bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Examining the pathways linking lower socioeconomic status and advanced melanoma
Authors: Pollitt Ricardo A. , Swetter Susan M. , Johnson Timothy M. , Patil Pratima , Geller Alan C. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND.Low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with more advanced melanoma at diagnosis and decreased survival. Exploring the pathways linking lower SES and thicker melanoma will help guide public and professional strategies to reduce deaths.METHODS.The authors surveyed 566 newly diagnosed patients at Stanford University Medical Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, and University of Michigan. SES was assessed by education level (high school/general education degree or less [HS], associate/technical school degree, or ≥college graduate). All data was obtained by self‐report among patients within three months of their diagnosis.RESULTS.HS‐educated individuals were significantly more likely than college graduates to believe that melanoma was not very serious (odds ratio [OR], 2.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.79‐4.71) and were less likely to know the asymmetry, borders (irregular), color (variegated), and diameter (>6 mm) (ABCD) melanoma rule or the difference between melanoma and ordinary skin growths (OR, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.23‐0.52] and 0.26 [95% CI, 0.16‐0.41] respectively). Physicians were less likely to have ever told HS‐educated versus college‐educated individuals they were at risk for skin cancer (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.31‐0.71) or instructed them on how to examine their skin for signs of melanoma (OR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.25‐0.63). HS‐educated individuals were less likely to have received a physician skin examination within the year before diagnosis (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.37‐0.80).CONCLUSIONS.Decreased melanoma risk perception and knowledge among low‐SES individuals and decreased physician communication regarding skin examinations of these individuals may be key components of the consistently observed socioeconomic gradient in mortality. The current findings suggest the need to raise melanoma awareness among lower‐SES patients and to increase physician awareness of socioeconomic disparities in clinical communication and care. Cancer 2012. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Behavioral determinants of successful early melanoma detection
Authors: Swetter Susan M. , Pollitt Ricardo A. , Johnson Timothy M. , Brooks Daniel R. , Geller Alan C. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND.Reduced melanoma mortality should result from an improved understanding of modifiable factors related to early detection. The authors of this report surveyed newly diagnosed patients to identify differences in prediagnosis behavioral and medical care factors associated with thinner versus thicker melanoma.METHODS.In total, 566 adults with invasive melanoma completed questionnaires within 3 months of diagnosis on demographics, health care access, skin self‐examination (SSE), and physician skin examination (PSE) practices in the year before diagnosis. SSE was measured by us e of a melanoma picture aid and routine examination of some/all body sites versus none. Patient‐reported partial or full‐body PSE also was assessed. Melanoma thickness was dichotomized at 1 mm.RESULTS.Patient ranged in age from 18 years to 99 years, and 61% were men. The median tumor thickness was 1.25 mm, and 321 tumors (57%) were >1 mm thick. Thinner tumors (≤1 mm) were associated with age ≤60 years (P = .0002), women (P = .0127), higher education level (P = .0122), and physician discovery (P ≤ .0001). Patients who used a melanoma picture aid and performed routine SSE were more likely to have thinner tumors than those who did not (odds ratio [OR], 2.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.48‐4.80). Full‐body PSE was associated with thinner tumors (OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.62‐3.87), largely because of the effect of PSE in men aged >60 years (OR, 4.09 95% CI, 1.88‐8.89).CONCLUSIONS.SSE and PSE were identified as complementary early detection strategies, particularly in men aged >60 years, in whom both partial and full‐body PSE were associated with thinner tumors. Given the high rates of physician access, PSE may be a more practical approach for successful early detection in this subgroup with highest mortality. Cancer 2012. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Histologic tumor involvement of superior mesenteric vein/portal vein predicts poor prognosis in patients with stage II pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation
Authors: Wang Jiansheng , Estrella Jeannelyn S. , Peng Lan , Rashid Asif , Varadhachary Gauri R. , Wang Hua , Lee Jeffrey E. , Pisters Peter W. T. , Vauthey Jean‐Nicolas , Katz Matthew H. , Gomez Henry F. , Evans Douglas B. , Abbruzzese James L. , Fleming Jason B. , Wang Huamin 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND:Studies have shown that superior mesenteric vein (SMV)/portal vein (PV) resection with pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is safe and feasible for patient with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC). However, the prognostic significance of tumor involvement of the resected vein in patients who received neoadjuvant therapy is unclear.METHODS:The authors evaluated 225 consecutive patients with stage II PAC who received neoadjuvant therapy and PD with or without SMV/PV resection. The resected SMV/PV was entirely submitted for histologic assessment and reviewed in all cases. Tumor involvement of the SMV/PV was correlated with clinicopathologic features and survival.RESULTS:Among the 225 patients, SMV/PV resection was performed in 85 patients. Histologic tumor involvement of the resected SMV/PV was identified in 57 patients. Histologic tumor involvement of the SMV/PV was associated with larger tumor size, higher rates of positive margin, and local/distant recurrence. By multivariate analysis, tumor involvement of the SMV/PV was an independent predictor of both disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). However, addition of venous resection to PD itself had no impact on either DFS or OS compared with those with PD alone.CONCLUSIONS:Histologic tumor involvement of the SMV/PV is an independent predictor of both DFS and OS in patients with stage II PAC treated with neoadjuvant therapy and PD. Complete histologic evaluation of the resected SMV/PV is important for the prognosis in patients with PAC who received neoadjuvant therapy and PD. Cancer 2012. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Pooled analysis of AIDS malignancy consortium trials evaluating rituximab plus CHOP or infusional EPOCH chemotherapy in HIV‐associated non‐Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Barta Stefan K. , Lee Jeannette Y. , Kaplan Lawrence D. , Noy Ariela , Sparano Joseph A. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND:Improved outcomes have recently been reported for rituximab (R) plus rituximab plus infusional etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin (R‐EPOCH) chemotherapy in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐associated, aggressive B‐cell, non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The objective of the current analysis was to assess whether patient selection or other factors contributed to this improvement and to identify patients who are at the greatest risk for lethal toxicity.METHODS:The authors performed a pooled analysis of 2 consecutive trials that included 150 patients with HIV‐associated NHL who received either R‐CHOP (n = 99; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome [AIDS] Malignancy Consortium Trial 010 [AMC010]) or R‐EPOCH (n = 51; AMC034). Age‐adjusted International Prognostic Index (aaIPI), CD4 count at lymphoma diagnosis (<100/μL vs ≥100/μL), and treatment (R‐CHOP vs R‐EPOCH) were included as variables in a multivariate logistic regression model for complete response (CR) and in a Cox proportional hazards regression models for event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS).RESULTS:Features that were associated significantly with an improved CR rate and improved EFS and OS included a low aaIPI score and a baseline CD4 count ≥100/μL. When the analysis was adjusted for aaIPI and CD4 count, patients who received concurrent R‐EPOCH had improved EFS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.40; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.23, 0.69; P < .001) and OS (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.21, 0.69; P < .01). Treatment‐associated death occurred significantly more often in patients with CD4 counts <50/μL (37% vs 6%; P < .01).CONCLUSIONS:The current analysis provided additional level 2 evidence supporting the use of concurrent R‐EPOCH in patients with HIV‐associated lymphoma and a CD4 count >50/μL, and the results support the design of an ongoing phase 3 trial comparing concurrent R‐EPOCH with R‐CHOP in immunocompetent patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (National Clinical Trial no. NCT00118209). Cancer 2012. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Selective radiotherapy for the treatment of head and neck Merkel cell carcinoma
Authors: Lok Benjamin , Khan Sabrina , Mutter Robert , Liu Jeffrey , Fields Ryan , Pulitzer Melissa , Shi Weiji , Zhang Zhigang , Kraus Dennis , Pfister David , Busam Klaus J. , Brownell Isaac , Lee Nancy 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND.The role of radiotherapy (RT) in the management of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is controversial. The authors of this report evaluated the rates and patterns of failure in a selected group of patients who underwent RT for MCC of the head and neck (HN).METHODS.The records of 145 consecutive patients with MCC of the HN who presented to the authors' institution between 1988 and 2009 were reviewed. Only patients who received RT at the institution were included. The cumulative incidence of locoregional failure (LRF), distant metastatic failure (DMF), disease progression (DP) and disease‐specific death (DSD) were estimated with death as a competing risk.RESULTS.Forty‐eight patients were identified. The median follow‐up was 51 months (range, 6‐220 months) for living patients. LRF developed in 5 patients (10%), and those patients had a median time to recurrence of 3 months. Two of the 5 LRFs were local and developed at the edge of the treatment field; the remaining 3 LRFs were in lymph nodes and occurred outside the treatment field. DMF developed in 12 patients (25%). The estimated 5‐year cumulative incidences of LRF, DP, and DSD were 10%, 30%, and 21%, respectively. Acute toxicities included 5 episodes (10%) of grade 3 dermatitis and 1 episode (2%) of grade 3 mucositis.CONCLUSIONS.The authors report a site‐specific series of patients with HN MCC who received RT. In this group of patients with adverse features, RT was well tolerated, and LRF was low. The propensity for MCC to recur at the edge of the treatment field suggests that generous margins are appropriate when RT is administered. Cancer 2012. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Spinal projections of the A5, A6 (locus coeruleus), and A7 noradrenergic cell groups in rats
Authors: Bruinstroop Eveline , Cano Georgina , Vanderhorst Veronique G.J.M. , Cavalcante Judney C. , Wirth Jena , Sena‐Esteves Miguel , Saper Clifford B. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe pontine noradrenergic cell groups, A5, A6 (locus coeruleus), and A7, provide the only noradrenergic innervation of the spinal cord, but the individual contribution of each of these populations to the regional innervation of the spinal cord remains controversial. We used an adeno‐associated viral (AAV) vector encoding green fluorescent protein under an artificial dopamine beta‐hydroxylase (PRSx8) promoter to trace the spinal projections from the A5, A6, and A7 groups. Projections from all three groups travel through the spinal cord in both the lateral and ventral funiculi and in the dorsal surface of the dorsal horn, but A6 axons take predominantly the dorsal and ventral routes, whereas A5 axons take mainly a lateral and A7 axons a ventral route. The A6 group provides the densest innervation at all levels, and includes all parts of the spinal gray matter, but it is particularly dense in the dorsal horn. The A7 group provides the next most dense innervation, again including all parts of the spinal cord, but is it denser in the ventral horn. The A5 group supplies only sparse innervation to the dorsal and ventral horns and to the cervical and lumbosacral levels, but provides the densest innervation to the thoracic intermediolateral cell column, and in particular to the sympathetic preganglionic neurons. Thus, the pontine noradrenergic cell groups project in a roughly topographic and complementary fashion onto the spinal cord. The pattern of spinal projections observed suggests that the locus coeruleus might have the greatest effect on somatosensory transmission, the A7 group on motor function, and the A5 group on sympathetic function. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:1985–2001, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electrical Bistability and WORM Memory Effects in Donor–Acceptor Polymers Based on Poly(N‐vinylcarbazole)
Authors: Zhang Bin , Liu Gang , Chen Yu , Wang Cheng , Neoh Koon‐Gee , Bai Ting , Kang En‐Tang 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBistable electrical conductivity switching behavior and write‐once, read‐many‐times (WORM) memory effects have been demonstrated in Al/polymer/ITO sandwich devices. These devices were constructed from two poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) derivatives with pendant donor–trap–acceptor (D‐T‐A) structures. The observed electrical bistability can be attributed to the field‐induced charge‐transfer interaction between the carbazole electron‐donor unit and the terminal electron‐acceptor unit, and subsequent charge trapping at the intermediate azobenzene chromophores. The charge‐transfer and trapping processes are further stabilized by the conformational relaxation of the total energy of the D‐T‐A system through donor–acceptor electrostatic interaction. The proposed switching and conduction mechanism is supported by density functional theory calculations, UV/Visible absorption spectra, core‐level X‐ray photoelectron spectra, and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy images of the polymer thin films. The influence of the charge‐trapping effect of the azobenzene mediator is further explored by studying the electronic properties of two other poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) derivatives as the control samples, in which nitro or cyano acceptor groups are directly bonded to the carbazole electron‐donor moieties.
Recent advances in hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) for structural glycomics
Authors: Zauner Gerhild , Deelder André M. , Wuhrer Manfred 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThis review presents recent progress in employing hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) for glycan and glycopeptides analysis. After an introduction of this technique, the following themes are addressed: (i) implementation of HILIC in large‐scale studies for analyzing the human plasma N‐glycome; (ii) the use of HILIC UPLC (ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography) for fast high‐resolution runs and its successful application with online MS for glycan and glycopeptide analysis; (iii) high‐throughput profiling using HILIC solid‐phase extraction in combination with MS detection; (iv) HILIC sample preparation for CE and CGE; (v) the latest glycoproteomic approaches implementing HILIC separation; (vi) future perspectives of HILIC including its use in large‐scale glycoproteomics studies such as the analysis of entire glycoproteomes at the glycopeptide level.
A reliable and efficient first principles‐based method for predicting pKa values. III. Adding explicit water molecules: Can the theoretical slope be reproduced and pKa values predicted more accurately?
Authors: Zhang Shuming 
Published: December 2011

AbstractA popular method for predicting pKa values for organic molecules in aqueous solution is to establish empirical linear least‐squares fits between calculated deprotonation energies and known experimental pKa values. In virtually all such calculations, the empirically observed slope of the pKa vs. ΔE fit is significantly less than the theoretical value, 1/(2.303RT) (which is 0.73 mol/kcal at room temperature). In our own continuum solvation calculations (Zhang et al., J Phys Chem A 2010, 114, 432), the empirical slope for carboxylic acids was only 0.23 mol/kcal, despite the excellent fit to the experimental pKa values. There has been much speculation about the reason for this phenomenon. Although the ΔE – pKa relation neglects entropic effects, these are expected to largely cancel. The most likely cause for the strange behavior of the fitted slope is explicit solute–solvent (water) interactions, especially involving the ions, which cannot be described accurately by continuum solvation models. We used our previously developed pKa protocol (OLYP/6‐311+G(d,p)//3‐21G(d) with the COSMO solvation model) to investigate the effect of adding one or two explicit water molecules to the system. The slopes for organic acids (especially carboxylic acids) are much closer to the theoretical value when explicit water molecules are added to both the neutral molecule and the anion. However, explicit water molecules have almost no effect on the slopes for organic bases. Adding explicit water molecules to the ions only produces intermediate results. Unfortunately, linear fits involving explicit water molecules have much larger errors than with continuum solvation models alone and are also much more expensive. Consequently, they are not suitable for large‐scale pKa calculations. The results compared with literature values showed that our predicted pKas are more accurate. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Nanoleakage evaluation of resin luting systems to dental enamel and leucite‐reinforced ceramic
Authors: Prieto Lúcia Trazzi , Souza‐júnior Eduardo José , Araújo Cíntia Tereza Pimenta , Lima Adriano Fonseca , Dias Carlos Tadeu , Paulillo Luís Alexandre Maffei Sartini 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPurpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the nanoleakage patterns between dental enamel and reinforced leucite ceramic, bonded with resin luting systems and a flowable composite resin. Materials and Methods: Twelve crowns of bovine incisors were randomly divided into four groups (n = 3) according to the luting procedure: Excite/Variolink II, Clearfil SE Bond/Panavia F, Scotchbond Multi‐Purpose Plus/RelyX ARC, and Single Bond 2/Filtek Z350 Flow. To evaluate the nanoleakage patterns, IPS Empress Esthetic disks (5 mm Ø and 1.2‐mm thick) were bonded to enamel, and, after 24 h, the specimens were immersed in a 50% (w/v) solution of silver nitrate (24 h), fixed, dehydrated, and processed scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: None nanoleakage on interface of the groups that Single Bond 2 followed by the flowable composite were used. The highest percentage of nanoleakage was shown by the Excite/Variolink II protocol. Also, in all conditions tested, none silver nitrate uptake was observed between the leucite‐reinforced ceramic and the resin luting cement. Conclusions: The use of a two‐step etch‐and‐rinse adhesive with flowable composite was able to promote an adequate seal of the bond interface at the enamel. Moreover, the conventional dual‐cured resin cements associated with simplified and dual‐cured adhesives tested are also indicated to bond thin ceramics to enamel, since all presented low silver nitrate uptake. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Split‐face randomized treatment of facial telangiectasia comparing pulsed dye laser and an intense pulsed light handpiece
Authors: Tanghetti Emil A. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveFacial telangiectasia and other vascular lesions have historically been effectively treated with the pulsed dye laser (PDL). This study compares the safety and efficacy of the PDL to an intense pulsed‐light (IPL) handpiece with dual‐band spectral absorption, shorter pulse widths, and constant output power.Study Design/Materials and MethodsSixteen subjects were enrolled with facial telangiectasia in this single‐site study. Subjects were randomized to receive up to two split‐face treatments 1 month apart with PDL on one side and IPL on the other. PDL treatments were performed at 595 nm with either a 10 or 7 mm spot at a fluence range of 8.1–14.5 J/cm2, and either 10 or 40 mseconds pulse width. Zimmer air cooling (setting of 4) and ultrasound gel were used for patient comfort. IPL treatments were performed with a spectral range of 500–670 and 870–1,200 nm, a 10 mm × 15 mm spot, fluence range of 34–70 J/cm2, either a 10 or 100 mseconds pulse width, and 5°C contact cooling. Safety assessments were conducted by the study investigator immediately, 48–96 hours and 1–2 months post‐treatment. Independent, blinded‐review assessments were conducted 3 months post‐treatment. Efficacy was evaluated using a seven‐point Telangiectasia Grading Scale (TGS: −1 to 5). Subject self‐assessment data were also collected.ResultsThe difference in incidence rate and severity of adverse side effects between the two devices were not statistically significant (P ≥ 0.39, Fisher's exact test) at any of the three evaluation periods. Per blinded‐review assessment, the mean TGS score for both devices was 3.3 (IPL 95% CI: 2.8–3.7; PDL 95% CI: 2.9–3.8). The difference in blinded‐ratings for the two devices were not statistically significant (P = 0.82, ANOVA for repeated measures).ConclusionThe IPL studied here successfully treated facial telangiectasia, resulting in equivalent safety and efficacy outcomes as compared to the PDL. Lasers Surg. Med. 44:97–102, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simultaneous estimation of T2 and apparent diffusion coefficient in human articular cartilage in vivo with a modified three‐dimensional double echo steady state (DESS) sequence at 3 T
Authors: Staroswiecki Ernesto , Granlund Kristin L. , Alley Marcus T. , Gold Garry E. , Hargreaves Brian A. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractT2 mapping and diffusion‐weighted imaging complement morphological imaging for assessing cartilage disease and injury. The double echo steady state sequence has been used for morphological imaging and generates two echoes with markedly different T2 and diffusion weighting. Modifying the spoiler gradient area and flip angle of the double echo steady state sequence allows greater control of the diffusion weighting of both echoes. Data from two acquisitions with different spoiler gradient areas and flip angles are used to simultaneously estimate the T2 and apparent diffusion coefficient of each voxel. This method is verified in phantoms and validated in vivo in the knee; estimates from different regions of interest in the phantoms and cartilage are compared to those obtained using standard spin‐echo methods. The Pearson correlations were 0.984 for T2 (∼2% relative difference between spin‐echo and double echo steady state estimates) and 0.997 for apparent diffusion coefficient (˜1% relative difference between spin‐echo and double echo steady state estimates) for the phantom study and 0.989 for T2 and 0.987 for apparent diffusion coefficient in regions of interest in the human knee in vivo. High accuracy for simultaneous three‐dimensional T2 and apparent diffusion coefficient measurements are demonstrated, while also providing morphologic three‐dimensional images without blurring or distortion in reasonable scan times. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.