bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heat waves in the Mediterranean: a local feature or a larger‐scale effect?
Authors: Baldi Marina , Dalu Giovanni , Maracchi Giampiero , Pasqui Massimiliano , Cesarone Francesco 
Published: September 2006

AbstractWe analyse the anomalously warm summer months in the Mediterranean region using the 850 hPa temperature, T850, extracted from the ERA‐40 reanalysis, in order to find how these anomalies are related to the anomaly of the jet stream over the Euro‐Atlantic area. In this region, the westerly jet has two main branches: the Scandinavian jet and the Mediterranean jet, which, in summer, are at a meridional minimum distance.In addition, we analyse the heat waves in the Central Mediterranean in the last half century using the temperature observations collected at fifty surface stations distributed throughout the Italian peninsula and its two major islands, and we relate these events to the position of the Mediterranean jet.We find that, when these two jets are almost aligned, there is a streak of the Mediterranean jet over the Alps and, to the south of them, an anticyclonic vorticity aloft, which forces a strong subsidence and an adiabatic warming of the troposphere over the Mediterranean. This configuration is also a characteristic of anomalously warm spells over the basin. While, when the Mediterranean jet resides further south and along the northern rim of Africa, its meridional distance from the Scandinavian jet is relatively large, the vorticity over the Mediterranean is cyclonic and this region is relatively cool. The tropospheric temperature difference between these two configurations (Mediterranean jet over the Alps and jet over North Africa) is of the order of 3 °C.Since the correlation between the observed temperatures over Italy and the ERA‐40 T850 in the Central Mediterranean is more than 90%, and more than 60% in the T850 of the entire Mediterranean basin, we conclude that the heat waves over Italy are representative of exceptionally warm episodes over the Central Mediterranean, and that a warm spell over Italy is a country‐scale symptom of warm spells in the Mediterranean basin. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society.
Analysis of ‘Miholjday summer’ for Belgrade and Serbia region
Authors: Todorović Nedeljko , Vujović Dragana 
Published: September 2006

AbstractTypical weather conditions with dry and warm features occur in autumn months, with temperatures above the normal temperatures for this period of the year for the Belgrade and Serbia region. Temperatures have values like the ones for the end of summer. That period of fair weather is called Miholjday (St Michael) summer (MS). An analysis of temperature has been the most important criterion for defining MS. Synoptic situation and temperature conditions during that period are analyzed and typical and atypical MSs are defined for Belgrade and Serbia region. The frequency of MS in the period 1946–2004 for Belgrade region is also analyzed. The general definition (Glossary of Meteorology) is assumed and we gave the specific definition of MS for Belgrade and Serbia region on the basis of real weather for longer series of observations. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society.
Daily atmospheric circulation catalogue for western Europe using multivariate techniques
Authors: Esteban Pere , Martin‐Vide Javier , Mases Montserrat 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis study uses principal component analysis (PCA) and clustering (CL) techniques to characterize the daily surface synoptic circulation patterns over the region 30°N–60°N by 30°W–15°E, for the period 1960–2001 using the NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis Project data. The methodology used, previously proposed by Esteban et al. (2005) to identify heavy snowfall days over Andorra (Pyrenees), involves a pre‐processing approach consisting of a spatial standardization of the data used for the rotated PCA on S‐mode analysis and correlation matrix, and Varimax rotation of the retained components. For the clustering process, an alternative approximation based on the PCA results (positive and negative phases) to decide the centroids and the number of groups for the K‐means clustering is shown, followed by the rejection of the iterations for this non‐hierarchical algorithm. Twenty sea level pressure (SLP) circulation patterns were obtained, with all days classified. The composite maps for SLP and 500 hPa geopotential height (GPH), the monthly distribution, and the long‐term variability for each of the circulation patterns is obtained. The results are consistent with the subjective knowledge of the daily atmospheric circulation over the area treated, and seem to be an easy and accessible way for the synoptic studies of short‐lived (from weekly to daily) phenomena. In addition, this methodology appears to be applicable to all climatic areas of the world, as it characterizes well enough the complex circulation variability at mid‐latitudes, including the surface low‐pressure gradient patterns normally located over the Mediterranean in summer. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society.
Ochratoxin A and the occurrence of ochratoxin A‐producing black aspergilli in stored peanut seeds from Córdoba, Argentina
Authors: Magnoli Carina , Astoreca Andrea , Ponsone Lorena , Fernández‐Juri María G , Chiacchiera Stella , Dalcero Ana 
Published: September 2006

AbstractSince there is no available information about the natural occurrence of ochratoxin‐producing fungi and ochratoxin A (OTA) in peanut seeds in Argentina, the aims of this work were to isolate and identify Aspergillus section Nigri and to evaluate the natural occurrence of OTA in stored peanut seeds. Likewise, the capacity to produce OTA by Aspergillus section Nigri was studied. Forty‐seven samples of peanut seeds were obtained from a storage plant in the south of Córdoba Province, Argentina. Each sample of 100 seeds was surface‐disinfected and plated onto a dichloran 18% glycerol agar (DG18). OTA was detected by HPLC. The production of OTA in strains belonging to section Nigri was tested in YES medium (2% yeast extract, 15% sucrose). Aspergillus spp., the most frequent mould, occurred in 100% of samples, followed by Penicillium spp. (87%) and Eurotium spp. (6.4%). A. flavus was isolated in 100% of the samples, followed by A. niger var. niger, A. niger var. awamori and A. carbonarius at a lower frequency, 89%, 68% and 4%, respectively. OTA was found in 32% of the peanut seed samples, with mean levels ranging from 0.5 to 170 ng g−1. The mean recovery of the method used was 85 ± 2%. Forty‐three isolates (27%) of Aspergillus section Nigri, were found to be OTA producing strains. The highest percentage of ochratoxigenic strains (57%) was found within the A. carbonarius ssp. These results indicate a human exposure to OTA in Argentina through the ingestion of peanut seeds and peanut products. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors
Authors: Kovach Stephen J. , Fischer Anne C. , Katzman Philip J. , Salloum Rabih M. , Ettinghausen Stephen E. , Madeb Ralph , Koniaris Leonidas G. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractIntroductionInflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMT) while uncommon may arise within numerous organs. Historically, the literature regarding IMT has been confined to small one organ case series, with few reviews encompassing multiple anatomic sites, and little data regarding adjuvant treatment.MethodsA review of patients with IMT treated at two large academic medical centers over a 15‐year period was undertaken. Patient demographics, pathologic diagnoses, and pertinent clinical data were obtained.ResultsForty‐four cases of pathologically confirmed IMT were identified. Tumor locations included multiple anatomic sites. Therapies included complete resection, incomplete resection, observation, or chemotherapy, and/or radiation. Five patients underwent adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy following surgery (14%) for local aggressiveness of the tumor, invasion, positive margins, or location of tumor that was not amenable to surgical resection. A second, concomitant, histologically distinct, neoplasm was identified in five cases. Of the patients who underwent treatment three local recurrences were noted (8%) and occurred in patients with partial resection without adjuvant chemo‐ or radiotherapy.ConclusionsInflammatory myofibroblastic tumors may be a locally aggressive and destructive neoplasm. Tumor recurrence is unusual following complete surgical resection or organ‐preserving combined modality therapy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2006;94:385–391. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Staging of esophageal carcinoma: Length of tumor and number of involved regional lymph nodes. Are these independent prognostic factors?
Authors: Bollschweiler Elfriede , Baldus Stephan E. , Schröder Wolfgang , Schneider Paul M. , Hölscher Arnulf H. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesNew potential prognostic indicators aside from the TNM classification have been proposed. The aim of this study was to analyze the prognostic relevance of tumor length as well as number of involved regional lymph nodes (LNM) in patients with esophageal carcinoma.MethodsTwo hundred thirteen patients with esophageal carcinoma (116 squamous cell‐ and 97 adenocarcinoma) were included in this study. Treatment of choice was subtotal en bloc esophagectomy including “2‐field” lymphadenectomy. The median number of examined lymph nodes (LNs) was 28. Eighty patients (38%) received preoperative radio‐chemotherapy according to a standardized protocol. Histopathology consisted of tumor stage, residual tumor, grading, and number of examined and involved LN. Univariate and multivariate prognostic values were calculated.ResultsLength of tumor correlated with pT/ypT‐category (P < 0.01). Univariate but not multivariate analysis showed better survival for tumors ≤3 cm (P < 0.05). Patients with 1–5 LNM had significantly better prognoses than those with more than 5 LNM (Hazard ratio 2.7, 95% CI = 1.7–4.2) (P < 0.01). Patients without LNM and more than 15 examined LN showed significantly better prognosis than those with fewer examined LN (Hazard ratio = 0.3, 95% CI = 0.1–0.6) (P < 0.01).ConclusionsA revision of the TNM classification for esophageal carcinoma should subdivide the pN1‐category according to the number of LNM. J. Surg. Oncol. 2006;94:355–363. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neoadjuvant intratumoral cytokine‐loaded microspheres are superior to postoperative autologous cellular vaccines in generating systemic anti‐tumor immunity
Authors: Arora Alisha , Su Gang , Mathiowitz Edith , Reineke Joshua , Chang Alfred E. , Sabel Michael S. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackgroundSustained intratumoral cytokine release using poly‐lactic acid microspheres (PLAMs) can induce a systemic immune response, shifting immunotherapy to the neoadjuvant setting.MethodsC57BL6 mice with established B16 melanomas underwent a single intralesional injection of IL‐12, TNF‐α or GM‐CSF PLAM, alone or in combination. Tumor draining lymph nodes (TDLN) and spleens were assessed for a specific anti‐tumor response by IFNγ release assay and ELISPOT.ResultsIntralesional injection of TNF‐α, alone or in combination, resulted in significant tumor ablation. The induction of tumor specific reactive T‐cells in the TDLN was greatest with IL‐12 and TNF‐α. Only mice treated with IL‐12 and TNF‐α demonstrated a substantial T‐cell response in cultured splenocytes. This combination resulted in a significant reduction in new tumors after re‐challenge. Adjuvant therapy, using irradiated B16 cells in combination with equivalent doses of IL‐12 and TNF‐α, failed to generate a similar T‐cell response or prevent re‐challenge.ConclusionsIntratumoral IL‐12 and TNF‐α loaded PLAM leads to both local eradication of tumor and the induction of specific anti‐tumor T‐cells in the lymph nodes and spleens, resulting in memory immune response. Neoadjuvant treatment was significantly superior to postoperative autologous cellular vaccines using IL‐12 and TNF‐α PLAM. J. Surg. Oncol. 2006;94:403–412. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ductal carcinoma in situ: Value of sentinel lymph node biopsy
Authors: Sakr Rita , Barranger Emmanuel , Antoine Martine , Prugnolle Herve , Daraï Emile , Uzan Serge 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackgroundDuctal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) represents about 20% of newly diagnosed breast carcinomas. Axillary metastasis is often related to undiagnosed DCIS with microinvasion (DCISM). The aim of this study was to confirm the interest of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in extensive DCIS.MethodsPatients with a diagnosis of DCIS or DCISM and axillary lymph node evaluation were selected. Surgical treatment included SLN biopsy and/or axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Serial sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and with an immunohistochemical (IHC) method. When a micrometastasis was found, the breast specimen was revised searching for occult microinvasion.ResultsHundred and forty patients with initial DCIS were enrolled in the study. Node metastasis was identified in 9 patients (7%) of the 128 patients with DCIS and DCISM. At final histology, 4 (10%) of the 39 patients with pure DCIS and SLN biopsy and 1 (7%) of the 14 patients with DCISM and SLN biopsy had axillary micrometastasis. Four of the 12 patients upstaged to invasive carcinoma had metastatic SLNs.ConclusionsSentinel lymph node biopsy is valuable in patients with diffuse DCIS or DCISM who are scheduled for mastectomy in order to search for axillary micrometastases and occult breast microinvasion. J. Surg. Oncol. 2006;94:426–430. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Management of goblet cell carcinoid
Authors: Byrn John C. , Wang Ju‐Lin , Divino Celia M. , Nguyen Scott Q. , Warner Richard R.P. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesGoblet cell carcinoid, a rare tumor of intermediate malignant potential, is known to account for a significant minority of appendiceal neoplasms. Sixteen new cases of gastrointestinal goblet cell carcinoid were reviewed to describe their presentation, treatment, and outcome.MethodsA review of 16 cases from a single institution.ResultsSixteen patients were diagnosed with goblet cell carcinoid between 1995 and 2005. Presenting diagnoses included appendicitis (n = 8), abdominal or liver mass (n = 5), uterine fibroids (n = 1), ovarian mass (n = 1), and Crohn's Disease exacerbation (n = 1). Mean follow‐up was 12 months with a mortality of 19% (n = 3). Patients were divided into two groups: those where the diagnosis was an incidental finding at operation (Group 1) and those where the presentation was of an abdominal mass or metastatic disease (Group 2). Nine of ten patients in Group 1 initially received appendectomies. Group 2 included patients presenting with Krukenberg type lesions (n = 2) and abdominal masses (n = 4).ConclusionsGoblet cell carcinoid is a rare malignant tumor largely affecting the appendix. In patients presenting with appendicitis, our series does not support the recommendation of right hemicolectomy based on pathologic diagnosis alone and surgical intervention must be customized to the individual patient. J. Surg. Oncol. 2006;94:396–402. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Elastic, Superporous Hydrogel Hybrids of Polyacrylamide and Sodium Alginate
Authors: Omidian Hossein , Rocca Jose G. , Park Kinam 
Published: September 2006

AbstractSummary: A novel approach was developed to prepare a superporous hydrogel with superior mechanical and elastic properties. According to this method, a synthetic monomer was polymerized and crosslinked in the presence of a water‐soluble alginate polymer. Later in the process, the alginate part of the synthesized hydrogel was treated with metal cations, which resulted in a hydrogel hybrid with an interpenetrating network structure. In this article, a hydrogel hybrid of acrylamide and alginate is highlighted because of its unique swelling and mechanical properties. This hydrogel hybrid shows resilience and a rubbery property in its fully water‐swollen state, which not previously been reported. To help understand the underlying mechanism responsible for such unique properties with hydrogel hybrids, the ionotropic gelation of the alginate polymer was also studied in more detail.The elastic nature of the prepared, water‐swollen, acrylamide‐alginate hybrid hydrogel.magnified imageThe elastic nature of the prepared, water‐swollen, acrylamide‐alginate hybrid hydrogel.
Phase Transition Behavior of Novel pH‐Sensitive Polyaspartamide Derivatives Grafted with 1‐(3‐Aminopropyl)imidazole
Authors: Seo Kwangwon , Kim Dukjoon 
Published: September 2006

AbstractSummary: New pH‐sensitive polyaspartamide derivatives were synthesized by grafting 1‐(3‐aminopropyl)imidazole and/or O‐(2‐aminoethyl)‐O′‐methylpoly(ethylene glycol) 5000 on polysuccinimide for application in intracellular drug delivery systems. The DS of 1‐(3‐aminopropyl)imidazole was adjusted by the feed molar ratio, and the structure of the prepared polymer was confirmed using FT‐IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Their pH‐sensitive properties were characterized by light transmittance measurements, and the particle size and its distribution were investigated by dynamic light scattering measurements at varying pH values. The pH‐sensitive phase transition was clearly observed in polymer solutions with a high substitution of 1‐(3‐aminopropyl)imidazole. The prepared polymers showed a high buffering capacity between pH 5 and 7, and this increased with the DS of 1‐(3‐aminopropyl)imidazole. The pH dependence of the aggregation and de‐aggregation behavior was examined using a fluorescence spectrometer. For MPEG/imidazole‐g‐polyaspartamides with a DS of 1‐(3‐aminopropyl)imidazole over 82%, self aggregates associated with the hydrophobic interactions of the unprotonated imidazole groups were observed at pH values above 7, and their mean size was over 200 nm, while the aggregates of polymers were dissociated at pH values below 7 by the protonation of imidazole groups. These pH‐sensitive polyaspartamide derivatives are potential basic candidates for intracellular drug delivery carriers triggered by small pH changes.Mean particle size change of MPEG/imidazole‐g‐polyaspartamide as pH is varied.magnified imageMean particle size change of MPEG/imidazole‐g‐polyaspartamide as pH is varied.
Solvent‐Assisted Room‐Temperature Compression Molding Approach to Fabricate Porous Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Jing Dianying , Wu Linbo , Ding Jiandong 
Published: September 2006

AbstractSummary: This study investigated the room‐temperature compression molding/particle leaching approach to fabricate three‐dimensional porous scaffolds for tissue engineering. Scaffolds with anatomical shapes (ear, joint, tube, cylinder) were made from biodegradable poly(D,L‐lactide) and poly[(D,L‐lactide)‐co‐glycolide]. The utility of this room‐temperature compression approach comes from the effect of solvent assistance, but the tendency for post‐molding scaffold shrinkage is a problem unique to this method and is thus examined with emphasis in this paper. Scaffold shrinkage was found to be tolerable under normal fabrication conditions with high salt contents, which is just what the preparation of highly porous scaffolds requires. Furthermore, the resultant porosities after salt leaching were measured as well as the initial scaffold shrinkages after solvent evaporation, and the relation between them was revealed by theoretical analysis and confirmed by comparison with experimental measurements. The pores were interconnected, and porosity can exceed 90%. The effects of porosity on the mechanical properties of porous scaffolds were also investigated. This convenient fabrication approach is a prospective method for the tailoring of porous scaffolds for a variety of possible applications in tissue engineering and tissue reconstruction.Typical poly[(D,L‐lactide)‐co‐glycolide] (PLGA) porous scaffolds with complicated shapes (ear, joint, tube, cylinder) fabricated by room‐temperature compression molding and particulate leaching (RTCM/PL) approach.magnified imageTypical poly[(D,L‐lactide)‐co‐glycolide] (PLGA) porous scaffolds with complicated shapes (ear, joint, tube, cylinder) fabricated by room‐temperature compression molding and particulate leaching (RTCM/PL) approach.
Structural Effects of Crosslinking a Biopolymer Hydrogel Derived from Marine Mussel Adhesive Protein
Authors: Loizou Elena , Weisser Jaime T. , Dundigalla Avinash , Porcar Lionel , Schmidt Gudrun , Wilker Jonathan J. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractSummary: In an effort to explore new biocompatible substrates for biomedical technologies, we present a structural study on a crosslinked gelatinous protein extracted from marine mussels. Prior studies have shown the importance of iron in protein crosslinking and mussel adhesive formation. Here, the structure and properties of an extracted material were examined both before and after crosslinking with iron. The structures of these protein hydrogels were studied by SEM, SANS, and SAXS. Viscoelasticity was tested by rheological means. The starting gel was found to have a heterogeneous porous structure on a micrometer scale and, surprisingly, a regular structure on the micron to nanometer scale. However disorder, or “no periodic structure”, was deduced from scattering on nanometer length scales at very high q. Crosslinking with iron condensed the structure on a micrometer level. On nanometer length scales at high q, small angle neutron scattering showed no significant differences between the samples, possibly due to strong heterogeneity. X‐ray scattering also confirmed the absence of any defined periodic structure. Partial crosslinking transformed the viscoelastic starting gel into one with more rigid and elastic properties.Environmental scanning electron micrographs of the protein gel after crosslinking with iron.magnified imageEnvironmental scanning electron micrographs of the protein gel after crosslinking with iron.
Anisotropic parabolic equations with measure data II
Authors: Li Fengquan 
Published: September 2006

AbstractIn order to study the existence of solutions to anisotropic parabolic equations with measure data, we introduce a definition of relaxed solutions defined by J. M. Rakotoson in [13] and new type of functional sets for anisotropic parabolic equations in this paper. In the framework of new definition of solutions and functional sets, we improve those results of [8] and also extend the analogous results of [13] to anisotropic parabolic equations. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The mixed boundary‐value problem for second order elliptic equations with degenerate curve on the sides of an angle
Authors: Wen Guochun 
Published: September 2006

AbstractIn [1, 2, 3, 4, 6], the authors posed and discussed some boundary‐value problems of second order elliptic equations with parabolic degeneracy. In [5], the authors posed and discussed some boundary‐value problems of second order mixed equations with degenerate curve on the sides of an angle, but the coefficients of the equations possess strong restrictions. The present paper deals with the mixed problem for elliptic equations with degenerate curve on the sides of an angle, where the coefficients satisfy general conditions. We first give the formulation of the problem and estimates of solutions of the problem for the equations, and then prove the existence of solutions for the above problem by the Leray–Schauder theorem. In this paper, we use the complex analytic method, namely we first introduce the new notation (2.1) below and reduce the degenerate elliptic equations of second order to the corresponding problem for degenerate elliptic complex equations of first order, afterwards the above problem of second order degenerate elliptic equations can be solved. The results in this paper will be used in a subsequent paper to handle the Tricomi problem of second order equations of mixed type with degenerate curve on the sides of an angle. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)