bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) associations, antibody titers and circulating immune complexes in patients with cystic echinococcosis
Authors: Chakhtoura Marita , Al-Awar Ghassan , Abdelnoor Alexander 
Published: December 2007

AbstractCystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the parasite Echinococcus granulosus, is a prominent disease in Lebanon. The objectives of this study were to determine HLA allele-CE association in patients, and relate its presence to high anti-Echinococcus antibody titers and the presence of circulating immune complexes (CIC). Thirty patients and 20 controls were included. HLA profiles were determined by DNA-SSP typing. Relative risk and P-values were determined for each allele using Statcalc (EpiInfo, Version 6). Linkage disequilibrium was determined for associated alleles using SPSS 12.0 for Windows. Antibody titers were determined by indirect hemagglutination (IHA) and CIC by polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation. HLA-B*14 and HLA-DRB1*01 appeared to associate with protection against CE (P1 = P2 = 0.007 and P1 = P2 = 0.0007, respectively). However, it appeared that linkage disequilibrium did not exist between these 2 alleles (P = 0.250). HLA-B*35 was found to associate with susceptibility to disease (RR = 1.70, P = 0.02). Twenty five patients had anti-Echinococcus antibodies and 9 patients had CICs. However, there did not appear to be a correlation between the presence of HLA-B*35 and high antibody titers, or the presence of CICs. In conclusion, 2 HLA alleles that associate with resistance and 1 that associates with susceptibility to E. granulosus infection have been identified. The joint pain reported by some of the patients might be attributed to CIC deposits.
Larval survival strategy during winter of Chordodes nobilii Camerano, 1901 (Gordiida, Nematomorpha)
Authors: Zanca Fernanda , Villalobos Cristina , Rumi Alejandra 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThere are numerous open questions concerning the life cycle of Gordiida (Nematomorpha), especially about egg development and viability of larvae during winter, when the temperature of freshwater environments where they inhabit is low. On the basis of experimental studies we demonstrate that egg development of Chordodes nobilii takes 20–25 days at 22°C and 45–55 days at 5°C. We also observed that larvae of C. nobilii obtained from egg strings at 5°C and maintained at that temperature during six months remained inside their egg shells as a survival strategy.
Ecological study of the wood mouse helminth community in a burned Mediterranean ecosystem in regeneration five years after a wildfire
Authors: Fuentes Màrius , Sainz-Elipe Sandra , Galán-Puchades M. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractParasites are used as biological tags in environmental impact studies. However, terrestrial systems in general and small mammals in particular are rarely considered in these ecological studies. Based on the effects of a wildfire which occurred in the Spanish Serra Calderona Natural Park — a typical Mediterranean ecosystem — the regeneration process of the wood mouse population and its helminth community is analysed. A total of 217 individuals of Apodemus sylvaticus were studied in a five year period, from the second to the fifth post-fire year: 152 mice originating from the burned area and 65 from the control — non-burned — area. The helminth community for both burned and non-burned areas as well as the effect of intrinsic (host age and sex) and extrinsic (site, period and season of capture) factors on helminth prevalences and abundances were analysed. Taking into account the most important results of this study, various aspects of the helminth community dynamics of the wood mouse are postulated as biological tags of the environmental impact of a wildfire, such as the changes in the frequency distribution of the helminth species, the higher diversity in the burned area, and the prevalences of helminth species having biological cycles directly affected by climatic conditions and the vegetal regeneration process. Consequently, the helminth species of A. sylvaticus should be considered suitable biological tags of environmental perturbations, such as a wildfire, and the wood mouse/helminth model can be applied to predict the consequences for helminth species in general.
Choanocotyle platti sp. nov. from the northern long-necked turtle, Chelodina rugosa (Pleurodira, Chelidae) in Australia
Authors: Tkach Vasyl , Snyder Scott 
Published: December 2007

AbstractChoanocotyle platti sp. nov. (Digenea, Choanocotylidae) is described from the northern long-necked turtle, Chelodina rugosa (Pleurodira, Chelidae) from the Daly and Mary Rivers, Northern Territory, Australia. This is the fifth known member of Choanocotyle. Choanocotyle platti sp. nov. differs from Choanocotyle nematoides Jue Sue et Platt, 1998 and Choanocotyle hobbsi Platt et Tkach, 2003 by smaller body length, larger oral sucker, relatively greater distance between tests, and prepharynx with an infolded posterior region. In addition the new species does not have the looped cirrus sac characteristic of Choanocotyle nematoides. Comparison of sequences of 18S, ITS (ITS1, 5.8S, ITS2) and partial 28S regions of nuclear rDNA among all 3 species strongly supports the status of Choanocotyle platti sp. nov. as a new species.
Possible interactions between environmental factors in determining species optima
Authors: Pakeman R.J. , Reid C.L. , Lennon J.J. , Kent M. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractQuestions: 1. Indicator values, such as those of Ellenberg, for different environmental factors are seen as independent. We tested for the presence of interactions between environmental factors (soil moisture and reaction) to see if this assumption is simplistic. 2. How close are Ellenberg indicator values (IV s) related to the observed optima of species response curves in an area peripheral to those where they have been previously employed and 3. Can the inclusion of bryophytes add to the utility of IVs?Location: South Uist, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK.Methods: Two grids (ca. 2000 m × 2000 m) were sampled at 50‐m intervals across the transition from machair to upland communities covering an orthogonal gradient of both soil pH (reaction) and soil moisture content. Percentage cover data for vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens were recorded, along with pH and moisture content of the underlying sand/soil/ peat. Reaction optima, derived from species response curves calculated using HOF models, were compared between wet and dry sites, and moisture optima between acidic and basic samples. Optima for the whole data set were compared to Ellenberg IVs to assess their performance in this area, with and without the inclusion of bryophytes.Results: A number of species showed substantially different pH optima at high and low soil moisture contents (18% of those tested) and different soil moisture optima at high and low pH (49%). For a number of species the IVs were poor predictors of their actual distribution across the sampled area. Bryophytes were poor at explaining local variation in the environmental factors and also their inclusion with vascular plants negatively affected the strength of relationships.Conclusions: A substantial number of species showed an interaction between soil moisture and reaction in determining their optima on the two respective gradients. It should be borne in mind that IVs such as Ellenberg's may not be independent of one another.
Primary intraosseous meningioma
Authors: Elder James B. , Atkinson Roscoe , Zee Chi-Shing , Chen Thomas C. 
Published: December 2007

✓Primary intraosseous meningiomas are a subtype of primary extradural meningiomas and constitute fewer than 2% of meningiomas overall, but they represent approximately two thirds of all extradural meningiomas. These types of meningiomas originate within the bones of the skull and thus can have a clinical presentation and radiographic differential diagnosis that is different from those for intradural meningiomas.
Primary intraosseous meningiomas are classified based on their location and histopathological characteristics. Treatment primarily involves resection with wide margins if possible. Very little literature exists regarding the use of adjuvant therapies such as radiation and chemotherapy for these tumors. In fact, the literature regarding primary intra-osseous meningiomas consists mostly of clinical case reports and case series. This literature is reviewed and summarized in this article.
Management of spinal meningiomas: surgical results and a review of the literature
Authors: Setzer Matthias , Vatter Hartmut , Marquardt Gerhard , Seifert Volker , Vrionis Frank D. 
Published: December 2007

Object
In this report, the authors describe their experience in the surgical management of spinal meningiomas at two neurosurgical centers. The results of a literature review are also presented.

Methods
Eighty consecutive patients (22 men and 58 women) with spinal meningiomas who had undergone an operation at two specific neurosurgical centers were included in this study. Functional outcomes were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. A review of the literature yielded an additional 651 patients with spinal meningiomas from 9 large studies.

Results
On multivariate analysis, the variable of a poor preoperative neurological state (p < 0.02, odds ratio [OR] 13.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.6–71.4) and invasion of the arachnoid/pia mater (p < 0.03, OR 15.2, 95% CI 2.5–90.4) were independent predictors of a poor outcome, whereas invasion of the arachnoid/pia (p < 0.02, OR 8.9, 95% CI 2.2–35) and duration of symptoms (p < 0.001, OR 1.12/month, 95% CI 1.05–1.2) predicted no improvement (stable or deteriorated condition). The Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed three significant predictor variables for recurrence: invasion of the arachnoid/pia (p < 0.05; hazard ratio [HR] 1.8, 95% CI 1.2–3.6), Simpson resection grade (p < 0.012, HR 6.8, 95% CI 1.5–3.0), and histological tumor grade (Grade I; p < 0.001, HR 0.001–0.17).

Conclusions
Because of the excellent outcome of surgery for benign spinal meningiomas and the association between duration of symptoms and neurological compromise with a poor functional outcome, early operation is the treatment of choice. In cases of malignant transformation, adjuvant therapies must be considered.
Are there attacking points in the eicosanoid cascade for chemotherapeutic options in benign meningiomas?
Authors: Pfister Christina , Ritz Rainer , Pfrommer Heike , Bornemann Antje , Tatagiba Marcos S. , Roser Florian 
Published: December 2007

Object
The current treatment for recurrent or malignant meningiomas with adjuvant therapies has not been satisfactory, and there is an intense interest in evaluating new molecular markers to act as therapeutic targets. Enzymes of the arachidonic acid (AA) cascade such as cyclooxygenase (COX)–2 or 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) are upregulated in a number of epithelial tumors, but to date there are hardly any data about the expression of these markers in meningiomas. To find possible targets for chemotherapeutic intervention, the authors evaluated the expression of AA derivatives at different molecular levels in meningiomas.

Methods
One hundred and twenty-four meningioma surgical specimens and normal human cortical tissue samples were immunohistochemically and cytochemically stained for COX-2, COX-1, 5-LO, and prostaglandin E receptor 4 (PTGER4). In addition, Western blot and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses were performed to detect the presence of eicosanoids in vivo and in vitro.

Results
Sixty (63%) of 95 benign meningiomas, 21 (88%) of 24 atypical meningiomas, all five malignant meningiomas, and all normal human cortex samples displayed high COX-2 immunoreactivity. All cultured specimens and IOMM-Lee cells stained positive for COX-2, COX-1, 5-LO, and PTGER4. The PCR analysis demonstrated no changes in eicosanoid expression among meningiomas of different World Health Organization grades and in normal human cortical and dura mater tissue.

Conclusions
Eicosanoid derivatives COX-1, COX-2, 5-LO, and PTGER4 enzymes show a high universal expression in meningiomas but are not upregulated in normal human cortex and dura tissue. This finding of the ubiquitous presence of these enzymes in meningiomas offers an excellent baseline for testing upcoming chemotherapeutic treatments.
Role of Gamma Knife surgery in the management of pineal region tumors
Authors: Lekovic Gregory P. , Gonzalez L. Fernando , Shetter Andrew G. , Porter Randall W. , Smith Kris A. , Brachman David , Spetzler Robert F. 
Published: December 2007

Object
Increasingly, radiosurgery is used to treat pineal region tumors, either as a primary treatment or as an adjunct to conventional radiation therapy. The authors report their experience with Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) for the treatment of pineal region tumors.

Methods
The authors retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients undergoing GKS at their institution between 1997 and 2005. Seventeen patients underwent GKS for nonmetastatic tumors of the pineal region. All patients were treated using Leksell Gamma Plan treatment planning software (versions 4.12::5.34). The mean treatment volume was 7.42 cm3 (range 1.2–32.5 cm3). Prescribed doses ranged from 12 to 18 Gy. All doses were prescribed to the 50% isodose line. Independent neuroradiologists reviewed all follow-up imaging studies for evidence of progression of disease.

Results
One patient (Case 10) died 6 days after GKS. Mean clinical and imaging follow-up in the remaining 16 cases was 31 months. Local control was established during a mean neuroimaging follow-up period of 31 months (range 1–95) in 16 patients (100%). In 2 of these 16 patients (one with an anaplastic astrocytoma, the other with a primitive neuroectodermal tumor), leptomeningeal and spinal spread of tumor developed despite control of the pineal lesions. There were no new neurological deficits attributable to GKS. Three patients died (including the one who died 6 days after GKS) during the follow-up period.

Conclusions
Excellent control of pineal region brain tumors can be obtained with GKS when it is used in conjunction with surgery, conventional radiation therapy, or both. Patient survival and quality of life can be optimized through the use of multimodal treatment, including surgery, conventional radiation therapy and/or radiosurgery, and chemotherapy, when applicable.
Stereotactic radiosurgery for functional disorders
Authors: Friehs Gerhard M. , Park Michael C. , Goldman Marc A. , Zerris Vasilios A. , Norén Georg , Sampath Prakash 
Published: December 2007

✓ Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with the Gamma Knife and linear accelerator has revolutionized neurosurgery over the past 20 years. The most common indications for radiosurgery today are tumors and arteriovenous malformations of the brain. Functional indications such as treatment of movement disorders or intractable pain only contribute a small percentage of treated patients. Although SRS is the only noninvasive form of treatment for functional disorders, it also has some limitations: neurophysiological confirmation of the target structure is not possible, and one therefore must rely exclusively on anatomical targeting. Furthermore, lesion sizes may vary, and shielding adjacent radiosensitive neural structures may be difficult or impossible.
The most common indication for functional SRS is the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Radiosurgical treatment for epilepsy and certain psychiatric illnesses is performed in several centers as part of strict research protocols, and radiosurgical pallidotomy or medial thalamotomy is no longer recommended due to the high risk of complications. Radiosurgical ventrolateral thalamotomy for the treatment of tremor in patients with Parkinson disease or multiple sclerosis, as well as in the treatment of essential tremor, may be indicated for a select group of patients with advanced age, significant medical conditions that preclude treatment with open surgery, or patients who must receive anticoagulation therapy. A promising new application of SRS is high-dose radiosurgery delivered to the pituitary stalk. This treatment has already been successfully performed in several centers around the world to treat severe pain in patients with end-stage cancer.
CyberKnife radiosurgical rhizotomy for the treatment of atypical trigeminal nerve pain
Authors: Patil Chirag G. , Veeravagu Anand , Bower Regina S. , Li Gordon , Chang Steven D. , Lim Michael , Adler John R. 
Published: December 2007

Object
Patients with atypical trigeminal neuralgia (TN) have unilateral pain in the trigeminal distribution that is dull, aching, or burning in nature and is constant or nearly constant. Studies of most radiosurgical and surgical series have shown lower response rates in patients with atypical TN. This study represents the first report of the treatment of atypical TN with frameless CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

Methods
Between 2002 and 2007, 7 patients that satisfied the criteria for atypical TN and underwent SRS were included in our study. A 6–8-mm segment of the trigeminal nerve was targeted, excluding the proximal 3 mm at the brainstem. All patients were treated in a single session with a median maximum dose of 78 Gy and a median marginal dose of 64 Gy.

Results
Outcomes in 7 patients with a mean age of 61.6 years and a median follow-up of 20 months are reported. Following SRS, 4 patients had complete pain relief, 2 had minimal pain relief with some decrease in the intensity of their pain, and 1 patient experienced no pain relief. Pain relief was reported within 1 week of SRS in 4 patients and at 4 months in 2 patients. After a median follow-up of 28 months, pain did not recur in any of the 4 patients who had reported complete pain relief. Complications after SRS included bothersome numbness in 3 patients and significant dysesthesias in 1 patient.

Conclusions
The authors have previously reported a 90% rate of excellent pain relief in patients with classic TN treated with CyberKnife SRS. Compared with patients with classic TN, patients with atypical TN have a lower rate of pain relief. Nevertheless, the nearly 60% rate of success after SRS achieved in this study is still comparable to or better than results achieved with any other treatment modality for atypical TN.
BTXProcessing
Authors: Sweeney W. A. , Bryan P. F. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractBenzene (B), toluene (T), and the xylenes (X) are the lowest weight hydrocarbon analogues. They are each very large‐scale chemical feedstocks. Since they are often produced in the same process, they can be considered a group, ie, BTX. However, BTX is not an article of commerce. It is either an important component of a crude mixture such as reformate or pyrolysis gasoline or it is separated into its individual components. This article mainly discusses the processes for making these crude mixtures: Originally BTX was obtained commercially by the pyrolysis of coal. It is now closely connected with the production of gasoline. BTX comprises an important gasoline component called reformate. Any BTX chemical needed is separated from the reformate stream before it is blended in the gasoline pool. Details on the reforming process, hydrolysis pyrolysis, BTX from light hydrocarbons, and other processes are given. The complexity of separating the components from the crude materials depends on the amount of nonaromatic compounds present. Separation and purification are performed by extraction, extractive distillation, and absorption. In addition, downstream operations are also carried out. BTX chemicals are hazardous and environmental pressures are increasing to reduce emissions and workplace exposure. A very wide range of chemicals from solvents, to fibers, films and plastics are prepared from the BTX chemicals.
Supported Ionic Liquid Enzymatic Catalysis for the Production of Biodiesel
Authors: Gamba Muriell , Lapis Alexandre A. M. , Dupont Jairton 
Published: December 2007

AbstractPseudomonas cepacia lipase supported in the 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ionic liquid is an alternative “green” method for the production of biodiesel from the alcoholysis of soybean oil. The transesterification reaction catalyzed by this ionic liquid‐supported enzyme can be performed at room temperature, in the presence of water and without the use of organic solvents. It is also compatible with various alcohols (including isoamyl alcohol). The biodiesel is separated by simple decantation and the recovered ionic liquid/enzyme catalytic system can be re‐used at least four times without loss of catalytic activity and selectivity.
Fluorogenic Transformations Based on Formation of CC Bonds Catalyzed by Palladium: An Efficient Approach for High Throughput Optimizations and Kinetic Studies
Authors: Rozhkov Roman V. , Davisson V. Jo , Bergstrom Donald E. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractWe have developed novel fluorogenic transformations based on formation of CC bonds catalyzed by palladium using iodocoumarin 1 as a model aryl iodide, where fluorescence is quenched completely due to effects of the heavy, polarizable iodine atom. Substitution of the iodine atom for the carbon using Sonogashira, Suzuki–Miyaura and Heck couplings results in a dramatic fluorescence enhancement. This approach has been used successfully for the optimization of reaction conditions and kinetic studies in high throughput format.
Reaction of 3‐(1‐Arylsulfonylalkyl)‐indoles with Easily Enolisable Derivatives Promoted by Potassium Fluoride on Basic Alumina
Authors: Ballini Roberto , Palmieri Alessandro , Petrini Marino , Shaikh Rafik R. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractActive methylene compounds and nitro derivatives react with 3‐(1‐arylsulfonylalkyl)‐indoles in the presence of potassium fluoride on basic alumina at room temperature leading to the corresponding adducts in good yields. Under basic conditions, sulfonylindoles suffer elimination of arenesulfinic acid leading to an intermediate vinylogous imine that promptly adds stabilized carbanions. The obtained 3‐indolyl derivatives are pivotal intermediates for the synthesis of indole‐based alkaloids and amino acids.
Homogeneous Hydrogenation of Tri‐ and Tetrasubstituted Olefins: Comparison of Iridium‐Phospinooxazoline [Ir‐PHOX] Complexes and Crabtree Catalysts with Hexafluorophosphate (PF6) and Tetrakis[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate (BArF) as Counterions
Authors: Wüstenberg Bettina , Pfaltz Andreas 
Published: December 2007

AbstractFour iridium complexes with achiral phosphino‐oxazoline (PHOX) ligands were readily prepared in two steps starting from commercially available phenyloxazolines. The air‐stable complexes with tetrakis[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate (BArF) as counterion showed high reactivity in the hydrogenation of a range of tri‐ and tetrasubstituted olefins. The best results were obtained with an iridium complex (11) derived from a dicyclohexylphosphino‐oxazoline ligand bearing no additional substituents in the oxazoline ring. With several substrates, which gave only low conversion with the Crabtree catalyst, [Ir(Py)(PCy3)(COD)]PF6, full conversion was observed. The productivity of the Crabtree catalyst could be strongly increased by replacing the hexafluorophosphate anion with tetrakis[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate. In one case, in the hydrogenation of a tetraalkyl‐substituted CC bond, [Ir(Py)(PCy3)(COD)]BArF gave higher conversion than catalyst 11. However, with several other substrates complex 11 proved to be superior.