bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crop domestication disrupts a native tritrophic interaction associated with the sunflower, Helianthus annuus (Asterales: Asteraceae)
Authors: Chen Yolanda H. , Welter Stephen C. 
Published: December 2005

Abstract.  1. Crop domestication has been a largely overlooked factor that may explain why insect herbivores tend to be more abundant and less attacked in agricultural habitats than in native habitats. This study explores how domestication of the sunflower, Helianthus annuus L., affects the sunflower moth, Homoeosoma electellum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), and its parasitoids.2. Common garden experiments were used to assess the effect of domestication on larval abundance in an agricultural and a native habitat. The effect of domestication on parasitism was determined using two studies: one study that manipulated nitrogen according to levels found in agricultural and native habitats, and a second common garden study in the native habitat.3. At peak infestation in the agricultural common garden, larval abundance was 10 times higher on agricultural plants than on wild plants. In contrast, larval abundance did not differ between plant genotypes in the native habitat.4. Larvae were four times more likely to be parasitised on wild sunflowers than on agricultural sunflowers, and three times more likely to be parasitised on low nitrogen plants than on high nitrogen plants. Parasitism did not differ between agricultural and wild plants in the native habitat, where flowers were more similar in size.5. Sunflower domestication has increased larval abundance, accelerated larval development, and lowered parasitism. The magnitude of the effect appears to depend upon nutrient availability. Thus, domestication can disrupt tritrophic interactions, and may help explain why some insect pests are more abundant and less attacked in agro‐ecosystems.
Density‐dependent effects on the reproductive fitness of the New Zealand beech scale insect (Ultracoelostoma assimile) across multiple spatial scales
Authors: Wardhaugh Carl W. , Didham Raphael K. 
Published: December 2005

Abstract.  1. Intraspecific competition can be an important factor influencing the individual fitness of organisms. This study reports density‐dependent effects on the fecundity of the beech scale insect (Ultracoelostoma assimile, Hemiptera: Margarodidae) on naturally occurring, canopy‐dominant red beech (Nothofagus fusca, Fagaceae) trees in New Zealand. For the first time an increasing intensity of intraspecific competition at increasing spatial scales within individual host trees is demonstrated.2. Beech scale insect ‘tests’ containing adult female scale insects and eggs were collected from the trunks of 10 red beech trees [17.7–48.5 cm in diameter at breast height (1.4 m), d.b.h.] with varying densities of scale insect infestation. The relationship between individual female fecundity and scale insect density at three spatial scales: local (within 5 cm), lower trunk (below 2 m above ground level), and whole tree, was tested.3. Beech scale insect fecundity was density dependent, with total female egg load decreasing with increasing scale insect density. The strength of the density‐dependent effect increased with increasing spatial scale, suggesting that scale insects are creating a tree‐wide drain on the quality of phloem sap, rather than depleting nutrients from localised, high‐density areas within trees. These results indicate that at high densities, the New Zealand beech scale insect can have a negative effect on the nutritional quality of the phloem of red beech, thus negatively affecting conspecifics elsewhere on individual host trees. The increasing intensity of the effect with increasing spatial scale within individual trees emphasises the importance of measuring density‐dependent effects at the appropriate spatial scale.
The effect of a seasonal time constraint on development time, body size, condition, and morph determination in the horned beetle Allomyrina dichotoma L. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)
Authors: Plaistow S. J. , Tsuchida K. , Tsubaki Y. , Setsuda K. 
Published: December 2005

Abstract.  1. In horned beetles selection favours males that adjust their investment in horn development in relation to cues that predict adult body size. Here it is shown that in the Japanese horned beetle, Allomyrina dichotoma. There is a significant discontinuity in the horn length body size allometry. This can be described as a linear relationship that is shifted towards an increased horn length to body length ratio in males with horns longer than 16 mm.2. Larval nutrition explains morph determination in A. dichotoma. However, unlike other species, variation in larval nutrition was the result of a seasonal time constraint that limits the time available for feeding prior to the onset of winter diapause.3. Even when eggs were reared with an ad libitum food supply, minor morphs were still observed. Individuals that were oviposited later in the season had less time to feed, shorter development times, eclosed as smaller individuals and, in the case of males, were more likely to be hornless. Major morphs, minor morphs, and females all reduced their body size in response to seasonal time constraints in the same way. However, males that were laid later in the season had faster development times than females laid at the same time, but showed no reduction in their size relative to females, suggesting seasonal time constraints increase growth rates in males but not in females.4. No evidence was found that seasonal time constraints resulted in a reduction of size‐corrected fat reserves at eclosion, or that minor morphs gained any developmental advantage by reducing investment in horn length.
Influence of the aphid pathogen Pandora neoaphidis on the foraging behaviour of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi
Authors: Baverstock J. , Alderson P. G. , Pell J. K. 
Published: December 2005

Abstract.  1. The parasitoid Aphidius ervi and the entomopathogenic fungus Pandora neoaphidis both require successful invasion of an aphid host to complete their life cycle. A shorter developmental period allows P. neoaphidis to out‐compete A. ervi. Aphidius ervi may reduce this fitness cost by avoiding aphid colonies containing P. neoaphidis. Here the response of A. ervi towards P. neoaphidis was assessed using sequential experiments designed to replicate different stages of parasitoid foraging behaviour.2. Entry rate experiments showed that A. ervi entered aphid colonies containing P. neoaphidis‐sporulating cadavers and that there was no significant difference in the attraction of A. ervi to aphid‐damaged Vicia faba plants containing either healthy Acyrthosiphon pisum or P. neoaphidis‐sporulating cadavers.3. Observational behavioural experiments indicated that the presence of P. neoaphidis did not affect the search time or total foraging time of A. ervi on V. faba plants infested with either healthy A. pisum or P. neoaphidis‐sporulating cadavers.4. In Petri dish bioassays using aphids infected with P. neoaphidis over a period of 120 h, A. ervi showed no difference in attack rate against uninfected aphids or living aphids infected with P. neoaphidis for 1, 24, 48, 72, or 96 h. However, sporulating cadavers (120 h infection) were not attacked.5. Aphidius ervi appears only able to detect the presence of P. neoaphidis once the host is dead and sporulation has started. The fitness of A. ervi may therefore be severely reduced when foraging in P. neoaphidis‐infected aphid colonies.
Regional dynamics of a patchily distributed herbivore along an altitudinal gradient
Authors: González‐Megías Adela , Gómez José M. , Sánchez‐Piñero Francisco 
Published: December 2005

Abstract. 1. Metapopulation dynamics should be more important at the borders of species distributions due to two main factors: (1) populations are less abundant and fluctuate more at the borders than in the centre of their distributions, and (2) resources in the range margins of species distributions are often more scarce and fragmented.2. Most metapopulation studies have been performed in a fraction of the entire distribution of species. The main goal here is to study the population dynamics of a narrowly distributed species including both the borders and the centre of the distribution, and to test the predictions described above.3. The density and extinction events in a patchily distributed species,Timarcha lugens, was quantified for 5 years along an altitudinal gradient including the upper and lower limits of the species distribution. The dispersal ability ofTimarchawas also studied using a mark–release–recapture study.4. Extinction events and empty patches were only found at the borders ofTimarchadistribution. The fluctuation in beetle density was greater in patches suffering extinction events. Resource abundance was negatively related to beetle density and positively related to extinction events. In addition, the dispersal rate among patches was very low and beetles moved distances of no further than 25 m.5. Population density governs the extinction events in this system, and its fluctuation was more evident near the border of the distribution. Both factors together with the relative population stability in patches at medium and high altitudes, and the low dispersal rate of the individuals support the idea of a source–sink metapopulation structure inT. lugens.
Are ball‐rolling (Scarabaeini, Gymnopleurini, Sisyphini) and tunnelling scarabaeine dung beetles equally choosy about the size of ingested dung particles?
Authors: Holter P. , Scholtz C. H. 
Published: December 2005

Abstract.  1. The maximum size of ingested particles was determined in 11 species of ball‐rolling, adult dung beetle (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) by mixing small latex or glass balls of known diameter into their food. The tribes Scarabaeini, Gymnopleurini, and Sisyphini (four, four, and three species respectively) were represented, with mean body sizes ranging from 0.33 to 4.0 g fresh weight.2. Only particles with maximum diameters of 4–85 µm were ingested. Hence rollers, like other known beetles feeding on fresh dung, filter out larger, indigestible plant fragments and confine ingestion to small particles of higher nutritional value.3. The maximum diameter of ingested particles increased significantly with body weight, whereas taxon (tribe) had no additional effect. Because big rollers accept larger particles than do tunnellers (which make dung stores for feeding and breeding in the soil immediately below the pat) of similar weight, the slope of the diameter‐against‐weight regression for rollers was significantly higher than that found earlier for tunnellers.4. An explanation could be that a typical food ball made by a roller is considerably smaller than the amount of dung available to a feeding tunneller of the same size. If the roller were as choosy about particle size as the tunneller, it might not get enough food. This applies to large rollers in particular because their food balls contain a higher proportion of coarse fibres than those made by small species.
Life‐threatening pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure complicating calcium and phosphate replacement in the intensive care unit
Authors: Felton T. W. , McCormick B. A. , Finfer S. R. , Fisher M. M. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryA 43‐year‐old man developed septic shock and acute lung injury after surgery to drain an ischiorectal abscess. In the intensive care unit he initially improved but developed severe hypoxaemia, right ventricular failure and pulmonary hypertension 90 min after receiving intravenous calcium gluconate and potassium phosphate, best explained by the formation of a calcium‐phosphate precipitant that resulted in aggregate anaphylaxis. His rapid deterioration and lack of response to conventional therapies necessitated support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation that was life saving. This adverse event has altered local practice regarding calcium and phosphate replacement and has implications for all intensive care units.
The pharmacoeconomics of peri‐operative beta‐blocker therapy
Authors: Biccard B. M. , Sear J. W. , Foëx P. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryIt is widely recommended that beta‐blockade be used peri‐operatively as it may reduce the incidence of postoperative cardiovascular complications including death. However, there are few data concerning the cost‐effectiveness of such strategies. We have analysed the pharmacoeconomics of acute beta‐blockade using data from eight prospective peri‐operative studies in which patients underwent elective non‐cardiac surgery, and in which the incidence of adverse side‐effects of treatment, as well as clinical outcomes, have been reported. The costs of treatment were based on the NHS reference costs for 2004. From these data, the number‐needed‐to‐treat (NNT) to prevent a major cardiovascular complication (including cardiovascular death) in high‐risk patients was 18.5. This is comparable to the NNT for peri‐operative statin therapy. The incremental cost of peri‐operative beta‐blockade (costs of drug acquisition and of treating associated adverse drug events) was £67.80 per patient. This results in a total cost of £1254.30 per peri‐operative cardiovascular complication prevented. However, there is evidence that in patients at lower cardiovascular risk, beta‐blockers may be potentially harmful, since their adverse effects (hypotension, bradycardia) may outweigh their potential cardioprotective effects.
Anchoring of the internal jugular vein with a pilot needle to facilitate its puncture with a wide bore needle: a randomised, prospective, clinical study
Authors: Tripathi M. , Pandey M. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryIn this prospective, randomised study, consented adult patients of both genders were divided into two groups. In group 1 (n = 79) patients, during internal jugular vein cannulation, the pilot needle was removed before the wide bore needle (18G) puncture. In group 2 (n = 78) patients, the internal jugular vein was anchored by leaving the pilot needle in place during wide bore needle puncture. In demographically similar groups, the first attempt success rate improved from 64% in group 1 to 81% in group 2 (p < 0.05). Internal jugular vein puncture was more frequently detected at the entry of the needle with anchoring (group 2: 78%) than without (group 1: 53%); p < 0.05. Ultrasonography of a further 30 internal jugular vein punctures in each group demonstrated that the anchoring manoeuvre (group 2b) significantly (p < 0.05) prevented an indenting effect of the puncture needle, with a higher vertical to horizontal diameter ratio of the internal jugular vein when there was anchoring (0.97; SD 0.004) than without pilot needle anchoring (0.65; SD 0.008). In conclusion, when using surface landmarks, anchoring of the internal jugular vein with the pilot needle facilitated its puncture.
Levosimendan: a promising treatment for myocardial stunning?
Authors: Ellger B. M. , Zahn P. K. , Van Aken H. K. , Schmidt C. , Brussel T. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryWe report a case of a 55‐year‐old male undergoing major orofacial cancer surgery. A stent to the left anterior descending artery had been implanted for ischaemic heart disease 3 years previously. Twenty‐four hours after uneventful anaesthesia and surgery, the patient developed myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock. Immediate percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, intra aortic balloon counterpulsation, and catecholamine therapy failed to stabilise haemodynamics. In light of successful reperfusion therapy and an only moderate elevation of troponin I, myocardial stunning rather than myonecrosis was considered to be the major contributor to life‐threatening left ventricular failure. Therefore, the calcium‐sensitising drug levosimendan, which exerts positive inotropic activity without increasing myocardial oxygen demand, was administered as a rescue medication. Within 24 h, levosimendan resulted in decreased filling pressures, reduced left ventricular end‐diastolic volume, and augmented systemic pressures. Seven days following surgery, the patient was discharged from the intensive care unit in good clinical condition.
Obesity and obstetric anaesthesia
Authors: Saravanakumar K. , Rao S. G. , Cooper G. M. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryThe prevalence of obesity continues to increase despite preventive strategies. Obese parturients are at increased risk of having either concurrent medical problems or superimposed antenatal diseases such as pre‐eclampsia and gestational diabetes. Moreover, they have a tendency to labour abnormally contributing to increased instrumental delivery and Caesarean section. Obesity is a risk factor for anaesthesia related maternal mortality. Morbidly obese women must be considered as high‐risk and deserve an anaesthetic consultation during their antenatal care. The significant difficulty in administering epidural analgesia should not preclude their use in labour. A more liberalised use of regional techniques may be a means to further reduce anaesthesia‐related maternal mortality in the obese population. The mother's life should not be jeopardised to save a compromised fetus. Prophylactic placement of an epidural catheter when not contraindicated in labouring morbidly obese women would potentially decrease anaesthetic and perinatal complications associated with attempts at emergency provision of regional or general anaesthesia. Early mobilisation, aggressive chest physiotherapy and adequate pain control are essential components of effective postoperative care.
A randomised double‐blind controlled study evaluating the hypothermic effect of 150 μg morphine during spinal anaesthesia for Caesarean section
Authors: Hui C.‐K. , Huang C.‐H. , Lin C.‐J. , Lau H.‐P. , Chan W.‐H. , Yeh H.‐M. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryWe studied the hypothermic effect of adding 150 μg morphine during spinal anaesthesia in 60 parturients scheduled for elective caesarean section. All the parturients received intrathecal injection of a solution containing 150 μg morphine or normal saline in addition to 10–12 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5%. In both groups, a significant decrease in body temperature was noted. There was no difference in the area under the curve for temperature against time for the two groups; however, the maximum decrease in temperature from baseline was significantly larger after morphine than after saline injection (mean (SD) 1.11 (0.61) °C vs 0.76 (0.39) °C, respectively; p = 0.01) and the time to nadir temperature was significantly longer (59.5 (17.6) min vs 50.4 (15.9) min, respectively; p = 0.047). The lowest temperature observed in the morphine group was 34.3 °C. We conclude that intrathecal injection of 150 μg morphine intensified the intra‐operative hypothermic effect of bupivacaine spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section.
Acupuncture – a critical analysis
Authors: ERNST E. 
Published: December 2005

Abstract.Even though widely used in today's clinical practice, acupuncture has remained a controversial subject. Many reviews are currently available but most lack a critical stance and some are overtly promotional. The aim of this overview is to provide a balanced, critical analysis of the existing evidence. Some of the original concepts of traditional acupuncture are not supported by good scientific evidence. Several plausible theories attempt to explain how acupuncture works but none are proved beyond doubt. The clinical effectiveness of acupuncture continues to attract controversy. Many controlled clinical trials and numerous systematic reviews of these studies have been published. Considerable problems are encountered when interpreting these data. Heterogeneity is a significant drawback of both clinical trials and systematic reviews. Some of the controversies may be resolved through the use of the new ‘placebo needles’ which enable researchers to adequately control for placebo effects of acupuncture. The majority of studies using such devices fails to show effects beyond a placebo response. Acupuncture has been associated with serious adverse events but most large‐scale studies suggest that these are probably rare. Nonserious adverse effects occur in 7–11% of all patients. In conclusion, acupuncture remains steeped in controversy. Some findings are encouraging but others suggest that its clinical effects mainly depend on a placebo response.
Stroke Injury in Rats Causes an Increase in Activin A Gene Expression Which is Unaffected by Oestradiol Treatment
Authors: Böttner M. , Dubal D. B. , Rau S. W. , Suzuki S. , Wise P. M. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractActivins are members of the transforming growth factor‐β superfamily that exert neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects on various neuronal populations. To determine the possible function of activin in stroke injury, we assessed which components of the activin signalling pathway were modulated in response to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Furthermore, because oestradiol replacement protects against MCAO‐induced cell death, we explored whether oestradiol replacement influences activin gene expression. Female Sprague‐Dawley rats underwent permanent MCAO and the expression of activins and their corresponding receptors was determined by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction at 24 h after onset of ischaemia. We observed up‐regulation of activin βA and activin type I receptor A mRNA in response to injury. Dual‐label immunocytochemistry followed by confocal z‐stack analysis showed that the activin A expressing cells comprised neurones. Next, we monitored the time course of activin βA mRNA expression in oestradiol‐ or vehicle‐treated rats at 4, 8, 16 and 24 h after MCAO via in situ hybridisation. Starting at 4 h after injury, activin βA mRNA was up‐regulated in cortical and striatal areas in the ipsilateral hemisphere. Activin βA mRNA levels in the cortex increased dramatically with time and were highest at 24 h after the insult, and oestradiol replacement did not influence this increase.
Ivermectin: pharmacology and application in dermatology
Authors: Dourmishev Assen L. , Dourmishev Lyubomir A. , Schwartz Robert A. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractIvermectin is a synthetic derivative of the antiparasitic class of compounds known as avermectins. It is a macrolide endectocide with activity against both endoparasites with cutaneous tropism (Strongyloides stercoralis,Ancylostoma braziliense,Cochliomyia hominivorax,Dermatobia hominis,Filaria bancrofti,Wucheria malayi,Onchocerca volvulus,Loa‐loa) and ectoparasites such asSarcoptes scabies,Pediculus humanus,Demodex folliculorum, andCheyletiellasp. Ivermectin is of great interest in the treatment of patients with different forms of scabies, head lice, demodecidosis, cutaneous larva migrans, cutaneous larva currens, myiasis, and filariasis.