bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metal‐Induced Tautomerization of p‐ to o‐Quinone Compounds: Experimental Evidence from CuI and ReI Complexes of Azophenine and DFT Studies
Authors: Frantz Stéphanie , Rall Jochen , Hartenbach Ingo , Schleid Thomas , Záliš Stanislav , Kaim Wolfgang
Published: December 2003

Azophenine (7,8‐diphenyl‐2,5‐bis(phenylamino)‐p‐quinonediimine, Lp) reacts with [Cu(PPh3)4](BF4) or [Re(CO)5Cl] to yield the (Ph3P)2Cu+ or [(OC)3ClRe] complex of the tautomeric form 7,8‐diphenyl‐4,5‐bis(phenylamino)‐o‐quinonediimine, Lo, as evident from structure determinations and from very intense metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions in the visible region. Time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT) calculations on model complexes [(N∩N)Re(CO)3Cl] confirm the spectroscopic results, showing considerably higher oscillator strengths of the MLCT transition for the o‐quinonediimine complexes in comparison to compounds with N∩N=1,4‐dialkyl‐1,4‐diazabutadiene. The complexes are additionally stabilized through hydrogen bonding between two now ortho‐positioned NHPh substituents and one fluoride of the BF4− anion (Cu complex) or the chloride ligand (Re complex). DFT Calculations on the model ligands p‐quinonediimine or 2,5‐diamino‐p‐quinonediimine and their ortho‐quinonoid forms with and without Li+ or Cu+ are presented to discuss the relevance for metal‐dependent quinoproteins.
Formamidine Ureas as Tunable Electrophiles
Authors: Díaz David D. , Finn M. G.
Published: December 2003

Formamidine urea compounds exchange imine fragments with primary nitrogen nucleophiles, allowing the preparation of a variety of derivatives from a single precursor. The reactivities of these species are governed primarily by the electron‐donating power of the substituents and are tunable over a range of >103 in first‐order rates of hydrolysis.
Selective Synthesis and Characterization of Single‐Crystal Silver Molybdate/Tungstate Nanowires by a Hydrothermal Process
Authors: Cui Xianjin , Yu Shu‐Hong , Li Lingling , Biao Liu , Li Huabin , Mo Maosong , Liu Xian‐Ming
Published: December 2003

Selective synthesis of uniform single crystalline silver molybdate/tungstate nanorods/nanowires in large scale can be easily realized by a facile hydrothermal recrystallization technique. The synthesis is strongly dependent on the pH conditions, temperature, and reaction time. The phase transformation was examined in details. Pure Ag2MoO4 and Ag6Mo10O33 can be easily obtained under neutral condition and pH 2, respectively, whereas other mixed phases of Mo17O47, Ag2Mo2O7, Ag6Mo10O33 were observed under different pH conditions. Ag6Mo10O33 nanowires with uniform diameter 50–60 nm and length up to several hundred micrometers were synthesized in large scale for the first time at 140 °C. The melting point of Ag6Mo10O33 nanowires were found to be about 238 °C. Similarly, Ag2WO4, and Ag2W2O7 nanorods/nanowires can be selectively synthesized by controlling pH value. The results demonstrated that this route could be a potential mild way to selectively synthesize various molybdate nanowires with various phases in large scale.
Highly Efficient Biomimetic Total Synthesis and Structural Verification of Bistratamides E and J from Lissoclinum bistratum
Authors: You Shu‐Li , Kelly Jeffery W.
Published: December 2003

The interesting biological activities of heterocycle‐containing cyclic peptide‐derived natural products, isolated from marine organisms over the past twenty years, have attracted the interest of many synthetic and natural products chemists. Bistratamides E–J, members of this class of natural products that were isolated very recently from Lissoclinum bistratum, exhibited cytotoxic activity against a human colon tumor (HCT‐116) cell line. Here we report the first total syntheses of bistratamides E (1) and J (2) in overall yields of 19 and 34 %, respectively. The thiazole substructures have been synthesized by oxidation of their corresponding thiazoline substructures, which were obtained from cysteine containing peptides using a novel biomimetic approach wherein Val‐Cys dipeptide units were converted to thiazolines by a bisphosphonium salt. The final macrocyclization was promoted efficiently using the combination of PyBOP and DMAP. This approach allows the use of readily available Fmoc‐protected amino acids to make complex thiazole and oxazoline‐containing natural products.
Nanocage Encapsulation of Two ortho‐Carborane Molecules
Authors: Raston Colin L. , Cave Gareth W. V.
Published: December 2003

Bowl‐shaped C‐methylcalix[4]resorcinarene forms a 1:1 ball‐and‐socket nanostructure with o‐carborane through two endo‐cavity BCH⋅⋅⋅π hydrogen bonds. In the presence of 4′,2:6,4′′‐terpyridine, two of these nanostructures are held together by four terpyridines through sixteen OH⋅⋅⋅N hydrogen bonds, completely shrouding two carboranes.
Cover Picture: Selective Adsorption of Polychlorinated Dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and Dibenzofurans by the Zeosils UTD‐1, SSZ‐24, and ITQ‐4 (Chem. Eur. J. 1/2004)
Authors: Jäger Ralph , Schneider Andreas M. , Behrens Peter , Henkelmann Bernhard , Schramm Karl‐Werner , Lenoir Dieter
Published: December 2003

The cover picture shows the principle of molecular sieving as applied to dioxins and related molecules, a very complex class of toxic and environmentally harmful organic substances. The "molecular sieve" consists of three zeosils (nonpolar relatives of zeolites) that are arranged in a sequence with increasing pore diameters. Dioxin molecules are adsorbed on these zeosils from a hot gas stream and become separated according to their size and shape. The results obtained can be explained on the basis of geometric arguments with the aid of molecular dynamics calculations. This molecular sieving effect could be the basis for an analytical on‐line monitoring of dioxin molecules in waste‐gas streams. In the background, a result from molecular modelling studies is shown, namely the arrangement of a large dioxin molecule (with chlorine atoms in positions 1, 4, 6, and 9) in the largest zeosil structure known (UTD‐1). (The cover picture has been composed by Peter Behrens, based on an idea by Ralph Jaeger and artwork from Andreas M. Schneider). For more details see the paper by P. Behrens et al. on p. 247ff
The βII isotype of tubulin is present in the cell nuclei of a variety of cancers
Authors: Yeh I‐Tien , Ludueña Richard F.
Published: December 2003

Tubulin, the subunit protein of microtubules, has generally been thought to be exclusively a cytoplasmic protein in higher eukaryotes. We have previously shown that cultured rat kidney mesangial cells contain the βII isotype of tubulin in their nuclei in the form of an αβII dimer [Walss et al., 1999: Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 42:274–284, 1999]. More recently, we examined a variety of cancerous and non‐cancerous cell lines and found βII in the nuclei of all of the former and only a few of the latter (Walss‐Bass et al., 2002: Cell Tissue Res. 308:215–223]. In order to determine if βII‐tubulin occurs in the nuclei of actual cancers as well as in cancer cell lines, we used the immunoperoxidase method to look for nuclear βII in a variety of tumors excised from 201 patients. We found that 75% of these tumors contain βII in their nuclei. Distribution of nuclear βII was highly dependent on the type of cancer, with 100% of the colon and prostate cancers, but only 19% of the skin tumors, having nuclear βII. Nuclear βII was particularly marked in tumors of epithelial origin, of which 83% showed nuclear βII, in contrast to 54% in tumors of non‐epithelial origin. In many cases, βII staining occurred very strongly in the nuclei and not in the cytoplasm; in other cases, βII was present in both. In many cases, particularly metastases, otherwise normal cells adjacent to the tumor also showed nuclear βII, suggesting that cancer cells may influence nearby cells to synthesize βII and localize it to their nuclei. Our results have implications for the diagnosis, biology, and chemotherapy of cancer. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 57:96–106, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Myosin‐mediated cytoskeleton contraction and Rho GTPases regulate laminin‐5 matrix assembly
Authors: deHart Gregory W. , Jones Jonathan C. R.
Published: December 2003

Laminin‐5 is a major structural element of epithelial tissue basement membranes. In the matrix of cultured epithelial cells, laminin‐5 is arranged into intricate patterns. Here we tested a hypothesis that myosin II‐mediated actin contraction is necessary for the proper assembly of a laminin‐5 matrix by cultured SCC12 epithelial cells. To do so, the cells were treated with ML‐7, a myosin II light chain kinase inhibitor, or Y‐27632, an inhibitor of Rho‐kinase (ROCK), both of which block actomyosin contraction. Under these conditions, laminin‐5 shows an aberrant localization in dense patches at the cell periphery. Since ROCK activity is regulated by the small GTPase Rho, this suggests that members of the Rho family of GTPases may also be important for laminin‐5 matrix assembly by SCC12 cells. We confirmed this hypothesis since SCC12 cells expressing mutant proteins that inhibit RhoA, Rac, and Cdc42 assemble the same aberrant laminin‐5 protein arrays as drug‐treated cells. We have also evaluated the organization of the laminin‐5 receptors α3β1 and α6β4 integrin and hemidesmosome proteins in ML‐7‐ and Y‐27632‐treated cells or in cells in which RhoA, Rac, and Cdc42 activity were inhibited. In all instances, α3β1 and α6β4 integrin heterodimers, as well as hemidesmosome proteins, localize precisely with laminin‐5 in the matrix of the cells. In summary, our results provide evidence that myosin II‐mediated actin contraction and the activity of Rho GTPases are necessary for the proper organization of a laminin‐5 matrix and localization of hemidesmosome protein arrays in epithelial cells. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 57:107–117, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Platinum‐free combination chemotherapy in patients with advanced or metastatic transitional cell carcinoma
Authors: Lara Primo N. , Meyers Frederick J. , Law Lisa Y. , Dawson Nancy A. , Houston Joan , Lauder Ignacio , Edelman Martin J.
Published: December 2003

BACKGROUND

Platinum‐based regimens have improved response rates and survival in patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urothelial tract. However, the toxicities of platinum‐based chemotherapy are considerable. Regimens with reduced toxicity that are applicable to a broader group of TCC patients without sacrificing activity therefore are of interest.

METHODS

Because gemcitabine, paclitaxel, and methotrexate have each been reported to possess single‐agent activity in this disease, the authors evaluated the tolerability and efficacy of fixed doses of paclitaxel (100 mg/m2 over 3 hours) and methotrexate (30 mg/m2) with escalating doses of gemcitabine (800–1000 mg/m2), all given on Days 1 and 8 every 21 days, in patients with previously untreated unresectable or metastatic TCC.

RESULTS

Twenty‐five patients were enrolled. Two patients were ineligible and were excluded from analysis. Because no dose‐limiting toxicity occurred in the first 4 patients who were given gemcitabine at a dose of 800 mg/m2, the gemcitabine dose was escalated to 1000 mg/m2 in the next 21 patients. Of the 21 patients assessable for response, 6 had achieved a complete response (CR) and 6 had achieved a partial response, for an overall response rate of 57%. An additional patient was converted to a CR surgically. The median overall and progression‐free survival times were 18 months and 9.2 months, respectively. Toxicity was predominantly neutropenia: Grade 3 in 9 patients (39%) and Grade 4 in 4 patients (17%) (according to the Southwest Oncology Group Toxicity Criteria, version 12/1994). One patient died of septic shock associated with febrile neutropenia after three cycles.

CONCLUSIONS

The regimen of gemcitabine, paclitaxel, and methotrexate at this dose and schedule was found to possess activity in patients with locally advanced or metastatic TCC. Further studies of this regimen are warranted. Cancer 2004;100:82–8. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
Surgical treatment of recurrent endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Campagnutta Elio , Giorda Giorgio , De Piero Giovanni , Sopracordevole Francesco , Visentin M. Caterina , Martella Luca , Scarabelli Carlo
Published: December 2003

BACKGROUND

Surgery does not have a definite role in the treatment of patients with recurrent endometrial carcinoma, except for those with central pelvic recurrences. The authors describe their experience with surgery in patients with abdominal endometrial recurrences.

METHODS

Between 1988 and 2000, 75 patients with abdominal and pelvic endometrial recurrences underwent secondary rescue surgery. Patients were classified according to the presence or absence of residual tumor after surgery. Therapy after rescue surgery was undertaken at the discretion of the medical oncologist. The progression‐free interval and overall survival were defined as the time from secondary rescue surgery to the specific event and were evaluated by the Kaplan–Meier method and the log‐rank test. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to compare survival with covariates.

RESULTS

Fifty‐six patients (74.7%) underwent optimal debulking. Major surgical complications were observed in 23 patients (30.7%). Only 1 postoperative death was observed, although the mortality rate for surgical complications after the postoperative period was 8%. Patients who underwent optimal debulking had a significantly better cumulative survival rate compared with patients who had residual disease (36% vs. 0% at 60 months; P < 0.05). Residual disease, chemotherapy after rescue surgery, and central pelvis–vagina as the only site of recurrence were associated significantly with survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors found that this approach was very challenging in terms of the procedures involved, the incidence of major surgical complications, and the high mortality rate. It was useful in increasing overall survival, provided that patients were free of macroscopic disease. Careful selection of patients is needed to minimize mortality. Cancer 2004;100:89–96. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
Antiangiogenic activity of genistein in pancreatic carcinoma cells is mediated by the inhibition of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 and the down‐regulation of VEGF gene expression
Authors: Büchler Peter , Reber Howard A. , Büchler Markus W. , Friess Helmut , Lavey Robert S. , Hines Oscar J.
Published: December 2003

BACKGROUND

Previous reports indicate that Genistein, a naturally occurring isoflavonoid, exhibits strong antiangiogenic activity. The underlying mechanism of inhibition, however, remains unclear. Among the biologic effects of Genistein are the inhibition of tyrosine kinases and the inhibition of hypoxic activation of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 (HIF‐1), one of the main regulators of VEGF gene expression.

METHODS

Hypoxic cell culture was performed in a modular incubator chamber. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein secretion was measured using the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, binding of DNA by HIF‐1 was measured using the electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and mRNA quantification was performed using Northern blot analysis. Pancreatic carcinoma was studied in an orthotopic murine model. Angiogenesis in vivo was quantified by staining xenograft tumors for endothelial cell markers.

RESULTS

VEGF protein secretion was dose‐dependently suppressed with increasing doses of Genistein. Furthermore, treatment of pancreatic carcinoma cells with Genistein led to impaired activation of HIF‐1 under hypoxic culture conditions. Northern blot analysis indicated that VEGF mRNA expression decreased upon treatment with Genistein, both under normoxic and hypoxic culture conditions. In vivo, Genistein inhibited tumor growth for xenograft pancreatic carcinoma cells, whereas extensive hypoxia was observed in xenograft tumors and was not influenced by Genistein therapy. Similarly, decreased VEGF mRNA levels were observed in Genistein‐treated Capan‐1 xenograft tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study indicates that the previously reported antiangiogenic activity of Genistein probably is mediated by the inhibition of HIF‐1, an important regulator of VEGF gene homeostasis, particularly under low‐oxygen conditions. Therefore, this bioactive compound may well be beneficial to patients with pancreatic carcinoma. Cancer 2004;100:201–10. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
Early‐stage cervical carcinoma, radical hysterectomy, and sexual function
Authors: Jensen Pernille T. , Groenvold Mogens , Klee Marianne C. , Thranov Ingrid , Petersen Morten Aa. , Machin David
Published: December 2003

BACKGROUND

Limited knowledge exists concerning the impact of radical hysterectomy (RH) alone on the sexual function of patients with early‐stage cervical carcinoma. The authors investigated the longitudinal course of self‐reported sexual function after RH.

METHODS

The current study was comprised of 173 patients with lymph node‐negative, early‐stage cervical carcinoma who had undergone RH and pelvic lymphadenectomy. They were assessed prospectively using a validated self‐assessment questionnaire 5 weeks and 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months after RH. Results were compared with an age‐matched control group from the general population.

RESULTS

Compared with control women, patients experienced severe orgasmic problems and uncomfortable sexual intercourse due to a reduced vaginal size during the first 6 months after RH, severe dyspareunia during the first 3 months, and sexual dissatisfaction during the 5 weeks after RH. A persistent lack of sexual interest and lubrication were reported throughout the first 2 years after RH. Long‐term lack of sexual interest and insufficient vaginal lubrication were confirmed by the patient's self‐reported changes 12 months after RH compared with before the cancer diagnosis and by a pre‐post comparison within patients. However, most of the patients who were sexually active before their cancer diagnosis were sexually active again 12 months after surgery (91%), although with a decrease in sexual frequency reported.

CONCLUSIONS

RH had a persistent and negative impact on patients' sexual interest and vaginal lubrication whereas the majority of other sexual and vaginal problems disappeared over time. Sexual and vaginal problems in the short‐term and long‐term after RH should be discussed with the patient before and after surgery. Cancer 2004;100:97–106. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
Screening mammography performance and cancer detection among black women and white women in community practice
Authors: Gill Karminder S. , Yankaskas Bonnie C.
Published: December 2003

BACKGROUND

Despite improvement in mammography screening attendance, black women continue to have poorer prognosis at diagnosis than white woman. Data from the Carolina Mammography Registry were used to evaluate whether there may be differences in mammography performance or detected cancers when comparing black women with white women who are screened by mammography.

METHODS

Prospectively collected data from community‐based mammography facilities on 468,484 screening mammograms (79,397 in black women and 389,087 in white women) were included for study. Mammograms were linked to a pathology data base for identification of cancers. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and cancer detection rates were compared between black women and white women. Logistic regression methods were used to control for covariates associated with performance characteristics. Differences in cancer characteristics were compared between black women and white women using chi‐square statistics.

RESULTS

Screening mammography performance results for black women compared with white women were as follows: sensitivity, odds ratio (OR) = 1.07 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.83–1.39); specificity, OR = 1.02 (95% CI, 0.98–1.06); and positive predictive value, OR = 1.07 (95% CI, 0.94–1.23). Among women with no previous screening, black women had a larger proportion of invasive tumors that measured ≥ 2 cm (38% vs. 26%; P = 0.04). The cancer detection rate was highest among black women who reported symptoms at screening (13.9 per 1000 black women vs. 7.9 per 1000 white women). Invasive cancers in black women were poorer grade (P = 0.001), and more often had negative estrogen receptor status and progesterone receptor status (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, screening mammography performed equally well in black women and white women controlling for age, breast density, and time since previous mammogram. Black women who reported symptoms had larger and higher grade tumors compared with white women. Educational efforts need to be strengthened to encourage black women to react sooner to symptoms, so that the tumors detected will be smaller and black women will have a better prognosis when they appear for mammography. Cancer 2004;100:139–48. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
STK15/Aurora‐A expression in primary breast tumors is correlated with nuclear grade but not with prognosis
Authors: Royce Melanie E. , Xia Weiya , Sahin Aysegul A. , Katayama Hiroshi , Johnston Dennis A. , Hortobagyi Gabriel , Sen Subrata , Hung Mien‐Chie
Published: December 2003

BACKGROUND

DNA amplification on chromosome 20q13 is commonly detected in breast carcinoma and is correlated with poor prognosis. STK15 maps to this amplicon. The objective of the current study was to use immunohistochemistry to determine STK15 expression in primary breast tumors. The authors also explored whether STK15 was a prognostic factor for breast carcinoma by comparing the level of STK15 gene expression with clinical parameters that are known prognostic factors for the disease.

METHODS

Archival mastectomy and lumpectomy specimens, randomly selected, were immunohistochemically stained to determine the STK15 gene expression level. The clinical parameters of these same patients were reviewed retrospectively and analyzed for correlations with STK15 expression level, based on a positive‐versus‐negative scoring system.

RESULTS

Of the 112 human breast tumor specimens analyzed, 26% stained positively for STK15 by immunohistochemistry. Of the tumors, that stained positively 62.1% had a well‐to‐moderately differentiated nuclear grade. The correlation between STK15 staining and nuclear grade was nearly statistically significant (P = 0.05). No association was found between STK15 staining and tumor size, lymph node status, or hormone receptor status. Analysis of recurrence‐free survival and overall survival rates also failed to reveal a statistically significant difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

STK15 expression by immunohistochemistry was noted in approximately one‐fourth of primary breast tumors. STK15 expression was associated with nuclear grade, but no correlation was found between the other clinical parameters evaluated. Furthermore, no differences were found in survival rates when they were analyzed by level of STK15 staining. Cancer 2004;100:12–9. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
Is there age bias in the treatment of localized prostate carcinoma?
Authors: Alibhai Shabbir M. H. , Krahn Murray D. , Cohen Marsha M. , Fleshner Neil E. , Tomlinson George A. , Naglie Gary
Published: December 2003

BACKGROUND

Treatment recommendations for localized prostate carcinoma are based on the patient's remaining life expectancy (RLE), which is influenced by age, comorbidity, and tumor grade. Previous studies have evaluated the influence of age and comorbidity, but to the authors' knowledge not RLE, on actual treatment decisions.

METHODS

An age‐stratified random sample of 347 patients was generated from a cohort of all patients with newly diagnosed prostate carcinoma in the Ontario Cancer Registry between May 1, 1995 and April 30, 1996 (n = 5192). Chart review was performed to obtain detailed tumor, comorbidity, and treatment information. RLE was estimated from a published model derived from a cohort of 451 men with untreated prostate carcinoma who were followed for 15 years. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate predictors of treatment, such as radical prostatectomy (RP), radiotherapy (RT), or potentially curative therapy (RP or RT), in relation to patient age, comorbidity, tumor characteristics, and RLE.

RESULTS

RP was provided within 6 months of diagnosis to 58.7%, 32.1%, 2.6%, and 0% of patients of ages < 60 years, 60–69 years, 70–79 years, and 80+ years, respectively. The results for RT were 6.4%, 30.9%, 23.4%, and 3.3%, respectively. Increasing comorbidity decreased rates of RP but did not affect use of RT. After controlling for comorbidity and tumor characteristics, older men were found to be treated with RP less often than younger men with similar RLE, whereas RLE did not appear to influence receipt of RT.

CONCLUSIONS

Although different mechanisms may account for these results, an age bias may be present among urologists and radiation oncologists treating men with localized prostate carcinoma. Cancer 2004;100:72–81. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
Suicidality in terminally ill Japanese patients with cancer
Authors: Akechi Tatsuo , Okuyama Toru , Sugawara Yuriko , Nakano Tomohito , Shima Yasuo , Uchitomi Yosuke
Published: December 2003

BACKGROUND

The risk of suicide is higher in patients with cancer than in the general population, making end‐of‐life care of suicidal terminal patients with cancer critical. To identify factors and longitudinal changes associated with suicidality among terminally ill Japanese patients with cancer, a prospective cohort study was performed.

METHODS

Consecutive outpatients with cancer who registered with a palliative care unit participated. Structured interviews (e.g., Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐ III‐R [SCID]) were conducted to assess patient suicidal ideation (Ideation) and interest in requesting euthanasia (Interest) as main outcome measures of suicidality. Possible correlated factors also were investigated. The authors analyzed the data from 140 terminally ill patients with cancer at initial study participation (baseline) whose subsequent survival time was < 6 months. Of these 140 patients, 57 (40.7%) completed the follow‐up assessment after admission to the unit.

RESULTS

At baseline, 8.6% of the patients had Ideation and 5.0% had Interest. Self‐reported anxiety and depression was significantly associated with Ideation (P= 0.003). Changes in Ideation and Interest occurred in 38.6% and 15.8% of the patients, respectively. Ideation was more likely to change than Interest (P = 0.006). The current study did not identify factors that predict changes and occurrences of suicidal ideation and interest in requesting euthanasia.

CONCLUSIONS

Suicidality can change even in terminally ill patients. End‐of‐life care that focuses on the psychologic distress of dying individuals may be a way of preventing suicide. Cancer 2004;100:183–91. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
Zoledronic acid is superior to pamidronate for the treatment of bone metastases in breast carcinoma patients with at least one osteolytic lesion
Authors: Rosen Lee S. , Gordon David H. , Dugan William , Major Pierre , Eisenberg Peter D. , Provencher Louise , Kaminski Mary , Simeone Joe , Seaman John , Chen Bee‐Lian , Coleman Robert E.
Published: December 2003

BACKGROUND

Treatment with zoledronic acid (Zol) was compared with a dose of 90 mg of pamidronate (Pam) in breast carcinoma (BC) patients with at least 1 osteolytic lesion based on data from a Phase III, randomized trial.

METHODS

Overall, 1130 patients with breast carcinoma who had all types of bone metastases (osteolytic, mixed, or osteoblastic by radiology) were randomized to receive treatment with either 4 mg of Zol or 8 mg of Zol as a 15‐minute infusion or 90 mg of Pam as a 2‐hour infusion every 3–4 weeks for 12 months. A skeletal‐related event (SRE) was defined as a pathologic fracture, spinal cord compression, radiotherapy, or surgery to bone.

RESULTS

Among all patients with BC, the proportion of those who had an SRE (primary endpoint) was comparable between treatment groups (43% of patients who received 4 mg of Zol vs. 45% of patients who received Pam). Among patients who had breast carcinoma with at least 1 osteolytic lesion (n = 528 patients), the proportion with an SRE was lower in the 4‐mg Zol group compared with the Pam group (48% vs. 58%), but this did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.058). The time to first SRE was significantly longer in the 4‐mg Zol group compared with the Pam group (median, 310 vs. 174 days; P = 0.013). Moreover, multiple‐event analysis demonstrated significant further reductions in the risk of developing SREs over the reduction achieved with Pam (30% in the osteolytic subset [P = 0.010] and 20% for all patients with BC [P = 0.037]).

CONCLUSIONS

The current data indicate that treatment with 4 mg of Zol was more effective than 90 mg of Pam in reducing skeletal complications in a subset of patients with breast carcinoma who had at least 1 osteolytic lesion at study entry. Cancer 2004;100:36–43. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
Cognitive‐behavioral stress management improves stress‐management skills and quality of life in men recovering from treatment of prostate carcinoma
Authors: Penedo Frank J. , Dahn Jason R. , Molton Ivan , Gonzalez Jeffrey S. , Kinsinger David , Roos Bernard A. , Carver Charles S. , Schneiderman Neil , Antoni Michael H.
Published: December 2003

BACKGROUND

The current study evaluated the efficacy of a 10‐week, group‐based, cognitive‐behavioral stress management (CBSM) intervention relative to a half‐day seminar in improving quality of life (QoL) among men who were treated for localized prostate carcinoma (PC) with either radical prostatectomy (RP) or radiation therapy.

METHODS

Ninety‐two men were assigned randomly to either the 10‐week CBSM group intervention or a 1‐day seminar (control group). The intervention was designed to improve QoL by helping participants to identify and effectively manage stressful experiences and was focused on the treatment‐related sequelae of PC.

RESULTS

A hierarchical regression model was used to predict postintervention QoL. The final model, including all predictors and relevant covariates (i.e., income, baseline QoL, ethnicity, and group condition), explained 62.1% of the variance in QoL scores. Group assignment was a significant predictor (β = − 0.14; P = 0.03) of QoL after the 10‐week intervention period, even after controlling for ethnicity, income, and baseline QoL. Post‐hoc analyses revealed that individuals in the CBSM intervention condition showed significant improvements in QoL relative to men in the 1‐day control seminar. Improved QoL was mediated by greater perceived stress‐management skill.

CONCLUSIONS

A 10‐week cognitive‐behavioral group intervention was effective in improving the QoL in men treated for PC, and these changes were associated significantly with intervention‐associated increases in perceived stress‐management skills. Cancer 2004;100:192–200. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
Ethnic/racial influences on the physiologic health of cancer survivors
Authors: Schultz Pamela N. , Stava Charles , Beck Martha L. , Vassilopoulou‐Sellin Rena
Published: December 2003

BACKGROUND

Improvements in early detection, treatment, and general supportive care allow more people to survive cancer. Information regarding the long‐term health impact of cancer and cancer treatments on these survivors of adult‐onset malignancies is gradually accumulating. Although information is limited overall, it is apparent that the cancer experience differs across ethnically/racially diverse populations.

METHODS

In the current report, the authors characterized and compared health profiles among ethnic/racial groups within a large cohort (n > 6000) of long‐term survivors of cancer. In addition, the authors focused on survivors of cervical carcinoma, because they constitute a substantial and relatively homogeneous portion of the overall cohort.

RESULTS

The authors observed significant differences among African American, Hispanic American, and Caucasian American cancer survivors in terms of age at diagnosis, time since diagnosis, family dynamics, education, type of malignancy, and perceived influences of cancer on specific physiologic health problems. Among survivors of cervical carcinoma, there were significant ethnic/racial differences in terms of disease histology as well as the impact of the disease on overall health.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study reveals significant ethnic/racial differences among cancer survivors and highlights the need for further investigation of the relation between cancer survivorship and ethnicity/race. Cancer 2004;100:156–64. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
Mushroom body volumes and visual interneurons in ants: Comparison between sexes and castes
Authors: Ehmer Birgit , Gronenberg Wulfila
Published: December 2003

The mushroom bodies are brain centers involved in complex behaviors such as learning and orientation. Here we examine the organization of mushroom bodies in ants, focusing on visual input. We describe the structure of visual neurons and compare the volume of brain structures involved in visual processing, especially the optic lobes and parts of the mushroom bodies receiving visual input in males, winged females, and workers of carpenter ants (Camponotus). A relatively small number of neurons connect the medulla with the mushroom bodies, and these neurons have relatively large dendritic fields in the medulla, suggesting low spatial resolution in ants. These neurons terminate in different yet overlapping strata in the mushroom bodies' collar region. While males have larger optic lobes than workers, their collar region is smaller than in females. Male ants have an additional type of medulla‐mushroom body neuron with dendrites probing the distal medulla. These neurons are absent in female and worker ants. Most mushroom body Kenyon cells that are postsynaptic to visual input neurons appear to integrate visual as well as antennal input. This is in contrast to honey bees, where visual input to the mushroom bodies is more prominent and where Kenyon cells are not known to combine visual and antennal input. J. Comp. Neurol. 469:198–213, 2004. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modeling elastic shells immersed in fluid
Authors: Givelberg Edward
Published: December 2003

We describe a numerical method to simulate an elastic shell immersed in a viscous incompressible fluid. The method is developed as an extension of the immersed boundary method using shell equations based on the Kirchhoff‐Love and the planar stress hypotheses. A detailed derivation of the shell equations used in the numerical method is presented. This derivation, as well as the numerical method, uses techniques of differential geometry. Our main motivation for developing this method is its use in constructing a comprehensive, three‐dimensional computational model of the cochlea (the inner ear). The central object of study within the cochlea is the basilar membrane, which is immersed in fluid and whose elastic properties rather resemble those of a shell. We apply the method to a specific example, which is a prototype of a piece of the basilar membrane, and study the convergence of the method in this case. Some typical features of cochlear mechanics are already captured in this simple model. In particular, numerical experiments have shown a traveling wave propagating from the base to the apex of the model shell in response to external excitation in the fluid. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Steady transonic shocks and free boundary problems in infinite cylinders for the Euler equations
Authors: Chen Gui‐Qiang , Feldman Mikhail
Published: December 2003

We establish the existence and stability of multidimensional transonic shocks (hyperbolic‐elliptic shocks) for the Euler equations for steady compressible potential fluids in infinite cylinders. The Euler equations, consisting of the conservation law of mass and the Bernoulli law for velocity, can be written as a second order nonlinear equation of mixed elliptic‐hyperbolic type for the velocity potential. The transonic shock problem in an infinite cylinder can be formulated into the following free boundary problem: The free boundary is the location of the multidimensional transonic shock which divides two regions of C1,α flow in the infinite cylinder, and the equation is hyperbolic in the upstream region where the C1,α perturbed flow is supersonic. We develop a nonlinear approach to deal with such a free boundary problem in order to solve the transonic shock problem in unbounded domains. Our results indicate that there exists a solution of the free boundary problem such that the equation is always elliptic in the unbounded downstream region, the uniform velocity state at infinity in the downstream direction is uniquely determined by the given hyperbolic phase, and the free boundary is C1,α, provided that the hyperbolic phase is close in C1,α to a uniform flow. We further prove that, if the steady perturbation of the hyperbolic phase is C2,α, the free boundary is C2,α and stable under the steady perturbation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals Inc.
On the continuity of the solution operator to the wave map system
Authors: D'Ancona Piero , Georgiev Vladimir
Published: December 2003

We investigate the continuity properties of the solution operator to the wave map system from ℝ × ℝn to a general nonflat target of arbitrary dimension, and we prove by an explicit class of counterexamples that this map is not uniformly continuous in the critical norms on any neighborhood of 0. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A systematic approach to practice‐based evidence in a psychological therapies service
Authors: Lucock Mike , Leach Chris , Iveson Steve , Lynch Karen , Horsefield Carrie , Hall Patricia
Published: December 2003

This paper describes a systematic approach to generating practice‐based evidence in a United Kingdom adult psychological therapies service. Routine clinical outcomes using standardized measures at referral, assessment, the beginning of therapy, discharge and 6‐month follow‐up are reported. The system is integrated into the clinical service in many ways including contributing to risk assessment and feeding back clinical outcome data to the therapists. A number of issues related to such an approach are discussed in the light of the clinical governance and clinical effectiveness agendas in the UK NHS. These include practical constraints, the costs, getting staff on board, attrition from such services and service user involvement. Such an approach provides a framework for routine, systematic and integrated service evaluation that can be fed back to therapists. It contributes to the evidence for the effectiveness of psychological therapies in routine clinical settings and also provides opportunities to link evidence with practice in more creative ways to enhance therapists' reflection on their practice. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stakeholder frames in the mapping of the Lower Kishon River basin conflict
Authors: Shmueli Deborah F. , Ben‐Gal Michal
Published: December 2003

The authors applied a framing approach to a long‐standing controversy over the elimination of pollution in the Lower Kishon River basin of
northern Israel. Framing was used not only to analyze, map, and evaluate the dispute but also to intervene within the context of a conflict assessment.
The experience demonstrates the utility of framing elicitation and evaluation for understanding environmental conflicts.
1D‐Polyoxometalate‐Based Composite Compounds − Design, Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Properties of [{Ln(NMP)6}(PMo12O40)]n (Ln = La, Ce, Pr; NMP = N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone)
Authors: Niu Jing‐Yang , Wei Mei‐Lin , Wang Jing‐Ping , Dang Dong‐Bin
Published: December 2003

The structures of three 1:1 composite compounds prepared with the polyoxometalate (POM) [PMo12O40]3− and the cations [Ln(NMP)6]3+ [Ln = La (1), Ce (3), Pr (2); NMP = N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone] exhibit two types of zig‐zag chains with alternating cations and anions through Mo−Ot−Ln−Ot−Mo links in the crystal. The compounds were characterized by IR, UV, and ESR spectroscopy, single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis, and by a study of their thermal properties. In all the compounds, the La3+, Pr3+, and Ce3+ centers are eight‐coordinate with the oxygen atoms in bicapped trigonal‐prismatic geometries. The variation of the average Ln−O separations along the La, Ce, and Pr series is consistent with the effects of the lanthanide contraction. The results of the single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses and the IR spectroscopic studies are in agreement and both show the metal cation units are coordinatively bonded to the Keggin clusters. The UV spectra of the title compounds suggest that their structures are entirely disrupted in dilute solution. Low‐temperature ESR spectra indicate that thermal electron delocalization occurs among the Mo atoms in the three compounds. The results of cyclic voltammetry (CV) show that compounds 1, 2, and 3 all undergo five two‐electron reversible reductions and that the [PMo12O40]3− anions are the active centers for electrochemical redox reactions in solution, while the corresponding cations have only a small effect on the electrochemical properties. Studies of magnetic properties show that 1 is diamagnetic, while 2and 3 exhibit antiferromagnetic Pr−Pr or Ce−Ce exchange interactions. In addition to the results of CV, the average bond lengths and the magnetic properties of compound 3 indicate that the oxidation state of cerium is III in the compound of formula [{Ce(NMP)6}(PMo12O40)]n. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Synthesis, Spectroscopy, and Magnetic Properties of FeII and CoII Quinoline‐2‐carboxylates − Crystal Structure of trans‐Bis(quinoline‐2‐carboxylato)bis(propanol)iron(II)
Authors: Dobrzyńska Danuta , Duczmal Marek , Jerzykiewicz Lucjan B. , Warchulska Jolanta , Drabent Krzysztof
Published: December 2003

The new coordination compounds, [Fe(quin‐2‐c)2(EtOH)2] (1), [Co(quin‐2‐c)2(EtOH)2] (2), and [Fe(quin‐2‐c)2(PrOH)2] (3) (where quin‐2‐c = quinoline‐2‐carboxylate) have been synthesized and investigated by ligand field, IR, Raman, and Mössbauer spectroscopy and by magnetic measurements. The X‐ray analysis of the structure of 3 has been performed and refined to an R factor of 0.0377. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n with a = 6.104(1), b = 10.515(2), c = 19.339(4) Å, β = 92.57(3)°. The trans N2O4 environment around the FeII ion has a distorted octahedral geometry and the quin‐2‐c ion coordinates to iron in the equatorial plane in a chelating mode. The axial positions are occupied by propan‐1‐ol molecules. The spectral studies indicate the same molecular structure for all three compounds. The magnetic susceptibility and the magnetization of 2 were calculated for Co2+ ions in an octahedral crystal field with a rhombic zero field distortion (|D| = 34 cm−1, E ≈︁ 0, giso = 2.35 and N = 6.9·10−4 emu·mol−1). (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Hydrothermal Syntheses, Crystal Structures and Photoluminescent Properties of Three Metal‐Cluster Based Coordination Polymers Containing Mixed Organic Ligands
Authors: Tao Jun , Yin Xin , Wei Zan‐Bin , Huang Rong‐Bin , Zheng Lan‐Sun
Published: December 2003

Three novel metal‐cluster based coordination polymers (MCCPs) with formulae [Zn4(μ3‐OH)2(H2O)2(sip)2(4,4′‐bpy)2]·3H2O (MCCP‐4), [Cd4(μ3‐OH)2(H2O)2(sip)2(4,4′‐bpy)4]·H2O (MCCP‐5) and [Cd6(μ3‐OH)4(μ2‐OH2)2(OH2)2 (nip)4(4,4′‐bpy)3]·3H2O (MCCP‐6) [H2sip = 5‐sulfoisophthalic acid, H2nip = 5‐nitroisophthalic acid and 4,4′‐bpy = 4,4′‐bipyridyl] were hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. MCCP‐4 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P$\bar 1$
with a = 10.106(2), b = 10.851(2), c = 11.125(2) Å, α = 105.66(3), β = 112.63(3), γ = 98.18(3)°, V = 1041.8(4) Å3, and Z = 2. MCCP‐5 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 25.602(1), b = 16.571(1), c = 13.322(1) Å, β = 92.524(1)°, V = 5646.4(2) Å3, and Z = 4. MCCP‐4 and ‐5 consist of similar [M4(μ3‐OH)2]6+ tetranuclear building units that are joined through sip and 4,4′‐bpy ligands to generate a two‐dimensional structure (MCCP‐4) and a three‐dimensional structure (MCCP‐5), respectively. MCCP‐6 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P$\bar 1$
with a = 14.295(2), b = 14.472(2), c = 20.204(3) Å, α = 73.362(3), β = 82.200(3), γ = 62.769(2)°, V = 3560.9(10) Å3, and Z = 2. MCCP‐6 contains unprecedented [Cd6(μ3‐OH)4(μ2‐OH2)2]8+ hexanuclear building units which are linked through nip and 4,4′‐bpy ligands to afford a two‐dimensional structure. The infrared spectroscopy, thermal stability and photoluminescence of the three complexes were studied. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
In Quest of the Double Rotaxane Formation of the Bis(coronand) (1,5),(2,4)‐Durenetetrayl‐bis(18‐crown‐5) with Organomagnesium Compounds
Authors: van Klink Gerard P. M. , Nomoto Tateo , Lutz Martin , Spek Anthony L. , Akkerman Otto S. , Bickelhaupt Friedrich
Published: December 2003

The interaction between the title compound, bis(coronand) 8,and the diarylmagnesium compounds Ph2Mg and (p‐tBuC6H4)2Mg in diethyl ether leads to the formation of 1:2 complexes (9 and 10, respectively), irrespective of the initial ratio of the components. In [D8]toluene, the three complex types can be discerned by 1H NMR spectroscopy: double side‐on (9a, 10a), side‐on/rotaxane (9b, 10b), and, to a very minor extent, double rotaxane (9c, 10c). In the case of 10a and 10b, the temperature dependence showed that rotaxane formation is enthalpically favored at the expense of a more negative entropy. As crystals suitable for structure determination could not be obtained from 9 and 10, the interaction of 8 with the sterically less demanding Hg(SCN)2 was studied. In this case, analogous pseudorotaxanes are formed exclusively, and both the 1:2 complex [8·{Hg(SCN)2}2] (11) and its 1:1 analogue 12 were observed. The double rotaxane structure of 11 was confirmed by X‐ray crystal structure determination. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
A Theoretical Study of the Exchange Coupling in Hydroxo‐ and Alkoxo‐Bridged Dinuclear Oxovanadium(IV) Compounds
Authors: Rodríguez‐Fortea Antonio , Alemany Pere , Alvarez Santiago , Ruiz Eliseo
Published: December 2003

A density functional study of exchange coupling in hydroxo‐ and alkoxo‐bridged dinuclear oxovanadium(IV) compounds is presented. Coupling constants calculated for full unmodeled structures are in good agreement with experimentally reported values, confirming the ability of the computational strategy used in this work to predict the exchange coupling in dinuclear VIV compounds. The influence of the configuration of the [VO(μ‐OR)2VO]2+ core in compounds with two edge‐sharing octahedrally coordinated oxovanadium(IV) centers, of the nature of the terminal ligands and of structural distortions on the coupling constant have been analyzed through model calculations. The results indicate that the coupling constant is less affected by these factors than for hydroxo‐ and alkoxo‐bridged CuII compounds. The calculations support the orbital models usually employed in qualitative interpretations of magneto‐structural correlations, showing good correlations between the calculated coupling constants and the overlap between the two magnetic orbitals or the square of the orbital gap. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)