bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
T2* effects in the dual‐sequence method for high‐dose first‐pass myocardial perfusion
Authors: Gatehouse Peter , Lyne Jonathan , Smith Gillian , Pennell Dudley , Firmin David 
Published: October 2006

AbstractPurposeTo examine whether T2* effects reduce the accuracy of arterial input function (AIF) measurement by the dual‐sequence method.Materials and MethodsThe dual‐sequence method obtains a low‐resolution AIF image and high‐resolution myocardial images in each cycle, with suitable T1 weightings. It was modified to assess T2* effects in the low‐resolution AIF image (4.8 × 4.8 × 10 mm voxels, TE = 0.58 msec) by minimizing T1 weighting in that sequence, while the myocardial sequence remained T1‐weighted. In 10 patients who underwent perfusion MRI scans (0.5 M Magnevist, 0.1 mmol/kg, 15‐ml flush, 7 mL/second right antecubital) the blood signal in the left ventricle (LV) was measured at the bolus peak and compared with the first cycle's fresh magnetization signal.ResultsThe bolus peak measured 98% ± 4% (mean ± SD, N = 20) of the value before contrast agent arrival.ConclusionT2* causes insignificant error in the dual‐sequence method at the stated parameters. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risk analysis of first and last frost occurrences in the Central Alborz region, Iran
Authors: Rahimi M. , Hajjam S. , Khalili A. , Kamali G. A. , Stigter C. J. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractCentral Alborz is one of the important agricultural regions of Iran. Occurrence of the first frost in fall and the last frost in spring causes damage to the crops in this region every year. Information about the probable dates of frost occurrence helps farmers in preventing or reducing the damages caused by frost. Six stations, with 34 years of daily minimum temperature data, were selected at various elevations. Dates of frost occurrences in three degrees of severity (mild, moderate, and severe) and frost‐free periods were obtained for each year. Appropriate distributions were determined for each frost series (dates of frosts and frost‐free periods) on the basis of relevant statistical methods. It was found that the Pearson type III distribution was most appropriate. Probability distribution was constructed for each frost series. Frost occurrences up to a given date and maximum lengths of frost‐free periods, with their probabilities, were determined. Correlations between the dates of frost occurrence and elevation, and between the maximum lengths of frost‐free periods and elevation were identified in some probability levels. Our results show a positive correlation between the frequency of frost and elevation, and a significant negative correlation between the duration of frost‐free period and elevation. Frost is more frequent in higher areas. The shortest and the longest frost‐free periods occur on top of high mountains and on low altitude areas, respectively. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society.
US jet contrail frequency changes: influences of jet aircraft flight activity and atmospheric conditions
Authors: Travis David J. , Carleton Andrew M. , Johnson Jeffrey S. , DeGrand James Q. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn the United States, the dramatic increase in jet fuel usage and kilometers flown has led to speculation of a similar increase in jet contrails. However, contrail occurrence depends heavily upon the meteorological conditions near cruising altitudes (i.e. the tropopause, 10–12 km altitude). This study reports a contrail mid‐season contemporary climatology for the coterminous United States (2000–2002), and compares the frequencies with those previously reported for an earlier (1977–1979) period, to determine spatial and seasonal contrail frequency changes. For both climatologies, contrail occurrence is derived from the analysis of high‐resolution satellite imagery. Data on US jet aircraft flight activity were obtained to assess their relationship to contrail frequency, as were NCEP‐NCAR reanalysis data to determine the changes in tropopause‐level atmospheric conditions.For the 2000–2002 period, contrails comprise a distinct high (low) frequency pattern in the East (West) halves of the United States. Seasonally, there is a contrail association with the latitudinal migration of the jet stream and a US‐wide peak contrail frequency during winter (January). The inter‐monthly variations in contrail frequency are significantly different from each other but show no association with variations in jet flight activity, indicating a greater role for meteorological conditions. Between the 1977–1979 and 2000–2002 periods, there were strong spatial and seasonal asymmetries to the contrail frequency change. These involve a cooling (warming) of the tropopause for the largest (smallest) frequency increases, which shows some association with the switch in positive and negative phases of the Arctic Oscillation. The role of upper tropospheric conditions and links to hemispheric‐scale teleconnections should be considered when projecting contrail frequency changes and their future impacts on climate. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society
Quality and safety of halawa modified with mushroom
Authors: Eissa Hesham A , Zohair Azza 
Published: October 2006

AbstractHalawa supplemented with 10–120 g mushroom, was evaluated for its acceptability (color, taste, texture, separate oil and overall acceptability by a ten‐member panel), protein content (as amino acid content), microbiological safety and quality. Halawa supplemented with both 10 and 20 g mushroom was equally as acceptable as the unsupplemented halawa in most sensory attributes. Results indicated that the low percentage of mushroom in halawa and control samples gave a higher panel score of all organoleptic characteristics than the high percentage of mushroom in halawa samples after 6 months storage at room temperature (25 °C). This result indicated that mushroom addition could prevent defects like oil separation and non‐coherence in halawa. It would be logical to expect a strong correlation between the sensory measure (color) of halawa and color parameters obtained by instrumental determination as well as non‐enzymatic browning (A420nm). Techniques of regression analysis were used to predict the coefficient of correlation between the visual color score and each of the seven color parameters. The estimated values of RSQ was found to range between 0.97 (in the case of H*) to 0.98 (in the case of a*). The results showed that the aerobic plate counts increased during first the 2 months, and then decreased during the storage period for halawa fortified by different percentages of mushroom. Lipolytic microorganisms did not change during storage and remained in low numbers for halawa fortified by mushroom. Results revealed that all samples of halawa fortified by mushroom were free from clostridia, total Enterobacteriaceae count and pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus). It was concluded that halawa in the presence of mushroom was useful for minimizing the extent of Maillard browning reaction, maintaining color characteristics and parameters, maintaining quality and reducing water activity, and in increasing shelf‐life through inhibiting the bathogenic and reducing the spoilage bacteria. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Bond strength of adhesive restorations to Er:YAG laser-treated
dentin
Authors: Malta D A M P , Kreidler M A M , Villa G E , de Andrade M F , Fontana C R , Lizarelli R F Z 
Published: October 2006

Background and Objective: evaluate the adhesion of
adhesive restorations with and without a base of resin-modified
glass-ionomer cement (RMGIC) to dentin irradiated with Er:YAG
laser.
Study Design/Materials and Methods: Twenty-four human
molar teeth were divided into 6 groups (n=4): G1) 37% Phosphoric
acid (PA) + Adhesive system (Ad) + Composite resin (CR); G2) RMGIC
+ CR; G3) Laser (60mJ-5Hz-20s) + PA + Ad + CR; G4) Laser
(60 mJ–5 Hz–20 s) + RMGIC + CR; G5) Laser (100mJ-5Hz-20s) + PA +
Ad + CR; G6) Laser (100mJ-5Hz-20s) + RMGIC + CR. Teeth were
prepared, restored and cut into specimens, according to the
treatment proposed and to methodology for microtensile test. Data
were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey statistical tests
(α=5% ).
Results:. The mean values for
adhesion (MPa) and standard deviation (±SD) were: G1)
26.30(±4.50), G2) 5.34(±2.87), G3) 21.16(±6.01),
G4) 5.22(±1.52), G5) 22.23(±4.98), G6) 5.25(±3.08).
Conclusion: The use of Er:YAG laser did not influence on the
restorations adhesion.
Surface‐confined photopolymerization of single‐ and mixed‐monomer systems to tailor the wettability of poly(L‐lactide) film
Authors: Janorkar Amol V. , Proulx Sarah E. , Metters Andrew T. , Hirt Douglas E. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe major objective of this research was to modify the surface characteristics of poly(L‐lactide) (PLA) by grafting a combination of hydrophilic polymers to produce a continuum of hydrophilicity. The PLA film was solvent cast, and the film surfaces were activated by ultra violet (UV) irradiation. A single monomer or combination of two monomers, selected from vinyl acetate (VAc), acrylic acid (AA), and acrylamide (AAm), were then grafted to the PLA film surface using a UV induced photopolymerization process. The film surfaces resulting from each reaction step were analyzed using ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy and contact angle goniometry. Results showed that AAm dominated the hydrophilicity of the film surface when copolymerized with VAc or AA, while the water contact angles for PLA films grafted with poly(vinyl acetate‐co‐acrylic acid) varied more gradually with feed composition. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6534‐6543, 2006
Long‐term Haematopoietic Reconstitution and Survival without Interleukin‐7 in a Murine Syngeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation Model
Authors: Feyen O. , Göbel U. , Schneider D. T. , Burdach S. E. G. , Niehues T. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWe created a syngeneic mouse bone marrow transplantation (BMT) model to examine the effect of endogenous interleukin‐7 (IL‐7) on long‐term (≥140 days) haematopoietic reconstitution and survival after BMT. Wild‐type (WT) IL‐7+/+ and knockout (KO) IL‐7−/− mice were lethally irradiated and transplanted with bone marrow. Survival is best (85.7%) in the group WT grafts transplanted into WT recipients (WT→WT) with a trend towards poorer survival in the other groups (WT→KO: 60%, KO→WT: 50%, KO→KO: 45.5%, differences statistically not significant). If the recipient is deficient for IL‐7‐producing cells, T‐ and B‐cell reconstitution remain incomplete. If the graft lacks IL‐7‐producing cells there is a significant delay in T‐ and NK‐cell reconstitution. Interestingly, in the absence of IL‐7, T‐cell reconstitution is neither delayed nor incomplete because of an expansion of TCRαβ+/CD4−/CD8− double negative T cells. Long‐term survival and lymphocyte reconstitution after syngeneic BMT can occur despite the absence of IL‐7.
Chemokine receptor expression on allergen‐specific T cells in asthma and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
Authors: Garcia G. , Humbert M. , Capel F. , Rimaniol A. C. , Escourrou P. , Emilie D. , Godot V. 
Published: October 2006

Background:  Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a rare variant of severe asthma resulting from hypersensitivity to Aspergillus fumigatus (Asp f) present in the airways.Aims of the study:  We analyzed the expression of a panel of six chemokine receptors (CCR3, CCR4, CCR8, CCR5, CXCR3 and CXCR4) on total blood CD4+ T cells and Asp f‐specific‐T cells in ABPA patients. We hypothesized that chemokine receptor pattern on T cells differs between ABPA patients, non‐ABPA allergic asthmatics sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) or Phleum pratense (Phl p) and healthy controls.Methods:  We used the fluorescent dye PKH26, a membrane bound marker, to identify accumulated proliferating (cell‐sorted PKH26low) CD4+ T cells in response to allergens (Asp f, Der p, Phl p) or recall antigens (PPD and TT). Chemokine receptor expression was analyzed by flow cytometry on proliferating CD3+ CD4+ PKH26low cells.Results:  Stimulation of CD4+ T cells with the relevant allergen resulted in different patterns of chemokine receptor expression in ABPA and non‐ABPA allergic asthmatics. Upon Asp f exposure, proliferating CD4+ T cells from ABPA patients down‐regulated the expression of CCR4 and CXCR3 while CCR4 and CXCR3 were up‐regulated in allergen‐specific T cells from non‐ABPA allergic asthmatics. Considering each group of patients, the pattern of chemokine receptors expressed on proliferating allergen‐specific CD4+ T cells was similar to that expressed by recall antigen‐specific T cells.Conclusions:  The down‐regulation of CCR4 and CXCR3 after allergen exposure in Asp f‐specific T cells seems to be a characteristic feature of ABPA patients and requires further evaluation.
Effects of Predation Risk on Vertical Habitat Use and Foraging of Pardosa milvina
Authors: Folz Hillary C. , Wilder Shawn M. , Persons Matthew H. , Rypstra Ann L. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAnimals face the risk of predation while engaging in regular activities, such as foraging, mate‐seeking, and reproducing. In order to avoid predation, prey can modify behavior to prevent capture. Pardosa milvina may climb in response to chemotactile cues of Hogna helluo, a larger cooccurring wolf spider, to avoid predation. The purpose of this study was to test the effects of the location of predator cues on the climbing response of P. milvina and to test how this antipredator behavior affected foraging success. In experimental arenas, when cues were on the bottom of the containers, P. milvina moved upward, and when cues were on the walls, individuals moved downward. These results suggest that P. milvina respond to H. helluo cues with general avoidance and do not automatically climb in response to the cues. As H. helluo spend most of their time on the ground, P. milvina may avoid predation by spending more time climbing in areas with H. helluo cues. The presence of predator cues significantly decreased foraging by P. milvina. But within the predator cue treatments, climbing ability had no effect on foraging, possibly due to the short height of the feeding arenas. Future studies are needed to determine if climbing by P. milvina in response to cues of H. helluo has direct and indirect negative effects on herbivores in the field.
Role of ERK 1/2 signaling in neuronal differentiation of cultured embryonic stem cells
Authors: Li Zegui , Theus Michelle Hedrick , Wei Ling 
Published: October 2006

Embryonic stem (ES) cells represent an ideal source for cell engraftment in the damaged central nervous system (CNS). Understanding key signals that control ES cell differentiation may improve cell type‐specific differentiation that is suitable for transplantation therapy. We tested the hypothesis that extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation is an early signaling event required for the neuronal differentiation of ES cells. Cultured mouse ES cells were treated with an all‐trans‐retinoic‐acid (RA) protocol to generate neurally induced progenitor cells. Western blot analysis showed a dramatic increase in ERK 1/2 phosphorylation (p‐ERK 1/2) 1–5 days after RA induction, which was attenuated in the presence of the p‐ERK 1/2‐specific inhibitor UO126. Phospho‐ERK 1/2 inhibition significantly reduced the number of NeuN‐positive cells and the expression of associated cytoskeletal proteins. In differentiating ES cells, there was increased nuclear translocation of STAT3 and decreased protein expression levels of GDNF, BDNF and NGF. STAT3 translocation was attenuated by UO126. Finally, caspase‐3 activation was observed in the presence of UO126, suggesting that the ERK pathway also contributes to the survival of differentiating ES cells. These data indicate that ERK 1/2 phosphorylation is a key event required for early neuronal differentiation and survival of ES cells.
Myocutaneous flap reconstruction of the perineum after radical abdominoperineal resection
Authors: Ramesh A. N. , Gajanan K. , Fulford P. E. , Wilson M. S. , O’Dwyer S. T. 
Published: October 2006

Objective:  Wound dehiscence with nonhealing of the perineum is a significant morbidity associated with radical abdominoperineal resection (APR). Myocutaneous flaps have been used to facilitate primary wound healing. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of myocutaneous flap reconstruction of the perineum following radical APR.Method:  The clinical records of patients who had myocutaneous flap reconstruction of the perineum between 2000 and 2005 were reviewed. Details of wound healing and complications related to the flaps were recorded.Results:  Seventeen patients with a median age of 59 (range 29–77) years had primary reconstruction of the perineum with gracilis (10), rectus abdominis (6) and gluteal (1) myocutaneous flaps. Malignancy of the anus (12) and rectum (4) was the primary pathology and one patient had chronic perianal crohns fistulae. Eleven patients had preoperative radiotherapy in this group. Complete healing of the perineum was achieved in 16 (94.2%) of the 17 patients. There were eight (47%) minor wound dehiscence and two (11%) skin necrosis all of which healed completely and one (5.8%) total flap necrosis.Discussion:  Myocutaneous flaps improve wound healing with only minor morbidity in majority of patients and should be considered routinely to close perineal defects following radical APR particularly in irradiated perineum.
Predictive value of prostatic adenocarcinoma after a negative prostate biopsy
Authors: Park Paul C. , Mai Kien T. , Roustan Delatour Nicolas L.D. , Morash Christopher , Cagiannos Ilias 
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVETo investigate the predictive value (PV) for all prostate cancers and for clinically significant cancer undiagnosed after a 10‐core biopsy protocol, as the 10‐core transrectal ultrasonography‐guided biopsy is considered the standard technique of prostatic biopsy due to its high rate of detection of prostatic adenocarcinoma.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 132 consecutive radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens, with their corresponding 10‐core biopsies, were reviewed. Cases with unilateral core involvement by prostate cancer were retained for study. Morphometric analysis was conducted on the biopsy‐negative hemi‐prostates to determine the PV of the biopsy protocol with respect to the size, position and clinical significance of the lesion.RESULTSIn all, 70 resected prostates (RP) had unilateral core involvement by prostate cancer. In 38 cases, there was cancer in the biopsy‐negative hemi‐prostates (group 1); in the remaining 32 the hemi‐prostates were free of cancer (group 2). Group 1 was categorized by morphometric criteria. Specifically, 23 cases had one to eight foci of prostate cancer in the posterior nontransitional zone (NTZ) (group 1a), while 15 had two to six foci of prostate cancer in the transitional zone (TZ), or the anterior horn (AH) of the peripheral zone or the TZ and AH (group 1b). There were two cases with clinically significant prostate cancer in group 1a, and six in group 1b.CONCLUSIONSThe PV of a negative five‐core biopsy protocol on a hemi‐prostate is 54% for prostate cancer and 11% for clinically significant prostate cancer. Most clinically significant prostate cancers were in the AH/TZ of the prostate.
Heat‐shock protein 25 ameliorates calcium oxalate crystal‐mediated oxidative stress in renal epithelial cells
Authors: Patel Amit B. , Robertson William G. , Choong Simon , Hothersall John S. 
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the antioxidant protection attributed to small heat‐shock proteins (sHSPs) affects calcium oxalate stone formation, a pro‐oxidant disease.MATERIALS AND METHODSCanine distal tubular epithelial cells (Madin–Darby canine kidney, MDCK cells) were grown as confluent monolayers. Treatment regimens included control and HS‐treated cells (37°C and 42°C for 1 h) with or without calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) or free oxalate treatment (28 µg/cm2) 16 h later. In digitonin‐permeabilized cells, O2‐ was measured by lucigenin‐enhanced chemiluminescence over a 5‐min period, to measure mitochondrial O2‐ production. Protein expression was assessed by sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis Western blot analysis using specific antibodies.RESULTSCOM significantly increased O2‐ production in MDCK cells. HS treatment, which up‐regulated HSP25 expression, significantly decreased this O2‐ production (P < 0.05) but had no effect in control cells. In COM‐treated cells (20 h) there was a marked and significant down‐regulation of both HSP 25, HSP 70 and heme oxygenase‐1 expression compared to cells treated with HS alone (P < 0.05). Free oxalate had no effect on HSP 25 expression.CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that the COM‐induced increase in mitochondrial O2– production in MDCK cells is ameliorated by HSP 25 up‐regulation via HS. Specific COM inhibition of HSP 25, HSP 70 and heme oxygenase‐1 up‐regulation suggests that COM‐induced reactive oxygen species damage is unable to benefit from HSP‐associated physiological resistance.
Clinicians’ attitudes to prostate cancer peer‐support groups
Authors: Steginga Suzanne K. , Smith David P. , Pinnock Carole , Metcalfe Robyn , Gardiner Robert A. , Dunn Jeff 
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVETo assess clinicians’ knowledge and attitudes to prostate cancer peer‐support groups, essential in improving support services for men with prostate cancer, as patients’ perceptions of their clinicians’ attitudes to such groups predict patients’ positive and negative perceptions of their experiences at such groups.SUBJECTS AND METHODSIn all, 36 clinicians (75% response) across Australia, of whom 27 were urologists and nine were radiation oncologists, were interviewed in‐depth using a key‐informant approach. Nine clinicians were from regional Australia, with the remaining 27 from major metropolitan settings. Subsequently, 30 clinicians (69% response) completed surveys to confirm identified themes.RESULTSPeer support was rated positively by most clinicians and most report a fair to good knowledge of such groups. However, less than a quarter regularly refer their patients to these groups. While clinicians can describe positive aspects of peer support, many are concerned that biased viewpoints and misinformation within these groups might potentially contribute to patients’ decisional uncertainty and regret.CONCLUSIONSFurther research is needed to establish for whom these support groups are most helpful. Concerns about misleading information that might be proffered in support groups is a barrier to clinician referral to these groups. Dialogue between prostate cancer interest groups and clinicians to resolve concerns presents as a key strategy to improve support for men with prostate cancer.