bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early Intratracheal Instillation of Budesonide Using Surfactant as a Vehicle to Prevent Chronic Lung Disease in Preterm Infants: A Pilot Study
Authors: Yeh Tsu F. , Lin Hong C. , Chang Chien H. , Wu Tien S. , Su Bai H. , Li Tsai C. , Pyati Suma , Tsai Chang H. 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVE. Budesonide is an inhaled steroid with a strong topical effect but with minimal systemic effects; it has been effectively delivered to animal lungs using surfactant as a vehicle. The purposes of this study were to determine whether early intratracheal instillation of budesonide using surfactant as a vehicle would improve pulmonary status, reduce mortality, and reduce chronic lung disease morbidity.
PATIENTS AND METHODS. We conducted a prospective, randomized blind trial in 116 very low birth weight infants (&lt;1500 g) who had severe radiographic respiratory distress syndrome and required mechanical ventilation with fraction of inspired oxygen ≥0.6 shortly after birth: 60 were in the treated group (intratracheal instillation of a mixture of 0.25 mg/kg of budesonide and 100.00 mg/kg of survanta, every 8 hours) and 56 were in the control group (100 mg/kg of survanta only, every 8 hours). The end point assessment was the number of infants who would die or develop chronic lung disease at 36 weeks’ postconceptional age.
RESULTS. Infants in the treatment group required significantly lower mean airway pressure on day 1 and day 3 and had significantly lower oxygen index and Pco2 during the first 3 days than infants in the control group. More infants were extubated in the treatment group than controls at 1 and 2 weeks. The combined outcome of deaths or chronic lung disease was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (19 of 60 vs 34 of 56). No clinically significant adverse effects were observed during the study.
CONCLUSIONS. This pilot study indicated that early postnatal intratracheal instillation of budesonide using surfactant as vehicle significantly improved the combined outcome of death or chronic lung disease in small premature infants without causing immediate adverse effects. The results are encouraging, and a large sample multicenter trial is warranted.
Predictors of Retinochoroiditis in Children With Congenital Toxoplasmosis: European, Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Freeman Katherine , Tan Hooi Kuan , Prusa Andrea , Petersen Eskild , Buffolano Wilma , Malm Gunilla , Cortina-Borja Mario , Gilbert Ruth ,   for the European Multicentre Study on Congenital Toxoplasmosis
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVE. By school age, 20% of children infected with congenital toxoplasmosis will have ≥1 retinochoroidal lesion. We determined which children are most at risk and whether prenatal treatment reduces the risk of retinochoroiditis to help clinicians decide about treatment and follow-up.
PATIENTS AND METHODS. We prospectively studied a cohort of children with congenital toxoplasmosis identified by prenatal or neonatal screening in 6 European countries. We determined the effects of prenatal treatment and prognostic markers soon after birth on the age at first detection of retinochoroiditis.
RESULTS. Of 281 children with congenital toxoplasmosis, 50 developed ocular disease, and 17 had recurrent retinochoroiditis during a median follow-up of 4.1 years. Prenatal treatment had no significant effect on the age at first or subsequent lesions. Delayed start of postnatal treatment did not increase retinochoroiditis, but the analysis lacked power. Older gestational age at maternal seroconversion was weakly associated with a reduced risk of retinochoroiditis. The presence of nonocular clinical manifestations of congenital toxoplasmosis at birth strongly predicted retinochoroiditis. For 92% (230 of 249) of children with no retinochoroiditis detected before 4 months of age, the probability of retinochoroiditis by 4 years was low, whether clinical manifestations were present or not 8.0%.
CONCLUSIONS. Prenatal treatment did not significantly reduce the risk of retinochoroiditis in this European cohort. If children have no retinochoroiditis in early infancy, the low risk of subsequent ocular disease may not justify postnatal treatment and repeated ophthalmic assessments during childhood. Controlled trials are needed to address the lack of evidence for the effectiveness of postnatal treatment.
Successful Drilling in Highly Depleted Formations
Authors: Ríos J. J. Alfredo , Luis Ángel Ayala G. , Casiano R. Rayón 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
The development of some reservoirs in the South Region of México was limited by highly depleted and/or naturally fractured formations that would not allow to reach the original geological goals. Those are Cretaceous and Jurassic period formations in carbonated rocks mainly limestone and dolomite. Oil well drilling under unbalanced pressure conditions demands special techniques for hydrodynamic control and hole stabilization in order to recover formation cuttings in the surface as well as to keep navigation control during drilling and gather indirect information of geophysical logs, as well as cutting and recovering cores and minimizing productive formations damage.
Analysis formations and non conventional drilling correspond to the reservoirs named Agave, Samaria, Iride and Jujo, in which successful drilling was performed using underbalanced drilling techniques, negative pulse navigation equipment, cutting and recovering of preserved core and particularly the development and application of low density foam fluid, designed and patented by PEMEX staff workers.
The main purpose of this paper is to illustrate the non conventional oil drilling techniques used to obtain successful results in highly depleted formations; with the attempt to make the application extensive to formations and reservoirs with similar subnormal pressures and/or naturally fractured.
Activation of Estrogen Receptor Is Crucial for Resveratrol-Stimulating Muscular Glucose Uptake via Both Insulin-Dependent and -Independent Pathways
Authors: Deng Jen-Ying , Hsieh Po-Shiuan , Huang Jiung-Pang , Lu Long-Sheng , Hung Li-Man 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVE—Estradiol (E2) is known to modulate insulin sensitivity and, consequently, glucose homeostasis. Resveratrol (RSV), an agonist of estrogen receptor (ER), has exerted antihyperglycemic effects in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic rats in our previous study and was also shown to improve insulin resistance in other reports. However, it remains unknown whether activation of ER is involved in the metabolic effects of RSV via insulin-dependent and -independent mechanisms.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given a high cholesterol–fructose (HCF) diet for 15 weeks and were treated with RSV for either 15 days or 15 weeks.
RESULTS—Here, we show that RSV shifts the metabolic characteristics of rats on an HCF diet toward those of rats on a standard diet. RSV treatment increased insulin-stimulated whole-body glucose uptake and steady-state glucose uptake of soleus muscle and liver in HCF-fed rats as well as enhanced membrane trafficking activity of GLUT4 and increased phosphorylation of insulin receptor in insulin-resistant soleus muscles. Interestingly, the phosphorylated ER level in insulin-resistant soleus muscle was significantly elevated in rats with RSV treatment in both basal and euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic conditions. RSV exerted an insulin-like stimulatory effect on isolated soleus muscle, epididymal fat and hepatic tissue, and C2C12 myotubes. The RSV-stimulated glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes was dependent on extracellular signal–related kinase/p38 (early phase, 1 h) and p38/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (late phase, 14 h) activation. Inhibition of ER abrogated RSV-induced glucose uptake in both early and late phases.
CONCLUSIONS—Collectively, these results indicate that ER is a key regulator in RSV-stimulating insulin-dependent and -independent glucose uptake, which might account for the protective effects of RSV on diet-induced insulin resistance syndrome.
Haplotype Structure of the ENPP1 Gene and Nominal Association of the K121Q Missense Single Nucleotide Polymorphism With Glycemic Traits in the Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Stolerman Elliot S. , Manning Alisa K. , McAteer Jarred B. , Dupuis Josée , Fox Caroline S. , Cupples L. Adrienne , Meigs James B. , Florez Jose C. 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVE—A recent meta-analysis demonstrated a nominal association of the ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1) K→Q missense single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at position 121 with type 2 diabetes. We set out to confirm the association of ENPP1 K121Q with hyperglycemia, expand this association to insulin resistance traits, and determine whether the association stems from K121Q or another variant in linkage disequilibrium with it.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We characterized the haplotype structure of ENPP1 and selected 39 tag SNPs that captured 96% of common variation in the region (minor allele frequency ≥5%) with an r2 value ≥0.80. We genotyped the SNPs in 2,511 Framingham Heart Study participants and used age- and sex-adjusted linear mixed effects (LME) models to test for association with quantitative metabolic traits. We also examined whether interaction between K121Q and BMI affected glycemic trait levels.
RESULTS—The Q allele of K121Q (rs1044498) was associated with increased fasting plasma glucose (FPG), A1C, fasting insulin, and insulin resistance by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR; all P = 0.01–0.006). Two noncoding SNPs (rs7775386 and rs7773477) demonstrated similar associations, but LME models indicated that their effects were not independent from K121Q. We found no association of K121Q with obesity, but interaction models suggested that the effect of the Q allele on FPG and HOMA-IR was stronger in those with a higher BMI (P = 0.008 and 0.01 for interaction, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS—The Q allele of ENPP1 K121Q is associated with hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in whites. We found an adiposity-SNP interaction, with a stronger association of K121Q with diabetes-related quantitative traits in people with a higher BMI.
Influence of Temperature and Daylight Length on Barley Infection by Pyrenophora Teres
Authors: Kosiada Tomasz 
Published: April 2008

Influence of Temperature and Daylight Length on Barley Infection byPyrenophora TeresNet blotch caused byPyrenophora teresis the most important disease of barley in many regions in which this cereal is cultivated. In the performed work the influence of solarization period and temperature on infection of barley byP. tereswas estimated. Three isolates of eachP. teresf.teresandP. teresf.maculatawere used. The response of six barley genotypes to the pathogen was estimated. Barley infection was differentiated and depended on solarization period, and the isolate ofP. teres.Number of infected plants increased with the increase of temperature. Interaction occurred among length of solarization period and temperature. The highest barley infection byP. teresf.tereswas observed at 10 hours of solarization and temperature 25°C.
Occurrence of Bemisia Argentifolii on Chrysanthemums in Northern Tanzania
Authors: Ndomba Osmund 
Published: April 2008

Occurrence ofBemisia Argentifoliion Chrysanthemums in Northern TanzaniaSamples of whiteflies were collected fromDendranthemaspp. in major growing areas of Tanzania. The insects were transferred onto test plants to confirm host specificity. Infested with insects, test plants were then protected with polyethylene bags. Samples of whiteflies from infested plants were taken at 10 day intervals post-infestation (dpi), 28 dpi and 35 dpi, for behavioural studies. At 10 dpi eggs were seen as oval bodies while at 28 dpi crawling bodies and newly emerged adults were observed, leaving behind characteristic shiny hollow cases. At 35 dpi, all the stages of development were seen. The features observed are typical ofBemisia argentifoliiand the area is endangered by the occurrence and spread of viruses transmitted by this species. This identification, which is an integral part of pest surveillance, initiates a study of the viruses and will lead to pest records for regulatory purposes. The international scientific and trading community is assured that the report reflects the real situation. The pest is thought to be present in the reported areas only and the pest status is actionable and under surveillance.
Pathogenicity of Meloidogyne Incognita on Sesamum Indicum and the Efficacy of Yield-Based Scheme in Resistance Designation
Authors: Atungwu Jonathan , Afolami Steve , Egunjobi Olufunke , Kadri Opeyemi 
Published: April 2008

Pathogenicity ofMeloidogyne IncognitaonSesamum Indicumand the Efficacy of Yield-Based Scheme in Resistance DesignationTwo screenhouse experiments were conducted in 2004 and 2005 rainy season to investigate the reaction of three selectedSesamum indicumcultivars against three population densities of a root knot nematode,Meloidogyne incognita.Seedlings ofS. indicumwere raised in pots arranged in completely randomised design and inoculated with 0, 5 000, and 10 000 eggs ofM. incognita, replicated six times. Root knot disease was evaluated at mid-season and harvest. A new method for evaluating and reporting resistance toMeloidogynespp. that divides the screening procedure into two phases in the same experiment was adapted. The first phase investigated the host response through the traditional standard method that utilises only gall and nematode reproduction indices, while the second considered the effect of root knot disease on grain production of the crop. There was consistency in host designation of E8 and NICRIBEN-01M (syn: 530-1-6) which were classified under the traditional and improved rating schemes as tolerant and resistant, respectively. However,S. indicumbreeding line Pbtil (No. 1) which was considered susceptible under the old system was found to be tolerant using the integrated and improved system. Root galls incited by the nematode degenerated significantly from mid-season to harvest time. Utilising yield as additional parameter for assessing resistance to root knot nematode provides a complete picture ofSesamum-Meloidogyneinteraction, and therefore a more meaningful system for determining host response.
Effect of Bt Maize Mon 810 Expressing Cry 1 Ab Toxin on Aphidius Colemani in Tritrophic Plant - Herbivore - Parasitoid System
Authors: Górecka Julia , Godzina Monika , Dąbrowski Zbigniew 
Published: April 2008

Effect of Bt Maize Mon 810 Expressing Cry 1 Ab Toxin onAphidius Colemaniin Tritrophic Plant - Herbivore - Parasitoid SystemEffect of Bt maize MON 810 expressing Cry 1 Ab toxin on braconidAphidius colemaniin tritrophic plant - herbivore - parasitoid system was studied under greenhouse conditions by rearing the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) on genetically modified maize cultivar DKc 307 (MON 810) and its isogenic parent cultivar - Monumental of Monsanto Ltd.R. padiaphids reached higher population level when maintained on Bt-maize cultivar DKc 307 (MON 810) than on its isogenic parent cultivar - Monumental both in the winter and summer experiments. The braconidA. colemanideveloped higher population onR. padiaphid population feeding on Bt maize plants in the summer experiment and on non-Bt plants in the winter experiment. The observed effect of season on parasitation level byA. colemanionR. padihost feeding on Bt and non-Bt maize plants indicates that results obtained in a single greenhouse experiment may lead to questionable conclusions and should be confirmed by other experiments.
Heterogeneous structure in gas–solid riser flows
Authors: You Jun , Zhu Chao , Du Bing , Fan Liang‐Shih 
Published: April 2008

AbstractRecent measurements by electric capacitance tomography reveal that, under certain operating conditions, the solids concentration distribution in the dense and acceleration regimes of gas–solid riser flows exhibits a strong heterogeneous structure, with the solids concentration near the centerline much higher than that in the annular surrounding flows (except in the wall region) within the same cross‐section. This core–annulus–wall heterogeneous structure, significantly different from the commonly known “core–annulus (wall)” two‐zone structure in riser flows, becomes unstable with the increase in solids loading, which eventually leads to the occurrence of choking. In this study, we propose a mechanistic model to investigate the formation and distribution of these interesting heterogeneous structures in riser flows. The intrinsic mechanisms include (1) counterflow between back mixing solids and upward moving solids from entrance, (2) the radial migration of solid flow from the wall toward the centerline of riser, and (3) the nonuniform acceleration of solids across the cross‐section in the dense and acceleration regimes. The model, assuming one‐dimensional two‐phase flow in each zone along the riser, consists of a set of coupled ordinary‐differential equations developed from the conservation laws of mass, momentum, and energy of both gas and solids phases. The solving algorithm is based on the Runge‐Kutta method. Our model calculations show that the commonly known “core–annulus (wall)” flow structure occurs at low solids loadings and/or high gas velocities, whereas the core–annulus–wall flow structure is formed at moderate solids loading and/or at low gas velocities. With a high solids loading at low gas velocity, severe backflow results in a solid concentration peak formed in the core, which not only causes the flow instability but also possibly triggers the choking. Model simulations are validated by direct comparisons against measurements in solids concentrations as well as in the pressure drop along the riser, which shows a fairly good agreement. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Liquid–liquid equilibrium for ionic liquid systems using COSMO‐RS: Effect of cation and anion dissociation
Authors: Banerjee Tamal , Verma Kaushal Kishore , Khanna Ashok 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIonic liquids with their limitless combination of cations and anions can offer an optimal solvent for a specific purpose. But not all corresponding experimental studies are possible as they will be time consuming and expensive. A judicious screening of the various possible solvents is required to select the proper ionic liquid. Conductor‐like screening model (COSMO) along with its extension to real solvents can be used for these predictions. In this work, modified version COSMO_LL has been used to predict the liquid–liquid equilibria (LLE) for 32 ternary systems, available in literature, each having an ionic liquid. A complete dissociation of cations and anions of the ionic liquid has been assumed. The root mean square deviation for all these systems is ∼9% which is excellent when compared with ∼50% obtained for predictions using the nondissociated composite molecule. Additionally, experimental LLE data has been collected for four ternary systems, namely: (a) 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium ethylsulphate [Emim] [EtSO4] – Ethanol‐Hexene, (b) 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium ethylsulphate [Emim] [EtSO4] – Ethanol‐Heptene, (c) 1,2‐dimethyl‐3‐ethylimidazolium ethylsulphate [E‐2,3‐dmim] [EtSO4] – Ethanol‐Hexene, and (d) 1,2‐dimethyl‐3‐ethylimidazolium ethylsulphate [E‐2,3‐dmim] [EtSO4] – Ethanol‐Heptene. The tie lines have been estimated using NMR and these have been compared with COSMO_LL predictions giving an average rmsd of ∼6%. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Entanglement network and relaxation temperature dependence of single‐site catalyzed ethylene/1‐hexene copolymers
Authors: Vega J. F. , Martín S. , Expósito M. T. , Martínez‐Salazar J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn this work, we investigate the linear viscoelastic response of high molecular weight ethylene/1‐hexene copolymers, characterized by a narrow molecular weight distribution and comonomer content in the range from 0 to 10 mol %. A variation in the entanglement plateau modulus has been found in agreement with the recently developed packing length model. The packing model applied to viscoelastic data suggests decreased values of the characteristic ratio, accordingly with recent computer simulation results. The flow activation energy increases as the side chain content increases. This feature is thought to be related to the mobility of the molecules. The presence of side branches due to the comonomer hinders the mobility of the molecules, and increases the thermal barrier for the segmental motion. Then in the comonomer content range studied, the increase of the flow activation energy goes parallel with a decrease in the characteristic ratio. This result suggests that more parameters than only the stiffness of the chain modulate the thermal dependence of viscoelastic properties. A more refined study is necessary combining experiments with computer simulations in order to elucidate these aspects. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Aims, challenges and progress of the Hydrological Ensemble Prediction Experiment (HEPEX) following the third HEPEX workshop held in Stresa 27 to 29 June 2007
Authors: Thielen Jutta , Schaake John , Hartman Robert , Buizza Roberto 
Published: April 2008

AbstractSince several years, users of weather forecasts have begun to realize the benefit of quantifying the uncertainty associated with forecasts rather than relying on single value forecasts. At the same time, hydrologists and water managers have begun to explore the potential benefit of ensemble prediction systems (EPS) for hydrological applications. The Hydrologic Ensemble Prediction Experiment (HEPEX) is an international project that aims to foster the development of probabilistic hydrological forecasting and corresponding decision making tools. Since 2004, HEPEX has provided discussion opportunities for hydrological and meteorological scientists involved in the development, testing, and operational management of forecasting systems, and end users. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Oxidative stress during diabetic pregnancy disrupts cardiac neural crest migration and causes outflow tract defects
Authors: Morgan Sarah C. , Relaix Frédéric , Sandell Lisa L. , Loeken Mary R. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Maternal diabetes increases risk for congenital malformations, particularly cardiac outflow tract defects. Maternal diabetes inhibits expression of Pax3 in neuroepithelium through hyperglycemia‐induced oxidative stress. The neuroepithelium gives rise to the neural crest, and Pax3 expression in cardiac neural crest (CNC) is required for CNC migration to the heart and for outflow tract septation. Here we tested whether maternal diabetes, through hyperglycemia‐induced oxidative stress, before the onset of CNC delamination, impairs CNC migration and cardiac outflow tract septation. METHODS: CNC migration was mapped in mouse embryos whose mothers were diabetic, or transiently hyperglycemic, or in which oxidative stress was transiently induced, using reporters linked to Pax3 expression. CNC apoptosis was examined by TUNEL assay. Outflow tract septation was examined histologically and by gross inspection. RESULTS: Few, if any, migrating CNC cells were observed in embryos of diabetic mice, and this was associated with increased apoptosis along the path of CNC migration. Outflow tract defects were significantly increased in fetuses of diabetic mice. Notably, induction of hyperglycemia or oxidative stress on the day prior to the onset of Pax3 expression and CNC migration also impaired CNC migration, increased apoptosis, and caused outflow tract defects. However, antioxidants administered on the day prior to the onset of Pax3 expression and CNC migration prevented these effects of hyperglycemia or oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: In diabetic pregnancy, oxidative stress, which inhibits expression of genes required for CNC viability, causes subsequent CNC depletion by apoptosis during migration, which leads to outflow tract defects. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.