bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human climates of Egypt
Authors: Robaa S. M. , Hasanean H. M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe clo index values for different wear have been estimated for daytime and nighttime for different months of the year in order to investigate human climates in Egypt. The clo values may also be used as a good guide to gauge the thermal human comfort under different atmospheric conditions and also express the resistance to heat transfer by clothing, and are expressed relative to the units of thermal insulation. A complete set of measurements for air temperature and cloud amount in addition to wind speed for the daytime (1200 GMT) and nighttime (0000 GMT) hours for the period 1991–2002 at 40 meteorological stations in Egypt have been used. The percentage area (%) requiring different weather wear during daytime and nighttime for all the months of the year have been determined. The study revealed that the whole country is characterized by the requirement of very cold weather wear during winter nighttime while 72% of the area of the country requires tropical weather wear during summer daytime. Only 71% of the area of the country requires comfortable weather wear during summer nighttime while there is no area requiring comfortable weather wear during winter nighttime. Latitudinal gradient of clo values was observed during all months of the year. Maximum latitudinal gradients of clo values during the daytime were found for the months of April and May. The clo classification in relation to climate has been done for Egypt. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society
Survivin mRNA in peripheral blood is frequently detected and significantly decreased following resection of gastrointestinal cancers
Authors: Hoffmann A.‐C. , Warnecke‐Eberz U. , Luebke T. , Prenzel K. , Metzger R. , Heitmann M. , Neiss S. , Vallbohmer D. , Hoelscher A.H. , Schneider P.M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesWe evaluated if mRNA expression of survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis, can be used to detect circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood of patients with various gastrointestinal cancers and if they decrease following complete surgical resection.MethodsBlood samples from 40 gastrointestinal cancer patients were analyzed prior and following surgical resection by direct quantitative real‐time reverse transcriptase‐PCR (RT‐PCR) assays.ResultsSurvivin mRNA expression was pre‐operatively detected in 35 of 40 cancer patients (88%). Post‐operative survivin levels were significantly lower than pre‐operative levels in 59% of resected patients and were non‐detectable in 38% (Wilcoxon rank test: P < 0.04).ConclusionsThis is the first report showing that direct quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR analysis of survivin mRNA expression in peripheral blood of patients with gastrointestinal cancers is technically feasible. Survivin mRNA levels fall significantly following complete resection and might become a molecular marker for the completeness of surgical resection. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007; 95:51–54. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometric analysis of puerarin and its metabolite in human urine
Authors: Tian Hongzhe , Yang Bingcheng , Xu Jing , Wang Hua , Guan Yafeng 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA specific LC‐MS method was developed that allowed simultaneous determination of puerarin (PU) and its major metabolite, daidzein (DA), in human urine samples. PU and DA were separated on a packed capillary ODS column with on column concentration. Identification and quantification of the analytes were performed with ESI‐Q‐TOF mass spectroscopy in negative ionization mode. The method was validated, yielding calibration curves with correlation coefficients greater than 0.998. The LOQ for PU and DA from human urine samples was 0.1 and 0.05 nmol/mL, respectively. Assay accuracy and precision of quality control samples were within ±15%. Recoveries of PU and DA in spiked samples were in the range of 79.6–90.4 and 82.3–92.4%, respectively.
Analysis of nuclear proteome in C57 mouse liver tissue by a nano‐flow 2‐D‐LC–ESI‐MS/MS approach
Authors: Zhang Jie , Xu Xiuqing , Shen Huali , Zhang Xiangmin 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe analysis of whole cell or tissue extracts is too complex for current protein identification technology and not suitable for the study of proteins with low copy levels. To concentrate and enrich low abundance proteins, organelle proteomics is a promising strategy. This approach can not only reduce the protein sample complexity but also provide information about protein location in cells, organs, or tissues under analysis. Nano‐flow two‐dimensional strong‐cation exchange chromatography (SCX)–RPLC–ESI‐MS/MS is an ideal platform for analyzing organelle extracts because of its advantages of sample non‐bias, low amounts of sample required, powerful separation capability, and high detection sensitivity. In this study, we apply nano‐scale multidimensional protein identification technology to the analysis of C57 mouse liver nuclear proteins. Organelle isolation has been optimized to obtain highly pure nuclei. Evaluation of nucleus integrity and purity has been performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the optimized isolation procedure. The extracted nuclear proteins were identified by five independent nano‐flow on‐line SCX–RPLC–ESI‐MS/MS analyses to improve the proteome coverage. Finally, a total of 462 proteins were identified. Corresponding analyses of protein molecular mass and pI distribution and biological function categorization have been undertaken to further validate our identification strategy.
Quality evaluation of Ganoderma through simultaneous determination of nine triterpenes and sterols using pressurized liquid extraction and high performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Zhao Jing , Zhang Xiao‐Qi , Li Shao‐Ping , Yang Feng‐Qing , Wang Yi‐Tao , Ye Wen‐Cai 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA method combining HPLC and pressurized liquid extraction was developed for simultaneous quantification of nine components, including eight triterpenes (ganoderic acid A, ganoderic acid Y, ganoderic acid DM, ganoderol A, ganoderol B, ganoderal A, methyl ganoderate D and ganoderate G) and a sterol (ergosterol), in Ganoderma. The determination was achieved by using a Zorbax ODS C18 analytical column (4.6×250 mm id, 5 μm) and gradient elution with diode‐array detection. All calibration curves showed good linearity (r2 >0.9997) within the test ranges. The developed method showed good repeatability for the quantification of the nine investigated components in Ganoderma with intra‐ and inter‐day variations of less than 2.4% and 4.1%, respectively. The validated method was successfully applied to quantify the nine components in two species of Ganoderma, i. e. G. lucidum and G. sinense, used as Lingzhi in China. Furthermore, hierarchical clustering analysis based on the nine components in HPLC profiles from the tested 11 samples showed that chemical characteristics were significantly different between G. lucidum and G. sinense, which suggested that clinical investigation should be performed so as to ensure the safety and efficacy of medication.
2D partially parallel imaging with k‐space surrounding neighbors‐based data reconstruction
Authors: Wang Ze , Fernández‐Seara María A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractPartially parallel imaging (PPI) achieves imaging acceleration by replacing partial phase encoding (PE) with the spatially localized sensitivity encoding of a receiver surface coil array. Further accelerations can be achieved through 2D PPI along two PE directions in 3D MRI. This paper is to explore the k‐space‐based PPI acquisition and reconstruction strategies for 3D MRI. A surrounding neighbors‐based autocalibrating PPI (SNAPPI) was first presented by generalizing the 2D multicolumn multiline interpolation method. Several 2D PPI reconstruction methods were then provided by applying SNAPPI to recover the partially skipped k‐space data along two PE directions separately or nonseparately, in k‐space or in the hybrid k and image space. An optimal 2D PPI sampling‐based reconstruction approach was also presented for applying PPI along certain spatial direction along which the array coil has not sufficient sensitivity variation for a valid PPI reconstruction. Both simulated and in vivo 2D PPI data were used to evaluate the proposed methods. Magn Reson Med, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis and characterization of polyurethane microspheres and their application for immobilization of maltogenase
Authors: Budriene Saulute , Romaskevic Tatjana , Pielichowski Krzysztof , Pielichowski Jan 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA series of polyurethane (PU) microspheres, based on 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate and 1,4‐butanediol or a mixture of 1,4‐butanediol and polyether glycol (M = 1400) were synthesized by a one‐step method. The obtained PU microspheres were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, polarizing optical microscopy and dynamic thermogravimetry. Morphology studies of PU microspheres revealed that the material consists of spherical particles with relatively narrow particle size distribution in the range 1–100 µm and preferably between 10 to 50 µm; the obtained polymers were thermally stable up to 533–573 K. Maltogenase from Bacillus stearothermophilus was immobilized onto PU microspheres, synthesized using different ratios of components. High yield (about 100%) and efficiency (over 100%) of immobilization were obtained. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neuroblastoma presenting with dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kato M. , Hirata S. , Kikuchi A. , Ogawa K. , Kishimoto H. , Hanada R. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWe report an infant with neuroblastoma who presented with dilated cardiomyopathy. A 3‐month‐old girl presented with dilated cardiomyopathy diagnosed as stage III neuroblastoma. Since total resection was impossible, chemotherapy was started. Cardiomyopathy was normalized by improvement of neuroblastoma. The prompt improvement of cardiac function following treatment of neuroblastoma suggested that cardiomyopathy in this patient was caused by the increase in catecholamines secreted by neuroblastoma and that reduction in catecholamines by treatment of neuroblastoma led to improvement in the cardiomyopathy. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:391–392. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simultaneous determination of benzophenones and gentisein in hypericum annulatum moris by high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Zheleva‐Dimitrova D. , Gevrenova R. , Nedialkov P. , Kitanov G. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe content of the benzophenones, hypericophenonoside, neoannulatophenonoside, annulatophenonoside, annulat‐ophenone, acetylannulatophenonoside and the xanthone derivative gentisein have been determined in aerial parts, leaves, flowers and stems of Hypericum annulatum Moris. Extraction of samples with methanol by magnetic stirring at room temperature allowed a good recovery of analytes (from 90.70% for gentisein to 103.81% for annulatophenonoside) and the precision of the entire procedure was <6.05%. The subsequent HPLC separation and quantification was achieved using a Hypersil ODS C18 column and UV detection at 290 nm. The mobile phase comprised methanol and 20 mm potassium dihydrogen phosphate (adjusted to a pH of 3.19 with o‐phosphoric acid), and gradient elution mode was applied. The detection limits were 0.03, 0.02 and 0.001 µg/mL for hypericophenonoside, acetylannulatophenonoside and gentisein, respectively. The total amounts of the phenolic compounds assayed ranged from 10.92 mg/g in stems to 82.86 mg/g in leaves. Hypericophenonoside was the dominant benzophenone present in the majority of the plant samples, being present in amounts between 7.54 ± 0.25 mg/g in stems and 64.22 ± 2.44 mg/g in leaves. Hypericophenonoside accounted for up to 77.50% of the components found in the leaves, whereas annulatophenonoside (6.29 ± 0.15 mg/g) and acetylannulatophenonoside (8.95 ± 0.09 mg/g) were detected in much lower quantities. In contrast to leaves, flowers showed a tendency towards higher contents of gentisein (9.35 ± 0.07 mg/g) and neoannulatophenonoside (4.72 ± 0.04 mg/g) than the other parts assayed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of age on the prescription of vitamin K antagonists in outpatients with permanent atrial fibrillation in France
Authors:   The FALSTAF Study Group
Published: October 2006

AbstractPurposeThe aim of the study was to describe the current rate and determinants of the prescription of antithrombotics in outpatients with permanent atrial fibrillation, with a pre‐specified emphasis on the influence of age on the prescription of vitamin K antagonists.MethodsThis was a prospective observational survey in France among 5893 consecutive outpatients with documented permanent atrial fibrillation being seen by 770 physicians from August to December 2002. We recruited physicians from two random lists of general practitioners and cardiologists, respectively, stratified according to their administrative region, from the list of all French private general practitioners and cardiologists.ResultsThe mean age of patients was 75.8 years. Mean duration since diagnosis of atrial fibrillation was 5.0 years; 31.7% of patients had valvular heart disease and 60.3% hypertension. An antithrombotic was prescribed to 95.5% of patients at the time of consultation. The percentage of patients treated with vitamin K antagonists was 76.4%; it decreased from 86.0% in patients aged 60–70 years to 63.5% in patients aged 80 years or above. On multivariate analysis, high age was a significant predictor (p = 0.001) for the non‐prescription of vitamin K antagonists. In patients above 70 years currently receiving an antithrombotic, the probability of prescription of vitamin K antagonists decreased on average by 9.6% per year.ConclusionsVitamin K antagonists are administered to most outpatients with permanent atrial fibrillation at high thromboembolic risk seen by French physicians in private practice. However, their use decreases with age. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural analysis and prediction of protein mutant stability using distance and torsion potentials: Role of secondary structure and solvent accessibility
Authors: Parthiban Vijaya , Gromiha M. Michael , Hoppe Christian , Schomburg Dietmar 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAnalyzing the factors behind protein stability is a key research topic in molecular biology, and has direct implications on protein structure prediction and protein–protein interactions. We have analyzed protein stability upon point mutations using a distance‐dependant pair potential representing mainly through‐space interactions, and torsion angle potential representing mainly neighboring effects as a basic statistical mechanical setup for the analysis. The synergetic effect of accessible surface area and secondary structure preferences was used as a classifier for the potentials. In addition, short‐, medium‐, and long‐range interactions of the protein environment were also analyzed. Two datasets of point mutations were taken for the comparison of theoretically predicted stabilizing energy values with experimental ΔΔG and ΔΔGH2O from thermal and chemical denaturation experiments. These include 1538 and 1603 mutations, respectively, and contain 101 proteins that share a wide range of sequence identity. The resulting force fields were carefully evaluated with different statistical tests. Results show a maximum correlation of 0.87 with a standard error of 0.71 kcal/mol between predicted and measured ΔΔG values and a prediction accuracy of 85.3% (stabilizing or destabilizing) for all mutations together. A correlation of 0.77 (more than 80% prediction accuracy with a standard error of 0.95 kcal/mol) each for the test dataset of split‐sample validation and fivefold crossvalidation was obtained and a correlation of 0.70 (77.4% prediction accuracy with a standard error of 1.17 kcal/mol) was shown by the jackknife test. The same model was implemented, and the results were analyzed for mutations with ΔΔGH2O. A correlation of 0.78 (standard error 0.96 kcal/mol) was observed with a prediction efficiency of 84.65%. This model can be used for the future prediction of protein structural stability together with various experimental techniques. Proteins 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Accurate Prediction of the Folding Rate for Two‐State Proteins Based on Amino Acid Sequences
Authors: Zhao Chunyan , Zhu Yu , Zhang Haixia , Liu Mancang , Fan Botao 
Published: October 2006

AbstractOne of the most important challenges in biology is to understand and simulate the folding behavior of some simple two‐state proteins. In this work, a large pool for descriptors of proteins was developed including amino acid descriptors, topological descriptors and charged partial surface area descriptors. A heuristic method was employed to select significant features. As a result, three descriptors, total contact distance, unfolding entropy change and total charge weighted partial negative surface area were chosen. Total contact distance was proved to be the most relevant factor controlling the folding behavior. Based on these descriptors, a support vector machine method was applied to build a predictive model. Comparing the statistical results of other works and methods, support vector machine method exhibited the best whole performance. Our results demonstrate that the native‐state topology is the major determinant for the folding rates of two‐state proteins and that the support vector machine method is a powerful tool to build a predictive model. In turn, the method and the knowledge can be used to develop in‐silico predictive models to simulate the folding process of proteins.
The molecular scanner in microscope mode
Authors: Luxembourg Stefan L. , Vaezaddeh Ali R. , Amstalden Erika R. , Zimmermann‐Ivol Catherine G. , Hochstrasser Denis F. , Heeren Ron M.A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe combination of microscope mode matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) with protein identification methodology: the molecular scanner, was explored. The molecular scanner approach provides improvement of sensitivity of detection and identification of high‐mass proteins in microscope mode IMS. The methodology was tested on protein distributions obtained after separation by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE). High‐quality, high‐spatial‐resolution ion images were recorded on a TRIFT‐II ion microscope after gold coating of the MALDI sample preparation on the poly(vinylidenedifluoride) capture membranes. The sensitivity of the combined method is estimated to be 5 pmol. The minimum amount of sample consumed, needed for identification, was estimated to be better than 100 fmol. Software tools were developed to analyze the spectral data and to generate broad mass range and single molecular component microscope mode ion images and single mass‐to‐charge ratio microprobe mode images. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biased odds ratios from dichotomization of age
Authors: Chen Henian , Cohen Patricia , Chen Sophie 
Published: October 2006

AbstractDichotomizing a continuous variable is known to result in the loss of information, lower statistical power, and lower reliability. In many epidemiological studies, age is a scaled (continuous) variable prior to statistical analyses; however, despite pleas from methodologists, researchers frequently dichotomize age in their data analysis without an appropriate rationale. Using simulated case–control data, we show that dichotomizing age generally will lead to a biased odds ratio (OR). When age was a confounder (potentially representing common causes of risks and outcomes), including age as a scaled variable (whether the age effect was linear or non‐linear in the logit), provided satisfactory control, whereas when age was categorized, the estimated risk factor effect was biased. We also demonstrate that the further the cutpoint is from the median age, the greater the increase in the OR; thus, in cases where age dichotomization is warranted, researchers are cautioned not to allow the size of the empirical OR to influence their choice of cutpoint. Recommendations are made for analysing age in epidemiological data and interpretation of empirical findings. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
[11C]LBT‐999: A suitable radioligand for investigation of extra‐striatal dopamine transporter with PET
Authors: Saba Wadad , Valette Héric , Schöllhorn‐Peyronneau Marie‐Anne , Coulon Christine , Ottaviani Michele , Chalon Sylvie , Dolle Frédéric , Emond Patrick , Halldin Christer , Helfenbein Julie , Madelmont Jean‐Claude , Deloye Jean‐Bernard , Guilloteau Denis , Bottlaender Michel 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA new tropane derivative, (E)‐N‐(4‐fluorobut‐2‐enyl)‐2β‐carbomethoxy‐3β‐(4′‐tolyl)nortropane (LBT‐999), was evaluated in baboons as a carbon‐11 radioligand for studies of the dopamine transporter (DAT) using positron emission tomography (PET). Brain uptake was high in the striatum (17 and 13% ID/100 mL tissue in the putamen and the caudate, respectively), moderate in the midbrain and thalamus (5 and 3% ID/100 mL tissue, respectively), and low in the cortex and cerebellum (2% ID/100 mL tissue) at 30 min post injection. The striatum‐to‐cerebellum ratio was high (30 at 110 min post injection). Specific binding was completely blocked following pretreatment with the DAT antagonists GBR12909 (5 mg/kg i.v.) or PE2I (1 mg/kg i.v.). The [11C]LBT‐999 uptake was decreased by these antagonists in the putamen (−79 and −92%, respectively), caudate (−80 and −91%, respectively), midbrain (−73 and −78%, respectively), and thalamus (−34 and −46%, respectively). The serotonin transporter (SERT) antagonist citalopram (5 mg/kg i.v.) or the norepinephrine transporter antagonist maprotiline (5 mg/kg i.v.) had no effect on LBT specific binding. Pharmacological challenge with PE2I (1 mg/kg i.v.) induced a rapid and almost complete decrease of the specific binding in the putamen (−97%), caudate (−96%), midbrain (−96%), and thalamus (−81%), confirming the reversibility of [11C]LBT‐999 binding. The high brain uptake of [11C]LBT‐999 together with its low nonspecific binding (reflected by the very high brain structure‐to‐cerebellum ratio) indicate that this radiotracer is an excellent candidate for in vivo quantification of the DAT, especially in extrastriatal structures, such as the midbrain. Synapse 61:17–23, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.