Several Differences (several + difference)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Relationship between cribra orbitalia and enamel hypoplasia in the early medieval Slavic population at Borovce, Slovakia

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY, Issue 3 2008
Z. Obertová
Abstract Cribra orbitalia and enamel hypoplasia were examined in an early medieval (8th to beginning of 12th century AD) skeletal sample of 451 individuals from Borovce, Slovakia. More than 40% of these individuals died before reaching 20 years of age. The relationship between the occurrence of orbital and enamel lesions was analysed by focusing on the age-specific distribution, and on its influence on demographic parameters. Both features were found in 11.2% of the observed skulls. The presence of orbital and dental lesions showed a considerable impact on mortality as well as the life expectancy. Generally, the highest mortality was observed among 0,4 year old individuals. The greatest discrepancy in the demographic parameters, however, appeared between the affected and unaffected individuals aged 10,14 and 15,19 years. In these two age groups the co-occurrence of both lesions was most frequently recorded. These individuals obviously had a history of sickness, and thus could not cope with further bouts of disease and with the increased physiological demands of pubertal growth. The missing correlation in younger age categories can be largely explained by the difficulty of macroscopically examining the permanent dentition, since an interrelationship between the age at hypoplasia development and the occurrence of cribra orbitalia was detected. Several differences between the individuals with enamel defects and both conditions were observed in the distribution of age at hypoplasia formation. According to these results, several factors, such as impaired health status, growth demands and diet, influence the development of enamel hypoplasia and cribra orbitalia in a particular population. It is possible that after reaching a certain threshold, the underlying factors act synergistically in a kind of vicious cycle as the balance between the immune system, metabolism, and exogenous factors such as pathogens and nutrition, is disturbed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Effect of toothpaste on the plaque inhibitory properties of a cetylpyridinium chloride mouth rinse

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 3 2003
S. Sheen
Abstract Background and aims: Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) mouth rinses have moderate plaque inhibitory activity when used alone but rarely have shown adjunctive benefits to tooth brushing with toothpaste. Several explanations for this apparent anomaly can be proferred, including loss of antiseptic activity due to interactions with toothpaste ingredients. The aim of this study was to measure the effect of toothpaste on the plaque inhibitory properties of a CPC mouth rinse using paired rinses of CPC, toothpaste slurry (TP) and water (W). Methods: The study was a single blind, randomised, seven-treatment, cross over design balanced for residual effects, involving 21 healthy, dentate subjects. The paired rinses were: W-CPC, CPC-W, TP-CPC, CPC-TP, W-TP, TP-W and W-W. Rinsing with solutions or slurries was done for 60 s twice per day. On day 1, subjects were rendered plaque free, suspended tooth cleaning and commenced the allocated rinse regimen. On day 5, plaque was scored by index. A 2½ day wash out of normal oral hygiene was allowed between each regimen. Results: The order from lowest to highest plaque scores was as follows: W-CPC = CPC-W < CPC-TP < TP-CPC , W-TP < TP-W < W-W. Several differences in pairs of treatments were statistically significant, the most relevant of which were significantly less plaque with W-CPC compared to TP-CPC, TP-W and W-TP, and significantly more plaque with W-W compared to all other regimens except TP-W. Conclusions: Toothpaste, whilst possessing some plaque inhibitory activity, when used immediately before a CPC mouth rinse adversely affected the plaque inhibitory action of this antiseptic. This in part may explain the reported lack of adjunctive benefits of CPC rinses to normal oral hygiene practices and supports the suggestion, made for chlorhexidine rinses, that their use should follow toothpaste by at least 60 min. Zusammenfassung Die Wirkung von Zahnpasta auf die plaquehemmenden Eigenschaften einer Mundspüllösung mit Cetylpyridinium-Chlorid Grundlagen und Ziel: Cetylpyridinium-Chlorid (CPC) Mundspüllösung haben, wenn sie alleine verwendet werden, eine moderate plaquehemmende Aktivität. Es wurde jedoch selten gezeigt, dass sie zusätzlich zum Zähneputzen Vorteile haben. Mehrere Erklärungen für diese offensichtliche Anomalie können angeboten werden, einschließlich des Verlusts der antiseptischen Aktivität wegen einer Interaktion mit Inhaltstoffen der Zahnpasta. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Wirkung der Zahnpasta auf die plaquehemmenden Eigenschaften einer CPC-Mundspüllösung zumessen. Es wurde CPC zusammen mit Zahnpasta-Lösung (TP) oder zusammen mit Wasser (W) verwendet. Methoden: Die randomisierte, einfach-blinde-Studie hatte ein 7-Behandlungs- Crossover-Design und war ausgeglichen hinsichtlich der Resteffekte. Einundzwanzig gesunde und bezahnte Personen wurden aufgenommen. Die paarweisen Spülungen waren: W-CPC, CPC-W, TP-CPC, CPC-TP, W-TP, TP-W und W-W. Die Spülungen wurden zweimal pro Tag für 60 Sekunden durchgeführt. An Tag-1 wurde bei der Teilnehmern Plaquefreiheit hergestellt, sie enthielten sich der Mundhygiene und begannen die zugewiesenen Spülungen. An Tag-5 wurde die Plaque mittels Index beurteilt. Zwischen den Spülmaßnahmen war eine 2,5-tägige Auswaschperiode mit normaler Mundhygiene erlaubt. Ergebnisse: Die Reihenfolge vom niedrigsten zum höchsten Plaquewert war W-CPC = CPC-W < CPC-TP < TP-CPC [source]


How do implementation efforts relate to program adherence? examining the role of organizational, implementer, and program factors

JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 6 2008
Jacinda K. Dariotis
Widespread replications of evidence-based prevention programs (EBPPs) prompt prevention scientists to examine program implementation adherence in real world settings. Based on Chen's model (1990), we identified five key factors of the implementation system and assessed which characteristics related to program adherence. The sample included 32 EBPPs and results indicate that target recipient responsivity, program material quality, implementer prioritization, community collaborative system support, and parental support significantly relate to program adherence. Several differences reached statistical significance, thereby highlighting the importance of these variables and the need for future studies with larger sample sizes to identify factors related to program adherence adequately. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


The Impact of Institutional Differences on Derivatives Usage: a Comparative Study of US and Dutch Firms

EUROPEAN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2003
Gordon M. Bodnar
F30; G15; G32 Abstract This paper examines the influence of institutional differences on corporate risk management practices in the USA and the Netherlands. We compare results to surveys in each country using a strategy that corrects for differences over industry and size classes across the Dutch and US samples. We document several differences in the firms' uses and attitudes towards derivatives and attempt to attribute them to the differences in the institutional environments between the USA and the Netherlands. We find that institutional differences appear to have an important impact on risk management practices and derivatives use across US and Dutch firms. [source]


Seronegative myasthenia gravis: comparison of neurophysiological picture in MuSK+ and MuSK, patients

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 3 2006
L. Padua
The aim of this study was to compare the neurophysiological and clinical pictures of a large sample of seronegative myasthenia gravis (SNMG) patients with and without anti-MuSK antibodies. Fifty-two consecutive SNMG patients were retrospectively evaluated. They had undergone an extended neurophysiological evaluation: repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS), single fiber EMG (SFEMG), and electromyography (EMG) with nerve conduction study. A muscle biopsy was performed in 11 of 52 patients, the edrophonium test in 44 of 52 patients and anti-AChR antibodies and anti-MuSK antibodies were tested in all patients. Anti-MuSK antibodies were detected in 25 SNMG patients (48.1%). The number of women in the MuSK+ group was significantly higher (P = 0.01) than in the MuSK, group. Seronegative MuSK+ patients are more severely affected and the deficit often involves the bulbar and the respiratory muscles. No statistically significant differences were observed in the edrophonium test between MuSK+ and MuSK, groups. The RNS test was abnormal in a significantly higher number of MUSK, patients than MUSK+ patients (P < 0.00001). With regard to SFEMG data, MuSK, patients were characterized to have more severe neurophysiological pattern. Our observations showed several differences between the clinical and neurophysiological pictures of MUSK+ and MUSK, patients. [source]


Raw materials: the importance of quality and safety.

FLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 5 2010
A review.
Abstract Aromatic plants and spices are used throughout the world for flavouring food and beverages, as well as for food supplements, novel foods and as a source of essential oils and aromatic extracts. The non-availability or inadequacy of standards for checking and assuring the quality of aromatic plants and spices is one of the main problems that arise for industry when using such raw materials. As many aromatic plants are harvested from the wild, standardization to assure their quality is important for their safe and effective utilization in food and beverage industries. On the other hand, there are numerous parameters that influence the chemical composition of plants, which play an important role in the final quality of the product and possibly in any risk arising to the consumer. Also, from a safety point of view, aromatic plants and spices should be free of undeclared contaminants and adulterants, such as toxic botanicals, pathogenic microorganisms and excessive levels of microbial toxins, pesticides or fumigation agents. We focus on these aspects and examine ways to assure their appropriate utilization from the quality and safety standpoint. The regulatory situation of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) is very complicated; several differences in standards and regulations between countries can be found, a situation that can result in more health risks arising for consumers. To clarify some of the existing problems, the major regulations of the USA and the European Union (EU) and the borderlines between food supplements and medicines and other international standards, are briefly described and discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


The efficacy of herbal medicine , an overview

FUNDAMENTAL & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 4 2005
Edzard Ernst
Abstract Herbal medicine has become a popular form of healthcare. Even though several differences exist between herbal and conventional pharmacological treatments, herbal medicine can be tested for efficacy using conventional trial methodology. Several specific herbal extracts have been demonstrated to be efficacious for specific conditions. Even though the public is often misled to believe that all natural treatments are inherently safe, herbal medicines do carry risks. Ultimately, we need to know which herbal remedies do more harm than good for which condition. Because of the current popularity of herbal medicine, research in this area should be intensified. [source]


Single nucleotide polymorphisms of cytokine genes in the healthy Slovak population

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IMMUNOGENETICS, Issue 4 2007
J. Javor
Summary Cytokines are molecules that control and modulate the activities of numerous target cells via binding to specific receptors. The observed differences in the cytokine production among individuals can be, at least partially, explained by gene polymorphisms. Several cytokine gene polymorphisms have been identified to play a role in susceptibility to various diseases, including autoimmune, infectious, allergic or cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the current study was to determine allele and genotype frequencies of 22 polymorphisms in 13 cytokine genes in the healthy Slovak population and to compare them with data available from six populations from Central and Southern Europe. A polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers was used to genotype polymorphisms within genes encoding IL-1,, IL-1,, IL-1R, IL-1RA, IL-4R,, IL-12, IFN-,, TGF-,, TNF-,, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 in a sample of 140 unrelated Slovak subjects. The allelic distribution of all polymorphisms in the Slovak population was very close to that in the geographically and historically closest populations in Central Europe , the Czech and the Polish. However, several differences were found between the Slovak and four populations from Southern Europe. The obtained data represent a basis for further studies on association of cytokine gene polymorphisms with some diseases. [source]


Analysis of learners' navigational behaviour and their learning styles in an online course

JOURNAL OF COMPUTER ASSISTED LEARNING, Issue 2 2010
S. Graf
Abstract Providing adaptive features and personalized support by considering students' learning styles in computer-assisted learning systems has high potential in making learning easier for students in terms of reducing their efforts or increasing their performance. In this study, the navigational behaviour of students in an online course within a learning management system was investigated, looking at how students with different learning styles prefer to use and learn in such a course. As a result, several differences in the students' navigation patterns were identified. These findings have several implications for improving adaptivity. First, they showed that students with different learning styles use different strategies to learn and navigate through the course, which can be seen as another argument for providing adaptivity. Second, the findings provided information for extending the adaptive functionality in typical learning management systems. Third, the information about differences in navigational behaviour can contribute towards automatic detection of learning styles, helping in making student modeling approaches more accurate. [source]


The clinical and cultural factors in classifying low back pain patients within Greece: a qualitative exploration of Greek health professionals

JOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 3 2007
Evdokia V. Billis MSc
Abstract Rationale, aims and objectives, Identifying homogenous subgroups of low back pain (LBP) patients is considered a priority in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and is believed to enhance clinical outcomes. In order to achieve this, the specific features of each subgroup need to be identified. The aim of this study was to develop a list of clinical and cultural features that are included in the assessment of LBP patients in Greece, among health professionals. This ,list' will be, utilized in a clinical study for developing LBP subgroups. Methods, Three focus groups were conducted, each one comprising health professionals with homogenous characteristics and all coordinated by a single moderator. There were: 11 physiotherapists (PTs) with clinical experience in LBP patients, seven PTs specialized in LBP management, and five doctors with a particular spinal interest. The focus of discussions was to develop a list of clinical and cultural features that were important in the examination of LBP. Content analysis was performed by two researchers. Results, Clinicians and postgraduates developed five categories within the History (Present Symptoms, History of Symptoms, Function, Psychosocial, Medical History) and six categories within the Physical Examination (Observation, Neurological Examination, Active and Passive Movements, Muscle Features and Palpation). The doctors identified four categories in History (Symptomatology, Function, Psychosocial, Medical History) and an additional in Physical Examination (Special Tests). All groups identified three cultural categories; Attitudes of Health Professionals, Patients' Attitudes and Health System influences. Conclusion, An extensive Greek ,list' of clinical and cultural features was developed from the groups' analysis. Although similarities existed in most categories, there were several differences across the three focus groups which will be discussed. [source]


Therapeutic drug monitoring of tacrolimus in pediatric liver transplant patients

PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2001
Gordon D. MacFarlane
Abstract: The clinical utility of tacrolimus monitoring in adults has been well documented. The present study compared tacrolimus monitoring in a pediatric population of 34 liver transplant patients in four US centers with an adult population of 111 patients in six US centers. Subjects (adult and pediatric) were evaluated, at defined intervals over 12 weeks post-transplantation (Tx), for tacrolimus trough concentrations and 12 additional laboratory chemistries. Pediatric patient and graft survival for the 12 weeks were 91% and 88%, respectively, as compared to 97% and 93%, respectively, for the adult population. The mean oral dosage of tacrolimus for pediatric patients was 0.13 ± 0.1 mg/kg/day at week 1, increased to 0.30 ± 0.3 mg/kg/day by week 3 and remained constant for the remainder of the study. These dosages were two- to three-fold higher than the dosage used in the adult population. In contrast, the mean whole-blood trough concentration, as determined by PRO-TracÔ II enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), decreased from 11.3 ± 5.1 ng/mL at week 1 to 6.3 ± 3.7 ng/mL by week 12 and was not significantly different from the trough concentration in adults. The incidence and distribution of the clinical end-points for the pediatric subjects (rejection, nephrotoxicity, death, re-Tx) were different from those observed in adults. The total percentage of pediatric subjects reaching any end-point was 74%, as compared to 54% in the adult population. These data indicate several differences between the adult and pediatric populations in their response to tacrolimus. [source]


Self-Concealment, Social Self-Efficacy, Acculturative Stress, and Depression in African, Asian, and Latin American International College Students

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 3 2004
Madonna G. Constantine PhD
The primary purpose of this exploratory investigation was to examine self-concealment behaviors and social self-efficacy skills as potential mediators in the relationship between acculturative stress and depression in a sample of 320 African, Asian, and Latin American international college students. The authors found several differences by demography with regard to the study's variables. After controlling for regional group membership, sex, and English language fluency, they found that self-concealment and social self-efficacy did not serve as mediators in the relationship between African, Asian, and Latin American international students' acculturative stress experiences and depressive symptomatology. Implications of the findings are discussed. [source]


Structure of the cerebral cortex of the humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae (Cetacea, Mysticeti, Balaenopteridae)

THE ANATOMICAL RECORD : ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
Patrick R. Hof
Abstract Cetaceans diverged from terrestrial mammals between 50 and 60 million years ago and acquired, during their adaptation to a fully aquatic milieu, many derived features, including echolocation (in odontocetes), remarkable auditory and communicative abilities, as well as a complex social organization. Whereas brain structure has been documented in detail in some odontocetes, few reports exist on its organization in mysticetes. We studied the cerebral cortex of the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) in comparison to another balaenopterid, the fin whale, and representative odontocetes. We observed several differences between Megaptera and odontocetes, such as a highly clustered organization of layer II over the occipital and inferotemporal neocortex, whereas such pattern is restricted to the ventral insula in odontocetes. A striking observation in Megaptera was the presence in layer V of the anterior cingulate, anterior insular, and frontopolar cortices of large spindle cells, similar in morphology and distribution to those described in hominids, suggesting a case of parallel evolution. They were also observed in the fin whale and the largest odontocetes, but not in species with smaller brains or body size. The hippocampal formation, unremarkable in odontocetes, is further diminutive in Megaptera, contrasting with terrestrial mammals. As in odontocetes, clear cytoarchitectural patterns exist in the neocortex of Megaptera, making it possible to define many cortical domains. These observations demonstrate that Megaptera differs from Odontoceti in certain aspects of cortical cytoarchitecture and may provide a neuromorphologic basis for functional and behavioral differences between the suborders as well as a reflection of their divergent evolution. Anat Rec, 290:1,31, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Genetic Diversity of Populations of Monilinia fructicola (Fungi, Ascomycota, Helotiales) from China

THE JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2010
JIN-YAN FAN
ABSTRACT. The genetic variation among 128 isolates of Monilinia fructicola (Fungi, Ascomycota, Helotiales) from China was analyzed using Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers and compared with those of samples from California, USA and New Zealand. A total of 72 reproducible DNA fragments were scored, of which 87.5% (63/72) were polymorphic. The Nei's gene diversity and Shannon's diversity indices of three Chinese regional populations were very similar to that from California. However, several differences were observed among geographic populations of M. fructicola from both within China and between China and California. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) of isolates from different geographic locations suggested that most of the observed genetic variation was found within populations. Results of this study are inconsistent with the hypothesis that the Chinese populations of M. fructicola were derived from a single or few recent migrants from other countries. Instead, our results suggest that M. fructicola has been in China long before its first official recording in 2003. [source]


ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Glycation Endproducts, Soluble Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts and Cytokines in Diabetic and Non-diabetic Pregnancies

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
Magdalena Perty, ska-Marczewska
Problem, Cytokines, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and their receptor RAGE have been recently suggested to play a role in human pregnancy. In this study, we sought to determine the alterations of plasma AGEs, soluble RAGE (sRAGE), and proinflammatory cytokines in normal pregnancies and those complicated with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Method of study, These parameters were measured in samples from healthy non-pregnant (C), diabetic non-pregnant (D), healthy pregnant (HP), and pregnant diabetic (DP) women. Results, In the first trimester, DP showed lower sRAGE and higher AGEs compared to HP. In the DP group, significant negative correlations were seen between TNF-, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated ,L-6 in the first trimester and sRAGE in the third trimester. LPS-stimulated IL-12 was positively correlated with levels of AGEs in the third trimester. Conclusion, We detected several differences in the levels of AGEs, sRAGE, and proinflammatory cytokines between euglycemic and diabetic pregnancies. [source]


Analysis of the CD4 Protein on Human Vaginal T Lymphocytes

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2001
PAUL L. FIDEL
PROBLEM: Although T lymphocytes at the human vaginal mucosa have been partially characterized, there remains a paucity of information regarding cell-mediated immune mechanisms at this mucosal site. In mice and humans, there are several phenotypic distinctions between vaginal T lymphocytes and those in the peripheral circulation. Recently, we observed as well that the N-terminus of the CD4 protein on murine vaginal T lymphocytes is atypically expressed compared to its systemic counterpart, and that the atypical expression extends to the mRNA level. METHOD OF STUDY: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the CD4 protein on human vaginal T lymphocytes by flow cytometry and RT-PCR. RESULTS: Results showed that, in contrast to mice, the CD4 protein on human vaginal and peripheral blood T lymphocytes are similar at both the molecular and protein levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that based on several differences between human and mouse vaginal T cells, caution is urged when using mice as a model to study human vaginal immunity. [source]


Structural insights into the adaptation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) from Haloferax volcanii to a high-salt environment

ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D, Issue 10 2009
Ekaterina Morgunova
The sliding clamp proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) plays vital roles in many aspects of DNA replication and repair in eukaryotic cells and in archaea. Realising the full potential of archaea as a model for PCNA function requires a combination of biochemical and genetic approaches. In order to provide a platform for subsequent reverse genetic analysis, PCNA from the halophilic archaeon Haloferax volcanii was subjected to crystallographic analysis. The gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli and the protein was purified by affinity chromatography and crystallized by the vapour-diffusion technique. The structure was determined by molecular replacement and refined at 3.5,Å resolution to a final R factor of 23.7% (Rfree = 25%). PCNA from H. volcanii was found to be homotrimeric and to resemble other homotrimeric PCNA clamps but with several differences that appear to be associated with adaptation of the protein to the high intracellular salt concentrations found in H. volcanii cells. [source]


A proof-of-principle gel-free proteomics strategy for the identification of predictive biomarkers for the onset of pre-eclampsia

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 11 2009
RT Blankley
Objective, Progress in the prevention and treatment of women at risk of pre-eclampsia (PE) still remains hindered by the lack of clinical screening tools that can accurately predict which mothers are at risk. The identification and validation of predictive biomarkers is therefore seen as a critical milestone towards improved healthcare provision and the clinical testing of new therapeutic strategies. Gel-free proteomic technologies offer the capability of analysing hundreds of plasma proteins simultaneously, but as yet these methods have not been applied to pregnancy complications. To assess the feasibility of such an approach to plasma biomarker research in pregnancy we have applied the technique to samples from women with PE to gestation-matched controls. Sample, Pooled plasma samples taken at time of disease from women with PE (n = 23) and gestation-matched controls (n = 23). Methods, Proteomics strategy for relative quantification of proteins using mass spectrometry. Results, We identified several differences, including elevated levels of endoglin, PAPP-A and PSG1 in PE plasma. Increased levels of endoglin were validated using immunoassay analysis of individual plasma samples. Conclusions, Although at a relatively early stage, this mass spectrometry-based approach shows promise as a tool to identify global protein changes in plasma. The application of these methods to pre-disease samples is the next step in the identification of clinically useful biomarkers. [source]


Morphological and embryological characters of three middle Asian Allium L. species (Alliaceae)

BOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, Issue 1 2001
OZODBEK A. ASHURMETOV
Morphological and embryological characters of the xerophilous species Allium crystallinum Vved., A. filidens Regel, and A. fritschii Khassanov et Yengalycheva (Allium subg. Allium) were compared. The morphology of flowers, the rate of development of male and female embryonic structures and correlations with bud dimensions were studied. The overall similarity of the embryonic processes and structures underlines the close taxonomic relationship of the species investigated as concluded from morphological and anatomical characters. However, several differences in embryological characters between A. filidens and A. fritschii confirm the separation of the latter species at species level. [source]