276
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Abreu A, Alves J, Pereira A, Karakashev D, Alves M, Angelidaki I. Engineered heat treated methanogenic granules (EHTG): a promising biotechnological approach for high rate extreme thermophilic (70°C) biohydrogen production in expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactors. N Biotechnol 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2009.06.558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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277
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Pereira A, Machado P, Araújo A, Coelho A, Teixeira A, Medeiros R. 9059 8473T>C COX-2 polymorphism and susceptibility for lung cancer: a strategy for individualised chemoprevention. EJC Suppl 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/s1359-6349(09)71772-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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278
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Guerra AS, Ramos L, Fonseca S, Ferreira J, Casal D, Silva R, Rasteiro D, Caiado C, Moniz P, Fradinho N, Pereira A, Mouzinho M, Antunes P. Dermal regeneration template for lower extremity burns. Burns 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2009.06.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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279
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Lebrun I, Marques-Porto R, Pereira AS, Pereira A, Perpetuo EA. Bacterial toxins: an overview on bacterial proteases and their action as virulence factors. Mini Rev Med Chem 2009; 9:820-8. [PMID: 19519507 DOI: 10.2174/138955709788452603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial pathogenicity is a result of a combination of factors, including resistance to environmental threats and to the host's defenses, growth capability, localization in the host, tissue specificity, resource obtaining mechanisms and the bacterium's own defenses to aggression. A variety of bacterial components, often specific to each strain, are involved in the microorganism's survival, adhesion and growth in the host. Many of them are harmful and, therefore, are called virulence factors. The effects caused by the virulence factors determine the degree of aggressivity of the strain. In many cases the virulence factors are secreted proteins or enzymes, sometimes performing very specific functions. The enzymatic activity is directed to specific proteins from cell membranes, synaptic vesicle fusion proteins, among other important targets. One of the most toxic bacterial proteins is secreted by Clostridium botulinum, targeted to synaptic vesicle fusion proteins, cleaving them with a zinc-metalloprotease activity, which results in severe neurotoxic effects with a lethal dose as low as eight nanograms per kilogram of body weight. The tetanus neurotoxin acts in a similar way but is less active and Bacillus anthracis also presents a potent metalloprotease activity. In this work we describe a selection of these specially interesting and important bacterial proteins and proteases, stressing their relevance in the pathological process and in medical studies.
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Lamy E, da Costa G, Santos R, Capela E Silva F, Potes J, Pereira A, Coelho AV, Sales Baptista E. Sheep and goat saliva proteome analysis: a useful tool for ingestive behavior research? Physiol Behav 2009; 98:393-401. [PMID: 19615390 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2009.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2008] [Revised: 06/25/2009] [Accepted: 07/08/2009] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Sheep and goats differ in diet selection, which may reflect different abilities to deal with the ingestion of plant secondary metabolites. Although saliva provides a basis for immediate oral information via sensory cues and also a mechanism for detoxification, our understanding of the role of saliva in the pre-gastric control of the intake of herbivores is rudimentary. Salivary proteins have important biological functions, but despite their significance, their expression patterns in sheep and goats have been little studied. Protein separation techniques coupled to mass spectrometry based techniques have been used to obtain an extensive comprehension of human saliva protein composition but far fewer studies have been undertaken on animals' saliva. We used two-dimensional electrophoresis gel analysis to compare sheep and goats parotid saliva proteome. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were used to identify proteins. From a total of 260 sheep and 205 goat saliva protein spots, 117 and 106 were identified, respectively. A high proportion of serum proteins were found in both salivary protein profiles. Major differences between the two species were detected for proteins within the range of 25-35 kDa. This study presents the parotid saliva proteome of sheep and goat and highlights the potential of proteomics for investigation relating to intake behavior research.
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Rivera J, Roig MJS, Monteagudo J, Pereira A, Moraleda JM, Reverter JC, Vicente V. Absence of Effect of DDAVP Infusion on Platelet Glycoprotein Ib/IX and IIb/IIIa Complexes, and their Interaction with Newly Released von Willebrand Factor. Platelets 2009; 4:219-24. [DOI: 10.3109/09537109309013221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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282
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Wald RM, Redington AN, Pereira A, Provost YL, Paul NS, Oechslin EN, Silversides CK. Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction should be considered in assessing influence of pulmonary regurgitation on right ventricular volumes: reply. Eur Heart J 2009. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehp231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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283
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Pereira A, Martinez T, Vieira L. Abstract: P1282 CHOLESTEROL – A EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS. ATHEROSCLEROSIS SUPP 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/s1567-5688(09)71299-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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284
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Pereira A, Martinez T, Sposito A, Nascimento H. Abstract: P806 EVALUATION OF PROTEIN C HIGHLY SENSITIVE CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN MUNICIPALITY OF ITAPETININGA-BRAZIL. ATHEROSCLEROSIS SUPP 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/s1567-5688(09)70961-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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285
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Pereira A, Guedes A, Verreschi I, Santos R, Martinez T. Abstract: P1252 OBESITY AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN SCHOOLCHILDREN FROM BRAZIL. ATHEROSCLEROSIS SUPP 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/s1567-5688(09)71269-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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286
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Castro R, Vega J, Pereira A, Portas A. Data distribution architecture based on standard real time protocol. FUSION ENGINEERING AND DESIGN 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2008.12.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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287
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Zuttin R, Rebelo A, Catai A, Moreno M, Tamburús N, Souza R, Santos M, Kunz V, Salviati M, Pereira A, Zamunér A, Sakabe D, Neves V, Silva E. RELATIONSHIP OF AGE AND THE AUTONOMIC MODULATION OF HEART RATE (HR) BETWEEN WOMEN. Maturitas 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/s0378-5122(09)70246-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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288
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Pereira A, Pirraco R, Viterbo T, Gomes L, Borges Pereira F, Salgado L, Carvalho L, Trigo L, Lencart J. 107 poster: Comparative Study Between CT Image-Based and Orthogonal Image Based Dosimetry for Uterovaginal Brachytherapy Treatments. Radiother Oncol 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(15)34364-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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289
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290
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Singh T, Schroeder F, Pereira A, Bhide A. Antenatal blood patch in a pregnant woman with spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Int J Obstet Anesth 2009; 18:165-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijoa.2008.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2008] [Revised: 09/12/2008] [Accepted: 09/15/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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291
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Pereira A. Efficacy of different plasma sources in the treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-2824.2009.01219.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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292
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Mendonça MI, Reis RP, Sousa AC, Gomes S, Faria P, Pereira A, Silva B, Serrão M, Santos N, Sousa FS, Silva JA, Sousa J, Ornelas I, Freitas S, Cardoso A, Araújo JJ. Pulse wave velocity and coronary risk stratification. Rev Port Cardiol 2009; 28:155-171. [PMID: 19438151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arterial compliance or stiffness is an important determinant of cardiovascular disease and there is considerable interest in its noninvasive measurement. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is widely used as an index of arterial stiffness. AIM To determine whether PWV is useful for risk stratification in both healthy individuals and coronary patients. METHODS Control subjects, n=510, aged 46.1 +/- 11 years, with no history of coronary disease, were selected from electoral rolls, and coronary patients, n=301, aged 53.7 +/- 10 years, were selected from hospital patients with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) confirmed by coronary angiogram (at least 75% obstruction of one of the main coronary vessels). The asymptomatic subjects without CAD formed Group A, and were subdivided into A1 (without hypertension, dyslipidemia and/or diabetes) and A2 (with hypertension, dyslipidemia and/or diabetes). The coronary patients formed Group B, who were also subdivided into B1, without these classic risk factors, and B2 with hypertension, dyslipidemia and/or diabetes. We used the Student's t test to compare continuous variables and the chi-square test to compare categorical data. The strength of correlation between continuous variables was tested by Pearson's linear correlation. Independent variables predictive of CAD were determined by backward logistic regression analysis. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows version 11.0 and data were expressed as means +/- SD; a p value of 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS Comparing the two groups A1 and A2, mean PWV was significantly lower in group A1. Comparing B1 and B2, mean PWV was also significantly lower in group B1. In group A1, PWV was significantly and positively correlated with age, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, alcohol consumption, total/HDL cholesterol ratio, systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure (BP), blood glucose, apo B, triglycerides, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, unlike HDL which was inversely correlated (Pearson's coefficient). In group A2, PWV was significantly and positively correlated with age, alcohol consumption, total/HDL cholesterol ratio, systolic, diastolic and mean BP, blood glucose and pulse pressure (PP), but not HDL, which was inversely correlated with PWV. In group B1, PWV was only significantly and positively correlated with age, systolic, mean, and diastolic BP and PP, and presented a significant inverse correlation with ejection fraction. However, in the high-risk coronary population (group B2), there was a positive correlation with age, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic and mean BP, PP and homocysteine. After stepwise logistic regression, PWV remained in the model and proved to be a significant and independent risk factor for CAD. CONCLUSION The results of our study show that PWV is higher in high-risk groups and significantly correlated with many classic and new CAD risk markers, suggesting that there is a cumulative influence of risk factors in the development of arterial stiffness. We believe that PWV is a useful index of vascular status and hence cardiovascular risk and that it may be useful for risk stratification in both asymptomatic and coronary patients.
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Candeias MF, Abreu P, Pereira A, Cruz-Morais J. Effects of strictosamide on mouse brain and kidney Na+, K+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase activities. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2009; 121:117-122. [PMID: 18992802 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2008.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2004] [Revised: 07/31/2008] [Accepted: 08/01/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Present study reports on the general bioactivity of strictosamide and on its effects on Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase activities of Charles River male mouse. Strictosamide is the main glycoalkaloid of Sarcocephalus latifolius (Rubiaceae) leaves and roots, used as medicinal plant in folk medicine. In this work, we studied the in vitro effects of various concentrations of strictosamide (0.25, 0.5, 1 or 2 mg/mL) and the in vivo effects of single doses (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg, i.p.) of this compound on kidney and brain Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase activities. Results of general study showed that strictosamide is slightly toxic to Charles River mouse (LD(50)=723.17 mg/kg), producing CNS depression and kidney toxicity, but the exact mechanism of these effects could not be defined. Strictosamide inhibited the in vitro and in vivo Mg(2+)-ATPase activity on kidney but had nonsignificant effect on brain. Furthermore, strictosamide had nonsignificant in vitro and in vivo effect on kidney Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity but produced an in vivo increase of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity of brain, these findings suggesting that strictosamine may be related to the induction of alpha(2) isoform of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and may account for the folk use of Sarcocephalus latifolius root infusion on hypertension.
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Aguiar AP, Almeida J, Bayat M, Cardeira B, Cunha R, Häusler A, Maurya P, Oliveira A, Pascoal A, Pereira A, Rufino M, SebastiÃo L, Silvestre C, Vanni F. Cooperative Control of Multiple Marine Vehicles Theoretical Challenges and Practical Issues. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.3182/20090916-3-br-3001.0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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295
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Thayil AKN, Pereira A, Mathew M, Artigas D, Blanco EM, Loza-Alvarez P. Decrease in laser ablation threshold for epithelial tissue microsurgery in a living Drosophila embryo during dorsal closure. J Microsc 2008; 232:362-8. [PMID: 19017235 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2818.2008.02107.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we use a two-photon fluorescence microscope for combined imaging and laser tissue ablation of a living Drosophila Melanogaster embryo. By using tightly focused near-infrared femtosecond pulses at MHz repetition rate and of sub-nanojoule energy we are able to produce microsurgery on the epithelial tissue within a Drosophila embryo at the final stages of its embryonic development. Ablation was performed on labelled and unlabelled embryos during and after dorsal closure. We observed that ablation of GFP-labelled tissue required lower energy deposition than unlabelled tissue ensuring that the tissue ablation is mediated by multiphoton absorption of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP). In addition, the energy deposition to produce ablation is further decreased during dorsal closure. These results show the presence of additional tensile forces on the tissue during dorsal closure. Furthermore, an increased activity of actin near the laser wounds was observed as the tissue heals.
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Lim C, Sundkvist T, Nair P, Godward S, Pereira A, Brown G, Bracebridge S. Avian Influenza (H5N1) Outbreak in Suffolk - The Rapid Setup of a Database. Int J Infect Dis 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2008.05.321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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297
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Pereira A, Lima L, Magalhães S, Santos L, Medeiros R. 106 POSTER −765G>C COX2 polymorphism and bladder cancer onset: implications for chemoprevention in a Portuguese population. EJC Suppl 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s1359-6349(08)72038-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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298
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Vega J, Murari A, Pereira A, Portas A, Castro P. Intelligent technique to search for patterns within images in massive databases. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2008; 79:10F327. [PMID: 19068532 DOI: 10.1063/1.2955863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
An image retrieval system for JET has been developed. The image database contains the images of the JET high speed visible camera. The system input is a pattern selected inside an image and the output is the group of frames (defined by their discharge numbers and time slices) that show patterns similar to the selected one. This approach is based on morphological pattern recognition and it should be emphasized that the pattern is found independently of its location in the frame. The technique encodes images into characters and, therefore, it transforms the pattern search into a character-matching problem.
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299
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Wald RM, Redington AN, Pereira A, Provost YL, Paul NS, Oechslin EN, Silversides CK. Refining the assessment of pulmonary regurgitation in adults after tetralogy of Fallot repair: should we be measuring regurgitant fraction or regurgitant volume? Eur Heart J 2008; 30:356-61. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehn595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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300
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del Ro-Garma J, Pereira A, Arroyo JL, Mateo J, Alvarez-Larrn A, Martnez C, Muncunill J, Barbolla L. ADAMTS-13 activity and von Willebrand factor levels in methylene blue photo-inactivated plasma processed by either the Springe method or an in house system. Vox Sang 2008; 95:101-5. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1423-0410.2008.01077.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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