bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of whole‐brain CBV‐weighted fMRI to a cognitive stimulation paradigm: Robust activation detection in a stroop task experiment using 3D GRASE VASO
Authors: Poser Benedikt A. , Norris David G.
Published: June 2010

Brain activation studies generally utilize blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) contrast, most commonly measured using the gradient‐echo echo‐planar imaging (EPI) technique. BOLD contrast arises from regional changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and the local metabolic rate of oxygen consumption. An alternative to BOLD is the detection of activation through direct measurement of these parameters. A noninvasive approach to measure activation‐related CBV changes is the vascular space occupancy (VASO) method, which exploits blood as an endogenous contrast agent by selectively nulling the magnetization of the water spins in the blood. Using a recently developed multislice variant of VASO that enables single‐shot whole‐brain coverage by virtue of a three‐dimensional GRASE readout, we here present the first application of VASO to an fMRI study with a whole‐brain cognitive task. Within acceptable measurement times (∼12 minutes), brain activation during a Stroop color‐word matching task could be detected reliably both on the group (N = 12) and single subject level, as evident from a qualitative comparison with separately acquired BOLD data and literature reports. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alternative technical efficiency measures: Skew, bias and scale
Authors: Feng Qu , Horrace William C.
Published: June 2010

In the fixed‐effects stochastic frontier model an efficiency measure relative to the best firm in the sample is universally employed. This paper considers a new measure relative to the worst firm in the sample. We find that estimates of this measure have smaller bias than those of the traditional measure when the sample consists of many firms near the efficient frontier. Moreover, a two‐sided measure relative to both the best and the worst firms is proposed. Simulations suggest that the new measures may be preferred depending on the skewness of the inefficiency distribution and the scale of efficiency differences. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Firm size distributions through the lens of functional principal components analysis
Authors: Huynh Kim P. , Jacho‐Chávez David T.
Published: June 2010

We explore the dynamics of firm size distributions through the lens of Functional Principal Component Analysis as proposed by Kneip and Utikal (2001). Using samples of UK firms from Geroski et al. (2003) we apply the methodology to their balanced panel sample, present in the sample for all 31 years. We extend the analysis to an unbalanced panel sample (minimum and maximum spell of five and 31 years). For the unbalanced panel, we reject the null hypothesis that the densities are the same, while we fail to reject the null hypothesis for the balanced panel. These results suggest that inclusion of young firms that non‐randomly exit will affect the firm size distribution. The difference in the results is due to the presence of survivorship bias. These results highlight the attractiveness of this methodology and its ability to succinctly describe the time dynamics of distributions without the need for explicit parametric specification of the growth and exit processes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel gelatin sponge for accelerated hemostasis
Authors: Hajosch Reiner , Suckfuell Markus , Oesser Steffen , Ahlers Michael , Flechsenhar Klaus , Schlosshauer Burkhard
Published: June 2010

To more effectively manage the substantial bleeding encountered during surgical procedures in oto‐rhino‐laryngology, we developed a novel hemostatic sponge made of pharmaceutical grade, chemically cross‐linked gelatin. The sponge is characterized by a high pore density, reduced ligaments, and a high nanoscale roughness of lamella surfaces in the matrix. In vitro blood uptake assays revealed a very rapid absorption of human blood, which was two to three times faster than that measured with comparative hemostyptic devices. In an in vitro hemorrhage model using human veins, the novel gelatin sponge matrix induced hemostasis less than a minute after bleeding was induced. The sponge was shown to bring about rapid hemostasis when it was administered in a young patient suffering from acute bleeding of a pharyngeal angiofibroma, even though the patient had been treated with an anticoagulant because of a transient ischemic attack. As the gelatin matrix of the sponge is biocompatible and resorbable, the hemostyptic device could be left in place and was shown to be resorbed within 2 weeks. We hypothesize that the excellent hemostatic performance of the sponge might be linked to enhanced capillary effects in conjunction with optimized anchoring of fibrinogen on the nano‐rough material surface, as suggested by scanning electron microscopy. The novel gelatin sponge appears to be a promising hemostatic matrix, which could be of great benefit for patients suffering from epistaxis and other acute injuries resulting in severe bleeding. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2010.
Small peptide (P‐15) bone substitute efficacy in a rabbit cancellous bone model
Authors: Lindley Emily M. , Guerra Fernando A. , T. Krauser Jack , Matos Sergio M. , Burger Evalina L. , Patel Vikas V.
Published: June 2010

P‐15 is a synthetic 15‐amino acid residue identical to the cell binding domain of type I collagen. P‐15 can be adsorbed onto anorganic bovine bone mineral (ABM) and will enhance cell attachment and subsequent cell activation. Although ABM/P‐15 has been studied as a bone graft substitute in the oral cavity, its use in orthopedic models has been limited. Thus, this study investigated the efficacy of ABM/P‐15 treatment in a rabbit model of long bone cancellous healing. Defects were created in the distal femurs and proximal medial tibiae of rabbits and were filled with either ABMP/P‐15 suspended in hydrogel, ABM alone suspended in hydrogel, hydrogel carrier alone, or no graft material. Rabbits were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4, or 8 weeks postsurgery, and the femurs and tibiae were harvested. Histomorphometric analyses indicated that defects treated with ABM/P‐15 had significantly larger areas of new bone formation than the other three treatments at 2 and 8 weeks postsurgery. ABM/P‐15 treated defects also had significantly more bone growth than defects left empty or filled with ABM alone at 4 weeks postsurgery. Furthermore, histological examination did not reveal acute inflammatory infiltrate cells in any of the treatment conditions. These results are consistent with the findings of ABM/P‐15 use in human oral‐maxillofacial studies and in large animal spine fusion models. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2010.
Noninvasive quantification of hepatic steatosis inrats using 3.0 T 1H‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Marsman H.A. , van Werven J.R. , Nederveen A.J. , ten Kate F.J. , Heger M. , Stoker J. , van Gulik T.M.
Published: June 2010

Purpose:

To assess the accuracy of noninvasive 3.0 T 1H‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS) in an experimental steatosis model for the discrimination of clinically relevant macrovesicular steatosis degrees and to evaluate three different 1H‐MR spectrum‐based fat quantification methods.

Materials and Methods:

Steatosis was induced in rats by a methionine/choline‐deficient diet for 0–5 weeks. 1H‐MRS measurements of hepatic fat content were compared with histopathological and biochemical steatosis degree. In 1H‐MR spectra, areas under the curve (AUC) of fat (1.3 ppm), water (4.7 ppm), total fat (0.5–5.3 ppm), and total spectrum peaks (0.5–5.3 ppm) were determined and hepatic fat content calculated as follows: [AUCtotal fat peaks/AUCtotal peaks], [AUCfat/AUCfat + (AUCwater/0.7)], and [AUCfat/AUCwater].

Results:

A significant correlation was found between 1H‐MRS and macrovesicular steatosis (r = 0.932, P < 0.0001) and between 1H‐MRS and total fatty acids (r = 0.935, P < 0.0001). 1H‐MRS accurately distinguished mild from moderate and moderate from severe steatosis. Calculations using [AUCfat/AUCwater] ratio in severe steatotic livers resulted in higher hepatic fat percentages as compared to the other methods due to a decrease in hepatic water content.

Conclusion:

1H‐MRS quantification of hepatic fat content showed high correlations with histological and biochemical steatosis determination in an experimental steatosis rat model and accurately discriminated between clinically relevant steatosis degrees. These results encourage further application of 1H‐MRS in patients for accurate steatosis assessment. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;32:148–154. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reduced field‐of‐view single‐shot fast spin echo imaging using two‐dimensional spatially selective radiofrequency pulses
Authors: Yuan Jing , Zhao Tzu‐Cheng , Tang Yi , Panych Lawrence P.
Published: June 2010

Purpose:

To demonstrate reduced field‐of‐view (RFOV) single‐shot fast spin echo (SS‐FSE) imaging based on the use of two‐dimensional spatially selective radiofrequency (2DRF) pulses.

Materials and Methods:

The 2DRF pulses were incorporated into an SS‐FSE sequence for RFOV imaging in both phantoms and the human brain on a 1.5 Tesla (T) whole‐body MR system with the aim of demonstrating improvements in terms of shorter scan time, reduced blurring, and higher spatial resolution compared with full FOV imaging.

Results:

For phantom studies, scan time gains of up to 4.2‐fold were achieved as compared to the full FOV imaging. For human studies, the spatial resolution was increased by a factor of 2.5 (from 1.7 mm/pixel to 0.69 mm/pixel) for RFOV imaging within a scan time (0.7 s) similar to full FOV imaging. A 2.2‐fold shorter scan time along with a significant reduction of blurring was demonstrated in RFOV images compared with full FOV images for a target spatial resolution of 0.69 mm/pixel.

Conclusion:

RFOV SS‐FSE imaging using a 2DRF pulse shows advantages in scan time, blurring, and specific absorption rate reduction along with true spatial resolution increase compared with full FOV imaging. This approach is promising to benefit fast imaging applications such as image guided therapy. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;32:242–248. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of k‐t SENSE/k‐t BLAST with conventional SENSE applied to BOLD fMRI
Authors: Utting Jane F. , Kozerke Sebastian , Schnitker Ralph , Niendorf Thoralf
Published: June 2010

Purpose:

To compare k‐t BLAST (broad‐use linear‐acquisition speedup technique)/k‐t SENSE (sensitivity encoding) with conventional SENSE applied to a simple fMRI paradigm.

Materials and Methods:

Blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed at 3 T using a displaced ultra‐fast low‐angle refocused echo (UFLARE) pulse sequence with a visual stimulus in a block paradigm. Conventional SENSE and k‐t BLAST/k‐t SENSE data were acquired. Also, k‐t BLAST/k‐t SENSE was simulated at different undersampling factors from fully sampled data after removal of lines of k‐space data. Analysis was performed using SPM5.

Results:

Sensitivity to the BOLD response in k‐t BLAST/k‐t SENSE was comparable with that of SENSE in images acquired at an undersampling factor of 2.3. Simulated k‐t BLAST/k‐t SENSE yielded reliable detection of activation‐induced BOLD contrast at undersampling factors of 5 or less. Sensitivity increased significantly when training data were included in k‐space before Fourier transformation (known as “plug‐in”).

Conclusion:

k‐t BLAST/k‐t SENSE performs at least as well as conventional SENSE for BOLD fMRI at a modest undersampling factor. Results suggest that sufficient sensitivity to BOLD contrast may be achievable at higher undersampling factors with k‐t BLAST/k‐t SENSE than with conventional parallel imaging approaches, offering particular advantages at the highest magnetic field strengths. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;32:235–241. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pretreatment and early intratreatment prediction of clinicopathologic response of head and neck cancer to chemoradiotherapy using 1H‐MRS
Authors: King Ann D. , Yeung David K.W. , Yu Kwok‐hung , Mo Frankie K.F. , Bhatia Kunwar S. , Tse Gary M.K. , Vlantis Alexander C. , Wong Jeffrey K.T. , Hu Chen‐wen , Ahuja Anil T.
Published: June 2010

Purpose:

To determine if choline (cho) identified by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS) performed pretreatment and early in the course of treatment predicts clinicopathologic response of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Materials and Methods:

In all, 60 patients with HNSCC scheduled to undergo concurrent chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy alone were recruited. 1H‐MRS was performed pretreatment and early intratreatment (2 weeks after start of treatment). Cho:creatine and cho:water ratios at each timepoint and change in the ratios between the two timepoints were correlated with locoregional failure, distant metastases, overall survival, and cancer‐related death. Statistical analysis was performed using logistic regression and chi‐square and a P‐value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

Cho was identified in 47/49 successful pretreatment spectra and 42 of these 47 underwent successful 1H‐MRS early intratreatment, of which 21 showed persistent cho. Locoregional failure occurred in 15, distant metastases in 6, and death in 15 patients; the follow‐up period in survivors ranged from 13–64 months (mean, 39 months). No statistically significant correlation was found between 1H‐MRS parameters and clinical endpoints.

Conclusion:

The pretreatment cho and change in cho early during a course of treatment did not predict clinical outcome. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;32:199–203. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection of herpes viruses in respiratory secretions of patients undergoing artificial ventilation
Authors: Smith C.A. , Conroy L.T. , Pollock M. , Ruddy J. , Binning A. , McCruden E.A.B.
Published: June 2010

The significance of detection of herpes viruses in respiratory secretions of critically ill patients is controversial. The study aim was to determine the prevalence of herpes virus DNA in respiratory secretions in patients on artificial ventilation. Respiratory secretions taken thrice weekly from 174 patients in a tertiary center intensive therapy unit (ITU) were tested for herpes simplex virus (HSV) by nested PCR. Samples from 61 patients in ITU for 4 days or more were also tested for Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) using real‐time PCR. HSV positivity increased with ITU stay with 18.6% admission samples positive, 32.5% day 2–5 samples, and 65.9% day 6–39 samples. Being HSV positive on admission did not influence mortality (9/27, 33.3% vs. 38/118, 32.2%) however, subsequently, mortality of those negative but becoming positive was higher than in those remaining negative (10/35, 29% vs. 5/24 21%). At least one sample was EBV positive in 61% and CMV positive in 19% of patients tested. Of 63 patients tested for all three viruses, 4 were positive for three viruses, 23 patients for two viruses, 24 for one virus and 12 were negative for all the above viruses. Detection of HSV, EBV and CMV is common in ITU patients. Becoming HSV positive while in ITU may increase mortality. J. Med. Virol. 82:1406–1409, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characteristics of HIV‐1 non‐B subtype infections in Northwest Poland
Authors: Parczewski Miłosz , Leszczyszyn‐Pynka Magdalena , Bander Dorota , Urbańska Anna , Stańczak Grzegorz , Boroń‐Kaczmarska Anna
Published: June 2010

The number of non‐B subtype HIV‐1 infections in Europe has been increasing even though major regional differences have been observed. This trend was investigated in northwestern Poland using sequence and epidemiological data from a cohort of 102 HIV‐1‐infected patients from Szczecin, Poland. HIV‐1 subtypes were defined by phylogenetic analysis of viral reverse transcriptase‐ and protease‐partial coding regions, and results were compared with online subtyping by Standford and REGA tools. Subtype analysis using on‐line subtyping methods produced varying results if compared to phylogenesis, with concordant variant assignment obtained for 98% (100/102) of sequences by Stanford and 85% (87/102) by REGA. In the population studied, non‐B subtype infections comprised 21% of the infections and consisted of subtype D (57%, n = 12), CRF01_AE (19%, n = 4), A and C clades (9.5%, n = 2), and the CRF13_cpx recombinant isolate (4.8%, n = 1). Patients carrying non‐B subtypes were predominantly heterosexuals with high percentage (57%) of women observed in the group. All HIV‐1 non‐B women were Caucasian with majority (83%) of infections acquired in Poland; however, among 12 travelers included in the study a higher proportion of non‐B infections was noted (50%, P = 0.01). Moreover, lower baseline lymphocyte CD4 counts (P = 0.01), higher baseline HIV‐1 viremia (P = 0.08), and a more advanced stage of the disease (P = 0.03) were observed among individuals infected with non‐B subtypes. The data indicated that the proportion of HIV‐1 non‐B subtype infections was higher than previously reported in Poland consisting of a high subtype D prevalence. Furthermore, subtype D transmission occurred primarily between heterosexual Caucasian individuals from this region. J. Med. Virol. 82:1306–1313, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modeling seasonal variation in rotavirus hospitalizations for use in evaluating the effect of rotavirus vaccine
Authors: Sato Takanori , Nakagomi Toyoko , Naghipour Mohammadreza , Nakagomi Osamu
Published: June 2010

Every year rotavirus epidemic repeats in cooler months of the year in temperate countries, but the size of the epidemic may often vary. Such seasonal variation needs to be considered when the effect of rotavirus vaccine is predicted before vaccine introduction or it is evaluated after vaccine introduction. A computer program based on a stochastic decision tree model was developed to produce stochastic variation, which was used as a proxy for seasonal variation, in the number of rotavirus hospitalizations. When the model was applied to a hypothetical community with a birth cohort of 1,000 children in Japan, it predicted the occurrence of up to 29% of stochastic variation from the average number of rotavirus hospitalizations. Then, the model was applied for use in evaluating the effect of rotavirus vaccine in two different scenarios regarding vaccine use in the community: a scenario where rotavirus vaccine was introduced only into the private sector, and another where it was incorporated into the universal immunization program. In the former scenario, an average of 23% reduction in the number of rotavirus hospitalizations was predicted, but this level of reduction would be obscured due to seasonal variation. In the latter scenario, an average of 74% reduction was predicted, which would be beyond seasonal variation. This model will be useful to inform stakeholders and policymakers how vaccine introduction will change the burden of rotavirus disease under different scenarios of vaccine implementation. J. Med. Virol. 82:1468–1474, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Secondary structure of the amino‐terminal region of HCV NS3 and virological response to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Sanjo Mai , Saito Takafumi , Ishii Rika , Nishise Yuko , Haga Hiroaki , Okumoto Kazuo , Ito Junitsu , Watanabe Hisayoshi , Saito Koji , Togashi Hitoshi , Fukuda Kazuto , Imai Yasuharu , El‐Shamy Ahmed , Deng Lin , Shoji Ikuo , Hotta Hak , Kawata Sumio
Published: June 2010

The aim of the study was to identify a predictive marker for the virological response in hepatitis C virus 1b (HCV‐1b)‐infected patients treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy. A total of 139 patients with chronic hepatitis C who received therapy for 48 weeks were enrolled. The secondary structure of the 120 residues of the amino‐terminal HCV‐1b non‐structural region 3 (NS3) deduced from the amino acid sequence was classified into two major groups: A and B. The association between HCV NS3 protein polymorphism and virological response was analyzed in patients infected with group A (n = 28) and B (n = 40) isolates who had good adherence to both pegylated interferon and ribavirin administration (>95% of the scheduled dosage) for 48 weeks. A sustained virological response (SVR) representing successful HCV eradication occurred in 33 (49%) in the 68 patients. Of the 28 patients infected with the group A isolate, 18 (64%) were SVR, whereas of the 40 patients infected with the group B isolate only 15 (38%) were SVR. The proportion of virological responses differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.05). These results suggest that polymorphism in the secondary structure of the HCV‐1b NS3 amino‐terminal region influences the virological response to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy, and that virus grouping based on this polymorphism can contribute to prediction of the outcome of this therapy. J. Med. Virol. 82:1364–1370, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adenovirus genome in the placenta: association with histological chorioamnionitis and preterm birth
Authors: Tsekoura Effrossine A. , Konstantinidou Anastasia , Papadopoulou Sofia , Athanasiou Stavros , Spanakis Nicholas , Kafetzis Dimitrios , Antsaklis Aris , Tsakris Athanassios
Published: June 2010

Adenovirus is isolated frequently from the amniotic fluid and has been implicated in severe neonatal infections. A case control study was carried out to examine the association of detection of adenovirus in placentas with preterm birth and histological chorioamnionitis. Placentas from preterm and full term deliveries were collected prospectively. Preterm cases were divided into three subgroups according to the gestational age. PCR was carried out on placental tissues for the detection of adenovirus genome. Placentas were evaluated histologically for the presence of chorioamnionitis. Chi‐square and odds ratios (OR) were used to determine if detection of adenovirus is associated with preterm birth and histological evidence of inflammation. Seventy‐one preterm and 122 full term placentas were studied. Adenovirus genome was detected in 29 (40.8%) of preterm cases and in 25 (20.5%) of the full term controls (OR = 2.6; 95% CI, 1.4–5.1; P = 0.002). Detection of adenovirus in preterm placentas was significantly higher compared to full term particularly in the lower gestational age. Detection of adenovirus in placenta followed the seasonal variation of adenovirus infections. Thirty‐seven preterm and 21 full term placentas were also selected for paraffin inclusion and histological examination. Chorioamnionitis was present more frequently in preterm adenovirus‐positive placentas compared to preterm adenovirus‐negative placentas (75% vs. 36%; P = 0.026) as well as compared to term adenovirus‐positive placentas (75% vs. 19%; P = 0.003). This study demonstrates that adenovirus infection of the placenta is associated strongly with histological chorioamnionitis and preterm birth. J. Med. Virol. 82:1379–1383, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Atypical manifestations of hepatitis A infection: A prospective, multicenter study in Korea
Authors: Jung Youn Mu , Park Sang Jong , Kim Jeong Sim , Jang Je‐Hyuck , Lee Sang Hyub , Kim Jin‐Wook , Park Young Min , Hwang Seong Gyu , Rim Kyu Sung , Kang Sook‐Kyoung , Lee Hyun Seok , Yun Hae Sun , Jee Young Mee , Jeong Sook‐Hyang
Published: June 2010

The clinical outcome of symptomatic hepatitis A and the incidence and clinical characteristics of atypical presentation of hepatitis A were studied using prospective, multicenter design. The atypical presentation included delayed anti‐hepatitis A virus (HAV) immunoglobulin M (IgM) seroconversion defined as positive anti‐HAV IgM on the repeated test within 7 days of hospital admission after the initially negative result, prolonged cholestasis, and acute kidney injury (AKI). A total of 595 patients with symptomatic hepatitis A requiring hospital admission were enrolled prospectively from September 2006 to August 2008 in four major hospitals in a Korean city with a population of ∼1 million. Clinical outcomes of symptomatic hepatitis A showed a case fatality rate of 0.2%, and fulminant hepatitis in 0.5%. Delayed anti‐HAV IgM seroconversion was found in 6.4%, and was significantly associated with shorter intervals from symptom onset to hospital admission, higher body mass index, and lower alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level at admission. Prolonged cholestasis was found in 4.7% of patients, and could be predicted by preexisting chronic hepatitis B viral infection, prolonged prothrombin time, and higher total bilirubin level. AKI was complicated in 1.5%, which could be predicted by lower albumin level, higher ALT level, and higher white blood cell (WBC) count. More than half of the patients required hemodialysis. Substantial occurrence of delayed anti‐HAV IgM seroconversion, prolonged cholestasis, and AKI was confirmed with various predictable factors, which could be helpful for accurate diagnosis and management of hepatitis A patients. J. Med. Virol. 82:1318–1326, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Respiratory syncytial virus and human rhinoviruses are the major causes of severe lower respiratory tract infections in Kuwait
Authors: Khadadah M. , Essa S. , Higazi Z. , Behbehani N. , Al‐Nakib W.
Published: June 2010

Respiratory infections are very common in Kuwait, yet little is known about the cause of severe lower respiratory tract infections. This study was designed to investigate the viral cause of lower respiratory tract infections using sensitive molecular methods. PCR was applied to investigate 10 respiratory viruses in respiratory samples from 1,014 patients aged between 3 days to 76 years with acute lower respiratory tract infections. Of the 1,014 patients with lower respiratory tract infections, 288 (28.4%) had a viral infection. One hundred fifty‐five (53.8%) presented with bronchiolitis, 100 (43.7%) with pneumonia, and 33 (11.5%) with croup. One hundred six (36.8%) and 99 (34.4%) patients had evidence of respiratory syncytial virus and human rhinoviruses infections, respectively. Adenoviruses were detected in 44 (15.2%) patients, while influenza A virus in 21 (7.3%) patients. The majority of respiratory syncytial virus infections (84%) were among patients aged <1 year. Similarly, of the 99 patients infected by human rhinoviruses, 50 (50.5%) were also among this age group. In contrast, most of influenza A virus infections, 12 of 21 (57.1%), were among patients aged over 16 years. Parainfluenza virus‐2 and human coronaviruses were not detected in any of the patients' samples. Over the 3‐year period, most of the hospitalized patients were seen during the autumn and winter months from October through March. These data show that respiratory syncytial virus and human rhinoviruses may be the major causes of lower respiratory tract infections in children admitted to hospital in Kuwait. J. Med. Virol. 82:1462–1467, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular epidemiological study of hepatitis B virus among migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar to Thailand
Authors: Sa‐nguanmoo Pattaratida , Tangkijvanich Pisit , Thawornsuk Nutchanart , Vichaiwattana Preeyaporn , Prianantathavorn Kesmanee , Theamboonlers Apiradee , Tanaka Yasuhito , Poovorawan Yong
Published: June 2010

Although hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is endemic in Southeast Asia, molecular epidemiological data on HBV circulating in some countries are limited. The aims of this study were to evaluate the seroprevalence of HBV and its genetic variability among migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar in Thailand. Sera collected from 1,119 Cambodian, 787 Laotian, and 1,103 Myanmarese workers were tested for HBsAg. HBV DNA was amplified and the pre‐S/S region was sequenced for genotyping and genetic mutation analysis. HBsAg was detected in 282 (9.4%). The prevalence of HBsAg among migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar was 10.8%, 6.9%, and 9.7%, respectively. Of 224 subjects positive for HBV DNA, 86% were classified as genotype C (99% were sub‐genotype C1) and 11.6% were genotype B (30.8%, 34.6%, and 30.8% were sub‐genotypes B2, B3, and B4, respectively). Various point mutations in the “a” determinant region were detected in approximately 18% of these samples, of which Ile126Ser/Asn was the most frequent variant. Sequencing analysis showed that 19.1% of samples had pre‐S mutations, with pre‐S2 deletion as the most common mutant (7.7%) followed by pre‐S2 start codon mutation (3.8%) and both pre‐S2 deletion and start codon mutation (3.3%). High prevalence of HBV infection (approximately 7–11%) was found among migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, which may reflect the current seroprevalence in their respective countries. The data also demonstrated that HBV sub‐genotype C1 was the predominant strain and various mutations of HBV occurring naturally were not uncommon among these populations. J. Med. Virol. 82:1341–1349, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinical use of liver biopsy for the diagnosis and management of inactive and asymptomatic hepatitis B virus carriers in Bangladesh
Authors: Al‐Mahtab Mamun , Rahman Salimur , Akbar Sheikh Mohammad Fazle , Kamal Mohammad , Khan Mohammad Sakirul Islam
Published: June 2010

Patients with inactive chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are assumed to be free from liver disease. Accordingly, antiviral drug treatment is not recommended for these patients. However, the extent of liver damage in these patients has not been evaluated fully. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of liver damage in patients with inactive HBV. Liver biopsy was conducted in 141 inactive HBV carriers [HBeAg‐negative, low levels of HBV DNA (≤10,000 copies/ml) and normal levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)]. The extent of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis was evaluated in these patients by examining liver biopsy specimens. Although the patients were inactive HBV carriers, mild to moderate levels of necroinflammation (HAI necroinflammation score HAI‐N1 ≥ 7) were detected in 36 of 141 (26%) patients. Seventeen patients had a severe degree of hepatic fibrosis (HAI fibrosis score HAI‐F ≥ 3). A total of 10 patients had both considerable necroinflammation (HAI‐N1≥7) and severe fibrosis (HAI‐F ≥3). All 10 patients with significant hepatic inflammation and fibrosis were male and older than 25 years. However, all were HBeAg‐negative and expressed low levels of HBV DNA and normal ALT levels. The study demonstrates that features of liver damage were present in a considerable number of the patients. Assessment of liver biopsy specimens in a larger cohort of inactive HBV carriers is necessary to establish management guidelines for such patients. J. Med. Virol. 82:1350–1354, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Young age a predictor of weak reactivity in a rapid antibody test in infants infected with HIV
Authors: Maree Leana , van Zyl Gert U. , Lotter Shelley L. , de Beer Corena , Esser Monika M. , Preiser Wolfgang
Published: June 2010

In a resource‐constrained African setting, children suspected of being infected with HIV are often screened with rapid antibody tests prior to definitive diagnosis with viral genome detection. It has previously been shown that a rapid antibody assay such as the Capillus™ HIV‐1/HIV‐2 test may have a high false‐negative rate in infants. In this study CD count and percentage, HIV‐1 viral load, antigen‐specific reactivity, and age was explored as predictors of negative or low antibody reactivity by this assay. Young age was found to be the only factor associated significantly with low antibody reactivity. This phenomenon appeared to be specific to HIV since no such age association was found for antibody reactivity to tetanus toxoid. Rapid assays only validated in adults should therefore be used with utmost caution in young infants since this may lead to high rates of false‐negative results. J. Med. Virol. 82:1314–1317, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modelling climate and the nature of climate models: A review
Authors: Shine K. P. , Henderson‐Sellers A.
Published: June 2010

A new structural framework for climate models is presented. Four basic model types are discussed: general circulation models, energy balance models, one dimensional radiative convective models and two dimensional zonally averaged dynamical models. The fundamental importance of three primary processes in the climate system‐radiation, dynamics and surface processes‐is underlined and the degree to which each of these mechanisms is incorporated in each model is highlighted.
Dopamine transporter single photon emission computerized tomography in the diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Walker Rodney W.H. , Walker Zuzana
Published: June 2010

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is part of the spectrum of Lewy body disorders. However, it may be difficult to diagnose patients who have dementia but no Parkinsonism. Visual and semiquantitative assessment of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic nerve terminals in the putamen and caudate nuclei can be obtained with single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) using ligands that bind to the dopamine transporter molecule in the membranes of the nigrostriatal nerve terminals. This can be employed as a means of identifying subclinical degeneration of nigrostriatal neurones in patients with suspected DLB, increasing the probability of the diagnosis. In several studies, the sensitivity and specificity of abnormal dopamine transporter scans with regard to diagnosing probable DLB are better than 75 and 90%, respectively. This communication outlines the evidence for this and discusses some of the advantages, potential disadvantages, and areas of uncertainty with regard to the use of dopamine transporter SPECT in DLB diagnosis. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Absolute MR thermometry using time‐domain analysis of multi‐gradient‐echo magnitude images
Authors: Sprinkhuizen Sara M. , Bakker Chris J. G. , Bartels Lambertus W.
Published: June 2010

MRI allows for absolute temperature measurements in substances containing two spectral resonances of which the frequency difference Δf(T) is related to absolute temperature. This frequency difference can be extracted from spectroscopic data. An image‐based MR technique that allows for the acquisition of spectroscopic data at high temporal and spatial resolution is the multi‐gradient‐echo sequence. In this work, the application of the multi‐gradient‐echo sequence for MR thermometry purposes was further developed. We investigated the possibility of postprocessing the multi‐gradient‐echo data into absolute temperature maps, using time‐domain analysis of the magnitude of the multi‐gradient‐echo signals. In this approach, instead of an indirect computation of Δf(T) from separately found frequencies, Δf(T) is a direct output parameter. In vitro experiments were performed to provide proof of concept for retrieving absolute temperature maps from the time‐domain analysis of multi‐gradient‐echo magnitude images. It is shown that this technique is insensitive to both field drift and local field disturbances. Furthermore, ex vivo bone marrow experiments were performed, using the fat resonance as a reference for absolute temperature mapping. It is shown that the postprocessing based on the magnitude signal in the time domain allows for the determination of Δf(T) in bone marrow. Magn Reson Med 64:239–248, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
London's metropolitan government the report of the royal commission
Authors: Cohen Joseph A.
Published: June 2010

The problem which London faces is similar tothat confironting metropolitan areas in the United States. Mr. Cohen, who is now in England, describes the work of the Royal Commission on the Government of London.
Ohio by‐passes the smith law
Authors: Bennett Emmett L.
Published: June 2010

Ohio is slowly working herself free from the iniquitous Smith one per cent law.
Chief elements of controversy in public utility rate making III. Depreciation practice among large industrial corporations
Authors: Bauer John
Published: June 2010

“Large industrial corporations, with almost negligible exceptions, do recognize the force of depreciation and provide for it systematically and adeqquately.”
Nanocomposites of a bismaleimide resin with octaphenylsilsesquioxane or nano‐SiO2
Authors: Huang Fuwei , Huang Farong , Zhou Yan , Du Lei
Published: June 2010

Nanocomposites were prepared from the resin of 4,4′‐bismaleimido‐diphenylmethane (BDM) with dipropargyl ethers of hexafluorobisphenol A (DPBPF) and octaphenylsilsesquioxane (OPS) or nano‐SiO2. The nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, dynamic mechanical analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The results exhibited that OPS or nano‐SiO2 particles could be easily dispersed in the nanocomposites and the glass transition and decomposition temperatures of c‐BDM‐DPBPF‐OPS and c‐BDM‐DPBPF‐SiO2 nanocomposites were higher than those of c‐BDM‐DPBPF resin. The reinforcement of OPS was more effective than that of nano‐SiO2 in the nanocomposites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
An efficient strategy based on MAE, HPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS/MS and 2D‐prep‐HPLC‐DAD for the rapid extraction, separation, identification and purification of five active coumarin components from radix angelicae dahuricae
Authors: Xie Ying , Zhao Weiquan , Zhou Tingting , Fan Guorong , Wu Yutian
Published: June 2010

Introduction – Further studies of active coumarin components in Radix Angelicae Dahuricae (AE) are absolutely essential to provide data on pharmacology, toxicology and quality for innovative drug candidates. Thus, the preparation of active component standards and the administration of coumarin monomers should be carried out. The isolation of the low‐level active components from complex Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) samples necessitates the development of rapid, simple and economical modern extraction, separation, identification and purification methods.

Objective – To develop an efficient strategy for the rapid extraction, separation, identification and purification of coumarins from AE.

Methodology – First, active coumarins in AE were extracted with microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) after the extraction conditions were optimised. Second, gradient extraction methods with MAE were used to partially purify AE. Third, a high‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection‐electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS/MS) method was applied for the preliminary on‐line identification and screening of the main coumarins in AE extract. Finally, a two‐dimensional preparative high‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection (2D‐prep‐HPLC‐DAD) system was developed for further preparative separation of those target components.

Results – Altogether 10 coumarins have been identified and five of them including xanthotoxol, osthenol, oxypeucedanin hydrate, byakangelicin and imperatorin were deemed as target components for the preparative isolation. All of the five isolated coumarins were at high purities of over 99% and the production rate was much higher than the traditional methods.

Conclusion – The present paper demonstrates that these consecutive approaches are very useful for to isolate chemical constituents from TCM.
Optimisation of a microwave‐assisted method for extracting withaferin A from Withania somnifera Dunal. using central composite design
Authors: Mirzajani Fateme , Ghassempour Alireza , Jalali‐Heravi Mehdi , Mirjalili Mohammad Hossein
Published: June 2010

Introduction – Recently, there have been growing attention on the modification and optimisation of new extraction and quantification methods, caused by the lack of environmentally friendly methodologies for the extraction of phytochemicals from complex matrices. In the case of pharmaceutical compounds, not only the extraction procedure but also the analysis method should be efficient, precise, fast and easy.

Objectives – The essential pharmaceutical characteristics and trace concentration of withanolides led us to modify and optimise the previously reported extraction and quantification procedure for withaferin A (WA) as a candidate for withanolides.

Matrial and methods – The WA from the air‐dried aerial part of Withania somnifera Dunal. was extracted using a microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) technique. Four variables affecting the extraction procedure were optimised using the central composite design approach. The method of high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography assay was validated and applied for the quantification of each experiment.

Results – The optimum values of factors were: extraction time (150 s), extraction temperature (68°C) and 17 mL of methanol : water in the ratio 25 : 75 as extracting solvent. The solvent system consisted of ethyl acetate : toluene : formic acid : 2‐propanol (7.0 : 2.0 : 0.5 : 0.5, v/v/v/v), and densitometric scanning at 220 nm was applied for the analysis. The dynamic linear range, LOD, LOQ and recovery with the inter‐day, and intra‐day RSDs of the developed method indicated the validity of the method.

Conclusion – A pressurised MAE method for extracting WA from the plant's aerial part was optimised using factorial‐based design. The net effect of time, temperature, solvent volume and its ratio suggests that the yield of WA increases until each factor reaches its optimum value, and decreases with further increase in temperature or solvent ratio. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterisation of two South American food and medicinal plants by chemometric methods based on their multielemental composition
Authors: Cantarelli Miguel A. , Pellerano Roberto G. , Del Vitto Luis A. , Marchevsky Eduardo J. , Camiña José M.
Published: June 2010

Introduction – The chemometric characterisation of two plants frequently used as food and medicinal species, Achyrocline satureioides and Achyrocline venosa (Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae), was carried out based on their mineral composition. Both species, known by the common name of ‘marcelas’, are very similar in their morphological features but they have different medicinal and food properties.

Objective – To develop multivariate models for the classification of A. satureiodes and A. venosa based on their mineral content.

Methodology – The analytic determinations were made by means of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry from aerial parts of the plants. An internal standard was used to evaluate the accuracy in the sample treatment and the recovery of toxic elements was studied. The multivariate methods used include principal components analysis, cluster analysis and linear discriminant analysis.

Results – Classification for both A. satureioides and A. venosa was successful in all cases using only four variables: aluminium, iron, magnesium and sulphur content. The concentrations of the following elements were determined: Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sr, Ti, V, Y and Zn.

Conclusions – This method is useful to identify both species in raw material in order to detect eventual errors of selection. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid validated HPTLC method for estimation of betulinic acid in Nelumbo nucifera (Nymphaeaceae) rhizome extract
Authors: Mukherjee Debajyoti , Kumar N. Satheesh , Khatua Taraknath , Mukherjee Pulok K.
Published: June 2010

Introduction – Betulinic acid (pentacyclic triterpenoid) is an important marker component present in Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. rhizome. N. nucifera rhizome has several medicinal uses including hypoglycaemic, antidiarrhoeal, antimicrobial, diuretic, antipyretic, psychopharmacological activities.

Objective – To establish a simple, sensitive, reliable, rapid and validated high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography method for estimation of betulinic acid in hydro‐alcoholic extract of N. nucifera Gaertn. rhizome.

Materials and methods – The separation was carried out on a thin‐layer chromatography aluminium plate pre‐coated with silica gel 60F254, eluted with chloroform, methanol and formic acid (49 : 1 : 1 v/v). Post chromatographic derivatisation was done with anisaldehyde–sulphuric acid reagent and densitometric scanning was performed using a Camag TLC scanner III, at 420 nm.

Results – The system was found to produce a compact spot for betulinic acid (Rf = 0.30). A good linear precision relationship between the concentrations (2–10 µg) and peak areas were obtained with the correlation coefficient (r) of 0.99698. The limit of detection and limit of quantification of betulinic acid were detected to be 0.4 and 2.30 µg per spot. The percentage of recovery was found to be 98.36%. The percentage relative standard deviations of intra‐day and inter‐day precisions were 0.82–0.394 and 0.85–0.341, respectively.

Conclusion – This validated HPTLC method provides a new and powerful approach to estimate betulinic acid as phytomarker in the extract. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrasound screening for fetal aneuploidy using soft markers in the overweight and obese gravida
Authors: Tsai Lily J. , Ho Monique , Pressman Eva K. , Thornburg Loralei L.
Published: June 2010

Objective

To determine the completion rate of ultrasound surveys for aneuploidy markers by maternal body mass index (BMI).

Methods

A retrospective review of ultrasounds on midtrimester singleton pregnancies was performed. Subjects were grouped as normal, overweight (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2), and obese: class I (30–34.9 kg/m2), class II (35–39.9 kg/m2), and class III (≥ 40 kg/m2). Examinations with visualization of at least seven of eight markers were considered complete.

Results

Of 14 353 ultrasounds reviewed, 5690 patients were eligible: 43% normal, 29% overweight, 27% obese. Completion rates differed significantly between groups (64% normal, 64% overweight, 61% class I, 55% class II, 47% class III, p < 0.001). The screen positive rates (≥1 marker) differed significantly overall (16% normal, 13% overweight, 15% class I, 12% class II, 10% class III, p < 0.02), but not for complete examinations (p = 0.42).

Conclusions

Since completion rates for ultrasound aneuploidy screening are inversely related to maternal obesity, obese women are underscreened. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of the complex linear electro‐optic coefficient of GaAs and InP
Authors: Pristovsek Markus
Published: June 2010

The complex linear electro‐optic coefficient d41 was determined for the first time above the fundamental band gap of GaAs and InP by measuring the doping induced band bending of several oxidized samples in reflectance anisotropy spectroscopy. From the real and imaginary part of the change of the spectra for different carrier concentrations the spectral change of d41 was calculated. This is the first determination of the imaginary part ${\rm Im}\,(d_{41} )$.
Chemical nature of N‐ions incorporated into epitaxial ZnO films
Authors: Hoffmann Patrick , Pettenkofer Christian
Published: June 2010

Efficient p‐type doping of zinc oxide (ZnO) is hindered on the one hand by the strong native n‐type doping of the ZnO, on the other hand, compensation effects (defect generation due to p‐doping) tend to preserve the n‐type doping. Incorporation of nitrogen is proposed as a promising method to achieve p‐type ZnO, because the ionic radii of nitrogen and oxygen are comparable. Therefore, nitrogen atoms can replace oxygen. Nevertheless, a reliable and stable p‐doping is still an unmatched challenge. This work will focus on the chemical nature of nitrogen implanted by ion irradiation into metal‐organic MBE grown ZnO layers on sapphire substrate. The incorporated nitrogen was investigated by photoelectron spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation (PES) and monochromatised Al Kα (mXPS), and near edge X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (NEXAFS). The preparation conditions were varied for preferential incorporation of the different nitrogen species. The three main N1s‐PES components were assigned to different nitrogen compounds (molecular N2, NO bonds and NZn bonds) with the help of NEXAFS data. In addition, the thermal stability of the nitrogen compounds were investigated. These results may lead to an optimisation of the nitrogen implantation process for a better doping efficiency.