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Variable Size (variable + size)
Selected AbstractsIn vitro characterization of Inocutis jamaicensis and experimental inoculation of Eucalyptus globulus standing treesFOREST PATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2009S. Lupo Summary Lesions of variable size, associated with the hymenomycete Inocutis jamaicensis, a white-rot fungus, have been observed on the stems of Eucalyptus globulus trees in Uruguay. The aim of this study was to evaluate some ecophysiological characteristics of I. jamaicensis and assess its ability to colonize E. globulus trees of two different seed origins (Geeveston and Jeeralang) and the clone, 334-1-AR, obtained by micropropagation (ENCE, Spain). The growth of an I. jamaicensis isolate (MVHC11379) was evaluated at 25°C in a medium with a water potential of 0 (, = 0). The growth rate did not vary significantly with a growth medium pH of between 4 and 7. I. jamaicensis showed no growth at either 5 or 37°C at any pH or , tested. Weight loss of heartwood and sapwood of different plant provenances inoculated with I. jamaicensis under laboratory conditions was evaluated, and significant differences observed. Lignin-modifying enzyme activity was evaluated in culture medium with or without E. globulus sawdust as substrate or inducer. Laccase activity was observed with sawdust and manganese peroxidase activity with and without sawdust. Only slight activity of aryl-alcohol oxidase and lignin peroxidase was detected without sawdust. Experimental inoculation with I. jamaicensis of 3-year-old Geeveston and Jeeralang, and of 4-year-old 334-1-AR stems, resulted in successful fungal colonization of 56% of the 334-1-AR, 50% of Geeveston and 25% of Jeeralang trees. Only the heartwood was decayed. In 334-1-AR, the rotted wood was delimited by a reaction zone. Wood characteristics and the ability of I. jamaicensis to overcome the chemical reactions in the tree could partially explain differences in susceptibility to the fungus among provenances observed under natural and laboratory conditions. [source] Occurrence of Heterobasidion basidiocarps on cull pieces of Norway spruce left on cutting areas and in mature spruce standsFOREST PATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2007M. M. Müller Summary Fruiting of Heterobasidion on cull pieces and stumps of Norway spruce was investigated in cutting areas and mature spruce stands located in southern Finland. Cull pieces of variable size and showing butt rot were left on three clear-cut areas and in one thinned stand. Additionally, a part of the cull pieces was transported to mature forest sites with closed canopy. During the succeeding 3,4 years the cull pieces were investigated annually for sporocarps of Heterobasidion, and the area of actively sporulating pore layer of each sporocarp was measured. Root bases of spruce stumps in the logging areas were excavated and sporocarps found on the stumps also measured. At the onset of the experiment, Heterobasidion spp. were isolated from 76% of the cull pieces showing butt rot; 85% of the isolates were identified as H. parviporum and 15% as H. annosum s.s. During the following 3,4 years sporocarps were found on 20% of the 1938 cull pieces where Heterobasidion butt rot was initially detected visually. Sporocarp formation was promoted by advancement of butt rot, increasing cull piece diameter and end-to-end ground contact, but restricted by the colonization of the cull piece by Stereum sanguinolentum. Between-site differences were significant but could not be explained by differences in tree cover. At the end of the investigation period the average sporulating area of Heterobasidion sporocarp per metre of cull piece was higher than the average sporulating area per stump at three of four logging sites. Hence, leaving cull pieces containing Heterobasidion butt rot at logging areas in southern Finland can considerably increase local production of Heterobasidion spores. [source] A viscous vortex particle method for deforming bodies with application to biolocomotionINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 12 2009Li Jeany Zhang Abstract Bio-inspired mechanics of locomotion generally consist of the interaction of flexible structures with the surrounding fluid to generate propulsive forces. In this work, we extend, for the first time, the viscous vortex particle method (VVPM) to continuously deforming two-dimensional bodies. The VVPM is a high-fidelity Navier,Stokes computational method that captures the fluid motion through evolution of vorticity-bearing computational particles. The kinematics of the deforming body surface are accounted for via a surface integral in the Biot,Savart velocity. The spurious slip velocity in each time step is removed by computing an equivalent vortex sheet and allowing it to flux to adjacent particles; hence, no-slip boundary conditions are enforced. Particles of both uniform and variable size are utilized, and their relative merits are considered. The placement of this method in the larger class of immersed boundary methods is explored. Validation of the method is carried out on the problem of a periodically deforming circular cylinder immersed in a stagnant fluid, for which an analytical solution exists when the deformations are small. We show that the computed vorticity and velocity of this motion are both in excellent agreement with the analytical solution. Finally, we explore the fluid dynamics of a simple fish-like shape undergoing undulatory motion when immersed in a uniform free stream, to demonstrate the application of the method to investigations of biomorphic locomotion. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Egg-yolk androgen and carotenoid deposition as a function of maternal social environment in barn swallows Hirundo rusticaJOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2010Rebecca J. Safran Evidence is mounting that female animals use egg-yolk compounds (e.g. steroids, antioxidants) to adaptively engineer the quality of their offspring as a function of several maternal and environmental factors. Though adjustments to yolk allocation have been well-characterized as a function of parental phenotypes, we know very little about how an individual's social environment influences yolk composition. Here, we consider how two types of yolk compounds, androgens and carotenoids, relate to the maternal social environment during the egg-laying period, controlling statistically for known correlations between various aspects of parental quality and egg yolk compounds. Barn swallows Hirundo rustica erythrogaster breed in groups of highly variable size and spacing, allowing us to test whether or not the social environment is correlated with these maternal effects. We found no relationship between carotenoid levels in eggs as a function of colony size, colony density, or nearest-neighbor distance. However, eggs from females in larger groups had lower concentrations and total amounts of yolk androgens than those from females in smaller, less dense social settings. Our results counter previous predictions and literature, showing that females breeding in large groups deposit more androgen in eggs, mechanistically, because they compete more with conspecifics and have higher circulating androgen levels themselves and, functionally, because it could be advantageous for their offspring to show high androgen-mediated competitive abilities early in life. Instead, because group size in this species is governed largely by site fidelity and the availability of old nests for re-use, and because reproductive output does not differ as a function of group size, it may be that competition is greater for limited nests in small groups, thus elevating androgen levels. Further, yolk androgens were previously shown to be affected by male quality, and the greater concentrations and amounts of yolk androgens in smaller sites may reflect differential allocation to darker males found at these sites. [source] Symplastic glomus tumor , a rare but distinct benign histological variant with analogy to other ,ancient' benign skin neoplasmsJOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 10 2009Jivko Kamarashev A 78-year-old woman presented with a nail deformity of the index finger of the left hand associated with paroxysmal pain upon cold exposure. Histologically, a well-circumscribed tumor of 3 mm diameter was found in the dermis. The neoplastic cells in some areas were of pronouncedly variable size and cytomorphology, mostly epithelioid in shape, with eosinophilic cytoplasm and indistinctly defined cell borders. Pronounced nuclear pleomorphism and atypia were striking features, but no mitotic figures were noted. Multinuclear cells were present as were numerous small-to-medium vessels throughout the tumor. The tumor stroma showed myxoid areas. Immunohistochemistry showed cytoplasmic and membranous expression of smooth muscle actin and vimentin. The histological features and immunoprofile were consistent with the diagnosis of symplastic glomus tumor, a rare histological variant, which has been defined as a glomus tumor exhibiting marked nuclear atypia, in the absence of any other criteria for malignancy. The biological behavior of the tumor is benign. It is essential to differentiate this entity from malignant glomus tumor, which has metastatic potential. Even prominent cellular atypia and nuclear pleomorphism in a glomus tumor as in our case is not a marker of malignancy in the absence of additional criteria. [source] Kin recognition and cannibalism in a subsocial spiderJOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2001T. Bilde Evolution of cooperation and group living in spiders from subsocial family groups may be constrained by their cannibalistic nature. A tendency to avoid cannibalizing kin may facilitate tolerance among spiders and implies the ability to identify relatives. We investigated whether the subsocial spider Stegodyphus lineatus discriminates kin by recording cannibalism among juveniles in experiments during which amount of food and size difference among spiders in groups were varied. We hypothesized that family groups should be less cannibalistic than groups of mixed-parental origin. Further, we tested whether food-stress would influence cannibalism rates differently in kin and nonkin groups and the effect of relatedness on cannibalism within groups of spiders of variable size compared with those of homogenous size. In groups of six spiders, more spiders were cannibalized in nonsib groups than in sib groups under low food conditions. A tendency for nonkin biased cannibalism in starved spider pairs supported that kin recognition in S. lineatus is expressed when food is limited. Size variance of individuals within well-fed groups of siblings and unrelated spiders had no influence on cannibalism rates. Apparently, both hunger and high density are important promoters of cannibalism. In addition to inclusive fitness benefits, we suggest that an ability to avoid cannibalizing kin will favour the evolution of cooperation and group living in phylogenetically pre-adapted solitary species. [source] Patent Foramen Ovale Using the Premere Device: The Results of the CLOSEUP TrialJOURNAL OF INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 4 2006FRANZISKA BÜSCHECK M.D. Objectives: The CLOSEUP trial was conducted to determine the safety and effectiveness of the Premere closure device in closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO). Background: PFO is a relatively common congenital condition, associated with cryptogenic stroke and migraine with aura. The Premere device is specifically designed to close PFO of variable size and length, with right and left anchor arms connected by a flexible tether. The device has an open architecture, a low profile, and a small surface area on the left atrial side which may discourage thrombus formation. Methods: Patients between 18 and 65 years of age who had a cryptogenic ischemic stroke or a transient ischemic attack and a PFO underwent percutaneous PFO closure using the Premere device. Results: Of the 73 enrolled patients, six patients had atrial anatomy not appropriate for the Premere; 27 patients received the 15 mm and 40 patients received the 20 mm device. Implantation was successful in all patients. At 6 months of follow-up, 86% of patients had no shunt that could be provoked with Valsalva as assessed during contrast echocardiography. Closure rates were better with the 20 mm versus the 15 mm device, and three patients with residual shunt had atrial septal aneurysms at baseline. One patient had transient atrial fibrillation which resolved by 3 months. There were no instances of thrombus, death, or stroke. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that the Premere device can safely and effectively close PFO. Additional studies should be undertaken to demonstrate the effectiveness of PFO closure in reducing thrombo-embolic events such as stroke. [source] Cultural Characterization and Conidial Dimorphism in Colletotrichum sublineolumJOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 7-8 2003E. A. Souza-Paccola Abstract Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum sublineolum, is one of the most important diseases of sorghum in Brazil. This fungus showed conidial dimorphism when cultivated on solid or in liquid media. In solid media only falcate conidia were produced, whereas in liquid media the conidia were of variable size, but mostly oval. Wild strains, differentiated by their , and , esterase electrophoretic profiles, were assessed. The effect of different culture media on the production of both conidial types was evaluated. Unlike that of oval conidia, the production of falcate conidia was light-dependent. Some strains failed to produce falcate conidia in solid media, but all produced oval conidia in all the liquid media. The falcate conidia were uninucleate, but oval conidia contained one to three nuclei, although most were uninucleate. Both types of conidia induced symptoms in inoculable sorghum plants under controlled conditions. Both oval and falcate conidia produced mutants after exposure to UV light, and hyphal anastomoses occurred in crosses between mutant conidia carriers of complementary markers. The production of these oval conidia in C. sublineolum is an alternative to pathogenicity tests and genetic studies, especially for strains that sporulate poorly in solid culture media. [source] Evaluation of the reflected phase of a patch using waveguide simulator for reflectarray designMICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 6 2005N. Lenin Abstract This paper presents the measured reflected phase-variation curves for microstrip-patch elements of variable size, which form the most essential part in the design of a reflectarray antenna. A waveguide simulator exploiting the concept of infinite array is successfully implemented in the characterization of reflected phase, which avoids the need for large arrays for the empirical design of an element. A set of seven microstrip-array samples, each consisting of three square elements of the same size designed at 10 GHz, is measured. A comparison of the simulations using the finite-element method and the measured results shows good agreement. The phase variation is in the range of +167° to ,178° for a patch-size variation of 5.5 to 13 mm. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 45: 528,531, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20869 [source] Establishment of Liebermannia dichroplusae n. comb. on the Basis of Molecular Characterization of Perezia dichroplusae Lange, 1987 (Microsporidia)THE JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2007YULIYA Y. SOKOLOVA ABSTRACT. Perezia dichroplusae Lange, 1987 is a parasite of the Malpighian tubules of an Argentine grasshopper, Dichroplus elongatus (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Melanoplinae). In order to determine relationships of this microsporidium with Perezia nelsoni and with other microsporidia, we sequenced its small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rDNA) (GenBank Accession No. EF016249) and performed phylogenetic analysis of the novel sequence against 17 microsporidian SSU rDNA sequences from GenBank, using neighbor-joining (NJ), maximum-parsimony (MP), and maximum-likelihood (ML) methods. This analysis revealed the highest similarity (96%) of the new sequence to Liebermannia patagonica, a parasite of gut epithelium cells of another grasshopper from Argentina, versus only 65% similarity to P. nelsoni, a parasite of muscles of paenaeid shrimps. In phylogenetic trees inferred from SSU rDNA sequences, the microsporidium from D. elongatus is sister taxon to L. patagonica and both cluster with Orthosomella operophterae. At the higher hierarchical level, the Liebermania,Orthosomella branch forms a clade with the Endoreticulatus,Cystosporogenus,Vittaforma group and with Enterocytozoon bieneusi. Perezia nelsoni falls into another large clade together with Nosema and Ameson species. We propose transferring P. dichroplusae to the genus Liebermannia and creating a new combination Liebermannia dichroplusae n. comb., based both on SSU rDNA sequence analysis and on common characters between P. dichroplusae and L. patagonica, which include the presence of elongated multinuclear sporonts, sporoblastogenesis by a similar process of sequentially splitting off sporoblasts, ovocylindrical spores of variable size, tissue tropism limited to epithelial cells, Orthoptera as hosts, and geographical distribution of hosts in the southern temperate region of Argentina. We argue that the condition of the nuclei in spores (i.e. diplokaryotic in L. patagonica or monokaryotic in L. dichroplusae) cannot be used to distinguish genera. Therefore, we remove the statement about the presence of diplokaryotic spores from the revised diagnosis of the genus Liebermannia. [source] Highly Permeable Genipin-Cross-linked Gelatin Conduits Enhance Peripheral Nerve RegenerationARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 12 2009Ju-Ying Chang Abstract Here we have evaluated peripheral nerve regeneration with a porous biodegradable nerve conduit (PGGC), which was made from genipin-cross-linked gelatin. To examine the effect of pores, nonporous genipin-cross-linked gelatin conduit (GGC) was considered as the control. Both the PGGC and the GGC were dark blue in appearance with a concentric and round lumina. The PGGC featured an outer surface with pores of variable size homogeneously traversing, and a partially fenestrated inner surface connected by an open trabecular meshwork. The GGC had a rough outer surface whereas its inner lumen was smooth. Both PGGCs and GGCs had similar hydrophilicity on condition of the same material and cross-linking degree. The porosity of PGGCs and GGCs was 90.8 ± 0.9% and 24.3 ± 2.9%, respectively. The maximum tensile force of the GGCs (0.12 ± 0.06 kN) exceeded that of the PGGCs (0.03 ± 0.01 kN), but the PGGCs had a higher swelling ratio than GGCs at 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 60, 72, and 84 h after soaking in deionized water. Cytotoxic testing revealed the soaking solutions of both of the tube composites would not produce cytotoxicity to cocultured Schwann cells. After subcutaneous implantation on the dorsal side of the rat, the PGGC was degraded completely after 12 weeks of implantation whereas a thin tissue capsule was formed encapsulating the partially degraded GGC. Biodegradability of both of the tube groups and their effectiveness as a guidance channel were examined as they were used to repair a 10 mm gap in the rat sciatic nerve. As a result, fragmentation of the GGC was still seen after 12 weeks of implantation, yet the PGGC had been completely degraded. Histological observation showed that numerous myelinated axons had crossed over the gap region in the PGGCs after 8 weeks of implantation despite only few myelinated axons and unmyelinated axons mostly surrounded by Schwann cells seen in the GGCs. In addition, the regenerated nerves in the PGGCs presented a significantly higher nerve conductive velocity than those in the GGCs (P < 0.05). Thus, the PGGCs can not only offer effective aids for regenerating nerves but also accelerate favorable nerve functional recovery compared with the GGCs. [source] Response of fauna in seagrass to habitat edges, patch attributes and hydrodynamicsAUSTRAL ECOLOGY, Issue 5 2010HANNAH M. MURPHY Abstract This study has investigated the taxon-specific responses of fauna to patch edges, and how these relate to patch attributes (patch size, seagrass biomass and water depth), and hydrodynamics in the seagrass habitat. Faunal abundances were sampled at the edge, 2 m in from the edge, and in the middle of 10 seagrass patches of variable size in Port Phillip Bay, Australia. Five of nine taxa showed edge effects. There were higher abundances at the edge compared with the middle for porcellid harpacticoids, and an increase in abundance from the edge to the middle of the patches for tanaids and isopods. For caprellid and gammarid amphipods, the edge effect varied across patches. Changes in current within the patch and patch size were related to the variability in the edge effect pattern of caprellids. None of the measured environmental variables (seagrass biomass, current and water depth) or patch size had a role in the variable edge effect pattern of gammarid amphipods. At the patch level, the distribution of six of nine taxa in this study, namely isopods, polychaetes, ,other harpacticoids', porcellid harpacticoids, cumaceans and gammarid amphipods, was related to differences in average water depth, average seagrass biomass and patch size. Our study indicates that the faunal response to edges cannot be generalized across seagrass habitat, and the implications of habitat area loss will vary depending on the taxon under consideration. [source] Report of an unusual case of a conjunctival cyst with Liesegang ringsCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Jaime Levy MD Abstract Liesegang rings are laminated precipitation structures well recognized in the field of chemistry. We present a rare case of a 64-year-old man who sought examination for a conjunctival cystic lesion of several months' duration, located in the right nasal bulbar conjunctiva near the plica semilunaris. The lesion was excised completely and uneventfully under local anaesthesia. Histopathological examination revealed a large folded cyst in the substantia propria. The cyst contained multiple eosinophilic concentrically spherical and oval structures of variable size with an amorphous central core compatible with Liesegang rings. No fungal or parasitic organisms were identified. This is the first photographically documented case of Liesegang rings appearing in the conjunctiva. Liesegang ring formation should be taken into account during histopathological examination of a conjunctival cyst and not be misdiagnosed as a parasitic infection. [source] Synergistic Effects of Subsistence Hunting and Habitat Fragmentation on Amazonian Forest VertebratesCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2001Carlos A. Peres These effects are likely to be considerably aggravated by forest fragmentation because fragments are more accessible to hunters, allow no (or very low rates of ,) recolonization from nonharvested source populations, and may provide a lower-quality resource base for the frugivore-granivore vertebrate fauna. I examined the likelihood of midsized to large-bodied bird and mammal populations persisting in Amazonian forest fragments of variable sizes whenever they continue to be harvested by subsistence hunters in the aftermath of isolation. I used data from a comprehensive compilation of game-harvest studies throughout Neotropical forests to estimate the degree to which different species and populations have been overharvested and then calculated the range of minimum forest areas required to maintain a sustainable harvest. The size distribution of 5564 Amazonian forest fragments,estimated from Landsat images of six regions of southern and eastern Brazilian Amazonia,clearly shows that these are predominantly small and rarely exceed 10 ha, suggesting that persistent overhunting is likely to drive most midsized to large vertebrate populations to local extinction in fragmented forest landscapes. Although experimental studies on this negative synergism remain largely unavailable, the prospect that increasingly fragmented Neotropical forest regions can retain their full assemblages of avian and mammalian species is unlikely. Resumen: La cacería de subsistencia tiene efectos negativos profundos sobre la diversidad de especies, la biomasa y estructura de las comunidades de vertebrados en bosques de la Amazonía que de otra forma están poco perturbadas. Estos efectos se agravan considerablemente por la fragmentación del bosque porque los fragmentos son más accesibles a los cazadores, no permiten la recolonización por poblaciones no cazadas o disminuyen las tasas de recolonizacíon y pueden proporcionar una base de recursos de menor calidad para la fauna de vertebrados frugívoro-granívoros. Examiné la posibilidad de persistencia de poblaciones de aves y mamíferos medianos a grandes en fragmentos de bosque de tamaño variable si continúan sujetos a la cacería de subsistencia como una consecuencia del aislamiento. Utilicé datos de una compilación extensiva de estudios de cacería en bosques neotropicales para estimar el grado en que diferentes especies y poblaciones han sido sobre explotadas y calculé el área de bosque minima requerida para mantener una cosecha sostensible. La distribucíon de tamaños de 5564 fragmentos de bosque amazónica, estimado a partir de imágues de Landsat de seis regiones del sur y del esté de la Amazonía brasileña indica claramente que estos fragmentós son principalmente pegueños y que rara vez exceden las lolta, lo que sugiere que la sobre cacería persistente probablemente lleve a la extincíon local de poblaciones de vertebrados de tamaño mediano a grande en paisajes boscosos fragmentados. Aunque estudios experimentales de este sinergismo negativo no están disponibles, la perspectiva de que las regiones neotropicales cada vez más fragmentadas, puedan retener las comunidades completas de aves y mamíferos poco es probable. [source] Microbial composition and structure of a multispecies biofilm from a trickle-bed reactor used for the removal of volatile aromatic hydrocarbons from a waste gasJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2004Dariusch Hekmat Abstract The microbial composition and structure of a multispecies biofilm of a laboratory-scale trickle-bed bioreactor for the treatment of waste gas was examined. The model pollutant was a volatile organic compound-mixture of polyalkylated benzenes called Solvesso 100®. Fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were applied. Two new Solvesso 100® -degrading Pseudomonas sp strains were isolated from the multispecies biofilm. Corresponding isolate-specific oligonucleotide probes were designed and applied successfully. A major finding was that the fraction of Solvesso 100® -degrading bacteria in the biofilm was low (about 3,6% during long-term operation). The majority of the active cells were saprophytes which utilized intermediates and cell lysis products. The measured fraction of extracellular polymeric substances of the mature biofilm was 89,93% of the total biomass. The CLSM examinations of a 3-days-old approx 10 µm thick biofilm revealed highly heterogeneous structures with distinguished three-dimensional matrix-enclosed microcolony bodies spread across the substratum surface. The 28-days-old 80,960 µm thick biofilm exhibited voids, cell-free channels, and pores of variable sizes. In both cases, an even distribution of active cells and pollutant-degrading bacteria throughout the biofilm cross-section as well as through the biofilm depth was observed. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Size and Aggregation of Corticosteroids Used for Epidural InjectionsPAIN MEDICINE, Issue 2 2008Richard Derby MD ABSTRACT Objective., The purpose of this study was to document particulate size in commonly used corticosteroid preparations. Inadvertent injection of particulate corticosteroids into a vertebral or foraminal artery can cause brain and spinal cord embolic infarcts and the size of the particles could be directly related to the chance that a clinically significant infarct would occur. One might assume that corticosteroids with particles significantly smaller than red blood cells might be safer. Design., The following four types of corticosteroid preparations were used in various solutions and evaluated under light microscopy: dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection, triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension, betamethasone sodium phosphate and betamethasone acetate injectable suspension, and methylprednisolone acetate injectable suspension. Results., Dexamethasone sodium phosphate particle size was approximately 10 times smaller than red blood cells and the particles did not appear to aggregate; even mixed with 1% lidocaine HCl solution and with contrast dye, the size of the particles were unchanged. Triamcinolone acetonide and betamethasone sodium phosphate showed variable sizes; some particles were larger than red blood cells, and aggregation of particles was evident. Methylprednisolone acetate showed uniformity in size and the majority were smaller than red blood cells which were not aggregated, but the particles were densely packed. Conclusions., Compared with the particulate steroid solutions, dexamethasone sodium phosphate had particles that were significantly smaller than red blood cells, had the least tendency to aggregation, and had the lowest density. These characteristics should significantly reduce the risk of embolic infarcts or prevent them from occurring after intra-arterial injection. Until shown otherwise in clinical studies, interventionalists might consider using dexamethasone or another corticosteroid preparation with similar high solubility and negligible particle size when performing epidural injections. [source] A comparison of the STORZ video laryngoscope and standard direct laryngoscopy for intubation in the Pediatric airway , a randomized clinical trialPEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA, Issue 11 2009ARNIM VLATTEN MD Summary Introduction:, Direct laryngoscopy can be challenging in infants and neonates. Even with an optimal line of sight to the glottic opening, the viewing angle has been measured at 15°. The STORZ DCI video laryngoscope (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) incorporates a fiberoptic camera in the light source of a standard laryngoscope of variable sizes. The image is displayed on a screen with a viewing angle of 80°. We studied the effectiveness of the STORZ DCI as an airway tool compared to standard direct laryngoscopy in children with normal airway. Methods:, In this prospective, randomized study, 56 children (ages 4 years or younger) undergoing elective surgery with the need for endotracheal intubation were divided into two groups: children who underwent standard direct laryngoscopy using a Miller 1 or Macintosh 2 blade (DL) and children who underwent video laryngoscopy using the STORZ DCI video laryngoscope with a Miller 1 blade (VL). Time to best view (TTBV), time to intubate (TTI), Cormack,Lehane (CL), and percentage of glottis opening seen (POGO) score were recorded. Results:, TTBV in DL was 5.5 (4,8) s and 7 (4.2,9) s in VL. TTI in DL was 21 (17,29) s and in VL 27 (22,37) s (P = 0.006). The view as assessed by POGO score was 97.5% (60,100%) in DL and 100% (100,100%) in the VL (P = 0.003). Data are presented as median and interquartile range and analyzed using t -test. Discussion:, This study demonstrates that the STORZ DCI video laryngoscope provides an improved view to the glottis in children with normal airway anatomy, but requires a longer time for intubation. [source] Social behavior in fission,fusion groups of red uakari monkeys (Cacajao calvus ucayalii)AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 12 2009Mark Bowler Abstract Primates living in large groups that divide to forage must have social systems compatible with this mode of living. Uakari monkeys (Cacajao spp.) live in large groups and exhibit a form of fission,fusion grouping, but their social organization is poorly understood. We present some of the first data on social behavior for this genus based on a study on Cacajao calvus ucayalii. They traveled in multimale multifemale groups of highly variable sizes, with bachelor units on the periphery. Adult males were affiliative, and adult females associated with more than one adult male. Adult females typically traveled with their dependent offspring and an older juvenile within the group. In parties of two or more males, individuals engaged in previously unreported display behaviors and acted together to aggressively chase other males. Breeding was seasonal, and mating occurred away from other group members. We speculate on the social organization of C. calvus ucayalii, in which dispersal may be bisexual and peripheral males are affiliative with one another. Affiliated males appear to cooperate in fighting and displaying to other males for access to females during the breeding season. Am. J. Primatol. 71:976,987, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||||||||