bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Watchful Waiting in Low–Tumor Burden Follicular Lymphoma in the Rituximab Era: Results of an F2-Study Database
Authors: Solal-Céligny Philippe , Bellei Monica , Marcheselli Luigi , Pesce Emanuela Anna , Pileri Stefano , McLaughlin Peter , Luminari Stefano , Pro Barbara , Montoto Silvia , Ferreri Andrés J.M. , Deconinck Eric , Milpied Noël , Gordon Leo I. , Federico Massimo 
Published: September 2012

PurposePatients with follicular lymphoma (FL) registered in the F2-study and initially managed without treatment were analyzed to describe the presentation and outcome of a watch and wait (W&W) strategy in the rituximab era, to identify parameters for initiating treatment, and to evaluate whether initial W&W could have deleterious effects on treatment efficacy after progression or relapse.Patients and MethodsBetween 2003 and 2005, 120 patients selected from the 1,093 treatment-naive patients with FL in the F2-study cohort were initially managed expectantly (W&W), and 107 patients were assessed. Most of these patients (80%) had disseminated disease with a low tumor burden according to Groupe d'Etudes des Lymphomes Folliculaires criteria.ResultsAfter a median follow-up of 64 months, treatment was initiated in 54 patients (50%), with a median delay of 55 months for the entire cohort. In a univariate analysis, involvement of more than four nodal areas (hazard ratio [HR], 2.26) and serum albumin less than 3.5 g/dL (HR, 3.51) were predictive of a shorter time to lymphoma treatment initiation. In a multivariate analysis, only involvement of more than four nodal areas remained significant (HR, 2.32). The 4-year freedom from treatment failure (FFTF) rate of W&W patients (79%; 95% CI, 69% to 85%) was not inferior to that of a subgroup of 242 patients from the F2-study cohort with good prognosis characteristics who were initially treated with a rituximab-based regimen (69%; 95% CI, 61% to 76%; P = .103).ConclusionIn the rituximab era, patients with FL in a selected prognostically favorable group can still be managed with W&W. W&W does not seem to have detrimental effects on FFTF and overall survival rates after treatment.
Open-Label, Multicenter, Randomized Phase III Trial of Adjuvant Chemoradiation Plus Interferon Alfa-2b Versus Fluorouracil and Folinic Acid for Patients With Resected Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Schmidt Jan , Abel Ulrich , Debus Jürgen , Harig Sabine , Hoffmann Katrin , Herrmann Thomas , Bartsch Detlef , Klein Justus , Mansmann Ulrich , Jäger Dirk , Capussotti Lorenzo , Kunz Reiner , Büchler Markus W. 
Published: September 2012

Purpose Adjuvant chemotherapy prolongs survival in patients with pancreatic cancer, but its benefit is limited. Long-term survival times of up to 44 months after adjuvant chemoradioimmunotherapy in phase II trials motivated the present study. Patients and Methods Between 2004 and 2007, 132 R0/R1 resected patients received either fluorouracil (FU), cisplatin, and interferon alfa-2b (IFN α-2b) plus radiotherapy followed by two cycles of FU (arm A, n = 64) or six cycles of FU monotherapy (arm B, n = 68). One hundred ten patients (arm A, n = 53; arm B, n = 57) received at least one dose of the study medication, and these patients composed the per-protocol (PP) population. Biomarkers were analyzed longitudinally for their predictive value. Results Median survival for all randomly assigned patients was 26.5 months (95% CI, 21.6 to 39.5 months) in arm A and 28.5 months (95% CI, 20.4 to 38.6 months) in arm B. The hazard ratio was 1.04 (arm A v arm B: 95% CI, 0.66 to 1.53; P = .99). Median survival for the PP population was 32.1 months (95% CI, 22.8 to 42.2 months) in arm A and 28.5 months (95% CI, 19.5 to 38.6 months) in arm B (P = .49). Eighty-five percent of patients in arm A and 16% of patients in arm B experienced grade 3 or 4 toxicity. The quality of life was temporarily negatively affected in arm A. Conclusion The FU, cisplatin, and IFN α-2b plus radiotherapy regimen did not improve the survival compared with FU monotherapy. Given the substantial adverse effects, this treatment can currently not be recommended. Nevertheless, the outcome in both arms represents the best survival, to our knowledge, ever reported for patients with resected pancreatic cancer in randomized controlled trials. Future studies will demonstrate whether immune response to IFN α-2b challenge has a predictive value.
Long-Term Results of the Randomized Phase III Trial EORTC 18991 of Adjuvant Therapy With Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b Versus Observation in Resected Stage III Melanoma
Authors: Eggermont Alexander M.M. , Suciu Stefan , Testori Alessandro , Santinami Mario , Kruit Wim H.J. , Marsden Jeremy , Punt Cornelis J.A. , Salès François , Dummer Reinhard , Robert Caroline , Schadendorf Dirk , Patel Poulam M. , de Schaetzen Gaetan , Spatz Alan , Keilholz Ulrich 
Published: September 2012

Purpose Adjuvant pegylated interferon alfa-2b (PEG-IFN-α-2b) was approved for treatment of resected stage III melanoma in 2011. Here, we present long-term follow-up results of this pivotal trial. Patients and Methods In all, 1,256 patients with resected stage III melanoma were randomly assigned to observation (n = 629) or PEG-IFN-α-2b (n = 627) for an intended duration of 5 years. Stratification factors were microscopic (N1) versus macroscopic (N2) nodal involvement, number of positive nodes, ulceration and tumor thickness, sex, and center. Recurrence-free survival (RFS; primary end point), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed for the intent-to-treat population. Results At 7.6 years median follow-up, 384 recurrences or deaths had occurred with PEG-IFN-α-2b versus 406 in the observation group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.87; 95% CI, 0.76 to 1.00; P = .055); 7-year RFS rate was 39.1% versus 34.6%. There was no difference in OS (P = .57). In stage III-N1 ulcerated melanoma, RFS (HR, 0.72; 99% CI, 0.46 to 1.13; P = .06), DMFS (HR, 0.65; 99% CI, 0.41 to 1.04; P = .02), and OS (HR, 0.59; 99% CI, 0.35 to 0.97; P = .006) were prolonged with PEG-IFN-α-2b. PEG-IFN-α-2b was discontinued for toxicity in 37% of patients. Conclusion Adjuvant PEG-IFN-α-2b for stage III melanoma had a positive impact on RFS, which was marginally significant and slightly diminished versus the benefit seen at prior follow-up (median, 3.8 years). No significant increase in DMFS or OS was noted in the overall population. Patients with ulcerated melanoma and lower disease burden had the greatest benefit.
Nomogram Predicting Long-Term Survival After D2 Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer
Authors: Han Dong-Seok , Suh Yun-Suhk , Kong Seong-Ho , Lee Hyuk-Joon , Choi Yunhee , Aikou Susumu , Sano Takeshi , Park Byung-Joo , Kim Woo-Ho , Yang Han-Kwang 
Published: September 2012

Purpose The aim of this study was to combine clinicopathologic variables associated with overall survival after gastric resection with D2 lymphadenectomy (D2 gastrectomy) for gastric cancer into a prediction nomogram. Patients and Methods We retrospectively analyzed 7,954 patients who underwent D2 gastrectomy for gastric cancer at Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) in Seoul, Korea. Two thirds of the patients were randomly assigned to the training set (n = 5,300), and one third were assigned to the validation set (n = 2,654). Multivariate analysis by Cox proportional hazards regression was performed using the training set, and the nomogram was constructed. Discrimination and calibration were performed using the SNUH validation set. Additional external validation was performed using the data set (n = 2,500) from Cancer Institute Ariake Hospital (CIAH) in Tokyo, Japan. Results The multivariate Cox model identified age at diagnosis, sex, location, depth of invasion, number of metastatic lymph nodes, and number of examined lymph nodes as covariates associated with survival. In the SNUH validation set, the nomogram exhibited superior discrimination power compared with the seventh American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM classification (Harrell's C-index, 0.78 v 0.69, respectively; P < .001). Calibration of the nomogram predicted survival corresponding closely with the actual survival. In the CIAH validation set, discrimination was good (C-index, 0.79), and the predicted survival was within a 10% margin of ideal nomogram. Conclusion We developed a nomogram predicting 5- and 10-year overall survival after D2 gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Validation using the SNUH and CIAH data sets revealed good discrimination and calibration, suggesting good clinical utility. The nomogram improved individualized predictions of survival.
Cancer-Related Lymphedema Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Impact: A Review
Authors: Paskett Electra D. , Dean Julie A. , Oliveri Jill M. , Harrop J. Phil 
Published: September 2012

PurposeCancer-related lymphedema (LE) is an incurable condition associated with lymph-involved cancer treatments and is an increasing health, quality of life (QOL), and cost burden on a growing cancer survivor population. This review examines the evidence for causes, risk, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and impact of this largely unexamined survivorship concern.MethodsPubMed and Medline were searched for cancer-related LE literature published since 1990 in English. The resulting references (N = 726) were evaluated for strength of design, methods, sample size, and recent publication and sorted into categories (ie, causes/prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and QOL). Sixty studies were included.ResultsExercise and physical activity and sentinel lymph node biopsy reduce risk, and overweight and obesity increase risk. Evidence that physiotherapy reduces risk and that lymph node status and number of malignant nodes increase risk is less strong. Perometry and bioimpedence emerged as attractive diagnostic technologies, replacing the use of water displacement in clinical practice. Swelling can also be assessed by measuring arm circumference and relying on self-report. Symptoms can be managed, not cured, with complex physical therapy, low-level laser therapy, pharmacotherapy, and surgery. Sequelae of LE negatively affect physical and mental QOL and range in severity. However, the majority of reviewed studies involved patients with breast cancer; therefore, results may not be applicable to all cancers.ConclusionResearch into causes, prevention, and effect on QOL of LE and information on LE in cancers other than breast is needed. Consensus on definitions and measurement, increased patient and provider awareness of signs and symptoms, and proper and prompt treatment/access, including psychosocial support, are needed to better understand, prevent, and treat LE.
Randomized Trial of Short-Course Radiotherapy Versus Long-Course Chemoradiation Comparing Rates of Local Recurrence in Patients With T3 Rectal Cancer: Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group Trial 01.04
Authors: Ngan Samuel Y. , Burmeister Bryan , Fisher Richard J. , Solomon Michael , Goldstein David , Joseph David , Ackland Stephen P. , Schache David , McClure Bev , McLachlan Sue-Anne , McKendrick Joseph , Leong Trevor , Hartopeanu Cris , Zalcberg John , Mackay John 
Published: September 2012

Purpose To compare the local recurrence (LR) rate between short-course (SC) and long-course (LC) neoadjuvant radiotherapy for rectal cancer. Patients and Methods Eligible patients had ultrasound- or magnetic resonance imaging–staged T3N0-2M0 rectal adenocarcinoma within 12 cm from anal verge. SC consisted of pelvic radiotherapy 5 × 5 Gy in 1 week, early surgery, and six courses of adjuvant chemotherapy. LC was 50.4 Gy, 1.8 Gy/fraction, in 5.5 weeks, with continuous infusional fluorouracil 225 mg/m2 per day, surgery in 4 to 6 weeks, and four courses of chemotherapy. Results Three hundred twenty-six patients were randomly assigned; 163 patients to SC and 163 to LC. Median potential follow-up time was 5.9 years (range, 3.0 to 7.8 years). Three-year LR rates (cumulative incidence) were 7.5% for SC and 4.4% for LC (difference, 3.1%; 95% CI, −2.1 to 8.3; P = .24). For distal tumors (< 5 cm), six of 48 SC patients and one of 31 LC patients experienced local recurrence (P = .21). Five-year distant recurrence rates were 27% for SC and 30% for LC (log-rank P = 0.92; hazard ratio [HR] for LC:SC, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.69 to 1.56). Overall survival rates at 5 years were 74% for SC and 70% for LC (log-rank P = 0.62; HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.76 to 1.67). Late toxicity rates were not substantially different (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer G3-4: SC, 5.8%; LC, 8.2%; P = .53). Conclusion Three-year LR rates between SC and LC were not statistically significantly different; the CI for the difference is consistent with either no clinically important difference or differences in favor of LC. LC may be more effective in reducing LR for distal tumors. No differences in rates of distant recurrence, relapse-free survival, overall survival, or late toxicity were detected.
RNA Interference-Based Silencing Reveals the Regulatory Role of Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 4 in the Production of IL-6 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes
Authors: Kajimoto Kazuaki , Takayanagi Shiharu , Sasaki Shun , Akita Hidetaka , Harashima Hideyoshi 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) is believed to play an important role in maintaining glucose and lipid homeostasis. However, the physiological functions of FABP4 in adipocytes have not been fully elucidated because of difficulties associated with the effective transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) to differentiated adipocytes. The aim of this study was to clarify the physiological roles of FABP4 in adipocytes by establishing an efficient, universal technique for endogenous gene silencing in fully differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. Confocal-based three-dimensional observations demonstrated that, in traditionally cultured 3T3-L1 cells, multilayers of undifferentiated cells were formed. As a result, small interfering RNA failed to reach many of the differentiated cells. To solve this problem, we developed a reliable method, denoted as density-based separation followed by replating of enriched adipocytes in a monolayer (DREAM) and, using the developed method, succeeded in a significant knockdown of FABP4. Loss-of-function analyses revealed that FABP4 regulates the expression of IL-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mediated by the protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1), a thrombin receptor, in adipocytes. In addition, the basal IL-6 production was partially suppressed by PAR1 knockdown. Moreover, we also demonstrated that IL-6 stimulates the proliferation of primary endothelial cells isolated from murine adipose tissue. These findings indicate that FABP4 may have a crucial role in modulating IL-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor as angiogenesis inducers stimulated by the cellular action of thrombin on adipocytes via PAR1. These findings promise to be helpful for developing an understanding of physiological counterparts with respect to the inflammatory and angiogenic properties of adipose tissue.
Rhesus Monkey Cumulus Cells Revert to a Mural Granulosa Cell State After an Ovulatory Stimulus
Authors: Chaffin Charles L. , Lee Young S. , VandeVoort Catherine A. , Patel Bela G. , Latham Keith E. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractFollicular somatic cells (mural granulosa cells and cumulus cells) and the oocyte communicate through paracrine interactions and through direct gap junctions between oocyte and cumulus cells. Considering that mural and cumulus cells arise through a common developmental pathway and that their differentiation is essential to reproductive success, understanding how these cells differ is a key aspect to understanding their critical functions. Changes in global gene expression before and after an ovulatory stimulus were compared between cumulus and mural granulosa cells to test the hypothesis that mural and cumulus cells are highly differentiated at the time of an ovulatory stimulus and further differentiate during the periovulatory interval. The transcriptomes of the two cell types were markedly different (&gt;1500 genes) before an ovulatory hCG bolus but converged after ovulation to become completely overlapping. The predominant transition was for the cumulus cells to become more like mural cells after hCG. This indicates that the differentiated phenotype of the cumulus cell is not stable and irreversibly established but may rather be an ongoing physiological response to the oocyte.
Different Strategies for Controlling Output Power Smoothing of a PMSG-Based Wind Energy Conversion Systems
Authors: Pratap Alok , Howlader Abdul Motin , Senjyu Tomonobu , Yona Atsushi , Urasaki Naomitsu , Funabashi Toshihisa 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
This paper deals with controlling the output power smoothing of a wind energy conversion systems (WECS) by using permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). It uses the inertia control of the wind turbine and DC-link voltage control. The PMSG is connected to the grid through a generator-side converter and a grid-side inverter based on AC-DC-AC methods. The generator-side converter is used to control the torque of the PMSG while the grid-side inverter is used to control DC-Link voltage and grid voltage. Fuzzy logic is implemented to determine the torque command by using inertia of wind turbine. The inputs of the fuzzy logic are given by the operating point of the rotational speed of the PMSG and the difference between the wind turbine torque and the generator torque. From the proposed method, the generator torque is smoothed and kinetic energy generated by the inertia of the wind turbine is used to smooth the power fluctuations of PMSG. Also, a stable operation of WECS is achieved during the system fault by using the chopper circuit in the DC-link circuit. The output power smoothing is achieved with stability and low cost. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by the numerical simulations.
Response Surface Evaluation of the Sensory Quality of Turkish Dry Fermented Sausage (sucuk) as Affected by Ripening Period, Nitrite Level and Heat Treatment
Authors: Kurt Şükrü , Zorba Ömer 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
In order to determine the potential for the reduction of nitrite levels and ripening period with heat treatment, the effects of the ripening period (1, 3, 7, 11 and 13 days), nitrite level (45, 70, 120, 170 and 195 ppm) and heat treatment (30, 40, 60, 80 and 90 °C) on the sensory quality of sucuk were investigated using central composite rotatable design setup based upon response surface methodology. The linear and quadratic effects of the ripening period and heat treatment were found to be significant for the sensory quality. However, the effects of higher nitrite levels on the sensory parameters of sucuk were not found to be significant (p>0.05). Optimum values for the ripening period, heat level and nitrite level for overall acceptability were 8 days, 59.3 °C and 109.4 ppm, respectively.
Experience Benefits and Firm Organization
Authors: Alger Ingela , Ma Ching-to Albert , Renault Regis 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
A principal needs a worker for the production of a good. The worker can be hired as an internal agent, or an external agent under a contract. These two organizational modes correspond to in-house production and outsourcing, respectively. In each case, the agent earns experience benefits: future monetary returns from managing production, reputation, and enjoyment. The principal would like to extract experience benefits, and can do so when production is outsourced. However, the external agent earns information rent from private information about production costs. The principal cannot fully extract experience benefits when production is in-house because the internal agent must be provided with a minimum income, although the principal has full information on production costs. Our theory proposes a new trade-off, one between information rent under outsourcing and experience rent under in-house production. The principal chooses outsourcing when experience benefits are high, but her organizational choice may be socially inefficient.
Erdős–Rényi graph, Szemerédi–Trotter type theorem, and sum-product estimates over finite rings
Authors: Thang Pham Van , Vinh Le Anh 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
We study a variant of Erdős–Rényi graph over finite rings. We then use this graph to obtain a Szemerédi–Trotter type theorem a sum-product estimate in finite rings.
Micromechanical detection of growth stress in wood cell wall by wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAX)
Authors: Toba Keisuke , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Yoshida Masato 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
The present study is aimed at the detection of mechanical stresses generated in the cellulose microfibril (CMF) crystals situated in the secondary wall (S2) of living cells. Green wood specimens were boiled in water to release the internal stress in the CMF by the hygrothermal softening of the lignin-hemicellulose matrix (MT). Thereafter, the changes in d
200 and d
004 lattice spacings of crystalline cellulose were observed in boiled and nonboiled samples by wide-angle X-ray diffraction. The d
200 lattice spacing increased, whereas d
004 lattice spacing decreased. The results show that a mechanical stress still remained in the CMF and the MT region in the green cell wall, even after releasing the macroscopic surface growth stresses by removal of the wood block from the living stem. The interpretation is that CMF generates tensile stress in the longitudinal direction, and surrounding MT substances generate compressive stress in the living cell wall, which compresses the CMF in the lateral direction. The results confirm the “unified hypothesis” for explaining the mechanism of growth stress generation.
The influence of hot-press temperature and cooling rate on thermal and physicomechanical properties of bamboo particle-polylactic acid composites
Authors: Wu Tung-Lin , Chien Yi-Chi , Chen Tsai-Yung , Wu Jyh-Horng 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Extrusion and injection moldings are standard processes for fabricating natural fiber-reinforced plastic composites, but both processes are generally not suitable for production of large-size pieces and products with high loadings of lignocelluloses. In this study, a medium-density bamboo plastic composite (BPC) was completely and successfully manufactured from bamboo fibers and polylactic acid (PLA) in the ratio of 1:1 by the flat-platen pressing process. The effects of pressing and cooling parameters on the thermomechanical properties of the BPCPLA have been investigated. The BPCPLA prepared at temperatures >180°C and cooling rates >10°C min-1 exhibited superior mechanical properties and matrix crystallinity. Under these conditions, a stronger interaction between the filler and the polymer matrix occurs and the mobility of the molecular chains at the interface decreases, which leads to a higher stiffness of the composite.
Activities of FexO in Industrial Slags Used for External Removal of Phosphorous from Hot Metal
Authors: Uchida Yu-ichi , Kishimoto Yasuo , Miki Yuji , Iwase Masanori 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIn order to obtain a physicochemical knowledge of complex industrial slags, the activities of FexO in the industrial slags used for external dephosphorization of hot metal performed at practical steelmaking plants in Japan were measured by means of a solid-oxide galvanic cell in a temperature range between 1523 K and 1673 K. XRD study showed the presence of solid phases in all the slags, showing the heterogeneous character of the slags employed. With respect to the effect of CaF2 on FexO activity, the FexO activities of the heterogeneous slags were correlated with the ratio X(FeO)/X(CaF2). High X(FeO)/X(CaF2) values corresponded to high FeO activity. This tendency is interpreted based on the phase relationship in a CaO-CaF2-FexO ternary system. A favorable condition for external dephosphorization with less addition of CaF2 is discussed.