bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A unique 502C>T mutation in exon 7 of ABO gene associated with the Bel phenotype in Taiwan
Authors: Lin P.‐H. , Li L. , Lin‐Tsai S.‐J. , Lin K.‐T. , Chen J.‐M. , Chu D.‐C. 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND:  The ABO system includes many variant subgroups. Some of them are difficult to identify serologically, leading to mistyping of blood groups. For example, Bel is often typed as O blood group.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  DNA sequencing and a molecular approach were explored to accurately determine the genotypes of Bel subgroups. Seven Bel blood donors and 106 individuals with other blood groups were analyzed serologically and molecularly.RESULTS:  The serologic results of these seven Bel blood donors showed that their RBCs do not react with anti‐B or anti‐A,B, and their B antigen was detected by adsorption and elution methods. Sequencing results for exons 6 and 7 of ABO genes showed a new Bel allele with a C>T substitution at nucleotide position 502 in exon 7 of the ABO gene in all seven cases but not in other blood groups. Consequently, an amplification‐created restriction site protocol was designed to detect the 502C>T genotype in Bel subgroup cases.CONCLUSION:  A novel 502C>T mutation was found in the Bel subgroup in Taiwan and successfully developed a rapid and accurate molecular protocol to detect this mutation. To our knowledge, the new Bel allele that was found is unique in Taiwanese residents.
A simple controlled‐rate freezing method without a rate‐controlled programmed freezer provides optimal conditions for both large‐scale and small‐scale cryopreservation of umbilical cord blood cells
Authors: Itoh Tsuneo , Minegishi Masayoshi , Fushimi Junko , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Kudo Yoshinori , Suzuki Akira , Narita Ayuko , Sato Yuko , Akagi Kozo , Wada Yuichi , Saito Akira , Kikuchi Miwako , Okamura Kunihiro , Kaku Mitsuo , Tsuchiya Shigeru 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND:  Umbilical cord blood (CB) is being used as a source of alternative HPCs for transplantation with increasing frequency. The goal of CB banks for unrelated transplantation is to provide good quality‐controlled CB units that can be transplanted for HPCs into the largest possible number of patients.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Large CB samples in freezing bags wrapped with insulators and small samples in cryotubes placed into double styrene‐foam boxes were cryopreserved at −85°C without a rate‐controlled freezing machine, followed by storage in the liquid phase of nitrogen. After thawing these cells, the viability and recovery of cells, as well as the recovery rate of HPCs such as CD34+ cells, CFU‐GM, and total CFU were evaluated.RESULTS:  Measurement of the freezing rate in CB bags and cryotubes demonstrated that this simple method for cryopreservation of CB cells provided optimal conditions for both large‐scale and small‐scale cryopreservation. Recovery of CB progenitor cells after cryopreservation was also shown to be potentially acceptable when evaluated with CD34+ cells, CFU‐GM, and total CFU. These results were comparable to the method using a rate‐controlled programmed freezer.CONCLUSIONS:  A simple method for cryopreservation of CB cells without a rate‐controlled programmed freezer could provide a sufficient‐enough potential for the transplantability of HPCs after thawing.
Do Football Teams Have Clusters of Wins, Draws and Defeats?
Authors: Smeeton Nigel 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe issue of whether football teams have good or bad patches during the course of a season is of concern to many supporters. This interest can be harnessed to make the classroom teaching of probability more relevant. In this article, the unfamiliar runs test for multiple outcomes is used to test for possible clustering in wins, draws and defeats in a short series of consecutive matches.
Markov Random-Field Models for Estimating Local Labour Markets
Authors: Sebastiani Maria Rita 
Published: December 2004

Summary
This work is motivated by data on daily travel-to-work flows observed between pairs of elemental territorial units of an Italian region. The data were collected during the 1991 population census. The aim of the analysis is to partition the region into local labour markets. We present a new method for this which is inspired by the Bayesian texture segmentation approach. We introduce a novel Markov random-field model for the distribution of the variables that label the local labour markets for each territorial unit. Inference is performed by means of Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. The issue of model hyperparameter estimation is also addressed. We compare the results with those obtained by applying a classical method. The methodology can be applied with minor modifications to other data sets.
Immunochemical detection of prion protein on dipsticks prepared with crystalline bacterial cell‐surface layers
Authors: Völkel Dirk , Zimmermann Klaus , Breitwieser Andreas , Pable Sabrina , Glatzel Markus , Scheiflinger Friedrich , Schwarz Hans P. , Sara Margit , Sleytr Uwe B. , Dorner Friedrich 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND: Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) represents a spectrum of diseases affecting humans and animals. A definitive diagnosis of TSEs is only possible by postmortem identification of pathologic prion protein in brain tissue that has been treated with protease. The pathologic protein is detected by Western blot analysis or ELISA methods. The bovine spongiform encephalopathy crisis and occurrence of a new variant of CJD has increased demand for rapid and simple assays.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A dipstick assay has been developed for prion diagnosis based on a sandwich ELISA specific for prion protein, and crystalline bacterial cell‐surface layers (S‐layers) were used as an immo‐bilization matrix. The usefulness of the dipstick assay was evaluated by determining the detection limit, comparison with other methods, and analysis of CJD samples.RESULTS: The sensitivity of the prion dipsticks was similar to that published for time‐resolved fluorescence ELISA methods. After protease treatment, pathologic prion protein could be detected specifically.CONCLUSION: The dipstick assay is a sensitive and specific test useful for the detection of prion protein. The simplicity of the S‐layer dipstick lends itself to a variety of potential applications including field diagnostics.
Clinical evaluation of an HIV‐1 and HCV assay and demonstration of significant reduction of the HCV detection window before seroconversion
Authors: Katsoulidou Antigoni S. , Moschidis Zissis M. , Gialeraki Renia E. , Paraskevis Dimitrios N. , Sypsa Vana A. , Lazanas Marios C. , Tassopoulos Nicholaos C. , Psichogiou Mina A. , Boletis John N. , Karafoulidou Anastasia S. , Hatzakis Angelos E. 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND:  One HIV‐1 and HCV assay simultaneously detects HIV‐1 and HCV RNA (Procleix, Chiron Corp.). The main intended use of the assay is the testing of blood and blood products in blood banking.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  To evaluate the clinical sensitivity of the assay, 164 anti‐HIV‐1+ and 160 anti‐HCV+ patients of different viral load were tested. The assay specificity was determined in 1000 HIV‐1‐ and HCV‐seronegative blood donors. The ability of the assay to detect different HCV genotypes was investigated in a total of 40 patients of different genotypes (1‐4). Furthermore, to investigate the reduction of the HCV window phase before seroconversion, serial samples of 25 hemodialysis patients who seroconverted to anti‐HCV were also tested.RESULTS:  The assay detected all 60 HIV‐1‐infected patients with a viral load of greater than 50 copies per mL and 48 of 104 patients with a viral load of less than 50 copies per mL. Moreover, all 60 patients with an HCV RNA load of greater than 521 IU per mL and 7 of 100 patients with a viral load of less than 50 IU per mL tested positive. The assay specificity was found to be 100 percent. In addition, all 40 patients of different HCV genotypes were successfully detected. Finally, the median time that the assay detected HCV infection before second‐ and third‐generation anti‐HCV assay was found to be 183 and 91 days, respectively.CONCLUSION:  The assay sensitivity and specificity, its ability to detect different HCV genotypes, and the significant reduction of window period of HCV infection further support its use for improving the safety of blood and blood products.
A comparison of PLT collections from two apheresis devices
Authors: Bueno José Luis , Barea Luisa , García Fernando , Castro Emma 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND:  The aim of this study was to compare two apheresis devices (COBE Trima and COBE Spectra, Gambro BCT).STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  The study compares 103 Trima procedures with 61 Spectra procedures. The comparison of single‐donor PLTs (SDPs) separation parameters and anticoagulant infusion to the donors were the primary targets. Yield and residual amounts of WBCs of SDPs were secondary targets. Residual amounts of WBCs were measured with the Nageotte method.RESULTS:  Trima and Spectra groups were comparable before apheresis. Two procedures were terminated before completion in the Trima group owing to vein damage. Trima infused more anticoagulant—352 ± 104 mL versus 297 ± 75 mL (p < 0.01)—and was quicker than Spectra. The time to obtain 3.5 × 1011 was (median) 55.8 minutes for the Trima machine and 80.3 minutes for Spectra machine (p < 0.001). Regarding leukoreduction, all the SDPs had fewer than 1 × 106 WBCs per unit except for one in product obtained by the Trima machine.CONCLUSIONS:  The Trima machine is faster and more efficient than the Spectra machine, and both machines allow standard leukoreduced SDPs to be obtained. Although donors receive a higher anticoagulant infusion with the Trima machine, their tolerance is acceptable.
Immune hemolytic anemia associated with teicoplanin
Authors: Coluccio Elena , Villa M. Antonietta , Villa Emmanuel , Morelati Fernanda , Revelli Nicoletta , Paccapelo Cinzia , Garratty George , Rebulla Paolo 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND:  Several drugs can cause immune hemolytic anemia. Here a patient who developed hemolytic anemia after treatment with teicoplanin is described.CASE REPORT:  Owing to a two‐vessel disease, a 68‐year‐old white man underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. He was readmitted for superficial sternal wound infection and sternal instability. Rewiring was required and worsening anemia characterized the course after the reoperation. Drugs used in the second admission were gentamycin, teicoplanin, paracetamol, and codeine. They were considered as a possible cause of drug‐induced hemolytic anemia.RESULTS:  The DAT was positive for complement and IgG. Autoanti‐e was identified in the patient's undiluted serum sample. The eluate was reactive with all RBCs tested only after adding teicoplanin; when diluted 1:4, anti‐e specificity was observed in the presence of teicoplanin.CONCLUSION:  To our knowledge, this is the first report of immune hemolytic anemia owing to teicoplanin.
Are catch‐up reefs an artefact of coring?
Authors: Blanchon Paul , Blakeway David 
Published: December 2004

AbstractDrill cores through modern coral reefs commonly show a time lag in reef initiation followed by a phase of rapid accretion to sea level from submerged foundations – the so‐called ‘catch‐up response’. But because of the difficulty of drilling in these environments, core distribution is usually restricted to accessible areas that may not fully represent reef history, especially if the reef initiated in patches or developed with a prograde or retrograde geometry. As a consequence, core data have the potential to give a misleading impression of reef development, particularly with respect to the timing of initiation and response to sea‐level rise. Here, we use computer models to simulate keep‐up reef development and, from them, quantify variations in the timing of reef initiation and accretion rate using mock cores taken through the completed simulations. The results demonstrate that cores consistently underestimate the timing of reef initiation and overestimate the reef accretion rate so that, statistically, a core through a keep‐up reef will most likely produce a catch‐up pattern – an initiation lag followed by a phase of rapid accretion to sea level. This implies that catch‐up signatures may be an artefact of coring and that keep‐up reefs are significantly more common than previous core studies claim.
The role of tectonism in sequence development and facies distribution of Upper Oligocene cool‐water carbonates: Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand
Authors: Dix George R. , Nelson Campbell S. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe Torehina Formation is part of a cool‐water carbonate succession of Oligocene age in New Zealand that crops out on the Coromandel Peninsula, North Island. It contains two major transgressive sequences that record successive onlap of a once emergent landmass. The first sequence records marine flooding of non‐marine to marginal marine fan delta/estuarine facies, followed by deepening upward and formation of a low‐energy, deep (100+ m) muddy carbonate ramp. The capping sequence boundary is characterized by differential uplift and varies considerably in its character over a small (9 km2) area, varying from a burrowed glauconitic firmground to an erosional hardground to an undulatory marine contact to a palaeokarst with < 25 m relief. Sequence 2 sediments, which overlie the palaeokarst with minor (< 10°) angular unconformity, are clayey, marine (offshore) siltstones, whereas open‐marine limestones of equivalent age overlie the other boundary types with no apparent angular discordance. The siliciclastics could either represent lowstand channel deposits or may define interbank deposits contemporary with adjacent carbonates. Palaeogeographic restriction of palaeokarst and sequence 2 siliciclastics identifies a structural corridor oriented strike‐parallel to the adjacent Harauki Graben, which began to develop by this time. Palaeogeographical differences in the character of the basal limestone facies of sequence 2 also occur. These differences identify variation in accommodation during initial stages of deposition imposed by previous differential movement of fault blocks. As a result, relatively warm‐water (20 °C) Amphistegina‐bearing limestones in one area contrast with co‐existing deeper water, silty foraminiferal (benthic > planktic), echinoderm and bivalve limestones in another. This variation disappears upsection, which suggests that initial bathymetric differences were eliminated with renewed rise in sea level, yielding deeper water inner‐shelf sediment facies followed by the accumulation of still deeper, but higher energy, outer‐shelf bivalve and bryozoan facies. The sequence architecture of the Torehina Formation is controlled by tectonism, both long‐term subsidence and short‐term differential uplift. This arose as a result of increasing tectonic activity throughout proto‐New Zealand during the Late Oligocene. In such a system, local and regional variation in tectonism among adjacent basins can impose subtle to marked differences in the timing of sequence boundaries and the character of basin‐fill patterns.
Shock Compression Synthesis of Diamond
Authors: Sawaoka Akira B. , Takamatsu Masanobu , Akashi Tamotsu 
Published: December 2004

Easily obtainable polycrystalline diamond would have many additional applications in industry. Of the synthesis techniques currently in use, shock compression is one of the most promising, crack formation being its major problem. The production of compacts from diamond powders (see Figure) is described and a technique introduced in which the exothermic chemical reaction of additives is used to control the temperature distribution in a compact and thus avoid cracks. magnified image
Pyrazaboles: New room‐temperature columnar liquid crystals
Authors: Barberá Joaquím , Giménez Raquel , Serrano José Luis 
Published: December 2004

A nove approach to mesomorphism is reported in which discotic pyrazole derivatives are formed by dimerization of half‐disk‐shaped promesogenic pyrazoles throught BH2 bridges. The figure show the texture of the Dhd mesophase exhibited by one of the resulting pyrazoboles. How the mesomorphism is affected by the number and position of peripheral chains is alos described. magnified image
Stereomutation in optically active regioregular polythiophenes
Authors: Bouman Michiel M. , Meijer E. W. 
Published: December 2004

π‐conjugated polymers substituted with optically active side chains (see Figure) have been studied using circular dichroism, a powerful technique which reveals conformational changes. Thermochroism with a unique stereomutation (see this month's cover also) has been observed in regioregular chiral polythiophenes. magnified image
Biomimetic synthesis of cadmium sulfide‐ferritin nanocomposites
Authors: Wong Kim K. W. , Mann Stephen 
Published: December 2004

The chemical construction of dispersed CdS nanoparticles within the polypeptide cage of apoferritin is demonstrated to be possible by a multistep synthetic route, as shown schematically in the Figure. Ferritin‐induced nucleation of CdS clusters (squares) is followed by reaction with excess sulfide to give CdS–ferritin. Such biocompatible nanoparticles might find uses as tunable photochemical agents for diagnosis, sensing, and drug delivery. magnified image
Highly oriented thin films of a substituted oligo(para‐phenylenevinylene) on friction‐ transferred PTFE substrates
Authors: Gill Richard E. , Hadziioannou Georges , Lang Philippe , Garnier Francis , Wittmann Jean Claude 
Published: December 2004

Highly oriented thin films of oligo(p‐phenylenevinylene)s, oligoPPVs, provide information about the structure of polyPPV and structure‐property relationships. It is shown that deposition of a substituted oligoPPV onto highly preoriented PTFE substrates leads to highly oriented thin films and that annealing produces a remarkable morphological change (see Figure and also the cover), an indication of epitaxial growth. magnified image
Sequential gas‐phase formation of Al2O3 and SiO2 layers on aerosol‐made TiO2 Particles
Authors: Fotou George P. , Kodas Toivo T. 
Published: December 2004

Barrier alumina‐silica bilayers coated on titania aerosol particles (see Figure) may allow titania pigment with improved properties to be manufactured—e.g., the coatings protect the particles from sunlight. A single‐step coating process is presented and coating pathways for silica and alumina proposed. The characterization of the particles is described and key parameters controlling the morphology of the coating layers discussed. magnified image
Preserving a globular protein shape on glass slides: A self‐assembled monolayer approach
Authors: Yang Zhihno , Yu Hyuk 
Published: December 2004

The manufacture of low‐cost, protein‐friendly, biocompatible materials is important for biomedical applications. A method is presented for making glass surfaces—on which the globular protein shape is often lost –benign to proteins by covalently grafting relatively short poly((ethylene glycol)) chains (functionalized with trimethylsilane, see Figure), which form a brush‐like self‐assembled monolayer. magnified image
Facile approach to a chemisorbed thin film of functionalized polythiophene on a glass surface
Authors: Ng Siu‐Choon , Yu Wang‐Lin , Huan Alfred C. H. 
Published: December 2004

A facile approach to chemisorbed thin films of functionalized polythiophene on a glass surface (see Figure) via treatment of modified glass surfaces with a solution of the polymer is reported. Evidence for the presence of a thin polymer film is presented and the morphology investigated by atomic force microscopy. The thin films synthesized in this manner are resistant to dissolution, even in boiling solvents.magnified image
Critical behavior and the processing of nanoscale porous materials
Authors: von Behren Jens , Chimowitz Eldred H. , Fauchet Philippe M. 
Published: December 2004

Non‐destructive drying of nanoscale porous materials is possible using supercritical fluids as drying agents. It is demonstrated that, for a successful outcome to the drying process. Maintaining supercritical conditions is of extreme importance, as illustrated by the Figure, which shows a porous silicon surface subcritically dried with CO2 – it is cracked and peeling. In contrast, the supercritically dried material remains homogeneous.magnified image
Superior attachment of high‐quality hydrogen‐free amorphous diamond films to solid materials
Authors: Anttila Asko , Lappalainen Reijo , Tiainen Veli‐Matti , Hakovirta Marko 
Published: December 2004

The attachment of high‐quality amorphous diamond (a‐D) coatings has been studied with respect to the hardness of the underlying layer. A novel intermediate‐layer technique is reported that enables thick a‐D coatings to be deposited successfully on all solids at room temperature. The Figure shows an a‐D film, on a 1.2 μm layer of Al, that has cracked but not delaminated after the silicon‐wafer substrate was bent.magnified image
Cerebrospinal fluid norepinephrine reductions in man after degeneration and electrical stimulation of the caudate nucleus
Authors: Wood James H. , Ziegler Michael G. , Lake C. Raymond , Shoulson Ira , Brooks Benjamin R. , Van Buren John M. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractLumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) norepinephrine concentrations determined by radioenzymatic assay in 9 patients with caudate atrophy associated with Huntington's disease were lower (p < 0.02) than those in 9 age‐ and sex‐matched control patients.Preoperative lumbar CSF norepinephrine concentrations were determined in 5 patients undergoing stereotaxic thalamotomy. No significant alterations in prestimulation lumbar CSF norepinephrine levels were recorded 12 days after electrode installation and thalamic coagulation. Lumbar CSF norepinephrine concentrations were reduced (p < 0.03), however, 12 hours following intermittent selective electrical stimulation of the caudate nucleus.These data suggest that noradrenergic pathways in man are (1) impaired in Huntington's disease and (2) inhibited by direct caudate stimulation.
Transient ischemic attacks with normal arteriograms: Serious or benign prognosis?
Authors: Toole James F. , Yuson Carlo P. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractOf 226 patients with cerebral transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) evaluated with panarteriography, 16 had no demonstrable abnormalities in the aorto‐cervico‐cranial arterial tree. During a follow‐up period ranging from three to eight years, 8 of the 16 were asymptomatic; 4 developed strokes and 3 died, 2 of cerebral infarction and 1 of myocardial infarction. The surviving patient who had a cerebral infarct continues to have TIAs. There were 2 other deaths, 1 from myocardial infarction and the other accidental. Two other patients continue to have TIAs.
Alzheimer neurofibrillary change in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
Authors: Mandybur T. I. , Nagpaul A. S. , Pappas Z. , Niklowitz W. J. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractAbundant instances of Alzheimer neurofibrillary change (ANC) composed of tubules 200 nm wide and twisted into segments each 800 nm in length, indistinguishable from those of Alzheimer disease, were found in electron micrographs of the brain of a 15‐year‐old boy who died following subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) of more than nine years' duration. The clinical picture was typical, CSF measles antibody titer was high, and there were characteristic electroencephalographic findings.