bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Object‐oriented image analysis for high content screening: Detailed quantification of cells and sub cellular structures with the Cellenger software
Authors: Baatz Martin , Arini Nick , Schäpe Arno , Binnig Gerd , Linssen Bettina 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground:Detailed image analysis still is a considerable bottleneck for many cellular assays, and automated solutions to the problem are desirable. However, dealing with the complexity and variability of structures in cellular images makes detailed and reliable analysis a nontrivial task.Methods:Therefore, based on the object‐oriented image analysis approach, a novel image analysis technology, a flexible and reliable system for image analysis in cellular assays was developed. It contains a library of predefined, adaptable modules, each of them developed for a specific analysis task. The system can be configured easily by combining appropriate modules and adapting them interactively to the specific image data, if necessary. By representing cells and sub cellular structures within a network of interlinked image objects, a large number of parameters can be derived that describe shape, intensity, and relevant structural and relational aspects of any chosen class of structures.Results:Thus, multi‐parameter analysis and multiplexing are supported. A sample application based on this approach demonstrates that GFP signals can be distinguished based on their properties and the relative location within the cell. © 2006 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Effect of nanostructure on biodegradation behaviors of self‐setting apatite/collagen composite cements containing vitamin K2 in rats
Authors: Otsuka Makoto , Kuninaga Tomoaki , Otsuka Kuniko , Higuchi William I. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractApatite cement and collagen were combined by a mechanochemical method to create a new self‐setting apatite/collagen composite cement, and menatetrenone (VK2) was loaded into a drug‐delivery system to test biocompatibility in rats. Powder X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) were performed to characterize the physicochemical properties of apatite/collagen composite cements. The XRD results suggested that ground apatite/collagen cement was completely transformed into bone‐like hydroxyapatite, but that without grinding was incomplete. The SEM and EPMA results suggested that ground apatite/collagen cement was homogeneously dispersed of nanoapatite crystals in collagen matrices, similar to that in natural bone. In contrast, the cement without grinding was heterogeneously distributed. To evaluate in‐vivo cement density (CMM), microradiograms were measured for 72 days after implanting apatite/collagen composite cements in intramuscular tissue on the backs of rats, and cross sections of the cements and surrounding soft tissues were observed by microscope. The CMM results of the apatite/collagen composite cements suggested that the biodegradation rate was dependent on the cement quality and nanogeometrical structure. The CMM result of VK2‐loaded apatite/collagen cements suggested that the biodegradation rates of the cements were significantly dependent on their formulation. The CMM of ground apatite/collagen cement increased until 7 days and then decreased, and bone‐like cells penetrated deeply in the center. The microphotograph and CMM results of apatite/collagen without grinding indicated that a lot of bone‐like cells penetrated into the cement and the cement shape was totally deformed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Anisotropic polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel for cardiovascular applications
Authors: Millon L. E. , Mohammadi H. , Wan W. K. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractPolyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a hydrophilic polymer with various characteristics desired for biomedical applications and can be transformed into a solid hydrogel by physical crosslinking, using a low‐temperature thermal cycling process. As with most polymeric materials, the mechanical properties of the resultant PVA are isotropic, as oppose to most soft tissues, which are anisotropic. The objective of this research is to develop a PVA‐based hydrogel that not only mimics the nonlinear mechanical properties displayed by cardiovascular tissues, but also their anisotropic behavior. By applying a controlled strain to the PVA samples, while undergoing low‐temperature thermal cycling, we were able to create oriented mechanical properties in PVA hydrogels. The oriented stress–strain properties of porcine aorta were matched simultaneously by a PVA hydrogel prepared (10% PVA, cycle 3, 75% initial strain). This novel technique allows the controlled introduction of anisotropy to PVA hydrogel, and gives a broad range of control of its mechanical properties, for specific medical device applications. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Entrapment of retroviral vector producer cells in three‐dimensional alginate scaffolds for potential use in cancer gene therapy
Authors: Dvir‐Ginzberg Mona , Konson Alexander , Cohen Smadar , Agbaria Riad 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAbstract: We explored the possibility of entrapping retroviral vector producing cells (VPC) within porous 3D matrix to induce a local and sustained release of viral particles to the malignant milieu. PA317/STK, which constantly shed reroviral vectors, was used to transduce cancer cells with the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV‐tk) gene. Once HSV‐tk is expressed, it preferentially phosphorylates nucleoside analog prodrugs, such as ganciclovir (GCV) and N‐methanocarbathymidine (N‐MCT), to their active triphosphate metabolites, which when incorporated into cellular DNA cause cell death. PA317/STK cells were seeded within 3D alginate scaffold at two different cell densities via static seeding procedure. In vitro assays determined that PA317/STK seeded at high‐cell density in scaffolds maintained constant cell number, low cell leakage, and spheroid morphology with viral vector transfection activity. Postcell‐seeding viral vector activity was confirmed by transfection of murine colon cancer cells (MC38) with conditioned media originated from VPC‐containing scaffolds and the subsequent ability to generate N‐MCT triphosphate. Preliminary in vivo transplantation of VPC‐containing scaffolds into the peritoneal cavity of mice bearing intraperitoneal MC38 tumors with 2 weeks subsequent GCV administration resulted in a significantly higher survival rate relative to control groups. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of employing alginate scaffolds to efficiently entrap and support PA317/STK cells for cancer gene therapy. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007
Underemployment, job attitudes, and turnover intentions
Authors: Maynard Douglas C. , Joseph Todd Allen , Maynard Amanda M. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractWe surveyed three distinct samples of employees (Ns of 238, 102, and 981) in order to examine relations among various types of underemployment, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and turnover intentions. Each dimension of underemployment is explored as a case of poor person‐job fit, and the fit literature is used to produce hypotheses about these relations. We also developed and validated the 9‐item Scale of Perceived Overqualification (SPOQ) to tap employee perceptions of surplus education, experience, and KSAs (knowledge, skills, and abilities). In general, perceptions of underemployment were associated with poor job satisfaction, particularly for facets with a direct causal relationship with the specific dimension of underemployment, such as overqualification and satisfaction with work. Perceived overqualification was also related to lower affective commitment, and higher intentions to turnover. For part‐time work, negative attitudes were only found when employees expressed a preference for full‐time work; a similar trend was not found for temporary workers, however. Implications for theory, research, and practice are delineated. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantification of regional pulmonary blood flow using ASL‐FAIRER
Authors: Bolar D.S. , Levin D.L. , Hopkins S.R. , Frank L.F. , Liu T.T. , Wong E.C. , Buxton R.B. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractPulsed arterial spin labeling (ASL) techniques have been theoretically and experimentally validated for cerebral blood flow (CBF) quantification. In this study ASL‐FAIRER was used to measure regional pulmonary blood flow (rPBF) in seven healthy subjects. Two general ASL strategies were investigated: 1) a single‐subtraction approach using one tag‐control pair acquisition at an inversion time (TI) matched to the RR‐interval, and 2) a multiple‐subtraction approach using tag‐control pairs acquired at various TIs. The mean rPBF averaged 1.70 ± 0.38 ml/min/ml when measured with the multiple‐subtraction approach, and was approximately 2% less when measured with the single‐subtraction method (1.66 ± 0.24 ml/min/ml). Assuming an average lung density of 0.33 g/ml, this translates into a regional perfusion of approximately 5.5 ml/g/min, which is comparable to other measures of pulmonary perfusion. As with other ASL applications, a key problem with quantitative interpretation of the results is the physical gap between the tagging region and imaged slice. Because of the high pulsatility of PBF, ASL acquisition and data analysis differ significantly between the lung and the brain. The advantages and drawbacks of the single‐ vs. multiple‐subtraction approaches are considered within a theoretical framework tailored to PBF. Magn Reson Med, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fast spectroscopic imaging using online optimal sparsek‐space acquisition and projections onto convex sets reconstruction
Authors: Gao Yun , Strakowski Stephen M. , Reeves Stanley J. , Hetherington Hoby P. , Chu Wen‐Jang , Lee Jing‐Huei 
Published: May 2006

AbstractLong acquisition times, low resolution, and voxel contamination are major difficulties in the application of magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI). To overcome these difficulties, an online‐optimized acquisition ofk‐space, termed sequential forward array selection (SFAS), was developed to reduce acquisition time without sacrificing spatial resolution. A 2D proton MRSI region of interest (ROI) was defined from a scout image and used to create a region of support (ROS) image. The ROS was then used to optimize and obtain a subset ofk‐space (i.e., a subset of nonuniform phase encodings) and hence reduce the acquisition time for MRSI. Reconstruction and processing software was developed in‐house to process and reconstruct MRSI using the projections onto convex sets method. Phantom and in vivo studies showed that good‐quality MRS images are obtainable with an approximately 80% reduction of data acquisition time. The reduction of the acquisition time depends on the area ratio of ROS to FOV (i.e., the smaller the ratio, the greater the time reduction). It is also possible to obtain higher‐resolution MRS images within a reasonable time using this approach. MRSI with a resolution of 64 × 64 is possible with the acquisition time of the same as 24 × 24 using the traditional fullk‐space method. Magn Reson Med, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of volatile low molecular weight insecticides using Drosophila melanogaster as a model
Authors: Scharf Michael E , Nguyen Sam N , Song Cheol 
Published: May 2006

AbstractVolatile insecticides, otherwise known as fumigants, have numerous uses in pest control and integrated pest management. Fumigants have been broadly applied in the protection of stored agricultural commodities and also in the elimination of structural pest infestations. However, fumigants have so far been mostly overlooked for use in management of public health pests such as flies and mosquitoes. This paper reports information on the development of a volatility bioassay for use in evaluating volatile insecticides against dipteran insects and on the use of this bioassay to compare the relative efficacy of 30 candidate compounds to Drosophila melanogaster Meig. The findings revealed seven highly effective insecticidal compounds, which include three heterobicyclics (menthofuran, thiophene and coumaran) and four formate esters [butyl, hexyl and heptyl formate and ethylene glycol diformate (EGDF)]. Ethyl formate, a compound previously identified as being a highly effective fumigant against coleopteran stored product pests, caused toxicity in Drosophila but was not as effective as other tested formates. Two volatile fumigant insecticides, dichlorvos (DDVP) and methyl isothiocyanate (MITC), were also tested as positive controls. Both of these volatile standards were significantly more toxic than the seven most effective of the novel compounds. Finally, regression analyses revealed that volatility is not entirely predictive of acute toxicity and that other structural features should be considered when designing and synthesizing volatile insecticidal compounds for future study. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Improved parameterization of the SDWBA for estimating krill target strength
Authors: Conti Stéphane G. , Demer David A. 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Recently, a Stochastic Distorted Wave Born Approximation (SDWBA) model was proposed to improve target strength (TS) estimates for Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba. The krill shape is modelled by a collection of cylinders, and total sound scatter is estimated by semi-coherent summation of scatter from each element. The SDWBA model was evaluated with a generic krill shape comprising 14 cylinders and a phase variability of , and predictions were validated with empirical TS and total TS data at 120 kHz, and over a broad bandwidth, respectively. For general application, parameterization of the SDWBA model is improved to account explicitly for dependence among four of the model parameters: standard length of krill, number of cylinders used to describe its shape, amplitude of inter-element phase variability, and acoustic frequency. The model improvements are demonstrated, and the uncertainty in orientation distribution of krill beneath survey vessels and its ramifications on krill biomass estimates are highlighted.
Estimating end effects in trawl catches
Authors: Battaglia André , Trenkel Verena M. , Rochet Marie-Joëlle 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
The end effect in trawl catches is defined as the proportion of the fish catch taken during shooting and hauling of the net, a period excluded from that nominally referred to as haul duration. If important, this effect will lead to biased abundance estimates, because the swept area will be underestimated. An experimental survey was carried out to compare catch numbers obtained in standard research 30-min hauls with those from 0-min hauls, the latter referring to the trawl being hauled as soon as the trawl geometry stabilized on the seabed. Average catch ratios (0-min/30-min hauls) ranged from 0.05 (s.d. 0.06) for sole to 0.34 (s.d. 0.64) for hake, indicating that the end effect might be more important and more variable for highly mobile species. As a consequence, the bias in abundance indices derived from swept area estimates that ignore end effects will be species-dependent.
Suitability of biogenic carbonate of Lithospermum fruits for 14C dating
Authors: Pustovoytov Konstantin , Riehl Simone 
Published: May 2006

AbstractLithospermum (Boraginaceae) belongs to a small group of plant taxa that accumulate biogenic carbonate in their fruits. In this genus, carbonate incrustations form in the cells of the epidermis and sclerenchyma of the pericarp. Fossil Lithospermum fruits (nutlets) with well-preserved calcified tissues commonly occur in Quaternary sediments and cultural layers. We tested the suitability of biogenic carbonate of Lithospermum fruits for radiocarbon dating using a total of 15 AMS measurement results from four modern and 11 fossil samples. The 14C data from modern samples suggest that Lithospermum utilises only atmospheric carbon to synthesise calcite in the nutlets. In general, the ages determined through 14C dating of fossil fruitscorresponded well with the absolute-age intervals for archaeological sites over the last 5000 yr. Biogenic carbonate of Lithospermum fruits, like that of Celtis, represents a new source of chronological information for late Quaternary studies.
Stability of the flow of a fluid through a flexible tube at high Reynolds number
Authors: Kumaran V. 
Published: May 2006

The stability of the Hagen-Poiseuille flow of a Newtonian fluid in a tube of radius R surrounded by an incompressible viscoelastic medium of radius R < r < HR is analysed in the high Reynolds number regime. The dimensionless numbers that affect the fluid flow are the Reynolds number Re = (ρVR / η), the ratio of the viscosities of the wall and fluid ηr = (ηs/η), the ratio of radii H and the dimensionless velocity Γ = (ρV2/G)1/2. Here ρ is the density of the fluid, G is the coefficient of elasticity of the wall and Vis the maximum fluid velocity at the centre of the tube. In the high Reynolds number regime, an asymptotic expansion in the small parameter ε = (1/Re) is employed. In the leading approximation, the viscous effects are neglected and there is a balance between the inertial stresses in the fluid and the elastic stresses in the medium. There are multiple solutions for the leading-order growth rate do), all of which are imaginary, indicating that the fluctuations are neutrally stable, since there is no viscous dissipation of energy or transfer of energy from the mean flow to the fluctruations due to the Reynolds strees.There is an O(ε1/2) correction to the growth rate, s(1), due to the presence of a wall layer of thickness ε1/2R where the viscous stresses are O(ε1/2) smaller than the inertial stresses. An energy balance analysis indicates that the transfer of energy from the mean flow to the fluctuations due to the Reynolds stress in the wall layer is exactly cancelled by an opposite transfer of equal magnitude due to the deformation work done at the interface, and there is no net transfer from the mean flow to the fluctuations. Consequently, the fluctuations are stabilized by the viscous dissipation in the wall layer, and the real part of s(1) is negative. However, there are certain values of Γ and wavenumber k where s(l) = 0. At these points, the wail layer amplitude becomes zero because the tangential velocity boundary condition is identically satisfied by the inviscid flow solution. The real part of the O(ε) correction to the growth rate s(2) turns out to be negative at these points, indicating a small stabilizing effect due to the dissipation in the bulk of the fluid and the wall material. It is found that the minimum value of s(2) increases ∝ (H − 1)−2 for (H − 1) [Lt ] 1 (thickness of wall much less than the tube radius), and decreases ∝ (H−4 for H [Gt ] 1. The damping rate for the inviscid modes is smaller than that for the viscous wall and centre modes in a rigid tube, which have been determined previously using a singular perturbation analysis. Therefore, these are the most unstable modes in the flow through a flexible tube.
The effect of maturation and sedation on amplitude‐integrated electroencephalogram of the preterm neonate: Results of a prospective study
Authors: Herbertz Simone , Pulzer Ferdinand , Gebauer Corinna , Panhofer Michaela , Robel‐Tillig Evq , Knüpfer Matthices 
Published: May 2006

Abstract Background and aim: Amplitude‐integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) is becoming more common in NICUs for monitoring infants after perinatal asphyxia. We used aEEGs for preterm infants, and analysed the influence of sedation and maturation on their aEEG, focusing on continuous activity. Methods: Weekly or biweekly aEEGs were performed in preterm infants and evaluated by visual analysis. Results: We analysed 92 aEEGs of 56 preterm infants (gestational age (GA) 24 + 6 to 34 + 0 wk, median 30 + 0 wk). In their first week of life, children with higher GA had a higher percentage of continuous activity: with a GA ≤ 28 + 0 wk it was 8.1%, 33.5% with a GA from 28 + 1 to 30 + 0 wk (p= 0.02), 85.9% with a GA from 30 + 1 to 32 + 0 wk (p= 0.005), and 89.1% with a GA from 32 + 1 to 34 + 0 wk. Continuous activity increased with growing postnatal age. With a GA ≤ 28 + 0 wk, it rose from 8.1% (first week) to 55.3% (second week) and reached 96.8% (week 6/7) (p= 0.017). With GA from 28 + 1 to 30 + 0 wk, continuous activity was 33.5% (first week) and 86.6% (second week) (p= 0.03). Conclusion: The aEEG of preterm infants appears to be a good tool for monitoring cerebral activity. Continuous activity seems to indicate maturation in the neonatal brain. Further investigations of aEEGs in preterm infants should be performed.
IgM-enriched human intravenous immunoglobulin suppresses T lymphocyte functionsin vitroand delays the activation of T lymphocytes in hu-SCID mice
Authors: Vassilev T , Mihaylova N , Voynova E , Nikolova M , Kazatchkine M , Kaveri S 
Published: May 2006

SummaryPrevious studies of an experimental human immunoglobulin preparation for intravenous use, containing normal pooled IgM (IVIgM), have shown its beneficial therapeutic effect in experimental autoimmune diseases. The mechanisms of its immunomodulatory activity remain however, poorly understood. In the experiments reported here, IVIgM inhibited the proliferation of various autonomously growing human lymphoid cell lines in vitro, as well as of MLR- and of PHA-stimulated human T-lymphocytes. These effects of IVIgM were observed at non-apoptotic concentrations and were stronger on a molar basis than those of normal pooled IgG for intravenous use (IVIg). Both preparations, when administered to SCID mice, repopulated with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, delayed the expression of the early activation marker CD69 on both human CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes, activated by the mouse antigenic environment. The data obtained show that normal pooled human IgM exerts a powerful antiproliferative effect on T-cells that is qualitatively similar but quantitatively superior to that of therapeutic IVIg. Our results suggest that infusions with IVIgM might have a significant beneficial immunomodulating activity in patients with selected autoimmune diseases.
Prevalence, classification and perception of allergic and nonallergic rhinitis in Belgium
Authors: Bachert C. , Van Cauwenberge P. , Olbrecht J. , Van Schoor J. 
Published: May 2006

Background:  Allergic rhinitis (AR) and noninfectious, nonallergic rhinitis (NINA) are common disorders, which may prompt patients to seek medical help.Methods:  We performed a survey in a representative sample of the Belgian population (n = 4959) with an overall prevalence of self‐declared recent rhinitis symptoms of 39.3%. Detailed information on patients having experienced nasal symptoms over the past year was then obtained from a random sample of respondents (n = 743).Results:  The adjusted prevalence was 29.8% for AR and 9.6% for NINA, respectively. According to the ARIA classification, there was significantly more ‘persistent’ symptomatology in the AR group (40.8%) than in NINA (23.5%) (P < 0.001), and more ‘moderate/severe’ symptom intensity in AR (75.4%) than in NINA (53.1%) (P < 0.001). Allergic rhinitis patients suffered from a greater number of symptoms than NINA patients (P < 0.001). Asthma, skin and food allergy as co‐morbidities were all found to be significantly more prevalent in the AR vs the NINA group (P < 0.05 for all). The percentage of consulting patients (total: 66.8%), who subjectively perceived their rhinitis as moderate/severe, was 94.0%, whereas 75.6% of these patients were classified accordingly based on ARIA criteria.Conclusions:  We found a high prevalence of self‐declared rhinitis symptoms in the Belgian population, AR being about three times more prevalent than NINA. In addition, AR patients suffered from a greater number of symptoms and displayed a more ‘persistent’ and ‘moderate–severe’ ARIA profile than NINA. About 75% of patients seeking medical help suffer from ‘moderate to severe’ forms of rhinitis.