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Several Important Aspects (several + important_aspect)
Selected Abstracts135 Life History and Ecology of Trentepohliaceae (Chlorophyta) in the West of IrelandJOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 2003F. Rindi Species of subaerial green algae of the family Trentepohliaceae are common in tropical and temperate regions. Despite nearly two centuries of investigations, several important aspects of their biology (such as life history and taxonomic relationships of some species) are still poorly understood. In western Ireland, the abundance of Trentepohliaceae is a peculiar feature of the subaerial algal vegetation. Six species are present (Phycopeltis arundinacea, Printzina lagenifera, Trentepohlia abietina, T. aurea, T. iolithus and T. umbrina). Life history and phenology of these were examined by extensive field and culture studies. In contrast to most other subaerial algae, the Trentepohliaceae show a generally strict substratum-specificity in western Ireland. T. iolithus, in particular, is remarkable for its occurrence on concrete walls, where it may produce extensive dark-red growths. Our observations suggest that general statements about the life history of Trentepohlia should be reconsidered critically. There is no evidence that in Irish populations a regular alternation of isomorphic gametophytes and sporophytes takes place; biflagellate swarmers (usually considered gametes) behave as asexual spores and reproduce the same morphological phase. No fusion of gametes was observed and a detailed examination of the literature concerning the genus shows that this phenomenon is extremely rare. A combination of studies based on different types of data (molecular data, examination of very large numbers of field samples, chromosome numbers, culture studies) is considered fundamental to any definitive clarification of the taxonomy and life history of Trentepohlia. [source] The EuroPrevall surveys on the prevalence of food allergies in children and adults: background and study methodologyALLERGY, Issue 10 2009I. Kummeling Background:, The epidemiological surveys in children and adults of the EU-funded multidisciplinary Integrated Project EuroPrevall, launched in June 2005, were designed to estimate the currently unknown prevalence of food allergy and exposure to known or suspected risk factors for food allergy across Europe. We describe the protocol for the epidemiological surveys in children and adults. This protocol provides specific instructions on the sampling strategy, the use of questionnaires, and collection of blood samples for immunological analyses. Methods:, The surveys were performed as multi-centre, cross-sectional studies in general populations. Case,control studies were nested within these surveys. The studies in children aged 7,10 years and adults aged 20,54 years were undertaken in eight centres representing different social and climatic regions in Europe. Results:, After a community-based survey collecting basic information on adverse reactions to foods, all those stating they had experienced such reactions, as well as of a random sample of those stating ,no reactions' to foods, completed a detailed questionnaire on potential risks and exposures. Also a blood sample was taken to allow serological analysis to establish patterns of food and aeroallergen sensitization. We also included a questionnaire to schools on their preparedness for dealing with food allergy amongst pupils. Subjects reporting adverse reactions to foods and sensitized to the same food(s) were called in for a full clinical evaluation that included a double blind placebo controlled food challenge (DBPCFC), following a protocol which is described in detail elsewhere. Conclusions:, The outcome of these studies will help to improve our understanding of several important aspects of food allergies in the European Community, providing for more well-informed policies and effective measures of disease prevention, diagnosis and management. [source] Type 1 diabetes mellitus and school: a comparison of patients and healthy siblingsPEDIATRIC DIABETES, Issue 8 2009Kelly B Parent Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are at risk for a variety of problems at school. Well-controlled studies using data collected in schools, however, are limited. The purposes of this study are to determine whether selected school problems are associated with T1DM and to investigate an association between these problems and medical variables. Teachers rated 95 diabetic students (M = 11.8; SD = 3.0 yr old) and 95 of their siblings (M = 12.1; SD = 3.0 yr old) regarding academic skills, work completion, day-to-day variability, and classroom attention. Medical and school records also were accessed. The T1DM group had lower academic skills ratings overall (p < 0.02), especially in writing (p < 0.01), a trend toward poorer classroom attention (p < 0.08), and many more missed school days (p < 0.001). Diabetics on intensive therapy protocols had better academic ratings overall (p < 0.02), including in math (p < 0.03) and fewer missed school days (p < 0.03), but they unexpectedly were rated as having more classroom behaviors that jeopardize work completion (p < 0.05) than counterparts on conventional therapy. Among all diabetics, glycated hemoglobin (HbAlc) levels were moderately related to each academic skill rating (r = ,0.34 to ,0.37; p < 0.01) and strongly related to classroom attention (r = 0.53; p = 0.000). T1DM itself appears to be a relatively minor influence to several important aspects of school. Furthermore, although intensive therapy alone may well promote school success, meticulous glycemic control, however achieved, appears more important in mitigating prospective classroom attention and academic problems. [source] Infection of horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) by Pseudomonas syringae pv. aesculi and its detection by quantitative real-time PCRPLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 4 2009S. Green Pseudomonas syringae pv. aesculi is a pathogenic bacterium causing bleeding canker disease of horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum). This is a serious disease which has been affecting horse chestnut in several European countries over the last five years; however, very little is known about the biology of the causal agent. One of the obstacles to studying this pathogen is the lengthy procedure associated with confirming its presence on the host. In this study, P. syringae pv. aesculi was isolated from lesions on different parts of horse chestnut and its pathogenicity confirmed on horse chestnut saplings using two inoculation techniques. Real-time PCR primers were developed based on gyrase B gene sequence data for the specific detection of P. syringae pv. aesculi. Primer specificity was tested on isolates of the target pathogen as well as on a broad range of related non-target bacteria and other bacterial spp. which inhabit horse chestnut. The real-time primers reliably amplified P. syringae pv. aesculi down to 1 pg of extracted DNA, with and without the presence of host DNA, and also amplified unextracted DNA in whole cells of the bacterium down to at least 160 colony forming units. Detection and quantification of the target pathogen in phloem and xylem of both naturally infected and inoculated horse chestnut tissues was also demonstrated. This quantitative real-time PCR assay provides the facility to study several important aspects of the biology of P. syringae pv. aesculi on horse chestnut including its potential for dissemination in different substrates. [source] Role of valproate across the ages.ACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2006Treatment of epilepsy in the elderly In June 2005, a team of experts participated in a workshop with the objective of reaching agreement on several important aspects of valproate in the treatment of elderly patients with epilepsy. Epilepsy in the elderly is relatively common and its incidence increases for each decade after age 60. The aetiology and manifestations of epilepsies in the elderly are complex because of comorbidity and other underlying risk factors. A consensus was reached that elderly patients who present with a seizure disorder should be referred rapidly to a specialist and that diagnosis should be improved by using a multidisciplinary team of cardiologists, neurologists and epilepsy experts (syncope, falls and seizure specialists). This is especially important to avoid mistreatment with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). There was consensus that the elderly are generally more susceptible to the adverse effects of AEDs than younger adults. For these reasons, in older persons AEDs should be started at low dosages, and titrated slowly according to clinical response. Some of the most troublesome side effects of AEDs in the elderly include sedation and cognitive side effects, as well as osteoporosis. Drug,drug interactions should be given special consideration. There was consensus that the pharmacokinetics of all AEDs are altered in the elderly, and that the most significant change common to all AEDs is a moderate reduction in renal and metabolic clearance. Predicting pharmacokinetic changes in the individual, however, can be very difficult because multiple factors contribute to a high inter-patient variability. There was agreement on the advantages and disadvantages of the use of valproate in the elderly, and consensus that valproate is a useful option in this population. There was no consensus, however, on whether valproate should be considered among the preferred first-line treatments in the elderly. [source] | |||||||||||||