bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HIGGS SEARCHES AT THE TEVATRON
Authors:   for the CDF and DØ Collaborations, YAMAMOTO KAZUHIRO
Published: November 2010

We present the latest results on searches for the standard and beyond-the-standard model Higgs bosons in proton-antiproton collisions at [Formula: see text] by the CDF and DØ experiments at the Fermilab Tevatron. No significant excess is observed above the expected background, and the cross section limits for the Higgs bosons are calculated. It is noticed that the standard model Higgs boson in the mass range 163 – 166 GeV/c2 is excluded at the 95% C.L.
Greenhouse gases reduction through waste management in Croatia
Authors: Anic-Vucinic Aleksandra , Hublin Andrea , Ruzinski Nikola
Published: November 2010

The climate change policy is one of the key factors in the achievement of
sustainable development in the Republic of Croatia. Control and mitigation of
greenhouse gases is correlated with all economy activities. Waste management
is one of the main tasks of environmental protection in Croatia. The Waste
Management Strategy of the Republic of Croatia and the Waste Management Plan
in the Republic of Croatia define the concept of waste management hierarchy
and direct and indirect measures as criteria for sustainable waste management
establishment. The main constituent of this system is avoiding and minimizing
waste, as well as increasing the recycling and recovery level of waste and
landfill gas, which also represent greenhouse gases mitigation measures. The
Waste Management Plan consists of several direct and indirect measures for
greenhouse gases emission reduction and their implementation also affects the
greenhouse gases emissions. The contribution of the methane emission from
landfills amounts to about 2% of the total greenhouse gases emissions in
Croatia. The climate change control and mitigation measures as an integral
part of waste management sector strategies represent the measures of
achieving the national objectives towards greenhouse gases emission reduction
which Croatia has accepted in the framework of the Kyoto Protocol.
Examining historians' use of the internet
Authors: O'Sullivan Una
Published: November 2010

This article describes a research project aimed at evaluating the elib project Electronic Seminars in History. The research focused on the use of the internet by UK academic historians. This paper describes the research and discusses the results in the light of historians' relationships with their information providers.
From source-oriented databases to event-history data files: a twelve-step action plan for the analysis of individual and household life histories
Authors: Boonstra Onno , Panhuysen Maarten
Published: November 2010

Population registers are recognised to be a very important source for demographic research, because it enables us to study the lifecourse of individuals as well as households. A very good technique for lifecourse analysis is event history analysis. Unfortunately, there are marked differences in the way the data are available in population registers and the way event history analysis expects them to be. The source-oriented approach of computing historical data calls for a ‘five-file structure’, whereas event history analysis only can handle fiat files.

In this article, we suggest a series of twelve steps with which population register data can be transposed from a five-file structured database into a ‘flat file’ event history analysis dataset.
Incidence of work injuries amongst Danish adolescents and their association with work environment factors
Authors: Rasmussen Kurt , Hansen Claus D. , Nielsen Kent J. , Andersen Johan H.
Published: November 2010

Background

The objective was to examine the incidence of work accidents that required medical attention among Danish adolescents and to identify possible work environment factors associated with such accidents.

Methods

We collected information in two questionnaire rounds (2004 and 2007) from a birth cohort comprising all adolescents born in 1989 (n = 3,687) living in Ringkjøbing County, Denmark. The questionnaire contained items on self‐reported number of accidents and number of working hours in both rounds and on work environment factors in the second round.

Results

Approximately 5% of the adolescents who held a job, experienced a work injury at the age of 17. This equals an incidence of 65 accidents per million working hours. Most adolescents had decent working conditions, although nearly half reported that their work was heavy, monotonous or psychologically demanding. Heavy work, high psychological demands and low social support increased the risk of experiencing work injuries after adjustment for a number of factors.

Conclusions

The incidence of work injuries among adolescents appears to be higher than the incidence among their older colleagues. Lack of social support from management significantly raised adolescents' risk of experiencing a work injury. This suggests that more direct supervision may be a good way of preventing accidents in this age group. Am. J. Ind. Med. 54:143–152, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
How feeding competition determines female chimpanzee gregariousness and ranging in the Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Riedel Julia , Franz Mathias , Boesch Christophe
Published: November 2010

Socioecological theory suggests that feeding competition shapes female social relationships. Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) live in fission–fusion societies that allow them to react flexibly to increased feeding competition by forming smaller foraging parties when food is scarce. In chimpanzees at Gombe and Kibale, female dominance rank can crucially influence feeding competition and reproductive success as high‐ranking females monopolize core areas of relatively high quality, are more gregarious, and have higher body mass and reproductive success than low‐ranking females. Chimpanzee females in Taï National Park do not monopolize core areas; they use the entire territory as do the males of their community and are highly gregarious. Although female chimpanzees in Taï generally exhibit a linear dominance hierarchy benefits of high rank are currently not well understood. We used a multivariate analysis of long‐term data from two Taï chimpanzee communities to test whether high‐ranking females (1) increase gregariousness and (2) minimize their travel costs. We found that high‐ranking females were more gregarious than low‐rankers only when food was scarce. During periods of food scarcity, high rank allowed females to enjoy benefits of gregariousness, while low‐ranking females strongly decreased their gregariousness. High‐ranking females traveled more than low‐ranking females, suggesting that low‐rankers might follow a strategy to minimize energy expenditure. Our results suggest that, in contrast to other chimpanzee populations and depending on the prevailing ecological conditions, female chimpanzees at Taï respond differently to varying levels of feeding competition. Care needs to be taken before generalizing results found in any one chimpanzee population to the species level. Am. J. Primatol. 73:305–313, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A new two‐phase route to cadmium sulfide quantum dots using amphiphilic hyperbranched polymers as unimolecular nanoreactors
Authors: Shi Yunfeng , Liang Jiamiao , Liu Lanbo , He Lin , Tu Chunlai , Guo Xinqiu , Zhu Bangshang , Jin Chengyu , Yan Deyue , Han Tao , Zhu Xinyuan
Published: November 2010

A new two‐phase route was developed to prepare monodisperse cadmium sulfide (CdS) quantum dots (QDs) with a narrow size distribution. In a two‐phase system, chloroform and water were used as separate solvents for palmitoyl chloride functionalized hyperbranched polyamidoamine (HPAMAM‐PC) and cadmium acetate/sodium sulfide, respectively. The amphiphilic HPAMAM‐PC, with a hydrophilic dendritic core and hydrophobic arms, formed stable unimolecular micelles in chloroform and was used to encapsulate aqueous Cd2+ ions. After the reaction with S2− ions from the aqueous phase, monodisperse and uniform‐sized CdS QDs stabilized by HPAMAM‐PC unimolecular micelles were obtained. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 120:991–997, 2011
Synthesis, thermal, and photo alignment behavior of polyethylene imines having nitro substituent azobenzene side chain group
Authors: Kamruzzaman Mohammad , Kuwahara Yutaka , Ogata Tomonari , Ujiie Seiji , Kurihara Seiji
Published: November 2010

Polyethylene imines having nitro substituent azobenzene side chain group with different methylene spacer groups (PEImN) were successfully synthesized and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopic, and X‐ray diffraction analysis. All synthesized polyethylene imines showed liquid crystalline properties and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PEImN decreased as the number of methylene spacers increased. Melting temperatures (Tm) of synthesized PEImN showed an odd‐even effect. Photochemical, thermo‐optical, as well as photo alignment behavior of PEImN were investigated and out‐of‐plane orientational behavior of polymeric films was dependent on number of methylene spacers and polyethylene imines having higher number of methylene spacers (six or more) showed high order parameter values that revealed the well pronounced tendency for the development of out‐of‐plane order from random state on annealing. And the molecular orientation of PEImN between random and out‐of‐plane structures has been achieved by the combination of thermal and photochemical processes. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Characterization, separation performance, and model analysis of STPP‐chitosan/PAN polyelectrolyte complex membranes
Authors: Ma Xiao‐Hua , Xu Zhen‐Liang , Ji Chao‐Qing , Wei Yong‐Ming , Yang Hu
Published: November 2010

Polyelectrolyte complex membranes (PCMs) were prepared using sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) solution surface‐crosslinking chitosan/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) composite membranes. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was used to characterize the surface‐crosslinking. The effects of different surface‐crosslinking time on morphologies, element distribution, and crystal structures were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersion of X‐ray (EDX), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The effect of crosslinking ratio on swelling ratio was analyzed. The separation performances of PCMs in terms of permeation flux and separation factor were measured by dehydrating ethyl acetate aqueous solutions. A kinetic model of crosslinking reaction was proposed to investigate the effect of crosslinking agent concentration and surface‐crosslinking time on the crosslinking ratio of PCMs. It was found that the membrane possessed the excellent performance when surface crosslinked for 15 min. The permeation flux and separation factor were 336 g/(m2 h) and 6270 in 97 wt % ethyl acetate aqueous solution at 313 K. The crosslinking ratio of PCM exponentially increased as time increased, while linearly increased as concentration and diffusion coefficient of crosslinking agent STPP solution increased. And the effect of crosslinking agent concentration on crosslinking ratio was inversely proportional to surface‐crosslinking time. The experimental results matched well with the kinetic model when STPP concentration was lower than 5 wt %. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Melt spinning of β‐phase poly(vinylidene fluoride) yarns with and without a conductive core
Authors: Lund Anja , Hagström Bengt
Published: November 2010

When poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is to be used as a piezoelectric material, the processing must include the formation of polar β‐phase crystallites, as well as the application of electrically conducting charge collectors, that is, electrodes. In this article, results from the melt spinning of PVDF yarns and a novel bicomponent PVDF‐yarn with a conductive carbon black/polypropylene (CB/PP) core are presented. Melt spinning has been done under conditions typical for industrial large‐scale fiber production. The effects on the resulting crystalline structure of varying the spinning velocity, draw rate, and draw temperature are discussed. The results show that, for maximum α‐to‐β phase transformation, cold drawing should take place at a temperature between 70 and 90°C, and both the draw ratio and the draw rate should be as high as possible. It was observed that the cold drawing necessary to form β‐phase crystallinity simultaneously leads to a decrease in the core conductivity of the bicomponent yarns. In this work, the melt spinning of bicomponent fibers with high‐β‐phase PVDF in the sheath and a CB/PP core was successfully accomplished. The core material remained electrically conductive, paving the way for the use of a CB‐polymer compound as inner electrode in the melt spinning of piezoelectric bicomponent fibers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Polybenzimidazoles based on 3,3′‐diaminobenzidine and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids: Synthesis and evaluation of physicochemical properties toward their applicability as proton exchange and gas separation membrane material
Authors: Bhavsar Rupesh S. , Nahire Sandip B. , Kale Mrunali S. , Patil Shubhangi G. , Aher Pradnya P. , Bhavsar Ritesh A. , Kharul Ulhas K.
Published: November 2010

A series of aromatic–aliphatic polybenzimidazoles (PBIs) based on 3,3'‐diaminobenzidine (DAB) and aliphatic dicarboxylic acid with incremental CH2 groups were synthesized. Optimization of synthesis parameters and evaluation of physicochemical properties are requisite for PBI applicability as the proton exchange membrane (PEM) and gas separation membrane materials are reported. It was found that though all these PBIs exhibited high thermal, mechanical, and oxidative stability, effect of added flexibility on physical properties is not monotonous. Membranes were prepared by solution casting as well as phase‐inversion method. The later types of membranes exhibited much higher H3PO4 content than its doping achieved in the solution casted membranes. These PBIs possess low hydrogen and helium permeability than that of conventional PBI. This low permeability, along with their excellent oxidative stability indicated that they can be promising PEM materials. Their CO2‐sorption analysis revealed that PBI6 based on suberic acid possesses appreciable CO2 sorption. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Multifunctional gentamicin supplementation of poly(γ‐glutamic acid)‐based hydrogels for wound dressing application
Authors: Lin Yu‐Hsin , Lin Jui‐Hsiang , Peng Shu‐Fen , Yeh Chia‐Lin , Chen Wen‐Chen , Chang Tsai‐Luan , Liu Ming‐Ju , Lai Chih‐Ho
Published: November 2010

The process of wound healing is composed of coagulation, inflammation, fibroplasia, collagenation, epithelization, and wound contraction. The wound dressing should protect the wound from bacterial infection, maintain a moist healing environment, and promote cell migration to reconstruct damaged tissue, and be easy to apply and remove to improve patient comfort. The purpose of our study was to develop multifunctional hydrogels composed of genipin‐crosslinked biodegradable biomaterials of poly(γ‐glutamic acid) and gelatin, encapsulating gentamicin to accelerate wound healing. The results of swelling ratio measurements clearly indicate that hydrogel composition of poly(γ‐glutamic acid)–gelatin had a higher swelling ratio and lower peel adhesion properties than gelatin hydrogel alone. In an in vitro study, the gentamicin incorporated in prepared hydrogels effectively inhibited target microorganisms and produced a higher expression of Type I collagen in fibroblast cells. Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that the fibroblast cells cultured in the hydrogel membranes produced fibroblast cell migration and showed a continuous lined cytoskeletal distributing status. In the in vivo study, it was found that the gentamicin incorporated in genipin‐crosslinked γ‐PGA–gelatin wound dressing demonstrates the potential of such biologically functionalized dressing to accelerate wound closure and, hence, its potential clinical usefulness. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Facilitative production of an antimicrobial peptide royalisin and its antibody via an artificial oil‐body system
Authors: Tseng Jun‐Ming , Huang Jun‐Ru , Huang Hsiou‐Chen , Tzen Jason T. C. , Chou Wing‐Ming , Peng Chi‐Chung
Published: November 2010

Royalisin found in the royal jelly of Apis mellifera is an antimicrobial peptide (AMP). It has a molecular weight of 5.5 kDa, which contains six cysteine residues. In this study, royalisin was overexpressed in Escherichia coli AD494 (DE3) as two oleosin‐fusion proteins for preparation of its antibodies and functional purification. The recombinant royalisin, fused with oleosin central hydrophobic domain in both N‐ and C‐termini, was reconstituted with triacylglycerol and phospholipids to form artificial oil bodies (AOBs). The AOBs were then purified to raise the antibodies. These antibodies could recognize both the native and recombinant royalisins, but not oleosin. Another oleosin‐intein S‐fusion protein was purified by AOBs system, and royalisin was subsequently released from the AOBs through self‐splicing of the intein. The recombinant royalisin exhibited high antibacterial activity, which suggested that it was refolded to its functional structure. These results demonstrated that AOBs system is an efficient method to functionally express and purify small AMPs. In addition, it also provides a facile platform for the production of antibodies against small peptides. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011
Synthesis and biophysical properties of polymerized human serum albumin
Authors: Elmer Jacob , Cabrales Pedro , Wang Qi , Zhang Ning , Palmer Andre F.
Published: November 2010

The use of many plasma expanders (PEs) is often limited by undesirable side effects, such as red blood cell (RBC) aggregation (hydroxyethyl starch), nephrotoxicity (dextran), and extravasation (albumin). Despite its natural prevalence in the bloodstream, human serum albumin (HSA) can increase the risk of mortality when administered to patients with increased vascular permeability (i.e., patients suffering from burns, septic shock, and endothelial dysfunction). The harmful extravasation of HSA can be limited by polymerizing HSA to increase its molecular size. In this study, HSA was nonspecifically cross‐linked with glutaraldehyde at different cross‐link densities by varying the molar ratio of glutaraldehyde to HSA. The results of this study show that the weight‐averaged molecular weight (MW), viscosity, and extent of RBC aggregation of polymerized HSA increases with increasing cross‐link density, whereas the colloid osmotic pressure (COP) decreases with increasing cross‐link density. Interestingly, circular dichroism measurements indicate that the secondary structure of HSA is unaffected by polymerization. Altogether, these results show that glutaraldehyde can effectively cross‐link HSA to produce high MW polymers, yielding a novel series of potential PEs that exhibit low COP and high viscosity. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011
SCAI consensus document on occupational radiation exposure to the pregnant cardiologist and technical personnel
Authors: Best Patricia J. M. , Skelding Kimberly A. , Mehran Roxana , Chieffo Alaide , Kunadian Vijayalakshmi , Madan Mina , Mikhail Ghada W. , Mauri Fina , Takahashi Saeko , Honye Junko , Hernández‐Antolín Rosana , Weiner Bonnie H. ,   for the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions' Women in Innovations (WIN) group
Published: November 2010

Concerns regarding radiation exposure and its effects during pregnancy are often quoted as an important barrier preventing many women from pursuing a career in Interventional Cardiology. Finding the true risk of radiation exposure from performing cardiac catheterization procedures can be challenging and guidelines for pregnancy exposure have been inadequate. The Women in Innovations group of Cardiologists with endorsement of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions aim to provide guidance in this publication by describing the risk of radiation exposure to pregnant physicians and cardiac catheterization personnel, to educate on appropriate radiation monitoring and to encourage mechanisms to reduce radiation exposure. Current data do not suggest a significant increased risk to the fetus of pregnant women in the cardiac catheterization laboratory and thus do not justify precluding pregnant physicians from performing procedures in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. However, radiation exposure among pregnant physicians should be properly monitored and adequate radiation safety measures are still warranted. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A phase 2 trial of erlotinib in patients with previously treated squamous cell and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus
Authors: Ilson David H. , Kelsen David , Shah Manish , Schwartz Gary , Levine Douglas A. , Boyd Jeff , Capanu Marinela , Miron Benjamin , Klimstra David
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND:

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have activity in solid tumors. The authors evaluated an oral EGFR TKI, erlotinib, in patients with previously treated esophageal cancer.

METHODS:

Thirty patients with measurable, metastatic cancer of the esophageal and gastroesophageal junction received 150 mg erlotinib daily. EGFR‐negative tumors (6 patients; 20%) and EGFR‐over expressing tumors (24 patients; 80%) were treated. Most patients were men (70%) with adenocarcinoma (57%) and had received previous chemotherapy (97%).

RESULTS:

Two partial responses were observe d in the EGFR‐positive cohort (2 of 24 patients; 8%), and no responses were observed in the EGFR‐negative cohort (0 of 6 patients). Reponses were limited to patients who had squamous cell carcinoma (2 of 13 patients; 15%; response duration, 5.5‐7 months). The time to tumor progression was longer in patients who had squamous cell carcinoma (3.3 months; range, 1‐24 months) compared with patients who had adenocarcinoma (1.6 months; range, 1‐6 months; P = .026). Therapy was tolerable with the expected toxicity of skin rash (grade 1‐2, 67%; grade 3, 10%).

CONCLUSIONS:

Erlotinib had limited activity in patients with esophageal cancer, and responses and some protracted stable disease were observed in those with squamous cell carcinoma. Efficacy according to EGFR status could not be assessed given the rarity of EGFR‐negative tumors. The current results indicated that further evaluation of this agent in squamous cell carcinoma is warranted. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Second‐line chemotherapy with fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI regimen) in patients with advanced small bowel adenocarcinoma after failure of first‐line platinum‐based chemotherapy
Authors: Zaanan Aziz , Gauthier Mélanie , Malka David , Locher Christophe , Gornet Jean‐Marc , Thirot‐Bidault Anne , Tougeron David , Taïeb Julien , Bonnetain Franck , Aparicio Thomas ,   for the Association des Gastro Entérologues Oncologues
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND:

Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is a rare tumor with poor prognosis. First‐line platinum‐based chemotherapy is active in patients with advanced SBA, but data regarding second‐line chemotherapy are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI regimen) as second‐line chemotherapy in patients with advanced SBA.

METHODS:

We analyzed all consecutive patients who received second‐line chemotherapy with FOLFIRI among 93 patients with advanced SBA included from 1996 to 2008 in a previous retrospective multicenter study. Progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated from the start of second‐line chemotherapy using the Kaplan‐Meier method. Cox models were applied for multivariate analyses.

RESULTS:

Among 51 patients who received second‐line chemotherapy, 28 patients (male, 57%; median age, 54 years; metastatic disease, 96%) were treated with FOLFIRI after progression (n = 24) or limiting toxicity (n = 4) to first‐line FOLFOX (n = 19) or LV5FU2‐cisplatin (n = 9). Grade 3‐4 toxicity was observed in 48% of patients (grade 3‐4 neutropenia, 37%). After a median follow‐up of 21.5 months, all patients had tumor progression, and 22 patients died. Objective response rate was 20%, and disease control rate was 52%. Median PFS and OS were 3.2 and 10.5 months, respectively. No clinical, biological, or tumor characteristics were associated with PFS or OS by multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS:

Second‐line chemotherapy with FOLFIRI produced disease control in half of patients with advanced SBA after failure with first‐line platinum‐based chemotherapy. Nevertheless, the short median PFS warrants the evaluation of other treatments including targeted therapies. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Chemoembolization of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with cisplatinum, doxorubicin, mitomycin C, ethiodol, and polyvinyl alcohol
Authors: Kiefer Matthew V. , Albert Marissa , McNally Madeline , Robertson Mary , Sun Weijing , Fraker Douglas , Olthoff Kim , Christians Kathleen , Pappas Sam , Rilling William , Soulen Michael C.
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND:

Unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma has a poor prognosis, with a median survival of 5 to 8 months without treatment. Response and survival after chemoembolization were evaluated.

METHODS:

Lobar or segmental chemoembolization with cisplatinum, doxorubicin, mitomycin‐C, ethiodol, and polyvinyl alcohol particles was performed at monthly intervals for 1‐4 sessions until the entire intrahepatic tumor burden was treated. Cross‐sectional imaging and clinical and laboratory evaluation were performed before treatment, 1 month after treatment, and then every 3 months. A second cycle of treatment was performed for intrahepatic recurrence. Toxicity was assessed using NCI CTC v.3.0. Response was evaluated using RECIST criteria, and survival was estimated with Kaplan‐Meier analysis.

RESULTS:

Sixty‐two patients were treated. Thirty‐seven had pathologically proven cholangiocarcinoma, and 25 had poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of unknown primary, likely cholangiocarcinoma. One hundred and twenty‐two total procedures were performed during the initial cycle of treatment (mean, 2.0 per patient). Twenty patients received a second cycle, for a total of 165 procedures. There were 5 major complications. Thirty‐day disease‐specific mortality was 0%. Forty‐five of 62 patients were evaluable for morphologic response after completion of their initial cycle: 11% (n = 5) partial responses, 64% (n = 29) stable, and 24% (n = 11) progressed. Median time to progression from first chemoembolization was 8 months, with 28% free of progression at 12 months. Median survival from time of diagnosis was 20 months, with 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐year survival of 75%, 39%, and 17%, respectively. Median survival from time of first chemoembolization was 15 months, with 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐year survival of 61%, 27%, and 8%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in survival between patients with cholangiocarcinoma and those with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Patients who also received systemic chemotherapy had improved overall survival (median 28 vs 16 months, P = .02; HR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.13‐3.33).

CONCLUSIONS:

Chemoembolization provided local disease control (PR + SD) of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and adenocarcinoma of unknown primary in 76%. Overall survival after chemoembolization showed the best outcomes for those receiving multidisciplinary integrated liver‐directed and systemic therapies. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Number of metastases, serum lactate dehydrogenase level, and type of treatment are prognostic factors in patients with brain metastases of malignant melanoma
Authors: Eigentler Thomas K. , Figl Adina , Krex Dietmar , Mohr Peter , Mauch Cornelia , Rass Knut , Bostroem Azize , Heese Oliver , Koelbl Oliver , Garbe Claus , Schadendorf Dirk ,   on behalf of the Dermatologic Cooperative Oncology Group and the National Interdisciplinary Working Group on Melanoma
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND:

This multicenter study aimed to identify prognostic factors in patients with brain metastases from malignant melanoma (BM‐MM).

METHODS:

In a retrospective survey in 9 cancer centers of the German Cancer Society, 692 patients were identified with BM‐MM during the period 1986 through 2007. Overall survival was analyzed using a Kaplan‐Meier estimator and compared with log‐rank analysis. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify prognostic factors significant for survival.

RESULTS:

The median overall survival of the entire cohort was 5.0 months (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 4 months‐5 months). Significant prognostic factors in the univariate Kaplan‐Meier analysis were Karnofsky performance status (≥70% vs <70%; P < .001), number of BM‐MM (single vs multiple; P < .001), pretreatment levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (normal vs elevated; P < .001) and S‐100 (normal vs elevated; P < .001), prognostic groups according to Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (class I vs class II vs class III; P = .0485), and treatment choice (for the cohort with single BM‐MM only) (stereotactic radiotherapy or neurosurgical metastasectomy vs others; P = .036). Cox proportional hazards models revealed pretreatment elevated level of serum LDH (hazard ratio [HR], 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3‐2.0 [P = .00013]) and number of BM‐MM (HR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3‐2.0 [P = .00011]) to be independent prognostic variables in the entire cohort, whereas in patients with a single BM‐MM, treatment choice (HR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1‐1.9 [P = .0061]) was identified as a unique prognostic factor.

CONCLUSIONS:

The overall survival of patients with BM‐MM primarily depends on the number of metastases and pretreatment level of LDH. In the case of a single brain metastasis, stereotactic radiotherapy or neurosurgical metastasectomy is by far the most important factor for improving survival. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
A phase II trial of nab‐paclitaxel (ABI‐007) and carboplatin in patients with unresectable stage IV melanoma
Authors: Kottschade Lisa A. , Suman Vera J. , Amatruda Thomas , McWilliams Robert R. , Mattar Bassam I. , Nikcevich Daniel A. , Behrens Robert , Fitch Tom R. , Jaslowski Anthony J. , Markovic Svetomir N.
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND:

There is increasing evidence that paclitaxel and carboplatin are clinically active in the treatment of metastatic melanoma (MM). ABI‐007 is an albumin‐bound formulation of paclitaxel that has demonstrated single‐agent activity against metastatic melanoma.

METHODS:

A parallel phase II trial was conducted in patients with unresectable stage IV melanoma who were either chemotherapy naive (CN) or previously treated (PT). The treatment regimen consisted of ABI‐007 (100 mg/m2) and carboplatin area under the curve (AUC2) administered on days 1, 8, and 15 every 28 days. The primary aim of this study was objective response rate (RECIST).

RESULTS:

Seventy‐six patients (41 CN and 35 PT) were enrolled between November 2006 and July 2007. Three patients withdrew consent prior to starting treatment. The median number of treatment cycles was 4. There were 10 (25.6%) responses (1 complete response [CR] and 9 partial responses [PRs]) in the CN cohort (90% CI, 16.7%‐42.3%) and 3 (8.8%) responses (3 PRs) in the PT cohort (90% CI, 2.5%‐21.3%). Median progression‐free survival was 4.5 months in the CN cohort and 4.1 months in the PT cohort. Median overall survival (OS) was 11.1 months in the CN group and 10.9 months in the PT group. Severe toxicities in both groups (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Effects v.3.0 ≥grade 3) included neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, neurosensory problems, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting.

CONCLUSIONS:

The weekly combination of ABI‐007 and carboplatin appears to be moderately well tolerated, with promising clinical activity as therapy in patients who are chemotherapy naive and with modest antitumor activity in those previously treated. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
MicroRNA‐137 promoter methylation is associated with poorer overall survival in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Authors: Langevin Scott M. , Stone Roslyn A. , Bunker Clareann H. , Lyons‐Weiler Maureen A. , LaFramboise William A. , Kelly Lori , Seethala Raja R. , Grandis Jennifer R. , Sobol Robert W. , Taioli Emanuela
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND:

The overall 5‐year survival rate of approximately 60% for head and neck cancer patients has remained essentially unchanged over the past 30 years. MicroRNA‐137 (miR‐137) plays an essential role in cell‐cycle control at the G1/S‐phase checkpoint. However, the aberrantmiR‐137promoter methylation observed in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) suggests a tumor‐specific molecular defect that may contribute to disease progression.

METHODS:

The goal of this study was to assess, in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tumor tissue, the association betweenmiR‐137promoter methylation and survival (both overall and disease free) and with prognostic factors including stage, tumor size, lymph node positivity, tumor grade, and surgical tumor margin positivity.

RESULTS:

The promoter methylation status ofmiR‐137was ascertained by methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction and detected in 11 of 67 SCCHN patients (16.4%), with no significant differences according to site (oral cavity, pharynx, larynx). Methylation of themiR‐137promoter was significantly associated with overall survival (hazard ratio, 3.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.01‐13.38) but not with disease‐free survival or any of the prognostic factors evaluated.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of this study indicate thatmiR‐137is methylated in tumor tissue from pharyngeal and laryngeal squamous cancers, in addition to oral squamous cell carcinoma, and thatmiR‐137promoter methylation has potential utility as a prognostic marker for SCCHN. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Phase 1b‐2a study to reverse platinum resistance through use of a hypomethylating agent, azacitidine, in patients with platinum‐resistant or platinum‐refractory epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Fu Siqing , Hu Wei , Iyer Revathy , Kavanagh John J. , Coleman Robert L. , Levenback Charles F. , Sood Anil K. , Wolf Judith K. , Gershenson David M. , Markman Maurie , Hennessy Bryan T. , Kurzrock Razelle , Bast Robert C.
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND:

Sequential treatment with azacitidine can induce re‐expression of epigenetically silenced genes through genomic DNA hypomethylation and reverse carboplatin resistance of epithelial ovarian cancer cells. A phase 1b‐2a clinical trial of this sequential combination of azacitidine and carboplatin was initiated in patients with platinum‐resistant or platinum‐refractory epithelial ovarian cancer.

METHODS:

Patients with pathologically confirmed intermediate‐grade or high‐grade epithelial ovarian cancer who developed disease progression within 6 months (resistant disease, n = 18 patients) or during a platinum‐based therapy (refractory disease, n = 12 patients) were eligible. All patients had measurable disease.

RESULTS:

Thirty patients received a total of 163 cycles of treatment. This regimen produced 1 complete response, 3 partial responses (overall response rate [ORR], 13.8%), and 10 cases of stable disease among 29 evaluable patients. For those patients who achieved clinical benefits, the median duration of the treatment was 7.5 months. The median progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for all patients were 3.7 months and 14 months, respectively. Patients with platinum‐resistant disease achieved an ORR of 22%, with a median PFS of 5.6 months and a median OS of 23 months. The predominant toxicities were fatigue and myelosuppression. Correlative studies indicated that DR4 methylation in peripheral blood leukocytes was decreased during treatment in 3 of 4 objective responders (75%), but in only 5 of 13 nonresponders (38%).

CONCLUSIONS:

To the authors' knowledge, the results of the current study provide the first clinical evidence that a hypomethylating agent may partially reverse platinum resistance in patients with ovarian cancer. Further clinical evaluation of hypomethylating agents in combination with carboplatin is warranted. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Systematic personnel participation for logistics improvement: A case study
Authors: García‐Arca Jesús , Prado‐Prado J. C.
Published: November 2010

The main aim of this paper is to present, in a reasoned and detailed manner, a methodology for Employee Participation System implementation applied in logistics issues. Thus, key aspects are developed in the implementation according to literature, focusing more on the “how” than on the “why.” This methodology is illustrated with the analysis of a case study in the Spanish company GADISA. The participative approach applied in redesigning the processes has been one of the keys to its success, in terms of the efficiency of the actions and in the ease with which they were implemented. Although the main objective of the Employee Participation System was the decision of the Board, the personnel took part in its operational design, from the initial stages of its development, not only proposing improvements but also analyzing, implementing, and supervising alternatives. The proposed methodology may be of interest both in the academic and professional world. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Femtosecond laser microstructuring of zirconia dental implants
Authors: Delgado‐Ruíz R. A. , Calvo‐Guirado J. L. , Moreno P. , Guardia J. , Gomez‐Moreno G. , Mate‐Sánchez J. E. , Ramirez‐Fernández P. , Chiva F.
Published: November 2010

This study evaluated the suitability of femtosecond laser for microtexturizing cylindrical zirconia dental implants surface. Sixty‐six cylindrical zirconia implants were used and divided into three groups: Control group (with no laser modification), Group A (microgropored texture), and Group B (microgrooved texture). Scanning electron microscopy observation of microgeometries revealed minimal collateral damage of the original surface surrounding the treated areas. Optical interferometric profilometry showed that ultrafast laser ablation increased surface roughness (Ra, Rq, Rz, and Rt) significantly for both textured patterns from 1.2× to 6×‐fold when compared with the control group (p < 0.005). With regard to chemical composition, microanalysis revealed a significant decrease of the relative content of contaminants like carbon (Control 19.7% ± 0.8% > Group B 8.4% ± 0.42% > Group A 1.6% ± 0.35%) and aluminum (Control 4.3% ± 0.9% > Group B 2.3% ± 0.3% > Group A 1.16% ± 0.2%) in the laser‐treated surfaces (p < 0.005). X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectra analysis were carried out to investigate any change in the crystalline structure induced by laser processing. The original predominant tetragonal phase of zirconia was preserved, whereas the traces of monoclinic phase present in the treated surfaces were reduced (Control 4.32% > Group A 1.94% > Group B 1.72%) as the surfaces were processed with ultrashort laser pulses. We concluded that femtosecond laser microstructuring offers an interesting alternative to conventional surface treatments of zirconia implants as a result of its precision and minimal damage of the surrounding areas. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2011.
More forearm fractures among urban than rural women: The NOREPOS study based on the Tromsø study and the HUNT study
Authors: Omsland Tone K , Ahmed Luai Awad , Grønskag Anna , Schei Berit , Emaus Nina , Langhammer Arnulf , Joakimsen Ragnar M , Jørgensen Lone , Søgaard Anne Johanne , Gjesdal Clara G , Meyer Haakon E
Published: November 2010

Higher rates of hip fracture and all fractures combined have been observed in urban compared with rural areas, but whether there are urban-rural differences in distal forearm fracture rates is less studied. The aim of this longitudinal study was to compare the incidence of forearm fracture in postmenopausal women in urban and rural areas in Norway and to investigate risk factors that could explain potential fracture differences. The study included data from 11,209 women aged 65 years or more who participated in two large health studies, the Tromsø Health Study in 1994–1995 and the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study in 1995–1997. Forearm bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by single-energy X-ray absorptiometry in a subsample of women (n = 7333) at baseline. All women were followed with respect to hospital-verified forearm fractures (median follow-up 6.3 years). A total of 9249 and 1960 women lived in areas classified as rural and urban, respectively. Urban women had an increased forearm fracture risk [relative risk (RR) = 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09–1.52] compared with women in rural areas. Rural women had higher body mass index (BMI) than urban women, and the RR was moderately reduced to 1.21 (95% CI 1.02–1.43) after BMI adjustments. Rural women had the highest BMD. In the subgroup with measured BMD, adjustments for BMD changed the urban versus rural RR from 1.21 (95% CI 0.96–1.52) to 1.05 (95% CI 0.83–1.32), suggesting that BMD is an important explanatory factor. In conclusion, higher rates of forearm fractures was found in urban compared with rural women. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Thermal oxidation of iron nanoparticles and its implication for chemical‐looping combustion
Authors: Wen Dongsheng , Song Pengxiang , Zhang Kai , Qian Jin
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND: Chemical looping combustion (CLC) is a promising environmentally friendly technology in which the greenhouse gas CO2 can be readily separated at high‐purity, therefore providing an effective method of carbon capture. Its performance, however, is limited by the kinetics of oxidation of the oxygen carrier, whose size is typically in the range of micrometers to millimetres. This paper reports a new idea using metallic nanoparticles as potential oxygen carriers to improve the performance of chemical looping combustion.

RESULTS: A detailed experimental study of the heating and oxidation of iron nanoparticles in a simultaneous TGA/DSC system was conducted. Kinetic analysis revealed improved reactivity of iron nanoparticles, as shown by a reduction in the activation energy, which is highly dependent upon the conversion ratio. The implication and potential application of nanoscale metallic nanoparticles as oxygen carriers in CLC are discussed.

CONCLUSION: Compared with conventional sized iron particles, the reduction of particle size to nanoscale can offer a number of advantages, such as increased reactivity, reduced mass resistance and enhanced heat transfer, however, a number of practical factors associated with increased specific surface area need to be assessed carefully. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Hodgkin disease risk: Role of genetic polymorphisms and gene–gene interactions in inflammation pathway genes
Authors: Monroy Claudia M. , Cortes Andrea C. , Lopez Mirtha S. , D'Amelio Anthony M. , Etzel Carol J. , Younes Anas , Strom Sara S. , El‐Zein Randa A.
Published: November 2010

Inflammation is a critical component of cancer development. The clinical and pathological features of Hodgkin disease (HD) reflect an abnormal immunity that results from cytokines secreted by Reed–Sternberg cells and the surrounding tumor. Numerous studies have reported the association between genetic polymorphisms in cytokine genes and the susceptibility to different hematologic cancers. However, the effects of such SNPs on modulating HD risk have not yet been investigated. We hypothesized that gene–gene interactions between candidate genes in the anti‐ and pro‐inflammatory pathways carrying suspicious polymorphisms may contribute to susceptibility to HD. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a study on 200 HD cases and 220 controls to assess associations between HD risk and 38 functional SNPs in inflammatory genes. We evaluated potential gene–gene interactions using a multi‐analytic strategy combining logistic regression, multi‐factor dimensionality reduction, and classification and regression tree (CART) approaches. We observed that, in combination, allelic variants in the COX2, IL18, ILR4, and IL10 genes modify the risk for developing HD. Moreover, the cumulative genetic risk score (CGRS) revealed a significant trend where the risk for developing HD increases as the number of adverse alleles in the cytokine genes increase. These findings support the notion that epigenetic‐interactions between these cytokines may influence pathogenesis of HD modulating the proliferation of regulatory T cells. In this way, the innate and adaptative immune responses may be altered and defy their usual functions in the host anti‐tumor response. Our study is the first to report the association between polymorphisms in inflammation genes and HD susceptibility risk. Mol. Carcinog. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
UVB‐irradiation regulates VLA‐4‐mediated melanoma cell adhesion to endothelial VCAM‐1 under flow conditions
Authors: Wang Lei , Shirure Venktesh S. , Burdick Monica M. , Wu Shiyong
Published: November 2010

The major aspect contributing to the mortality of melanoma is its ability to spread, or metastasize. Ultraviolet B light (UVB) is considered an indirect cause of melanoma formation. However, little is known about the potential effects of UVB to melanoma metastasis. Integrins, a large family of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) expressed on the melanoma cell surface, are important for cell signaling, growth, and migration during metastasis. Most critically, tumor cell tissue invasion is dependent on the initial interaction of tumor cells with vascular endothelium at the target organ, and there is increasing evidence for a prominent role of melanoma very late antigen‐4 (VLA‐4) integrin binding to its endothelial ligand vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) in this process. This research focuses on the quantitative modulation of VLA‐4 integrin expression and function on melanoma cells after UVB irradiation. The present data show that at 3, 12, and 18 h post‐UVB irradiation, VLA‐4 expression was unchanged relative to untreated cells, but adhesion to VCAM‐1 decreased significantly. Immunofluorescence studies implied that the spatial organization of VLA‐4 on the melanoma cell surface contributed to the changes in avidity for VCAM‐1 upon UVB irradiation. With increased understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying melanoma–endothelial interactions upon UVB irradiation, clinical advances for melanoma may be developed. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.