bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization and Mapping of Fuel Types for the Mediterranean Ecosystems of Pollino National Park in Southern Italy by Using Hyperspectral MIVIS Data
Authors: Lasaponara Rosa , Lanorte Antonio , Pignatti Stefano 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
The characterization and mapping of fuel types is one of the most important factors that should be taken into consideration for wildland fire prevention and prefire planning. This research aims to investigate the usefulness of hyperspectral data to recognize and map fuel types in order to ascertain how well remote sensing data can provide an exhaustive classification of fuel properties. For this purpose airborne hyperspectral Multispectral Infrared and Visible Imaging Spectrometer (MIVIS) data acquired in November 1998 have been analyzed for a test area of 60 km2 selected inside Pollino National Park in the south of Italy. Fieldwork fuel-type recognitions, performed at the same time as remote sensing data acquisition, were used as a ground-truth dataset to assess the results obtained for the considered test area. The method comprised the following three steps: 1) adaptation of Prometheus fuel types for obtaining a standardization system useful for remotely sensed classification of fuel types and properties in the considered Mediterranean ecosystems; 2) model construction for the spectral characterization and mapping of fuel types based on a maximum likelihood (ML) classification algorithm; and 3) accuracy assessment for the performance evaluation based on the comparison of MIVIS-based results with ground truth. Results from our analysis showed that the use of remotely sensed data at high spatial and spectral resolution provided a valuable characterization and mapping of fuel types being that the achieved classification accuracy was higher than 90%.
Classic Text No. 66
Authors: Berrios German E. 
Published: May 2006

The word ‘nymphomania’, the concept of ‘madness from the womb’ and the belief in the existence of a behaviour consisting in an abnormally high female sexual drive converged during the second half of the seventeenth century to give rise to a new clinical category which, with minor changes, has survived until the present (e.g., in ICD-10). This Classic Text, an excerpt from the work of Lazare Rivière, provides a glimpse into the process whereby medical categories are constructed. According to Rivière (and many others) ‘madness from the womb’ was a disease which resulted from overheating and putrefaction of accumulated seed (female sperm) in the womb. Like all medical constructs, ‘madness from the womb’ (and soon nymphomania) included a symptomatology, natural history, aetiology, prognosis and cure. It is also clear that it was rehash of the earlier moral notion of ‘satyriasis’ (a male category applied to women) and the expression of seventeenth-century changing male attitudes towards, and fears of, female sexuality.
Internet-scale Sensing: Are Biomimetic Approaches the Answer?
Authors: Ramirez-Garcia Sonia , Diamond Dermot 
Published: May 2006

Throughout history, many inventions have been inspired by nature. For example, there are numerous examples of machines that imitate the shape or mechanism of animals and plants. Recently, scientists have named this phenomenon as ‘biomimetics’ and now actively search in nature for solutions to many complex problems. Living creatures have been optimized through thousands of years of evolution to achieve maximum efficiency with minimum energy consumption. This is also the goal that modern analytical devices are aiming for. We are looking for long-term deployment platforms to be applied, for example, for environmental monitoring and control or even for biomedical implants. For autonomous, field deployed systems, low power consumption is critical, in terms of detection, reagent control, and communications. In this article, we explore options for detecting colored analytes in microfluidic systems using low power LEDs, and the use of soft actuators for low power fluid control.
Survival benefit with imatinib mesylate versus interferon-α–based regimens in newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia
Authors: Kantarjian Hagop M. , Talpaz Moshe , O'Brien Susan , Jones Daniel , Giles Francis , Garcia-Manero Guillermo , Faderl Stefan , Ravandi Farhad , Rios Mary Beth , Shan Jianqin , Cortes Jorge 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
A survival benefit for imatinib mesylate versus interferon-α therapy could not be demonstrated in the randomized study in newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)–positive chronic-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) due to the high rate of crossover (90%) from interferon-α to imatinib mesylate within a year of study entry. We compared survival in 279 patients with newly diagnosed CML treated with imatinib mesylate at our institution (2000-2004) to 650 patients treated with interferon-α (1982-1997). The complete cytogenetic response rates were 87% with imatinib mesylate and 28% with interferon-α (P < .001). The estimated 3-year survival rates were 96% with imatinib mesylate and 81% with interferon-α (P < .01). Survival rates with imatinib mesylate were significantly better than with interferon-α within each of the CML prognostic risks groups. By multivariate analysis, imatinib mesylate therapy was identified as an independent favorable prognostic factor, after accounting for the impact of pretreatment factors (hazard ratio, 0.44; P < .01). By landmark analysis at 12 months, survival within each cytogenetic response category was similar with imatinib mesylate or interferon-α, suggesting that the survival benefit of imatinib mesylate (versus interferon-α in newly diagnosed CML) is through improving cytogenetic response.
Prognostic factors for surgical resection in patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis
Authors: Kim H. J. , Kang C. H. , Kim Y. T. , Sung S-W. , Kim J. H. , Lee S. M. , Yoo C-G. , Lee C-T. , Kim Y. W. , Han S. K. , Shim Y-S. , Yim J-J. 
Published: May 2006

Although surgical lung resection could improve prognosis in some patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), there are no reports on the optimal candidates for this surgery. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the prognostic factors for surgery in patients with MDR-TB.Patients who underwent lung resection for the treatment of MDR-TB between March 1993 and December 2004 were included in the present study. Treatment failure was defined as greater than or equal to two of the five cultures recorded in the final 12 months of treatment being positive, any one of the final three cultures being positive, or the patient having died during treatment. The variables that affected treatment outcomes were identified through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.In total, 79 patients with MDR-TB were included in the present study. The treatment outcomes of 22 (27.8%) patients were classified as failure. A body mass index <18.5 kg·m-2, primary resistance, resistance to ofloxacin and the presence of a cavitary lesion beyond the range of the surgical resection were associated with treatment failure.Low body mass index, primary resistance, resistance to ofloxacin and cavitary lesions beyond the range of resection are possible poor prognostic factors for surgical lung resection in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients.
Predictors of COPD symptoms: does the sex of the patient matter?
Authors: Watson L. , Schouten J. P. , Löfdahl C-G. , Pride N. B. , Laitinen L. A. , Postma D. S. 
Published: May 2006

Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients frequently report symptoms, it is not known which factors determine the course of symptoms over time and if these differ according to the sex of the patient. The current study investigated predictors for presence, development and remission of COPD symptoms in 816 males and 312 females completing 3-yr-follow-up in the European Respiratory Society Study on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (EUROSCOP).The following were included in generalised estimating equations logistic regression analyses: explanatory variables of treatment; pack-yrs smoking; age, forced expiratory volume in one second % predicted (FEV1% pred); annual increase in FEV1and number of cigarettes smoked; body mass index; and phadiatop. Interaction terms of sex multiplied by explanatory variables were tested.Over 3 yrs, similar proportions of males and females reported symptoms. In males only, higher FEV1% pred was associated with reduction in new symptoms of wheeze and dyspnoea, and symptom prevalence was reduced with annual FEV1improvement and phlegm prevalence reduced with budesonide treatment (odds ratio 0.66; 95% confidence interval 0.52–0.83). Additionally an increase in the number of cigarettes smoked between visits increased the risk of developing phlegm (1.40 (1.14–1.70)) and wheeze (1.24 (1.03–1.51)) in males but not females.The current study shows longitudinally that symptom reporting is similar by sex. The clinical course of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can differ by sex, as males show greater response to cigarette exposure and treatment.
Altered expression of the Smad signalling pathway: implications for COPD pathogenesis
Authors: Zandvoort A. , Postma D. S. , Jonker M. R. , Noordhoek J. A. , Vos J. T. W. M. , van der Geld Y. M. , Timens W. 
Published: May 2006

Pulmonary emphysema, as a feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is characterised by destruction of alveolar tissue. The present authors previously demonstrated reduced decorin expression in the peribronchial area of COPD patients, reflecting an altered extracellular matrix (ECM) modulation. Decorin transcription is regulated by the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β–Smad pathway, the key intracellular signal route for initiation of ECM component gene transcription. Whether this pathway is aberrantly expressed in COPD is not known.An immunohistochemical study was performed to compare protein expression of TGF-β1and TGF-β receptors, Smad 2, 3, 4 and 7, and decorin in lung tissue of Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stages II and IV COPD patients and controls.Epithelial expression of the inhibitory Smad 7 was significantly lower in patients with GOLD stages II and IV than in controls, with other Smad protein expressions being similar in the groups. The expression of TGF-β1and TGF-β receptor type I was significantly lower in stage II patients. Decorin staining of the adventitia and alveolar walls was significantly reduced in COPD stage IV.In conclusion, the transforming growth factor-β–Smad pathway is aberrantly expressed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, implying an abnormal tissue repair ultimately resulting in reduced decorin production. The results of the present study contribute to better understanding of the pathogenesis of emphysema and the airway fibrosis observed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
Increased serum levels of chromogranin A in male smokers with airway obstruction
Authors: Sørhaug S. , Langhammer A. , Waldum H. L. , Hveem K. , Steinshamn S. 
Published: May 2006

The neuroendocrine (NE) system may play an important role in smoking-induced airway diseases. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between serum levels of the general NE marker chromogranin A (CgA) and smoking habits, respiratory symptoms and lung function.The study population consisted of never-smokers with normal lung function, smokers with normal lung function and smokers with airway obstruction who were randomly selected from the lung study of the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT). Serum CgA was determined in 151, 138 and 116 subjects, respectively. All subjects were seronegative forHelicobacter pylori.Male smokers with airway obstruction had significantly higher serum CgA levels (median 3.70 nmol·L-1(interquartile range 3.10–5.15)) than both smokers with normal lung function (3.00 nmol·L-1(2.50–3.67)) and never-smokers with normal lung function (2.90 nmol·L-1(2.57–3.30)). The elevated levels of CgA correlated with the degree of airway obstruction. Moreover, the presence of respiratory symptoms and chronic bronchitis among male smokers were associated with increased serum CgA levels. Females had CgA levels similar to male smokers independent of smoking status and lung function.Elevated serum chromogranin A levels in subjects with airway obstruction and respiratory symptoms may represent neuroendocrine activation in inflammatory or remodelling processes in the lung.
Pine dust, atopy and lung function: a cross-sectional study in sawmill workers
Authors: Douwes J. , McLean D. , Slater T. , Travier N. , Cheng S. , Pearce N. 
Published: May 2006

An increased risk of asthma symptoms has previously been shown in 772 pine sawmill workers. The aim of the current study was to assess the association between dust exposure, lung function and atopy.Subjects with (n = 59) and without (n = 167) asthma symptoms were randomly selected from the previous survey. Lung function and atopy were determined using spirometry and skin-prick tests, respectively. Inhalable dust levels were measured on the same day.The geometric mean dust concentration was 0.52 mg·m-3. Exposure to dry but not to green dust was associated with asthma symptoms. Green dust was associated with atopic sensitisation, particularly against outdoor allergens; no association was found for dry dust. Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second and peak expiratory flow were significantly lower in workers exposed to high levels of green dust (-350 mL, -260 mL and -860 mL·s-1, respectively) and dry dust (-230 mL, -190 mL and -850 mL·s-1, respectively). These associations were observed both in subjects with and without asthma symptoms. No associations with cross-shift changes in lung function were found.Exposure to green pine sawdust may be a risk factor for atopy. Both green and dry dust were associated with obstructive as well as restrictive pulmonary effects.
Differences in microsatellite DNA level between asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Zervou M. I. , Tzortzaki E. G. , Makris D. , Gaga M. , Zervas E. , Economidou E. , Tsoumakidou M. , Tzanakis N. , Milic-Emili J. , Siafakas N. M. 
Published: May 2006

Previous studies have shown that microsatellite (MS) DNA instability (MSI) is detectable in sputum cells in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether asthma and COPD could be distinguished at the MS DNA level.DNA was extracted from sputum cells and white blood cells from 63 COPD patients, 60 non-COPD smokers, 36 asthmatics and 30 healthy nonsmokers. Ten MS markers located on chromosomes 2p, 5q, 6p, 10q, 13q, 14q and 17q were analysed.No MSI was detected in non-COPD smokers or healthy nonsmokers. A significantly higher proportion of COPD patients exhibited MSI (49.2%) compared to asthmatics (22.2%). MSI was detected even in the mild stages of COPD (33.3%) and asthma (22.2%). No relationship was found between MSI and COPD severity. The most frequently affected marker was D14S588 (17.5% in COPD and 2.7% in asthma). The markers D6S344, G29802 and D13S71 showed alterations only in COPD, and G29802 was associated with a significantly decreased forced expiratory volume in one second FEV1(% predicted), whereas MSI in D6S344 was associated with a significantly higher FEV1(% pred).The frequency of microsatellite instability was higher in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease than in asthma, and microsatellite instability in three workers showed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease specificity. However, further studies are needed to verify the differences between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma at the microsatellite level.
Measurement of quality of life in pulmonary hypertension and its significance
Authors: Cenedese E. , Speich R. , Dorschner L. , Ulrich S. , Maggiorini M. , Jenni R. , Fischler M. 
Published: May 2006

Until recently, assessment of patients with pulmonary hypertension has mainly relied on functional and haemodynamic parameters. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL), however, has become increasingly important in defining overall health status.The present study investigated the performance and clinical relevance of the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure (MLHF) questionnaire by prospectively studying 48 patients with either pulmonary arterial hypertension (n = 26) or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (n = 22). The MLHF scores were correlated to various clinical and haemodynamic parameters. Prognostic outcome was evaluated by calculating the time taken to reach an adverse clinical event defined as death, lung transplantation or pulmonary endarterectomy.The reliability of test–re-test and internal consistency of this HRQOL tool was high. The MLHF score and its physical subscore correlated moderately to well with functional and haemodynamic parameters, except in the case of pulmonary artery pressures. Both scores significantly improved during vasodilator therapy. This figure was surpassed only by the New York Heart Association/World Health Organization functional class. A multivariate analysis of all variables revealed that the MLHF score was the sole factor predicting subsequent outcome.The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire is highly reproducible, consistent, and a moderately valid and responsive tool in assessing health-related quality of life in pulmonary hypertension. Moreover, it is a significant predictor of outcome in these patients.
Apoptosis of viral-infected airway epithelial cells limit viral production and is altered by corticosteroid exposure
Authors: Singhera Gurpreet K , Chan Tiffany S , Cheng Jenny Y , Vitalis Timothy Z , Hamann Kimm J , Dorscheid Delbert R 
Published: May 2006

Abstract

Background
Effects of respiratory viral infection on airway epithelium include airway hyper-responsiveness and inflammation. Both features may contribute to the development of asthma. Excessive damage and loss of epithelial cells are characteristic in asthma and may result from viral infection.

Objective
To investigate apoptosis in Adenoviral-infected Guinea pigs and determine the role of death receptor and ligand expression in the airway epithelial response to limit viral infection.

Methods
Animal models included both an Acute and a Chronic Adeno-infection with ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation with/without corticosteroid treatment. Isolated airway epithelial cells were cultured to study viral production after infection under similar conditions. Immunohistochemistry, western blots and viral DNA detection were used to assess apoptosis, death receptor and TRAIL expression and viral release.

Results

In vivo and in vitro Adeno-infection demonstrated different apoptotic and death receptors (DR) 4 and 5 expression in response to corticosteroid exposure. In the Acute Adeno-infection model, apoptosis and DR4/5 expression was coordinated and were time-dependent. However, in vitro Acute viral infection in the presence of corticosteroids demonstrated delayed apoptosis and prolonged viral particle production. This reduction in apoptosis in Adeno-infected epithelial cells by corticosteroids exposure induced a prolonged virus production via both DR4 and TRAIL protein suppression. In the Chronic model where animals were ovalbumin-sensitized/challenged and were treated with corticosteroids, apoptosis was reduced relative to adenovirus-infected or corticosteroid alone.

Conclusion
Our data suggests that apoptosis of infected cells limits viral production and may be mediated by DR4/5 and TRAIL expression. In the Acute model of Adeno-infection, corticosteroid exposure may prolong viral particle production by altering this apoptotic response of the infected cells. This results from decreased DR4 and TRAIL expression. In the Chronic model treated with corticosteroids, a similar decreased apoptosis was observed. This data suggests that DR and TRAIL modulation by corticosteroids may be important in viral infection of airway epithelium. The prolonged virus release in the setting of corticosteroids may result from reduced apoptosis and suppressed DR4/TRAIL expression by the infected cells.
Use of a multi-way method to analyze the amino acid composition of a conserved group of orthologous proteins in prokaryotes
Authors: Pasamontes Alberto , Garcia-Vallve Santiago 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackgroundAmino acids in proteins are not used equally. Some of the differences in the amino acid composition of proteins are between species (mainly due to nucleotide composition and lifestyle) and some are between proteins from the same species (related to protein function, expression or subcellular localization, for example). As several factors contribute to the different amino acid usage in proteins, it is difficult both to analyze these differences and to separate the contributions made by each factor.ResultsUsing a multi-way method called Tucker3, we have analyzed the amino composition of a set of 64 orthologous groups of proteins present in 62 archaea and bacteria. This dataset corresponds to essential proteins such as ribosomal proteins, tRNA synthetases and translational initiation or elongation factors, which are common to all the species analyzed. The Tucker3 model can be used to study the amino acid variability within and between species by taking into consideration the tridimensionality of the data set. We found that the main factor behind the amino acid composition of proteins is independent of the organism or protein function analyzed. This factor must be related to the biochemical characteristics of each amino acid. The difference between the non-ribosomal proteins and the ribosomal proteins (which are rich in arginine and lysine) is the main factor behind the differences in amino acid composition within species, while G+C content and optimal growth temperature are the main factors behind the differences in amino acid usage between species.ConclusionWe show that a multi-way method is useful for comparing the amino acid composition of several groups of orthologous proteins from the same group of species. This kind of dataset is extremely useful for detecting differences between and within species.
Genetic structure of Indian populations based on fifteen autosomal microsatellite loci
Authors: Kashyap VK , Guha Saurav , Sitalaximi T , Bindu G Hima , Hasnain Seyed E , Trivedi R 
Published: May 2006

Abstract

Background
Indian populations endowed with unparalleled genetic complexity have received a great deal of attention from scientists world over. However, the fundamental question over their ancestry, whether they are all genetically similar or do exhibit differences attributable to ethnicity, language, geography or socio-cultural affiliation is still unresolved. In order to decipher their underlying genetic structure, we undertook a study on 3522 individuals belonging to 54 endogamous Indian populations representing all major ethnic, linguistic and geographic groups and assessed the genetic variation using autosomal microsatellite markers.

Results
The distribution of the most frequent allele was uniform across populations, revealing an underlying genetic similarity. Patterns of allele distribution suggestive of ethnic or geographic propinquity were discernible only in a few of the populations and was not applicable to the entire dataset while a number of the populations exhibited distinct identities evident from the occurrence of unique alleles in them. Genetic substructuring was detected among populations originating from northeastern and southern India reflective of their migrational histories and genetic isolation respectively.

Conclusion
Our analyses based on autosomal microsatellite markers detected no evidence of general clustering of population groups based on ethnic, linguistic, geographic or socio-cultural affiliations. The existence of substructuring in populations from northeastern and southern India has notable implications for population genetic studies and forensic databases where broad grouping of populations based on such affiliations are frequently employed.