bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Nyl River floodplain, South Africa, as a functional unit of the landscape: A review of current information
Authors: HIGGINS S. I. , COETZEE M. A. S. , MARNEWECK G. C. , ROGERS K. H. 
Published: December 2003

SummaryThe Nyl River floodplain is one of southern Africa's conservation, eco‐tourism and agricultural assets. Its location in a water‐stressed region means that the biota of the Nyl River floodplain must compete for water resources with other water users. In order to compete, however, the system must clearly articulate its dependence on water and its economic and conservation value. A review of the system's structure and a statement of our present understanding of how the system functions is provided. This information is used to qualitatively assess the system's dependence on run‐off from its catchment areas. Negative impacts on the system's biota, particularly the aquatic plants and waterbirds, are predicted if run‐off is reduced. It is concluded, however, that a quantitative model of the system's functioning is required for the resolution of water resource disputes and for the effective management of the system. It is anticipated that interdisciplinary studies will be required to provide this quantitative model of the Nyl River floodplain and of similar systems.RésuméLa plaine inondable de la rivière Nyl est un des atouts de la conservation, de l'écotourisme et de l'agriculture sudafricains. Sa situation dans une région si pauvre en eau signifie que les communautés vivantes de la plaine inondable de la rivière Nyl sont en compétition pour les ressources en eau avec les autres utilisateurs d'eau. Pour assurer cette compétition, le bassin hydrographique doit clairement articuler sa dépendance vis à vis de l'eau, sa valeur économique et son importance pour la conservation. Nous présentons ici une revue de la structure du système ainsi que l'état de nos connaissances sur le fontionnement de ce système. Cette information est utilisée pour évaluer qualitativement la dépendance du bassin vis à vis de l'écoulement à partir de ses zones de captage. Si le captage est diminué, on prévoit des effets négatifs sur les communautés vivantes du bassin, spécialement sur les plantes aquatiques et les oiseaux d'eau. On conclut cependant qu'il faut établir un modèle quantitatif du fonctionnement du bassin pour résoudre les disputes au sujet de l'eau et pour gérer efficacement le bassin hydrographique. On prévoit que des recherches interdisciplinaires seront nécessaires pour dresser ce modèle quantitatif de la plaine inondable de la rivière Nyl et de bassins hydrographiques comparables.
Food habits of guenons (Cercopithecus spp.) in Afro‐montane forest
Authors: BEESON M. , TAME S. , KEEMING E. , LEA S. E. G. 
Published: December 2003

SummaryThe diet and feeding behaviour of Cercopithecus preussi in montane forest on Kilum Mountain, Cameroon, was studied over a period of 15 months and compared with that of Cercopithecus mitis observed over a similar period in montane forest on the Zomba Plateau, Malawi. Cercopithecus preussi was found to eat fruit with a similar frequency to C. mitis, but to eat mature tree leaves less often. When the frequency of total green plant intake was compared, however, C. preussi ate this category more often than C. mitis. This may reflect the raised foliar protein levels at Kilum, a longer rainy season increasing the availability of preferred food items and the greater terrestriality of C. preussi, bringing it into contact with more herb leaf blades. Both C. preussi and C. mitis eat the blades of mature tree leaves relatively rarely, preferring leaf shoots (C. preussi) and leaf petioles (C. mitis).RésuméOn a étudié pendant quinze mois le régime et le comportement alimentaire de Cercopithecus preussi dans la forêt de montagne du Mont Kilum, au Cameroun, et on les a comparés avec ceux de Cercopithecus mitis observé pendant une période comparable dans une forêt de montagne du Plateau de Zomba, au Malawi. On a découvert que Cercopithecus preussi mangeait des fruits aussi fréquemment que C. mitis, mais qu'il mangeait moins souvent des feuilles d'arbres matures. Lorsqu'on a comparé l'absorption totale de plantes vertes cependant, C. preussi en mangeait plus que C. mitis. Ceci peut refléter un taux de protéines plus élevé dans les feuilles à Kilum, une saison des pluies plus longue augmentant la disponibilité de la nourriture préférée, et le fait que C. preussi est plus terrestre, ce qui le met plus en contact avec les feuilles d'herbes. C preussi et C mitis mangent relativement rarement les feuilles matures des arbes, preferant les jeunes pousses de feuilles (C. preussi) et les petioles des feuilles (C mitis).
Observations on the status and distribution of the West African manatee in Cameroon
Authors: GRIGIONE M. M. 
Published: December 2003

SummaryDuring June‐August 1989, a survey of manatee distribution and status in Cameroon was undertaken by conducting land and boat surveys of four regions: Korup, Mamfe, Edea, and Kribi. Manatee density, based on frequency of reported sightings, appears to be high in certain areas of Korup, Mamfe, and Edea. Manatee exploitation does not appear to be common. The reasons for this, however, are due to human attitudes and perceptions towards the manatee rather than laws protecting the manatee. This study underscores the importance of understanding human attitudes associated with a particular species if we are to develop effective conservation strategies for species survival.RésuméDe juin à août 1989, on a mené une étude sur la distribution et le statut des lamantins au Cameroun, en parcourant sur terre et par bateau quatre régions: Korup, Mamfe, Edea et Kribi. La densité des lamantins, basée sur la fréquence des observations rapportées, semble élévee dans certaines régions de Korup, Mamfe et Edea. L'exploitation des lamantins ne semble pas être commune. Les raisons en sont cependant dues à l'attitude et à la fa¸on des hommes de voir les lamantins plutôt qu'à des lois qui les protégeraient. Cette étude souliqne l'importance d'une bonne compréhension de l'attitude des hommes vis‐à‐vis d'une espece particulière si nous souhaitons mettre au point une stratégie de conservation efficace pour la survie de l'espèce.
Structure and diversity comparison of three dry forests at Nakuru National Park, Kenya
Authors: MUTANGAH J. G. , AGNEW A. D. Q. 
Published: December 2003

SummaryThree types of dry forest, dominated by either Acacia xanthophloea, Euphorbia candelabrum or Olea europaea spp. africana, at Lake Nakuru National Park were sampled using a fixed radius point‐centred quarter method. The density estimates from these data should be more accurate than those derived from normal point‐centred quarter measures. By comparing species area curves erected probabilistically using the density estimate with those from a random (Monte Carlo) sampling of the frequency data set we were able to confirm the validity of our field sampling and density estimating procedure. We found that overall species' diversity and equitability indices gave differences between the three forest types as sampled which were the inverse of the trends demonstrated by species area curves, and suggest that the indices reflect a diversity while the species area curves have to do with P diversity or habitat heterogeneity. We use these results to argue that the structure of evergreen dry woodland merits further study.RésuméTrois types de forets sèches, dominées par Acacia xanthophloea, Euphorbia candelabrum ou Olea europaea spp. africana, ont étééchantillonnées au Pare National du Lac Nakuru en utilisant une methode de quartier à rayon fixe, centré sur un point. Les estimations de densité provenant de ces données devraient être plus précises que celles dérivées des mesures normales de quartier centré sur un point. En comparant les zones de courbes par espèce projetées d'après un calcul de probabilité utilisant les estimations de densité, avec celles obtenues d'un échantillonnage au hasard (Monte Carlo) des données de fréquence, nous avons pu confirmer la validité de notre échantillonnage de terrain et de la procédure d'estimation des densités. Nous avons trouvé que la diversité générale des espèces et les index d'équitabilité donnaient des différences entre les trois types de forêts tels qu'on les avait échantillonnés, qui allaient à l'inverse des tendances démontrées par les zones de courbes par espèces et suggere que les indices reflètent une diversitéα alors que les zones de courbes par espèces reflétent une diversitéβ ou une hétérogénéité d'habitat. Nous utilisons ces résultats pour justifier le fait que la structure des foréts sèches sempervirentes mérite une recherche plus approfondie.
Prey diversity and selectivity of the African fish eagle: data from a roost in northern Kenya
Authors: STEWART KATHLYN , MATTHIESEN DIANA , LEBLANC LEOLA , WEST JOLEE 
Published: December 2003

A total of 1872 bones from a fish eagle roost at Lake Turkana, Kenya was identified and analysed to provide data on fish eagle prey and diet. The approach of this study complements field observation studies in that it provides a long‐term analysis and quantification of the diet, rather than short qualitative observations. The study found that, at least where fish is relatively abundant, fish eagles are both selective and opportunistic: selective in taking preferred fish in much greater proportions than natural availability, and also in avoiding unwanted fish regardless of abundance, but opportunistic in taking certain other species in proportion to their availability. They also show considerable selection in size and habitat preferences of prey. Non‐fish prey forms a considerable proportion of the diet, and probably represents both opportunistic hunting, possibly when conditions for fishing are poor, and killing of other predators robbing fish eagle nests.As well as describing and quantifying the fish eagle diet at Lake Turkana, data from this study suggest that further study is needed to quantify the impact of fish eagle predation on Clarias lazera, a rare, but valuable species to the Lake Turkana fishery. The study of bird roost prey remains also provides baseline data for studies of fossil microfaunal accumulations. Scatters of bones under fish eagle roosts are common in eastern Africa, and undoubtedly contribute to many of the fossil bone accumulations recovered. One of us (DM) has noted that the taxonomic and skeletal composition of the Koobi Fora roost bears a great resemblance to some of the clusters she is analysing from Olduvai Gorge. Further similar studies will provide additional data on bird roost accumulations.
The distribution patterns of reptiles in the Riff region, northern Morocco
Authors: REAL R. , PLEGUEZUELOS J. M. , FAHD S. 
Published: December 2003

A biogeographical classification of reptiles in the Riff region (northern Morocco, Africa) was carried out to look for shared distribution patterns, here termed chorotypes. Baroni‐Urbani & Buser's similarity index was applied to the presence/absence data of reptiles in 10×10 km UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) squares, and then UPGMA (Unweighted Pair‐Group Method using arithmetic average) was used to classify the species. A probabilistic method was employed to assess the statistical significance of the groups obtained. An ordination method, the Canonical Correspondence Analysis, was also used to study the distribution of the reptiles within a continuous framework.A gradual longitudinal replacement of reptile species was found throughout the Riff, with no sharp discontinuities for the distributions of most of the species. This may be due to the biogeographical northward movement of the Saharan boundaries, which have not yet reached biogeographical equilibrium. Thus, Saharan reptiles enter the Riff region from the east, through the lower basin of the River Moulouya.Seven reptile chorotypes were identified in the Riff, and these comprise Mediterranean species and others endemic to the Maghreb (the region that spans most of North‐western Africa, excluding the Sahara). These chorotypes have a western distribution, and are segregated from one another according to altitude. Historical and ecological processes can account for the distributions shared by these species, which have inhabited the Riff for longer than eastern reptiles.
Problems with capnography at high altitude*
Authors: Pattinson K. , Myers S. , Gardner‐Thorpe C. 
Published: December 2003

SummaryThe aim of this study was to investigate why capnographs malfunction at high altitude, in order to suggest ways of improving instrument reliability. Four machines were decompressed to simulated high altitude and measurements taken. The study showed that the reduced air density at altitude has effects upon the pump, causing difficulty in entraining gas, and that high altitude has additional effects upon calibration of the instruments.
Bougie‐assisted difficult airway management in a manikin – the effect of position held on placement and force exerted by the tip*
Authors: Hodzovic I. , Wilkes A. R. , Latto I. P. 
Published: December 2003

SummaryIn a randomised cross‐over study, 50 anaesthetists attempted to place a multiple‐use bougie in the trachea of a manikin, when holding it at either 20 cm or 30 cm from the tip. A grade 3 laryngoscopic view was simulated. The anaesthetists were blinded to success (tracheal placement) or failure (oesophageal placement). The success rates when held at 20 and 30 cm distance from the tip were 68 and 62%, respectively (p = 0.55). In a separate experiment, multiple and single‐use bougies were held at four different positions and pressed onto a disc attached to a force transducer. The peak force exerted by the single‐use bougies was two to three times greater than that which could be exerted by the multiple‐use bougies (p < 0.0001). Holding the bougie at either 20 or 30 cm distance from the tip is unlikely to influence bougie placement. The single‐use bougie is much more likely to cause trauma to tissue during placement, particularly if held close to the tip.
A prospective, randomised clinical evaluation of a new safety‐orientated injectable drug administration system in comparison with conventional methods*
Authors: Webster C. S. , Merry A. F. , Gander P. H. , Mann N. K. 
Published: December 2003

SummaryFifteen anaesthetists were observed while providing anaesthesia for 15 pairs of adult cardiac surgical operations, using conventional methods for one of each pair and a new drug administration system designed to reduce error for the other. Aspects of each method were rated by users on 10‐cm visual analogue scales (10 being best). The new system was rated more favourably than conventional methods in terms of safety (median [range] = 8.1 [6.8–9.7] vs. 7.1 [2.6–9.3] cm; p = 0.001) and usability (8.5 [5.9–9.4] vs. 7.5 [3.2–9.8] cm; p = 0.027). The new system saved preparation time both before anaesthesia (median [range] = 180 [32–480] vs. 360 [120–600] s; p = 0.013) and during anaesthesia (10 [2–38] vs. 12 [10–60] s; p = 0.009). Prefilled syringes for the new system increased costs by €23.00 per anaesthetic (p = 0.041), but this increase is likely to be offset by the potential of the new system to decrease costly iatrogenic harm by preventing drug error.
The effect of nitrous oxide on cerebral blood flow velocity in children anaesthetised with sevoflurane*
Authors: Rowney D. A. , Fairgrieve R. , Bissonnette B. 
Published: December 2003

SummaryTo determine the effects of nitrous oxide on middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity (CBFV) during sevoflurane anaesthesia in children, CBFV was measured using transcranial Doppler sonography in 16 ASA I or II children. Anaesthesia consisted of 1.0 MAC sevoflurane in 30% oxygen with intermittent positive pressure ventilation maintaining FEco2 at 38 mmHg (5.0 kPa) and a caudal epidural block using 0.25% bupivacaine 1.0 ml.kg−1. The remainder of the inspired gas was varied in one of two sequences either air/nitrous oxide/air or nitrous oxide/air/nitrous oxide. The results showed that CBFV decreased when nitrous oxide was replaced by air (p = 0.03) and returned to its initial value when nitrous oxide was reintroduced. CBFV increased when air was replaced by nitrous oxide (p = 0.04) and returned to its initial value when air was reintroduced. Mean heart rate and blood pressure remained constant. We conclude that nitrous oxide increases cerebral blood flow velocity in healthy children anaesthetised with 1.0 MAC sevoflurane.
Therapeutic impact of intra‐operative transoesophageal echocardiography during noncardiac surgery*
Authors: Hofer C. K. , Zollinger A. , Rak M. , Matter‐Ensner S. , Klaghofer R. , Pasch Th. , Zalunardo M. P. 
Published: December 2003

SummaryThe impact of transoesophageal echocardiography on haemodynamic management during elective noncardiac surgery was assessed during this observational prospective database analysis. Ninety‐nine consecutive patients were studied, who were at risk of intra‐operative myocardial ischaemia or haemodynamic instability (Class II indications) and were undergoing vascular, visceral or chest surgery. A total of 165 new echocardiographic findings were recorded. Based on these findings changes in drug therapy were made in 47% and changes in fluid therapy in 24% of patients. Left ventricular wall motion abnormalities were seen in 32% and other relevant diagnoses made in 10%. Echocardiography showed a significant impact on drug therapy in patients with pre‐operative systolic wall motion abnormalities (vasodilators: OR = 7.1, CI 95% = 2.1/24.0; vasopressors: OR = 3.3, CI 95% = 1.2/9.1) and patients with a history of left heart failure (vasodilators: OR = 5.2, CI 95% = 1.0/31.4). Fluid therapy was significantly influenced by echocardiographic findings during liver and lung transplantation (50% compared with 24% during other surgical interventions, p < 0.05).
‘True’ antimitochondrial antibody-negative primary biliary cirrhosis, low sensitivity of the routine assays, or both?
Authors: MURATORI P , MURATORI L , GERSHWIN M E , CZAJA A J , PAPPAS G , MACCARIELLO S , GRANITO A , CASSANI F , LORIA P , LENZI M , BIANCHI F B 
Published: December 2003

SUMMARYAnti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) is considered the serological hallmark of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), but may be missing in a proportion of these patients. We assessed sensitivity and specificity of the currently available techniques for AMA detection in a large series of PBC patients and controls, and analysed their clinical and immunological features according to the AMA status. By indirect immunofluorescence on rat tissue sections and HEp-2 cells, Western immunoblot with bovine submitochondrial particles, and two ELISAs with AMA-specific recombinant proteins, we evaluated the presence of AMA in 127 PBC patients, 166 patients with type 1 autoimmune hepatitis and 100 with non alcoholic fatty liver disease. In PBC patients Western immunoblot detects AMA significantly more often than indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2 cells (85%versus 72%, P = 0·02) or rodent tissue sections (71%, P = 0·01); both ELISAs are only slightly less sensitive than Western immunoblot (81% and 78%). Ten patients with non alcoholic fatty liver disease were AMA-positive by indirect immunofluorescence, but none recognized AMA-specific epitopes in Western immunoblot or in ELISAs. Twelve patients with type 1 autoimmune hepatitis were AMA-positive by indirect immunofluorescence, but only 6 (3·6%) reacted by Western immunoblot and ELISAs. Western immunoblot or ELISA should be regarded as first-line assay for the detection of AMA. Up to 15% of PBC patients are consistently AMA-negative, yet they share the same clinical, biochemical and histological features of AMA-positive PBC. Detection of AMA in type 1 autoimmune hepatitis might identify a subset of patients at risk of developing a hepatitic/cholestatic syndrome.
IgE-dependent enhancement of Th2 cell-mediated allergic inflammation in the airways
Authors: MAEZAWA Y , NAKAJIMA H , SETO Y , SUTO A , KUMANO K , KUBO S , KARASUYAMA H , SAITO Y , IWAMOTO I 
Published: December 2003

SUMMARYT helper 2 (Th2) cell-derived cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13, play important roles in causing allergic airway inflammation. In contrast to Th2 cells, however, the role of IgE and mast cells in inducing allergic airway inflammation is not understood fully. In the present study, we addressed this point using transgenic mice expressing trinitrophenyl (TNP)-specific IgE (TNP–IgE mice), which enable us to investigate the role of IgE without the influence of antigen-specific T cell activation and other immunoglobulins. When the corresponding antigen, TNP–BSA, was administered intranasally to TNP–IgE mice, a large number of CD4+ T cells were recruited into the airways. In contrast, TNP–BSA administration did not induce eosinophil recruitment into the airways or airway hyperreactivity. Furthermore, when ovalbumin (OVA)-specific Th2 cells were transferred to TNP–IgE mice and the mice were challenged with inhaled OVA, TNP–BSA administration increased OVA-specific T cell recruitment and then enhanced Th2 cell-mediated eosinophil recruitment into the airways. These results indicate that IgE-induced mast cell activation principally induces CD4+ T cell recruitment into the airways and thus plays an important role in enhancing Th2 cell-mediated eosinophilic airway inflammation by recruiting Th2 cells into the site of allergic inflammation.
Quantitative and functional characteristics of intestinal-homing memory T cells: analysis of Crohn's disease patients and healthy controls
Authors: HART A L , KAMM M A , KNIGHT S C , STAGG A J 
Published: December 2003

SUMMARYCirculating memory T cells can be subdivided on the basis of β7 integrin expression. The β7+ population contains cells primed in the intestine capable of homing back to the gut. We hypothesized that cytokine production by β7+ memory T cells reflects the specialized mucosal compartment in which they were primed. Flow cytometry of whole blood was used to assess numbers of β7+ (β7hi and β7int) and β7– memory T cells and their production of Th1 and regulatory cytokines in healthy controls and Crohn's disease patients. In controls, β7+ and β7– memory T cells displayed a similar qualitative profile of cytokine production but the β7+ population was enriched for cytokine-producing effector cells. In addition, the β7hi population contained more cytokine-producing cells than the β7int population, suggesting a gradient of cytokine production based on β7 integrin expression. In active Crohn's disease, there was altered expression of β7 integrin with a decrease in intestinal-homing memory T cells and an increase in systemic memory T cells. Furthermore, there was a selective loss of IL-10 and increase in TGF-β in both β7+ and β7– memory T cell subsets which may contribute to the pathogenesis of the inflammatory process in Crohn's disease.