bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring performance status in pediatric patients with brain tumors—experience of the HIT‐GBM‐C protocol
Authors: Wolff Johannes E. A. , Mohiuddin Kamran , Jorch Norbert , Graf Norbert , Wagner Sabine , Vats Tribahwan , Gnekow Astrid 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackgroundMeasuring the quality of life or performance status in pediatric neurooncology has proven a challenge. Here, we report in a treatment protocol for pediatric patients with high‐grade glioma and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.ProcedureThe Fertigkeitenskala Münster–Heidelberg (FMH) is a 56‐item quantitative measure of health status. The number of yes answers is transformed to age‐dependent percentiles. Physicians were also asked the patients' health status by their own judgment on a 1–5 scale: normal, mild handicap, age‐normal activity severely reduced but patient not in bed, in bed, and in ICU.ResultsAssessments were available from 50 of 97 eligible patients. For 22 patients both questionnaire and the physicians score obtained. At the beginning of the treatment, only 5 patients scored over 40 FMH%, and 4 of these survived. Of 16 patients who initially scored less than 40 FMH%, 15 died. During later assessments, most FMH measures became gradually worse. FMH scores improved in three patients. The physician's judgment was documented at diagnosis and during treatment (n = 50). Per physician, 22% of the patients were normal before chemotherapy, decreasing to 16% in the middle of the protocol. At diagnosis only 16% of patients had severely reduced activity, which increased to 30.6% in the middle of the protocol. The FMH% correlated well with the physicians' judgments (P < 0.005).ConclusionThe FMH scale is easily obtained and provides a valid assessment of health status. Patients with poor performance at diagnosis had a poorer prognosis. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:520–524. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Initial testing (stage 1) of AZD6244 (ARRY‐142886) by the pediatric preclinical testing program
Authors: Kolb E. Anders , Gorlick Richard , Houghton Peter J. , Morton Christopher L. , Neale Geoffrey , Keir Stephen T. , Carol Hernan , Lock Richard , Phelps Doris , Kang Min H. , Reynolds C. Patrick , Maris John M. , Billups Catherine , Smith Malcolm A. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackgroundAZD6244 (ARRY‐142886) is a potent small molecule inhibitor of MEK1/2 that is in phase 2 clinical development.ProceduresAZD6244 was tested against the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program (PPTP) in vitro panel (1 nM–10 µM). In vivo AZD6244 was tested at a dose of 100 mg/kg administered orally twice daily 5 days per week for 6 weeks. Subsequently, AZD6244 was evaluated against two juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA) xenografts using once and twice daily dosing schedules. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was used as a surrogate for in vivo inhibition of MEK1/2 was determined by immunoblotting.ResultsAt the highest concentration used in vitro (10 µM) AZD6244 only inhibited growth by 50% in 5 of the 23 cell lines. Against the in vivo tumor panels, AZD6244 induced significant differences in EFS distribution in 10 of 37 (27%) solid tumor models and 0 of 6 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) models. There were no objective responses. Pharmacodynamic studies indicated at this dose and schedule AZD6244 completely inhibited ERK1/2 phosphorylation. AZD6244 was evaluated against two JPA xenografts, BT‐35 (wild‐type BRAF) and BT‐40 (mutant [V600E] BRAF). BT‐40 xenografts were highly sensitive to AZD6244, whereas BT‐35 xenografts progressed on AZD6244 treatment.ConclusionsAt the dose and schedule of administration used, AZD6244 as a single agent had limited in vitro and in vivo activity against the PPTP tumor panels despite inhibition of MEK1/2 activity. However, AZD6244 was highly active against BT‐40 JPA xenografts that harbor constitutively activated BRAF, causing complete regressions. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:668–677. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ventricular diastolic dysfunction in sickle cell anemia is common but not associated with myocardial iron deposition
Authors: Hankins Jane S. , McCarville Mary Beth , Hillenbrand Claudia M. , Loeffler Ralf B. , Ware Russell E. , Song Ruitian , Smeltzer Matthew P. , Joshi Vijaya 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackgroundCardiac failure from myocardial iron deposition is a severe complication in patients with transfusion‐related iron overload. Progressive heart damage from iron overload can cause left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction in patients with hematologic disorders. Since nontransfused patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) have a high incidence of diastolic dysfunction, we investigated the relationships among transfusional iron burden, myocardial iron deposition, and diastolic ventricular dysfunction by T2*‐MRI and tissue Doppler echocardiography in iron‐overloaded children with SCA.ProcedureChildren (≥7 years) with SCA and iron overload (serum ferritin >1,000 ng/ml or ≥18 lifetime transfusions) were eligible. Serum ferritin and hepatic iron content (HIC) were measured and participants underwent nonsedated T2*‐MRI of the heart, echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, and multi‐uptake gated acquisition (MUGA) scan. Age‐matched normative echocardiographic data were used for comparison.ResultsAmong 30 children with SCA (median age, 13 years) and iron overload, mean (±SD) HIC and serum ferritin were 10.8 mg Fe/g (±5.9 mg Fe/g) and 3,089 ng/ml (±2,167 ng/ml), respectively. Mean T2*‐MRI was 33 msec (±7 msec, range, 22–49). Echocardiography showed a high prevalence of diastolic dysfunction (77% and 45% abnormally low mean mitral annular velocity and mean tricuspid annular velocity, respectively); however, echocardiogram and MUGA scan findings were not significantly associated with HIC or T2*‐MRI.ConclusionsDiastolic dysfunction is not associated with transfusional iron burden or myocardial iron deposition among children with SCA. Diastolic dysfunction likely results from disease pathophysiology and severity rather than iron overload. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:495–500. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Compound heterozygosity for two new TERT mutations in a patient with aplastic anemia
Authors: Aspesi Anna , Vallero Stefano , Rocci Alberto , Pavesi Elisa , Lanciotti Marina , Ramenghi Ugo , Dianzani Irma 
Published: May 2010

AbstractDyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a genetically heterogeneous syndrome characterized by reticular skin pigmentation, nail dystrophy, mucosal leukoplakia, short telomeres, and a predisposition to bone marrow failure and malignancy. Patients carrying mutations in TERT show a wide clinical spectrum of abnormalities, including classical DC, isolated bone marrow failure and lung fibrosis. Here, we report the clinical description and biological analysis of a patient with compound heterozygosity for two new missense mutations in TERT (V96L and V119L). Both mutations segregate with a short telomere phenotype, though only V96L segregates with clinical signs of DC. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:550–553. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of daily medication adherence among children with sickle cell disease: A 1‐year retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: Patel Niti G. , Lindsey Terianne , Strunk Robert C. , DeBaun Michael R. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of adherence to daily medications among children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Prescription records for 12 months were obtained from participants who had insurance in a Medicaid‐based single health maintenance organization. Adherence was measured as a ratio between the number of expected days and the observed days between two refill periods for daily medications. A total of 93 children were studied. The average refill prescription rate was 58.4%. More formal strategies are required to identify barriers to prescription refills among children with SCD. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:554–556. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enhanced anticorrosion coatings prepared from incorporation of well‐dispersed silica nanoparticles into fluorinated polyimide matrix
Authors: Hung Wei‐I , Weng Chang‐Jian , Lin Yen‐Hao , Chung Pei‐Ju , Tsai Sheng‐Feng , Yeh Jui‐Ming , Tsai Mei‐Hui 
Published: May 2010

AbstractSeries of advanced anticorrosive hybrid coatings comprising of organo‐soluble fluorinated polyimide (SFPI) matrix dispersed with different feeding ratio of inorganic silica (SiO2) nanoparticles has been successfully prepared through a conventional chemical imidization of polyimide and acid catalyzed sol–gel process of TEOS. It should be noted that the incorporation of SiO2 nanoparticles into the SFPI matrix can effectively enhance the corrosion protection performance on cold‐rolled steel (CRS) electrode against corrosive species in saline condition when compared with that of neat polymeric coatings based on a series of standard electrochemical corrosion measurements, such as corrosion potential, polarization resistance, corrosion current, and impedance spectroscopy. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:2025–2034, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Kinetics and crystal structure of poly(lactic acid) crystallized nonisothermally: Effect of plasticizer and nucleating agent
Authors: Xiao Hanwen , Yang Li , Ren Xiaomin , Jiang Tao , Yeh Jen‐Taut 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe kinetics of neat poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and its composites with triphenyl phosphate (TPP) and/or talc crystallized nonisothermally at different cooling rates of 1, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10°C/min was analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry and described by Avrami equation and combined Avrami‐Ozawa equation. The results showed that talc acted as PLA nucleating agent accelerated crystallization rate by decreasing the crystallization half‐time t1/2 or rate parameter F(T), whereas TPP acted as PLA plasticizer decreased crystallization rate. For neat PLA and plasticized PLA, the average values of Avrami exponent n were almost close to each other, but added TPP decreased crystallization rate constant k. As for PLA composites with talc, the crystallization process was relatively complex, and was divided into three regimes. At a given cooling rate, the value of n2 was almost larger than that that of n1 or n3, whereas the value of k2 was less than that of k1 or k3. The effective activation energy ΔEx calculated from Friedman formula increased with the increase of relative crystallinity and TPP content, whereas decreased with the presence of talc. Wide angle X‐ray diffraction verified that all samples crystallized nonisothermally in cooling rate range of 1–10°C/min form α‐form. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:2057–2068, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Polyetheretherketone composites reinforced with surface modified mica
Authors: Parvaiz M. Rahail , Mohanty Smita , Nayak Sanjay K. , Mahanwar P. A. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractMica fillers reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites were fabricated using compression molding technique. To improve embedding of the mica within the PEEK matrix, the mica surface was chemically modified using vinyl trimethoxysilane (VTMO), at variable concentration (0–1.5 wt%). The performance characteristics and treated mica PEEK at mica loading of 20 wt% composites were examined in terms of scanning electron microscopy, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, and modulated differential scanning calorimetry. The tensile strength and modulus improved to the tune of 81 and 44% with treated mica‐filled PEEK composites. Mechanical tests revealed improved properties of VTMO‐treated mica/PEEK composites, which confirmed improved interfacial adhesion with chemical treatment. The increment of the dynamic modulus for the treated mica PEEK composites was also noticed to 82% as compared with untreated counterpart, at elevated temperatures of 250°C, indicating apparent improvement of high‐temperature mechanical properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:2121–2128, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia must identify ‘apparently mild’ CYP21A2 alleles which associate neonatal salt‐wasting disease
Authors: Ezquieta Begoña , Santomé Luis , Barrio Raquel , Barrionuevo Jose L. , López‐Siguero Juan P. , Oliver Antonio , Ramírez Joaquín , Rodríguez Ildefonso , Muñoz‐Pacheco Rafael 
Published: May 2010

AbstractObjectiveCouples at risk of severe congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) may be offered prenatal treatment or preimplantation diagnosis. However, proper genetic counselling requires the accurate identification of apparently ‘mild alleles’ in partners of CAH‐carriers/patients.MethodsCYP21A2 gene analyses were performed in 255 patients with severe 21‐hydroxylase deficiency (21‐OHD), 94 with mild 21‐OHD, 752 parental samples, 233 clinically unaffected partners and 253 historic DNA samples. GENSCAN and ClustalX2.0 software were used for in silico analyses, and Epidat 3.1 software for statistical calculations.ResultsTwenty‐seven partners were carriers of p.Val282Leu (alias p.Val281Leu, allele frequency 11.7%, 7.4–16.1). ‘Val282Leu alleles’ were detected in 30 patients with salt‐wasting (SW) disease, 21 with other pseudogene‐derived and rare coding cis severe mutations, and 9 without. These CYP21A2 genes were compared to those of 94 fully characterized patients with mild deficiency carrying p.Val282Leu in compound heterozygosity with a severe allele. A rare intronic variant, c.292+5G>A, was detected in the nine ‘severe Val282Leu alleles’ and that was not seen in mild p.Val282Leu alleles, in other deficient alleles or in normal chromosomes. The in silico documented effect on splicing and the clinical association (p < 0.0001) confirmed p.Val282Leu; c.292+5G>A as a severe allele.ConclusionAs only severe alleles require clinical intervention, CAH‐carrier detection of p.Val282Leu should be followed by the analysis of c.292+5G>A. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of universal mRNA markers for noninvasive prenatal screening of trisomies
Authors: Picchiassi Elena , Coata Giuliana , Centra Michela , Pennacchi Luana , Bini Vittorio , Di Renzo Gian Carlo 
Published: May 2010

AbstractObjectiveThe discovery of placental transcripts in peripheral blood of pregnant women prompted us to investigate which was the most appropriate biological specimen, between plasma and serum, to easily detect them and to exploit hPL (human placental lactogen), βhCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin β‐subunit), LOC90625, and TFPI2 (tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2) levels in order to establish whether an abnormal variation degree of presence of these placental transcripts are likely to be associated to specific fetal trisomies.MethodRNA was extracted from plasma and serum samples of 255 pregnant women bearing euploid fetuses, 17 bearing fetuses affected by trisomy 21 and 10 with fetuses affected by trisomy 18. Placental transcript analysis was performed by real time RT‐PCR using relative quantification.ResultsResults obtained from euploid samples showed that fetal transcripts were more abundant in plasma than in serum samples. Euploid samples had a placental transcript abundance distinguishable from those with trisomy 21 but not from those with trisomy 18. In particular, high βhCG abundance and advanced maternal age were significantly associated with trisomy 21 pregnancy.ConclusionPlasma was the most suitable tool to be employed in the detection and dosage of placental transcripts. βhCG transcript together with maternal age could be a potential marker for noninvasive prenatal screening of fetal trisomy 21. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pharmacoepidemiology of patients hospitalized for somatoform disorders in psychiatric hospitals and departments
Authors: Mundt Adrian , Ströhle Andreas , Heimann Hannah , Heinz Andreas , Grohmann Renate 
Published: May 2010

AbstractPurposePharmacological treatment is used in patients with somatoform disorders (SD) although the empirical evidence is scarce. We evaluated the current pharmacological treatment strategies used for psychiatric in‐patients diagnosed with SD in Central Europe.MethodsCross‐sectional data of the pharmacological treatment, age, gender, and the primary psychiatric diagnosis of 70 566 in‐patients were collected on 2 days in April and October of the years 1994–2006 in 57 psychiatric hospitals and departments.ResultsThree hundred fifty nine patients corresponding to 0.51% of the psychiatric in‐patient population were hospitalized for SD. 94.7% of the SD patients received psychopharmacological treatment including antidepressants (78.2%), neuroleptics (43.3%), tranquilizers (22.6%), hypnotics (15.6%), and anticonvulsants (12.3%). 61.3% were treated with psychotropic combinations, most commonly antidepressant and neuroleptic (36.2%). In addition, 63.7% received one or multiple somatic medications.DiscussionAs compared to general medical and neurological in‐patient populations, SD patients represent a small proportion of the psychiatric in‐patient population. They commonly receive multiple psychotropic and somatic medications. The psychotropics used have predominantly sedating characteristics.ConclusionSD patients are at risk of polypharmacy in psychiatry. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Condensation of alkoxysilanes in alcoholic media: II. Oligomerization of aminopropylmethyldiethoxysilane and co‐oligomerization with dimethyldiethoxysilane
Authors: Bennevault‐Celton Véronique , Maciejak Olek , Desmazières Bernard , Cheradame Hervé 
Published: May 2010

AbstractIn the context of the preservation of cultural heritage, the treatment of paper by an aminoalkylalkoxysilane, or its mixture with dimethyldiethoxysilane (DMDES), gave encouraging results. The condensation experiments presented here, carried out in alcohol medium using aminopropylmethyldiethoxysilane (AMDES) alone or with DMDES, were followed using 1H NMR, 29Si NMR and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI TOF) spectroscopies. The aim was to determine whether DMDES and AMDES could copolymerize under the conditions used. An exchange reaction was observed for AMDES in ethanol in the absence of water, under conditions where no exchange took place for DMDES. In methanol, this reaction proceeded much more rapidly and the reactivity of methoxysilyl groups was higher than that of ethoxysilyl groups. In the same solvent, in the presence of water, hydrolysis, cyclization and oligomerization were observed using NMR and MALDI TOF spectroscopies. In ethanol, a kinetic study of a mixture of DMDES and AMDES showed that the condensation of the two monomers proceeded at comparables rates and MALDI‐TOF analysis gave evidence that mixed oligomers were produced, containing from one to four AMDES units. It was concluded that the co‐oligomerization did not lead to a mixture of homo‐oligomers, which would be due to different hydrolysis and condensation kinetics, but induced the formation of co‐oligomers. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
A deep insight into the mechanism of the acid‐catalyzed rearrangement of the Z‐phenylhydrazone of 5‐amino‐3‐benzoyl‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole in a non‐polar solvent
Authors: D'Anna Francesca , Fontana Gianfranco , Frenna Vincenzo , Macaluso Gabriella , Marullo Salvatore , Spinelli Domenico 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe conversion of the Z‐phenylhydrazone of 5‐amino‐3‐benzoyl‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole (1a) into the relevant 1,2,3‐triazole (2a) has been quantitatively studied in toluene in the presence of several halogenoacetic acids (HAAs, 3a–h). Again, the occurrence of two reaction pathways has been pointed out: they require one or two moles of acid, respectively, thus repeating the situation previously observed in the presence of trichloroacetic acid. The observed rate constant ratios (kIII/kII) are only slightly affected by the nature of the acid used. To gain a deeper insight into the action of the acids used we have measured the association constants of the HAAs (3a–h) with 4‐nitroaniline (4) in toluene. Also in this case, the formation of two complexes requiring one (K2) or two (K3) moles of acid has been evidenced, but now the K3/K2 ratios are significantly affected by the strength of the acid examined. The variation of the K3/K2 ratios larger than those concerning the kIII/kII ratios appears useful to enlighten the very nature of the acid‐catalyzed pathways in toluene, which has been elucidated also carrying out the rearrangement in the presence of mixtures of tribromo‐ and trichloro‐acetic acids at different concentrations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The valence of attentional bias and cancer‐related rumination in posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth among women with breast cancer
Authors: Chan Michelle W. C. , Ho Samuel M. Y. , Tedeschi Richard G. , Leung Carmen W. L. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractObjective: To examine the effects of self‐reported attentional bias on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and posttraumatic growth (PTG) through the potential mediator of cancer‐related rumination.Design: A cross‐sectional survey design was used and women with breast cancer (N=170) were recruited.Measures: Attentional biases, cancer‐related ruminations, PTSD symptoms, and PTG were assessed.Results: Negative attentional bias and negative cancer‐related rumination were positively related to PTSD symptoms following cancer diagnosis and treatments, but they were not related to PTG. Positive attentional bias and positive cancer‐related rumination were positively related to PTG, but positive attentional bias was not related to PTSD symptoms. Findings showed that negative cancer‐related rumination partially mediated the relationship between negative attentional bias and PTSD symptoms, while positive cancer‐related rumination partially mediated the relationship between positive attentional bias and PTG.Conclusion: Findings support that there are differential trajectories to PTSD symptoms and PTG with respect to different valence of habitual attentional style and cancer‐related rumination. They may serve as potential therapeutic leverages in the alleviation of PTSD symptoms and facilitation of PTG following cancer diagnosis and treatments. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.