bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Failure profiles of coherent systems
Authors: Belzunce Félix , Shaked Moshe 
Published: March 2004

AbstractIn this paper we first introduce and study the notion of failure profiles which is based on the concepts of paths and cuts in system reliability. The relationship of failure profiles to two notions of component importance is highlighted, and an expression for the density function of the lifetime of a coherent system, with independent and not necessarily identical component lifetimes, is derived. We then demonstrate the way that failure profiles can be used to establish likelihood ratio orderings of lifetimes of two systems. Finally we use failure profiles to obtain bounds, in the likelihood ratio sense, on the lifetimes of coherent systems with independent and not necessarily identical component lifetimes. The bounds are relatively easy to compute and use. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004
A positivity‐preserving nonstandard finite difference scheme for the damped wave equation
Authors: Mickens Ronald E. , Jordan P. M. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractA positivity‐preserving nonstandard finite difference scheme is constructed to solve an initial‐boundary value problem involving heat transfer described by the Maxwell‐Cattaneo thermal conduction law, i.e., a modified form of the classical Fourier flux relation. The resulting heat transport equation is the damped wave equation, a PDE of hyperbolic type. In addition, exact analytical solutions are given, special cases are mentioned, and it is noted that the positivity condition is equivalent to the usual linear stability criteria. Finally, solution profiles are plotted and possible extensions to a delayed diffusion equation and nonlinear reaction‐diffusion systems are discussed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2004.
Childhood blastic NK cell leukemia successfully treated with L‐asparagenase and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Hyakuna Nobuyuki , Toguchi Suzuka , Higa Takeshi , Okudaira Taeko , Taira Naoya , Masuda Masato , Kitoh Toshiyuki , Ohta Takao 
Published: March 2004

AbstractBlastic NK cell lymphoma/leukemia is a rare and highly malignant neoplasia in both adults and children. It is characterized by lymphoblastoid morphology without cytoplasmic granules and immature NK cell immunophenotypes (CD56+, CD57−, CD16−). It has predilection for extranodal organ involvement, and the prognosis of affected patients is extremely poor under the current chemotherapy. We present a 14‐year‐old girl who was diagnosed as having blastic NK cell leukemia with mediastinal, pleural, and pericardial involvement. Immunophenotyping of her leukemic cells showed positive for CD2, CD5, CD7, CD34, CD56, HLA‐DR, and cytoplasmic CD3. T cell receptor (TCR) and Immunoglobulin heavy chain genes were not rearranged. She received chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia incorporating L‐asparaginase (L‐asp) which successfully induced complete remission. Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from her HLA‐identical sibling was conducted after two courses of consolidation therapy. Expression of aspargine synthetase (AS) protein in the leukemic cells at diagnosis was examined by an immunocytochemical method. She remains in hematological remission for over 36 months after BMT. The expression of AS protein was negative, suggesting that the leukemic cells were sensitive to L‐asp. Induction and consolidation therapy incorporating L‐asp followed by allo‐BMT might be a promising treatment for child hood blastic NK cell leukemia, but more samples of the rare leukemia need to be studied before any definitive conclusions can be drawn. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Qualitative analysis and HPLC isolation and identification of procyanidins from vicia faba
Authors: Merghem Rachid , Jay Maurice , Brun Nathalie , Voirin Bernard 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe soluble proanthocyanidins of the coloured seed coats of Vicia faba L. were isolated and separated by solvent partition. The chemical characteristics of the proanthocyanidins were elucidated by total oxidation and partial degradation in the presence of phloroglucinol followed by HPLC analysis. The native extract of proanthocyanidins contained (+)‐gallocatechin, (−)‐epigallocatechin, (+)‐catechin and (−)‐epicatechin units. Oligomeric procyanidins were puriﬁed by chromatography on Sephadex LH‐20 and the accessible compounds were isolated by RP‐HPLC using a Licrospher Li 100 Column. The structures of the puriﬁed oligomeric procyanidins were elucidated using a procedure involving TLC, UV spectroscopy, ESI‐MS and HPLC analysis of the products from the phloroglucinol reaction. The major condensed tannins of Vicia faba comprise six compounds identiﬁed as two A‐type procyanidin dimers, the procyanidin dimers B1, B2 and B3, and a procyanidin trimer. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methods of phytochemical standardisation of rhizoma Cimicifugae racemosae
Authors: Panossian A. , Danielyan A. , Mamikonyan G. , Wikman G. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe methanolic extract of roots of Cimicifuga racemosa and its methanolysis products have been analysed by GC‐MS. 2‐Hexylcyclopropaneoctanoic acid (9,10‐methylenehexadecanoic acid) was found to be the marker most speciﬁc for the identiﬁcation for this herb. For the phytochemical standardisation of Rhizoma Cimicifugae racemosae, validated methods for the quantitative analysis of formononetin (by TLC‐ﬂuorometry), of isoferulic acid (by GC‐MS of the methyl ester), and of total triterpene glycosides (transformed to coloured complexes and measured photometrically) in roots of C. racemosa have been developed. The contents of formononetin, isoferulic acid and total triterpene glycosides (measured as actein) in the herb ranged from 0.0031 to 0.0035, from 1.22 to 1.35 and from 20.09 to 22.06 mg/g dry weight, respectively. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of a one‐step immunochromatographic strip test for the detection of sennosides A and B
Authors: Putalun Waraporn , Morinaga Osamu , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Shoyama Yukihiro 
Published: March 2004

AbstractAn immunochromatographic strip test was developed to detect sennoside A (1) and sennoside B (2) using anti‐1 and anti‐2 monoclonal antibodies. The qualitative assay was based on a competitive immunoassay in which the detector reagent consisted of colloidal gold particles coated with the respective sennoside antibodies. The capture reagents were 1‐ and 2‐human serum albumin (HSA) conjugates immobilised on a nitrocellulose membrane on the test strip. The sample containing 1 and 2, together with detector reagent, passed over the zone where the capture reagents had been immobilised. The analytes in the sample competed for binding to the limited amount of antibodies in the detector reagent with the immobilised 1‐ and 2‐HSA conjugates on the membrane and hence positive samples showed no colour in the capture spot zone. Detection limits for the strip test were 125 ng/mL for both sennosides. The assay system is useful as a rapid and simple screening method for the detection of 1 and 2 in plants, drugs and body ﬂuids. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methods for the analysis of cannabinoids in biological materials: a review
Authors: Raharjo Tri J. , Verpoorte Robert 
Published: March 2004

AbstractVarious methods for the analysis of cannabinoids in biological materials, including plant and human body materials, are reviewed. Chromatographic methods, such as TLC, GC and HPLC, and non‐chromatographic methods, mainly immunoassays, are discussed and compared. Chromatography is most commonly used in the analysis of plant material, with GC apparently offering the most advantages. Immunoassays, such as radioim‐munoassay and ﬂuorescence polarisation immunoassay, and enzyme immunoassay methods, such as enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, can be used for human body materials; however, GC‐MS is still necessary for confirmation and accurate quantiﬁcation. Preferred methods are suggested for various speciﬁc purposes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identiﬁcation of the major vanilloid component in Capsicum extract by HPLC‐EC and HPLC‐MS
Authors: Zhou Qin , Zhu Yongxin , Chiang Hwa , Yagiz Kader , Morre D. James , Morre Dorothy M. , Janle Elsa , Kissinger Peter T. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractA sensitive multi‐channel HPLC‐electrochemical (EC) method has been developed to determine the vanilloid content in the complex Capsicum annuum extract Capsibiol®. Chromatographic separation was achieved within 10 min using a YMC Basic S5 column with a mobile phase containing chloroacetic acid, heptane sulphonic acid and acetonitrile. The multi‐channel detector simultaneously applied four potentials between +500 and +800 mV (referenced to a silver/silver chloride electrode) to four glassy carbon working electrodes. The most abundant (0.94 mg/g) vanilloid analogue in the Capsibiol sample demonstrated an electrochemical reactivity and retention time similar to that of vanillic acid in HPLC‐EC analysis. Its identity was conﬁrmed by HPLC‐MS using a Zorbax SB‐CN column with a mobile phase containing formic acid and methanol. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of potato glycoalkaloids using high‐pressure liquid chromatography–electrospray ionisation/mass spectrometry
Authors: Matsuda Fumio , Morino Keiko , Miyazawa Haruna , Miyashita Masahiro , Miyagawa Hisashi 
Published: March 2004

AbstractA method for quantifying two toxic glycoalkaloids, α‐solanine and α‐chaconine, in potato (Solanum tuberosum) tuber tissue was developed using HPLC‐electrospray ionisation (ESI)/MS. Potato samples were extracted with 5% aqueous acetic acid, and the extracts were subjected directly to HPLC‐ESI/MS after ﬁltration. By determining the intensities of the protonated molecules of α‐solanine (m/z 868) and α‐chaconine (m/z 852) using selected ion monitoring (positive ion mode), a sensitive assay was attained with detection limits of 38 and 14 ppb for the two glycoalkaloids, respectively. The high sensitivity and selectivity of MS detection effectively reduced the time of analysis thus enabling a high throughput assay of glycoalkaloids in potato tubers. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of inhaled corticosteroids and bone mineral density in a population based study: the Nord‐Trøndelag Health Study (the HUNT Study)
Authors: Langhammer Arnulf , Norjavaara Ensio , de Verdier Maria Gerhardsson , Johnsen Roar , Bjermer Leif 
Published: March 2004

AbstractConflicting results have been reported of the long‐term effects of treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on bone. The objective of this study was to compare ICS users and non‐users regarding bone mineral density (BMD) in a large population. A total of 65 225 adults participated in a cross‐sectional study in the Nord‐Trøndelag Health Study 1995–1997. Those reporting asthma or asthma‐related symptoms, were invited to have bone densitometry of the forearm, flow volume spirometry and a personal interview. Altogether 4482 women and 4142 men participated, of whom 2113 reported ever use and 6511 never use of ICS. Never‐users of corticosteroids had a mean BMD, adjusted for confounders (age, square age, sex, body mass index, height, physical activity, work load, packyears, family history of osteoporosis and in women number of years since menopause and use of hormone replacement therapy), of 0.493 g/cm2 at the distal site. Subjects having only used ICS or combined with courses of prednisolone, had 0.008 g/cm2 (95%CI: 0.005–0.011) lower BMD whilst users of prednisolone ≥6 months had 0.038 g/cm2 (0.021–0.055) lower level. No dose response association between ICS and BMD, or difference in BMD by type of ICS was found. The association between CS use and BMD was independent of the measuring site. ICS use was associated with lower BMD. The lack of dose response in this study might be due to a narrow dose range or indicates that other characteristics of the patient group are contributing to the observed difference in ICS users compared to never‐users. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of a propensity score to adjust for channelling bias with NSAIDs
Authors: Morant S. V. , Pettitt D. , MacDonald T. M. , Burke T. A. , Goldstein J. L. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractPurposeTo compare the relative risks of upper GI haemorrhage (UGIH) in users of Newer versus Older, non‐specific NSAIDs when adjusted for channelling bias by regression on individual covariates, a propensity score and both.MethodsCohort study of patients prescribed NSAIDs between June 1987 and January 2000. Exposure to Newer and Older non‐specific NSAIDs was identified, and risk factors evaluated for each patient. Results of multiple covariate analyses and the propensity scoring technique to assess potential channelling bias in comparisons between Newer and Older non‐specific NSAIDs were compared.ResultsThis study included 7.1 thousand patient years (tpy) exposure to meloxicam, 1.6 tpy exposure to coxibs, and 628 tpy exposure to Older non‐specific NSAIDs. Patients receiving Newer NSAIDs were older, more likely to have a history of GI symptoms, and at higher risk for GI complications. Adjusting for these risk factors reduced the relative risks of UGIH on meloxicam and coxibs versus Older non‐specific NSAIDs to 0.84 (95%CI 0.60, 1.17) and 0.36 (0.14, 0.97) respectively.ConclusionsChannelling towards high GI risk patients occurred in the prescribing of Newer NSAIDs. Propensity scores highlighted the markedly different risk profiles of users of Newer and Older non‐specific NSAID. Correcting for channelling bias, coxib exposure, but not meloxicam exposure, was associated with less UGIH than Older non‐specific NSAID exposure. In the present study, corrections made by regression on a propensity score and on individual covariates were similar. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correlated measures in longitudinal analysis of daily drug use patterns in a general intensive care unit
Authors: Stolker Joost J. , Heerdink Eibert R. , Zitman Frans G. , Leufkens Hubert G. M. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractPurposeThe objective of the present study is to compare two different study designs (with and without corrections for correlated measures) to identify possible determinants of psychotropic drug use in an intensive care unit (ICU).MethodsIn a logistic regression analysis, odds ratios (OR) were calculated for days in which patients were exposed to psychotropics compared with non‐exposed days. In order to adjust for correlated measures, logistic regression with a logistic binomial model was applied.ResultsWe found that adjustment for correlated measures did not result in major changes in the OR. However, with more observations per patient parameter, adjustment for correlation has greater effect.ConclusionsAdjustment for correlated measures may be useful in longitudinal drug analyses. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and properties of fluorinated polyimides based on 1,4‐bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)‐2,5‐di‐tert‐butylbenzene and various aromatic dianhydrides
Authors: Yang Chin‐Ping , Hsiao Feng‐Zhi 
Published: March 2004

AbstractA novel fluorinated diamine monomer, 1,4‐bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)‐2,5‐di‐tert‐butylbenzene (2), was prepared through the nucleophilic substitution reaction of 2‐chloro‐5‐nitrobenzotrifluoride and 2,5‐di‐tert‐butylhydroquinone in the presence of potassium carbonate, followed by catalytic reduction with hydrazine and Pd/C. Fluorinated polyimides (5a–5f) were synthesized from diamine 2 and various aromatic dianhydrides (3a–3f) via thermal or chemical imidization. These polymers had inherent viscosities of 0.77–1.01 dL/g. The 5 series polyimides were soluble in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone, N,N‐dimethylacetamide, and N,N‐dimethylformamide and were even soluble in dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, and dichloromethane. 5(C) showed cutoff wavelengths between 363 and 404 nm and yellowness index (b*) values of 6.5–40.2. The polyimide films had tensile strengths of 93–114 MPa, elongations to break of 9–12%, and initial moduli of 1.7–2.1 GPa. The glass‐transition temperatures were 255–288 °C. The temperatures of 10% weight loss were all above 460 °C in air or nitrogen atmospheres. In comparison with a nonfluorinated polyimide series based on 1,4‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)‐2,5‐di‐tert‐butylbenzene, the 5 series showed better solubility and lower color intensity, dielectric constants, and moisture absorption. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2272–2284, 2004
Screening for distress in cancer patients: The NCCN rapid‐screening measure
Authors: Hoffman Benson M. , Zevon Michael A. , D'Arrigo Mary C. , Cecchini Tracy B. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractAn Erratum has been published for this article in Psycho–Oncology 13(11) 2004, 792–799.The present investigation evaluated the NCCN distress management screening measure (DMSM) in a sample of 68 mixed site cancer patients. The DMSM was administered with the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and the Brief Symptom Inventory‐18 (BSI‐18). Convergent validity was established by the moderate positive correlation between the DMSM and the BSI and BSI‐18 global severity indices (r=0.59, p<0.001 and r =0.61, p<0.001, respectively). Divergent validity was demonstrated by the lower correlations between the DMSM and the BSI subscales suggestive of psychopathology (e.g. paranoid ideation, obsessive‐compulsive). Receiver operative characteristic (ROC) analyses demonstrated that the DMSM has moderate ability to detect distress identified by the BSI and the BSI‐18 (area under curve=0.74, p<0.001 and 0.80, respectively, p<0.01, respectively). While the ROC curves suggested that the DMSM lacks a single cutoff that maximizes sensitivity and specificity, the use of multiple cutoffs renders the DMSM an effective and very rapid screen for distress among cancer patients. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chronic inflammation in benign prostate hyperplasia is associated with focal upregulation of cyclooxygenase‐2, Bcl‐2, and cell proliferation in the glandular epithelium
Authors: Wang Wanzhong , Bergh Anders , Damber Jan‐Erik 
Published: March 2004

AbstractBackgroundChronic inflammation has been suggested to be linked to the development and progression of prostate cancer. An inflammatory microenvironment may support the development of malignancy by upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2). Recent studies have suggested that COX‐2 is upregulated in cancer and in proliferative inflammatory atrophy (PIA) of the prostate.MethodsImmunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to investigate the expression of COX‐2 in prostate epithelium. The relationships between COX‐2 expression and inflammatory cells, proliferation (proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki‐67), and apoptosis (Bcl‐2) were studied in 45 BPH samples.ResultsCOX‐2 expression was detected in prostate luminal epithelial cells in all 45 samples studied. The overall percentage of COX‐2 positive glands was 7.5%, distributed as 0.2% positive glands in normal prostate tissue, 25.7% in postatrophic hyperplasia (PAH), and 11.9% in simple atrophy (SA). The highest proliferation index was found in COX‐2 positive stained epithelium. COX‐2 expression was associated with Bcl‐2 immunostaining in atrophic lesions (P < 0.0001). T lymphocytes and macrophages were the predominant inflammatory cells related to the COX‐2 expression in prostate epithelium.ConclusionsThe data demonstrate that T lymphocytes and macrophages appeared to play an important role in the induction of COX‐2 expression in prostate epithelium, which was associated with increased cell proliferation and possibly, due to overexpression of Bcl‐2, apoptotic resistance. This suggests that pro‐inflammatory cytokines released by adjacent inflammatory cells may induce COX‐2 in the epithelial cells in prostate atrophic lesions. In addition, COX‐2 expressing cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thromboprophylaxis for radical prostatectomy: A comparative analysis of present practice between the USA, the UK, and Ireland
Authors: Galvin David J. , Mulvin David , Quinlan David M. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractBackgroundA clinical dilemma exists in the management of patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) whereby measures taken to reduce the risk of thrombotic events may adversely affect efforts to limit blood loss. No consensus exists in the literature on the ideal management of thromboprophylaxis in these patients. Our aim is to examine and compare current thromboprophylactic policy and practice between the centres involved in performing RP.MethodsA questionnaire was forwarded to all urology residency programmes in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, regarding their current practice with respect to thromboprophylaxis in RP. Completed questionnaire were returned by fax and the data entered into a computer database.ResultsAn overall response rate of 60% was achieved. The questionnaires demonstrated a significant difference in clinical practice between Urologists in the United States and the United Kingdom. Just 24% of American Urologists use pharmacological thromboprophylaxis in contrast to 100% of British Urologists. There was no difference in the use of non‐pharmacological thromboprophylaxis. Pharmacological thromboprophylaxis is mainly administered by units, mostly in the United Kingdom, doing fewer radical prostatectomies.ConclusionsWhile there have been studies advocating the use of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing major pelvic surgery, there is no consensus on it is use in urological practice. This study has demonstrated significant differences in the management of thromboprophylaxis between the USA and the UK/Ireland. Units performing the largest number of radical prostatectomies, mostly in the USA, do not use pharmacological thromboprophylaxis and most do not use compression boots. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Targeting the HGF/SF receptor c‐met using a hammerhead ribozyme transgene reduces in vitro invasion and migration in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Davies Gaynor , Watkins Gareth , Mason Malcolm D. , Jiang Wen G. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractBackgroundHepatocyte growth factor scatter factor (HGF/SF) elicits a number of biological activities including invasion and migration through activation of its tyrosine kinase receptor c‐Met. Over expression of c‐Met has been implicated in prostate cancer development and progression. This study examined the effect of a ribozyme transgene, designed to inhibit human c‐Met expression, and its impact on in vitro invasion and migration in prostate cancer.MethodsA transgene (Met 560) consisting of U1 snRNA, hammerhead ribozyme, and antisense was cloned into a modified pZeoU1‐EcoSpe vector and transfected into DU‐145 cells. The effect of HGF/SF was tested on prostate cancer cells whose expression of c‐Met had been blocked by way of a ribozyme transgene.ResultsMet 560 stable transfectants (DU‐145+/+) manifested a complete loss of c‐Met expression at mRNA and protein levels. In contrast, control plasmid (DU‐145+/−) and wild‐type DU‐145 cells (DU‐145−/−) had similar levels of c‐Met expression. HGF/SF significantly increased the in vitro invasiveness (mean 47.71 ± SE 7.75; P < 0.01 vs. control 24.14 ± 1.34), and migration (mean 48.44 ± SE 3.51; P < 0.01 vs. control 22.95 ± 1.47) of DU‐145−/− cells, respectively. Similarly, HGF/SF also increased the invasion (62.33 ± 6.34; P < 0.001 vs. control 24.5 ± 2.35) and migration (46.14 ± 2.26; P < 0.01 vs. control 21.82 ± 1.62) of DU‐145+/− cells. In contrast, DU‐145+/+ cells had lost its response to HGF/SF induced invasion (22.33 ± 2.08; P > 0.05 vs. control 23.5 ± 2.11) and migration (24.12 ± 0.86; P > 0.05 vs. control 23.27 ± 0.81).ConclusionsTargeting the HGF/SF receptor by way of a hammerhead ribozyme encoding antisense to c‐Met, is an effective method to reduce the invasive or migration potential in prostate cancer, and may have important therapeutic implications. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.