bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Floral scent differentiation among coflowering, sympatric species ofGeonoma(Arecaceae)
Authors: Knudsen Jette T. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThis paper presents an investigation of the chemical composition of the floral scent of eight coflowering, sympatric taxa ofGeonoma, a neotropical genus of understory palms with little or no variation in floral characteristics. The objective was to evaluate if floral scent might function as a reproductive isolation mechanism. Floral scent was collected with headspace techniques and the chemical composition analyzed and determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The eight studied taxa each had a characteristic, distinct floral scent composition, as revealed by grouping of individuals of each taxon together in a principal component analysis. As flower morphology and colors, as well as the diurnal flowering phenology, often vary little between sympatric, coflowering plants, other mechanisms to keep the species reproductively isolated are needed. It was concluded that variation in floral scent composition potentially is of importance to keep taxa ofGeonomareproductively isolated.
Pollen odor chemicals as modulators of bumble bee foraging on Rosa rugosa Thunb. (Rosaceae)
Authors: Dobson Heidi E. M. , Danielson Erica M. , Wesep Isaac D. Van 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBehavioral field studies were conducted to determine if bumble bees (Bombus terrestris L.) can use pollen odor to assess pollen availability in flowers of Rosa rugosa (Rosaceae), a nectarless species with a distinctive pollen odor. Pollen volatiles were added singly and in mixtures to newly opened flowers from which anthers were removed and were offered to free‐flying bumble bees in an array that included intact flowers as controls. The addition of 2‐tridecanone and geranyl acetate reduced landing responses, but the addition of tetradecyl acetate and especially eugenol significantly increased landing frequency as well as the display of vibratile pollen‐collecting behavior, suggesting that they are key chemicals in a bee’s assessment of pollen availability in individual flowers. Bee responses to flowers in which androecia were exchanged between first‐day flowers (with pollen reward) and second‐day flowers (without pollen reward) provide evidence that bee discrimination between flowers is based mainly on stimuli from the anthers. Overall, the findings show that bumble bees foraging on R. rugosa use primarily pollen odor in concert with visual stimuli from the androecium and secondarily petals odors and colors in selecting rewarding flowers. Controlled pollination and bagging studies indicate that R. rugosa requires cross‐pollination by insects, pointing to the selective advantage that pollen odor provides by increases plant fitness through the enhanced foraging efficiency of bumble bee pollinators.
Pollen presentation and pollination syndromes, with special reference to Penstemon
Authors: Thomson James D. , Wilson Paul , Valenzuela Michael , Malzone Maria 
Published: March 2003

AbstractPollen presentation theory (PPT) allows for a re‐examination of some classic themes in pollination biology. Here, we outline its implications in the context of bee‐ and bird‐adapted species of Penstemon and Keckiella (Scrophulariaceae). PPT models the optimal schedule of pollen presentation, based on the frequency of visits by pollinators, and the capacities of those pollinators to remove and deposit pollen. High visitation rates, high removal and low deposition all favor plants that present pollen in many small doses. Dosing is achieved through gradual opening of anthers and through anthers opening only narrowly. We hypothesize that bees have higher rates of removal and lower rates of deposition than birds; therefore, bee‐pollinated species should have anthers that open more gradually and less completely than bird‐pollinated species. Before presenting preliminary results that affirm this prediction, we critically discuss the characterization of species by pollination syndrome. PPT sheds new light on why plants may specialize on particular pollinators. Stebbins’ most effective pollinator can be recast as the pollinator that deposits more of the pollen that it removes, thereby making other visitors into conditional parasites. Pollinator shifts might occur when a pollinator with low removal and high deposition becomes abundant; the plants would then be selected to discourage their previous pollinators who are now parasites. Bird‐pollination may favor anthers that open quickly and widely, thereby making bees wasteful parasites. Bee‐pollination may favor anthers that open slowly and narrowly, thereby making birds ineffective pollinators. In paired comparisons of closely related species, the hummingbird‐visited species were redder, had narrower or longer floral tubes, more exserted anthers and stigmas, less pronounced landing platforms, more inclined orientation, produced more nectar of a lower concentration, and had anthers that dehisce faster and more extensively.
Plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentrations in patients with Kawasaki disease
Authors: Kawamura Takashi , Wago Masakuni , Kawaguchi Hiroshi , Yuge Masahiro Tahara and Masako 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Background: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a cardiac hormone and plasma levels of it increase in patients with congestive heart failure and in those with acute myocardial infarction. Kawasaki disease (KD) is a well‐known generalized vasculitis and the most prominent features of this disease are the cardiovascular manifestations, which involve the pericardium, myocardium, endocardium and coronary arteries. It was hypothesized that the plasma concentrations of BNP in patients with KD might be increased and that plasma BNP might be a useful biological marker of cardiovascular manifestations in patients with KD.
Methods
: Blood was obtained to measure and compare plasma BNP concentrations in the acute (n=32) and convalescent (n=35) phases of KD and in the acute phase of the patients with viral infection (n=26), which included adenovirus, influenza, measles and herpes group virus infection. In patients with KD, two‐dimensional echocardiography was performed to check for pericardial effusion and coronary arterial lesions and to measure the dimensions of the left ventricle at diastole and the shortening fraction of the left ventricle (LVSF).
Results
: The mean plasma BNP concentration in patients with KD in the acute phase was 55.0~39.5 pg/mL, but was 6.8~7.3 pg/mL in patients with viral infection. The plasma BNP concentration in patients with KD in the acute phase was significantly higher than in patients with viral infection (P<0.0001). In 31 cases of KD, the plasma BNP concentrations were measured both in the acute and convalescent phases. The mean plasma BNP concentration in the acute phase of KD was 55.3~40.1 pg/mL and in the convalescent phase was 5.9~5.7 pg/mL. The level of plasma BNP decreased significantly in the convalescent phase (P<0.0001). The mean BNP level in patients with KD with pericardial effusion (n=8) in the acute phase was 80.3~43.4 pg/mL and that in patients without pericardial effusion (n=24) was 46.5~35.1 pg/mL. The BNP level in patients with pericardial effusion was significantly higher than that of patients without pericardial effusion (P<0.05). There was no significant correlation between the plasma concentrations of BNP in the acute phase of KD and LVSF (r=– 0.161, P=0.39, n=31).
Conclusion
: It was shown that the plasma BNP concentration increased in the acute phase of KD and decreased to within normal range in the convalescent phase. Further examinations are needed to clarify the mechanism by which the elevated levels of plasma BNP occur in the acute phase of KD. However, plasma BNP might be a useful biological marker of the cardiovascular manifestations in patients with KD.
Headache etiology in children: A retrospective study of 125 cases
Authors: Deda Gülhis , Çaksen Hüseyin , Öcal Aylin 
Published: March 2003

Abstract

Background
: To determine the headache etiology in children in the middle Anatolia region of Turkey.
Methods
: The clinical and laboratory findings of 125 patients, who were followed up after a diagnosis of headache in our hospital, were reviewed retrospectively. The criteria defined by the International Headache Society (IHS) were used in the classification of patients. The patients were divided into two subgroups according to age intervals: (i) group I, 5–10 years of age; and (ii) group II, 11–16 years of age.
Results
: There were 62 males and 63 females in the study. The patients’ ages ranged from 5 to 16 years (mean (± SD) age 10.67~2.72 years). Headache was more commonly noted between 11 and 16 years of age. While headache was more frequent in male children in group I, there was female predominance in group II. However, there was no significant difference between the groups with respect to age and gender (P>0.05). The most frequent cause of headache was migraine and the remaining causes, in decreasing order, included sinusitis (no. 11 according to IHS criteria) and tension‐type and psychosomatic headaches (no. 13 according to IHS criteria). Of the 125 patients in the study, 85 (68%) had acute headache and 40 (32%) had chronic headache; 44 (35.2%) patients had acute localized‐type headache, 39 (31.2%) suffered from acute recurrent‐type headache, 38 (30.4%) had chronic non‐progressive headache and acute generalized and chronic progressive‐type headache were diagnosed in two (1.6%) patients. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain were performed in 50 and seven patients, respectively; there were abnormal findings in six patients on CT examiniation and in two patients following MRI.
Conclusions
: In conclusion, we stress that the most frequent cause of headache in childhood is migraine and the remaining causes, in decreasing order of frequency, were sinusitis and tension‐type and psychosomatic headaches. Neuroimaging studies, such as CT or MRI, need to be performed, especially in patients with complicated symptoms.
Vagus nerve stimulation for children and adolescents with intractable epilepsies
Authors: Wakai Shuji , Kotagal Prakash 
Published: March 2003

Background
: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of patients >12 years of age with refractory partial epilepsies and it is suggested that VNS should be considered as one of the treatment options for these patients.
Methods
: Four patients had partial epilepsies and one had symptomatic generalized epilepsy. After observation of the baseline seizure frequency and the average seizure frequency for 3 months, the VNS system was implanted. Thereafter, seizure frequency, average seizure frequency of each seizure type during the month just before the evaluation, seizure severity, side effects and quality of life were recorded.
Results
: In four of five patients, overall seizure frequency was reduced >50% after VNS treatment. The seizure types that showed a >50% reduction in frequency were auras, focal clonic, generalized tonic clonic seizures, astatic, versive, hypomotor, generalized tonic and generalized clonic seizures according to Lüders’ classification. In two patients, as major convulsive seizures were reduced in number after VNS treatment, dialeptic seizures (non‐convulsive seizure with lapse of consciousness) gradually appeared. In one patient without significant seizure reduction, quick recovery from postictal periods after generalized tonic seizure was seen after treatment. In one patient with generalized epilepsy, improvement of cognitive function was reported by his guardians. After VNS, the number of antiepileptic drugs was reduced from three to one in one patient. No significant adverse effects were noted in any patients.
Conclusions
: Our results suggest that VNS is well tolerated in young patients with intractable epilepsies and it may be an important non‐pharmacologic treatment option for children with severe epilepsies who cannot tolerate medical therapy and/or are not candidates for epilepsy surgery.
Denver developmental screening test II for early identification of the infants who will develop major neurological deficit as a sequalea of hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy
Authors: Hallioglu Olgu , Topaloglu Ali Kemal , Zenciroglu Aysegul , Duzovali Oznur , Yilgor Esat , Saribas Sezen 
Published: March 2003

Abstract

Background
: The primary aim of this study was to find widely available, inexpensive, and non‐invasive parameters for early identification or prediction of the infants with hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) who will have a severe adverse outcome (classified as death or a major neurological deficit).
Methods
: Fifty‐seven full‐term or near‐term newborn infants with a diagnosis of HIE were consecutively admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and studied. Occurrence of seizures during the first 24 h, cranial ultrasonography (US) findings within the first 5 days of life, and Denver developmental screening test II (DDST II) at 6 months of age, were analyzed in relation to mortality and neurological status at 2 years of age.
Results
: Of the 57 infants, 10 were lost to follow‐up. Twenty of the remaining 47 infants had a severe adverse outcome. Among the predictors of severe adverse outcome, occurrence of seizures was found to have a poor predictive accuracy. Cranial US had 100% sensitivity, however with a rather low specificity (55%). However, DDST II at 6 months of age, yielded a very high predictive accuracy (sensitivity=100%, specificity=95%).
Conclusion
: We conclude that DDST II at 6 months of age could be used in predicting severe neurological outcome in infants with HIE.
High‐dose chemotherapy in children with metastatic hepatoblastoma
Authors: Nishimura Shin‐Ichiro , Sato Takashi , Fujita Naoto , Yamaoka Hiroaki , Hiyama Eiso , Yokoyama Takashi , Ueda Kazuhiro 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background
: Despite the advent of effective chemotherapy, a poor prognosis has been reported for patients with metastatichepatoblastoma. To improve this prognosis, we conducted high‐dose chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow rescue in patients withmetastatic hepatoblastoma.
Methods and results
: Three patients were treated with high‐dose chemotherapy. In patient 1, high‐dose chemotherapywas given after the patient’s first pulmonary relapse. Additional pulmonary metastases, which developed more than 6 monthsafter high‐dose chemotherapy, were treated by multiple thoracotomy without additional chemotherapy. Patient 2 presented additionalpulmonary metastases soon after the end of the first thoracotomy and high‐dose chemotherapy. Because of a decreased serum alpha‐fetoproteinlevel after re‐excision of the pulmonary metastases, a second round of high‐dose chemotherapy was performed. In patient 3, multiplepulmonary metasteses responded to preoperative chemotherapy and disappeared according to the chest computed tomography. Intensivetreatment with a high‐dose chemotherapeutic regimen was performed at the end of postoperative chemotherapy. All three patients are aliveand well, more than 6 years after receiving their diagnosis.
Conclusion
: The role of high‐dose chemotherapy in treatment of metastatic hepatoblastoma could not be clarified,because of the small number of patients. However, the better outcome of our patients indicates that multimodal therapy, including high‐dosechemotherapy, may improve the outcome of the patients with metastatic hepatoblastoma.
Role of protein kinase C in cisplatin nephrotoxicity
Authors: Ikeda Shigenori , Fukuzaki Atsushi , Kaneto Hiroyuki , Ishidoya Shigeto , Orikasa Seiichi 
Published: March 2003

Background: Cisplatin is widely used in cancer treatment. The major disadvantage of this antitumor agent is its nephrotoxicity. The mechanism of cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity has not been clarified. Recent evidence suggests protein kinase C (PKC)‐related signal transduction pathways may modulate cisplatin‐induced cytotoxicity. Methods: The effect of cisplatin administration on PKC expression in the kidney and the effect of a PKC inhibitor on cisplatin‐induced renal impairment were investigated in rats. Results: A single intraperitoneal injection of 8 mg/kg cisplatin induced remarkable damage in the proximal tubules located in the outer medulla, which was associated with impaired renal function, within 48 h. An immunoblotting study revealed marked expression of α‐PKC in membrane fractions of medullary tubules prepared from cisplatin‐treated rats. In addition, pretreatment with the PKC inhibitor (H‐7) protected kidneys from cisplatin‐induced damage. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the nephrotoxic effects of cisplatin may, in part, be related to PKC activation in the renal tubules.
Angiomyofibroblastoma of the female urethra
Authors: Kitamura Hiroshi , Miyao Noriomi , Sato Yoshikazu , Matsukawa Masanori , Tsukamoto Taiji , Sato Takashi 
Published: March 2003

Background: Angiomyofibroblastoma is a relatively recently described rare tumor of the superficial soft tissues. To date, 57 cases of angiomyofibroblastoma of the external genitalia in women have been reported. Methods/Results: We describe a case of a 24‐year‐old woman who presented with the urinary stream flowing out in the posterior direction and whose diagnosis was a urethral tumor, angiomyofibroblastoma. Conclusions: Angiomyofibroblastoma has a potential arising from the female urethra as well as other areas of the external genitalia.
The value of γ‐seminoprotein in combination with prostate specific antigen in detecting prostate cancer
Authors: Nakashima Jun , Nagata Hirohiko , Sumitomo Makoto , Miyajima Akira , Tachibana Masaaki , Baba Shiro , Jitsukawa Seido , Murai Masaru 
Published: March 2003

Background: The present study was undertaken to investigate the value of gamma‐seminoprotein (γ‐Sm) and the γ‐Sm/prostate specific antigen (PSA) ratio in combination with serum PSA in detecting prostate cancer. Methods: Prostate specific antigen, γ‐Sm and the γ‐Sm/PSA ratio were evaluated in 112 patients with untreated prostate cancer and 90 patients without prostate cancer who had serum PSA and γ‐Sm levels above their respective detection limits. Results: When data for all of the patients were analyzed, serum PSA and γ‐Sm levels were significantly higher and the γ‐Sm/PSA ratio was significantly lower in patients with prostate cancer than patients without prostate cancer. The serum PSA and γ‐Sm levels significantly increased and the γ‐Sm/PSA ratio significantly decreased with advancing clinical stage in patients with prostate cancer. Among the patients with serum PSA levels ranging from 1.8 to 6 ng/mL, the γ‐Sm/PSA ratio was significantly lower (P < 0.05) and γ‐Sm levels were lower (P = 0.054) in the patients with prostate cancer than in those without prostate cancer, but serum PSA levels were not significantly different (P = 0.53). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated that the areas under the ROC curves were 0.54 for PSA, 0.65 for γ‐Sm and 0.69 for the γ‐Sm/PSA ratio for prediction of prostate cancer in the PSA range from 1.8 to 6 ng/mL, although the ROC analysis suggested that the γ‐Sm/PSA ratio does not provide significant advantage over PSA in detecting prostate cancer when all of the patients were analyzed. Conclusions: These results suggest that the γ‐Sm/PSA ratio and γ‐Sm may facilitate differentiation between patients with and without prostate cancer who have intermediate PSA levels.
Endorectal ultrasonography for the assessment of rectal wall invasion in intrapelvic tumor: A preliminary report
Authors: Shirahama Tsutomu , Niwa Kiyoshi , Katsura Yoshinori , Yamada Kazutaka , Nagayama Kazuhiro , Yanase Ichirou , Aikou Takashi , Ohi Yoshitada 
Published: March 2003

Background: The purpose of the present study was to determine the usefulness of endorectal ultrasonography (ERUS) in assessing rectal wall involvement in intrapelvic tumors. Methods: Rectal wall invasion was assessed in 16 patients; 14 with deeply invasive bladder tumors, one with prostatic leiomyosarcoma, and one with prostatic leiomyoma. Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and ERUS with a flexible‐type radial scanner (7.5 MHz) were used and the results were compared with the histopathologic findings in surgical specimens. Results: The normal rectum was shown by ERUS to be a five‐ or seven‐layer structure. Characteristic abnormal ERUS findings included disappearance of the perirectal fat tissue layer with or without disruption of the propria muscle layer. Endorectal ultrasonography accurately assessed rectal wall involvement in all four patients who had two bladder tumors, plus the one patient with prostatic leiomyoma and the one with prostatic leiomyosarcoma. However, ERUS overstaged one of 12 bladder tumors with no rectal wall involvement, which was strongly adhesive to the rectum because of an inflammatory change but had no tumor invasion. There were no cases of understaging by ERUS. In comparison, CT accurately assessed rectal wall involvement in two patients, but overstaged in three and understaged in two. Magnetic resonance imaging, which was performed in 14 patients, accurately assessed rectal wall involvement in two patients, but overstaged in three and understaged in one. Conclusion: This preliminary study suggests that ERUS more accurately assesses rectal wall involvement in intrapelvic tumor than CT or MRI.
A case of ileal ureter with proximal antireflux system
Authors: Kato Haruaki , Abol‐Enein Hassan , Igawa Yasuhiko , Nishizawa Osamu , Ghoneim Mohamed 
Published: March 2003

Background: The initial experience of constructing a new antirefluxing valve at the uretero‐ileal junction with ileal substitution is reported. Methods: A new antirefluxing valve was constructed at the uretero‐ileal junction with ileal substitution by fixing the distal part of the ureter between the psoas muscle and ileal segment (the ileo‐psoas tunnel technique). Discussion: The valve created by the technique has been working effectively for preventing the ileo‐ureteral reflux. Pre‐operative hydronephrosis was improved and the renal function has been well preserved. Conclusion: The ileo‐psoas tunnel technique is worthwhile when ileal substitution of the ureter is indicated.
Endocrinologically active retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma with positive iodine‐131‐ metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy
Authors: Tosaka Akira , Ando Masao , Arisawa Chizuru , Okano Tadao 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background
: A case of retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma incidentally found by ultrasonography in a 56‐year old woman is presented.
Methods/Results
: Computed tomography revealed a solid round tumor 6 cm in diameter on the upper pole of the right kidney. Iodine‐131‐metaiodobenzylguanidine weakly accumulated in the tumor 24 and 48 h after the injection. Her serum catecholamines were within normal limits apart from slightly elevated norepinephrine at one of the two examinations. During the operation her serum epinephrine and dopamine levels were elevated to about 50 and 800 times higher than preoperative values, respectively.
Conclusion
: This case is a rare ganglioneuroma in an adult patient that is endocrinologically active.
Leiomyosarcoma of the spermatic cord
Authors: Watanabe Jun , Soma Takahito , Kawa Gen , Hida Shuichi 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background
: A rare case of leiomyosarcoma from the spermatic cord is described. A 72‐year‐old man complained of a hard, golf‐ball sized mass in the right inguinal canal.
Methods
: Transinguinal radical orchiectomy was performed and histologic examination revealed leiomyosarcoma originating from the spermatic cord. Distant metastases were not observed by further examinations. Radiation as adjuvant therapy was carried out in order to prevent the local recurrence.
Results/Discussion
: The patient has been alive for 16 months with no evidence of disease. In leiomyosarcoma of the spermatic cord, locoregional recurrence is common. In addition to transinguinal radical orchiectomy, local radiation therapy should be carried out as an adjuvant.