bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rehabilitation of Acidified Floating Fens by Addition of Buffered Surface Water
Authors: Bootsma M. C. , Van Den Broek T. , Barendregt A. , Beltman B. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractFloating fens are species‐rich succession stages in fen areas in the Netherlands. Many of these fens are deteriorating due to acidification; Sphagnum species and Polytrichum commune build 10–25 cm thick moss carpets, and the species diversity decreases. Earlier experiments in wet ecosystems indicate that successful restoration of circum‐neutral and mesotrophic conditions requires a combination of hydrological measures and sod removal. In an acidified fen recharged by rainwater in the nature reserve Ilperveld (The Netherlands), a ditch/trench system was dug for the purpose of creating a run‐off channel for acid rainwater in wet periods and to enable circum‐neutral surface water to enter the fen in dry periods. Moreover, the sod was removed in part of the fen. Ditch/trench creation or sod cutting had no effect individually, but a combination of the two measures led to a change in the abiotic conditions (higher pH and Ca), and in turn to an increase of species‐richness and the reestablishment of a number of characteristic species. Reestablishment of rare vascular plant species and characteristic bryophytes might be a long‐term process because of incomplete recovery of site conditions and constraints in seed dispersal.
Biodiversity and Association of Dinoflagellates in Coral Reef Rubble, Carrie Bow Cay, Belize
Authors: Faust M. A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe species diversity and distribution of benthic dinoflagellates are illustrated from the back reef sand habitats at Carrie Bow Cay. Sand appears an ideal environment for nurturing a variety of species. Sand supported blooms of toxic, nontoxic, and parasitic assemblages of dinoflagellates. Morphology of dinoflagellates is illustrated in SEM and LM pictures; including the life cycle of a parasitic dinoflagellate's vegetative stage, sporogenetic stages, and the morphology of the feeding organelle. The feeding organelle of the primary dinoflagellate cysts is a hold fast and a peduncle‐like infestation tube, a ‘sucker organelle’, that inserts itself into copepod eggs. The parasitic dinoflagellate continues feeding on crustacean eggs since it is the only food source during vegetative cell division within the cyst. This is the first observation of the presence of parasitic dinoflagellates in shallow coral reef water. The study attempts to provide new knowledge on dinoflagellate associations and morphology of sand‐welling species in the microscopic food web of shallow warm tropical waters. Even, sand‐inhabiting invertebrates are not exempt from parasitic dinoflagellates.
Effects of Outgroup Selection on Phylogenetic Hypotheses of the Heterokont Algae
Authors: Goertzen L. R. , Theriot E. C. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractNuclear ribosomal SSU and chloroplast rbcL data for heterokont algae and potential outgroups were analyzed separately and together under parsimony. A series of taxon sampling experiments were performed. Traditional heterokont classes (e.g. diatoms, phaeophytes, etc.) were monophyletic in most analyses of either dataset and in both together. Relationships among classes and of heterokonts to outgroup taxa are sensitive to taxonomic sampling. Stability of heterokont algae relationships was analyzed by deletion of outgroup classes, starting with those presumably most distant from the heterokonts to those closest. In only three analyses using SSU data were the heterokonts monophyletic: with all available outgroup taxa, with the outgroup being hyphochytrids alone or with the outgroup being hyphochytrids plus Developayella. For rbcL data, heterokonts were monophyletic when all available rhodophytes were used, when any combination of rhodophytes tested were used, and when rhodophytes plus bacteria were used. Any addition of cryptophyte and/or haptophyte sequence resulted in a nonmonophyletic heterokont algae. In both cases, distribution of heterotrophic stramenopiles among the heterokont algae changed as different outgroups were used. Combined data was similarly equivocal about monophyly of the heterokont algae. The literature suggests that this result is obtained regardless of whether parsimony or likelihood methods are used, and that is because taxon sampling affects all inference procedures. We suggest not only that more molecular data be obtained, but that morphological evidence for monophyly of the heterokonts be re‐examined. Finally, a community effort needs to be made to synchronize character sampling across different datasets to increase the number of taxa sampled and to create parallel datasets for all data types.
Phytoplankton Community Composition in the Tri‐Lakes Area of Central Wisconsin, USA
Authors: Bell R. A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractTri‐Lakes (Upper and Lower Camelot, Sherwood, Arrowhead) in Adams County, WI, USA are man‐made impoundments draining substantial agricultural lands and surrounded by considerable shoreline residential development. The planktonic algal community, as sampled from June to November 2000, was sparse‐to‐moderately dense, fairly diverse (69 genera from six divisions basin‐wide), and unremarkable in taxonomic composition. All sites sampled displayed the general algal successional trends expected from northern‐temperate, mildly eutrophic waters. These included sparse but taxonomically diverse communities in the spring; a late spring pulse of diatoms; a late summer pulse of green algae; and a steadily increasing component of Cyanobacteria leading to their community dominance by the end of the growing season. Upper Lake Camelot (55 genera) best represented this pattern. Lower Lake Camelot (53 genera) had a large green algal pulse but only a small diatom pulse. Lake Sherwood was the most taxonomically diverse body (63 genera) and had the most extreme pulses of diatoms and greens. Lake Arrowhead had the lowest taxonomic diversity (39 genera), was the most dominated by Cyanobacteria, and had only minor pulses of diatoms and greens. The algal communities indicate a mesotrophic to slightly eutrophic lake status. Continued agricultural and residential inputs of fertilizers and pesticides will likely exacerbate the cyanobacterial dominance leading to further reductions in aquatic health and aesthetic values. Previous chemical treatment and macrophyte removal have achieved limited success, and might have altered algal community dynamics. Remediation approaches that might improve water quality include: reducing upstream inputs via sediment traps or lagoons; reducing in‐lake nutrients via sediment removal; reducing residential inputs via improved septic/sanitation systems; and shoreline vegetation filter strips.
MAA Synthesis and Accumulation in Polar Macroalgae are Controlled by Abiotic Factors
Authors: Hoyer K. , Karsten U. , Wiencke C. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractMycosporine‐like amino acids (MAAs) are regarded as powerful sunscreens protecting the algae against harmful UV radiation. The MAA protection efficiency was tested in algal samples by measuring the optimum quantum yield of photosynthesis using photosystem II fluorescence. It could be demonstrated that the recovery of photosynthesis after exposure to enhanced UV radiation is faster in individuals with high MAA content. MAAs can be synthesized in several polar macroalgae in response to different radiation conditions. Although MAA induction patterns are very species‐specific, some similarities can be found. Field studies indicate that plants from different growth habitats providing distinct radiation climate can be grouped into three physiological categories depending on their MAA content. The first group (I) includes mainly deep‐water species, typically lacking MAAs. The second group (II), algal species found in a broad range of water depths (eu‐ and sublittoral), which are able to flexibly synthesize and accumulate MAAs. The third group (III) includes supra‐ and eulittoral taxa, which always contain high MAA concentrations. In laboratory studies, we showed that taxa of group II and III responded in three different ways based on MAA accumulation when exposed to different radiation conditions (PAR, PAR + UVA, PAR + UVA + UVB). Either they: (a) exhibit highest total MAA concentration under the full artificial spectrum; (b) increase their MAA concentration after exposure to PAR and PAR + UVA or (c) MAA concentration declines after exposure to the full spectrum. Our studies have indicated that when coupled with UVR, exposure to temperature fluctuations ranging from 0 to 10 °C also affect MAA biosynthesis.
Molecular Characteristics of Caulerpa (Chlorophyta) Populations in Taiwan
Authors: Yeh W.‐J. , Lin S.‐C. , Chen G.‐Y. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractTropical and subtropical Caulerpa species are epidemic to northern and southern Taiwan seashore. We here describe the molecular characteristics of rRNA gene, including the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) in this genus and a comparison was made with associated species sequences registered in the GenBank. A total of nine specimens (C. racemosa var. microphysa, macrophysa, peltata, laetevirens, C. serrulata and C. elongata) were investigated. Samples were collected and distinguished first from morphological characteristics. The genomic DNA was individually extracted using CTAB protocol. To amplify the 18S rRNA, ITS1, 5.8S rRNA, ITS2 and 28S rRNA sequences, a primer pair NS7 and ITS4, sequences located in nuclear rRNA region, was used. The range of 980–1100 bp DNA fragment from genomic DNA of individual plant was generated from polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplified fragments were sequenced automatically with ABI sequencer. The sequences were aligned with those of other Caulerpa species retrieved from the GenBank. The phylogenetic tree was constructed using Clustal method. The comparison of whole sequence and 18S rRNA and ITS1 region among these specimens shows that the interspecies divergence within C. racemosa var. microphysa, macrophysa, peltata and laetevirens is larger than those of intraspecies of C. taxifolia, C. serrulata and C. elongata. It is supposed that they (C. racemosa var. microphysa, macrophysa, peltata and laetevirens) should be in the position of different species in Caulerpa genus from the present rRNA sequences analysis. The sequences of 5.8S region are shown more conserve than that of 18S region. The identity of ITS1 and ITS2 regions in present species are low, comparing with C. taxifolia, C. maxicana.
Numerous Transitions to Land in Green Plants: The ‘Other’ Land Plants
Authors: Lewis L. A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIn addition to the more conspicuous embryophyte group, numerous other green plant lineages have made successful transitions to land. Phylogenetic analyses using molecular data indicate that these lineages are primarily derived from freshwater ancestors, and include free‐living and lichen photobiont algae in the class Trebouxiophyceae, and several distinct lineages of free‐living algae in the class Chlorophyceae. In all cases, these independently derived land plants must possess adaptations for environments with reduced water availability, oxidative stress, and different light regimes than experienced by their aquatic ancestors. In the most extreme cases, these algae are living in very arid habitats. Given the monophyly of green plants and the evolution of independent terrestrial lineages from aquatic ancestors, these lineages represent natural experiments in the transition of green photosynthetic organisms to terrestrial living, and offer a rich source of taxa that can be compared experimentally with the embryophytes.
Correlates for Erectile and Ejaculatory Dysfunction in Older Dutch Men: A Community‐Based Study
Authors: Blanker Marco H. , Bohnen Arthur M. , Groeneveld Frans P.M.J. , Bernsen Roos M.D. , Prins Ad , Thomas Siep , Bosch J.L.H. Ruud 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: We estimated correlates for erectile dysfunction (ED) (defined as a report of erections of severely reduced rigidity or no erections) and ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD) (defined as a report of ejaculations with significantly reduced volume or no ejaculations) in a large community sample of older men.DESIGN: A community‐based study.SETTING: Krimpen aan den IJssel, a municipality near Rotterdam, The Netherlands.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1,688 (50% of the eligible) men age 50 to 78.MEASUREMENTS: Presence of ED and EjD (International Continence Society sex questionnaire), urinary tract symptoms (international prostate symptom score), prostate enlargement (transrectal ultrasonography), urinary flow obstruction (uroflowmetry), obesity (body mass index), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular problems. Determined marital status, educational level, and smoking and drinking habits. Population attributable risk (PAR) was estimated for correlates that yielded from multiple logistic regression models on ED and EjD.RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression analyses yielded the following correlates for significant ED: age, smoking, obesity, urinary tract symptoms, and treatment for cardiovascular problems and COPD. Age, erectile function, urinary symptoms, and previous prostate operations proved to be correlates for significant EjD. Urinary symptoms and obesity have the highest PAR for ED, whereas decreased erectile function has the highest PAR for EjD.CONCLUSIONS: Age, obesity, and urinary tract symptoms are the most‐important correlates of significant ED in the population. Cardiac problems, COPD, and smoking are other independent correlates. Significant EjD is largely related to age, decreased erectile function, and previous prostate surgery.
Effect of Nonsteroidal Anti‐Inflammatory Drug Use on the Rate of Gastrointestinal Hospitalizations Among People Living in Long‐Term Care
Authors: Lapane Kate L. , Spooner Josh J. , Mucha Lisa , Straus Walter L. 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: Gastrointestinal (GI) complications are the most‐common serious adverse reactions associated with nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). We quantified the effect of specific NSAIDs on the rate of GI hospitalizations among older people living in long‐term care.DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.SETTING: All Medicare/Medicaid certified nursing homes in four states (Maine, Minnesota, New York, and South Dakota).PARTICIPANTS: We identified 125,516 newly admitted residents from a database of all residents (1992–1996) of all Medicare/Medicaid certified nursing homes in four states. Using the federally mandated Minimum Data Set, which includes information on all drugs received (prescription and over‐the‐counter), we identified patients who received at least one prescription for aspirin (n = 19,101) or NSAIDs (n = 9,777). The control population consisted of all institutionalized persons who did not receive these drugs.MEASUREMENTS: From Health Care Financing Administration inpatient claims, we identified the first hospitalization for GI perforation, ulcer, or hemorrhage that occurred during the year of follow up (ICD9‐CM discharge codes: 531–534, 578). Cox proportional hazards models provided adjusted estimates of rate ratios.RESULTS: NSAID exposure increased the GI‐event‐related hospitalization rate in both men (rate ratios (RR) = 2.64; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.17–5.99) and women (RR = 3.23; 95% CI = 1.85–5.65). The rate of GI hospitalizations for both men and women taking sulindac, naproxen, or indomethacin was higher than for nonusers. The risk of GI‐event‐related hospitalizations was greatest among women exposed to diflunisal (RR = 6.08; 95% CI = 2.27–16.26) or oxaprozin (RR = 6.03; 95% CI = 2.49–14.58).CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high background rate of GI events, most NSAIDs increased the risk of GI hospitalization. Careful attention to choice of agent and dosing is needed in prescribing NSAIDs in this frail, older population.
Functional Status and Self‐Rated Health in 2,262 Nonagenarians: The Danish 1905 Cohort Survey
Authors: Nybo Hanne , Gaist David , Jeune Bernard , McGue Matt , Vaupel James W. , Christensen Kaare 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To describe the functional capacity and self‐rated health of a large cohort of nonagenarians.DESIGN: A cross‐sectional survey of all Danes born in 1905 (92–93 years of age), carried out August to October 1998.SETTING: Participants' homes.PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand two hundred and sixty‐two nonagenarians, corresponding to a participation rate of 63% (of these, 20% participated by proxy).MEASUREMENTS: Activities of daily living (ADLs) and self‐rated health were assessed by interview. Five items from Katz's ADLs (bathing, dressing, transfer, toileting, and eating) were used to construct a three‐level five‐item ADL scale (not disabled (no disabilities), moderately disabled (1–2 disabilities), severely disabled (3–5 disabilities)). From responses to a more extensive list of questions on ADLs (26 items), we identified scales of strength and agility by means of factor analysis. Furthermore, a 26‐item ADL scale was made. Physical performance tests (chair stand, timed walk, lifting a 2.7 kg box, maximum grip‐strength, and flexibility tests) were performed among nonproxy responders.RESULTS: According to the five‐item ADL scale, 50% of the men and 41% of the women were categorized as not disabled, while 19% and 22%, respectively, were categorized as severely disabled. The five‐item ADL scale correlated highly with the 26‐item ADL scale (r = 0.83). The ADL scales showed moderate‐to‐good correlation with each other (r = 0.74–0.83), and with the physical performance tests (r = 0.31–0.58). Only 3.7% of the women and 6.3% of the men walked (normal pace) with a speed of at least 1 meter per second, which is the minimum walking speed required to cross signaled intersections in Denmark. A total of 56% considered their health to be excellent or good. Of the participants, 74% were always or almost always satisfied with their lives, even though only 45% reported that they “felt well enough to do what they wanted.” The analyses showed that no single ADL item seemed to be of particular importance for how the participants rated their health.CONCLUSION: The Danish 1905 cohort survey is the largest and the only nationwide survey of a whole birth‐cohort of nonagenarians. A total of 2,262 fairly nonselected nonagenarians participated. The level of both self‐reported disability and functional limitations measured by physical performance tests among nonagenarians was high. Despite their lower mortality, women were more disabled than men and did not perform as well as men in the physical performance tests. Nevertheless, the majority of the participants considered their health to be good and were satisfied with their lives.
The Relationship of APOE Genotype to Cognitive Functioning in Older African‐American and Caucasian Community Residents
Authors: Fillenbaum Gerda G. , Landerman L. Richard , Blazer Dan G. , Saunders Ann M. , Harris Tamara B. , Launer Lenore J. 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether cognitive decline associated with the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ɛ4 allele is different in older African Americans than it is in Caucasians.DESIGN: Performance on a brief screen of cognitive functioning was examined at baseline (N = 1,891) and 4 years later (N = 1,389) to determine the extent to which the presence of APOEɛ4 affected level of and change in performance, and whether this differed as a function of race, age, initial score, and change in score.SETTING: Five adjacent counties in the Piedmont area of North Carolina.PARTICIPANTS: In 1986, a stratified random household sample of community residents age 65 and older (n = 4,162; 54% African‐American, 45% Caucasian, 1% other race) formed the Duke Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly. Of those available at the sixth annual wave, 76% were genotyped, with 1,891 providing baseline data on this wave, and the available survivors (n = 1,389) providing longitudinal data 4 years later.MEASUREMENTS: The Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ), a brief screen of cognitive functioning, was administered to all subjects on both occasions. We examined score at baseline and cognitive decline (i.e., increase of 2+ errors) at follow‐up. Control measures included demographic characteristics, health behaviors, health and functional status, and medication use. APOE status was coded as ɛ4 present versus absent.RESULTS: APOEɛ4 was significantly and uniquely related to lower score at baseline and significantly increased the odds of cognitive decline by 59%. There was no statistically significant interaction between APOEɛ4 and age, race, initial SPMSQ score, or SPMSQ score at follow‐up.
Compliance with CPAP Therapy in Older Men with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Russo‐Magno Patricia , O'Brien Aidan , Panciera Toni , Rnp  , Rrt  , Rounds Sharon 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: Factors specifically affecting compliance with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in older patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have not been described. The purpose of this study is to determine which factors are associated with compliance and noncompliance in older patients, a growing segment of the population.DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of older male patients prescribed CPAP therapy for OSA over an 8‐year period.SETTING: Veterans Affairs Medical Center.PARTICIPANTS: All patients age 65 and older for whom CPAP therapy had been prescribed for treatment of OSA in the past 8 years.MEASUREMENTS: Records of all older male patients prescribed CPAP therapy for OSA over the last 8 years were reviewed. Compliance was defined by time‐counter readings averaging 5 or more hours of machine run‐time per night.RESULTS: Of 33 older male patients with OSA studied, 20 were found to be compliant and 13 noncompliant with nasal CPAP therapy. The mean age (± SEM) at the time of diagnosis of OSA in the compliant group was 68 (±1) years, whereas that of the noncompliant group was 72 (±1) years (P < .05). Of the compliant patients, 95% attended a CPAP patient education and support group, whereas only 54% of noncompliant patients attended (P = .006). Resolution of initial symptoms of OSA with CPAP therapy was significantly associated with compliance. Symptom resolution occurred in 90% of compliant patients and in only 18% of noncompliant patients (P < .0002). Factors that were significantly associated with noncompliance with CPAP were cigarette smoking, nocturia, and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Of noncompliant patients, 82% complained of nocturia, whereas only 33% of compliant patients complained of nocturia (P = .02). BPH was diagnosed in 62% of noncompliant patients and in only 15% of compliant patients (P = .004). Diuretic use was more common in the compliant group and, therefore, was not a cause of increased nocturia in noncompliant patients.CONCLUSION: In older male patients with OSA, compliance with CPAP therapy is associated with attendance at a patient CPAP education and support group. Resolution of symptoms with therapy also appears to be associated with enhanced compliance. In addition, we found an association between nocturia and the existence of BPH in older men with OSA who are not compliant with nasal CPAP. Larger observational studies should be performed to confirm these findings, and, if so confirmed, then further studies to determine whether treatment of BPH in older men with OSA improves compliance with CPAP.