bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential cell size optimization strategies produce distinct diatom richness–body size relationships in stream benthos and plankton
Authors: PASSY SOPHIA I. 
Published: May 2007

Summary

The relationship between species richness and body size is one of the most thoroughly studied subjects in animal ecology; however, this relationship and its underlying mechanisms are largely unknown in photosynthetic organisms, especially protists.
In this continental study, I first examined the number of diatom species across the cell size spectrum in benthic and planktonic stream habitats. The relationship was right‐skewed unimodal and was significantly different between the benthos and the plankton; larger sizes were more speciose in the benthos, and smaller sizes in the plankton. The species richness peaks were explained with allometric trade‐offs between maximum nutrient uptake rate and dispersal in the benthos but maximum nutrient uptake rate and sinking resistance in the phytoplankton.
I also explored the cell size similarity among species and across environments. Small diatoms were significantly more similar in size than large diatoms, and benthic diatoms were significantly more similar than planktonic diatoms.
This is the first continental study on the richness–body size relationship in algae, which suggests that the environmental differences between benthic and planktonic habitats generated allometric trade‐offs that have driven the cell size optimization towards larger species in the benthos but smaller in the plankton. The patterns of cell size similarity revealed a higher niche overlap in the benthos than in the phytoplankton and among small species than among large species. These findings indicate that interspecific competition in stream diatoms, which is a function of niche differentiation, is habitat‐specific and inversely related to cell size.
A field experiment on climatic and herbivore impacts on post‐fire tree regeneration in north‐western Patagonia
Authors: TERCERO‐BUCARDO NORLAN , KITZBERGER THOMAS , VEBLEN THOMAS T. , RAFFAELE ESTELA 
Published: May 2007

Summary

Wildfires are predicted to increase in many ecosystems in relation to globally increasing temperatures but future patterns of post‐fire vegetation change are largely unknown, particularly when there are synergistic effects from introduced biota. In the late 1990s northern Patagonia, Argentina, experienced extreme droughts which led to severe wildfires affecting a range of Andean ecosystems.
We experimentally examined how variations in moisture, temperature and herbivory by livestock affect post‐1999 fire patterns of the three main tree species. Over two years we monitored, in three forest types, the survival and growth of tree seedlings in a factorial warming (+2 °C)/livestock exclosure/watering experiment.
Seedling survival in the warmed treatments and in the controls was nil for the evergreen Nothofagus dombeyi and the conifer Austrocedrus chilensis at the two low‐elevation experimental sites. Survival of the subalpine Nothofagus pumilio in the warmed treatments at high elevation tended to be lower than in the control; for all treatments of warming alone there were no significant differences compared with the controls.
In all three forest types, increased water availability was essential for higher rates of tree seedling survival. Doubling water availability during the growing season resulted in up to fourfold increases in seedling survival and up to threefold increases in seedling biomass.
In the subalpine forest, livestock reduced seedling survival by c. 30% in non‐watered treatments compared with watered treatments, probably due mainly to soil desiccation and to consumption of or damage to facilitating plants. In contrast, at lower elevation, where livestock pressure was lower, seedling survival of N. dombeyi and A. chilensis tended to be higher in unfenced sites, possibly due to reduced competition from highly palatable shrub species.
General circulation models predict a warming–drying trend in northern Patagonia during the twenty‐first century. The resulting increase in wildfire is likely to be followed by inadequate tree regeneration and conversion from forest to shrubland cover types. This and similar studies suggest that under relatively slight changes in regional climate, increased fire occurrence interacting synergistically with moisture limitations will result in long‐lasting displacements of forest by more xeric vegetation shrublands.
South African Iridaceae with rapid and profuse seedling emergence are more likely to become naturalized in other regions
Authors: VAN KLEUNEN MARK , JOHNSON STEVEN D. 
Published: May 2007

Summary

Plant invasions constitute a large biological problem and screening protocols are needed to assess the invasive potential of species considered for introduction. However, insufficient information is available on species characteristics associated with successful establishment outside their native range.
We tested experimentally whether seed and seedling emergence characteristics and early growth of seedlings are associated with naturalization of South African Iridaceae. In a common garden experiment, we compared these characteristics between 30 species that have become naturalized elsewhere and 30 congeneric species that have been introduced elsewhere but have failed to become naturalized.
The average seed mass did not differ between naturalized and non‐naturalized species but seedlings of naturalized species emerged faster and more profusely than their non‐naturalized congeners. As a consequence of fast seedling emergence, naturalized species reached a larger size early in the season than did non‐naturalized species.
The results of our study indicate that rapid and profuse seedling emergence play important roles during naturalization, at least for Iridaceae from South Africa.
CLINICAL STUDY: The influence of blood alcohol concentrations of around 0.03% on neuropsychological functions—a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled investigation
Authors: Breitmeier Dirk , Seeland‐Schulze Irina , Hecker Hartmut , Schneider Udo 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThere is a general agreement that blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of about 0.05% result in impairment of the ability to drive. This fact has been supported by means of experiments. In addition, there are only a few studies to date investigating low BACs. The present study aims to investigate the extent and quality of cognitive changes in low BACs of around 0.03%. Sixteen healthy male subjects were examined in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study. During the trials the BAC was regulated to about 0.03%. As part of the study a record was made of the general level of intelligence, subjective impairments, possible depressive symptoms, general ability to perform, vigilance, divided attention, response times and performance of memory. Statistical analysis took place using the two‐period crossover design. Verbal intelligence, general performance, vigilance (optical stimuli), divided attention, vigilance towards acoustic stimuli and the general response time to acoustic and visual–acoustic sequential stimuli, and memory were not impaired significantly by a BAC of around 0.03%. The total response and motor response time to optical stimuli as well as decision time about sequential optical stimuli were, however, significantly changed for BACs of around 0.03%. In conclusion, the present results show that already in BACs of around 0.03%, particular cognitive functions which rely on perception and processing of visual information, are significantly impaired. This was evident in the more complex and urgent tasks.
Clinical atopy and associated factors in primary‐school pupils
Authors: Kuehr J. , Frischer T. , Karmaus W. , Meinert R. , Barth R. , Urbanek R. 
Published: May 2007

To investigate potential risk factors for clinical atopy in childhood, we obtained cross‐sectional data a cohort of 1376 8‐year‐old pupils. Parental atopy (hay fever, asthma, eczema), gestational age, maternal smoking habits, and the child's history of asthma, hay fever, and eczema were ascertained by questionnaire. Combining the history and the result of a skin prick test using seven aeroallergens, we defined the child's atopic diseases.Of the population evaluated, 25.4% were categorized as atopic (10.2% allergic asthma, 17.3% eczema, 6.9%, hay fever). As compared with the clear nonatopics (40.2%), parental atopic diseases were more prevalent in each of the atopic groups. Significant associations of the parents' and child's disease were obvious for eczema and hay fever. Low gestational age (LGA) was more frequent in children with any atopy or with an allergic asthma (odds ratio (OR) 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–2.97; OR frequently in girls (OR 0.5; 95%, confidence interval 0.3–0.8; OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4–0.9).In conclusion, our data underline the importance of parental atopy for the clinical outcome in the offspring. In addition, L GA appears to be a risk factor for allergic asthma and for general atopy in later life.
Humoral immune response to the insect allergen Chi t I in aquarists and fish‐food factory workers
Authors: Liebers V. , Hoernstein M. , Baur X. 
Published: May 2007

Our examination of 225 subjects who had been exposed to the insect allergen Chi t I involved the degree of allergen exposure, the exposure‐associated symptoms, and their relationship to the presence of specific IgE and IgG antibodies as well as sensitization to ubiquitous allergens. It could be shown that specific IgE antibodies found in 34% of these subjects were closely associated with symptoms (P<0.01), whereas no relationship between IgG antibodies and complaints could be observed. Conjunctivitis (63%) and rhinitis (62%) were predominant, followed by asthma (45%) and urticaria (37%). Antibody levels of patients suffering from asthma were highest. In addition, symptoms were associated with the degree of exposure. While nearly all IgE‐sensitized subjects of the medium‐, high‐, and very high‐exposure group were symptomatic, only 57% of the sensitized individuals of the low‐exposure group reported complaints. Furthermore, specific IgE antibodies were most frequently present in the groups with medium (46%) and high (54.5%) exposure, whereas IgG antibodies predominated in individuals with very high exposure (69.1%). In the low‐exposure group, most subjects (73.6%) had neither IgE nor IgG antibodies.In addition, within Chi t I sensitized subjects, sensitization to common allergens and elevated total IgE levels were more frequently present than within non‐Chi t 1 sensitized individuals, indicating a predisposition to allergy.
Neutrophil chemotactic activity (NCA) in nasal secretions from atopic and nonatopic subjects
Authors: Kowalski M. L. , Grzegorczyk J. , Śliwinska‐Kowalska M. , Wojciechowska B. , Rożniecka M. , Rożniecki J. 
Published: May 2007

In order to elucidate the mechanism responsible for infiltration of nasal mucosa by granulocytes, we tested neutrophil chemotactic activity (NCA) in nasal lavages, by the modified Boyden chamber method, in 16 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (AR), six ASA‐sensitive patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and seven normal, nonatopic control subjects (NC). Nasal secretions from all three groups showed significant NCA (mean 157.1±54.0, 62.2±20.7, and 39.4 ± 11.4% of FMLP chemotactic activity for AR, CRS, and NC subjects, respectively). Nasal secretions from patients with AR expressed significantly higher NCA (P<0.02) than did secretions from NA patients.NCA was unchanged by heating at 56°C for 60 min and was not susceptible to degradation by trypsin. Nasal challenge with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen induced clinical symptoms and resulted in significant increases in total protein and albumin concentrations in nasal lavages in AR patients, but failed to change the mean NCA activity for up to 40 min after the challenge. These results indicate that nasal secretions from both atopic and nonatopic patients express NCA, but its relation to allergic inflammation remains to be established.
Prevention of pollen rhinitis symptoms: comparison of fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray and disodium cromoglycate aqueous nasal spray
Authors: Bousquet J. , Chanal I. , Alquié M. C. , Charpin D. , Didier A. , Germouty J. , Greillier P. , Ickovic M. H. , Maria Y. , Montané F. , Perrin‐Fayolle M. , Seignalet C. , Severac J. C. , Vergnenégre A. , Aubert B. , Bons J. 
Published: May 2007

Fluticasone propionate aqueous spray, a new intranasal corticosteroid preparation, and disodium eromoglyeate 2% aqueous nasal spray, an established preventive treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis, were compared in a double‐blind, double‐dummy, parallel‐group, multicentric study in France. A total of 218 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis caused by grass pollen (verified by positive skin prick test) were preventively treated before the onset of the grass pollen season with either fluticasone propionate 200 μg once daily or disodium cromoglycate 5.2 mg four times daily. Half of these doses was given in each nostril. Treatment started before the onset of the pollen season in most patients (178/218). Diary cards, including symptoms of rhinitis and usage of nasal sprays, were filled in twice daily for 5 weeks.Terfenadine in 60‐mg tablets and eye‐drops could be used as rescue medications. We treated 110 patients with fluticasone propionate and 108 patients with disodium cromoglycate. Patients treated with flutieasone propionate had significantly more days free of primary efficacy symptoms of sneezing (P < 0.001) and nasal discharge during the day (P= 0.002), as well as free of all the other nasal symptoms (P < 0.0l), and significantly lower median scores (P < 0.05) for all nasal symptoms except nasal discharge than patients treated with disodium cromoglycate. There was no difference in eye symptoms or in rescue medication use between the two groups. Compliance with the treatment was assessed. Eleven patients recorded incorrect use of both nasal sprays for over 25% of days, and 55 patients recorded incorrect use of four‐times‐daily spray only; no patient recorded incorrect use of morning spray only. Both treatments were generally well tolerated.
A comparison of terbutaline inhaled by Turbuhaler® and by a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) inhaler in children with exercise‐induced asthma
Authors: Svenonius E. , Arborelius M. , Wiberg R. , Stahl E. , Svensson M. 
Published: May 2007

Svenonius E, Arborelius M, Wiberg R, Ståhl E, Svensson M. A comparison of terbutaline inhaled by Turbuhaler® and by a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) inhaler in children with exercise‐induced asthma.The present study compared the bronchodilating effect of inhalation from the Turbuhaler® (0.5 mg terbutaline × 2) with the effect of inhalation from the chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) inhaler (0.25 mg terbutaline × 4) in children aged 9‐17 years with reproducible, exercise‐induced asthma (EIA). The treatments were given on two occasions, 5 min apart (terbutaline 0.5 mg + 0.5 mg). The study was performed as a double‐blind, double‐dummy, and placebo‐controlled trial in 12 asthmatic children. The study was conducted on three separate days. The bronchoconstriction was induced by steady running on a treadmill. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1,0), vital capacity (VC), and volume of trapped gas (VTG) were measured before and after the exercise test and after treatment. The study showed that the same amount of terbutaline inhaled from the Turbuhaler or from a CFC inhaler is equally effective for reversing EIA, and that the Turbuhaler is possibly more effective for treating spasm in small airways.
Surimi and native codfish contain a common allergen identified as a 63‐kDa protein
Authors: Mata E. , Favier C. , Moneret‐Vautrin D. A. , Nicolas J. P. , Ching L. Han , Guéant J.L 
Published: May 2007

We have compared the allergenicity of codfish and surimi (prepared from codfish) by skin testing, specific IgE‐RIA, and leukocyte histamine release (LHR) in six fish‐allergic patients. Prick tests were positive for codfish and, to a lesser extent, surimi. The percentages of labeled anti‐IgE bound to surimi‐Sepharose were 1.55 ± 0.19% and 3‐6% with control and patient sera, respectively. Inhibition of the surimi protein‐Sepharose IgE‐RIA was greatest (80%) at protein concentrations of 13.4 and 408.5 μg/ml for codfish and surimi extract, respectively. The allergenic protein was isolated by gel filtration and subjected to SDS‐PAGE. The eluate from codfish contained several proteins ranging from 13 to 63 kDa, while the eluate from surimi contained a single 63‐kDa protein. It was concluded that surimi contained a single allergenic protein.Mata E, Favier C, Moneret‐Vautrin DA, Nicolas JP, Han Ching L, Guéant JL. Surimi and native codfish contain a common allergen identified as a 63‐kDa protein.
V. Mechanisms of tolerance and sensitization in the intestine and other organs of the body
Authors: Strobel Stephan 
Published: May 2007

SummaryThe intestinal tract is the major immunological organ of the human body.The gut associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) play an important role in the suppression of adverse reactions to foods and in the induction of “Oral Tolerance”.Immunologically mediated clinical reactions to foods exist outside the gut environment and can affect virtually all organ systems.
Allergy to the ornamental indoor green plant Tradescantia ‘Albifloxia’
Authors: Wüthrich B. , Johansson S. G. O. 
Published: May 2007

Wüthrich B, Johansson SGO. Allergy to the ornamental indoor green plant Tradescantia ‘Albifloxia’.We report on a 32‐year‐old atopic female office employee with a moderate tree pollinosis who also suffered from indoor‐related perennial rhinoconjunctivitis. Once when she repotted her two ornamental nonflowering green plants of the genus Tradescantia‘synonym: Albifloxia; family Commelinaceae’, she immediately experienced itching of the face, throat, and conjunctiva; swelling of the lips; and dyspnea and wheezing. Skin prick tests with the leaves of Tradescantia ‘T. albifloxia and T. fluminensis’‘Ta and Tf’ were strongly positive as was the specific IgE to Ta leaves extract. On RAST inhibition studies, no cross‐reactivity was found between Ta and Ficus benjamina‘weeping fig’, a nonflowering green plant, which produces, in its milky sap, an important respiratory allergen. Green plants should be considered potential indoor allergens and tested in plant‐keepers referred for allergologic investigation.
Relevance of pollen‐specific IgE levels to the development of Apiaceae hypersensitivity in patients with birch pollen allergy
Authors: Asero R. 
Published: May 2007

Asero R. Relevance of pollen‐specific IgE levels to the development of Apiaceae hypersensitivity in patients with birch pollen allergy.A large clinical/serologic study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Apiaceae ‘carrot, celery, and fennel’ hypersensitivity in patients with birch pollen allergy, and to investigate its relationship with apple and hazelnut allergy and with birch pollen‐specific IgE levels. A total of 196 birch pollen‐hypersensitive patients with oral allergy syndrome ‘OAS’ caused by different vegetable foods were examined in the cross‐sectional part of the study. Of this total, 195 patients had apple and/or hazelnut allergy, and 103 had Apiaceae sensitivity; only one patient had Apiaceae allergy alone. Apiaceae‐positive patients showed significantly higher birch pollen‐specific IgE levels than negative ones ‘median 13 vs 7 AU/ml; P < 0.0001’. The prospective part of the study was performed on 103 birch pollen‐hypersensitive patients who were OAS‐free at the time of the first visit and were periodically followed‐up for OAS. Patients who developed Apiaceae sensitivity showed much higher birch‐specific IgE levels than patients who developed apple/hazelnut allergy only ‘median 15.5 vs 8.5 AU/ml; P < 0.05’, whereas those who remained OAS‐free showed the lowest specific IgE levels ‘median 5 AU/ml’. This study suggests that most Apiaceae determinants cross‐react with apple or hazelnut determinants, whereas only some apple or hazelnut determinants cross‐react with Apiaceae‐allergenic determinants; moreover, it shows that birch‐specific IgE levels heavily influence the onset of OAS as a whole, and probably play a critical role in the development of allergies to distinct vegetable foods as well.
Anisakis simplex, a relevant etiologic factor in acute urticaria
Authors: Pozo M. D. Del , Audicana M. , Diez J. M. , Muñoz D. , Ansotegui I. J. , Fernández E. , García M. , Etxenagusia M. , Moneo I. , de Corres L. Fernández 
Published: May 2007

Del Pozo MD, Audícana M, Diez JM, Muñoz D, Ansotegui IJ, Fernández E, García M, Etxenagusia M, Moneo I, Fernández de Corres L. Anisakis simplex, a relevant etiologic factor in acute urticaria. Anisakis simplex, a parasite of fish and cephalopods, can induce IgE‐mediated reactions. This study aimed to determine the etiologic role of A. simplex in patients affected by urlicaria/angioedema ‘AE’ or anaphylaxis. We studied 100 adult subjects suffering acute episodes of urticaria/AE, by anamnesis, prick tests with A. simplex and fish‐mix extracts, and total and specific IgE to both A. simplex and cod. The following criteria of A. simplex allergy were considered: 1’ urticaria/AE within 6 h after fish ingestion; 2’ specific IgE to A. simplex; 3’ positive prick test to A. simplex extract; 4’ exclusion of other suspected causes. Double‐blind, placebo‐controlled food challenge was not carried out because ethical considerations forbid challenge with a parasite. Specific IgE to A. simplex‘<0.7 kU/1’ was found in 22 subjects, but only eight were diagnosed as having A. simplex allergy. Other allergens were involved in 37 patients, and 55 cases were considered idiopathic. Specific IgE to fish ‘<0.7 kU/1’ was found in two patients, but only one was diagnosed as having fish allergy. We concluded that A. simplex is an important etiologic factor in acute urticaria. We suggest that it should be considered in cases of urticaria/AE or anaphylaxis, especially after fish ingestion.
Mizolastine therapy also has an effect on nasal blockade in perennial allergic rhinoconjunctivitis
Authors: Bachert C. , Brostoff J. , Scadding G. K. , Tasman J. , Stalla‐Bourdillon A. , Murrieta M. , Group RIPERAN Study 
Published: May 2007

Background Mizolastine is a new, nonsedating antihistamine with additional anti‐inflammatory properties, providing relief in allergic rhinitis and urticaria. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of 10 mg o.d. mizolastine given to patients with perennial allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Methods This double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study involved 257 patients suffering from the disease for more than 10 years. They were allocated, after a 1‐week placebo run‐in, to receive mizolastine (n = 133) or placebo (n = 124) for 4 weeks. Results Mizolastine‐treated patients showed significantly greater alleviation of nasal symptoms, with a mean decrease of 36% compared with pretreatment score, compared to a mean decrease of 10% in placebo patients (P<0.001). Nasal blockade responded favorably to mizolastine compared to placebo and was associated with a significant reduction in rhinoscopy findings (P=0.030). Likewise, the mean ocular symptom score decreased 40% in mizolastine‐treated patients compared to 7% in the placebo group (P<0.003). The safety profile of mizolastine was satisfactory and similar to that of placebo. Conclusions In patients suffering from perennial allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, mizolastine is a safe and potent treatment. Mizolastine's pronounced effect on nasal blockade could possibly be linked to its anti‐inflammatory properties.