bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of SNPs in the Col1a1 and Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Genes on BMD in Postmenopausal Women in Malta
Authors: Vidal C , Brincat M , Xuereb-Anastasi A 
Published: May 2008

Effects of SNPs in the Col1a1 and Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Genes on BMD in Postmenopausal Women in MaltaTwo common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the COL1A1 gene and the C677T variant within the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene have been studied for correlation with bone mineral density (BMD) in 126 postmenopausal Maltese women (55.6 ± 7.1 years). All polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), while BMD at the lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), Ward's triangle and trochanter was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).The observed genotype frequencies were similar to those in other populations and were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No association was observed between polymorphisms in the COL1A1 gene and BMD, even after adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI) and years since menopause. The C allele of the C677T variant of the MTHFR gene had a negative effect on trochanter BMD when testing for genetic models of dominant and recessive alleles (independent samplet-test:p= 0.03). Genotype frequencies of both genes did not differ significantly between normal women and those with a low BMD at either the LS or FN.
Gallstone Disease and Cholesterolosis in Monozygotic Twin Sisters
Authors: Ivanchenkova R , Sharashkina N , Martirosyan I , Limborska S , Ryskov A 
Published: May 2008

Gallstone Disease and Cholesterolosis in Monozygotic Twin SistersGallstone disease and Cholesterolosis may be independent diseases or forms of the same disease, caused by impairment of cholesterol metabolism. Gallstone disease is characterized by formation of cholesterol concrements in the gallbladder cavity. Cholesterolosis is a hyperplastic cholecistosis, caused by cholesterol accumulation in the gallbladder wall with subsequent proliferation of gallbladder normal tissue elements. We describe monozygotic twin sisters, one of whom developed gallstone disease and the other developed cholesterolosis. Monozygosity was verified by a DNA fingerprinting method. Both had identical heterogeneity of plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) subfractions, but associated with different functional conditions within the gallbladder. The different manifestations may be due to epigenetic, metabolic or environmental factors, since both had a common genetic basis.
Organochloride Pesticides in Macedonian Girls With Premature Sexual Development
Authors: Krstevska-Konstantinova M , Kocova M , Charlier C , Bourguignon J 
Published: May 2008

Organochloride Pesticides in Macedonian Girls With Premature Sexual DevelopmentPremature sexual development (PSD) in girls describes the appearance of secondary sexual signs before the age of 8 years. Early puberty is diagnosed if pubertal signs appear between the age of 8 and 9 years. We found a positive association between the levels of organochloride pesticides (p,p'-DDE) in precocious puberty in girls adopted from developing countries and significantly higher levels than in native Belgian girls with the same condition.We have compared the serum levels of eight p,p'- DDE in 56 Macedonian girls with PSD and a control group of 24 normal, age-matched girls, using a gas chromatographic analyzer coupled to a tandem mass spectrometer detector. Of the 56 girls with PSD, 42 had premature thelarche, five had early puberty, and nine had precocious puberty of idiopathic (n= 8) or organic (n= 1) origin. We found traces of p,p'- DDE in nine girls (16%) and negative results in 41 (73%), while the remaining six (10%) had a mean level of 1.17 ± 0.7 μg/L. In the control group, traces were found in one girl (4%) and negative results in 18 (75%), while the remaining five (20%) had a mean level of 1.18 ± 0.6 μg/L. We found elevated levels of lindane in the girls with PSD (mean value 1.2 ± 0.8) and significantly higher levels in the control group (1.4 ± 0.8) (p<0.05). We concluded that Macedonian girls with PSD do not have higher levels of p,p'-DDE in their serum than the normal controls. However, the elevated levels of lindane in this population should be further investigated.
Factor VIII-Intron 1 Inversion of Hemophilia A Patients In West Anatolia
Authors: Pehlivan M , Pehlivan S , Buyukkececi F , Çagirgan S , Yilmaz M , Bedii Omay , Tombuloğlu M , Kavakli K 
Published: May 2008

Factor VIII-Intron 1 Inversion of Hemophilia A Patients In West AnatoliaHemophilia A (HA) is a hereditary, life-threatening and disabling disorder. In this study, we have examined 61 unrelated HA patients in order to identify the incidence of the intron 1 factor VIII (FVIII) gene inversion in the West Anatolian population. According to the results of DNA analyses of the 61 HA patients, no intron 1 inversion of the FVIII gene was found.
View of Climate Changes Based on the Wavelet Analysis of Solar Intensity
Authors: Barkāns J. , Žalostība D. 
Published: May 2008

View of Climate Changes Based on the Wavelet Analysis of Solar Intensity
The view of existing tendencies in climate changes proposed by the authors is based on the available facts. Earlier, cyclic behaviour of the world's river flows was discovered, which was found to correlate with the cycles of solar intensity. Similar correlation was revealed by the authors for global temperature anomalies. Based on the wavelet analysis it became possible to notice a phase inversion in these processes, which, in the authors' opinion, could be associated with re-magnetisation of the Sun. This, for example, explains the hitherto inexplicable interruption in the temperature rise during the 1950-70-ies. The authors stress that the processes of global climate changes are of ambiguous character, being consisted of the natural and the anthropogenic components.
Application of Apparent Impedance Method at Variable Specific Resistance of Phase Conductor
Authors: Survilo J. 
Published: May 2008

Application of Apparent Impedance Method at Variable Specific Resistance of Phase ConductorThe apparent impedance to single-phase earth fault place is obtained applying the classical algorithm of distance protection. Thanks to a complex character of this impedance, the expression for the algorithm decomposes into two equations, allowing two unknowns to be calculated: the reactance to a fault place and the fault resistance, provided the faulty phase voltage and current as well as ground current or zero sequence current are known. To do this, a special mathematical procedure called here the apparent impedance method is employed, which implies the use of specific line parameters. For high voltage two-terminal and radial lines of distribution networks the iterative procedure could be applied under the condition that the faulty phase voltage is measured in a distribution network with sufficient precision. Among other specific line parameters, the inconsistency of specific resistance of the phase conductor deserves special attention because of its unpredictable nature and wide range of deviations causing inadmissible errors in distribution networks. To cope with this shortcoming, the temperature of the phase conductor wire should be known at the moment of fault inception. Otherwise, the single-phase earth fault current should be increased to the level above the half the line load current.
Abnormal Influence of Ions on Shock-Induced Polarization in Binary Electrolytes
Authors: Martuzans B. , Skryl Yu. 
Published: May 2008

Abnormal Influence of Ions on Shock-Induced Polarization in Binary ElectrolytesThe study is aimed at modeling the shock-induced polarization of liquid superdiluted binary (KF) electrolytes at low (<10-4mole fraction) concentration of K+and F-ions (i.e. not making direct contribution to the polarization current). It is supposed that at such a small concentration of electrolyte only the dipole polarization of water occurs, while the indirect influence of ions is expressed in its reduced conductivity in the compressed region at increasing concentration of the dissolved ions. In the authors' opinion, this influence is connected with suppression of the transition of water into high-conductivity phase by the ions of electrolyte.
Physical Therapy Intervention for People With Huntington Disease
Authors: Busse Monica E , Khalil Hanan , Quinn Lori , Rosser Anne E 
Published: May 2008

Background and PurposeThe clinical symptoms of Huntington disease (HD) include progressive movement disorders, cognitive deficits, and behavioral changes, all of which affect an individual's ability to participate in activities of daily living. To date, very few quantitative or qualitative studies have been conducted to guide physical therapists working with people with HD. The objective of this study was to characterize current physical therapist practice for people with HD, thus informing the development of standardized clinical care and future research studies.Subjects and MethodsConsultation with physical therapists working with people with HD was undertaken in the form of mailed questionnaires (n=49) and semistructured interviews (n=8). The development of the interview schedule was aided by consideration of the data obtained from the questionnaires. Themes identified from the interviews were considered in light of published literature and questionnaire responses.ResultsThe main issues that emerged from the interviews were classified into 3 subthemes: (1) there is insufficient use of routine physical therapy–related outcome measures at different stages of HD, (2) there is underutilization of physical therapy services in managing HD (particularly in the early stages), and (3) the management of falls and mobility deficit progression is a key treatment aim for people with HD.Discussion and ConclusionA conceptual framework for physical therapy intervention in HD was developed on the basis of the themes that emerged from the data in this study. Such a framework has utility for complex, progressive conditions such as HD and may facilitate clinical decision making and standardization of practice and affect the development of future physical therapy trials.
Long‐term assessment of seed provenance effect on the establishment of the perennial grass Bromus erectus
Authors: Zeiter Michaela , Stampfli Andreas 
Published: May 2008

AbstractQuestions:Do short‐term seed‐addition experiments reliably tell us about seed limitation of perennial species? Does seed provenance affect recruitment success?Location:Three dry grassland sites (Negrentino, Poma, San Giorgio), southern Switzerland.Methods:18 000 seeds of Bromus erectus of three provenances were sown in a reciprocal design with temporal replication. Frequent checks were made of all emerged individuals of two seed cohorts over three years and continued annual checks of one cohort until year eight. Performance was determined by number and size of emerging and surviving individuals and a combined measure of population vigour.Results:From a three‐year perspective, all sites appeared to be seed limited, and differences due to seed provenance were small. Over five years, two sites showed an increasingly superior performance of the local over the foreign populations. At one of these two sites, average individuals remained small and a decrease in number and individual phytomass since the fifth year suggested complete microsite limitation. Reproductive individuals only occurred at the other sites and confirmed seed limitation after eight years. The best performing site had the first reproductive individuals in the fourth year.Conclusions:B. erectus showed a long pre‐reproductive phase during which the prediction of establishment success by individual counts can be misleading if plant size is not also measured. The effect of seed provenance was clearly indicated where populations established most successfully and local‐over‐foreign superiority increased with time.
Enantioselective Synthesis of cis‐4‐Formyl‐β‐lactams via Chiral N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalyzed Kinetic Resolution
Authors: Li Gong‐Qiang , Li Yi , Dai Li‐Xin , You Shu‐Li 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAn efficient synthesis of optically pure cis‐4‐formyl‐β‐lactams (up to 99% ee) by a chiral NHC‐catalyzed ring expansion reaction has been realized, featuring the ready availability of both the substrate and the catalyst, and the mild reaction conditions. The current method is also suitable for the synthesis of enantioenriched 4‐formyl‐β‐lactams and succinimides containing quaternary carbon centers.
Preparation of (R)‐Amines from Racemic Amines with an (S)‐Amine Transaminase from Bacillus megaterium
Authors: Hanson Ronald L. , Davis Brian L. , Chen Yijun , Goldberg Steven L. , Parker William L. , Tully Thomas P. , Montana Michael A. , Patel Ramesh N. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractScreening was carried out to identify strains useful for the preparation of (R)‐1‐cyclopropylethylamine and (R)‐sec‐butylamine by resolution of the racemic amines with an (S)‐specific transaminase. Several Bacillus megaterium strains from our culture collection as well as several soil isolates were found to have the desired activity for the resolution of the racemic amines to give the (R)‐enantiomers. Using an extract of the best strain, Bacillus megaterium SC6394, the reaction was shown to be a transamination requiring pyruvate as amino acceptor and pyridoxal phosphate as a cofactor. Initial batches of both amines were produced using whole cells of Bacillus megaterium SC6394. The transaminase was purified to homogeneity to obtain N‐terminal as well as internal amino acid sequences. The sequences were used to design polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers to enable cloning and expression of the transaminase in E. coli SC16578. In contrast to the original B. megaterium process, pH control and aeration were not required for the resolution of sec‐butylamine and an excess of pyruvate was not consumed by the recombinant cells. The resolution of sec‐butylamine (0.68 M) using whole cells of E. coli SC16578 was scaled up to give (R)‐sec‐butylamine⋅1/2 H2SO4 in 46.6% isolated yield with 99.2% ee. An alternative isolation procedure was also used to isolate (R)‐sec‐butylamine as the free base.
Highly Efficient Metal‐Free Cross‐Coupling by CH Activation between Allylic and Active Methylenic Compounds Promoted by DDQ
Authors: Cheng Dongping , Bao Weiliang 
Published: May 2008

AbstractA metal‐free very highly efficient and concise oxidative‐coupling reaction promoted by 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyanoquinone (DDQ) between diarylallylic sp3 CH and active methylenic sp3 CH bonds is reported. The corresponding products are obtained in good to excellent yields.
Polystyryl‐BEMP as an Efficient Recyclable Catalyst for the Nucleophilic Addition of Nitroalkanes to α,β‐Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds under Solvent‐Free Conditions
Authors: Ballini R. , Barboni L. , Castrica L. , Fringuelli F. , Lanari D. , Pizzo F. , Vaccaro L. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract2‐tert‐Butylimino‐2‐diethylamino‐1,3‐dimethylperhydro‐1,3,2‐diazaphosphorine supported on polystyrene (PS‐BEMP) is an efficient catalyst for the addition of nitroalkanes (1–1.5 equiv.) to α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds (1.0 equiv.) in the absence of a reaction medium (solvent‐free conditions). The corresponding γ‐nitro carbonyl compounds have been isolated in excellent yields but the catalyst can be satisfactorily recovered and used for only 3 times due to the magnetic stirring which caused crunching of the catalyst beads thus hampering its complete recovery. To optimize the catalyst’s reuse and improve the environmental efficacy of solvent‐free conditions, the first solvent‐free cyclic continuous‐flow reactor has been set up. This reactor has allowed the product to be isolated in an almost quantitative yield by using a very small amount of organic solvent, making the recovery and reuse of the catalyst efficient and reproducible.
Multimode process monitoring with Bayesian inference‐based finite Gaussian mixture models
Authors: Yu Jie , Qin S. Joe 
Published: May 2008

AbstractFor complex industrial processes with multiple operating conditions, the traditional multivariate process monitoring techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) are ill‐suited because the fundamental assumption that the operating data follow a unimodal Gaussian distribution usually becomes invalid. In this article, a novel multimode process monitoring approach based on finite Gaussian mixture model (FGMM) and Bayesian inference strategy is proposed. First, the process data are assumed to be from a number of different clusters, each of which corresponds to an operating mode and can be characterized by a Gaussian component. In the absence of a priori process knowledge, the Figueiredo–Jain (F–J) algorithm is then adopted to automatically optimize the number of Gaussian components and estimate their statistical distribution parameters. With the obtained FGMM, a Bayesian inference strategy is further utilized to compute the posterior probabilities of each monitored sample belonging to the multiple components and derive an integrated global probabilistic index for fault detection of multimode processes. The validity and effectiveness of the proposed monitoring approach are illustrated through three examples: (1) a simple multivariate linear system, (2) a simulated continuous stirred tank heater (CSTH) process, and (3) the Tennessee Eastman challenge problem. The comparison of monitoring results demonstrates that the proposed approach is superior to the conventional PCA method and can achieve accurate and early detection of various types of faults in multimode processes. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Clinical and prognostic features of plasmacytomas: A multicenter study of Turkish Oncology Group‐Sarcoma Working Party
Authors: Kilciksiz Sevil , Celik Omur Karakoyun , Pak Yucel , Demiral Ayse Nur , Pehlivan Mustafa , Orhan Okan , Tokatli Fusun , Agaoglu Fulya , Zincircioglu Burhanedtin , Atasoy Beste Melek , Ozseker Naciye , Yersal Ozlem , Niang Umar , Haydaroglu Ayfer 
Published: May 2008

AbstractTo identify the outcomes of prognostic factors of solitary plasmacytoma mainly treated with local radiotherapy (RT). The data were collected from 80 patients with solitary plasmacytoma (SP). Forty patients (50.0%) received radiotherapy (RT) alone while 38 of them (47.5%) were treated with surgery (S) and RT. The median radiation dose was 46 Gy (range 30–64). The median follow up was 2.41 years (range 0.33–12.33). Ten‐year overall survival (OS) and local relapse‐free survival (LRFS) were 73% and 94%, respectively. The median progression‐free survival (PFS) and multiple myeloma‐free survival (MMFS) were 3.5 years and 4.8 years, respectively. On multivariate analyses, the favorable factors were radiotherapy dose of ≥50 Gy and RT + S for PFS and younger age for MMFS. For the patients with medullary plasmacytoma, the favorable factor was younger age for MMFS. RT at ≥50 Gy and RT + S may be favorable prognostic factors on PFS. Younger patients, especially with head‐neck lesion and without pre‐RT macroscopic tumor, seem to have the best outcome when treated with RT ± S. Progression to MM remains as the main problem especially for older patients. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pilot study of continuous co‐infusion of morphine and naloxone in children with sickle cell pain crisis
Authors: Koch Josh , Manworren Renee , Clark Lynn , Quinn Charles T. , Buchanan George R. , Rogers Zora R. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractPatients with sickle cell disease experience painful crises that often require hospitalization for a continuous infusion of morphine that may cause significant pruritus. We conducted a pilot study to determine the feasibility of simultaneous continuous co‐infusion of naloxone with morphine, test novel assessment instruments for pruritus, and explore whether pruritus could be reduced while maintaining effective analgesia. Patients with sickle cell disease and painful crisis requiring continuous infusion morphine received continuous co‐infusion of naloxone at 0.25 (low dose) or 1.0 mcg/kg·hr (high dose). Pain scores were obtained using the FACES scale and a 100‐mm visual analog scale (VAS). Itching was quantified by a modified VAS score. Evaluable data were obtained on 16 patients. Simultaneous co‐infusion of naloxone and morphine was feasible, did not seem to reduce the analgesic efficacy of morphine, and was associated with no adverse effects. The high dose group reported a lower median “VAS worst itch” score than the low dose group (4.8 vs. 7.3, P = 0.08). Simultaneous continuous infusion of naloxone with morphine in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease and pain crisis was feasible and well tolerated. A quantitative pruritus score allowed us to systematically measure pruritus. Further evaluation by randomized, placebo‐controlled study of 1 mcg/kg·hr naloxone in this setting is required. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of alemtuzumab as conditioning regimen component on transplantation outcomes in case of CMV‐seropositive recipients and donors
Authors: Chae Yee Soo , Sohn Sang Kyun , Kim Jong Gwang , Cho Yoon Young , Moon Joon Ho , Yang Deok Hwan , Lee Je‐Jung , Kim Yeo‐Kyeoung , Kim Hyeoung‐Joon , Shin Ho Jin , Chung Joo Seop , Cho Goon Jae 
Published: May 2008

AbstractWe studied the incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, clinical outcomes, and complications in 39 recipients of alemtuzumab‐containing conditioning‐stem cell transplantation, who were classified into two groups based on the median dose (35 mg) of alemtuzumab. All the recipients and donors were CMV‐seropositive before transplantation. The median survival duration was 321 days (range, 46–1098 days) and the 2‐year survival rate was 47.8%. The probability of nonrelapse mortality at 100 days and 2 years was 14.6% and 31.2%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of Grade II‐IV acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) at Day 100 was 21.8%. The overall incidence of chronic GVHD (cGVHD) was 28.6%, including a 17.9% incidence of extensive cGVHD. The cumulative incidence of CMV antigenemia was 68.0%. There were no statistical differences in the engraftment, acute and cGVHD, relapse, CMV antigenemia, and overall survival (OS) between the two groups. Yet, the nonrelapse mortality (NRM) was significantly lower for the low‐dose group (5.9% vs. 51.7%, P = 0.010). The present study showed that alemtuzumab was effective for GVHD prevention, yet caused a relatively high incidence of CMV antigenemia, regardless of the dose. Thus, a low dose of alemtuzumab (≤ 35 mg) would seem to be preferable in an allogeneic SCT setting when both the recipient and the donor are CMV seropositive. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evolution of ADAMTS13 antibodies in a fatal case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Dong Lingli , Chandrasekaran Visalam , Zhou Wenhua , Tsai Han‐Mou 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIn a patient with fatal thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, the inhibitory activity of antibodies against ADAMTS13 rapidly escalated to extremely high levels despite daily plasma exchange and corticosteroid therapy. This increase was found to be because of a combination of higher antibody concentration and potency. Furthermore, during her course of the disease, the percentage of IgG1 antibody progressively decreased whereas that of IgG2 antibody increased, suggesting Th1‐type cytokine response. These changes suggest that the course of TTP may be exacerbated by complex immune reactions. Further characterization of the factors contributing to this exacerbation may have important pathogenetic and therapeutic implications. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.