bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gingival Enlargement Among Renal Transplant Recipients in the Era of New‐Generation Immunosuppressants
Authors: Greenberg Katja V. , Armitage Gary C. , Shiboski Caroline H. 
Published: March 2008

Background: Tacrolimus is a new‐generation immunosuppressant as successful as cyclosporin in suppressing organ transplant rejection. Although cyclosporin is known to cause gingival enlargement (GE), tacrolimus has not been associated with this condition. We sought to explore the prevalence of GE among renal transplant recipients (RTRs) in relation to cyclosporin and tacrolimus while controlling for the effect of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and supragingival plaque.Methods: RTRs were recruited from our institution's Kidney Transplant Unit. Participants completed a standardized questionnaire and received a complete oral examination, including a soft tissue examination and a periodontal examination measuring probing depth, recession, bleeding on probing, plaque index (PI), and GE.Results: Among 115 RTRs, 39 (34%) presented with GE, with the highest prevalence among those taking cyclosporin and CCBs (76%) and the lowest among tacrolimus users not on a CCB (15%). Tacrolimus was not found to be associated with GE. Cyclosporin was found to be associated with GE in a univariate analysis stratified by the use of CCBs, but multivariate analysis revealed that the only significant risk factors for GE were the use of CCBs and the widespread presence of abundant supragingival plaque (PI ≥2 on >40% of tooth surfaces).Conclusions: This study confirmed that tacrolimus is not associated with GE. Cyclosporin taken at the currently recommended low dosage and not in combination with a CCB may not be associated with a significant risk for GE in individuals with good oral hygiene. CCBs should be avoided among patients taking cyclosporin and those with poor oral hygiene.
Synergy of feedback mechanisms in gene regulation systems with promoter and repressor transcription factors
Authors: Šrobár Fedor 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Presence of feedback mechanisms, both positive and negative, in the gene regulation systems is generally appreciated. The present study proposes a diagrammatic representation of these phenomena that affords their exact formulation and reveals some new facts. Topology of feedback relationships is defined by diagram configuration and quantitative evaluation is afforded by analytical apparatus coming with the diagrams. In particular, criterion for occurrence of bistability and synergy of positive and negative feedback are described in exact manner using the concept of transmission functions associated with diagram edges. The approach is demonstrated on genetic regulatory system comprising two genes whose transcription is controlled by activator and repressor proteins mutually competing for binding to the same responsive element of the DNA.
Meson loop effect on high density chiral phase transition
Authors: Sakaguchi Tomohiko , Kashiwa Kouji , Matsuzaki Masayuki , Kouno Hiroaki , Yahiro Masanobu 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
We test the stability of the mean field solution in the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model in a semi-quantitative manner. For stable solutions with respect to both the σ and π directions, we investigate effects of the mesonic loop corrections of 1/N
c, which correspond to the next-to-leading order in the 1/N
c expansion, on the high density chiral phase transition. The corrections weaken the first order phase transition and shift the critical chemical potential to a lower value. At N
c = 3, however, instability of the mean field effective potential prevents us from determining the minimum of the corrected one.
On the truncated Pareto distribution with applications
Authors: Zaninetti Lorenzo , Ferraro Mario 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
The Pareto probability distribution is widely applied in different fields such us finance, physics, hydrology, geology and astronomy. This note deals with an application of the Pareto distribution to astrophysics and more precisely to the statistical analysis of masses of stars and of diameters of asteroids. In particular a comparison between the usual Pareto distribution and its truncated version is presented. Finally, a possible physical mechanism that produces Pareto tails for the distribution of the masses of stars is presented.
Dirofilariosis in Slovakia - a new endemic area in Central Europe
Authors: Miterpáková M. , Antolová D. , Hurníková Z. , Dubinský P. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
The first systematic research on canine dirofilariosis in Slovakia started in February 2007. In total 287 dogs of various age, sex, breeds, and utilization from southern Slovakia were examined within the study until September 2007. Microfilariaemia was detected in 99 (34.5 %) blood samples. Histochemical staining and PCR approach were used for Dirofilaria species identification. Dirofilaria repens was confirmed in all infected dogs; it occurred in 92 (32.1 %) dogs as a single infection and in 6 (2.1 %) dogs in mixed infection with Dirofilaria immitis. For the first time both species were detected in Eastern Slovakia. Outdoor keeping and age higher 3 years become evident as important risk factors. Male individuals and dogs with long hair were significantly more frequently infected when compared with females and short hair breeds.
The present study revealed the occurrence of highly endemic area of dirofilariosis in Slovakia and certified that climatic conditions in the country are favourable for development of the parasite and for further spread of this zoonotic infection.
Occurrence of acanthocephalans in the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra (L.) (Carnivora, Mustelidae) in Bulgaria, with a survey of acanthocephalans recorded from this host species
Authors: Dimitrova Z. , Tzvetkov Y. , Todev I. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Three Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) originating from Pazardzhik Region (South Bulgaria) were examined for helminth parasites. Three species of acanthocephalans were recorded: Pomphorhynchus laevis, Acanthocephalus anguillae and A. ranae. These species are not specific parasites of otters, the former two occurring in various freshwater fishes and the latter being a parasite of anurans. A review of acanthocephalan species recorded from L. lutra is presented. The possible transmission routes by which otters become infested with acanthocephalans are considered to be either paratenic transfer of encysted extra-intestinal juveniles in paratenic hosts or postcyclic transmission of mature intestinal worms in definitive hosts.
Attachment of Pasteuria penetrans spores on populations of Meloidogyne javanica and M. incognita virulent and avirulent on the Mi gene of resistant tomato
Authors: Tzortzakakis E. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Spore attachment of three Pasteuria penetrans isolates was assessed on juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne javanica populations from Greece. The nematode populations differed in their ability to reproduce on tomatoes with the Mi gene, conferring resistance to rootknot nematodes. The numbers of attached spores did not discriminate virulent from avirulent populations within each species. The differences in attachment rates probably reflect the specificity of Pasteuria penetrans to different Meloidogyne populations of the same species, within a country or even the same area.
Effect of vibration on flow properties of fine glass beads
Authors: Soria‐Hoyo C. , Valverde J. M. , Castellanos A. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAn estimation of cohesion C and angle of internal friction φ of fine glass beads, which have been previously subjected to small intensity vertical vibrations of controlled frequency and amplitude for a fixed period of time, is presented. In the range of vibration intensities tested previbration causes powder compaction. Experimental measurements to obtain C and φ have been performed by means of a centrifuge powder tester in which the previbrated powder bed is rotated around its vertical axis. At a critical rotation velocity the shear stress induced by rotation is large enough to drive material avalanches. From a theoretical analysis of these avalanches, based on the Coulomb's method of wedges, C and φ are derived. We have found a significant increase of cohesion, and a slight decrease of the angle of internal friction as the effective consolidation stress due to previbration is increased. The estimated interparticle cohesion force ft from the experimental measurements, and using a Rumpf's averaging equation, is in agreement with the calculated interparticle attractive force due to van der Waals and capillary interaction for the unconsolidated beds. Moreover ft increases as the effective consolidation stress is increased in agreement with estimations from theoretical models based on contact plasticity. This result suggests that, at the microscopic level of asperities, compaction due to previbration is able to induce plastic deformation of the contacts. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
A new solventless process to hydrophobize silica powders in fluidized beds
Authors: Lazghab Myriam , Saleh Khashayar , Guigon Pierre 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA new hydrophiztaion technique was developed in a fluidized bed reactor to modify the surface of silica‐based powders with n‐octadecyltrichlorosilane (ODTCS). The reaction was performed at dry phase by mixing two classes of particles during the fluidization: “target‐particles” to be treated (a fine microporous silica powder) and “ODTCS‐carrier” particles consisting of coarser porous alumina beads containing an adequate amount of reagent. The results showed that ODTCS was successfully anchored on silica surface and achieved high surface coverage (1.4 groups/nm2) in only few minutes with an interesting hydrophobic behavior. The energy consumption is reduced if the reaction is carried out at low temperatures, but using humidified air (7% RH). These conditions promote, however, a vertical polymerization of the reagent on solids surface. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
PEPT and discrete particle simulation study of spout‐fluid bed regimes
Authors: Link J. M. , Deen N. G. , Kuipers J. A. M. , Fan X. , Ingram A. , Parker D. J. , Wood J. , Seville J. P. K. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe results of a combined experimental and simulation study on the flow regimes that can be encountered during spout‐fluid bed operation are reported. A regime map for a three‐dimensional (3D) spout‐fluid bed was composed, employing spectral analysis of pressure drop fluctuations and fast video recordings. In addition, 3D Euler–Lagrangian computations were performed to assess the capability of the model to reproduce the experimentally observed flow regimes. Spectral analysis of pressure drop fluctuations revealed that for most investigated regimes the model is able to predict the appropriate regime. The frequency at which the largest power is found is overpredicted by the model in most cases. The remaining differences between the simulated and the experimentally observed bed behavior are most probably related to the representation of the effective fluid–particle interaction in the model, which relies on local spatial homogeneity. The simulation results were compared with velocity maps determined from particle trajectories acquired using positron emission particle tracking. The model accurately reproduces measured particle velocities, including their root mean square, for all investigated conditions and is therefore able to capture the details of the particle flow in various flow regimes. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Possible association of the alpha‐2A‐adrenergic receptor gene with response time variability in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Cho Soo‐Churl , Kim Jae‐Won , Kim Boong‐Nyun , Hwang Jun‐Won , Park Mira , Kim Soon Ae , Cho Dae‐Yeon , Yoo Hee‐Jeong , Chung Un‐Sun , Son Jung‐Woo , Park Tae‐Won 
Published: March 2008

AbstractPrevious studies have demonstrated that the MspI and DraI polymorphisms at the alpha‐2A‐adrenergic receptor gene (ADRA2A) are associated with ADHD. However, few studies have been designed to ascertain the association between the ADRA2A genotypes and the performance on neurocognitive measures in ADHD. The aims of this study were to examine the association of the ADRA2A MspI and DraI polymorphisms with ADHD in Korean subjects, and to determine the relationship between the genotypes of these two polymorphisms and the candidate endophenotypes, as measured by the continuous performance test (CPT). In a case–control study, we assessed 186 ADHD probands and 150 normal controls. One hundred eight trios were studied in a family based association analysis. The transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) analysis showed preferential transmission of the C allele of the DraI polymorphism (χ2 = 5.88, P = 0.015). In the haplotype analyses, a trend of over‐transmission of haplotype C/C was observed (χ2 = 3.80, P = 0.051). The homozygous subjects for the C allele (C/C genotype) at the DraI polymorphism showed a trend toward a higher mean T‐score with respect to the response time variability profiles of the CPT than did those with the other genotypes (C/T + T/T genotypes; P = 0.042). The homozygous subjects for the G allele (G/G genotype) at the MspI polymorphism showed a tendency to have a lower mean T‐score with respect to the response time variability profiles of the CPT (P = 0.068). The results of this study provide important evidence for the involvement of the ADRA2A MspI and DraI polymorphisms in the etiology of ADHD in Korean subjects. In addition, our results provide evidence for the possible role of these two polymorphisms in ADHD symptom expression, such as increased response time variability. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Beckwith Weidemann syndrome: A behavioral phenotype–genotype study
Authors: Kent Lindsey , Bowdin Sarah , Kirby Gail A. , Cooper Wendy N. , Maher Eamonn R. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractNeurobehavioral defects have been reported in human imprinting disorders such as Prader–Willi syndrome and Angelman syndrome and imprinted genes are often implicated in neurodevelopment processes. Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a classical human imprinting disorder characterized by prenatal and postnatal overgrowth and variable developmental anomalies. As neurodevelopmental aspects of BWS have not previously been studied in detail, we undertook a questionnaire based neurobehavioral survey of 87 children with BWS. A greater than expected proportion of children demonstrated abnormal scores on measures of emotional and behavioral difficulties. In addition, 6.8% of children had been diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). 4/6 BWS children with ASD had normal chromosomes and ASD occurred in children with UPD and imprinting center 2 defects. These findings suggest a potential role for the 11p15.5 imprinted gene cluster in ASD and indicate a need for further investigations of neurobehavioral phenotypes in BWS. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Hypothesis‐Free Multiple Scan Statistic with Variable Window
Authors: Cucala L. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn this article we propose a new technique for identifying clusters in temporal point processes. This relies on the comparision between all the m ‐order spacings and it is totally independent of any alternative hypothesis. A recursive procedure is introduced and allows to identify multiple clusters independently. This new scan statistic seems to be more efficient than the classical scan statistic for detecting and recovering cluster alternatives. These results have applications in epidemiological studies of rare diseases. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Nanostructured microspheres produced by supercritical fluid extraction of emulsions
Authors: Della Porta Giovanna , Reverchon Ernesto 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe system poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic) acid/ piroxicam (PLGA/PX) was selected, as a model system, to evaluate the effectiveness of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC‐CO2) extraction of the oily phase (ethyl acetate) from oil‐in‐water emulsions used in the production of polymer/drug microspheres for sustained drug release applications. The influence of process parameters like operating pressure and temperature, flow rate and contacting time between the emulsion and SC‐CO2 was studied with respect to the microsphere size, distribution and solvent residue. Different polymer concentrations in the oily phase were also tested in emulsions formulation to monitor their effects on droplets and microspheres size distribution at fixed mixing conditions. Spherical PLGA microspheres loaded with PX (10% w/w) with mean sizes ranging between 1 and 3 µm and very narrow size distributions were obtained due to the short supercritical processing time (30 min) that prevents the aggregation phenomena typically occurring during conventional solvent evaporation process. A solvent residue smaller than 40 ppm was also obtained at optimized operating conditions. DSC and SEM‐EDX analyses confirmed that the produced microparticles are formed by a solid solution of PLGA and PX and that the drug is entrapped in an amorphous state into the polymeric matrix with an encapsulation efficiency in the range of 90–95%. Drug release rate studies showed very uniform drug concentration profiles, without any burst effect, confirming a good dispersion of the drug into the polymer particles. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;100: 1020–1033. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry for the quantification of mitiglinide in human plasma: validation and its application to pharmacokinetic studies
Authors: Zhang Yan , Ding Likun , Tian Yun , Yang Jing , Yang Lin , Wen Aidong 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA sensitive and specific method was developed and validated for the determination of mitiglinide in human plasma using liquid chromatographic separation with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric detection. Acidified plasma samples were extracted with ethyl acetate. The chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18 column with a mobile phase of methanol–10 mm ammonium acetate solution at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. Analytes were detected with an Agilent 6410 Triple qudrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source in positive multiple reaction monitoring mode: m/z 316.2 (precursor ion) to 298.2 (product ion) for mitiglinide and m/z 318.2 (precursor ion) to 120.2 (product ion) for the internal standard. This method was validated over a linear range of 0.5–4000 ng/mL for mitiglinide in human plasma. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.5 ng/mL, while a relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 3.9%. The intra‐ and inter‐run precision (as RSD, %) obtained from three validation runs were all less than 15%. The validated method was successfully used to analyze human plasma samples for application in pharmacokinetic studies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Advances in quantifying risk in commercial real estate lending
Authors: Marrison Chris 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThere are strong forces in the commercial real estate industry pushing banks and investors to take more quantitative approaches in assessing risks. This quantification will affect everything from loan approvals to deal structures and loan pricing. There are four main drivers for the use of quantitative tools: 1) The Basel II regulations that require banks to have risk models to calculate their minimum capital requirements; 2) The pressure to increase returns by using more complex financial structures; 3) The need to ensure that senior managers can monitor the effect of these complex structures on the risk of the portfolio; and 4) Concern that the world has become more interlinked, increasing the risk of several sectors melting down simultaneously. This article discusses some of the ways that risk can be measured, the requirements of the new regulations and how risk measurement tools can be used to increase profitability and reduce risk in structuring new deals. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanisms underlying air aspiration in patients undergoing left atrial catheterization
Authors: Franzen Olaf W. , Klemm Hanno , Hamann Fiona , Koschyk Dietmar , Kodolitsch Yskert von , Weil Jochen , Meinertz Thomas , Baldus Stephan 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground: Air embolism in patients undergoing percutaneous interventions requiring access to the left atrium (LA) represents a potentially fatal complication. Here we tested if a decline in LA pressures following sedation represents an important mechanistic link underlying air intrusion into the LA. Methods and Results: Left atrial pressures were measured in 26 consecutive patients (49 ± 14 years; 27% male), who underwent percutaneous atrial septal occlusion for persistent foramen ovale or secundum atrial septal defects. Patients either received sedation by propofol allowing for guidance by transesophageal echocardiography (n = 13) or underwent occluder implantation without sedation and under fluoroscopic control only (n = 13). Whereas mean exspiratory LA pressures remained unchanged in either group, sedation provoked a marked decline in the mean inspiratory LA pressure as compared to non‐sedated patients (Δp 6.9 ± 8.6 mm Hg vs. 0.1 ± 1.2 mm Hg in nonsedated patients, P < 0.001). Ex vivo experiments evaluating the air‐tightness of different sheaths in response to negative pressures revealed air aspiration at –13.4 ± 1.2 mm Hg of suction in all cases, once a guide wire was inserted. Conclusions: Negative LA pressures in conjunction with air‐leaking sheaths are identified as potentially important factors for air intrusion into the LA with the patient's sedation being a primary risk factor to lower LA pressure levels. The results advocate close monitoring of LA pressures during intervention, prevention of airway collapse and protection of LA sheaths from communication with the atmosphere, during procedures under sedation. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
DNA Double Helix Based Hybrid GA for the Gasoline Blending Recipe Optimization Problem
Authors: Tao J. , Wang N. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA hybrid genetic algorithm is proposed for heavily nonlinear constrained optimization problems by utilizing the global exploration and local exploitation characteristics, and the convergence rate of the proposed algorithm is analyzed. In the global exploration phase, a DNA double helix structure is used to overcome Hamming cliffs and DNA computing based operators are applied to improve the global searching capability. When the feasible domains are located, the sequential quadratic programming (SQP) method is performed to quickly find the local optimum and improve the solution accuracy. The comparison results of typical numerical examples and the gasoline blend recipe optimization problem are employed to demonstrate the reliability and efficiency of the proposed algorithm.