bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TH‐D‐M100J‐04: Measuring the Quantitative Accuracy of Clinical Dynamic and Whole Body PET/CT Protocols Via Imaged Reference Sources
Authors: Barbee D , Jeraj R
Published: July 2007

Purpose: Accurate quantification is paramount when using PET imaging to gauge response to treatments or optimize biologically prescribed doses. This study examines the quantitative accuracy of PET protocols by analyzing external reference sources scanned concurrently with patients in dynamic and whole body scans. Method and Materials: Canine and human patients were scanned using dynamic or whole body protocols on a GE Discovery LS PET/CT. In each scan a 50 ml reference vial containing a known amount of radioactive or was placed on the couch edge, in the scanner's field of view. Reference activity concentrations ranged from 20–300 kBq/ml. Dynamic scans consisted of 10, 30, 60, and 600 second frames while whole body scans used 8–10 minute bed positions. CT images were used to define two regions of interest for each reference source: (1) an inner cylindrical contour (ROIinner) of 6–8 mm for activity concentration and, (2) a contour with a 5 mm margin surrounding the source (ROItotal) for total activity. Results: A systematic bias was observed in both reference activity concentration and total reference activity for whole body and dynamic scanning protocols. ROItotal provided total activity measurements an average of 8 ± 3% lower than dose calibrator measurements in whole body scans. Dynamic scans imaged total reference activity approximately 4% lower for hotter sources in dynamic scans. Both contours showed reproducibility to within 2% when repeating scans with the same reference. Over the course of six months references held a standard deviation of 3%. Conclusion: This study provided a quantitative assessment of our clinical scanning protocols and provided error estimates for the uptake in clinical patients based on reference sources. A bias was discovered prompting further cross‐calibration with the dose calibrator. Further error reduction and quantification study using longer lived nuclides will continue to be clinically investigated.
TH‐D‐M100J‐07: CT Image Registration in Sinogram Space
Authors: Mao W , Li T , Wink N , Xing L
Published: July 2007

Purpose: Object displacement in a CT scan is generally reflected in CT projection data or sinogram. Conventional registrations in the image space are often adversely influenced by the reconstruction‐induced artifacts. A direct sinogram‐based registration has been studied. Method and Materials: It is found that a rigid motion only affects the projection angle and radial distance of the CT projections instead of the intensity. Simple equations have been successfully deduced.

A simulated 2D phantom model was adopted and modified to test the algorithm. A physical head phantom was scanned using a kV cone beam scanner. Fan beam sinograms were then generated for the central axial plane.

Upon random 2D rigid motions, registrations were carried out in the sinogram space. For every possible motion, the relevant sinogram was generated according to the discovered relationship and compared with the reference sinogram, as a result, the most likely motion was obtained. Results: Simulated and experimental results demonstrate that the new registration technique works well for registration of rigid motion in parallel beam sampling and fan beam sampling CT scans. The images were reconstructed from the registered sinograms and the spatial accuracy of this new registration was better than 2 mm.

It is also found that this sinogram registration couldn't be affected by the metal filling, the truncation, or uncompleted projection set. This makes it appealing for various applications in image guided radiation therapy (IGRT). Conclusions: The direct relationships between the object motion and the change of CT projection data (sinogram) were studied and this knowledge was successfully applied to a novel algorithm for sonogram‐based registration. Calculated and experimental results demonstrate that the new registration technique works well particularly when registering images with metal or truncation artifacts.
TH‐D‐AUD‐05: Assessment of CyberKnife's Heterogeneity Dose Calculation Algorithm and Respiratory Tracking System Using An Anthropomorphic Thorax Phantom
Authors: Nitsch P , Ibbott G , Dieterich S , Followill D
Published: July 2007

Purpose: To assess two CyberKnife components: MultiPlan's heterogeneity dose calculation and the accuracy of Synchrony, the respiratory tracking system. Method and Materials: The Radiological Physics Centers' anthropomorphic thorax phantom contains TLD in the tumor, heart, and spinal cord to measure absolute dose and EBT radiochromic film in coronal, sagittal, and axial planes through the tumor. A treatment plan was developed using Accuray's MultiPlan planning system. The prescription was 500 cGy to the 77% isodose line, and the constraints followed the specifications of the RTOG 0236 protocol. The phantom was irradiated while stationary, with a 2 cm cosine motion, and with an irregular breathing pattern three times each. The calculated doses were compared with the measured TLD results, and the stationary TLD doses were compared with both moving scenarios. Dose profiles were measured in the AP, RtLt, and Sup/Inf directions with EBT film and the stationary and moving conditions were compared. Results: The average measured TLD tumor dose was 13.5% lower than the calculated dose; the measured cord and heart doses were 40.9% and 32.8% lower than the calculated doses, respectively. All tumor TLD doses for the moving cases were within 1.3% of the non‐moving TLDs, with the largest %SD being equal to 1.2%. In addition, 99.7% of the measured cosine motion dose profile and 92.3% of the measured irregular motion dose profile fell within ±3%/1.5mm of the measured stationary dose profile. Conclusion: Multiplan overestimated the dose to the PTV and critical structures. This may be due to the simplistic pencil beam heterogeneity calculation. According to the dose profiles of this study, the Synchrony system precisely tracks lung tumors throughout the course of treatment. Conflict of Interest: This research was supported in part by PHS grant CA10953, NCI and by Accuray honoraria for educational lectures. One co‐author's spouse employed by Accuray.
QCD and Nuclear Physics
Authors: Yazaki Koichi
Published: July 2007

A list of problems in QCD, which are directly relevant to nuclear physics and are related to those discussed at the Nishinomiya Yukawa Symposium (NYS) and those to be discussed at this workshop, will be given. No attempt will be made here to solve them. Some of the solutions are expected to be given during this workshop.
A Novel Alphavirus Vaccine Encoding Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Elicits Potent Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses
Authors: Durso Robert J. , Andjelic Sofija , Gardner Jason P. , Margitich Dennis J. , Donovan Gerald P. , Arrigale Robert R. , Wang Xinning , Maughan Maureen F. , Talarico Todd L. , Olmsted Robert A. , Heston Warren D.W. , Maddon Paul J. , Olson William C.
Published: July 2007

Purpose: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is an attractive target for active immunotherapy. Alphavirus vaccines have shown promise in eliciting immunity to tumor antigens. This study investigated the immunogenicity of alphavirus vaccine replicon particles (VRP) that encode PSMA (PSMA-VRP).

Experimental Design: Cells were infected with PSMA-VRP and evaluated for PSMA expression and folate hydrolase activity. Mice were immunized s.c. with PSMA-VRP or purified PSMA protein. Sera, splenocytes, and purified T cells were evaluated for the magnitude, durability, and epitope specificity of the anti-PSMA response. Antibodies were measured by flow cytometry, and cellular responses were measured by IFN-γ enzyme-linked immunospot and chromium release assays. Cellular responses in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice were mapped using overlapping 15-mer PSMA peptides. A Good Laboratory Practice–compliant toxicology study was conducted in rabbits.

Results: PSMA-VRP directed high-level expression of active PSMA. Robust T-cell and B-cell responses were elicited by a single injection of 2 × 105 infectious units, and responses were boosted following repeat immunizations. Anti-PSMA responses were detected following three immunizations with 102 infectious units and increased with increasing dose. PSMA-VRP was more immunogenic than adjuvanted PSMA protein. Responses to PSMA-VRP were characterized by Th-1 cytokines, potent CTL activity, and IgG2a/IgG2b antibodies. T-cell responses in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice were directed toward different PSMA peptides. Immunogenic doses of PSMA-VRP were well tolerated in mice and rabbits.

Conclusions: PSMA-VRP elicited potent cellular and humoral immunity in mice, and specific anti-PSMA responses were boosted on repeat dosing. PSMA-VRP represents a promising approach for immunotherapy of prostate cancer.
Elevated Peroxiredoxin 1, but not NF-E2–Related Factor 2, Is an Independent Prognostic Factor for Disease Recurrence and Reduced Survival in Stage I Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Kim Joo-Heon , Bogner Paul N. , Ramnath Nithya , Park Yoorim , Yu Jihnhee , Park Young-Mee
Published: July 2007

Purpose: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death with chance of survival restricted to a subset of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients able to undergo surgical resection. However, the recurrence rate of NSCLC after surgery remains high with few prognostic indicators of clinical outcome. Peroxiredoxin1 (Prx1) is shown to be elevated in various cancers and confers an aggressive survival phenotype. We recently cloned the prx1 promoter and found that NF-E2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a key transcription factor for prx1 up-regulation. Previous studies suggest that Nrf2 may be constitutively activated in NSCLC. Based on the above information, we investigated whether Prx1 and/or Nrf2 levels have prognostic significance in stage I NSCLC.

Methods and Results: Immunohistochemical expression of Prx1 and Nrf2 was evaluated in paraffin-embedded tissues from 90 patients who underwent a curative surgical resection. Increased expression of cytosolic Prx1 (66.7%) and nuclear Nrf2 (61.8%) was observed in this series. Prx1 elevation, but not Nrf2, correlated with reduced recurrence-free survival and overall survival on univariate (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03) and multivariate (P = 0.003 and P = 0.005) analyses.

Conclusion: This is the first study to test the prognostic significance of Prx1 and Nrf2 in human cancers. Our results show that Prx1 expression status predicts for recurrence and shorter survival in stage I NSCLC after surgery. Considering the possible role of Prx1 and Nrf2 in radioresistance/chemoresistance, it warrants future investigation to evaluate whether elevated Prx1 and/or Nrf2 levels are predictive of treatment response in advanced lung cancer and other malignancies.
Statistical Error Decomposition of Regional-Scale Climatological Precipitation Estimates from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)
Authors: Fisher Brad L.
Published: July 2007

Monthly rainfall estimates inferred from the NASA Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite contain errors due to discrete temporal sampling and remote spaceborne rain retrievals. This paper develops a regional-scale error model that uses the rain information in the ground data to disentangle the sampling and retrieval errors in the satellite estimate statistically. The proposed method computes a mean rain rate from monthly rainfall statistics for each TRMM rain sensor by subsampling high-resolution ground-based rain data at satellite overpass times. This additional rain-subsampled parameter plays an essential role in the statistical decomposition of the total error distribution into its sampling and retrieval error components. Using the statistical formalism developed in this study, an error analysis was performed on 5 yr of monthly rain estimates produced by the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) and precipitation radar (PR) rain sensors aboard TRMM over a quasi 2° × 2° region of the TRMM ground validation (GV) site at Melbourne, Florida. Annual retrieval and sampling error statistics were computed for the TMI and PR using monthly rainfall estimates derived from two independent ground-based sensors: a regional rain gauge network and the Next-Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD). Subsampled ground-based rainfall estimates produced for the radar and the gauges were highly correlated with the TMI and PR rainfall estimates, and both GV sensors produced relatively consistent error estimates. The PR-to-TMI sampling error ratio was equal to about 1.3, which was in close agreement with prelaunch predications, and the TMI-to-PR retrieval error ratio was about 2.0. For the TMI, a seasonally alternating rainfall bias was also observed that was negative during winter and positive during summer.
Real-Time Comparisons of VPR-Corrected Daily Rainfall Estimates with a Gauge Mesonet
Authors: Bellon Aldo , Lee Gyu Won , Kilambi Alamelu , Zawadzki Isztar
Published: July 2007

The relative skill of two vertical-profile-of-reflectivity (VPR) correction techniques for daily accumulations on a selected dataset and a real-time dataset has been verified. The first technique (C1) adjusts the 1-h rainfall amounts already derived on a Cartesian CAPPI map at an altitude of 1.5 km in a “one step” procedure using the range-dependent space–time-averaged VPR over the 1-h interval. The C2 technique corrects the nonconvective polar reflectivity measurements of each 5-min radar cycle that are also centered at a height of 1.5 km according to a VPR that is similarly derived but over a shorter time interval. The results emphasize the importance of applying a VPR correction scheme—in particular, in a climatic regime in which most of the liquid precipitation falls from stratiform echoes. The crucial importance of the choice of datasets is also underlined, causing differences in the final assessment that may be greater than those between the various algorithms. Both techniques perform well with selected events of low bright band and thus with the greatest potential for improvement—in particular, when the bias is removed in a post facto analysis. However, when the VPR algorithm is tested in a real-time environment consisting of less strong or higher brightband situations and faces a variety of day-to-day precipitation, the improvement is substantially lower. RMS errors are reduced only from 61% to 48% in contrast with the reduction from 117% to 43% seen with the smaller sample of selected events. This is because other sources of error—in particular, the variability in the radar reflectivity–rainfall rate (Z–R) relationship—are often of the same magnitude as the VPR errors. An example is provided that shows how the bias from an improper Z–R relationship can reduce the true skill of a real-time VPR correction scheme.
The fire, human and climate nexus in the Sydney Basin, eastern Australia
Authors: Black M.P. , Mooney S.D. , Haberle S.G.
Published: July 2007

It is widely believed that Australian Aborigines utilized fire to manage many landscapes; however, to what extent this use of fire impacted on Australia's ecosystems remains uncertain. The late Pleistocene/ Holocene fire history from three sites within the Sydney Basin (Gooches Swamp, Lake Baraba and Kings Waterhole) were compared with archaeological and palaeoclimatic data. The Gooches Swamp record appeared to be most influenced by climate and there was an abrupt increase in fire activity from the mid Holocene perhaps associated with the onset of modern El Niño-dominated conditions. The Kings Waterhole site also displayed an abrupt increase at this time, however there was a marked decrease in charcoal from ~3 ka. Similarly Lake Baraba displayed low levels of charcoal in the late Holocene. At both Kings Waterhole and Lake Baraba archaeological evidence suggests intensified human activity in the late Holocene during this period of lower and less variable charcoal. It is hence possible that Aboriginal people strongly influenced fire activity in some areas of the Sydney Basin during the late Holocene perhaps in response to the increased risk of large intense fires as an ENSO-dominated climate became more prevalent. The fire history within the Sydney Basin varies both temporally and spatially and therefore it is inappropriate to apply a single fire regime to the entire region for landscape management. This work also has implications for future fire incidence associated with climatic variability under an enhanced Greenhouse effect.
Cognitive Differences between Early- and Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Licht Eliot A. , McMurtray Aaron M. , Saul Ronald E. , Mendez Mario F.
Published: July 2007

Although neuropathologic studies showed that early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EAD) and “senile dementia” were indistinguishable, clinical studies suggested that EAD and late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LAD) were cognitively distinct. We sought to investigate whether EAD and LAD are cognitively different by comparing patients at the extremes of the ages of onset in order to maximize features that might separate them. We compared 44 men with EAD (age of onset less than 65 years) with 44 men with LAD (age of onset 84 years or older) on an intake cognitive screening examination on initial presentation. The EAD and LAD groups did not differ on dementia or most cognitive variables. Compared with EAD, the LAD group had worse verbal fluency and motor-executive functions. These differences disappeared when age differences were taken into account. We conclude that Alzheimer's disease is a clinically heterogeneous disorder whose manifestations can vary with age of onset. These differences indicate age-related vulnerabilities in this disease.
Rot1 plays an antagonistic role to Clb2 in actin cytoskeleton dynamics throughout the cell cycle
Authors: Juanes M. Angeles , Queralt Ethel , Bañó M. Carmen , Igual J. Carlos
Published: July 2007

ROT1 is an essential gene whose inactivation causes defects in cell cycle progression and morphogenesis in budding yeast. Rot1 affects the actin cytoskeleton during the cell cycle at two levels. First, it is required for the maintenance of apical growth during bud growth. Second, Rot1 is necessary to polarize actin cytoskeleton to the neck region at the end of mitosis; because of this defect, rot1 cells do not properly form a septum to complete cell division. The inability to polarize the actin cytoskeleton at the end of mitosis is not due to a defect in the recruitment of the polarisome scaffold protein Spa2 or the actin cytoskeleton regulators Cdc42 and Cdc24 in the neck region. Previous results indicate a connection between Rot1 and the cyclin Clb2. In fact, overexpression of CLB2 is toxic when ROT1 is partially inactivated, and reciprocally, deletion of CLB2 suppresses the lethality of the rot1 mutant, which indicates a functional antagonism between Clb2 and Rot1. Several genetic interactions suggest a link between Rot1 and the ubiquitin-proteasome system and we show that the Clb2 cyclin is not properly degraded in rot1 cells.
Benzyl N-Phenyl-2,2,2-trifluoroacetimidate: A New and Stable Reagent for O-Benzylation
Authors: Okada Yasunori , Ohtsu Mamiko , Bando Masafumi , Yamada Hidetoshi
Published: July 2007

A new O-benzylation reagent, benzyl N-phenyl-2,2,2-trifluoroacetimidate, has been developed. It even reacts with sterically hindered alcohols and base-sensitive hydroxy esters to afford the corresponding benzyl ethers catalyzed by TMSOTf in 1,4-dioxane. This reagent was more stable than benzyl 2,2,2-trichloroacetimidate, a known benzylation reagent.
Growth and longevity of rats fed an agar-bound diet
Authors: Clapp M. J. L. , Bradbrook C.
Published: July 2007

A conventional diet fed to rats in an agar-gel base reduced mature body weight by about 25% and increased longevity when compared to the same diet in pelleted form. Dry matter intake was not affected, but food utilization was considerably poorer. The use of a diet in agar gel may, therefore, provide an improved toxicological assay, especially when used in combination with flushing racks housing 2 animals per cage, where exposure of the animal technician to dust was reduced.
Natural Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus Infection: Novel Pathologic Findings Resembling Other Morbillivirus Infections
Authors: Kul O. , Kabakci N. , Atmaca H. T. , Özkul A.
Published: July 2007

The present study describes pathologic and virologic findings in 15 sheep and 6 goats that died of natural peste des petits ruminants virus infection in Turkey. Pathologic findings included erosiveulcerative stomatitis, fibrino-necrotic tracheitis, bronchointerstitial pneumonia, multifocal coagulation necroses in the liver, and severe lymphocytolysis in lymphoid tissues. Syncytial cells were conspicuous, especially in the oral mucosa, pulmonary alveoli, liver, and lymphoid tissues. In addition to the typical tissue distribution, eosinophilic intracytoplasmic and/or intranuclear inclusions were observed in epithelial cells lining the renal pelvis and abomasal mucosa. Immunolabeling of the viral antigen was observed in the kidney, brain, rumen, abomasum, heart, and myocytes of the tongue besides its more typical locations. In this study, we report and describe in detail the first peste des petits ruminants endemic in Kirikkale Province, Central Anatolia of Turkey. In conclusion, these previously unreported pathologic findings in natural peste des petits ruminants virus infection establish a basis for resemblance to other morbillivirus infections, such as canine distemper and distemper of sea mammals. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analyses indicated that the 448-bp genome fragment was amplified in 18 cases (18/21, 85.7%). Phylogenetic analysis showed that viruses belong to lineage 4 in the peste des petits ruminants virus common phylogenetic tree.
The Joint Allele-Frequency Spectrum in Closely Related Species
Authors: Chen Hua , Green Richard E , Pääbo Svante , Slatkin Montgomery
Published: July 2007

We develop the theory for computing the joint frequency spectra of alleles in two closely related species. We allow for arbitrary population growth in both species after they had a common ancestor. We focus on the case in which a single chromosome is sequenced from one of the species. We use classical diffusion theory to show that, if the ancestral species was at equilibrium under mutation and drift and a chromosome from one of the descendant species carries the derived allele, the frequency spectrum in the other species is uniform, independently of the demographic history of both species. We also predict the expected densities of segregating and fixed sites when the chromosome from the other species carries the ancestral allele. We compare the predictions of our model with the site-frequency spectra of SNPs in the four HapMap populations of humans when the nucleotide present in the Neanderthal DNA sequence is ancestral or derived, using the chimp genome as the outgroup.
Transposable Element Dynamics of the hAT Element Herves in the Human Malaria Vector Anopheles gambiae s.s.
Authors: Subramanian Ramanand A , Arensburger Peter , Atkinson Peter W , O'Brochta David A
Published: July 2007

Transposable elements are being considered as genetic drive agents for introducing phenotype-altering genes into populations of vectors of human disease. The dynamics of endogenous elements will assist in predicting the behavior of introduced elements. Transposable element display was used to estimate the site-occupancy frequency distribution of Herves in six populations of Anopheles gambiae s.s. The site-occupancy distribution data suggest that the element has been recently active within the sampled populations. All 218 individuals sampled contained at least one copy of Herves with a mean of 3.6 elements per diploid genome. No significant differences in copy number were observed among populations. Nucleotide polymorphism within the element was high (π = 0.0079 in noncoding sequences and 0.0046 in coding sequences) relative to that observed in some of the more well-studied elements in Drosophila melanogaster. In total, 33 distinct forms of Herves were found on the basis of the sequence of the first 528 bp of the transposase open reading frame. Only two forms were found in all six study populations. Although Herves elements in An. gambiae are quite diverse, 85% of the individuals examined had evidence of complete forms of the element. Evidence was found for the lateral transfer of Herves from an unknown source into the An. gambiae lineage prior to the diversification of the An. gambiae species complex. The characteristics of Herves in An. gambiae are somewhat unlike those of P elements in D. melanogaster.
Golgi Manganese Transport Is Required for Rapamycin Signaling in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Devasahayam Gina , Burke Daniel J , Sturgill Thomas W
Published: July 2007

The Pmr1 Golgi Ca2+/Mn2+ ATPase negatively regulates target of rapamycin complex (TORC1) signaling, the rapamycin-sensitive TOR complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Since pmr1 causes resistance to rapamycin and tor1 causes hypersensitivity, we looked for genetic interactions of pmr1 with tor1. Deletion of TOR1 restored two wild-type phenotypes. Loss of TOR1 restored the ability of the pmr1 strain to grow on media containing 2 mm MnCl2 and conferred wild type as well as the wild-type sensitivity to rapamycin. Mn2+ additions to media partially suppressed rapamycin resistance of wild type and pmr1 tor1, suggesting that Tor1 and Tor2 are regulated by manganese. We parsed the roles of Ca2+ and Mn2+ transport and the compartments in rapamycin response using separation-of-function mutants available for Pmr1. A strain containing the D53A mutant (Mn2+ transporting) of Pmr1 is rapamycin sensitive, but the Q783A mutant (Ca2+ transporting) strain is rapamycin resistant. Mn2+ transport into the Golgi lumen appears to be required for rapamycin sensitivity. Overexpression of Ca2+ pump SERCA1, Ca2+/H+ antiporter Vcx1, or a Mn2+ transporting mutant of Vcx1 (Vcx1-M1) failed to restore rapamycin sensitivity, and loss of Pmr1 but not other transporters of Ca2+ or Mn2+ results in rapamycin resistance. Overexpression of Ccc1, a Fe2+ and Mn2+ transporter that has been localized to Golgi and the vacuole, does restore rapamycin sensitivity to pmr1Δ. We conclude that Mn2+ in the Golgi inhibits TORC1 signaling.
Human Milk Intake and Retinopathy of Prematurity in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Heller Cherrie D. , O'Shea Michael , Yao Qing , Langer John , Ehrenkranz Richard A. , Phelps Dale L. , Poole W. Kenneth , Stoll Barbara , Duara Shahnaz , Oh William , Lemons James , Poindexter Brenda ,   for the NICHD Neonatal Research Network
Published: July 2007

OBJECTIVES. Our goal was to analyze the association between human milk intake and severe retinopathy of prematurity in extremely low birth weight infants.

PATIENTS AND METHODS. This study is a secondary analysis of data collected for a trial of glutamine supplementation in extremely low birth weight infants (birth weight <1000 g). Among the 1433 participants in that trial, data are available regarding human milk intake and the occurrence of severe retinopathy of prematurity (defined in this study as retinopathy of prematurity treated surgically) for 1057 infants. The volume of human milk intake was expressed as the mean volume (milliliters per kilogram per day) and the mean proportional volume (proportion of total nutritional intake) from birth to discharge or transfer. Using logistic regression, we estimated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for any human milk intake and, among infants who received human milk, for each 10 mL/kg per day and each 10% increase in volume.

RESULTS. Of the 1057 infants included in this cohort, 788 infants (75%) received at least some human milk. Among these milk-fed infants, the median volume of human milk intake was 30 mL/kg per day (interquartile range: 6–83 mL/kg per day), and the median proportional volume of human milk intake was 0.18 (interquartile range: 0.03–0.66). One hundred sixty-three infants (15%) developed severe retinopathy of prematurity.

CONCLUSIONS. In extremely low birth weight infants, human milk intake was not associated with a decreased risk of severe retinopathy of prematurity.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Regional T1 Abnormalities at Term Accurately Predict Motor Outcome in Preterm Infants
Authors: Nanba Yukiko , Matsui Kiyoshi , Aida Noriko , Sato Yoshiaki , Toyoshima Katsuaki , Kawataki Motoyoshi , Hoshino Rikuo , Ohyama Makiko , Itani Yasufumi , Goto Akiko , Oka Akira
Published: July 2007

OBJECTIVE. The aim of this study was to assess whether periventricular leukomalacia findings are sufficiently sensitive for predicting the severity of motor prognosis by conventional MRI in the near term.

METHODS. Preterm infants with T1 hyperintensity or cysts in the periventricular regions on term MRI were selected, and their gross motor functions were evaluated at the age of 3 to 5 years. Sixty-two infants had findings of T1 hyperintensity or cysts, and except for infants with these findings, none were diagnosed later as periventricular leukomalacia.

RESULTS. All 37 patients with cerebral palsy had periventricular lesions with T1 hyperintensity or cysts in the corona radiata above the posterior limb of the internal capsule on coronal sections. Small T1 hyperintensity lesions were seen on coronal slices and were often difficult to detect on axial slices. All of the 17 infants with T1 hyperintensity findings sparing the corona radiata above the posterior limb of the internal capsule showed normal motor development, irrespective of findings of ventriculomegaly. There was a tendency for the presence of widespread lesions in corona radiata above the posterior limb of the internal capsule to be correlated with the severity of motor handicap.

CONCLUSIONS. Lesions in the corona radiata above the posterior limb of the internal capsule on a coronal view by term MRI were useful for predicting motor prognosis in preterm infants with periventricular leukomalacia.
Three-Tesla Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Preterm Infants
Authors: Foran Adrienne M. , Fitzpatrick Julie A. , Allsop Joanna , Schmitz Stephan , Franklin Jamie , Pamboucas Constandinos , O'Regan Declan , Hajnal Jo V. , Edwards A. David
Published: July 2007

OBJECTIVES. We aimed to establish the feasibility of acquiring 3.0-T cardiac MRIs without sedation, anesthesia, or breath-holding for preterm infants and to obtain preliminary quantitative data on left ventricular function in this population.

METHODS. Twelve preterm infants underwent 3.0-T cardiac MRI without sedation or breath-holding. The median gestational age was 29 weeks (range: 26–33 weeks), the median birth weight was 1240 g (range: 808–2200 g), and the median postconceptional age at the time of cardiac MRI was 33 weeks (range: 31–40 weeks). Anatomic images were acquired with T2-weighted spin-echo sequences, and ventricular function was assessed with balanced steady-state free precession cine sequences. We assessed left ventricular function by using the area-length ejection fraction method on horizontal long-axis images and the volumetric Sergeant's discs method of analysis on short-axis images.

RESULTS. Imaging was successful for 10 of 12 infants. For those 10, the area-length ejection fraction method in the horizontal long-axis plane estimated median stroke volume at 2.9 mL, cardiac output at 0.4 L/minute, end-diastolic volume at 3.8 mL, end-systolic volume at 0.3 mL, and ejection fraction at 74.6%. Short-axis volumetric estimations were made for 4 infants. With this approach, the median stroke volume was 2.4 mL, cardiac output 0.35 L/minute, end-diastolic volume 4.3 mL, end-systolic volume 2.1 mL, and ejection fraction 56%.

CONCLUSIONS. Three-tesla cardiac MRI is feasible for preterm infants without sedation, anesthesia, or breath-holding and has the potential to provide a wide range of precise quantitative data that may be of great value for the investigation of cardiac function in preterm infants.
Production, purification and characterization of thermostable phytase from thermophilic fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus TL-7
Authors: Gulati H. , Chadha B. , Saini H.
Published: July 2007

Ten different strains of
Thermomyces lanuginosus
, isolated from composting soils were found to produce phytase when grown on PSM medium. The wild type strain CM was found to produce maximum amount of phytase (4.33 units/g DW substrate). Culturing
T. lanuginosus
strain CM on medium containing wheat bran and optimizing other culture conditions (carbon source, media type, nitrogen source, level of nitrogen, temperature, pH, inoculum age, inoculum level and moisture), increased the phytase yield to 13.26 units/g substrate. This culture was further subjected to UV mutagenesis for developing phytase hyperproducing mutants. The mutant (TL-7) showed 2.29-fold increase in phytase activity as compared to the parental strain. Employing Box-Behnken factor factorial design of response surface methodology resulted in optimized phytase production (32.19 units/g of substrate) by mutant TL-7. A simple two-step purification (40.75-folds) of phytase from mutant TL-7 was achieved by anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The purified phytase (∼54 kDa) was characterized to be optimally active at pH 5.0 and temperature 70 °C, though the enzyme showed ∼70% activity over a wide pH and temperature range (2.0–10.0 and 30–90 °C, respectively). The phytase showed broad substrate specificity with activity against sodium phytate, ADP and riboflavin phosphate. The phytase from
T. lanuginosus
was thermoacidstable as it showed up to 70% residual activity after exposure to 70 °C at pH 3.0 for 120 min. The enzyme showed K
m
4.55 μM and V
max
0.833 μM/min/mg against sodium phytate as substrate.
Long-term analysis of Listeria monocytogenes vaginal carriage frequency in Belgrade, Serbia
Authors: Stepanović S. , Vuković Dragana , Djukić Slobodanka , Ćirković Ivana , Švabić-Vlahović Milena
Published: July 2007

In order to gain insight into the frequency of L. monocytogenes vaginal carriage among women of reproductive age in Belgrade, Serbia, we conducted the long-term investigation (January 1992 through August 2006) described herein. The study population of 958 women included 799 patients with spontaneous abortion and 159 patients with infertility. A low rate of
L. monocytogenes
vaginal carriage of 0.1% was established, since only one strain was recovered from vaginal swab of a woman with spontaneous abortion.
Primary adenocarcinoma of the lung causing pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy
Authors: Vörös András , Kaiser László , Somfay Attila , Pálinkás Attila
Published: July 2007

A szerzők súlyos dyspnoés, extrém pulmonalis hipertóniában és nagyfokú cor pulmonale chronicumban szenvedő, 57 éves nőbeteg esetismertetésében a pulmonalis hipertónia ritka okát mutatják be. A boncolás során bronchioloalveolaris mintázatú adenocarcinoma igazolódott, amely valamennyi tüdőlebenyt érintette. A tüdőkapui nyirokcsomókban áttét helyezkedett el. Szövettanilag az arteria pulmonalis kis ágaiban tumorsejtembólusok, intimális fibrosis, fibrinkiválás, valamint a nyirokerekben lymphangiosis carcinomatosa volt megfigyelhető. Az adenocarcinoma intrapulmonalis terjedését valószínűleg a hilusi nyirokcsomó áttétből a ductus thoracicuson keresztül létrejött izolált hematogén szórás okozta. A szerzők elemzik a tumoros betegségekhez társuló pulmonalis hipertónia kialakulásának lehetséges mechanizmusait, valamint bemutatják az arteria pulmonalisban daganatsejtek hatására kialakuló thromboticus microangiopathia kórszövettani jellegzetességeit. Rámutatnak az utóbbi differenciáldiagnosztikai jelentőségére.
THE EFFECTS OF FIXED‐TIME REINFORCEMENT SCHEDULES ON PROBLEM BEHAVIOR OF CHILDREN WITH EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS IN A DAY‐TREATMENT CLASSROOM SETTING
Authors: Rasmussen Karina , O'neill Robert E.
Published: July 2007

The current study assessed the effects of fixed‐time reinforcement schedules on problem behavior of students with emotional‐behavioral disorders in a clinical day‐treatment classroom setting. Three elementary‐aged students with a variety of emotional and behavioral problems participated in the study. Initial functional assessments indicated that social attention was the maintaining reinforcer for their verbally disruptive behavior. Baseline phases were alternated with phases in which attention was provided on fixed‐time schedules in the context of an ABAB design. The results indicated that the provision of attention on fixed‐time schedules substantially reduced the participants' rate of verbal disruptions. These decreases were maintained during initial thinning of the schedules. The results provide one of the first examples that such an intervention can be successfully implemented in a classroom setting.
FAMILY FUNCTION LEVELS OF TURKISH FATHERS WITH CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN 0 – 6
Authors: Çelik Seher Balci
Published: July 2007

Family function levels of fathers with children aged 0–6 in Samsun, Turkey were compared on the basis of length of marriage, level of education, family structure, and type of marriage. The sample consisted of 171 fathers aged between 24–36 (average age 29.2). The Family
Assessment Device (Epstein, Baldwin, & Bishop, 1983) was used to measure family function levels of fathers and t-test and one way ANOVA were used to analyze the data. There was a significant difference in family function levels of the fathers, according to length of their marriage,
in the subdimensions of problem solving, communication, affective involvement, behavior control and general functionings, according to their level of education. In all the subdimensions of affective involvement and behavior control, according to the family structures of fathers, significant
differences were found between groups and total general points; according to fathers' types of marriage, a significant difference was found between the groups regarding problem solving, communication, affective involvement, behavior control and general total points.
Toxic pneumonitis caused by inhalation of hydrocarbon waterproofing spray in two dogs
Authors: Young Brian C. , Strom Adam M. , Prittie Jennifer E. , Barton Linda J.
Published: July 2007

Case Description—2 dogs were evaluated because of vomiting and lethargy (a Toy Poodle; dog 1) and acute respiratory distress, vomiting, and anorexia (a Chihuahua; dog 2). Dog 1 had been exposed to a commercial hydrocarbon waterproofing spray 24 hours before the development of clinical signs, and dog 2 was examined 18 hours after exposure to a waterproofing spray containing heptane, a highly flammable liquid hydrocarbon.

Clinical Findings—In both dogs, major gastrointestinal tract abnormalities were ruled out but respiratory status worsened. Thoracic radiography revealed a diffuse interstitial pulmonary pattern, and hypoxemia was detected.

Treatment and Outcome—Hospitalization for monitoring and care was required for both dogs. The dogs recovered with supportive care, which included administration of oxygen, fluids, and bronchodilators. Additionally, dog 1 received glucocorticoids via inhalation and supplemental enteral nutrition, whereas dog 2 was treated with an antimicrobial.

Clinical Relevance—The dogs of this report developed hydrocarbon pneumonitis following exposure to waterproofing sprays. Such sprays contain potentially toxic hydrocarbons. The severity of the adverse effects associated with exposure may have been amplified because the dogs were physically small and were exposed to a relatively large amount of aerosolized spray within small areas. Development of chemical pneumonitis in pet animals is best prevented by application of waterproofing sprays in well-ventilated or outdoor areas from which pets have been excluded. With prolonged hospitalization and considerable monitoring and care, affected dogs can recover from these exposures.
Outcomes of nonsurgical management and efficacy of demecarium bromide treatment for primary lens instability in dogs: 34 cases (1990–2004)
Authors: Binder Daniel R. , Herring Ian P. , Gerhard Tobias
Published: July 2007

Objective—To determine outcome of initial conservative management for primary lens luxation and evaluate topically administered demecarium bromide miotic treatment for prevention of anterior lens luxation, glaucoma, and vision loss in dogs.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—34 dogs with primary lens luxation.

Procedures—Medical records of affected dogs were reviewed for times to anterior luxation, luxation of the lens in the opposite eye, development of glaucoma, and vision loss.

Results—At 4 to 6 weeks and at 3 months after diagnosis of lens instability (subluxation or posterior luxation), 100% (34/34 and 29/29, respectively) of conservatively managed eyes retained vision. At 1 year after diagnosis of lens instability, 80% (16/20) of conservatively managed eyes retained vision, and at 2 years after diagnosis of lens instability, 11 of 19 conservatively treated eyes retained vision. The only significant effect of miotic treatment was to delay anterior lens luxation in eyes with lens instability. Miotic treatment did not significantly affect the time from anterior lens luxation in 1 eye to anterior luxation in the other eye, time to onset of glaucoma, or time to loss of vision in eyes with an unstable lens.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Prophylactic topically administered miotic treatment may be effective at delaying anterior luxation of an unstable lens in eyes affected by primary lens instability. Conservative medical management of dogs with primary lens instability is a reasonable alternative to surgical removal of a subluxated or posteriorly luxated lens via intracapsular lens extraction.
Adverse events after vaccine administration in cats: 2,560 cases (2002–2005)
Authors: Moore George E. , DeSantis-Kerr Andrea C. , Guptill Lynn F. , Glickman Nita W. , Lewis Hugh B. , Glickman Lawrence T.
Published: July 2007

Objective—To determine the incidence of vaccine-associated adverse events (VAAEs) diagnosed within 30 days of vaccination in cats and characterize risk factors for their occurrence.

Design—Retrospective cohort study.

Animals—496,189 cats vaccinated at 329 hospitals.

Procedures—Electronic records were searched for VAAEs that occurred after vaccine administration classified by practitioners as nonspecific vaccine reaction, allergic reaction, urticaria, shock, or anaphylaxis. Clinical signs and treatments were reviewed. The association between potential risk factors and a VAAE occurrence was estimated via multivariate logistic regression.

Results—2,560 VAAEs were associated with administration of 1,258,712 doses of vaccine to 496,189 cats (51.6 VAAEs/10,000 cats vaccinated). The risk of a VAAE significantly increased as the number of vaccines administered per office visit increased. Risk was greatest for cats approximately 1 year old; overall risk was greater for neutered versus sexually intact cats. Lethargy with or without fever was the most commonly diagnosed VAAE. No localized reactions recorded in the 30-day period were subsequently diagnosed as neoplasia when followed for 1 to 2 years.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Although overall VAAE rates were low, young adult neutered cats that received multiple vaccines per office visit were at the greatest risk of a VAAE within 30 days after vaccination. Veterinarians should incorporate these findings into risk communications and limit the number of vaccinations administered concurrently to cats.
Academic information centers
Authors: Lunin Lois F.
Published: June 2007

The university relationships and activities of 67 presently operating academic information analysis centers have been explored; their activities seem much the same as those in nonacademic settings. All appear to be engaged in the full spectrum of information handling. The establishment, organization, and technical requirements of four academic information analysis centers in the Neurological Information Network are described; one is discussed in detail. Experience in this center and others has shown that two elements of the academic information center require further definition: the activities of the scientists, and the relationship of the center to the administration of the university. Experience has also shown that an information center can exert a unifying effect in a field of education or research where such unity does not presently exist within the university. Twenty‐four suggestions are offered for administering on academic information center. Academic medical information centers are in a unique position to help cope with some of the information problems that beset today's biomedical researchers and practitioners.
Representing characters to computers
Authors: Price C. E.
Published: June 2007

Information systems requiring special, extended character sets and/or special input/output devices require special attention to character representation (CR). Three CR's are usually involved: input, storage, and output. The storage CR is central, and system designers should plan it carefully to minimize storage space, program complexity, and execution time. Plans should include consideration of provisions for future expansion of the character set and/or change in I/O devices. Approaches to CR can be with fixed or variable length bit strings on binary machines. This paper delineates six different CR methods and discusses attributes of each in relation to information system requirements.
MEDLARS: report on the evaluation of its operating efficiency
Authors: Lancaster F. W.
Published: June 2007

A comprehensive program to evaluate the performance of MEDLARS was conducted by the National Library of Medicine in 1966 and 1967. This report describes the methodology used and presents a summary of the principal results, conclusions, and recommendations.
Biomedical literature: analysis of journal articles collected by a radiation‐ and cell‐biologist
Authors: Leith John D.
Published: June 2007

The author's journal reference cards for 1965 and 1966 were analysed according to three “interest patterns”: (I) the total collection of 1469 article titles, a “potentially useful” set; (II) a subset concerning only his research specialty (deoxyribonucleic acid, histone, chromosomes, or radiation); and (III) a subset of articles defined as “useful” (those actually read by March, 1967). For each pattern, journals were ranked by frequency of use and a scatter diagram was drawn.

Patterns I and II largely resembled patterns obtained by counting citations in basic journals or by counting publications of selected researchers. Pattern III was more widely scattered. It is concluded that access to diverse journals is needed by researchers to supply new ideas, and that this diversity of reading is not reflected adequately by citation counting or other indirect means.

Current Contents, used by the author for current‐awareness purposes in building his card file, generated 88% of all articles. Scatter diagrams indicated the decreased scatter predicted from its use.

The 30 most important journals in this collection, including about 80% of titles, are ranked for each pattern.
A quantitative comparison of conventional information compression techniques in dental literature
Authors: Lynn Kenneth C.
Published: June 2007

An actual word count was made of 93 articles from the dental literature and compared with their homo‐morphic transformations, i.e., abstracts and index citations. It was determined that the average article of 1,963 words was compressed into an abstract of 178 words, an index citation with tracings of 30 words, and an index citation of 18 words. A mathematical model was used to demonstrate the homomorphic reduction ratio.
Guest editorial
Authors: Elias A.
Published: June 2007

AD is pleased to devote this editorial to the activities of the United States of America Standards Institute Committee Z39 on library work, documentation, and related publishing practices. This committee has been very active and productive over the past years and, beginning in January 1969, will initiate a new and expanded program of standardization in the above fields which are of vital interest to the ASIS membership.