bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of thiophosphoryl compounds as accelerators and coupling agents on the vulcanization of NR‐XNBR blend
Authors: Naskar Nityananda , Debnath Subhas Chandra , Basu Dipak Kumar
Published: October 2002

The effect of a number of thiophosphoryl compounds [viz., bis(isobutyl) thiophosphoryl di‐, tri‐, and tetrasulfides and bis(dicyclohexyl) thiophopsphoryl di‐, tri‐, and tetrasulfides] on natural rubber (NR)‐carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) blend was studied. All these thiophosphoryl compounds are capable of forming interrubber links leading to covulcanized blends which exhibit a fair degree of synergism with respect to physical properties, the maximum being obtained at the 25% NR and 75% XNBR blend composition. This is an obvious claim that the blend under investigation is technologically compatible, having some degree of interrubber interaction which is enhanced in case of two‐stage vulcanization. The existence of interrubber interaction is judged by the swelling experiment. The blend morphology assessed by SEM micrographs corroborates the foregoing observations and accounts for the significant improvement in physical properties of the blend vulcanizates, particularly in two‐stage vulcanization. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3286‐3299, 2002
Atom transfer radical polymerization grafting of highly functionalized polystyrene and poly(4‐methylstyrene) macroinitiators with tert‐butyl acrylate
Authors: Masař Bohumil , Janata Miroslav , Vlček Petr , Toman Luděk , Kurková Dana
Published: October 2002

Two monodisperse graft copolymers, poly(4‐methylstyrene)‐graft‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) [number‐average molecular weight (Mn) = 37,500, weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight (Mw/Mn) = 1.12] and polystyrene‐graft‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) (Mn = 72,800, Mw/Mn = 1.12), were prepared by the atom transfer radical polymerization of tert‐butyl acrylate catalyzed with Cu(I) halides. As macroinitiators, poly{(4‐methylstyrene)‐co‐[(4‐bromomethyl)styrene]} and poly{styrene‐co‐[4‐(1‐(2‐bromopropionyloxy)ethyl)styrene]}, carrying 40% of the bromoalkyl functionalities along the chain, were used. The dependencies of molecular parameters on monomer conversion fulfilled the criteria for controlled polymerizations. In contrast, the dependencies of monomer conversion versus time were nonideal; possible causes were examined. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2930–2936, 2002
Biodegradable polyurethane materials from bark and starch. II. Coating material for controlled‐release fertilizer
Authors: Ge Jinjie , Wu Rui , Shi Xinghai , Yu Hao , Wang Min , Li Wenjun
Published: October 2002

Biodegradable polyurethane foams (PUFs) as coating materials for the controlled release of fertilizer were prepared from a four‐component system consisting of diisocyanate, polyester, Acacia mearnsi bark, and corn starch. Ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2SO4] was used as a fertilizer to evaluate the effects of the preparation conditions on the release ratio. The release ratio of (NH4)2SO4 decreased with an increasing amount of biomass in PUFs and increasing sizes of sample particles; the ratio increased with increasing doses of water, which was used as a foaming agent in the preparation of polyurethane, regardless of the amount of coating material. The remaining fertilizer in the polyurethane seemed to be released completely because the PUFs were degradable, to some extent, by soil microorganisms. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2948–2952, 2002
Synthesis and photoconducting properties of C60‐bonded polystyrene initiated with C60Cln
Authors: Jing Hua , Dianbao Chen , Ling Xu , Qufeng Liu , Xiongke Jing , Yifeng Zhang
Published: October 2002

C60‐bonded polystyrene was produced with a novel initiator system, C60Cln/CuCl/2,2′‐bipyridine (where the average value of n is 20). The molar ratio of styrene/C60Cln/CuCl/bpy was 100:1/20:1:2, and the polymerization temperature was 130°C. Gel permeation chromatography detected with an ultraviolet detector demonstrated that C60 was chemically bonded to polystyrene. The linear increase in the number‐average molecular weight (by gel permeation chromatography) with the conversion indicated that this novel initiator system had some characteristics of living polymerization. A possible polymerization mechanism was examined. The photoconducting properties of C60‐bonded polystyrene were better than those of polystyrene initiated with CCl4. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3001–3004, 2002
Characterization of polyurethane foams from soybean oil
Authors: John Jacob , Bhattacharya Mrinal , Turner Robert B.
Published: October 2002

Modified soy‐based vegetable oil polyols were successfully incorporated as a replacement for conventional polyols to produce flexible slabstock polyurethane foams. The oil was characterized for its hydroxyl value and fatty acid composition. The modified oils had higher hydroxyl values and lower unsaturated acids than regular unmodified oils. Three different modified polyols were used to investigate the reactivity with isocyanates. The effects on the foaming reaction of two different isocyanates, namely TDI and MDI, were investigated. The reactions were also carried out with a mixture of polyols containing synthetic polyols and vegetable oil‐based polyols to delineate the effect of each component. FTIR technique was used to identify the sequence of chemical reactions during the foaming process. The effect of water levels and isocyanate content on the kinetics of the foaming reaction was investigated. Information regarding the formation of hard and soft segments with the varying compositions was obtained. As the water content increased, the amount of the hard segment and urea formation increased in both soy oil polyols and synthetic polyols. Increased synthetic polyols in the mixture increased the rate of reaction and phase mixing due to the availability of primary hydroxyl groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) were used to probe the morphology. As the water content increased, the cell size increased. At lower water content a more uniform cell structure was evident and at higher water levels hard domain size increased. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3097–3107, 2002
Morphologies and dynamic mechanical properties of core‐shell emulsifier‐free latexes and their copolymers for P(BA/MMA)/P(MMA/BA) and P(BA/MMA)/PSt systems in the presence of AHPS
Authors: Guo Tian‐Ying , Tang Guang‐Liang , Hao Guang‐Jie , Song Moud‐Dao , Zhang Bang‐Hua
Published: October 2002

Different poly(methyl methacrylate/n‐butyl acrylate)/poly(n‐butyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate) [P(BA/MMA)/P(MMA/BA)] and poly(n‐butyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate)/polystyrene [P(BA/MMA)/PSt] core‐shell structured latexes were prepared by emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization in the presence of hydrophilic monomer 3‐allyloxy‐2‐hydroxyl‐propanesulfonic salt (AHPS). The particle morphologies of the final latexes and dynamic mechanical properties of the copolymers from final latexes were investigated in detail. With the addition of AHPS, a latex of stable and high‐solid content (60 wt %) was prepared. The diameters of the latex particles are ∼0.26 μm for the P(BA/MMA)/P(MMA/BA) system and 0.22–0.24 μm for the P(BA/MMA)/PSt system. All copolymers from the final latexes are two‐phase structure polymers, shown as two glass transition temperatures (Tgs) on dynamic mechanical analysis spectra. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3078–3084, 2002
Synthesis of chitosan‐modified poly(methyl methacrylate) by emulsion polymerization
Authors: Hsu Shih‐Chang , Don Trong‐Ming , Chiu Wen‐Yen
Published: October 2002

Emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of chitosan was studied and a reaction mechanism was proposed. It was proved in the companion article that potassium persulfate (KPS) free radicals can degrade chitosan chains into chain free radicals. Therefore, it is possible to produce a chitosan copolymer when the monomer and the KPS initiator are added into the chitosan solution. According to the proposed mechanism, concentrations of different species such as the initiator, total free radicals, and degraded chitosan chain were calculated with the reaction time. All the results agreed with the experimental observation. The results showed that the polymerization rate varied with 0.83‐ and 0.82‐order of the total free‐radical concentration and chitosan repeating unit concentration, respectively. It was also verified that chitosan played multiple roles in the reaction system. If the monomer was added into the chitosan solution before the addition of KPS, chitosan served mainly as a surfactant. Consequently, the polymer particle number was increased with the chitosan addition and so was the polymerization rate. However, if the monomer was added into the solution where the chitosan was already degraded by KPS, the polymerization rate was decreased with the predegradation time of chitosan. In both cases, the final polymer particles consisted of the poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) homopolymer and the chitosan‐PMMA copolymer. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3047–3056, 2002
Use of poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol) as compatibilizer in LDPE/thermoplastic tapioca starch blends
Authors: Sailaja R. R. N. , Chanda Manas
Published: October 2002

Poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) was used as a compatibilizer to make blends of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and plasticized starch (TS). The tensile properties and impact strength were measured and compared with those of neat LDPE. The morphology of the blend specimens, both fractured and unfractured, was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Comparison of the properties showed that the impact strength of the blend improves significantly by the addition of a compatibilizer even with a high TS loading of 40 and 50% (by weight). A high elongation at break almost matching that of neat polyethylene was also obtained. The blend morphology of the etched specimens revealed fine dispersion of the starch in the polyethylene matrix, while the fracture surface morphology clearly indicate that the failure of compatibilized blends occurs mainly by the ductile mode. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3126–3134, 2002
A study on the rheological properties and processability of polycarbonate
Authors: Ahn Young‐Cheol , Kim Hyo‐Jun
Published: October 2002

The transport theory for the solids conveying zone in a single‐screw extruder was applied to calculate the pressure distributions along the screw channel for several bisphenol A polycarbonate resins based on the screw revolution speed and the flow rate. The pressure distributions and the flow rates of the resins were related to the structural and rheological properties. When polymers have the same chemical structure and number‐average molecular weight and the same mechanical properties, the polymer having a broader molecular weight distribution showed a lower glass transition temperature. For the polymer with broader MWD a relatively low pressure was developed along the screw channel, and an increased flow rate was observed. A relatively short melting length was also observed for this polymer and, accordingly, it was concluded that the polymer with a broader MWD has a better processability. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2921–2929, 2002
‘It's not a choice, it's the way we're built’: symbolic beliefs about sexual orientation in the US and Britain
Authors: Hegarty Peter
Published: October 2002

Heterosexual‐identified Americans who believe that sexual orientation is immutable typically express more tolerant attitudes towards lesbians and gay men. Attribution theorists argue that this is because immutability beliefs reduce stigmatization. In two studies, 97 American and 72 British heterosexual‐identified students reported their beliefs about the immutability and fundamentality of sexual orientation, their attitudes towards lesbians and gay men and their judgments about the values that those beliefs expressed. In both samples, tolerant attitudes and immutability beliefs were correlated only among participants who consistently judged that immutability beliefs would be expressed by more tolerant heterosexual persons. More condemning participants judged lesbian and gay people and heterosexual people to be more fundamentally different in both samples. I argue that links between immutability and tolerance depend more on social constructions of immutability beliefs as expressions of tolerance and less on the attributional content of such beliefs than previous theorists have acknowledged. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Denying equality: an analysis of arguments against lowering the age of consent for sex between men
Authors: Ellis Sonja J. , Kitzinger Celia
Published: October 2002

This paper takes a human rights approach to lesbian and gay oppression and critically explores the arguments used to oppose equality in debates about the age of consent for sex between men. A thematic analysis of Hansard and newspaper reports produced in Britain during the 1990s showed that opponents of a proposal to equalize the age of consent countered with three key arguments: (1) principles of right and wrong take precedence over equality; (2) principles of democracy take precedence over equality; (3) principles of care and protection take precedence over equality. Two additional arguments (concerning the health risks of anal intercourse and escalating demands for gay rights) are also outlined. Our findings are discussed with reference to debates on other lesbian and gay rights issues and we consider the ways in which these arguments might best be resisted. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decision‐making in planned lesbian parenting: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Touroni Elena , Coyle Adrian
Published: October 2002

Although lesbian parenting has attracted much research attention within psychology in the US and the UK, the processes by which lesbian couples make the various decisions associated with parenting have been largely overlooked as an explicit research focus. This article presents findings from a qualitative study with nine lesbian couples in Britain who had had children within their current relationships. Interview transcripts were subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis. Resultant themes focused on factors internal and external to the partners and the couple which led them to decide to have children; decision‐making about using known or anonymous sperm donors (including reflections on experiences of negotiating the nature and extent of the biological father's involvement with the child); and the perceived impact of biological links with the child on decisions about parenting roles (including reflections on the relationship between the non‐biological lesbian parent and the child). The study may be seen as expanding the knowledge base on lesbian parenting (specifically by adding new British, qualitative data that are attentive to decision processes) and informing professionals who might assist lesbian couples in decision‐making about parenthood. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gay men and sexual decision‐making
Authors: Flowers Paul , Duncan Barbara
Published: October 2002

This paper examines European and North American studies of gay men's sexual decision‐making in terms of differences in theory, methodology, the construction of the psychological subject and the social context. Both intra‐ and inter‐subjective paradigms are discussed and the contribution of each is assessed in terms of health interventions. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A possible association between ionizing radiation and pituitary adenoma
Authors: Juven Yoav , Sadetzki Siegal
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

Despite the recognition of ionizing radiation as a causal risk factor for a variety of solid tumors (including brain tumors), to date, such an association with pituitary adenoma (PA) has not been demonstrated.

METHODS

To evaluate a possible association between past exposure to radiation and the occurrence of PA, the authors reviewed about 4900 medical records of patients who had been irradiated in childhood for tinea capitis. An additional search for patients was performed using the Israel Cancer Registry. The average radiation dose to the pituitary gland was estimated as 0.56 grays, and, for all patients, a meticulous validation of the irradiation was performed.

RESULTS

A group of 16 patients who developed symptomatic PA after childhood exposure to radiotherapy were identified. Overall, the clinical and demographic characteristics of these patients were similar to other series reported in the literature. There was an apparently high rate of second primary tumors (25%), all of them in the irradiated area, diagnosed among this group. The methodologic issues that limit the demonstration of a possible association between radiation and PA and the epidemiologic and experimental findings in the literature are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

In view of the ample amount of evidence identifying low‐dose ionizing radiation as a risk factor for a number of intracranial tumors as well as for tumors arising in endocrine organs, a radiation immunity of the pituitary gland is difficult to accept. Hence, the authors suggest that this series should be considered as preliminary observation that supports the role of ionizing radiation in the development of this tumor. Cancer 2002;95:397–403. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10667
Radiation‐related cranial nerve palsy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Lin Yaoh‐Shiang , Jen Yee‐Min , Lin Jiann‐Chyun
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

Cranial nerve palsy is a rare complication after patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) receive radiotherapy using a technique that delivers 180–200 centigrays (cGy) per day. Cranial neuropathy is of particular clinical interest in terms of making a differential diagnosis, because it is also a common presenting manifestation in patients with NPC. Cranial neuropathy may lead to distressing signs and symptoms in these patients, and their treatment has not been addressed in previous reports. This article presents the authors' experience with radiotherapy‐related cranial nerve palsy in patients with NPC.

METHODS

Nineteen patients were diagnosed with radiation‐related neuropathy. Patients with recurrent tumors or with a suspicion of persistent or recurrent tumors were excluded. Most patients were treated using 180 cGy or 200 cGy per fraction per day. The total dose was 7000–13,000 cGy to the nasopharynx and 5000–9000 cGy to the neck. Unilateral vocal cord paralysis alone and hearing loss were not included in the analysis.

RESULTS

There were 15 male patients and 4 female patients. The latency before palsy occurred was 12–240 months. Single nerve palsy developed in four patients, including two patients with hypoglossal palsy and two patients with recurrent laryngeal palsy. Two patients had three nerve palsies each. The other 13 patients presented with 2 nerve palsies each. Vagus and hypoglossal palsy appeared to be a frequent combination and occurred in 11 patients. Overall, there were 17 patients with hypoglossal palsy (7 bilateral, 8 left‐sided, and 2 right‐sided), 11 patients with vagus palsy (2 bilateral, 7 left‐sided, and 2 right‐sided), 6 patients with recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (5 bilateral), and 2 patients with accessory palsies (all bilateral). Marked neck fibrosis was present in 12 patients. Patients who had vocal cord paralysis suffered from easy choking and hoarseness. Severe respiratory difficulty occurred in two patients who had bilateral vocal cord palsy. Surgical procedures included laryngoplasty, tracheostomy, and gastrostomy. Quality of life improved considerably after patients underwent surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiotherapy‐related cranial nerve palsy may occur in patients with NPC after they receive conventional radiotherapy. Hypoglossal nerve palsy was found the most frequently in this series, followed by vagus nerve palsy and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. Neck fibrosis and the course of the three nerves through the neck may be important risk factors for the development of palsy. The diagnosis must be made only after the possibilities of tumor‐induced palsy and idiopathic palsy are excluded. Surgery is helpful in improving the quality of life in many patients. Cancer 2002;95:404–9. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10668
Adult rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Little Darren J. , Ballo Matthew T. , Zagars Gunar K. , Pisters Peter W.T. , Patel Shreyaskumar R. , El‐Naggar Adel K. , Garden Adam S. , Benjamin Robert S.
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

Childhood rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) has a relatively good prognosis. Outcome for adults with this disease is poorly documented due to its rarity.

METHODS

The clinicopathologic features, treatment methods, and disease outcome were reviewed retrospectively for 82 adults with locoregional RMS treated between 1960 and 1998. Patients with distant metastasis at diagnosis were excluded. Actuarial univariate and multivariate statistical methods were used to evaluate outcome.

RESULTS

Patient ages ranged from 17 to 84 years (median, 27 years). Histologic subtypes were embryonal (34%), pleomorphic (43%), and alveolar (23%). Anatomic sites of origin were head and neck (52%), trunk (26%), and extremity (7%). Tumor size was 5 cm or smaller in 51% of patients. Regional lymph node metastasis was present in 33% of patients at presentation. Treatment consisted of radiation alone in 11%, radiation and surgery in 18%, radiation and chemotherapy in 34%, and all three modalities in 37%. With a median follow‐up of 10.5 years, the 10‐year actuarial disease‐free and overall survival rates were 41% and 40%, respectively. The 10‐year actuarial local, lymph node, and metastatic control rates were 75%, 82%, and 53%, respectively. The major determinant of metastatic control and survival was primary tumor size (≤ 5 vs. > 5 cm). Local control was satisfactory (10‐year rate of 87%) for sites other than parameningeal (50% at 10 years). Patients whose disease responded to chemotherapy had a significantly better metastasis free period (72% at 10 years) than those whose disease failed to respond (19% at 10 years).

CONCLUSIONS

Adult RMS is a highly malignant tumor with a significant incidence of metastatic recurrence. Continuing investigation of new and potentially more effective chemotherapy is crucial. Local control is satisfactory for sites other than parameningeal where new radiation technologies such as intensity‐modulated therapy may be necessary to safely deliver adequate doses. Cancer 2002;95:377–88. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10669
Contrasts in cancer prevalence in Connecticut, Iowa, and Utah
Authors: Micheli Andrea , Yancik Rosemary , Krogh Vittorio , Verdecchia Arduino , Sant Milena , Capocaccia Riccardo , Berrino Franco , Ries Lynn
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

Cancer prevalence—the proportion of a population with cancer, including those recently diagnosed, those in treatment, and survivors—is an important indicator of future health care requirements. Only limited information on cancer prevalence is available for the United States. In particular, comparative interstate studies are not available. In this study, we estimate and analyze the prevalence of seven major cancers in Connecticut, lowa, and Utah using the tried and tested PREVAL method applied to National Cancer Institute registry data.

METHODS

We analyzed data on 242,851 carcinomas of the stomach, colorectum, pancreas, breast, uterus (corpus), ovary, and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), diagnosed in white Americans from 1973 through 1992. Observed prevalence was estimated by applying the PREVAL method to incidence and life status data from the cancer registries. Complete prevalence was estimated by applying correction factors obtained by modeling incidence and survival rates.

RESULTS

The ratio of the highest to the lowest prevalence (as proportions) ranged from 1.69 for uterine carcinoma to 2.73 for stomach carcinoma, showing that marked differences in cancer prevalence exist within the United States. Utah had the lowest prevalence for each carcinoma. Connecticut and lowa had similar prevalence levels for carcinomas of the colorectum, pancreas, and ovary and for NHL. Breast carcinoma was the most prevalent, with 826 cases per 100,000 of population in Utah, 1518 per 100,000 in lowa, and 1619 per 100,000 in Connecticut. Cancer survival did not differ greatly among the three registry populations. The major determinants of prevalence differences were incidence and the population age distribution.

CONCLUSIONS

PREVAL provides reliable estimates of the numbers of living people in a population who have had a cancer diagnosis. Prevalence depends on incidence and survival and on the age structure of population. All these factors have changed markedly in recent years and will continue to do so in the future. Cancer prevalence should be monitored over time to evaluate changes by area, sex, age, and cancer site. The prevalence figures presented are directly comparable with those from European cancer registries. Cancer 2002;95:430–9. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10675
Clinicopathologic study of 123 cases of prolactin‐secreting pituitary adenomas with special reference to multihormone production and clonality of the adenomas
Authors: Ma Wenbin , Ikeda Hidetoshi , Yoshimoto Takashi
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

Prolactinoma is the most invasive type of pituitary adenoma and is generally believed to be well‐differentiated adenoma and to produce only prolactin (PRL). The factors related to the various biologic behaviors occurring in patients of different ages and sexes await clarification. Since different immunophenotypes of adenoma may show different biologic behaviors and responses to medical agents, the authors examined hormone production and tried to clarify the clonality of plurihormonal prolactinoma.

METHODS

Clinicopathologic factors were studied in 123 patients with prolactinomas (40 males and 83 females). The specimens were fixed in either 10% neutral buffered formalin or 70% alcohol and used for light microscopy. Alcohol‐fixed tissue was used to extract DNA from 26 samples obtained from female patients for human androgen receptor gene (HUMARA) assay.

RESULTS

Sixty one cases (50%) were pure prolactinoma and 62 cases (50%) were plurihormonal prolactinoma. Spearman rank correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between age and serum PRL level (P = 0.0002), age and tumor volume (P < 0.0001), and tumor volume and serum PRL level (P < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis showed a significant correlation only between tumor volume and serum PRL level. The Mann‐Whitney U test revealed that prolactinomas associated with higher PRL levels, larger adenomas, and higher ages were significantly more invasive to the cavernous sinus and that male patients had significantly higher PRL levels and larger adenomas. The HUMARA assay disclosed that 11 of 13 plurihormonal prolactinomas (85%) were compatible with monoclonal origin.

CONCLUSIONS

The current results suggest that not only can various hormones other than PRL be secreted by prolactinoma, but also that most multihormone‐producing prolactinomas are monoclonal in origin. Cancer 2002;95:258–66. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10676
Randomized trial comparing cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5–fluorouracil (CMF) with rotational CMF, epirubicin and vincristine as primary chemotherapy in operable breast carcinoma
Authors: Cocconi Giorgio , Blasio Beatrice Di , Boni Corrado , Bisagni Giancarlo , Ceci Guido , Rondini Ermanno , Bella Mariangela , Leonardi Francesco , Savoldi Luisa , Camisa Roberta , Bruzzi Paolo
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

According to the overview of Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group, anthracycline containing regimens are superior to cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5–fluorouracil (CMF) as adjuvant chemotherapy for breast carcinoma, but no comparative information is available in terms of primary chemotherapy. In the current randomized controlled trial, the authors compared CMF with a chemotherapy regimen including CMF, epirubicin, and vincristine (CMFEV).

METHODS

Two hundred eleven patients with Stages I and II palpable breast carcinoma and tumor diameter > 2.5 cm or ≤ 2.5 cm with cytologically proven axillary lymph node involvement were randomized to receive CMF (arm A) or CMFEV regimen (arm B) for four cycles before surgery. After surgery, patients in both arms received adjuvant CMF for three cycles; the postmenopausal patients also received tamoxifen for two years.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the complete response (CR) and in the CR plus partial response (PR) rates between the two arms. In the subset analysis, among premenopausal patients, significantly higher rates of CR (26% vs 4%,P= 0.004) and of CR + PR rates (80% vs 54%,P= 0.007) were observed in the CMFEV, as compared to the CMF arm. Multivariate analysis confirmed the presence of a significant interaction between menopausal status and type of treatment on the probability of achieving CR (P= 0.02) or CR + PR (P= 0.01). There were no major differences in the side effects of the two treatments, with the exception of more frequent alopecia in the experimental arm.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study are in line with those of previous published randomized clinical trials comparing regimens without and with anthracycline as adjuvant treatment, indicating an agreement between the short term response to primary chemotherapy and the long term results observed in the adjuvant setting. Cancer 2002;95:228–35. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10678
Adult attachment style and core beliefs: are they linked?
Authors: Platts Helen , Tyson Mary , Mason Oliver
Published: October 2002

Bowlby's attachment theory has had considerable impact on research in developmental psychology. Despite this, its relation to other literature and application to clinical practice have been poorly exploited. This paper seeks to outline the current conceptualization of adult attachment styles, and explore the evidence for a link between attachment style and psychopathology in adulthood. The paper also provides a review of the cognitive research on the beliefs people hold in relation to their attachment style. Furthermore, the importance of building on this theoretical and empirical base to examine the connections between adult attachment style and schemas is highlighted. The last part of the review explores how attending to both the concepts of attachment style and schema may contribute to developing clinical practice. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Attachment of neutrals during tandem mass spectrometry of sulfonic acid dyes andintermediates in an ion trap
Authors: Weisz Adrian , Andrzejewski Denis , Fales Henry M. , Mandelbaum Asher
Published: October 2002

Several positional isomers of 2‐(2‐quinolinyl)‐1H‐indene‐1,3(2H)‐dione mono‐ and disulfonic acids prepared as reference materials for development of analytical methods involved in FDA certification of D&C Yellow No. 10 (Quinoline Yellow) were found consistently to show [MH + 14]+ ions when their electrospray‐ or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization‐prepared MH+ ions were subjected to collisional activation. The source of these ions was found to be the methanol used as solvent in these procedures which combined with their [MH − H2O]+ ions under chemical ionization conditions. The reaction was found to be sensitive to their isomeric and chemical structures and other examples of this process are reviewed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mapping and sequencing of cardiolipins from Geobacillus stearothermophilus NRS 2004/3a by positive and negative ion nanoESI‐QTOF‐MS and MS/MS
Authors: Beckedorf Anke I. , Schäffer Christina , Messner Paul , Peter‐Katalinić Jasna
Published: October 2002

In the course of systematic studies on surface layer (S‐layer) glycoproteins of bacilli, the chloroform/methanol extract from whole cells of Geobacillus stearothermophilus NRS 2004/3a has been submitted to MS analysis. Glucosylated cardiolipins were found as minor components of the total lipid and phospholipid mixture by de novo identification. After purification of the crude extract using a combined column chromatography/2D TLC protocol, structural investigations of components in the lipid fraction by high resolution ESI‐QTOF MS analysis provided evidence about homologous molecules attributable to the cardiolipin species containing a glycosylated backbone, and about a diversity of ester‐linked fatty acid substituents. In comparative studies by positive and negative ion nanoESI‐QTOF‐CID‐MS, maps of cardiolipin molecular ions were obtained, followed by MS/MS of the most abundant species, to provide structural details of D‐glucopyranosylcardiolipin and the fatty acid substituent patterns. Experiments of the parent ion scan type revealed the presence of fatty acid moieties as isobaric combinations, represented in single molecular ion species. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A capsule review of recent studies on the application of mass spectrometry in the analysis of Chinese medicinal herbs
Authors: Cai Zongwei , Lee F. S. C. , Wang X. R. , Yu W. J.
Published: October 2002

Chinese herbal medicine is gaining increasing popularity worldwide as an alternative approach to the development of pharmaceuticals in therapeutic applications. Chemical characterization and compositional analysis of Chinese medicines provide the necessary scientific basis for the discovery and development of new drugs of natural origin. Applications of mass spectrometry in the analysis of Chinese herbal medicines have been growing rapidly in recent years owing to the rapid technical advances and increasing availability of the instrumentation. This paper reviews the current status of how different mass spectrometric techniques are being used to support research studies of Chinese medicines. The focus is on crude herbal medicines and their derived products. The review is not meant to be exhaustive, but rather to provide a general overview of the various research activities in this rapidly expanding field. In the discussion of specific herbs, the emphasis is placed on ginseng and Danshen, two of the herbs for which active experimental work is on‐going in the authors' laboratories. Other selected herbs will be discussed only briefly, aiming primarily to illustrate the current status of research in the area. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neural cells derived from adult bone marrow and umbilical cord blood
Authors: Sanchez‐Ramos Juan R.
Published: October 2002

Under experimental conditions, tissue‐specific stem cells have been shown to give rise to cell lineages not normally found in the organ or tissue of residence. Neural stem cells from fetal brain have been shown to give rise to blood cell lines and conversely, bone marrow stromal cells have been reported to generate skeletal and cardiac muscle, oval hepatocytes, as well as glia and neuron‐like cells. This article reviews studies in which cells from postnatal bone marrow or umbilical cord blood were induced to proliferate and differentiate into glia and neurons, cellular lineages that are not their normal destiny. The review encompasses in vitro and in vivo studies with focus on experimental variables, such as the source and characterization of cells, cell‐tracking methods, and markers of neural differentiation. The existence of stem/progenitor cells with previously unappreciated proliferation and differentiation potential in postnatal bone marrow and in umbilical cord blood opens up the possibility of using stem cells found in these tissues to treat degenerative, post‐traumatic and hereditary diseases of the central nervous system. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Flow cytometric analysis of neural stem cells in the developing and adult mouse brain
Authors: Murayama Ayako , Matsuzaki Yumi , Kawaguchi Ayano , Shimazaki Takuya , Okano Hideyuki
Published: October 2002

Despite recent progress in the neural stem cell biology, their cellular characteristics have not been described well. We investigated various characteristics of neural stem cells (NSCs) in vivo during CNS development, using FACS to identify the NSCs. We first examined stage‐dependent changes in the physical parameters, using forward scatter (FSC) and side scatter (SSC) profiles, of NSCs from the developing striatum, where they appear to be active throughout the life of mammals. NSCs were divided into several fractions according to their FSC/SSC profile. With development, their number decreased in the FSChigh fractions but increased in the FSClow/SSChigh fraction, whereas NSCs were significantly concentrated in the fraction containing the largest cells (about 20 μm in diameter) at any stage, which were mostly the cells with the highest nestin‐enhancer activity. Furthermore, we demonstrated that, at all stages examined, the “side population” (SP), defined as the Hoechst 33342 low/negative fraction, which is known to be a stem cell‐enriched population in bone marrow, was also enriched for Notch1‐positive immature neural cells (about 60%) from the developing striatum. However, these immature SP cells were not detected in the large‐cell fraction, however, but were concentrated instead in the FSClow/mid fractions. FACS analysis showed that SP cells from adults were included to some extent in the CD24low/PNAlow fraction, where NSCs were greatly concentrated. Collectively, the characteristics of NSCs were not uniform and changed developmentally. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transplantation of in vitro‐expanded fetal neural progenitor cells results in neurogenesis and functional recovery after spinal cord contusion injury in adult rats
Authors: Ogawa Y. , Sawamoto K. , Miyata T. , Miyao S. , Watanabe M. , Nakamura M. , Bregman B.S. , Koike M. , Uchiyama Y. , Toyama Y. , Okano H.
Published: October 2002

Neural progenitor cells, including neural stem cells, are a potential expandable source of graft material for transplantation aimed at repairing the damaged CNS. Here we present the first evidence that in vitro‐expanded fetus‐derived neurosphere cells were able to generate neurons in vivo and improve motor function upon transplantation into an adult rat spinal‐cord‐contusion injury model. As the source of graft material, we used a neural stem cell‐enriched population that was derived from rat embryonic spinal cord (E14.5) and expanded in vitro by neurosphere formation. Nine days after contusion injury, these neurosphere cells were transplanted into adult rat spinal cord at the injury site. Histological analysis 5 weeks after the transplantation showed that mitotic neurogenesis occurred from the transplanted donor progenitor cells within the adult rat spinal cord, a nonneurogenic region; that these donor‐derived neurons extended their processes into the host tissues; and that the neurites formed synaptic structures. Furthermore, analysis of motor behavior using a skilled reaching task indicated that the treated rats showed functional recovery. These results indicate that in vitro‐expanded neurosphere cells derived from the fetal spinal cord are a potential source for transplantable material for treatment of spinal cord injury. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Selective specification of CNS stem cells into oligodendroglial or neuronal cell lineage: Cell culture and transplant studies
Authors: Espinosa‐Jeffrey Araceli , Becker‐Catania Sara G. , Zhao Paul M. , Cole Ruth , Edmond John , de Vellis Jean
Published: October 2002

Neural stem cells (NSCs) were isolated from embryonic day 16 Sprague–Dawley rats and cultured in a novel serum‐free stem cell medium that selected for the growth of NSCs and against the growth of GFAP+ cells (astrocytes). NSCs maintained in culture for extended periods of time retained immunoreactivity for both nestin and PSA‐NCAM, two markers characteristic of the stem cell phenotype. Moreover, using an oligodendrocyte (OL) specification medium, NSCs differentiated into OL as evidenced by their morphology and expression of multiple oligodendrocyte/myelin‐specific markers. In addition, NSCs are capable of acquiring a neuronal phenotype as evidenced by expressing neuronal markers, such as neurofilament (NF) and NeuN when cultured in a defined medium for neurons indicating that these cells are also a good source of neuroblasts, which could be used to replace neuronal populations in the brain. We also showed successful propagation and differentiation of NSCs into OL after cryostorage, allowing for the later use of stored NSCs. The long‐term goal of culturing NSCs and committed oligodendrocyte progenitors (OLP) is to obtain homogeneous populations for transplantation with the goal of remyelinating the myelin‐deficient CNS. Our preliminary experiments carried out on normal and myelin deficient rats demonstrate that these cells survive and migrate extensively in both types of hosts. NSCs grafted as such, as well as cells derived from NSCs exposed to selective specification before grafting, are able to differentiate within the host brain. As expected, NSCs are capable of giving rise to astrocytes in a medium favoring this phenotype. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Developmental regulation of the effects of fibroblast growth factor‐2 and 1‐octanol on neuronogenesis: Implications for a hypothesis relating to mitogen–antimitogen opposition
Authors: Goto T. , Takahashi T. , Miyama S. , Nowakowski R.S. , Bhide P.G. , Caviness V.S.
Published: October 2002

Neocortical neurons arise from a pseudostratified ventricular epithelium (PVE) that lies within the ventricular zone (VZ) at the margins of the embryonic cerebral ventricles. We examined the effects of fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) and 1‐octanol on cell output behavior of the PVE in explants of the embryonic mouse cerebral wall. FGF‐2 is mitogenic and 1‐octanol antimitogenic in the PVE. Whereas all postmitotic cells migrate out of the VZ in vivo, in the explants some postmitotic cells remain within the VZ. We refer to these cells as the indeterminate or I fraction, because they neither exit from the VZ nor reenter S phase as part of the proliferative (P) fraction. They are considered to be either in an extremely prolonged G1 phase, unable to pass the G1/S transition, or in the G0 state. The I fate choice is modulated by both FGF‐2 and 1‐octanol. FGF‐2 decreased the I fraction and increased the P fraction. In contrast, 1‐octanol increased the I fraction and nearly eliminated the P fraction. The effects of FGF‐2 and 1‐octanol were developmentally regulated, in that they were observed in the developmentally advanced lateral region of the cerebral wall but not in the medial region. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nestin enhancer requirements for expression in normal and injured adult CNS
Authors: Johansson Clas B. , Lothian Carina , Molin Magnus , Okano Hideyuki , Lendahl Urban
Published: October 2002

The nestin gene is expressed in many CNS stem/progenitor cells, both in the embryo and the adult, and nestin is used commonly as a marker for these cells. In this report we analyze nestin enhancer requirements in the adult CNS, using transgenic mice carrying reporter genes linked to three different nestin enhancer constructs: the genomic rat nestin gene and 5 kb of upstream nestin sequence (NesPlacZ/3), 636 bp of the rat nestin second intron (E/nestin:EGFP), and a corresponding 714 bp region from the human second intron (Nes714tk/lacZ). NesPlacZ/3 and E/nestin:EGFP mice showed reporter gene expression in stem cell‐containing regions of brain and spinal cord during normal conditions. NesPlacZ/3 and E/nestin:EGFP mice showed increased expression in spinal cord after injury and NesPlacZ/3 mice displayed elevated expression in the periventricular area of the brain after injury, which was not the case for the E/nestin:EGFP mice. In contrast, no expression in adult CNS in vivo was seen in the Nes714tk/lacZ mice carrying the human enhancer, neither during normal conditions nor after injury. The Nes714 tk/lacZ mice, however, expressed the reporter gene in reactive astrocytes and CNS stem cells cultured ex vivo. Collectively, this suggests a species difference for the nestin enhancer function in adult CNS and that elements outside the second intron enhancer are required for the full injury response in vivo. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neurospheres modified to produce glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor increase the survival of transplanted dopamine neurons
Authors: Ostenfeld Thor , Tai Yu‐Tzu , Martin Peter , Déglon Nicole , Aebischer Patrick , Svendsen Clive N.
Published: October 2002

Glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been shown to increase the survival of dopamine neurons in a variety of in vitro and in vivo model systems. Therefore, it constitutes an important therapeutic protein with the potential to ameliorate dopamine neuronal degeneration in Parkinson's disease or to support dopamine neuronal replacement strategies. However, biophysical and practical considerations present obstacles for the direct delivery of the GDNF protein to CNS neurons. Here we show that rodent neural precursor cells isolated and expanded in culture as neurospheres (NS) can be genetically modified to express green fluorescent protein (GFP) or to release GDNF using lentiviral constructs. GDNF‐NS increased the fibre outgrowth of primary embryonic dopamine neurons in cocultures, showing that the protein was released in biologically significant quantities. Furthermore, after transplantation into the 6‐hydroxydopamine‐lesioned rat striatum, GDNF‐NS significantly increased the survival of cografted primary dopamine neurons. However, this was not reflected in behavioural recovery in these animals. We found that, by 6 weeks, few cells expressed GDNF or GFP, suggesting either that transgene expression was down‐regulated over time or that the cells died. This may explain the initial effects on dopamine neuronal survival within the graft but the lack of long‐term effect on subsequent fibre outgrowth and behaviour. Providing sustained levels of neural precursor‐mediated transgene expression can be achieved following transplantation in the future; this approach may prove beneficial as an alternative therapeutic strategy in the cell‐based management of Parkinson's disease. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Amphiregulin is a mitogen for adult neural stem cells
Authors: Falk Anna , Frisén Jonas
Published: October 2002

Neurons are continuously generated from stem cells in the hippocampus and along the lateral ventricles in the adult brain. Neural stem cells can be propagated in vitro in the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) or fibroblast growth factor‐2. We report here that amphiregulin, a growth factor related to EGF, is a mitogen for adult mouse neural stem cells in vitro and displays potency similar to that of EGF. Neural stem cell cultures can be initiated and the cells propagated as efficiently in the presence of amphiregulin only as with EGF. Furthermore, we show that amphiregulin is expressed in the choroid plexus of the ventricular system and in the hippocampus in the adult brain, suggesting that amphiregulin may participate in the regulation of neural stem cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the adult brain. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.