bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Too Much, Too Little, Too Late to Start Again? Assessing the Efficacy of Bisphosphonates in Patients with Bone Metastases from Breast Cancer
Authors: Clemons Mark , Dranitsaris George , Cole David , Gainford Mary C.
Published: March 2006

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Articulate the natural history of bone metastasis in the setting of advanced breast cancer.Describe the role of bisphosphonates in managing bone metastases in the setting of breast cancer.Discuss clinical end points used to determine whether bisphosphonates are useful in this setting.

Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com
Adjuvant Chemotherapy in the Elderly: Whom to Treat, What Regimen?
Authors: Burdette-Radoux Susan , Muss Hyman B.
Published: March 2006

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Describe several methods for assessing a patient's comorbidity and functional status prior to adjuvant chemotherapy.Discuss methods of relapse and mortality risk assessment in the elderly population and explain how adjuvant treatment affects risk.Identify adjuvant chemotherapy regimens that have been shown to be beneficial in the elderly population for treating breast, colon, and lung cancer.

Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com
Making PubMed Searching Simple: Learning to Retrieve Medical Literature Through Interactive Problem Solving
Authors: Vincent Beatriz , Vincent Maurice , Ferreira Carlos Gil
Published: March 2006

Searching the literature has a direct, beneficial influence on patient care. The amount of medical scientific information has increased to a great extent, while the development of networking technologies has broadened access to online databases. Successful searches depend upon understanding technical librarianship concepts and the skills for mastering searching interfaces. From a problem-oriented approach, concepts like MEDLINE coverage, PubMed resources, Boolean logic, search strategies, and Web sources for full-text articles are introduced along seven online situations: locating a specific publication, answering a complex clinical question, finding information on a general subject, finding publications by a particular author, finding publications in a particular language, finding a specific publication type, and locating the full-text document. Oncologists should face the challenge of performing their own searches. Specific knowledge is mandatory to avoid frustrating, time-consuming work. The objective of this work is to present concepts, strategies, and skills required for medical literature retrieval, easing the incorporation of new and welcomed practices.
Brain Metastases from Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Pectasides Dimitrios , Pectasides Melina , Economopoulos Theofanis
Published: March 2006

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Select the appropriate treatment strategies for ovarian cancer patients with solitary brain metastases and extracranial disease.Describe the most important prognostic factors for ovarian cancer patients with brain metastases.List the diagnostic steps needed to establish the diagnosis of brain metastases in ovarian cancer patients.

Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com
Oxaliplatin-Related Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
Authors: Carneiro Benedito A. , Kaminer Lynne , Eldibany Mohammed , Sreekantaiah Chandrika , Kaul Karen , Locker Gershon Y.
Published: March 2006

A 56-year-old woman diagnosed with a poorly differentiated cecal adenocarcinoma with metastases to ovaries, omentum, and sigmoid colon went into remission after 12 cycles of infusional 5-fluorouracil, luecovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX-4 regimen). Thirteen months later, a pelvic recurrence was diagnosed, and the patient received nine cycles of FOLFOX-6 plus bevacizumab, resulting in a clinical complete response but the development of pancytopenia. Bone marrow biopsy was consistent with therapy-related acute myelogenous leukemia. Chromosome analysis showed structural rearrangements with partial deletions of the long arms of chromosomes 5, 7, 20, and 21, as well as trisomy of chromosome 8 and losses of chromosomes 3 and 11. Induction chemotherapy led to remission, but the patient died two months later from complications of colon cancer progression. It is likely that the leukemia was related to the oxaliplatin administration.
Large Granular Lymphocyte Leukemia
Authors: Sokol Lubomir , Loughran Thomas P.
Published: March 2006

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Discuss the basic principles of molecular and cellular biology of LGL leukemia.Describe distinct clinical entities among disorders of LGLs.Discuss the diagnostic criteria for T-cell LGL leukemia.Discuss the therapeutic algorithm of LGL leukemia.

Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com
Combining Targeted Therapies and Drugs with Multiple Targets in the Treatment of NSCLC
Authors: Maione Paolo , Gridelli Cesare , Troiani Teresa , Ciardiello Fortunato
Published: March 2006

The first generation of clinical trials of targeted agents in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment has concluded. To date, only a few of these new agents can offer hope of a substantial impact on the natural history of the disease. Nevertheless, clinically meaningful advances have already been achieved. In chemotherapy-refractory advanced NSCLC patients, gefitinib and erlotinib, two epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, represent a further chance for tumor control and symptom palliation. In chemotherapy-naive, advanced, nonsquamous NSCLC patients, the combination of the anti–vascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody bevacizumab with chemotherapy was demonstrated to produce better survival outcomes than with chemotherapy alone. The relative failure of first-generation targeted therapies in lung cancer may be a result of multilevel cross-stimulation among the targets of the new biological agents. Thus, blocking only one of these pathways allows others to act as salvage or escape mechanisms for cancer cells. Preclinical evidence of the synergistic antitumor activity achievable by combining targeted agents that block multiple signaling pathways has recently been emerging. Clinical trials of multitargeted therapy may represent the second generation of studies in this field, and some of these are already ongoing. In a recent phase I/II trial, the combination of erlotinib and bevacizumab demonstrated very promising activity in the treatment of advanced NSCLC pretreated with chemotherapy. Whether the multitargeted approach is best performed using combinations of selective agents or agents that intrinsically target various targets is a matter of debate.
Managing Paraneoplastic Neurological Disorders
Authors: de Beukelaar Janet W. , Smitt Peter A. Sillevis
Published: March 2006

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Describe the autoimmune pathogenesis of paraneoplastic neurological syndromes.Explain the clinical value of paraneoplastic antibody detection.Describe the general treatment approach to paraneoplastic neurological syndromes.

Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com
The Role of Statins in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Hindler Katja , Cleeland Charles S. , Rivera Edgardo , Collard Charles D.
Published: March 2006

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Explain how statins, used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, may be applicable to cancer prevention.Discuss how statins potentially interfere with biologic processes relevant to cancer etiology.Outline the gaps in our understanding in this area of theoretical versus applied medicine.

Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com
The Molecular Perspective: Cisplatin
Authors: Goodsell David S.
Published: March 2006

Learning Objective

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Describe the structure and action of cisplatin.

Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com
Deterioration of reinforced concrete in sewer environments
Authors: Parande A. K. , Ramsamy P. L. , Ethirajan S. , Rao C. R. K. , Palanisamy N.
Published: March 2006

Millions of dollars are being spent worldwide on the repair and maintenance of sewer systems and wastewater treatment plants. Microbially-induced corrosion causes damage via micro-organisms. Deterioration is caused by acid excretion which etches the surface of concrete, penetrating the mortar surface, especially in sewer systems. The mechanisms of concrete and reinforcement deterioration in sewer environments and microbially-induced corrosion is discussed in detail in this paper. A comprehensive review is given of the role of hydrogen sulphide and micro-organisms in the deterioration of concrete in sewer environments and of repair and rehabilitation measures, including the following preventative measures: (a) modification of the materials used in construction of sewer pipes; (b) coatings; (c) sewer treatments. A complete review of the microbial deterioration of concrete and its remedies is also included.
Public health support to water supply in Kyrgyzstan
Authors: Sutherland D. , Aitmurzaeva G. T.
Published: March 2006

This paper describes the main features of the Department for International Development (DFID)-funded Rural Hygiene and Sanitation Project (RHSP) in Kyrgyzstan, which is being implemented in parallel with the DFID/World Bank Rural Water Supply Project. The RHSP seeks to put into practice the current thinking that the health outcomes of improved water supply will only be achieved if hygiene and sanitation are given equal attention to water supply. In many cases the health benefits will only be achieved if there is a change in behaviour. A change in behaviour does not only mean change in practical hygiene behaviour by individuals but rather a change in attitude on the part of individuals, communities and the institutions that support them. The RHSP seeks to achieve this through participatory hygiene promotion in over 200 villages, providing supporting institutions with new information and techniques for health promotion, constructing improved public sanitation facilities and training the communities themselves to monitor the water quality and condition of their water supply system.
Complicated Bereavement: A Commentary on its State of Evolution
Authors: Goodkin Karl , Lee Diana , Frasca Alicia , Molina Rebeca , Zheng Wenli , O'Mellan Sandra , Farhat Dolores , Khamis Imad
Published: March 2006

We have reviewed the articles submitted by Walter (2006), Neimeyer (2005–2006, this issue), Stroebe and Schut (2005–2006, this issue), and Prigerson and Maciejewski (2005–2006, thiss issue). Walter (2005–2006, this issue) assumes a social constructivist perspective of complicated grief. His article focuses on a number of issues that we believe to be extrinsic to the primary issue of the definition of complicated grief. We do not view the movement toward a new diagnosis of complicated grief as a normalization of grief as a construct of psychiatry (“psychiatric medicine” is a redundant term), an operational requirement of “bereavement agencies,” a concept through which society can discipline the bereaved, a label applied to those who actively resist cultural grieving norms, a product of societal obsession with risk, or a result of “negotiating participants in the bereavement field.” We also do not assume that complicated grief is a “psychological disorder” but, rather, a type of psychopathology (without reference to professional discipline).
Complicated Bereavement: Disease State or State of Being?
Authors: Goodkin Karl , Lee Diana , Molina Rebeca , Zheng Wenli , Frasca Alicia , O'Mellan Sandra , Asthana Deshratn , Shapshak Paul , Khamis Imad
Published: March 2006

The point at which the experience of grief in response to bereavement becomes “pathological” has been debated for many years without resolution. This article reviews the current status of this debate. The debate centers around the extent to which “complicated grief” represents a truly unique pathological entity, when contrasted with major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and “uncomplicated grief.” Significant research findings suggest it may be possible to distinguish grief from depressed as well as traumatic forms of distress, with acceptable reliability and validity. Yet, “complicated grief” relates to both of these types of distress as well as to a unique aspect—separation distress. It is at the intersection of these types of distress with significant disruption of daily life functioning that we find the proposed diagnosis of “complicated grief.” The question is whether this diagnosis should be designated at this time, and, if so, how. This article concludes in favor of a compromise position that the diagnosis should be incorporated into DSM-V but relegated to its Appendix B [disorders proposed for further study] due to the lack of clarity surrounding its diagnostic criteria.
Defining the New Abnormal: Scientific and Social Construction of Complicated Grief
Authors: Neimeyer Robert A.
Published: March 2006

The current discussion about the status of “complicated grief” as a concept reflects not only a scientific process of validation and justification for a new diagnostic entity, but also a social process of reality construction. It is for this reason that the various professional, scholarly, religious and lay groups that advance competing discourses regarding “normal” and “abnormal” grief can be expected to continue to debate and challenge any given formulation, at least to the extent that pluralism is respected and dialogue is valued.
What is Complicated Grief? A Social Constructionist Perspective
Authors: Walter Tony
Published: March 2006

Research into complicated grief assumes that it is a psychological disorder of the grieving individual. This article suggests seven other things that complicated grief may also be: a normalizing construct of psychiatric medicine, an operational requirement of bereavement agencies, a concept by which society as a whole and families can discipline mourning members, a label applied to those who actively resist cultural norms about grief, a product of a society obsessed with risk, and the result of negotiation between various parties in the bereavement field. If complicated grief exists, it is much more multi-faceted than is usually acknowledged.

Grief, like death itself, is undisciplined, risky, wild. That society seeks to discipline grief, as part of its policing of the border between life and death, is predictable, and it is equally predictable that modern society would medicalize grief as the means of policing (Foote & Frank, 1999, p. 170).
A Call for Sound Empirical Testing and Evaluation of Criteria for Complicated Grief Proposed for DSM-V
Authors: Prigerson Holly G. , MaCiejewski Paul K.
Published: March 2006

The empirical testing of diagnostic criteria for Complicated Grief (CG) by autonomous investigators is a welcome development. Cross-validation studies are essential to an impartial evaluation of diagnostic criteria for CG proposed for inclusion in the DSM-V. Nevertheless, the review of evidence to confirm or disconfirm the diagnostic validity of the proposed CG criteria requires a fair, unbiased, and relevant examination of the data. It is our view that Hogan, Worden, and Schmidt's (2003–2004) “An Empirical Study of the Complicated Grief Disorder Criteria” (see Table 1) fails to meet these standards. Hogan et al. test for the independence between: a) separation distress and traumatic distress symptoms, b) CG and depressive symptoms, c) CG symptoms and presumably “normal” symptoms of grief. Testing for the independence of these constructs is a red herring. Issues central to the validity and reliability of a CG diagnosis should focus on the ability of the symptoms to identify the small number of bereaved persons with enduring and acutely distressing grief that is associated with significant dysfunction. Despite asking the wrong questions, the basic results remain consistent with claims that we have made all along (e.g., that CG symptoms are unidimensional; that more than half the variance in CG symptoms cannot be explained by depressive symptoms; that CG symptoms distinguish themselves from normal grief symptoms with respect to their intensity and chronicity and the prediction of morbidity). There is little doubt of the need for more empirical work to evaluate the reliability, validity, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic efficiency of criteria proposed for CG. It is our hope that the call will be heard by investigators who will test issues relevant to the creation of a sound CG diagnosis.
The Effect of Navigation Tools on Learners' Achievement and Attitude in a Hypermedia Environment
Authors: Farrell Inez H. , Moore David M.
Published: March 2006

Navigation tools can be used to direct the amount of learner control and student interactivity available in a hypermedia environment. The purpose of this study was to ascertain if varying the amount of learner control and interactivity through the use of different navigation tools (linear, menu, and search engine) would influence the achievement and attitude of learners of different academic abilities. Results indicated a significant difference for high ability students using the search engine navigation tool. A significant difference in positive attitude was found for all ability levels using the menu navigation tool.
Complicated Grief: A Conceptual Analysis of the Field
Authors: Stroebe Margaret , Schut Henk
Published: March 2006

A great deal of research, notably by Prigerson and colleagues (e.g., Prigerson & Jacobs, 2001; see Prigerson & Maciejewski, this issue) and Horowitz and colleagues (e.g., Horowitz, this issue; Horowitz, Bonanno, & Holen, 1993), has recently been conducted with the purpose of establishing criteria for the designation of Complicated Grief (CG) as a mental disorder for inclusion in DSM-V. Some dissenting voices have been heard from teams of researchers adopting different approaches and/or using different criteria and diagnostic categorizations. We argue the need for a conceptual framework as a starting point for understanding the different positions on this CG—DSM controversy. This analysis is used as a tool to evaluate the questions posed by the Editor of this Special Issue, Colin Murray Parkes: (1) Should Complicated Grief be regarded as a psychiatric disorder? (2) Does the syndrome described by Prigerson and colleagues meet the required scientific criteria? Discrepancies emerge between scholars in the ways that they have conceptualized and assessed complicated grief and associated disorders: Examination of the positions of researchers within the framework reveals five systematically different approaches. We argue that potential criteria and diagnostic categorization systems emerging from the different perspectives need to be considered. General implications of DSM-V (non)inclusion are summarized.
Learning to Labour with Feeling: Class, Gender and Emotion in Childcare Education and Training
Authors: Colley Helen
Published: March 2006

There is debate among early years experts about the appropriate degree of emotional engagement between nursery nurses and the children in their care. Through research into the learning cultures of further education (in the Economic and Social Research Council's Teaching and Learning Research Programme), the author considers how prospective nursery nurses first learn to deploy emotion in their work. Few researchers have investigated the learning of feelings for caring occupations, and this article presents a detailed case study, based on both quantitative and qualitative data, of a group of childcare students throughout their two-year course. In analysing its official, unwritten, and hidden curricula, and the social practices of learning it entails, the author draws on feminist readings of Marx and Bourdieu to reveal how gendered and class-fractional positionings combine with vocational education and training to construct imperatives about ‘correct’ emotions in childcare. The author compares theorisations of emotional capital and emotional labour, and suggests we need social rather than individualised understandings of how feelings are put to work. The author concludes that emotional labour carries costs for the nursery nurse, not because children consume her emotional resources, but because her emotional labour power is controlled and exploited for profit by employers.
Re-Engineering Motherhood? Sure Start in the Community
Authors: Hey Valerie , Bradford Simon
Published: March 2006

This article draws on data collected through two focus groups and eight telephone interviews undertaken as part of an evaluation of a local Sure Start programme. Located in the context of New Labour's valorisation of parenting, and specifically mothering, the article explores the impact of Sure Start policy on discourses of motherhood in this setting. Policy is considered as a form of knowledge and knowing, and the article looks at how policy opens up particular spaces of intervention whilst simultaneously configuring particular identities, in this case ‘mothers’. The authors suggest that Sure Start has mapped a terrain upon which mothers' identities have been positioned in various discourses: ‘responsibility’, ‘respectability’ or ‘fecklessness’, for example. The article explores the contested and contradictory ways in which discourse and identity are played out in one Sure Start neighbourhood.
Men in the Nursery Revisited: Issues of Male Workers and Professionalism
Authors: Cameron Claire
Published: March 2006

Professionalising the early childhood workforce in terms of improving pay and conditions of work and employing male workers can be seen as independent trends: there is no necessary relationship between the two. However, when the definition of professionalism is extended to include the scope and quality of practice, the experiences and views of male and female workers may have a contribution to make. This article is based on revisiting a study of male and female workers in childcare centres, analysed in terms of an extended definition of professionalism. It argues that the conditions necessary for changes to practice include developing a reflective approach to practice where debate and curiosity and practice are a constant feature of daily work.
Early Childhood Education and Care as a Community Service or Big Business?
Authors: Kilderry Anna
Published: March 2006

This colloquium discusses recent trends where early childhood education and care has shifted from being a community service to that of big business. Years of neo-liberal reform have created market conditions favourable for large corporations to provide childcare within Australia. This situation raises some issues and concerns, particularly in relation to the amount of profit that is generated for the shareholders from the business of caring and educating young children and the amount of educational control and governance resting in the hands of one corporation.
The Curriculum—Book Relationship in the Pre-Schools of Jammu City
Authors: Vaid Sumati , Dhingra Rajni , Baru Anamika
Published: March 2006

The study examined the relationship between the syllabus and books used in 20 pre-schools in Jammu city, India. Twenty principals of pre-schools in Jammu city were randomly selected for interview. The results of the study reveal that the 20 schools had the same kind of syllabus and the curriculum took the needs and interests of the children into account. The majority of the schools had set books and these books were published according to the syllabus.
Creativity versus conscientiousness: which is a better predictor of student performance?
Authors: Chamorro‐Premuzic Tomas
Published: March 2006

This paper examines the extent to which the incremental validity of creative thinking (over and above personality) in the prediction of academic performance may be a function of assessment methods. British university students (N = 307) completed the Alternate Uses Test and Big Five personality inventory at the beginning of the first academic year. Students' academic performance was assessed throughout a 4‐year period via written exams, continuous assessment (tutored seminars) and a supervised dissertation in the final year. Creative thinking was more related to final dissertation marks than to exam and continuous assessment performance (which were associated with Conscientiousness, rather than creative thinking). A follow‐up questionnaire on preferences for different assessment methods revealed that creative thinking was positively related to preference for viva voce (oral) exams, group projects and final dissertation, but negatively associated with preferences for multiple‐choice and essay‐type exams, as well as continuous assessment. Implications are discussed with regard to educational settings, in particular assessment methods. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression of MAC‐1 (CD11b) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with an unfavorable prognosis
Authors: Graf Michaela , Reif Susanne , Kröll Tanja , Hecht Karin , Nuessler Volkmar , Schmetzer Helga
Published: March 2006

There is evidence to suggest, that cellular adhesion molecules and receptors could play a role in leukemia, e.g., through altered adhesive qualities of leukemic blasts. We have studied the expression of the β2‐integrin Mac‐1 (CD11b) on mononuclear cells in 48 patients with AML at first diagnosis by flow cytometry using a direct fluorescein‐conjugated antibody. A case was defined as positive if more than 20% of the cells expressed Mac‐1. Within the FAB types, we observed a high expression rate in cases with M5 (100% MAC‐1+ cases, 73% MAC‐1+ cells), M4 (75% MAC‐1+ cases, 48% MAC‐1+ cells) and in cases with FAB‐M1 with 71% MAC‐1+ cases and 29% MAC‐1+ cells. Separating our patients' cohort in cytogenetic risk groups, we could detect significant higher proportions of MAC‐1+, cases (88% vs. 27%, P = 0.005) and cells (51% vs. 16%, P = 0.015) with poor cytogenetic risk compared to the favorable risk group. For clinical evaluations only patients treated according to the protocols of the German AML Cooperative Group (AML‐CG) were included (n = 29, cases with AML‐M3 were excluded). More MAC‐1+ cases and cells were found in the “non‐responders” group (n = 8) compared to the “responders” group (n = 24). We can conclude that AML cases with high MAC‐1 expression are characterized by a worse prognosis. Evaluation of MAC‐1 expression in AML might therefore contribute clinically important data with respect to develop new therapies that influence the interactions between integrins like MAC‐1 on leukemic cells and endothelial or immunoreactive cells. Am. J. Hematol. 81:227–235, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Renal parenchymal tumors and lymphoma in the same patient: Case series and review of the literature
Authors: Kunthur Anuradha , Wiernik Peter H. , Dutcher Janice P.
Published: March 2006

We reviewed the incidence of diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma and lymphoma in the same patient and analyzed the characteristics of this association. Nine patients in 4 years had the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and lymphoma, including 2 with Hodgkin disease, 1 with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and 3 each with low‐grade follicular and intermediate‐grade non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In SEER data, the observed/expected (O/E) ratio of NHL and RCC is 1.86 to 2.07. In our series, 2 patients were diagnosed with NHL after the diagnosis of RCC, 1 was diagnosed concurrently, and in the other 6, lymphoma preceded diagnosis of RCC. In reviews of second malignancies following treatment of Hodgkin disease, RCC is less common (O/E 1.5, with 1/3 being transitional cell carcinoma and 2/3 being adenocarcinoma). We report 2 cases with Hodgkin disease preceding RCC, and in both, Hodgkin disease occurred as an adult. There is a male predominance for patients with both diagnoses, which is greater than the male predominance for either RCC or NHL alone (2.2 vs. 2.0 vs. 1.2). There is an increased likelihood of the lymphoma being extranodal. There is an increased association of RCC and NHL more often among male patients, and often with extranodal lymphoma. Potential common etiological factors include prior treatment for malignancy, genetic predisposition, environmental factors, including a search for viral sequences, and possible immune dysregulation generating the lymphoma and subsequently leading to solid tumors such as RCC or melanoma. Am. J. Hematol. 81:271–280, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Folate supplementation and twinning in patients with sickle cell disease
Authors: Ballas Samir K. , Baxter Jason K. , Riddick Gaye
Published: March 2006

Patients with sickle cell disease routinely take folic acid daily as a supplement to maintain effective erythropoiesis. One of the controversial effects of folic acid is its effect on twin gestation rates. In this report, we present our experience in patients with sickle cell disease and twin pregnancy. Our data show that twin pregnancies seem to be associated with folate supplementation. Am. J. Hematol. 81:296–297, 2006 © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antitumor effects of celecoxib on K562 leukemia cells are mediated by cell‐cycle arrest, caspase‐3 activation, and downregulation of Cox‐2 expression and are synergistic with hydroxyurea or imatinib
Authors: Zhang Guang‐Sen , Liu Ding‐Sheng , Dai Chong‐Wen , Li Rui‐Juan
Published: March 2006

Celecoxib, a specific cyclooxygenase‐2 (Cox‐2) inhibitor, has been shown to possess antitumor activity in a variety of cancer cells. However, the antitumor activity of celecoxib in hematopoietic tumors, especially in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), has not been well established. This study was designed to investigate the effect of celecoxib on growth and apoptosis in a human CML cell line (K562 cells) or in primary CML cells, and to examine the synergistic actions of celecoxib and hydroxyurea or imatinib on K562 cell proliferation and apoptosis. Celecoxib significantly inhibited the growth of both K562 and primary CML cells and induced apoptosis in a dose‐dependent fashion. The IC50 of celecoxib was 46 μM for inhibition of K562 cell proliferation. The effect of celecoxib on growth inhibition was accompanied by the downregulation of cyclin D1 and cyclin E and p‐Rb expression, the upregulation of P16INK4a and P27KIP expression, and a G1‐S phase arrest of the cell cycle. The pro‐apoptotic effect of celecoxib was determined to be mediated by caspase‐3 activation. When K562 cells were pretreated with DEVD‐fmk, a specific inhibitor of caspases, the apoptotic activity of celecoxib was, in part, abrogated. Importantly, we demonstrated for the first time that K562 cells were Cox‐2‐positive both at the mRNA and protein levels. We noted the following observations: (i) we detected Cox‐2 mRNA in K562 cells by reverse transcription‐PCR (RT‐PCR) and protein expression by western blot analysis; (ii) Cox‐2 expression in K562 cells was stimulated by IL‐1β, a specific inducing agent of Cox‐2 expression; (iii) primary CML cells from CML patient bone marrow also exhibited Cox‐2 protein expression. Furthermore, Cox‐2 expression was downregulated at higher doses of celecoxib (80–160 μM), suggesting a Cox‐2‐dependent mechanism was involved in the drug's effects of growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis. In addition, a synergistic effect was observed when cells were exposed to low‐dose celecoxib (40 μM) and hydroxyurea (10 mM) or a combination of celecoxib (40 μM) and imatinib (0.2 μM). These findings provide the basis for uncovering the mechanism of celecoxib's antitumor effects and developing a new therapeutic strategy for treating CML. Am. J. Hematol. 81:242–255, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of occupational factors on lung function in french dairy farmers. A 5‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Venier A.G. , Chaudemanche H. , Monnet E. , Thaon I. , Fury R. , Laplante J.J. , Dalphin J.C.
Published: March 2006

Background

Dairy farming is associated with a high prevalence of respiratory disorders but the respective influence of occupational exposures, environmental, and individual factors on lung function remain unclear.

Methods

In 1994 and 1999, dairy farmers were examined in the Doubs province, France. Spirometric measures and allergological tests were performed. Medical and professional data were obtained by questionnaires. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed.

Results

An accelerated decline in lung function parameters was associated with age, male sex, traditional farm (as opposed to modern farms), and a high rate of total IgE (P < 10−2). Blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) was significantly positively linked with the modernization of the farm and negatively with age, smoking status, and log IgE (P < 10−2). Geographical factors (altitude and climatic conditions) had no significant effect.

Conclusions

The modernization of the farm has an important and beneficial impact on lung functiony. Am. J. Ind. Med. 49:231–237, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Leukemia and exposure to ionizing radiation among German uranium miners
Authors: Möhner Matthias , Lindtner Manfred , Otten Heinz , Gille Hans‐G.
Published: March 2006

Background

It is well known that uranium miners are at an increased risk of lung cancer. Whether they also have an increased risk for other cancer sites remains under discussion. The aim of this study was to examine the leukemia risk among miners.

Methods

An individually matched case‐control study of former uranium miners in East Germany was conducted with 377 cases and 980 controls.

Results

Using conditional logistic regression models, a dose–response relationship between leukemia risk and radon progeny could not be confirmed. Yet, a significantly elevated risk is seen in the category ≥400 mSv when combining γ‐radiation and long‐lived radionuclides.

Conclusions

The results suggest that an elevated risk for leukemia is restricted to employees with a very long occupational career in underground uranium mining or uranium processing. Moreover, the study does not support the hypothesis of an association between exposure to short‐lived radon progeny and leukemia risk. Am. J. Ind. Med. 49:238–248, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Personal and non‐occupational risk factors and occupational injury/illness
Authors: Craig Brian N. , Congleton Jerome J. , Kerk Carter J. , Amendola Alfred A. , Gaines William G.
Published: March 2006

Background

The materials handling industry performs is an essential function in the world economy, however, it is plagued with occupationally related injuries and illnesses. Understanding the risk factors may assist this industry in alleviating these injuries and illnesses, as well as their associated costs.

Methods

Forty‐eight personal and non‐occupational risk factors were measured and evaluated for statistically significant relationships with occupational injury in 442 volunteer manual material handlers who worked for three different companies, at nine US locations, with 15 different job descriptions. OSHA 200 logs were used to ascertain evidence of occupational injury within this population for 1 year after the testing and measurement was completed.

Results

Higher occurrences of injury were significantly associated with six risk factors in the univariate model (odds ratios 1.51–4.00). The significantly (P < 0.05) related risk factors in the univariate model were aerobic power, smoking status, perceived fitness level, fishing/hunting as a hobby, speed limit obeyance, and witnessing or being involved in a violent fight. In the multivariate analysis, five risk factors (aerobic power, smoking status, percent body fat, body mass index, and sit‐and‐reach measured flexibility) were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with occupational injury. Odds ratios in the multivariate analysis varied from 1.42 to 10.11.

Conclusion

Evidence of an association of occupational injury occurrence with certain risk factors presented in personal and non‐occupational univariate and multivariate models is shown. In industry, effective injury reduction programs should go beyond traditional methods of job‐related ergonomic risk factors and include personal factors such as smoking, weight control, and alcohol abuse. Am. J. Ind. Med. 49:249–260, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of serum iron, total iron binding capacity, ferritin, and percent transferrin saturation in nine species of apparently healthy captive lemurs
Authors: Williams Cathy V. , Campbell Jennifer , Glenn Kelly M.
Published: March 2006

Lemurs kept in captivity have been reported to be highly prone to accumulate excessive amounts of iron in tissues (hemosiderosis). Diagnosis of the condition is most commonly made during a postmortem examination because an antemortem diagnosis requires a liver biopsy, a procedure that may not be well tolerated by all animals. The lack of a noninvasive method to evaluate iron status in captive lemurs limits investigators' ability to effectively screen animals for the presence of hemosiderosis, and to detect the condition early when treatment protocols are most effective. This study was conducted in an effort to provide data regarding iron analyte values in healthy captive lemurs of multiple species. The relationship of various iron‐related metabolites was evaluated in 177 clinically normal lemurs of nine different species. Serum iron (sI), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and ferritin concentration were measured directly and the percent transferrin saturation (TS) was calculated. Significant differences in various iron metabolites were observed among several species, suggesting that normal reference values for iron metabolites in lemurs may need to be developed on a species by species basis. Am. J. Primatol. 68:1–13, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ring‐Closing Metathesis as a Basis for the Construction of Aromatic Compounds
Authors: Donohoe Timothy J. , Orr Allan J. , Bingham Matilda
Published: March 2006

The use of metathesis, especially in the context of ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) to form five‐ and six‐membered rings, is widespread in organic chemistry today. However, there are surprisingly few examples of the reaction being used to form aromatic compounds. The central place of aromatic compounds in both medicinal chemistry and natural products synthesis, coupled with the efficiency and functional group tolerance of RCM catalysts, means that there is now an interesting opportunity to use RCM for the synthesis of arenes. Although the formation of an aromatic compound was viewed in many early examples as an undesirable degradation product, several rationally designed methods towards the preparation of aromatic compounds by RCM have recently been developed.
Synthesis, characterization, and antitumor activity of poly(maleic anhydride‐co‐vinyl acetate‐co‐acrylic acid)
Authors: Can Hatice Kaplan , Doğan A. Lale , Rzaev Zakir M. O. , Uner Ayşegül Hasegeli , Güner Ali
Published: March 2006

The ternary copolymerization of maleic anhydride (MA), vinyl acetate (VA), and acrylic acid (AA) [P(MA‐co‐VA‐co‐AA)], which is considered to be an acceptor–donor–acceptor system, was carried out in 1,4‐dioxane with benzoyl peroxide as an initiator at 70°C under a nitrogen atmosphere. Constants of complex formation for the monomer systems in the study were determined by UV–visible (hydrogen‐bonding complex) and 1H‐NMR (charge transfer complex) methods, respectively. The results show that polymerization of the P(MA‐co‐VA‐co‐AA) system proceeds by an alternating terpolymerization mechanism. It is shown that the synthesized copolymers have typical polyelectrolyte behavior, ability for reversible hydrolysis–anhydrization reactions, and semicrystalline structures. In these cases, including radical polymerization, and formation of semicrystalline structures, the hydrogen‐bonding effect plays a significant role. The in vitro cytotoxicities of the synthesized terpolymer and alternating copolymer were evaluated using Raji cells (human Burkitt lymphoma cell line). The antitumor activities of prepared anion‐active copolymers were studied using methyl–thiazol–tetrazolium colorimetric assay and 50% of the cytotoxic dose of each copolymer and terpolymer were calculated. Hydrolyzed P(MA‐co‐VA‐co‐AA) and P(MA‐alt‐AA) copolymers have sufficiently high antitumor activity, which depends on the amount of hydrogen‐bonding carboxylic groups and their regular distribution in the side chain of functional macromolecules. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3425–3432, 2006
Preparation and characterization of ceria nanoparticles supported on poly(4‐vinyl pyridine‐co‐divinyl benzene)
Authors: Samba Sivudu K. , Shailaja D.
Published: March 2006

Formation of ceria nanoparticles in 2% divinyl benzene (dvb) crosslinked 4‐vinyl pyridine (4vp) polymer [poly(4vp‐co‐dvb)] microspheres was investigated. The polymer was prepared by free radical suspension polymerization method. Poly(4vp‐co‐dvb)/ceria nanocomposites were prepared by reacting CeCl3·7H2O and NaOH in the presence of poly(4vp‐co‐dvb) at room temperature in aqueous media. The mole ratio of the metal to polymer was varied from 2.5 to 10% with an increment of 2.5. The polymer and nanocomposities were characterized by various spectrochemical methods. The coordination of nitrogen atoms of the polymer with Ce(IV) of ceria (CeO2) has been confirmed from X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The method has yielded ceria nanoparticles in an average size of 15 nm according to transmission electron microscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffractometry and XPS analysis with respect to mole percentage of ceria in the composite are discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3439–3445, 2006
Calorimetric studies of PP/Mater‐Bi blends aged in soil
Authors: Cadenato Ana , Ramis Xavier , Salla Josep Ma , Morancho Josep Ma , Contat‐Rodrigo L. , Vallés‐Lluch A. , Ribes‐Greus A.
Published: March 2006

Blends of polypropylene and a commercial biodegradable additive (Mater‐Bi AF05H) were subjected to a soil burial test for 1 year. The effect of the degradation process on the morphology of the blend was studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The melting and crystallization temperatures, degree of crystallinity, lamellar thickness distribution, and crystallization kinetics were analyzed for both the nondegraded and degraded blends and for the pure components before blending and degradation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3446–3453, 2006
Evolutions of microstructure and dielectric behavior of epoxy based insulator‐insulator composites over long periods of time
Authors: Vouyovitch L. , Flandin L. , Bessede J.‐L. , Alberola N. D.
Published: March 2006

Aging of epoxy based composites used as insulators in the industry are investigated. The analysis of a composite aged for 20 years in actual service conditions points out chemical degradations, a structural recovery, a tendency for particle debonding from the polymer matrix and with respect to the unaged sample, and no significant changes in the permittivity values measured at 50°C. To understand this latter result, a purely physical aging was carried out on fresh composites with similar formulation as the insulator aged 20 years in service. A detailed analysis of the changes in properties during physical aging is proposed. It is concluded that the constant ε′ value at 50°C found for the 20 years aged composite results from two opposite phenomena: an increase in the relative dipole amount due to structural recovery and/or the presence of polar species at the polymer/filler interface that both increase ε′ and the loss of polar species in the bulk that decreases the ε′. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3454–3464, 2006
The effect of shear forces on the microstructure and mechanical properties of epoxy–clay nanocomposites
Authors: Oh Tak‐keun , Hassan Mervat , Beatty Charles , El‐Shall Hassan
Published: March 2006

The objective of this work is to understand the effect of shear force on the properties of epoxy–clay nanocomposites. The shear force was controlled by changing the revolutions per minute on a mechanical mixer. Differences in the aspect ratio of clay layers and differences of clay particle distribution in the epoxy matrix were caused by shear force. Shear force mechanism on epoxy–clay nanocomposites' intercalation/exfoliation were compared with the other mechanism already suggested. X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were utilized to investigate the degree of exfoliation and morphology. The mechanical and thermal properties were also studied to demonstrate the effect of shear force. This study revealed that appropriate shear force and mixing time on nanocomposite preparation was required to achieve the desired properties. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3465–3473, 2006
Interactions of active carbon with low‐ and high‐molecular weight polyethylene glycol and polyethylene oxide
Authors: Bar‐Chaput Sandrine , Carrot Christian
Published: March 2006

Composites of active carbon in a polymeric matrix composed of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) having different molecular weight distributions were obtained by melt mixing. Characterization of the amount of bound polymer in the whole range of composition for the polymeric matrix has been performed after dissolution of the matrix in water. Size exclusion chromatography of the solution has been used to determine the composition of the polymeric bound layer. It has been shown that in these conditions of mixing, the amount of bound polymer slightly decreases from a pure PEG to a pure PEO matrix. Furthermore, PEO is preferentially bound to the active carbon. A simple model is used to show that bonding occurs preferentially by monomeric units rather than by chain ends. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3490–3497, 2006
Synchronous toughening and reinforcing of polypropylene with ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene via melt blending: Mechanical properties, morphology, and rheology
Authors: Wang Xiaodong , Li Hangquan , Jin Riguang
Published: March 2006

Blending systems based on polypropylene (PP) and ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) were prepared via a melt extrusion by the four‐screw and the twin‐screw extruders, respectively. The mechanical evaluation demonstrated that the synchronous toughening and reinforcing effects could be achieved from the combination of the PP and the UHMWPE, in which the toughness and the tensile properties could be improved with increasing the UHMWPE content, and achieved optimal values at a weight ratio of PP/UHMWPE (85/15). EPDM can be used as a compatibilizer to improve the compatibility and the interfacial adhesion between the PP and the UHMWPE. This resulted in more effective toughening and reinforcing effects. In contrast, for the PP/UHMWPE blends prepared by the normal twin‐screw extruder, the poor dispersion capacity for the UHMWPE resulted in a deterioration of all mechanical parameters. Morphological observation revealed that the UHMWPE domain was well distributed as tiny particles in the PP matrix, which was confirmed by the differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The toughening effect was attributed to the energy dissipation caused by these rigid tiny particles that detached from the matrix to initiate the local matrix shear yield and formed the void. Rheological investigation demonstrated that there was an interesting composition dependence of viscosity, for which the melt viscosities of the PP/UHMWPE blends decreased when 5 wt % UHMWPE was added, and then began to increase as the UHMWPE content continued to increase. However, this dependence on composition became weaker because of the compatibilization of the EPDM. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3498–3509, 2006