bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Was an increase in cocaine use among injecting drug users in New South Wales, Australia, accompanied by an increase in violent crime?
Authors: Degenhardt Louisa , Day Carolyn , Hall Wayne , Conroy Elizabeth , Gilmour Stuart 
Published: April 2005

Abstract
Background
A sharp reduction in heroin supply in Australia in 2001 was followed by a large but transient increase in cocaine use among injecting drug users (IDU) in Sydney. This paper assesses whether the increase in cocaine use among IDU was accompanied by increased rates of violent crime as occurred in the United States in the 1980s. Specifically, the paper aims to examine the impact of increased cocaine use among Sydney IDU upon police incidents of robbery with a weapon, assault and homicide.

Methods
Data on cocaine use among IDU was obtained from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). Monthly NSW Police incident data on arrests for cocaine possession/use, robbery offences, homicides, and assaults, were obtained from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research. Time series analysis was conducted on the police data series where possible. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives from law enforcement and health agencies about the impacts of cocaine use on crime and policing.

Results
There was a significant increase in cocaine use and cocaine possession offences in the months immediately following the reduction in heroin supply. There was also a significant increase in incidents of robbery where weapons were involved. There were no increases in offences involving firearms, homicides or reported assaults.

Conclusion
The increased use of cocaine among injecting drug users following the heroin shortage led to increases in violent crime. Other States and territories that also experienced a heroin shortage but did not show any increases in cocaine use did not report any increase in violent crimes. The violent crimes committed did not involve guns, most likely because of its stringent gun laws, in contrast to the experience of American cities that have experienced high rates of cocaine use and violent crime.
Neck dissections: radical to conservative
Authors: Harish K 
Published: April 2005

Abstract
Background
Neck dissection is an important surgical procedure for the management of metastatic nodal disease in the neck. The gold standard of neck nodal management has been the radical neck dissection. Any modification in the neck dissection is always compared with this standard. Over the last few decades, in order to alleviate the morbidity of radical neck dissection, several modifications and conservative procedures have been advocated. These procedures retain certain lymphatic or non-lymphatic structures and have been shown not to compromise oncological safety.

Methods
A literature search of the Medline was carried out for all articles on neck dissections. The articles were systematically reviewed to analyze and trace the evolution of neck dissection. These were then categorized to address the nomenclature, management of node positive and node negative neck including those who had received chemoradiation.

Results
The present article discusses the neck nodal nomenclature, the radical neck dissection, its modifications and migration to more conservative procedures and possible advances in the near future.

Conclusion
Radical neck dissection is now replaced with modified radical neck dissections in most situations. Attempts are being made to replace modified radical neck dissections with selective neck dissections for early node positivity. Sentinel node biopsy is being studied to address the issue of node negative neck. More conservative surgeries are likely to replace the 'radical' surgeries of bygone era. This process is facilitated by earlier detection of the disease and better understanding of cancer biology.
VTE Risk assessment – a prognostic Model: BATER Cohort Study of young women
Authors: Heinemann Lothar AJ , DoMinh Thai , Assmann Anita , Schramm Wolfgang , Schürmann Rolf , Hilpert Jan , Spannagl Michael 
Published: April 2005

Abstract

Background
Community-based cohort studies are not available that evaluated the predictive power of both clinical and genetic risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE). There is, however, clinical need to forecast the likelihood of future occurrence of VTE, at least qualitatively, to support decisions about intensity of diagnostic or preventive measures.

Materials and methods
A 10-year observation period of the Bavarian Thromboembolic Risk (BATER) study, a cohort study of 4337 women (18–55 years), was used to develop a predictive model of VTE based on clinical and genetic variables at baseline (1993). The objective was to prepare a probabilistic scheme that discriminates women with virtually no VTE risk from those at higher levels of absolute VTE risk in the foreseeable future. A multivariate analysis determined which variables at baseline were the best predictors of a future VTE event, provided a ranking according to the predictive power, and permitted to design a simple graphic scheme to assess the individual VTE risk using five predictor variables.

Results
Thirty-four new confirmed VTEs occurred during the observation period of over 32,000 women-years (WYs). A model was developed mainly based on clinical information (personal history of previous VTE and family history of VTE, age, BMI) and one composite genetic risk markers (combining Factor V Leiden and Prothrombin G20210A Mutation). Four levels of increasing VTE risk were arbitrarily defined to map the prevalence in the study population: No/low risk of VTE (61.3%), moderate risk (21.1%), high risk (6.0%), very high risk of future VTE (0.9%). In 10.6% of the population the risk assessment was not possible due to lacking VTE cases. The average incidence rates for VTE in these four levels were: 4.1, 12.3, 47.2, and 170.5 per 104 WYs for no, moderate, high, and very high risk, respectively.

Conclusion
Our prognostic tool – containing clinical information (and if available also genetic data) – seems to be worthwhile testing in medical practice in order to confirm or refute the positive findings of this study. Our cohort study will be continued to include more VTE cases and to increase predictive value of the model.
Electroporation by nucleofector is the best nonviral transfection technique in human endothelial and smooth muscle cells
Authors: Iversen Nina , Birkenes Baard , Torsdalen Kari , Djurovic Srdjan 
Published: April 2005

Abstract
Background
The aim of this study was to determine the optimal non-viral transfection method for use in human smooth muscle cells (SMC) and endothelial cells (EC).

Methods
Coronary Artery (CoA) and Aortic (Ao) SMC and EC were transfected with a reporter plasmid, encoding chloramphenicol acetyltransferase type 1 (CAT), with seven different transfection reagents, two electroporation methods and a photochemical internalization (PCI) method. CAT determination provided information regarding transfection efficiency and total protein measurement was used to reflect the toxicity of each method.

Results
Electroporation via the nucleofector machine was the most effective method tested. It exhibited a 10 to 20 fold (for SMC and EC, respectively) increase in transfection efficiency in comparison to the lipofection method combined with acceptable toxicity. FuGene 6 and Lipofectamine PLUS were the preferred transfection reagents tested and resulted in 2 to 60 fold higher transfection efficiency in comparison to the PCI which was the least effective method.

Conclusion
This study indicates that electroporation via the nucleofector machine is the preferred non-viral method for in vitro transfection of both human aortic and coronary artery SMC and EC. It may be very useful in gene expression studies in the field of vascular biology. Through improved gene transfer, non-viral transfer techniques may also play an increasingly important role in delivering genes to SMC and EC in relevant disease states.
A balanced review of the status T cell-based therapy against cancer
Authors: Marincola Francesco M 
Published: April 2005

Abstract
A recent commentary stirred intense controversy over the status of anti-cancer immunotherapy. The commentary suggested moving beyond current anti-cancer vaccines since active-specific immunization failed to match expectations toward a more aggressive approach involving the adoptive transfer of in vitro expanded tumor antigen-specific T cells. Although the same authors clarified their position in response to others' rebuttal more discussion needs to be devoted to the current status of T cell-based anti-cancer therapy. The accompanying publications review the status of adoptive transfer of cancer vaccines on one hand and active-specific immunization on the other. Hopefully, reading these articles will offer a balanced view of the current status of antigen-specific ant-cancer therapies and suggest future strategies to foster unified efforts to complement either approach with the other according to specific biological principles.
Platelet-activating factor enhancement of calcium influx and interleukin-6 expression, but not production, in human microglia
Authors: Sattayaprasert Prasongchai , Choi Hyun B , Chongthammakun Sukumal , McLarnon James G 
Published: April 2005

AbstractCalcium-sensitive fluorescence microscopy and molecular biology analysis have been used to study the effects of platelet-activating factor (PAF) on intracellular calcium [Ca2+]iand IL-6 expression in human microglia. PAF (applied acutely at 100 nM) elicited a biphasic response in [Ca2+]iconsisting of an initial rapid increase of [Ca2+]idue to release from internal stores, followed by a sustained influx. The latter phase of the [Ca2+]iincrease was blocked by SKF96365, a non-selective store-operated channel (SOC) inhibitor. RT-PCR analysis showed PAF treatment of microglia induced expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 in a time-dependent manner which was blocked in the presence of SKF96365. However, ELISA assay showed no production of IL-6 was elicited at any time point (1–24 h) for microglial exposures to PAF. These findings suggest that PAF stimulation of human microglia induces expression, but not production, of IL-6 and that SOC-mediated [Ca2+]iinflux contributes to the enhanced expression of the cytokine.
Transmission of human hepatitis C virus from patients in secondary cells for long term culture
Authors: Revie Dennis , Braich Ravi S , Bayles David , Chelyapov Nickolas , Khan Rafat , Geer Cheryl , Reisman Richard , Kelley Ann S , Prichard John G , Salahuddin S Zaki 
Published: April 2005

Abstract
Infection by human hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the principal cause of post-transfusion hepatitis and chronic liver diseases worldwide. A reliable in vitro culture system for the isolation and analysis of this virus is not currently available, and, as a consequence, HCV pathogenesis is poorly understood. We report here the first robust in vitro system for the isolation and propagation of HCV from infected donor blood. This system involves infecting freshly prepared macrophages with HCV and then transmission of macrophage-adapted virus into freshly immortalized B-cells from human fetal cord blood. Using this system, newly isolated HCV have been replicated in vitro in continuous cultures for over 130 weeks. These isolates were also transmitted by cell-free methods into different cell types, including B-cells, T-cells and neuronal precursor cells. These secondarily infected cells also produced in vitro transmissible infectious virus. Replication of HCV-RNA was validated by RT-PCR analysis and by in situ hybridization. Although nucleic acid sequencing of the HCV isolate reported here indicates that the isolate is probably of type 1a, other HCV types have also been isolated using this system. Western blot analysis shows the synthesis of major HCV structural proteins. We present here, for the first time, a method for productively growing HCV in vitro for prolonged periods of time. This method allows studies related to understanding the replication process, viral pathogenesis, and the development of anti-HCV drugs and vaccines.
Hormone Receptor Status of a Contralateral Breast Cancer Is Independent of the Receptor Status of the First Primary in Patients Not Receiving Adjuvant Tamoxifen
Authors: Arpino G. , Weiss H.L. , Clark G.M. , Hilsenbeck S.G. , Osborne C.K. 
Published: April 2005

Purpose To determine whether the hormone receptor status of the primary breast cancer (PBC) is predictive of the hormone receptor status of the subsequent contralateral breast cancer (CBC). Patients and Methods We identified patients in our database with known estrogen receptor (ER; n = 193) and/or progesterone receptor (PgR; n = 178) status in their PBC and in their subsequent CBC. One hundred twenty-six of these patients had received no adjuvant therapy, 34 had received adjuvant tamoxifen, and 33 had received adjuvant chemotherapy alone. The median interval between the first diagnosis of PBC and the development of the subsequent CBC was 3 years. ER and PgR assays were assessed biochemically in two central reference laboratories using identical quality-controlled ligand-binding methods. Results Among systemically untreated patients (n = 126), 88% of patients with ER-positive PBC and 75% of patients with ER-negative PBC developed an ER-positive CBC (P = .11). Among the tamoxifen-treated patients, those with an ER-positive PBC were almost equally likely to develop an ER-positive (47%) or ER-negative (53%) CBC (P = .99). PgR status was similar. In the untreated group (n = 112), 59% of patients with a PgR-positive PBC and 66% with a PgR-negative PBC developed a PgR-positive CBC (P = .48). Among tamoxifen-treated patients (n = 33), 50% of patients with a PgR-positive PBC versus 27% of patients with a PgR-negative PBC developed a PgR-positive CBC (P = .28). Conclusion ER and PgR status of the primary tumor does not predict the hormone receptor status of the subsequent CBC in the absence of selective pressure of adjuvant therapy. Thus, other reasons should be considered to clarify the failure of tamoxifen to reduce the incidence of CBC in patients with a receptor-negative PBC.
Phase I Trial of 177Lutetium-Labeled J591, a Monoclonal Antibody to Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen, in Patients With Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer
Authors: Bander Neil H. , Milowsky Matthew I. , Nanus David M. , Kostakoglu Lale , Vallabhajosula Shankar , Goldsmith Stanley J. 
Published: April 2005

Purpose To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), toxicity, human anti-J591 response, pharmacokinetics (PK), organ dosimetry, targeting, and biologic activity of 177Lutetium-labeled anti–prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) monoclonal antibody J591 (177Lu-J591) in patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer (PC). Patients and Methods Thirty-five patients with progressing androgen-independent PC received 177Lu-J591. All patients underwent 177Lu-J591 imaging, PK, and biodistribution determinations. Patients were eligible for up to three retreatments. Results Thirty-five patients received 177Lu-J591, of whom 16 received up to three doses. Myelosuppression was dose limiting at 75 mCi/m2, and the 70-mCi/m2 dose level was determined to be the single-dose MTD. Repeat dosing at 45 to 60 mCi/m2 was associated with dose-limiting myelosuppression; however, up to three doses of 30 mCi/m2 could be safely administered. Nonhematologic toxicity was not dose limiting. Targeting of all known sites of bone and soft tissue metastases was seen in all 30 patients with positive bone, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance images. No patient developed a human anti-J591 antibody response to deimmunized J591 regardless of number of doses. Biologic activity was seen with four patients experiencing ≥ 50% declines in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels lasting from 3+ to 8 months. An additional 16 patients (46%) experienced PSA stabilization for a median of 60 days (range, 1 to 21+ months). Conclusion The MTD of 177Lu-J591 is 70 mCi/m2. Multiple doses of 30 mCi/m2 are well tolerated. Acceptable toxicity, excellent targeting of known sites of PC metastases, and biologic activity in patients with androgen-independent PC warrant further investigation.
Selbstüberwachender Durchflusssensor mit diversitärer Redundanz (Self Monitoring Flowmeter with Diversity)
Authors: Müller Ralf , Nuber Michael , Werthschützky Roland 
Published: April 2005

Abstract
In diesem Beitrag wird ein Durchflusssensor mit Redundanz zur Selbstüberwachung für Flüssigkeiten vorgestellt. Der Sensor nutzt zeitgleich zwei unabhängige Verfahren zur Bestimmung des Durchflusses: das Wirkdruck- und das Wirbelfrequenzverfahren. Beide Messgrößen werden mit demselben Differenzdrucksensor aufgenommen, um die Zahl der zusätzlichen Komponenten möglichst gering zu halten. Die Selbstüberwachung wird dadurch realisiert, dass beide Messprinzipien unterschiedlich auf verschiedene Einflussgrößen reagieren und somit bei Störungen differierende Messwerte ausgeben.
Neues Messverfahren zur Bestimmung der Schirmwirkung mittels ultrabreitbandiger elektromagnetischer Feldimpulse (New Measuring Method for the Determination of the Shielding Properties by means of Ultra Wideband Electromagnetic Field Pulses)
Authors: Herlemann Helge , Koch Michael , Camp Michael , Sabath Frank 
Published: April 2005

Abstract
In diesem Beitrag wird ein Zeitbereichsmessverfahren mit doppelt-exponenziellen Pulsen vorgestellt, das zur Bestimmung der Schutzwirkung leitfähiger Schirme, die zum Schutz von Elektronik gegen pulsartige elektromagnetische Felder eingesetzt werden, genutzt werden kann. Mit den verwendeten Pulsen wird die Störfestigkeit eines im Betrieb befindlichen Testobjekts im geschirmten und ungeschirmten Zustand bestimmt. Die Schutzwirkung des Schirms ergibt sich aus den verschiedenen Feldstärken, bei denen bestimmte Ausfallerscheinungen auftreten. Das Messverfahren basiert auf Wahrscheinlichkeiten der Störung bzw. der Zerstörung des Testobjekts. Testreihen mit Mikrocontrollern und Mikroprozessorboards zeigen entgegen den Erwartungen eine überraschende Übereinstimmung der Testergebnisse.
Metal Surface Treatments
Authors: Brooks Charlie R. , Hacias Kenneth , Hart Robert , Murphy Donald P. , Petschel Michael ,   Updated by Staff
Published: April 2005

Abstract
The performance of many metallic components can be markedly improved by developing a surface region, the case, which is harder than that of the underlying region, the core. Case hardening processes, in which the original surface is an integral part of the case, may involve a physical or a chemical change at the surface. Processing may be accomplished through the use of heat or other methods such as plastic deformation or ion implantation. Small atoms, ie, first row elements, deposited in interstitial positions harden metallic components.
The various case hardening processes used for steels are discussed. Carburizing and nitriding, the most common methods employed, and the resultant case‐hardened steels are compared.
Metal surface cleaning is the beginning of any metal treatment. The cleaners for metal surfaces may be classified as solvent‐based or aqueous. Usage of solvent‐based cleaners is declining. Whereas aqueous cleaners may be acidic, neutral, or alkaline, alkaline cleaners are the most widely used. The types of components typically found in an alkaline cleaner for specific types of metals or alloys, together with cleaning temperatures and other conditions of operation, are discussed. The most common mechanisms of soil removal are presented, as well as descriptions of the various cleaner application methods such as spray, immersion, electro‐ and barrel cleaning.
Metals, important materials for construction and manufacture, corrode in certain environments limiting the lifetime of manufactured metal goods. To protect from corrosion and to confer paint adhesive properties to metal surfaces, chemical pretreatment conversion coatings are widely used.
The most common metal surface treatments are iron, zinc, or chromium phosphating, chromating, and anodizing. An overview of the mechanism of coating formation, process operation and control considerations, coating characteristics, coloring procedures, and important applications for various coatings is given.
Pickling of metals and metal alloys involves the use of chemical cleaning agents to remove oxides from metal surfaces. The oxides may be in the form of corrosion by‐products or heat treatment scales. Chemical pickling is an extremely effective and economical method for oxide removal, particularly for intricate shapes not readily cleaned mechanically. The choice of acid or alkali pickling product is generally dictated by the base metal or alloy that is to be cleaned. Sulfuric acid is the most commonly used pickling agent for ferrous metals. Mixtures of acids are often a better choice for nonferrous alloys. Environmental and health concerns are addressed.
Polyethylene, Linear Low Density
Authors: Kissin Yury V. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractLinear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) resins are polyethylene (PE) plastics with densities in a 0.915–0.925‐g/cm3range. They belong to the family of semicrystalline ethylene–α‐olefin copolymers, which are produced in catalytic polymerization reactions. Due to reduced crystallinity, all these copolymers have densities lower than that of the ethylene homopolymer, ∼0.96 g/cm3. This family of PE resins includes medium density PE (MDPE, 0.940–0.925 g/cm3), LLDPE (0.925–0.915 g/cm3), and very low density PE (VLDPE, < 0.915 g/cm3). A variety of resins described by the general term LLDPE differ in several respects: the type of an α‐olefin used in copolymerization with ethylene, 1‐butene, 1‐hexene, 4‐methyl‐1‐pentene, or 1‐octene; the content of the α‐olefin in a copolymer, which varies from 1 mol% in MDPE to 2.5–3.5 mol% in LLDPE and to 10–15 mol% in VLDPE; the density and crystallinity of the resin, and the compositional uniformity of the copolymers.The LLDPE resins are produced in industry with three classes of catalysts: Ziegler catalysts based on titanium compounds, several types of catalysts utilizing metallocene complexes, and Phillips catalysts based on chromium oxides. The resins are manufactured in gas‐phase, solution, and slurry polymerization processes.The LLDPE resins are major commodity products with a combined 2005 worldwide manufacture volume of ∼15×106ton/year, ∼25% of the overall polyethylene production. Film is the largest application market for LLDPE resins. The film is used to manufacture grocery sacks, bags for produce, trash bags, bags for merchandise packaging, garment, laundry and dry cleaning bags, and ice bags. The LLDPE film is also used for nonpackaging applications, such as industrial sheeting and agricultural mulch film. High clarity film produced with LLDPE resins manufactured with metallocene catalysts is widely used for food packaging and in numerous medical applications. Injection molding products represent the second largest market for LLDPE, mostly for housewares. These resins are also used for blow molding of bottles and drums; for rotational molding of toys, large containers, and tanks; for pipe and tubing; and for wire coating in electrical and telephone industry.The VLDPE is a subclass of LLDPE resins; its density is < 0.915 g/cm3and it is mostly used for food packaging of fresh produce, milk, meat, cheese, etc, as well as for the manufacture of multilayer coextruded film. These resins are also blended with other polyethylene and polypropylene‐based resins to enhance clarity, sealability, and toughness of the materials.