Search

Several members of the genus Peziza sensu stricto occur at the edge of melting snow. These nivicolous species have been widely reported in the Northern Hemisphere and are also known from Australia and New Zealand. We have used 16 specimens from North America and Australia to study morphology and to perform DNA sequencing. In sequence analyses, we have used ITS1 and ITS2 (internal transcribed spacers), 28S, RPB2 (RNA polymerase II gene), and two genes new to these studies, GAPDH (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) and HSP90 (heat shock protein 90). Although not all regions are available for all samples, we have recognized the following species: Peziza heimii, P. nivalis, and P. nivis. Phylogenetic analyses were done using ITS alone; combined ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, 28S, and RPB2; ITS, and 28S, RPB2, GAPDH, and HSP90. Even with this augmented set of genes and despite their widespread occurrence in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, we have not definitively distinguished species within this group. To assess these results, pairwise homoplasy index (PHI) analysis was employed. This showed evidence of recombination among the samples of P. nivalis and further supports the view of P. nivalis as a monophyletic cosmopolitan species. As part of this study, we also examined the variation in ITS copies in P. echinospora, for which a genome is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phylogenetic study of Arrhenia peltigerina revealed a complex of seven divergent clades. Type specimens of Agaricus peltigerinus and Omphalina cupulatoides fell into separate clades; the latter was recombined as Arrhenia cupulatoides. Four clades were described as new species: Arr. baltica, Arr. fennoscandica, Arr. mohniensis, and Arr. talpoides; the fifth, with only a single specimen, was left formally undescribed. These cryptic species are uncommon—more so in North America than Scandinavia—and collections are often misidentified. Spore measurements separated Arr. baltica from the others by its narrower spores; average measurements help separate some species a bit better than ranges. So far, Arr. peltigerina was found only in North America, Arr. mohniensis and Arr. talpoides in both Europe and North America, and the remainder only in Europe. The host species of Peltigera was Peltigera hymenina for Arr. cupulatoides, Peltigera rufescens for Arr. baltica, and varied for the others. All but one collection came from soil over calcareous bedrock. Small sample size does not permit assigning high confidence to noted interspecific differences; these await confirmation by greater experience from future study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular studies of sphagnicolous arrhenias in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) revealed four clades in Arrhenia, three obligate (two scaly capped and one smooth-capped) and one facultative (smooth-capped) sphagnophiles. Critical nomenclatural review of 16 names used for omphalinoid sphagnicolous taxa in the past left five suitable to apply to this group. One scaly capped obligate sphagnophilic clade contained the type for Arr. gerardiana and the other, the type for Clitocybe gerardiana var. fusca; the latter we introduce as the novel species Arr. bigelowii. It differed from the first by longer spores and a darkening reaction in 10% of collections. The smooth-capped third obligate sphagnophilic clade contained the types of Agaricus telmatiaeus and Omphalina fusconigra; we recombined it as Arr. telmatiaea. This is the darkest species of the group, with a more northern distribution in NL. The facultative sphagnophile was identified as Arr. philonotis, a lighter smooth-capped species also with a more northern distribution in NL. Unexpectedly, we also collected an unidentified smooth-capped facultatively sphagnophilic species of Omphalina of the O. pyxidata complex. All five species are distributed in both Europe and North America. We describe each species of Arrhenia with a sequenced type, providing new type material where needed. Overall, this study adds new sequences from over 80 specimens of sphagnicolous arrhenias to the two existing in GenBank when we began in 2006, 11 new sequences of the unidentified species of Omphalina, and several other arrhenias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes four gray or brown species of Cuphophyllus (Hygrophoraceae, Agaricales), two of them new species, restricted to arctic-alpine and northern boreal zones of North America, and relates them morphologically and phylogenetically using multigene and nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer ITS1-5.8S-ITS (ITS barcode) analyses to their similar, known counterparts. Cuphophyllus cinerellus, epitypified here, is shown to be a pan-palearctic species with sequence-confirmed collections from Fennoscandia and easternmost Asia. Occupying a similar habitat in the Nearctic is its sister species, the morphologically similar but novel C. esteriae, so far known only from eastern North America, including Greenland. Sister to the C. cinerellus–C. esteriae lineage, and known only from boreal raised Sphagnum bogs in Newfoundland, is a new medium-sized light cinereous brown species, C. lamarum. It has a yellow stipe but is phylogenetically distant from the yellow-stiped European C. flavipes and its North American sister species, Hygrophorus pseudopallidus. As cryptic speciation was discovered within C. flavipes, we lecto- and epitypify the name and transfer H. pseudopallidus to Cuphophyllus based on ITS analysis of the holotype. We also transfer the small European Hygrocybe comosa to Cuphophyllus based on morphology. Cuphophyllus hygrocyboides is reported from North America with the first sequence-confirmed collections from arctic-alpine British Columbia and Greenland. In addition, sequencing the holotype of C. subviolaceus identifies it as the sister species to the putative C. lacmus. Both species seem to have an intercontinental distribution. In total, we add new sequences to GenBank from 37 Cuphophyllus collections, including the holotypes of C. hygrocyboides and C. subviolaceus, the two new epitypes, and the two novel species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Botany is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Molecular studies have shown the type collection of Omphalina oreades to be conspecific with a small brown basidiolichen from the Appalachian range in Newfoundland, both with 4-spored basidia. Two sequences deposited in GenBank, originally identified as O. grisella, fell in the same clade. Sequences of the type collection of Omphalia grisella, with 2-spored basidia, formed a sister clade together with two GenBank deposits, one identified as O. grisella and the other as Omphalina velutina. Omphalina oreades is recombined here as Lichenomphalia oreades comb. nov., and the species redescribed and illustrated. Sequences of the internal transcribed spacer regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS rDNA) from the algae associated with two collections of L. oreades fell within a highly supported clade with members of an undetermined species of Coccomyxa. The most abundant algal ribosomal large subunit sequence from granules at the base of a different collection matched GenBank sequences identified as Chloroidium ellipsoideum, which is probably either a free-living algal species or a partner to a species of Trapeliopsis. The second most abundant sequence matched Coccomyxa subellipsoidea and is the most likely photobiont of L. oreades. Further studies are required to elucidate the relationship of L. velutina to these taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geographic, morphological, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based molecular review of collections identified as Polyozellus multiplex revealed that it is a complex of five phylogenetic species. Average spore size—either less or more than 7 × 6 μm—splits the complex into a smallspored group of two (P. multiplex and P. atrolazulinus) and a large-spored group of three (P. mariae, P. marymargaretae, and P. purpureoniger). Basidiocarps of the small-spored species are somewhat smaller than the large-spored ones, are various shades of blue, dark all the way to black, with brownish tomentum only in early growth, have dark context, and have pilei that tend to flare out at the edge. The large-spored species produce somewhat larger sporocarps, have light or lighter context than the pileipelis, and usually retain some brown on the mature pileipellis, the edge of which tends to curl like a cabbage leaf. All will darken or blacken with age. The species of the P. multiplex complex are distributed in the northern coniferous region, with the exception of Europe. One species (P. atrolazulinus) is known from three regions, eastern Asia, western North America, and northeastern North America. Two species are known from two regions: P. purpureoniger in eastern Asia and northwestern North America and P. multiplex in eastern Asia and eastern North America. Two species have been documented in one region only: P. mariae in northeastern North America and P. marymargaretae in western North America. A combination of location, macromorphology, and spore size will usually differentiate the species of the complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Botany is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Botany is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies of true morels (Morchella) in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador resulted in the discovery of two undescribed species in the M. elata clade that we initially distinguished by the informal designations Mel-19 and Mel-36. The latter species, also collected in New Brunswick, Canada, is hitherto known only from the St Lawrence River Basin. Mel-36 is described here as a novel, phylogenetically distinct species, M. laurentiana. Before the discovery of Mel-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick and Washington state it was only known from central China and central and northern Europe. Mel-19 is described here as a novel species, M. eohespera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is some concern whether bariatric surgery can be done well at low volumes or in a community hospital setting. This paper reports an impartial assessment of 25 vertical banded gastroplasties (VBG) over 13 years in a 228-bed non-teaching community hospital. Methods: Charts were reviewed and patients interviewed by an independent investigator. Complications, weight loss, satisfaction and quality of life were assessed. Results:There were no fatalities, no splenic tears, no stomal stenosis and no symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux. Two reoperations and five incisional hernias were noted. Hypertension was eliminated in 57% and dyspnea in 55%. BMI fell from 44.3 to 34.9 kg/m2 after 6.2 years. BMI decreased more than 10 kg/m2 (10-30) for 15 patients and less than 10 kg/m2 for 10 patients (4-10 for 7, 0 for 1 and a gain for 2). 56% of patients were fully satisfied with the results. Quality of life indicated excellent physical function, physical role and lack of body pain, good general health, social function, emotional role and mental health, but lower vitality.100% felt better than a year ago. Conclusion: Results from a low-volume community hospital general surgical practice are similar to those from specialized series. Obesity is so common, its non-surgical treatment so ineffective and the VBG so well established, that excluding this intervention from community hospitals is untenable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study examines the factors related to infection and incisional herniation after laparoscopy at the umbilicus, as compared with those at remote sites.Methods: From a prospective database of 561 cholecystectomies, 190 inguinal hernia repairs, 71 Nissen fundoplications, and 51 ventral hernia repairs, 873 consecutive Hasson cannula sites, 748 umbilicus sites, and 125 remote sites were analyzed.Results: The wound infection rate was found to be 6%: 7% at the umbilicus (9% after cholecystectomy and 2% after other operations [p < 0.05]) and 0% at remote sites (p < 0.05). Excluding cholecystectomy, the umbilical infection rate was 2%, similar to that at remote sites. The postoperative ventral hernia rate was at 0.8%, the same at the umbilicus as elsewhere. The rate was similar for gallbladder and nongallbladder operations and correlated with the postoperative wound infection rate, but not with the preexisting fascial defect rate.Conclusions: Wound infection at the umbilicus is similar to that at other sites, except after cholecystectomy. Postoperative ventral hernia at the umbilicus is similar to that at other sites and not related to preexisting fascial defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of the types of two species of Tricholomopsis described by C. H. Peck, T. flavescens and T. sulphureoides, revealed that their ITS sequences differ clearly from each other and from previously studied European species. The species T. osiliensis described from Estonia is a synonym of T. sulphureoides. Because both type collections were mixed, lectotypes were designated for each. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thuemenidium is a small earth tongue genus with three recognized white-spored species Within Thuemenidium, T. atropurpureum and 7 arenarium have been reported only from the northern hemisphere while T. berteroi is known solely in the southern hemisphere. We reviewed the ecology examined the morphology and inferred the systematic positions of northern species of Thuemenidiuv from LSU-rDNA gene phylogeny of 48 taxa in Pezizomycotina including recent collections. Our results suggest that Thuemenidium in its current sense is polyphyletic and that T. atropurpureum, closely related to Microglossum and Leotia species, is a member of Leotiaceae (Helotiales, Leotiomycetes) Our phylogeny placed the other northern species, T. arenarium, in Geoglossaceae (Geoglossales, Geoglossomycetes), retaining genus Thuemenidium, pending further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is frequently encountered in pacemaker patients, most commonly in sick sinus syndrome. The combination of site-specific pacing in conjunction with an overdrive algorithm combined with antiarrhythmic drugs on the incidence of PAF in patients with a conventional indication for pacing is unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aim : To compare validity of AMI diagnosis and treatment of AMI patients between tertiary and secondary care hospitals in Estonia. Methods : Two tertiary and seven secondary care hospitals responsible for the treatment of most AMI patients in Estonia were included in the analysis. A random sample of 520 patients admitted to these hospitals with AMI in 2001 was taken from the Estonian Health Insurance Fund database. Medical records were reviewed by trained experts using a standardized data collection form. Results : Forty cases were excluded due to selection errors by the Health Insurance Fund. Of the remaining cases, a diagnosis of AMI was confirmed in 93.3% of cases in tertiary care hospitals and in 83.5% of cases in secondary care hospitals ( p [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was undertaken to determine whether conversion or early reoperation contributed significantly to the eventual outcome of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Patients and Methods: An independent surgeon, blinded to the operative events, administered two general and one system-specific quality of life tools to the first 100 consecutive patients booked for laparoscopic fundoplication in a community hospital, where the open conversion rate was 4 patients/surgeon and the early reoperation rate 1.5 patients/surgeon for the first 20 operations. Patients were also asked about need for medication, dysphagia, satisfaction (analog scale), and whether, if given it to do over, they would opt for surgery again. Results: Of the original 100 patients, 40 were studied an average of 5 years after surgery: 26 completed laparoscopically and 14 with laparoscopic failure (13 conversions and 1 early reoperation). Patient characteristics in the two groups were similar, except that there were more older patients with more fixed intrathoracic hiatus hernias in the failure group. Among the parameters examined, no statistically significant differences could be detected between laparoscopic and converted patients. Conclusions: General and system-specific quality of life, digestive symptoms, need for medication, patient satisfaction, and willingness to have surgery over again are not altered by conversion or reoperation. Thus, surgeons who have adequate laparoscopic skills, experience with open fundoplication, and training in laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication should feel free to add it to their repertoires provided the likelihood of conversion and reoperation secondary to inexperience is understood by the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Injury at the time of trocar placement with the Hasson approach is rare. The cone of the Hasson cannula is wedged into the skin for an air seal, and, using fascial sutures, fastened under tension to flanges of the cannula. The shorter the fascial securing suture, the greater the tension and the more secure the air seal. Flanges for securing the fascial suture were attached to the external cannula in early Hasson cannula models. With these, much of the trocar needs to be intra-abdominal in order to shorten the suture. For lean patients, with very little distance between the anterior and posterior abdominal walls, the force required to fasten the sutures to the flanges may allow an intra-abdominal trocar to damage intervening organs. Later versions of the cannula had the flanges attached to the cone, allowing for short suture without need for intra-abdominal cannula. These models avoid the possibility of such injury. An unusually lean patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy using an older Hasson cannula with flanges for the fascial securing suture attached to the cannula. Postoperative changes in vital signs and hemoglobin led to a diagnosis of intra-abdominal bleeding, and laparotomy revealed a transsected branch of the middle colic artery. Earlier Hasson cannulas, where the flanges are attached to the cannula, should be replaced with those with flanges attached to the cone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first Autocapture generation worked well with all recommended leads. The newer Autocapture generation provides a more sensitive resolution for evoked response testing and its implementation in a dual-chamber device. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the performance of the Affinity SR/DR pacemaker with the new Autocapture algorithm in combination with the small surface area pacing lead MembraneEX in 129 patients. Autocapture ventricular threshold, sensing threshold, lead impedance, evoked response (ER) and polarization signals were determined at implantation and discharge, as well as after 1 and 3 months. Autocapture recommendation rate was based on the ER sensitivity test. The median pacing threshold was 0·38, 0·50, 0·75, 0·75 V at implant, discharge, 1 and 3 months post-implant, respectively. The respective data for median lead impedance were 744, 605, 649 and 691 ohms; median sensing threshold was 12·5 mV at all visits. The median ER amplitude was 9·0, 10·1, 9·9 and 10·1 mV and the median polarization signal 0·39 mV at all visits. The frequency of recommended Autocapture activation was 98·3%, 99·2%, 98·3% and 96·2% of all patients at implant, at discharge, 1 and 3 months post-implant respectively. In conclusion, the studied pulse generator enabled, in combination with this pacing lead, in >95% of all patients activation of Autocapture. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) is an established treatment for morbid obesity for selected patients. This study seeks to assess the effectiveness of a laparoscopic version, the JOVO procedure, of the VBG. Methods: An independent surgeon interviewed all patients, who had had the JOVO procedure at one institution, evaluating weight loss, comorbid conditions, satisfaction and quality of life using the 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). Results: 14 JOVO procedures were done by two surgeons. Mean body mass index was 44 kg/m2, mean age 30 years and each patient had at least one comorbid condition. Mean operative time was 165 minutes. There was 1 complication, a suspected gastric leak requiring reoperation. Excluding this patient, mean hospital stay was less than 48 hours. Mean weight loss 4 weeks after surgery was 9 kg or 18% of excess weight. Mean excess weight loss of the 5 patients available for 1-year follow-up was 42% at 6 and 85% at 12 months; 1 did not continue to lose weight. All but 1 preoperative comorbid condition resolved or improved. 13 of the 14 patients were fully satisfied. SF-36 scores were high in the 13 that lost weight, especially in physical and social functioning areas. Conclusion: The JOVO procedure is safe and reproduces laparoscopically the early weight loss of open VBG with much shorter hospital stay and low complication and failure rates. Longer follow-up and larger numbers are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe a simple, minimally invasive, and effective technique for repair of paracolostomy hernia. METHODS: Mesh is fastened laparoscopically over the colostomy and hernial defect with wide overlap, without dissecting out the sac or repairing the defect, while ensuring enough room for the colon to prevent obstruction at the level of the mesh. RESULTS: The technique has been used successfully in four patients, with follow-up of 2 to 12 months. Operating time and length of stay were short, and there was no recurrence or prolapse of the colostomy. CONCLUSIONS: This seems to be an effective, simple, and minimally invasive technique for repairing a difficult problem. Although the number of cases is small and the follow-up has been short, the technique mimics that used in massive ventral hernia repair with good results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This report describes the technique and early results of a simple outpatient laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.Methods: Data were gathered prospectively for all laparoscopic ventral hernia repairs from January 1996 to December 1997 at a 228-bed hospital. Prolene mesh was stapled to the peritoneal surface of the abdominal wall, leaving sac in situ and mesh uncovered. Patients were seen by the operating surgeon within 2 months, and by an impartial surgeon (J.S.) after 3 to 14 months (average, 7 months; median, 6 months).Results: Repairs involved 44 hernias with orifice sizes 2 to 20 cm in diameter, and an average area of 20 cm(2). Of these 44 hernias, 36 were postoperative and 8 primary. Furthermore, 20% were recurrent hernias. There were four conversions. The outpatient rate was 98%, with one readmission for ileus. The early recurrence rate was 5%.Conclusions: Laparoscopic mesh onlay repair is a safe, easy, and effective procedure with minimal discomfort and a low early recurrence rate that can be performed safely on an outpatient basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study was done to determine the safety of outpatient cholecystectomy for the higher-risk patient.Methods: All patients over age 70 or with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification of 3 or greater, from all 515 consecutive patients booked for elective cholecystectomy between April 1, 1994, and March 31, 1996, were reviewed.Results: Of 85 higher-risk patients, 77 were booked as outpatients. Sixty-one were successfully completed as outpatients, with no complications or readmissions related to their outpatient status. Of 24 admitted patients, 15 had specific indications for hospitalization. Nine were admitted for reasons of "precaution." One of these developed a complication, possibly related to her inpatient status. The other eight could have been managed as outpatients.Conclusions: Outpatient cholecystectomy is safe for the higher-risk patient. Patients who recover uneventfully from surgery can be discharged without harmful effects. "Precautionary" hospitalization may be harmful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trend toward outpatient surgery led to this study to determine the safety of elective outpatient laparoscopic surgery for the higher risk patient. One hundred consecutive higher risk patients from all patients scheduled for elective outpatient laparoscopic surgery were studied prospectively in a 256-bed community hospital. Seventeen percent of patients required admission. In each instance the need was readily evident in the perioperative observation period. Eighty-three percent of patients were stable and were successfully treated as outpatients. No patient who remained stable decompensated later, and none required readmission to treat complications resulting from outpatient status. The 2 % readmission rate (for unrelated reasons) was comparable to the 2 % readmission rate for low-risk patients. It was concluded that routine outpatient laparoscopic surgery is safe for elective higher risk patients. Problems requiring admission are readily evident during the period of observation and no patient who remains stable decompensates later. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]