bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of three global change drivers on a Mediterranean shrub
Authors: Matesanz Silvia , Escudero Adrián , Valladares Fernando
Published: August 2009

Global change is not restricted to climate change, and plant species generally face multiple human‐driven disturbances constraining their viability. Most importantly, interactions among these drivers frequently generate nonadditive effects that cannot be predicted based on single‐factor studies. Our goal was to assess the joint effects of three global change drivers that are especially relevant in Mediterranean ecosystems, namely, fragmentation, reduced habitat quality, and climate change on Centaurea hyssopifolia, a gypsum specialist plant. We carried out a two‐year study (2005–2006) in natural populations of this plant in large (>11 ha) and small (<1.5 ha) fragments. Within each fragment, we identified areas of contrasting habitat quality as revealed by plant cover and nutrient content, and within each combination of habitat quality and fragment size we performed a rainfall manipulation experiment simulating the most likely future climate scenario for the region. Survival, growth, phenology, and reproductive success of selected plants were monitored. The three drivers profoundly affected responses of Centaurea hyssopifolia in both study years, phenology being mainly affected by changes in habitat quality and reductions in rainfall and reproductive traits being mainly affected by fragmentation. Plants in sites of poor habitat quality and plants in the dry treatment advanced most of their phenophases (flowering and dispersing earlier) and showed reduced growth rate and increased fraction of senescent leaves. Plants growing in small fragments had lower survival, lower number of viable seeds, and a reduced seed set compared to those from large fragments. We found significant synergistic interactions among drivers. For example, the interaction between fragmentation and habitat quality led to lower survival and lower relative growth in plants from small and poor‐quality habitat sites. Our results highlight the importance of studies addressing simultaneously all relevant drivers of global change potentially affecting plant performance under natural conditions. In addition, the complex responses of phenology and reproductive traits of C. hyssopifolia emphasize the need for studies integrating traits from vegetative to reproductive and from the organ to the whole‐plant level.
Community‐level consequences of mycorrhizae depend on phosphorus availability
Authors: Collins Cathy D. , Foster Bryan L.
Published: August 2009

In grasslands, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) mediate plant diversity; whether AMF increase or decrease diversity depends on the relative mycotrophy in dominant vs. subordinate plants. In this study we investigated whether soil nutrient levels also influence the ability of AMF to mediate plant species coexistence. First, we developed a conceptual model that predicts the influence of AMF on diversity along a soil nutrient gradient for plant communities dominated by mycotrophic and non‐mycotrophic species. To test these predictions, we manipulated phosphorus to create a soil nutrient gradient for mesocosm communities composed of native prairie grasses and then compared community properties for mesocosms with and without AMF. We found that, where P was limiting, AMF increased plant diversity and productivity, and also altered community structure; however, at high P, AMF had little influence on aboveground communities. Compositional differences among treatments were due largely to a trade‐off in the relative abundance of C3 vs. C4 species. Our study emphasizes how environmental constraints on mutualisms may govern community‐ and ecosystem‐level properties.
Interpopulation divergence in competitive interactions of the mosquitoAedes albopictus
Authors: Leisnham P. T. , Lounibos L. P. , O'Meara G. F. , Juliano S. A.
Published: August 2009

Geographic variation in species interactions can have major effects on distributions. Effects of such variation can be particularly evident for invasive species, in which variation in competitive ability can influence invasive success and impacts. We tested the hypothesis that coexistence or exclusion of the resident mosquitoAedes aegyptiresults from variation among local populations of the invasiveAedes albopictusin competitive interactions withA. aegypti. We also examined the role of variation in fecundity–size relationships in these competitive interactions. We compared competitive abilities of nine North American populations ofA. albopictus,three populations from each of three site types: extinction ofA. aegyptifollowingA. albopictusinvasion, coexistence followingA. albopictusinvasion, andA. albopictusallopatric toA. aegypti. Competition among larvae from eachA. albopictuspopulation and a singleA. aegyptipopulation was tested in laboratory microcosms in a response surface design. We found interpopulation differences in competitive ability ofA. albopictus, but no strong patterns among site types. Extinction sites had steeper average fecundity–size relationships than coexistence sites and allopatric sites, but this did not translate into superior population performance. Certain individualA. albopictuspopulations had exceptionally large competitive effects onA. aegyptior poor competitive responses to competition fromA. aegypti, but competitive effect and response were not correlated. These results suggest that interpopulation variation in the competitive ability ofA. albopictusmay only partly explain the geographic pattern of coexistence with or extinction ofA. aegypti. Environmental differences among regions may affect the competitive ability ofA. albopictusand influence its invasion success and impact.
A hump‐shaped relationship between isolation and abundance ofNotonecta irroratacolonists in aquatic mesocosms
Authors: McCauley Shannon J. , Davis Christopher J. , Nystrom Jennifer , Werner Earl E.
Published: August 2009

We examined the relationship between the isolation of experimental aquatic mesocosms and the abundance of an aquatic insect colonist,Notonecta irrorata, over two years. We used a curve‐fitting approach to assess whether linear or quadratic models better describe the relationship between isolation and abundance. For two measures of mesocosm isolation, distance to nearest source and distance to the largest source population, there was a significant quadratic relationship between isolation and abundance. Abundance of colonizingN. irroratawas not found to be significantly related to a third measure of isolation, mesocosm connectivity. These results indicate that the relationship between habitat isolation and colonist abundance may not be a monotonic decline across all spatial scales, a finding that contradicts the usual assumption incorporated in measures of habitat connectivity. Our results suggest that under some circumstances individuals that have undertaken dispersal may bypass patches they encounter early in this process and preferentially settle in patches encountered later. This behavioral preference in conjunction with decreased numbers of potential colonists at sites far from the source environment could lead to the “hump‐shaped” colonist abundance by habitat isolation relationship we observed in this study. We suggest that simple assumptions about the relationship between habitat isolation and the probability a site is colonized need to be reexamined and alternative possible forms of this relationship tested.
Interaction of position, litter type, and water pulses on decomposition of grasses from the semiarid Patagonian steppe
Authors: Austin Amy T. , Araujo Patricia I. , Leva Paula E.
Published: August 2009

Litter lignin and nutrient content, annual rainfall, and biotic activity are not good predictors of litter decomposition in arid and semiarid ecosystems, suggesting that other factors may be important in controlling carbon turnover. We explored the relative importance of litter position (above‐ vs. belowground), litter type (leaf vs. root), and pulsed water events (large vs. small) on mass loss with grass species of the semiarid Patagonian steppe. In a factorial experiment of mesocosms, we incubated leaf and root litter simultaneously above‐ and belowground and manipulated water availability with large and small pulses. Significant interactions between position and litter type and position and pulse sizes demonstrated interactive controls on organic mass loss. Aboveground decomposition showed no response to pulse size or litter type, as roots and leaves decomposed equally rapidly under all circumstances. In contrast, belowground decomposition was significantly altered by litter type and water pulses, with roots decomposing significantly slower and small water pulses reducing belowground decomposition. The results of this mesocosm experiment support the idea that controls other than water availability may dominate aboveground mass loss, while a combination of recalcitrant litter and water penetration in the soil profile are critical factors determining belowground decomposition, which is ultimately mediated by biotic degradation.
Two‐phase functional redundancy in plant communities along a grazing gradient in Mongolian rangelands
Authors: Sasaki Takehiro , Okubo Satoru , Okayasu Tomoo , Jamsran Undarmaa , Ohkuro Toshiya , Takeuchi Kazuhiko
Published: August 2009

The concept of functional redundancy is at the core of theory relating changes in ecosystem functioning to species loss. However, few empirical studies have investigated the strength and form of the relationship between species and functional diversity (i.e., the presence of functional redundancy in ecological communities) in this context. In particular, we know little about how local extinctions in real communities might impact functional diversity. Here, we examined the relationship between species and functional diversity in plant communities along a grazing gradient across Mongolian rangeland ecosystems. We applied a recently described measure of functional diversity that incorporates species' dissimilarities defined from plant functional traits and tested several hypothesized forms of the relationship between species and functional diversity using linear and nonlinear modeling techniques. We found a significant sigmoid logistic relationship between species richness and functional diversity in relatively benign environmental conditions. This indicates high functional redundancy at low levels of species richness followed by a rapid increase at intermediate levels, until functional diversity reaches an asymptote at high levels (i.e., two‐phase functional redundancy). In contrast, we generally observed a positive linear relationship between these parameters in relatively harsh environmental conditions, indicating low functional redundancy. Observed functional redundancy probably resulted from two factors, intrinsic redundancy in species' functional traits and extrinsic redundancy caused by nonrandom compositional change that is nonrandom with respect to functional traits. Lack of either intrinsic or extrinsic redundancy may result in low functional redundancy. Two‐phase functional redundancy suggests that functional traits are abruptly lost from a community below a certain level of species richness, and a community then shifts into a contrasting state that has a few limited functional groups characterized by disturbance‐resistant traits, as a consequence of disturbances such as livestock grazing. This study represents a major step forward in predicting the consequences of livestock grazing on the functioning of Mongolian rangeland ecosystems.
Cardenolides, induced responses, and interactions between above‐ and belowground herbivores of milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Authors: Rasmann Sergio , Agrawal Anurag A. , Cook Susan C. , Erwin Alexis C.
Published: August 2009

Theory has long predicted allocation patterns for plant defense against herbivory, but only recently have both above‐ and belowground plant defenses been considered simultaneously. Milkweeds in the genus Asclepias are a classic chemically defended clade of plants with toxic cardenolides (cardiac glycosides) and pressurized latex employed as anti‐herbivore weapons. Here we combine a comparative approach to investigate broadscale patterns in allocation to root vs. shoot defenses across species with a species‐specific experimental approach to identify the consequences of defense allocational shifts on a specialist herbivore. Our results show phylogenetic conservatism for inducibility of shoot cardenolides by an aboveground herbivore, with only four closely related tropical species showing significant induction; the eight temperate species examined were not inducible. Allocation to root and shoot cardenolides was positively correlated across species, and this relationship was maintained after accounting for phylogenetic nonindependence. In contrast to long‐standing theoretical predictions, we found no evidence for a trade‐off between constitutive and induced cardenolides; indeed the two were positively correlated across species in both roots and shoots. Finally, specialist root and shoot herbivores of common milkweed (A. syriaca) had opposing effects on latex production, and these effects had consequences for caterpillar growth consistent with latex providing resistance. Although cardenolides were not affected by our treatments, A. syriaca allocated 40% more cardenolides to shoots over roots. We conclude that constitutive and inducible defenses are not trading off across plant species, and shoots of Asclepias are more inducible than roots. Phylogenetic conservatism cannot explain the observed patterns of cardenolide levels across species, but inducibility per se was conserved in a tropical clade. Finally, given that above‐ and belowground herbivores can systemically alter the defensive phenotype of plants, we concur with recent calls for a whole‐plant perspective in testing models of plant defense allocation.
Effects of predator functional diversity on grassland ecosystem function
Authors: Schmitz Oswald J.
Published: August 2009

Predator species individually are known to have important effects on plant communities and ecosystem functions such as production, decomposition, and elemental cycling, the nature of which is determined by a key functional trait, predator hunting mode. However, it remains entirely uncertain how predators with different hunting modes combine to influence ecosystem function. I report on an experiment conducted in a New England grassland ecosystem that quantified the net effects of a sit‐and‐wait and an actively hunting spider species on the plant composition and functioning of a New England grassland ecosystem. I manipulated predator functional diversity by varying the dominance ratio of the two predator species among five treatments using a replacement series design. Experimentation revealed that predator functional diversity effects propagated down the live plant‐based chain to affect the levels of plant diversity, and plant litter quality, elemental cycling, and production. Moreover, many of these effects could be approximately by the weighted average of the individual predator species effects, suggesting that this kind of predator diversity effect on ecosystems is not highly nonlinear.
Lack of belowground mutualisms hinders Pinaceae invasions
Authors: Nuñez Martin A. , Horton Thomas R. , Simberloff Daniel
Published: August 2009

Why particular invasions succeed and others fail is not well understood. The role of soil biota has been proposed as important. However, the role of mutualists has received much less attention than that of pathogens. Here we report that lack of adequate ectomycorrhizal fungi hinders invasion by exotic Pinaceae on Isla Victoria, Argentina, by reducing both the probability of establishment and growth of invading individuals. More than one hundred exotic tree species were introduced to this island ca. 80 years ago, but invasive trees are found in high densities only in areas adjacent to plantations. With a series of greenhouse and field experiments we found lower mycorrhizal colonization levels and few fungal species far from original plantings, and key fungal mutualists are confined to areas near plantations, probably owing to dispersal limitations. Low inoculum levels far from the plantations are retarding the invasion. Our experiments indicate that positive interactions belowground can play a key but underappreciated role in invasion dynamics.
Beyond competition: the stress‐gradient hypothesis tested in plant–herbivore interactions
Authors: Daleo Pedro , Iribarne Oscar
Published: August 2009

The stress‐gradient hypothesis predicts that interactions among plants are context dependent, shifting from facilitation to competition as environmental stress decreases. Although restricted to facilitation/competition, the mechanistic model behind the hypothesis is easily modified to include other negative interactions that are as important as competition in structuring natural communities, e.g., herbivory. To evaluate this hypothesis we experimentally tested if the balance between the facilitative and trophic effect of an intertidal, burrowing, herbivorous crab in marsh plants is context dependent and shifts from positive to negative as stress decreases. By sampling salt marshes differing in sediment size characteristics, we show that sites with larger sediment particle size had less stressful oxygen levels than sites with fine sediment particles, and that the level of stress was reduced by the presence of crab burrows. We then conducted a factorial experiment manipulating sediment size and crab presence. Results show that, by decreasing soil anoxic stress, crabs increase plant growth in stressful zones, but their ecological importance as herbivores increases in more benign zones. Our findings suggest that the balance between positive and negative interactions along stress gradients is more important than previously perceived and also applies to facilitation and herbivory between animals and plants.
A New Kinetic Model for 4-Chlorophenol Adsorption on Expanded Clay
Authors: Gomez Maria , Gomez Jose Luis , Murcia Maria Dolores , Peterson Hans , Christofi Nick
Published: August 2009

The adsorption of 4-chlorophenol on an expanded commercial clay used in water purification has been studied. Experiments using 4-chlorophenol concentrations of 50, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1250 and 1500 mg L-1 were carried out in column reactors at 25ºC.A new adsorption kinetics equation has been developed based on the equation for the variation in solute concentration in the liquid phase, representing the difference between the adsorption rate minus the desorption rate that at equilibrium represents the Langmuir isotherm. This was used to derive a new finite equation for the development of the adsorption curve.
Uniformly Bounded Error Estimator for Bioprocess with Unstructured Cell Growth Models
Authors: Aguilar-López Ricardo , Mata-Machuca Juan , Martinez-Guerra Rafael , López-Pérez Pablo Antonio
Published: August 2009

In this paper, we proposed a uniformly bounded error estimator for a common class of bioreactor models. The biomass and other products are estimated by means of substrate concentration measurements employing the characteristics of the unstructured cell growth models, which are linearly dependent. The estimation methodology is based on a suitable change of variable which allows generating artificial variables to infer the remaining mass concentrations constructing a differential-algebraic structure. The proposed methodology is applied to a class of Monod unstructured kinetic model with success. Some remarks about the convergence characteristics of the proposed estimator are given and numerical simulations show its satisfactory performance.
Mathematical Modeling of Drug Release from Spherical Drug Particles: Analysis of the Effect of Absorption Rate on Drug Release Rate
Authors: Loney Norman W , Susarla Ramana
Published: August 2009

A closed form solution has been obtained for the release kinetics of a solute from a spherical drug matrix into a finite volume of liquid, taking into account the effect of rate of absorption. The proposed model results clearly show the effect of the absorption rate constant on the rate of drug release. The obtained results are compared with the experimental data and diffusion-only model results. There is a significant difference in the release profile when the rate of absorption of drug is slow. The most important feature of the mathematical relationship between the liquid concentration verses time is its ability to predict change in the performance of the drug by manipulating the parameters of the equation. These parameters include the initial concentration of the drug, the radius of the drug and diffusivity of the drug in the solid to name a few. Therefore, a substantial number of experiments can be eliminated when the optimal performance of a drug is sought after.
Long-term prospective evaluation of topically applied 0.1% tacrolimus ointment for treatment of perianal sinuses in dogs
Authors: Stanley Bryden J. , Hauptman Joe G.
Published: August 2009

Objective—To evaluate effectiveness of a combination of topically applied tacrolimus, orally administered prednisone, and a novel-protein diet for treatment of perianal sinuses in dogs and to monitor clinical progress and owner management of the condition for 2 years.

Design—Noncontrolled clinical trial.

Animals—19 dogs with perianal sinuses.

Procedures—Perianal sinuses were diagnosed during physical examination, and dogs were placed on a 16-week treatment protocol consisting of topically applied 0.1% tacrolimus ointment, orally administered prednisone (tapering dose), and a novel-protein diet. Metronidazole was orally administered for the first 2 weeks. Anal sacculectomy was recommended whenever anal sacs were involved. Dogs were evaluated every month for the first 4 months and then every 6 to 12 weeks for 2 years.

Results—Perianal sinuses resolved completely in 15 of 19 dogs during the 16 weeks. In the remaining 4 dogs, the lesions markedly improved but failed to completely resolve. Three of these had anal sac involvement, and the owner of 1 dog had complied poorly with treatment instructions. During the 2 years following treatment, all dogs were maintained on intermittently applied tacrolimus ointment, 4 dogs also received prednisone every other day, and 11 dogs remained on the novel-protein diet. At the conclusion of the study, 13 of the 15 dogs that survived to that point were free of perianal disease.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The described protocol was effective and economical for resolving perianal sinuses. Dogs maintained on intermittent medications were unlikely to redevelop lesions. When the anal sacs were involved, anal sacculectomy appeared to improve the outcome.
Evaluation of plasma fibrinogen concentration as an indicator of physeal or epiphyseal osteomyelitis in foals: 17 cases (2002–2007)
Authors: Newquist Jennifer M. , Baxter Gary M.
Published: August 2009

Objective—To determine whether high plasma fibrinogen concentration (≥ 900 mg/dL) is a valid indicator of physeal or epiphyseal osteomyelitis in foals.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—17 foals with physeal or epiphyseal osteomyelitis with or without septic arthritis, 17 foals with septic arthritis alone, 20 foals with non–Rhodococcus equi pneumonia, and 22 healthy foals.

Procedures—Medical records were reviewed for information regarding signalment and total WBC count, segmented neutrophil count, and plasma fibrinogen concentration measured when foals were initially evaluated at the hospital. Whether the foals survived to discharge from the hospital was also determined.

Results—Foals with physeal or epiphyseal osteomyelitis had higher plasma fibrinogen concentrations than did foals in the other 3 groups. Sixteen of 17 affected foals had values ≥ 900 mg/dL. The positive predictive and negative predictive values for plasma fibrinogen concentrations between 900 and 1,500 mg/dL as an indicator of osteomyelitis were 84.2% and 98.2%, respectively. Fibrinogen concentrations of 200 to 400 mg/dL and 500 to 800 mg/dL were associated with foals not having physeal osteomyelitis. Having septic arthritis alone or non–R equi pneumonia was significantly associated with a plasma fibrinogen concentration between 500 and 800 mg/dL; however, the positive predictive value of this range as an indicator of those diseases was low. Foals with osteomyelitis had greater total WBC and segmented neutrophil counts than did foals with septic arthritis alone.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—A plasma fibrinogen concentration of ≥ 900 mg/dL may be useful as an indicator of physeal or epiphyseal osteomyelitis in foals.
Effectiveness of Chemical Protection against Weeds Applied to Poppy (Papaver Somniferum L.)
Authors: Wójtowicz Marek , Wójtowicz Andrzej
Published: August 2009

Effectiveness of Chemical Protection against Weeds Applied to Poppy (Papaver Somniferum L.)

The aim of the presented studies was to determine the effect of chemical weed control on the development and yield of native poppy cultivars. The results of presented experiment showed that the native poppy cultivars are more susceptible to herbicides than ‘Opal’ and ‘Lazur’ cultivars. The yield of ‘Michałko’ cultivar in all treatments of chemical protection was very low. It was proved that the suggestion of a necessary protection of ‘Mieszko’ cultivar against weeds with lower doses of herbicides than the doses applied in the cultures of cultivars with a high content of morphine is justified. ‘Mieszko’ cultivar gave the highest yield on plots protected after sowing with Lentipur Flo™ 500 SC (a.s. chlorotoluron) in the dose of 1.2 l/ha and in the growth stage of 4 leaves, when the treatment was carried out with Callisto™ 100 SC (a.s. mesotrione) in the dose of 0.4 l/ha. Positive results of weed control after the application of these herbicides indicate the possibility to initiate studies aiming at authorization to use these herbicides in growing of the native cultivars of poppy (minor crop).
Sursis, récidive et réinsertion sociale : un équilibre précaire
Authors: F.-Dufour Isabelle , Brassard Renée , Guay Jean-Pierre
Published: August 2009

The conditional sentence has been called a “hybrid” sentence because it aims at punitive and rehabilitative objectives simultaneously. In this study, we contrast the effects of punitive and rehabilitative conditions on breaches, revocations, recidivism, and social re-entry. The study is based on secondary data analysis. Files of male offenders who were given a one-year conditional sentence in the province of Quebec between 1 April 2003 and 31 March 2004 were analysed (N = 290). Findings indicate that punitive conditions have no impact on rates of recidivism and social re-entry but increase the likelihood that breaches will be detected. Repeated violations, in turn, increase the odds of revocation. At the same time, rehabilitative conditions were found to lower the risk of breaches, facilitate social re-entry, and, as a result, reduce recidivism. Rehabilitation and social re-entry, then, should continue to be the main goal of conditional sentences.
Le voile de l’ignorance dans la détermination des sentences
Authors: Leclerc Chloé , Tremblay Pierre
Published: August 2009

While the majority of inmates serve only part of their sentence in prison, the appeal courts recommend that criminal trial courts not take this fact into account. This article examines the reasons why members of the judicial system choose or do not choose to impose sentences from behind a veil of ignorance with respect to parole practices and considers the impact of that choice on the severity of the prison sentences at issue. The results of this survey of a sample of members of the judiciary (judges, defence and crown attorneys, and probation officers) indicate that the veil of ignorance doctrine contributes to reducing differences in points of view as to what sentence is appropriate. A second factor that contributes to resolving disagreements during sentencing deliberations is that those who participate are often ready to accommodate different sentencing preferences if the differences from their own sentencing choice are within a coefficient of variation of 50%. The survey calls into question the theory of the Archambault Commission (1997), according to which the veil of ignorance doctrine would be an a priori disadvantage to delinquents condemned to serve a prison sentence.
Security Officers’ Perspectives on Training
Authors: Manzo John
Published: August 2009

At a time in which private security is becoming more and more ubiquitous, questions as to the adequacy of security officers’ training for their positions become more relevant as well. However, calls for increased or improved training are rooted in abstract concerns with legality, governance, and accountability, and not in actual analysis of how useful extant training regimens are for actual security officers. Utilizing a grounded, ethnomethodological analytic perspective, this paper explores recollections of training in open-ended interviews with 29 shopping-mall-based security officers and then considers whether and how officers found their training useful in emergency (or otherwise unexpected) situations. Despite patchwork standards for training, this study finds that the security officers interviewed manage emergencies by marshalling not only their formal training but also resources from security experience outside their current positions and even outside the realm of private security entirely. This study does consider efforts to improve security training; however, with its focus on officers’ own descriptions and understandings of their work, it also suggests that security officers are more adaptable than might be expected. Based on these findings, suggestions for security practice and research are offered in the conclusion.
Serum Thyroxine & Triiodothyronine Levels in Normal Pregnancy and Pre-Eclampsia
Authors: Rahman M Hafizur , Chowdhury Mahbub Ara , Alam M Towhidul
Published: August 2009

To evaluate the thyroid hormone levels in pre-eclampsia and normal pregnancy, a study was undertaken among 54 women of age ranged from 18 to 35 years without present or past history of thyroid diseases. Among the study subjects, 32 women were patients of pre-eclampsia, 12 women were in their normal third trimester pregnancy and 10 women were married but nonpregnant (without having hormonal contraceptives at least for 6 months). We have measured serum levels of total and free thyroxine (TT4 & FT4) and total and free triiodothyronine (TT3 & FT3) by using RIA. The mean serum TT4 and TT3 in normal pregnancy were significantly higher compared to that of non-pregnant women when mean FT4 and FT3 were similar in both normal pregnancy and non-pregnant women. In pre-eclampsia, mean serum TT4 and TT3 were significantly higher than that of non-pregnant women but compared to that of normal pregnancy, TT4 was clearly higher but not significant when TT3 was significantly lower. The mean serum FT4 was significantly higher in pre-eclampsia compared to non-pregnant women and not significantly higher compared to normal pregnancy. The mean serum FT3 was similar in both non-pregnant and normal pregnancy but significantly lower in pre-eclampsia compared to normal pregnancy. In pregnancy i.e. in both normal pregnancy and pregnancy with preeclampsia, the increased serum thyroid hormone levels might result from increased stimulatory effect of placental hormones (hCG), increased metabolic demands in pregnancy and mental stress in pregnancy as mentioned by other investigators. Decreased TT3 and FT3 associated with higher TT4 in pre-eclampsia might be due to reduced conversion of T4 to T3 in the liver and kidneys.   doi: 10.3329/taj.v20i1.3082 TAJ 2007; 20(1): 06-10
Prospective Study of Day Case Surgery in Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Surgery Department
Authors: Islam M Saiful , Baul Uttam Kumar Singha
Published: August 2009

Day case surgery is feasible, safe and economic. The tremendous success of day care surgery is due to advances in surgical as well as anaesthetic techniques and proper postoperative recovery care. In the period January, 2006 to December, 2006 at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, a total of 390 were operated of which 109 cases were major and 281 cases were minor surgery 327 cases were performed under local anaesthesia, 42 cases were performed by general anaesthesia and 21 cases were done without anaesthesia. Strict patient selection criteria were adopted. As a result postoperative complication rate was only 4.5%. Two patients required readmission to hospital for the management of complications. The most commonly performed otorhinolaryngological surgery in a day care basis is demonstrated, especially in nasal and aural cases. The scope of day case surgery is very limited in case of throat and neck surgery.   doi: 10.3329/taj.v20i1.3084 TAJ 2007; 20(1): 17-23
Adverse Donor Reaction During and Immediately After Venesection
Authors: Mahbub-ul-Alam M , Hyder M Shamim , Khan MB Karim , Islam M Answarul
Published: August 2009

There are no reports in the transfusion medicine literature that describe adverse donor reactions after whole-blood donation based on solicited information. A descriptive study was done in the Transfusion Medicine Department, Dhaka Medical College Hospital during the period of July 2000 to December 2001. The present study solicited adverse donor reaction and donor reaction information from 14,413 randomly selected whole-blood donors approximately immediately or within 30 minutes after the whole-blood donation. From this study, percentage of adverse donor reaction was 4.98%. The number of prior donations was inversely proportional to the risk of reaction; It was found that, first-time donors have a higher frequency of reactions (5.04%) than do repeat donors (4.96%).The value for first-time or repeated donor were significant (p<0.0001).Female donors are more vulnerable to adverse donor reaction than male donors (5.97%) (4.94%) (p<0.001). In this study it was also found that, fainting or vasovagal attack was more common in female donors (0.77 %) than male donors (0.35 %). It was also found incidence were more in first time donor (1.08%) than repeated donor (0.0%) in case of female donor. Adverse donor reaction after donation and complaints may be more common than previously thought. The post donation follow-up and interview is a good tool for defining the blood donor's experience. It can also be used to evaluate and potentially improve blood donor safety and comfort.   doi: 10.3329/taj.v20i1.3088 TAJ 2007; 20(1): 39-47
Ileo-caecal Tuberculosis Associated with Hepatic Involvement - A Case Report
Authors: Begum SMK Nahar , Hoque M Azizul , Rahmen K Khalilur , Pramanik AK , Alam S Shafiqul
Published: August 2009

This is the case history of a 36 year old male who presented with fever, diarrhoea, weight loss with tenderness in the right hypochondrium and right ileac region. This was finally diagnosed as an interesting case of ileo-caecal tuberculosis with associated hepatic involvement.   doi: 10.3329/taj.v20i1.3093 TAJ 2007; 20(1): 60-63
Congenital Thyrotoxicosis with Congenital Glaucoma: A Case Report
Authors: Bari MI , Hoque ME , Alam T , Choudhury KM
Published: August 2009

A case of preterm neonate with congenital thyrotoxicosis associated with congenital glaucoma is reported. Her mother had undiagnosed thyrotoxicosis. The diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis in the neonate was confirmed by an elevated serum tri-iodothyronine (T3) level of 8.09 nmol/L, thyroxin (T4) level of 3.09 nmol and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level 0.16mu/L. Congenital glaucoma was confirmed by increased intraocular pressure (IOP) which was 42.1 mmHg in right eye and 38.2 mm Hg in left eye. Corneal diameter was increased which was 13 mm in both eyes. Corneal oedema and Haab striae were also present. Probably, this is the first case of congenital thyrotoxicosis associated with congenital glaucoma reported in Bangladesh.   doi: 10.3329/taj.v20i1.3094 TAJ 2007; 20(1): 64-66
Foreign Body (Bamboo Splinter of Broom Stick) in Soft Tissue
Authors: Pramanik MA Kasem , Bhaduri Joydeep , Rashid AM , Hasan M Nazmul
Published: August 2009

Patients with foreign bodies inside soft tissues are common in a surgeon's daily practice,. Radio-opaque foreign bodies can easily be located with radiography but radio-lucent foreign bodies cannot be located with X-ray, where Ultrasonography especially, high resolution ultrasonography can be used to locate it. Ultrasonography, being easily available, cost-effective and radiation-hazard free, can be done repeatedly for foreign bodies which move inside tissues. The presenting article describes a patient with a radio-lucent foreign body, deep inside muscle in his fore-arm and having one sharp end, was advancing inside tissues, was located with the help of Ultrasonography and was removed.   doi: 10.3329/taj.v20i1.3095 TAJ 2007; 20(1): 67-70
Head and Neck Cancer - An Overview
Authors: Hussain QM , Mahbub-Ul-Alam M
Published: August 2009

Head and neck cancers encompass a diverse group of uncommon tumors that frequently are aggressive in their biological behaviors. Some new treatments are available, as are new ways of combining old treatments.   doi: 10.3329/taj.v20i1.3098 TAJ 2007; 20(1): 87-90
Maternal Mortality in a District Hospital of Bangladesh An In-Depth Search of the Underlying Causes
Authors: Ashraf Fatema , Mustanzid SM , Khanom Marina
Published: August 2009

Maternal death is a tragedy - a social injustice to individual women, to a family and to their community. To reduce maternal mortality is at the top of the national health priorities. Emergency obstetric care service is thought to be the basis of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity. This study was carried out to determine the case fatality rate and risk factors of maternal mortality in Kushtia General Hospital, a secondary health care facility, where comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care (EmOC) service is established. A total of 3,709 cases were admitted with pregnancy or related complications during pregnancy or within 42 days of confinement, from August 1999 to July 2000. Among them 3,186 were obstetric patients and 523 were gynaecological cases. Within this 12-months period 37 mothers died. Clinical causes of deaths were: 32 (86.48%) due to eclampsia, 3 (8.1%) due to ruptured uterus with shock, 1 (2.7%) due to induced incomplete abortion with shock and 1 (2.7%) due to PPH with shock. Almost 100% of the deaths could be prevented if they had come to the hospital at an earlier part of the disease. Responsible factors for these deaths could be at personal, familial, socio-cultural or health care center level. So this study was carried out to identify the risk factors of maternal death and also the status of health care delivery system at the peripheral level of the country i.e. the EmOC delay model in this perspective has been tried to identify. doi: 10.3329/taj.v20i2.3068 TAJ 2007; 20(2): 99-106
Rubber Band Ligation versus Excisional Haemorrhoidectomy A Search for Better Option
Authors: Nasiruddin M , Rahman Mahbubar , Shaha Haridas , Sultana Shamima
Published: August 2009

During The period of March-2003 to January-2006 a total of 100 patients with haemorrhoid admitted in Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital and in different private clinics of Jhenaidah and Faridpur town were taken in the study. This study compares the two most popular treatment options for haemorrhoids namely rubber band ligation (R.B.L) and excisional haemorrhoidectomy (E.H). Complete Remission of haemorrhoidal symptoms was better after haemorrhoidectomy than rubber band ligation. Fewer Patients required retreatment after haemorrhoidectomy but anal stenosis, postoperative haemorrhage and incontinence of flatus were more common with this operation. Haemorrhoidectomy produced better long term symptom control in patients with grade III Haemorrhoid but was associated with more postoperative complications than rubber band ligation. doi: 10.3329/taj.v20i2.3069 TAJ 2007; 20(2): 107-109
Ultrasound and Computed Tomographic Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Intrathoracic Lesions
Authors: Begum AMK Nahar , Ekram ARMS , Uddin D , Islam QT , Alam MM , Hoque MA , Hussain QM , Bhaduri J , Hossein SZ
Published: August 2009

Image guided FNAB of pulmonary lesions are widely applied now a days. Most of the lesions which are located nearer to the chest wall can be well visualized by ultrasonography. Whereas smaller lesions, deeply located ones, mediastinal or juxtra-hilar lesions may not be visualized sonographically. In those cases CT-guidance becomes beneficial. We report 127 FNABs done during a 2 year period. In considering the poor economic ability of the patient USG-guidance was preferred provided the lesion could be well visualized. Ultrasound guided method was successfully performed in majority of cases except a few where CT-guidance was necessary. After first aspiration an immediate cytological assessment was done by a quick staining method and in case of inadequacy of the specimen a second pass was made within an hour. Different pathological spectrum of diseases was diagnosed cytologically and was compared with their final diagnosis. Negligible immediate or late complications were noticed. Image guided FNAB of intra-thoracic masses can therefore be made with minimum complication, can allow the physician to decide the mode of treatment in a shortest possible time and in most of the cases an ultrasound guidance is sufficient enough to meet the poor economic status of people in this subcontinent. doi: 10.3329/taj.v20i2.3070 TAJ 2007; 20(2): 110-115
Renal Pathology in Adult Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome A Study of 100 Cases
Authors: Tarik M Hasan , Ekram ARMS , Haque Md Azizul , Islam AKM Monoarul , Uddin M Jalal
Published: August 2009

This study was carried out in the nephrology unit to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Rajshahi during the period 2003-2005. Renal biopsy was done in one hundred adult patients with Nephrotic syndrome to evaluate the histopathological pattern. Mesangioproliferative GN was the commonest underlying cause which is found in 36 (40%) cases. MPGN is followed by minimal change disease in 22 (24.44%), membranous GN 16 (17.77%), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis 12 (13.33%), Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis 3 (3.34%) and IgA nephropathy 1 (1.12%) cases. This is concordant with other studies. doi: 10.3329/taj.v20i2.3076 TAJ 2007; 20(2): 140-143
In high Spinal Block of apnoea is secondary to hypotension but not primary for respiratory muscle paralysis Experience in Rajshahi Medical Collage Hospital
Authors: Alam Md Intakhab , Rahman Md Lutfor , Haque Md Ekramul , Jesmin Shahela
Published: August 2009

This experience was based on ten cases of caesarean section. After spinal anesthesia within few minutes-these patients become cyanosed and there was profound bradycardia and hypotension. Ventilatory support was given by IPPV and I/V bolus vasopressor was given. The BP was improved spontaneous respiration returns. The artificial ventilatory support was with drawn again. So artificial ventilation was reinstituted and vasopressor was given both intermittently and as infusion. The patient began to take spontaneous respiration and the blood pressure became static. There was no further fall of BP and no further deterioration of respiration. doi: 10.3329/taj.v20i2.3077 TAJ 2007; 20(2): 144-146
Utilization of a Biodegradable Mulch Sheet Produced from Poly(Lactic Acid)/Ecoflex®/Modified Starch in Mandarin Orange Groves
Authors: Tachibana Yuya , Maeda Takuya , Ito Osamu , Maeda Yasukatsu , Kunioka Masao
Published: August 2009

We have developed a mulch sheet made by inflation molding of PLA, Ecoflex® and modified starch, which all have different biodegradabilities. A field test of use as an agricultural mulch sheet for mandarin oranges was carried out over two years. The mechanical properties of the mulch sheet were weakened with time during the field test, but the quality of the mandarin oranges increased, a result of the controlled degradation of the sheet. The most degradable modified starch degraded first, allowing control of the moisture on the soil. Accelerator mass spectroscopy was used for evaluation of the biomass carbon ratio. The biomass carbon ratio decreased by degradation of the biobased materials, PLA and modified starch in the mulch sheet.
Potential Species Distribution of Balsam Fir Based on the Integration of Biophysical Variables Derived with Remote Sensing and Process-Based Methods
Authors: Hassan Quazi K. , Bourque Charles P.-A.
Published: August 2009

In this paper we present a framework for modelling potential species distribution (PSD) of balsam fir [bF; Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.] as a function of landscape-level descriptions of: (i) growing degree days (GDD: a temperature related index), (ii) land-surface wetness, (iii) incident photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and (iv) tree habitat suitability. GDD and land-surface wetness are derived primarily from remote sensing data acquired with the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor on the Terra satellite. PAR is calculated with an existing spatial model of solar radiation. Raster-based calculations of habitat suitability and PSD are obtained by multiplying normalized values of species environmental-response functions (one for each environmental variable) parameterized for balsam fir. As a demonstration of the procedure, we apply the calculations to a high bF-content area in northwest New Brunswick, Canada, at 250-m resolution. Location of medium-to-high habitat suitability values (i.e., >0.50) and actual forests, with >50% bF, matched on average 92% of the time.
Plasma Adiponectin in Patients with Active, Early, and Chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis Who Are Steroid- and Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug-Naive Compared with Patients with Osteoarthritis and Controls
Authors: LAURBERG TRINE BAY , FRYSTYK JAN , ELLINGSEN TORKELL , HANSEN IB T. , JØRGENSEN ANETTE , TARP ULRIK , HETLAND MERETE LUND , HØRSLEV-PETERSEN KIM , HORNUNG NETE , POULSEN JØRGEN HJELM , FLYVBJERG ALLAN , STENGAARD-PEDERSEN KRISTIAN
Published: August 2009

Objective.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic chronic inflammatory joint disease, whereas osteoarthritis (OA) is a local joint disease with low-level inflammatory activity. The pathogenic role of the adipocytokine adiponectin is largely unknown in these diseases. We hypothesized (1) that plasma adiponectin concentrations differ in healthy controls and patients with early disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)-naive RA, chronic RA, and OA; (2) that changes in adiponectin are observed during methotrexate (MTX) treatment of chronic RA; and (3) that adiponectin correlates to disease activity measures in RA.

Methods.

Plasma adiponectin was analyzed with a validated in-house immunoassay. We measured adiponectin in healthy controls (n = 45) and patients with early DMARD-naive RA (n = 40), chronic RA (n = 74), and OA (n = 35). In a subgroup of patients with chronic RA (n = 31), the longitudinal effect of MTX treatment on adiponectin (Week 0 vs Week 28) was investigated.

Results.

Adiponectin differed significantly between healthy controls (mean 4.8 ± SD 2.7 mg/l) and the 3 groups, with 8.9 ± 4.8 mg/l in early RA, 11.6 ± 5.6 mg/l in chronic RA, and 14.1 ± 6.4 mg/l in OA. Longitudinally, MTX treatment increased adiponectin significantly from 9.7 ± 4.5 mg/l at Week 0 to 11.0 ± 4.5 mg/l at Week 28 in chronic RA. No correlations to disease activity measures were found.

Conclusion.

Both early DMARD-naive and chronic RA were associated with higher plasma adiponectin compared to healthy controls, but lower plasma adiponectin than OA. Adiponectin increased 13% during MTX treatment. In patients with RA and OA body mass index, age, sex, and disease activity measures failed to explain the findings.