Phylogenetics, biogeography, and life history evolution in the broadly distributed treefrog genus Dendropsophus (Anura: Hylidae: Hylinae).

Dendropsophusis one of the most species-rich genera of hylid treefrogs. Recent studies integrating Sanger-generated mitochondrial and nuclear loci with phenomic characters (SP) have advanced understanding of this clade, but questions about its internal relationships and biogeographic history persist. To address these questions, we used anchored hybrid enrichment (AHE) to combine 432 nuclear loci for 78 taxa (72 % of species) with published data.

Evidence for ecological tuning of anuran biofluorescent signals.

Although biologists have described biofluorescence in a diversity of taxa, there have been few systematic efforts to document the extent of biofluorescence within a taxonomic group or investigate its general significance. Through a field survey across South America, we discover and document patterns of biofluorescence in tropical amphibians. We more than triple the number of anuran species that have been tested for this trait.

The effect of biofluorescence on predation upon Cope's gray treefrog: A clay model experiment.

Biofluorescence, the ability to absorb light and reemit it at a longer wavelength, is present in many taxa but has been examined only recently in amphibians. Over half of the studies documenting biofluorescence in the last century suggest this fluorescent signal may affect predation; however, to date, only one other experimental study has tested this hypothesis. To address this question, we experimentally tested the effect of biofluorescence on predation through the study of the Cope's Gray Treefrog, Hyla chrysoscelis.

Anesthetic mishaps and the cost of monitoring: a proposed standard for monitoring equipment.

Review of insurance data indicates that approximately 1.5 claims are paid per 10,000 anesthetic procedures, a conservative estimate of the incidence of preventable serious injury associated with anesthesia. Insurance data permit estimation of the premium cost for the anesthesiologist and hospital, per operating room per year, of $69,429.

Occupational exposure to mercury in dentistry and pregnancy outcome.

A questionnaire was mailed to dentists and dental assistants requesting information about work, health, and reproductive history. Statistical analysis of the data indicated that there were no increased rates of spontaneous abortions or congenital abnormalities in the children of men and women who were exposed to low versus high levels of mercury in a dental environment.

Exposure to nitrous oxide and neurologic disease among dental professionals.

Questionnaires, mailed to approximately 30,000 dentists and an equal number of dental assistants requesting information regarding professional exposure to anesthetics and health problems, showed an increased incidence of neurologic complaints in dental professionals who worked with nitrous oxide. The most striking differences were noted in individuals reporting symptoms of numbness, tingling, and/or muscle weakness. For dentists heavily exposed to nitrous oxide, the rate of these complaints was 4-fold greater than for nonanesthetic-exposed dentists.

Surgery during pregnancy and fetal outcome.

As many as 2% of all pregnant women undergo surgery during gestation, but there are few reports of the effects of anesthesia and surgery on fetal outcome. The present paper presents information on 287 women who had surgery during pregnancy. Surgery during early pregnancy was associated with a significant increase in the rate of spontaneous abortion compared to the rate in a control group that did not have surgery.

Occupational disease in dentistry and chronic exposure to trace anesthetic gases.

A mail survey of 30,650 dentists and 30,547 chairside assistants grouped according to occupational exposure to inhalation anesthetic and sedatives in the dental operatory indicated increased general health problems and reproductive difficulties among respondents exposed to anesthetics. For male dentists who were heavily exposed to anesthetics, the increase in liver disease was 1.7-fold, kidney disease was 1.

Automated medical screening in an urban county jail.

A machine-administered, branch-chain automated medical history (AMH) was evaluated as a medical intake screening tool for inmates of a large metropolitan county jail. The reproducibility, validity, sensitivity and specificity of the AMH were measured and found comparable to other previously reported AMH systems. The AMH did not produce intake screening data comparable to that obtained by trained face to face medical interviewers.

Control of occupational exposure to nitrous oxide in the oral surgery office.

Occupational exposure to inhalation anesthetics can be substantially reduced by control measures that have been recently developed. The incentive for their use should be the suspected relationship between chronic exposure to trace concentrations of agents, such as nitrous oxide, and health hazards. Control measures include the use of a newly developed scavenging nasal mask, relatively gastight anesthetic equipment, and vented suction machine, supported by an air monitoring program.

Monitoring occupational exposure to inhalation anesthetics.

Air monitoring, an essential feature of the waste gas control program, is best based on measurement of total leakage in time-weighted sampling of N2O present in the anesthetist's breathing zone during clinical anesthesia. Leakage in the high-pressure N2O system is measured separately in a survey of the empty rooms. The infrared N2O analyzer used for these measurements is also useful as a teaching device and in enhancing the safety of the patient.

Control of occupational exposure to nitrous oxide in the dental operatory.

Methods were developed for controlling the dental team's occupational exposure to nitrous oxide. The most applicable and effective use of these methods included the use of properly maintained gas delivery equipment, a double-walled scavenging nosepiece and vented suction machine, and minimizing speech by the patients. These methods were evaluated by measuring concentrations of nitrous oxide present in the air inspired by dental personnel.

Distribution of waste anesthetic gases in the operating room air.

Epidemiologic and animal studies identify a strong relationship between chronic exposure to anesthetic gases and health hazards. Efforts to reduce exposure of personnel require an understanding of the distribution of anesthetic waste gases in the operating room air. Concentrations of nitrous oxide and halothane were measured at numerous stations throughout an operating room and a delivery room in the absence of personnel.

A survey of anesthetic health hazards among dentists.

Measurable concentrations of waste anesthetic gases have been found in hospital dental operating rooms. A mail survey of 4,797 general dental practitioners and 2,642 oral surgeons indicated that 20.2% of the general practitioners and 74.