bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Electroluminescent Properties of Disubstituted Polyacetylene Derivatives Containing Multi‐Fluorophenyl and Cyclohexylphenyl Side Groups
Authors: Yang Sheng‐Hsiung , Huang Chun‐Hao , Chen Chiu‐Hsiang , Hsu Chain‐Shu 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA new series of disubstituted polyacetylene derivatives that contain multi‐fluorine atoms on the pendent phenyl ring have been synthesized and characterized. The results reveal a greater red‐shift in UV‐vis absorption and PL emission upon incorporating more fluorine atoms on the pendent phenyl ring. Among them, disubstituted polyacetylene with a difluorophenyl group (PDPA‐2F) showed the highest luminescent efficiency. The device performance can be promoted by blending a hole‐transporting material TM‐TPD into PDPA‐2F as the active layer or by using a light‐emitting copolymer in which PDPA‐2F was copolymerized with a carbazole group (PDPA‐2Fcab). A light‐emitting diode of ITO/PEDOT/PDPA‐2Fcab/Ca/Al revealed a maximum luminescence of 4230 cd · m−2 at 14 V and a maximum current efficiency of 3.37 cd · A−1 at 7 V.magnified image
Global gene expression analysis of bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer blastocysts and cotyledons
Authors: Aston K.I. , Li G.P. , Hicks B.A. , Sessions B.R. , Davis A.P. , Winger Q.A. , Rickords L.F. , Stevens J.R. , White K.L. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractLow developmental competence of bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos is a universal problem. Abnormal placentation has been commonly reported in SCNT pregnancies from a number of species. The present study employed Affymetrix bovine expression microarrays to examine global gene expression patterns of SCNT and in vivo produced (AI) blastocysts as well as cotyledons from day‐70 SCNT and AI pregnancies. SCNT and AI embryos and cotyledons were analyzed for differential expression. Also in an attempt to establish a link between abnormal gene expression patterns in early embryos and cotyledons, differentially expressed genes were compared between the two studies. Microarray analysis yielded a list of 28 genes differentially expressed between SCNT and AI blastocysts and 19 differentially expressed cotyledon genes. None of the differentially expressed genes were common to both groups, although major histocompatibility complex I (MHCI) was significant in the embryo data and approached significance in the cotyledon data. This is the first study to report global gene expression patterns in bovine AI and SCNT cotyledons. The embryonic gene expression data reported here adds to a growing body of data that indicates the common occurrence of aberrant gene expression in early SCNT embryos. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 471–482, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
BH4 peptide derived from Bcl‐xL and Bax‐inhibitor peptide suppresses apoptotic mitochondrial changes in heat stressed bovine oocytes
Authors: Soto Paolete , Smith Lawrence C. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractMitochondria play an important role in the integration and transmission of cell death signals mediated by the Bcl‐2 family proteins. Experiments were conducted to determine whether the anti‐apoptotic peptides BH4 domain of Bcl‐xL (TAT‐BH4) and Bax inhibitor peptide (BIP) suppresses heat stress (HS) injury in oocytes by reduction of apoptotic‐like events. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured at 39°C (control) or 41°C (HS) for 21 hr then placed in maturation medium containing 0 or 100 µM BIP in water and 0 or 1 µM TAT‐BH4 in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), or a combination of both peptides (BIP + BH4). Peptide effects on embryo development, DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number were measured. All groups were fertilized and cultured in vitro at 39°C for 8 days. Compared to control, HS‐treated oocytes induced a decrease in embryo development (P < 0.05), increase in proportion of TUNEL‐positive chromatin in oocytes and blastocysts (P < 0.05), and loss of oocyte ΔΨm (P < 0.001). In the presence of BIP or BIP + BH4, development of HS‐treated oocytes into blastocysts was increased (P < 0.05). Conversely, COCs matured with TAT‐BH4 at 41°C showed reduced embryonic development (P < 0.05). Exposure of HS‐treated to each or both peptides resulted in a reduction of TUNEL frequency in oocytes and blastocysts cells derived from these oocytes (P < 0.05). The loss of ΔΨm in HS‐treated oocytes was not restored by exposure to BIP + BH4 and there was no effect in mtDNA copy number. In conclusion, the present results show that HS‐induced apoptosis in bovine oocytes involves Bax and BH4 domain‐dependent pathways. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 637–646, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preparation of chitosan–polyethylene glycol coated cotton membranes for wound dressings: preparation and characterization
Authors: Gupta Bhuvanesh , Arora Abha , Saxena Shalini , Alam Mohammad Sarwar 
Published: December 2008

AbstractCotton fabric was coated with chitosan (CS) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) followed by freeze‐drying. The influence of PEG on the physical characteristics and the surface morphology was investigated. The scanning electron microscopy of the coated fabric revealed a porous structure. The porosity of the material was 54–70% and the pore size was in the range of 75–120µm. The increase in the PEG content in the blend composition led to an enhanced destabilization of pores, leading to an increase in the pore size with elongated morphology. There seems to be phase separation between the two components which is an important factor for the observed behavior of the porous structure. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that the CS and PEG have limited interaction. DSC suggested that addition of PEG to CS does not interfere with the crystallization behavior due to limited interaction with CS. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the membranes are thermally stable and PEG enhances the thermal stability of the CS coated membranes. The air and water permeability of the membranes tended to decrease with the increase in the PEG content. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of chemotherapy on neurocognitive function in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A critical review of the literature
Authors: Buizer Annemieke I. , de Sonneville Leo M.J. , Veerman Anjo J.P. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractChemotherapy‐only treatment has increasingly become the standard of treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The objective of this review is to assess the present state of knowledge of the neurocognitive effects of central nervous system (CNS)‐directed chemotherapy in children with ALL, and to formulate directions for future research. We performed a review of studies published since 1997, that included an ALL group treated with chemotherapy only and a control group. Twenty‐one studies met our inclusion criteria. There is evidence of subtle long‐term neurocognitive deficits survivors of childhood ALL after treatment with chemotherapy only. These involve mainly processes of attention and of executive functioning, while global intellectual function is relatively preserved. Young age at diagnosis and female sex emerged as risk factors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:447–454. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rituximab for successful management of probable pediatric catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Nageswara Rao Amulya A. , Arteaga Grace M. , Reed Ann M. , Gloor James M. , Rodriguez Vilmarie 
Published: December 2008

AbstractCatastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is a life‐threatening condition characterized by small‐vessel thrombi and a rapid onset of multiorgan system failure associated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Current treatment options include anticoagulants, corticosteroids, plasma exchange, and intravenous immunoglobulin, but these are not always effective. Rituximab, a chimeric anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody, may help eliminate autoreactive B cells and thus limit the rapid inflammatory process involved in CAPS. We describe the use of rituximab in the successful initial management of a probable case of pediatric CAPS. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:536–538. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Congenital Rosai–Dorfman disease presenting with anemia, thrombocytopenia, and hepatomegaly
Authors: Chow C.P. , Ho H.K. , Chan G.C.F. , Cheung A.N. , Ha S.Y. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractRosai–Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare entity of non‐Langerhans cell histiocytoses (non‐LCH) which usually presents with bilateral painless cervical lymphadenopathy. We describe a neonate with RDD who presented with anemia, thrombocytopenia and hepatomegaly. He recovered spontaneously with conservative management. This represents an atypical presentation of RDD. Conservative management with close monitoring can be adopted for some with systemic involvement. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:415–417. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Etanercept as a salvage treatment for refractory aplastic anemia
Authors: Dufour Carlo , Giacchino Raffaella , Ghezzi Pietro , Tonelli Rossella , Ferretti Elisa , Pitto A. , Pistoia Vito , Lanza Tiziana , Svahn Johanna 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAbout 10–15% of patients with acquired aplastic anemia (AAA) have resistant/recurrent disease not eligible for standard treatment like hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and/or combined immunosuppression. We report a 17‐year‐old male with an 11 years history of AAA who, after two courses of immunosuppression, was red cell transfusion‐dependent, severely thrombocytopenic, refractory to platelet transfusion, had iron overload and post‐transfusion HCV infection. This patient achieved transfusion independence from platelets and normalized Hb after treatment with the anti‐TNF agent Etanercept. Over a 12 months follow‐up he experienced only transient increase of liver transaminases. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:522–525. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunohistochemical and proteomic profile of melanotic medulloblastoma
Authors: Zanini Cristina , Mandili Giorgia , Pulerà Francesco , Morra Isabella , Peretta Paola , Turrini Franco , Forni Marco 
Published: December 2008

AbstractWe present the case of a 6‐year‐old male affected by an infratentorial tumor. Histological diagnosis was melanotic medulloblastoma. Immunohistochemistry showed in the melanin rich areas positive cells for HMB45. We performed a proteomic study to compare protein profiles in melanotic versus non‐melanotic areas. Protein profiles of different areas of the tumor displayed similarity, with the exception of seven proteins. In accordance with the hypothesis that melanotic medulloblastomas produce oculo‐cutaneous melanin, proteomic analysis showed melanocytic‐associated antigens and epidermal autoantigen 450K in the pigmented nodule; both these proteins have a significant role as markers of melanotic elements. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:875–877. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Subjective interpretation of inconclusive BRCA1/2 cancer genetic test results and transmission of information to the relatives
Authors: Cypowyj C. , Eisinger F. , Huiart L. , Sobol H. , Morin M. , Julian‐Reynier C. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjective: BRCA1/2 gene mutations are not frequently identified in breast or ovarian cancer patients who are the first members of their family to be tested. Little is known about how probands interpret and cope with these results, which are generally referred to as ‘inconclusive’. The aim of this study was to describe subjective understanding by women with cancer in response to an inconclusive BRCA1/2 test, describing the difficulties or non‐difficulties they encountered about the transmission of information to their family.Methods: A cohort of 30 women with breast/ovarian cancer were followed for a period of up to 2 years after delivery of their inconclusive genetic test results. Self‐administered questionnaires with closed and open questions were distributed. A qualitative analysis of open‐ended questions is presented here.Results: These women's reactions to inconclusive results were of three kinds. The majority (n=14) were still uncertain about their carrier status, which is an adequate medical interpretation of the results, while others (n=9) took their inconclusive results to mean that they were definitely not carriers, and the women in the last group (n=7) were convinced that they were actually carriers. There was some overlap between these perceptions and actual genetic risk.Conclusions: The transmission of information to the family was found to differ qualitatively across the three groups and more difficulties in this respect were expressed by those who were uncertain about their carrier status. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spirituality and quality of life in low‐income men with metastatic prostate cancer
Authors: Zavala Mary Wassel , Maliski Sally L. , Kwan Lorna , Fink Arlene , Litwin Mark S. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjective: To determine how spirituality is associated with health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in an ethnically diverse cohort of low‐income men with metastatic prostate cancer.Methods: Eighty‐six participants in a state‐funded program that provides free prostate cancer treatment to uninsured, low‐income men completed written surveys and telephone interviews containing validated measures of spirituality, and general and disease‐specific HRQOL. Assessments were made following diagnosis of metastatic disease. We used multivariate analyses to assess the effect of spirituality and its two subscales, faith and meaning/peace, on HRQOL.Results: African American and Latino men, and men with less than a high‐school education had the highest spirituality scores. Spirituality was significantly associated with general and disease‐specific HRQOL. We also found a significant interaction between faith and meaning/peace in the physical and pain domains.Conclusion: Greater spirituality was associated with better HRQOL and psychosocial function. Meaning/peace closely tracks with HRQOL. Higher faith scores, in the absence of high meaning/peace scores, are negatively associated with HRQOL. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of a psycho‐educational group intervention for children treated for cancer: a descriptive pilot study
Authors: Maurice‐Stam Heleen , Silberbusch Lobke M. , Last Bob F. , Grootenhuis Martha A. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjective: The present paper reports about the content and evaluation of a psycho‐educational group intervention for children growing up with a history of cancer, Op Koers Oncologie (OK Onco). OK Onco is aimed at empowerment of survivors of childhood cancer by teaching disease‐related skills. The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate whether OK Onco was appropriate for use among paediatric survivors of childhood cancer.Methods: Eleven participating children and their parents completed questionnaires about the disease‐related skills that were taught in the intervention, before the intervention and 0–4 weeks after the intervention. In addition, parents were interviewed in focus groups.Results: Positive outcomes were found on most items concerning disease‐related skills. Remarkable improvements were found with respect to the intervention goals ‘social competence’ and ‘positive thinking’. The parents reported that sharing emotions and experiences with other survivors of childhood cancer was an important element of the OK Onco program, which underscores the benefit of a disease‐specific program for cancer survivors.Conclusions: In conclusion, the results of the pilot study indicate that OK Onco is appropriate for paediatric survivors of childhood cancer. Implementation of the intervention is the next challenge. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Romantic relationships of emerging adult survivors of childhood cancer
Authors: Thompson Amanda L. , Marsland Anna L. , Marshal Michael P. , Tersak Jean M. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjective: To assess whether childhood cancer survivors experience difficulties in their romantic relationships during emerging adulthood (18–25 years) and to identify who may be at risk for long‐term social sequelae.Methods: Emerging adult survivors of childhood cancer (n=60) and controls without a history of chronic illness (n=60) completed an online assessment of their romantic relationships, including perceived relationship satisfaction. Severity of initial treatment was rated by healthcare providers for participants with cancer.Results: Although survivors of childhood cancer do not differ from demographically similar controls in satisfaction with, conflict in, and duration of romantic relationships, they reported fewer romantic relationships and greater distress at relationship end. Within the survivor group, higher trait anxiety, older age at diagnosis, and more severe treatment intensity increased risk for relationship difficulties, including lower relationship satisfaction and more distress at break‐up.Conclusions: Findings appear to support the overall social resilience of survivors of childhood cancer. Certain subsets of survivors, however, may be at greater risk for difficulties in their close relationships as adults and therefore may be appropriate targets for intervention. Healthcare providers should routinely assess developmentally salient issues like love/romance that are important markers of identity development and ultimately impact long‐term quality of life for survivors. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gender differences in facial expression recognition in survivors of pediatric brain tumors
Authors: Willard Victoria W. , Hardy Kristina K. , Bonner Melanie J. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjective: To examine the relation between gender, history of cranial radiation therapy (CRT) and facial expression recognition (FER) skill in survivors of pediatric brain tumors.Methods: Fifty‐three survivors (27 females) completed a measure of FER and an intelligence test.Results: There was a significant interaction between gender and CRT on ability to interpret low‐intensity facial expressions, such that females who had not had CRT made fewer errors than either females who had CRT or males.Conclusion: A history of CRT has a notable effect on FER skill in females: girls who received CRT performed significantly more poorly than girls who did not. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability of neck circumference measurements in children
Authors: LaBerge Robert C. , Vaccani Jean Philippe , Gow Robert M. , Gaboury Isabelle , Hoey Lynda , Katz Sherri L. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractRationaleIncreased neck circumference is a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea in adults. With rising obesity prevalence in children, it may be an important identifier of obstructive sleep apnea in children. The reliability of measuring neck circumference in children has not been systematically evaluated.ObjectiveTo determine the inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability of neck circumference measurements in children aged 2–16 years.MethodsChildren aged 2–16 years with limb fractures were recruited. Neck circumference was measured by three investigators each using two separate unmarked paper tapes in the 2–5 year age group (N = 43), and three separate tapes in the 6–10 and 11–16 year age groups (N = 18 and 40).ResultsNeck circumference measurements showed excellent inter‐rater reliability for children 6–10 and 11–16 years (ICC = 0.952 and 0.989). Substantial variation was observed for the 2–5 year age group (ICC = 0.701). Good intra‐rater reliability was demonstrated for the three groups (ICC range: 0.776, 0.950). Repeatability coefficients were 2.5–3.4 cm in the youngest age group and were 1.2–1.4 cm in the 6–16 year age group.ConclusionIn children 6–16 years old, neck circumference shows very good inter and good intra‐rater reliability. Multiple measurements are not required for precision and reliability. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:64–69. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Physicochemical compatibility of mixtures of dornase alfa and tobramycin containing nebulizer solutions
Authors: Krämer Irene , Schwabe Astrid , Lichtinghagen Ralf , Kamin Wolfgang 
Published: December 2008

AbstractPatients suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF) often need to inhale multiple doses of different nebulizable drugs per day. Patients attempt to shorten the time consuming administration procedure by mixing drug solutions/suspensions for simultaneous inhalation. The objective of this experimental study was to determine whether mixtures of the nebulizer solution dornase alfa (Pulmozyme®) with tobramycin nebulizer solutions (TOBI® and GERNEBCIN® 80 mg) are physico‐chemically compatible. Drug combinations were prepared by mixing the content of one respule Pulmozyme® with either one respule TOBI® or one ampoule GERNEBCIN® 80 mg. Test solutions were stored at room temperature and exposed to light. Dornase alfa activity and tobramycin concentrations were determined by using a kinetic colorimetric DNase activity assay and a fluorescence immunoassay, respectively. Physical compatibility was determined by visual inspection and measurements of pH and osmolality. Tobramycin concentration was not affected by mixing the drug products. In spite of the high variability of the dornase alfa potency assay, it is obvious that activity is especially affected by sodium metabisulfite, used as excipient in GERNEBCIN®. Patients should be advised, not to mix Pulmozyme® with GERNEBCIN® because of the incompatibility reaction. Further analytical studies are needed in order to determine the integrity and activity of dornase alfa in mixtures of Pulmozyme® with TOBI®. Finally clinical studies are necessary in order to demonstrate equivalent efficacy and safety of simultaneous inhalation in comparison to consecutive inhalation of both drugs. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:134–141. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A comparison of multivariate statistical analysis protocols for ToF‐SIMS spectral images
Authors: Smentkowski V. S. , Ostrowski S. G. , Keenan M. R. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractTime‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) instruments produce raw data sets with a tremendous quantity of data. Multivariate statistical analysis (MVA) tools are being used to reduce the massive amount of chemical information into a smaller set of components that are easier to interpret and understand as a result of species association. Standard principal component analysis (PCA) is the most heavily used MVA algorithm in the ToF‐SIMS community, and is frequently computed using the singular value decomposition (SVD). Other algorithms such as multivariate curve resolution (MCR) have also gained popularity over the past few years. In this work, we compare the as‐measured ToF‐SIMS spectrum and ion images with four MVA data analysis protocols: standard PCA, image‐rotated SVD, spectra‐rotated SVD, and a PCA‐based MCR procedure. Image‐rotated SVD and spectra‐rotated SVD are closely connected to PCA and involve abstract rotations of the singular vectors that naturally arise during computation of the principal components via SVD. These rotations are designed to enhance either spatial contrast or spectral contrast in the components, respectively. We will show that the four MVA protocols provide essentially the same information, but accentuate different aspects of the sample's composition and lateral distribution, and that taken together these methods provide a more complete understanding of the sample. We will demonstrate that the component spectra estimated by MVA protocols assist the analyst in discovering minor constituents and understanding species correlation that would have been difficult, if not impossible, using univariate analysis protocols. For the data set described here, MVA tools identified unexpected species, which were not obvious in the as‐measured data. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.