bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The African Carnoyidae (Nematoda: Rhigonematida). 1. Brumptaemilius brevispiculus sp. n. from Ghana with observations on copulatory plugs and spermatophore development
Authors: Hunt David 
Published: January 2003

AbstractBrumptaemilius brevispiculus sp. n. from the gut of a spirostreptid diplopod from Ghana is described and illustrated with the aid of SEM. The species is characterised by the structure of the male area rugosa, particularly the ventral extension of the rugosities on to the tail spike and the transverse rows of imbricate spines in the postcloacal region, the tail spike ca 1-1.5 gubernaculum length long, the very short spicules bearing relatively few transverse striae, the form and disposition of the copulatory papillae and the presence of an external, pedunculate spermatophore. It is distinguished from the other nominal species in the genus, including all of the ten species inquirendae, principally by a combination of the unusually short spicules, the form of the area rugosa, vulval position and the extent of the lateral alae in both sexes. The development of copulatory plugs and spermatophores within the African Carnoyidae is discussed. Simple copulatory plugs exist in Gilsonema and Waerebekeia, but specialised spermatophores occur in Afrocarnoya and Brumptaemilius. The most complex spermatophore is found in Brumptaemilius and comprises an oval structure containing sperm connected by a hollow peduncle to the vulval/vaginal region of the female, the peduncle being inserted under the anterior vulva lip and firmly cemented into position by a copulatory plaque. This is only the second report of spermatophore development within the Nematoda.
Biodiversity in helminths and nematodes as a field of study: an overview
Authors: Hugot Jean-Pierre , Baujard Pierre , Morand Serge 
Published: January 2003

AbstractDespite their potential negative effects, parasites may be used as targets for biological conservation and studies on the evolutionary and ecological impact of parasitism. These purposes serve to increase our knowledge on the species diversity of parasites. In the present paper we try to precisely define the composite zoological group currently designated as 'helminths' and to address the question of how many known species there are in the different clades of parasitic worms, as compared with the other major groups described in the Animalia. The relationships between helminthology and nematology are discussed. Finally, the question of how to improve the organisation of research in these different fields of study is briefly considered. The Nematoda seems to be the group which needs the greatest effort in the future. This supposes that specialists in nematode taxonomy are numerous enough to maintain a substantial effort. The necessary taxonomical effort is weakened by the distribution of the fields of study between helminthology and nematology, something which is inadequate from a zoological, as well as from a logical, point of view. The study of nematode zoology would certainly improve if nematology could emerge as an undivided speciality. One of the prior goals in such a unified field of study would be an exhaustive inventory of the nominal living species. A cooperative effort will also be needed to found the basis of a general classification of the phylum Nematoda. Finally, a clarification and a standardisation of the terminology is also needed.
Cricodorylaimus gen. n. (Dorylaimida: Qudsianematidae), a unique nematode genus from Benin
Authors: Ahmad Wasim , Sturhan Dieter 
Published: January 2003

AbstractThe dorylaimid genus Cricodorylaimus gen. n. with the species C. africanus sp. n. is described from arable soil in Benin. The new genus with the only known species is distinctive in having a short obese body with strongly annulated subcuticle, cuticularised pieces around the stoma and a monoprodelphic female genital tract. It differs from all known genera in the family Qudsianematidae in the nature of its subcuticle and in being monoprodelphic.
Life history evolution of nematodes: linking epidemiological modelling and comparative tests
Authors: Morand Serge 
Published: January 2003

AbstractNematodes form a highly diversified, monophyletic group present in all environments as free-living individuals. As parasites they may infect plants, invertebrates and vertebrates. This group is then a unique model for testing evolutionary and ecological consequences of being a parasite. I summarise some recently published studies on the evolution of life traits of nematodes. Some predictions were obtained using the framework of epidemiological modelling and were tested using the comparative approach (and then some comparative methods).
Genetic variability in parthenogenetic root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp., and their ability to overcome plant resistance genes
Authors: Castagnone-Sereno Philippe 
Published: January 2003

AbstractRoot-knot nematodes (RKN) of the genus Meloidogyne constitute the most widely distributed and damaging group of plant-parasitic nematodes. Plant resistance (R) is currently the most effective and environmentally safe method to control these pests. The mode of reproduction of the major species, i.e., apomictic (= mitotic) parthenogenesis, should theoretically lead to clonal progenies. However, the recent emergence of new virulent biotypes, able to overcome plant R genes, indicates that variability does exist in these organisms. Experiments showed that selection for virulence was possible in RKN, which has important consequences for the management and durability of natural R genes in the field. To understand the molecular mechanisms involved in such selection, we have developed a differential strategy based on the comparative analysis of pairs of RKN near-isogenic lineages and recent results obtained in the laboratory are presented. Understanding how the genome of these nematodes is modified in response to the selective pressure of a plant R gene should provide further data on the putative role of non-meiotic events leading to stable genetic variation in these apomictic organisms.
Metacrobeles amblyurus n. sp. (Nematoda: Cephaloboidea) from Death Valley, California
Authors: Chiu Christopher , Baldwin James , Mundo-Ocampo Manuel 
Published: January 2003

AbstractMetacrobeles amblyurus n. sp. (Cephalobina, Cephaloboidea) is described from sand dunes of Death Valley, California, USA. It shares with other Metacrobeles species a far posterior vulva as well as five lateral lines but is distinguished from previously known species in having a blunt (vs more tapering) conical tail. Probolae of M. amblyurus n. sp. are low conical-rounded, adjacent lips are fused into three pairs, and guard processes are lacking. The very narrow vulva in M. amblyurus n. sp. appears to be plugged in adult females, and juveniles apparently hatch exclusively within the body of the dead mother. Type localities of the two previously known species of Metacrobeles are in western Africa and this is the first confirmed report of Metacrobeles from another continent.
BETWEEN MAGIC AND RELIGION: SYMPATHETIC MAGIC IN THE WORLD OF THE SAGES OF THE MISHNAH AND TALMUD
Authors: Bar-Ilan Meir 
Published: January 2003

AbstractIf familiarity with magic was previously associated with curiosities lacking real value, it now seems generally agreed that knowledge of magic in the past is but one aspect of knowledge of religion and also of the society in which magic is investigated. This condition also applies to magic in the world of the Talmudic sages, a broad culture of many years with many receptors for magic. Two of the questions that have occupied investigators for over a century concern the extent to which the sages of the Mishnah and Talmud were participants in magic and the issue of whether or not there was a gap between religion and magic in antiquity. The thrust of the following treatment is to add to this subject the investigation of Judaism in antiquity through textual analysis and methodological examination of the problems facing the student of the sources.
Desarrollo personal, ambiente familiar y relaciones de pareja en la adolescencia
Authors: Martínez José Luis 
Published: January 2003

El objetivo de este trabajo era examinar la asociación que existe entre varios factores personales (Identidad y Autonomía emocional) y familiares (Ambiente familiar y Apoyo parental) y la experiencia relacional de pareja en la adolescencia. Las variables relacionales utilizadas fueron: situación relacional actual, estadio relacional, duración, intimidad y experiencia sexual. Se incide en las diferencias entre hombres y mujeres. La muestra fue de 600 adolescentes. Los resultados mostraron que las chicas están implicadas en relaciones más duraderas e íntimas. Además, las chicas con una relación actual mostraron una mayor adquisición de la identidad, que aquellas que no tenían una relación. Por último, la identidad estaba asociadapositivamente con la intimidad en las chicas y con la experiencia sexual en los chicos. Estos resultados se discuten en términos de la conexión que existe entre el desarrollo personal y social de los/las adolescents.
¿Qué es un rico?, ¿y un pobre?: un estudio evolutivo con niños mexicanos y españoles
Authors: Navarro Alejandra , Peñaranda Ana 
Published: January 2003

Utilizando el método clínico piagetiano entrevistamos a 100 niños mexicanos y españoles entre 6 y 14 años para conocer sus ideas sobre la desigualdad social y la movilidad socioeconómica. En este artículo se presentan sólo los resultados referentes al primer problema: las nociones de rico y pobre. Con los datos obtenidos se realizó un análisis tanto de contenido, identificando categorías de respuesta, como de la organización conceptual de ese contenido, es decir, de tipo cualitativo. Los resultados revelan que los rasgos con los que los niños describen a los ricos y a los pobres sufren importantes cambios evolutivos. Mientras que los pequeños los describen basándose en lo más externo y llamativo, con la edad van teniendo en cuenta además aspectos internos o subjetivos. Es decir, van progresando en su capacidadpara realizar inferencias sobre aspectos no visibles de la realidad social. No se encuentran diferencias entre las descripciones de niños mexicanos y españoles ni en el tipo de rasgos o características que mencionan ni en el curso evolutivo.
Adenosine in exhaled breath condensate in healthy volunteers and in patients with asthma
Authors: Huszár É. , Vass G. , Vizi É. , Csoma Zs. , Barát E. , Molnár Világos Gy. , Herjavecz I. , Horváth I. 
Published: January 2003

Persistent airway inflammation may require the use of different markers for monitoring airway inflammation. In this study, the authors investigated whether adenosine, which may be produced in allergic inflammatory conditions, could be measured with good reproducibility in exhaled breath condensate (EBC), and whether its concentration was elevated in patients with asthma.EBC adenosine and exhaled nitric oxide (eNO), a noninvasive marker of asthmatic airway inflammation, were measured in 40 healthy volunteers and 43 patients with allergic bronchial asthma. Repeatability of adenosine measurement was checked in 20 pairs of samples collected from healthy control subjects.Adenosine was detectable in all EBC samples by the applied high-performance liquid chromatographic method. The mean difference between repeated measurements of adenosine was −0.1 nM and all differences were within the coefficient of repeatability. Adenosine concentration was higher in steroid-naive patients (n=23) compared with healthy control subjects and steroid-treated patients (n=20). In patients with worsening symptoms of asthma (n=23), adenosine concentration was elevated compared with those in a stable condition (n=20). Furthermore, adenosine concentrations were related to eNO levels in asthmatic patients.These results, showing good reproducibility of adenosine measurements and increased adenosine concentrations in steroid-naive patients and in patients with worsening of asthmatic symptoms, indicate that adenosine measurement in exhaled breath condensate might be an acceptable novel method to investigate the role of local production of adenosine in the airways.
Nosocomial tracheobronchitis in mechanically ventilated patients: incidence, aetiology and outcome
Authors: Nseir S. , Di Pompeo C. , Pronnier P. , Beague S. , Onimus T. , Saulnier F. , Grandbastien B. , Mathieu D. , Delvallez-Roussel M. , Durocher A. 
Published: January 2003

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, the organisms responsible for and the impact on outcome of nosocomial tracheobronchitis (NTB) in the intensive care unit (ICU).This prospective observational cohort study was conducted in a 30-bed medical/surgical ICU over a period of 6.5 yrs. All patients ventilated for >48 h were eligible. Patients with nosocomial pneumonia (NP) without prior NTB were excluded. Patients with first episodes of NTB were compared with those without NTB by univariate analysis.The study diagnosed 201 (10.6%) cases of NTB.Pseudomonas aeruginosawas the most common bacteria. NP rates were similar in patients with NTB compared with patients without NTB. Even in the absence of subsequent NP, NTB was associated with a significantly higher length of ICU stay and duration of mechanical ventilation in both surgical and medical populations. Mortality rates were similar in NTB patients without subsequent NP compared with patients without NTB. Antimicrobial treatment in NTB patients was associated with a trend to a better outcome.Nosocomial tracheobronchitis is common in mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients. In this population, nosocomial tracheobronchitis was associated with longer durations of intensive care unit stay and mechanical ventilation. Further studies are needed to determine the impact of antibiotics on outcomes of patients with nosocomial tracheobronchitis.
Ventricular mass index using magnetic resonance imaging accurately estimates pulmonary artery pressure
Authors: Saba T.S. , Foster J. , Cockburn M. , Cowan M. , Peacock A.J. 
Published: January 2003

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide accurate anatomical measurements of the cardiac ventricles. This study investigated whether a calculated ventricular mass index (VMI) would provide an accurate means of estimating pulmonary artery pressure noninvasively, and compared the results with conventional Doppler echocardiography and invasive measurement.A total of 26 subjects referred for investigation of pulmonary hypertension were studied by MRI and echocardiography within 2 weeks of cardiac catheterisation. The correlations for mean pulmonary artery pressure were as follows: VMI (ratio of right ventricular mass over left ventricular mass) r=0.81; pulmonary artery systolic pressure (echocardiography) r=0.77. The confidence intervals for the VMI were narrower than for echocardiography. Sensitivity and specificity for pulmonary hypertension were 84 and 71% respectively for the VMI compared with 89 and 57% for echocardiography.The calculated ventricular mass index provides an accurate and practical means of estimating pulmonary artery pressure noninvasively in pulmonary hypertension and may provide a more accurate estimate than Doppler echocardiography. This may be because it reflects the right ventricular response to sustained pulmonary hypertension over a long period and is not influenced by short-term physiological variables affecting echocardiography, such as heart rate, posture, hydration status and oxygen supplementation.
Assessment and evaluation of symptomatic steroid-naive asthmatics without sputum eosinophilia and their response to inhaled corticosteroids
Authors: Godon P. , Boulet L-P. , Malo J-L. , Cartier A. , Lemière C. 
Published: January 2003

Eosinophilic airway inflammation is one of the hallmarks of asthma. Sputum eosinophilia has been suggested as a predictor of the response to inhaled corticosteroids in asthma. This study sought to investigate the proportion of steroid-naive uncontrolled asthmatics without significant sputum eosinophilia (≤1%) and to examine whether sputum eosinophilia could predict the response to inhaled corticosteroids.A total of 51 mild uncontrolled steroid-naive asthmatics who had not been treated with oral or inhaled corticosteroids for at least 3 months were investigated. The evaluation included a spirometry, methacholine inhalation challenge and sputum induction on two occasions, one at baseline and the other after 1 month of treatment with 250 µg twice-daily fluticasone propionate.Of the 51 subjects, 15 had an eosinophil count ≤1%, and 46 completed the two visits. Patients with baseline sputum eosinophils ≤1% (n=14) were compared with those with sputum eosinophils >1% (n=32). The baseline characteristics of these two groups were similar. After 1 month of treatment, respiratory symptoms, quality of life, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and provocative concentration causing a 20% fall in FEV1improved in both groups.The absence of sputum eosinophilia does not seem to be an indicator of poor response to inhaled corticosteroid treatment in steroid-naive asthmatics. However, this finding needs to be investigated further in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, entirely designed to answer this question.
Effects of mechanical ventilation on diaphragm function and biology
Authors: Gayan-Ramirez G. , Decramer M. 
Published: January 2003

The pathophysiological mechanisms of weaning from mechanical ventilation are not fully known, but there is accumulating evidence that mechanical ventilation induces inspiratory muscle dysfunction.Recently, several animal models have provided potential mechanisms for mechanical ventilation-induced effects on muscle function. In patients, weaning difficulties are associated with inspiratory muscle weakness and reduced endurance capacity. Animal studies demonstrated that diaphragm force was already decreased after 12 h of controlled mechanical ventilation and this worsened with time spent on the ventilator.Diaphragmatic myofibril damage observed after 3-days controlled mechanical ventilation was inversely correlated with maximal diaphragmatic force. Downregulation of the diaphragm insulin-like growth factor-I and MyoD/myogenin messenger ribonucleic acid occurred after 24 h and diaphragmatic oxidative stress and increased protease activity after 18 h. In keeping with these findings, diaphragm fibre atrophy was shown after 12 h and reduced diaphragm mass was reported after 48 h of controlled mechanical ventilation.These animal studies show that early alterations in diaphragm function develop after short-term mechanical ventilation. These alterations may contribute to the difficulties in weaning from mechanical ventilation seen in patients. Strategies to preserve respiratory muscle mass and function during mechanical ventilation should be developed. These may include: adaptation of medication, training of the diaphragm, stabilisation of the catabolic state and pharmacotherapy.
Children with mild asthma: do they benefit from inhaled corticosteroids?
Authors: Arets H.G.M. , Kamps A.W.A. , Brackel H.J.L. , Mulder P.G.H. , Vermue N.A. , van der Ent C.K. 
Published: January 2003

In children with mild asthma, who show hardly any abnormalities in pulmonary function, objective measurement of the effect of inhaled corticosteroids is difficult.The short term effect of fluticasone propionate (FP) in these children was evaluated, using both subjective and objective parameters. A total of 68 children (5–10 yrs old) were randomly assigned to either FP 250 µg or placebo twice daily as metered-dose inhalerviaspacer during 12 weeks. Symptom scores, use of rescue medication, wheezing, parent global evaluation and pulmonary function tests including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and bronchial responsiveness (provocation dose of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV1(PD20)) were evaluated.FP-treatedversusplacebo-treated children showed significant changes in percentage symptom-free days, use of β2-mimetics, morning and evening PEF, FEV1% pred and wheezing. No significant improvements were found in parent global evaluation, absolute values of FEV1nor PD20.These findings show that inhaled corticosteroids are effective in children with mild asthma. This effect can be assessed by both objective and subjective parameters. Early start of inhaled corticosteroids should be considered even when pulmonary function is normal.
Comparison of a cardiorespiratory deviceversuspolysomnography for diagnosis of sleep apnoea
Authors: Calleja J.M. , Esnaola S. , Rubio R. , Durán J. 
Published: January 2003

This study assessed the accuracy of a cardiorespiratory monitoring deviceversuspolysomnography for the diagnosis of suspected sleep apnoea/hypoponea syndrome (SAS).A total of 86 patients (89% male, mean age 52 yrs) that had been referred to a sleep laboratory with a clinical diagnosis of SAS underwent cardiorespiratory polygraphy in an unattended mode using an ambulatory device (MERLIN). Analysis was carried out both automatically and manually. Conventional overnight full-channel polysomnography was performed simultaneously.Valid polygraphical recordings were obtained from 79 patients. The mean±sd apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI) was 34.4±29.2. The results obtained with manual scoring were superior to automatic scoring for all AHI thresholds. For an AHI of ≥5, which is diagnostic SAS, the optimum cut-off value for the manual respiratory event index was 6.7 and the cardiorespiratory monitoring device had 97.1% sensitivity and 90.9% specificity. Correct classification according to the different cut-off points obtainedviapolysomnography and the corresponding cut-off points in the MERLIN manual index were confirmed in 90–96% of patients.The MERLIN device is a useful diagnostic approach for the initial assessment of adult patients with clinical suspicion of sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome. Manual scoring is clearly better than automatic scoring in terms of agreement with the apnoea/hypopnoea index and to discern patients with sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome.
Mortality in severe sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome patients: impact of treatment
Authors: Marti S. , Sampol G. , Muñoz X. , Torres F. , Roca A. , Lloberes P. , Sagalés T. , Quesada P. , Morell F. 
Published: January 2003

The aim of this study was to determine mortality in patients with sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (SAHS) according to the treatments employed and comorbidity.An historical cohort of patients with SAHS diagnosed at a university hospital between 1982 and 1992 and followed until 1996 was studied. From a total of 475 SAHS patients, 444 (94%), with a mean±sd apnoea/hypopnoea index at diagnosis of 55±27, were located and included in the study. SAHS treatments employed were: surgery (88), weight loss (134), continuous positive airway pressure (124) and 98 patients were not treated.By the end of follow-up, 49 patients had died. According to Cox regression analysis, mortality in treated patients was lower than in those not treated, but higher in those with a history of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Mortality in nontreated patients compared with that of the general population, adjusted for age and sex, showed excessive mortality, which decreased in treated patients. Stratification by age showed a greater mortality rate ratio in patients <50 yrs. These findings were maintained when mortality from cardiovascular causes was compared.In conclusion, a rise in mortality was found in nontreated sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome patients compared with the general population, whereas mortality in those treated for sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome did not differ significantly from that of the general population.