bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Brain biopsy in patients with suspected Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease
Authors: Heinemann Uta , Krasnianski Anna , Meissner Bettina , Kallenberg Kai , Kretzschmar Hans A. , Schulz-Schaeffer Walter , Zerr Inga 
Published: September 2008

Object
Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder with diagnostic criteria defined as a combination of clinical symptoms, electroencephalography findings, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, and MR imaging results. Special subtypes are known to present with an atypical course and test findings that can complicate the clinical diagnosis. In such patients a brain biopsy can support the clinical approach.

Methods
The authors studied the records on 26 brain biopsies conducted in patients with suspected CJD who had been referred to the CJD Surveillance Unit in Germany between 1993 and 2005.

Results
Of the 26 included patients, 11 suffered from neuropathologically confirmed CJD, which in 5 cases had been deemed clinically “probable” and in 2 had been deemed “possible.” The disease in the remaining 4 patients had been categorized as “other” prior to neuropathological confirmation of CJD. The results of 15 brain biopsies showed no features of prion disease. None of these 15 patients had received a probable diagnosis of CJD, 4 had a possible diagnosis, and 11 had received a diagnosis of “other.” Three of the cases classified as other and none of those with CJD presented with pleocytosis in the CSF. In 73% of the other cases, biopsy sampling did not reveal any results characteristic of CJD but did not provide specific findings on which to base a differential diagnosis. Autopsy confirmed the biopsy diagnosis of CJD in all cases, and additionally confirmed that CJD was not present in 3 patients who had nondiagnostic biopsy results.

Conclusions
Biopsy sampling may be helpful in the diagnostic approach to rare cases of dementia for which a reliable diagnosis cannot be established on the basis of clinical symptoms, CSF parameters, electroencephalography, and MR imaging results.
Management of Cushing's disease: outcome in patients with microadenoma detected on pituitary magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Prevedello Daniel M. , Pouratian Nader , Sherman Jonathan , Jane John A. , Vance Mary Lee , Lopes M. Beatriz , Laws Edward R. 
Published: September 2008

Object
Outcomes of therapy for Cushing's disease (CD) vary depending on different aspects of presentation and diagnostic studies. The authors designed this study to verify the remission rate and outcomes after transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) for patients with CD who had positive findings on MR imaging.

Methods
Patients who had presented with CD at the University of Virginia for initial treatment between July 1992 and December 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients included in the study were considered to be optimal surgical candidates, defined as an adult (> 18 years of age) with classic clinical features of CD, laboratory studies confirming a central (pituitary/hypothalamic) adrenocorticotropic hormone–dependent source of disease, and an MR imaging study revealing a microadenoma in the sella turcica.

Results
A total of 167 patients fulfilled the criteria. Thirty were men (18%) and 137 were women (82%). The mean age was 42.3 years (range 18.2–77 years). All patients underwent TSS. Surgical remission was achieved in 148 patients (88.6%), which was correlated with the surgeon's intraoperative identification of an adenoma (p = 0.03). Histopathological confirmation of an adrenocorticotropic hormone–secreting adenoma strongly correlated with remission (p = 0.0001). Three patients (1.8%) had postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks, and 1 patient had meningitis. Transient diabetes insipidus was diagnosed and treated in 10 patients (6%), whereas permanent diabetes insipidus occurred in 8 patients (4.8%). Panhypopituitarism followed the surgery in 14 patients (8.3%), 13 of whom underwent total hypophysectomy (9 initially and 4 with early reoperations), and in 1 of 10 patients who underwent subtotal hypophysectomy. Nineteen patients (12.8%) who were initially in remission developed recurrent CD after an average of 50 months. The mean follow-up for the 167 patients was 39 months (range 6–157 months). Gamma Knife surgery was the most common modality of radiotherapy used to treat 31 patients (18.5%) who did not achieve remission or later presented with recurrent disease. Bilateral adrenalectomies were performed in 10 patients in the series (6%), 2 of whom developed Nelson's syndrome. The overall posttreatment remission rate was 95.8%.

Conclusions
Even in patients with ideal diagnostic criteria of CD, there remain a significant number of cases in which TSS alone is not adequate to assure long-lasting remission. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to the achievement of satisfactory overall remission rates.
Supply chain performance measures for producers and processors of premium beef cuts: A conjoint approach
Authors: McDermott Alan , Lovatt Simon J. , Koslow Scott 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
The performance measures important to New Zealand beef producers and processors in their selling and buying decisions were studied using a conjoint analysis methodology. 98 producers and 5 processors were asked to rank and rate various scenarios. Producers preferred situations in which they received a high price, had high payment security, a premium for quality, had a short lead-time and the processor shared some information. Processors focussed on factors that enabled them to reduce their risk and cost of supply, and ensure traceability back to farms.
Dynamic modelling of inter-organisational information management systems and relationships in food chains
Authors: Storer Christine E. , Soutar Geoffrey N. , Trienekens Jacques H. , Beulens Adrie J.M. , Quaddus Mohammed A. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
It is agreed that good communication systems between organisations increase customer satisfaction and relationship behaviour. However, less is known about the details of how information is used to manage relationships. Theories that have been found have either been tested on non-perishable goods or on small case studies. In earlier stages of the research, a dynamic model of inter-organisational information management systems (IOIMS) and relationships was developed based on a netchain case study. This paper presents an evaluation of this model based on a survey of Australian food processors and a green life industry case study. Both studies found that the environment (power, dependency and market uncertainty) had a significant influence on (attitudinal) commitment to develop long-term customer/supplier relationships. In addition, the nature of the IOIMS was associated with perceived current outcomes (satisfaction with performance, perceived responsiveness and strength of relationship trust). However, commitment to develop long-term customer supplier relationships was not significantly associated with the IOIMS. Conclusions were more doubtful about the association between the business environment and the IOIMS and perceived current outcomes. Suggestions for future research are made.
Online support for commerce processes: The Dutch food retailing sector
Authors: Lindgreen Adam , Antioco Michael , Wouters Joost 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Advances in information technology have changed not only traditional goods and services, but also business-to-consumer relationships in terms of interactivity. For example, by facilitating access to company data, offering additional services, and/or providing self-service options through the World Wide Web, consumer requests can be recorded, handled faster, and dealt with more individually in a cost-effective manner. This article examines the extent to which companies in the Dutch food retailing sector are using the World Wide Web and its associated technologies to conduct their business. Employing the electronic commerce architecture suggested by Basu and Muylle (1999, 2002), Muylle and Basu (2003), we analyse the commercial Web sites of Dutch food retail companies (numbering 34 in all) to determine which commerce processes are being supported online in this sector. The results of the research provide insights to academics on the adoption of electronic commerce in a particular industry sector and to food retail managers on their competitors’ usage of the World Wide Web. Our findings show that, generally, support for electronic commerce processes and sub-processes is merely 16 per cent of the considered sample. Most retailers use the Internet only as a medium of communications, although others have set up commercial Web sites that provide higher customer support. Several sub-processes appear to be supported such as core logistics, online search of products, and price information display and determination. With the exception of search, there is practically no online customisation possible in the processes. A high correlation was observed between search, valuation, and authentication on the one hand and support for online payment on the other hand. Lastly, there is no significant difference between regional/national retailers or firm size, especially for the search and valuation processes, which share close to identical extent of support.
Supply chain performance measurement: the case of the traditional food sector in the EU
Authors: Gellynck Xavier , Molnár Adrienn , Aramyan Lusine 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
The objective of this study is to develop a sound measurement instrument of traditional food supply chain performance integrating the perspectives of different stakeholders. Therefore first, stakeholders’ goals are generalized via focus groups and individual interviews. Second, stakeholders’ goals are consolidated, based on their specificity and conflicting/divergent nature and as a result, supply chain goals are developed. Third, potential performance indicators are listed, supporting the developed supply chain goals. Fourth, key performance indicators (KPIs) are selected. As a result, five main supply chain goals are formulated (traditionalism, efficiency, responsiveness, quality and chain balance) together with their supporting performance indicators. Future research should focus on validating the instrument in other food and non-food sectors.
Cyclic neutropenia in mammals
Authors: Pacheco Jorge M. , Traulsen Arne , Antal Tibor , Dingli David 
Published: September 2008

AbstractCyclic neutropenia (CN) has been well documented in humans and the gray collie. A recent model of the architecture and dynamics of hematopoiesis has been used to provide insights into the mechanism of cycling of this disorder. It provides a link between the cycling period and the cells where the mutated ELA2 is expressed. Assuming that the biologic defect in CN is the same in dogs, and the observation that the structure of hematopoiesis is invariant across mammals, we use allometric scaling techniques to correctly predict the period of cycling in the gray collie and extend it to other mammals from mice to elephants. This work provides additional support for the relevance of animal models to understand disease but cautions that disease dynamics in model animals are different and this has to be taken into consideration when planning experiments. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Infant mortality following male takeovers in wild geladas
Authors: Beehner Jacinta C. , Bergman Thore J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractSince Sugiyama's [1965] first observations of infanticide, empirical evidence from a multitude of primate species has supported the sexual selection hypothesis—the idea that males enhance their reproductive success by killing nonrelated, unweaned infants to hasten the mothers' return to fertility. Like other primates that live in social groups where paternity certainty is high, the social structure of geladas [Theropithecus gelada] suggests that infanticide by males could enhance their reproductive success. Nevertheless, empirical evidence for infanticide in this species is limited to anecdotal accounts. Using the timing of infant mortality and female reproductive and behavioral data collected across 26 months from a population of geladas living in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia, we test whether sexually selected infanticide occurs in this species. We also examine two additional hypotheses [noninfanticide hypothesis and generalized aggression hypothesis] for this population. Results suggest that sexually selected infanticide in geladas may, indeed, be a threat to females with dependent infants. First, male takeovers—the most likely time for infanticide—were associated with subsequently elevated rates of infant death [a 32‐fold increase] comprising nearly 60% of all infant mortality. Second, females who lost infants during this period returned to fertility more quickly than if infants had lived [IBIs were 50% shorter], and third, all of these females were observed to mate with the new male. We found little to no support for other hypotheses. Finally, these results raise the possibility that anecdotal reports [from previous studies and this study] of pregnancy termination, accelerated weaning, and deceptive sexual swellings may represent female counterstrategies to male infanticide in geladas. Am. J. Primatol. 70:1152–1159, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ground substrate affects activity budgets and hair loss in outdoor captive groups of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Beisner Brianne A. , Isbell Lynne A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractHow the captive environment influences the behavior of animals is relevant to the well‐being of captive animals. Captivity diverges from the natural environment in many ways, and one goal of enrichment practices is to encourage species‐typical behavior in these unnatural environments. This study investigated the influence of grass vs. gravel substrate on activity budgets and degree of hair loss in seven groups of captive rhesus macaques housed in outdoor enclosures at the California National Primate Research Center. Groups having grass substrate spent a greater proportion of their time foraging and a smaller proportion of time grooming compared with groups having gravel substrate. Increased time spent grooming in gravel enclosures may have contributed to significantly greater hair loss in those enclosures. A causal relationship between ground substrate on foraging and grooming, and therefore hair loss, is strengthened by similar changes in activity budgets and hair loss in a single group that was moved from gravel to grass substrate halfway through the study. These results add to growing evidence that substrate type in captivity is important to consider because it affects animal well‐being. In particular, these results reveal that grass substrate is more effective than gravel in stimulating foraging and reducing allo‐grooming to levels that are comparable to wild populations, and enable animals to maintain healthier coats. Am. J. Primatol. 70:1160–1168, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Binding and elution strategy for improved performance of arginine affinity chromatography in supercoiled plasmid DNA purification
Authors: Sousa F. , Prazeres D. M. F. , Queiroz J. A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractNew interesting strategies for plasmid DNA (pDNA) purification were designed, exploiting affinity interactions between amino acids and nucleic acids. The potential application of arginine‐based chromatography to purify pDNA has been recently described in our work; however, to achieve higher efficiency and selectivity in arginine affinity chromatography, it is essential to characterize the behaviour of binding/elution of supercoiled (sc) isoforms. In this study, two different strategies based on increased sodium chloride (225–250 mm) or arginine (20–70 mm) stepwise gradients are described to purify sc isoforms. Thus, it was proved that well‐defined binding/elution conditions are crucial to enhance the purification performance, resulting in an improvement of the final plasmids yields and transfection efficiency, as this could represent a significant impact on therapeutic applications of the purified sc isoform. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of the Optimal Conditions for Synthesis of Silver Oxalate Nanorods
Authors: Pourmortazavi S. M. , Hajimirsadeghi S. S. , Kohsari I. , Fareghi Alamdari R. , Rahimi‐Nasrabadi M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIn this study, an orthogonal array design (OAD), OA9, was employed as a statistical experimental method for the controllable, simple and fast synthesis of silver oxalate nanorods. Ultrafine silver oxalate rods were synthesized by a precipitation method involving the addition of silver ion solution to the oxalate reagent. The effects of reaction conditions, i.e., silver and oxalate concentrations, flow rate of reagent addition and temperature, on the diameter of the synthesized silver oxalate rods were investigated. The effects of these factors on the width of the silver oxalate rods were quantitatively evaluated by the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that silver oxalate nanorods can be synthesized by controlling the silver concentration, flow rate and temperature. Finally, the optimum conditions for the synthesis of silver oxalate nanorods by this simple and fast method were proposed. The results of ANOVA showed that 0.001 mol/L silver ion concentration, 40 mL/min flow rate for the addition of the silver reagent to the oxalate solution and 0 °C temperature are the optimum conditions for producing silver oxalate nanorods with 107 ± 45 nm width.
Modeling of Soot and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Diesel Diffusion Combustion
Authors: Song Y.‐N. , Zhong B.‐J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBy integrating a reduced n‐heptane oxidation chemical kinetic reaction mechanism in a multidimensional computational fluid dynamic solver, simulation of the turbulent diffusion reactive flow inside the direct injection (DI) diesel combustor through compression and expansion stroke were implemented. Coupled with the soot kinetic model by the method of moments, the soot formation is modeled simultaneously with a gas‐phase flame. Under fuel lean flame, orders of magnitude of the multi‐ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) intermediate molar fraction are very small. Though soot surface growth is overwhelmed quickly by oxidation under current modeling conditions, the simulated soot number density and average diameter curves are consistent with experimental results. A detailed soot kinetic mechanism is a prospect for further research in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling.
Phase 1 trial of lipoplatin and gemcitabine as a second‐line chemotherapy in patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma
Authors: Froudarakis Marios E. , Pataka Athanasia , Pappas Periklis , Anevlavis Stavros , Argiana Evangelia , Nikolaidou Martha , Kouliatis George , Pozova Sofia , Marselos Marios , Bouros Demosthenes 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND.Lipoplatin is a new liposomal cisplatin that already has been tested in solid tumors, with encouraging results. The purpose of the current study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT) of a 21‒day regimen of lipoplatin plus a fixed dose of gemcitabine in patients with refractory or resistant nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of ≤2.METHODS.The lipoplatin dose was escalated at 100 mg/m2 by increments of 10 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 8, with gemcitabine at a dose of 1000 mg/m2 administered on Days 1 and 8, repeated every 21 days. Hematopoietic growth factors were not allowed. Thirteen patients with advanced stage NSCLC who had been pretreated with platinum combination chemotherapy were enrolled in this phase 1 trial. At least 3 patients were entered at each dose level.RESULTS.At the fourth dose level, the DLT was reached (grade 3 neutropenia [according to World Health Organization criteria] in 3 of 4 patients 75%]; the fourth patient demonstrated degradation of performance status). Therefore, the third dose level (lipoplatin at a dose of 120 mg/m2) was defined as the MTD. At the same dose level, 2 of 4 patients had grade 3 thrombocytopenia. At the fourth dose level, 1 patient achieved a partial response and 1 patient had stable disease. Another patient achieved stable disease at the second dose level. Therefore, the overall disease control rate was 23% (3 of 13 patients). The median overall survival was 29 weeks (range, 4 weeks‐59 weeks) and the median time to disease progression was 12 weeks (range, 3 weeks‐36 weeks).CONCLUSIONS.The pharmacokinetic profile of the 2 compounds used in the current study are not modified when they are administered according to the schedule evaluated in this trial. When one considers that the patients in the current study had refractory or resistant NSCLC, the authors concluded that the combination of lipoplatin administered at a dose of 120 mg/m2 and gemcitabine administered at a dose of 1000 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks needs to be studied further in phase 2 trials. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
NMR Spectroscopic Studies of Interactions in Solution during the Synthesis of MoVTeNb Oxide Catalysts
Authors: Maksimovskaya Raisa I. , Bondareva Valentina M. , Aleshina Galina I. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAqueous solutions used for the synthesis of MoVTeNb oxide catalysts have been studied with 125Te, 95Mo, 51V, and 17O NMR spectroscopy. Polyoxometalate (POM) anion V9TeO285– (I), which has the decavanadate structure, containing Te6+ in one of its two central positions, has been identified for the first time in VV‐TeVI solutions. In ternary MoVI‐VV‐TeVI solutions, the POMs TeMo6O246– (II) (pH ca. 7.8–2) as well as previously unknown complexes of the proposed compositions TeV3Mo3O249– (III) (pH ca. 8–5) and TeMo3V5O275– (IV) (pH ca. 6–1) were observed. In the structure of IV, half of the decavanadate anion is combined with half of the octamolybdate anion, in which the central Mo atom is replaced with Te6+. There is an equilibrium, IV [rlarr2] I + II, in the ternary solutions. Despite its stability in solution, polyanion IV could not be isolated in the solid state. During concentration under ambient conditions, less soluble polyanion II begins to crystallize first, and the equilibrium in solution gradually shifts to I. Upon dissolving the precipitate, complex IV forms again. The distribution diagrams have been derived from the NMR spectra for a solution of the cationic composition Mo1V0.3Te0.23 with NH4+ as a counterion, acidified with HClO4 in the pH range 7.25–1. In addition to the above‐mentioned complexes, VO2+ and MoO22+ oxalates form in the presence of oxalic acid. Upon adding niobium oxalate, Nb2O5 gel forms without any Nb‐containing species in solution. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)