bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anti-allergic properties ofMangifera indicaL. extract (Vimang) and contribution of its glucosylxanthone mangiferin
Authors: Rivera Dagmar García , Balmaseda Ivones Hernández , León Alina Álvarez , Hernández Belkis Cancio , Montiel Lucía Márquez , Garrido Gabino Garrido , Hernández René Delgado , Cuzzocrea Salvatore 
Published: February 2006

AbstractVimang is the brand name of formulations containing an extract of Mangifera indica L., ethnopharmacologically used in Cuba for the treatment of some immunopathological disorders, including bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis and other allergic diseases. However, the effects of Vimang on allergic response have not been reported until now. In this study, the effects of Vimang and mangiferin, a C-glucosylxanthone isolated from the extract, on different parameters of allergic response are reported. Vimang and mangiferin showed a significant dose-dependent inhibition of IgE production in mice and anaphylaxis reaction in rats, histamine-induced vascular permeability and the histamine release induced by compound 48/80 from rat mast cells, and of lymphocyte proliferative response as evidence of the reduction of the amount of B and T lymphocytes able to contribute to allergic response. In these experiments, ketotifen, promethazine and disodium cromoglicate were used as reference drugs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Vimang had an effect on an in-vivo model of inflammatory allergy mediated by mast cells. These results constitute the first report of the anti-allergic properties of Vimang on allergic models, as well as suggesting that this natural extract could be successfully used in the treatment of allergic disorders. Mangiferin, the major compound of Vimang, contributes to the anti-allergic effects of the extract.
Predicting Wind Speed for Wind Energy; Progress of the WINDENG Project
Authors: Dierer Silke , de Paus Tim , Durante Francesco , Gregow Erik , Lange Bernhard , Lavagnini Alfredo , Strack Martin , Tammelin Bengt 
Published: February 2006

The suitability of the computer model MM5 for predicting wind speed, and hence wind energy, is investigated by performing simulations for different geographical regions. The focus is on wind speed in the lowest 200 m of the planetary boundary layer (PBL). The dependency of the simulated wind speed on PBL parameterization and atmospheric stability is studied. The smallest deviation between measured and simulated wind speed, averaged over a three-day period, is 1% and occurs for an off-shore simulation with unstable stratification. The largest deviations of 31% and 20% occur with orographically structured terrain, stable stratification and weak synoptic forcing. The results suggest that unstable conditions are simulated with better accuracy by MM5. Changes of the PBL scheme cause wind speed variations between 9% and 40% of the average wind speed. None of the PBL schemes is clearly the best and their performance can strongly vary for different conditions. Nevertheless, the Mellor-Yamada-Janjic (ETA) and the Blackadar PBL parameterization (BLK) schemes seem to be the most suitable schemes for wind energy applications. Additionally, MM5 was successfully adapted for idealised, stationary simulations in order to calculate a wind-climatology for Sardinia using a statistical-dynamical downscaling approach.
Testing the Statistical Significance of Linear Programming Estimators
Authors: Horsky Dan , Nelson Paul 
Published: February 2006

Linear programming–based estimation procedures are used in a variety of arenas. Two notable areas are multiattribute utility models (LINMAP) and production frontiers (data envelopment analysis (DEA)). Both LINMAP and DEA have theoretical and managerial advantages. For example, LINMAP treats ordinal-scaled preference data as such in uncovering individual-level attribute weights, while regression treats these preferences as interval scaled. DEA produces easy-to-understand efficiency measures, which allow for improved productivity benchmarking. However, acceptance of these techniques is hindered by the lack of statistical significance tests for their parameter estimates. In this paper, we propose and evaluate such parameter significance tests. Two types of tests are forwarded. The first examines whether a model’s fit is significantly reduced when an explanatory variable is deleted. The second is based on generating a standard deviation or distribution for the parameter estimate using nonparametric jackknife or bootstrap techniques. We demonstrate through simulations that both types of tests reliably identify both significant and insignificant parameters. The availability of these tests, especially the relatively simple and easy-to-use tests of the first type, should enhance the utilization of linear programming–based estimation.
Supracondylar humeral fractures in children
Authors: Mangwani J. , Nadarajah R. , Paterson J. M. H. 
Published: February 2006

Although supracondylar fracture is a very common elbow injury in childhood, there is no consensus on the timing of surgery, approach for open reduction and positioning of fixation wires. We report our ten-year experience between 1993 and 2003 in 291 children. Most fractures (285; 98%) were extension injuries, mainly Gartland types II (73; 25%) and III (163; 56%). Six (2%) were open fractures and a neurovascular deficit was seen in 12 (4%) patients. Of the 236 children (81%) who required an operation, 181 (77%) were taken to theatre on the day of admission. Most (177; 75%) of the operations were performed by specialist registrars. Fixation was by crossed Kirschner wires in 158 of 186 (85%) patients and open reduction was necessary in 52 (22%). A post-operative neurological deficit was seen in nine patients (4%) and three (1%) required exploration of the ulnar nerve. Only 22 (4%) patients had a long-term deformity, nine (3%) from malreduction and three (1%) because of growth arrest, but corrective surgery for functional limitation was required in only three (1%) patients.
Multiple skeletal metastases from a giant cell tumour of the distal fibula with fatal outcome
Authors: Leichtle C. I. , Leichtle U. G. , Gärtner V. , Schimmel H. , Hartmann J. T. , Rudert M. 
Published: February 2006

A giant cell tumour is a primary lesion of bone of intermediate severity. Its histogenesis is unclear. In a few cases pulmonary metastases have been described. Multiple skeletal metastases in the absence of sarcomatous change have been observed. We present a case report of a 25-year-old woman with a recurrent giant cell tumour of the distal fibula. After a second recurrence and six years after the initial diagnosis, she rapidly developed multiple bony metastases. The outcome was fatal.
One- or two-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Bhan S. , Pankaj A. , Malhotra R. 
Published: February 2006

We compared the safety and outcome of one-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasty with those of a two-stage procedure during different admissions in a prospective, randomised controlled trial in an Asian population. Of 168 patients included in the study, 83 had a single- and 85 a two-stage procedure. Most of the patients (59.9%) suffered from inflammatory arthritis. The intra-operative complications, early systemic complications, the operating time, positioning of the components, the functional score, restoration of limb length and survival rates at 96 months were similar in the two groups. The total estimated blood loss was significantly lower in patients undergoing a one-stage procedure than in patients who had a two-stage procedure, but the transfusion requirements were significantly higher in the former group (p = 0.001). The hospital stay was significantly shorter in the one-stage group, 7.25 days (sd 1.30; 5 to 20) compared with 10 days (sd 1.65; 8 to 24) in the two-stage group (p = 0.023). We believe that a one-stage procedure is safe and appropriate in our population.
The Kent hip prosthesis
Authors: Sexton S. A. , Stossel C. A. , Haddad F. S. 
Published: February 2006

The Kent hip is a distally-locked femoral stem which was developed to address severe proximal bone loss, severe bony deformity and peri-prosthetic fracture.We reviewed the results of 145 consecutive Kent hips implanted into 141 patients between 1987 and 2000. The indications for implantation were aseptic loosening (75 hips), septic loosening (two), peri-prosthetic and prosthetic fracture (37), severe bony deformity (24), and fracture through a proximal femoral metastasis (seven).The median time to full weight-bearing after surgery was two days and the mean length of follow-up was 5.1 years (2 to 15). Further revisions were required for 13 femoral stems. With removal of the stem for any reason as an end-point, the cumulative survival at five, ten and 15 years was 93%, 89% and 77%, respectively. In patients aged ≥ 70 years, the cumulative survival at 15 years was 92%, compared with 68% in those aged < 70 years. Because of these findings, we recommend the use of interlocking stems in patients aged ≥ 70 years, particularly in those with a peri-prosthetic fracture, for whom alternative methods are limited. Outcome scores and survival data, compared with other systems, indicate that the Kent hip should be used with caution in younger patients.
Management of severe open tibial fractures
Authors: Naique S. B. , Pearse M. , Nanchahal J. 
Published: February 2006

Although it is widely accepted that grade IIIB open tibial fractures require combined specialised orthopaedic and plastic surgery, the majority of patients in the UK initially present to local hospitals without access to specialised trauma facilities. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of patients presenting directly to a specialist centre (primary group) with that of patients initially managed at local centres (tertiary group). We reviewed 73 consecutive grade IIIB open tibial shaft fractures with a mean follow-up of 14 months (8 to 48). There were 26 fractures in the primary and 47 in the tertiary group. The initial skeletal fixation required revision in 22 (47%) of the tertiary patients. Although there was no statistically-significant relationship between flap timing and flap failure, all the failures (6 of 63; 9.5%) occurred in the tertiary group. The overall mean time to union of 28 weeks was not influenced by the type of skeletal fixation. Deep infection occurred in 8.5% of patients, but there were no persistently infected fractures. The infection rate was not increased in those patients debrided more than six hours after injury. The limb salvage rate was 93%. The mean limb functional score was 74% of that of the normal limb. At review, 67% of patients had returned to employment, with a further 10% considering a return after rehabilitation. The times to union, infection rates and Enneking limb reconstruction scores were not statistically different between the primary and tertiary groups. The increased complications and revision surgery encountered in the tertiary group suggest that severe open tibial fractures should be referred directly to specialist centres for simultaneous combined management by orthopaedic and plastic surgeons.
Infection in knee replacements after previous injection of intra-articular steroid
Authors: Papavasiliou A. V. , Isaac D. L. , Marimuthu R. , Skyrme A. , Armitage A. 
Published: February 2006

We reviewed 231 patients who had undergone total knee replacement with an AGC (Biomet) implant over a period of 2.5 years. After applying exclusion criteria and with some loss to follow-up, there were 144 patients available for study. These were divided into two groups; those who had received intra-articular steroid in the 11 months before surgery and those who had not. There were three deep infections, all of which occurred in patients who had received a steroid injection. The incidence of superficial infection was not significantly different in the two groups. Five patients had undergone investigation for suspected deep infection because of persistent swelling or pain and all of these had received an intra-articular injection pre-operatively. We conclude that the decision to administer intra-articular steroids to a patient who may be a candidate for total knee replacement should not be taken lightly because of a risk of post-operative deep infection.
Early versus delayed treatment of extension type-3 supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children
Authors: Sibinski M. , Sharma H. , Bennet G. C. 
Published: February 2006

We examined differences in the rate of open reduction, operating time, length of hospital stay and outcome between two groups of children with displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus who underwent surgery either within 12 hours of the injury or later. There were 77 children with type-3 supracondylar fractures. Of these, in 43 the fracture was reduced and pinned within 12 hours and in 34 more than 12 hours after injury. Both groups were similar in regard to gender, age and length of follow-up. Bivariate and logistical regression analysis showed no statistical difference between the groups. The number of peri-operative complications was low and did not affect the outcome regardless of the timing of treatment. Our study confirmed that the treatment of uncomplicated displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus can be early or delayed. In these circumstances operations at night can be avoided.
Detection of Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II by Measurement of Iduronate-2-Sulfatase in Dried Blood Spots and Plasma Samples
Authors: Dean Caroline J , Bockmann Michelle R , Hopwood John J , Brooks Doug A , Meikle Peter J 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
Background: Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II) is a lysosomal storage disorder related to a deficiency in the enzyme iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS). Clinical trials of enzyme replacement therapy are in progress, but effective treatment will require screening assays to enable early detection and diagnosis of MPS II. Our study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of IDS protein and enzyme activity measurements in dried blood spots and plasma.
Methods: We collected dried-blood-spot and plasma samples from unaffected control individuals and from MPS II patients. We measured IDS protein concentration with a 2-step time-delayed dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluorescence immunoassay. To measure enzyme activity, we immobilized anti-IDS antibody on microtiter plates to capture the enzyme and measured its activity with the fluorogenic substrate 4-methylumbelliferyl sulfate.
Results: Dried-blood-spot samples from MPS II patients showed an almost total absence of IDS activity (0–0.075 μmol · h−1 · L−1) compared with control blood spots (0.5–4.7 μmol · h−1 · L−1) and control plasma (0.17–8.1 μmol · h−1 · L−1). A dried-blood-spot sample from only 1 of 12 MPS II patients had detectable concentrations of IDS protein (24.8 μg/L), but no IDS protein was detected in plasma from MPS II patients. Ranges for IDS protein in control samples were 25.8–153 μg/L for blood spots and 22.8–349.4 μg/L for plasma.
Conclusion: Measurement of the IDS protein concentration and enzyme activity (as measured by a simple fluorogenic assay with an immune capture technique) enables identification of the majority of MPS II patient samples from both dried blood spots and plasma samples.
Air-stable Co-, Fe-, and Fe/Co-Nanoparticles and Ferrofluids
Authors: Behrens Silke , Bönnemann Helmut , Matoussevitch Nina , Dinjus Eckhard , Modrow Hartwig , Palina Natalie , Frerichs Martin , Kempter Volker , Maus-Friedrichs Wolfgang , Heinemann André , Kammel Martin , Wiedenmann Albrecht 
Published: February 2006

Summary
Air-stable Co, Fe, and Fe/Co nanoparticles are accessible by thermolysis of the metal carbonyl precursors in the presence of aluminium alkyls and subsequent “smooth oxidation”. The structure of the particles was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM, HRTEM), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, UPS), metastable impact electron spectroscopy (MIES), and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The peptization of the nanoparticles with suitable surfactants (oleic and lauric acid, sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate (AOT), LP-4 (a fatty acid condensation polymer), and KorantinSH (N-oleyl sarcosine)) yields magnetic fluids dispersed in carrier liquids such as toluene, kerosene, vacuum and mineral oils which are remarkably stable in air under ambient conditions. The resulting magnetic fluids show good magnetic properties. Several methods for the preparation of water-based MF are presented, e.g., formation of surfactant bilayers, using phase transfer agents, or surface modification with L-cysteine ethyl ester. Water-based metallic magnetic fluids have a high potential for a number of technical and biomedical applications. Technical applications of the Co-based ferrofluids in the field of positioning systems and magnetohydrostatic bearings were investigated. The results emphasize the scope of nanoparticulate ferrofluids having a metallic core.
Precipitated Iron Oxide Particles by Cyclic Growth
Authors: Müller Robert , Steinmetz H. , Zeisberger M. , Schmidt Ch. , Dutz S. , Hergt R. , Gawalek W. 
Published: February 2006

Summary
Magnetic fluids show heating effects in ac-magnetic fields which may be useful for application in magnetic hyperthermia proposed as a tumour therapy. Enhancement of the specific loss power (SLP) of magnetic ac-losses would allow a reduction of the tissue load with magnetic material (iron oxide). The several types of loss processes depend strongly on the mean particle size [1] and the size distribution width [2]. To influence and improve the mean size as well as size distribution new approaches in preparation are promising where nucleation and growth of the particles can be influenced independently or where a further growing is possible on small given particles without further nucleation.
First experiments on iron oxide powders by a cyclic method based on “conventional” precipitation from Fe-salt solution have shown the feasibility of cyclic growth in an aqueous system. An increasing mean particle size (in the range from about 10 to 30 nm) with increasing number of cycles (up to four) is confirmed by XRD. Magnetic parameters of the saturation hysteresis loop and magnetic hysteresis losses calculated from minor loops are shown. The coercivity increases with the particle size, whereas the hysteresis losses at small applied fields (11 kA/m) reveal lower values again if the particles are magnetically too hard.
Thermal Ratchet Effect in a Rotating Ferrofluid
Authors: Becker Volker , Engel Andreas 
Published: February 2006

Summary
Rotational Brownian motion of a colloidal magnetic particle in a ferrofluid under the influence of an external magnetic field may give rise to a noise induced rotation of the particle due to the rectification of thermal fluctuations. Via viscous coupling the associated angular momentum is transferred to the carrier liquid and can be measured as a macroscopic torque. In the present contribution we study the case of a rotating ferrofluid and elucidate the interplay between the ratchet effect and the non-zero vorticity of the flow.
Some Immobilization Modes of Biologically Active Substances to Fine Magnetic Particles
Authors: Závišová V. , Koneracká M. , Tomašovičová N. , Kopčanský P. , Timko M. 
Published: February 2006

Summary
This paper describes the preparation, characterization and compare of three different modes for coupling biologically active substances to magnetic particles: (i) covalently bound proteins and enzymes to freshly prepared magnetite in the presence of carbodiimide (CDI), (ii) the encapsulation of magnetic nanoparticles and drugs in lipid mixture dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and (iii) the encapsulation of magnetic nanoparticles and drugs in biodegradable poly D,L-lactide polymer (PLA).
On Magnetic Field Control Experiments of Ferrofluid Convection Motion
Authors: Bozhko A.A. , Putin G.F. , Beresneva E.N. , Bulychev P.V. 
Published: February 2006

Summary
The experiments have been performed on the stability of buoyancy-driven flows of a ferrofluid for the cases of an inclined and vertical orientation of thin cylindrical encloser. Visualization of flow patterns is provided by a temperature-sensitive liquid crystal sheet which serves as the lower surface of a transparent heat exchanger. The local temperature sensor is used for measurement of heat transport across the fluid layer. The results indicate that with the help of an external homogeneous transversal magnetic field it is possible to control the stability of thermogravitational shear flow under vertical orientation of the layer, i.e. induce the thermomagnetic mode of instability with vertical orientation of longitudinal convection rolls. As numerous experimental investigations show the origin of concentration density gradients due to gravity sedimentation of magnetic particles and their aggregates results in traveling wave regimes of Rayleigh and thermomagnetic convection flows.
Diagnostic value of various biochemical parameters for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in patients with adrenal mass
Authors: Unger Nicole , Pitt Christian , Schmidt Ingo Lopez , Walz Martin K , Schmid Kurt W , Philipp Thomas , Mann Klaus , Petersenn Stephan 
Published: February 2006

Objective: Pheochromocytomas are neoplasms generally characterized by the autonomous production of catecholamines. This study compared various biochemical parameters for the diagnosis of adrenal pheochromocytoma in patients with adrenal mass.
Design: One hundred and fifty subjects were studied, including 24 histologically proven pheochromocytomas, 17 aldosterone-secreting and 21 cortisol-secreting adrenal adenomas and 30 nonfunctioning adrenal masses, 16 patients with essential hypertension and 42 healthy normotensive volunteers. Spontaneous blood samples and 24-h urine samples were collected prospectively.
Methods: Plasma and urinary epinephrine and norepinephrine levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography, whereas plasma and urinary metanephrine and normetanephrine levels were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Putative ratio thresholds were calculated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to balance between sensitivity and specificity.
Results: Plasma normetanephrine was found to be the best single parameter with the highest sensitivity (91.7%) and specificity (95.6%) using a threshold of 126 pg/ml. In combination, plasma normetanephrine and metanephrine had a higher sensitivity of 95.8% with lower specificity (79.4%). All other combinations of plasma and/or urinary parameters demonstrated a lower accuracy.
Conclusion: Plasma metanephrines measured by RIA are reliable screening parameters for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.