bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lafoensia pacari extract inhibits IL‐5 production in toxocariasis
Authors: Rogerio A. P. , Sá‐Nunes A. , Albuquerque D. A. , Anibal F. F. , Medeiros A. I. , Machado E. R. , Souza A. O. , Prado J. C. , Faccioli L. H. 
Published: October 2003

SUMMARYToxocariasis is an infection induced by Toxocara canis, an intestinal parasite of dogs. In this study, an experimental murine model of toxocariasis was used to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory activity of an ethanolic extract of Lafoensia pacari stem bark. Mice infected with T. canis were treated with L. pacari extract (200 mg/kg, p.o.). Subsequently, we observed a reduction in the number of eosinophils in the peritoneal cavity, bronchoalveolar fluid, blood and bone marrow. Production of interleukin (IL)‐5, a major cytokine involved in eosinophilic differentiation, proliferation and activation, is also an important marker for infection. The reduced levels of IL‐5 observed in serum, lung homogenates and bronchoalveolar fluid demonstrated the anti‐inflammatory mechanisms of L. pacari. Larvae recovery from infected mice treated with L. pacari was comparable with that from untreated mice, suggesting that L. pacari is not toxic to the parasite. Nonetheless, our results demonstrate a potential therapeutic effect of L. pacari extract in IL‐5‐mediated inflammatory diseases and provide new prospects for the development of drugs to treat IL‐5‐dependent allergic diseases such as parasite infection and asthma.
Epidemic (human immunodeficiency virus‐related) Kaposi's sarcoma in West African women
Authors: Nnoruka Edith N. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractBackground  Most patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) experience skin disease at some stage of their illness, either as a presenting feature or as a later manifestation. Different dermatoses may coexist during the course of the infection, and the unusual nature of the skin lesions can make an accurate diagnosis difficult. Kaposi's sarcoma is one of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)‐defining skin diseases and may coexist with other lesions in AIDS patients. Kaposi's sarcoma is caused by human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), which is mainly transmitted through male homosexual behavior, and is less common in women than in men.Methods  The clinical, histopathologic, and therapeutic aspects of AIDS‐related Kaposi's sarcoma in three women (age, 18–34 years) who presented to the dermatology clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria, were studied over 18 months, beginning in August and September 1998.Results  At presentation, the condition of the three patients was generally poor, with severe anemia and extensive dark‐brown papules, plaques, and nodules. Mucosal involvement was extensive. Generalized lymphadenopathy was found in two patients, one of whom had extensive coexisting dermatophytosis. All three women were in stage III/IV of the disease at the time of initial presentation. Death occurred within days in one and within 7–8 months in two.Conclusions  Because these female patients with epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma lived in an almost entirely heterosexual population, the mode of contamination with HHV8 was obscure. The course of the disease was pervasive, aggressive, and devastating.
Comparison of trichloroacetic acid solution and cryosurgery in the treatment of solar lentigines
Authors: Lugo‐Janer Alexander , Lugo‐Somolinos Aida , Sanchez Jorge L. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractBackground  Solar lentigines are benign keratinocytic proliferations resulting from prolonged and cumulative sun exposure. The newer photoselective lasers have become the mainstay of treatment. However, cryosurgery and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) solution are cost‐effective alternatives in the treatment of solar lentigines.Methods  Twenty‐five patients with multiple solar lentigines over the dorsa of their hands were included. Each hand was treated randomly with either 30% TCA solution or liquid nitrogen spray. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated at 8 weeks.Results  Cryosurgery was more likely to produce significant lightening of the lentigines than 30% TCA solution (P < 0.05) but was more painful and took longer to heal.Conclusion  Cryosurgery was found to be superior to TCA 30% solution in the treatment of solar lentigines. This study demonstrates that old‐fashioned treatments for solar lentigines are still excellent and cost‐effective therapeutic choices.
Comparative biology of oogenesis in nemertean worms
Authors: Stricker Stephen A. , Smythe Toni L. , Miller Leonard , Norenburg Jon L. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractStricker, S. A., Smythe, T. L., Miller, L. and Norenburg, J. L. 2001. Comparative biology of oogenesis in nemertean worms. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 82: 213–230In order to supplement previous analyses of oogenesis in nemertean worms, this study uses light and electron microscopy to compare the ovaries and oocytes in 16 species of nemerteans that represent various taxa within the phylum. Nemertean ovaries comprise serially repeated sacs with an ovarian wall that characteristically includes myofilament‐containing cells interspersed among the germinal epithelium. Each oocyte can attach to the germinal epithelium by a vegetally situated stalk and resides in the ovarian lumen without being surrounded by follicle cells. In the ovary, oocytes arrest at prophase I of meiosis and contain a hypertrophied nucleus (‘germinal vesicle’) that often possesses multiple nucleoli. Intraovarian growth apparently involves an autosynthetic mode of yolk formation in most nemerteans and generates oocytes that measure ~60 µm to 1 mm. When fully developed, oocytes can be discharged through a short gonoduct and are either spawned freely or deposited within egg cases. In most species, oocytes released from the ovary possess extracellular coats and resume maturation by undergoing germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). Such post‐GVBD specimens also form a punctate endoplasmic reticulum that may facilitate fertilization and development.
Morphology and organization of muscle fibres in the thoracic coxal muscle receptor organ and the associated promotor muscle, in a crayfish, Cherax destructor, and mud crab, Scylla serrata
Authors: Parkinson Ann L. , Bakker Anthony J. , Head Stewart I. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractUsing confocal laser scanning and conventional light microscopy, the morphology and organization of the muscle fibres in a proprioceptor, the thoracic coxal muscle receptor organ (TCMRO), and the associated ‘extrafusal’ promotor muscle were investigated in two species of decapod crustacea, the crayfish Cherax destructor and the mud crab Scylla serrata. The diameter of the TCMROs was shown to increase distally, with an increase up to 350% recorded for the crayfish. The tapered shape of the crayfish TCMRO was demonstrated to amplify movements mechanically at the transducer region where the afferent nerves attach. Serial sectioning of the TCMROs, showed that the fibre number increased in the proximal to distal direction from 14 to 30 fibres in the crayfish and from 7 to 20 in the crab. Optical sectioning with the laser scanning confocal microscope revealed that the increase in fibre numbers was the result of muscle fibres branching in the distal third section of the TCMRO. The percentage of muscle tissue in the cross‐sectional area in the TCMRO was found to be only 35.2% and 64.6% in the crayfish and crab, respectively. Longitudinal sectioning using laser scanning confocal microscopy revealed the average sarcomere length of the TCMRO muscle fibres of both species to be in the intermediate range for crustacean muscle fibres (4.1 ± 0.1 µm and 4.55 ± 0.34 µm for the crayfish and crab) compared with the long sarcomere muscle fibres in the associated promotor muscles (7.87 ± 0.2 and 10.6 ± 0.6 µm). The distinct morphology of the TCMRO muscle fibres – smaller diameter, intermediate sarcomere length and branching of fibres compared to the larger, long sarcomere promotor fibre muscle fibres – suggest that the TCMRO muscle fibres are specialized in their role of proprioception.
Haloperidol impairs auditory filial imprinting and modulates monoaminergic neurotransmission in an imprinting‐relevant forebrain area of the domestic chick
Authors: Gruss M. , Bock J. , Braun K. 
Published: October 2003

Abstract In vivo
microdialysis and behavioural studies in the domestic chick have shown that glutamatergic as well as monoaminergic neurotransmission in the medio‐rostral neostriatum/hyperstriatum ventrale (MNH) is altered after auditory filial imprinting. In the present study, using pharmaco‐behavioural and
in vivo
microdialysis approaches, the role of dopaminergic neurotransmission in this juvenile learning event was further evaluated. The results revealed that: (i) the systemic application of the potent dopamine receptor antagonist haloperidol (7.5 mg/kg) strongly impairs auditory filial imprinting; (ii) systemic haloperidol induces a tetrodotoxin‐sensitive increase of extracellular levels of the dopamine metabolite, homovanillic acid, in the MNH, whereas the levels of glutamate, taurine and the serotonin metabolite, 5‐hydroxyindole‐3‐acetic acid, remain unchanged; (iii) haloperidol (0.01, 0.1, 1 m
m
) infused locally into the MNH increases glutamate, taurine and 5‐ hydroxyindole‐3‐acetic acid levels in a dose‐dependent manner, whereas homovanillic acid levels remain unchanged; (iv) systemic haloperidol infusion reinforces the
N
‐methyl‐
d ‐aspartate receptor‐mediated inhibitory modulation of the dopaminergic neurotransmission within the MNH. These results indicate that the modulation of dopaminergic function and its interaction with other neurotransmitter systems in a higher associative forebrain region of the juvenile avian brain displays similar neurochemical characteristics as the adult mammalian prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, we were able to show that the pharmacological manipulation of monoaminergic regulatory mechanisms interferes with learning and memory formation, events which in a similar fashion might occur in young or adult mammals.
Habitat use, foraging ecology and diet of Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur in Britain
Authors: Browne Stephen J. , Aebischer Nicholas J. 
Published: October 2003

Since 1968, Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur in Britain have declined in number by 70% and in breeding range by at least 25%. This study was undertaken during the 1998–2000 breeding seasons at two sites in East Anglia to examine habitat use and foraging ecology. Home ranges of radiotagged Turtle Doves were 0.3–1130 ha in size and contained more woodland than expected from availability. Radiotagged birds undertook foraging trips of up to 10 km. Turtle Doves were recorded feeding primarily at ‘man‐made’ sites (i.e. spilt grain, animal feed and grain stores) and were only infrequently recorded feeding at ‘natural’ sites. Diet analysis showed that wheat and rape seed averaged 61% of the seeds eaten by Turtle Doves. This contrasts with a study undertaken in Britain in the 1960s, when the seeds of wild plants (weeds) constituted over 90% of those eaten, with wheat and rape seeds making up only 5%. The current arrangements for set‐aside and agri‐environmental schemes provide a framework for the establishment and maintenance of weed‐rich areas on farmland as a source of wild food.
Reproductive ecology of Tibetan Eared Pheasant Crossoptilon harmani in scrub environment, with special reference to the effect of food
Authors: Lu Xin , Zheng Guang‐Mei 
Published: October 2003

We studied the nesting ecology of two groups of the endangered Tibetan Eared Pheasants Crossoptilon harmani in scrub environments near Lhasa, Tibet, during 1996 and 1999–2001. One group received artificial food from a nunnery prior to incubation whereas the other fed on natural food. This difference in the birds’ nutritional history allowed us to assess the effects of food on reproduction. Laying occurred between mid‐April and early June, with a peak at the end of April or early May. Eggs were laid around noon. Adult females produced one clutch per year. Clutch size averaged 7.4 eggs (4–11). Incubation lasted 24–25 days. We observed a higher nesting success (67.7%) than reported for other eared pheasants. Provisioning had no significant effect on the timing of clutch initiation or nesting success, and a weak effect on egg size and clutch size (explaining 8.2% and 9.1% of the observed variation, respectively). These results were attributed to the observation that the unprovisioned birds had not experienced local food shortage before laying, despite spending more time feeding and less time resting than the provisioned birds. Nest‐site selection by the pheasants was non‐random with respect to environmental variables. Rock‐cavities with an entrance averaging 0.32 m2 in size and not deeper than 1.5 m were greatly preferred as nest‐sites. The birds were also more likely to place their nests in denser high‐scrub and closer to streams. In the study area, the low availability of both cliff habitats and high‐scrub patches suggested a limitation of sites suitable for nesting, which could be reflected in the between‐year re‐use of nest‐sites (8.9%) and intraspecific nest parasitism (3.8%). Despite the apparent preference for certain nest‐site variables, we found no effect of these on clutch fate, suggesting that the risk of nest predation was random.
Geothermobarometry, P–T paths and metamorphic field gradients of high‐pressure rocks from the Adula Nappe, Central Alps
Authors: Dale J. , Holland T. J. B. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractMetabasic rocks from the Adula Nappe in the Central Alps record a regional high‐pressure metamorphic event during the Eocene, and display a regional variation in high‐pressure mineral assemblages from barroisite, or glaucophane, bearing garnet amphibolites in the north to kyanite eclogites in the central part of the nappe. High‐pressure rocks from all parts of the nappe show the same metamorphic evolution of assemblages consistent with prograde blueschist, high‐pressure amphibolite or eclogite facies conditions followed by peak‐pressure eclogite facies conditions and decompression to the greenschist or amphibolite facies. Average PT calculations (using thermocalc) quantitatively establish nested, clockwise P–T paths for different parts of the Adula Nappe that are displaced to higher pressure and temperature from north to south. Metamorphic conditions at peak pressure increase from about 17 kbar, 640 °C in the north to 22 kbar, 750 °C in the centre and 25 kbar, 750 °C in the south. The northern and central Adula Nappe behaved as a coherent tectonic unit at peak pressures and during decompression, and thermobarometric results are interpreted in terms of a metamorphic field gradient of 9.6 ± 2.0 °C km−1 and 0.20 ± 0.05 kbar km−1. These results constrain the peak‐pressure position and orientation of the nappe to a depth of 55–75 km, dipping at an angle of approximately 45° towards the south. Results from the southern Adula Nappe are not consistent with the metamorphic field gradient determined for the northern and central parts, which suggests that the southern Adula Nappe may have been separated from central and northern parts at peak pressure.
Preconditioning Reduces QTc Value in Patients with First Non‐ST‐Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI)
Authors: Papadopoulos Christodoulos E. , Karvounis Haralampos I. , Parharidis Georgios E. , Louridas Georgios E. 
Published: October 2003

Background: Preinfarction angina (PA) consists a strong clinical correlate to ischemic preconditioning (PC) and seems to occur in a bimodal time course. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of both forms of PC on QTc value representing myocardial electric stability, in patients with a first NSTEMI. Methods: Forty‐eight patients, with first NSTEMI and poor or no collateral development were enrolled in the study. QTc at admission and discharge were recorded. All patients had comparable admission QTc values and were divided into three groups according to the absence or presence and exact timing of preinfarction angina. The first group consisted of 20 patients who did not report PA (PA−, representing no PC effect); the second group of 12 patients with reported PA within 12 hours prior to admission (12h PA+, representing the classic form of PC); and the third group of 16 patients reporting PA within 12 to 48 hours prior to admission (48‐hour PA+, representing the delayed form of PC). The primary outcome was determined as the effect of PA on QTc value at discharge. Results: Discharge QTc values were significantly reduced in both (PA+) groups compared to (PA−) group (412 ± 50 vs. 455 ± 53 ms, p = 0.015 and 417 ± 29 vs. 455 ± 53 ms, P = 0.033, respectively). Both groups of (PA+) patients compared to (PA−) patients suffered no arrhythmic events during their hospitalization (0/12 vs. 6/20, P = 0.04 and 0/16 vs. 6/20, P = 0.02). Conclusions: Both forms of preconditioning, similarly and significantly reduce QTc value at discharge in patients experiencing a first NSTEMI, suggesting possible protection from future arrhythmic events.
The Effect of Exercise to P Wave Dispersion and Its Evaluation as a Predictor of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Yiğit Zerrin , Akdur Hülya , Ersanli Murat , Ökçün Bariş , Güven Özen 
Published: October 2003

Aim: Prolongation of P wave time and increase of its dispersion as an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation. In patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) as in healthy people, exercise augments sympathetic activity and therefore can cause the development of atrial fibrillation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of exercise on P wave dispersion and to predict the development of atrial fibrillation. Methods: One hundred and ninety‐eight patients (93 women, 105 men, mean age: 59.05 ± 11.01 years) having the diagnosis of PAF were included in the study. The left atrial diameter of all these patients was more than 4.0 cm. One hundred and fifty‐five patients (72 females, 83 males, mean age: 58.41 ± 10.79 years), with left atrial diameter more than 4.0 cm and without PAF were taken as control group. Symptom limited exercise test with modified Bruce protocol was performed on all patients. Rest, maximum exercise and recovery, and first, third, and fifth‐minute 12‐derivation ECG was taken in all patients. The velocity of ECG was adjusted to 50 mm/s; shortest and largest P wave durations were measured and P wave dispersion was calculated. Results: The mean left atrial diameter was 4.41 ± 0.58 cm in PAF patients and 4.38 ± 0.48 cm in control group. No differences were found between PAF patients with the controls in exercise time (10.38 ± 2.93 vs 10.81 ± 2.75 minutes); METs (6.98 ± 1.72 vs 7.28 ± 1.75 minutes); resting heart rate (79.13 ± 14.86 vs 79.69 ± 10.43 bpm); peak heart rate (146.83 ± 23.21 vs 146.94 ± 16.13 bpm). Maximum exercise P wave duration and P wave dispersion were greater than the rest measurements in PAF group (respectively P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0004). Conclusion: In PAF patients, P wave dispersion is significantly longer at rest, maximum exercise and recovery time than in a control group without PAF.
Heart Rate Variability: Short‐Term Studies are as Useful as Holter to Differentiate Diabetic Patients from Healthy Subjects
Authors: Migliaro Eduardo R. , Canetti Rafael , Contreras Paola , Hakas Michel 
Published: October 2003

Background: The definitive incorporation of heart rate variability (HRV) as a clinical tool depends on the development of more confident techniques of measurement. The length of the studies is a critical issue. Whereas Holter studies allow the monitorization at different hours and activities, short‐term recordings allow the control of environmental conditions. Recording length is also strongly related to the procedure of analysis; for instance, some time‐domain indexes are strongly affected by the duration of the study. Meanwhile, spectral analyses require stationary conditions, only achieved in short‐term studies. Our main goal was to determine if HRV indexes obtained from short‐term analyses were as useful as those from Holter monitoring for diagnosis of reduced HRV in diabetes. Methods: We studied two groups: one with impaired HRV (15 diabetic patients) and another with normal HRV (15 healthy subjects). HRV indexes obtained from 24‐hour Holter recordings (SDNN, rMSSD, and the power of LF and HF bands), were correlated with analog indexes obtained from 10‐minute digital acquired studies within each group. Besides, we compared the diabetic and control groups using the indexes obtained with both methodologies. Results: The correlation was high (0.70≤r ≤ 0.85, P ≤ 0.0032) in the diabetic group, but was poor in the control group. HRV values were significantly lower in the diabetic group either for 24‐hour or short‐term studies (P ≤ 0.0113). Conclusion: We conclude that short‐term studies are at least as powerful as Holter to differentiate the diabetic group (impaired HRV) from the control group.
The influence of ant‐attendance on aphid behaviour investigated with the electrical penetration graph technique
Authors: Rauch Gisep , Simon Jean‐Christophe , Chaubet Bernard , Haack Lucie , Flatt Thomas , Weisser Wolfgang W. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractFor the mutualistic interaction between the aphid Metopeurum fuscoviride Stroyan (Homoptera: Aphididae) and the ant Lasius niger L. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) it has been shown that ant‐tended aphids develop faster, reproduce at a higher rate, and live longer than aphids not tended by ants. We used electrical penetration graphs (EPG) to investigate if behavioural patterns differ between ant‐tended and untended M. fuscoviride during 8 h experiments. Measurements were made on adult aphids from four different ant‐tended colonies that continued to be tended by L. niger during the experiments, and from four different colonies where ant workers were excluded several days before the start of the experiment and that were also not tended by ants during the experiments. Ants readily tended wired aphids and ant tending did not interfere with the EPG measurements. There were no significant differences in the duration of sieve element penetration or in any other analysed feeding‐related EPG parameters between ant‐tended and untended individuals. However, the quality of the EPG recordings did not allow the distinction between the EPG‐waveform E1 (salivation only) and E2 (salivation and ingestion). These results suggest that the changes in life‐history traits of ant‐tended aphids do not result from changes in time of sieve element penetration waveforms. Alternative mechanisms may involve an increase in the rate of sap uptake or a higher effectiveness in nutrient uptake in the presence of ants. Our study demonstrates that the EPG technique is a useful tool to investigate the feeding behaviour of aphids during interactions with ants.
Effects of selected botanical insecticides on the behaviour and mortality of the glasshouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum and the parasitoid Encarsia formosa
Authors: Simmonds M.S.J. , Manlove J.D. , Blaney W.M. , Khambay B.P.S. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractToxicity and behavioural bioassays were used to assess the lethal and sub‐lethal effects of two naphthoquinones from the Chilean plant Calceolaria andina L. (Scrophulariaceae), two products derived from Azadirachta indica and pyrethrum on the glasshouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood, and the parasitoid Encarsia formosa Gahan. The potential use of these botanicals in an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme is discussed. Pyrethrum was the most toxic botanical tested, but it was toxic to both the whitefly and parasitoid. The naphthoquinones showed potential for inclusion into an IPM programme if, by formulation, the toxicity towards the whitefly could be increased and the deterrent activity towards E. formosa adults decreased. Overall, the A. indica‐derived products had the most potential for use in an IPM system for the control of whitefly, which includes E. formosa as a biocontrol agent.