bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hospital-Based Directly Observed Therapy for HIV-Infected Children and Adolescents to Assess Adherence to Antiretroviral Medications
Authors: Glikman Daniel , Walsh Linda , Valkenburg Judy , Mangat P. Daisy , Marcinak John F. 
Published: April 2007

BACKGROUND. The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV led to significant declines in HIV-associated morbidity and mortality in children. Nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy is the leading cause of treatment failure in HIV-infected patients. The ability to recognize nonadherence is suboptimal, and differentiating it from other causes of inadequate viral suppression may be difficult.OBJECTIVES. The purpose of this work was to examine the efficacy of hospital-based directly observed therapy in assessing adherence to antiretroviral medications in HIV-infected children and adolescents suspected of nonadherence and failing other interventions.METHODS. The medical charts of all HIV-infected patients admitted to the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital for directly observed therapy from July 2004 to June 2006 were reviewed. Patients were hospitalized for 7 days. Data collected included demographics, clinical and immune class category, previous and current antiretroviral medications, viral resistance tests, HIV-1 RNA viral load, and CD4+ T-cell number and percentage before and after directly observed therapy.RESULTS. There were 9 perinatally infected patients with a total of 13 admissions. The median age was 13 years, and 8 had been treated with multiple antiretroviral regimens. Three common patterns of changes in the viral load over time were observed. In the first, the viral load dropped at the end of the directly observed therapy period and stayed low thereafter. In the second, the drop in the viral load seen at the end of the period was not sustained. In the third, there was no change in the viral load during or after the directly observed therapy period. Compared with the viral load at admission, the viral load at the end of directly observed therapy was lower in 8 patients with a mean ± SD decrease of 0.8 ± 0.55 log10 copies per mL.CONCLUSIONS. Short, hospital-based directly observed therapy was helpful in confirming nonadherence to antiretroviral medications, therefore impacting future therapeutic decisions in HIV-infected children and adolescents. Short, hospital-based directly observed therapy should be considered in patients with poor virological control for whom outpatient interventions have failed.
Obstetric management of women with female genital mutilation
Authors: Rashid Mumtaz , Rashid Mohammed H 
Published: April 2007

Key content

Female genital mutilation is the partial or total removal of the female genitalia for non‐medical reasons.
The practice is illegal in the United Kingdom.
It is estimated that one woman dies every 10 minutes from the sequelae of the procedure.
Healthcare professionals require adequate training in the clinical management of women with this condition and they also need to demonstrate great cultural sensitivity.
In types III and IV the narrowed vaginal opening is likely to cause obstetric problems.
Defibulation prepregnancy is the most desirable option, failing which it may be carried out antenatally or during early labour (less desirable options).

Learning objectives

To know about the practice of female genital mutilation, different types of mutilation procedures and associated medical complications.
To learn about the obstetric complications and childbirth experience of women with the condition in the developed world.
To understand how delivery of obstetric services in the UK for women with genital mutilation could be improved.
To understand the ethical and child protection issues associated with the practice.

Ethical issues

Female genital mutilation is a violation of universal human rights.
The procedure is regarded as a form of child abuse but not given the same recognition on the grounds that it is carried out with the best intentions for the future welfare of the child.
Is it right to impose a Western concept of justice, which outlaws female genital mutilation, on a society where the practice is widely accepted?

Please cite this article as: Rashid M, Rashid MH. Obstetric management of women with female genital mutilation. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2007;9:95–101.
Macrofungi diversity in cork-oak and holm-oak forests in Andalusia (southern Spain); an efficient parameter for establishing priorities for its evaluation and conservation
Authors: Ortega Antonio , Lorite Juan 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn this work, the fungal diversity of holm-oak and cork-oak woodlands in southern Spain is studied in order to analyse the macrofungi component and its ecological characteristics, as well as to establish priorities for its conservation. For this, we have compiled published as well as unpublished data, and applied compositional analysis and statistical methods (basic statistics, non-parametric and multivariate analyses). Priority areas were selected based on complementarity analysis. As a result, 838 taxa were recorded, 78.6% in cork-oak and 76.4% in holm-oak forests, with 55.1% in common. The ratio of mycorrhizal to saprophitic species indicated that cork-oak woodlands present a higher diversity and conservation degree of its macrofungal community than holm-oak woodlands, since the mycorrhizal component is more important for the conservation of these forests (due to nutritional relations). Both forests types appear well differentiated in the multivariate analysis. In the complementarity analysis, with only one site, we recorded 40% of the total species encountered. The percentage increased to 80% with four sites. This type of approach, by highlighting the important areas for conservation of fungal diversity, constitutes a powerful tool to optimise conservation efforts.
The effect of TGF-β1 and Smad7 gene transfer on the phenotypic changes of rat alveolar epithelial cells
Authors: Xu Guo-Ping , Li Qing-Quan , Cao Xi-Xi , Chen Qi , Zhao Zhong-Hua , Diao Zi-Qiang , Xu Zu-De 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate whether transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) could induce alveolar epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro, and whether Smad7 gene transfer could block this transition. We also aimed to elucidate the possible mechanisms of these processes. The Smad7 gene was transfected to the rat type II alveolar epithelial cell line (RLE-6TN). Expression of the EMT-associated markers was assayed by Western Blot and Real-time PCR. Morphological alterations were examined via phase-contrast microscope and fluorescence microscope, while ultrastructural changes were examined via electron microscope. TGF-β1 treatment induced a fibrotic phenotype of RLE-6TN with increased expression of fibronectin (FN), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and vimentin, and decreased expression of E-cadherin (E-cad) and cytokeratin19 (CK19). After transfecting the RLE-6TN with the Smad7 gene, the expression of the mesenchymal markers was downregulated while that of the epithelial markers was upregulated. TGF-β1 treatment for 48 h resulted in the separation of RLE-6TN from one another and a change into elongated, myofibroblast-like cells. After the RLE-6TN had been transfected with the Smad7 gene, TGF-β1 treatment had no effect on the morphology of the RLE-6TN. TGF-β1 treatment for 48 h resulted in an abundant expression of α-SMA in the RLE-6TN. If the RLE-6TN were transfected with the Smad7 gene, TGF-β1 treatment for 48 h could only induce a low level of α-SMA expression. Furthermore, TGF-β1 treatment for 12 h resulted in the degeneration and swelling of the osmiophilic multilamellar bodies, which were the markers of type II alveolar epithelial cells. TGF-β1 can induce alveolar epithelialmesenchymal transition in vitro, which is dependent on the Smads signaling pathway to a certain extent. Overexpression of the Smad7 gene can partially block this process
Stilbene derivatives inhibit the activity of the inner mitochondrial membrane chloride channels
Authors: Koszela-Piotrowska Izabela , Choma Katarzyna , Bednarczyk Piotr , Dołowy Krzysztof , Szewczyk Adam , Kunz Wolfram , Malekova Lubica , Kominkova Viera , Ondrias Karol 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIon channels selective for chloride ions are present in all biological membranes, where they regulate the cell volume or membrane potential. Various chloride channels from mitochondrial membranes have been described in recent years. The aim of our study was to characterize the effect of stilbene derivatives on single-chloride channel activity in the inner mitochondrial membrane. The measurements were performed after the reconstitution into a planar lipid bilayer of the inner mitochondrial membranes from rat skeletal muscle (SMM), rat brain (BM) and heart (HM) mitochondria. After incorporation in a symmetric 450/450 mM KCl solution (cis/trans), the chloride channels were recorded with a mean conductance of 155 ± 5 pS (rat skeletal muscle) and 120 ± 16 pS (rat brain). The conductances of the chloride channels from the rat heart mitochondria in 250/50 mM KCl (cis/trans) gradient solutions were within the 70–130 pS range. The chloride channels were inhibited by these two stilbene derivatives: 4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS) and 4-acetamido-4′-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (SITS). The skeletal muscle mitochondrial chloride channel was blocked after the addition of 1 mM DIDS or SITS, whereas the brain mitochondrial channel was blocked by 300 μM DIDS or SITS. The chloride channel from the rat heart mitochondria was inhibited by 50–100 μM DIDS. The inhibitory effect of DIDS was irreversible. Our results confirm the presence of chloride channels sensitive to stilbene derivatives in the inner mitochondrial membrane from rat skeletal muscle, brain and heart cells.
A new species of Falcaustra (Nematoda, Kathlaniidae) and other nematodes from Sphenomorphus simus (Squamata, Scincidae) from Papua New Guinea
Authors: Bursey Charles , Goldberg Stephen , Kraus Fred 
Published: April 2007

AbstractFalcaustra papuensis sp. nov. (Ascaridida, Kathlaniidae) from the large intestine of Sphenomorphus simus (Squamata, Sciencidae) is described and illustrated. Falcaustra papuensis represents the 4th Australo-Papuan species assigned to this genus and is distinguished from other Australo-Papuan species by the distribution pattern of caudal papillae (6 precloacal, 6 adcloacal, 8 postcloacal, and 1 median), length of spicules (561–714 μm) and presence of a pseudosucker. Sphenomorphus simus was found to harbor 2 additional species of nematodes, Meteterakis crombiei and Oswaldocruzia bakeri. Sphenomorphus simus represents a new host record for each of these nematode species.
Hematoma resolution as a target for intracerebral hemorrhage treatment: Role for peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ in microglia/macrophages
Authors: Zhao Xiurong , Sun Guanghua , Zhang Jie , Strong Roger , Song Weitao , Gonzales Nicole , Grotta James C. , Aronowski Jaroslaw 
Published: April 2007

AbstractObjectivePhagocytosis is necessary to eliminate the hematoma after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH); however, release of proinflammatory mediators and free radicals during phagocyte activation is toxic to neighboring cells, leading to secondary brain injury. Promotion of phagocytosis in a timely and efficient manner may limit the toxic effects of persistent blood products on surrounding tissue and may be important for recovery after ICH.MethodsIntrastriatal blood injection in rodents and primary microglia in culture exposed to red blood cells were used to model ICH and to study mechanisms of hematoma resolution and phagocytosis regulation by peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in microglia/macrophages.ResultsOur study demonstrated that the PPARγ agonist, rosiglitazone, promoted hematoma resolution, decreased neuronal damage, and improved functional recovery in a mouse ICH model. Microglia isolated from murine brains showed more efficient phagocytosis in response to PPARγ activators. PPARγ activators significantly increased PPARγ‐regulated gene (catalase and CD36) expression, whereas reducing proinflammatory gene (tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β, matrix metalloproteinase‐9, and inducible nitric oxide synthase) expression, extracellular H2O2 level, and neuronal damage. Phagocytosis by microglia was significantly inhibited by PPARγ gene knockdown or neutralizing anti‐CD36 antibody, whereas it was enhanced by exogenous catalase.InterpretationPPARγ in macrophages acts as an important factor in promoting hematoma absorption and protecting other brain cells from ICH‐induced damage. Ann Neurol 2007;61:352–362
A novel potential cationic polymeric gene vector containing hydroxy groups and all grades of amino groups
Authors: Wu Chuanbao , Hao Jianyuan , Deng Xianmo , Liu Yu 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA novel potential cationic polymeric gene vector, PCT, was synthesized by copolymerizing 3‐chloro‐1,2‐epoxypropane (CEP) and tetraethylene pentamine (TEPA). The protonizable nitrogen content of PCT is 17.7 mmol/g at 1 : 1 of CEP to TEPA, lower than 23.3 mmol/g of polyethylenimine (PEI) but higher than 7.8 mmol/g of polylysine, which indicates PCT is a candidate of polycation with high‐content but discrete charge after protonation. PCT has many hydrophilic quaternized amino and hydroxy groups contributing to hydrophilicity. Acid base titration showed that PCT was protonated in both pH 7.4–11 and pH 5.0–7.4 and had “proton sponge effect.” In aqueous solution, PCT complexed with weak anionic polymer, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), into nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy proved the formation of complex. Particle size is first increased and then decreased as increasing mass ratio θ of PCT to PAA from 0.1 to 1.7, as shown by dynamic light scattering. At θ values of more than 1.7 or less than 0.2, complex particles with mean diameter less than 200 nm were obtained. At θ of 0.5, the UV‐Vis absorbance of complex solution at first day was obviously higher than that at 7 day, while at θ of 1.7, two absorbance curves at these two time points had slightly smaller change, indicating that small complex particles were more stable than large ones because of electrostatic repulsion. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Computational methods in protein structure prediction
Authors: Floudas C.A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis review presents the advances in protein structure prediction from the computational methods perspective. The approaches are classified into four major categories: comparative modeling, fold recognition, first principles methods that employ database information, and first principles methods without database information. Important advances along with current limitations and challenges are presented. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;97: 207–213. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Visual LinProg: A web‐based educational software for linear programming
Authors: Lazaridis Vassilios , Paparrizos Konstantinos , Samaras Nikolaos , Sifaleras Angelo 
Published: April 2007

AbstractVisual LinProg is an educational tool that solves linear problems (LPs), using animation and visualization techniques. The core of the proposed software includes the well‐known class of simplex type algorithms. This tool is a Web‐based software and hence platform independent. Visual LinProg was initially invented to be used in mathematical programming courses to supplement the teaching. The user‐student can solve his own general LPs, view the solution process step‐by‐step, and import or export his own examples in an easy way to read format. The solution process is covered scholastically through textual information and also the necessary steps from the pseudo code are depicted, using multiple views. In this study, we describe Visual LinProg and how it is used in educational purposes. Finally, we present an evaluation of the proposed educational tool. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 15: 1–14, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20084
A virtual machining based training system for numerically controlled machining
Authors: Yao Yingxue , Li Jianguang , Liu Changqing 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe development of numerically controlled (NC) machining training systems based‐on virtual machining technology is presented for supporting training of trainee to acquire the theoretical know‐how, practical skills, and the problem troubleshooting techniques on the usage of NC machines and NC programming. The architecture, underlying theoretical basis for the development of training system based‐on virtual machining is described. Several digital NC machining training systems had been developed and are practiced in the authors' university and in a professional training center. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 15: 64–72, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20097
Educational software to design shafts and analyze them by FEM
Authors: Álvarez‐Caldas Carolina , García José Luis San Román , Abella Belén Muñoz , González Alejandro Quesada 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn this article, an educational computer application to dimension shafts is presented. Safety factors according to several classic theories can be obtained by indicating shaft dimensions and particular discontinuities, as grooves or holes. Specifying the desired security factor, necessary dimensions can be calculated. One of the advantages of the educational software developed is that text files created by it can be directly imported to the FEM software ANSYS so as to analyze stress distribution of the shaft. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 15: 99–106, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20101
‘Not in my name’? The Italians and the war in Iraq
Authors: Roccato Michele , Fedi Angela 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWe performed a secondary analysis of data collected on a representative sample of Italians to study the attitudes and behaviours developed by the Italians with regard to war in general and the war in Iraq particularly. Moreover, we built a model predicting the probability of participating in pro‐peace demonstrations. The Italians seem polarized in their attitudes towards war and skeptical concerning the reasons for the attack on Iraq. Our models explained the probability of publicly showing one's opposition to the war in Iraq in terms of beliefs towards war in general, of attitude towards this conflict particularly, of frequency of newspaper‐reading and of values, showing that the sociodemographic and psychological variables played a significantly less relevant role. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heat Conveyance Mechanism and Applications
Authors: Kong S.‐T. , Dong Q.‐W. , Liu M.‐S. , Zhu Q. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe application of heat conveyance is presented under the assumption of low velocity and viscosity, and the factors affecting heat transfer are analyzed. Methods for reducing the flow resistance and increasing the efficiency of integrated heat transfer are presented after the characteristics of the vertical flow field are analyzed. The distributing rules of liquid flowing in the tube and heat transfer are obtained by numerical simulation, which shows that a full tube has the highest integrated heat transfer coefficient when the twisted‐tape insert is ca. 500–600 mm. The analyses indicate that the length of the twisted‐tape insert leads to a wide range of performance, i.e., a higher heat transfer coefficient can be obtained or the floating resistance can be lowered according to the actual working conditions. A higher level of integrated heat transfer coefficient is still maintained under such conditions. The above analyses indicate that the application of heat conveyance could guide the design of new enhanced heat transfer structures.
Degradation of Chlorocarbons Driven by Hydrodynamic Cavitation
Authors: Wu Z.‐L. , Ondruschka B. , Bräutigam P. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTo provide an efficient lab‐scale device for the investigation of the degradation of organic pollutants driven by hydrodynamic cavitation, the degradation kinetics of chloroform and carbon tetrachloride and the increase of conductivity in aqueous solutions were measured. These are values which were not previously available. Under hydrodynamic cavitation conditions, the degradation kinetics for chlorocarbons was found to be pseudo first‐order. Meanwhile, C‐H and C‐Cl bonds are broken, and Cl2, Cl., Cl– and other ions released can increase the conductivity and enhance the oxidation of KI in aqueous solutions. The upstream pressures of the orifice plate, the cavitation number, and the solution temperature have substantial effects on the degradation kinetics. A decreased cavitation number can result in more cavitation events and enhances the degradation of chlorocarbons and/or the oxidation of KI. A decrease in temperature is generally favorable to the cavitation chemistry. Organic products from the degradation of carbon tetrachloride and chloroform have demonstrated the formation and recombination of free radicals, e.g., CCl4, C2Cl4, and C2Cl6 are produced from the degradation of CHCl3. CHCl3 and C2Cl6 are produced from the degradation of CCl4. Both the chemical mechanism and the reaction kinetics of the degradation of chlorocarbons induced by hydrodynamic cavitation are consistent with those obtained from the acoustic cavitation. Therefore, the technology of hydrodynamic cavitation should be a good candidate for the removal of organic pollutants from water.
Micro‐Scale Modeling of a Functionally Graded Ni‐YSZ Anode
Authors: Ni M. , Leung M. K. H. , Leung D. Y. C. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA mathematical model was developed to investigate the coupled transport and electrochemical reactions in a nickel‐yttrial‐stablized zirconia (Ni‐YSZ) anode for use in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The modeling results were consistent with experimental data from the literature. Comparison between conventional non‐graded (uniform random composites) and two types of functionally graded electrodes (FGE), namely particle size graded and porosity graded SOFC anodes were conducted to evaluate the potential of FGE for SOFC. Improved performance of both types of FGE was observed due to reduced mass transport resistance and increased volumetric reactive surface area close to the electrode‐electrolyte interface. It was found that the particle size graded SOFC anode showed the best performance. This paper demonstrates that the SOFC performance could be enhanced by modifying the microstructures of the electrodes. The results presented in this paper provide a better understanding of the working mechanisms of SOFC electrodes and could serve as an important reference for design optimizations.
Novel Process Options for Application of Zeolites in Supercritical Fluids and Ionic Liquids
Authors: Gläser R. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSupercritical fluids and ionic liquids offer attractive opportunities for modifying and applying zeolites as adsorbents and catalysts. After a brief introduction to the most important properties of these solvents, examples of zeolite applications in supercritical fluids and ionic liquids from the recent literature are discussed. Particular emphasis is put on the influence of reaction media on the processes occurring in the zeolitic pore systems, e.g., during shape‐selective conversions in zeolite catalysts. The present potential and future challenges for the application of zeolites in supercritical fluids and ionic liquids are identified. Most attractive process options arise from a combined use of both ionic liquids and supercritical fluids in integrated reaction schemes.