bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemosensitivity testing in ovarian cancer
Authors: Sevin Bernd‐Uwe , Perras James P. , Averette Hervy E. , Donato Daniel M. , Penalver Manuel
Published: March 2011

Most patients with ovarian cancer currently are treated primarily with surgery and chemotherapy. Drug selection usually is not based on individualized in vitro sensitivity studies but on reported response rates of clinical trials. Attempts to include in vitro chemosensitivity testing into the management of ovarian cancer have been disappointing to clinicians. Tumor cells from fresh human ovarian cancer do not grow well under artificial in vitro growth conditions. The selection of cells that happen to proliferate in vitro (e.g., human tumor clonogenic assay) has resulted in low plating efficiencies (0.001–0.1% of plated cells). The vigorous mechanical and enzymatic tumor disaggregation, done to obtain a single‐cell suspension, further reduces the number of cells that grow in vitro, resulting in low overall evaluability rates of 40–70% for the human tumor clonogenic assay. At the University of Miami, a new in vitro chemosensitivity assay was developed that detected the decrease in total tumor cell viability by measuring intracellular adenosine triphosphate as a function of in vitro drug response. Preliminary data on 31 tumor tissues from patients, which was evaluated with this method, showed a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 100%. Since these initial studies, data were gathered on more than 150 fresh gynecologic tumor specimens to evaluate single drugs and drug combinations at five concentrations (range, 10–500% of reported peak plasma concentrations). The evaluability rate for ovarian tumors was more than 90%. Some tumors showed almost complete cell kill at the lowest drug concentration; others had only a limited response at the highest level. Drug‐response patterns also were variable for combined drug exposure. These findings underscore the heterogeneity of drug response in morphologically similar tumors and the importance of characterizing individual chemosensitivity profiles for patients before drug treatment.
Flow cytometric evaluation of ovarian cancer
Authors: Braly Patricia S. , Klevecz Robert R.
Published: March 2011

Background. Despite recent advances in the treatment of ovarian cancer, the long‐term prognosis for patients with this malignancy appears to depend more on tumor prognostic factors than on treatment regimens. The traditionally used prognostic factors are often subjective and, currently, have not been sufficient to determine individual patient prognosis.

Methods. Newer techniques of quantitative cytologic testing, including flow cytometry, facilitate the objective evaluation of tumor cell heterogeneity and the identification of additional prognostic factors.

Results. There is good evidence, mainly from retrospective studies, that DNA ploidy is a valuable prognostic indicator in patients with both early‐stage and late‐stage ovarian cancer. Most of the recent flow cytometric studies have identified ploidy as an independent prognostic factor, with aneuploidy predicting a significantly shorter survival time, even in patients with borderline malignant tumors. Flow cytometric determination of cell cycle information (e.g., S‐phase fraction or proliferative index) may represent additional prognostic information and may be used to predict the early tumor response to treatment.

Conclusions. Although additional prospective studies are needed to establish the exact value of flow cytometric evaluation for ovarian cancer and other gynecologic malignancies, there is little doubt that the prognostic value of this information will influence clinical management of patients with these malignancies in the near future.
Imaging in gynecologic malignancies
Authors: Bragg David G. , Hricak Hedvig
Published: March 2011

Cross‐sectional imaging is often a useful complement to clinical examination in patients with gynecologic malignancies. Patients with ovarian cancer will benefit less from the use of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); however, extensive intraperitoneal disease may be evaluated and followed with either technology. Endometrial cancer is best approached by staging with contrast‐enhanced MRI. The more advanced the disease is, the more information should be available from MRI imaging. By contrast, patients with cervical cancer are assessed best using noncontrast‐enhanced MRI as far as imaging of the primary tumor is concerned. Extracervical extension is defined better with contrast enhancement and varied pulse sequences. Radiation changes and tumor response also can be assessed with MRI imaging as a complement to clinical examination.
Neovaginal reconstruction
Authors: Hatch Kenneth D.
Published: March 2011

Formation of a neovagina is an important step in restoring a normal self‐image for the woman who has had treatment for gynecologic cancer. There are several techniques that the surgeon may select based on the amount of tissue removed or damaged, the surrounding anatomy, and the condition of the patient. The indications, techniques, and results of these procedures will be described in this article.
Low colorectal anastomosis and reconstruction after gynecologic cancer
Authors: Wheeless Clifford R.
Published: March 2011

Radical en bloc resection of pelvic tissue remains an important part of the armamentarium of the gynecologic oncologist despite significant advances in radiation oncology and chemotherapy. Total pelvic exenteration can be the only hope of women who have not responded to more conservative therapy. The time has come where it is appropriate to use contemporary techniques in the discipline of reconstructive surgery to restore these women to an acceptable quality of life. It may be the next challenge for the pelvic surgeon to participate in such surgical reconstruction. This challenge is becoming an active part of the oncologic surgical practice in head and neck and breast surgery. This article reviews the techniques that are available in the reconstruction of a functional rectum with elimination of colostomy.
Predicting sexual and psychologic morbidity and improving the quality of life for women with gynecologic cancer
Authors: Andersen Barbara L.
Published: March 2011

The research progress made in the 1980s on understanding psychologic outcomes after gynecologic cancer has continued since the 1986 conference. To facilitate future intervention research, a model for predicting the risk for psychologic and behavioral morbidity is provided. This model clarifies psychologic, behavioral, and medical routes leading to a reduced quality of life. Although few intervention studies have been conducted with gynecologic patients, studies in other patients with cancer suggest that psychologic interventions can reduce emotional distress, enhance coping, and improve general adjustment and sexual functioning, in particular. The final section of this article discusses future research directions and challenges institutions and study groups to support quality‐of‐life research for women with gynecologic cancer.
Gynecologic oncology group randomized trials of combined technique therapy for vulvar cancer
Authors: Keys Henry
Published: March 2011

The Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) did a surgicopathologic study of vulvar cancer in which various prognostic factors in the primary lesion were evaluated and compared with the pathologic status of the lymph nodes in the groin dissections. In total, 558 patients were entered into this study (GOG Protocol 36) from November 1977 to February 1984. The 203 patients with positive groin nodes were eligible for a second study in which they were assigned randomly to receive either pelvic lymph node dissection or pelvic and groin irradiation (Protocol 37). One hundred fourteen patients were randomized to this study, and 53 of 59 patients in each treatment arm actually underwent the prescribed treatment. Acute and late toxicities were similar in both treatment arms. There was a significant difference in survival rate that favored the pelvic radiation treatment [P = 0.03). The largest difference in survival rates occurred in those patients with either of the poor prognostic findings (clinically suspicious fixed ulcerated nodes or two or more positive nodes). The 2‐year survival rate was 68% for the radiation treatment arm and 54% for the surgical program. Pelvic radiation therapy has become the standard treatment for patients with positive groin nodes, especially if they are fixed or multiple. Based on these results, a subsequent study was designed to test whether radiation therapy could substitute for bilateral groin node dissection in patients with vulvar cancer (Protocol 88). Fifty‐eight patients were enrolled in the study before entry was suspended on April 30, 1991, and the study was closed on November 1, 1991. In the first 49 evaluable patients, there were five groin recurrences in the irradiated patients, although there were no groin failures in the operated group. The radiation program used in this study may not have provided an adequate dose to the depth where the lymph nodes were located because the prescription called for dose calculations at a depth of 3 cm. Unless demonstrated in another study, groin irradiation cannot be used as an equivalent option to groin dissection. Aggressive preoperative chemoradiation treatment currently is being studied for patients with T3 lesions not amenable to standard radical vulvectomy. Surgical dissection of residual tumor plus bilateral groin dissections are to be done if the postradiation biopsy findings are positive. Patients with unresectable Stage T2 or T3 groin nodes are also eligible for this study (Protocol 101).
Carcinoma of the cervix treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy: Cooperative studies in the gynecologic oncology group
Authors: Stehman Frederick B. , Bundy Brian N.
Published: March 2011

Since its inception in 1970, the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) has pursued a series of Phase II and III cooperative clinical investigations of the combination of cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiation therapy for patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix. After an initial randomized trial indicated that hydroxyurea was superior to placebo, subsequent studies have evaluated whether the hypoxic sensitizer, misonidazole, or the combination of cisplatin with infusional 5‐fluorouracil were superior to hydroxyurea. Other studies have evaluated concurrent chemotherapy with extended field radiation for patients with metastatic disease in their paraaortic nodes. The GOG will continue to attempt to identify and develop superior adjuncts to radiation therapy for this patient population.
Fine‐needle aspirations of papillary carcinoma with oncocytic features
Authors: Renshaw Andrew A.
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND:

Although a wide variety of papillary carcinomas of the thyroid can have abundant granular cytoplasm and may be difficult to distinguish from Hürthle cell lesions in fine‐needle aspirations (FNAs), the literature on these tumors is limited. The author described 18 cases with a spectrum of cytologic appearances.

METHODS:

A series of 7089 FNAs was correlated with 1331 subsequent resection specimens. Cases in which the original cytologic and histologic diagnoses included the differential diagnosis of papillary carcinoma or Hürthle cell lesions were identified.

RESULTS:

A total of 18 (1.3% of cases with resection) cases were identified. On review, 3 cases had classic features of papillary carcinoma, including nuclear crowding, along with a moderate amount of granular cytoplasm. Four cases had a population of cells that mimicked repair and/or cyst‐lining cells with almost no other epithelial cells. In 2 of those 4 cases, the cells were extremely large, and in 2 other cases, they could not be distinguished from typical cyst‐lining cells. The remaining 11 cases had cells with overlapping features including pale to granular chromatin, small to medium nucleoli either centrally or eccentrically, occasional grooves, and rare intranuclear inclusions. Typical Hürthle cells also were commonly present. Nuclear crowding was not present, and the cells were in sheets, follicles, or appeared alone. No papillae were identified. On resection, 7 cases were follicular variants of papillary carcinoma, 2 cases occurred in the setting of Hashimoto thyroiditis, and 2 cases had features of the tall‐cell variant.

CONCLUSIONS:

The author concluded that a subset of papillary carcinomas of the thyroid were difficult to distinguish from Hürthle cell lesions or repair and/or cyst‐lining cells because of the presence of abundant granular cytoplasm and a lack of nuclear crowding. These tumors were often follicular or cystic variants of papillary carcinoma. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
DOG1 utility in diagnosing gastrointestinal stromal tumors on fine‐needle aspiration
Authors: Fatima Nazneen , Cohen Cynthia , Siddiqui Momin T.
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND:

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and the majority contain KIT or PDGFRA activating mutations. Fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is a valuable technique in the diagnosis of GIST and may allow for preoperative therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). Because of the morphologic diversity of these tumors, routine diagnosis of GIST often relies on C‐Kit immunohistochemical staining in addition to morphologic findings. However, up to 15% of GISTs are C‐Kit negative. Antibodies with increased sensitivity and specificity for detection of C‐Kit–negative GIST cases may be of value, especially because some of these cases may also benefit from TKI therapy.

METHODS:

Immunohistochemical staining for DOG‐1, C‐Kit (CD117) and protein kinase C theta (PKCθ) was performed on FNA cell‐block preparations representing 30 GISTs, 17 leiomyosarcomas, 16 melanomas, 16 schwannomas, 11 adenoid cystic carcinomas, and 8 leiomyomas.

RESULTS:

DOG‐1 was found to have 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity in diagnosis of GIST. C‐Kit demonstrated 70% sensitivity and 76% specificity, and PKCθ showed 40% sensitivity and 86% specificity. When only spindle‐cell neoplasms were considered (adenoid cystic carcinomas excluded), the specificity of C‐Kit increased to 89%. Of interest, all C‐Kit–negative cases showed DOG‐1 positivity.

CONCLUSIONS:

DOG‐1 was the most sensitive and specific of the 3 markers for the diagnosis of GIST in cell‐block preparations and may be of particular use in the diagnosis of C‐Kit–negative GIST. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society
synthesis of high‐quality crystalline α‐MoO3 nanobelts
Authors: Yang Xiaofei , Tang Hua , Zhang Rongxian , Song Haojie , Cao Kesheng
Published: March 2011

High‐quality crystalline MoO3 nanobelts were successfully fabricated with a facile hydrothermal route by using common and inexpensive NaCl as a capping agent. The products are thoroughly characterized by the combination of different techniques. The results indicate that as‐prepared MoO3 nanobelts have an orthorhombic crystal structure (α‐MoO3) with growth preferential in the [001] direction, the size of the obtained MoO3 nanobelts ranges from 200 nm to 300 nm in width and micrometers in length. The effects of the amount of NaCl on the morphology and size of the resultant MoO3 were also investigated, it is clearly shown that the presence of appropriate amount of NaCl plays a crucial role in controlling the size and morphology of the obtained MoO3. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of ZnO nanowire arrays
Authors: Zhang L. C. , Ruan Y. F. , Wang D. L. , Qiu C. X.
Published: March 2011

In this paper we report a chemical method named coordination reaction method to synthesize ZnO nanowire arreys. ZnO nanowires with the diameter about 80nm were successfully fabricated in the channels of the porous anodic alumina (PAA) template by the above coordination reaction method. The microstructures of ZnO/PAA assembly were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the ZnO nanowires can be uniformly assembled into the nanochannels of PAA template. The growth mechanism of ZnO nanowires and the conditions of the coordination reaction are discussed. Photoluminescence (PL) measurement shows that the ZnO/PAA assembly system has a blue emission band caused by the various defects of ZnO. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A Fuel‐Cell Reactor for the Direct Synthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide Alkaline Solutions from H2 and O2
Authors: Yamanaka Ichiro , Onisawa Takeshi , Hashimoto Toshikazu , Murayama Toru
Published: March 2011

The effects of the type of fuel‐cell reactors (undivided or divided by cation‐ and anion‐exchange membranes), alkaline electrolytes (LiOH, NaOH, KOH), vapor‐grown carbon fiber (VGCF) cathode components (additives: none, activated carbon, Valcan XC72, Black Pearls 2000, Seast‐6, and Ketjen Black), and the flow rates of anolyte (0, 1.5, 12 mL h−1) and catholyte (0, 12 mL h−1) on the formation of hydrogen peroxide were studied. A divided fuel‐cell system, O2 (g)|VGCF–XC72 cathode|2 M NaOH catholyte|cation‐exchange membrane (Nafion‐117)|Pt/XC72–VGCF anode|2 M NaOH anolyte at 12 mL h−1 flow|H2 (g), was effective for the selective formation of hydrogen peroxide, with 130 mA cm−2, a 2 M aqueous solution of H2O2/NaOH, and a current efficiency of 95 % at atmospheric pressure and 298 K. The current and formation rate gradually decreased over a long period of time. The cause of the slow decrease in electrocatalytic performance was revealed and the decrease was stopped by a flow of catholyte. Cyclic voltammetry studies at the VGCF–XC72 electrode indicated that fast diffusion of O2 from the gas phase to the electrode, and quick desorption of hydrogen peroxide from the electrode to the electrolyte were essential for the efficient formation of solutions of H2O2/NaOH.
Socio‐ecohydrology and the urban water challenge
Authors: Pataki D. E. , Boone C. G. , Hogue T. S. , Jenerette G. D. , McFadden J. P. , Pincetl S.
Published: March 2011

Urban water systems are highly engineered. However, hydrology and ecology are still closely linked in semi‐arid urban ecosystems in which surface characteristics, vegetation, and water flows are all highly transformed. Although these systems are human‐dominated, there are many uncertainties in the water budgets of semi‐arid cities, because evapotranspiration, runoff, groundwater recharge, and leakage are poorly constrained. Decision‐making, governance, and socioeconomic factors play important roles in determining urban hydrologic budgets. We offer a framework to integrate these factors in studies that combine biophysical and social dimensions of the urban water system using the example of western US cities, which are facing critical issues in water supply and demand, and which can benefit from a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that determine water consumption, distribution and availability. Because of the severity of the water crisis in the western US, and the biophysical, institutional, and cultural barriers to developing and implementing new water management practices, this region provides useful lessons for addressing water challenges in other regions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Soil moisture and ecosystem function responses of desert grassland varying in vegetative cover to a saturating precipitation pulse
Authors: Hamerlynck Erik P. , Scott Russell L. , Stone Jeffry J.
Published: March 2011

A critical linkage between hydrological and ecological processes is plant cover, yet the ecosystem‐level responses of aridland systems of varying plant cover to extreme precipitation events, predicted to increase in the future, have not been well studied. We tracked volumetric soil water (θ15 cm) across the entire summer monsoon season, and ecosystem evapotranspiration (ET), net ecosystem carbon dioxide exchange (NEE), ecosystem respiration (Reco), gross ecosystem photosynthesis (GEP), and leaf‐level net carbon assimilation (Anet) and stomatal conductance to water vapour (gs) for 30 days in high‐cover (ca. 50%) and low‐cover (ca. 23%) plots in response to a runoff generating experimental rainfall. For 35 days following the pulse, θ15 cm was 2·5% higher in high‐cover plots compared to low‐cover values, with identical soil drying rates between cover conditions. After θ15 cm converged to similar values between cover conditions, dry‐down rates were longer in low‐cover plots. ET and gs did not differ between plots. For 7 days after the pulse, slower Anet development in some grass species compared to rapid development by the canopy dominant, Lehmann's lovegrass, may have resulted in similar GEP between low‐ and high‐cover plots. After this, GEP and Reco were higher and increased in parallel in high‐cover plots. In low‐cover plots, Reco levelled at + 21 days, resulting in similar NEE to high‐cover plots, even though GEP was lower. These findings suggest that low biomass in low‐cover areas may constrain Reco and lead to more evenly distributed productivity across semiarid grasslands following large, infrequent precipitation events. Published in 2011. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
A General Route to Perfluoroalkyl‐ and Trifluorovinyl‐Substituted Fischer Carbene Complexes of Tungsten and Chromium – Syntheses, Characterisation and Structures
Authors: Tyrra Wieland , Yagupolskii Yurii L. , Kirij Nataliya V. , Rusanov Eduard B. , Kremer Silke , Naumann Dieter
Published: March 2011

Hexacarbonyltungsten and ‐chromium [M(CO)6; M = W, Cr] react smoothly with perfluoroalkyl (Rf = CF3, C2F5) and trifluorovinyl (Rf = CF=CF2) silanes in the presence of equimolar amounts of fluoride ions with exclusive attack of one of the CO ligands to form the corresponding salts, Cat[(CO)5MC(Rf)O] (Cat = [Me4N]+, [Cs(15‐crown‐5)2]+) which after methylation represent the first hitherto unknown perfluoroorgano‐substituted Fischer carbene complexes, (CO)5MC(Rf)(OCH3), of those metals. The methoxy group can be easily replaced by amino functional groups as shown for the corresponding carbonyltungsten compound. The molecular structures of (CO)5WC(CF3)(OCH3) and (CO)5WC(CF3)[N(C2H5)2] have been elucidated by XRD measurements.
Strategies for Optimizing the Performance of Cyclometalated Ruthenium Sensitizers for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Bomben Paolo G. , Thériault Kim D. , Berlinguette Curtis P.
Published: March 2011

Pursuant to our goal of optimizing the performance of cyclometalated Ru sensitizers in the dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC), the physicochemical properties of a series of tris‐heteroleptic RuII complexes are reported. Each of these complexes contains a metal ligated by: (i) a bidentate 2,2′‐bipyridine‐4,4′‐dicarboxylic acid (dcbpy) ligand to anchor the dye to the TiO2 surface; (ii) a cyclometalating ligand – withelectron‐withdrawing groups to ensure a sufficiently high oxidation potential for dye regeneration in the DSSC; and (iii) a 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy) ligand. UV/Vis and electrochemical data reveal that each complex exhibits broad metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT) bands of significant intensity (ϵ = 1.0–2.3 × 104 M–1 cm–1) in the visible region, and ground‐ and excited‐state redox potentials that are appropriate for sensitizing TiO2. Analysis of the dyes in the DSSC highlights the sensitivity of cell performance to the oxidation potential for each of the dyes, which has important implications in the development of cyclometalated Ru sensitizers.
Synthesis of Naturally Occurring Cyclohexene Rings Using Stereodirected Intramolecular Diels–Alder Reactions Through Asymmetric 1,3‐Dioxane Tethering
Authors: Abdelkafi Hajer , Evanno Laurent , Deville Alexandre , Dubost Lionel , Chiaroni Angèle , Nay Bastien
Published: March 2011

The utility of the readily available asymmetric 1,3‐dioxane template in intramolecular Diels–Alder reactions is reported. The 1,3,9‐decatrienoates substrates gave predominantly the endo‐boat products, with minor amounts of the exo‐boat isomer. Various substitutions (14 examples) were introduced and the results gave an indication of the scope and also a few limitations of the method. In particular, the approach was applicable to (E,Z)‐diene substrates, for which good yields and selectivities were obtained. By applying suitable substrates, we describe the successful synthesis of valuable intermediates for the total synthesis of the diterpene harringtonolide (1) and the pyrrocidine polyketides (2), affording the appropriate stereochemistry of the natural product within the highly functionalized cyclohexene ring system. This is the first time that an asymmetric synthetic approach toward both compound series has been reported.
Synthesis and Structural Analysis of Porphyrin‐Based Polynucleating Ligands Bearing 8‐Methoxy‐ and 8‐(Allyloxy)quinoline Units
Authors: Eckes Fabrice , Deiters Emmanuel , Métivet Adrien , Bulach Véronique , Hosseini Mir Wais
Published: March 2011

The synthetic strategies and procedures leading to a series of new porphyrin derivatives bearing two to four 8‐hydroxyquinolinyl groups are reported. The solid‐state structures of the majority of the reported porphyrin derivatives were investigated by X‐ray diffraction analysis of single crystals. The strategy, based on the condensation of the carboxylic acid derivative of methyl‐protected 8‐hydroxyquinoline with the pure α4, α2β2 and αβαβ atropoisomers of tetrakis(o‐aminophenyl)porphyrin precursors in the presence of HBTU/DMAP led to the formation of the corresponding tetrasubstituted derivatives in good yields (45–68 %). Unfortunately, the final deprotection step leading to the desired chelating compounds was unsuccessful. The replacement of the methyl group by the bulky allyl group afforded only the di‐ and trisubstituted α4 atropoisomer in 17 and 50 % yields, respectively. Due to steric reasons, no trace of the tetrasubstituted α4 atropoisomer derivative was detected. However, the coupling reaction with the αβαβ atropoisomers of the tetrakis(o‐aminophenyl)porphyrin precursor afforded the tetrasubstituted atropoisomer in 49 % yield. Again, the deprotection step was problematic and led to non‐separable mixtures. Finally, the desired α4 atropoisomer bearing four 8‐hydroxyquinolinyl groups was obtained upon direct condensation of the α4 atropoisomer of the precursor with 8‐hydroxy‐7‐quinolinecarboxylic acid in the presence of activating agents (HBTU and DMAP).
Squalenoyl Gemcitabine Monophosphate: Synthesis, Characterisation of Nanoassemblies and Biological Evaluation
Authors: Caron Joachim , Lepeltier Elise , Reddy L. Harivardhan , Lepêtre‐Mouelhi Sinda , Wack Séverine , Bourgaux Claudie , Couvreur Patrick , Desmaële Didier
Published: March 2011

Trialkylammonium 4‐(N)‐1,1′,2‐trisnor‐squalenoylgemcitabine monophosphate (SQdFdC‐MP) salts were prepared from 1,1′,2‐trisnor‐squalenoylgemcitabine by phosphoramidite‐type chemistry. This amphiphilic molecule self‐assembled into nanoassemblies of about 100 nm in size in aqueous solutions. Cryo‐TEM and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) investigations revealed that SQdFdC‐MP molecules self‐organized into unilamellar liposomes with a membrane thickness of about 70 Å. Such liposomal trialkylammonium SQdFdC‐MP formulations displayed significant anticancer activity on leukaemia cells. These results suggested that squalene conjugates of negatively charged nucleotide analogues efficiently penetrated into tumour cells. Furthermore, triethylammonium SQdFdC‐MP nanoassemblies were found to be more active than the parent nucleoside towards the L1210 10 K resistant cell line.
Automated two‐dimensional separation flow system with electrochemical preconcentration, stripping, capillary electrophoresis and contactless conductivity detection for trace metal ion analysis
Authors: Lopes Fernando Silva , Coelho Lúcia Helena Gomes , Gutz Ivano Gebhardt Rolf
Published: March 2011

This paper describes the automation of a fully electrochemical system for preconcentration, cleanup, separation and detection, comprising the hyphenation of a thin layer electrochemical flow cell with CE coupled with contactless conductivity detection (CE‐C4D). Traces of heavy metal ions were extracted from the pulsed‐flowing sample and accumulated on a glassy carbon working electrode by electroreduction for some minutes. Anodic stripping of the accumulated metals was synchronized with hydrodynamic injection into the capillary. The effect of the angle of the slant polished tip of the CE capillary and its orientation against the working electrode in the electrochemical preconcentration (EPC) flow cell and of the accumulation time were studied, aiming at maximum CE‐C4D signal enhancement. After 6 min of EPC, enhancement factors close to 50 times were obtained for thallium, lead, cadmium and copper ions, and about 16 for zinc ions. Limits of detection below 25 nmol/L were estimated for all target analytes but zinc. A second separation dimension was added to the CE separation capabilities by staircase scanning of the potentiostatic deposition and/or stripping potentials of metal ions, as implemented with the EPC‐CE‐C4D flow system. A matrix exchange between the deposition and stripping steps, highly valuable for sample cleanup, can be straightforwardly programmed with the multi‐pumping flow management system. The automated simultaneous determination of the traces of five accumulable heavy metals together with four non‐accumulated alkaline and alkaline earth metals in a single run was demonstrated, to highlight the potentiality of the system.
Auditory hallucinations in anorexia nervosa
Authors: Rojo‐Moreno Luis , Plumed José Javier , Fons María Barberá , Gonzalez‐Piqueras José Carlos , Rojo‐Bofill Luis , Livianos Lorenzo
Published: March 2011

The paper describes two case studies of patients with anorexia nervosa who suffer from auditory hallucinations as the only psychotic symptom. A review of the literature regarding clinical cases of anorexic patients with hallucinations is discussed. Hallucinations in anorexic patients are conceptualized according to different theoretical models which point to a dimensional view of eating disorders. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Becoming ‘whole’ again: A qualitative study of women's views of recovering from anorexia nervosa
Authors: Jenkins Jana , Ogden Jane
Published: March 2011

This study explored how women made sense of their recovery from Anorexia Nervosa (AN). Semi‐structured telephone interviews were carried out with fifteen women who had received a diagnosis of AN and defined themselves as either recovered or in recovery. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The women described their experiences in terms of three broad areas; being anorexic; the process of change; and being recovered. Transcending these themes was a series of dichotomies involving splits between their mind and body, AN behaviour and cognitions and their rational and irrational side. Further, they indicated that recovery reflects the time when these many different components of their selves are no longer divided and that this was often facilitated through therapy and close relationships which enabled them to find non bodily means to express their distress. Therapy should therefore aim to facilitate a sense of becoming ‘whole’ again. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Can Eating Disorders Become ‘Contagious’ in Group Therapy and Specialized Inpatient Care?
Authors: Vandereycken Walter
Published: March 2011

Eating disorders belong to the broad category of self‐harming behaviours which may be acquired in a social learning process of imitation, identification and competition. Hence, we should question the possible dangers or unwanted side‐effects in treating patients together within a common therapeutic setting. But little is known about the frequency and extent of possibly negative influences of treatment in a group format, the so‐called risk of ‘peer contagion’ in group therapy and/or inpatient treatment. We review in this paper the rather scarce literature on this subject in order to stimulate more critical thinking and systematic research. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
The role of the temporary component in spot prices in the revision of expected future spot prices: Evidence from index futures quotes
Authors: Kang Hyung Cheol , Lee Dong Wook , Lee Eun Jung , Park Kyung Suh
Published: March 2011

It is frequently argued that foreign investors have extrapolative expectations due to their informational disadvantages. That is, in the absence of other sources of information, foreigners revise their expectations on the future price of a domestic stock more in line with its current price change than do domestic investors. In this study, we analytically show that foreigners might respond more to a price change because they pay relatively less attention to a temporary component in price—i.e. because they are more well‐informed. We confirm this hypothesis with a simple yet powerful test that is designed by the identification schemes arising directly from the nature of a temporary component and by the access to a direct measure of the investor's expectation, namely, the quote for futures contracts. After controlling for the temporary component effect and using the lead–lag relationship between the spot and futures markets, we show that foreign investors are indeed most well‐informed, whereas domestic individuals are at the other end with the most extrapolative expectations. Finally, domestic institutions are largely indistinguishable from foreigners but are noticeably different from domestic individuals.
Types of liquidity and limits to arbitrage—the case of credit default swaps
Authors: Bhanot Karan , Guo Liang
Published: March 2011

Using a sample of Credit Default Swap (CDS) prices and corresponding reference corporate bond yield spreads for the period June 2008 to September 2009, we show that funding liquidity (shadow cost of capital for arbitrageurs) as well as asset‐specific liquidity (determinants of margin requirements) explain recent deviations in the arbitrage‐based parity relationship between the CDS prices and bond yield spreads (CDS‐Bond spread basis). Collectively, our analysis corroborates the theory on the determinants of the basis, and suggests that it is important to distinguish between these types of liquidity in determining the circumstances in which relative prices will converge. Median annualized returns for a sample convergence type trading strategy with typical levels of leverage are 80% with a median holding‐period of 127 days, but the path to convergence is not smooth. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark
New drugs and the growth of health expenditure: evidence from diabetic patients in Taiwan
Authors: Liu Ya‐Ming , Hsieh Chee‐Ruey
Published: March 2011

This paper contributes to the growing body of literature that debates whether the adoption of pharmaceutical innovation increases the overall expenditure on health care. By examining data obtained from Taiwan and focusing on diabetic patients, we use a new class of drugs, namely, thiazolidinediones, as an example to investigate the effect on health expenditure of prescribing new drugs to patients by focusing on the impact of treatment substitution and treatment expansion. Overall, our results indicate that the introduction of new drugs mainly impacts the outpatient drug expenditure and does not give rise to any offsetting effect on other outpatient and inpatient health expenditures. This suggests that the adoption of pharmaceutical innovation in treating diabetic patients is expenditure‐increasing. In addition, we find evidence that the treatment substitution channel has a more significant impact on the level of health expenditure than the treatment expansion channel. An important policy implication for our finding is that the justification for increasing health expenditure on the treatment of diabetes is not conditional upon a lowering in the demand for other types of health‐care services. By contrast, it is conditional upon the increased health benefits per se. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Benefit‐incidence analysis: are government health expenditures more pro‐rich than we think?
Authors: Wagstaff Adam
Published: March 2011

Authors of benefit‐incidence analyses (BIA) have to impute subsidies using assumptions about the relationship between unobserved subsidies ‘captured’ by the household and what can be observed at the household and aggregate levels. This paper shows that one of the two assumptions used in BIA studies to date will necessarily produce a more pro‐rich (or less pro‐poor) picture of government health spending than the other, depending on whether utilization is more pro‐rich or pro‐poor than fees paid to public providers. Both assumptions have their disadvantages, and the paper suggests a couple of alternatives that explicitly link fees paid to the costliness of care. It shows that in the most likely case where fees are distributed in a more pro‐rich fashion than utilization, the two traditional assumptions will produce less pro‐rich distributions of subsidies than the two new alternatives. Also considered are three complications that arise in BIA studies, including factoring in social health insurance. The paper's theoretical results are illustrated with an empirical BIA for Vietnam. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predictors of emotional distress in patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Singer Susanne , Krauß Oliver , Keszte Judith , Siegl Gregor , Papsdorf Kirsten , Severi Ettore , Hauss Johann , Briest Susanne , Dietz Andreas , Brähler Elmar , Kortmann Rolf‐Dieter
Published: March 2011

Background

Patients with head and neck cancer are known to be more commonly emotionally distressed than patients with other tumors. This study investigates reasons for this difference.

Methods

Patients in this prospective cohort study included those with head and neck cancer (n = 113) and those with other cancers (n = 1690). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, measuring emotional distress, along with additional questions regarding emotional support wished and provided were administered.

Results

Patients with head and neck tumors were 1.5‐fold (at the time of admission), 1.2‐fold (before discharge), and 2.7‐fold (half a year after admission) more frequently distressed than the other patients with cancer. This association was confounded by perceived social support and sociodemographic factors. Patients with head and neck cancer expressed less frequently the wish for and received less support by psycho‐oncologists.

Conclusions

Emotional distress is more common in patients with head and neck tumors; this is largely a result of the psychosocial context the patients live in, especially the amount of social support received. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
Factors influencing surgical treatment of bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaws
Authors: Wutzl Arno , Pohl Sebastian , Sulzbacher Irene , Seemann Rudolf , Lauer Günter , Ewers Rolf , Drach Johannes , Klug Clemens
Published: March 2011

Background

Bisphosphonates are known to be associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw. We assess factors underlying the success of surgical treatment in patients with bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ).

Methods

Fifty‐eight patients were investigated 6 months after having surgery. Outcome variables included the stage of disease. Factors underlying the success of surgery such as age, sex, dental procedures, underlying disease, and bisphosphonate therapy were subjected to statistical analysis.

Results

In all, 41 patients after surgery could be followed up. Twenty‐four patients (58.5%) had an intact mucosa after surgical treatment. A statistically significant improvement was registered between preoperative and postoperative staging (p < .01). Routine dental procedures and the underlying illness influenced the outcome of surgery (p < .05). Patients with osteoporosis and multiple myeloma improved to a greater extent by surgery than those with cancer. Discontinuation of bisphosphonates was found to improve the outcome (p < .05).

Conclusions

Surgery is more successful in patients with osteoporosis or multiple myeloma than in those with solid tumors. Discontinuation of bisphosphonate therapy favored the surgical outcome. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
Postoperative respiratory failure after thyroid and parathyroid surgery: Analysis of national surgical quality improvement program
Authors: Gupta Prateek K. , Gupta Himani , Natarajan Bala , Shetty Shreya , Smith Russell B. , Lindau Robert , Fang Xiang , Lydiatt William M.
Published: March 2011

Background

The risk–benefit analysis of any operation is influenced by its perioperative complications. Our objective was to examine the relationship between preoperative clinical characteristics and postoperative respiratory failure (PRF: mechanical ventilation for >48 hours after surgery or reintubation) within 30 days of thyroid and parathyroid surgeries.

Methods

American College of Surgeons' multicenter, prospective, National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) datasets (2007/2008) were used. Multivariable logistic regression was performed.

Results

Eighty‐three of 20,778 (0.4%) patients developed PRF. Comparing patients who developed PRF to those who did not, 30‐day mortality was seen in 13 of 83 versus 11 of 20,695 patients (p < .0001); and mean length of stay (LOS) was 9.1 (±9.5) days versus 1.1 (±1.6) days (p < .0001). Multivariable analysis demonstrated preoperative pneumonia, dependent functional status, dyspnea, dialysis dependence, hypertension, advanced age, and combined thyroid and parathyroid surgery as risk factors for PRF.

Conclusion

PRF after thyroid and parathyroid surgeries is uncommon, but associated with significantly increased 30‐day morbidity and mortality. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck , 2012
A comparison of three methods for downscaling daily precipitation in the Punjab region
Authors: Raje Deepashree , Mujumdar P. P.
Published: March 2011

Many downscaling techniques have been developed in the past few years for projection of station‐scale hydrological variables from large‐scale atmospheric variables simulated by general circulation models (GCMs) to assess the hydrological impacts of climate change. This article compares the performances of three downscaling methods, viz. conditional random field (CRF), K‐nearest neighbour (KNN) and support vector machine (SVM) methods in downscaling precipitation in the Punjab region of India, belonging to the monsoon regime. The CRF model is a recently developed method for downscaling hydrological variables in a probabilistic framework, while the SVM model is a popular machine learning tool useful in terms of its ability to generalize and capture nonlinear relationships between predictors and predictand. The KNN model is an analogue‐type method that queries days similar to a given feature vector from the training data and classifies future days by random sampling from a weighted set of K closest training examples. The models are applied for downscaling monsoon (June to September) daily precipitation at six locations in Punjab. Model performances with respect to reproduction of various statistics such as dry and wet spell length distributions, daily rainfall distribution, and intersite correlations are examined. It is found that the CRF and KNN models perform slightly better than the SVM model in reproducing most daily rainfall statistics. These models are then used to project future precipitation at the six locations. Output from the Canadian global climate model (CGCM3) GCM for three scenarios, viz. A1B, A2, and B1 is used for projection of future precipitation. The projections show a change in probability density functions of daily rainfall amount and changes in the wet and dry spell distributions of daily precipitation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A discrete particle representation of hillslope hydrology: hypothesis testing in reproducing a tracer experiment at Gårdsjön, Sweden
Authors: Davies Jessica , Beven Keith , Nyberg Lars , Rodhe Allan
Published: March 2011

Despite the long history of the continuum equation approach in hydrology, it is not a necessary approach to the formulation of a physically based representation of hillslope hydrology. The Multiple Interacting Pathways (MIPs) model is a discrete realization that allows hillslope response and transport to be simultaneously explored in a way that reflects the potential occurrence of preferential flows and lengths of pathways. The MIPs model uses random particle tracking methods to represent the flow of water within the subsurface alongside velocity distributions that acknowledge preferential flows and transition probability matrices, which control flow pathways. An initial realization of this model is presented here in application to a tracer experiment carried out in Gårdsjön, Sweden. The model is used as an exploratory tool, testing several hypotheses in relation to this experiment. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Downslope soil detachment–transport on steep slopes via rain splash
Authors: Ghahramani Afshin , Ishikawa Yoshiharu , Gomi Takashi , Miyata Shusuke
Published: March 2011

This study developed a one‐dimensional model of downslope rain splash transport based on field experiments and previous studies. The developed model considers soil detachment processes, ground cover, probability densities, and the effect of overland run‐off in preventing detachment. Field monitoring was conducted to observe precipitation run‐off, ground cover, and sediment production on steep hillslopes. Field‐observed data were used to develop the splash detachment rate equation, probability densities for splash transport, and the maximum splash transport distance. Observed and estimated splash transport showed overall agreement, with some differences for small storm events or events with relatively low intensity, probably caused by variation of overland run‐off depth and connectivity as well as differences in soil surface cohesion at various degrees of wetness. Our model can provide insights on the interactions among rainfall intensity, soil surface condition, soil wetness, and splash transport on forested hillslopes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.