bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trichlorofluoroethene: A reactive tracer for evaluating reductive dechlorination in large‐diameter permeable columns
Authors: Field Jennifer A. , Reed Ralph L. , Istok Jonathan D. , Semprini Lewis , Bennett Peter , Buscheck Timothy E. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractTrichlorofluoroethene (TCFE) was used as a reactive tracer to determine the in situ rate of reductive dechlorination in treatment zones impacted by three large‐diameter permeable columns (LDPCs) that were installed at a trichloroethene (TCE)–contaminated site. The LDPCs were part of a pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of hydrogen, lactate, and zero‐valent iron for remediating TCE‐contaminated ground water. The rate of TCFE reductive dechlorination was determined for each LDPC by means of push‐pull tests conducted in each treatment layer. In addition, the distribution of TCFE's lesser chlorinated transformation products was determined. The rates of TCFE reductive dechlorination ranged from 0.05/d to 0.20/d and corresponded to half‐lives ranging from 3.5 to 13.9 d. cis‐Dichlorofluoroethene was the dominant transformation product detected in all the tests, which is consistent with the findings from pilot tests conducted in the LDPCs prior to the TCFE push‐pull tests. cis‐Chlorofluoroethene (CFE) and 1,1‐CFE also were detected and indicate the potential for vinyl chloride to form under all treatment regimes. Significant production of fluoroethene (FE), the analog of ethene, was observed for only one of the hydrogen treatments. Unambiguous and sensitive detection of the lesser chlorinated products, such as CFE and FE, is possible because TCFE and its transformation products are not found in the background ground water at contaminated sites. Good agreement between the rates and transformation product profiles for TCFE and TCE in both field and laboratory experiments indicates the suitability of TCFE as a surrogate for predicting the rates of TCE reductive dechlorination.
Real‐time model parameter estimation for analyzing transport in porous media
Authors: Kim Juyoul , Park Yeonjeong , Harmon Thomas C. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThis work describes the integration of data acquisition (DAQ) hardware and software for the purpose of acquiring not only data but real‐time transport model parameter estimates in the context of subsurface flow and transport problems. Integrated DAQ parameter estimation systems can be used to reduce data storage requirements, trigger event recognition and more detailed sampling actions, and otherwise enhance remote monitoring capabilities. The contaminant transport problem is posed here as the analogous heat transfer problem in a three‐dimensional, intermediate‐scale physical aquifer model. A constant source of warm water is fed into a sandy aquifer undergoing steady, unidirectional flow. The spatial distribution of temperature in the medium is monitored over time using 17 thermocouples embedded in the medium. These sensors log temperatures via conventional analog‐to‐digital conversion hardware driven by commercially available DAQ software (LabVIEW™). Parameter estimation routines programmed in MATLAB™‐based M‐files are embedded in the LabVIEW DAQ routine and access parameter estimation libraries, such as the descent method employed here, via the Internet. The integrated DAQ parameter estimation system is demonstrated for the estimation of (1) the thermal dispersion coefficients (analogous to mass dispersion coefficients), given a known heat source; and (2) the location of a heat source, given known thermal dispersion coefficients. In both cases, the parameter estimation procedure is executed repeatedly as the data are acquired. For the case of source location, the effect of the number of sensors on the parameter estimation procedure is also demonstrated. Reasonable parameter estimates are provided rapidly during both the transient and steady‐state phases of the experiments, with accuracy increasing with time and with the number of observations employed.
Cost‐optimal contaminant plume management with a combination of pump‐and‐treat and physical barrier systems
Authors: Bayer Peter , Finkel Michael , Teutsch Georg 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThe economic potential of combining hydraulic barriers and pump‐and‐treat systems to manage contaminant plumes is investigated by means of a comparative cost analysis. The analysis is based on a preceding study on the hydraulic performance of barrier‐supported and conventional pump‐and‐treat systems, which revealed the efficiency of accurately positioned barriers in reducing pumping rates for contaminant plume capture. In the present paper, we examine whether the application of physical barriers like slurry walls or sheet piles also leads to economic benefits, i.e., whether the reduction of the operational costs outweighs the capital costs associated with the construction of the barriers. An economic model is presented that quantifies remediation costs by the use of cost functions relating costs to site‐specific and system‐specific parameters. The model is applied to a hypothetical remediation scenario. The results clearly demonstrate that physical barriers may yield significant savings in the total costs, particularly if unit costs for on‐site treatment are high. Furthermore, as barriers tend to reduce the uncertainty about the pumping rate required to capture a plume, they smooth the trade‐off curves between total remediation costs and system reliability.
The acceptability of ending a patient’s life
Authors: Guedj M , Gibert M , Maudet A , Muñoz Sastre M T , Mullet E , Sorum P C 
Published: May 2005

Objectives:To clarify how lay people and health professionals judge the acceptability of ending the life of a terminally ill patient.Design:Participants judged this acceptability in a set of 16 scenarios that combined four factors: the identity of the actor (patient or physician), the patient’s statement or not of a desire to have his life ended, the nature of the action as relatively active (injecting a toxin) or passive (disconnecting life support), and the type of suffering (intractable physical pain, complete dependence, or severe psychiatric illness).Participants:115 lay people and 72 health professionals (22 nurse’s aides, 44 nurses, six physicians) in Toulouse, France.Main measurements:Mean acceptability ratings for each scenario for each group.Results:Life ending interventions are more acceptable to lay people than to the health professionals. For both, acceptability is highest for intractable physical suffering; is higher when patients end their own lives than when physicians do so; and, when physicians are the actors, is higher when patients have expressed a desire to die (voluntary euthanasia) than when they have not (involuntary euthanasia). In contrast, when patients perform the action, acceptability for the lay people and nurse’s aides does not depend on whether the patient has expressed a desire to die, while for the nurses and physicians unassisted suicide is more acceptable than physician assisted suicide.Conclusions:Lay participants judge the acceptability of life ending actions in largely the same way as do healthcare professionals.
Smoking attributable mortality for Taiwan and its projection to 2020 under different smoking scenarios
Authors: Wen C P , Tsai S P , Chen C-J , Cheng T Y , Tsai M-C , Levy D T 
Published: May 2005

Objectives:To estimate smoking attributable mortality (SAM) in Taiwan for the years 2001 through 2020 under scenarios of reductions in smoking rates by 0%, 2%, 4%, and 10% per year.Method:The smoking attributable fraction (SAF) was used to calculate SAM from the risk experience in following up a large cohort (86 580 people) in Taiwan. Smoking rates were based on the 2001 National Health Interview Survey and other national surveys. An average 10 year lag was assumed between smoking rates and subsequent mortality.Results:In 2001, 18 803 deaths, or 1 out of 4 deaths (27%), in middle aged men (35–69 years old) were attributable to smoking. SAM has been increasing and will continue to increase if smoking rates remain constant or even if reduced annually by 2%. SAM would begin to decrease only if rates were to be reduced by at least 4% a year.Conclusions:The projected SAM in this study illustrates the seriousness of smoking caused mortality. Current efforts in tobacco control would lead to a progressive increase in SAM, unless efforts were doubled and smoking rates reduced by more than 4% a year. The urgency in requiring stronger tobacco control programmes to attenuate the staggering death tolls is compelling.
<i>Corynebacterium glutamicum</i> Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Isoforms with Opposite, ATP-Dependent Regulation
Authors: Omumasaba Crispinus A. , Okai Naoko , Inui Masayuki , Yukawa Hideaki 
Published: May 2005

<i>Corynebacterium glutamicum gapA</i> and <i>gapB </i>encode glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenases (GAPDHs) that differ in molecular weight and activity in the presence of ATP. Comparative genome analysis revealed that GapA, the product of <i>gapA</i>, represented the canonical GAPDH that is highly conserved across the three major life forms. GapB, with an additional 110-residue-long sequence upstream of its GAPDH-specific domain, was homologous only to select microbial putative GAPDHs. Upon gene disruption, the initial growth rates of the wild-type, <i>ΔgapA </i>and <i>ΔgapB </i>strains on glucose (0.77, 0.00 and 0.76 h<sup>–1</sup>, respectively), lactate (0.20, 0.18 and 0.15 h<sup>–1</sup>, respectively), pyruvate (0.39, 0.29 and 0.20 h<sup>–1</sup>, respectively), and acetate (0.06, 0.06 and 0.04 h<sup>–1</sup>, respectively), implied that GapA was indispensable for growth on glucose, that GapB, but not GapA, affected early growth on acetate, and that GapB had a greater influence on growth under gluconeogenic conditions than GapA. The disruption of either <i>gapA </i>or <i>gapB </i>showed no significant effect on the transcription of any of the other <i>gap </i>cluster genes although it led to reduced triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) activities. Glycolytic GAPDH activity at low in vitro ATP concentrations was solely attributed to the 35.9-kDa GapA. At higher ATP concentrations, the same activity was attributed to the 51.2-kDa GapB. Both enzymes, however, exhibited similar NADP-dependent GAPDH activities at the higher ATP concentrations. In effect therefore, the GAPDH-catalyzed reaction at low ATP concentrations was irreversible, with all the glycolytic activity strictly NAD-dependent and attributed to GapA. At higher ATP concentrations, the reaction was reversible, with glycolytic activity NAD- or NADP-dependent and attributed to GapB, while gluconeogenic activity was attributable to both GapA and GapB.
Heme oxygenase-1 expression inhibits dendritic cell maturation and proinflammatory function but conserves IL-10 expression
Authors: Chauveau Christine , Rémy Séverine , Royer Pierre Joseph , Hill Marcelo , Tanguy-Royer Séverine , Hubert François-Xavier , Tesson Laurent , Brion Régis , Beriou Gaëlle , Gregoire Marc , Josien Régis , Cuturi Maria Cristina , Anegon Ignacio 
Published: May 2005

AbstractHeme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an intracellular enzyme that degrades heme and inhibits immune responses and inflammation in vivo. In most cell types, HO-1 is inducible by inflammatory stimuli and oxidative stress. Here we demonstrate that human monocyte-derived immature dendritic cells (iDCs) and several but not all freshly isolated rat splenic DC subsets and rat bone marrow-derived iDCs, spontaneously express HO-1. HO-1 expression drastically decreases during human and rat DC maturation induced in vitro. In human tissues, iDCs also express HO-1, whereas mature DCs do not. Induction of HO-1 expression with cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) in human and rat DCs inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced phenotypic maturation and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, resulting in the inhibition of alloreactive T-cell proliferation. CoPP-treated DCs, however, retain the ability to produce the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10 (IL-10). Reactive oxygen species induced by LPS in DCs were inhibited by induction of HO-1. In conclusion, we identify, for the first time, the capacity of HO-1 to block maturation of DCs and to inhibit proinflammatory and allogeneic immune responses while preserving IL-10 production. This novel immune function for HO-1 may be of interest for the inhibition of immune responses in autoimmune diseases, transplantation, and other conditions involving activation of the immune system. (Blood. 2005;106:1694-1702)
Clinical presentation of pertussis in fully immunized children in Lithuania
Authors: Narkeviciute Irena , Kavaliunaite Ema , Bernatoniene Genovaite , Eidukevicius Rimantas 
Published: May 2005

Abstract
Background
In Lithuania, the vaccination coverage against pertussis is high. Nevertheless, there is a significant increase in pertussis cases in fully immunized children. The aim of our study was to determine the frequency of classical symptoms of laboratory confirmed pertussis and describe its epidemiology in children fully vaccinated against pertussis.

Methods
From May to December 2001, 70 children aged 1 month to 15 years, suffering from prolonged cough were investigated in the Centre of Paediatrics, Vilnius University Children's Hospital. The collected information included personal data, vaccination history, clinical symptoms of the current illness, and treatment before hospitalization. At the admission to the hospital blood samples were taken from all studied children for Bordetella pertussis IgM and IgA.

Results
A total of 53 (75.7%) of the 70 recruited patients with prolonged cough showed laboratory evidence of pertussis. 32 of them were fully vaccinated with whole cell pertussis vaccine (DTP). The age of fully vaccinated patients varied from 4 to 15 years (average 10.9 ± 3.1; median 11). The time period between the last vaccination dose (fourth) and the clinical manifestation of pertussis was 2.6–13 years (average 8.9 ± 3.0; median 9). More than half of the children before the beginning of pertussis were in contact with persons suffering from long lasting cough illness in the family, school or day-care center. The mean duration from onset of pertussis symptoms until hospitalization was 61.4 ± 68.3 days (range, 7 to 270 days; median 30). For 11 patients who had had two episodes (waves) of coughing, the median duration of cough was 90 days, and for 21 with one episode 30 days (p < 0.0002). Most of the children (84.4%) had paroxysmal cough, 31.3% had post-tussive vomiting, 28.1% typical whoop, and 3.1% apnea. Only 15.6% children had atypical symptoms of pertussis.

Conclusion
Fully vaccinated children fell ill with pertussis at the median of 11 years old, 9 years following pertussis vaccination. More than half of the children could catch pertussis at home, at school or day-care center. Clinical picture of pertussis in previously immunized children is usually characterized by such classical symptoms as prolonged and paroxysmal cough, rarely by whopping and post-tussive vomiting, and very rarely by apnea.
Effect of Cr(V) on reproductive organ morphology and sperm parameters: An experimental study in mice
Authors: Pereira Maria de Lourdes , das Neves Ricardo Pires , Oliveira Helena , Santos Teresa Margarida , de Jesus Júlio Pedrosa 
Published: May 2005

Abstract

Background
Cr(V) species are formed during the intracellular reduction of Cr(VI), a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. In this study, the acute toxicity of a physiologically stable Cr(V) compound, [CrV-BT]2- (BT = bis(hydroxyethyl)aminotris(hydroxymethyl)methane) was investigated in the male reproductive system of sexually mature 60-day-old male ICR-CD1 mice.

Methods
Eight-week-old animals were subcutaneously injected daily with a dose of ca 8 μmol of Cr/mouse, during 5 days. The control group was injected with 0.5 mL of BT buffer. Testis and epididymis morphology was evaluated using light and transmission electron microscopy. Epididymal sperm counts, motility and acrosome integrity were also assayed using standard methods.

Results
Seminiferous epithelium abnormalities were detected in the CrV-BT experimental group, including intraepithelial vacuolation, and remarkable degeneration of Sertoli cells, spermatocytes and spermatids. The premature release of germ cells into the tubular lumen was also evident. Histological evaluation of epididymal compartments revealed apparently normal features. However, the epididymal epithelium presented vacuolation. [CrV-BT]2- induced a reduction in sperm acrosome integrity. However, sperm motility and density were not significantly affected.

Conclusion
This in vivo study using a Cr(V) compound, provides evidence for the potential reproductive hazards caused on male reproductive system by species containing chromium in intermediate oxidation states.
Duration of bed occupancy as calculated at a random chosen day in an acute care ward. Implications for the use of scarce resources in psychiatric care
Authors: Berg John E , Restan Asbjørn 
Published: May 2005

Abstract
Background
Psychiatric acute wards are obliged to admit patients without delay according to the Act on Compulsive Psychiatric Care. Residential long term treatment facilities and rehabilitation facilities may use a waiting list. Patients, who may not be discharged from the acute ward or should not wait there, then occupy acute ward beds.

Materials and methods
Bed occupancy in one acute ward at a random day in 2002 was registered (n = 23). Successively, the length of stay of all patients was registered, together with information on waiting time after a decision was made on further treatment needs. Eleven patients waited for further resident treatment. The running cost of stay was calculated for the acute ward and in the different resident follow-up facilities. Twenty-three patients consumed a total of 776 resident days. 425 (54.8%) of these were waiting days. Patients waited up to 86 days.

Results
Total cost of treatment was 0.69 million Euro (0.90 mill. $), waiting costs were 54.8% of this, 0.38 million Euro (0.50 million $). The difference between acute care costs and the costs in the relevant secondary resident facility was defined as the imputed loss. Net loss by waiting was 0.20 million Euro (0.26 million $) or 28.8% of total cost.

Discussion
This point estimate study indicates that treating patients too sick to be released to anything less than some other intramural facility locks a sizable amount of the resources of a psychiatric acute ward. The method used minimized the chance of financially biased treatment decisions. Costs of frustration to staff and family members, and delayed effect of treatment was set to zero. Direct extrapolation to costs per year is not warranted, but it is suggested that our findings would be comparable to other acute wards as well. The study shows how participant observation and cost effectiveness analysis may be combined.
2-(18F)-Fluoro-2-Deoxy-D-Glucose Positron Emission Tomography Detects Clinical Relevant Adenomas of the Colon: A Prospective Study
Authors: van Kouwen Mariëtte C.A. , Nagengast Fokko M. , Jansen Jan B.M.J. , Oyen Wim J.G. , Drenth Joost P.H. 
Published: May 2005

Purpose 2-(18F)-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is a noninvasive imaging technique used clinically to detect malignant tumors. FDG-PET has been established as a tool for diagnosis of recurrent or metastatic colorectal carcinoma. Several case series suggest that FDG-PET also detects larger adenomas. The goal of this study was to investigate whether FDG-PET is able to detect colonic adenomas. Patients and Methods FDG-PET was performed in 100 consecutive patients in whom colonic adenomas were suspected on barium enema (n = 47) or sigmoidoscopy (n = 53). A positive scan was defined as focal large bowel FDG accumulation. FDG-PET was followed in all cases by colonoscopy, and removed adenomas were examined histopathologically. Results Colonoscopy confirmed the presence of adenomas in 68 of 100 patients. In 35 patients, there was focal FDG accumulation at site of the adenoma. The sensitivity of FDG-PET increased with adenoma size (21%, adenomas 1 to 5 mm; 47%, 6 to 10 mm; and 72%, > 11 mm). The sensitivity of FDG-PET also increased with the grade of dysplasia (33%, low grade; 76%, high grade; and 89%, carcinomas). The overall specificity was 84%. Conclusion FDG-PET detects colonic adenomas and the diagnostic test characteristics improve with size and grade of dysplasia of the adenoma.
Randomized Phase III Intergroup Trial of Etoposide and Cisplatin With or Without Paclitaxel and Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in Patients With Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Cancer and Leukemia Group B Trial 9732
Authors: Niell Harvey B. , Herndon James E. , Miller Antonius A. , Watson Dorothy M. , Sandler Alan B. , Kelly Karen , Marks Randolph S. , Perry Micheal C. , Ansari Rafat H. , Otterson Grefory , Ellerton John , Vokes Everett E. , Green Mark R. 
Published: May 2005

Purpose To determine, in a randomized comparison, whether the addition of paclitaxel to etoposide and cisplatin improves the time to progression and overall survival in patients with extensive small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) compared with standard etoposide and cisplatin and to compare the regimens' toxicity. Patients and Methods Eligible patients (N = 587) with untreated extensive SCLC were randomly assigned to receive either cisplatin 80 mg/m2 on day 1 and etoposide 80 mg/m2 on days 1 through 3 administered every 3 weeks for six cycles (EP) or cisplatin 80 mg/m2 on day 1, paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 over 4 hours on day 1, and etoposide 80 mg/m2 on days 1 to 3 followed by recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on days 4 to 18 administered every 3 weeks for six cycles (PET). Results Reporting of demographics, response, and survival included 565 patients, of whom 282 were randomly assigned to receive EP and 283 were assigned to receive PET. Overall response rates were 68% for the EP arm and 75% for the PET arm. Median failure-free survival time was 5.9 months for the EP arm and 6 months for the PET arm (P = .179). Median overall survival time was 9.9 months for patients on EP and 10.6 months for patients on PET (P = .169). Toxic deaths occurred in 2.4% of the patients on EP and 6.5% of patients on PET. Conclusion PET did not improve the time to progression or survival in patients with extensive SCLC compared with EP alone and was associated with unacceptable toxicity.