bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Plan of Islanding Scheme for Pune City
Authors: Joglekar Jayesh , Nerkar Yogesh P
Published: March 2006

The availability of electrical energy ensures development and progress while its non-availability means stagnation or back tracking. The condition of No Power [1] is the costliest state and leads to social, economical and production loss. Power system blackout means inconvenience and hardship to society. Uninterrupted power supply is essential for the national productivity and social structure and hence system must be made flawless at any cost. Reliable and disturbance free electric power supply is recognized as a key to Societal progress throughout the world. Grid failure occurs due to continued overstressing, low frequency operation, increased load demand, peaking characteristics of the demand, ineffective load control, reduced level of security due to opening of interstate lines and violation of grid discipline. After occurrence of severe system disturbances, the system may split into parts, which may or may not survive depending on the load generation balance. The part system containing the generation sources and certain loads, which are planned to be separated from the main grid during system disturbance at, preconceived points either through under frequency and / or directional power relays are called Islands[2]. During restoration due to wide fluctuations in the frequency it becomes very difficult to maintain the load-generation balance. Inability to control the frequency may lead to unsuccessful restoration. Repeated collapse of the system island due to tripping of generators either due to over frequency or under frequency causes delay in getting normalcy. In this situation the computer-computer links between the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) and Area Load Despatch Centre (ALDC) play a key role [3]. The priority during the restoration period such as railway traction, essential consumers such as water supply scheme, hospitals etc and lastly to the civil societies should be given. It is also necessary to have provision of disturbance recorder and event logger at power generation stations and various interconnected substations. These and other major aspects are considered in proposing the islanding scheme of the Pune city.
Steady State Overvoltages of TCSC Terminals and Their Impact on Degree of Compensation and Transmitted Power of Radical Power System
Authors: Al Jowder Fawzi A. Rahman
Published: March 2006

This paper studies, in a tutorial form, the impact of location of the TCSC on the degree of compensation and the transmitted power of a radial power system. The voltages of the two terminals of the TCSC have been examined at different locations with increase in the degree of compensation and transmitted power. The objective is to limit these voltages to 1.05 pu and obtaining maximum degree of compensation. Two cases were studied: (1) The case when the receiving end is a large AC system where the receiving end voltage is always maintained at 1.0 pu which is designated as case # 1 and (2) The case when the receiving end is an inductive load (R-L) load and it is designated as case # 2. For case #1, it has been found that sitting the TCSC at the sending or receiving end causes a large overvoltage. In contrast, sitting it at the midpoint could not cause overvoltage up to 0.5 degree of compensation. If it is higher than this value, overvoltage has been found. Thus placing the TCSC at the midpoint provides a compensation range up to 0.5. If the TCSC are disparted in two or three smaller TCSCs, which are equal in size and equally spaced along the transmission line, it has been found that higher degree of compensation can be obtained. This scheme has been found to be best compensation scheme to obtain a wide compensation range. In case 2, the sending end positioning has been found to cause overvoltage while the receiving end positioning provides a wide compensation range up to 1 without overvoltage at any point. Similar to case # 1, sitting the TCSC at the midpoint causes overvoltage at a degree of compensation greater than 0.5. For distributed TCSCs, a degree of compensation greater 0.5 can be obtained and the maximum degree of compensation depends upon the number of TCSCs. For case # 2, the best position has been found to be at the load end. In addition to the two study cases, a relation between the number of the distributed TCSCs and the maximum degree of compensation has been developed.
Mathematical Modeling and Experimental Study on Thin Layer Drying of Strawberry
Authors: Akpinar Ebru Kavak , Bicer Yasar
Published: March 2006

This paper presents mathematical modeling and the thin layer convective drying of strawberry. The experiments are conducted at drying air temperatures of 60, 75 and 85 deg.C in drying air velocities of 0.5, 1 and 1.5 m/s in a convective cyclone type dryer. The data of sample mass, temperature and velocity of the drying air were recorded continuously during each test. The experimental drying curves show only a falling drying rate period. The main factor in controlling the drying rate was found to be the drying air temperature. Also, the experimental drying curves obtained were fitted to eleven mathematical models. The Modified Page (I) drying model was found to satisfactorily describe the drying curves of strawberry with a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.98042, chi-square (2) of 0.0035 and root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.0588. The constants and coefficients of this model could be explained by the effect of drying air temperature and velocity with a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.998. The effective diffusivity coefficient of moisture transfer varied from 4.528x10-10 to 9.631x10-10 m2/s over the temperature and velocity range in this study.
Multiscale statistical process control with multiresolution data
Authors: Reis Marco S. , Saraiva Pedro M.
Published: March 2006

An approach is presented for conducting multiscale statistical process control that adequately integrates data at different resolutions (multiresolution data), called MR‐MSSPC. Its general structure is based on Bakshi's MSSPC framework designed to handle data at a single resolution. Significant modifications were introduced in order to process multiresolution information. The main MR‐MSSPC features are presented and illustrated through three examples. Issues related to real world implementations and with the interpretation of the multiscale covariance structure are addressed in a fourth example, where a CSTR system under feedback control is simulated. Our approach proved to be able to provide a clearer definition of the regions where significant events occur and a more sensitive response when the process is brought back to normal operation, when it is compared with previous approaches based on single resolution data. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
Seasonal variations in black‐faced black spider monkey (Ateles chamek) habitat use and ranging behavior in a southern Amazonian tropical forest
Authors: Wallace Robert B.
Published: March 2006

Data are presented regarding the habitat use and ranging behavior of a spider monkey (Ateles chamek) community at Lago Caiman in northeastern Bolivia. Habitat use was driven primarily by fruit availability and distribution across the community home range. Strong seasonal variations occurred in fruit availability within all five of the floristically and phenologically distinct habitat types identified within the study site, and the spider monkeys dramatically shifted their ranging according to which habitat was richest in fleshy fruits. This use of local habitat diversity resulted in an unusually elongated shape for the home range that was otherwise typical of previousAtelesstudies in terms of size. Ranging behavior was clumped and community core areas shifted seasonally across the focal community home range. Individual core areas were not relevant to the study due to dramatic community‐wide shifts in ranging patterns. Day journey lengths were highly variable (460–5,690 m) and the distribution and abundance of fleshy fruit resources explained 81% of the monthly variations in mean day journey length. Keystone habitats for forest frugivores are identified and results are discussed with reference to previous studies on this genus, and the importance of considering keystone habitats and local habitat diversity within the management of forestry concessions in the region. Results are also discussed with reference to the behavioral ecology of the genusAteles. Am. J. Primatol. 68:313–332, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Perineal swelling, intermenstrual cycle, and female sexual behavior in bonobos (Pan paniscus)
Authors: Paoli T. , Palagi E. , Tacconi G. , Tarli S. Borgognini
Published: March 2006

Many reports have claimed that the duration of the swelling cycle in female bonobos (Pan paniscus) is longer than that of chimpanzees, and that the bonobo maximum swelling phase is markedly prolonged. Field data on intermenstrual intervals (IMIs) in female bonobos are limited and restricted to interswelling intervals (ISIs), which are assumed to reflect the IMI, though a direct comparison between the duration of ISIs and IMIs is still lacking. Reports on bonobo sexual activity as a function of the swelling phase are often contradictory. Moreover, the function of female homosexual interactions (genito‐genital (GG) rubbing) is still debated. This study examines the reliability of the ISI as an approximation of the IMI, and the attractivity of female sexual swellings for other individuals. An analysis of 51 ISI‐IMI pairs showed that ISIs are a fair representation of the reproductive cycle. The cycle length was 35.6±1.1 SE days relying on the ISI, whereas it was 35.0±1.1 SE days considering the IMI. This result is similar to the cycle length reported for chimpanzees. Female homosexual interactions and copulatory rates were higher during maximum tumescence, suggesting that the sexual swelling may be attractive for both males and other females. Furthermore, the GG‐rubbing was performed free of a hierarchical postural imposition, and was not correlated with affinitive interactions. We suggest that GG‐rubbing, which is generally the most frequent female sexual interaction, is a tool for social assessments among females. Am. J. Primatol. 67:333–347, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multidirectional chromosome painting reveals a remarkable syntenic homology between the greater galagos and the slow loris
Authors: Stanyon R. , Dumas F. , Stone G. , Bigoni F.
Published: March 2006

We report on the first reciprocal chromosome painting of lorisoids and humans. The chromosome painting showed a remarkable syntenic homology between Otolemur and Nycticebus. Eight derived syntenic associations of human segments are common to both Otolemur and Nycticebus, indicative of a considerable period of common evolution between the greater galago and the slow loris. Five additional Robertsonian translocations form the slow loris karyotype, while the remaining chromosomes are syntenically equivalent, although some differ in terms of centromere position and heterochromatin additions. Strikingly, the breakpoints of the human chromosomes found fragmented in these two species are apparently identical. Only fissions of homologs to human chromosomes 1 and 15 provide significant evidence of a cytogenetic link between Lemuriformes and Lorisiformes. The association of human chromosomes 7/16 in both lorisoids strongly suggests that this chromosome was present in the ancestral primate genome. Am. J. Primatol. 68:349–359, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Plant choice in the construction of night nests by gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
Authors: Rothman Jessica M. , Pell Alice N. , Dierenfeld Ellen S. , Mccann Colleen M.
Published: March 2006

We investigated the choice of plants in nest sites and individual night nests of a group of gorillas (Gorilla beringei) in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Most of the nests were built on the ground in secondary forest or canopy gaps. The gorillas used 62 plant genera in their nests out of a possible 108 plant genera available in the immediate environment. This group of Bwindi gorillas chose nest sites nonrandomly with respect to habitat type and selected nest sites in which Pteridium spp. or Mimulopsis spp. were the dominant plants. The Bwindi gorillas selected Pteridium spp. and Ipomea spp. to construct their individual night nests in greater quantities compared to their proportional availability in the immediate environment. Am. J. Primatol. 68:361–368, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Retrospective evaluation of the incidence and severity of hemosiderosis in a large captive lemur population
Authors: Glenn Kelly M. , Campbell Jennifer L. , Rotstein David , Williams Cathy V.
Published: March 2006

Significant concern has been generated about the susceptibility of captive lemurs to iron storage disease, which has led some researchers to propose husbandry changes regarding dietary iron. In the current study we sought to determine the history, severity, and prevalence of iron storage disease within a large captive lemur population. Iron concentration and hemosiderin accumulation in a target organ, the liver, were assessed in necropsy specimens from 15 different species (n=153) of lemurs over a 12‐yr period at the Duke University Primate Center. Banked liver tissue was used to quantify liver iron concentration (LIC) via neutron activation analysis (NAA). Prussian blue staining was used to accentuate the presence of liver iron for evaluation using an established scoring system. Of the 153 reports examined, 49 (32%) of the animals were considered positive for the presence of hemosiderin in the liver, lymph node, duodenum, and kidney, with 36 of the 49 (73%) showing deposition of iron in the liver. Total iron scores (TIS) ranged from 0.3 ± 0.3 in Lemur catta to 33.3±1.7 in Cheirogaleus medius. The mean LIC ranged from 209±1.4 µg/g wet weight in L. catta to 2957±414 µg/g in C. medius. Management practices may have contributed to some of the results observed in this study. Although evidence of excess iron deposition in the liver was present across several species studied, the levels were not as pervasive as previously reported in other captive lemur populations. Hemochromatosis was not observed, and excess iron was not related to the cause of death in any of the animals studied. The current findings suggest that iron overload in lemurs may be more complex than was previously believed. Am. J. Primatol. 68:369–381, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mating behavior and endocrine profiles of wild black and white Colobus monkeys (Colobus guereza): toward an understanding of their life history and mating system
Authors: Harris Tara R. , Monfort Steven L.
Published: March 2006

Black and white colobus monkeys (Colobus guereza, “guerezas”) show no external signs of estrus, and little is known about their mating behavior or reproductive endocrinology. To learn more about the life history characteristics and mating system of guerezas, we documented the mating behavior and ovarian hormone profiles of 10 cycling, lactating, and pregnant females in a wild population. We studied six groups of guerezas in Kibale National Park, Uganda, and collected ad libitum data on their mating behavior. We collected urine samples every 1.9±0.2 days from potentially fertile females and quantified conjugated urinary estrogen (E1S) and progesterone (PdG) metabolites using enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Females solicited 50.5% of copulations, and most copulations occurred during the interval starting 5 days before presumptive ovulation and ending 2–3 days later, with the highest copulatory levels occurring close to ovulation. We show that the median ovarian cycle length is 24 days, the median gestation length is ∼158 days, the length of lactational amenorrhea is at least 7–8 months, and the median interbirth interval for females with surviving infants is ∼22 months. We also document overlap between females' receptive periods in one‐male, two‐ to three‐female groups, which may mean that male transfer into such groups is potentially profitable. Am. J. Primatol. 68:383–396, 2006.© 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Life on the edge: gastrointestinal parasites from the forest edge and interior primate groups
Authors: Chapman Colin A. , Speirs Michaela L. , Gillespie Thomas R. , Holland Timothy , Austad Kiersten M.
Published: March 2006

Humans are responsible for massive changes to primate habitats, and one unanticipated consequence of these alterations may be changes in host–parasite interactions. Edges are a ubiquitous aspect of human disturbance to forest landscapes. Here we examine how changes associated with the creation of edges in Kibale National Park, Uganda, alter the parasite community that is supported by two species of African colobines: the endangered red colobus (Piliocolobus tephrosceles) and the black‐and‐white colobus (Colobus guereza). An analysis of 822 fecal samples from edge and forest interior groups revealed no difference in the richness of parasite communities (i.e., the number of parasite species recovered from the host's fecal sample). However, for both species the proportion of individuals with multiple infections was greater in edge than forest interior groups. The prevalence of specific parasites also varied between edge and forest interior groups. Oesophagostomum sp., a potentially deleterious parasite, was 7.4 times more prevalent in red colobus on the edge than in those in the forest interior, and Entamoeba coli was four times more prevalent in red colobus on the edge than in animals from the forest interior. Environmental contamination with parasites (measured as parasite eggs/gm feces) by red colobus from the edge and forest interior differed in a similar fashion to prevalence for red colobus, but it did not differ for black‐and‐white colobus. For example, egg counts of Oesophagostomum sp. were 10 times higher in red colobus from the edge than in those from the interior. The less severe infections in the black‐and‐white colobus relative to the red colobus may reflect the fact that black‐and‐white colobus raid agricultural crops while red colobus do not. This nutritional gain may facilitate a more effective immune response to parasites by the black‐and‐white colobus. The fact that animals on the edge are likely not nutritionally stressed raises an intriguing question as to what facilitates the elevated infections in edge animals. We speculate that interactions with humans may be linked to the observed patterns of infections, and hence that understanding the ecology of infectious diseases in nonhuman primates is of paramount importance for conservation and potentially for human‐health planning. Am. J. Primatol. 68:397–409, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Violent coalitionary attack by female mandrills against an injured alpha male
Authors: Setchell Joanna M. , Knapp Leslie A. , Wickings E. Jean
Published: March 2006

Female contact aggression against males is relatively rare in species in which the adult males are larger than the females, but it has the potential to influence group structure, male group membership, tenure, and dominance rank. We report an incident in which female mandrills living in a semi‐free‐ranging group in Franceville, Gabon, attacked a male that was apparently incapacitated after a fight with another male and was unable to escape. The attack involved the alpha male and did not occur in a sexual or infanticidal context. Other adult and adolescent males observed the attack, but when one adult male attempted to participate he was chased away by the females. This observation adds to reports of female coalitions excluding unwanted males from primate groups, or even killing them. The fact that this can also occur in mandrills suggests that females have a degree of control over male group membership, despite the large degree of sexual dimorphism in this species, and highlights the importance of coalitions in primate social organization. Am. J. Primatol. 68:411–418, 2006.© 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Titelbild: Artemisone—A Highly Active Antimalarial Drug of the Artemisinin Class (Angew. Chem. 13/2006)
Authors: Haynes Richard K. , Fugmann Burkhard , Stetter Jörg , Rieckmann Karl , Heilmann Hans‐Dietrich , Chan Ho‐Wai , Cheung Man‐Ki , Lam Wai‐Lun , Wong Ho‐Ning , Croft Simon L. , Vivas Livia , Rattray Lauren , Stewart Lindsay , Peters Wallace , Robinson Brian L. , Edstein Michael D. , Kotecka Barbara , Kyle Dennis E. , Beckermann Bernhard , Gerisch Michael , Radtke Martin , Schmuck Gabriele , Steinke Wolfram , Wollborn Ute , Schmeer Karl , Römer Axel
Published: March 2006

Qing hao su, oder Artemisinin, ist die aktive Verbindung aus der auf dem Titelbild gezeigten Beifußart Artemisia annua (qīng hāo). Der chinesische Text aus der Zeit um 340 A.D. beschreibt ihre Verwendung in der chinesischen Medizin. Artemisininderivate werden derzeit zur Behandlung von Malaria eingesetzt. R. K. Haynes et al. berichten in ihrer Zuschrift auf S. 2136 ff. über die Synthese und höhere Effizienz des neuen Derivats Artemisone gegen den Malariaparasiten. (Der chinesische Text wurde von Prof. Chun‐Tao Che geprüft.)
A tightly regulated inducible expression system utilizing the fim inversion recombination switch
Authors: Ham Timothy S. , Lee Sung Kuk , Keasling Jay D. , Arkin Adam P.
Published: March 2006

The fim inversion system of Escherichia coli (E. coli) can behave as a unidirectional switch in an efficient manner. We have developed a new expression system for E. coli, comprising the arabinose‐inducible fimE gene and the fim invertible DNA segment containing a constitutively active promoter. In this system, the target gene is cloned with the promoter in the OFF orientation, resulting in no transcribed product. When induced by arabinose, the active promoter is switched to the ON orientation via FimE‐catalyzed DNA inversion, and the gene is expressed. Our expression system exhibited very tightly controlled basal expression and high induced expression, with simple induction by inexpensive arabinose. These characteristics make our system suitable for large‐scale expression or for production of toxic proteins. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The relationship of obesity to ischemic outcomes following coronary stent placement in contemporary practice
Authors: Martin Jack L. , Jia Gang , Martin Seth S. , Shapiro Timothy A. , Herrmann Howard C. , DiBattiste Peter M. , Topol Eric J. , Moliterno David J.
Published: March 2006

Objectives:

We analyzed the relationship of obesity, determined by body mass index (BMI), to short‐ and long‐term outcomes in the TARGET trial.

BACKGROUND:

Previous studies have conflicting findings regarding the relationship of BMI to outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods:

The TARGET trial studied the use of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibition in patients undergoing planned coronary stent placement.

Results:

Eighty‐one percent of all patients were overweight (BMI > 25), 36% were obese (BMI > 30), and United States patients were more frequently obese (38.7% vs. 25.8%, P < 0.001). Obese patients had a similar 30‐day ischemic event rate compared with nonobese patients, but less major bleeding (0.4% vs. 1.1%, P = 0.013). Six‐month death and myocardial infarction rates were similar in obese and nonobese patients. There was a J‐shaped relationship between 6‐month target vessel revascularization (TVR) and BMI with the lowest incidence of TVR at BMI 27.5. Six‐month TVR was higher in the morbidly (BMI > 35) obese (12.4% vs 8.7%, P < 0.05). In extremely (BMI > 32) obese patients, this relationship was more significant (TVR 11.3% vs. 8.5%, P = 0.007), particularly in patients <65 years of age (TVR 12.3% vs. 8.4%, P = 0.003).

Conclusion:

The majority of patients undergoing PCI are overweight, especially in the United States. Extreme obesity is associated with a significant increase in TVR following intent‐to‐stent PCI, especially in patients <65 years of age. With routine use of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors, other long‐ and short‐term ischemic events are similar in obese and nonobese patients. However, obese patients have significantly less major bleeding. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Successful closure of a giant true saphenous vein graft aneurysm using the Amplatzer vascular plug
Authors: Mylonas Ilias , Sakata Yoshihito , Salinger Michael H. , Feldman Ted
Published: March 2006

An 85‐year‐old man was found to have a 9 cm diameter true aneurysm of an obtuse marginal saphenous vein graft. The graft was fed by a relatively narrow neck from the proximal remnant of the obtuse marginal graft 10 years after prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery. An Amplatzer vascular plug was used successfully to occlude the neck of the aneurysm. Follow‐up CT scan 1 month afterward demonstrated retained contrast in the aneurysm, demonstrating complete occlusion between the aorta and aneurysm sac. Pressure recordings from within the aneurysm sac suggest bidirectional flow in the neck as the mechanism for the maintained patency of the aneurysm. The use of a vascular plug is an effective method for aneurysm occlusion when the anatomy is suitable. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of overlapping drug‐eluting stents in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Chu William W. , Kuchulakanti Pramod K. , Torguson Rebecca , Wang Betty , Clavijo Leonardo C. , Suddath William O. , Pichard Augusto D. , Satler Lowell F. , Kent Kenneth M. , Waksman Ron
Published: March 2006

Background: Sirolimus‐eluting stent (SES) implantation for the treatment of single coronary lesions is proven to be effective and durable. However, the safety and efficacy of overlapping SES for the treatment of long lesions have not been well established. Objectives: We conducted a retrospective analysis to compare the clinical outcomes of overlapping versus nonoverlapping SES. Methods: Fifty‐five patients who received overlapping SES were compared with 39 patients who received nonoverlapping SES. Results: The baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics were balanced between the two study groups. The in‐hospital complications were similar between groups, except that non‐Q‐wave myocardial infarction was significantly higher in the Overlapping SES group when compared with the Nonoverlapping SES group (23.6% vs. 7.7%, P = 0.04). This higher rate of myonecrosis is due to periprocedural side branch compromises, including side branch narrowing, occlusion, and flow reduction. At 30 days and 6 months follow‐up, all clinical outcomes were similar between the study groups. In addition, the event‐free survival rate was similar between groups (P = 0.87). Conclusions: The implantation of overlapping SES for the treatment of long, native coronary lesions is feasible and effective but is associated with an increased rate of periprocedural myonecrosis. This phenomenon is caused primarily by side branch compromises, but does not have any adverse impact on late clinical events. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Percutaneous pulmonary valve placement in a 10‐month‐old patient using a hand crafted stent‐mounted porcine valve
Authors: Feinstein Jeffrey A. , Kim Nancy , Reddy V. Mohan , Perry Stanton B.
Published: March 2006

Percutaneous replacement of the pulmonary valve in a right ventricle to pulmonary artery (RV–PA) conduit using bovine jugular valves has recently been described as an alternative to surgical options in selected patients weighing ≥20 kg. We report the first case of transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation in an infant and the first use of “off the shelf” components. A 12‐mm (Hancock) porcine valve was sutured into a predilated Genesis 2510b stent. The valved stent was manually crimped and mounted on a 12‐mm balloon. Snare‐assisted deployment in the middle of the RV–PA conduit was accomplished without the use of a long sheath. After the initial deployment, a 14‐mm balloon was used to further approximate the stent to the walls of the conduit. Short‐term (11 month) follow‐up has demonstrated continued valve integrity, markedly decreased right ventricular size and improved function and symptomatic improvement. At 10 months of age, this case represents the youngest patient to undergo percutaneous valve placement and documents the technical feasibility of the procedure. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Propensity score analysis of vascular complications after diagnostic cardiac catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention 1998–2003
Authors: Applegate Robert J. , Sacrinty Matthew T. , Kutcher Michael A. , Baki Talal T. , Gandhi Sanjay K. , Santos Renato M. , Little William C.
Published: March 2006

Objectives: To evaluate the adjusted risk of vascular complications after manual compression and vascular closure devices for femoral artery access site management in a large contemporary cohort, using propensity score analysis. Background: Vascular closure devices (VCD) allow early ambulation after cardiac procedures involving femoral artery access, but whether the benefit of use of vascular closure devices (VCD) is offset by reduced safety in contemporary practice remains uncertain. Methods: Twenty one thousand eight hundred and forty one consecutive diagnostic cardiac catheterization (n = 13,124) and percutaneous coronary intervention procedures (n = 8,717) performed via a femoral access at a single site (WFUBMC) between 1998 and 2003 were evaluated. VCD's were used based on operator preference. Propensity to receive a vascular closure device (VCD) was calculated. The relative incidence of vascular complications was evaluated by logistic regression models, using the propensity score as a covariate. Results: Overall, the unadjusted incidence of any vascular complication was 1.3% for VCD use and 1.4% for manual compression, p = NS. The propensity score‐adjusted odds ratio for any vascular complication comparing VCD (n = 8,707) to manual compression (n = 13,034) was 0.86 (0.67–1.11) for all procedures, 0.80 (0.53–1.21) for diagnostic procedure, and 0.90 (0.65–1.26) for interventional procedures. Conclusions: In this large single‐center, contemporary observational study, the risk‐adjusted occurrence of vascular complications following VCD use for femoral artery access management is not increased by VCD use. Thus, in the current era, the benefit of VCD use is not offset by reduced safety. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transradial right and left heart catheterizations: A comparison to traditional femoral approach
Authors: Gilchrist Ian C. , Moyer Carey D. , Gascho Joseph A.
Published: March 2006

Objectives: This study compares the transradial versus transfemoral approach to combined right‐ and left‐heart catheterization. Background: Central venous access from peripheral veins has been a historically useful technique. Although the need for right‐heart catheterization has been considered an exclusion for transradial catheterization, we have combined a peripheral approach to the central venous system with radial arterial access which permits bilateral heart catheterization using a transradial approach. Methods: Over an 18‐month period all right‐heart catheterizations done in conjunction with arterial access were reviewed. Salvage procedures, mixed site access, and biopsy procedures were excluded. Radial procedures were performed using radial artery access and a forearm vein. Femoral procedures used femoral artery/vein. Demographics, procedural information, and postprocedural complications including those requiring vascular ultrasound or transfusion were recorded and used for comparison between groups. Results: Total of 175 femoral/105 radial cases done by 4 operators met criteria for comparison. Both groups had similar procedural indications and age. Procedural durations were shorter (P < .01) with radial 70 ± 5.0 min (±95% CI) vs. femoral 75 ± 5.4 min (±95% CI). Crossover was noted in several patients from both groups; radial procedures (n = 2) failed due to previous shoulder trauma. Femoral crossover to radial involved difficult arterial access. Complications related to access site occurred in 12 femoral and 0 radial patients. Conclusions: Using the forearm for central venous access appears safer than using the femoral vessels. Transradial catheterizations can be done in combination with forearm venous access procedures with excellent results and enhanced patient safety. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
GC‐MS analysis of amino acid enantiomers as their N(O,S)‐perfluoroacyl perfluoroalkyl esters: Application to space analysis
Authors: Zampolli M. , Meunier D. , Sternberg R. , Raulin F. , Szopa C. , Pietrogrande M.C. , Dondi F.
Published: March 2006

The target of the in‐situ research of optical activity in extraterrestrial samples stimulated an extended investigation of a GC–MS method based on the derivatization of amino acids by using a mixture of perfluorinated alcohols and perfluorinated anhydrides. Amino acids are converted to their N(O,S)–perfluoroacyl perfluoroalkyl esters in a single‐step procedure, using different combinations of the derivatization reagents trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA)‐2,2,2‐trifluoro‐1‐ethanol (TFE), TFAA‐2,2,3,3,4,4,4‐heptafluoro‐1‐butanol (HFB), and heptafluorobutyric anhydride (HFBA)‐HFB. The derivatives obtained are analyzed using two different chiral columns: Chirasil‐L‐Val and γ‐cyclodextrin (Rt‐γ‐DEXsa) stationary phases which show different and complementary enantiomeric selectivity. The mass spectra of the derivatives are studied, and mass fragmentation patterns are proposed: significant fragment ions can be identified to detect amino acid derivatives. The obtained results are compared in terms of the enantiomeric separation achieved and mass spectrometric response. Linearity studies and the measurement of the limit of detection (LOD) show that the proposed method is suitable for a quantitative determination of enantiomers of several amino acids. The use of the programmed temperature vaporiser (PTV) technique for the injection of the untreated reaction mixture is a promising method for avoiding manual treatment of the sample and decreasing the LOD. Chirality, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Determination of the enantiomeric excess of an M3 antagonist drug substance by chemometric analysis of the IR spectra of different guest‐host complexes
Authors: Zhou Lili , Lin Zhihao , Welch Christopher J. , Ge Zhihong , Ellison Dean
Published: March 2006

A novel approach for the potential on‐line determination of the enantiomeric excess (ee) of an M3 antagonist drug substance combining attenuated total reflectance infrared (ATR‐IR) spectroscopy, guest‐host complexes, and chemometric data analysis is described. Chiral recognition through a formation of diastereomeric complexes was measured by ATR‐IR. Small changes on the IR spectra reflect the interaction between the guest (M3) and host (chiral selector). These changes are measured as a function of M3 enantiomer excess. The standard error of prediction is 1.3 ee%. The prediction results based on the IR method were in good agreement with the gravimetric method. The robustness of the calibration model was evaluated by varying the concentration of the chiral selector, the pH of the solution, and the organic solvents. The stability of the calibration model was also demonstrated through measuring different sets of samples on different days. Chirality, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The dirhodium‐method in the determination of absolute configurations of phospholene chalcogenides
Authors: Moeller Stefan , Drzazga Zbigniew , Pakulski Zbigniew , Pietrusiewicz K. Michał , Duddeck Helmut
Published: March 2006

The 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR signals of six chiral phospholene chalcogenides (X = O, S, Se) are duplicated in the presence of one mole equivalent of the chiral auxiliary Rh2[(R)‐MTPA]4 (diastereomeric dispersion Δν; in Hz). The samples were investigated as nonracemic mixtures of enantiomers with known absolute configurations so that signs can be attributed to the Δν‐values and each signal set can be assigned to the respective enantiomer. The signs are uniform — in particular those of 1H nuclei — and nearly independent of the nature of the chalcogen atom. Thus, if the absolute configuration of one compound is known, it is possible to derive absolute configurations in the whole series (correlation method). Chirality, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of enantioselective extractants for chiral separation of amines and aminoalcohols
Authors: Steensma Maartje , Kuipers Norbert J.M. , De Haan André B. , Kwant Gerard
Published: March 2006

The major obstacle for the introduction of fractional reactive extraction as a chiral separation method in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries is the lack of versatile enantioselective extractants. Therefore, a rational approach is developed to transfer the extensive knowledge of chiral selectors reported in the literature on chiral recognition and other chiral separation techniques to extraction. Based on a similarity in separation mechanisms, it was expected that chiral selectors originating from a technique in which chiral recognition takes place in the liquid phase are most likely to function as enantioselective extractant. Using this approach, a selection of promising extractants was made from the literature and experimentally evaluated for the enantioseparation of aminoalcohols and amines. As a result, four enantioselective extractant systems, namely, dibutyl‐L‐tartrate with boric acid, N‐(2‐hydroxydodecyl)‐L‐hydroxyproline Cu(II) complex, N‐dodecyl‐L‐hydroxyproline Cu(II) complex, and azophenolic crown ether, have been identified. The azophenolic crown ether system performed the best and demonstrated an enantioselectivity between 1.3–5.0 for five out of six test compounds. Identification of the enantioselective extractant systems was highly facilitated by the developed rational transfer approach that, although partially qualitative, appeared capable of reducing more than 50 encountered candidates to only three promising systems for further experimental evaluation. Therefore, it is expected that this approach can be successfully applied to identify enantioselective extractants for other classes of enantiomers as well. Chirality, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Decitabine improves patient outcomes in myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Kantarjian Hagop , Issa Jean‐Pierre J. , Rosenfeld Craig S. , Bennett John M. , Albitar Maher , DiPersio John , Klimek Virginia , Slack James , de Castro Carlos , Ravandi Farhad , Helmer Richard , Shen Lanlan , Nimer Stephen D. , Leavitt Richard , Raza Azra , Saba Hussain
Published: March 2006

BACKGROUND

Aberrant DNA methylation, which results in leukemogenesis, is frequent in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and is a potential target for pharmacologic therapy. Decitabine indirectly depletes methylcytosine and causes hypomethylation of target gene promoters.

METHODS

A total of 170 patients with MDS were randomized to receive either decitabine at a dose of 15 mg/m2 given intravenously over 3 hours every 8 hours for 3 days (at a dose of 135 mg/m2 per course) and repeated every 6 weeks, or best supportive care. Response was assessed using the International Working Group criteria and required that response criteria be met for at least 8 weeks.

RESULTS

Patients who were treated with decitabine achieved a significantly higher overall response rate (17%), including 9% complete responses, compared with supportive care (0%) (P < .001). An additional 12 patients who were treated with decitabine (13%) achieved hematologic improvement. Responses were durable (median, 10.3 mos) and were associated with transfusion independence. Patients treated with decitabine had a trend toward a longer median time to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) progression or death compared with patients who received supportive care alone (all patients, 12.1 mos vs. 7.8 mos [P = 0.16]; those with International Prognostic Scoring System intermediate‐2/high‐risk disease, 12.0 mos vs. 6.8 mos [P = 0.03]; those with de novo disease, 12.6 mos vs. 9.4 mos [P = 0.04]; and treatment‐naive patients, 12.3 mos vs. 7.3 mos [P = 0.08]).

CONCLUSIONS

Decitabine was found to be clinically effective in the treatment of patients with MDS, provided durable responses, and improved time to AML transformation or death. The duration of decitabine therapy may improve these results further. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Drug therapy for myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: Tefferi Ayalew , Letendre Louis
Published: March 2006

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is currently a consensus‐based pathologic diagnosis that is determined by partly subjective findings on bone marrow histology and peripheral blood smear. MDS constitutes a stem cell‐derived, ineffective clonal myeloproliferation that results in symptomatic cytopenia and will eventually evolve into acute myeloid leukemia. MDS is rare in persons younger than 50 years but is a common hematologic malignancy in the elderly. As such, the overwhelming majority of patients with MDS are not suitable candidates for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. At the same time, insufficient knowledge regarding disease pathogenesis has restricted the development of effective drug therapy.
Superiority of prolonged low‐dose azanucleoside administration?
Authors: Rüter Björn , Wijermans Pierre W. , Lübbert Michael
Published: March 2006

BACKGROUND

The optimal treatment duration with decitabine (DAC) in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) remains a matter of debate. Although at least 2 consolidating courses after best response usually are performed, the response to treatment after disease recurrence has not been systematically studied to date.

METHODS

In the current study, the authors report on 22 of 108 patients with MDS (20%) treated with low‐dose DAC in 3 Phase II trials who received DAC as retreatment at the time of disease recurrence.

RESULTS

According to the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) at the time of initial treatment, 5 of 22 patients (23%) had a score of intermediate‐1 (Int‐1), 4 patients (18%) had a score of Int‐2, and 13 patients (59%) were scored as high‐risk. Patients initially received a median of 6 courses of DAC (range, 2 courses‐6 courses), which resulted in a complete remission (complete response [CR]) in 12 of the 22 patients (55%). Retreatment with DAC at the time of disease recurrence was initiated at a median of 11 months (range, 3 mos‐27 mos) after the last course of initial treatment. With regard to DAC retreatment, patients received a median of 3 courses (range, 1 courses‐6 courses), with 10 of 22 patients (45%) responding (1 with a CR and 2 with partial remissions [partial response (PR)]; all 3 patients achieved a CR at the time of initial treatment) and 7 patients demonstrating a hematologic improvement (HI) (at the time of initial treatment there were 2 CRs, 4 PRs, and 1 HI). Twelve of the 22 patients (55%) did not demonstrate any objective responses to retreatment, including 4 patients with primary resistance to the first course of retreatment. The median survival of all patients from the initiation of the first DAC course was 27.5 months (range, 15 mos‐50+ mos). The median survival of 43 patients who also had achieved a response to the initial treatment with DAC but who received best supportive care (n = 33 patients) or induction chemotherapy (n = 10 patients) was 18 months (range, 5 mos‐72 mos). Second responders to DAC retreatment were found less frequently in the IPSS high‐risk group compared with nonresponders (40% vs. 83%). Age, French–American–British classification subtype, serum lactate dehydrogenase level at retreatment, and previous response to DAC were not found to strongly differ between the groups; however, the subgroups were too small to perform a statistical analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Retreatment with DAC was found to result in objective responses in 45% of previously DAC‐responsive patients. However, the quality and duration of the second disease remissions were found to be inferior. Therefore, DAC‐responsive patients might derive more clinical benefit from continuation of the initial treatment. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Vancomycin tolerance, a potential mechanism for refractory gram‐positive bacteremia observational study in patients with cancer
Authors: Safdar Amar , Rolston Kenneth V. I.
Published: March 2006

BACKGROUND

The clinical significance of infections caused by vancomycin‐tolerant (Vt) Gram‐positive organisms in patients with cancer remains unclear.

METHODS

Twenty‐five patients with nonenterococcal Gram‐positive bloodstream infection, which was refractory to vancomycin therapy, were identified by reviewing the Infectious Diseases consultation database at the tertiary care cancer center. Among these, 8 patients in whom vancomycin‐tolerance was documented are described. Antibiotic tolerance was defined as a >32 times increase in minimum bactericidal concentration compared with minimum inhibitory concentration.

RESULTS

Eight patients with persistent fever and bacteremia of >72 hours' duration after the initiation of vancomycin therapy were treated. The median age of these patients, which included 3 men and 5 women, was 44 years ± 11 years. Solid tumors were more common (6 patients) and 2 patients had acute leukemia. Six patients (75%) were neutropenic (absolute neutrophil count <500/mm3), including 2 breast cancer patients who had undergone autologous stem cell transplantation. The causative organisms were Staphylococcus aureus (n = 3 patients), group G streptococci (n = 2 patients), and Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mitis, and Streptococcus sanguis (1 patient each). All isolates demonstrated a minimum bactericidal concentration for vancomycin that was at least 32 times greater than the minimum inhibitory concentration. Rapid defervescence (≤24 h) and resolution of bacteremia occurred with the addition of gentamicin (4 patients) or gentamicin plus rifampin (4 patients). None of these infections recurred after discontinuation of therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Lack of clinical and/or microbiologic response to vancomycin should raise the suspicion of possible infection due to Vt Gram‐positive bacteria, and alternative bactericidal therapy should be instituted early, especially in patients with underlying immune suppression. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Palliative radiation therapy for metastatic Ewing sarcoma
Authors: Koontz Bridget F. , Clough Robert W. , Halperin Edward C.
Published: March 2006

BACKGROUND

Although radiotherapy is an accepted component of curative treatment for Ewing sarcoma (EWS), to the authors' knowledge, there are scant data evaluating its use for palliation. The authors reviewed the Duke University Medical Center experience to evaluate treatment response and response durability.

METHODS

Between 1980 and 2002, 21 patients with metastatic EWS received palliative radiotherapy. Pain was the primary indication for treatment. The majority of patients were male (n = 16 patients), and the median age at diagnosis was 11.6 years (range, 2.7‐28.8 yrs). Fifty‐two percent of patients had metastases at initial diagnosis. For the others, the median interval from initial diagnosis to metastases was 1.7 years.

RESULTS

Sixty‐three metastatic sites were irradiated (median dose, 30 gray [Gy]; range, 4.5‐68.5 Gy), and a median of 3 sites were treated per patient (range, 1‐16 sites per patient). At the time of last follow‐up, 1 patient with a solitary brain metastasis has been disease free for 3.4 years after resection and cranial radiotherapy; all other patients died of their disease. Censoring this survivor, patients lived for a median of 1.0 year after metastatic diagnosis (range, from 17 days to 6.8 years), 41 days of which were spent in treatment (range, 1‐93 days). Of all sites, 55% had a complete clinical response of symptoms, and 29% had a partial response. The median response duration was 4.0 months (range, 10 days to 4.8 years). Only the survivor was noted to have a treatment complication (growth hormone insufficiency).

CONCLUSIONS

It was possible to treat metastatic EWS effectively with palliative radiotherapy. Because these patients live a median of 1 year after diagnosis of metastases, providing symptom relief without a protracted treatment course is valuable and appropriate therapy. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.