bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Randomized phase 2/3 trial of CpG oligodeoxynucleotide PF‐3512676 alone or with dacarbazine for patients with unresectable stage III and IV melanoma
Authors: Weber Jeffrey S. , Zarour Hassan , Redman Bruce , Trefzer Uwe , O'Day Steven , van den Eertwegh Alfons J. M. , Marshall Ernest , Wagner Stefan 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:The primary objective of this phase 2 study was to assess the objective response rate (complete response [CR] + partial responses [PR]), by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, of PF‐3512676, a CpG oligodeoxynucleotide, alone in 2 doses or in combination with dacarbazine (DTIC) in patients with unresectable stage IIIB/C or stage IV malignant melanoma, with the aim of selecting an arm to take forward to a phase 3 portion of the study.METHODS:A total of 184 patients were randomized to 1 of 4 treatments: PF‐3512676 10 mg (low dose), at 40 mg (high dose), 40 mg plus DTIC (850 mg/m2), or DTIC (850 mg/m2) alone. Patients received PF‐3512676 subcutaneously weekly in a 3‐week cycle and received DTIC intravenously on the first week of the cycle.RESULTS:The objective response rate (PR or CR, confirmed or unconfirmed) in the 40 mg + DTIC arm was 16% (7 patients) compared with 8% (3 patients) with DTIC alone. One (2%) patient in the 10‐mg and 0 patients in the 40‐mg arms achieved an objective response. Best response of CR or PR or stable disease (SD), with no minimum duration defined for SD, was achieved by 15 (33%) patients in the 40 mg + DTIC arm, 15 (38%) patients in the DTIC‐only arm, 8 (17%) patients in the 10‐mg arm, and 9 (20%) patients in the 40‐mg arm. The most frequently reported adverse events were classified as local injection site reactions or systemic flu‐like symptoms, specifically fatigue, rigors, and pyrexia.CONCLUSIONS:PF‐3512676 at the doses used was generally well tolerated. The modest objective response rates observed in all arms did not warrant continuation to the phase 3 portion of the study. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Predictors of avascular necrosis of bone in long‐term survivors of hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Campbell Stephanie , Sun Can‐Lan , Kurian Seira , Francisco Liton , Carter Andrea , Kulkarni Sameer , Parker Pablo , Karanes Chatchada , Forman Stephen J. , Bhatia Smita 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a debilitating condition reported after chronic steroid use. The purpose of this study was to describe the magnitude of risk in individuals who survived ≥1 years after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), and to investigate the role of immunosuppressive agents such as prednisone, tacrolimus (FK506), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and cyclosporine (CSA) in the development of AVN after HCT.METHODS:Using a retrospective study design, the authors followed 1346 eligible patients for the development of AVN. Cumulative incidence was calculated taking into consideration competing risk from death and disease recurrence. Cox proportional regression techniques were used to identify associated risk factors.RESULTS:The median age at HCT was 34 years (range, 7 months‐69 years), and median length of follow‐up for those surviving was 8.2 years. Seventy‐five patients developed AVN of 160 joints. The cumulative incidence of AVN at 10 years was 2.9% after autologous HCT, 5.4% after allogeneic matched related donor HCT, and 15% after unrelated donor HCT (P< .001 compared with autologous HCT recipients). For allogeneic transplant recipients, male sex (relative risk [RR], 2.1; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.1‐4.0); presence of chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (RR, 2.2); and exposure to CSA, FK506, prednisone, and MMF rendered patients at increased risk, especially in patients with a history of exposure to ≥3 drugs (RR, 9.2; 95% CI, 2.42‐35.24).CONCLUSIONS:Future studies examining the pathogenetic mechanism underlying AVN should help develop targeted interventions to prevent this chronic debilitating condition. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Motta Marina , Wierda William G. , Ferrajoli Alessandra 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPatients with purine analogue–refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) have short survival and limited treatment options. Defining the best salvage strategies for this population is challenging, because limited data are available from clinical trials, and because studies have enrolled mixed populations (patients with recurrent and refractory disease or patients with refractory disease and Richter transformation). Moreover, patients with refractory CLL have a high incidence of unfavorable molecular and clinical features, such as high‐risk genomic profiles, unmutated immunoglobulin heavy‐chain genes, expression of zeta‐chain–associated protein kinase 70, and bulky lymphadenopathies. These patients are also severely immunosuppressed because of the underlying disease and the treatments received, and experience a high rate of infectious complications that pose an additional difficulty in selecting treatment. Despite these challenges, in parallel with better characterizations of the biologic features of refractory CLL, the number of available treatment modalities for this population has increased. Several chemoimmunotherapy combinations have been developed, and novel agents with a different mechanism of action are being investigated in clinical trials. Furthermore, allogeneic stem cell transplantation with nonmyeloablative conditioning regimens is a therapeutic strategy that is increasingly offered to patients with refractory CLL. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Race does not impact outcome for advanced ovarian cancer patients treated with cisplatin/paclitaxel
Authors: Farley John H. , Tian Chunqiao , Rose G. Scott , Brown Carol L. , Birrer Michael , Larry Maxwell G. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:The objectives of this study were to confirm whether racial disparity exists with regard to outcome between black women and white women with ovarian cancer and to identify factors associated with the administration of adjuvant treatment that had an impact on survival.METHODS:A retrospective review of 97 black women and 1392 white women with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage III/IV ovarian carcinoma was performed. All patients received paclitaxel combined with cisplatin while participating in 1 of 7 Gynecologic Oncology Group clinical trials. The treatment parameters that were reviewed included relative dose, relative time, and relative dose intensity. The treatment parameters and outcomes were compared between black patients and white patients.RESULTS:There were no differences in relative dose (0.90 vs 0.89), relative time (1.02 vs 0.99), or relative dose intensity (0.90 vs 0.91) received between black patients and white patients. Black women had less grade 3 and 4 leukopenia (53% vs 63%; P < .05) and gastrointestinal toxicity (10% vs 19%; P < .05) than white women. Performance status >0, age ≥70 years, and mucinous histology were associated with not completing treatment (P < .001). The median progression‐free survival was 16.2 months for black patients and 16.1 months for white patients, and the median overall survival was 37.9 months and 39.7 months, respectively (P > .05 for all).CONCLUSIONS:When they received similar treatment, there was no difference in clinical outcome between black women and white women with advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer when they received similar treatment as participants in Gynecologic Oncology Group clinical trials. Black patients may experience less severe gastrointestinal toxicity or leukopenia compared with whites when treated with platinum‐based chemotherapy. Cancer 2009. Published 2009 by the American Cancer Society.
Dasatinib or high‐dose imatinib for chronic‐phase chronic myeloid leukemia resistant to imatinib at a dose of 400 to 600 milligrams daily
Authors: Kantarjian Hagop , Pasquini Ricardo , Lévy Vincent , Jootar Saengsuree , Holowiecki Jerzy , Hamerschlak Nelson , Hughes Timothy , Bleickardt Eric , Dejardin David , Cortes Jorge , Shah Neil P. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:In patients with chronic‐phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP‐CML), imatinib resistance is of increasing importance. Imatinib dose escalation was the main treatment option before dasatinib, which has 325‐fold more potent inhibition than imatinib against unmutated Bcr‐Abl in vitro. Data with a minimum of 2 years of follow‐up were available for the current study of dasatinib and high‐dose imatinib in CP‐CML resistant to imatinib at daily doses from 400 mg to 600 mg.METHODS:A phase 2, open‐label study was initiated of 150 patients with imatinib‐resistant CP‐CML who were randomized (2:1) to receive either dasatinib 70 mg twice daily (n = 101) or high‐dose imatinib 800 mg (400 mg twice daily; n = 49).RESULTS:At a minimum follow‐up of 2 years, dasatinib demonstrated higher rates of complete hematologic response (93% vs 82%; P = .034), major cytogenetic response (MCyR) (53% vs 33%; P = .017), and complete cytogenetic response (44% vs 18%; P = .0025). At 18 months, the MCyR was maintained in 90% of patients on the dasatinib arm and in 74% of patients on the high‐dose imatinib arm. Major molecular response rates also were more frequent with dasatinib than with high‐dose imatinib (29% vs 12%; P = .028). The estimated progression‐free survival also favored dasatinib (unstratified log‐rank test; P = .0012).CONCLUSIONS:After 2 years of follow‐up, dasatinib demonstrated durable responses and improved response and progression‐free survival rates relative to high‐dose imatinib. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Series solution for a delay differential equation arising in electrodynamics
Authors: Koçak Hüseyin , Yıldırım Ahmet 
Published: June 2009

AbstractIn this study, the pantograph equation is investigated using the homotopy perturbation and variational iteration methods. The pantograph equation is a delay differential equation that arises in quite different fields of pure and applied mathematics, such as number theory, dynamical systems, probability, mechanics and electrodynamics. The procedure of present methods are based on the search for a solution in the form of a series with easily computed components. Application of these techniques to this problem shows the rapid convergence of the sequence constructed by these methods to the exact solution. Moreover, this technique reduces the volume of calculations by not requiring discretization of the variables, linearization or small perturbations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How to construct efficient on‐line/off‐line threshold signature schemes through the simulation approach
Authors: Gao Chong‐zhi , Wei Baodian , Xie Dongqing , Tang Chunming 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAn on‐line/off‐line threshold signature (𝒪𝒯𝒮) scheme is a distributed cryptosystem in which a group of players jointly generate a signature for a message and use the on‐line/off‐line technique to improve the efficiency of signing. An
𝒪𝒯𝒮 scheme can be applied to large‐scaled distributed data storage systems and can highly improve the efficiency of writing files. There are two approaches to construct an ordinary threshold signature scheme: the direct approach and the simulation approach. Owing to its simplicity, people tend to use the simulation approach, in which the security of a threshold signature scheme is reduced to the security of its underlying (and simpler) signature scheme. The security proof in this approach is based on a theorem that guarantees the validity of the security reduction—we call this theorem the simulation theorem. However, the simulation theorem (and thus the simulation approach) for an ordinary threshold signature scheme cannot be applied to the on‐line/off‐line cases, because partial signature exposure problems might occur in these cases. This paper presents a simulation theorem for the on‐line/off‐line cases, where the security of an 𝒪𝒯𝒮 scheme is reduced to the security of a so‐called divisible on‐line/off‐line signature scheme. This provides a theoretical basis for constructing an 𝒪𝒯𝒮 scheme through the simulation approach. Furthermore, through this approach, we present a concrete 𝒪𝒯𝒮 scheme, which is efficient and its security proof is simple. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Water Splitting on Semiconductor Catalysts under Visible‐Light Irradiation
Authors: Navarro Yerga Rufino M. , Álvarez Galván M. Consuelo , del Valle F. , Villoria de la Mano José A. , Fierro José L. G. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractSplitting image: Sustainable hydrogen production is a key target for the development of alternative, future energy systems that will provide a clean and affordable energy supply. This Minireview focuses on the development of semiconductor catalysts that enable hydrogen production via water splitting upon visible‐light irradiation.magnified imageSustainable hydrogen production is a key target for the development of alternative, future energy systems that will provide a clean and affordable energy supply. The Sun is a source of silent and precious energy that is distributed fairly all over the Earth daily. However, its tremendous potential as a clean, safe, and economical energy source cannot be exploited unless the energy is accumulated or converted into more useful forms. The conversion of solar energy into hydrogen via the water‐splitting process, assisted by photo‐semiconductor catalysts, is one of the most promising technologies for the future because large quantities of hydrogen can potentially be generated in a clean and sustainable manner. This Minireview provides an overview of the principles, approaches, and research progress on solar hydrogen production via the water‐splitting reaction on photo‐semiconductor catalysts. It presents a survey of the advances made over the last decades in the development of catalysts for photochemical water splitting under visible‐light irradiation. The Minireview also analyzes the energy requirements and main factors that determine the activity of photocatalysts in the conversion of water into hydrogen and oxygen using sunlight. Remarkable progress has been made since the pioneering work by Fujishima and Honda in 1972, but he development of photocatalysts with improved efficiencies for hydrogen production from water using solar energy still faces major challenges. Research strategies and approaches adopted in the search for active and efficient photocatalysts, for example through new materials and synthesis methods, are presented and analyzed.
Targeted disruption of Sonic Hedgehog in the mouse adrenal leads to adrenocortical hypoplasia
Authors: Ching Saunders , Vilain Eric 
Published: June 2009

AbstractDevelopment of the mammalian adrenal gland is regulated by a diverse network of growth and transcription factors. Disruptions in these pathways often result in adrenal insufficiency because of adrenal hypoplasia. Several lines of evidence have suggested that the Hedgehog signaling pathway, which controls many aspects of tissue and organ patterning, may play a direct role in adrenal morphogenesis as well. Therefore, we examined the role of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), a member of the Hedgehog family, in mouse adrenal development. We show that Shh and its downstream effectors Gli1, Gli2, and Gli3 are expressed in the adrenal cortex throughout development, and that Shh is required for normal adrenal organogenesis. Conditional inactivation of Shh in the adrenal cortex using a Cre‐loxP system resulted in severe hypoplasia and disorganization of the cortex. In mice carrying the targeted mutation (Shhfl/fl;SF‐1/Cre+), adrenal mass was significantly reduced and the cortex failed to encapsulate the adrenal medulla. Taken together, these results establish a direct role for Shh signaling in normal adrenal development. genesis 47:628–637, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional dissection of Timekeeper (Tik) implicates opposite roles for CK2 and PP2A during Drosophila neurogenesis
Authors: Kunttas‐Tatli Ezgi , Bose Anasua , Kahali Bhaskar , Bishop Clifton P. , Bidwai Ashok P. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractRepression by E(spl)M8 during inhibitory Notch (N) signaling (lateral inhibition) is regulated, in part, by protein kinase CK2, but the involvement of a phosphatase has been unclear. The studies we report here employ Tik, a unique dominant‐negative (DN) mutation in the catalytic subunit of CK2, in a Gal4‐UAS based assay for impaired lateral inhibition. Specifically, overexpression of Tik elicits ectopic bristles in N+ flies and suppresses the retinal defects of the gain‐of‐function allele Nspl. Functional dissection of the two substitutions in Tik (M161K and E165D), suggests that both mutations contribute to its DN effects. While the former replacement compromises CK2 activity by impairing ATP‐binding, the latter affects a conserved motif implicated in binding the phosphatase PP2A. Accordingly, overexpression of microtubule star (mts), the PP2A catalytic subunit closely mimics the phenotypic effects of loss of CK2 functions in N+ or Nspl flies, and elicits notched wings, a characteristic of N mutations. Our findings suggest antagonistic roles for CK2 and PP2A during inhibitory N signaling. genesis 47:647–658, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Eating disorders in older women: Does late onset anorexia nervosa exist?
Authors: Scholtz Samantha , Hill Laura S. , Lacey Hubert 
Published: June 2009

AbstractObjective:The objective of this study is to determine whether eating disorders can present for the first time in older people.Method:This is a descriptive study of patients above the age of 50 years who have presented to a national eating disorder center within the last 10 years.Results:Thirty‐two patients were identified; data were available for 26 of these patients and 11 agreed for further interview and questionnaire completion. There were no cases where the eating disorder had its onset late in life. Of the 11 interviewed, six participants retained a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, four had Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified and only one was recovered. Comorbid depression was universal in those still suffering with an eating disorder diagnosis, and their level of social functioning was impaired.Discussion:Anorexia nervosa is a chronic and enduring mental illness that, although rare, can be found in older people. In our sample, we found no evidence of late‐onset disorders; all described cases were lifelong. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2010
Trait‐defined eating‐disorder subtypes and history of childhood abuse
Authors: Steiger Howard , Richardson Jodie , Schmitz Norbert , Israel Mimi , Bruce Kenneth R. , Gauvin Lise 
Published: June 2009

AbstractObjective:In participants with eating disorders (EDs), prior physical or sexual abuse has been associated with increased likelihood of impulsivity and affective instability. However, previous studies among participants with eating disorders have not systematically explored relationships between empirically derived, personality‐trait‐based classes, on the one hand, and likelihood of exposure to either childhood sexual or physical abuse, on the other.Method:We assessed multiple psychopathological traits, eating symptoms, and history of abuse in 185 women with an ED and 93 with no ED.Results:A latent class analysis, conducted using psychopathological‐trait measures, yielded latent classes of participants with eating disorders fitting the descriptors “dissocial/impulsive,” “inhibited/compulsive,” and “low psychopathology.” ED was generally associated with increased risk of childhood sexual abuse, but the dissocial/impulsive characteristic corresponded with a unique likelihood of physical abuse and especially high rates of sexual abuse.Discussion:Observed associations between different forms of childhood abuse and trait‐defined ED variants help inform models on the development of eating disorders and of psychopathological traits that often accompany them. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2010
Assessment of HRQoL in patients with eating disorders by the beta‐binomial regression approach
Authors: Arostegui Inmaculada , Padierna Angel , Quintana Jose M. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractObjective:To study the influence of clinical variables on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) among women with eating disorder (ED) using beta‐binomial regression (BBR) to analyze scores on the Short‐Form 36 (SF‐36) as dependent variable.Method:Female patients diagnosed with ED completed the SF‐36 at the beginning of the study and after 2 years of treatment. Sociodemographic and clinical information was recorded. For the multivariate analysis, we used BBR models to identify factors that influence SF‐36.Results:Questionnaires were completed by 193 women at baseline and 158 (82%) after 2 years of treatment. Anxiety, depression, and the severity of ED, explained scores in most domains of the SF‐36 at baseline. The main predictor of HRQoL after 2 years of follow‐up was the HRQoL in the same domain at baseline. However, depression, anxiety, and duration of symptoms at baseline also significantly influenced HRQoL after 2 years of treatment in some domains. Higher levels of anxiety or depression, longer duration of symptoms, and poorer SF‐36 scores at baseline were associated with worse HRQoL after 2 years of treatment and follow‐up.Discussion:BBR models provide understandable results for clinicians and can be used in multivariate models with HRQoL dependent variables. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2010
Towards a spatial understanding of water use of several land‐cover classes: an examination of relationships amongst pre‐dawn leaf water potential, vegetation water use, aridity and MODIS LAI
Authors: Palmer Anthony R. , Fuentes Sigfredo , Taylor Daniel , Macinnis‐Ng Cate , Zeppel Melanie , Yunusa Isa , Eamus Derek 
Published: June 2009

AbstractLeaf area index (LAI) is a key physical variable which controls the exchange of water and CO2 between the earth and the atmosphere. Recent improvements in the quality of satellite‐derived estimates of LAI, specifically the MODIS LAI product, have led to increased confidence in their operational use. In this study, we examined the relationship amongst MODIS LAI (Collection 5), pre‐dawn leaf water potential (Ψpd) (a surrogate for plant water availability), vegetation water use (ET) and pan evaporation (E0) in forest, evergreen woodland, open shrubland and savanna in Australia. We present three models which demonstrate how the MODIS LAI product can be used to make spatially explicit predictions of the state of three key physical variables, namely Ψpd, the aridity index and vegetation water use. The LAI‐Ψpd model explains how plant available soil moisture can be predicted at a continental scale for intact forests, woodlands and savannas. In a similar manner, the aridity index (mean annual rainfall/E0) shows a powerful relationship with the MODIS LAI values. Using vegetation water use data from 16 field campaigns and published studies, we developed a MODIS LAI‐ET model that provides the ability to predict both site and catchment‐scale annual evapotranspiration. We test the model against independent estimates of site and catchment‐scale vegetation water use. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.