bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The phylogenetic significance of the Middle Pleistocene Narmada hominin cranium from central India
Authors: Cameron D. , Patnaik R. , Sahni A. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractA parsimony analysis of the Narmada cranium from central India and a number of other demes and species ofHomoconcludes that the Narmada hominin shares a closer relationship with the European Steinheim specimen, than with AsianH. erectusorH. pekinensis. This suggests that the population represented by the Narmada cranium is likely to have had its origins in Europe rather than in Asia. Overall the available evidence supports an ‘Out of Africa’ scenario, as the early Asian hominins belong to a distinct clade which has no extant descendants and thus appear to represent an evolutionary ‘dead end’. The later African and European hominins are defined by a clade including earlyH. sapiensfrom Africa. The main difference between these two distinct clades is that theH. erectuslineage is defined by increasing degrees of neuro‐orbital disjunction associated with increased anterior cranial base extension, while the lineage leading to earlyH. sapiensis characterized by the opposite condition of reduced neuro‐orbital disjunction associated with increased anterior cranial base flexion. While there is also evidence of differential patterns of head and neck musculature between these two clades, they are of secondary importance. Preliminary dating of bovid remains found in association with the hominin cranium by the gamma spectrometric U‐series dating technique suggests a tentative minimum age of not less than 236,000 years. This is in agreement with evidence from biostratigraphical studies of the Boulder Conglomerate, which place these deposits in the Middle Pleistocene. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication and characterization of nylon 6/foliated graphite electrically conducting nanocomposite
Authors: Weng Wengui , Chen Guohua , Wu Dajun , Chen Xiangfeng , Lu Jinrong , Wang Pingping 
Published: June 2004

AbstractIn this study, the nylon 6/foliated graphite (FG) electrically conducting nanocomposites with a low percolation threshold of less than 0.75 vol % have been prepared via an in situ polymerization approach in the presence of FG nanosheet filler. Based on laser counting, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction characterization techniques, the structures and morphologies of the nanoscale filling particles and the resulting nanocomposites were examined. Using percolation theory, the conductivity behavior of the nanocomposite samples were modeled and analyzed. Through the use of mean‐field and excluded volume approaches, it was demonstrated that the experimentally observed percolation threshold values could be approximately estimated, and a correlation between the percolation threshold and the aspect ratio of FG particles could be quasi‐quantitatively established. Also, preliminary studies on the effects of FG nanosheets on the thermal properties of the host nylon 6 were performed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2844–2856, 2004
Relationships between the molecular architecture, crystallization capacity, and miscibility in poly(butylene terephthalate)/polycarbonate blends: A comparison with poly(ethylene terephthalate)/polycarbonate blends
Authors: Marchese Paola , Celli Annamaria , Fiorini Maurizio 
Published: June 2004

AbstractPoly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT)/polycarbonate (PC) samples, prepared via reactive blending in the presence of Ti‐ and Sm‐based catalysts, resulted in block copolymers whose block length decreased as the mixing time increased. A single homogeneous amorphous phase occurred when the blocks had monomeric sequences shorter than 10 units. Otherwise, a crystalline phase of PBT developed. Also, in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/PC blends previously studied, the miscibility was strictly correlated with the crystallizability of the system. Therefore, the miscibility of the PBT/PC and PET/PC blends was compared with respect to the tendency of the PBT and PET blocks to crystallize under isothermal conditions. The crystallization rate of the PBT/PC copolymers was faster than that of the PET/PC copolymers with similar block lengths. Accordingly, the minimum crystallizable sequence length of the PBT blocks was shorter than that of the PET blocks (18 vs 31 monomeric unit sequences). This behavior was interpreted as an effect of the more flexible PBT units, which had a greater tendency to fold and crystallize than the PET units. Therefore, PBT, the blocks of which tended to crystallize even if they were very short and phase‐separated, was characterized by a poorer compatibility with PC than that of PET. As a result, the block size had a fundamental role in determining the crystallizability and, therefore, phase behavior of the semicrystalline block copolymers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2821–2832, 2004
Effects of poly[styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene] on the charge distributions of low‐density polyethylene/polystyrene blends
Authors: Kim Tae Young , Kim Dong Myung , Kim Won Jung , Lee Tae Hee , Suh Kwang S. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe effect of the triblock copolymer poly[styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene] (SEBS) on the formation of the space charge of immiscible low‐density polyethylene (LDPE)/polystyrene (PS) blends was investigated. Blends of 70/30 (wt %) LDPE/PS were prepared through melt blending in an internal mixer at a blend temperature of 220 °C. The amount of charge that accumulated in the 70% LDPE/30% PS blends decreased when the SEBS content increased up to 10 wt %. For compatibilized and uncompatibilized blends, no significant change in the degree of crystallinity of LDPE in the blends was observed, and so the effect of crystallization on the space charge distribution could be excluded. Morphological observations showed that the addition of SEBS resulted in a domain size reduction of the dispersed PS phase and better interfacial adhesion between the LDPE and PS phases. The location of SEBS at a domain interface enabled charges to migrate from one phase to the other via the domain interface and, therefore, resulted in a significant decrease in the amount of space charge for the LDPE/PS blends with SEBS. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2813–2820, 2004
Acute respiratory distress due to fibrosarcoma of the carina in a child
Authors: Savas Cagri , Candir Ozden , Ozguner Faruk 
Published: June 2004

AbstractWe report a 12‐year‐old boy with primary bronchopulmonary fibrosarcoma (PBPF). He was misdiagnosed a having asthma until he presented with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Chest x‐ray showed atelectasis of the right lung. Bronchoscopy performed to rule out foreign body inhalation revealed a friable mass obstructing the right main bronchus. Successful treatment was achieved with surgical resection of the lesion followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 38:355–357. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in a survivor of extreme prematurity
Authors: Lee S.L. , Hui Y. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractRecurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a rare disease in children. Previous reports suggested that prematurity and early age of presentation were poor prognostic factors. We report on a 24‐week premature infant who presented with stridor, weak cry, and hoarseness of voice at age 9 months (corrected age), in whom the diagnosis of RRP was not made until age 21 months (corrected age). Laser excision of RRP was subsequently performed, and the child is still surviving at age 2.5 years. RRP should be considered in the differential diagnosis of airway problems in survivors of extreme prematurity; the prognosis is not uniformly poor in premature infants. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 38:352–354. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preoperative polysomnograms and infant pulmonary function tests do not predict prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation in children following scoliosis repair
Authors: Yuan Nanci , Skaggs David L. , Davidson Ward Sally L. , Platzker Arnold C.G. , Keens Thomas G. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractOur objective was the identification of children with scoliosis at higher risk of prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation (MV) permits improved pre‐ and perioperative respiratory care to reduce postoperative complications. Pulmonary function testing (PFT) predicts prolonged postoperative MV in children who can reliably perform PFT, but some children cannot perform PFT. The objective of this study was to determine if polysomnography (PSG) or infant pulmonary function testing (IPFT) could predict prolonged postoperative MV (defined as MV >3 days) in children undergoing scoliosis surgery who could not reliably perform PFT. We studied 110 patients (age range, 10.8 ± 4.9 [SD] years) who had preoperative PSG, and 18 patients (age range, 4.0 ± 2.9 [SD] years) who had preoperative IPFT prior to undergoing any type of scoliosis repair by the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles Division of Orthopedic Surgery from January 1990– July 2001. The following information was reviewed and correlated: preoperative PSG parameters (baseline and nadir S, baseline and peak P, and apnea hypopnea index [AHI]), preoperative IPFT parameters (respiratory system compliance [Crs], respiratory system resistance [Rrs], tidal volume [VT], and FRC), and length of postoperative MV. Twenty‐seven patients (25%) who had PSG and 5 patients (28%) who had IPFT required postoperative MV >3 days. There was no association between baseline and nadir S ≤ 92%, baseline and peak P, or AHI, and length of postoperative MV. There was no association between IPFT (Crs, Rrs, VT, and FRC) and length of postoperative MV. We conclude that neither PSG nor IPFT can predict the need for prolonged postoperative MV following scoliosis surgery in children who could not reliably perform PFT. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antigen detection for the diagnosis of pneumonia
Authors: Nunes Altacílio A. , Camargos Paulo A.M. , Costa Petrônio R. , Campos Maria Tereza K. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractStreptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b are the main agents of bacterial community‐acquired pneumonia in developing countries, although a definite etiologic diagnosis cannot be established in most cases. This study was carried out to assess the performance of a latex particle agglutination test (LPAT) from a commercial kit (Slidex Méningite Kit™, BioMérieux, France) in diagnosing pneumococcal and H. influenzae type b pneumonia. One hundred and seven children (45 ill subjects and 62 healthy controls) were enrolled. All 45 cases had a presumptive diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia based on clinical (WHO criteria), laboratory (white blood cell count ≥15.000/mm3, polymorphonuclear leukocytes ≥70%, bands ≥500/mm3, and C‐reactive protein ≥40 mg/l), and radiological findings, i.e., two or more positive points in the scoring system described by Khamapirad and Glezen (Semin Respir Infect 1987;2:130–144). Clinical, laboratory, and radiological assessments were performed in a blinded manner. LPAT was performed in urine samples after concentration through an ethanol‐acetone solution. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 77.3% (95% CI, 61.8–88.0%), 90.3% (95% CI, 79.5–96.0%), 85.0% (95% CI, 69.5–93.8%), and 84.8% (95% CI, 73.4–92.1%), respectively. Results suggest that LPAT is a useful diagnostic tool for the etiologic diagnosis of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae type b pneumonia, especially in the developing world. Pediatr Pulmonol. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhaled fluticasone dipropionate decreases levels of nitric oxide in recurrenty wheezy infants
Authors: Moeller Alexander , Franklin Peter , Hall Graham L. , Turner Steve , Straub Daniel , Wildhaber Johannes H. , Stick Stephen M. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractWe examined the effect of inhaled fluticasone diproprionate (FDP) on symptoms, lung function (FEV0.5), and exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in infants with recurrent wheeze and raised FeNO. Thirty‐one infants aged 6–19 months (mean, 12.7 months; 12 girls) completed the study. All infants had a history of recurrent wheeze and a parental history of atopy. All children had raised FeNO, as determined by an offline tidal breathing technique prior to randomization. Lung function and FeNO were assessed before and after 4 weeks of treatment with FDP or placebo. The parents recorded daily symptoms during the treatment period. Sixteen infants received FDP and 15 the placebo for 4 weeks. At completion of the study, infants treated with FDP had a significant reduction in FeNO (35.0 ppb to 16.5 ppb) compared to those that received placebo (35.2 ppb to 30.2 ppb) (P = 0.05). Small increases in FEV0.5 were observed in both groups, but these changes were not different between groups (P = 0.8). Symptom scores were not significantly different in either group following the intervention. We showed that a moderate dose of inhaled FDP reduces levels of FeNO, a potential marker of airway inflammation, even in the absence of significant changes in lung function and symptoms. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Childhood asthma: Exhaled markers of airway inflammation, asthma control score, and lung function tests
Authors: Rosias Philippe P.R. , Dompeling Edward , Dentener Mieke A. , Pennings Herman J. , Hendriks Han J.E. , Van Iersel Monique P.A. , Jöbsis Quirijn 
Published: June 2004

AbstractExhaled markers of airway inflammation become increasingly important in the management of childhood asthma. The aims of the present study are: 1) to compare exhaled markers of inflammation (nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and acidity of breath condensate) with conventional asthma measures (lung function tests and asthma control score) in childhood asthma; and 2) to investigate the detectability of albumin, CRP, IL‐6, IL‐8, TNF‐alpha, sICAM‐1, and sTNF‐R75 in the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of asthmatic children. Thirty‐two children with mild to moderate persistent asthma and healthy controls aged 6–12 years were studied. We measured exhaled NO and CO, and subsequently EBC was collected. Inflammatory mediators in EBC were measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Respiratory symptoms and asthma control were assessed using the asthma control questionnaire (ACQ) of Juniper et al. (Eur Respir J 1999;14:902–907). Exhaled NO showed a significant correlation with exhaled CO (r = 0.59,P < 0.05) and FEV1(r = −0.59,P < 0.05), but not with ACQ score (r = 0.48,P = 0.06). Exhaled CO was correlated with prebronchodilator FEV1(r = −0.45,P < 0.05), but not with asthma control (r = 0.18,P = 0.35). Acidity of EBC was significantly lower in asthmatic children than in healthy controls (P < 0.05), but did not correlate with any of the conventional asthma measures. We were not able to demonstrate the presence of CRP, IL‐6, IL‐8, TNF‐alpha, sICAM‐1, and sTNF‐R75 in EBC. Albumin was found in two EBC samples of asthmatic children. We conclude that exhaled NO had a better correlation with lung function parameters and asthma control than exhaled CO and acidity of EBC, in mild to moderate persistent childhood asthma. However, exhaled NO, CO, and deaerated pH of EBC did not differ between asthmatic children and controls, possibly because of a too homogeneous and well‐controlled study population. To further evaluate the clinical utility of exhaled markers in monitoring childhood asthma, more studies are required on a wider range of asthma severity, and preferably with repeated measurements of markers and of asthma control. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 38:107–114. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Respiratory morbidity 20 years after RSV infection in infancy
Authors: Korppi M. , Piippo‐Savolainen E. , Korhonen K. , Remes S. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractEpidemiological data suggest that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in early life is a risk factor for later asthma. There are no prospective studies on RSV infection starting from infancy progressing through childhood into adulthood. We followed up a cohort of children, hospitalized for RSV bronchiolitis or RSV pneumonia before age 24 months, until age 18–20 years. The aim of the study was to evaluate early RSV infection as a risk factor for asthma, bronchial reactivity, and lung function abnormalities in young adults. The participants filled in a questionnaire on asthma and asthma‐like symptoms. The clinical study included flow‐volume spirometry (FVS), methacholine inhalation challenge (MIC), home PEF (peak expiratory flow) monitoring, and skin prick tests (SPT) to common allergens. Asthma was present in 17–22% of 36 index subjects, depending on asthma definition, compared to 11% of 45 controls. Furthermore, FEV% and MEF25 were lower, and MEF50 tended to be lower, in index than in control subjects. One or more abnormal lung function results were found in 16 (44%) index subjects, but only in 5 (11%) controls (P < 0.01). Bronchial reactivity (PD20 <4,900 μg methacholine) was demonstrated in 16 (46%) index subjects and 14 (32%) controls (NS). At least one positive SPT result was present in 21 (60%) index subjects; 6 (29%) had asthma (NS vs. nonatopic index subjects); 13 (62%) had abnormal lung function (P < 0.05); and 14 (67%) had bronchial reactivity (P < 0.01). In the logistic regression adjusted for atopy, as defined by SPT positivity, RSV infection in infancy was an independent risk factor for lung function abnormality (one or more abnormal results in FVS; OR, 5.27; 95% CI, 1.60–17.36), and also for decreased FEV% and MEF50 when these were analyzed separately. However, RSV infection in infancy was not a significant risk factor for asthma or bronchial reactivity. In young adults, lung function abnormalities may be associated with RSV infection which required hospitalization in infancy. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 38:155–160. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mechanisms determining cholinergic neural responses in airways of young and mature rabbits
Authors: Larsen Gary L. , Loader Joan , Nguyen Dee Dee , Fratelli Cori , Dakhama Azzeddine , Colasurdo Giuseppe N. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractNeural pathways help control airway caliber and responsiveness. Yet little is known of how neural control changes as a function of development. In rabbits, we found electrical field stimulation (EFS) of airway nerves led to more marked contractile responses in 2‐ vs. 13‐week‐old animals. This enhanced response to EFS may be due to prejunctional, junctional, and/or postjunctional neural mechanisms. We assessed these mechanisms in airways of 2‐ and 13‐week‐old rabbits. The contractile responses to methacholine did not differ in the groups, suggesting postjunctional neural events are not primarily responsible for differing responses to EFS. To address junctional events, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was measured (spectrophotometry). AChE was elevated in 2‐week‐olds. However, this should lead to less and not greater responses. Prejunctionally, EFS‐induced acetylcholine (ACh) release was assessed by HPLC. Airways of 2‐week‐old rabbits released significantly more ACh than airways from mature rabbits. Choline acetyltransferase, a marker of cholinergic nerves, was not different between groups, suggesting that more ACh release in young rabbits was not due to increased nerve density. ACh release in the presence of polyarginine increased significantly in both groups, supporting the presence of functional muscarinic autoreceptors (M2) at both ages. Because substance P (SP) increases release of ACh, SP was measured by ELISA. This neuropeptide was significantly elevated in airways of younger rabbits. Nerve growth factor (NGF) increased SP and was also significantly increased in airways from younger rabbits. This work suggests that increases in EFS‐induced responsiveness in young rabbits are likely due to prejunctional events with enhanced release of ACh. Increases in NGF and SP early in life may contribute to this increased responsiveness. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 38:97–106. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reference values for forced inspiratory flows in children aged 7–15 years
Authors: Tomalak Waldemar , Radliński Jakub , Pogorzelski Andrzej , Doniec Zbigniew 
Published: June 2004

AbstractIn order to construct reference equations, we attempted to measure forced inspiratory flows, i.e., peak inspiratory flow (PIF) and maximal inspiratory flow at 50% of FVC (MIF50%FVC) in 332 healthy schoolchildren aged 7–15 years during flow‐volume loop measurements, using an electronic spirometer. In 255 children (122 boys and 133 girls), the results were satisfactory. Statistical analysis revealed that the only predictive variables were sex and height. The best fit of the data was obtained with the power model (Y = A * HB); the coefficients of correlation between flows and height ranged from 0.66–0.77, and were slightly greater for boys. Forced inspiratory flows in children increase with height, and the variability is higher than for forced expiratory flows. Reference values for forced inspiratory flows can be useful in assessing the ability of children to generate affective inspiratory flows for choosing an inhalation device, or in resolving diagnostic problems, e.g., extrathoracic obstruction. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Volume guarantee: Stability of tidal volume and incidence of hypocarbia
Authors: Keszler Martin , Abubakar Kabir 
Published: June 2004

AbstractExcessive tidal volume (VT) can lead to lung injury, hypocarbia, and neurologic damage. Volume guarantee (VG) uses exhaled VT as the control variable to reduce the risk of volutrauma and more closely control PaCO2. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that VG combined with assist/control (A/C) will maintain PaCO2 and VT within target range more consistently than assist/control alone during the first 72 hr of life in ventilated preterm infants. Eligible infants were randomly assigned to A/C + VG or A/C alone. Data were recorded directly from the pressure and volume module of the Draeger Babylog 8000+ ventilator. Arterial blood gases were obtained every 2–6 hr, as clinically indicated. In A/C, inspiratory pressure was adjusted to achieve a VT of 4–6 ml/kg. In VG, the target VT was 5 ml/kg. Subsequent adjustments were made by the clinical team in response to arterial blood gas measurements (ABG). Proportion of breaths and PaCO2 values outside the target range were compared by χ2, and continuous variables by t‐test. There were no differences in demographic or baseline ventilator variables between the 18 infants in the two groups. For 1,805/11,950 breaths (15.1%), VT was > target with A/C + VG, vs. 2,503/9,853 (25.4%) with A/C (P < 0.001). VT was < target for 21.7% of breaths with A/C + VG, vs. 35.7% with A/C (P < 0.001). Twenty percent of PaCO2 values were < target, with A/C + VG vs. 36.3% with A/C, P < 0.05. The proportion of PaCO2 values > target was similar in the two groups. Oxygenation and mean pH were not different. No complications related to mechanical ventilation were observed. In conclusion, VG significantly reduced hypocarbia and excessively large VT. This suggests the potential to reduce pulmonary and neurologic complications of mechanical ventilation. Larger studies are needed to establish safety and demonstrate such benefits. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.