bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal and spatial patterns of population density in the marine macroalga Mazzaella splendens (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta)
Authors: Dyck Leonard James , De Wreede Robert E. 
Published: February 2006

SUMMARYInsight into demographic processes that operate at larger spatial scales can be achieved through studying local populations when a particular species of interest is examined over time, by many investigators, in a variety of locations. On the west coast of North America, Mazzaella splendens (Setchell et Gardner) Fredericq is such a species of interest. A synthesis of local demographic studies of M. splendens from the late 1960s to the present reveals a pattern that is potentially common to the larger natural populations. This is the pattern: population density is high in summer and low in winter for both alternate free‐living life history phases of M. splendens. The magnitude of this seasonal change decreases in increasingly wave‐exposed habitats. In wave‐sheltered habitats there is a seasonal alternation from summer haploid to winter diploid dominance. This alternation gradually changes to constant diploid dominance as wave exposure in the habitat increases. Changes in population density are primarily a function of appearances and disappearances of perennating basal crusts (genets), as modules are produced or lost, rather than differential module production by genets of one phase over those of the other. To test the generality of this pattern, we examined seasonal changes in density, in local populations of M. splendens, in both a wave‐sheltered and a wave‐exposed habitat at Second Beach, Barkley Sound. Greater seasonal fluctuation in population density at wave‐sheltered, compared to wave‐exposed habitats is supported as a pattern potentially common to the natural populations of M. splendens. A change from summer haploid dominance in wave‐sheltered areas to summer diploid dominance in wave‐exposed areas is similarly supported. All changes in population density were the result of appearances and disappearances of genets rather than differential module production by haploid versus diploid basal crusts, also consistent with previous observations. A seasonal alternation in phase dominance, however, was absent from the wave‐sheltered site at Second Beach, Barkley Sound for 3 consecutive years. Seasonal alternation in phase dominance of M. splendens appears dependent on local conditions and is not common to all natural populations.
Olpidiopsis sp., an oomycete from Madagascar that infects Bostrychia and other red algae: Host species susceptibility
Authors: West John A. , Klochkova Tatyana A. , Kim Gwang Hoon , Loiseaux‐de Goër Susan 
Published: February 2006

SUMMARY Olpidiopsis sp. (Oomycota) was cultured with its original host Bostrychia moritziana (Sonder ex Kützing) J. Agardh from Madagascar. Bean‐shaped zoospores with two heterokont flagella attached to the host cell wall surface and in 2 days host cells began collapsing and one or more syncytia developed in each infected cell. Zoospores were cleaved and an exit tube with a small plug was formed. Complete development and zoospore discharge occurred in 3 days. Infection occurred in cells of polysiphonous branches, monosiphonous branches, rhizoids and reproductive stichidia. Dead cells of plants treated with microwave were not infected. Susceptibility was variable in other Bostrychia species from different countries. Bostrychia moritziana (Sonder ex Kützing) J. Agardh, and Bostrychia radicans (Montagne) Montagne from Madagascar were susceptible but one Bostrychia tenella (J. V. Lamouroux) J. Agardh isolate from Madagascar was susceptible and two were not. B. radicosa (Itono) J. A. West, G. C. Zuccarello et M. Hommersand isolates from Madagascar, Thailand, Australia and New Caledonia were susceptible but an isolate from Malaysia was not. B. radicans isolates from Mexico and Brazil were non‐susceptible as were Bostrychia flagellifera Post, Bostrychia harveyi Montagne, Bostrychia montagnei Harvey, Bostrychia simpliciuscula Harvey ex J. Agardh, Bostrychia tenuissima R. J. King et Puttock, Stictosiphonia intricata(Bory de Saint‐Vincent) P. C. Silva, Stictosiphonia kelanensis (Grunow) R. J. King et Puttock and Stictosiphonia tangatensis (Post) R. J. King et Puttock, Lophosiphonia sp., Neosiphonia sp. and Polysiphonia spp. isolates were also non‐susceptible. Many non‐susceptible strains showed initial cell‐collapse followed by rapid wound‐repair cell formation without syncytia or sporangia developing. Caloglossa leprieurii (Montagne) G. Martens from Madagascar showed cell‐collapse and wound‐repair in periaxial cells, but wing cells died and became purple without wound‐repair. Caloglossa ogasawaraensis Okamura and Caloglossa postiae M. Kamiya et R. J. King had no symptoms of infection. Dasysiphonia chejuensis I. K. Lee et J. A. West was not infected. Surprisingly, the conchocelis phase but not the blade phase of Porphyra pulchella J. A.West, G. C. Zuccarello and Porphyra suborbiculata Kjellman was infected. The conchocelis of Porphyra tenera Kjellman and Porphyra linearis Greville were infected but no blade stages were tested. Porphyra miniata (C. Agardh) C. Agardh and Porphyra dentata Kjellman conchocelis were not infected. Bangia atropurpurea (Roth) C. Agardh gametophyte filaments were not infected. Other red, brown and green algae were not infected. Time lapse videomicroscopy of development and spore release was done.
Frequent hospital readmissions for acute exacerbation of COPD and their associated factors
Authors: CAO Zhenying , ONG Kian Chung , ENG Philip , TAN Wan Cheng , NG Tze Pin 
Published: February 2006

Objective:  The factors that determine frequent hospital readmissions for acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to ascertain rates of re‐hospitalizations for AECOPD patients and evaluate factors associated with frequent readmissions for acute exacerbations.Methods:  We conducted a cross‐sectional survey of 186 patients with moderate to severe COPD with one or more admissions for acute exacerbations to two large general hospitals. Frequency of previous readmissions for AECOPD in the past year, and clinical characteristics, including depression and spirometry were ascertained in the stable state both before discharge and at 1‐month post discharge.Results:  Among them, 67% had one or more previous readmission, 46% had two or more, 9% had 10–20 readmissions in the 1‐year period prior to current admission. There was a high prevalence of current or ex‐heavy smokers, underweight patients, depression and consumption of psychotropic drugs, and low prevalence of caregiver support, pulmonary rehabilitation and influenza and pneumcoccal vaccination. Univariate analysis showed that male sex, duration >5 years, FEV1 < 50% predicted, use of psychotropic drugs, receipt of pulmonary rehabilitation and vaccination were significantly associated with frequent past readmissions. Multivariate analysis revealed that disease duration >5 years (odds ratio (OR) = 2.32; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09–4.92), FEV1 < 50% predicted (OR = 2.60; 95% CI: 1.18–5.74), use of psychotropic drugs (OR = 13.47; 95% CI: 1.48–122.92) and vaccination status (OR = 3.27; 95% CI: 1.12–9.57) were independently associated with frequent readmissions for AECOPD.Conclusion:  Frequent past readmission for AECOPD was associated with disease severity and psychosocial distress and increased use of vaccinations.
Performance of standard severity scoring systems for outcome prediction in patients admitted to a respiratory intensive care unit in North India
Authors: AGGARWAL Ashutosh N. , SARKAR Pralay , GUPTA Dheeraj , JINDAL Surinder K. 
Published: February 2006

Objective:  There are little data on the value of using severity scoring systems developed in western countries to assess critically ill patients in India. The authors evaluated the performance of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation version II (APACHE II), Simplified Acute Physiology Score version II (SAPS II) and Mortality Probability Models version II at admission and at 24 h (MPM0 and MPM24, respectively) in predicting patient outcomes in their Respiratory Intensive Care Unit.Methods:  Data from 459 consecutive adult admissions were collected prospectively. Standardized mortality ratios were computed as an index of the overall model performance. Model calibration was assessed using Lemeshow–Hosmer goodness‐of‐fit tests and through calibration curves. Model discrimination was assessed through receiver operating curve analysis and by drawing 2 × 2 classification matrices.Results:  Overall standardized mortality ratio exceeded 1.5 for all models. All models had modest discrimination (area under receiver‐operating‐characteristic curves 0.66–0.78) and poor calibration (high Lemeshow–Hosmer C and H statistic values). All models had a tendency to underpredict hospital death in patients with lower mortality probability estimates. There were no major differences between the models with regard to either discrimination or calibration performance.Conclusions:  Standard severity scoring systems developed in western countries are poor at predicting patient outcome in critically ill patients admitted to a respiratory intensive care unit in Northern India. Caution must be exercised in using such models in their present form on Indian patients until either they are customized for local use or fresh models are developed from Indian cohorts.
Serum retinoic acid, retinol and retinyl palmitate levels in patients with lung cancer
Authors: MOULAS Anargyros N. , GEROGIANNI Irini C. , PAPADOPOULOS Dimitrios , GOURGOULIANIS Konstantinos I. 
Published: February 2006

Objectives::  Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse relationship between dietary vitamin A intake and the risk of developing lung cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the vitamin A status in patients with lung cancer, by determining the serum levels of retinoic acid, retinol and retinyl palmitate.Methods::  In total, 36 patients with lung cancer and 27 controls were assessed. Of the patients 14 had squamous cell carcinoma, 3 adenocarcinoma, 15 non‐small cell lung cancer and 4 small cell lung cancer. Serum retinoic acid, retinol and retinyl palmitate levels were determined with HPLC and UV detection, after liquid extraction.Results::  Serum retinol levels did not differ between patients (733.5 ± 326.4 ng/mL) and controls (734.5 ± 337.1 ng/mL). The retinyl palmitate concentration tended to be lower in patients (14.3 ± 9.7 ng/mL) than in controls (16.7 ± 13.7 ng/mL) The serum retinoic acid levels were significantly lower in patients (1.9 ± 0.6 ng/mL) than in controls (2.5 ± 1.1 ng/mL, P < 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between the retinol and retinoic acid levels and retinyl palmitate and retinoic acid levels.Conclusions::  The lower levels of retinoic acid in patients with lung cancer suggest there may be a deficiency or impairment in retinol metabolism in these patients. Further studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to evaluate the possible relationship between serum retinoid levels and lung cancer.
Prognostic value of circulating KL‐6 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: YOKOYAMA Akihito , KONDO Keiichi , NAKAJIMA Masamitsu , MATSUSHIMA Toshiharu , TAKAHASHI Toru , NISHIMURA Masaharu , BANDO Masashi , SUGIYAMA Yukihiko , TOTANI Yoshitaka , ISHIZAKI Takeshi , ICHIYASU Hidenori , SUGA Moritaka , HAMADA Hironobu , KOHNO Nobuoki 
Published: February 2006

Objective:  Circulating levels of KL‐6, a high MW glycoprotein (MUC1 mucin), are elevated in a majority of patients with a number of interstitial lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, KL‐6 levels vary from patient to patient. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the serum KL‐6 level at the time of diagnosis predicts prognosis in IPF.Methods:  The relationship between clinical variables and prognosis in 27 patients with IPF were analysed retrospectively. The diagnosis was made by histological examination (n = 16) or on clinical findings including high‐resolution CT scanning (n = 11). All patients were followed up for at least 3 years. Variables such as age, FVC%, PaO2 at rest, initial LDH level, C‐reactive protein and KL‐6 were used for analysis.Results:  At the cut‐off level determined by receiver operating characteristic curves, LDH and KL‐6 showed a significant correlation with the patient's prognosis by univariate analysis. However, multivariate analysis revealed that only KL‐6 was a predictor of prognosis. The patients were categorized by their serum KL‐6 levels (as above or below the cut‐off level of 1000 U/mL) and their survival estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. The difference in median survival between the two groups was significant. The median survival of patients with low KL‐6 was more than 36 months, whereas that of patients with high KL‐6 was only 18 months.Conclusion:  These results suggest that initial evaluation of serum KL‐6 level can predict survival in patients with IPF.
A case of type 3 DCS with a radiologically normal spinal cord
Authors: Gorman D. , Sames C. , Drewry A. , Bodicoat S. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractA subtype of cerebral arterial gas embolism arising in divers, in which apparent spinal cord disease follows early cerebral manifestations, is well known and has been described as type 3 DCS. A case that clinically conformed to the pattern of type 3 DCS was examined radiologically. Despite clinical signs of spinal disease, magnetic resonance imaging scans of the spinal cord did not demonstrate pathology.
High adiponectin concentration and its role for longevity in female centenarians
Authors: Arai Yasumichi , Nakazawa Susumu , Kojima Toshio , Takayama Michiyo , Ebihara Yoshinori , Shimizu Ken‐ichirou , Yamamura Ken , Homma Satoki , Osono Yasunori , Gondo Yasuyuki , Masui Yukie , Inagaki Hiroki , Kitagawa Kohji , Hirose Nobuyoshi 
Published: February 2006

Background:  Evidence from experimental models of longevity indicates that maintenance of energy homeostasis could be indispensable for longevity across various species. In humans, it has been reported that maintenance of glucose homeostasis and vascular stability is one biomedical feature of centenarians, who have reached the maximum life‐span. We hypothesized that adiponectin, a novel anti‐inflammatory adipocytokine, could be a protective factor against age‐related metabolic alteration and atherogeneity in centenarians.Methods:  We measured plasma adiponectin concentration in 66 female centenarians and body mass index (BMI)‐matched female controls (mean age 28.3 ± 6.3 years), followed by a genetic analysis of adiponectin locus.Results:  As compared to BMI‐matched female controls, female centenarians had significantly higher plasma adiponectin concentrations. In addition, high concentrations of plasma adiponectin in centenarians was associated with favorable metabolic indicators, and with lower levels of C‐reactive protein and E‐selectin. In contrast, genetic analysis of 10 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at adiponectin locus did not show significant association between the adiponectin gene variation and longevity.Conclusions:  Our results suggested that hyperadiponectinemia in centenarians could play a role in maintenance of energy homeostasis and vascular stability, and may contribute to longevity.
Analytical and experimental studies on fatigue crack path under complex multi‐axial loading
Authors: REIS L. , LI B. , DE FREITAS M. 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTIn real engineering components and structures, many accidental failures are due to unexpected or additional loadings, such as additional bending or torsion, etc. Fractographical analyses of the failure surface and the crack orientation are helpful for identifying the effects of the non‐proportional multi‐axial loading. There are many factors that influence fatigue crack paths. This paper studies the effects of multi‐axial loading path on the crack path. Two kinds of materials were studied and compared in this paper: AISI 303 stainless steel and 42CrMo4 steel. Experiments were conducted in a biaxial testing machine INSTRON 8800. Six different biaxial loading paths were selected and applied in the tests to observe the effects of multi‐axial loading paths on the additional hardening, fatigue life and the crack propagation orientation. Fractographic analyses of the plane orientations of crack initiation and propagation were carried out by optical microscope and SEM approaches. It was shown that the two materials studied had different crack orientations under the same loading path, due to their different cyclic plasticity behaviour and different sensitivity to non‐proportional loading. Theoretical predictions of the damage plane were made using the critical plane approaches such as the Brown–Miller, the Findley, the Wang–Brown, the Fatemi–Socie, the Smith–Watson–Topper and the Liu's criteria. Comparisons of the predicted orientation of the damage plane with the experimental observations show that the critical plane models give satisfactory predictions for the orientations of early crack growth of the 42CrMo4 steel, but less accurate predictions were obtained for the AISI 303 stainless steel. This observation appears to show that the applicability of the fatigue models is dependent on the material type and multi‐axial microstructure characteristics.
The metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetes: When does it matter?
Authors: Wong J. , Molyneaux L. , Constantino M. I. , Twigg S. M. , Yue D. K. 
Published: February 2006

Aims:  Young adults with type 2 diabetes (T2Dm) present the clinician with the problem of when to start therapies for the primary prevention of vascular disease and how to identify those at most vascular risk. We examine whether the metabolic syndrome (MetS) can be a useful clinical tool to stratify vascular risk in this context.Methods:  Data were collected from 5928 subjects with T2Dm, and subjects were categorized as having MetS by World Health Organization criteria (body mass index criteria modified for Asians using >23 kg/m2). The prevalence of macrovascular disease was examined by MetS status and age.Results:  The overall MetS prevalence was 72.3%. MetS was associated with an increased prevalence of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) (17.2% MetS vs. 11.6% no MetS, p < 0.0001), coronary artery bypass graft (7.6 vs. 4.7%, p < 0.0003), peripheral vascular disease (PVD) (4.7 vs. 3.7%, p = 0.08) and stroke (6 vs. 3.9%, p = 0.002) across all age groups. MetS subjects had an IHD prevalence equivalent to that seen in subjects who were one decade older without MetS. The most significant impact of MetS was for the age group of 40–49 years with much lesser impact seen with progressively increasing age [odds ratio (OR) = 2.1 for IHD in MetS compared with no MetS at age 40–50 years, p < 0.05; falling progressively to OR = 1.5 at age >70 years, p > 0.05]. Similar trends were seen for coronary artery by‐pass graft (CABG) and PVD. There was a strong relationship between the number of MetS risk factors and IHD prevalence (r = 0.99, p = 0.0001).Conclusions:  These data suggest that MetS is particularly useful in stratifying vascular risk in younger T2Dm patients and in those with a high number of MetS components. For patients with MetS, especially those with a full house of MetS risk factors, commencing risk‐lowering interventions 10 years earlier than their MetS‐free counterparts could be considered.
Root growth and nitrogen uptake of carrot, early cabbage, onion and lettuce following a range of green manures
Authors: Thorup‐Kristensen K. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAn experiment was performed to study the significance of rooting depth of four vegetable crops on their utilization of green manure nitrogen (N). Rates of rooting depth development were estimated as approximately 0.2, 0.7, 1.2 and 1.2 mm day °C−1 for onion, carrot, lettuce and cabbage, respectively. At harvest, onion and lettuce were found to be shallow‐rooted with final rooting depths of only 0.3 and 0.6 m, respectively, whereas carrot and cabbage reached rooting depths of at least 1.1 m. The two deep‐rooted vegetables increased their N uptake by 46, 24 and 7 kg N ha−1 when following winter‐hardy legumes, non‐hardy legumes and rye, respectively; the equivalent responses by the two shallow‐rooted crops were 23, 9 and 15 kg N ha−1, respectively. Thus the deep‐rooted crops used the legume N more efficiently but the shallow‐rooted crops made better use of N left by the non‐legume rye crop. These interactions between green manure type and vegetable crop N response are the result of the dual effects of the green manures: biological N fixation by the legumes, and the variable ability of the green manure crops to concentrate available N in the topsoil. Before shallow‐rooted crops, the ability of rye to concentrate N in the topsoil may be as important as the N fixing ability of legumes.
Modelling the variability of UK sugar beet yields under climate change and husbandry adaptations
Authors: Richter G. M. , Qi A. , Semenov M. A. , Jaggard K. W. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractIn the future, UK summers are likely to be warmer and drier. Modelling differential water redistribution and uptake, we assessed the impact of future drier climates on sugar beet yields. Weather was generated for 1961–1990 (BASE) and predictions based on low‐ and high‐emission scenarios (LO, HI) described in the most recent global climate simulations by the Hadley Centre, UK. Distributions and variability of relative soil moisture deficit (rSMD) and yield gap (drought‐related yield loss, YGdr = 1−actual yield/potential yield), and sugar yield were calculated for different time‐lines using regional weather, soil texture and management inputs. The rSMD is estimated to exceed the senescence threshold with a probability of 75% (2050sLO) to 95% (2080sHI) compared with 65% (BASE). The potential yield loss, YGdr, is likely to increase from 17% (BASE) to 22% (2050sLO) to 35% (2080sHI). However, increasing potential growth rates (CO2 × temperature) cause average sugar yields to rise by between 1.4 and 2 t ha−1 (2050sLO and 2050sHI respectively). Yield variation (CV%) may increase from 15–18% (BASE) to 18–23% (2050s) and 19–25% (2080s). Differences are small between regions but large within regions because of soil variability. In future, sugar yields on sands (8 t ha−1) are likely to increase by little (0.5–1.5 t ha−1), but on loams yields are likely to increase from 11 to 13 t ha−1 (2050sHI) and 15 t ha−1 (2080sHI). Earlier sowing and later harvest are potential tools to compensate for drought‐related losses on sandy soils.
Relationships between particle‐size distribution and organic carbon in French arable topsoils
Authors: Arrouays D. , Saby N. , Walter C. , Lemercier B. , Schvartz C. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractA database including results from 102 000 soil analyses was built for arable topsoil in France. We show a strong effect of soil particle‐size distribution on present organic carbon (OC) stocks in these soils. By using the upper decile values by textural classes as a proxy of the maximal carbon storage potential, we show that it might be more efficient to encourage practices favouring carbon accumulation in soils already having high OC stocks than to try to increase OC stocks in soils where present stocks are low.