bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Particle contamination characterization in a helicon plasma etching tool
Authors: Selwyn Gary S. , Bailey Andrew D. 
Published: July 2002

There is much current interest regarding the formation, transport, charging, and behavior of particulate contamination in high density plasma tools, as these tools are generally regarded as the future of plasma processing for the semiconductor industry due to the need to obtain greater anisotropy and faster process rates concurrently with reduced surface damage. Because of the low pressures in which these tools typically operate (&lt;5 mTorr), the likelihood of homogeneous nucleation processes leading to particle contamination problems is low. Similarly, the effect of ion drag is also expected to be greater, possibly leading to reduced particle trapping effects. Yet, few laser light scatter studies have been performed in high density plasma tools.
This study is the first in situ characterization of particle contamination in a plasma etching tool using a helicon source. It was performed during normal process conditions for poly-Si etching and also under intentionally altered process conditions designed to produce particles. The effect of a bipolar, electrostatic chuck on wafer particle deposition was also investigated. Results showed that under normal process conditions, few particles were deposited onto the wafer; those that were observed were attributed to thermal stress effects resulting in flaking of deposition films, probably on the quartz bell jar of the source. Results also suggest that the electrostatic chuck increased particle deposition when the clamping voltage was applied. No trapping was observed over the wafer or near the source. However, some trapped particles were observed below the wafer platform. These particles showed unusual motion, but probably have minimal effect on wafer contamination. The issues pertaining to particle contamination formation and transport in this high density plasma tool are discussed.
A Dose Ranging Study of the Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Preliminary Efficacy of Lamivudine in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Hepatitis B
Authors: Sokal Etienne M. , Roberts Eve A. , Mieli-Vergani Giorgina , McPhillips Penny , Johnson Mark , Barber Judy , Dallow Nigel , Boxall Elizabeth , Kelly Deirdre 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACT

Fifty-three patients with chronic hepatitis B and active viral replication were studied for 4 weeks while on treatment and for 12 weeks after treatment with the oral nucleoside analogue lamivudine. Children aged 2 to 12 years were randomized to receive twice-daily doses of 0.35, 1.5, or 4 mg of lamivudine solution per kg of body weight or once-daily doses of 3 mg of lamivudine solution per kg. Adolescents aged 13 to 17 years received lamivudine at 100 mg (as tablets). Blood samples for pharmacokinetic assay were taken on days 1 and 28. Lamivudine was rapidly absorbed following oral administration, with the maximum concentration in serum being reached 0.5 to 1 h postdosing. Apparent oral clearance (CL/F) was higher in younger children and decreased with age, with CL/F values for adolescents reaching those seen for adults by the age of 12. All doses produced a dramatic fall in serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels, with a median reduction of ≥99.5% after 4 weeks of treatment and with the levels returning to the baseline levels posttreatment. The correlation of dose, area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), and changes in HBV DNA levels, as measured by the Chiron Quantiplex assay, showed maximal antiviral effects (99.9% inhibition and a reduction of the amount of HBV DNA of approximately 3 log
10
) at 3 mg/kg/day, with no discernible increase in effect seen whether the drug was given at 4 mg/kg twice daily or whether it was given once daily or twice daily. The limit of detection of the assay (2.5 pg/ml) was reached for some but not all patients across the dose ranges, with the smallest number (
n
= 2) of those having values negative by the Chiron Quantiplex assay being in the lowest-dose group. The 13- to 17-year-olds showed a similar overall response in terms of the HBV DNA level reduction compared to that for patients younger than age 13. Analysis of the same samples by PCR, which has a lower limit of sensitivity than the Chiron Quantiplex assay, also showed average drops in HBV DNA levels of about 3 log
10
at 4 weeks for patients for which the AUC was ≥4,000 ng · h/ml, confirming the conclusions given above. Lamivudine treatment was well tolerated at all doses, with no significant adverse events or laboratory data changes. On the basis of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data, a 3-mg/kg/day dose in children (ages 2 to 12 years) with chronic hepatitis B provides levels of exposure and trough concentrations similar to those seen in adults following the receipt of doses of 100 mg. The 100-mg dose is being evaluated in a large phase III study with HBV-infected pediatric patients.
Concentrations of Gatifloxacin in Plasma and Urine and Penetration into Prostatic and Seminal Fluid, Ejaculate, and Sperm Cells after Single Oral Administrations of 400 Milligrams to Volunteers
Authors: Naber Christoph K. , Steghafner Michaela , Kinzig-Schippers Martina , Sauber Christian , Sörgel Fritz , Stahlberg Hans-Jürgen , Naber Kurt G. 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACT
Gatifloxacin (GTX), a new fluoroquinolone with extended antibacterial activity, is an interesting candidate for the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP). Besides the antibacterial spectrum, the concentrations in the target tissues and fluids are crucial for the treatment of CBP. Thus, it was of interest to investigate its penetration into prostatic and seminal fluid. GTX concentrations in plasma, urine, ejaculate, prostatic and seminal fluid, and sperm cells were determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography method after oral intake of a single 400-mg dose in 10 male Caucasian volunteers in the fasting state. Simultaneous application of the renal contrast agent iohexol was used to estimate the maximal possible contamination of ejaculate and prostatic and seminal fluid by urine. GTX was well tolerated. The means (standard deviations) for the following parameters were as indicated: time to maximum concentration of drug in serum, 1.66 (0.91) h; maximum concentration of drug in serum, 2.90 (0.39) μg/ml; area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h, 25.65 μg · h/ml; and half life, 7.2 (0.90) h. Within 12 h about 50% of the drug was excreted unchanged into the urine. The mean renal clearance was 169 ml/min. The gatifloxacin concentrations in ejaculate, seminal fluid, and prostatic fluid were in the range of the corresponding plasma concentrations which were 1.92 (0.27) μg/ml at approximately the same time point (4 h after drug intake). The concentrations in sperm cells (0.195, 0.076, and 0.011 μg/ml) could be determined in three subjects. The good penetration into prostatic and seminal fluid, the good tolerance, and the previously reported broad antibacterial spectrum suggest that GTX may be a good alternative for the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis. Clinical studies should be performed to confirm this assumption.
In Vitro Activity of ABT-773 against
Legionella pneumophila
, Its Pharmacokinetics in Guinea Pigs, and Its Use to Treat Guinea Pigs with
L. pneumophila
Pneumonia
Authors: Edelstein Paul H. , Higa F. , Edelstein Martha A. C. 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACT

The activity of ABT-773 was studied against extracellular and intracellular
Legionella pneumophila
and for the treatment of guinea pigs with
L. pneumophila
pneumonia. The ABT-773 MIC at which 50% of isolates are inhibited (MIC
50
) for 20 different
Legionella
sp. strains was 0.016 μg/ml, whereas the MIC
50
s of clarithromycin and erythromycin were 0.032 and 0.125 μg/ml, respectively. ABT-773 (1 μg/ml) was bactericidal for two
L. pneumophila
strains grown in guinea pig alveolar macrophages. In contrast, erythromycin and clarithromycin had easily reversible static activity only. Therapy studies of ABT-773 and erythromycin were performed with guinea pigs with
L. pneumophila
pneumonia. When ABT-773 was given to infected guinea pigs by the intraperitoneal route (10 mg/kg of body weight), mean peak levels in plasma were 0.49 μg/ml at 0.5 h and 0.30 μg/ml at 1 h postinjection. The terminal half-life phase of elimination from plasma was 0.55 h, and the area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC
0–24
) was 0.65 μg · h/ml. For the same drug dose, mean levels in the lung were 15.9 and 13.2 μg/g at 0.5 and 1 h, respectively, with a half-life of 0.68 h and an AUC
0–24
of 37.0 μg · h/ml. Ten of 15
L. pneumophila
-infected guinea pigs treated with ABT-773 (15 mg/kg/dose given intraperitoneally once daily) for 5 days survived for 9 days post-antimicrobial therapy, as did 14 of 15 guinea pigs treated with erythromycin (30 mg/kg given intraperitoneally twice daily) for 5 days. All of the ABT-773-treated animals that died appeared to do so because of drug-induced peritonitis rather than overwhelming pneumonia. None of 12 animals treated with saline survived. ABT-773 is as effective as erythromycin against
L. pneumophila
in infected macrophages and in a guinea pig model of Legionnaires' disease. These data support studies of the clinical effectiveness of ABT-773 for the treatment of Legionnaires' disease.
Activation by 9-(R)-[2-(Phosphonomethoxy)Propyl]Adenine of Chemokine (RANTES, Macrophage Inflammatory Protein 1α) and Cytokine (Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha, Interleukin-10 [IL-10], IL-1β) Production
Authors: Zı́dek Zdenĕk , Franková Daniela , Holý Antonı́n 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACTDevelopment of a novel group of antiviral agents, acyclic nucleoside phosphonates, has provided a new perspective for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. One of the compounds, 9-(R)-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]adenine (PMPA) (tenofovir), has been shown to confer complete protection against AIDS in a simian model of the infection. The aim of our study was to investigate whether the antiviral efficacy of PMPA, which depends mainly on inhibition of virus-induced DNA polymerase or of reverse transcriptase, could be contributed by immunomodulatory potential of this drug. We screened for its ability to activate production of cytokines and chemokines that are known to interfere with the replication and/or the entry of HIV in cells. Using the in vitro test system of mouse macrophages and lymphocytes, it has been found that PMPA stimulates macrophage secretion of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Production of the chemokines RANTES and macrophage inflammatory protein 1α was activated in both macrophages and lymphocytes, and also in human cell line U937. Other cytokines—i.e., IL-2, IL-12, IL-13, and gamma interferon—remained uninfluenced by PMPA. The cytokines were stimulated in a dose-dependent fashion, with rapid onset, and peak concentrations were achieved within 5 to 24 h. The findings contribute to a more complex understanding of mechanisms of antiviral effectiveness of PMPA and support the view that this drug could become a promising candidate for therapeutic exploitation in anti-HIV preventive medicine.
Heat Treatment of Amphotericin B Modifies Its Serum Pharmacokinetics, Tissue Distribution, and Renal Toxicity following Administration of a Single Intravenous Dose to Rabbits
Authors: Kwong Evan H. , Ramaswamy Manisha , Bauer Emily A. , Hartsel Scott C. , Wasan Kishor M. 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this investigation was to determine the serum pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, and renal toxicity of amphotericin B (AmpB) following administration of a single intravenous dose (1 mg/kg of body weight) of Fungizone (FZ) and a heat-treated form of FZ (HFZ) to New Zealand White female rabbits. FZ solutions were heated at 70°C for 20 min to produce HFZ. Blood samples were obtained before drug administration and serially thereafter. After collection of the 48-h blood sample, each rabbit was humanely sacrificed and the right kidney, spleen, lungs, liver, and heart were harvested for AmpB analysis. Serum creatinine levels were measured before and 10 h after drug administration. AmpB concentrations in the serum and tissues were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. FZ administration to rabbits resulted in a greater-than-50% increase in serum creatinine concentrations compared to baseline. However, HFZ administration resulted in no difference in serum creatinine concentrations compared to baseline. The AmpB area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) after HFZ administration was significantly lower than the AmpB AUC in rabbits administered FZ. However, AmpB systemic total body clearance was significantly greater in rabbits administered HFZ than in rabbits administered FZ without any differences in volume of distribution at steady state. Kidney tissue AmpB concentrations, although not significantly different, were greater in rabbits administered FZ than in rabbits administered HFZ. Likewise, lung and spleen AmpB concentrations, although not significantly different, were greater in rabbits administered FZ than in rabbits administered HFZ. However, liver AmpB concentrations were significantly lower in rabbits administered FZ than in rabbits administered HFZ. No significant differences in heart AmpB concentration between rabbits administered FZ and those given HFZ were found. These findings suggest that the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, and renal toxicity of AmpB are modified following administration of HFZ. HFZ could be an improved low-cost AmpB drug delivery system that has a potentially higher therapeutic index than FZ.
Sequence Differences in the Diagnostic Target Region of the Oocyst Wall Protein Gene of
Cryptosporidium
Parasites
Authors: Xiao Lihua , Limor Josef , Morgan Una M. , Sulaiman Irshad M. , Thompson R. C. Andrew , Lal Altaf A. 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACT

Nucleotide sequences of the
Cryptosporidium
oocyst wall protein (COWP) gene were obtained from various
Cryptosporidium
spp. (
C. wrairi
,
C. felis
,
C. meleagridis
,
C. baileyi
,
C. andersoni
,
C. muris
, and
C. serpentis
) and
C. parvum
genotypes (human, bovine, monkey, marsupial, ferret, mouse, pig, and dog). Significant diversity was observed among species and genotypes in the primer and target regions of a popular diagnostic PCR. These results provide useful information for COWP-based molecular differentiation of
Cryptosporidium
spp. and genotypes.
Rapid Screening Method for Mycobactericidal Activity of Chemical Germicides That Uses
Mycobacterium terrae
Expressing a Green Fluorescent Protein Gene
Authors: Zafer Ahmed A. , Taylor Yvonne E. , Sattar Syed A. 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACT

The slow growth of mycobacteria in conventional culture methods impedes the testing of chemicals for mycobactericidal activity. An assay based on expression of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) by mycobacteria was developed as a rapid alternative. Plasmid pBEN, containing the gene encoding a red-shifted, high-intensity GFP mutant, was incorporated into
Mycobacterium terrae
(ATCC 15755), and GFP expression was observed by epifluorescence microscopy. Mycobactericidal activity was assessed by separately exposing a suspension of
M. terrae
(pBEN) to several dilutions of test germicides based on 7.5% hydrogen peroxide, 2.4% alkaline glutaraldehyde, 10% acid glutaraldehyde, and 15.5% of a phenolic agent for contact times ranging from 10 to 20 min (22°C), followed by culture of the exposed cells in broth (Middlebrook 7H9) and measurement of fluorescence every 24 h. When the fluorescence was to be compared with CFU, the samples were plated on Middlebrook 7H11 agar and incubated for 4 weeks. No increase in fluorescence or CFU occurred in cultures in which the cells had been inactivated by the germicide concentrations tested. Where the test bacterium was exposed to ineffective levels of the germicides, fluorescence increased after a lag period of 1 to 7 days, corresponding to the level of bacterial inactivation. In untreated controls, fluorescence increased rapidly to reach a peak in 2 to 4 days. A good Pearson correlation coefficient (
r
≥0.85) was observed between the intensity of fluorescence and the number of CFU. The GFP-based fluorescence assay reduced the turnaround time in the screening of chemical germicides for mycobactericidal activity to ≤7 days.
Use of a Dry-Plasma Collection Device to Overcome Problems with Storage and Transportation of Blood Samples for Epidemiology Studies in Developing Countries
Authors: Nurgalieva Zhannat Z. , Almuchambetova R. , Machmudova A. , Kapsultanova D. , Osato Michael S. , Peacock Jeffrey , Zoltek Richard P. , Marchildon Patrice A. , Graham David Y. , Zhangabylov Abai 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACT

Studies are difficult in areas lacking modern facilities due to the inability to reliably collect, store, and ship samples. Thus, we sought to evaluate the use of a dry plasma collection device for seroepidemiology studies. Plasma was obtained by fingerstick using a commercial dry plasma collection device (Chemcard Plasma Collection Device) and serum (venipuncture) from individuals in Kazakhstan. Plasma samples were air dried for 15 min and then stored desiccated in foil zip-lock pouches at 4 to 6°C and subsequently shipped to the United States by air at ambient temperature. Serum samples remained frozen at −20°C until assayed.
Helicobacter pylori
status was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (HM-CAP EIA) for the dry plasma and the serum samples. The results were concordant in 250 of the 289 cases (86.5%). In 25 cases (8.6%), the dry plasma samples gave indeterminate results and could not be retested because only one sample was collected. Five serum samples were positive, and the corresponding dry plasma samples were negative; one serum sample was negative, and the corresponding plasma sample was positive. The relative sensitivity and specificity of the Chemcard samples to serum were 97.6 and 97.9%, respectively, excluding those with indeterminate results. Repeated freeze-thawing had no adverse effect on the accuracy of the test. We found the dry plasma collection device to provide an accurate and practical alternative to serum when venipuncture may be difficult or inconvenient and sample storage and handling present difficulties, especially for seroepidemiologic studies in rural areas or developing countries and where freeze-thawing may be unavoidable.
Serodiagnosis of Human Cysticercosis by Using Antigens from Vesicular Fluid of
Taenia crassiceps
Cysticerci
Authors: Bueno Ednéia C. , Snege Miriam , Vaz Adelaide J. , Leser Paulo G. 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACT

Neurocysticercosis (NC), caused by the presence of
Taenia solium
metacestodes in tissues, is a severe parasitic infection of the central nervous system with universal distribution. To determine the efficiency of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot with antigens of
T. crassiceps
vesicular fluid (Tcra) compared to standard techniques (indirect immunofluorescence test [IFT] and complement fixation test [CFT]) using
T. solium
cysticerci (Tso) for the serodiagnosis of NC, we studied serum samples from 24 patients with NC, 30 supposedly healthy individuals, 76 blood bank donors, 45 individuals with other non-NC parasitoses, and 97 samples from individuals screened for cysticercosis serology (SC). The sensitivity observed was 100% for ELISA-Tso and ELISA-Tcra, 91.7% for the IFT, and 87.5% for the CFT. The specificity was 90% for ELISA-Tso, 96.7% for ELISA-Tcra, 50% for IFT, and 63.3% for CFT. The efficiency was highest for ELISA-Tcra, followed by ELISA-Tso, IFT, and CFT. Of the 23 samples from SC group, which were reactive to ELISA-Tso and/or ELISA-Tcra, only 3 were positive to immunblot-Tcra (specific peptides of 14- and 18-kDa) and to glycoprotein peptides purified from Tcra antigen (gp-Tcra), showing the low predictive value of ELISA for screening. None of the samples from the remaining groups showed specific reactivity in immunoblot-Tcra. These results demonstrate that ELISA-Tcra can be used as a screening method for the serodiagnosis of NC and support the need for specific tests for confirmation of the results. The immunoblot can be used as a confirmatory test both with Tcra and gp-Tcra, with the latter having an advantage in terms of visualization of the results.
Viral Replication and Host Gene Expression in Alveolar Macrophages Infected with Ebola Virus (Zaire Strain)
Authors: Gibb Tammy R. , Norwood David A. , Woollen Neal , Henchal Erik A. 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACTIn order to characterize the cellular response to and identify potential diagnostic markers for the early detection of Ebola virus, an in vitro culture system involving nonhuman primate alveolar macrophages was developed. Ebola virus replication in the alveolar macrophages was characterized by plaque assay, immunohistochemical analysis, and in situ hybridization. Fluorogenic 5′ -nuclease assays specific for nonhuman primate proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines were designed and used to evaluate mRNA transcription in macrophages infected with Ebola virus. Transient increases in cytokine and chemokine mRNA levels were observed immediately following exposure to Ebola virus. At 2 h postexposure, levels of cytokine and chemokine mRNAs were markedly reduced. Although Ebola virus infection of alveolar macrophages failed to induce a sustained increase in proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine mRNA transcription (potentially reducing the use of these markers as diagnostic tools), the fluorogenic 5′-nuclease assays developed may have prognostic value for individuals infected with Ebola virus. Recently published data have indicated that persons who remain asymptomatic after exposure to Ebola virus are capable of mounting an early proinflammatory cytokine response and that those who become clinically ill are not. If implemented immediately after exposure, these assays could be used to predict which individuals will be more likely to remain asymptomatic as opposed to those who will be more likely to develop clinical signs and eventually succumb to the virus.