bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a Filtration Lymphocytapheresis (LCP) Device for Use in the Treatment of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Kondoh Takefumi , Hidaka Yasuo , Katoh Hitoshi , Inoue Noboru , Saito Shirao 
Published: March 2003

Abstract: Guest Editor's Introduction: Cell adhesion on a material is caused by the interaction between them and related to the material characteristics including chemical structure, surface charge, wettability, smoothness, and microstructure such as microdomain structure. In addition, Nishimura of Asahi Medical Co. found that the size of the material is important particularly in the case of lymphocyte adhesion. Based upon this result Asahi Medical Co. developed lymphocyte removal filters by use of ultra fine fibers having a diameter of 1.7 μm. The filter was first used for leukocyte filters for blood transfusion, and then applied for therapeutic use in the treatment of patients with various hematological and autoimmune diseases. This paper describes the specification of the filter and clinical application for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. This paper was printed in Artificial Organs, vol. 15, page 180–188 (1991) and reprinted here with permission.A practical on‐line lymphocytapheresis (LCP) system using a leukapheresis filter (Cellsorba, Asahi Medical Co.) was evaluated in six patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis. This filter consists of nonwoven fine polyester fiber wound around a porous cylinder. The blood was passed through the polyester fiber at a flow rate of 50 ml/min for 60 min. LCP was carried out once a week in the first month and biweekly in the next 2 months. An average of 98% of the leukocytes that entered the filter (1.27 × 1010 cells) and 100% of the lymphocytes that entered the filter (3.66 × 109 cells) were removed in the first LCP. A total of 96.6% of the platelets and 2.7% of the erythrocytes that entered the filter were also removed. All of the patients showed clinical improvement in morning stiffness, Lansbury articular index, and functional capacity, with no adverse reaction. The number of circulating lymphocytes erythrocytes, and platelets and the concentration of various serum components showed no significant change during the treatments. This LCP system required no fresh frozen plasma, albumin, or other blood transfusion. The number of circulating lymphocytes decreased to 65–70% of the pretreatment circulating lymphocyte count at the last procedure, with a decrease in the ratio of Leu3a positive cells to Leu2a positive cells. The proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A was improved. These data suggest that LCP to remove ∼3 × 109 lymphocytes once a week or biweekly has an immunomodulatory effect.
Vegetation Similarity and Avifaunal Food Value of Restored and Natural Marshes in Northern New York
Authors: Brown Stephen C. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractMeasuring the success of wetland restoration efforts requires an assessment of the wetland plant community as it changes following restoration. But analyses of restored wetlands often include plant community data from only one time period. We studied the development of plant communities at 13 restored marshes in northern New York for 4 years, including 1 year prior to restoration and 3 years afterwards. Restored wetlands ranged in size from 0.23 to 1.70 ha. Four reference wetlands of similar basin morphology, soil type, and size (0.29–0.48 ha) that occurred naturally in the same area were studied as comparisons. Dike construction to restore hydrology disturbed the existing vegetation in some parts of the restored sites, and vegetation was monitored in both disturbed and undisturbed areas. Undisturbed areas within the restored sites, which were dominated by upland field grasses before restoration, developed wetland plant communities with lower wetland index values but comparable numbers of wetland plant species than the reference wetlands, and they lagged behind the reference sites in terms of total wetland plant cover. There were significantly more plant species valuable as food sources for wetland birds, and a significantly higher percent cover of these species, at the undisturbed areas of the restored sites than at the reference wetlands. Areas of the restored sites that were disturbed by dike construction, however, often developed dense, monospecific cattail stands. In general, the plant communities at restored sites became increasingly similar to those at the reference wetlands over time, but higher numbers of herbaceous plants developed at the restored sites, including food plants for waterfowl, rails, and songbirds. Differences in shrub cover will probably lessen as natural recolonization increases shrub cover at the restored sites. Natural recolonization appears to be an effective technique for restoring wetlands on abandoned agricultural fields with established plant cover, but it is less successful in areas where soil has been exposed by construction activity.
An Experimental Assessment of Slag as a Substrate for Mangrove Rehabilitation
Authors: Day S. , Streever W. J. , Watts J. J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractRehabilitation of mangrove habitat has become common practice, but few studies have investigated the growth and survival of mangrove on artificial substrates. Managers attempting to plant mangrove in sites containing artificial substrates must remove substrates or risk poor performance of rehabilitation efforts. This study compared propagule retention, early survival, growth, flowering success, and nutrient concentrations of Avicennia marina (grey mangrove) grown on sand, naturally occurring substrate, and rock blast furnace slag over two growing seasons at an experimental site near Newcastle, Australia. Nutrient concentrations of experimental plants were also compared to those of naturally occurring plants. Experimental results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in short‐term survival, growth over the two growing seasons, and carbon and nitrogen concentrations between plants grown on different substrates. Comparison of plants grown in slag and plants from reference sites suggests, however, that slag does not lead to anomalies in nutrient concentrations of young mangroves. Although the results identified some differences between plants grown on river sand, naturally occurring substrate, and slag substrate, the absence of consistent differences suggests that mangroves planted in slag are under no greater risk of future failure than mangroves planted in naturally occurring substrate.
Effects of Municipal Waste Leachate on Seed Germination in Soil‐Compost Mixtures
Authors: Marchiol L. , Mondini C. , Leita L. , Zerbi G. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe goal of revegetation projects on degraded or polluted lands is to create a near‐natural, stable, and quick‐response ecosystem that does not require particular management after establishment and that is compatible with the surrounding landscape. Municipal waste compost (MWC) is commonly used in revegetation projects as a source of organic matter. The aim of this study was to investigate the germination percentage and average time of germination of 23 species (12 cultivated grasses and legumes and 11 native herbs) as affected by the leachates from soil, three different mixtures of soil‐compost, and pure compost. The treatments influenced the average time of germination (ATG); legumes were the most affected species, followed by grasses and wild herbs. The percentage of germination of Festuca arundinacea was not affected by the presence of compost leachate, while Lolium multiflorum was the most sensitive species. A higher content of compost in the mixture caused a delay in germination of all the grasses. Most of the legumes were able to germinate in the leachate of the soil‐compost mixtures, but their germination was delayed; Trifolium pratense had the highest sensitivity in terms of average time of germination. The native herbs Lepidium sativum, Matricaria chamomilla, and Sanguisorba officinalis germinated without any adverse effect when treated with leachate from high levels of MWC; the germination of Amaranthus cruentus was influenced by all levels of MWC in substrates, suggesting a high specific sensitivity for toxic components of leachate from MWC‐soil mixtures.
Establishment of Perennial Shrub and Tree Species in Degraded Eucalyptus salmonophloia (Salmon Gum) Remnant Woodlands: Effects of Restoration Treatments
Authors: Yates C. J. , Hobbs R. J. , Atkins L. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWoodlands dominated by Eucalyptus salmonophloia (salmon gum) occur throughout the fragmented landscape of the southwestern Australian wheatbelt. These remnants are often degraded by livestock grazing and weed invasion and in many cases there is little or no understorey remaining and little or no regeneration of the dominant tree E. salmonophloia. There is a growing interest in developing techniques for restoring remnant woodlands. This study describes techniques for establishing seedlings of the dominant tree and perennial understorey species in E. salmonophloia (salmon gum) woodlands degraded by livestock grazing. The study tests the hypothesis that, in addition to the exclusion of livestock, management of weeds and reintroduction of plant species, restoration of plant species diversity will require techniques which mimic large‐scale disturbances, reduce soil compaction, and restore soil water infiltration to suitable rates. Five‐month‐old seedlings of the dominant tree E. salmonophloia and four commonly associated woody shrubs (Acacia hemiteles, Atriplex semibaccata, Maireana brevifolia, and Melaleuca pauperiflora) were planted into areas that differed with respect to grazing (–rabbit/ −livestock and +rabbit/–livestock), tree canopy disturbance (+/–competition with tree canopy) and amelioration of soil compaction (+/–deep ripping). Following three growing seasons and two summers, the exclusion of rabbits had no significant effect on the survival and growth of planted species. As a consequence grazing treatments are pooled for the purposes of presenting the impacts of removing competition with adult trees and soil deep ripping. The removal of competition with adult E. salmonophloia trees significantly improved the survival of E. salmonophloia seedlings but did not improve survival of understorey species. Deep ripping the soil significantly improved the survival of both E. salmonophloia and the shrub A. hemiteles but did not improve the survival of other understorey species. In contrast to seedling survival, the removal of adult E. salmonophloia trees and deep ripping soil significantly increased the growth of all species. The results indicate that increasing levels of intervention will increase the chances of successfully restoring tree and understorey species diversity in degraded E. salmonophloia woodlands.
Does Coastal Foredune Stabilization with Ammophila arenaria Restore Plant and Arthropod Communities in Southeastern Australia?
Authors: Webb Cameron E. , Oliver Ian , Pik Anthony J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIn this study we examine whether stabilization of denuded coastal foredunes in southeastern Australia with the exotic grass species Ammophila arenaria (marram grass) restores plant and ground‐active arthropod assemblages characteristic of undisturbed foredunes. Vascular plants and arthropods were sampled from foredunes that had been stabilized with marram grass in 1982, and from foredunes with no obvious anthropogenic disturbance (control dunes). All arthropods collected were sorted to Order, and ants (81.5% of all specimens) were further sorted to morphospecies. Abundance within arthropod Orders, as well as richness, composition, and structure of the plant and ant assemblages from control and stabilized dunes, were compared. The abundance of Diptera was significantly greater on stabilized dunes, while the abundance of Isopoda was significantly greater on control dunes. There were no significant differences in morphospecies richness or composition of ant assemblages on the two dunes types, although some differences in the abundances of individual morphospecies were observed. By contrast, stabilized dunes exhibited lower plant species richness and highly significant differences in plant species composition, due mainly to the large projected foliage cover of marram grass. The study revealed that after 12 years, the vegetation composition and structure of stabilized dunes was still dominated by marram grass and, as a result, invertebrate assemblages had not been restored to those characteristic of undisturbed foredunes.
Rosette Recruitment of a Rare Endemic Forb (Gaura neomexicanaSubsp.coloradensis) with Canopy Removal of Associated Species
Authors: Munk Linda M. , Hild Ann L. , Whitson Thomas D. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractGaura neomexicanasubsp.coloradensisMunz (Onagraceae), (Colorado butterfly plant), a short‐lived perennial forb, became listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in October 2000 because of its small global range and population size. This endemic subspecies consists of only 18 extant populations within southeastern Wyoming, southwestern Nebraska, and northeastern Colorado. Wyoming occurrences are on private land with the exception of three occurrences on F. E. Warren Air Force Base, near Cheyenne.Gaura neomexicanasubsp.coloradensismay be displaced by many competitors, includingCirsium arvense(L.) Scop. (Canada thistle), an invasive, noxious weed. In June 1998, threeG. neomexicanasubsp.coloradensispopulations were examined for rosette establishment in the presence of and after removal of associated species. The four study treatments removed: (1)Cirsium arvense, (2) grass and forb canopy and associated litter, (3) grass and forb canopy, litter, andC. arvense, and (4) no removal of associated plant species (control). MatureG. neomexicanasubsp.coloradensisplants were evaluated for height, number of leaves, and capsule production. The mature plant characteristics monitored in 1998 were not good indicators of subsequentG. neomexicanasubsp.coloradensisrosette densities in the following spring. Recruitment was assessed by counting new rosettes in the fall 1999. Although bothG. neomexicanasubsp.coloradensisand the exoticC. arvensehave comparable habitat, removal ofC. arvensedid not increaseG. neomexicanasubsp. coloradensis vegetative growth, seed capsule production, or rosette density. Removal of other forbs, grass, and litter, however, increasedG. neomexicanasubsp.coloradensisrosette density in the following two years, indicating that canopy removal of associated species can enhance rosette establishment of this rare native. The accumulation of dense vegetative cover and litter associated with the absence of herbivory and fire may contribute to the decline of rare species in rich riparian habitats. Return of herbivory and fire in mesic sites to reduce standing biomass accumulations should be considered in restoring recruitment potential to rare monocarpic species.
Phylogenetic Relationships Among Pediastrum sPP. and Hydrodictyon sPP.
Authors: McManus H. A. , Lewis L. A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWithin the class Chlorophyceae, the family Hydrodictyaceae (order Sphaeropleales) consists of taxa that form flat or net‐like coenobia and reproduce asexually by way of biflagellated zoospores. Two taxa within this family, Pediastrum and Hydrodictyon, share many features during development, especially the manner of daughter colony formation. The colonies of Pediastrum differ from Hydrodictyon in that growth is planar resulting in two‐dimensional colonies, while three‐dimensional nets are formed in Hydrodictyon. Studies of the Chlorophyceae using morphological and ultrastructural data, as well as molecular sequence data, have supported the close relationship of Pediastrum and Hydrodictyon and they have remained in the family Hydrodictyaceae throughout major classification revisions. However, in these studies only single species of Pediastrum (P. duplex) and Hydrodictyon (H. reticulatum) were included, therefore the exact relationship of these two taxa could not be explored. Preliminary molecular data from a second species of Pediastrum, P. boryanum, indicate that Hydrodictyon may be derived from Pediastrum. In this analysis, H. reticulatum resolves as sister taxon to P. duplex with P. boryanum the ancestral taxon. Further molecular studies of the family Hydrodictyaceae allow exploration of the relationships between Pediastrum spp. and Hydrodictyon spp., and assist in determining whether they are monophyletic. Preliminary analyses include H. reticulatum and H. africanum and several species of Pediastrum, P. duplex, P. boryanum, P. tetras, P. biradiatum and P. simplex. An understanding of the phylogenetic relationships among the species of Pediastrum and Hydrodictyon will allow a more complete comparison of colony formation.
Moderate Physical Activity is Associated with Higher Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Hagberg James M. , Zmuda Joseph M. , McCole Steve D. , Rodgers Kathleen S. , Ferrell Robert E. , Wilund Kenneth R. , Moore Geoffrey E. 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To determine the associations between different levels of habitual physical activity, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional.SETTING: Academic medical center.PARTICIPANTS: Twenty sedentary women, 20 active nonathletic women, and 23 endurance‐trained athletes, all of whom were postmenopausal, with half of each group on and half not on HRT.MEASUREMENTS: BMD and body composition determined by dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), dietary history by questionnaire, and vitamin D receptor (VDR) genotyping on deoxyribonucleic acid.RESULTS: Body weight was higher in the active nonathletic than in the sedentary and athletic women. Body fat was lower and VO2max higher in the athletic women than in the sedentary and the active nonathletic women. Physical activity level was significantly associated with BMD in three of the five measurements taken (L1–L4 lumbar spine, trochanter, total body; all P < .05). These differences were also generally significant after adjusting for body weight. The association between physical activity status and BMD at the neck of the femur and Ward's triangle bordered on significance (P = .07–.09). At most sites, the active nonathletic women had higher BMD than did the sedentary and athletic women. HRT was significantly associated only with total body BMD (P < .05). The groups were similar in terms of dietary habits (protein, calcium, sodium, phosphorus intake); VDR genotypes; and family, smoking, and nutritional histories.CONCLUSION: Given the similarity of the groups with respect to other factors that affect BMD, it appears that prolonged low‐to‐moderate‐intensity physical activity, but not the same number of years of higher‐intensity training for competitive events, was independently associated with higher BMD.
Muscle Power of the Ankle Flexors Predicts Functional Performance in Community‐Dwelling Older Women
Authors: Suzuki Toshimi , Bean Jonathan F. , Fielding Roger A. 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that peak power of the ankle flexors is related to physical functioning in older women with functional limitations.DESIGN: A cross‐sectional study.SETTING: University‐based human physiology laboratory.PARTICIPANTS: Thirty‐four older women (75.4 ± 5.1 years, 67.8 ± 11.3 kg, body mass index 27.4 ± 4.5) with self‐reported functional limitations.MEASUREMENTS: Plantarflexion (PF) and dorsiflexion (DF) peak power and isometric strength with physical performance (stair climb time, repeated chair rise time, maximal and habitual gait velocity) were determined. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure isometric strength, isokinetic peak torque and power of PF and DF at five angular velocities (30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, and 180°·sec−1), and isometric strength.RESULTS: Peak torque for both PF and DF declined with increasing velocity of movement (PF: P < .0001; DF: P < .0001), whereas peak power increased with increasing velocity up to 120°·sec−1. The strongest univariate associations were found between chair rise time and DF peak power (r = 0.50; P < .002), stair climb time and DF peak power (r = 0.49; P < .003), habitual gait velocity and PF isometric strength (r = 0.53; P < .001), and maximal gait and PF isometric strength (r = 0.47; P < .005). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that DF and PF peak power along with the physical functioning and general health scores from the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form were independent predictors of chair and stair climb performance.CONCLUSION: These data suggest that ankle muscle power together with self‐reported measures of health and physical functioning are essential components of functional mobility in older women with functional limitations.
Seasonal Variations in Serum Levels of 25‐Hydroxyvitamin D and Parathyroid Hormone but no Detectable Change in Femoral Neck Bone Density in an Older Population with Regular Outdoor Exposure
Authors: Melin Annalisa , Wilske Jan , Ringertz Hans , Sääf Maric 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the influence of season and outdoor daylight exposure on serum levels of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), ionized calcium, and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD).DESIGN: A 12‐month, longitudinal, prospective study on a consecutively selected sample of healthy independent older people.SETTING: Men and women living in their own homes in the inner city of Stockholm (latitude 59.2°N).PARTICIPANTS: Sixty‐four healthy men (n = 13) and women (n = 51), age 79 to 96 (mean age 83.7) were requested to spend at least 3 hours per week outdoors during April through September. Fifteen of these, who failed to comply with the required time outdoors, constituted a separate group. Subjects with serious diseases and subjects with medication that could interfere with vitamin D metabolism or bone mineralization were excluded from the study.MEASUREMENTS: Daily dietary intakes of calcium and vitamin D were recorded on the basis of the subjects' recall. The participants kept a diary recording the time spent in sunlight and the area of skin exposed. Fasting blood samples were collected and analyzed on four occasions for 25OHD, intact PTH, and ionized calcium. BMD was determined at 6‐month intervals in the femoral neck, using dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry.RESULTS: At study start in the spring, 6% of the subjects had 25OHD levels below 10 ng/ml and 78% had levels below 31 ng/ml. Forty‐seven percent had intact PTH levels above the upper limit of the reference range (8–51 ng/L). Seasonal variations in the serum levels of 25OHD (P < .001), intact PTH (P < .001) and ionized calcium (P < .001) were observed only in the group with ≥3 hours of weekly outdoor daylight exposure. The 25OHD levels in autumn were positively correlated with the number of hours spent outdoors during the preceding summer (r = 0.63, P < .001). In the whole group and in the group with weekly outdoor exposure of ≥3 hours, there were no significant changes detectable in mean values of femoral neck BMD during the study year. Femoral neck BMD, expressed as Z‐score, was significantly and positively correlated with serum 25OHD (r = 0.38, P = .003 after summer; r = 0.37, P = .003 after winter).CONCLUSION: The seasonal changes in serum levels of 25OHD, PTH, and ionized calcium and the positive correlation between femoral neck BMD and 25OHD indicate that regular outdoor daylight exposure during the summer could enhance calcium homeostasis and possibly bone health, even among very old people living at northerly latitudes.