bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A phase‐1 pharmacokinetic optimal dosing study of intraventricular topotecan for children with neoplastic meningitis: A pediatric brain tumor consortium study
Authors: Blaney Susan M. , Tagen Michael , Onar‐Thomas Arzu , Berg Stacey L. , Gururangan Sri , Scorsone Kathleen , Su Jack , Goldman Stewart , Kieran Mark W. , Kun Larry , Boyett Jim , Stewart Clinton 
Published: September 2012

AbstractPurposeWe performed a phase‐1 pharmacokinetic optimal dosing study of intraventricular topotecan (IT), administered daily 5×, to determine whether, the maximum tolerated dose of IT topotecan was also the pharmacokinetic optimal dose.Patients and MethodsPatients received topotecan administered through an intraventricular access device (0.1 or 0.2 mg/dose), daily × 5 every other week 2× (Induction); every 3 weeks × 2 (Consolidation); then every 4 weeks for up to 11 courses (Maintenance). Ventricular CSF pharmacokinetic studies were performed on day 1, week 1 of induction, and in a subset of patients after a single intralumbar topotecan dose on day 1, week 3.ResultsNineteen patients were enrolled. All were evaluable for toxicity and 18 were assessable for pharmacokinetics. Arachnoiditis requiring corticosteroid therapy occurred in or one of three patients at the 0.1 mg dose level and two of the initial three patients enrolled at the 0.2 mg dose level. All subsequent patients were therefore treated with concomitant dexamethasone. Pharmacokinetic evaluation after accrual of the first seven patients revealed that a topotecan lactone concentration >1 ng/ml for 8 hours was attained in all patients and thus, further dose escalation was not pursued. Results of simulation studies showed that at the dose levels evaluated, >99.9% of patients are expected to achieve CSF topotecan lactone concentrations >1 ng/ml for at least 8 hours.ConclusionIntraventricular topotecan, 0.2 mg, administered daily for 5 days with concomitant dexamethasone is well tolerated and was defined to be the pharmacokinetic optimal dose in this trial. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 627–632. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effectiveness of pamidronate as treatment of symptomatic osteonecrosis occurring in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Leblicq Coralie , Laverdière Caroline , Décarie Jean‐Claude , Delisle Jean‐François , Isler Marc H. , Moghrabi Albert , Chabot Gilles , Alos Nathalie 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundOsteonecrosis (ON) is a severe complication of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatments. Recent studies suggest that bisphosphonates might reduce pain and loss of motor function in patients with ON. We assessed the effects of pamidronate compared to standard care in patients with symptomatic ON (sON) and studied whether steroids might be continued after diagnosis of ON in some patients.MethodsWe evaluated 17 patients with sON as complication of primary ALL treatment between 2000 and 2008. Fourteen patients were treated with pamidronate. Mobility and pain control were monitored in all patients. Affected joints were classified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at ON diagnosis and after 6–72 months.ResultsOut of 220 patients with ALL, 17 (7.7%) patients developed sON. The median age at ALL diagnosis was 11 years (range: 2.7–16.6 years) and sON occurred a median of 13.4 months (range: 2.5–34 months) after ALL diagnosis. Affected joints were hip, knee and ankle. MRI scans showed 7 severe, 4 moderate, and 6 mild ON lesions. Fourteen patients showed improvement in pain (77% of patients) and motor function (59% of patients), even though corticoids were reintroduced in 4 patients. MRI demonstrated improvement, stability or worsening in 6, 3, and 5 cases, respectively.ConclusionsPamidronate seems to be effective in the management of pain and motor function recovery in sON. Further studies are needed to provide evidence as to whether bisphosphonates can be recommended for the treatment or the prevention of ON in childhood ALL patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 741–747. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Administered paricalcitol dose and survival in hemodialysis patients: A marginal structural model analysis
Authors: Miller Jessica E , Molnar Miklos Z , Kovesdy Csaba P , Zaritsky Joshua J , Streja Elani , Salusky Isidro , Arah Onyebuchi A , Kalantar‐Zadeh Kamyar 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTPurposeSeveral observational studies have indicated that vitamin D receptor activators (VDRA), including paricalcitol, are associated with greater survival in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. However, patients with higher serum parathyroid hormone, a surrogate of higher death risk, are usually given higher VDRA doses, which can lead to confounding by indication and attenuate the expected survival advantage of high VDRA doses.MethodsWe examined mortality‐predictability of low (>1 but <10 µg/week) versus high (≥10 µg/week) dose of administered paricalcitol over time in a contemporary cohort of 15 442 MHD patients (age 64 ± 15 years, 55% men, 44% diabetes, 35% African–Americans) from all DaVita dialysis clinics across the USA (7/2001–6/2006 with survival follow‐ups until 6/2007) using conventional Cox regression, propensity score (PS) matching, and marginal structural model (MSM) analyses.ResultsIn our conventional Cox models and PS matching models, low dose of paricalcitol was not associated with mortality either in baseline (hazard ratio (HR): 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI): (0.97–1.09)) and (HR: 0.99, 95%CI:(0.86–1.14)) or time‐dependent (HR: 1.04, 95%CI: (0.98–1.10)) and (HR: 1.12, 95%CI: (0.98–1.28)) models, respectively. In contrast, compared to high dose of paricalcitol, low dose was associated with a 26% higher risk of mortality (HR: 1.26, 95%CI: (1.19–1.35)) in MSM. The association between dose of paricalcitol and mortality was robust in almost all subgroups of patients using MSMs.ConclusionsHigher dose of paricalcitol appears causally associated with greater survival in MHD patients. Randomized controlled trials need to verify the survival effect of paricalcitol dose in MHD patients are indicated. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of polycarbosilanes having a five‐membered cyclic carbonate structure and their application to prepare gel polymer electrolytes for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Matsumoto Kozo , Endo Takeshi , Katsuda Kouhei , Lee Hojin , Yamada Kinji 
Published: September 2012

AbstractA silacyclobutane having a five‐membered cyclic carbonate structure (SBMC) was prepared, and its transition metal‐catalyzed ring‐opening polymerization at the four‐membered carbosilane unit was investigated as well as formation of carbosilane networked polymers and polymer gel electrolytes. The SBMC was synthesized by epoxidation of 1‐(4‐butenyl)‐1‐methylsilacyclobutane followed by insertion of CO2 to the epoxide. Ring‐opening polymerization of the silacyclobutane moiety in the SBMC readily proceeded by a transition metal catalyst such as platinum divinyltetramethyldisiloxane complex. A flexible networked polymer film was obtained by copolymerization of the SBMC with a small amount of crosslinker, hexamethylene‐1,6‐bis(1‐methylsilacyclobutane) (HMBS). The copolymerization of SBMC and HMBS in 1 M LiPF6 solution in ethylene carbonate and diethyl carbonate (3/7 v/v) gave a gel polymer electrolyte, which showed good ionic conductivity and could be applied to lithium ion batteries. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
A versatile approach to the synthesis of polyphosphazene derivatives via the thiol–ene reaction
Authors: Qian Yue‐Cheng , Huang Xiao‐Jun , Chen Chen , Ren Ning , Huang Xu , Xu Zhi‐Kang 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe thiol–ene radical addition reaction has been successfully used to synthesize polyphosphazene derivatives. Poly[bis(allylamino)phosphazene] with pendant allyl groups was reacted with different thiol reagents under UV irradiation. These thiol reagents include 1‐pentanethiol, 3‐mercaptopropionic acid, 3‐mercapto‐1,2‐propane‐diol, and 2,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐acetyl‐1‐thio‐β‐D‐glucopyranose. 1H NMR analyses confirm that the allyl polyphosphazene can be quantitatively modified by the mercaptans. In total, 100% conversion of the allyl groups was reached in <60 min toward the first three mercaptans, whereas about 80% conversion of the allyl groups was reached after 120‐min reaction toward the thioglucose. This method is a facile route for the synthesis of functional polyphosphazenes without the needs for protection/deprotection procedures. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Preparation of glycopolymer‐coated magnetite nanoparticles for hyperthermia treatment
Authors: Muñoz‐Bonilla Alexandra , Marcelo Gema , Casado Cintia , Teran Francisco J. , Fernández‐García Marta 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIn this article, magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) coated with glycopolymer bearing glucose moieties were designed with optimal structural, colloidal, and magnetic properties for biomedical applications. MNPs with an average size of 17 ± 2 nm were synthesized by thermal decomposition process and then their surfaces were modified with active vinyl groups. Two different monomers were immobilized onto the surfaces: dopamine methacrylamide, a monomer with properties inspired on mussels adhesive capacity, or unprotected glycomonomer, 2‐{[(D‐glucosamin‐2N‐yl)carbonyl]‐oxy}ethyl methacrylate. Afterward, the glycomonomer were polymerized at the interface of both vinyl functionalized MNPs by conventional radical polymerization. The resultant hybrid NPs were water dispersible presenting good stability in aqueous solution for long time periods. Moreover, the high density of carbohydrates at the surface of the magnetic NPs could confer targeting properties to the system as demonstrated by studies of their binding interactions with lectins, where the binding activity is higher as the glycopolymer content augments. The magnetic and magneto‐thermal properties of the synthesized hybrid NPs were evaluated. The magnetization curves reveal superparamagnetic features at 300 K, with high values of saturation magnetization. Furthermore, the hybrid glycoparticles show suitable heat dissipation power when exposed to alternating magnetic field conditions. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Strain‐induced crystallization of natural rubber with high strain rates
Authors: Zhao Baijin , Tian Nan , Liu Yanpin , Yan Tingzi , Zhou Weiqing , Li Liangbin , Zhou Yingui , Weng Gengsheng , Huang Guangsu 
Published: September 2012

AbstractStrain‐induced crystallization (SIC) of natural rubber (NR) samples with different strain rates at a fixed strain was investigated by synchrotron radiation X‐ray diffraction measurements, which provided the evolution trends of crystal sizes and crystallinity during the SIC process. It was found that the Avrami index was about 1 during the crystallization of NR after the cessation of stretch, which demonstrated that sporadic nucleation occurred during SIC process. The increase of the crystallinity was attributed to the increase of the number of new crystallites rather than the growth of the crystal size. An unexpected relationship between the final crystallinity and the strain rates was observed. The increase of physical crosslink points originated from either entanglement or crystallite was considered as the reason that leads to the nonmonotonic variation of the final crystallinity with strain rates. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012
Nurses' recognition of the mental state of cancer patients and their own stress management ― a study of Japanese cancer‐care nurses
Authors: Kaneko Mariko , Ryu Shuhei , Nishida Hiroshi , Tamasato Kumi , Shimodaira Yuiko , Nishimura Katsuji , Kume Miyoko 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectiveThe primary aim of this study was to describe Japanese oncology nurses' self‐reported ability to assess and care for cancer patients' mental health. A secondary aim was to describe nurses' self‐reported stress levels and need for stress management related to caring for oncology patients.MethodsThis cross‐sectional questionnaire study was conducted from September to November 2010 among cancer‐care nurses participating in mental healthcare training. The questionnaire asked about assessment of patient anxiety, depression, delirium, anger, and acceptance, and included four statements about work‐related stress. A 4‐point Likert scale was used for responses.ResultsThe 88 participants (86 women) ranged in age from the 20s to the 50s, with the greatest number in their 30s (47.2%, n = 42). More than 50% of nurses were very concerned about assessing cancer patient anxiety and depression; approximately 20% were extremely concerned about caring for depression and anger in patients. Overall, 83.2% (n = 74) of cancer‐care nurses felt distressed over their occupation, only 19.1% (n = 17) stated that they were controlling their stress, and over half indicated a need for stress‐management programs.ConclusionsNurses perceived that assessments of and care for the mental state of cancer patients were inadequate. Cancer‐care nurses need training in assessing and caring for the mental state of cancer patients, as well as stress management training programs for themselves. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Women's reflections and actions regarding working after breast cancer surgery – a focus group study
Authors: Nilsson M. I. , Olsson M. , Wennman‐Larsen A. , Petersson L.‐M. , Alexanderson K. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundTo better understand processes affecting return to work (RTW) after breast cancer, more knowledge from the perspective of sickness absentees is warranted. Still, research based on women's own reasoning and actions in RTW is very scarce. This study aims to elucidate how women with breast cancer reflect and act on work‐related issues.Material and methodsThematic analyses of data from four focus group interviews with 23 women who had had breast cancer surgery in the previous 3–13 months were carried out.ResultsThe five following themes of reflections regarding RTW were identified: ‘health and functioning’, ‘self‐esteem/integrity’, ‘value of work’, ‘relationships at work’, and ‘social circumstances’. These reflections were associated with the three identified themes of actions taken by the women: ‘to work or to be sickness absent’, ‘to adjust work according to own needs or not’, and ‘to disclose or to hide one's cancer’. There was a distinct difference between women who experienced work as a source of well‐being and those who needed a respite from work.ConclusionThis study adds knowledge to the process of RTW after breast cancer and focuses on factors that lead the women to an active role in this process. We point to the interplay between women's own preferences, perceived competence, outer opportunities, and the actions each woman take with regard to RTW, which need to be recognized by all stakeholders involved. Furthermore, it continues to be essential to address the specific issue of disclosure in the workplace because this may be distressing for women. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural differences between thermophilic and mesophilic membrane proteins
Authors: Meruelo Alejandro D. , Han Seong Kyu , Kim Sanguk , Bowie James U. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe evolutionary adaptations of thermophilic water‐soluble proteins required for maintaining stability at high temperature have been extensively investigated. Little is known about the adaptations in membrane proteins, however. Here, we compare many properties of mesophilic and thermophilic membrane protein structures, including side‐chain burial, packing, hydrogen bonding, transmembrane kinks, loop lengths, hydrophobicity, and other sequence features. Most of these properties are quite similar between mesophiles and thermophiles although we observe a slight increase in side‐chain burial and possibly a slight decrease in the frequency of transmembrane kinks in thermophilic membrane protein structures. The most striking difference is the increased hydrophobicity of thermophilic transmembrane helices, possibly reflecting more stringent hydrophobicity requirements for membrane partitioning at high temperature. In agreement with prior work examining transmembrane sequences, we find that thermophiles have an increase in small residues (Gly, Ala, Ser, and Val) and a strong suppression of Cys. We also find a relative dearth of most strongly polar residues (Asp, Asn, Glu, Gln, and Arg). These results suggest that in thermophiles, there is significant evolutionary pressure to offload destabilizing polar amino acids, to decrease the entropy cost of side chain burial, and to eliminate thermally sensitive amino acids.
Structural basis for proton conduction and inhibition by the influenza M2 protein
Authors: Hong Mei , DeGrado William F. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe influenza M2 protein forms an acid‐activated and drug‐sensitive proton channel in the virus envelope that is important for the virus lifecycle. The functional properties and high‐resolution structures of this proton channel have been extensively studied to understand the mechanisms of proton conduction and drug inhibition. We review biochemical and electrophysiological studies of M2 and discuss how high‐resolution structures have transformed our understanding of this proton channel. Comparison of structures obtained in different membrane‐mimetic solvents and under different pH using X‐ray crystallography, solution NMR, and solid‐state NMR spectroscopy revealed how the M2 structure depends on the environment and showed that the pharmacologically relevant drug‐binding site lies in the transmembrane (TM) pore. Competing models of proton conduction have been evaluated using biochemical experiments, high‐resolution structural methods, and computational modeling. These results are converging to a model in which a histidine residue in the TM domain mediates proton relay with water, aided by microsecond conformational dynamics of the imidazole ring. These mechanistic insights are guiding the design of new inhibitors that target drug‐resistant M2 variants and may be relevant for other proton channels.
Comparison of Lorenz and Charney–Phillips vertical discretisations for dynamics–boundary layer coupling. Part I: Steady states
Authors: Holdaway D. , Thuburn J. , Wood N. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAccurate coupling between the resolved‐scale dynamics and the parametrised physics is essential for accurate modelling of the atmosphere. Previous emphasis has been on the temporal aspects of this so‐called physics–dynamics coupling problem, with little attention on the spatial aspects. When designing a model for numerical weather prediction there is a choice for how to vertically arrange the predicted variables, namely the Lorenz and Charney–Phillips grids, and there is ongoing debate as to which is the optimal. The Charney–Phillips grid is considered good for capturing the potential vorticity dynamics and wave propagation, whereas the Lorenz grid is more suitable for conservation. However the Lorenz grid supports a computational mode. It is argued here that the Lorenz grid is preferred for modelling the stably stratified boundary layer. This presents the question: which grid will produce more accurate results when coupling the large‐scale dynamics to the stably stratified planetary boundary layer? The question is addressed by examining the ability of both the Lorenz and Charney–Phillips grids to capture the steady state of a set of equations that simultaneously represents both large‐scale dynamics and the planetary boundary layer. The results show that the Charney–Phillips grid is able to capture accurately the steady boundary‐layer solution provided the Richardson number is calculated without vertically averaging the shear. Averaging the shear suppresses the negative feedback of the shear on the diffusion coefficient; the positive feedback, via the vertical gradient of potential temperature, then leads to the formation of unrealistic step‐like features. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Nondestructive analyses of carbonate rocks: applications and potentiality for museum materials
Authors: Barbera Giovanni , Barone Germana , Crupi Vincenza , Longo Francesca , Majolino Domenico , Mazzoleni Paolo , Venuti Valentina 
Published: September 2012

The preciousness of historical artifacts leads to the performance of nondestructive and/or microdestructive analyses, especially when the archeological finds are stored in museums. The PXRF spectrometry represents a powerful technique for the chemometric study of the materials, in alternative to the more usual destructive X‐ray‐based methods. A large set of limestones belonging to several formations cropping out in the Hyblean area (south‐eastern Sicily, Italy) was analyzed by means of a PXRF instrument. The main goal was to test the PXRF potentiality for the discrimination of rocks with similar features and to create a chemical database of carbonate rocks, which were commonly used in the past in the manufacturing of sculptures and stone artifacts. Fluorescence data were processed by means of multivariate statistical analysis. In particular, principal components analysis and linear discriminant analysis were applied. The results allowed us to classify the samples belonging to different formations and to distinguish different rock typologies within each formation.Finally, the investigation showed that the analytical PXRF data can be suitable for a substantial characterization of stone materials and this could be extended to museum materials belonging to cultural heritage. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gas embolism in laparoscopic hepatectomy: what is the optimal pneumoperitoneal pressure for laparoscopic major hepatectomy?
Authors: Otsuka Yuichiro , Katagiri Toshio , Ishii Jun , Maeda Tetsuya , Kubota Yoshihisa , Tamura Akira , Tsuchiya Masaru , Kaneko Hironori 
Published: September 2012

AbstractLaparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) has become popular as a surgical treatment for liver diseases, and numerous recent studies indicate that it is safe and has advantages in selected patients. Because of the magnified view offered by the laparoscope under pneumoperitoneal pressure, LH results in less bleeding than open laparotomy. However, gas embolism is an important concern that has been discussed in the literature, and experimental studies have shown that LH is associated with a high incidence of gas embolism. Major hepatectomies are done laparoscopically in some centers, even though the risk of gas embolism is believed to be higher than for minor hepatectomy due to the wide transection plane with dissection of major hepatic veins and long operative time. At many high‐volume centers, LH is performed at a pneumoperitoneal pressure less than 12 mmHg, and reports indicate that the rate of clinically severe gas embolism is low. However, more studies will be necessary to elucidate the optimal pneumoperitoneal pressure and the incidence of gas embolism during LH.
Marital Sorting and Parental Wealth
Authors: Charles Kerwin Kofi , Hurst Erik , Killewald Alexandra 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe extent of marital sorting by socioeconomic background has implications for the intergenerational transmission of inequality, the role of marriage as a mechanism for social mobility, and the extent of cross-group interactions within a society. However, studies of assortative mating have disproportionately focused on spouses’ education, rather than their social origins. Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), and exploiting the unique genealogical design of the data set, we study the degree to which spouses sort on the basis of parental wealth. We find that the estimated correlation in parental wealth among married spouses, after controlling for race and age, is about .4. Importantly, we show that controlling for spousal education explains only one-quarter of sorting based on parental wealth. We show that our results are robust to accounting for measurement error in spousal reports of parental wealth and for selection into and out of marriage.