bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Smoking among adolescents in Northern Greece: a large cross-sectional study about risk and preventive factors
Authors: Spyratos Dionisios G , Pelagidou Despoina T , Chloros Diamantis , Haidich Anna-Bettina , Karetsi Eleni , Koubaniou Christina , Konstantopoulos Stavros , Gourgoulianis Konstantinos , Sichletidis Lazaros T 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
The aim of the present study was to investigate epidemiological data about cigarette smoking in relation with risk and preventive factors among Greek adolescents.

Methods
We randomly selected 10% of the whole number of schools in Northern Greece (133 schools, 18,904 participants were included). Two anonymous questionnaires (smoker's and non-smoker's) were both distributed to all students so they selected and filled in only one. A parental signed informed consent was obtained using an informative leaflet about adolescent smoking.

Results
The main findings of the study were: a) 14.2% of the adolescents (mean age+/−SD: 15.3+/−1.7 years) reported regular smoking (24.1% in the age group 16–18 years), b) 84.2% of the current smokers reported daily use, c) students who live in urban and semirural areas smoke more frequently than those in rural areas, d) students in technically oriented schools smoke twice as frequent compared to those in general education, e) risk factors for smoking: male gender, low educational level of parents, friends who smoke (OR: 10.01, 95%CI: 8.53-11.74, p<0.001), frequent visits to internet cafes (OR:1.53, 95%CI: 1.35-1.74, p<0.001), parents, siblings (OR:2.24, 95%CI: 1.99-2.51, p<0.001) and favorite artist (OR:1.18, 95%CI: 1.04-1.33, p=0.009) who smoke, f) protective factors against smoking: participation in sports (OR:0.59, 95%CI: 0.53-0.67, p<0.001), watching television (OR:0.74, 95%CI 0.66-0.84, p<0.001) and influence by health warning messages on cigarette packets (OR:0.42, 95%CI: 0.37, 0.48, p<0.001).

Conclusions
Even though prevalence of cigarette smoking is not too high among Greek adolescents, frequency of everyday cigarette use is alarming. We identified many social and lifestyle risk and preventive factors that should be incorporated in a national smoking prevention program among Greek adolescents.
Treatment for sulfur mustard lung injuries; new therapeutic approaches from acute to chronic phase
Authors: Poursaleh Zohreh , Harandi Ali Amini , Vahedi Ensieh , Ghanei Mostafa 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Objective
Sulfur mustard (SM) is one of the major potent chemical warfare and attractive weapons for terrorists. It has caused deaths to hundreds of thousands of victims in World War I and more recently during the Iran-Iraq war (1980–1988). It has ability to develop severe acute and chronic damage to the respiratory tract, eyes and skin. Understanding the acute and chronic biologic consequences of SM exposure may be quite essential for developing efficient prophylactic/therapeutic measures. One of the systems majorly affected by SM is the respiratory tract that numerous clinical studies have detailed processes of injury, diagnosis and treatments of lung. The low mortality rate has been contributed to high prevalence of victims and high lifetime morbidity burden. However, there are no curative modalities available in such patients. In this review, we collected and discussed the related articles on the preventive and therapeutic approaches to SM-induced respiratory injury and summarized what is currently known about the management and therapeutic strategies of acute and long-term consequences of SM lung injuries.

Method
This review was done by reviewing all papers found by searching following key words sulfur mustard; lung; chronic; acute; COPD; treatment.

Results
Mustard lung has an ongoing pathological process and is active disorder even years after exposure to SM. Different drug classes have been studied, nevertheless there are no curative modalities for mustard lung.

Conclusion
Complementary studies on one hand regarding pharmacokinetic of drugs and molecular investigations are mandatory to obtain more effective treatments.
Antimicrobial activity of bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria isolated from cheeses and yogurts
Authors: Yang En , Fan Lihua , Jiang Yueming , Doucette Craig , Fillmore Sherry 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
The biopreservation of foods using bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated directly from foods is an innovative approach. The objectives of this study were to isolate and identify bacteriocinogenic LAB from various cheeses and yogurts and evaluate their antimicrobial effects on selected spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms in vitro as well as on a food commodity.
LAB were isolated using MRS and M17 media. The agar diffusion bioassay was used to screen for bacteriocin or bacteriocin-like substances (BLS) producing LAB using Lactobacillus sakei and Listeria innocua as indicator organisms. Out of 138 LAB isolates, 28 were found to inhibit these bacteria and were identified as strains of Enterococcus faecium, Streptococcus thermophilu s, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus sakei subsp. sakei using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Eight isolates were tested for antimicrobial activity at 5°C and 20°C against L. innocua, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Erwinia carotovora, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides using the agar diffusion bioassay, and also against Penicillium expansum, Botrytis cinerea and Monilinia frucitcola using the microdilution plate method. The effect of selected LAB strains on L. innocua inoculated onto fresh-cut onions was also investigated.
Twenty percent of our isolates produced BLS inhibiting the growth of L. innocua and/or Lact. sakei. Organic acids and/or H2O2 produced by LAB and not the BLS had strong antimicrobial effects on all microorganisms tested with the exception of E. coli. Ent. faecium, Strep. thermophilus and Lact. casei effectively inhibited the growth of natural microflora and L. innocua inoculated onto fresh-cut onions. Bacteriocinogenic LAB present in cheeses and yogurts may have potential to be used as biopreservatives in foods.
Calculation and uses of the lithographic aerial image
Authors: Flagello Donis G. , Smith Daniel G. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Beginning with the seminal Dill papers of 1975, the aerial image has been essential for understanding the process of microlithography. From the aerial image, we can predict the performance of a given lithographic process in terms of depth of focus, exposure latitude, etc. As lithographic technologies improved, reaching smaller and smaller printed features, the sophistication of aerial image calculations has had to increase from simple incoherent imaging theory, to partial coherence, polarization effects, thin film effects at the resist, thick mask effects, and so on. This tutorial provides an overview and semihistorical development of the aerial image calculation and then provides a review of some of the various ways in which the aerial image is typically used to estimate the performance of the lithographic process.
Aerial imaging technology for photomask qualification: from a microscope to a metrology tool
Authors: Garetto Anthony , Scherübl Thomas , Peters Jan Hendrik 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Photomasks carry the structured information of the chip designs printed with lithography scanners onto wafers. These structures, for the most modern technologies, are enlarged by a factor of 4 with respect to the final circuit design, and 20–60 of these photomasks are needed for the production of a single completed chip used, for example, in computers or cell phones. Lately, designs have been reported to be on the drawing board with close to 100 of these layers. Each of these photomasks will be reproduced onto the wafer several hundred times and typically 5000–50 000 wafers will be produced with each of them. Hence, the photomasks need to be absolutely defect-free to avoid any fatal electrical shortcut in the design or drastic performance degradation. One well-known method in the semiconductor industry is to analyze the aerial image of the photomask in a dedicated tool referred to as Aerial Imaging Measurement System, which emulates the behavior of the respective lithography scanner used for the imaging of the mask. High-end lithography scanners use light with a wavelength of 193 nm and high numerical apertures (NAs) of 1.35 utilizing a water film between the last lens and the resist to be illuminated (immersion scanners). Complex illumination shapes enable the imaging of structures well below the wavelength used. Future lithography scanners will work at a wavelength of 13.5 nm [extreme ultraviolet (EUV)] and require the optical system to work with mirrors in vacuum instead of the classical lenses used in current systems. The exact behavior of these systems is emulated by the Aerial Image Measurement System (AIMS™; a Trademark of Carl Zeiss). With these systems, any position of the photomask can be imaged under the same illumination condition used by the scanners, and hence, a prediction of the printing behavior of any structure can be derived. This system is used by mask manufacturers in their process flow to review critical defects or verify defect repair success. In this paper, we give a short introduction into the lithography roadmap driving the development cycles of the AIMS systems focusing primarily on the complexity of the structures to be reviewed. Second, we describe the basic principle of the AIMS technology and how it is used. The last section is dedicated to the development of the latest generation of the AIMS for EUV, which is cofinanced by several semiconductor companies in order to close a major gap in the mask manufacturing infrastructure and the challenges to be met.
Computational metrology and inspection (CMI) in mask inspection, metrology, review, and repair
Authors: Pang Linyong , Peng Danping , Hu Peter , Chen Dongxue , He Lin , Li Ying , Satake Masaki , Tolani Vikram 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Mask manufacturers will be impacted by two significant technology requirements at 22 nm and below: the first is the more extensive use of resolution enhancement technologies (RET), such as aggressive optical proximity correction (OPC), inverse lithography technology (ILT), and source mask optimization (SMO); the second is the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) technology. Both will create difficulties for mask inspection, defect disposition, metrology, review, and repair. For example, the use of ILT and SMO significantly increases mask complexity, making mask defect disposition more challenging than ever. The EUV actinic inspection and AIMS™ will not be available for at least a few years, which make the EUV defect inspection and disposition more difficult, particularly regarding multilayer defects. Computational metrology and inspection (CMI), which has broad applications in mask inspection, metrology, review, and repair, has become essential to fill this technology gap. In this paper, several such CMI applications are presented and discussed.
Mismatch repair in recombination of bacteriophage T4
Authors: Shcherbakov Victor P. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe review focuses on the mechanism of mismatch repair in bacteriophage T4. It was first observed in T4 as an extra recombination mechanism, which contributed to the general recombination only when particular rII mutations were used as genetic markers (high-recombination markers), whereas it was inactive toward other rII mutations (low-recombination markers). This marker-dependent recombination pathway was identified as a repair of mismatches in recombinational heteroduplexes. Comparison of the structure of markers enabled us to make several specific conclusions on the nature of the marker discrimination by the mismatch repair system operating during T4 crosses. First, heteroduplexes with one mismatched base pair (either of transition or of transversion type) as well as single-nucleotide mismatches of indel type are not efficiently repaired. Second, among the repairable mismatches, those with two or more contiguous mismatched nucleotides are the most effectively repaired, whereas insertion of one correct pair between two mismatched ones reduces the repairability. Third, heteroduplexes containing insertion mutations are repaired asymmetrically, the longer strand being preferentially removed. Fourth, the sequence environment is an important factor. Inspection of the sequences flanking mismatches shows that runs of A:T pairs directly neighboring the mismatches greatly promote repair. The mismatch is recognized by T4 endonuclease VII and nicked on the 3′ side. The nonpaired 3′ terminus is attacked by the proofreading 3′→5′ exonuclease of T4 DNA polymerase that removes the mismatched nucleotides along with several (~25) complementary nucleotides (the repair tract) and then switches to polymerization. The residual nick is ligated by DNA ligase (gp30). Most probably, the T4 system repairs replication and other mismatches as well; however, it might not discriminate old and new DNA strands and so does not seem to be aimed at repair of replication errors, in contrast to the most commonly studied examples of mismatch repair.
Phytoplankton assemblage patterns in the southern Mid-Atlantic Bight
Authors: Makinen Carla P. , Moisan Tiffany A.H. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
As part of the Wallops Coastal Oceans Observing Laboratory (Wa-COOL) Project, we sampled a time-series transect in the southern Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB) biweekly. Our 2-year time-series data included physical parameters, nutrient concentrations, and chlorophyll a concentrations. A detailed phytoplankton assemblage structure was examined in the second year. During the 2-year study, chlorophyll a concentration (and ocean color satellite imagery) indicated that phytoplankton blooms occurred in January/February during mixing conditions and in early autumn under stratified conditions. The chlorophyll a concentrations ranged from 0.25 μg l-1 to 15.49 μg l-1 during the 2-year period. We were able to discriminate approximately 116 different species under phase contrast microscopy. Dominant phytoplankton included Skeletonema costatum, Rhizosolenia spp., and Pseudo-nitzschia pungens. In an attempt to determine phytoplankton species competition/succession within the assemblage, we calculated a Shannon Weaver diversity index for our diatom microscopy data. Diatom diversity was greatest during the winter and minimal during the spring. Diatom diversity was also greater at nearshore stations than at offshore stations. Individual genera appeared patchy, with surface and subsurface patches appearing abruptly and persisting for only 1–2 months at a time. The distribution of individual species differed significantly from bulk variables of the assemblage (chlorophyll a) and total phytoplankton assemblage (cells), which indicates that phytoplankton species may be limited in growth in ways that differ from those of the total assemblage. Our study demonstrated a highly diverse phytoplankton assemblage throughout the year, with opportunistic species dominating during spring and fall in response to seasonal changes in temperature and nutrients in the southern MAB.
Nutraceutical properties of the marine macroalga Gayralia oxysperma
Authors: Pise Navnath M. , Verlecar Xivanand N. , Gaikwad Dattatray K. , Jagtap Tanaji G. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
We analyzed Gayralia oxysperma (Monostromataceae, Ulvales) from coastal waters in India for nutrients and biochemicals including nutritionally important fatty acids and active radical scavenging properties. This seaweed had moderately high lipid and other biochemical components, which were comparable to levels in other nutritionally rich seaweeds. The species is an important source of Ca (2.74 mg g-1) and other essential elements with sufficiently low (below permissible limits) contaminant trace metals. There were four major fatty acids: palmitic acid (PA, C16; 34.6%), linoleic acid (LA, C18:2n-6; 15.8%), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, C18:3n-6; 15%) and stearic acid (SA, C18; 9.6%). Totally saturated fatty acids predominated (TSFA, 57%), followed by polyunsaturated acids (PUFA, 39%); the monounsaturated fraction (MUFA) was smallest (3.8%). Antioxidant potential assessed through phenolic content, di(phenyl)-(2,4,6-trinitrophen­yl) iminoazanium (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), reducing potential and metal chelating ability indicated a dose-dependent relationship of increasing activity with increased concentration. Thus, G. oxysperma has essential properties of nutritional, antioxidant and medicinal value for its use in dietary and pharmaceutical applications.
BCR-ABL fusion protein detection in peripheral blood and bone marrow samples of adult precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients using the flow cytometric immunobead assay
Authors: Grigoriou Eirini E. , Psarra Katerina K. , Garofalaki Maria K. , Tziotziou Eirini C. , Papasteriades Chryssa A. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe ability to detect theWe used a new flow cytometric immunobead assay for BCR-ABL fusion protein detection in peripheral blood and/or bone marrow samples from 38 adult pB-ALL patients and the results were compared with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of BCR-ABL transcript.The fusion protein was detected in peripheral blood and bone marrow samples from seven of the 38 (18%) patients, and results for both the p190 and p210 were confirmed by PCR. One case, which was positive by cytogenetics and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), was negative by PCR but positive by flow cytometry. Another case, which was positive by PCR and negative by flow cytometry, was from a patient on steroid treatment.The cytometric immunobead assay for BCR-ABL fusion protein detection was found to be suitable for the investigation of pB-ALL patients. This assay is reliable, rapid and simple to use for peripheral blood and bone marrow samples.
Application of a modified precipitation method for the measurement of small dense LDL-cholesterol (sd-LDL-C) in a population in southern Brazil
Authors: Cavalcante Luciana da S. , da Silva Edson L. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIn the study reported herein, we used the precipitation method employing heparin-MgLipemic samples were diluted with various solvents prior to precipitation with heparin-MgLipemic serum diluted with 100 mmol/L phosphate buffer pH 8.5 was effective for the quantification of sd-LDL-C, which was correlated with non-diluted serum (In this paper we described a simple and inexpensive approach to improving the measurement of sd-LDL-C in high-triglycerides serum. Furthermore, we showed that southern Brazil dyslipidemic and T2DM individuals have increased sd-LDL-C concentrations.
Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as biomarker of acute kidney injury: a review of the laboratory characteristics and clinical evidences
Authors: Clerico Aldo , Galli Claudio , Fortunato Antonio , Ronco Claudio 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAcute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and serious condition, currently diagnosed by functional biomarkers, such as serum creatinine measurements. Unfortunately, creatinine increase is a delayed and unreliable indicator of AKI. The lack of early biomarkers of structural kidney injury has hampered our ability to translate promising experimental therapies to human AKI. The recent discovery, translation and validation of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), possibly the most promising novel AKI biomarker, is reviewed here. NGAL may be measured by several methods both in plasma and urine for the early diagnosis of AKI and for the prediction of clinical outcomes, such as dialysis requirement and mortality, in several common clinical scenarios, including in the intensive care unit, cardiac surgery and renal damage due the exposition to toxic agent and drugs, and renal transplantation. Furthermore, the predictive properties of NGAL, may play a critical role in expediting the drug development process. A systematic review of literature data indicates that further studies are necessary to establish accurate reference population values according to age, gender and ethnicity, as well as reliable and specific decisional values concerning the more common clinical settings related to AKI. Furthermore, proper randomized clinical trials on renal and systemic outcomes comparing the use of NGAL vs. standard clinical practice are still lacking and accurate cost-benefit and/or cost-utility analyses for NGAL as biomarker of AKI are also needed. However, it is important to note that NGAL, in the absence of diagnostic increases in serum creatinine, is able to detect some patients affected by subclinical AKI who have an increased risk of adverse outcomes. These results also suggest that the concept and definition of AKI might need to be reassessed.
Comparison of capillary electrophoregram among heterozygous Hb Hope, Hb Hope/α-thalassemia-1 SEA type deletion and Hb Hope/β0-thalassemia
Authors: Pornprasert Sakorn , Panyasai Sitthichai , Kongthai Kanyakan 
Published: September 2012

AbstractHemoglobin (Hb) ALevels of HbAArtifactually elevated HbAThe elevation of HbA
Compensating for the influence of total serum protein in the Schwartz formula
Authors: Speeckaert Marijn M. , Wuyts Birgitte , Stove Veronique , Walle Johan Vande , Delanghe Joris R. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe Schwartz 2009 creatinine-based revised formula is the only pediatric GFR estimating formula, which is compatible with the recent global creatinine standardization. This formula is only applicable if enzymatic creatinine methods are used. We propose an equation, taking into account the relative bias caused by serum proteins to use Jaffe based creatinine data for GFR estimation.In a cohort study of 100 pediatric patients, serum creatinine was measured using a kinetic rate-blanked Jaffe assay (modified kinetic alkaline picrate method), a kinetic rate-blanked Jaffe compensated assay for reactive proteins and an enzymatic assay (creatinine plus method). Serum total protein, albumin, urea, uric acid and total bilirubin were measured with the use of commercial agents.The difference in serum creatinine between the enzymatic method and the compensated Jaffe method was mainly dependent on the total protein concentration in serum (rIn this study, we demonstrated the usability of the alkaline picrate method in the Schwartz formula, taking into account the relative bias caused by serum proteins.
High US Health-Care Spending and the Importance of Provider Payment Rates
Authors: Anderson Gerard , Chalkidou Kalipso , Herring Bradley 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
We compare health care spending in the USA to other industrialized countries and find that payment rates for hospitals, physicians, and drugs are generally much higher in the USA than they are in other industrialized countries while the quantity of services – as measured by the number of physician visits, hospital days and prescriptions filled per capita – is relatively similar across countries. We then explore policy initiatives designed to control payment rates and volume of services and review the success and failures of these initiatives. Within the USA, the private sector pays significantly higher rates for hospital and physician services and drugs than the public sector. Thus, if the USA is going to reduce health care spending, it may be necessary to begin by reducing payment rates in the private sector. Options to achieve this goal are presented.