bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Prophylaxis of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in Patients with Cirrhosis
Authors: Frazee Lawrence A , Marinos Antonio E , Rybarczyk Amy M , Fulton Scott A 
Published: March 2005

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature regarding long-term prophylaxis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in patients with cirrhosis. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE (1967–September 2004) and bibliographic search of the English-language literature was conducted using the search terms spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, cirrhosis, antimicrobial, and prophylaxis. DATA SYNTHESIS: Long-term antimicrobial prophylaxis has been shown to decrease recurrent SBP in cirrhotics with a prior episode. Prophylaxis in patients with low ascitic fluid protein has also been shown to reduce the incidence of SBP; however, studies are too in-homogeneous to identify subgroups that benefit the most. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term antimicrobial therapy should be considered for secondary prophylaxis of SBP. Studies should be done to confirm this benefit and identify subsets of patients with low ascitic fluid protein who clearly benefit.
Critical Assessment of the Standard ASTM E 399
Authors: Wallin KRW 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe plane-strain fracture toughness, KIC, defined by ASTM E 399, is assumed to represent a size insensitive lower bound value. The interpretation is due to the original work by George Irwin. In this work the consistency of the ASTM KIC plane-strain fracture toughness standard (ASTM E 399) is examined by reassessing the original data used to develop the standard, based on present knowledge about fracture micromechanisms. Originally, the standard was based on continuum mechanics assumptions, which have later been found inadequate to describe the real physical fracture process. The materials used for the development of ASTM E 399 were generally aluminum and titanium alloys or extra high strength steels. The materials had in common that their fracture micro-mechanism was ductile fracture, i.e., the materials showed a rising tearing resistance curve. Therefore, the fracture toughness did not show the expected decreasing trend with increasing specimen size, but generally the opposite trend. The specimen thickness was assumed to be the limiting dimension, even though much of the experimental data indicated that the specimen ligament size, not the thickness, controlled the fracture toughness value.
Comparison of Abscission Spray Application Practices for Mechanical Harvesting of Oranges
Authors: Farooq M , Salyani M , Whitney JD 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
Two air-carrier sprayers were used to investigate the feasibility of applying abscission materials from one side of the tree in a two-row bedded orange grove. One-sided (bed side) and two-sided (both bed and ditch side) applications at 2.4 and 4.8 km/h were compared using each sprayer. Tank mixture contained active ingredient (a.i.) 5-chloro-3-methyl-4-nitro-1-H-pyrazole (CMN-P) at about 350 mg/L a.i., a surfactant, a drift retardant, and a fluorescent tracer. Leaf samples were collected from different locations on the bed and ditch sides, and deposition was determined by fluorometry. The efficacy of abscission application was assessed in terms of fruit detachment force (FDF) and percent fruit removal (PFR) by trunk shakers.
With both sprayers, one-sided applications resulted in comparable depositions to two-sided applications at the far side of the lower canopy level. This result implies that one-sided applications might provide acceptable spray coverage in lightly foliated canopies. Abscission sprays at one-half or full a.i. (526 or 1052 g/ha) rate reduced fruit detachment force significantly. The best results were obtained with two-sided applications at lower ground speed (highest volume/a.i. rate). The air-curtain sprayer at full a.i. rate and the air-blast sprayer at one-half or full a.i. rate resulted in a significant increase in percent fruit removal.
Independent prognostic role of circulating chromogranin A in prostate cancer patients with hormone-refractory disease
Authors: Berruti A , Mosca A , Tucci M , Terrone C , Torta M , Tarabuzzi R , Russo L , Cracco C , Bollito E , Scarpa R M , Angeli A , Dogliotti L 
Published: March 2005

The presence of neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation in the context of predominantly exocrine prostate cancer may play a key role in androgen-independent tumor growth. The prognostic significance of plasma chromogranin A (CgA) was assessed in a series of consecutive prostate cancer patients with hormone-refractory disease.
One hundred and eight patients with newly diagnosed hormone-refractory prostate cancer entered the study. Plasma CgA levels and other biochemical parameters, such as serum prostate specific antigen, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum lactate dehydrogenase, serum albumin and hemoglobin concentration, were measured at baseline (i.e. when hormone refractoriness occurred) and their prognostic role was evaluated together with patient performance status, Gleason score (at diagnosis of prostate cancer) and the presence of visceral metastases. Furthermore, plasma CgA was prospectively evaluated in 50 patients undergoing chemotherapy.
At baseline, 45 patients (43.3%) showed elevated CgA values. Plasma CgA negatively correlated with survival, either in univariate analysis (P=0.008) or in multivariate analysis, after adjusting for previously mentioned prognostic parameters (P<0.05). In the patient subset undergoing chemotherapy, median CgA (range) values were 13.3 (3.0–141.0) U/l at baseline, 19.1 (3.0–486.0) U/l after 3 months, 20.8 (3.0–702.0) U/l after 6 months and 39.4 (3.0–414.0) U/l after 9 months (P<0.01). The corresponding supranormal rates were 17/50 (34%), 23/50 (46%), 26/50 (52%) and 34/50 (68%) respectively (P<0.005).
Elevated plasma CgA levels are frequently observed in prostate cancer patients with hormone-refractory disease and correlate with poor prognosis. NE differentiation in hormone-refractory patients is a time-dependent phenomenon and is not influenced by conventional antineoplastic treatments.
The impact of impermanent Web‐located citations: A study of 123 scholarly conference publications
Authors: Sellitto Carmine 
Published: March 2005

AbstractIn this article the results of research that examined the permanence of 1,068 Web‐located citations in 123 academic conference articles published between 1995 and 2003 are reported. The study is one of the few but increasing number of investigations that examines the growing practice of authors citing URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) in their publications to support and argue their scholarly research. It was found that some 46% of all citations to Web‐located sources could not be accessed—with the HTTP 404 (“Page not found”) message (61.5%) being the greatest cause of missing citations. Collectively, the missing citations accounted for 22.0% of all citations, which represents a significant reduction in the theoretical knowledge base underpinning many scholarly articles. It is argued that the consequences of disappearing Web‐located citations has led to diminishing opportunities for future researchers to examination the underlaying foundations of discourse and argument in scholarly articles.
Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor, ERBB2 and KIT in adult soft tissue sarcomas
Authors: Sato Osamu , Wada Takuro , Kawai Akira , Yamaguchi Umio , Makimoto Atsushi , Kokai Yasuo , Yamashita Toshihiko , Chuman Hirokazu , Beppu Yasuo , Tani Yoichi , Hasegawa Tadashi 
Published: March 2005

AbstractBACKGROUNDLittle is known about the expression of receptor tyrosine kinases in adult soft tissue sarcomas (STS). In the current study, the authors analyzed the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), ERBB2, and KIT in 281 patients with STS who were treated in a single institution. Verification of the presence of an association with prognosis was performed.METHODSThe current study included 281 adult patients with STS of the extremity and trunk who were diagnosed and treated in the National Cancer Center, Tokyo. Expression was assessed using immunohistochemical stains for EGFR, ERBB2, and KIT on formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue sections by standard avidin‐biotin peroxidase complex technique and EGFR detection system.RESULTSPositive staining of EGFR was observed in 168 of 281 (60%) patients. Positive staining was common in pleomorphic malignant fibrous histiocytomas (89%), myxofibrosarcomas (89%), synovial sarcomas (76%), malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (89%), and leiomyosarcomas (73%). It was less common in well differentiated liposarcomas (38%), fibrosarcomas (36%), and myxoid liposarcomas (6%). In contrast, positive staining of ERBB2 and KIT was very limited. Increased levels of EGFR were significantly associated with a decreased probability of overall survival (P = 0.01), although by univariate analysis; probability of overall survival at 5 years was 64% in patients with increased levels of EGFR and 79% in patients without such overexpression. The overexpression of EGFR was significantly associated with histologic grade (P < 0.001). Moreover, stratified log‐rank test revealed that there is an interrelation between EGFR overexpression and histologic grade.CONCLUSIONSEGFR overexpression was found to be a negative prognostic factor of adult STS, which is strongly associated with histologic grade. STS patients with EGFR overexpression may benefit from treatment with currently available biospecific inhibitors for EGFR. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Phase I dose‐escalation study of tezacitabine in combination with 5‐fluorouracil in patients with advanced solid tumors
Authors: Bendell Johanna C. , Eder Joseph P. , Clark Jeffrey W. , Fidias Panagiotis , Lynch Thomas J. , Seiden Michael V. , Ryan David P. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractBACKGROUNDTezacitabine [(E)‐2'‐deoxy‐2'‐(fluoromethylene) cytidine; FMdC] is a novel nucleoside analog with potent antiproliferative and antitumor activity in preclinical studies. A tolerable safety profile and clinical activity have been shown in Phase I and Phase II clinical studies. The purpose of the current open‐label, Phase I dose‐escalation trial was to evaluate the combination of tezacitabine and 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) in the treatment of patients with advanced solid tumors.METHODSTwenty‐four patients with a variety of advanced solid tumors for which there was no curative therapy were enrolled. Bolus infusion tezacitabine was administered on Day 1 of a 14‐day cycle at escalating doses of 150–350 mg/m2, with continuous infusion 5‐FU (CI 5‐FU) given on Days 1–7 at a fixed dose of 200 mg/m2 per day. Patients underwent objective tumor evaluation by radiologic methods or clinical examination at baseline and after every fourth treatment cycle.RESULTSThe maximum tolerated dose of the combination therapy was determined to be tezacitabine, 200 mg/m2, with CI 5‐FU, 200 mg/m2 per day. The toxicities were manageable, the most notable being transient severe (National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria Grade 3 or 4) neutropenia in 23 patients (96%). Eleven (55%) of the 20 assessable patients had partial responses or stabilization of disease. The highest response rate was in patients with primary tumors of esophageal origin.CONCLUSIONSTezacitabine at a dose of 200 mg/m2 in combination with CI 5‐FU at a dose of 200 mg/m2 per day was relatively well tolerated and had clinical activity in patients with advanced solid tumors, particularly in patients with esophageal and other gastrointestinal carcinomas. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Visual cortical activity during tactile perception in the sighted and the visually deprived
Authors: Sathian K. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThis article reviews studies demonstrating activity in visual cortex during tactile perception in sighted participants as well as in those who have experienced visual deprivation of varying duration. This field has been very active over the last few years, with the result that a number of exciting findings have emerged, but a unifying framework is still lacking. The first section of this article deals with investigations revealing that visual cortical activity is regularly associated with the neural processing of tactile inputs in normally sighted individuals. Next, the possible reasons underlying such visual cortical recruitment are considered. The focus then shifts to the effects of visual deprivation, examining the involvement of visual cortex in sensory and language processing in the early and late blind. The final section gives an account of studies suggesting that a remarkable degree of plasticity can be observed even after quite short‐lasting visual deprivation. Overall, it appears that the nature of visual cortical activity during nonvisual tasks in the sighted can be influenced by late‐onset blindness and even by brief interruptions of visual input; however, the relevant neural plasticity seems to considerably more exuberant if vision is lost very early in life or was never present, which suggests that there is a critical period for the maximal expression of such plasticity. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 46: 279–286, 2005.
Carbon Nanotube Modified Microelectrode for Enhanced Voltammetric Detection of Dopamine in the Presence of Ascorbate
Authors: Hočevar Samo B. , Wang Joseph , Deo Randhir Prakash , Musameh Mustafa , Ogorevc Božidar 
Published: March 2005

AbstractA single carbon fiber microelectrode modified with multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and Nafion exhibits an attractive electroanalytical performance for enhanced voltammetric detection of dopamine in the presence of ascorbate at physiological pH. The fast and simple preparation protocol involves dipping a single carbon fiber microelectrode into a modification solution containing Nafion and MWCNT. The resulting surface modification couples the sensitivity improvement associated with the MWCNT with the permselectivity of Nafion films. The microsensor displays highly linear behavior over the 2 to 20 μM dopamine range examined (R of 0.997), with a detection limit of 70 nM. A highly reproducible response was observed for 50 repetitive measurements with a RSD of 1.6%, while the effect of ascorbate upon the voltammetric signal for dopamine was negligible. In addition, some more insights are given into the electroanalytical performance of the MWCNT/Nafion modified microelectrode. Such a disposable dopamine microsensor holds great promise for convenient detection of dopamine in the presence of ascorbate at physiological concentrations in microvolume samples and at microlocations (e.g., measurement of dopamine under physiological conditions).
Optimized group velocity control scheme and DNS of decaying compressible turbulence of relative high turbulent Mach number
Authors: Li Xinliang , Fu Dexun , Ma Yanwen 
Published: March 2005

AbstractTo overcome the difficulty in the DNS of compressible turbulence at high turbulent Mach number, a new difference scheme called GVC8 is developed. We have succeeded in the direct numerical simulation of decaying compressible turbulence up to turbulent Mach number 0.95. The statistical quantities thus obtained at lower turbulent Mach number agree well with those from previous authors with the same initial conditions, but they are limited to simulate at lower turbulent Mach numbers due to the so‐called start‐up problem. The energy spectrum and coherent structure of compressible turbulent flow are analysed. The scaling law of compressible turbulence is studied. The computed results indicate that the extended self‐similarity holds in decaying compressible turbulence despite the occurrence of shocklets, and compressibility has little effects on relative scaling exponents when turbulent Mach number is not very high. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of telomerase activity and RNA expression in a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia treated with all‐trans retinoic acid
Authors: Akiyama Masaharu , Yamada Osamu , Yanagisawa Takaaki , Fujisawa Kohji , Eto Yoshikatsu , Yamada Hisashi 
Published: March 2005

AbstractIn this study, we show that all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) treatment leads to a rapid decrease in telomerase activity, which was associated with the reduction in myeloblasts and occurs before the appearance of myelocytes, in a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Microarray analysis by ATRA treatment for 48 hr in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (in vivo) and in cultured bone marrow mononuclear cells (in vitro) from a patient with APL revealed upregulation of CD11b, CD11c, CCAAT enhancer binding protein ε, Rb1, Mad, and tumor necrosis factor‐related genes; and downregulation of hTERT, c‐Myc, WT1, bcl‐2, and eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1α2. The results might offer the potential to define the molecular mechanism underlying ATRA‐induced granulocytic differentiation in patients with APL, and provide clues to identify novel molecular therapeutic targets. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2006,46:506–511. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis and characterization of poly(DTC‐b‐PEG‐b‐DTC) triblock and poly(TMC‐b‐DTC‐b‐PEG‐b‐DTC‐b‐TMC) pentablock copolymers and kinetics of the polymerization
Authors: Ling Jun , Chen Wei , Shen Zhiquan 
Published: March 2005

AbstractDihydroxyl capped biodegradable poly(DTC‐b‐PEG‐b‐DTC) (BCB) triblock copolymer and poly(TMC‐b‐DTC‐b‐PEG‐b‐DTC‐b‐TMC) (ABCBA) pentablock copolymer have been synthesized by PEG and BCB copolymer as macroinitiator in the presence of yttrium tris(2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenolate). The copolymers without random segments have been thoroughly characterized by 1H, 13C‐NMR, SEC, and DSC. Molecular weights of the obtained copolymers are dependent on the amount of PEGs and coincide with the theoretical values. The exchange reaction of yttrium alkoxide and hydroxyl end group is essential for controlling the products' molecular weight. Their thermal behaviors are relevant to the chain lengths of PEG and PDTC segments. The Monte Carlo method has been developed to estimate the chain propagation constant and exchange reaction constant. In average, one exchange reaction will occur after approximately six monomer molecules insert into the growing chain. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1787–1796, 2005
Nitroxide‐mediated homo‐ and block copolymerization of styrene and multifunctional acryl‐ and methacryl derivatives
Authors: Yin Meizhen , Krause Tilo , Messerschmidt Martin , Habicher Wolf D. , Voit Brigitte 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe ability of different alkoxyamines (I1, I2, I3, I4, and I5) to initiate controlled radical polymerization of styrene was evaluated. Among them, 2‐hydroxymethyl‐2‐[(2‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐propyl)‐(1‐phenyl‐ethoxy)‐amino]‐propane‐1,3‐diol (I5) gave the highest polymerization rate of styrene, and the best control over the molecular weight and the molecular weight distribution of polystyrene. Kinetic studies confirmed that with initiator I5 the polymerization of styrene proceeded in a controlled way. The controlled radical homopolymerization of multifunctional acryl‐ and methacryl derivatives using initiator I5 could not be realized as demonstrated by the high polydispersities (PD) obtained. However, it was possible to polymerize multifunctional acryl‐ and methacryl derivatives using a polystyrene macroinitiator (Pst) and, thus, novel amphiphilic block copolymers with a narrow molecular weight distribution were obtained. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1873–1882, 2005
Water‐assisted melt compounding of nylon‐6/pristine montmorillonite nanocomposites
Authors: Yu Zhong‐Zhen , Hu Guo‐Hua , Varlet Joel , Dasari Aravind , Mai Yiu‐Wing 
Published: March 2005

AbstractAn exploratory pioneering study on the fabrication of nylon‐6/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites with the aid of water as an intercalating/exfoliating agent via melt compounding in a twin‐screw extruder was conducted. Commercial nylon‐6 pellets and pristine MMT powder were directly fed into the hopper of the extruder. Water was then injected into the extruder downstream. After interactions with the nylon‐6 melt/pristine MMT system, water was removed from the extruder further downstream via a venting gate. As such, no third‐component residual was left within the extrudates. Transmission electron microscopy micrographs showed that pristine MMT was uniformly dispersed in the nylon‐6 matrix. The contact time between water and the nylon‐6/pristine MMT system inside the extruder was so short that nylon‐6 was subjected to very little hydrolysis, if any. The resultant nanocomposites showed higher stiffness, superior tensile strength, and improved thermal stability in comparison with their counterparts obtained without water assistance and the nylon‐6/organic MMT nanocomposites. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1100–1112, 2005
Response of a biphasic poly(n‐hexyl isocyanate)/p‐xylene solution to applied high electric fields
Authors: Menna Todd J. , Filisko Frank E. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe effect of a high electric field on a solution of a lyotropic liquid‐crystalline polymer, poly(n‐hexyl isocyanate) in p‐xylene, was studied. The application of a high‐voltage alternating‐current electric field to the biphasic solution resulted in an elongation of the nematic domains in the field direction, the degree of elongation varying approximately with the square of the electric field. At a constant field, the extent of elongation decreased, varying inversely with the frequency in an exponential fashion. The domain structure and thus the molecular orientation were examined to explain these electric field effects. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1124–1133, 2005
Clinical and neurohumoral consequences of diuretic withdrawal in patients with chronic, stabilized heart failure and systolic dysfunction
Authors: Galve Enrique , Mallol Anna , Catalan Robert , Palet Jordi , Méndez Stella , Nieto Elsa , Diaz Anna , Soler‐Soler Jordi 
Published: March 2005

AbstractBackgroundLoop diuretics are beneficial in heart failure in the short term because they eliminate fluid retention, but in the long‐term, they could adversely influence prognosis due to activation of neurohumoral mechanisms.AimsTo explore the changes induced by diuretic withdrawal in chronic nonadvanced heart failure.MethodsDiuretics were withdrawn in 26 stabilized heart failure patients with systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction [EF]<45%). Clinical status was evaluated by physical exam, exercise capacity (corridor test) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class. Biochemical and neurohumoral determinations were performed at baseline and at 3 months.ResultsAt 3 months, 17 out of 26 patients (65%) were able to tolerate diuretic interruption without a deterioration in exercise capacity or New York Heart Association functional class. Renal function parameters improved (baseline urea 46.2±10.8 to 39.2±10.1 mg/dl at 3 months, p=0.014; creatinine 1.1±0.23 to 0.98±0.2 mg/dl, p=0.013). Glucose metabolism also improved (fasting glucose 151±91 to 122±14 mg/dl, p=0.035). Heart rate and systolic blood pressure did not significantly change, while diastolic blood pressure increased (from 80±10 to 87±13 mm Hg, p=0.006). Neurohumoral determinations showed a decrease in plasma renin activity (4.19±5.96 to 2.88±4.98 ng/ml, p=0.026), with no changes in aldosterone, arginine‐vasopressin, endothelin‐1 and norepinephrine. In contrast, atrial natriuretic peptide significantly increased (115±87 to 168±155 pg/ml, p=0.004).ConclusionDiuretic withdrawal in stabilized heart failure with systolic dysfunction is associated with an improvement in renal function parameters, glucose metabolism and some neurohumoral parameters, such as plasma renin activity; however, atrial natriuretic peptide levels increased.