bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved risk classification for risk-specific therapy based on the molecular study of minimal residual disease (MRD) in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
Authors: Bassan Renato , Spinelli Orietta , Oldani Elena , Intermesoli Tamara , Tosi Manuela , Peruta Barbara , Rossi Giuseppe , Borlenghi Erika , Pogliani Enrico M. , Terruzzi Elisabetta , Fabris Pietro , Cassibba Vincenzo , Lambertenghi-Deliliers Giorgio , Cortelezzi Agostino , Bosi Alberto , Gianfaldoni Giacomo , Ciceri Fabio , Bernardi Massimo , Gallamini Andrea , Mattei Daniele , Di Bona Eros , Romani Claudio , Scattolin Anna Maria , Barbui Tiziano , Rambaldi Alessandro 
Published: January 2009

AbstractClinical risk classification is inaccurate in predicting relapse in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, sometimes resulting in patients receiving inappropriate chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation (SCT). We studied minimal residual disease (MRD) as a predictive factor for recurrence and as a decisional tool for postconsolidation maintenance (in MRDneg) or SCT (in MRDpos). MRD was tested at weeks 10, 16, and 22 using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction with 1 or more sensitive probes. Only patients with t(9;22) or t(4;11) were immediately eligible for allogeneic SCT. Of 280 registered patients (236 in remission), 34 underwent an early SCT, 60 suffered from relapse or severe toxicity, and 142 were evaluable for MRD at the end of consolidation. Of these, 58 were MRDneg, 54 MRDpos, and 30 were not assessable. Five-year overall survival/disease-free survival rates were 0.75/0.72 in the MRDneg group compared with 0.33/0.14 in MRDpos (P = .001), regardless of the clinical risk class. MRD was the most significant risk factor for relapse (hazard ratio, 5.22). MRD results at weeks 16 to 22 correlated strongly with the earlier time point (P = .001) using a level of 10−4 or higher to define persistent disease. MRD analysis during early postremission therapy improves risk definitions and bolsters risk-oriented strategies. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00358072.
Social and environmental malaria risk factors in urban areas of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Authors: Baragatti Meili , Fournet Florence , Henry Marie-Claire , Assi Serge , Ouedraogo Herman , Rogier Christophe , Salem Gérard 
Published: January 2009

Abstract

Background
Despite low endemicity, malaria remains a major health problem in urban areas where a high proportion of fevers are presumptively treated using anti-malarial drugs. Low acquired malaria immunity, behaviour of city-dwellers, access to health care and preventive interventions, and heterogenic suitability of urban ecosystems for malaria transmission contribute to the complexity of the malaria epidemiology in urban areas.

Methods
The study was designed to identify the determinants of malaria transmission estimated by the prevalence of anti-circumsporozoite (CSP) antibodies, the prevalence and density of Plasmodium falciparum infection, and the prevalence of malarial disease in areas of Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso. Thick blood smears, dried blood spots and clinical status have been collected from 3,354 randomly chosen children aged 6 months to 12 years using two cross-sectional surveys (during the dry and rainy seasons) in eight areas from four ecological strata defined according to building density and land tenure (regular versus irregular). Demographic characteristics, socio-economic information, and sanitary and environmental data concerning the children or their households were simultaneously collected. Dependent variables were analysed using mixed multivariable models with random effects, taking into account the clustering of participants within compounds and areas.

Results
Overall prevalences of CSP-antibodies and P. falciparum infections were 7.7% and 16.6% during the dry season, and 12.4% and 26.1% during the rainy season, respectively, with significant differences according to ecological strata. Malaria risk was significantly higher among children who i) lived in households with lower economic or education levels, iii) near the hydrographic network, iv) in sparsely built-up areas, v) in irregularly built areas, vi) who did not use a bed net, vii) were sampled during the rainy season or ii) had traveled outside of Ouagadougou.

Conclusion
Malaria control should be focused in areas which are irregularly or sparsely built-up or near the hydrographic network. Furthermore, urban children would benefit from preventive interventions (e.g. anti-vectorial devices or chemoprophylaxis) aimed at reducing malaria risk during and after travel in rural areas.
Stem cells from umbilical cord blood do have myogenic potential, with and without differentiation induction in vitro
Authors: Jazedje Tatiana , Secco Mariane , Vieira Natássia M , Zucconi Eder , Gollop Thomaz R , Vainzof Mariz , Zatz Mayana 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
The dystrophin gene, located at Xp21, codifies dystrophin, which is part of a protein complex responsible for the membrane stability of muscle cells. Its absence on muscle causes Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a severe disorder, while a defect of muscle dystrophin causes Becker Muscular Dystrophy (DMB), a milder disease. The replacement of the defective muscle through stem cells transplantation is a possible future treatment for these patients. Our objective was to analyze the potential of CD34+ stem cells from umbilical cord blood to differentiate in muscle cells and express dystrophin, in vitro. Protein expression was analyzed by Immunofluorescence, Western Blotting (WB) and Reverse Transcriptase – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). CD34+ stem cells and myoblasts from a DMD affected patient started to fuse with muscle cells immediately after co-cultures establishment. Differentiation in mature myotubes was observed after 15 days and dystrophin-positive regions were detected through Immunofluorescence analysis. However, WB or RT-PCR analysis did not detect the presence of normal dystrophin in co-cultures of CD34+ and DMD or DMB affected patients' muscle cells. In contrast, some CD34+ stem cells differentiated in dystrophin producers' muscle cells, what was observed by WB, reinforcing that this progenitor cell has the potential to originate muscle dystrophin in vitro, and not just in vivo like reported before.
Smoking Behaviors Among Cancer Survivors: An Observational Clinical Study
Authors: Burke Lola , Miller Lesley-Ann , Saad Ayman , Abraham Jame 
Published: January 2009

Purpose: Smoking is a well-recognized risk factor for several cancers including cancers of the lung, bladder, and head and neck. Studies have shown that smoking can adversely affect the outcomes of different modalities of cancer treatment. This study examines smoking behaviors among cancer survivors to collect information necessary to create successful smoking cessation interventions. Methods: For this observational clinical study, questionnaires were sent to 1,000 randomly selected patients diagnosed with cancer between 2003 and 2007 in one cancer center. Data were statistically analyzed to determine the likelihood of a patient quitting smoking after being diagnosed with cancer. Results: We received 187 responses from the 1,000 surveys sent (18.7%). Of these, 166 were usable for analysis. The mean age of respondents was 64 (± 13) years. Men were more likely than women to be past smokers (55% of men and 32% of women respectively, P = .003). Fifty-two percent of respondents reported having a history of smoking. However, only 20% of patients reported having been active smokers at the time they were diagnosed with cancer. Furthermore, only 44% of these reported having quit smoking after their diagnosis with cancer. Only 62% of all respondents reported that they had been informed of the dangers of smoking by their health care provider during cancer treatment. Conclusion: In our study sample, less than one half (44%) of smoking cancer patients quit smoking after their cancer diagnosis, and only 62% of smoking cancer patients received smoking cessation counseling from their physicians. Intervention programs are needed to help cancer survivors to quit smoking. Prospective clinical trials may help identify the ideal intervention for smoking cessation.
Prediction of Changes in Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women Treated with Once-Weekly Bisphosphonates
Authors: Burnett-Bowie Sherri-Ann M. , Saag Kenneth , Sebba Anthony , de Papp Anne E. , Chen Erluo , Rosenberg Elizabeth , Greenspan Susan L. 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
Background: In clinical practice, bone mineral density (BMD) determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry is used to monitor response to osteoporosis therapy. However, 1 to 2 yr are usually required to assess patients’ BMD responses. The possibility of earlier indicators of a response or nonresponse to treatment, such as changes in bone turnover markers (BTMs), is of interest to physicians and patients.
Methods: In this post hoc analysis of women treated with once-weekly bisphosphonates, we examined the association of tertile percentage change from baseline in BTMs at 3 or 6 months and association of several baseline clinical characteristics with 24-month percentage change from baseline in BMD and with percentage of patients showing BMD nonresponse (defined as BMD loss at two or more of four sites) at 24 months. Multivariable analysis was performed to determine which factors were independently associated with BMD nonresponse.
Results: Patients in the tertile with the greatest decrease in each of the BTMs had the greatest mean increase in BMD and the lowest percentage of BMD nonresponders at 24 months. Several characteristics were independently associated with BMD nonresponse, including smaller 3-month reductions from baseline in serum C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, and N-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen; younger age of menopause; a family history of osteoporosis; and higher baseline trochanteric BMD. Baseline BTMs were not predictive of 24-month BMD response to therapy. The strongest associations were for changes in BTMs with treatment.
Conclusion: In groups of patients, short-term changes in markers of bone turnover appear to be predictors of longer term BMD response and nonresponse to bisphosphonate therapy.
Preparation of Propanethiol-Modified Nanoporous Silica Spherical Particles
Authors: Ogawa Makoto , Kato Kei , Shimura Naoki 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
Spherical particles of nanoporous silica (with a diameter of 600 nm) containing mercaptopropylsilyl groups on the pore surface were synthesized by a modified Stöber method and subsequently silylated using (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane. The spherical particles of organosilica formed an artificial opal structure by simply casting the suspension (water dimethylformamide mixture) on a mercaptopropylsilylated Si wafer.
Experimental and Computational Studies on the Dipole Moments of Annulated-Tropones and 1,4-Polyacenequinones
Authors: Kudoh Mitsutaka , Satoh Takehiko , Ikeda Hiroshi , Nakazawa Tomoo , Miyashi Tsutomu , Katagiri Shigeyoshi , Sudoh Susumu 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
From both the experimental and computational perspectives, we examined the annulation effects of benzene rings on the ground-state dipole moment for two series of conjugated ketones. The first is a series of tropones (1), 4,5-benzotropone (2), 4,5-naphthotropone (3), 4,5-anthratropone (4), 4,5-tetracenotropone (5), and 4,5-pentacenotropone (6). The second is a series of 1,4-benzoquinones (7), 1,4-naphthoquinone (8), 1,4-anthraquinone (9), 1,4-tetracenequinone (10), 1,4-pentacenequinone (11), 1,4-hexacenequinone (12), and 5,12-tetracenequinone (13). Among these compounds, we determined the ground-state dipole moments of compounds 3, 9, 10, and 13 experimentally as 5.19, 2.07, 2.95, and 1.33 D, respectively. The ground-state dipole moments of the above two series were calculated by Hartree–Fock (HF), density functional theory (DFT), and Møller–Plesset second-order perturbation (MP2) methods. We examined the ground-state dipole moments of the two series to determine whether they converge to a limit. From the MP2 calculations, we estimated the converged dipole moments of annulated-tropones and 1,4-polyacenequinone, as 7.58 and 6.17 D, respectively.
Photoinduced Hydrogen Production with a Platinum Nanoparticle and Light-Harvesting Chlorophyll a/b–Protein Complex of Photosystem II (LHCII) from Spinach System
Authors: Ishigure Shuichi , Okuda Ayumi , Fujii Kaoru , Maki Yuko , Nango Mamoru , Amao Yutaka 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
Photoinduced hydrogen production via the photoreduction of methyl viologen (MV2+) using the sensitization of light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b–protein complex of photosystem II (LHCII) from spinach in the presence of platinum nanoparticles and NADH is developed.
Direct In Vitro Selection of Hemin-Binding DNA Aptamer with Peroxidase Activity
Authors: Liu Mingzhe , Kagahara Takuma , Abe Hiroshi , Ito Yoshihiro 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
A novel hemin-binding DNA was synthesized using in vitro selection (SELEX) method. The selected DNA not only bound to the hemin, but also had peroxidase activity when complexed with hemin. A pool of 104-nt single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) molecules containing a randomized sequence of 60 nt was synthesized. The DNA pool having random sequences was incubated with a hemin-immobilized affinity column. Bound DNAs were eluted with hemin solution and amplified by PCR with biotin-labeled primers. ssDNAs were isolated from the biotin-labeled double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) molecules after each selection process. After four rounds of selection process, the selected DNAs were cloned and sequenced. Four DNA aptamers were chemically synthesized from the sequenced clones. Two aptamers exhibited binding affinity to hemin and peroxidase activity. A 21-nt oligonucleotide was designed from the aptamer sequence that formed a complex with hemin and exhibited high peroxidase activity.
Immunostaining of Plasma Cells in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
Authors: Daniels Jason A. , Torbenson Michael , Anders Robert A. , Boitnott John K. 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by inflammatory destruction of the intrahepatic bile ducts. The differential diagnosis for PBC often includes autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Both diseases can show prominent plasma cells and other overlapping histologic features. It is interesting that both diseases can involve elevated levels of serum immunoglobulins, with IgM elevations typical of PBC and IgG elevations typical of AIH. We investigated whether this difference could be useful histologically by immunostaining plasma cells in liver biopsy specimens for IgG and IgM. We examined 56 cases: 18 of PBC and 38 of AIH. In PBC, plasma cells in the portal tracts were predominantly IgM+, whereas in AIH, plasma cells were predominately IgG+ (P &lt; .0001). Immunostaining for IgM and IgG can be helpful in differentiating PBC from AIH.
Copper accumulation and toxicity in isolated cells from gills and hepatopancreas of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus)
Authors: Paganini Christianne L. , Bianchini Adalto 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
In the present study, we used fresh preparations of mixed-cell populations to evaluate accumulation and toxicity of dissolved copper (1–100 μM) in isolated cells from posterior gills and hepatopancreas of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). For both gill and hepatopancreatic cells, significant increases in copper accumulation were observed after exposure to 50 or 100 μM copper. In gill cells, a linear increase in copper accumulation was observed over time. In hepatopancreatic cells, a maximum level of copper accumulation was achieved after 1 h of exposure, remaining unchanged up to 6 h. After 6 h of exposure, copper content in gill cells was 6.6-fold higher than that in hepatopancreatic cells. In both cell types, copper accumulation always followed a linear relationship with copper concentration in the incubation medium. Significant decreases in cell viability were observed after exposure to either 10 μM copper (gill cells) or 100 μM copper (gill and hepatopancreatic cells). Furthermore, an exponential rise to maximum-type relationship was observed between copper accumulation and toxicity in gill cells. Altogether, these findings indicate that the premise behind the biotic ligand model (BLM) approach is verified in isolated cells from posterior gills of the blue crab (i.e., toxicity is driven by copper accumulation in the biotic ligand, the gill cell). Therefore, these cells can be used as a model for the development of an in vitro BLM version for marine conditions. Isolated cells from the hepatopancreas, however, could be used as a model to better understand the mechanism of copper tolerance at a cellular level in crustaceans.
S-100β Protein in Patients with Severe Sepsis
Authors: Vučeljić Marina , Šurbatović Maja , Vujanić Svetlana 
Published: January 2009

S-100β Protein in Patients with Severe Sepsis
The effects of sepsis on the brain are not fully elucidated. This study investigated the serum levels of S100β protein in severe sepsis, as a biomarker of brain damage. The aim was to determine whether the levels of S100β are increased early, at the onset of sepsis, and if this protein is a good early predictor of outcome. We studied 30 patients with severe sepsis, divided into the survivors (n=8) and norsurvivors (n=22). Blood was sampled within the first 24h after the onset of symptoms. The concentrations of S100β were measured using an electrochemiluminiscence immunoassay (Elecsys 2010, Roche Diagnostics). Also, we measured the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) using the immunonephelometric assay. Out of 30 patients, 74.4% had increased levels of S100β, while 25.6% had values within the reference range. A total of 30 patients had increased levels of CRP. The mean values of S100β and CRP did not differ significantly between the survivors and nonsurvivors (0.390±0.515 vs. 0.415±0.508 μg/L; 98.76±69.94 vs. 161.68±118.38 mg/L). Correlation between S100β and outcome was not found. The increased levels of S100β indicate possible occult diffuse brain injury, that can be reversible. Moreover, the study showed S100β protein not to be a good early predictor of outcome in severe sepsis.
The Influence of Chronic Helicobacter Pylori Infection on some Serum Lipid Profile Parameters, Apolipoproteins A-I and B and Lp(a) Lipoprotein
Authors: Kojić-Damjanov Sunčica , Đerić Mirjana , Eremić Nevena , Čabarkapa Velibor 
Published: January 2009

The Influence of Chronic Helicobacter Pylori Infection on some Serum Lipid Profile Parameters, Apolipoproteins A-I and B and Lp(a) Lipoprotein
Data on proatherogenic lipid profile alterations due to chronic Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection are contradictory. Aim of this study was to examine the differences in some lipid parameters between 55 subjects of both gender with a chronic HP infection (IgG>50 U/mL and IgA <20 U/mL) and 55 gender matched HP seronegative subjects (IgG and IgA <20 U/mL). Total cholesterol (TC) (p<0.001), triglycerides (TG) (p<0.05), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) (p<0.02), non-HDL-cholesterol (non-HDL-C), apolipoprotein (apo) B (p<0.001), Lp(a) and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) serum levels were higher in HP seropositive than in seronegative subjects, while there were almost no differences in apo A-I. In HP seropositive subjects, the frequency of pathological TC (p<0.001), TG (p<0.05), LDL-C (p<0.01), non-HDL-C (p<0.01), apo B (p<0.02) and Lp(a) serum levels was higher compared to seronegative. Serum HP IgG titers correlated negatively with TC, LDL-C (p<0.05), non-HDL-C, apo B and Lp(a) levels, and positively with TG, HDL-C and apo A-I levels. Results are similar for both genders. Our results confirm the hypothesis that a chronic HP infection could modify the lipid profile in a proatherogenic way.
Biodiesel production from linseed oil and performance study of a diesel engine with diesel bio-diesel
Authors: Nabi Md Nurun , Hoque SM Najmul 
Published: January 2009

The use of biodiesel is rapidly expanding around the world, making it imperative to fully understand the impacts of biodiesel on the diesel engine combustion process and pollutant formation. Biodiesel is known as "the mono alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from renewable lipid feedstock, such as vegetable oils or animal fats, for use in compression ignition (diesel) engines." Biodiesel was made by transesterification from linseed oil. In aspect of Bangladesh linseed can play an important role in the production of alternative diesel fuel. The climatic and soil condition of our country is convenient for the production of linseed (Linum Usitatissimum) crop. In the first phase of this work optimization of different parameters for biodiesel production were investigated. In the second phase the performance study of a diesel engine with diesel biodiesel blends were carried out. The results showed that with the variation of catalyst, methanol and reaction time; variation of biodiesel production was realized. About 88% biodiesel production was experienced with 20% methanol, 0.5% NaOH catalyst and at 550C. The results also showed that when compared with neat diesel fuel, biodiesel gives almost similar thermal efficiency, lower carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) while slightly higher nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission was experienced.Â Keywords: Biodiesel, linseed oil, catalyst, alcohol and diesel emissions. doi:10.3329/jme.v39i1.1832 Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. ME39, No. 1, June 2008 40-44
Influence of curve fitting techniques on hydrostatic characteristics of ship
Authors: Karim Md Mashud , Ali Md Ashim , Iqbal Kho. Sahriar 
Published: January 2009

This paper presents influence of curve fitting techniques on hydrostatic characteristics of marine vessels.Â Three vessels having lengths of 32.16m, 70.0m and 25.6m are selected for this study. The hull geometries of these vessels are represented by three curve fitting techniques such as least square, cubic spline and B-spline methods. At first, hydrostatic characteristics of the vessels are calculated using data only available in offset table and then using more data generated by curve fitting techniques. Finally, results obtained by offset table data are compared to those by fitted data. It is seen that there are some influences of curve fitting technique on the hydrostatic characteristics of ship especially at lightly loaded condition. Keywords: Curve fitting technique, ship hull form, offset table, hydrostatic characteristics, ship stability, cross curve. doi:10.3329/jme.v39i2.1853 Journal of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. ME39, No. 2, Dec. 2008 100-112
An application of CSAMT to a geological investigation for railway route selection
Authors: Lei Da , Zhao Guoze , Yang Zhihong , Zhao Fugang , Li Xiaochang 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTThe controlled‐source audio‐frequency magnetotelluric method is a frequency domain electromagnetic sounding technique using a controlled source. This method, though characterized by efficiency, high lateral resolution, weak shielding effect from resistive beds and moderate detection depth has been rarely used for near‐surface geological investigation before in China. However, in the upper 200 m geological investigation for the pre‐route selection of the Lan‐Xin railway, the method has been successfully adopted for quickly mapping hidden fracture zones and structural framework, as well as assessing geological stability, so providing a basis for the railway route selection.