bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low‐pressure metamorphism of Palaeozoic pelites in the Aspromonte, southern Calabria: constraints for the thermal evolution in the Calabrian crustal cross‐section during the Hercynian orogeny
Authors: GRAEßNER  , SCHENK  
Published: March 2003

During Hercynian low‐pressure/high‐temperature metamorphism of Palaeozoic metasediments of the southern Aspromonte (Calabria), a sequence of metamorphic zones at chlorite, biotite, garnet, staurolite–andalusite and sillimanite–muscovite grade was developed. These metasediments represent the upper part of an exposed tilted cross‐section through the Hercynian continental crust. P–T  information on their metamorphism supplements that already known for the granulite facies lower crust of the section and allows reconstruction of the thermal conditions in the Calabrian crust during the late Hercynian orogenic event.Three foliations formed during deformation of the metasediments. The peak metamorphic assemblages grew mainly syntectonically (S2) during regional metamorphism, but mineral growth outlasted the deformation. This is in accordance with the textural relationships found in the lower part of the same crustal section exposed in the northern Serre. Pressure conditions recorded for the base of the upper crustal metasediments are c. 2.5 kbar and estimated temperatures range from <350 °C in the chlorite zone, increasing to 500 °C in the lower garnet zone, and reaching 620 °C in the sillimanite–muscovite zone. Geothermal gradients for the peak of metamorphism indicate a much higher value for the upper crust (c. 60 °C km−1) than for the granulite facies lower crust (30–35 °C km−1). The small temperature difference between the base of the upper crust (620 °C at c. 2.5 kbar) and the top of the lower crust (690 °C at 5.5 kbar) can be explained by intrusions of granitoids into the middle crust, which, in this crustal section, took place synchronously with the regional metamorphism at c. 310– 295 Ma.It is concluded that the thermal structure of the Calabrian crust during the Hercynian orogeny – as it is reflected by peak metamorphic assemblages – was mainly controlled by advective heat input through magmatic intrusions into all levels of the crust.
HEPARIN‐INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN DIALYSIS: Alternative Methods of Anticoagulation for Dialysis‐dependent Patients with Heparin‐induced Thrombocytopenia
Authors: O'Shea Susan I. , Ortel Thomas L. , Kovalik Eugene C. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractDialysis patients who are continually exposed to heparin are at risk for heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Heparin‐induced antibodies have been reported to occur in 0–12% of hemodialysis (HD) patients. The diagnosis or suspicion of HIT in this patient population requires careful confirmation of the diagnosis and substitution of heparin with an alternate anticoagulant for dialysis. Alternate agents such as the direct thrombin inhibitors (hirudin and argatroban) are available, but careful dosing and monitoring of the anticoagulant effect are required. Despite careful dosing, hemorrhagic complications have occurred with these agents. Unfortunately there are limited options for treatment of hemorrhagic complications and no specific antidotes are available for the direct thrombin inhibitors. In this report the currently available alternatives to heparin for dialysis, including dosing and monitoring recommendations, are reviewed.
A Phase II Trial of Oral Trimethylcolchicinic Acid in Patients with Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer
Authors: Brockstein Bruce E. , Shepard Dale R. , Kugler John W. , Fishkin Paul A. , Arrieta Rose , Ratain Mark J. , Vokes Everett E. , Vogelzang Nicholas J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractHormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) will affect more than 40,000 men in the United States in 1999, and only a few drugs have activity in this disease. We studied trimethylcolchicinic acid (TMCA), an oral colchicine derivative, in a Phase II trial involving 18 chemotherapy‐naive men with HRPC. TMCA, 5 mg/m2/day, was given orally for 4 or 5 days with cycles repeated every 3 weeks. No patients showed an objective response by clinical or prostate specific antigen criteria. Neutropenia and stomatitis were common on this schedule. One fatal episode of neutropenic fever occurred. Pharmacokinetics suggested drug accumulation on Days 4 and 5. The cumulative area under the curve (AUC) of concentration × time correlated with the log neutrophil nadir, the log platelet nadir, and the severity of stomatitis. We conclude that TMCA has no clinical effect on HRPC despite severe hematologic toxicity and stomatitis, and that its hematologic toxicity is related to the AUC.
African American Men with Prostate Cancer Treated by Simultaneous Irradiation
Authors: Williams W. Hamilton , Critz Frank A. , Benton James B. , Levinson Keith , Falconer Walter , Harrison Emerson , Holladay Clinton T. , Holladay David A. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTObjectives: Reportedly, African American men (AAM) with prostate cancer present with more advanced disease and have worse outcomes than white men (WM). We evaluate this concept in our series of men with prostate cancer treated with modern simultaneous irradiation in a busy private practice.Materials and Methods: From 1993 to 1998, 1270 men with clinical stage T1T2N0 prostate cancer were treated by ultrasound‐guided transperineal implantation of I‐125 in the prostate and seminal vesicle (median dose 12,000 cGy) followed by external‐beam radiation therapy (4500 cGy) including an additional 750 cGy seminal vesicle boost in men with adverse prognostic factors. None received neoadjuvant or adjuvant hormone therapy. The median pretreatment prostate specific antigen (PSA) level for 141 AAM and 1129 WM was 8.6 ng/ml and 7.1 ng/ml, respectively, a significant difference (p = 0.0001). Disease freedom is defined as achievement and maintenance of a PSA nadir of ≤ 0.2 ng/ml. The median follow‐up is 24 months (range 12–66 months).Results: Disease‐free survival for the entire group is 89% (± 3%) at 5 years. Overall, or when analyzed by stage, Gleason score, or age, AAM present with higher pretreatment PSA levels than WM. However, according to pretreatment PSA groups of ≤ 4.0 ng/ml, 4.1–10.0 ng/ml, 10.1–20.0 ng/ml, and > 20.0 ng/ml, the 5‐year disease‐free survival rates for AAM and WM in these groups are 100% and 95%, 85% and 92%, 67% and 80%, 76% and 83%, respectively. No significant difference in disease freedom is observed within the above PSA groups or by analysis of Gleason score or stage. With disease freedom as an end point, race is not a significant factor on multivariate analysis.Conclusions: AAM present with higher pretreatment PSA levels than WM both overall and when stratified by stage, Gleason score, or age. In this series, however, disease‐free survival rates of AAM and WM are not significantly different overall or according to pretreatment variables. Thus, race does not appear to be an adverse prognostic factor after simultaneous irradiation.
The Anti‐Androgen Transfer
Authors: Kim Simon P. , Moran Edgar M. , Bowes Eric D. , Tennant Adam G. , Bennett Charles L. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTObjectives: Financial and nonfinancial barriers affect the care of prostate cancer patients. In this study, we evaluated whether financial considerations were a primary reason for lower income veterans with prostate cancer to transfer their care to Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospitals, and if so, which aspects of medical care were most affected by these considerations.Materials and Methods: Interviews with 106 veterans with prostate cancer were undertaken after the transfer of their care to the VA medical system. Respondents provided information about the primary reasons they shifted their care.Results: Although 64.2% of the patients had private health insurance before their initial visit to the VA, only 26.4% retained their private health insurance at the time of the interview, and 53.8 % transferred their entire medical care to the VA after the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Reasons for transferring care to the VA included the costs of oral anti‐androgen therapy (34.9%), copayment costs for physician visits (30.2%), a feeling that medical care would be better in the VA system (26.4%), and copayment costs of luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone analogs (8.5%). Reasons for transfer varied with stage of disease at diagnosis (p < 0.05). The most common reasons for transfer were anti‐androgen therapy costs among metastatic patients and, among patients with localized cancer, physician copayments and a feeling that care would be of higher quality in the VA system.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that there is a phenomenon, termed the “anti‐androgen transfer,” that leads veterans with metastatic prostate cancer to transfer to the VA setting. The enactment of a comprehensive pharmaceutical benefit to the Medicare program will affect transfers of metastatic prostate cancer patients to the VA medical system.
Immunohistochemical Characterization of Stromal Nodules in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: Kong Xiangtian , Zeng Li , Yang Yong , Xia Tongli , Gu Fangliu , Guo Yinglu , Lee Chung 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTThe goal of this study is to characterize stromal nodules in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in a Chinese population. BPH specimens were obtained by superpubic enucleation. Immunohistochemical staining for vimentin, muscle actin (HHF35), and smooth muscle actin (1A4) was conducted in serial sections of 55 consecutive stromal nodules of BPH specimens. The simplest stromal nodules were undifferentiated nodules that contained vimentin‐negative and smooth muscle actin‐negative cells. These cells were designated as undifferentiated mesenchymal cells. Immunohistochemical staining identified two cell types. Smooth muscle cells contained smooth muscle actin and vimentin, while fibrocytes contained vimentin but not smooth muscle actin. Fibrous nodules contained fibrocytes. Two more types of stromal nodules were fibromuscular nodules, which contained mixtures of fibrocytes and smooth muscle cells, and muscular nodules, which contained only smooth muscle cells. Of 55 stromal nodules, 11 (20%) were undifferentiated, 5 (9%) were fibrous, 37 (67%) were fibromuscular, and 2 (4%) were muscular.
Restoration of Biogeochemical Function in Mangrove Forests
Authors: McKee Karen L. , Faulkner Patricia L. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractForest structure of mangrove restoration sites (6 and 14 years old) at two locations (Henderson Creek [HC] and Windstar [WS]) in southwest Florida differed from that of mixed‐basin forests (>50 years old) with which they were once contiguous. However, the younger site (HC) was typical of natural, developing forests, whereas the older site (WS) was less well developed with low structural complexity. More stressful physicochemical conditions resulting from incomplete tidal flushing (elevated salinity) and variable topography (waterlogging) apparently affected plant survival and growth at the WS restoration site. Lower leaf fall and root production rates at the WS restoration site, compared with that at HC were partly attributable to differences in hydroedaphic conditions and structural development. However, leaf and root inputs at each restoration site were not significantly different from that in reference forests within the same physiographic setting. Macrofaunal consumption of tethered leaves also did not differ with site history, but was dramatically higher at HC compared with WS, reflecting local variation in leaf litter processing rates, primarily by snails (Melampus coffeus). Degradation of leaves and roots in mesh bags was slow overall at restoration sites, however, particularly at WS where aerobic decomposition may have been more limited. These findings indicate that local or regional factors such as salinity regime act together with site history to control primary production and turnover rates of organic matter in restoration sites. Species differences in senescent leaf nitrogen content and degradation rates further suggest that restoration sites dominated by Laguncularia racemosa and Rhizophora mangle should exhibit slower recycling of nutrients compared with natural basin forests where Avicennia germinans is more abundant. Structural development and biogeochemical functioning of restored mangrove forests thus depend on a number of factors, but site‐specific as well as regional or local differences in hydrology and concomitant factors such as salinity and soil waterlogging will have a strong influence over the outcome of restoration projects.
Some Remarks on the Socio‐Cultural Background of Restoration Ecology
Authors: Pfadenhauer Jörg 
Published: March 2003

AbstractRestoration ecology plays an important role in nature conservation policy in Europe today. It establishes the scientific basis for restoring ecosystems altered or destroyed by man to a more “natural” state. The goals of restoration ecology can generally be described in terms of increased biodiversity, enhanced water retention capacity, avoidance of soil erosion, etc. In practice, however, a discrepancy exists between the high ideals of restoration goals and reality, where one often encounters limiting factors. These limiting factors can include the conflict between different restoration goals, the unpredictability of restoration goals owing to long‐term effects and stochastic events, the insufficient social acceptance of landscape changes during restoration processes, and the use of restoration processes themselves (e.g., undisturbed succession, certain management measures like impoverishment of fertilized areas) as restoration goals in place of a certain resource quality (such as species composition, population sizes, water quality). Two examples from southern Germany show that restoration goals in European cultural landscapes can only be implemented successfully when they are integrated into the respective land use systems.
Soil Algae in Brown Coal and Lignite Post‐Mining Areas in Central Europe (Czech Republic and Germany)
Authors: Lukešová Alena 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAlgal communities were investigated in two contrasting chronosequences established on reclaimed spoils in the west Bohemian brown coal mining district near Sokolov (Czech Republic) and in the Lusatian lignite mining district near Cottbus (Germany). The Sokolov chronosequence was characterized by tertiary cypric clay substrate, afforestation with Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn., and high pH of deposited spoil material, Cottbus chronosequence by tertiary carboniferous and pyritic sand of extremely low pH ameliorated by fly ash, and afforestation with Pinus sylvestris L. and P. nigra Arnold. A total of 122 species of algae was found in both areas. Although the same species number (80) was identified from Sokolov and Cottbus, both proportion of individual algal groups and species composition were different. Green algae prevailed in both areas, but in Sokolov cyanobacteria and diatoms were also quite diverse, and in younger sites they were also abundant. Total abundance of algae ranged mostly between 104–107 cells/g dry soil, and was one order higher in Cottbus than in Sokolov. Species number was high in young sites, decreased with increasing age, and was the lowest in control forests. In Sokolov, the highest abundance was recorded in the youngest alder plantation. In Cottbus, sludge and compost fertilization used in the youngest pine plantations resulted in rapid formation of visible algal crusts dominated by Klebsormidium crenulatum (Kütz) Lokhorst.
Use of Shrubs as Nurse Plants: A New Technique for Reforestation in Mediterranean Mountains
Authors: Castro Jorge , Zamora Regino , Hódar José A. , Gómez José M. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractCommon techniques currently used for afforestation in the Mediterranean basin consider the pre‐existing vegetation (mainly shrubs) as a source of competition for trees, and consequently it is generally eliminated before planting. Nevertheless, it has been demonstrated that woody plants can facilitate the establishment of understory seedlings in environments that, like the Mediterranean area, are characterized by a pronounced dry season. In this study, we experimentally analyze the usefulness of shrubs as nurse plants for afforestation of two native conifers,Pinus sylvestrisL. (Scots pine) andPinus nigraArnold (black pine). Two‐year‐old seedlings were planted in four microhabitats: (1) open interspaces without vegetation (which is the usual method used in afforestation programs), (2) under individuals ofSalvia lavandulifolia, (3) under the north side of spiny shrubs, and (4) under the south side of spiny shrubs. Pine survival was remarkably higher when planted under individuals of the shrubS. lavandulifolia(54.8% for Scots pine, 81.9% for black pine) compared with open areas (21.5% for Scots pine, 56.8% for black pine; chi square,p< 0.05). The survival of both pines was also higher when planted on the north side of spiny shrubs, although the survival on the south side was similar to that found in open areas. In addition, pine growth was not inhibited when planted in association with shrubs. This pattern appears to result from the combination of abiotic conditions imposed by the presence of a nurse shrub, which leads to improvement in seedling water status and therefore reduced summer mortality by drought. The results show that the use of shrubs as nurse plants is a technique that offers both economic and ecological advantages, in terms of savings in labor and plant material and reduced and even negligible impact on the pre‐existing vegetation.
A Comparative Assessment of Genetic Diversity among Differently‐Aged Populations ofSpartina alternif loraon Restored Versus Natural Wetlands
Authors: Travis Steven E. , Proffitt C. Edward , Lowenfeld Robin C. , Mitchell Timothy W. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe collected naturally recolonizingSpartina alterniflora(smooth cord grass) from each of three restored sites and one undisturbed reference site in southwestern Louisiana to assess the impact of wetland restoration on genetic diversity. We used amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) to produce 94 polymorphic genetic markers, which were used to characterize genetic diversity as average heterozygosity <H> and the proportion of polymorphic loci <P>. Overall our findings indicate that restored populations of S. alterniflora maintain levels of genetic diversity comparable to natural populations, which should provide some measure of resistance against environmental disturbances. Diversity estimates were lowest for the natural reference site (<H> = 0.1059; <P> = 0.2763), whereas estimates for the three restored sites ranged from<H>= 0.1148 to 0.1256 and <P> = 0.3114 to 0.3202. All sites maintained sufficiently high diversity levels to suggest significant rates of outcrossing. Overall, genetic differentiation among populations was small (Weir and Cockerham's Θ = 0.0645), with the values from each pairwise comparison among the populations increasing with the geographic distance between sites (range = 0.0490–0.1101). These values indicate an average migration rate of 3.6 migrants, either pollen or seeds, per generation.
The Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Self‐Reported Functional Limitation Among Older Adults: A Gender Difference
Authors: Friedmann Janet M. , Elasy Tom , Jensen Gordon L. 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether there is a gender difference in how body mass index (BMI) relates to self‐reported functional limitation. Also, to evaluate whether the method of categorizing BMI changes the observed results.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional cohort study.SETTING: Rural Pennsylvania.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 7,120 male (n = 3,312) and female (n = 3,808) community‐dwelling older adults enrolled in a Medicare managed‐risk contract.MEASUREMENTS: All subjects completed a modified Level II Nutrition Risk Screen upon enrollment in the health plan. Height and weight were obtained by nursing personnel during an enrollment clinic visit. Subjects who reported 10 or more pounds weight loss in the previous 6 months were excluded. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between BMI and self‐reported functional limitation separately for each sex, adjusting for age, depression, and polypharmacy. Two schemes were used to categorize BMI: equally distributed sex‐specific quintiles and arbitrary division based on National Institutes of Health (NIH) Obesity Guidelines.RESULTS: How BMI relates to functional limitation depends upon both sex and method of categorizing BMI. When BMI was considered in gender‐specific quintiles, women in the highest quintile of BMI had increased risk of functional impairment; there was no relationship between BMI and functional limitation for men. When BMI was categorized by the NIH obesity guidelines, both men and women with BMI> 40 had significantly increased risk of functional limitation.CONCLUSIONS: The mechanisms behind gender discrepancy in self‐reported functional limitation remain unclear. Studies may need to consider men and women separately, because how BMI relates to function depends on gender. Further research is needed to evaluate how changes in weight and body composition during middle and old age affect functional status.
Preventing Falls in Older People: Impact of an Intervention to Reduce Environmental Hazards in the Home
Authors: Stevens Margaret , Holman C. D'Arcy J. , Bennett Nicole 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of an intervention to reduce fall hazards in the homes of older people.DESIGN: The intervention was administered to the 570 subjects in the experimental arm of a randomized controlled trial, with follow‐up of subjects for 1 year.SETTING: Community‐based seniors living in Perth, Australia.PARTICIPANTS: People age 70 and older.INTERVENTION: Registered nurses delivered the intervention. It consisted of a home hazard assessment, an educational strategy on general fall hazard reduction and ways to reduce identified home hazards, and the free installation of safety devices: grab rails, nonslip stripping on steps, and double‐sided tape for floor rugs and mats. All intervention subjects received the home hazard assessment, and 96% received the educational strategy. Grab rails were installed in 77% of homes, rugs were stabilized in 8%, and nonslip step stripping was installed in 36%.MEASUREMENTS: Hazard prevalence was assessed at baseline in all homes and 11 months later in a random sample of 51 homes. Action taken in response to the intervention was assessed by a self‐completed postal questionnaire completed 11 months after the intervention.RESULTS: All homes had at least one fall hazard. The most prevalent were floor rugs and mats (mean of 14 per home), stepovers (Stepovers are structural changes to the height of the floor that were designed to be stepped over rather than stepped upon, for example, the lip of a shower or a bath side.) (mean of seven per home), steps (mean of four per home), and trailing cords (mean of two per home).CONCLUSIONS: Fall hazards are ubiquitous in the homes of older people. The intervention resulted in a small reduction in the mean number of hazards per house, with many study subjects taking action but removing only a few hazards. The impact of the intervention in achieving self‐reported action to reduce hazards was high.