bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of spatial averaging effects in vibrational CARS spectra
Authors: Seeger T. , Weikl M. C. , Beyrau F. , Leipertz A. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAccurate temperature measurements with the coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) technique are difficult to perform when temperature gradients occur within the measurement volume. Very often it is even difficult or time consuming to identify the influence of spatial averaging on the measurement. To solve this problem, a weighting procedure based on a combination of least‐sum‐of‐squared‐differences‐fits (LSF) using different weighting factors was developed and tested by using experimental data, measured in a laminar and in a turbulent premixed methane/air flame. With this evaluation procedure it was possible to identify spatially averaged CARS spectra in order to sort them out avoiding the problems arising from the nonlinear nature of the CARS process. Using this new fitting approach, the expected bimodal temperature distribution near the flame front of the turbulent premixed flame can be confirmed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optical nonlinearities of nanocomposite constituents selectively addressed by polarization‐controlled coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering
Authors: Konorov S. O. , Fedotov A. B. , Smirnova I. E. , Mitrokhin V. P. , Sakoda K. , Sidorov‐Biryukov D. A. , Zheltikov A. M. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractPolarization coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) is shown to provide a means to selectively and independently address optical nonlinearities of materials constituting a multicomponent nanostructure, thus suggesting the way to tailor the nonlinear‐optical response of nanocomposite materials. Polarization properties of CARS in porous glass infiltrated with a toluene solution are experimentally studied. Rotation of the polarization analyzer with respect to the polarization vectors of the linearly polarized pump fields is shown to radically modify CARS line profiles, indicating changes in the ratio of CARS signal components related to toluene molecules and the porous glass host. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New developments in non‐linear optical spectroscopy
Authors: Radi P. P. , Zheltikov A. M. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThis paper gives a brief summary of the proceedings of the European Conference on Non‐Linear Optical Spectroscopy (ECONOS 2005) held at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, from April 10 to 12, 2005. It demonstrates the progress made in recent years in this research area. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A univariate and multivariate study of reef fisheries off northeastern Brazil
Authors: Frédou Thierry , Ferreira Beatrice P. , Letourneur Yves 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
This work was part of a programme to assess the potential living resources within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Brazil that collected information on the catch composition and biology of the main species within the zone (REVIZEE). It aimed to identify and, using statistical tools, to assess the factors that influence the dynamics of the demersal fishery, targeting the rocky, coral reef and associated sandy seabeds of the continental shelf. Within the reef fishery of northeastern Brazil, snappers (family Lutjanidae), in particular Lutjanus chrysurus, L. synagris, L. analis, L. jocu, and, to a lesser extent, L. vivanus, are the main artisanal catch and contribute most to the similarity between groups. Among the factors considered, the spatial effect (geopolitical state as a factor) appeared to be the strongest attribute in isolating groups. Of the technological factors, trip duration better discriminated the catch composition than fleet category. However, given some exceptions mainly linked to favourable strong wind, trip duration categories were usually related to fleet dynamics, because motorized boats generally undertake longer trips. Such characteristics are important for management decisions, because fleets are likely to exploit different stages of the life cycle of a fish as well as different species while operating in different geographical areas. The catch analysis was characterized by a “lutjanid community” typical of rock, coral, and coral-sand habitats, and it is clear that this community is dominant in Brazil as well as in the more usually quoted regions such as the Bahamas, Antilles and along the coast from Yucatan to Panama.
Efficacy and safety of fluvastatin in children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia
Authors: Van Der Graaf Anouk , Nierman Melchior C. , Firth Jean C. , Wolmarans Karen H. , Marais A. David , De Groot Eric 
Published: May 2006

Abstract Aim: To assess whether early initiation of statin therapy for heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia favourably affects lipid profiles or vascular morphological changes. Methods: Children and adolescents aged 10–16 y with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia were administered fluvastatin (80 mg/d) for 2 y in a single‐arm two‐centre study. Carotid B‐mode intima‐media thickness (IMT) and M‐mode arterial wall stiffness (β) were recorded. Eighty of the 85 enrolled subjects completed the trial. Results: The median decrease in low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from baseline at last study visit was 33.9%; median decreases in total cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoprotein B were 27.1%, 5.3% and 24.2%, respectively; the median increase in high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was 5.3%. Changes in carotid arterial wall thickness and stiffness versus baseline were fractional and statistically non‐significant (ΔIMT −0.005 mm, 95% CI −0.018 to +0.007 mm, n=83; and Δβ= 0.017, 95% CI −0.219 to +0.253, n=79). Adverse events, all non‐serious, were reported by 58 subjects (68.2%); four were suspected to be drug‐related. Change in hormone levels and sexual maturation were appropriate for this age group. Conclusion: Fluvastatin lowered LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B levels effectively over a prolonged period in children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia. Carotid IMT and wall stiffness remained largely unchanged.
Mucosal lymphocyte subsets and HLA-DR antigen expression in paediatric Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis
Authors: Lopes A I , Victorino R M M , Palha A M , Ruivo J , Fernandes A 
Published: May 2006

Summary
Paediatric studies may provide important insights into the immunopathology of Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis, as mucosal changes reflect different stages of the immunoinflammatory response. We characterized, by quantitative immunohistochemistry, gastric mucosal lymphocyte phenotype and HLA-DR antigen expression and evaluated correlation with histopathology, in H. pylori-infected (Hp+ve) and uninfected children (Hp–ve). In the infected group, lamina propria CD3+ and IgA plasmocyte cell numbers were significantly higher and a trend for predominance of CD8+ over CD4+ was observed both in epithelium and lamina propria. A correlation of inflammation score with lamina propria CD3+ and CD4+ cell numbers and of CD45RO+ T lymphocytes with density of colonization was observed. The proportion of epithelial cells expressing HLA-DR antigen was significantly higher in the Hp+ve group and furthermore, glandular HLA-DR expression correlated with lamina propria CD3+ cell numbers, emphasizing the potential role of epithelial cells as antigen-presenting cells at this stage of infection.
Cross-reaction of anti-DNA autoantibodies with membrane proteins of human glomerular mesangial cells in sera from patients with lupus nephritis
Authors: Du Hui , Chen Min , Zhang Ying , Zhao Ming-hui , Wang Hai-Yan 
Published: May 2006

SummaryAnti-DNA autoantibodies were thought to play a major role in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN). A recent study revealed that affinity-purified anti-DNA antibodies had a cross-reaction with human glomerular mesangial cells (HMC). However, whether the cross-reaction was antigen–antibody-mediated was unclear. The aim of the current study was to investigate the binding of anti-DNA antibodies to HMC membrane proteins and to characterize the target antigens. Affinity-purified IgG anti-DNA antibodies were purified by DNA-cellulose chromatography in sera from nine patients with biopsy-proven active lupus nephritis. In vitro cultured primary HMCs were disrupted by sonication and HMC membranes were obtained by differential centrifugation. The membranes of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), human proximal renal tubular epithelial cell line (HK2) and peripheral mononuclear cells (PMC) were obtained as controls. Binding of anti-DNA antibodies to the membrane proteins was investigated by Western blot analysis using soluble membrane proteins as antigens. Both HMC membrane and affinity-purified anti-DNA antibodies were treated with DNase I to exclude DNA bridging. All nine affinity-purified anti-DNA antibodies could blot the HMC membrane proteins, and there were at least three bands at 74 kDa, 63 kDa and 42 kDa that could be blotted. Among the nine IgG preparations, all nine (100%) could blot the 74 kDa band; eight (88·9%) could recognize 63 kDa and 42 kDa protein bands separately. After DNase treatment, the same bands could still be blotted by most affinity-purified anti-DNA antibodies. Affinity-purified anti-DNA antibodies could also blot similar bands on membrane proteins of other cells, but some bands were different. In conclusion, anti-DNA autoantibodies could cross-react directly with cell membrane proteins of human glomerular mesangial cells and might play an important role in the pathogenetic mechanism in lupus nephritis.
Effects of cutting frequency on plant production, N‐uptake and N2 fixation in above‐ and below‐ground plant biomass of perennial ryegrass–white clover swards
Authors: Vinther F. P. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractNitrogen (N), accumulating in stubble, stolons and roots, is an important component in N balances in perennial ryegrass–white clover swards, and the effects of cutting frequency on the biomass of above‐ and below‐harvest height were studied during two consecutive years. Total dry matter (DM) and total N production, and N2 fixation, were measured at two cutting frequencies imposed in the summers of two years either by cutting infrequently at monthly intervals to simulate mowing or by frequent cutting at weekly intervals to simulate grazing. Total DM production harvested was in the range of 3000–7000 kg DM ha−1 with lower DM production associated with the frequent cutting treatment, and it was significantly affected by the different weather conditions in the two years. The higher cutting frequency also reduced the biomass below harvest height but the different weather conditions between years had less effect on stubble and, in particular, biomass of roots. The biomass of roots of white clover was significantly lower than that of roots of perennial ryegrass and remained at a relatively constant level (200–500 kg DM ha−1) throughout the experiment, whereas the biomass of perennial ryegrass roots increased from 2400 kg DM ha−1 in the year of establishment to 10 200 kg DM ha−1 in the infrequent cutting treatment and 6650 kg DM ha−1 in the frequent cutting treatment by the end of the experiment, giving shoot:root ratios of 4·7–16·6 and 0·5–1·6 for white clover and perennial ryegrass respectively. Annual N2 fixation was in the range of 28–214 kg N ha−1, and the proportion of N fixed in stolons and roots was on average 0·28. However, as weather conditions affect the harvested DM production and the shoot:root ratio, care must be taken when estimating total N2 fixation based on an assumed or fixed shoot:root ratio.
Classification and management of allergic rhinitis patients in general practice during pollen season
Authors: Van Hoecke H. , Vastesaeger N. , Dewulf L. , Sys L. , Van Cauwenberge P. 
Published: May 2006

Background:  Allergic rhinitis (AR) represents a major challenge in primary care. The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) group proposed a new classification for AR and developed evidence‐based guidelines for the management of this disease. We conducted this study to further characterize the classes of AR described by ARIA, and to evaluate whether the management of AR in general practice is in accordance with the ARIA guidelines.Methods:  During the pollen season of 2003, 95 Belgian general practitioners (GPs) enrolled 804 patients who presented with symptoms of AR. For each patient, a questionnaire comprising the clinical presentation and management was completed.Results:  In 64% of the patients, AR was classified as intermittent and in 36% as persistent. Persistent rhinitis caused more discomfort than intermittent rhinitis. Only 50% of the patients had ever undergone allergy testing. Among them, 51% were allergic to both seasonal and perennial allergens. Eighty‐two per cent of the persistent rhinitics were allergic to at least one seasonal allergen and 72% of the intermittent rhinitics to at least one perennial allergen. When compared strictly with the ARIA recommendations, 49% of the patients with mild and/or intermittent AR were overtreated, whereas about 30% of those with moderate/severe persistent rhinitis were undertreated.Conclusion:  This study confirms that the previous classification of AR into ‘seasonal’ and ‘perennial’ is not satisfactory and that intermittent and persistent AR are not equivalent to seasonal and perennial AR respectively. Furthermore, persistent rhinitis has been shown to be a distinct disease entity. Further efforts are required to disseminate and implement evidence‐based diagnostic and treatment guidelines for AR in primary care practice.
Open and closed chest extrathoracic cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass and extracorporeal life support: methods, indications, and outcomes
Authors: Field M L , Al-Alao B , Mediratta N , Sosnowski A 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Extrathoracic cannulation to establish cardiopulmonary bypass has been widely applied in recent years and includes: (a) repeat surgery, (b) minimally invasive surgery, and (c) cases with diseased vessels such as porcelain, aneurysmal, and dissecting aorta. In addition, the success and relative ease of peripheral cannulation, among other technological advances, has permitted the development of closed chest extracorporeal life support, in the form of cardiopulmonary support and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. With this development have come applications for cardiopulmonary bypass based support outside the traditional cardiac theatre setting, including emergency circulatory support for patients in cardiogenic shock and respiratory support for patients with severely impaired gas exchange. This review summarises the approach to extrathoracic cannulation for the generalist.
Patients with poorly controlled diabetes in primary care: healthcare clinicians' beliefs and attitudes
Authors: Jeavons D , Hungin A P S , Cornford C S 
Published: May 2006

Abstract

Objective
To determine doctors' and nurses' attitudes and beliefs about treating patients with type 2 diabetes with less than ideal glycaemic control while receiving maximal oral treatment in primary care.

Design
Focus groups.

Setting
Primary care.

Participants
Four focus groups of 23 GPs and practice nurses.

Results
General practice was thought to be the best setting for managing all patients with type 2 diabetes but there were concerns about a lack of resources and unfamiliarity with starting insulin. Issues around compliance were extensively discussed; the “failing diabetic” had dual meanings of failing glycaemic control and failing compliance and effort by both patient and doctor. Although views about insulin therapy differed, patients were understood to be resistant to starting insulin, representing for them a more serious stage of diabetes, with fears of needles and hypoglycaemia.

Conclusion
The role of diabetes specialist nurses working in primary care will be crucial in managing such patients to improve knowledge, for extra resources, for their experience of insulin use, and to change attitudes.
Is the incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases increasing in Eastern Europe?
Authors: Lakatos L , Lakatos P L 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Limited data are available on the frequency of inflammatory bowel diseases in East European countries. A recent study from Hungary reported an increasing incidence rate for ulcerative colitis (from 1.6 to 11.0) and for Crohn's disease (from 0.4 to 4.7) from 1977 to 2001. A similar trend was seen in Croatia. In contrast, other countries (for example, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Baltic countries) reported low incidence and prevalence rates. This review will discuss the available data on the epidemiology of inflammatory bowel diseases in Eastern Europe, as well as consider the possible factors responsible for the differences seen between countries and epidemiological trends.
Identification of consensus RNA secondary structures using suffix arrays
Authors: Anwar Mohammad , Nguyen Truong , Turcotte Marcel 
Published: May 2006

Abstract

Background
The identification of a consensus RNA motif often consists in finding a conserved secondary structure with minimum free energy in an ensemble of aligned sequences. However, an alignment is often difficult to obtain without prior structural information. Thus the need for tools to automate this process.

Results
We present an algorithm called Seed to identify all the conserved RNA secondary structure motifs in a set of unaligned sequences. The search space is defined as the set of all the secondary structure motifs inducible from a seed sequence. A general-to-specific search allows finding all the motifs that are conserved. Suffix arrays are used to enumerate efficiently all the biological palindromes as well as for the matching of RNA secondary structure expressions.
We assessed the ability of this approach to uncover known structures using four datasets. The enumeration of the motifs relies only on the secondary structure definition and conservation only, therefore allowing for the independent evaluation of scoring schemes. Twelve simple objective functions based on free energy were evaluated for their potential to discriminate native folds from the rest.

Conclusion
Our evaluation shows that 1) support and exclusion constraints are sufficient to make an exhaustive search of the secondary structure space feasible. 2) The search space induced from a seed sequence contains known motifs. 3) Simple objective functions, consisting of a combination of the free energy of matching sequences, can generally identify motifs with high positive predictive value and sensitivity to known motifs.
Androgens, Progestins, and Glucocorticoids Induce Follicle-Stimulating Hormone β-Subunit Gene Expression at the Level of the Gonadotrope
Authors: Thackray Varykina G. , McGillivray Shauna M. , Mellon Pamela L. 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
FSH is produced by the pituitary gonadotrope to regulate gametogenesis. Steroid hormones, including androgens, progestins, and glucocorticoids, have all been shown to stimulate expression of the FSHβ subunit in primary pituitary cells and rodent models. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of steroid induction of FSHβ has been difficult due to the heterogeneity of the anterior pituitary. Immortalized LβT2 cells are a model of a mature gonadotrope cell and express the endogenous steroid receptor for each of the three hormones. Transient transfection of each receptor, along with ligand treatment, stimulates the mouse FSHβ promoter, but induction is severely diminished using receptors that lack the ability to bind DNA, indicating that induction is likely through direct DNA binding. All three steroid hormones act within the first 500 bp of the FSHβ promoter where six putative hormone response elements exist. The −381 site is critical for FSHβ induction by all three steroid hormones, whereas the −197 and −139 sites contribute to maximal induction. Interestingly, the −273 and −230 sites are also necessary for androgen and progestin induction of FSHβ, but not for glucocorticoid induction. Additionally, we find that all three receptors bind the endogenous FSHβ promoter, in vivo, and specifically bind the −381 site in vitro, suggesting that the binding of the receptors to this element is critical for the induction of FSHβ by these 3-keto steroid hormones. Our data indicate that androgens, glucocorticoids, and progestins act via their receptors to directly activate FSHβ gene expression in the pituitary gonadotrope.
Proteomics: A New Diagnostic Frontier
Authors: Hortin Glen L , Jortani Saeed A , Ritchie James C , Valdes Roland , Chan Daniel W 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Background: Analysis of proteins has been an integral part of the field of clinical chemistry for decades. Recent advances in technology and complete identification of the human genome sequence have opened up new opportunities for analysis of proteins for clinical diagnostic purposes.
Methods: Content of a recent conference of proteomics is summarized.
Results: New analytical methods allow the simultaneous analysis of a large number of proteins in biological fluids such as serum and plasma, offering partial views of the complete set of proteins or proteome. Plasma presents many analytical challenges, such as the complexity of components, predominance of a few major components, and the large concentration range of components, but the number of proteins that can be detected in plasma has expanded dramatically from hundreds to thousands. At the same time, there is increased capability to detect structural variations of proteins. Recent studies also identified the presence of complex sets of small protein fragments in plasma. This set of protein fragments, the fragmentome or peptidome, is potentially a rich source of information about physiologic and disease processes.
Conclusions: Advances in proteomics offer great promise for the discovery of markers that might serve as the basis for new clinical laboratory tests. There are many challenges, however, in the translation of newly discovered markers into clinical laboratory tests.
Freedom of Speech: During and Since the Civil war
Authors: Eliel Richard H. 
Published: May 2006

Of all the clauses in the Bill of Rights, the free speech guaranty stands foremost in the significance of the political principle it defends, and in the enduring vitality of the problems it puts before us. In an age of toleration bordering on indifference, the phrase protecting the free exercise of religion has been reverently consigned to a life of honored retirement; in the days of conscription “the right of the people to keep and bear arms” finds a place in constitutional structure similar to that of the vermiform appendix in the human body; and the good old search and seizure clause now is roused from a senile contemplation of other days only at rarest intervals, relapsing soon into a customary desuetude. But no such fate will ever befall the free speech clause. The human interest it defends is in a very real sense the most fundamental and permanent in the Bill of Rights, and no changes brought by the onward movement of civilization are ever likely to make the need for its protection less necessary.For as long as human beings have tongues and minds they will say what they think, and they will think differently. Where the question is important and the issues vital or seemingly vital, such hatred and bitterness is likely to develop as will require a very strong constitutional guaranty and a reverential respect for the written word if oppression is to be prevented. In fact, all the rancor and bitterness attached to actual physical conflict are frequently found in scarcely diminished intensity to have gathered about mere polemics.