bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chemical races in the red alga Laurencia nipponica (Rhodomelaceae, Ceramiales)
Authors: Abe Tsuyoshi , Masuda Michio , Suzuki Teruaki , Suzuki Minoru 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYGenetic variation in the synthesis of halogenated secondary metabolites in the Japanese marine red alga Laurencia nipponica Yamada (Rhodomelaceae, Ceramiales) has been investigated in laboratory crossing experiments and chemical analyses, F1 tetrasporophytes and F1 gametophytes resulting from crosses within chemical races produced major metabolites characteristic of these races. F1 tetrasporophytes derived from reciprocal interracial crosses produced: (i) both parental types of secondary metabolites; (ii) either of the parental types; or (iii) a further major compound in addition to both parental types or in addition to either of the parental types. The latter cases suggest that hybrid‐specific products were formed by the combined enzymatic complements of the parents, as F1 gametophytes derived from these interracial F1 tetrasporophytes yielded one or other of their parental products in an approximate 1:1 ratio. The population structure was analyzed at localities in Hokkaido, where two of the chemical races occur sympatrically. At Usujiri (Minami‐kayabe), where the prepacifenol race and the laureatin race were sym‐patric, hybrid gametophytes (recombination type) were found in high frequency in addition to hybrid tetra sporophytes, which strongly suggests that a new, pre‐pacifenol/laureatm race is beginning to be produced by natural hybridization and recombination. By contrast, at Oshoro Bay, where the laurencin race and the epi‐lauraliene race grew together, the interracial hybrids were rare: only a few tetrasporophytes (probably F1 generation) were found, suggesting that racial integrity may be retained by habitat segregation and/or the absence of recombination‐type gametophytes.
Turbinaria foliosasp. nov. (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) from the Sultanate of Oman, with a census of currently recognized species in the genus Turbinaria
Authors: Wynne Michael J. 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARY Turbinaria foliosasp. nov. is described on the basis of several collections made from Dhofar, Sultanate of Oman. The new species is known only from southern Oman, a region of the northern Arabian Sea that is strongly impacted by the upwelling from the summertime monsoon. It is distinguished from other species of the genus by the shape of the leaves and by their loose, non‐congested arrangement. Air vesicles, embedded in the leaves, may be present, but more often are absent. A census of the currently recognized species in the genus Turbinaria is provided. Reference is made to Sargassum turbinarioides and Sargassum turbinati‐folium. These species possess discrete blades and spherical vesicles and thus conform to Sargassum.
Haramonas viridissp. nov. (Raphidophyceae, Heterokontophyta), a new sand‐dwelling raphidophyte from cold temperate waters
Authors: Horiguchi Takeo , Hoppenrath Mona 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYA new, marine, sand‐dwelling raphidophyte from Sylt, Germany, Haramonas viridis Horiguchi et Hoppenrath sp. nov. is described. This represents a second species in the previously monotypic genus Haramonas, which was originally described from a sand sample from a mangrove river mouth in tropical Australia, based on the type species, H. dimorpha. This new species from a cold temperate region: (i) possesses a tubular invagi‐nation in the posterior part of the cell; (ii) produces copious amounts of mucilage in culture; (iii) possesses both motile and non‐motile stages in its life cycle; and (iv) has overlapping discoidal chloroplasts, all of which are diagnostic features of the genus Haramonas. Therefore, it is indisputable that this species belongs to this genus. However, the species from Sylt differs from the type species of the genus in: (i) having a larger cell size; (ii) possessing a larger number of chloroplasts; and (iii) being greenish in color. The ultrastructural study revealed that the structure of the tubular invagi‐nation was the same as that of the type species.
The facilitating effect of cigarette smoke on the colonization of instilled bacteria into the tracheal lumen in rats and the improving influence of supplementary vitamin E on this process
Authors: Özlü Tevfik , Çay Mehmet , Akbulut Ayhan , Yekeler Hayrettin , Naziroglu Mustafa , Aksakal Mesut 
Published: March 2003

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the direct influence of cigarette smoke on the bacterial colonization of the lower respiratory tract and the effect of supplementary vitamin E on the colonization of instilled bacteria into the trachea of rats that do not have the chronic airway pathology associated with smoking. Methodology: Thirty male Wistar albino rats, weighing approximately 250 g, were used as experimental animals. A 0.1 mL bacterial suspension containing six bacterial species (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, Haemophilus influenza, Peptostreptococci spp.), isolated previously from pharynx of rats, were instilled into the trachea of three groups of rat (10 control, 10 cigarette smoke‐treated and 10 cigarette smoke‐ and vitamin E‐supplemented rats). The smoke‐treated rats were exposed to cigarette smoke for 3 days prior to and after intratracheal instillation. The third group of rats were given vitamin E supplements (100 mg/kg per day). Tracheobronchial lavage samples of all rats were quantitatively cultured after 3 days from the instillation. Results: The colony numbers of isolated bacteria were significantly higher in cigarette smoke‐treated rats than in the control group and in the smoke‐ and vitamin E‐supplemented rats (P < 0.05). Only S. aureus and S. epidermidis were isolated from vitamin E‐supplemented rats, while instilled all six bacterial species were isolated from the other two groups. Conclusions: It is concluded that smoking impairs the elimination of bacteria or facilitates colonization of bacteria in the lower respiratory tract of rats. Supplementary treatment with vitamin E reduces the effect of cigarette smoke; however, some bacteria may be resistant to this action of vitamin E.
Unusual radiological presentation and rapid fatal progression of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in an immunocompetent young patient
Authors: Parameswaran K , Joshi M , Ravindran P 
Published: March 2003

AbstractInvasive aspergillosis occurs very rarely in immunocompetent hosts. We describe a 21‐year‐old female with no obvious immunosuppression or underlying lung disease, who presented with minimal symptoms and bilateral hilar prominence on chest X‐ray. Invasive aspergillosis was diagnosed on an open lung biopsy. She deteriorated in the ensuing 2 weeks and died of a sudden massive haemoptysis. This initial radiological abnormality and the rapid clinical course of the disease in young immunocompetent patients have not been previously reported.
Giant cell arteritis presenting as chronic cough and prolonged fever
Authors: Lim Kim‐Hatt , Liam Chong‐Kin , Vasudevan Andy E , Wong Catherine Mee‐Ming 
Published: March 2003

AbstractA 62‐year‐old man presented with a 3‐month history of chronic non‐productive cough and unexplained fever. Further questioning revealed that he had headaches and myalgia. Bilateral thickened temporal arteries were noted on physical examination. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 96 mm in 1 h. A biopsy specimen of the left temporal artery showed inflammatory changes consistent with the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis. Commencement of prednisolone resulted in rapid and dramatic resolution of his symptoms. Physicians should be aware of respiratory symptoms in patients with giant cell arteritis in order to avoid delay in diagnosis and therapy of this condition.
Induced sputum eosinophils in the assessment of asthma and chronic cough*
Authors: Wark Peter Ab , Gibson Peter G , Fakes Kellie 
Published: March 2003

Objective:To evaluate induced sputum eosinophils in asthma and chronic cough. Design: This was an analytical, cross‐sectional study set in an ambulatory respiratory clinic. Subjects: Subjects (n = 75) referred for evaluation of symptomatic asthma or episodic respiratory symptoms had a clinical assessment, spirometry, hypertonic saline challenge and induced sputum. Two diagnostic groups were identified. The first group comprised subjects with symptomatic asthma and variable airway obstruction (VAO) (n = 32). The second group included subjects with episodic respiratory symptoms and no VAO (n = 43). Results: The prevalence of eosinophilic bronchitis (eosinophils > 2.75%) was greatest in asthma (n = 14, 44%), compared to the episodic respiratory symptoms group (n = 9, 21%, P = 0.02). Clinical variables did not predict increased eosinophils (P > 0.05). Sputum eosinophils were highest in asthmatics not using inhaled corticosteroids (6.5%vs 0.5%, P = 0.02). Sputum neutrophils were higher in subjects using inhaled corticosteroid (53%vs 25%, P = 0.04). Conclusion: Airway inflammation with eosinophilia was common among patients presenting to a respiratory clinic, especially those with asthma who were not using inhaled corticosteroids. Induced sputum also identified eosinophilic bronchitis in those without asthma. It was not possible to detect the presence or absence of airway eosinophilia by routine clinical assessment. The results in this study imply that the assessment of induced sputum eosinophils may be a useful guide to therapy, especially in the assessment of persistent symptoms in asthmatics on corticosteroids, and in the assessment of non‐asthmatic subjects with symptoms.
Post‐inhalation bronchoconstriction by beclomethasone dipropionate: A comparison of two different CFC propellant formulations in asthmatics
Authors: Ruffin Richard E. , Campbell Donald A. , Chia Mon M. 
Published: March 2003

Objective:To assess the change in bronchial response to cumulative doses from two beclomethasone dipropionate metered‐dose inhalers (MDI), each using chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellants, in asthma patients previously showing falls in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) shortly after exposure to beclomethasone MDI. Methodology: A total of 18 patients were randomized to a single‐blind, three‐period cross‐over treatment regimen, whereby each was administered increasing doses of control mixture (containing surfactant and CFC propellants) or beclomethasone, formulated as either Becloforte™ or Respocort™ (250–1000 μg per dose; cumulative dose 2000 μg). Bronchial response was measured by comparison of FEV1 values pre‐ and post‐inhalation. Results: Respocort formulation produced the least post‐dose mean maximum reduction in FEV1 (0.36 ± 0.17 L; 14.3 ± 7.2% of baseline FEV1), while the reduction caused by the control was similar (0.40 ± 0.18 L; 16.2 ± 9.9% of baseline FEV1). Becloforte produced a significantly greater maximum reduction in FEV1 than Respocort (0.55 ± 0.32 L, P = 0.003; 22.0 ± 15.3% of baseline FEV1, P = 0.005). No serious adverse events were reported, but four patients experienced falls in FEV1 of greater than 15% (three on Becloforte, one using the control). Conclusion: The incidence of falls in FEV1 following use of beclomethasone MDI was low and generally not serious even in a selected population. The Becloforte preparation produced significantly more post‐dose bronchoconstriction than the Respocort formulation, perhaps because of differences in the composition of the surfactant and/or CFC propellant mixtures used to formulate each of the aerosols.
Pulmonary tissue volume measured by acetylene rebreathing under artificial ventilation
Authors: Mizuno Kohsuke , Ichinose Yuichi , Ishii Hitoshi , Nishi Isao 
Published: March 2003

Objective:In order to evaluate the pulmonary congestive state of patients being mechanically ventilated, an acetylene rebreathing method was employed. Measurement of pulmonary tissue volume by the acetylene (C2H2) rebreathing method was performed in 15 patients under artificial ventilation including four congestive heart failure cases, one renal failure case, and 12 healthy controls. Methodology: The subjects rebreathed mixed gas containing 0.65% C2H2, 10% argon (Ar), and 60% oxygen (O2) from end‐tidal level, and inspiratory and expiratory gas concentrations were measured by a mass spectrometer. Correction for system volume reduction during rebreathing due to gas exchange and C2H2 concentration fluctuation was performed, pulmonary tissue volume was calculated from the C2H2 and Ar concentration difference at the time zero intercept. Time zero was assumed to be the time at which C2H2 and Ar concentration started to differ. Results: Pulmonary tissue volume per functional residual capacity and pulmonary tissue volume per pulmonary capillary blood flow for cases with congestive heart failure and renal failure cases were significantly higher than those for non‐pulmonary congestion cases and normal controls. Conclusion: The measurement of pulmonary tissue volume by C2H2 rebreathing can be applied to the patients under artificial ventilation in order to quantitatively evaluate pulmonary congestion or edema.
Craniofacial abnormalities in Japanese patients with severe obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome
Authors: Ito Daisuke , Akashiba Tsuneto , Yamamoto Hitoshi , Kosaka Naoko , Horie Takashi 
Published: March 2003

Objective: To clarify that factors besides obesity play an important role in the development of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) in Japanese patients, we compared craniofacial structures in patients with severe OSAS with those of normal controls.Methodology: The craniofacial structures of 60 Japanese patients with severe OSAS and 30 normal controls were evaluated using standard cephalometric analysis. Patients were stratified according to body mass index (BMI): non‐obese, BMI < 25; moderately obese, BMI = 25–30, severely obese, BMI > 30.Results: The SNA (sella to nasion to subspinale angle) was significantly smaller in the patient groups than in the controls. The SNB (sella to nasion to supramentale angle) and NSBa (cranial base flexure) were significantly smaller in the non‐obese and moderately obese patients than in controls. The MP‐H (distance from the mandibular plane to the hyoid bone) and the PNS‐P (distance from the posterior nasal spine to the tip of the soft palate) were significantly longer in the patient groups than in the controls. The PNS‐P was significantly longer in the severely obese patients than in the non‐obese patients.Conclusions: Japanese patients with severe OSAS have enlargement of the soft tissues and palate as well as craniofacial bony structural abnormalities. This is particularly apparent in non‐obese patients.
Prognostic factors in severe community‐acquired pneumonia in patients without co‐morbid illness
Authors: FELDMAN CHARLES , VILJOEN ESTHER , MORAR RAJEN , RICHARDS GUY , SAWYER LESLEY , MAHOMED AKHTER GOOLAM 
Published: March 2003

Objectives: We wished to determine the prognostic factors and the impact of initial empirical antibiotic therapy on the outcome of severe community‐acquired pneumonia in patients without underlying co‐morbid illness.Methodology: This is a retrospective record review of consecutive patients with severe community‐acquired pneumonia who were divided into those with and without underlying co‐morbid illness.Results: There were 182 patients including 112 primary (no co‐morbid illness) and 70 secondary (underlying co‐morbid illness) pneumonias. The overall mortality was 41.8% and there were no differences in APACHE II score or mortality when comparing cases with primary (37.5%) and secondary infections (48.6%). The mortality was significantly higher in patients with negative microbiology. Univariate analysis identified a number of parameters and various antibiotic regimens, which appeared to be associated with a significantly poorer outcome. On multivariate analysis multilobar pulmonary consolidation, need for mechanical ventilation, inotropes and dialysis were documented to be independent predictors of mortality. Only in their absence could different antibiotic regimens be shown to have an apparent impact on outcome and further analysis suggested that the reason for these differences related predominantly to differences in the severity of the infection.Conclusions: Markers of disease severity appear to be the most important predictors of outcome in patients with severe community‐acquired pneumonia.
Outcome evaluation of early discharge from hospital with asthma
Authors: KHAN Md Sanaur R. , HENRY Richard L. , HURST Tara 
Published: March 2003

Objective:  The aim of the study was to determine whether it was safe to discharge children with asthma from hospital when stable on 3‐hourly rather than 4‐hourly doses of salbutamol.Methodology:  A retrospective study of 419 individual admissions of 359 children with asthma was undertaken. We defined a theoretical ‘time ready for discharge’ (TRD) for asthmatic admissions based on: (i) at least two doses of 3‐hourly salbutamol and due for the third dose, (ii) no oxygen supplementation, (iii) no intravenous fluid or therapy, and (iv) time of discharge should be either before 17:30 hours or after 07:30 hours. Each admission was analysed using appropriate parameters to assess for risks and benefits of using this theoretical TRD as a guide for discharging asthmatic children from hospital.Results:  A total of 116 (27.7%) children were discharged before our theoretical TRD, including 11 children who received salbutamol no less often than 2‐hourly and 37 who had a single dose of 3‐hourly salbutamol before discharge. Re‐admission to hospital and representation to the Emergency Department without re‐admission within 1 week of discharge were less common in the group who were discharged before they had achieved theoretical TRD than in those who were discharged at or after the theoretical TRD, although the numbers were too small to reach statistical significance. Between our theoretical TRD and actual time of discharge two children who received supplemental oxygen and more frequent salbutamol may have required re‐admission.Conclusions:  From the medical viewpoint discharge when the child is stable on 3‐hourly rather than 4‐hourly doses appears safe. This can be expected to shorten length of stay by an average of 5.5 h (P < 0.001).
Pollinator limitation and resource limitation of seed production in the Scotch broom, Cytisus scoparius (Leguminosae)
Authors: Suzuki Nobuhiko 
Published: March 2003

AbstractPollinator limitation and resource limitation of seed production were examined in flowers of a natural population of Scotch broom, Cytisus scoparius, by taking advantage of the floral characteristics that flowers tripped open by an effective pollinator were easily distinguishable from unvisited flowers. In total, 40.26% of flowers were visited by effective pollinators, 28.91% were pollinated and 13.75% matured fruits. Therefore, 71.80% of visited flowers were pollinated and 47.58% of pollinated flowers matured fruits. Thus, the most limiting factor for fruit production was pollinator visitation rate (pollinator limitation), and secondarily the process from pollination to fruiting further constrained fruit production (resource limitation). The pollinator visitation rate was significantly higher for plants growing in a sunny habitat than in a shady one, and pollinator limitation was more severe in the shady habitat than the sunny one. The proportion of fruit produced to pollinated flowers was not significantly different between the sunny and shady habitats, but was lower on larger plants, indicating that resource limitation was more severe on larger plants producing many more flowers.
Sex‐ratio variation among Arisaema species with different patterns of gender diphasy
Authors: Richardson Charles R. , Clay Keith 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Arisaema species exhibit gender diphasy, or sex change, where individual plants produce either male, monoecious or female inflorescences depending on their size. Three basic sex‐change patterns have been described in Arisaema. Type I species change between male and monoecious phases, type II species change between male, monoecious and female phases, while type III species change between male and female phases. Theoretical models suggest that sex ratios should be biased toward males, the sex with the lowest cost of reproduction. The goal of this study was to examine sex‐ratio variation among Arisaema species that differ in sex‐change patterns. Data from an extensive literature review, consisting of all available studies reporting Arisaema sex ratios, were combined with data from extensive field surveys of Arisaema dracontium and Arisaema triphyllum in southern Indiana, USA. This data set contains nearly 30 000 plants from 12 species. All species conformed to either the type I or type III pattern of sex change. There was little evidence for a distinct type II pattern of sex change, given that plants with monoecious inflorescences were rare relative to plants with pistillate inflorescences. The mean sex ratio in type I species (79.9% male) was significantly greater than in type III species (63.7% male). The data are consistent with the prediction that type I species are likely to have greater costs associated with female reproduction. We suggest that all Arisaema species have similar patterns of floral development, but differ in their ontogenetic patterns for male and female flowering.
Palm pollination by bees, beetles and flies: Why pollinator taxonomy does not matter. The case ofHyospathe elegans(Arecaceae, Arecoidae, Areceae, Euterpeinae)
Authors: Listabarth Christian 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe concept of adaptation‐based pollination syndromes in which systematically bounded groups of pollinators service a particular host species has been applied to the palms. Except for beetle pollinated species, many palms lack major anthecological adaptations that apparently promote visits of a particular taxonomic group of insects. To address the question whether these palms have evolved insect‐specific pollination systems, the interaction of the monoecious, protandrous palmHyospathe elegansMart. and visiting insects was studied in Amazonian Peru during an entire flowering period. At least 27 taxa of the orders Coleoptera, Hymenoptera and Diptera were recorded regularly visiting both types of flowers. To test whether flower visitation is taxonomically skewed, two sets of visitor samples from staminate and pistillate flowers were compared. There is no evidence to support the working hypothesis that there is a single optimal pollinator or a systematically bounded group of principal pollinators, based on the frequency of visits or the relative dominance within the visitor spectrum. Visitation rates suggest a mixed‐species guild of nectar‐feeding insects to be the commonest and most dependable pollinator group, along with an analogous guild of generalist‐feeding copollinators.Hyospathe elegansand closely related species ofEuterpeandPrestoeashow common traits in their interaction with pollinators, such as phenological pattern, flowering behavior and allocation of rewards, and they also share a corresponding feeding guild. Given a preponderance of low taxonomic pollinator specificity in palm reproductive systems, pollination by a mixed‐species guild may be widespread and the classification of ‘mellitophilous’ and ‘myophilous’ palms should be reconsidered.