bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Randomized Comparison of Cooked and Noncooked Diets in Patients Undergoing Remission Induction Therapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Gardner Alison , Mattiuzzi Gloria , Faderl Stefan , Borthakur Gautam , Garcia-Manero Guillermo , Pierce Sherry , Brandt Mark , Estey Elihu 
Published: October 2008

Purpose A neutropenic diet is often used to prevent infection in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although such a diet potentially entails inconvenience, its value is uncertain. Patients and Methods One hundred fifty-three patients admitted to a high-efficiency particulate air–filtered room (protected environment [PE]) to receive induction therapy for newly diagnosed AML were randomly assigned to a diet containing no raw fruits or vegetables (cooked diet) or to a diet containing fresh fruit and fresh vegetables (raw diet). Stratification was based on the patients’ early risk of mortality (ERM) score. All patients received antibacterial and antifungal prophylaxis and remained on study until they were discharged from the PE. The outcomes of principal interest were major infection (pneumonia, bacteremia, or fungemia) and death; if the true probability of either event was 20% on the cooked arm and 40% on the raw arm, then the probability that the cooked arm would be selected as superior was 83%. Results Seventy-eight patients were randomly assigned to the cooked arm, and 75 were assigned to the raw arm. The two groups were similar with respect to age, ERM, chemotherapy received, and days at risk. Twenty-nine percent of patients in the cooked group and 35% of patients in the raw group developed a major infection (P = .60). Time to major infection and survival time were similar in the two groups. Fever of unknown origin occurred in 51% of the cooked group and 36% of the raw group. Conclusion In patients treated in a PE, a neutropenic diet did not prevent major infection or death.
Correlation of Kinase Genotype and Clinical Outcome in the North American Intergroup Phase III Trial of Imatinib Mesylate for Treatment of Advanced Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: CALGB 150105 Study by Cancer and Leukemia Group B and Southwest Oncology Group
Authors: Heinrich Michael C. , Owzar Kouros , Corless Christopher L. , Hollis Donna , Borden Ernest C. , Fletcher Christopher D.M. , Ryan Christopher W. , von Mehren Margaret , Blanke Charles D. , Rankin Cathryn , Benjamin Robert S. , Bramwell Vivien H. , Demetri George D. , Bertagnolli Monica M. , Fletcher Jonathan A. 
Published: October 2008

Purpose Imatinib mesylate is standard treatment for patients who have advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), but not all patients benefit equally. In previous studies, GIST genotype correlated with treatment outcome and optimal imatinib dosing. Patients and Methods We examined the relationship between kinase genotype and treatment outcome for 428 patients enrolled on the North American phase III study SWOG S0033/CALGB 150105 and treated with either 400 mg or 800 mg daily doses of imatinib. Results The presence of KIT exon 11–mutant genotype (n = 283) correlated with improved treatment outcome when compared with KIT exon 9–mutant (n = 32) and wild-type (WT; n = 67) genotypes for objective response (complete response [CR]/partial response [PR], 71.7% v 44.4% [P = .007]; and 44.6% [P = .0002], respectively); time to tumor progression (TTP; median 24.7 months v 16.7 and 12.8 months, respectively); and overall survival (OS; median 60.0 months v 38.4 and 49.0 months, respectively). The survival outcomes for patients with exon 9–mutant, exon 11–mutant or WT GIST were not affected by imatinib dose. However, there was evidence of improved response rates for patients with exon 9–mutant tumors treated with imatinib 800 mg versus 400 mg (CR/PR, 67% v 17%; P = .02). Patients who had CD117-negative GIST had similar TTP but inferior OS compared with patients who had CD117-positive disease, which suggests that patients who have CD117-negative GIST may benefit from imatinib treatment. In addition, we identified novel but rare mutations of the KIT extracellular domain (exons 8 and 9). Conclusion We confirmed the favorable impact of KIT exon 11 genotype when compared with KIT exon 9 and wild-type genotype for patients with advanced GIST who are treated with imatinib.
Prevalence of Secondary Causes of Bone Loss Among Breast Cancer Patients With Osteopenia and Osteoporosis
Authors: Camacho Pauline M. , Dayal Amit S. , Diaz Josefina L. , Nabhan Fadi A. , Agarwal Monica , Norton John G. , Robinson Patricia A. , Albain Kathy S. 
Published: October 2008

Purpose To determine the prevalence of secondary causes of bone loss among patients with breast cancer with osteopenia and osteoporosis. Patients and Methods All women referred to a bone health clinic over a 6-year period for bone evaluation were included in this retrospective study and stratified based on presence or absence of a breast cancer history. The prevalence of secondary causes of bone loss in the two groups was compared. Results Of the 238 women identified, 64 women had breast cancer. The non–breast cancer group (n = 174) was significantly older (P = .015), had a lower mean weight (P = .019), lower 25 hydroxy-vitamin D level (P = .019), and greater degree of bone loss in both the spine and hip (P < .001 and 0.004, respectively). The presence of at least one secondary cause of bone loss, excluding cancer-related therapies, was seen in 78% of the breast cancer patient group and in 77% of the non–breast cancer group (P = not significant). Newly diagnosed metabolic bone disorders were seen in 58% of the breast cancer population. The most common was vitamin D deficiency, seen in 38% of patients in the breast cancer group and 51% of patients in the non–breast cancer group. Idiopathic hypercalciuria was diagnosed in 15.6%, primary hyperparathyroidism in 1.6%, and normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism in 3.1% of the breast cancer population. Conclusion A high prevalence of secondary causes of bone loss among patients with breast cancer supports a comprehensive evaluation in these patients, particularly those considering therapy with an aromatase inhibitor.
Chemotherapy Use for Hormone Receptor–Positive, Lymph Node–Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Hassett Michael J. , Hughes Melissa E. , Niland Joyce C. , Edge Stephen B. , Theriault Richard L. , Wong Yu-Ning , Wilson John , Carter W. Bradford , Blayney Douglas W. , Weeks Jane C. 
Published: October 2008

Purpose To describe the frequency of chemotherapy use for hormone receptor (HR)–positive, lymph node (LN)–negative breast cancer from 1997 to 2004 at eight National Comprehensive Cancer Network institutions, to explore whether chemotherapy use varied over time and between institutions, and to identify factors associated with the decision to forego chemotherapy. Patients and Methods Among women younger than age 70 years with HR-positive, LN-negative breast cancer measuring more than 1 cm, we analyzed the frequency of chemotherapy use on a yearly basis. A multivariable logistic regression model assessed the relationship between receipt of chemotherapy and year of diagnosis, institution, tumor features, and patient characteristics. Interaction terms were added to the model, and stratified analyses were conducted to further explore the determinants of chemotherapy use. Results Fifty-five percent of 3,190 women received chemotherapy. Chemotherapy use was less common for patients with 1.1- to 2-cm tumors than for patients tumors greater 2 cm (47% v 87%, respectively; P < .01) and for women age 60 to 69 years versus women younger than age 50 years (24% v 76%, respectively; P < .01). On multivariable analysis, predictors independently associated with receiving chemotherapy included larger tumor size, higher grade, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 overexpression, younger age, and institution (P < .01 for all). Institutions exhibited dramatically different rates of chemotherapy use (from 46% to 65%) and patterns of change in chemotherapy use over time (from a 79% relative increase to a 22% relative decrease). Conclusion Although institutions seemed to agree that not all women with HR-positive, LN-negative breast cancer need chemotherapy, there did not seem to be consensus regarding which women should get chemotherapy. Only prospective randomized controlled trials will conclusively establish which subtypes of HR-positive, LN-negative breast cancer benefit from chemotherapy.
Phase I Study of ON 01910.Na, a Novel Modulator of the Polo-Like Kinase 1 Pathway, in Adult Patients With Solid Tumors
Authors: Jimeno Antonio , Li Jing , Messersmith Wells A. , Laheru Daniel , Rudek Michelle A. , Maniar Manoj , Hidalgo Manuel , Baker Sharyn D. , Donehower Ross C. 
Published: October 2008

Purpose We conducted a first-in-man (to our knowledge) phase I study to determine the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), characterize the pharmacokinetic profile, and document any antitumor activity of ON 01910.Na, a new chemical entity that arrests cancer cells in G2/M by modulating mitotic regulatory pathways including polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1). Patients and Methods Patients had solid tumors refractory to standard therapy. ON 01910.Na was administered as a 2-hour infusion on days 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, and 18 in 28-day cycles. The starting dose was 80 mg, and an accelerated titration schedule (single-patient cohorts) was used for escalation. Pharmacokinetics were studied on days 1 and 15 of cycle 1. Results Twenty patients (11 women and nine men; age 46 to 73 years) were enrolled onto the study. Dose levels of 80, 160, 320, 480, 800, 1,280, 2,080, and 3,120 mg were evaluated in single-patient cohorts. A DLT and additional grade 2 toxicities made the 4,370-mg dose (n = 6) not tolerable, and the next lower dose cohort (3,120 mg) was expanded to six assessable patients. Toxicities were skeletal, abdominal, and tumor pain; nausea; urge to defecate; and fatigue. Hematologic toxicity was infrequent and mild. ON 01910.Na pharmacokinetics were characterized by a rapid distribution phase (distribution half-life, 1 hour) and a relatively slow elimination phase (elimination half-life, 27 hours). A refractory ovarian cancer patient had an objective response after four cycles and remained progression free for 24 months. Conclusion ON 01910.Na showed a distinct but moderate toxicity pattern. The recommended phase II dose of ON 01910.Na with this schedule of administration is 3,120 mg. Single-agent activity was documented in an ovarian cancer patient.
Phase I/II Trial of Erlotinib and Temozolomide With Radiation Therapy in the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Multiforme: North Central Cancer Treatment Group Study N0177
Authors: Brown Paul D. , Krishnan Sunil , Sarkaria Jann N. , Wu Wenting , Jaeckle Kurt A. , Uhm Joon H. , Geoffroy Francois J. , Arusell Robert , Kitange Gaspar , Jenkins Robert B. , Kugler John W. , Morton Roscoe F. , Rowland Kendrith M. , Mischel Paul , Yong William H. , Scheithauer Bernd W. , Schiff David , Giannini Caterina , Buckner Jan C. 
Published: October 2008

Purpose Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) amplification in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a common occurrence and is associated with treatment resistance. Erlotinib, a selective EGFR inhibitor, was combined with temozolomide (TMZ) and radiotherapy (RT) in a phase I/II trial. Patients and Methods Adults not taking enzyme-inducing anticonvulsants after resection or biopsy of GBM were treated with erlotinib (150 mg daily) until progression. Erlotinib was delivered alone for 1 week, then concurrently with TMZ (75 mg mg/m2 daily) and RT (60 Gy), and finally, concurrently with up to six cycles of adjuvant TMZ (200 mg/m2 daily for 5 days every 28 days). The primary end point was survival at 1 year. Results Ninety-seven eligible patients were accrued with a median follow-up time of 22.2 months. By definition, the primary end point was successfully met with a median survival time of 15.3 months. However, there was no sign of benefit in overall survival when comparing N0177 with the RT/TMZ arm of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer/National Cancer Institute of Canada trial 26981/22981 (recursive partitioning analysis [RPA] class III, 19 v 21 months; RPA class IV, 16 v 16 months; RPA class V, 8 v 10 months, respectively). Presence of diarrhea, rash, and EGFRvIII, p53, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), combination EGFR and PTEN, and EGFR amplification status were not predictive (P > .05) of survival. Conclusion Although the primary end point was successfully met using nitrosourea-based (pre-TMZ) chemotherapy era historic controls, there was no sign of benefit compared with TMZ era controls. Analyses of molecular subsets did not reveal cohorts of patients sensitive to erlotinib. TMZ chemotherapy combined with RT resulted in improved outcomes compared with historical controls who received nitrosourea-based chemotherapies.
Lights and shades in the managerialization of the Italian National Health Service
Authors: Lega Federico 
Published: October 2008

After fifteen years from the first of a series of reforms that introduced managerial paradigms and techniques into the Italian National Health System (INHS), it is possible to provide a critical assessment of the outcomes of such changes. The aim of this paper is to assess how these reforms have changed the INHS, to what extent they concurred to improve the system, where they failed and which issues are still in agenda. To do so we run through the recent history of the INHS and propose an interpretative framework to understand the grounds for its light and shade results. The basis for the analysis is triple. The study draws from researches, literature review, action-researches and field investigations conducted over the last 10 years in the INHS.
Household characteristics associated with home water treatment: an analysis of the Egyptian Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Wright Jim , Gundry Stephen W. 
Published: October 2008

Objectives: The objective of this study is to understand the characteristics of households who treat their water in the home. In promoting home water treatment, there may be valuable lessons to be learnt from countries with many home water treatment users.
Methods: Responses to the new Demographic and Health Survey question on water treatment were analysed for 21,972 Egyptian households interviewed during 2005. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between home water treatment and household characteristics.
Results: 5.9% (CI 5.2–6.7%) of households used home water treatment, mostly either home filtration or letting water stand to settle. Filtration use was significantly related to educational attainment and wealth, whilst letting water stand to settle was related to use of stoneware water vessels, groundwater sources, and water supply disruptions.
Discussion: The Egyptian data suggest that 4.5 million people use home water treatment and confirm some water handling behaviours reported elsewhere. Because of limited detail in the DHS data about the technologies used and their effectiveness, it is unclear whether this behaviour reduces waterborne disease. Further research should consider how such data can be augmented with additional information to address this question.
A Representation Index: Measuring the Representation of Minorities in the Income Distribution
Authors: Pendakur Krishna , Pendakur Ravi , Woodcock Simon D. 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
The existence of glass ceilings and sticky floors suggests that disadvantaged workers will be under-represented in some parts of the income distribution, and over-represented in others. We present a representation index that measures the prevalence of population subgroups in different regions of the income (or any other) distribution. Our representation index is easily generalized to condition on characteristics (such as age, education, etc). Further, it generalizes naturally to an index of the severity (or cost) of under-representation to group members, which is based on dollar-weighted representation. Both representation and severity indices are easily calculated via existing regression techniques. We illustrate the approach using Canadian Census data on the earnings of ethnic minorities.
Caligus tenuifurcatus Wilson, 1937 (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida), a parasite of centropomid and lutjanid teleosts from a coastal system of the Mexican Pacific
Authors: Suárez-Morales Eduardo , Ho Ju-shey , Santana-Piñeros Ana 
Published: October 2008

AbstractSpecimens of the parasitic siphonostomatoid copepod Caligus tenuifurcatus Wilson, 1937 were collected from the oral cavity of the yellowfin snook, Centropomus robalito Jordan et Gilbert; the white snook, C. viridis Lockington (Perciformes, Centropomidae), and the yellow snapper, Lutjanus argentiventris (Peters) (Perciformes, Lutjanidae), from a Pacific coastal system of Mexico. Infection was most intense on C. viridis. Caligus tenuifurcatus can be distinguished from its closest congener, C. bonito Wilson, by the body proportions and the basal ornamentation of the medial setae of the second exopodal segment of leg 1. Taxonomic illustrations are provided of both female and male. This is the third record of C. tenuifurcatus; hitherto, it was known only as a parasite of the roosterfish Nematistius pectoralis Gill (Perciformes, Nematistiidae) from Panama and the Gulf of California. Hence, the finding of C. tenuifurcatus as a parasite of two species of centropomids and one species of lutjanid represents a significant expansion of the known host range of this copepod in the eastern tropical Pacific.
Myxobolus species infecting the cartilaginous rays of the gill filaments in cyprinid fishes
Authors: Molnár Kálmán , Cech Gábor , Székely Csaba 
Published: October 2008

AbstractDuring a survey on myxosporean parasites of cyprinid fishes in Hungary, Myxobolus infections were found in the cartilaginous rays of the gill filaments in roach (Rutilus rutilus) and bleak (Alburnus alburnus). Myxobolus spp. causing the infections were studied by morphological, histological and molecular methods. Small plasmodia surrounded by chondrocytes contained relatively few spores which differed from each other and from the known Myxobolus spp. both in their morphology and 18S rDNA sequences. Both species, described as M. feisti sp. nov. and M. susanlimae sp. nov., are characterised by a specific cartilaginous histotropism.
Redescription of Bacciger microacetabularis (Martorelli et Suriano, 1983) nov. comb. parasitizing Paralichthys orbignyanus (Pisces, Paralichthyidae) from Argentina
Authors: Alarcos Ana , Etchegoin Jorge , Cremonte Florencia 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIn this paper Steringotrema microacetabularis (Suriano et Martorelli, 1983) is redescribed and transferred to Bacciger Nicoll, 1924 in the Faustulidae Poche, 1926 based on newly collected material from the type-host, Paralichthys orbignyanus Valenciennes, 1839 and the type-locality, Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. A careful re-examination of the new specimens shows that some anatomical characteristics were ignored or incompletely described by the previous authors and they are included herein. The species is tentatively transferred to Bacciger with which it appears to have closest affinity. Despite the anatomical differences detailed in this paper, confirmation of this proposal must await further work, including molecular studies.
Two new species of the genus Quadruspinospora Sarkar et Chakravarty, 1969 (Apicomplexa, Conoidasida) from grasshoppers (Insecta, Orthoptera)
Authors: Modak Biplob , Basu Saugata , Haldar Durga 
Published: October 2008

AbstractDescriptions of structures and life histories of two new species of septate gregarines (Apicomplexa, Conoidasida) are given. These are: Quadruspinospora cloptoni sp. nov. and Quadruspinospora caudata sp. nov. from the midguts of Oxya hyla hyla Serville and Gesonula punctiformes (Stal.) (Insecta, Orthoptera, Acrididae), respectively. Trophozoites of Q. cloptoni attain a maximum length of 944 μm and their epimerites are either a simple knob or cauliflower-like without any digitiform process; gamonts are solitary and, spherical gametocysts, 390 μm, release ovoid oocysts by a simple rupture, the latter being provided with four characteristic spines, two at each pole. Trophozoites of Q. caudata are much smaller, 578 μm in maximum length, and the epimerite in this gregarine is short and cone like. Spherical gametocysts, 365 μm, also dehisce by a simple rupture releasing ovoid oocysts having four typical spines, characteristic of the genus Quadruspinospora Sarkar et Chakravarty, 1969. The validity of Quadruspinospora as a distinct genus is discussed.
Pseudorhabdosynochus inversus sp. nov. (Monogenea, Diplectanidae) from the halfmoon grouper Epinephelus rivulatus (Perciformes, Serranidae) off New Caledonia
Authors: Justine Jean-Lou 
Published: October 2008

AbstractPseudorhabdosynochus inversus sp. nov. is described from three specimens found in a halfmoon grouper, Epinephelus rivulatus, from the external slope of the barrier reef, New Caledonia, South Pacific. The new species is characterised by the structure of its sclerotised vagina, which resembles that of P. epinepheli (Yamaguti, 1938) but has its primary chamber inverted, and by its measurements. The diplectanid fauna of E. rivulatus shows the same pattern as in other groupers, probably belonging to a clade in which fish species harbour both an abundant species of the ‘Pseudorhabdosynochus cupatus group’ (here P. calathus Hinsinger et Justine, 2006) and a rare species (here P. inversus).
Meconium Stained Amniotic Fluid – A Potential Predictor Of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome
Authors: Swain P , Thapalial A 
Published: October 2008

Objective: To identify potential predictors of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) in pregnancies complicated by meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) & to review the incidence, morbidity and mortality of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS). Methods: In the period of 2003 to 2006,175 pregnancies with thick meconium-stained AF were delivered; of these, 15 neonates developed MAS and 160 did not. The two groups were compared retrospectively according to maternal findings, pregnancy outcome, and neonatal complications, using univariate analysis (P < 0.05 considered significant) and stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis to identify independent significant factors for prediction of MAS. Results: Incidence of MSAF was 13.97% and that of MAS was 8.57%. All deliveries associated with thick MSAF had developed MAS. 40% mothers were associated with PROM & prolonged labour. Most common & significant risk factors associated with MAS were increased gestational age, increased cesarean section (LSCS) & low Apgar scores at 1 minute and 5 minute. Mortality rate was 6.66% & mechanical ventilation was used in only 1(6.66%) case. Conclusion: MAS are associated with higher incidence of LSCS, lower 1 minute & 5 minute Apgar score & higher gestational weeks. 40% mothers were associated with PROM & prolonged labour. The neonatal morbidity & mortality is significantly more frequent in relation to thick meconium stained amniotic fluid. Specific delivery room resuscitation procedure, early diagnosis & proper management can prevent development of MAS as well as morbidity & mortality. Key words: Meconium Stained Amniotic Fluid, Meconium Aspiration Syndrome and Apgar Score. DOI = 10.3126/jnps.v28i1.1397 J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc. Vol.28(1) p.3-6