bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors shaping the range‐size frequency distribution of the endemic fish fauna of the Tropical Eastern Pacific
Authors: Mora Camilo , Ross Robertson D. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractAim To assess the effect of habitat fragmentation and isolation in determining the range‐size frequency distribution (RFD) of the shorefish fauna endemic to a discrete biogeographical region.Location The Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP).Methods Habitat isolation represents the separation between oceanic islands and the continental shore of the TEP and habitat fragmentation the degree of spatial continuity of habitats (i.e. reefs, soft bottom, nearshore waters) along the continental coast of the TEP. The effects of habitat isolation and fragmentation were quantified by comparing the RFDs of (1) the species found on oceanic islands vs. the continental shore, and (2) species on the continental shore that use different habitat types.Results The RFD of the entire TEP fauna was bimodal, with peaks at both small‐ and large‐range ends of the spectrum. The small‐range peak was due almost entirely to island species and the large‐range peak due mainly to species found in both the continental shore and oceanic islands. RFDs varied among species using different habitats on the continental shore: reef‐fishes had a right‐skewed RFD, soft‐bottom species a flat RFD, and coastal‐pelagic fishes a left‐skewed RFD.Main conclusions Variation in dispersal capabilities associated with habitat isolation and fragmentation in the TEP appears to be the main mechanism contributing to differences among RFD structure, although variation in tolerances arising from the dynamic regional environment may contribute to some patterns. Because diversity patterns are strongly affected by RFD structure, it is now evident that the insular and continental components of a fauna should be treated separately when analysing such patterns. Furthermore, contrasts in RFD structure among species using different habitats demonstrate that a full understanding of the causes of diversity patterns requires analyses of complete regional faunas in relation to regional geography.
The biogeography of otophysan fishes (Ostariophysi: Otophysi): a new appraisal
Authors: Briggs John C. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractAim  To present a new hypothetical history of the otophysan fishes.Location  World‐wide.Methods  Utilization of recent information about otophysan phylogeny, palaeontology, biogeography and external relations.Results  Anatomical, mitochondrial DNA and karological research has indicated that the Cypriniformes is the most primitive of the four orders that comprise the Otophysi. The Siluriformes is next in the phylogenetic progression followed by the Characiformes and the Gymnotiformes. A molecular clock estimate indicated that the divergence time between the cypriniforms and the remaining otophysans took place about 250 Ma. But, otophysans have apparently never occurred on Madagascar‐India and that land mass did not separate from Africa until 158–160 Ma. As we know that some otophysans existed in Africa–South America prior to 115 Ma, they must have originated between 115 and 160 Ma.Main conclusions  Comparison of phylogeny and biogeography appears to indicate that the Otophysi originated in South America, the location of the apomorphic Gymnotiformes. It seems that the gymnotiforms did not radiate in time to get across to Africa and the characiforms did not expand in time to catch the connection to Asia. Apparently, it was only the ancestors to the cypriniform and siluriform lines that expanded early enough to reach Asia in the late Jurassic. There remains a gap of about 80 Myr between the oldest known otophysan fossil and the approximate time of dispersal to Asia. Further progress awaits more phylogenetic or fossil discoveries.
Nonparametric Estimation of the Hazard Function by Using a Model Selection Method: Estimation of Cancer Deaths in Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Survivors
Authors: Martin-Magniette M. L. 
Published: January 2005

Summary
Controversy has intensified regarding the death-rate from cancer that is induced by a dose of radiation. In the models that are usually considered the hazard function is an increasing function of the dose of radiation. Such models can mask local variations. We consider the models of excess relative risk and of absolute risk and propose a nonparametric estimation of the effect of the dose by using a model selection procedure. This estimation deals with stratified data. We approximate the function of the dose by a collection of splines and select the best one according to the Akaike information criterion. In the same way between the models of excess relative risk or excess absolute risk, we choose the model that best fits the data. We propose a bootstrap method for calculating a pointwise confidence interval of the dose function. We apply our method for estimating the solid cancer and leukaemia death hazard functions to Hiroshima.
Inference in Disease Transmission Experiments by Using Stochastic Epidemic Models
Authors: Höhle Michael , Jørgensen Erik , O’Neill Philip D. 
Published: January 2005

SummaryThe paper extends the susceptible–exposed–infective–removed model to handle heterogeneity introduced by spatially arranged populations, biologically plausible distributional assumptions and incorporation of observations from additional diagnostic tests. These extensions are motivated by a desire to analyse disease transmission experiments in a more detailed fashion than before. Such experiments are performed by veterinarians to gain knowledge about the dynamics of an infectious disease. By fitting our spatial susceptible–exposed–infective–removed with diagnostic testing model to data for a specific disease and production environment a valuable decision support tool is obtained, e.g. when evaluating on-farm control measures. Partial observability of the epidemic process is an inherent problem when trying to estimate model parameters from experimental data. We therefore extend existing work on Markov chain Monte Carlo estimation in partially observable epidemics to the multitype epidemic set-up of our model. Throughout the paper, data from a Belgian classical swine fever virus transmission experiment are used as a motivating example.
Design and Analysis of Variable Fidelity Experimentation Applied to Engine Valve Heat Treatment Process Design
Authors: Huang Deng , Allen Theodore T. 
Published: January 2005

Summary
When experimentation on a real system is expensive, data are often collected by using cheaper, lower fidelity surrogate systems. The paper concerns response surface methods in the context of variable fidelity experimentation. We propose the use of generalized least squares to generate the predictions. We also present perhaps the first optimal designs for variable fidelity experimentation, using an extension of the expected integrated mean-squared error criterion. Numerical tests are used to compare the performance of the method with alternatives and to investigate the robustness to incorporated assumptions. The method is applied to automotive engine valve heat treatment process design in which real world data were mixed with data from two types of computer simulation.
Chemical, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of statins: an update
Authors: Schachter Michael 
Published: January 2005

AbstractStatins are the treatment of choice for the management of hypercholesterolaemia because of their proven efficacy and safety profile. They also have an increasing role in managing cardiovascular risk in patients with relatively normal levels of plasma cholesterol. Although all statins share a common mechanism of action, they differ in terms of their chemical structures, pharmacokinetic profiles, and lipid‐modifying efficacy. The chemical structures of statins govern their water solubility, which in turn influences their absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion. Lovastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin are derived from fungal metabolites and have elimination half‐lives of 1–3 h. Atorvastatin, cerivastatin (withdrawn from clinical use in 2001), fluvastatin, pitavastatin and rosuvastatin are fully synthetic compounds, with elimination half‐lives ranging from 1 h for fluvastatin to 19 h for rosuvastatin. Atorvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin, cerivastatin and pitavastatin are relatively lipophilic compounds. Lipophilic statins are more susceptible to metabolism by the cytochrome P450 system, except for pitavastatin, which undergoes limited metabolism via this pathway. Pravastatin and rosuvastatin are relatively hydrophilic and not significantly metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes. All statins are selective for effect in the liver, largely because of efficient first‐pass uptake; passive diffusion through hepatocyte cell membranes is primarily responsible for hepatic uptake of lipophilic statins, while hydrophilic agents are taken up by active carrier‐mediated processes. Pravastatin and rosuvastatin show greater hepatoselectivity than lipophilic agents, as well as a reduced potential for uptake by peripheral cells. The bioavailability of the statins differs greatly, from 5% for lovastatin and simvastatin to 60% or greater for cerivastatin and pitavastatin. Clinical studies have demonstrated rosuvastatin to be the most effective for reducing low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, followed by atorvastatin, simvastatin and pravastatin. As a class, statins are generally well tolerated and serious adverse events, including muscle toxicity leading to rhabdomyolysis, are rare. Consideration of the differences between the statins helps to provide a rational basis for their use in clinical practice.
Herb–drug interactions: an overview of the clinical evidence
Authors: Izzo Angelo A. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractHerbal medicines are mixtures of more than one active ingredient. The multitude of pharmacologically active compounds obviously increases the likelihood of interactions taking place. Hence, the likelihood of herb–drug interactions is theoretically higher than drug–drug interactions, if only because synthetic drugs usually contain single chemical entities. Case reports and clinical studies have highlighted the existence of a number of clinically important interactions, although cause‐and‐effect relationships have not always been established. Herbs and drugs may interact either pharmacokinetically or pharmacodynamically. Through induction of cytochrome P450 enzymes and/or P‐glycoprotein, some herbal products (e.g. St John's wort) have been shown to lower the plasma concentration (and/or the pharmacological effect) of a number of conventional drugs, including cyclosporine, indinavir, irinotecan, nevirapine, oral contraceptives and digoxin. The majority of such interactions involves medicines that require regular monitoring of blood levels. To date there is less evidence relating to the pharmacodynamic interaction. However, for many of the interactions discussed here, the understanding of the mechanisms involved is incomplete. Taking herbal agents may represent a potential risk to patients under conventional pharmacotherapy.
How appropriate is asthma therapy in general practice?
Authors: Laforest Laurent , Pacheco Yves , Bousquet Jean , Sazonov Kocevar Vasilisa , Yin Don , Van Ganse Eric 
Published: January 2005

AbstractHigh association between burden of asthma and inadequate disease control make asthma management a major public health issue. We studied asthma management practices of general practitioners (GPs) in France to describe drug therapy and more specifically, to identify correlates of antibiotic prescriptions, a marker of inappropriate asthma management. Patients with persistent asthma aged 17–50 years were evaluated in a 12‐month retrospective study using a computerized GPs database (Thales) and a patient survey, in which patients reported hospital contacts, use of oral corticosteroids and recent asthma symptoms. Therapy was described and the correlates of antibiotic prescriptions in the previous year were identified using multivariate logistic regression. During the study period, 16.4% of 1038 patients received one or more prescriptions of theophylline, 31.3% long‐acting beta‐agonists and 61.6% inhaled corticosteroids. Rates of prescription of antibiotics, expectorants, antihistamines, antitussives and nasal corticosteroids were 57.6, 42.0, 33.0, 19.9, and 14.4%, respectively. In parallel, 15% of patients reported at least one hospital contact for asthma and 43.1% used oral corticosteroids. Antibiotic prescriptions were more likely co‐prescribed in patients using expectorants [odds ratio (OR) = 13.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 8.5–19.8] and antitussives (OR = 6.5, 95% CI =3.7–11.6). Moreover, patients using courses of oral corticosteroids, and often visiting their GP (more than four times) during the study period were more likely to receive antibiotics. The results were unchanged when analyses were restricted to non‐smokers and younger patients (≤40 years). Asthma management was sub‐optimal among asthma patients treated by general practitioners in France. Antibiotics, expectorants, antihistamines, antitussives and nasal corticosteroids were commonly prescribed while asthma controllers were under‐used.
CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 genetic polymorphisms: frequencies in the south Indian population
Authors: Jose Rosemary , Chandrasekaran Adithan , Sam Soya Sisy , Gerard Nathalie , Chanolean Shashindran , Abraham Benny K. , Satyanarayanamoorthy K. , Peter Anitha , Rajagopal Krishnamoorthy 
Published: January 2005

AbstractThe aim of the study was to establish the frequencies of CYP2C9*1, *2, *3 and CYP2C19*1, *2 and *3 in the south Indian population and to compare them with the inter‐racial distribution of the CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 genetic polymorphisms. Genotyping analyses of CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 were conducted in unrelated, healthy volunteers from the three south Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala, by the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment‐length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP). The allele frequencies of the populations of these three states were then pooled with our previous genotyping data of Tamilians (also in south India), to arrive at the distribution of CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 alleles in the south Indian population. Frequencies of CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 alleles and genotypes among various populations were compared using the two‐tailed Fisher's exact test. The frequencies of CYP2C9*1, *2 and *3 in the south Indian population were 0.88 (95% CI 0.85–0.91), 0.04 (95% CI 0.02–0.06) and 0.08 (95% CI 0.06–0.11), respectively. The frequencies of CYP2C9 genotypes *1/*1, *1/*2, *1/*3, *2/*2, *2/*3 and *3/*3 were 0.78 (95% CI 0.74–0.82), 0.05 (95% CI 0.03–0.07), 0.15 (95% CI 0.12–0.18), 0.01 (95% CI 0.0–0.02), 0.01 (95% CI 0.0–0.02) and 0.0, respectively. CYP2C19*1, *2 and *3 frequencies were 0.64 (95% CI 0.60–0.68), 0.35 (95% CI 0.31–0.39) and 0.01 (95% CI 0.0–0.03), respectively. As a result of a significant heterogeneity, the data on CYP2C19 genotype frequencies were not pooled. The frequency of CYP2C9*2 mutant alleles in south Indians was higher than in Chinese and Caucasians, while CYP2C9*3 was similar to Caucasians. CYP2C19*2 was higher than in other major populations reported so far. The relatively high CYP2C19 poor‐metabolizer genotype frequency of 12.6% indicates that over 28 million south Indians are poor metabolizers of CYP2C19 substrates.
Experimental evidence for in vitro fluid transport in the presence of a traditional medicinal fruit extract across rat everted intestinal sacs
Authors: Mahomoodally Mohamad Fawzi , Gurib‐Fakim Ameenah , Subratty Anwar Hussein 
Published: January 2005

AbstractThe present study was designed to investigate the effects of aqueous fruit extract of Momordica charantia (MC), a traditional medicinal plant, on the transport of fluid in vitro. Everted intestinal sacs from rats were mounted in an organ bath containing Krebs solution. We compared the effect of MC extract on water transport with increasing inorganic phosphate concentration with or without d‐glucose in the buffer. In the control experiments, fluid uptake was enhanced significantly (P < 0.05) at high inorganic phosphate concentration (8–10 mm) in the presence of 5.5 mmd‐glucose. Addition of 3.0 mg/mL MC extract to the serosal side inhibits the uptake of fluid significantly (P < 0.05). At high inorganic phosphate concentration (8–10 mm), fluid uptake was not inhibited (P > 0.05) when incubated with 3.0 mg/mL MC fruit extract. It is hypothesized that an increase in inorganic phosphate enhances oxidative phosphorylation thereby increasing the fluid uptake across everted intestinal sacs of rat. These findings seem to indicate that the MC‐induced reduction on intestinal fluid absorption capacity could be mainly the result of an interference with the carrier‐mediated coupled entrance of glucose and Na+ across the brush‐border membrane.
The Forest Owlet Heteroglaux blewitti: vocalization, breeding biology and conservation
Authors: ISHTIAQ FARAH , RAHMANI ASAD R. 
Published: January 2005

The little‐known, endemic Forest Owlet Heteroglaux blewitti was studied from June 1998 to June 1999 in Maharashtra, India. Vocalizations associated with contact, courtship feeding and food solicitation were recorded and sonagrams are presented for the first time. The nesting period started in October 1998 and continued until May 1999. Four nests were located and three were monitored for intensive studies on the breeding biology. Thirty days were spent on incubation (n = 2), mainly performed by the female while the male supplied food to the female and chicks. The observed brood size was two. The chicks fledged at 40 days but were dependent on their parents for food and protection for a further 45 days. The very low population density of the species could be due to degraded and fragmented habitat, scarcity of nest‐sites or cronism observed in the species.
Seasonal clutch size variation of multi‐brooded bird species: comparisons between breeding season and latitudes
Authors: GIL‐DELGADO JOSÉ A. , MARCO EVA , PAREDES MARIADELA , VIVES‐FERRÁNDIZ CARMEN 
Published: January 2005

Single‐ and multi‐brooded species of birds differ in their seasonal patterns of clutch size. Single‐brooded species start with a maximum clutch size that declines continuously as the season progresses, whereas the clutch sizes of multi‐brooded species usually increase to a mid‐season maximum peak and then decrease progressively until the end of the breeding season. Previous studies have shown that multi‐brooded migrant species present seasonal patterns that are similar to single‐brooded species at high latitudes but similar to multi‐brooded non‐migratory species at lower latitudes. We studied the Greenfinch Carduelis chloris and Goldfinch C. carduelis populations in eastern Spain (Sagunto, Valencia) between 1975 and 2002 to compare seasonal variations in clutch sizes between years with early and late starts to the breeding season. The period over which clutch sizes increase was longer when the breeding season started earlier. The Goldfinch population showed no pattern of initial increase in clutch size when there was a late start to the breeding season: a late start shortens the season giving them less time to breed, and may also coincide with maximum food availability. Thus, the pattern of single‐brooded species was observed. In the Greenfinch population, a trend toward the seasonal pattern of single‐brooded species was also observed when the following indices were compared: clutch size increase, modal timing, initial slope and timing of maximum clutch size. We have also compared the seasonal patterns of clutch size of both species in eastern Spain with the patterns observed in Britain. Our results show that for both Goldfinches and Greenfinches, the non‐migrant southern populations of Sagunto in eastern Spain do not tend towards a more multi‐brooded seasonal pattern of clutch size than the migrant Goldfinches of Britain.
Avian distribution in treefall gaps and understorey ofterra firmeforest in the lowland Amazon
Authors: M. WUNDERLE JOSEPH , WILLIG MICHAEL R. , PINTO HENRIQUES LUIZA MAGALLI 
Published: January 2005

We compared the bird distributions in the understorey of treefall gaps and sites with intact canopy in Amazonianterra firmeforest in Brazil. We compiled 2216 mist‐net captures (116 species) in 32 gap and 32 forest sites over 22.3 months. Gap habitats differed from forest habitats in having higher capture rates, total captures, species richness and diversity. Seventeen species showed a significantly different distribution of captures between the two habitats (13 higher in gap and four higher in forest). Gap habitats had higher capture rates for nectarivores, frugivores and insectivores. Among insectivores, capture rates for solitary insectivores and army ant followers did not differ between the two habitats. In contrast, capture rates were higher in gaps for members of mixed‐species insectivore flocks and mixed‐species insectivore–frugivore flocks. Insectivores, especially members of mixed‐species flocks, were the predominant species in gap habitats, where frugivores and nectarivores were relatively uncommon. Although few canopy species were captured in gap or forest habitats, visitors from forest mid‐storey constituted 42% of the gap specialist species (0% forest) and 46% of rare gap species (38% forest). Insectivore, and total, captures increased over time, but did so more rapidly in gap than in forest habitats, possibly as a response to gap succession. However, an influx of birds displaced by nearby timber harvest also may have caused these increases. Avian gap‐use in Amazonianterra firmeforests differs from gap‐use elsewhere, partly because of differences in forest characteristics such as stature and soil fertility, indicating that the avian response to gaps is context dependent.
Biodemographic analysis of male honey bee mortality
Authors: Rueppell Olav , Fondrk M. Kim , E. Page Robert 
Published: January 2005

SummaryBiodemographic studies of insects have significantly enhanced our understanding of the biology of aging. Eusocial insects have evolved to form different groups of colony members that are specialized for particular tasks and highly dependent on each other. These different groups (castes and sexes) also differ strongly in their life expectancy but relatively little is known about their mortality dynamics. In this study we present data on the age‐specific flight activity and mortality of male honey bees from two different genetic lines that are exclusively dedicated to reproduction. We show that males initiating flight at a young age experience more flight events during their lifetime. No (negative) relation between the age at flight initiation and lifespan exists, as might be predicted on the basis of the antagonistic pleiotropy theory of aging. Furthermore, we fit our data to different aging models and conclude that overall a slight deceleration of the age‐dependent mortality increase at advanced ages occurs. However, mortality risk increases according to the Gompertz–Makeham model when only days with flight activity (active days) are taken into account. Our interpretation of the latter is that two mortality components act on honey bee males during flight: increasing, age‐dependent deaths (possibly from wear‐and‐tear), and age‐independent deaths (possibly due to predation). The overall mortality curve is caused by the interaction of the distribution of age at foraging initiation and the mortality function during the active (flight) lifespan.