bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associations of Insulin Resistance and Adiponectin With Mortality in Women With Breast Cancer
Authors: Duggan Catherine , Irwin Melinda L. , Xiao Liren , Henderson Katherine D. , Smith Ashley Wilder , Baumgartner Richard N. , Baumgartner Kathy B. , Bernstein Leslie , Ballard-Barbash Rachel , McTiernan Anne 
Published: November 2010

PurposeOverweight or obese breast cancer patients have a worse prognosis compared with normal-weight patients. This may be attributed to hyperinsulinemia and dysregulation of adipokine levels associated with overweight and obesity. Here, we evaluate whether low levels of adiponectin and a greater level of insulin resistance are associated with breast cancer mortality and all-cause mortality.Patients and MethodsWe measured glucose, insulin, and adiponectin levels in fasting serum samples from 527 women enrolled in the Health, Eating, Activity, and Lifestyle (HEAL) Study, a multiethnic, prospective cohort study of women diagnosed with stage I-IIIA breast cancer. We evaluated the association between adiponectin and insulin and glucose levels (expressed as the Homeostatic Model Assessment [HOMA] score) represented as continuous measures and median split categories, along with breast cancer mortality and all-cause mortality, using Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsIncreasing HOMA scores were associated with reduced breast cancer survival (hazard ratio [HR], 1.12; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.20) and reduced all-cause survival (HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.15) after adjustment for possible confounders. Higher levels of adiponectin (above the median: 15.5 μg/mL) were associated with longer breast cancer survival (HR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.95) after adjustment for covariates. A continuous measure of adiponectin was not associated with either breast cancer–specific or all-cause mortality.ConclusionElevated HOMA scores and low levels of adiponectin, both associated with obesity, were associated with increased breast cancer mortality. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the association between low levels of adiponectin and increased breast cancer mortality in breast cancer survivors.
Diabetes Mellitus and Breast Cancer Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Peairs Kimberly S. , Barone Bethany B. , Snyder Claire F. , Yeh Hsin-Chieh , Stein Kelly B. , Derr Rachel L. , Brancati Frederick L. , Wolff Antonio C. 
Published: November 2010

Purpose The goal of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the effect of pre-existing diabetes on breast cancer–related outcomes. Methods We searched EMBASE and MEDLINE databases from inception through July 1, 2009, using search terms related to diabetes mellitus, cancer, and prognostic outcome. Studies were included if they reported a prognostic outcome by diabetes status, evaluated a cancer population, and contained original data published in the English language. We performed a meta-analysis of pre-existing diabetes and its effect on all-cause mortality in patients with breast cancer and qualitatively summarized other prognostic outcomes. Results Of 8,828 titles identified, eight articles met inclusion/exclusion criteria and described outcomes in patients with breast cancer and diabetes. Pre-existing diabetes was significantly associated with all-cause mortality in six of seven studies. In a meta-analysis, patients with breast cancer and diabetes had a significantly higher all-cause mortality risk (pooled hazard ratio [HR], 1.49; 95% CI, 1.35 to 1.65) compared with their nondiabetic counterparts. Three of four studies found pre-existing diabetes to be associated with more advanced stage at presentation. Diabetes was also associated with altered regimens for breast cancer treatment and increased toxicity from chemotherapy. Conclusion Compared with their nondiabetic counterparts, patients with breast cancer and pre-existing diabetes have a greater risk of death and tend to present at later stages and receive altered treatment regimens. Studies are needed to investigate pathophysiologic interactions between diabetes and breast cancer and determine whether improvements in diabetes care can reduce mortality in patients with breast cancer.
Multicenter Phase III Randomized Trial Comparing Docetaxel and Trastuzumab With Docetaxel, Carboplatin, and Trastuzumab As First-Line Chemotherapy for Patients With HER2-Gene-Amplified Metastatic Breast Cancer (BCIRG 007 Study): Two Highly Active Therapeutic Regimens
Authors: Valero Vicente , Forbes John , Pegram Mark D. , Pienkowski Tadeusz , Eiermann Wolfgang , von Minckwitz Gunter , Roche Henri , Martin Miguel , Crown John , Mackey John R. , Fumoleau Pierre , Rolski Janusz , Mrsic-Krmpotic Zrinka , Jagiello-Gruszfeld Agnieszka , Riva Alessandro , Buyse Marc , Taupin Henry , Sauter Guido , Press Michael F. , Slamon Dennis J. 
Published: November 2010

Purpose Docetaxel-trastuzumab (TH) is effective therapy for HER2-amplified metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Preclinical findings of synergy between docetaxel, carboplatin, and trastuzumab (TCH) prompted a phase III randomized trial comparing TCH with TH in patients with HER2-amplified MBC. Patients and Methods Two hundred sixty-three patients were randomly assigned to receive eight 3-week cycles of TH (trastuzumab plus docetaxel 100 mg/m2) or TCH (trastuzumab plus carboplatin at area under the serum concentration-time curve 6 and docetaxel 75 mg/m2). Trastuzumab was given at 4 mg/kg loading dose followed by a 2 mg/kg dose once per week during chemotherapy, and then 6 mg/kg once every 3 weeks until progression. Results Patient characteristics were balanced between groups. There was no significant difference between TH and TCH in terms of the primary end point, time to progression (medians of 11.1 and 10.4 months, respectively; hazard ratio, 0.914; 95% CI, 0.694 to 1.203; P = .57), response rate (72% for both groups), or overall survival (medians of 37.1 and 37.4 months, respectively; P = .99). Rates of grades 3 or 4 adverse effects for TH and TCH, respectively, were neutropenic-related complications, 29% and 23%; thrombocytopenia, 2% and 15%; anemia, 5% and 11%; sensory neuropathy, 3% and 0.8%; fatigue, 5% and 12%; peripheral edema, 3.8% and 1.5%; and diarrhea, 2% and 10%. Two patients given TCH died of sepsis, and one patient given TH experienced sudden cardiac death. Absolute left ventricular ejection fraction decline > 15% was seen in 5.5% of patients on the TH arm and 6.7% of patients on the TCH arm. Conclusion Adding carboplatin did not enhance TH antitumor activity.TH (docetaxel, 100 mg/m2) and TCH (docetaxel, 75 mg/m2) demonstrated efficacy with acceptable toxicity in women with HER2-amplified MBC.
Phase II Study of Irinotecan and Temozolomide in Children With Relapsed or Refractory Neuroblastoma: A Children's Oncology Group Study
Authors: Bagatell Rochelle , London Wendy B. , Wagner Lars M. , Voss Stephan D. , Stewart Clinton F. , Maris John M. , Kretschmar Cynthia , Cohn Susan L. 
Published: November 2010

Purpose This phase II study was conducted to determine the response rate associated with use of irinotecan and temozolomide for children with relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma. Patients and Methods Patients with relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma measurable by cross-sectional imaging (stratum 1) or assessable by bone marrow aspirate/biopsy or metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan (stratum 2) received irinotecan (10 mg/m2/dose 5 days a week for 2 weeks) and temozolomide (100 mg/m2/dose for 5 days) every 3 weeks. Response was assessed after three and six courses using International Neuroblastoma Response Criteria. Of the first 25 evaluable patients on a given stratum, five or more patients with complete or partial responses were required to conclude that further study would be merited. Results Fifty-five eligible patients were enrolled. The objective response rate was 15%. Fourteen patients (50%) on stratum 1 and 15 patients (56%) on stratum 2 had stable disease. Objective responses were observed in three of the first 25 evaluable patients on stratum 1 and five of the first 25 evaluable patients on stratum 2. Less than 6% of patients experienced ≥ grade 3 diarrhea. Although neutropenia was observed, less than 10% of patients developed evidence of infection while neutropenic. Conclusion The combination of irinotecan and temozolomide was well tolerated. The objective response rate of 19% in stratum 2 suggests that this combination may be effective for patients with neuroblastoma detectable by MIBG or marrow analysis. Although fewer objective responses were observed in patients with disease measurable by computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging, patients in both strata seem to have derived clinical benefit from this therapy.
Stability of inhibin A and unconjugated oestriol in the second trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Brown Louise F , Shearing Catherine H , Tydeman Graham 
Published: November 2010

Background The introduction of a second trimester quadruple test for fetal Down's syndrome adds the measurement of serum inhibin A (InhA) and unconjugated oestriol (UE3) to the existing repertoire of alphafetoprotein and intact human chorionic gonadotrophin. The aim of this study was to assess the stability of InhA and UE3 in whole blood and serum. Methods To determine whole blood stability, five extra blood specimens were obtained from each of 10 women attending an antenatal clinic. Samples were stored at room temperature for either two hours, one, three, five or seven days and centrifuged prior to analysis. Serum stability was studied by the analysis of surplus serum from 14 routine second trimester screening samples: seven stored at room temperature and seven stored at 4°C. An aliquot from each specimen was analysed two hours, one, three, five or seven days post centrifugation. Specimens were analysed for InhA and UE3 using the Beckman Access 2® Immunoassay analyser. Results No significant difference ( P > 0.05) was shown in InhA or UE3 concentrations between the initial time point on the day of venepuncture and each of the subsequent analyses at one, three, five and seven days following collection for either whole blood or serum. Conclusions InhA and UE3 are stable in whole blood and serum for seven days.
Diagnostic value of pleural effusion ischaemia-modified albumin in patients with cardiac failure
Authors: Ozsu Savas , Gulsoy Ayhan , Karahan S Caner , Mentese Ahmet , Nuhoglu Irfan , Ozlu Tevfik 
Published: November 2010

Background Ischaemia-modified albumin (IMA) is a relatively new marker of ischaemia. IMA has not been studied previously in pleural effusions due to congestive heart failure (CHF). The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic value of IMA in the pleural fluid (PF) and serum for the identification of pleural effusion due to CHF. Methods The concentrations of pleural fluid and serum IMA were measured in a total of 40 patients: 10 with CHF and 30 with non-cardiac failure (10 with acute pulmonary embolism, 10 with parapneumonic effusion and 10 with malignancy). The area under the curve (AUC) quantified the overall diagnostic accuracy of the tests. Results The study demonstrated that IMA concentration was higher in both pleural fluid and serum of CHF patients compared with non-cardiac patients. PF and serum IMA demonstrated AUCs of 0.927 (95% CI: 0.844–1.00, P < 0.001), and 0.792 (95% CI: 0.653–0.930, P = 0.006), respectively, for diagnosing effusions due to CHF. The sensitivity and specificity of PF-IMA for CHF at the cut-off concentration of ≥1.0 absorbance units was 90% and 80%, respectively. Its negative predictive value (NPV) was quite high (96%). Positive correlation was found between PF-IMA concentrations and serum-IMA ( r = 0.540, P < 0.001). Conclusions Measuring IMA concentrations in serum and pleural fluid may be helpful in distinguishing pleural effusion due to a cardiac or non-cardiac aetiology.
Serum prolactin and macroprolactin in heart failure: no relation to established laboratory or clinical parameters
Authors: Landberg Eva , Dahlström Ulf , Alehagen Urban 
Published: November 2010

Background A few smaller studies have reported that the prolactin concentration is elevated in connection with heart failure. As heart failure is combined with disturbances of several biological systems any or all of which may also influence prolactin concentrations, we wanted to evaluate the relation of prolactin to prognosis in elderly patients. Methods A total of 462 elderly patients from a primary health-care centre, all with symptoms of heart failure, were included. In addition to clinical examination including echocardiography, concentrations of prolactin, macroprolactin, C-reactive protein, thyroid-stimulating hormone and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretric peptide (NT-proBNP) were measured. Patients were then followed for 10 y, and all incidents of cardiovascular mortality were registered. Results After excluding patients with macroprolactin, hyperprolactinaemia was found in 3.7% of the patients. There were no differences in prolactin concentrations or in the frequency of macroprolactin between patients with heart failure and those with normal cardiac function, defined as left ventricular ejection fraction of at least 50%. No significant correlation could be found between NT-proBNP and prolactin. Neither could any association be found between cardiovascular mortality and prolactin concentration during 10 y of follow-up. Conclusions Prolactin concentrations were not associated with cardiovascular mortality or any clinical or biochemical marker of heart failure. Macroprolactin was found in similar frequency among patients with and without heart failure, and showed no correlation with mortality risk.
The Southampton Dupuytren's Clinic: audit of an effective multidisciplinary model
Authors: Warwick David , Belward Pete , Vadher Jane , Setty Kemp 
Published: November 2010

Introduction The Southampton Dupuytren's Clinic (SDC) was preceded by a four-month period when the therapist accompanied the surgeon in Clinic to learn about Dupuytren's Disease (DD) and to develop a specific proforma to collect details of the patient, the condition and the planned treatment. Methods A special clinic was set up for general practitioner referrals for patients with DD. Each patient was seen by the therapist. A detailed history and examination were recorded on the proforma. Treatment options to include the outcome, risks and benefits of surgery were clearly explained, supported by a handout. The patient was then seen by the surgeon to arrange management. Results One hundred and ninety-four patients were allocated to the SDC. In all, 5% failed to attend; 8% had an alternative diagnosis made; and 16% with DD were discharged as the disease was not advanced enough for intervention or the patient decided not to have surgery. The therapist then allocated 71% for surgical assessment. The surgeon, to efficiently allocate personnel and theatre resources, listed 22% for skin graft, 8% for fasciotomy, 70% for fasciectomy, 35% for consultant to perform, 35% for fellow/registrar to perform, and 30% for the consultant to train the registrar. Conclusions We consider that triage and assessment of patients with DD is improved by a multidisciplinary approach: a hand therapist, to quantify deformity and functional deficit, and explain the purpose, risks and outcome of surgery; and a hand surgeon, to decide the type and duration of surgery and the appropriate grade of surgeon.
Massachusetts Justice Policy Recommendations: Addressing Disproportionate Minority Contact
Authors: Barrett James M. 
Published: November 2010

This article makes several policy recommendations relating to the state of the criminal justice system in Massachusetts to address the problem of disproportionate minority contact (DMC). The article provides some recent historical perspectives, as well as accepted sociological theory to help clarify this problem. In responding to crime, law enforcement officials are confronted with a great many challenges and officer safety is paramount in any officer interaction, remaining a primary focus of police training nationally and internationally. However, an increasingly mobile society creates challenges extending beyond officer safety which have liability and other ramifications if not understood. These challenges include the varying opinions and attitudes ingrained in some minority groups that have developed over time as a result of both perceived and experienced contact with the American criminal justice system. Without proper training, suburban practitioners serving predominantly Caucasian communities will have no cultural context from which to deal with the new, varied population that social mobility brings. The article recommends cultural diversity training to extend practitioners' ability to interpret the language, behaviours and actions of the various peoples with whom they are not intimately familiar and to make conscious decisions based upon real knowledge rather than attribute intent based upon biases and stereotypes. The article further recommends that Massachusetts should examine national best practices and endeavour to improve and standardise the way in which data are collected, compiled and disseminated and the government should seek out these successful programmes and attach a representative to each to act as a conduit to various state agencies.
Fractionation and characterization of lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCCs) from eucalyptus fibers
Authors: Li Jiebing , Martin-Sampedro Raquel , Pedrazzi Cristiane , Gellerstedt Göran 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
The effect of milling time on the structure of lignin was investigated by analyzing the quantity and molecular size distribution of thioacidolysis products obtained from wood and pulp of eucalypt (Eucalyptus globulus). After milling, the ability of three solvent systems was determined to completely dissolve the wood or pulp meal. It was found that a mixture of DMSO and 50% aqueous tetrabutylammonium hydroxide was superior to either dimethylacetamide-LiCl or DMSO-tetrabutylammonium fluoride as solvent. By applying the minimum milling time required for complete dissolution, structurally unaltered wood or pulp could be further separated into lignin-carbohydrate fractions. These were analyzed by thioacidolysis. From eucalypt pulp, two different lignin-carbohydrate fractions were obtained, one glucan- and one xylan-enriched fraction, with the latter having more syringyl units in its lignin moieties. The developed solvent system seems to be universal because spruce and flax fibers and pulps could also be dissolved in it after milling.
Scale effect in the anisotropic deformation change of tracheid cells during water adsorption
Authors: Taguchi Ayako , Murata Koji , Nakamura Masashi , Nakano Takato 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
The dependence of the deformation change on the location and number of cells during water adsorption was examined by microscopy combined with a “charged-coupled device” camera and image analysis based on the digital image correlation method. The deformation change ratio (DCR) vs. moisture content (MC) in the radial direction approached linearity with MC with increasing in number of cells between measurement points in earlywood, whereas its relation in latewood was various such as swelling, swelling after shrinking, or remaining constant with MC. The number of cells between observation points clearly affected the DCR vs. MC, i.e., its relationship had the so-called “scale effect” that a certain physical property appears clearly with increasing scale. The mechanism of the scale effect differed in the radial and tangential directions.
Das Verständnis grammatischer Strukturen beim Lesen in Deutsch als Fremdsprache: Ergebnisse einer empirischen Untersuchung
Authors: Kaiser Irmtraud , Peyer Elisabeth , Berthele Raphael 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
This paper presents an overview of the results of the research project “The psycholinguistics of a grammar for reading German” which has been carried out at the University of Fribourg/Freiburg (CH). The project is based on the idea that the most natural and direct way to multilingualism starts with receptive competence in a third language. In the context of research into European intercomprehension, it investigates Italian and French students' grammatical problems while reading in German as an L3 or L4. To achieve this aim, we worked with specially developed experimental designs. The main research instrument was a reading test which consisted of encyclopaedia articles on imaginary animals. By way of these articles seven grammatical structures of German were tested for their receptive difficulty, with a particular focus on grammatical structures that are traditionally deemed to be difficult for learners of German as a second/foreign language. This general opinion, however, is based on teachers' experience and/or production evidence and not on a systematic investigation of comprehension processes. Further research instruments were a German placement test as well as a self-evaluation of the students' competences in reading in other foreign languages. In addition, oral translation exercises into the L1 of the participants were carried out which helped to gain further insight into the process of reading comprehension.
In our paper, we will discuss under what circumstances certain grammatical structures pose problems to readers at various levels of language proficiency. On the basis of oral translation protocols, of general cognitive (language) processing mechanisms, and the structure of the German language, tentative explanations will be given as to why certain sentences/structures are more difficult to understand than others and why some structures do not seem to be a problem at all. The results of the study allow fine-grained insights into the impediments (or their absence) particular structures represent for in-depth comprehension of German texts at various levels of competence.
50 Jahre Valenztheorie und Dependenzgrammatik
Authors: Ágel Vilmos , Fischer Klaus 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
This article celebrates 50 years of dependency grammar and valency theory. The development of both theories is traced historically and an overview of current problems and possible future developments is given. Section 1 poses basic questions of dependency grammar, which derive from the syntactic theory of L. Tesnière: his innovative analysis, developed decades before Chomsky's Syntactic Structures and Greenberg's Universals of Language, not only combines syntactic autonomy with a functional grounding, but also contains a typological perspective. Section 2 sketches a modern version of valency theory, tracing the discussion since Tesnière's Éléments de syntaxe structural and presenting much discussed topics such as the delimitation of complements from adjuncts and multi-dimensional valency models, but also more recent ideas such as typological-structural valency realisation, the interplay of construction and projection in the valency of polysemous verbs, semantic types of valency modification and historical valency change, i.e. the application of valency theory to non-standardised historical varieties. Section 3 addresses definitory problems of a pure dependency grammar, in particular criteria for establishing connexions between words and determining the regent (head), leading to a short comparison of the information contained in dependency and constituency representations. The article does not just take stock but in section 4 also develops ideas for the future development of syntactic theory by introducing constructionist elements into a projectionist framework and by adding the dimension of historical viability to synchronic syntactic theorising.