bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phase I Trial of Lenalidomide in Pediatric Patients With Recurrent, Refractory, or Progressive Primary CNS Tumors: Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium Study PBTC-018
Authors: Warren Katherine E. , Goldman Stewart , Pollack Ian F. , Fangusaro Jason , Schaiquevich Paula , Stewart Clinton F. , Wallace Dana , Blaney Susan M. , Packer Roger , MacDonald Tobey , Jakacki Regina , Boyett James M. , Kun Larry E. 
Published: December 2010

Purpose A phase I trial of lenalidomide was performed in children with recurrent, refractory, or progressive primary CNS tumors to estimate the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and to describe the toxicity profile and pharmacokinetics. Patients and Methods Lenalidomide was administered by mouth daily for 21 days, repeated every 28 days. The starting dose was 15 mg/m2/d orally, and the dose was escalated according to a modified continuous reassessment method. Correlative studies included pharmacokinetics obtained from consenting patients on course 1, day 1, and at steady-state (between days 7 and 21). Results Fifty-one patients (median age, 10 years; range, 2 to 21 years) were enrolled. Forty-four patients were evaluable for dose finding, and 49 patients were evaluable for toxicity. The primary toxicity was myelosuppression, but the MTD was not defined because doses up to 116 mg/m2/d were well-tolerated during the dose-finding period. Two objective responses were observed (one in thalamic juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma and one in optic pathway glioma) at dose levels of 88 and 116 mg/m2/d. Twenty-three patients, representing all dose levels, received ≥ six cycles of therapy. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated that the lenalidomide area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 hours and maximum plasma concentration increased with dosage over the range studied. Conclusion Lenalidomide was tolerable in children with CNS tumors at doses of 116 mg/m2/d during the initial dose-finding period. The primary toxicity is myelosuppression. Antitumor activity, defined by both objective responses and long-term stable disease, was observed, primarily in patients with low-grade gliomas.
DIPSS Plus: A Refined Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System for Primary Myelofibrosis That Incorporates Prognostic Information From Karyotype, Platelet Count, and Transfusion Status
Authors: Gangat Naseema , Caramazza Domenica , Vaidya Rakhee , George Geeta , Begna Kebede , Schwager Susan , Van Dyke Daniel , Hanson Curtis , Wu Wenting , Pardanani Animesh , Cervantes Francisco , Passamonti Francesco , Tefferi Ayalew 
Published: December 2010

PurposeThe Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System (DIPSS) for primary myelofibrosis (PMF) uses five risk factors to predict survival: age older than 65 years, hemoglobin lower than 10 g/dL, leukocytes higher than 25 × 109/L, circulating blasts ≥ 1%, and constitutional symptoms. The main objective of this study was to refine DIPSS by incorporating prognostic information from karyotype, platelet count, and transfusion status.Patients and MethodsMayo Clinic databases for PMF were used to identify patients with available bone marrow histologic and cytogenetic information.ResultsSeven hundred ninety-three consecutive patients were selected and divided into two groups based on whether or not their referral occurred within (n = 428; training set) or after (n = 365; test set) 1 year of diagnosis. Multivariable analysis identified DIPSS, unfavorable karyotype, platelets lower than 100 × 109/L, and transfusion need as independent predictors of inferior survival. Hazard ratio (HR) –weighted adverse points were assigned to these variables to develop a composite prognostic model using the training set. The model was subsequently validated in the test set, and its application to all 793 patients resulted in median survivals of 185, 78, 35, and 16 months for low, intermediate-1 (HR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.4 to 3.6), intermediate-2 (HR, 4.9; 95% CI, 3.2 to 7.7), and high-risk groups (HR, 10.7; 95% CI, 6.8 to 16.9), respectively (P < .001). Leukemia-free survival was predicted by the presence of thrombocytopenia or unfavorable karyotype (10-year risk of 31% v 12%; HR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.9 to 5.6).ConclusionDIPSS plus effectively combines prognostic information from DIPSS, karyotype, platelet count, and transfusion status to predict overall survival in PMF. In addition, unfavorable karyotype or thrombocytopenia predicts inferior leukemia-free survival.
Asian study of effects of premenstrual symptoms on activities of daily life
Authors: Dennerstein Lorraine , Lehert Philippe , Keung Lam Siu , Pal Sadiah Ahsan , Choi Dooseok 
Published: December 2010

ObjectiveThe aim of this paper is to assess the effects of premenstrual symptoms on quality of life as measured by the impact symptoms have on women's activities of daily life (ADL).Study designCross-sectional survey. Population-based, face-to-face interview with 1202 women aged 15–49 years recruited by random sampling in cities of Hong Kong, Pakistan and Thailand.Main outcome measuresChecklist of 23 premenstrual symptoms, sociodemographic and lifestyle variables, ADL: overall impact of premenstrual symptoms on ADL and impact on each of six ADL areas. Regression analysis measured the impact of premenstrual symptoms and sociodemographic factors on ADL.ResultsPremenstrual physical and mental symptom domains had similar negative effects on ADL. Seventy-four percent of women were not affected or minimally affected in ADL, 17% had a clinically significant effect on ADL and 9% were severely affected in ADL. ADL were predominantly affected by premenstrual symptom severity. Oral contraceptive pill users and women living in Pakistan reported less impact on ADL, while married women report more impact of symptoms on ADL.ConclusionsThe severity of premenstrual symptoms was found to have a significant impact on ADLs with the type of activity affected, reflecting how women predominantly spend their time in the different cultures studied.
Decreased serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is associated with post-stroke depression but not withBDNFgene Val66Met polymorphism
Authors: Zhou Zhiming , Lu Tingting , Xu Gelin , Yue Xuanye , Zhu Wusheng , Ma Minmin , Liu Wenhua , Zhu Shuanggen , Liu Xinfeng 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackground:Decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been demonstrated in animal models and patients with depression. However, little is known about changes in BDNF in post-stroke depression (PSD). This study investigated the changes in serum BDNF in patients with PSD, and evaluated whether serum concentrations of BDNF were associated with BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphism.Methods:PSD patients were diagnosed in accordance with DSM-IV criteria, and the severity of depression was evaluated with the Hamilton Rating Scale for depression. Serum BDNF was measured twice, first at 7 days after the onset of stroke and then at 3–6 months after stroke. Val66Met polymorphisms of the BDNF gene were determined using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. BDNF concentrations and Val66Met polymorphisms were also measured in 30 healthly controls.Results:A total of 93 patients admitted as a result of first time acute ischemic stroke were included. During the 6-month follow-up, 35 patients (37.6%) were diagnosed with PSD. Serum BDNF concentrations were decreased in PSD patients at 3–6 months after stroke (p<0.05). The serum BDNF concentrations were not associated with BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphisms in either patients or healthy controls.Conclusions:Serum concentrations of BDNF decrease in PSD patients and BDNF may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PSD. However, Val66Met polymorphisms are not associated with serum concentrations of BDNF. The mechanism of decreased serum BDNF requires further study.
High-performance metabolic marker assessment in breast cancer tissue by mass spectrometry
Authors: Mimmi Maria Chiara , Picotti Paola , Corazza Alessandra , Betto Elena , Pucillo Carlo E. , Cesaratto Laura , Cedolini Carla , Londero Viviana , Zuiani Chiara , Bazzocchi Massimo , Esposito Gennaro 
Published: December 2010

Abstract

Background: The identification of reliable markers for diagnosis of breast cancer has been thoroughly addressed by metabolic profiling using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy or imaging. Several clear diagnostic indicators have emerged using either in vitro analysis of tissue extracts, ex vivo analysis of biopsies or in vivo direct spectral observations. Most of the breast cancer characteristic metabolites could be assayed by mass spectrometry (MS) to exploit the superior sensitivity of this technique and therefore reduce the traumatic impact of current biopsy procedures.

Methods: Following extraction, aqueous metabolite mixtures were obtained that were submitted to liquid-chromatography, electrospray-ionization, mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS) analysis to estimate the content of choline (Cho) and its phosphorylated derivatives, phosphocholine (PCho) and glycerophosphocholine (GPCho). The determinations were performed using 10 samples from breast tissue biopsies, surgical specimens and one single sample of a hepatic metastasis. In addition, some measurements were also repeated using high-resolution 1H NMR spectroscopy to complement the mass spectrometry results.

Results: The contents of Cho, PCho and GPCho in breast tissue extracts were estimated by LC/ESI-MS based on standard compound calibration curves. Sharply increased ratios of phosphorylated-to-unphosphorylated metabolites, PCho/ Cho and (PCho+GPCho)/Cho, were observed in all tumor samples, although without discrimination between benign and malignant lesions, contrary to samples from healthy individuals and from those with fibrocystic disease.

Conclusions: The assessment of breast cancer markers by LC/ESI-MS is feasible and diagnostically valuable. In addition to high sensitivity, the approach also shows a resolution advantage for assaying choline derivatives compared to NMR, and could complement the latter.
Effect of cigarette smoking on plasma homocysteine concentrations
Authors: Mouhamed Dhouha Haj , Ezzaher Asma , Neffati Fadoua , Douki Wahiba , Najjar Mohamed Fadhel 
Published: December 2010

Abstract

Background: Cigarette smoking has been recognized as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, while the role of homocysteine is still not clear. This study investigated the effects of smoking on plasma homocysteine concentration and determined the correlation between this parameter and biological markers of tobacco use, such as plasma thiocyanate and urine cotinine.

Methods: Folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine were measured in 300 subjects: 138 non-smokers and 162 smokers using immunoassay methods. Cotinine was measured using an enzymatic colorimetric method and thiocyanate by a selective electrode.

Results: In smokers, we found a significant increase in homocysteine and a decrease in folate and vitamin B12 levels compared to non-smokers. Homocysteine was strongly correlated with the duration of use and the number of cigarettes consumed. Folate and vitamin B12 were significantly reduced in subjects smoking for more than 20 years compared to those who smoked less than 5 years. Among smokers, we noted a positive correlation between homocysteine and both plasma thiocyanates and cotininuria, and a negative-correlation between cotininuria and plasma folate.

Conclusions: Cigarette smoking increases homocysteine, which is strongly correlated with cotininuria and plasma thiocyanates. Moreover, smokers had tendency to develop hypofolatemia and hypovitamin B12, particularly when the duration of consumption exceeded 20 years.
ZR Das System der Beweislast im Zivilprozess – insbesondere für Sachmängel bei Kauf, Miete und Werkvertrag
Authors: Nierwetberg Rüdiger 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Der Aufsatz behandelt die Verteilung der materiellen Beweislast zwischen den Parteien des Zivilprozesses. Einleitend werden zunächst praktische Bedeutung, Begriff und Grundregel der Beweislast im System von Anspruchsgrundlage und Einwendung dargestellt. Im Hauptteil geht es sodann um die Verfolgung dieser Grundregel und ihrer Modifikationen beim Tatsachenstreit um das Vorliegen eines Sachmangels bei Kauf, Miete und Werkvertrag. Dabei werden die diesbezüglichen Gemeinsamkeiten und insbesondere die bislang häufig vernachlässigte Differenzierung nach Soll- und Istbeschaffenheit der geschuldeten Sache hervorgehoben.
Informations- und Medienrecht Einführung in das Recht der Informations-Technologie (IT-Recht) – Das Leben in parallelen Welten
Authors: Söbbing Thomas 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Durch die hohe Bedeutung der Informations-Technologie wird eine Vielzahl von rechtlichen Fragen aufgeworfen, die unter dem Begriff des IT-Rechts zusammen gefasst werden. Der Zugang zum IT Recht gestaltet sich für Einsteiger recht schwierig. Dies liegt zum einen daran, dass der zu beurteilende Sachverhalt für Theoretiker nur sehr schwer zugänglich ist, insbesondere wenn es z. B. um komplexe rechtliche Fragen wie bei Einführung einer Enterprise Software oder bei weltweiten Computernetzwerk wie beim Cloud Computing geht. Zum anderen ist das Rechtsgebiet des IT Rechts kein eigenständiges Rechtsgebiet, auch wenn es schon in 7. Auflage einen Becktext zum IT- und Computerrecht und einen Fachanwaltslehrgang für IT Recht gibt. IT Recht ist vielmehr ein Rechtsgebiet welches eine Schnittmenge vieler anderer Rechtsgebiete darstellt (Schuldrecht, Urheberrecht, Datenschutzrecht, etc.). In folgenden wird die Historie, die Positionierung und wesentliche rechtliche Entwicklungen in IT Recht dargestellt.
Ein wortnetzbasierter Ansatz für die korpusgestützte Modellierung von Fachterminologie. Ein Beitrag zur digitalen Fachlexikographie
Authors: Beisswenger Michael 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
This article describes an approach for modelling domain-specific terminology in a wordnet-style representation. It uses the fundamental entities and relations introduced for the Princeton WordNet (Fellbaum 1998) and expands upon these in a way that fits for the representation of technical terms that are given in a corpus with scientific texts.
The article starts with an overview on some essential semantic and lexical features of technical terms and terminological systems from the perspective of LSP research and formulates a set of requirements that derive from these characteristics for a modelling of domain-specific terminology which also aims to include terminological diversity (i.e. the existence of several terminological systems competing within the same special-field domain).
Subsequently, the modelling approach with its fundamental modelling units will be introduced and the essential modelling decisions made with regard to the previously formulated requirements will be illuminated.
In closing, two applications based on the modelling approach will be introduced: on the one hand a hypertext glossary of the domains “hypermedia research and text technology” which has been built in the context of the DFG-funded project “Text-grammatical foundations of text-to-hypertext conversion” at TU Dortmund University, and on the other hand the component “Grammatische Ontologie” of the grammatical online information system “Grammis” at the Institute for German Language (IDS), Mannheim.
Sol–gel Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructured ZnO Obtained in the Ionic Liquid [BMP]TFSA and in Isopropanol
Authors: Farag Hala K. 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Zinc oxide nanostructures were synthesized via sol–gel methods in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide and in isopropanol, respectively, using zinc acetate dihydrate as a precursor. The synthesized ZnO powders were characterized by means of XRD, SEM-EDX, TGA-DTA and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The XRD results of the ZnO powders obtained in either the ionic liquid or in isopropanol exhibit a wurtzite structure with a high degree of crystallinity. The sol–gel growth of ZnO particles in [BMP]TFSA produces a significantly different crystal structure compared with ZnO particles obtained using isopropanol. Hexagonal ZnO nanorods were obtained using isopropanol. However, spherical ZnO nanoparticles were obtained using the ionic liquid. The UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra show a slight increase in the band gap of the ZnO powder synthesized using the ionic liquid compared with that of the ZnO prepared using isopropanol. Furthermore, the specific surface area of ZnO prepared using [BMP]TFSA (14.5m2 g-1) is higher than that of ZnO prepared using isopropanol (6.5m2 g-1).
Coadministration of lanreotide Autogel and pegvisomant normalizes IGF1 levels and is well tolerated in patients with acromegaly partially controlled by somatostatin analogs alone
Authors: van der Lely Aart-Jan , Bernabeu Ignacio , Cap Jan , Caron Philippe , Colao Annamaria , Marek Josef , Neggers Sebastian , Birman Pascal 
Published: December 2010

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of coadministered lanreotide Autogel (LA; 120 mg/month) and pegvisomant (40–120 mg/week) in acromegaly.DesignThis is a 28-week, multicenter, open-label, single-arm sequential study.MethodsPatients (n=92) biochemically uncontrolled, on somatostatin analogs (SSAs) or using pegvisomant monotherapy entered a 4-month run-in taking LA (120 mg/month). Patients uncontrolled after the run-in period (n=57) entered a 28-week coadministration period, receiving LA 120 mg/month plus pegvisomant (60 mg once weekly, adapted every 8 weeks based on IGF1 levels to 40–80 mg once weekly or 40 or 60 mg twice weekly).ResultsIn total, 33 (57.9%) patients had normalized IGF1 following coadministration (P<0.0001 versus 30% minimum clinically relevant); median pegvisomant dose in normalized patients was 60 mg/week. IGF1 normalized at any time during coadministration in 45 (78.9%) patients (P<0.0001) with median pegvisomant dose at 60 mg/week. Being nondiabetic (odds ratio (OR): 4.65) and older (OR, upper versus lower quartile: 3.40) showed increased likelihood of normalization. Symptom reduction was greatest for arthralgia (−0.6±1.6) and soft tissue swelling (−0.6±1.8). Five patients reported treatment-emergent adverse events causing treatment withdrawal: three serious (treatment related – thrombocytopenia, urticaria; not treatment related – abdominal pain/vomiting) and two nonserious (hepatotoxicity and cytolytic hepatitis, both elevating alanine aminotransferase to >5×upper limit of normal with normalization after withdrawal).ConclusionsIn patients partially controlled by SSAs, LA (120 mg/month) plus pegvisomant normalized IGF1 in 57.9% of patients after 7 months, at a median effective pegvisomant dose of 60 mg/week, and 78.9% at any time. In these patients, results suggest a pegvisomant-sparing effect versus daily pegvisomant monotherapy.
Effect of Environmental Tobacco Smoke From Smoker Parents on Gingival Pigmentation in Children and Young Adults: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Sridharan Srirangarajan , Ganiger Kavita , Satyanarayana Aparna , Rahul Aparna , Shetty Shreya 
Published: December 2010

Background: Non‐smokers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) absorb nicotine and other compounds just as smokers do, and as the exposure to ETS increases, the level of these harmful compounds in the body also increases. The ill effects of ETS range from gingival pigmentation to lung cancer and death. The exposure to ETS is difficult to quantitatively measure and has been approximated by self‐reported estimates, primarily of the smoking history of spouses. However, the documentation of gingival pigmentation in non‐smokers is meager and has remained contentious. We aimed to assess the effects of ETS from smoker parents on gingival pigmentation in children and young adults and assess the urine cotinine levels in these individuals.Methods: A total of 153 non‐smoking participants with ≥1 smoker parent were randomly selected from the outpatient Department of Periodontics, Bangalore Institute of Dental Sciences and Postgraduate Research Center, Bangalore, India. These participants were divided into three groups based on age, and the smoking history of parents was established by an interview with participants and parents. The degree of gingival pigmentation of participants was assessed by using the gingival pigmentation index and a standardized digital oral photograph. A urine analysis was conducted to assess levels of cotinine. The κ statistic was performed for interexaminer agreement, and χ2 and Fisher exact tests were used for statistical analyses.Results: The prevalence of gingival pigmentation in passive smokers was statistically significant (P <0.05). Increased levels of urinary cotinine were observed in all three groups with the highest levels in group 3 (19 to 24 years old).Conclusion: This study depicts the effects of ETS on gingival melanin pigmentation.
Hereditary Gingival Fibromatosis: A Three‐Generation Case and Pathogenic Mechanism Research on Progress of the Disease
Authors: Shi Jiejun , Lin Weiwei , Li Xiaojun , Zhang Feng , Hong Xutao 
Published: December 2010

Background: Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is a rare benign disorder characterized by progressive overgrowth of gingiva. Although the clinical and histopathologic characteristics of HGF are explicit, the pathogenic mechanism remains unclear. The goal of this article is to describe a three‐generation HGF case and discuss the diagnosis, treatment, and inheritance of the disease. The known cellular and molecular features of HGF are also emphasized.Methods: Family and medical histories of the patients were recorded, and a series of preliminary examinations, including clinical, histologic, radiographic, and gene examination, were performed to make a diagnosis and learn about the genetic characteristics. An all‐quadrant flap surgery was performed to remove excess gingiva, and orthodontic treatment was undertaken to help tooth eruption. Recent advances were reviewed for further knowledge of genetic, cellular, and molecular features of HGF.Results: The patient's manifestations and examinations showed a typical HGF characteristic. There was no recurrence after surgery, and the premolars and molars erupted to bite plane. Genetic studies have found several gene mutations involved in HGF. Only the son‐of‐sevenless‐1 gene is identified. Multiple molecular factors, such as transforming growth factor‐β and matrix metalloproteinases, participate in HGF, regulating the extracellular matrix.Conclusions: Surgical intervention is the usual treatment of HGF, but patients still have to deal with the risk of recurrence. Once the correlations between gene mutations, molecular changes, histology, and clinical situation are clear, they can be applied to clinical application, providing novel methods for disease prognosis and diagnosis and targets for disease prevention and treatment.
On sums related to the numerator of generating functions for the kth power of Fibonacci numbers on sums related to the numerator of generating functions for the kth power of Fibonacci numbers
Authors: Pražák Pavel , Trojovský Pavel 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
New results about some sums s
n(k, l) of products of the Lucas numbers, which are of similar type as the sums in [SEIBERT, J.—TROJOVSK Ý, P.: On multiple sums of products of Lucas numbers, J. Integer Seq. 10 (2007), Article 07.4.5], and sums σ(k) = $$
\sum\limits_{l = 0}^{\tfrac{{k - 1}}
{2}} {(_l^k )F_k - 2l^S n(k,l)}
$$ are derived. These sums are related to the numerator of generating function for the kth powers of the Fibonacci numbers. s
n(k, l) and σ(k) are expressed as the sum of the binomial and the Fibonomial coefficients. Proofs of these formulas are based on a special inverse formulas.