bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐Term Clinical Outcomes and Stent Thrombosis of Sirolimus‐Eluting Versus Bare Metal Stents in Patients with End‐Stage Renal Disease: Results of Korean Multicenter Angioplasty Team (KOMATE) Registry
Authors: KIM BYEONG‐KEUK , OH SEUNGJIN , JEON DONG WOON , YANG JOO YOUNG , KIM JUNG‐SUN , PARK SUNGHA , CHOI DONGHOON , JANG YANGSOO , HONG BUM‐KEE , KWON HYUK MOON , LEE SEUNG‐WHAN , GOH CHOONG WON , KWON KIHWAN , RYU SUNG KEE ,   for the Korean Multicenter Angioplasty Team (KOMATE) Investigators
Published: August 2009

Background:

There are still controversies about long‐term clinical outcomes of sirolimus‐eluting stents (SES) versus bare metal stents (BMS) implantation in patients with end‐stage renal diseases (ESRD).
Objective:

To compare long‐term outcomes in patients with (ESRD) following SES versus BMS implantation.
Methods:

Between March 2003 and July 2005, a total of 54 patients (80 lesions) with ESRD undergoing SES implantation [SES‐ESRD] were enrolled and compared with 51 patients (54 lesions) with ESRD receiving BMS during the same periods [BMS‐ESRD] in the Korean Multicenter Angioplasty Team Registry. The primary outcome was the composite of death, myocardial infarction (MI), or any stent thrombosis (ST) according to the Academic Research Consortium definition during a 3‐year follow‐up.
Results:

The cumulative 3‐year rate of composite of death, MI, or ST of the SES‐ESRD group (24%) was nearly similar with that of the BMS‐ESRD group (24%, P = 1.000). The 3‐year rates of death (26% vs. 24%, P = 0.824) or MACE (37% vs. 43%, P = 0.331) in the SES‐ESRD did not differ significantly from those in the BMS‐ESRD. However, the SES‐ESRD showed a sustained lower 3‐year TVR rate (9%), compared with BMS‐ESRD (24%, P = 0.042). The rate of any ST in SES‐ESRD was not significantly higher than that in the BMS‐ESRD (17% vs. 14%, P = 0.788). There was no significant difference in the rate of late or very late ST between SES‐ESRD (15%) versus BMS‐ESRD group (10%, P = 0.557).
Conclusions:

SES did not increase the risks for death, MI, or any ST in patients with ESRD during the long‐term follow‐up, compared with BMS.
Hospitality, Friendship, and the Outsider in Highland Sardinia
Authors: Sorge Antonio 
Published: August 2009

Abstract:Hospitality in central highland Sardinia is a key cultural idiom that structures community life and accompanies daily interactions among all social actors. Its meaning varies according to the relationship between the parties involved in the exchange, with social distance a primary variable. Based on field work conducted over a period of thirteen months in 2002 and 2003, this paper examines practices of hospitality in the village of Orgosolo in light of some characteristics that Eric Wolf (1957, 1986) attributes to the “closed corporate community.” A reworking of Wolf's classic formulation permits insight into how practices of hospitality maintain the exclusiveness of the moral community vis‐à‐vis the outside world, and incorporate outsiders into a special category which neutralizes the danger they initially present, thus exempting them from local standards of interaction that are driven by an egalitarian and competitive ethos.
The impact of social networks on hybrid seed adoption in India
Authors: Matuschke Ira , Qaim Matin 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis article adds to the literature about the impact of social networks on the adoption of modern seed technologies among smallholder farmers in developing countries. The analysis centers on the adoption of hybrid wheat and hybrid pearl millet in India. In the local context, both crops are cultivated mainly on a subsistence basis, and they provide examples of hybrid technologies at very different diffusion stages: while hybrid wheat was commercialized in India only in 2001, hybrid pearl millet was launched in 1965. The analysis is based on surveys of wheat and millet farmers in the state of Maharashtra. Comprehensive data on farmer characteristics and social interactions allow for identifying individual networks, thereby improving upon previous research approaches that employed village‐level variables as proxies for network effects. Using econometric models, we find that individual social networks play an important role for technology adoption decisions. While village‐level variables may be used as suitable proxies at later diffusion stages, they tend to underestimate the role of individual networks during early phases of adoption.
The antecedents of non‐affective psychosis in a birth‐cohort, with a focus on measures related to cognitive ability, attentional dysfunction and speech problems
Authors: Welham J. , Scott J. , Williams G. M. , Najman J. M. , Bor W. , O’Callaghan M. , McGrath J. 
Published: August 2009

Welham J, Scott J, Williams GM, Najman JM, Bor W, O’Callaghan M, McGrath J. The antecedents of non‐affective psychosis in a birth‐cohort, with a focus on measures related to cognitive ability, attentional dysfunction, and speech problems.Objective:  Adults with non‐affective psychosis show subtle deviations in a range of developmental trajectories as children and adolescents.Method:  Based on a birth‐cohort (n = 3801), we examined the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPTV) at age 5, and Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM) and Wide Range Achievement Test reading scale (WRAT‐R) at age 14. Items related to speech problems and attentional dysfunction were available from maternal‐ or self‐report. At age 21, we identified 60 cohort members who were screen‐positive for non‐affective psychosis (SP‐NAP).Results:  Impaired performance on the PPVT and RSPM (but not WRAT‐R) predicted SP‐NAP for males only. Male cohort members in the highest quartile for attentional dysfunction at ages 5 and 14 were about 5–8 times more likely to develop SP‐NAP. SP‐NAP in males was significantly associated with speech problems at age 14.Conclusion:  Males who develop non‐affective psychoses have subtle impairments in cognitive capacity prior to the development of their psychotic disorder.
Cutaneous gamma/delta T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Koch Richard , Jaffe Elaine S. , Mensing Christian , Zeis Matthias , Schmitz Norbert , Sander Christian A. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryOnly 40 cases of primary cutaneous gamma/delta T‐cell lymphoma (GD‐TCL) have been described. GD‐TCL was included as a provisional entity in the WHO‐EORTC classification of cutaneous lymphomas in 2005.GD‐TCL often failed to respond to polychemotherapy and radiation therapy and have a poor prognosis with a mean survival of only 15 months. We present a patient treated with surgery, immunomodulatory therapy, and polychemotherapy. He then received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and has been in complete remission since. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation appears to be a promising therapeutic option for aggressive and generally fatal lymphomas like GD‐TCL.
High molecular weight kininogen binds to laminin – characterization and kinetic analysis
Authors: Schousboe Inger , Nystrøm Birthe 
Published: August 2009

High molecular weight kininogen (HK) is an abundant plasma protein that plays a central role for the function of the kallikrein/kinin/kininogen system. Thus, cleavage of HK by kallikrein liberates bradykinin, which stimulates vascular repair and a two‐chain protein, activated HK (HKa), which induces apoptosis in proliferating endothelial cells. The localization of these events remains obscure, although the basement membrane may be of importance. Analyzing the interaction between HK and HKa and selected basement membrane proteins, we observed that they bound to the major noncollageneous proteins laminin, but not to vitronectin or fibronectin coated on microtiter plates. The binding to laminin was Zn2+ independent. However, at low but not at high concentrations of albumin, Zn2+ increased the affinity for the binding by abolishing an inhibitory effect of Ca2+. Recombinant human kininostatin encompassing the amino acid sequence, Arg439‐Ser532 but not the endothelial cell binding peptide sequence (His479‐His498; HKH20) within kininostatin inhibited the binding of HKa to laminin. This established that the amino acid sequence Arg439‐Lys478 in domain 5 of HK is of importance for its binding to laminin. Extensive proteolytic cleavage of HK and HKa with kallikrein abolished the binding to laminin, releasing a 12 kDa anti‐kininostatin reacting peptide. On the basis of these results, we propose that the binding of HK to laminin is a primary event, which secures proper localization of the cleavage products for subsequent interaction with the endothelium to promote inflammatory and pro‐ and anti‐angiogenic activities.Structured digital abstract
MINT‐7218019: Laminin alpha 5 (uniprotkb:Q61001), Laminin beta 1 (uniprotkb:P02469), Laminin gamma 1 (uniprotkb:P02468), Laminin alpha 5 (uniprotkb:Q61001), Laminin beta 2 (uniprotkb:Q61292) and Laminin gamma 1 (uniprotkb:P02468) physically interact (MI:0915) with HK (uniprotkb:P01042) by solid phase assay (MI:0892)
MINT‐7219326: Laminin alpha 1 (uniprotkb:P19137), Laminin beta 1 (uniprotkb:P02469) and Laminin gamma 1 (uniprotkb:P02468) physically interact (MI:0915) with HK (uniprotkb:P01042) by solid phase assay (MI:0892)
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND COLOR CHARACTERISTICS OF IRANIAN GENOTYPES OF CORNELIAN CHERRY
Authors: NALBANDI HABIBEH , SEIIEDLOU SADEGH , HAJILOU JAFAR , MOGHADDAM MOHAMMAD , ADLIPOUR MOHAMMAD 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) is known as a medicinal plant. It can be used as a fresh or dried fruit. In this study, color characteristics and some physical properties of three Iranian genotypes of cornelian cherry were studied. Color characteristics, true density and static coefficient of friction of cherries were measured using the L*a*b*model, toluene displacement method and tilting table, respectively. Dimensions, equivalent diameter and sphericity were also measured. Lightness, redness and color density of three genotypes were in the range of 20.68 to 26.10, 16.88 to 24.72 and 17.90 to 26.01, respectively. The maximum amount of bulk and true density were obtained for the genotype C2 (861 and 1118 kg/m3) and the maximum amount of repose angle was obtained for the genotype C12 (75°). Genotype C13 had the maximum value of porosity, sphericity and static coefficient of friction on the steel surface (23.54, 86.17 and 1.22 %, respectively).PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe marketing of agricultural products such as cornelian cherry and their by‐product depends on the quality of primary products and the type of process operation at postharvest stage. The efficient process operation of cornelian cherry such as handling, cleaning and sizing depends on appropriate performance of the equipments used. The designing of suitable equipments needs knowledge about physical properties of cornelian cherry. In this study, the physical properties of cornelian cherry were measured. The results of present study could be used to (1) identify optimal configuration of cornelian cherry process equipments; (2) design and construct the cornelian cherry process equipment; and (3) sort and select cornelian cherry genotypes based on their quality.
ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK MODELING OF APPLE DRYING PROCESS
Authors: KHOSHHAL ABBAS , DAKHEL ASGHAR ALIZADEH , ETEMADI AHMAD , ZERESHKI SINA 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT Artificial neural network (ANN) modeling and several mathematical models were applied to predict the moisture ratio in an apple drying process. Four drying mathematical models were fitted to the data obtained from eight drying runs and the most accurate model was selected. Two sets of ANN modeling were also performed. In the first set, the data obtained from each pilot were modeled individually to compare the ANN predictions with the best mathematical model. In the second set of ANN modeling, the simultaneous effect of all the four input parameters including air velocity, air temperature, the thickness of apple slices and drying time was investigated. The results showed that the ANN predictions were more accurate in comparison with the best fitted mathematical model. In addition, none of the mathematical models are able to predict the effect of the four input parameters simultaneously, while the presented ANN model predicts this effect with a good precision. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSToday, modeling of chemical engineering processes is widespread in the process industries. An accurate modeling results in a precise prediction of the products of a process which could be very expensive or even unsafe to evaluate by experimental experiences. Because artificial neural network modeling is more or less proved to be one of the best modelings against mathematical ones, we suggest it to be considered for industrial processes such as drying in the food industry.
Performance of the Revitalised Flood Hydrograph method
Authors: Faulkner D. S. , Barber S. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe Revitalised Flood Hydrograph (ReFH) method is used for estimation of design flood hydrographs in the United Kingdom. This paper comments on aspects of the method, discussing its strengths and weaknesses and comparing its results with those of other methods. Design flood peaks estimated using the ReFH method and the statistical method presented in the Flood Estimation Handbook are compared at a sample of locations across Great Britain. The ReFH method gives higher flows at two‐thirds of the sites; on average 16% higher for a flood return period of 100 years. Differences between the results of the two methods are greatest on catchments with significant reservoirs and lakes and catchments with high average rainfall. Recommendations for users of the ReFH method and suggestions for further research are offered, the most urgent of which is to improve the performance of the method on heavily urbanised catchments.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in the newly discovered invasive fruit fly pest in Africa, Bactrocera invadens (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: KHAMIS F. , KARAM N. , GUGLIELMINO C. R. , EKESI S. , MASIGA D. , DE MEYER M. , KENYA E. U. , MALACRIDA A. R. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWe describe the isolation and characterization of 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci from the recently discovered fruit fly pest, Bactrocera invadens. The polymorphism of these loci was tested in individual flies from two natural populations (Sri Lanka and Democratic Republic of Congo). Allele number per locus ranged from three to 15 and eight loci displayed a polymorphic information content greater than 0.5. These microsatellite loci provide useful markers for studies of population dynamics and invasion history of this pest species.
Dosimetric effects near implanted vascular access ports: an examination of external photon beam dose calculations
Authors: Gossman Michael S. , Seuntjens Jan P. , Serban Monica F. , Christian Kelly J. , Lawson Raymond C. , Robertson Mary A. , Lopez Jeffrey P. , Justice Terry E. 
Published: August 2009

Vascular access ports are used widely in the administering of drugs for radiation oncology patients. Their dosimetric effect on radiation therapy delivery in photon beams has not been rigorously established. In this work, the effects on external beam fields when any of a variety of vascular access ports were included in the path of a high energy beam are studied. This study specifically identifies sidescatter and backscatter consequences as well as attenuation effects. The study was divided into two parts. First, a total of 18 ports underwent extended HU range CT scanning followed by 3D computer treatment planning, where homogeneous and heterogeneous plans were created for photon beams of energy 6 MV and 18 MV using a Pencil Beam Convolution (PBC) algorithm. Dose points were analyzed at locations around each device. A total of 1,440 points were reviewed in this section of the study. A replicate of the largest vascular access port was created in the treatment planning workspace for further investigation with alternative treatment planning algorithms. Then, plans were generated identical to the above and compared to the results of dose computation between the Pencil Beam Convolution algorithm, the Analytical Anisotropic Algorithm (AAA), and the EGSnrc Monte Carlo algorithm with user code DOSRZnrc (MC). A total of 300 points were reviewed in this part of the study. It was concluded that ports with more bulky construction and those with partial metal composition create the largest changes. Similar effects were observed for similar port configurations. Considerable differences between the PBC and AAA in comparison to MC are noted and discussed. By thorough examination of planning system results, the presented vascular access ports may now be ranked according to the greatest amount of change exhibited within a treatment planning system. Effects of backscatter, lateral scatter, and attenuation are up to 5.0%, 3.4% and 16.8% for 6 MV and 7.0%, 7.7% and 7.2% for 18 MV, respectively.PACS numbers: 87.56.bd, 61.82.Bg, 41.50.+h, 87.19.Hh, 87.55.Gh, 87.55.K−, 87.55.N−, 87.55.−x, 81.40.Wx, 87.55.−x, 87.53.Bn, and 87.59.bd
Evaluation of the effects of sagging shifts on isocenter accuracy and image quality of cone‐beam CT from kV on‐board imagers*
Authors: Ali Imad , Ahmad Salahuddin 
Published: August 2009

To investigate the effects of sagging shifts of three on‐board kV imaging systems (OBI) on the isocenter positioning accuracy and image quality of cone‐beam CT (CBCT). A cubical phantom having a metal marker in the center that can be aligned with the radiation isocenter was used to measure sagging shifts and their variation with gantry angle on three Varian linacs with kV on‐board imaging systems. A marker‐tracking algorithm was applied to detect the shadow of the metal marker and localize its center in the two‐dimensional cone‐beam radiographic projections. This tracking algorithm is based on finding the position of maximum cross‐correlation between a region‐of‐interest from a template image (including the metal marker) and the projections containing the shadow of the metal marker. Sagging shifts were corrected by mapping the center of the metal marker to a reference position for all projections acquired over a full gantry rotation (0–360°). The sag‐corrected radiographic projections were then used to reconstruct CBCT using Feldkamp back‐projection. A standard quality assurance phantom was used to evaluate the image quality of CBCT before and after sagging correction. Sagging affects both the positioning accuracy of the OBI isocenter and the CBCT image quality. For example, on one linac, the position of the marker on the cone‐beam radiographic projections depends on the angular view and has maximal shifts of about 2 mm along the imager x‐direction (patient's cross‐plane). Sagging produces systematic shifts of the OBI isocenter as large as 1 mm posterior and 1 mm left in patient coordinates relative to the radiation isocenter. Further, it causes spatial distortion and blurring in CBCT image reconstructed from radiographic projections that are not corrected for OBI sagging. CBCT numbers vary by about 1% in full‐fan scans and up to 3.5% in half‐fan scans because of sagging. In order to achieve better localization accuracy in image‐guided radiation therapy, sagging shifts of the kV OBI need to be corrected. In addition, correction of sagging improves image and provides better visualization of internal structures. Frequent quality assurance is required to monitor and maintain standards of variations in the mechanical accuracy of isocenter and image quality of CBCT because of sagging shifts.PACS number: 87.57.Q, 87.57.cp
Spiramycin Treatment of
Toxoplasma gondii
Infection in Pregnant Women Impairs the Production and the Avidity Maturation of
T. gondii
-Specific Immunoglobulin G Antibodies
Authors: Meroni V. , Genco F. , Tinelli C. , Lanzarini P. , Bollani L. , Stronati M. , Petersen E. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of treatment with spiramycin on the increase of immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers and IgG avidity indexes (AI) in pregnant women with seroconversion from the beginning of therapy until delivery and after delivery. This group was compared with adult patients with recently acquired untreated toxoplasmosis. One hundred four samples from 32 pregnant women with seroconversion for toxoplasmosis and/or very low IgG AI were followed from the beginning of therapy with spiramycin until delivery. Twenty-nine women were further followed some months after delivery and interruption of therapy. Thirty-eight samples from 16 untreated, nonpregnant patients were evaluated as the control group. The
Toxoplasma gondii
-specific IgG antibody and the
T. gondii
-specific IgG AI were significantly delayed in pregnant women receiving therapy compared to nonpregnant, untreated controls, and the findings were consistent with the results of assays from two different manufacturers. The
T. gondii
-specific IgG AI increased in pregnant women after they gave birth. Avidity maturation is delayed during pregnancy and treatment, and low-avidity antibodies in pregnant women within 3 to 4 months cannot be taken as a sign of infection.
Two Cases of Peritonitis Caused byKocuria marinain Patients Undergoing Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Lee Ja Young , Kim Si Hyun , Jeong Haeng Soon , Oh Seung Hwan , Kim Hye Ran , Kim Yeong Hoon , Lee Jeong Nyeo , Kook Joong-Ki , Kho Weon-Gyu , Bae Il Kwon , Shin Jeong Hwan 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTKocuriaspp. are members of theMicrococcaceaefamily that are frequently found in the environment and on human skin. Few human infections have been reported. We describe what appear to be the first two cases ofKocuria marinaperitonitis in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.
Hepatitis C Virus RNA Quantitation in Venous and Capillary Small-Volume Whole-Blood Samples
Authors: Bruns Tony , Steinmetzer Katrin , Ermantraut Eugen , Stallmach Andreas 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

Quantitation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in plasma and serum samples is a costly procedure in both time and reagents. Additionally, cell-associated viral RNA may not be detected. This study evaluated the accuracy of HCV RNA quantitation in small-volume whole-blood (WB) samples, which would be appropriate for point-of-care diagnostic devices. HCV RNA was extracted from 222 clinical plasma and WB samples of 82 patients with chronic hepatitis C by a specific locked nucleic acid-mediated capture method and quantified by real-time reverse transcription-PCR. The results were compared to the reference plasma viral load determined with the COBAS AmpliPrep/TaqMan (CAP/CTM) HCV test. This assay had an analytical sensitivity of 9 IU per 10-μl sample (95% limit of detection [95% LOD]), a linearity range of 500 to 5 × 10
6
IU/ml, and was accurate in testing 10 HCV subtypes (<0.22 log
10
unit) in plasma. The assay was matrix equivalent for plasma and WB samples (coefficient of determination [
R
2
] of 0.943) and had a specificity of 100% (
n
= 20) in WB samples. The HCV RNA concentration in clinical WB samples exceeded the estimated hematocrit-corrected plasma viral loads by 0.22 log
10
unit, but absolute quantitation results in plasma and WB samples were identical (95% confidence interval, −0.06 to 0.04 log
10
unit). The sensitivity in WB samples was 100% (
n
= 141) for plasma concentrations above the 95% LOD. Quantitation results in 10-μl WB samples correlated linearly with the CAP/CTM HCV plasma test results (
R
2
= 0.919;
n
= 140) and did not differ between capillary and venous samples (
R
2
= 0.960;
n
= 40). This study shows that HCV RNA quantitation in 10-μl WB samples is appropriate for monitoring viral loads of >900 IU/ml, although the use of WB does not increase the diagnostic sensitivity.