bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations in Young Korean Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Choi Doo Ho , Lee Min Hyuk , Bale Allen E. , Carter Darryl , Haffty Bruce G.
Published: April 2004

Purpose

The prevalence of BRCA-associated breast carcinoma in the Korean population has not been evaluated extensively.

Methods

Sixty Korean women who developed breast cancer by age 40 years were studied. Lymphocyte specimens from peripheral blood were processed for BRCA1 and BRCA2 by complete sequencing. Family history through three generations was obtained. Available paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were processed for immunohistochemical staining.

Results

In the cohort of 60 patients, nine patients with 11 deleterious mutations (six in BRCA1 and five in BRCA2) and seven missense mutations of unknown significance were found. Two patients had deleterious mutations in both BRCA1 and BRCA2 (double mutant). One half of the mutations were novel, and no founder mutations were observed in this cohort. Most of the BRCA-associated patients had no family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer. The expression of HER-2/neu, cyclin D1, and hormone receptors was less common, and p53 overexpression was more common in BRCA-associated tumors.

Conclusion

The prevalence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in Korean women with breast cancer at a young age was high. However, the penetrance, as evidenced by the low frequency of breast and ovarian cancers in family members, appears to be low. These data suggest that there may be different genetic and etiologic factors affecting transmission and penetrance of the BRCA genes in Korean patients with breast cancer diagnosed at a young age.
Phase II Trial of Trastuzumab Followed by Weekly Paclitaxel/Carboplatin As First-Line Treatment for Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Burris Howard , Yardley Denise , Jones Suzanne , Houston Gerry , Broome Catherine , Thompson Dana , Greco F. Anthony , White Melissa , Hainsworth John
Published: April 2004

Purpose

To determine the response rate of trastuzumab as first-line therapy in patients with HER-2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. To assess the feasibility and toxicity of weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin with or without trastuzumab following initial treatment with trastuzumab.

Patients and Methods

Sixty-one patients received trastuzumab (8 mg/kg followed by 4 mg/kg/wk) for 8 weeks. Responding patients received 8 additional weeks of trastuzumab (4 mg/kg/wk), and then proceeded to receive trastuzumab (2 mg/kg) in combination with paclitaxel 70 mg/m2 and carboplatin (area under the curve, 2) weekly for 6 weeks followed by 2 weeks rest. Stable patients after the initial 8 weeks of trastuzumab proceeded to treatment with trastuzumab, paclitaxel, and carboplatin. Patients with disease progression during the initial 8 weeks had the trastuzumab discontinued and were treated with weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin.

Results

Weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin with or without trastuzumab was well tolerated. Fifty-two patients were assessable for response and all 61 patients were assessable for survival. Seventeen (33%) of 52 patients experienced a minor/partial response to single-agent trastuzumab and received 8 additional weeks of single-agent trastuzumab. Fifteen (29%) of 52 patients had stable disease and proceeded to receive paclitaxel/carboplatin/trastuzumab. Thirty-one patients with measurable disease were assessable for response after initial single-agent trastuzumab followed by paclitaxel/carboplatin/trastuzumab. An overall response rate of 84% (eight complete responses/18 partial responses), median time to progression of 14.2 months, and median overall survival of 32.2 months was reported with the triplet combination. In the patients treated with paclitaxel/carboplatin alone after disease progression on initial single-agent trastuzumab, an overall response rate of 69% (one complete response/10 partial responses), median time to progression of 8.3 months, and median overall survival of 22.2 months was reported. Median time to progression for all 61 patients is 10 months and the median overall survival is 26.7 months.

Conclusion

This trial confirms the activity and tolerability of weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin alone or in combination with trastuzumab in women with HER-2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer.
Association of Preoperative Plasma Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Soluble Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 With Lymph Node Status and Biochemical Progression After Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Shariat Shahrokh F. , Anwuri Veronica A. , Lamb Dolores J. , Shah Nina V. , Wheeler Thomas M. , Slawin Kevin M.
Published: April 2004

Purpose

Angiogenesis is a critical process for cancer progression. We tested whether elevated circulating levels of the angiogenesis-related markers vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and/or soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) are associated with prostate cancer diagnosis, stage, progression, and metastasis.

Patients and Methods

Plasma levels of VEGF and sVCAM-1 were measured on frozen, archival plasma obtained preoperatively from 215 consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy for clinically localized disease, nine men with untreated prostate cancer metastatic to bones, and 40 healthy men without cancer.

Results

Plasma levels of both VEGF and sVCAM-1 were highest in patients with bone metastases (P < .001). VEGF levels were higher in patients with clinically localized disease than in healthy controls (P < .001). VEGF levels were elevated in patients with biopsy and final Gleason sum ≥ 7 (P = .036 and P = .020, respectively) and extraprostatic extension (P = .047). Higher preoperative VEGF was independently associated with metastases to lymph nodes (P < .001). Both VEGF and sVCAM-1 were independently associated with biochemical progression after adjustment for the effects of standard preoperative features (P = .014 and P = .039, respectively). VEGF remained independently associated with biochemical progression after adjustment for standard postoperative features (P = .019).

Conclusion

Plasma levels of VEGF increased incrementally from healthy controls to patients with clinically localized disease to patients with lymph node and skeletal metastases. Higher preoperative VEGF was independently associated with metastases to lymph nodes and biochemical progression after surgery in both pre- and postoperative models. Plasma sVCAM-1 was elevated in men with bone metastases and was associated with biochemical progression in a preoperative model.
Prognostic Value of Proliferation, Apoptosis, Defective DNA Mismatch Repair, and p53 Overexpression in Patients With Resected Dukes' B2 or C Colon Cancer
Authors: Garrity Megan M. , Burgart Lawrence J. , Mahoney Michelle R. , Windschitl Harold E. , Salim Muhammad , Wiesenfeld Martin , Krook James E. , Michalak John C. , Goldberg Richard M. , O'Connell Michael J. , Furth Alfred F. , Sargent Daniel J. , Murphy Linda M. , Hill Eunice , Riehle Darren L. , Meyers Cecelia H. , Witzig Thomas E.
Published: April 2004

Purpose

Molecular studies of colon cancer have provided insights into pathogenesis, yet it is unclear how important these markers are in predicting prognosis. This study investigated the prognostic significance of TUNEL, bcl-2, p53, proliferation marker Ki-67 and DNA mismatch repair (MMR) status in patients with Dukes' stage B2 and C colorectal adenocarcinomas.

Patients and Methods

Tumor tissue from 366 patients (75% Dukes' C, 25% Dukes' B2) from four randomized North Central Cancer Treatment Group phase III surgical adjuvant trials were used. Eighty-one percent of patients received adjuvant treatment, which was primarily fluorouracil (FU) based (90%). Tumor location was predominantly (87%) the colon. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL), Ki-67, p53, bcl-2, and MMR were assayed using immunohistochemistry. Stage, grade, MMR, Ki-67, and previously determined flow cytometry markers (ploidy and S phase) were explored for associations with each other and with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).

Results

Univariately, stage B2, low grade, diploid, Ki-67 more than 27%, normal p53, and FU-based adjuvant treatment were significantly associated with improved OS and DFS (P < .05). After adjusting for stage, grade, and ploidy in multivariate analysis, Ki-67 remained significantly related to both OS and DFS (P < .01). Active FU-based adjuvant treatment was significant only for OS in this multivariate model. Neither bcl-2 nor TUNEL were significant.

Conclusion

This retrospective study indicates that Ki-67 and ploidy may have stronger prognostic impact on OS and DFS than other parameters investigated after adjusting for stage and tumor grade. Prospective studies to elucidate the mechanism and prognostic significance of these findings are necessary.
Survivin Expression Predicts Poorer Prognosis in Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Schlette Ellen J. , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Goy Andre , Lai Raymond , Rassidakis George Z.
Published: April 2004

Purpose

Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family, is not detected in normal adult tissues but is overexpressed in various cancers, including some types of lymphoma. The frequency and prognostic significance of survivin expression in anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is unknown.

Materials and Methods

We assessed for survivin expression in 62 ALCL tumors (30 anaplastic lymphoma kinase [ALK]-positive and 32 ALK-negative) obtained before doxorubicin-based chemotherapy. Given that survivin is a target of the STAT3 signaling pathway and STAT3 is activated in ALCL, survivin expression was also correlated with STAT3 activation.

Results

Survivin was expressed in 34 tumors (55%) and did not correlate with ALK. A significant association between survivin expression and STAT3 activation was observed (P = .007, Fisher's exact test). For the ALK-positive group, the 5-year failure-free survival (FFS) was 34% for patients with survivin-positive ALCL compared with 100% for patients with survivin-negative ALCL (P = .009, log-rank test). For the ALK-negative group, the 5-year FFS was 46% for patients with survivin-positive tumors compared with 89% for patients with survivin-negative tumors (P = .03, log-rank test). Overall survival was similarly worse for patients with survivin-positive tumors in both the ALK-positive and ALK-negative groups. Furthermore, multivariate analysis confirmed the independent prognostic value of survivin expression, along with age older than 60 years and Ann Arbor stage III or IV.

Conclusion

Survivin is expressed in approximately half of ALCL tumors and independently predicts unfavorable clinical outcome. Modulation of survivin expression or function may provide a novel target for experimental therapy in patients with ALCL.
First-Line Chemotherapy With Cisplatin Plus Fractionated Temozolomide in Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Phase II Study of the Gruppo Italiano Cooperativo di Neuro-Oncologia
Authors: Brandes Alba A. , Basso Umberto , Reni Michele , Vastola Francesca , Tosoni Alicia , Cavallo Giovanna , Scopece Luciano , Ferreri Andres J. , Panucci Maria G. , Monfardini Silvio , Ermani Mario
Published: April 2004

Purpose

Cisplatin and temozolomide (TMZ) are active in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), with different profiles of toxicity. A bid regimen of TMZ achieves a strong inhibition of O6-alkylguanine DNA-alkyl transferase (AGAT), and cisplatin reduces AGAT activity in vitro, suggesting a possible synergic interaction. The primary end point of the present multicenter phase II study was progression-free survival (PFS) at 6 months (PFS-6); secondary end points included response, toxicity, and overall survival.

Patients and Methods

Chemotherapy-naive patients with GBM who experienced disease recurrence or progression after surgery and standard radiotherapy were eligible. Chemotherapy cycles consisted of cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1, TMZ 130 mg/m2 bolus followed by nine doses of 70 mg/m2 every 12 hours (total of 5 days) from day 2 every 4 weeks. In the absence of hematologic toxicity, TMZ was escalated to 1,000 mg/m2 in 5 days.

Results

A total of 50 patients (median age, 53.4 years; range, 27 to 70 years; median Karnofsky performance status, 80; range, 60 to 100) were accrued in the study. PFS-6 was 34% (95% CI, 23% to 50%), and PFS-12 was 4% (95% CI, 0.3% to 16%). Median PFS was 18.4 weeks (95% CI, 13 to 25.9 weeks). Among 49 assessable patients, one complete response and nine partial responses were obtained, with an overall response rate of 20.4% (95% CI, 7.7% to 33%). Among 203 treatment cycles delivered, the most common grade 3 or grade 4 events included granulocytopenia in 7.9% of cycles, thrombocytopenia in 4%, and neurologic toxicity in three patients (6%).

Conclusion

The new cisplatin plus bid TMZ regimen appears active in chemotherapy-naive patients with recurrent GBM and incurs an acceptable toxicity.
Trypanocidal and antifungal activities of p-hydroxyacetophenone derivatives from Calea uniflora (Heliantheae, Asteraceae)
Authors: do Nascimento Andréa Mendes , Salvador Marcos José , Candido Regina Celia , de Albuquerque Sérgio , de Oliveira Dionéia C. R.
Published: April 2004

The dichloromethane extract of underground parts of Calea uniflora (Heliantheae, Asteraceae) exhibited trypanocidal and antifungal activities. Four p-hydroxyacetophenone derivatives were isolated as the main compounds: 2-senecioyl-4-(hydroxyethyl)-phenol (1), 2-senecioyl-4-(angeloyloxy-ethyl)-phenol (2), and two new derivatives, 2-senecioyl-4-(methoxyethyl)-phenol (3) and 2-senecioyl-4-(pentadecanoyloxyethyl)-phenol (4). 1 and 4 were active towards Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes, reducing their number by 70 and 71% at 500 μg mL−1, whereas 2 and 3 were inactive. All the compounds tested showed antifungal activity with minimal inhibitory concentration values between 500 and 1000 μg mL−1 against pathogenic Candida spp. and dermatophytes. The isolation, structure elucidation, NMR spectral assignments and bioactivity results of these compounds are reported.
Disposition kinetics of taxanes after intraperitoneal administration in rats and influence of surfactant vehicles
Authors: Yokogawa Koichi , Jin Mingji , Furui Naho , Yamazaki Masaru , Yoshihara Hiromi , Nomura Masaaki , Furukawa Hiroyuki , Ishizaki Junko , Fushida Sachio , Miwa Kouichi , Miyamoto Ken-ichi
Published: April 2004

Rats were intraperitoneally administered 40 mg kg−1 of paclitaxel or docetaxel dissolved in various drug solutions. The drug solutions were prepared using 20 mL of saline, adding 4.2% Cremophor EL (crEL) for paclitaxel (TXL), and 1.5% Polysorbate-80 (PS-80) (TXT), 7.5% PS-80 (TXT+PS-80) or 4.2% crEL (TXT+crEL) for docetaxel. The apparent first-order absorption rate constant from the peritoneal cavity (ka) of TXL was about one-twentieth of that of TXT. The ratio of the area under the concentration-time curve of drug in plasma over that in ascites for TXL was about one-third of that of TXT. The values of the above ratio and the ka of TXT+PS-80 and TXT+crEL were similar to those of TXL. After intraperitoneal administration, the values of the blood-to-plasma concentration ratio in the four groups were similar and independent of time. In the in-vitro study, PS-80 and crEL caused similar, concentration-dependent decreases of drug permeation into red blood cells after a 15-min incubation of rat blood with 10 μg mL−1 of TXL. We demonstrated that the disposition kinetics of taxanes after intraperitoneal administration to rats was strongly influenced, in a concentration-dependent manner, by the surfactant vehicle used, crEL or PS-80.
Biodegradable microspheres for prolidase delivery to human cultured fibroblasts
Authors: Lupi A. , Perugini P. , Genta I. , Modena T. , Conti B. , Casado B. , Cetta G. , Pavanetto F. , Iadarola P.
Published: April 2004

Prolidase deficiency (PD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by inadequate levels of the cytosolic exopeptidase prolidase (E.C. 3.4.13.9), for which there is not, as yet, a resolutive cure. We have investigated whether biodegradable microspheres loaded with prolidase could release active enzyme inside cells, to consider this system as a possible therapeutic approach for prolidase deficiency. Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres were prepared, modifying the classical double emulsion solvent evaporation method to mitigate the burst effect of the enzyme from the microspheres. Ex-vivo experiments were performed, by incubating microencapsulated prolidase with cultured fibroblasts from PD patients and from controls, to determine the amount of active enzyme delivered to the cells. The microparticulate drug delivery system described carried small amounts of active prolidase inside fibroblasts, ensuring a response to the intracellular accumulation of X-Pro dipeptides, the mechanism that is supposed to be responsible for the development of clinical manifestations of this disorder in man. A positive result of the presence of active enzyme inside cells was an improvement in fibroblast shape.
Owner-occupation, social mix and neighbourhood impacts
Authors: Atkinson Rowland , Kintrea Keith
Published: April 2004

English

There is interest within the social exclusion debate about the extent to which people in deprived social housing estates are socially isolated and their material disadvantages reinforced by exclusion from job opportunities and inward-looking and negative social norms. One approach to this problem has been the introduction of a social mix through the development of new housing for owneroccupation. Through interviews with and diaries kept by residents in three Scottish estates this article charts residents’ networks and assesses the potential for owner-occupation to ‘reconnect’ existing residents with society beyond the local neighbourhood. The article concludes that owners and renters in regeneration areas largely inhabit different social worlds and that the introduction of owner-occupation makes little difference to renters’ networks. Policy implications include the need to meet the housing aspirations of homeowners in these areas, and the effects of promoting largescale commercial developments based on heavy car use in towns and cities.
Educational consequences of developmental speech disorder: Key Stage 1 National Curriculum assessment results in English and mathematics
Authors: Nathan Liz , Stackhouse Joy , Goulandris Nata , Snowling Margaret J.
Published: April 2004

Background: Children with speech difficulties may have associated educational problems. This paper reports a study examining the educational attainment of children at Key Stage 1 of the National Curriculum who had previously been identified with a speech difficulty.

Aims: (1) To examine the educational attainment at Key Stage 1 of children diagnosed with speech difficulties two/three years prior to the present study. (2) To compare the Key Stage 1 assessment results of children whose speech problems had resolved at the time of assessment with those whose problems persisted.

Sample(s): Data were available from 39 children who had an earlier diagnosis of speech difficulties at age 4/5 (from an original cohort of 47) at the age of 7. A control group of 35 children identified and matched at preschool on age, nonverbal ability and gender provided comparative data.

Methods: Results of Statutory Assessment Tests (SATs) in reading, reading comprehension, spelling, writing and maths, administered to children at the end of Year 2 of school were analysed. Performance across the two groups was compared. Performance was also compared to published statistics on national levels of attainment.

Results: Children with a history of speech difficulties performed less well than controls on reading, spelling and maths. However, children whose speech problems had resolved by the time of assessment performed no differently to controls. Children with persisting speech problems performed less well than controls on tests of literacy and maths. Spelling performance was a particular area of difficulty for children with persisting speech problems.
Material appropriate processing and elaboration: The impact of balanced and complementary types of processing on learning concepts from text
Authors: Hamilton Richard J.
Published: April 2004

Background: The Material Appropriate Processing (MAP) framework suggests that the influence of a text adjunct on the learning and transfer of textual information will be moderated by the overlap between type of processing induced by the adjunct and by the organisation of the text. The two types of processing are item specific processing and relational processing. Although complementary types of processing have been found to produce superior concept learning effects in previous research, there is some question as to the effects of complementary but unbalanced processing.

Aims: This study examined the effects of different combinations of two types of text adjuncts (i.e., elaborative activities) and two types of text on learning concepts from text. The four combined treatments differed as to the degree to which they were balanced and/or complementary.

Sample: Participants were 80 undergraduate students who were enrolled in a Year 3 education paper.

Methods: Students studied a passage that included adjuncts which asked them to either: (a) create personal examples of target concepts, or (b) contrast the target concepts. In addition, two versions of text were paired with these adjuncts: specific‐only text and specific/relational text. Subjects took a criterion test that consisted of cued recall of definitions, free recall of text, classification of novel examples, and problem solving.

Results: Best performance occurred within the condition that included balanced and complementary processing of text/adjunct information, and worst performance occurred in the condition that included non‐complementary processing.

Conclusion: Although these results are consistent with a MAP perspective, the results are equivocal about the potential interfering effects of complementary and unbalanced processing on learning of concepts from text.
Re‐examining the effects of noncontingent success on self‐handicapping behaviour
Authors: Thompson Ted
Published: April 2004

Background: Self‐handicapping refers to the practice on the part of certain individuals to handicap their performance when poor performance is likely to reveal low ability. Noncontingent success (feedback that is inflated relative to performance) is more likely to promote self‐handicapping behaviour than noncontingent failure (failure feedback based on false or misleading information). However, the reasons for the differing effects of these forms of performance feedback on self‐handicapping behaviour remain obscure.

Aims: The present study sought an explanation for the differing effects of these forms of performance feedback, testing the assumption that students high in self‐handicapping behaviour would react more negatively following noncontingent success, reporting more unstable and external attributions, higher anxiety, and a greater propensity to claim handicaps than those low in self‐handicapping behaviour. No differences were expected on any of these measures for high relative to low self‐handicappers following either noncontingent failure or success.

Sample: Participants were 72 undergraduate students, divided equally between high and low self‐handicapping groups.

Method: High and low self‐handicappers were assigned to one of three performance feedback conditions: noncontingent failure, success and noncontingent success. High and low self‐handicappers were then given an opportunity to claim handicaps prior to completing measures of attributions and state anxiety. Subsequently, they completed 12 remote associate tasks, serving as an assessment of performance, and 16 unicursal tasks, assessing practice effort.

Results: Following noncontingent success, high self‐handicappers reported greater anxiety, more unproductive attributions and claimed more handicaps than low self‐handicappers. However no differences were evident for high and low self‐handicappers following either noncontingent failure or success. High self‐handicappers also performed poorly on the remote associates tasks and reduced practice effort on the unicursal tasks.
The effects of competition on achievement motivation in Chinese classrooms
Authors: Lam Shui‐Fong , Yim Pui‐Shan , Law Josephine S. F. , Cheung Rebecca W. Y.
Published: April 2004

Background: Laboratory studies have consistently found that competition induces performance goals and affects learning motivation. However, the ecological validity of these results is yet to be established. There is a need for investigation of whether the results hold in both the classroom context and non‐Western culture.

Aim: The study investigated the effects of competition on learning motivation among Chinese students in an authentic classroom setting.

Sample: The participants were 52 students of grade 7 from two Hong Kong secondary schools.

Method: They were randomly assigned to either competitive or non‐competitive conditions in a 2‐hour Chinese typewriting course.

Results: Students in the competitive condition performed better in easy tasks than their counterparts in the non‐competitive condition. However, they were more performance‐oriented and more likely to sacrifice learning opportunities for better performance. They were also prone to have worse self‐evaluation after failure. Although there were no statistically significant differences between the two conditions in task enjoyment and achievement attribution, the direction of the differences was consistently unfavourable to students in the competitive condition.

Conclusion: The findings were consistent with the predictions of goal theory. Competitiveness induces performance goals and worse self‐evaluation after failure among Chinese students in a classroom setting, as was found with Western students in a laboratory setting.
Bully/victim problems and their association with Machiavellianism and self‐efficacy in Greek primary school children
Authors: Andreou Eleni
Published: April 2004

Background: Previous research demonstrated that Machiavellian beliefs are linked with bully/victim problems at school. However, Machiavellianism was treated as a single construct and not as multidimensional. Children's perceptions of self‐efficacy in both social and academic domains have been related to conflictual peer interactions but not directly to bully/victim problems. This study extends previous work by examining the association of Machiavellianism and self‐efficacy with bully/victim problems.

Aims: The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between bully/victim problems and (a) components of Machiavellian beliefs, (b) Self‐efficacy for Assertion, (c) Self‐efficacy for Aggression and (d) Self‐efficacy for Learning and Performance, among school‐age children. It was also examined whether children who bully others and are bullied themselves (bully/victims) are a distinct group in terms of Machiavellian beliefs and the above perceptions of self‐efficacy.

Sample: The sample consisted of 186 children drawn from the fourth to sixth grade classrooms of four primary schools in central Greece.

Method: Peer victimization and bullying behaviour were assessed by two 6‐item self‐report scales (Austin & Joseph, 1996), Machiavellian beliefs with a 20‐item scale (Christie & Geis, 1970), Self‐efficacy for Assertion and Self‐efficacy for Aggression with two 6‐item scales (Egan & Perry, 1998) and Self‐efficacy for Learning and Performance with an 8‐item scale (Pintrich, Smith, Garcia, & McKeachie, 1991). Higher scores reflected greater victimization, bullying behaviour, Machiavellianism and domain specific self‐efficacy. Data were analysed using both correlational and categorical approach.

Results: Factor analysis of the Kiddie Mach scale revealed four main factors: Lack of Faith in Human Nature, Manipulation, Dishonesty and Distrust. The results of the correlational approach suggest that both bullying and victimization are associated with most of these factors, overall Machiavellianism and self‐efficacy measures. Separate analyses for boys and girls provide a more precise picture of that association. The results of the categorical approach, regarding differences in the Kiddie Mach and Self‐efficacy scales between bullies, victims and bully/victims, suggest that bully/victims are a distinct group in terms of Lack of Faith in Human Nature and overall Machiavellianism. Moreover, bully/victims were found to be similar to victims with respect to Self‐efficacy for Assertion but similar to bullies with respect to Self‐efficacy for Aggression.

Conclusions: Anti‐bullying interventions might profit from a greater focus on mastery‐oriented motivation and more emphasis on citizenship and interpersonal relationships in order to minimize children's aggression‐encouraging cognition and reduce Machiavellian attitudes. Further research is needed to explain satisfactorily the behaviour patterns of bully/victims.
Self‐discrepancies and causal attributions: Studies of hypothesized relationships
Authors: Kinderman Peter , Bentall Richard P.
Published: April 2004

The self‐concept and causal attributions are both centrally implicated in psychological disorders including depression and paranoia. In two investigations of the dynamic relationships between causal attributions and self‐representations, non‐patient participants completed questionnaires derived from Higgins (1987) Self‐Discrepancy Theory before and after completing a measure of causal attribution. In Study 1, consistent with cognitive models of depression, external attributions for negative events were associated with reductions in self‐actual: self‐ideal discrepancies. Study 2 revealed significantly different effects on self‐discrepancies of three types of causal attributions. Internal attributions led to increased self‐actual: self‐ideal discrepancies as well as increased discrepancies between selfperceptions and the believed views of others about the self (self‐actual: other‐actual discrepancies). External situational attributions led to no changes in either self‐actual: self‐ideal or self‐actual: other‐actual discrepancies. External personal attributions led to no changes in self‐actual: self‐ideal discrepancies but increased self‐actual: other‐actual discrepancies. These findings point to the value of distinguishing between different kinds of external attributions. They show that self‐representations and causal attributions are closely coupled cognitive domains. The results also suggest that paranoid ideation might be specifically associated with external‐personal attributions for negative events.
The National Adult Reading Test as a measure of premorbid IQ in schizophrenia
Authors: Russell A. J. , Munro J. , Jones P. B. , Hayward P. , Hemsley D. R. , Murray R. M.
Published: April 2004

Objectives. To investigate the validity of the NART as an estimate of premorbid IQ in schizophrenia. Design. A within‐in participants, follow‐back design was adopted.

Methods. A sample of adults with schizophrenia who had presented to psychiatric services and had a measure of IQ routinely taken during childhood were traced and subject to follow‐up WAIS‐R and NART IQ assessment (N = 24). Measures of current IQ and NART estimated premorbid IQ were compared with the measure of IQ taken ‘premorbidly’, i.e. in childhood.

Results. There were no significant differences between childhood and adult measures of IQ. However there were significant differences between these two indices and NART estimated IQ, particularly where IQ deviated from general population means. The Vocabulary subtest of the WAIS‐R performed better as an estimate of both premorbid and current IQ in the sample. Conclusion. Use of a word‐reading test such as the NART to predict past levels of intellectual function should proceed with caution, particularly where IQ does not fall in the ‘average category’. Use of more than one index of prior level of function is recommended.
On parameter estimation for excitation control of synchronous generators
Authors: Galaz Martha , Ortega Romeo , Bazanella Alexandre
Published: April 2004

This paper deals with the problem of identification of the network parameters and the desired equilibrium in applications of excitation control for synchronous generators. Our main contribution is the construction of a new non‐linear identifier that provides asymptotically consistent estimates (with guaranteed transient bounds) of the line impedance and the equilibrium for the classical three‐dimensional flux‐decay model of a single generator connected to an infinite bus. This model is non‐linear, and non‐linearly parameterized, and the equilibria depend also non‐linearly on the unknown parameters. The proposed estimator can be used, adopting a certainty equivalent approach, to make adaptive any power system stabilizer that relies on the knowledge of these parameters. The behaviour of the scheme is illustrated in two simulated case studies with the interconnection and damping assignment passivity‐based controller recently proposed by the authors. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dissection of Human Tropoelastin: Solution Structure, Dynamics and Self‐Assembly of the Exon 5 Peptide
Authors: Bochicchio Brigida , Floquet Nicolas , Pepe Antonietta , Alix Alain J. P. , Tamburro Antonio M.
Published: April 2004

The elastic properties of elastin have essentially been discussed in terms of dominant entropic components, with questions still remaining about whether the basic mechanism is compatible with the classical theory of rubber elasticity. A better understanding of the structure–function relationships in terms of the protein's elastic properties remains an important goal in elastin science. Recently, we succeeded in the exon‐by‐exon synthesis of all polypeptide sequences encoded by the so‐called hydrophobic exons and almost all of the cross‐linking exons of human tropoelastin. Among these, the peptide encoded by exon 5 (PGGLAGAGLGA) has been extensively studied by classical spectroscopic methods, such as CD and NMR spectroscopy, and by molecular dynamics simulations. The results obtained clearly evidenced a large flexibility of the polypeptide chain, which oscillates between rather extended conformations, such as PPII, and folded ones, such as β turns. At the supramolecular level, we obtained evidence by TEM that shows that the peptide encoded by exon 5 is able to self‐assemble in fibrillar structures, a result indicating that the “information” for self‐assembly is also contained within a small domain of tropoelastin.
Does a Reinforced Kinetic Macrocyclic Effect Exist? The Demetallation in Strong Acid of Copper(II) Complexes with Open and Cyclic Tetramines Containing a Piperazine Fragment
Authors: Boiocchi Massimo , Bonizzoni Marco , Fabbrizzi Luigi , Foti Francesco , Licchelli Maurizio , Poggi Antonio , Taglietti Angelo , Zema Michele
Published: April 2004

The demetallation in acidic solution of the CuII complexes with open‐chain and cyclic tetramines containing a piperazine unit (2 and 3) has been investigated in terms of its kinetic aspects and compared with the behaviour of unsubstituted counterparts (tetramines 1 and 4). The presence of the piperazine fragment slows demetallation of the open‐chain‐ligand complex owing to the activation barrier associated with the conformational change from boat‐to‐half‐boat; however, it does not affect the demetallation of the macrocyclic complex, which involves the spontaneous boat‐to‐twist conformational change. Thus, lateral reinforcement of a cyclam‐like ligand does not add any further contribution to the typical inertness in demetallation of macrocyclic complexes.
Chemical Heterogeneity of a Crystal Built of Nanoscale Coherently Twinned Yb2−x(Fe,Ga)17+2x Polytypes
Authors: Filinchuk Yaroslav E. , Birkedal Henrik , Černý Radovan , Hostettler Marc , Yanson Tamara I. , Bodak Oksana I. , Yvon Klaus
Published: April 2004

An X‐ray study of single crystals extracted from an arc‐melted Yb‐Fe‐Ga alloy showed that the diffraction pattern can be modeled by an intergrown crystal that has three sorts of domains: one hexagonal (1, LuFe9.5 type) and two rhombohedral (2 a and 2 b, PrFe7 type), the last two twinned by reticular merohedry. Crystals 1 and 2 are essentially polytypes with maximum degree of order (MDO polytypes), built up of nearly identical slabs that are stacked along [001] in ABAB…︁ (1) and ABCABC…︁ (2) sequences. Structure refinement was performed by a newly developed program that allowed us to refine several structures on a single data set. We found that the hexagonal and rhombohedral domains differ in chemical composition: while 1 shows a higher rate of Yb substitution by Fe2 dumbbells, 2 shows partial substitution of Fe by Ga. Our observation of the nanoscale phase segregation is supported by latest finding of nonrandom distribution of stacking faults in a similar 2:17 alloy. An unequal distribution of chemical substitutions in 1 and 2 apparently compensates the inherent mismatch of basal plane dimensions of the individual MDO polytypes and thus constrains their cell parameters within the syntaxy. According to our knowledge this is the first example of two chemically distinct polytypes constituting a single crystal, refined on a single set of diffraction data.
Modeling the Effect of Hydration in Zeolite Na+—Mordenite.
Authors: Maurin G. , Bell R. G. , Devautour S. , Henn F. , Giuntini J. C.
Published: April 2004

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Magnetic Structures and Magnetic Phase Transitions in TbCoSi2.
Authors: Penc B. , Szytula A. , Wawrzynska E. , Hernandez‐Velasco J.
Published: April 2004

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Preparation, Characterization, and Photoactivity of Polycrystalline Nanostructured TiO2 Catalysts.
Authors: Addamo Maurizio , Augugliaro Vincenzo , Di Paola Agatino , Garcia‐Lopez Elisa , Loddo Vittorio , Marci Giuseppe , Molinari Raffaele , Palmisano Leonardo , Schiavello Mario
Published: April 2004

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Preparation and Characterization of an α‐Keggin‐Type [SW12O40]2‐ Complex.
Authors: Himeno Sadayuki , Takamoto Masayo , Hoshiba Mitsuru , Higuchi Ayumi , Hashimoto Masato
Published: April 2004

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Enantioselective Reactions of Scalemic Acyclic α‐(Alkoxy)alkyl‐ and α‐(N‐carbamoyl)alkylcuprates.
Authors: Dieter R. Karl , Watson Rhett T. , Goswami Rajesh
Published: April 2004

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Enthalpic and Polar Effects in the Reactions of Perfluoroalkyl Radicals. New Selective Synthetic Developments with Alkenes and Heteroaromatic Bases.
Authors: Antonietti Fabrizio , Mele Andrea , Minisci Francesco , Punta Carlo , Recupero Francesco , Fontana Francesca
Published: April 2004

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Thiophenylhydrazonoacetates in Heterocyclic Synthesis.
Authors: Mohareb Rafat M. , Sherif Sherif M. , Gaber Hatem M. , Ghabrial Sami S. , Aziz Susan I.
Published: April 2004

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Cyclopentadienyl RuII Complexes as Highly Efficient Catalysts for the N‐Methylation of Alkylamines by Methanol.
Authors: Del Zotto Alessandro , Baratta Walter , Sandri Mauro , Verardo Giancarlo , Rigo Pierluigi
Published: April 2004

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Microwave Assisted Phase Transfer Catalysis: An Efficient Solvent‐Free Method for the Synthesis of Cyclopropane Derivatives
Authors: Gumaste V. K. , Khan Asgar J. , Bhawal B. M. , Deshmukh A. R. A. S.
Published: April 2004

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A New Chiral Catalytic Source with an N—P=O Structural Framework Containing a Proximal Hydroxyl Group for the Borane‐Mediated Asymmetric Reduction of Prochiral Ketones.
Authors: Basavaiah Deevi , Reddy Gone Jayapal , Chandrashekar Vanampally
Published: April 2004

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Efficient Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions of Highly Functionalized Allyl Halides in Ionic Liquid Media.
Authors: Kotti S. R. S. Saibabu , Xu Xin , Li Guigen , Headley Allan D.
Published: April 2004

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Straightforward Novel One‐Pot Enaminone and Pyrimidine Syntheses by Coupling‐Addition‐Cyclocondensation Sequences.
Authors: Karpov Alexei S. , Mueller Thomas J. J.
Published: April 2004

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Zinc Mediated Friedel—Crafts Acylation in Solvent‐Free Conditions under Microwave Irradiation.
Authors: Paul Satya , Nanda Puja , Gupta Rajive , Loupy Andre
Published: April 2004

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One‐Pot Easy Conversion of Baylis—Hillman Adducts into Carbamates of Unsaturated β‐Amino Acids.
Authors: Mamaghani Manouchehr , Badrian Abed
Published: April 2004

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Indium(III)‐Catalyzed Aryl Sulfonylation Reactions.
Authors: Garzya Vincenzo , Forbes Ian T. , Lauru Stephanie , Maragni Paolo
Published: April 2004

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Highly Efficient Mechanochemical Reactions of 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds with Chalcones and Azachalcones Catalyzed by Potassium Carbonate.
Authors: Zhang Ze , Dong Ya‐Wei , Wang Guan‐Wu , Komatsu Koichi
Published: April 2004

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Radical‐Induced Cycloaromatization: Routes to Fluoranthenes and Acephenanthrylenes.
Authors: Scott John L. , Parkin Sean R. , Anthony John E.
Published: April 2004

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Direct Synthesis of Aliphatic Vinyl Aziridines.
Authors: Arini Louise G. , Sinclair Alex , Szeto Peter , Stockman Robert A.
Published: April 2004

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Synthesis and Characterization of Dibenzofuran Derivatives
Authors: Zhang Wen , Su Liming , Sun Wen‐Hua , Jin Xianglin
Published: April 2004

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Synthesis and Evaluation of S‐4‐(3‐Thienyl)phenyl‐α‐methylacetic Acid.
Authors: Mittal Shilpi , Malde Alpeshkumar , Selvam C. , Arun K. H. S. , Johar P. S. , Jachak Sanjay M. , Ramarao P. , Bharatam P. V. , Chawla H. P. S.
Published: April 2004

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A New “One‐Pot” Synthesis of 2‐Substituted 3‐Nitropyrrolidines Through a Multicomponent Domino Reaction.
Authors: Baricordi Nikla , Benetti Simonetta , Biondini Gisella , De Risi Carmela , Pollini Gian P.
Published: April 2004

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Synthesis of Alkaloids from Aminol Derivatives by β‐Fragmentation of Primary Alkoxyl Radicals.
Authors: Boto Alicia , Hernandez Rosendo , Montoya Adriana , Suarez Ernesto
Published: April 2004

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A New Strategy for the Diastereoselective Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Pyrrolidines.
Authors: Davis Andrew S. , Gates Nicole J. , Lindsay Karl B. , Tang Minyan , Pyne Stephen G.
Published: April 2004

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Improvement in the Regioselectivity in the Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Metathesis Reaction of 2‐Azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐5‐en‐3‐one (ABH) with Allyltrimethylsilane.
Authors: Ishikura Minoru , Hasunuma Miyako , Saijo Makoto
Published: April 2004

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Simple Synthesis of Substituted Pyrroles.
Authors: Banik Bimal K. , Samajdar Susanta , Banik Indrani
Published: April 2004

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Use of Arylacetonitriles in Syntheses of 2,1‐Benzisoxazoles.
Authors: Orlov V. Yu. , Kotov A. D. , Ganzha V. V. , Mironov G. S.
Published: April 2004

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One‐Pot Synthesis of Functionalized 4,5‐Dihydroisoxazole Derivatives via Nitrile Oxides and Biological Evaluation with Plant Cells.
Authors: Mincheva Zoia , Courtois Martine , Chreche Joel , Rideau Marc , Viaud‐Massuard Maria‐Claude
Published: April 2004

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Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of 2‐Amino and 2‐Azetidinonyl 5‐(2‐Benzoyl‐phenoxymethyl) 1,3,4‐Oxadiazoles.
Authors: Khanum Shaukath Ara , Shashikanth S. , Sudha B. S.
Published: April 2004

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Microwave‐Assisted Rapid Synthesis of Furan Annulated Heterocycles.
Authors: Shaabani Ahmad , Teimouri Mohammad Bagher
Published: April 2004

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Synthesis of N‐Allyl and N‐Propadienylacridones Using Phase‐Transfer Catalysis.
Authors: Xuarez Lisbet , Pellon Rolando F. , Fascio Mirta , Montesano Veronica , D'Accorso Norma
Published: April 2004

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The Influence of the Ring Size of Thiolactams in the Eschenmoser Coupling Reaction in Presence of DBU. Formation of Bicyclic Thiazolidinones or Thioimines.
Authors: Russowsky Dennis , da Silveira Neto Brenno Amaro
Published: April 2004

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A Convenient Synthesis of New Pentaazacyclopentanaphthalene and Pentaazaphenanthrene Derivatives.
Authors: Issac Yvette A. , Aly Aly A.
Published: April 2004

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Diastereopure Preparation of α‐Benzotriazolyl 1‐Azacycloalka[2,1‐b][1,3]oxazines and Their Application as Versatile Chiral Precursors.
Authors: Xu Xuenong , Lu Jun , Li Rui , Ge Zongming , Dong Yanmei , Hu Yuefei
Published: April 2004

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Synthesis of 9‐Bromo‐3‐methoxydibenzo[c,f][1,2]oxazepine‐11‐carbonitrile.
Authors: Orlov V. Yu. , Kotov A. D. , Ganzha V. V. , Mironov G. S.
Published: April 2004

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New Stereoregular Liquid‐Crystalline Phenylcyclosiloxanes
Authors: Makarova N. N. , Volkova L. M. , Chizhova N. V. , Matukhina E. V. , Kaznacheev A. V. , Petrovskii P. V.
Published: April 2004

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Selenocyclizations: Control by Coordination and by the Counterion.
Authors: Khokhar Shaista S. , Wirth Thomas
Published: April 2004

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Synthetic Approaches to Guanacastepenes. Enantiospecific Syntheses of BC and AB Ring Systems of Guanacastepenes and Rameswaralide.
Authors: Srikrishna A. , Dethe Dattatraya H.
Published: April 2004

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O‐Dichlorovinyl Osides: A New Anomeric Protecting Group.
Authors: de Figueiredo Renata M. , Bailliez Vincent , Dubreuil Didier , Olesker Alain , Cleophax Jeannine
Published: April 2004

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Highly α‐Selective Synthesis of Disaccharide Using Glycosyl Bromide by the Promotion of Phosphine Oxide.
Authors: Mukaiyama Teruaki , Kobashi Yohei
Published: April 2004

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Three New Lycoctonine‐Type C19‐Diterpenoid Alkaloids from Delphinium giraldii
Authors: Zhou Xian‐Li , Chen Qiao‐Hong , Wang Feng‐Peng
Published: April 2004

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Demethylation of 2,4‐Dimethoxyquinolines: The Synthesis of Atanine.
Authors: Jones Keith , Roset Xavier , Rossiter Sharon , Whitfield Philip
Published: April 2004

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Synthesis of Flexible Difluorinated Cyclopropanoid Nucleoside Analogues.
Authors: Csuk Rene , Eversmann Leo
Published: April 2004

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New Isoflavonoid from Dipterix odorata.
Authors: Socorro Maria P. , Pinto Angelo C. , Kaiser Carlos R.
Published: April 2004

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A Versatile Stereoselective Synthesis of endo,exo‐Furofuranones: Application to the Enantioselective Synthesis of Furofuran Lignans.
Authors: Swain Nigel A. , Brown Richard C. D. , Bruton Gordon
Published: April 2004

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Three‐Component Homo [3 + 2] Dipolar Cycloaddition. A Diversity‐Oriented Synthesis of Tetrahydro‐1,2‐oxazines and FR900482 Skeletal Congeners.
Authors: Young Ian S. , Kerr Michael A.
Published: April 2004

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Frankiamide: A Structural Revision to Demethyl (C‐11) Cezomycin.
Authors: Klika Karel D. , Haansuu J. Pasi , Ovcharenko Vladimir V. , Haahtela Kielo K. , Vuorela Pia M. , Sillanpaeae Reijo , Pihlaja Kalevi
Published: April 2004

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