE OSAMU , HIROTA SEIICHI , OKUYAMA AKIHIKO
Published: August 2003

Abstract A 36‐year‐old man presented with macroscopic hematuria associated with right flank pain. Examination of the patient revealed a cystic mass in the right kidney. Because the mass had increased in size, enucleation of the mass was performed. Histopathological findings revealed nephroblastoma, therefore, radical nephrectomy was performed. We believe the pathogenesis of the cystic formation to be a process in which a tumor that had developed in the pericalyceal region spontaneously ruptured, exuding urine into the perinephric space, forming a cystic mass. The patient is alive with no evidence of disease 24 months after the operation.
Xanthogranulomatous cystitis
Authors: HAYASHI NORIHIRO , WADA TETSURO , KIYOTA HIROSHI , UEDA MASATAKA , OISHI YUKIHIKO
Published: August 2003

Abstract Xanthogranulomatous cystitis (XC) is a rare benign chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. Herein we report a case of a 70‐year‐old woman who presented with frequent, postmicturition pain and lower abdominal discomfort. Cystoscopy revealed a mass at the dome of the bladder near the left wall. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a mass with a central cavity. The patient underwent partial cystectomy because the presence of bladder neoplasm could not be ruled out. She had has no recurrence of XC 29 months after the operation. The present case of XC is the 20th to be reported in the world.
Adenocarcinoma arising from a mature cystic teratoma of the testis
Authors: KASAI TOSHINORI , MORIYAMA KAZUMICHI , TSUJI MASAHITO , UEMA KENZO , SAKURAI NORITSUGU , FUJII YOSHIYUKI
Published: August 2003

Abstract A 52‐year‐old male diagnosed pathologically with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the skin was referred to our department. Physical examination revealed a right scrotal mass the size of child's head and several skin tumors. Right high orchiectomy and resection of skin tumors were performed. Histopathological examination revealed a well‐differentiated, mucinous adenocarcinoma originating from the gastrointestinal epithelium in a mature cystic teratoma (dermoid cyst) of the testis and metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma of the skin. We made a diagnosis of teratoma with malignant transformation (TMT) of the testis. Combination chemotherapy with low‐dose cisplatin/5′‐deoxy‐5‐fluorouridine (CDDP/5′‐DFUR) was initiated, but the patient died 8 months after orchiectomy. At autopsy, similar mucinous adenocarcinoma of the testis and the skin were observed at the metastatic sites.
Weekly paclitaxel plus estramustine combination therapy in hormone‐refractory prostate cancer: A pilot study
Authors: KURUMA HIDETOSHI , FUJITA TETSUO , SHITARA TOSHIYA , EGAWA SHIN , YOKOYAMA EIJI , BABA SHIRO
Published: August 2003

Background: Paclitaxel used in combination with estramustine has been shown to exert synergistic cytotoxicity in patients with hormone‐refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). There have been few reports of this therapy in an Asian male population.

Methods: Nine patients with progressive metastatic HRPC completed at least one cycle of combination therapy employing weekly paclitaxel plus estramustine. Paclitaxel was given weekly for 3 weeks as a 2‐h intravenous infusion at a dose of 100 mg/infusion. The cycle was repeated every 4 weeks. A dose of 280 mg of oral estramustine was administrated twice daily for 21 days from the first day of each cycle. Both efficacy and toxicity were recorded.

Results: Grade 1 sensory neuropathy was seen in three patients (33%) and grade 4 thrombopenia/anemia was seen in one patient (11%). Performance status improved in three of seven patients (43%), while six patients (67%) showed a 50% or greater decline in prostate‐specific antigen levels. Two of these patients experienced significant improvement in bone pain. One patient died of cardiac infarction during this trial and another died of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy subsequent to gastrointestinal bleeding. An additional patient suffered non‐fatal pulmonary infarction. The one‐year median survival rate was 22.2% and the overall survival period was 36 weeks.

Conclusion: Although weekly paclitaxel plus estramustine may pose a significant risk, this combination may have a beneficial effect on the quality of life HRPC patients. A well‐designed phase I–II trial in an Asian male population is highly recommended.
Catheter Ablation of Supraventricular Tachycardia in the Transplanted Heart:
Authors: MAGNANO ANTHONY R. , GARAN HASAN
Published: August 2003

Clinically important supraventricular arrhythmias are occasionally encountered in patients following cardiac transplantation and the use of catheter ablation as a treatment has been reported. The following three cases are described: (1) atrial flutter, including electroanatomic mapping of the donor and recipient components of the right atrium, (2) a mid‐septal accessory pathway, and (3) atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT). A Medline database search was performed and articles addressing catheter ablation following cardiac transplantation were reviewed. The efficacy of RFA for treating various arrhythmia mechanisms was evaluated based on a summary of published case reports. (PACE 2003; 26:1878–1886)
Efficacy of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Therapy for Primary and Secondary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: BEGLEY DAVID A. , MOHIDDIN SAIDI A. , TRIPODI DOROTHY , WINKLER JUDITH B. , FANANAPAZIR LAMEH
Published: August 2003

Risk stratification and effectiveness of implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) therapy are unresolved issues in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a cardiac disease that is associated with arrhythmias and sudden death. We assessed ICD therapy in 132 patients with HCM: age at implantation was

34 ± 17 years

, and 44 (33%) patients were

aged ≤ 20 years

. Indications were sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) or cardiac arrest (secondary prevention) in 47 (36%) patients, and clinical features associated with increased risk for sudden death (primary prevention) in 85 (64%) patients. There were 6 deaths and 55 appropriate interventions in 27 (20%) patients during a mean follow‐up period of

4.8 ± 4.2 years

: 5‐year survival and event‐free rates were

96%± 2%

and

75%± 5%

, respectively. ICD intervention‐free rates were significantly less for secondary than for primary prevention:

64%± 7%

versus

84%± 6%

at 5 years,

P = 0.02

. Notably, 59 of 67 events (cardiac arrest and therapeutic ICD interventions), or 88%, occurred during sedentary or noncompetitive activity. Incidence of therapeutic shocks was related to age but not to other reported risk factors, including severity of cardiac hypertrophy, nonsustained VT during Holter monitoring, and abnormal blood pressure response to exercise. ICD related complications occurred in 38 (29%) patients, including 60 inappropriate ICD interventions in 30 (23%) patients. However, 8 (27%) of the patients with inappropriate shocks also had therapeutic interventions. ICD is effective for secondary prevention of sudden death in HCM. However, selection of patients for primary prevention of sudden death, and prevention of device related complications require further refinement. (PACE 2003; 26:1887–1896)
Successful Implantation of a Coronary Sinus Lead After Stenting of a Coronary Vein Stenosis
Authors: VAN GELDER BERRY M. , MEIJER ALBERT , BASTING PETER , HENDRIX GERT , BRACKE FRANK A.
Published: August 2003

Dislodgment of the coronary sinus lead was observed in a 79‐year‐old patient 8 months after implantation of a biventricular pacing system. A severe stenosis in the posterolateral branch, in which the lead was previously positioned, prohibited reinsertion of the lead. Because no other branches with adequate anatomy for lead insertion were available in the targeted area, the stenosis was dilated and stented. Subsequently, the left ventricular lead could be reimplanted in the same vessel. (PACE 2003; 26:1904–1906)
Flecainide Induced Ventricular Tachycardia (Torsades de Pointes)
Authors: THEVENIN JEROME , COSTA ANTOINE DA , ROCHE FREDERIC , ROMEYER CECILE , MESSIER MARC , ISAAZ KARL
Published: August 2003

This case report describes a 68‐year‐old woman presenting with flecainide induced syncope due to torsades de pointes (TP) ventricular tachycardia. Before TP onset, the QTc interval reached 680 ms without changes in QRS duration. None of the usual triggers were found. Prolongation of QT under flecaïnide is exceptional and the occurrence of TP without concurrent triggers has not been reported in the literature. (PACE 2003; 26:1907–1908)
Sustained Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia Unassociated with QT Prolongation or Bradycardia in the Kearns‐Sayre Syndrome
Authors: OGINOSAWA YASUSHI , ABE HARUHIKO , NAGATOMO TOSHIHISA , MIZUKI TSUNETAKA , NAKASHIMA YASUHIDE
Published: August 2003

Cardiac dysfunction, including congestive heart failure and impulse conduction abnormalities, have been implicated in the sudden death of patients suffering from the Kearns‐Sayre syndrome. This report describes a 29‐year‐old woman who suffered syncopal episodes due to sustained polymorphic VT. Sustained polymorphic VT was not associated with prolongation of the QT interval or bradycardia on the ECG. The implantation of a cardioverter defibrillator should be considered in this syndrome. (PACE 2003; 26:1911–1912)
Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation in a Pregnant Woman Guided with Transesophageal Echocardiography
Authors: ABELLO MAURICIO , PEINADO RAFAEL , MERINO JOSÉ LUIS , GNOATTO MARIANA , MATEOS MARTA , SILVESTRE JORGE , DOMINGUEZ JOSÉ LUIS
Published: August 2003

This report describes a 28‐year‐old pregnant woman with mitral valve prolapse and sudden cardiac death due to a ventricular fibrillation who underwent an ICD implantation guided by tranesophageal echocardiography. (PACE 2003; 26:1913–1914)
25 Years of Insights into the Mechanisms of Supraventricular Arrhythmias
Authors: WELLENS HEIN J.J.
Published: August 2003

The introduction of programmed electrical stimulation of the heart and intracardiac activation mapping 35 years ago made it possible to study the site of origin or pathway of a supraventricular tachycardia and to gain insight into the tachycardic mechanism. Information from these studies has been the basis for the development of new therapies, like arrhythmia surgery, antitachycardia pacing, and catheter ablation. The correlation of intracardiac findings with the 12‐lead ECG during the tachycardia resulted in the recognition of characteristic ECG patterns for the different types of supraventricular tachycardias. Currently, gross localization of the site of origin of the arrhythmia is based on the 12‐lead ECG during the arrhythmia with fine tuning using intracardiac activation mapping and pacing. These developments during the past 3 decades make accurate arrhythmia diagnosis possible and allow us to offer curative therapies to many of patients suffering from a supraventricular tachycardia. (PACE 2003; 26:1916–1922)