bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phase II Trial of the Antiestrogen Toremifene for Androgen‐Independent Prostate Cancer
Authors: Smith Matthew R. , Kantoff Philip W. , Oh William , Elson Grace , Manola Judith , McMullin Margaret , Jacobsen Joseph , Brufsky Adam , Kaufman Donald 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTObjectives: Estrogen receptors are expressed in healthy and malignant prostate epithelium. Previous studies of the antiestrogen tamoxifen (20–100 mg po qd) for recurrent or metastatic prostate cancer (CaP) reported response rates of 0–23%. These studies may have underestimated the activity of antiestrogens, however, because of their reliance on insensitive clinical and radiographic response criteria. In addition, treatment‐related increases in androgen levels among men who initiated treatment with noncastrate testosterone levels may have confounded the results. The aims are to evaluate the activity of the antiestrogen toremifene, a triphenylethylene derivative antiestrogen related chemically and pharmacologically to tamoxifen, in men with androgen‐independent CaP using prostate specific antigen (PSA) response criteria and to determine the effect of toremifene treatment on serum testosterone levels in castrated men.Materials and Methods: Fifteen men (median age 71 years; median PSA 58.5 ng/ml) with castrate testosterone levels, no disease‐related symptoms, and rising PSA after androgen deprivation and antiandrogen withdrawal were treated with toremifene, 60 mg po qd, until it was determined that the patient was not responding to treatment. Nonresponse to treatment was defined as symptomatic disease progression or a PSA level 150% study nadir on two determinations at least 4 weeks apart. Response was defined as >50% PSA decrease on two determinations at least 4 weeks apart.Results: Twelve men were evaluable for response. Median time to determination of nonresponse to treatment was 16 weeks (range 8 to 19 weeks). There were no responses to treatment (response rate 0%; 95% confidence interval 0–22%). Treatment did not significantly change serum testosterone levels.Conclusions: These results indicate that toremifene is inactive for the treatment of androgen‐independent CaP and suggest that antiestrogens should not be used routinely as secondary hormonal therapy. The treatment of castrated men with toremifene does not significantly change serum testosterone levels.
Eradication of Norway Rats for Recovery of Seabird Habitat on Langara Island, British Columbia
Authors: Taylor Rowland H. , Kaiser Gary W. , Drever Mark C. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIntroducedRattus norvegicus(Norway rats) caused the decline ofSynthliboramphus antiquus(ancient murrelets) and other seabirds breeding on Langara Island (approximately 3,100 ha), British Columbia. Using funds from the litigation settlement following theNestuccaoil spill, Environment Canada eradicated Norway rats using a technique developed in New Zealand which involved dispensing wax baits containing the anticoagulant brodifacoum at 50 ppm from fixed bait stations. Bait stations were placed every 75 to 100 m on a grid over the entire island (1 station/ha). Rats removed bait for 26 days, after which crews placed baits in protective plastic bags in each bait station. Stations loaded with baits were left on the island and rechecked four times over 2 years, after which bait stations and remaining bait were removed. The eradication succeeded. No signs of rats have been detected on Langara Island and its associated islands since January 1996. No rats were trapped during 1,700 trap‐nights following the poison campaign. Incisor marks of rats were not found on apples or oil‐dipped chew‐sticks.Corvus corax(common ravens) likely suffered greater than 50% mortality from the eradication after apparently gaining access to the poison directly from bait stations and from scavenging rat carcasses. A monitoring and response system is being developed in conjunction with current users of the islands. The success on Langara Island demonstrates how the technique proven on small New Zealand islands of less than 300 ha can be effectively extrapolated to much larger islands.
Genetic Bottlenecks Resulting from Restoration Efforts: The Case of Bighorn Sheep in Badlands National Park
Authors: Ramey Rob Roy , Luikart Gordon , Singer Francis J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractUsing the example of a reintroduced bighorn sheep population in Badlands National Park, South Dakota we demonstrate the usefulness of neutrality tests and demographic data for detecting a severe genetic bottleneck (Ne < 10). From demographic data the effective population size of the founding population at Badlands was estimated to be six, and a heterozygosity excess test revealed evidence of a severe population bottleneck. We discuss the criteria for intervention when there is evidence of a severe bottleneck, and propose methods of mitigating the potentially deleterious long‐term consequences of such bottlenecks. These issues are presented in the context of bighorn sheep reintroductions, but the issues are also of general importance to restoration efforts involving other large vertebrates.
Genetic Polymorphism and Transplantation Success in the Mediterranean SeagrassPosidonia oceanica
Authors: Procaccini Gabriele , Piazzi Luigi 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe studied the role of genetic variability of donor beds in establishing transplantation criteria for the Mediterranean seagrassPosidonia oceanica.Horizontal rhizomes, collected from three geographically distinct populations, were transplanted into a common bed at a highly human‐impacted locality. The transplantation site was located near one of the donor populations. After three years, the shoots collected in the population adjacent to the transplanting site showed the lowest growth performance. Genetic variability, assessed through the analysis of hypervariable microsatellite regions, and growth performance followed a similar trend. The shoots growing and branching at the highest rate were those collected from populations with the highest heterozygosity values, despite greater geographic distance. No genetic differences were found between the transplanted shoots and shoots from donor meadows, as expected due to the low rate of sexual reproduction inP. oceanicaand the short time that had passed since the transplants. The problem of affecting the local gene pool by the introduction of foreign genotypes could arise, but introduction of new alleles could balance the degradation of genetic variability caused by human impact. In general our study suggests that the genetic variability of source material is an important aspect to consider in the development of seagrass restoration strategies.
Riparian Forest Restoration: Increasing Success by Reducing Plant Competition and Herbivory
Authors: Sweeney Bernard W. , Czapka Stephen J. , Yerkes Tina 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe reestablishment of riparian forest is often viewed as “best management practice” for restoring stream ecosystems to a quasi‐natural state and preventing non‐point source contaminants from entering them. We experimentally assessed seedling survivorship and growth of Quercus palustris (pin oak), Q. rubra (red oak), Q. alba (white oak), Betula nigra (river birch), and Acer rubrum (red maple) in response to root‐stock type (bare root vs. containerized), herbivore protection (tree shelters), and weed control (herbicide, mowing, tree mats) over a 4‐year period at two riparian sites near the Chester River in Maryland, U.S.A. We started with tree‐stocking densities of 988/ha (400/ac) in the experimental plots and considered 50% survivorship (i.e., a density of 494/ha [200/ac] at crown closure) to be an “acceptable or minimum” target for riparian restoration. Results after four growing seasons show no significant difference in survivorship and growth between bare‐root and containerized seedlings when averaged across all species and treatments. Overall survivorship and growth was significantly higher for sheltered versus unsheltered seedlings (49% and 77.6 cm vs. 12.1% and 3.6 cm, respectively) when averaged across all species and weed control treatments. Each of the five test species exhibited significantly higher 4‐year growth with shelter protection when averaged across all other treatments, and all species but river birch had significantly higher survivorship in shelters during the period. Seedlings protected from weeds by herbicide exhibited significantly higher survivorship and growth than seedlings in all other weed‐control treatments when averaged across all species and shelter treatments. The highest 4‐year levels of survivorship/growth, when averaged across all species, was associated with seedlings protected by shelters and herbicide (88.8%/125.7cm) and by shelters and weed mats (57.5%/73.5 cm). Thus, only plots where seedlings were assisted by a combination of tree shelters and either herbicide or tree mats exhibited an “acceptable or minimum” rate of survivorship (i.e.,>50%) for riparian forest restoration in the region. Moreover, the combined growth and survivorship data suggest that crown closure over most small streams in need of restoration in the region can be achieved most rapidly (i.e., 15 years or less) by protecting seedlings with tree shelters and controlling competing vegetation with herbicides.
Burning and Grazing Management in a California Grassland: Effect on Bunchgrass Seed Viability
Authors: Dyer Andrew R. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractPrescribed fire is an important management tool for reducing the dominance of non‐native species in annual grasslands; both annual and perennial native species show strong vegetative responses in the subsequent growing season. However, although the post‐fire contribution of native species to the seed bank is assumed to be larger than in pretreatment years, the effects on seed quality, particularly viability and longevity, are not well understood. In this study, I germinated Nassella pulchra (purple needlegrass) seed that had been stored for 10 years after collection from target plants receiving treatment combinations of summer burning and grazing by sheep. Seeds from burned plants were larger and had higher germinability than seed from unburned plants. Seeds from plants that were both burned and grazed had the highest germination. The strong relationship between long‐term viability and seed size suggests greater maternal provisioning and increased seed quality subsequent to burning and grazing. I conclude that managing for seed quality may be a useful approach for conservation of native species in California's critically endangered grassland habitats.
Phylogenetic Analyses of the Species of Chlorosarcinopsis and Neochlorosarcina (Chlorophyceae)
Authors: Watanabe S. , Mitui K. , Nakayama T. , Inouye I. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe genus Chlorosarcinopsis forms sarcinoid packages of ?@ cells and reproduces by forming naked biflagellate zoospores. The genus Neochlorosarcina is distinguished from Chlorosarcinopsis in having a thin cell wall around zoospores. We analyzed phylogenetic relationships of seven species of Chlorosarcinopsis and four species of Neochlorosarcina using 18S rDNA sequence data. The species of the Chlorosarcinopsis were separated into two clades, and those of Neochlorosarcina formed a monophyletic branch, which was far from the Chlorosarcinopsis clades. Groover and Bold (1969) investigated physiological abilities of species of Chlorosarcinopsis (which included species of Neochlorosarcina), and showed that the species were roughly divided into three groups by usage of nitrogen and carbon components. These groups correspond two clades of Chlorosarcinopsis and a clade of Neochlorosarcina. This result gave a phylogenetic meaning to the differences in the physiological abilities, and supported the separation of Neochlorosarcina from Chlorosarcinopsis based on a morphological attribute.
The Single, Ancient Origin of Chromist Plastids
Authors: Yoon H. S. , Hackett J. D. , Pinto G. , Bhattacharya D. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractPhylogenetic comparisons suggest that plastid primary endosymbiosis, in which a single‐celled protist engulfs and ‘enslaves’ a cyanobacterium, likely occurred once and resulted in the primordial alga. This photosynthetic cell diversified, through vertical evolution, into the ubiquitous green (Chlorophyta) and red (Rhodophyta) algae, and the more scarce Glaucophyta. However, some modern algal lineages have a more complicated evolutionary history involving a secondary endosymbiotic event, in which a protist engulfed an existing eukaryotic alga (rather than a cyanobacterium), which was then reduced to a secondary plastid. Secondary endosymbiosis explains the majority of algal biodiversity, yet the number and timing of these events is unresolved. Here we analyzed a five‐gene plastid dataset to show that a diverse group of chlorophyll c‐containing protists comprising cryptophyte, haptophyte, and stramenopiles algae (Chromista) share a common plastid that most likely arose from a single, ancient (about 1260 million years ago) secondary endosymbiosis involving a red alga. This finding is consistent with C. monophyly and implicates secondary endosymbiosis as a driving force in early eukaryotic evolution.
Relating Phytoplankton Dynamics to Environmental Forcing in the Lower St. Johns River Estuary: A Multivariate Assessment
Authors: Millie D. F. , Pigg R. J. , Bendis B. J. , Steidinger K. A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe St. Johns River, a 300‐mile riverine and estuarine system located along the north‐eastern coastline of Florida, has undergone extensive eutrophication through point and nonpoint source nutrient inputs. Moreover, recent reports of sudden fish kills and a high incidence of fish with lesions suggest the potential for harmful algal blooms. As part of a NOAA‐funded project involving the characterization of water quality parameters in relation to water inflows and nutrient inputs and the development of species‐specific markers/probes for instrumental‐based monitoring efforts, we used primer‐based multivariate analyses to examine the relationship between abiotic variables and both total and phylogenetic‐group chlorophyll a concentrations (derived from photopigments and ChemTax matrix factorization of diagnostic carotenoids) during 2001. Seven sampling sites (identified through principle components ordination of physical/chemical parameters as ranging from oligo‐ to mesohaline) were sampled intensively over 2‐week periods on a seasonal basis. Chlorophyll a concentrations typically ranged from 5 to 35 µg/L with the greatest concentrations occurring at the oligohaline sites. Phytoplankton assemblages were dominated by diatoms, cryptophytes, and cyanobacteria, and together typically comprised up to 90% of the total chlorophyll a. Temporal variability in phytoplankton assemblages followed seasonal trends impacted by meteorological and hydrological forcing. Spatial variability in phylogenetic‐group abundance (illustrated through multidimensional scalar ordination of sample dissimilarity) was dramatic and associated with differences in abiotic variables along the estuarine gradient.
Muscle Size Responses to Strength Training in Young and Older Men and Women
Authors: Roth Stephen M. , Ivey Fred M. , Martel Greg F. , Lemmer Jeff T. , Hurlbut Diane E. , Siegel Eliot L. , Metter E. Jeffrey , Fleg Jerome L. , Fozard James L. , Kostek Matthew C. , Wernick David M. , Hurley Ben F. 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To examine the possible influences of age and gender on muscle volume responses to strength training (ST).DESIGN: Prospective intervention study.SETTING: University of Maryland Exercise Science and Wellness Research Laboratories.PARTICIPANTS: Eight young men (age 20–30 years), six young women (age 20–30 years), nine older men (age 65–75 years), and ten older women (age 65–75 years).INTERVENTION: A 6‐month whole‐body ST program that exercised all major muscle groups of the upper and lower body 3 days/week.MEASUREMENTS: Thigh and quadriceps muscle volumes and mid‐thigh muscle cross‐sectional area (CSA) were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging before and after the ST program.RESULTS: Thigh and quadriceps muscle volume increased significantly in all age and gender groups as a result of ST (P < .001), with no significant differences between the groups. Modest correlations were observed between both the change in quadriceps versus the change in total thigh muscle volume (r = 0.65; P < .001) and the change in thigh muscle volume versus the change in mid‐thigh CSA (r = 0.76, P < .001).CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that neither age nor gender affects muscle volume response to whole‐body ST. Muscle volume, rather than muscle CSA, is recommended for studying muscle mass responses to ST.
The Value of Serum Albumin and High‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Defining Mortality Risk in Older Persons with Low Serum Cholesterol
Authors: Volpato Stefano , Leveille Suzanne G. , Corti Maria‐Chiara , Harris Tamara B. , Guralnik Jack M. 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between low cholesterol and mortality in older persons to identify, using information collected at a single point in time, subgroups of persons with low and high mortality risk.DESIGN: Prospective cohort study with a median follow‐up period of 4.9 years.SETTINGS: East Boston, Massachusetts; New Haven, Connecticut; and Iowa and Washington counties, Iowa.PARTICIPANTS: Four thousand one hundred twenty‐eight participants (64% women) age 70 and older at baseline (mean 78.7 years, range 70–103); 393 (9.5%) had low cholesterol, defined as ≤160 mg/dl.MEASUREMENTS: All‐cause mortality and mortality not related to coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke.RESULTS: During the follow‐up period there were 1,117 deaths. After adjustment for age and gender, persons with low cholesterol had significantly higher mortality than those with normal and high cholesterol. Among subjects with low cholesterol, those with albumin> 38 g/L had a significant risk reduction compared with those with albumin ≤38 g/L (relative risk (RR) = 0.57; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.41–0.79). Within the higher albumin group, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) level further identified two subgroups of subjects with different risks; participants with HDL‐C <47 mg/dl had a 32% risk reduction (RR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.47–0.99) and those with HDL‐C ≥47 mg/dl had a 62% risk reduction (RR = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.20–0.68), compared with the reference category; those with albumin ≤38 g/L and HDL‐C <47 mg/dl.CONCLUSIONS: Older persons with low cholesterol constitute a heterogeneous group with regard to health characteristics and mortality risk. Serum albumin and HDL‐C can be routinely used in older patients with low cholesterol to distinguish three subgroups with different prognoses: (1) high risk (low albumin), (2) intermediate risk (high albumin and low HDL‐C), and (3) low risk (high albumin and high HDL‐C).
How Well Are Community‐Living Women Treated for Osteoporosis after Hip Fracture?
Authors: Bellantonio Sandra , Fortinsky Richard , Prestwood Karen 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES:To examine whether women with recent hip fracture are receiving adequate treatment for osteoporosis. To examine patient and physician characteristics associated with adequate treatment for osteoporosis.DESIGN:Cross‐sectional study with prospective and retrospective data collection.SETTING:Hartford County, Connecticut.PARTICIPANTS:Sixty community‐living women age 65 and older identified from hospital databases with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, code for nontraumatic hip fracture.MEASUREMENTS:Treatment for osteoporosis, healthcare utilization, primary care physician's specialty, Katz activities of daily living scale, Lawton instrumental activities of daily living scale, Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12, and Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly.RESULTS:Only 13% of participants were receiving adequate treatment for osteoporosis as defined by the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) guidelines for osteoporosis, 47% reported partial treatment that did not meet NOF guidelines, and 40% were receiving no treatment for osteoporosis. No patient or physician characteristics were associated with the adequacy of treatment for osteoporosis in this small sample.CONCLUSIONS:Few of the women in our study were receiving adequate treatment for osteoporosis after hip fracture. There exists an opportunity to educate postmenopausal women and physicians about the importance of treatment for osteoporosis to increase the number of women offered and receiving osteoporosis treatment, especially older postmenopausal women with established, severe osteoporosis as evidenced by recent hip fracture.J Am Geriatr Soc 49:1197–1204, 2001.
Association Between Medical Comorbidity and Treatment Outcomes in Late‐Life Depression
Authors: Oslin David W. , Datto Catherine J. , Kallan Michael J. , Katz Ira R. , Edell William S. , TenHave Thomas 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have demonstrated an association between major depression and physical disability in late life. The objectives of this study were to examine the relationship between specific medical illnesses and the outcomes of treatment for late‐life depression.DESIGN: The study was a longitudinal assessment of medical illness, depression, and disability. Patients were assessed during an initial inpatient psychiatric hospitalization and 3 months postdischarge.SETTING: All patients were initially evaluated after admission to one of 71 inpatient psychiatric treatment facilities.PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 671 older patients who received inpatient treatment for depression was evaluated at entry into the hospital and 3 months after discharge.MEASUREMENTS: Depressive symptoms were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale. Disability was measured using the instrumental activities of daily living scale and the Medical Outcomes Study 36‐item short form. Medical illness was assessed using the medical illness checklist.RESULTS: As previously reported, physical disability and the total number of medical illnesses were significantly related to change in depressive symptoms. In this study, we find that arthritis, circulatory problems, a speech disorder, or a skin problem, but not other general medical conditions, were related to a worse outcome with respect to depression symptoms. The effect of these problems was statistically and clinically significant. After controlling for pretreatment disability, arthritis and skin problems continued to predict a worse outcome. However, the apparent effect of each of these conditions was mediated by the residual disability after treatment.CONCLUSION: The results of this study support the hypothesis that certain somatic disorders play a role in the treatment response of late‐life depression and suggest that the effect of specific illnesses on depression may be mediated by the presence of functional disability.