bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Flow rate calibration. III. The use of stabilized biostandards to calibrate the flow rate and calculate absolute CD4+ T‐cell counts
Authors: Walker Clare L. , Whitby Liam , Granger Viv , Storie Ian , Reilly John T. , Barnett David 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground:We have previously reported a flow rate calibration method for the determination of absolute CD4+ T‐lymphocyte counts that removes the need for the addition of latex beads to each sample. However, a limitation with this approach is that a calibration factor (CF) needs to be applied to adjust for differences in viscosity between latex bead suspensions and biological specimens. We have also demonstrated the value of using stabilized whole blood samples in external quality assessment (EQA) studies; such samples have a stable absolute lymphocyte count for over 1 year, at 4°C. It was successfully demonstrated that this material can be used as a flow rate biocalibration (FRB) material for use as a flow cytometric control to provide a sample with a known CD4+ T‐lymphocyte count. Such material has advantages over latex bead technology as it can act as a full process control as well as having the same matrix and viscosity characteristics as the test material, thus removing the need for a CF.Methods:In this study, we have analyzed 268 consecutive normal, abnormal, and HIV+ samples using FRB, incorporating the PanLeucoGating approach and compared this to the MultiSet method, defined as the predicate.Results:Percentage similarity statistics revealed the following: 0–3,000 CD4+ cells/μl mean percentage difference (MPD; bias) 1.2%, 95% CI of 5.6–8%; 0–200 CD4+ cells/μl MPD of 1.25%, 95% CI of 11.63–14.13%; 201–500 CD4+ cells/μl MPD of 1%, 95% CI of 4.6–6.6%.Discussion:This study demonstrates that stabilized whole blood can be used for FRB. It has the advantage of being a full process control, in addition to costing less than latex beads with highly comparable results. As bench top flow cytometers are extremely stable, this is a low cost and robust alternative to bead based methods for generating absolute CD4 counts. © 2006 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Remission induction chemotherapy induces in vivo caspase‐dependent apoptosis in bone marrow acute myeloid leukemia blast cells and spares lymphocytes
Authors: Vial J.‐P. , Tabrizi R. , Pigneux A. , Lacombe F. , Praloran V. , Belloc F. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackgroundThe goal of new therapeutic strategies is to adapt the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients to the prognostic and/or to the hematological response.MethodsWe analyzed in vivo apoptosis induction in blast cells and in lymphocytes of AML patients receiving remission induction treatment.ResultsWe show, on 12 peripheral blood samples, that the increase of peripheral apoptotic blast cells cannot be considered as the earliest marker of the treatment efficiency, because the significant increase of apoptosis followed the white blood cell and the peripheral blast cell count reductions, probably due to an efficient clearance of circulating apoptotic cells. Furthermore, the study of 65 bone marrow samples at d15 showed that the treatment induced apoptosis of blast cells while sparing the lymphocytes. This apoptosis was evidenced both at the caspase and at the membrane levels using respectively fmk‐VAD‐FITC and Annexin V binding assays. We found that less than 50% of apoptosis, measured with the fmk‐VAD‐FITC, in the d15 residual bone marrow blast cells, correlated with lower disease‐free survival probability.ConclusionMore studies are needed in larger series and earlier during the remission induction treatment to confirm the possible prognostic significance of in vivo apoptosis induction. © 2006 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Flow cytometric features of angioimmunoblastic T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Chen Weina , Kesler Melissa V. , Karandikar Nitin J. , McKenna Robert W. , Kroft Steven H. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground:The immunophenotypic features of angioimmunoblastic T‐cell lymphoma (AILT) have not been well described.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed our institutional experience with the flow cytometric features of 16 cases of AILT.Results:Multiparameter flow cytometry was able to identify a distinct population of immunophenotypically aberrant T cells in 15 of 16 cases. In 13 lymph node specimens, the neoplastic cells ranged from 1.9 to 87% (median 23%) of cells. The ratio of reactive to neoplastic T cells ranged from 0.01 to 20 (median 1.5); reactive T cells outnumbered neoplastic in 9/13 (69%) cases. The neoplastic populations expressed CD2, CD4, CD5, and CD45RO in all cases, lacked expression of CD8 and CD56 in all cases, and showed negative or dim surface CD3 in most cases. CD10 was expressed by the neoplastic populations in 11 of 14 cases at diagnosis; in 3 of these 11 only a subpopulation of the neoplastic cells was CD10(+). CD10 tended to be absent on neoplastic cells in staging bone marrows. The neoplastic population in all but one of the 15 positive cases possessed multiple immunophenotypic abnormalities and these were generally retained during the follow‐up analyses of several cases.Conclusions:These results indicate the potential utility of flow cytometry in the diagnosis and follow‐up of AILT. © 2006 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Perceived social support, anxiety, and self‐care among patients receiving hemodialysis
Authors: Mollaoglu Mukadder 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackgroundHemodialysis therapy requires patients to undergo major lifestyle changes. Patients with increased perceived social support and decreased anxiety are more likely to enhance self‐care.Patients and MethodsA descriptive‐correlational study design was used to analyze the baseline data of a group of hemodialysis patients (n=140). Three instruments were used: the Exercise of Self‐Care Agency Scale (ESCA), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM‐A), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were completed.ResultsSocial support and anxiety are significant predictors of self‐care after controlling for the effect of time on dialysis. Results indicated that patients who perceived higher levels of social support and lower levels of anxiety were more likely to have a higher level of self‐care.ConclusionsInterventions to increase hemodialysis patients' perceived social support and decreased anxiety may contribute to an enhanced self‐care ability and positive health outcome, and may subsequently improve self‐care and the psychosocial adjustment to hemodialysis.
CMS proposed revisions to conditions to participation: Part I—patient safety requirements
Authors: Levy Ralph 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe new conditions to participation are divided into three sets of requirements, relating to (1) patient safety, (2) patient care, and (3) administrative matters. This installment, which is the first of a three‐part series on these proposed requirements, addresses the patient safety requirements. The second and third installments will discuss the patient care and administrative provisions of the proposed regulations.
Relationship between lipoprotein(a), fibrinogen, and fibronectin in non‐diabetic hemodialyzed uremic patients
Authors: Tzanatos Helen A. , Retsa Kalliopi , Soubassi Lygeri , Rizos Dimitris , Skiadas Marios , Bougatsos George , Agroyannis Basil 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackgroundLipoprotein(a), Lp(a), has been recognized as an atherogenic and thrombogenic lipoprotein in the general population and in hemodialysis (HD) patients. In addition, fibrinogen and fibronectin may promote atherothrombosis. The aim of this study was to investigate any possible relationship between Lp(a) and thrombogenic coagulation proteins in non‐diabetic HD patients.Patients and MethodsSerum Lp(a) and plasma fibrinogen, plasminogen, and fibronectin levels were measured pre‐HD in 60 uremic patients (30 male, 30 female) aged 58.6±8.0 years who had been receiving HD treatment for 61.3±50.7 months. The control group comprised 20 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy subjects. All patients were receiving erythropoietin treatment.ResultsThe mean serum Lp(a) (33.88±34.12 mg/dL) and plasma fibrinogen (329.45±80.62 mg/dL) levels were significantly higher in the HD patients compared with those in the controls (16.70±10.36 and 254.00±43.34 mg/dL, respectively; p<.05 and p<.001, respectively). Plasminogen levels did not differ between the HD patients (11.64±3.22 mg/dL) and the control group (10.67±1.41 mg/dL, p>.05). Fibronectin levels were slightly increased in the HD patients (33.96±5.49 mg/dL) versus in the control group (30.9±5.80 mg/dL, p<.05). There was a significant positive correlation between Lp(a) and fibrinogen levels (r=0.305, p<.02), as well as between Lp(a) and fibronectin levels (r=0.360, p<.01). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between fibrinogen and fibronectin levels (r=0.587, p<.0001).ConclusionsAccording to our results, in non‐diabetic HD patients, abnormal serum Lp(a) levels significantly correlated with abnormal levels of fibrinogen and fibronectin. There is a concern that the relationship between these atherogenic and thrombogenic acute‐phase proteins may contribute to the increased incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in this patient population.
The blind‐spot of regulatory T cells
Authors: Graça Luis , Silva‐Santos Bruno , Coutinho Antonio 
Published: March 2006

AbstractCD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) are natural suppressors of autoimmunity but they can also dampen the effective clearance of infectious organisms. These cells have the potential to be exploited to prevent transplant rejection and to treat autoimmune disease. A paper in this issue of the European Journal of Immunology details a method to selectively expand antigen‐specific Treg from a polyclonal Treg population, by using a specific dendritic cell (DC) subset. Furthermore, the authors show that such Treg can be used to prevent experimental type I diabetes; however, as Treg are positively selected by thymic epithelial cells (TEC) on the basis of self‐reactivity, they would systematically suppress protective immune responses unless their repertoire is devoid of recognition towards peripheral antigen‐presenting cells. This may be achieved by negative selection of developing Treg on thymic DC, thus creating a ‘blind‐spot’ corresponding to DC‐self‐antigens in the mature Treg repertoire. Therefore, therapeutic use of DC subsets for the expansion of rare Treg populations should take into account this blind‐spot, as peptides that are not accessible to thymic DC may be significantly more effective for the expansion of Treg.See accompanying article http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eji.200535445
On DNA vaccines and prolonged expression of immunogens
Authors: Hanke Tomáš 
Published: March 2006

AbstractPersistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection represents a major public health concern because of its association with chronic liver disease and the propensity of the disease to progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite the availability of a prophylactic vaccine effective in a majority of the population, alternative vaccination strategies are being sought to induce protective responses in healthy non‐responders and to boost and broaden T cell responses in chronically infected patients, which may lead to a better control of the virus and/or its eventual complete clearance. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology immunization of BALB/c mice intramuscularly with a DNA vaccine encoding the hepatitis virus B surface antigen (HBsAg) was shown to result in prolonged secretion of HBsAg into the serum and the elicitation of HBsAg‐specific antibodies. In fact, the vaccine was so efficient that the antibodies and HBsAg formed circulating immune complexes and induced kidney and liver lesions similar to those observed in chronically infected patients. This commentary discusses these results in terms of the safety of plasmid DNA‐vectored genetic vaccines in general, the use of DNA vaccines expressing HBsAg for the treatment of chronic hepatitis and the consequences of prolonged immunogen expression for the development of protective immune responses.See accompanying article http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eji.200535468
Rational Synthesis and Characterization of Two Three‐Dimensional Metal‐Organic Frameworks Incorporating Silver Chains and 1,2,3,4,5,6‐Cyclohexanehexacarboxylate
Authors: Wang Jing , Hu Sheng , Tong Ming‐Liang 
Published: March 2006

AbstractTwo new silver polycarboxylate coordination polymers, [Ag3(H3L)(H2O)2]n·2nH2O (1) and [Ag6L(NH3)(H2O)3]n·nH2O (2), have been obtained from the reaction of [Ag(NH3)2](OH) (freshly synthesized from Ag2O and aqueous ammonia) with cis,cis,cis,cis,cis‐1,2,3,4,5,6‐cyclohexanehexacarboxylic acid (H6L) by control of the molar ratio of starting materials. The X‐ray crystal structure analysis reveals that both of them crystallize in the triclinic space group P$\bar {1}$ with a = 6.375(4), b = 9.505(6), c = 15.097(8) Å, α = 93.249(14), β = 100.364(15), γ = 96.453(15)°, V = 891.4(9) Å3, Z = 2 for 1, and a = 8.0380(7), b = 10.1220(9), c = 13.8458(12) Å, α = 76.3450(10), β = 80.9370(10), γ = 68.7230(10)°, V = 1016.83(15) Å3, Z = 2 for 2. Complex 1 features a three‐dimensional (3D) metal‐organic framework (MOF) with one‐dimensional (1D) rectangular channels surrounded by carboxylato‐supported Ag–Ag dimers, Ag–Ag chains, and half deprotonated [H3L]3– ligands. Each [H3L]3– ligand connects eight AgI atoms. The weakly coordinated water ligands and lattice water molecules are located at the channels and form interesting 1D hydrogen‐bonded T4(2)8(2) water tapes with cyclic R86(16) (H2O)8 and R44(8) (H2O)4 units. Complex 2 is also a 3D MOF structure constructed by two types of Ag–Ag chains with Ag8 cluster units and linear Ag4 units, respectively, and fully deprotonated L6– ligands. The silver(I) atoms in 2 exhibit linear, T‐shaped, Y‐shaped, and tetrahedral coordination geometries. Each L6– ligand connects thirteen AgI atoms. The intrachain robust argentophilic interactions play a vital role in the formation of the structure. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Effect of π‐Electron Delocalization on Tautomeric Equilibria – Benzoannulated 2‐Phenacylpyridines
Authors: Gawinecki Ryszard , Kolehmainen Erkki , Loghmani‐Khouzani Hossein , Ośmiałowski Borys , Lovász Tamás , Rosa Pavel 
Published: March 2006

AbstractMost benzoannulated 2‐methylpyridines react with phenyllithium and substituted alkyl benzoates to give the corresponding 2‐phenacylpyridines. 3‐Methylisoquinoline is transformed into 2‐benzoyl‐3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1,2‐dihydroisoquinoline under these conditions, but replacement of phenyllithium with lithium isopropylcyclohexylamide is effective for production of 3‐phenacylisoquinolines. Except in the cases of some substituted 6‐phenacylphenanthridines, tautomeric mixtures of benzoannulated 2‐phenacylpyridines in chloroform solution always contain the ketimine forms.(Z)‐2‐(2‐Hydroxy‐2‐phenylvinyl)pyridine (enolimine) forms also contribute if the pyridine ring is not benzoannulated or if such annulation is at positions 4,5. On the other hand,(Z)‐2‐benzoylmethylene‐1,2‐dihydropyridine (enaminone) forms exist in equilibrium with the ketimine tautomers if the pyridine ring is benzoannulated at positions 3,4 or 5,6, or at both of these locations. As well as the effectiveness of π‐electron delocalization, other effects, such as the strength of the intramolecular hydrogen bonding, should also be considered in order to infer the tautomeric preferences. Strongly electron‐donating substituents were found to stabilize theketimine forms in each series. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
A conceptual model for meander initiation in bedload‐dominated streams
Authors: Eaton Brett C. , Church Michael , Davies Tim R. H. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractA simple analytic model is presented relating local sediment transport capacity to variance in the transverse shear stress distribution in a stream channel. The model is used to develop a physically based conceptual model for the initiation of meandering in straight, bedload‐dominated streams as a result of a feedback mechanism. The feedback maximizes the cross‐sectional shear stress variance and – in order to achieve stability – ultimately minimizes the energy slope at repeated locations along the channel, subject to steady‐state mass flux and the stability of the channel boundary. These locations develop into pools in a fully developed meandering channel; they represent attractor states wherein sediment continuity is satisfied using the least possible energy expenditure per unit length of channel. However, since the cross‐sectional geometry of a pool (and the adjacent bar) is asymmetric, these attractor states are only conditionally stable, requiring strong, curvature‐induced secondary circulation to maintain their asymmetry. Between two successive pools, a stream occupies a metastable, higher energy state (corresponding to a riffle) that requires greater energy expenditure per unit length of channel to transport the same volume of sediment. The model we present links processes at the scale of a channel width to adjustments of the channel sinuosity and slope at the scale of a channel reach. We argue that the reach‐scale extremal hypotheses employed by rational regime models are mathematical formalisms that permit a one‐dimensional theory to describe the three‐dimensional dynamics producing stream morphology. Our model is consistent with the results from stream table experiments, with respect to both the rate of development of meandering and the characteristics of the equilibrium channel morphology. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A modular access gateway for managing intermittent connectivity in vehicular communications
Authors: Ott Jörg , Kutscher Dirk 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe Drive‐thru Internet architecture allows exploiting intermittent connectivity by temporarily connecting to IEEE 802.11 WLAN access points at the roadside from moving vehicles. This poses numerous challenges to a mobile user's equipment: extreme networking characteristics such as short periods of connectivity, unpredictable disconnection times, and vastly varying transmission characteristics. Heterogeneous WLAN hotspot installations may also require different authentication mechanisms and credentials. We have designed a mobile access gateway to deal with these issues on behalf of a user (group) in a moving vehicle and provide usable connectivity for applications without requiring manual operation. The gateway maximises the use of short connectivity periods by detecting network access providing signalling functions for local application processes. It also allows using dedicated radio equipment to prolong connectivity periods. Finally, in selected multi‐user scenarios, further performance improvements are conceivable by sharing (non‐confidential) information across users and applications. Copyright © 2005 AEIT.
Satellite digital multimedia broadcasting—deployment and coverage investigation with radio network planning tool
Authors: Hoppe R. , Wölfle G. , Selier C. , Françon M.‐G. , Aubert P. , Chuberre N. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractSeveral technologies for providing mobile broadcast services are currently emerging. Besides terrestrial‐only architectures as DVB‐H, the hybrid satellite & terrestrial system approach of satellite digital multimedia broadcasting (S‐DMB) offers advantages in terms of coverage and cost efficiency. In order to assess the S‐DMB radio coverage in different environments an off‐the‐shelf planning tool for terrestrial radio networks has been adapted to consider satellite transmitters and further extended according to the current specification of the S‐DMB system based on the W‐CDMA air interface. This S‐DMB radio planning tool allows the investigation of the S‐DMB performance in terms of coverage, Eb/Nt and system margin for pure satellite as well as hybrid satellite and terrestrial repeater configurations within various environments (rural, urban and indoor). Such investigations are used to trade the open radio parameters of the S‐DMB system architecture and to gain knowledge concerning the required density of the terrestrial repeaters in order to provide sufficient coverage in urban and indoor environments. Copyright © 2006 AEIT.
Radio network planning of DVB‐H/UMTS hybrid mobile communication networks
Authors: Unger Peter , Kürner Thomas 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe benefit of hybrid mobile communication networks combining point‐to‐point and point‐to‐multipoint systems should be an optimised transfer of data for both providers and customers. In this paper, the focus is on joint radio network planning of hybrid mobile communication networks consisting of unicast (UMTS) and broadcast (DVB‐H) delivery systems. Optimised network planning is a non‐trivial task even for a single network. Hence, planning and optimisation of hybrid networks implicate great challenges. For these issues, realistic traffic estimations are required. Therefore, a scenario has been developed based on the public reference scenario of Berlin from the IST‐MOMENTUM project. A method for designing a DVB‐H network architecture including transmitter position and cell size is introduced. Furthermore, the necessary transmitting power is estimated. The evaluation of the benefit of a hybrid network is introduced and shown in an example. Copyright © 2006 AEIT.
Performance evaluation of IEEE802.16 WiMax with fixed and mobile subscribers in tight reuse
Authors: Ball C. F. , Humburg E. , Ivanov K. , Treml F. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractWiMax broadband MAN based on the IEEE 802.16d/e standard supports mobile as well as fixed wireless access services. The underlying subscriber data links are characterised by totally different radio conditions such as propagation, interference rejection capability, terminal antenna gain, pattern and height. This leads to a significant coverage mismatch, different user throughput, system capacity and spectrum efficiency. In this paper, the basic performance of mobile and fixed subscribers has been thoroughly analysed for homogeneous hexagonal 3.5 GHz cellular deployments of an OFDM‐based WiMax system depending on cell size, frequency reuse and offered traffic load. Network level simulation results on user FTP‐application throughput, channel load, modulation and coding scheme utilisation and packet call blocking have been presented for cell radius of 300, 1000 and 2000 m in tight 1 × 1 and 1 × 3 frequency reuse, respectively. The future performance enhancements from optional features as Block Turbo Coding, downlink Power Control, scheduling schemes, sub‐channelling in scalable OFDMA and advanced antenna technology have been evaluated and simulation results provided. Copyright © 2006 AEIT.
Code optimisation for lossless compression of binary memoryless sources based on FEC codes
Authors: Dütsch Nicolas 
Published: March 2006

AbstractA novel source coding scheme based on turbo codes was recently presented. Lossless data compression is thereby achieved by puncturing data encoded with a turbo code while checking the integrity of the reconstructed information during compression. This paper addresses the generalisation of this compression scheme to iteratively decodable forward error correcting (FEC) codes. Furthermore, an alternative puncturing algorithm is presented which fine‐tunes the compression rate to any desired accuracy. Motivated by an area property which states that the area of the tunnel in the modified extrinsic information transfer (EXIT) chart is proportional to the gap between source coding rate and entropy we apply code optimisation tools to serially concatenated codes in order to minimise the tunnel. Numerical results show that compression rates close to the Shannon limit can be obtained by optimised irregular repeat accumulate codes. Copyright © 2006 AEIT.