bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Significance and Contributing Factors of Long‐Term Variability in Induced Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias
Authors: HAYASHI MEISO , KOBAYASHI YOSHINORI , MORITA NORISHIGE , IWASAKI YU‐KI , OHMURA KAZUKO , ATARASHI HIROTSUGU , KATOH TAKAO , TAKANO TERUO 
Published: October 2003

Introduction: Ventricular arrhythmias induced during electrophysiologic study (EPS) may vary over time, making arrhythmia induction studies unreliable. The aim of this prospective study was to clarify the clinical significance of long‐term variability in induced arrhythmias and to elucidate factors determining this variability. Methods and Results: Three noninvasive EPSs were performed 1, 13, and 25 months after implantation of a cardioverter defibrillator in 40 patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias, without a change in their antiarrhythmic drug regimens. The induced ventricular arrhythmias were categorized into five grades. Long‐term variability, which was defined as a variation in the grades during the three EPSs, was observed in 23 patients (group A) and not in the remaining 17 patients (group B). During the 2‐year period, spontaneous sustained ventricular arrhythmias developed in 15 patients (65%) in group A but in only 4 patients (24%) in group B (P = 0.01). Inducibility of sustained tachyarrhythmias was not associated with emergence of spontaneous arrhythmias. All patients also underwent thallium‐201 and iodine‐123‐metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scans to evaluate the extent of the regions showing normal thallium uptake with reduced MIBG uptake. Group A patients showed greater thallium/MIBG mismatched regions than did group B patients (P = 0.01). Logistic regression analysis revealed that long‐term variability (relative risk [RR] 7.55, P = 0.03), amiodarone therapy (RR 0.14, P = 0.04), and left ventricular ejection fraction <35% (RR 6.26, P = 0.04) were independent predictors of spontaneous arrhythmia occurrence. Conclusion: In patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias, long‐term variability in induced arrhythmias, but not the inducibility of arrhythmias, is associated with a higher incidence of spontaneous arrhythmias. Regional cardiac sympathetic denervation may be an important mechanism of this variability. These results also may explain why inducibility‐based antiarrhythmic drug testing does not predict patient prognosis. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 14, pp. ***‐***, October 2003)
Distal Right Ventricular Coil Position Reduces Defibrillation Thresholds
Authors: RASHBA ERIC J. , BONNER MATT , WILSON JOHN , SHOROFSKY STEPHEN R. , PETERS ROBERT W. , GOLD MICHAEL R. 
Published: October 2003

Introduction: Understanding the factors that affect defibrillation thresholds (DFTs) has important implications both for optimization of defibrillation efficacy and for the design of new transvenous leads. The aim of this prospective study was to test the hypothesis that defibrillation efficacy is improved with the right ventricular (RV) coil in a distal position compared with a more proximal RV coil position. Methods and Results: A novel defibrillation lead with three adjacent RV defibrillation coils (distal 0.8 cm, middle 3.7 cm, proximal 0.8 cm) was used for this study to permit comparison of DFTs with the proximal and distal RV coil positions without lead repositioning. In the distal RV configuration, the distal and middle RV coils were connected electrically as the anode for defibrillation. In the proximal RV configuration, the middle and proximal coils were the anode. A superior vena cava (SVC) coil and active can were connected electrically as the cathode (reversed polarity, RV→Can+SVC). In each patient, the DFT was measured twice using a binary search protocol with the distal RV and proximal RV configurations, with the order of testing randomized. The study cohort consisted of 31 subjects (mean age 65 ± 12 years, mean left ventricular ejection fraction 30% ± 16%, 81% male predominance). The mean delivered energy (8.2 ± 5.3 J vs 11.2 ± 6.1 J), leading‐edge voltage (335 ± 109 V vs 393 ± 118 V), and peak current (11.6 ± 5.2 A vs 14.9 ± 7.3 A) at DFT all were significantly lower with the distal RV configuration compared to the proximal RV configuration (P < 0.01 for all comparisons). Conclusion: DFTs are significantly reduced with the distal RV configuration compared to the proximal RV configuration. Defibrillation leads should be designed with the shortest tip to coil distance that can be achieved without compromising ventricular fibrillation sensing. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 14, pp. ***‐***, October 2003)
Fasciculoventricular Pathways:
Authors: STERNICK EDUARDO BACK , GERKEN LUIZ MÁRCIO , VRANDECIC MÁRIO O. , WELLENS HEIN J.J. 
Published: October 2003

Introduction: Fasciculoventricular tracts are considered a rare form of ventricular preexcitation. Few fasciculoventricular pathways have been reported, and none have been linked to a reentrant tachycardia. Methods and Results: Four patients with fasciculoventricular bypass tracts underwent electrophysiologic evaluation. Two patients had a single fasciculoventricular pathway, one that inserted anteroseptally and the other in the left ventricle. Two patients also had an AV bypass tract, with anterograde conduction over the fasciculoventricular pathway during orthodromic AV reentrant tachycardia. After ablation of the AV pathways, the ECG during sinus rhythm and the electrophysiologic study showed ventricular preexcitation due to a fasciculoventricular bypass tract inserting into the right ventricle. Adenosine triphosphate was helpful in the diagnostic process. Conclusion: Electrophysiologists should be able to make the differential diagnosis between a fasciculoventricular bypass tract and an anteroseptal accessory pathway to preclude potential harm to the AV conduction system if a fasciculoventricular pathway is targeted for catheter ablation.(J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 14, pp. ***‐***, October 2003)
Size‐ and density‐dependent reproductive success of bagworms, Metisa plana
Authors: Rhainds Marc , Gries Gerhard , Mat Min Mohd. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractA study conducted in a Malaysian plantation of oil palm over 5 consecutive generations of bagworms, Metisa plana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Psychidae), evaluated extent and causes of variability for 3 components of reproductive success: pupal mortality, mating success and fecundity. The population of M. plana in the experimental site exhibited cycles of 70–80 days with discrete generations. Females emerged before males during all generations. Relatively large proportions of M. plana did not reproduce, either because they did not survive as pupa or (for females) mate as adult. Occurrence of unmated female bagworms may be attributed to complex mating procedure, short lifespan of females, limited mating capacity of males, protogyny inducing female‐biased operational sex‐ratio, and/or flightlessness per se constraining mating success of females. Size attained at pupation is a significant component of reproductive success, with large individuals having greatest survival during pupal stage, mating success and fecundity. Population density also influenced reproductive success of M. plana: female and (to a lesser extent) male larvae on crowded palms attained small size at pupation; survival of pupae was density‐dependent during 2 generations for females and density‐independent during 5 generations for males; mating success of females was inverse density‐dependent during 4 generations. Size‐ and density‐dependent mating success of females may be attributed to mate choice by males, size‐dependent pheromone production by and longevity of females, and/or disorientation of mate‐seeking males around heavily infested palms. Long‐term studies are needed to determine whether and to what extent attributes of oil palm, seasonal fluctuations of abiotic factors and inter‐generational variations of reproductive success influence population dynamics of M. plana.
Trap color and placement affects estimates of insect family‐level abundance and diversity in a Nebraska salt marsh
Authors: Hoback W. Wyatt , Svatos Tina M. , Spomer Stephen M. , Higley Leon G. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractSampling programs to establish baseline ecosystem information (e.g., species abundance and diversity) often fail to consider the potential influence of sampling techniques on results. Research on sampling economically important insects has demonstrated the possible influences of trap color and trap placement on results, but few data have been collected from natural environments. Consequently, we examined the effects of color (yellow and blue) and placement (exposed and shaded by plants) of sticky traps on insect captures and diversity estimates from a Nebraska inland salt marsh community. We identified 1913 specimens from 67 insect families collected during five trapping dates in July 1996. More Cicindelidae were collected on exposed traps, and more Staphylinidae, Dolichopodidae, Cicadellidae, and Thripidae were collected on shaded traps. More Dolichopodidae were collected on yellow traps, while more Syrphidae and Thripidae were collected on blue. Shannon and alpha diversity measures were significantly higher for shaded traps than exposed traps, but were not affected by trap color. Our results highlight the importance of characterizing sampling techniques when establishing diversity estimates. These data provide the first complete accounting of community‐level insect response to colored sticky traps and provide new information for color preference of non‐economic insect species.
Predicting spring emergence of blackcurrant leaf midge (Dasineura tetensi) from air temperatures
Authors: Cross J.V. , Crook D.J. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThe mean duration of post‐diapause development of overwintered Dasineura tetensi larvae (in cocoons) was 72.8 (SD=11.4), 45.9 (SD=8.6), 28.7 (SD=6.0), 15.9 (SD=4.3), 10.4 (SD=1.9) and 10.2 (SD=1.8) days at constant temperatures of respectively 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20 and 25 °C in the laboratory. No perceptible development occurred at 5 or 7.5 °C and complete mortality occurred when larvae were held at 30 °C for prolonged periods. The relationship between development rate (r days−1) and temperature (T °C) was sigmoidal between 10 and 25 °C, the logistic equation r=0.0158+0.085/(1+exp(−0.696(T−17.0))) accounting for 98% of the variation. Larvae entered the winter in diapause. Populations of cocoons were greatest in the surface soil in the centre of bushes adjacent to the crown, 69, 15, 9 and 6% of cocoons occurring in the top 0–1, 1–2, 2–3 and 3–4 cm of the soil, respectively. The time of termination of diapause in the field varied greatly between individuals and from season to season but a significant proportion (>40%) had broken diapause by the end of January in each of the three seasons studied. Diapause was not terminated in the laboratory by chilling over‐wintered larvae in cocoons at −2.5, 2.5 or 10 °C for up to 28 days nor when held in a L16:D8 photoperiod. A computer‐based phenological forecasting model was constructed using the development rate values (using the INSIM software developed at The Agricultural University, Wageningen, The Netherlands). The model accumulated daily development amounts calculated from daily maximum and minimum air temperatures from 1 February, the end of the coldest period of the year on average and before significant post‐diapause development occurred. The model uses boxcar trains to simulate dispersion. The model predicted the time of first emergence of D. tetensi adults in spring at HRI‐East Malling generally to within 6 days of the observed time of emergence, and to within 11 days at worst. There was poorer agreement between observed and predicted times of emergence when daily maximum and minimum soil temperatures (depth ca. 3 cm) were used. The use of the model to time insecticidal sprays in relation to the flowering time of blackcurrant is discussed.
Response of an aphid parasitoid, Aphelinus asychis to its host, plant, host‐plant complex, and to malathion
Authors: Rao A. , Vinson S.B. , Gilstrap F.E. , Michels G.J. 
Published: October 2003

Abstract Aphelinus asychis (Walker) can be valuable as a biocontrol agent of the aphid, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), a major pest on grain crops in the United States. This study reports the wind tunnel, and olfactometric responses of this parasitoid to the host (aphid), plant (sorghum), and host‐plant complex (aphid‐infested sorghum). In addition, the parasitoids' response to malathion‐treated plants is also presented. The goal of the present study was to test the hypothesis that volatiles associated with the host attract natural enemies, as reported in cases of many hymenopterous parasitoids, and also to learn about the effects of insecticides on these parasitoids. In wind tunnel studies, these parasitoids moved upwind in the direction of the host‐infested plant. There was no direct flight observed, however, these parasitoids were observed to hop and jump, and sometimes walk to their host. In the olfactometer experiments, we found that A. asychis is attracted to host‐plant complex. The parasitoids' response to malathion in the olfactometer suggested that a malathion formulation when applied to plants can lure these beneficials, thus providing new insight into the ongoing task of integrating chemical and biological control of insect pests.
Movement of Anastrepha fraterculus from native breeding sites into apple orchards in Southern Brazil
Authors: Kovaleski Adalecio , Sugayama Regina L. , Malavasi Aldo 
Published: October 2003

AbstractWe report movements exhibited by adults of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) from patches of native forests into apple orchards in Southern Brazil. Two mark‐release‐recapture experiments were conducted using wild flies. Released flies behaved as wild unmarked flies, and periods of peak captures of marked adults coincided with those of unmarked ones. In the first experiment (December 94), out of 2154 released adults, 7.1% were recaptured from day 2 through day 20 after release. Captures peaked from day 7–9 after release. Most marked flies (94.7%) were trapped within 200 m of the release point but eight adults (seven females and one male) were captured in traps placed in an apple orchard, 400–800 m from the release point. The vegetation found between forest and orchard consisted of pastures and annual crops. In the second experiment (January 95), a total of 3284 flies was released in an area where native host plants were abundant and located at ca. 900 m from an apple orchard. In all, 37.1% of marked flies were captured, 99.0% of them at a distance of less than 200 m from the release point. Four adults were captured in an apple orchard, 7 to 24 days after release. They may have reached the orchard through a large and continuous area of native forest. Our results unequivocally demonstrate that A. fraterculus adults are able to disperse from native forests where they originate and invade apple orchards, probably foraging for food and oviposition sites.
Influence of host density on the reproductive strategy of Cephalonomia stephanoderis, a parasitoid of the coffee berry borer
Authors: Lauzière Isabelle , Pérez‐Lachaud Gabriela , Brodeur Jacques 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThe effect of the density of the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) on reproductive and host‐feeding behaviours of the parasitoid Cephalonomia stephanoderis (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) was evaluated under laboratory conditions. The number of hosts used for oviposition was density‐dependent at low host density. Beyond a density of six hosts/day, the oviposition rate reached a maximum of 1.2 eggs/day due to egg limitation. Cephalonomia stephanoderis females responded to increasing host availability with a linear increase in host feeding. Overall, parasitoids killed more coffee berry borers by feeding and paralysis than by parasitism. At low host density, the pre‐oviposition phase was extended, oogenesis was delayed, more males were produced, and host feeding occasionally occurred concurrently with oviposition. We suggest that the efficacy of C. stephanoderis as a biological control agent depends on seasonal variations in host density. Inoculative vs inundative releases in coffee plantations are discussed in relation to the abundance of the coffee berry borer during the fructification and interharvest periods.
Effects on oviposition behaviour and larval development of Spodoptera littoralis by herbivore‐induced changes in cotton plants
Authors: Anderson P. , Alborn H. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractHerbivore feeding induces chemical defence responses in plants. In this study we investigate how herbivore‐induced changes in cotton plants, Gossypium hirsutum L., influence the oviposition behaviour and larval development of Spodoptera littoralis Boisd. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). In two‐choice experiments female moths preferred to oviposit on small plants (3–4 leaves) that had been fed on by 3rd to 4th instar larvae (72%) over non‐damaged control plants. However, when using larger plants (8 to 10 true leaves) the preference was reversed, with only 31% of the eggs deposited on the induced plants. The same trend was found with plants that had been given a similar level of damage by 6th instar larvae. However, the difference between the treatments was in both cases smaller with only 60% of the eggs deposited on the preferred plant treatment. If cotton plants subjected to artificial damage were compared with undamaged plants, none of the treatments were preferred for oviposition. No significant difference was found in larval weight, pupal weight, survival, or development time, between larvae reared their entire development on leaves from induced or from non‐induced plants.
Reproductive abnormalities in tsetse flies in Zimbabwe
Authors: Hargrove J.W. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractBetween November 1988 and July 1995 five technicians carried out ovarian dissections on 16,013 Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood and 123,848 G. pallidipes Austen captured at Rekomitjie Research Station, Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe. The ovarian age and uterine content were recorded, as were the lengths (l1, l2 and lu) of the largest and second largest oocyte, and of any uterine inclusion. Major abnormalities and abnormal spermathecal contents were found in <0.1% of all flies dissected. Apparent abortions rates varied significantly between dissectors and occurred at frequencies of 0.8–4.5% in G. m. morsitans and 0.3–2.8% in G. pallidipes. The lowest estimates give the best picture of the field situation. Abortion rates were higher in flies caught on electric nets than in trapped flies where the rate was only 0.15%, indicating that reproductive losses are negligible for most of the year at Rekomitjie. The rates did, however, increase to >2% when mean temperatures exceeded 27 °C and flies were captured in artificial refuges. There was little effect of ovarian age on the abortion rate, but the frequency of empty uteri declined markedly with age – with a suggestion, however, that it might increase again in the oldest flies. A knowledge of the rates of reproductive loss is important for the construction of realistic models of the dynamics of tsetse populations.
The relationship between cabbage root fly (Delia radicum) larval feeding and the freeze‐dried matter and sugar content of Brassica roots
Authors: Hopkins R.J. , Griffiths D.W. , McKinlay R.G. , Birch A.N.E. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractFive genotypes of swede (Brassica napus var. napobrassica), two genotypes of kale (B. oleracea var. acephala), and two genotypes of rape (B. napus var. napus) were each inoculated at the 8–10 true leaf stage with five cabbage root fly (Delia radicum) eggs. The percentage pupation after larval feeding on individual plant genotypes ranged from 45 to 78%, and the mean pupal weight from 6.5 to 13.0 mg. After 5 weeks, larval feeding damage had reduced root weight by up to 47%, compared with uninoculated plants. The dry matter content of undamaged roots was higher in the kales and rapes than in the swedes. Whilst the dry matter content of the rapes and swedes were not changed by D. radicum damage, that of the kales was elevated. The ethanol‐soluble sugar content of the root was reduced in all cases by D. radicum larval damage. However, the effect of D. radicum damage on the concentrations of individual sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) was crop‐ and genotype‐dependent. In the roots of kales and rapes, the glucose and fructose concentrations were either very low or unaffected by D. radicum damage, whilst both glucose and fructose were generally reduced in swede roots by D. radicum damage. The root sucrose concentration was either reduced or not significantly affected by D. radicum damage in all of the crop types tested. The percentage pupation and the mean pupal weight of D. radicum were inversely correlated to root freeze‐dried matter content. D. radicum pupal weight was positively correlated with root fructose, glucose and ethanol‐soluble sugar contents.
Temperature and plant nutrient effects on the development, survival and reproduction of Cinara sp. nov., an invasive pest of cypress trees in Africa
Authors: Kairo Moses T.K. , Murphy Sean T. 
Published: October 2003

Abstract Cinara sp. nov., previously identified as Cinara cupressi (Buckton) (Homoptera: Aphididae), is an important alien aphid pest of cypresses and junipers, and invaded Africa in the late 1980s. The work reported here was carried out as part of a larger programme aimed at the classical biological control of the aphid in Africa. Basic life history attributes including life table statistics of the aphid were quantified in order to facilitate the development of efficient aphid culturing methods and essential baseline information necessary for the culturing of potential parasitoid biological agents prior to selection for introduction to Africa. Developmental rates and fecundity were studied under four constant temperatures (10 °C, 15 °C, 20 °C, and 25 °C). The effects of several plant nutrients (nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus) supplied at different dose levels on life history attributes of Cinara sp. nov. were also studied.Unlike most other aphids, the apterous morph of Cinara sp. nov. developed through only three instars, and the alate four instars. The aphid is highly aggregative and exploits a wide range of feeding sites from young green branches to woody stems. The developmental period of Cinara sp. nov. ranged from 9.3 days at 25 °C to 22.3 days at 10 °C and the developmental threshold was 0.61 °C. Reproduction was delayed, because of the longer duration of development, and nymph production decreased with decreasing temperature. The intrinsic rate of increase ranged between 0.117 at 25 °C and 0.060 at 10 °C. Aphid size increased significantly as temperature was lowered. Wing formation was not induced when apterae were reared for up to three generations at each constant temperature but continuous crowding in the supply cultures held at 21 °C resulted in a high number of alates being formed. No appreciable effects of the different plant nutrients, supplied either singly or in combination, on the duration of instars or overall survival could be detected.
Responses to aphid sex pheromones by the pea aphid parasitoids Aphidius ervi and Aphidius eadyi
Authors: Glinwood R.T. , Du Y.‐J. , Powell W. 
Published: October 2003

Abstract Aphidius ervi and Aphidius eadyi, two parasitoids of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, were attracted to components of the aphid sex pheromone in laboratory bioassays. Pre‐test experience with host aphids in the presence of aphid sex pheromone did not affect the response of A. ervi to pheromone in a 4‐way olfactometer, compared with that of naive parasitoids. Aphidius ervi females exposed only to the pheromone prior to testing did not respond in the olfactometer, suggesting habituation to the foraging cue by the parasitoid. In a wind tunnel, aphid sex pheromone increased the attraction of A. ervi to the plant‐host complex (Vicia faba/A. pisum), suggesting an additive effect when two different foraging cues are present simultaneously.