bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The fire behaviour of rendered straw bales
Authors: Apte V. , Griffin G. J. , Paroz B. W. , Bicknell A. D. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractExperimental and theoretical investigations were conducted on the combustion behaviour of compacted, rendered straw bales exposed to two radiant heat flux regimes—(1) 30kWm−2 for 30 min and (2) 50kWm−2 for 40 min. The objective was to examine the fire safety of the rendered straw bales, which are used to construct houses in rural areas or on the urban fringe. The rendered bales were ∼950 mm × 450 mm × 550 mm in size, comprising a ∼45 mm thick render layer on all sides. Two types of render materials—earth‐based and lime‐based—were tested. The 30kWm−2, 30‐min regime resulted in little damage to the render layer and no combustion of the straw bale. The 50kWm−2, 40‐min regime initiated combustion of the straw 24 h after the end of the exposure regime, consuming the entire straw bale over 11 days.A two‐dimensional mathematical model describing the heat transfer through the render and the straw, and the combustion of the straw is presented. The kinetic parameters for the pyrolysis and combustion were derived from thermo‐gravimetric analysis of the straw. The physical and thermal properties of the render and the straw were obtained from measurements and literature. The model predicted transient temperature profiles within the straw bale. The trends of predicted temperatures compare favourably with the experimental measurements, although aspects of the theoretical predictions of the ignition of the straw could not be reconciled with experimental results. © Commonwealth of Australia 2008.
The effects of acute treatment with paroxetine, amitriptyline, and placebo on driving performance and cognitive function in healthy Japanese subjects: A double‐blind crossover trial
Authors: Iwamoto Kunihiro , Takahashi Masahiro , Nakamura Yukako , Kawamura Yukiko , Ishihara Ryoko , Uchiyama Yuji , Ebe Kazutoshi , Noda Akiko , Noda Yukihiro , Yoshida Keizo , Iidaka Tetsuya , Ozaki Norio 
Published: March 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effects of antidepressants on driving performance from a different methodological viewpoint in light of the recent traffic accidents.MethodsIn this double‐blinded, 3‐way crossover trial, 17 healthy males received acute doses of 10 mg paroxetine, 25 mg amitriptyline, and placebo. The subjects were administered three driving tasks—road tracking, car following, and harsh braking—performed using a driving simulator and three cognitive tasks—Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Continuous Performance Test, and N‐back test at baseline and at 1 h and 4 h post‐dosing. The Stanford Sleepiness Scale scores were also assessed.ResultsAt 4 h post‐dosing, amitriptyline significantly impaired road‐tracking and car‐following performance, reduced driver vigilance, and caused subjective somnolence. Paroxetine impaired neither driving performance nor cognitive function.ConclusionsAcute doses of amitriptyline significantly impaired driving performance in the context of driving on crowded urban roads at relatively low speeds. This setting is important with respect to skills necessary for daily driving and may be difficult to measure in actual driving tests. This simulator‐based study replicated the results of previous studies and could be considered complementary to them. This method may enable easy and safe screening of the driving hazard potential of drugs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stream flow forecasting using neuro‐wavelet technique
Authors: Kişi Özgür 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis paper proposes the application of a neuro‐wavelet technique for modelling monthly stream flows. The neuro‐wavelet model is improved by combining two methods, discrete wavelet transform and multi‐layer perceptron, for one‐month‐ahead stream flow forecasting and results are compared with those of the single multi‐layer perceptron (MLP), multi‐linear regression (MLR) and auto‐regressive (AR) models. Monthly flow data from two stations, Gerdelli Station on Canakdere River and Isakoy Station on Goksudere River, in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey are used in the study. The comparison results revealed that the suggested model could increase the forecast accuracy and perform better than the MLP, MLR and AR models. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Marked differences in survival rate between smokers and nonsmokers with HPV 16‐associated tonsillar carcinomas
Authors: Hafkamp Harriët C. , Manni J.J. , Haesevoets A. , Voogd A.C. , Schepers M. , Bot F.J. , Hopman A.H.N. , Ramaekers F.C.S. , Speel Ernst‐Jan M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractOncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) is a causative agent in a subgroup of head and neck carcinomas, particularly tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas (TSCC). This study was undertaken because controversial data exist on the physical status of HPV‐DNA and the use of p16INK4A overexpression as surrogate HPV marker, and to examine the impact of HPV and tobacco consumption on the clinical course of TSCC. Tissue sections of 81 TSCC were analyzed by HPV 16‐specific fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and p16INK4A‐specific immunohistochemistry. Results were correlated with clinical and demographic data. HPV 16 integration was detected by FISH as punctate signals in 33 out of 81 (41%) TSCC, 32 of which showed p16INK4A accumulation. Only 5 out of 48 HPV‐negative tumors showed p16INK4A immunostaining (p < 0.0001). The presence of HPV furthermore correlates significantly with low tobacco (p = 0.002) and alcohol intake (p = 0.011), poor differentiation grade (p = 0.019), small tumor size (p = 0.024), presence of a local metastasis (p = 0.001) and a decreased (loco)regional recurrence rate (p = 0.039). Statistical analysis revealed that smoking significantly increases the risk of cancer death from TSCC and that non‐smoking patients with HPV‐containing TSCC show a remarkably better disease‐specific survival rate. HPV 16 is integrated in 41% of TSCC and strongly correlates with p16INK4A overexpression, implicating the latter to be a reliable HPV biomarker. Patients with HPV‐positive tumors show a favorable prognosis as compared to those with HPV‐negative tumors, but tobacco use is the strongest prognostic indicator. These findings indicate that oncogenic processes in the tonsils of non‐smokers differ from those occurring in smokers, the former being related to HPV 16 infection. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chromosome 8q24 markers: Risk of early‐onset and familial prostate cancer
Authors: Beebe‐Dimmer Jennifer L. , Levin Albert M. , Ray Anna M. , Zuhlke Kimberly A. , Machiela Mitchell J. , Halstead‐Nussloch Bronwen A. , Johnson Gregory R. , Cooney Kathleen A. , Douglas Julie A. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractRecent admixture mapping and linkage/association studies have implicated an ∼1 Mb region on chromosome 8q24 in prostate cancer susceptibility. In a subsequent follow‐up investigation, Haiman et al. (Nat Genet 2007;39:638‐44) observed significant, independent associations between 7 markers within this region and sporadic prostate cancer risk in a multi‐ethnic sample. To clarify the risk associated with hereditary prostate cancer, we tested for prostate cancer association with 6 of these 7 markers in a sample of 1,015 non‐Hispanic white men with and without prostate cancer from 403 familial and early‐onset prostate cancer families. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs6983561 and rs6983267 showed the strongest evidence of prostate cancer association. Using a family‐based association test, the minor (“C”) allele of rs6983561 and the major (“G”) allele of rs6983267 were preferentially transmitted to affected men (p < 0.05), with estimated odds ratios (ORs) of 2.26 (95% confidence interval of 1.06–4.83) and 1.30 (95% confidence interval of 0.99–1.71), respectively, for an additive model. Notably, rs6983561 was significantly associated with prostate cancer among men diagnosed at an early (<50 years) but not later age (p = 0.03 versus p = 0.21). Similarly, the association with rs6983267 was (not) statistically significant among men with(out) clinically aggressive disease (p = 0.007 versus p = 0.34). Our results confirm the association of prostate cancer with several of the SNPs on chromosome 8q24 initially reported by Haiman et al. In addition, our results suggest that the increased risk associated with these SNPs is approximately doubled in individuals predisposed to develop early onset or clinically aggressive disease. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Wear particle analysis of highly crosslinked polyethylene isolated from a failed total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Minoda Yukihide , Kobayashi Akio , Sakawa Akira , Aihara Masaharu , Tada Koichi , Sugama Ryo , Iwakiri Kentaro , Ohashi Hirotsugu , Takaoka Kunio 
Published: March 2008

AbstractPolyethylene wear particles are one of the most important factors affecting the results of total hip arthroplasty (THA). To reduce wear generation and to achieve better long‐term results of THA, highly crosslinked polyethylene (HXPE) has recently been introduced and come into wide use. Thus far, however, there have been no reports on in vivo analysis of HXPE wear particles. We isolated HXPE wear particles from periprosthetic tissue of a failed THA and analyzed using scanning electron microscope. The number of particles was 5.33 × 107 g−1. Particle size (equivalent circle diameter) was 0.66 ± 0.40 μm (mean ± standard error). Aspect ratio and roundness were 1.37 ± 0.26 and 1.44 ± 0.67, respectively. All the particles were round shaped, and “fibrils” or “shreds” were not detected. Thus far, this was the first report on in vivo wear particle analysis of HXPE. HXPE generated less, smaller, and rounder particles, compared with the corresponding reported values for particles generated from conventional polyethylene. These characteristics might affect macrophage response, osteolysis, and long‐term results of THA with HXPE. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Vapor‐phase selective hydrogenation of citral over Pd/bentonite: effect of reduction method
Authors: Divakar Duraiswami , Manikandan Dhanagopal , Sivakumar Thiripuranthagan 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Well‐dispersed nanoparticles of palladium were synthesized by wet impregnation technique over bentonite followed by three different reduction methods (H2 or NaBH4 or ethanol) and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, temperature‐programmed reduction and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Hydrogenation of citral over Pd‐supported bentonite catalysts was studied in vapor phase using a micro‐reactor. The effect of reduction method and metal loading on the conversion of citral and selectivity towards nerol and geraniol were examined.RESULTS: Among the catalysts evaluated in the vapor phase, Pd/bentonite reduced by ethanol was found to give the highest conversion and Pd/bentonite reduced by NaBH4 was found to give the highest selectivity towards nerol and geraniol. This may be attributed to the smallest particle size of Pd in the former catalyst and presence of boron species on the latter catalyst, respectively.CONCLUSION: The presence of boron in proximity to palladium particles polarized CO bond and helped CO adsorption, thereby yielding nerol and geraniol (the unsaturated alcohols). Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Genetic analysis of HAV strains isolated from patients with acute hepatitis in Korea, 2005–2006
Authors: Yun Haesun , Kim Soyeon , Lee Hyeokjin , Byun Kwan Soo , Kwon So Young , Yim Hyung Joon , Lim Young‐Suk , Jeong Sook‐Hyang , Jee Youngmee 
Published: March 2008

AbstractHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a causative agent of acute viral hepatitis, which represents a significant public health problem. HAV is usually transmitted by oral‐fecal route and prevalent not only in developing countries but also in developed countries worldwide. To characterize the HAV wild type strains circulating in Korea, the VP3/VP1 and VP1/P2A junction regions were detected by RT‐PCR from HAV IgM positives during 2005 and 2006. Among 160 HAV IgM positive sera, 30% (n = 48) were positive for HAV RNA. Additionally, the VP3/VP1 junction regions were detected all six stools, which collected from outbreak in Gyeonggi province. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences obtained from 54 distinct HAV isolates revealed that most of the strains (n = 45) belonged to genotype IA and the others including nine strains belonged to genotype IIIA. Interestingly, a Q → S amino acid change was dominantly observed at position 810 of the VP1/P2A junction region in 14 isolates. The molecular epidemiology of HAV infection in Korea has changed with the co‐circulation of at least two genotypes and 810Q → S amino acid substitutions were found to be prevalent. These results strongly suggest that various HAV strains, including genotype IIIA, might be imported from high‐endemic countries into Korea. J. Med. Virol. 80:777–784, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Case report: Rift Valley Fever with vertical transmission in a pregnant Sudanese woman
Authors: Adam Ishag , Karsany Mubarak S. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractRift Valley Fever (RVF) is a viral disease transmitted to humans by mosquito bite and contact with animals or their infected tissues. A 29‐year old primigravidae presented in early labour with symptoms suggestive of RVF. She delivered baby of 3.2 kg with skin rash, palpable liver and spleen. The two samples from the mother and neonate were found to be positive for RVF‐IgM. This report demonstrate that, RVF can be vertically transmitted. J. Med. Virol. 80:929–929, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis A, B, and C among roma and non‐roma children in a deprived area of Athens, Greece
Authors: Michos A. , Terzidis A. , Kalampoki V. , Pantelakis K. , Spanos Th. , Petridou E.Th. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis A, B, and C (HAV, HBV, and HCV) markers were compared in non‐Roma and Roma children who lived in a deprived suburb of Athens, Greece. The study included 216 children, 118 Roma and 98 non‐Roma of 9 years median age (range 5–15 years). Among Roma children 98.3% had detectable antibodies to HAV, compared with 32.7% among non‐Romas (P < 0.0001). Regarding HBV, 22% Roma children were identified with evidence of past infection (anti‐HBc(+)), among whom five (4% of the total) were chronic carriers (HBsAg(+)), whereas no past infection was detected among the non‐Romas (P < 0.0001). Markers of past HBV vaccination (anti‐HBs(+), anti‐HBc(−)) were detected in only 14% Roma but 96% non‐Roma children (P‐value < 0.0001). There was some indication for intrafamilial transmission of HAV and HBV in Roma school children. Unfavorable living conditions, frequent residency change, lack of child insurance and primary healthcare delivery were significantly associated with seroprevalence of HBV infection among Romas. No child in either group was found positive for HCV markers. These findings document high socioeconomic differentials with regards to preventable communicable diseases, such as HAV and HBV and underline the need for enhancing health policy action targeting pockets of minority childhood populations. Whereas, uptake of HBV vaccination is rather optimal in this general population, the high seroprevalence of HAV among Romas, also calls for implementing general vaccination for HAV, early in life. J. Med. Virol. 80:791–797, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of human metapneumovirus, human coronavirus NL63 and human bocavirus in infants and young children with acute wheezing
Authors: Smuts Heidi , Workman Lesley , Zar Heather J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe role of the novel respiratory viruses, human metapneumovirus (hMPV), human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV NL63) and human bocavirus (HBoV), in wheezing illness in children has not been well studied, especially in Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hMPV, HCoV NL63 and HBoV in South African children with acute wheezing. A prospective study of consecutive children presenting with acute wheezing to a pediatric hospital from May 2004 to November 2005 was undertaken. A nasal swab was taken for reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and PCR for hMPV, HCoV NL63 and HBoV; when positive, the genes were sequenced. Shell vial culture for RSV, influenza A and B viruses, adenovirus and parainfluenza viruses 1, 2, 3 was performed on every 5th sample. Two hundred and forty two nasal swabs were collected from 238 children (median age 12.4 months). A novel respiratory virus was found in 44/242 (18.2%). hMPV, HBoV, and HCoV NL63 was found in 20 (8.3%), 18 (7.4%), and 6 (2.4%) of samples, respectively. Fifteen of 59 (25%) samples were positive for other respiratory viruses. Viral co‐infections, occurred in 6/242 (2.5%). Phylogenetic analysis showed co‐circulation of hMPV and HCoV NL63 A and B lineages, although only HBoV genotype st2 was found. Viruses are an important cause of wheezing in preschool children; hMPV, HCoV NL63, and HBoV are less common than the usual respiratory pathogens. J. Med. Virol. 80:906–912, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Updated prevalence of genotypic resistance among HIV‐1 positive patients naïve to antiretroviral therapy: a single center analysis
Authors: Lapadula Giuseppe , Izzo Ilaria , Gargiulo Franco , Paraninfo Giuseppe , Castelnuovo Filippo , Quiros‐Roldan Eugenia , Cologni Giuliana , Ceresoli Francesca , Manca Nino , Carosi Giampiero , Torti Carlo 
Published: March 2008

AbstractContinuous surveillance of HIV primary resistance mutations is highly important due to their potential clinical impact. All patients naïve to antiretrovirals who had ≥1 genotypic resistance testing at the Institute of Infectious Diseases (Brescia, Northern Italy) between 2001 and 2006 were analyzed. Primary resistance mutations were defined using epidemiological and clinical criteria. Mutations were interpreted using the Stanford University Algorithm. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess possible predictors of primary resistance mutations. Among 569 patients, 11% presented ≥1 mutation. Prevalence of primary resistance mutations to nucleoside reverse‐transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI), non‐nucleoside reverse‐transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI), and protease inhibitors (PI) was 6.3%, 6%, and 1.6%, respectively. The most frequent mutations to NRTI were substitutions at position 215 (215Y in 3 patients, and 215 revertants in 16), 41L (13), 219Q (12), and 210W (10). Among mutations to NNRTI, 103N was found in 21 patients, while 181C, 188L, and 190A/S in 8, 3, and 4 patients, respectively. Fifty‐one patients (9%) had high‐to‐intermediate resistance to ≥1 antiretroviral drug before starting the treatment. Regarding the new generation drugs, nine patients had intermediate resistance to etravirine, five patients had intermediate resistance to tipranavir, while five, one, and seven patients had low resistance to etravirine, tipranavir, and darunavir. Homosexuals were more likely to harbor a virus with primary resistance mutations (OR:2.68; 95% CI:1.44–5.00; P = 0.002) while non‐Italian nationality was protective (OR:0.38; 95% CI:0.17–0.86; P = 0.020). Prevalence of primary resistance mutations suggests that genotypic resistance testing should be performed before starting treatment in naïve patients in Italy, particularly when NNRTI are prescribed. J. Med. Virol. 80:747–753, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of west nile virus replication by retrovirus‐delivered small interfering RNA in human neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Yang Yongbo , Wu Chengxiang , Wu Jianguo , Nerurkar Vivek R. , Yanagihara Richard , Lu Yuanan 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWest Nile virus (WNV) has been responsible for the largest outbreaks of arboviral encephalitis in U.S. history. No specific drug is currently available for the effective treatment of WNV infection. To exploit RNA interference as a potential therapeutic approach, a Moloney murine leukemia virus‐based retrovirus vector was used to effectively deliver WNV‐specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) into human neuroblastoma HTB‐11 cells. Viral plaque assays demonstrated that transduced cells were significantly refractory to WNV replication, as compared to untransduced control cells (P < 0.05), which correlated with the reduced expression of target viral genes and respective viral proteins. Therefore, retrovirus‐mediated delivery of siRNA for gene silencing can be used to study the specific functions of viral genes associated with replication and may have potential therapeutic applications. J. Med. Virol. 80:930–936, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate content of osteoarthritic human knee cartilage: Site‐specific correlation with weight‐bearing force based on femorotibial angle measurement
Authors: Otsuki Shuhei , Nakajima Mikio , Lotz Martin , Kinoshita Mitsuo 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis study analyzed glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content in specific compartments of the knee joint to determine the impact of malalignment and helped refine indications for osteotomy. To assess malalignment, the radiological femorotibial angle (FTA) was measured and knee joints were also graded for OA severity with the Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) classification. Cartilage samples were obtained from 36 knees of 32 OA patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery. Explants were harvested from the medial femoral condyle (MFC), lateral femoral condyle (LFC), patellar groove (PG), and lateral posterior femoral condyle (LPC). Concentrations of hyaluronic acid (HA) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). With OA severity, the average FTA significantly increased. HA and CS content in MFC was negatively correlated with radiographic FTA. In LFC, HA ratio, which is HA content in lateral condyle divided by medial condyle and chondroitin 6 sulfate, increased until about 190° FTA. Importantly, at >190° these contents were significantly decreased. HA and CS content of the femoral condyle shows topographic differences that are related to OA grade and weight‐bearing force based on FTA. The clinical relevance is that osteotomy may not be indicated for patients with severe varus (>190°) abnormalities. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:1194–1198, 2008
Effect of quercetin on bone formation
Authors: Wong Ricky W.K. , Rabie A. Bakr M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractQuercetin is a flavonol, also a phytoestrogen, available commonly in onions and apples. Our laboratory compared the amount of new bone produced by quercetin in a collagen matrix to that produced by bone grafts and a collagen matrix. Eighteen bone defects, 5 × 10 mm were created in the parietal bone of nine New Zealand White rabbits. In the experimental group, six defects were grafted with quercetin solution mixed with a collagen matrix. In the control groups, six defects were grafted with a collagen matrix alone (active control) and six were left empty (passive control). Animals were killed on day 14 and the defects were dissected and prepared for histological assessment. Serial sections were cut across each defect. Quantitative analysis of new bone formation was made on 100 sections (50 sections for each group) using image analysis. A total of 556% more new bone was present in defects grafted with quercetin in a collagen matrix than those grafted with a collagen matrix alone. No bone was formed in the passive control group. In conclusion, quercetin in a collagen matrix has the effect of increasing new bone formation locally, and can be used as a bone graft material. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:1061–1066, 2008