bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phase III Trial of Epirubicin Plus Paclitaxel Compared With Epirubicin Plus Cyclophosphamide As First-Line Chemotherapy for Metastatic Breast Cancer: United Kingdom National Cancer Research Institute Trial AB01
Authors: Langley Ruth E. , Carmichael James , Jones Alison L. , Cameron David A. , Qian Wendi , Uscinska Barbara , Howell Anthony , Parmar Mahesh 
Published: November 2005

Purpose To compare the effectiveness and tolerability of epirubicin and paclitaxel (EP) with epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (EC) as first-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Patients and Methods Patients previously untreated with chemotherapy (except for adjuvant therapy) were randomly assigned to receive either EP (epirubicin 75 mg/m2 and paclitaxel 200 mg/m2) or EC (epirubicin 75 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2) administered intravenously every 3 weeks for a maximum of six cycles. The primary outcome was progression-free survival; secondary outcome measures were overall survival, response rates, and toxicity. Results Between 1996 and 1999, 705 patients (353 EP patients and 352 EC patients) underwent random assignment. Patient characteristics were well matched between the two groups, and 71% of patients received six cycles of treatment. Objective response rates were 65% for the EP group and 55% for the EC group (P = .015). At the time of analysis, 641 patients (91%) had died. Median progression-free survival time was 7.0 months for the EP group and 7.1 months for the EC group (hazard ratio = 1.07; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.24; P = .41), and median overall survival time was 13 months for the EP group and 14 months for the EC group (hazard ratio = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.87 to 1.19; P = .8). EP patients, compared with EC patients, had more grade 3 and 4 mucositis (6% v 2%, respectively; P = .0006) and grade 3 and 4 neurotoxicity (5% v 1%, respectively; P < .0001). Conclusion In terms of progression-free survival and overall survival, there was no evidence of a difference between EP and EC. The data demonstrate no additional advantage to using EP instead of EC as first-line chemotherapy for MBC in taxane-naïve patients.
Tumor Necrosis Factor and Lymphotoxin Alfa Genetic Polymorphisms and Outcome in Pediatric Patients With Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Results From Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster Trial NHL-BFM 95
Authors: Seidemann Kathrin , Zimmermann Martin , Book Marion , Meyer Ulrike , Burkhardt Birgit , Welte Karl , Reiter Alfred , Stanulla Martin 
Published: November 2005

Purpose To analyze the association of genetic variation within the tumor necrosis factor (TNF −308 [G→A]) and lymphotoxin alfa (LT-a +252 [A→G]) genes with outcome in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of childhood and adolescence. Patients and Methods Genotyping of the TNF −308 (G→A) and LT-a +252 (A→G) polymorphisms in patients (n = 488) enrolled onto the German-Austrian-Swiss multicenter trial NHL-BFM 95 from April 1996 to January 2000 was performed by polymerase chain reaction with subsequent restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis on DNA from tumor-free specimen. Results In patients with Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL; n = 219, 211 eligible patients), patients carrying at least two variant alleles (high-producer haplotypes) had an increased risk of events: probability of event-free survival (pEFS) at 3 years was 81% (SE = 5%), compared with 91% (SE = 2%) in low-producer haplotypes (P = .018). In BL/B-ALL with high tumor load (lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] ≥ 500 U/L; n = 104), pEFS was 69% (SE = 8%) in high-producer versus 85% (SE = 4%) in low-producer haplotypes (P = .05). In multivariate analysis including risk factors for events (LDH ≥ 500 U/L, CNS involvement, methotrexate infusion regimen), TNF −308/LT-α +252 haplotype kept prognostic relevance: patients with high-producer haplotypes had a 2.34-fold increase in risk of events (P = .048). The TNF −308 (G→A) and LT-α +252 (A→G) polymorphisms were not associated with pEFS in lymphoblastic lymphoma (n = 101), anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (n = 67), or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (n = 65), nor with therapy-related toxicity. Conclusion The TNF −308 (G→A) and LT-a +252 (A→G) polymorphisms were negative prognostic factors in pediatric BL/B-ALL. Among patients with serum LDH ≥ 500 U/L, haplotype analysis further determined patients at risk for events.
Phase III Trial of Gemcitabine Plus Carboplatin Versus Single-Agent Gemcitabine in the Treatment of Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: The Swedish Lung Cancer Study Group
Authors: Sederholm Christer , Hillerdal Gunnar , Lamberg Kristina , Kölbeck Karl , Dufmats Monika , Westberg Ronny , Gawande Sulochana R. 
Published: November 2005

PurposeThis phase III study compared overall survival in patients with locally advanced or metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) when treated with single-agent gemcitabine versus gemcitabine/carboplatin. Secondary objectives were to compare response, time to progression, toxicity, and quality of life.Patients and MethodsChemotherapy-naive patients received either gemcitabine alone (1,250 mg/m2on days 1 and 8; gemcitabine arm) or with carboplatin (area under the curve 5 on day 1; GC arm) every 21 days.ResultsDemographics and disease characteristics of 334 randomly assigned patients were comparable on both arms. An intent-to-treat analysis showed significantly better overall survival (log-rank P = .0205) and 2-year survival (15% v 5%; P = .009) favoring the GC arm. Per Cox multivariate analysis, only two covariates, treatment arm (GC v G) and baseline performance status (0 or 1 v 2), independently influenced survival. Per-protocol analyses showed significantly longer median time to progression (5.7 v 3.9 months; P = .0001) and significantly higher objective response rate (29.6 v 11.3%; P < .0001) in the GC arm. Grade 3 to 4 leucopenia and thrombocytopenia were significantly more pronounced in the GC arm (P for both variables < .001) but importantly without associated increases in fever, infection, bleeding, or hospitalizations. There was no discernible difference in global quality-of-life patterns between treatment arms.ConclusionIn advanced NSCLC, gemcitabine/carboplatin therapy resulted in significant survival benefit compared with single-agent gemcitabine without undue increase in toxicity.
Pediatric Phase I Trials in Oncology: An Analysis of Study Conduct Efficiency
Authors: Lee Debra P. , Skolnik Jeffrey M. , Adamson Peter C. 
Published: November 2005

Purpose To determine the efficacy and safety of pediatric phase I oncology trials in the era of dose-intensive chemotherapy and to analyze how efficiently these trials are conducted. Methods Phase I pediatric oncology trials published from 1990 to 2004 and their corresponding adult phase I trials were reviewed. Dose escalation schemes using fixed 30% dose increments were studied to theoretically determine whether trials could be completed utilizing fewer patients and dose levels. Results Sixty-nine pediatric phase I oncology trials enrolling 1,973 patients were identified. The pediatric maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) was strongly correlated with the adult MTD (r = 0.97). For three-fourths of the trials, the pediatric and adult MTD differed by no more than 30%, and for more than 85% of the trials, the pediatric MTD was less than or equal to 1.6 times the adult MTD. The median number of dose levels studied was four (range, two to 13). The overall objective response rate was 9.6%, the likelihood of experiencing a dose-limiting toxicity was 24%, and toxic death rate was 0.5%. Conclusion Despite the strong correlation between the adult and pediatric MTDs, more than four dose levels were studied in 40% of trials. There appeared to be little value in exploring dose levels greater than 1.6 times the adult MTD. Limiting pediatric phase I trials to a maximum of four doses levels would significantly shorten the timeline for study conduct without compromising safety.
Surgical Risk Factors in Primary Surgery for Localized Neuroblastoma: The LNESG1 Study of the European International Society of Pediatric Oncology Neuroblastoma Group
Authors: Cecchetto Giovanni , Mosseri Veronique , De Bernardi Bruno , Helardot Pierre , Monclair Tom , Costa Elisa , Horcher Ernst , Neuenschwander Sylvia , Tomà Paolo , Rizzo Antonino , Michon Jean , Holmes Keith 
Published: November 2005

Purpose Although tumor resection is the mainstay of treatment for localized neuroblastoma, there are no established guidelines indicating which patients should be operated on immediately and which should undergo surgery after tumor reduction with chemotherapy. In an effort to develop such guidelines, the LNESG1 study defined surgical risk factors (SRFs) based on the imaging characteristics. Patients and Methods A total of 905 patients with suspected localized neuroblastoma were registered by 10 European countries between January 1995 and October 1999; 811 of 905 patients were eligible for this analysis. Results Information on SRFs was obtained for 719 of 811 patients; 367 without and 352 with SRFs. Of these 719 patients, 201 patients (four without and 197 with SRFs) underwent biopsy only. An attempt at tumor excision was made in 518 patients: 363 of 367 patients without and 155 of 352 patients with SRFs (98.9% v 44.0%). Complete excision was achieved in 271 of 363 patients without and in 72 of 155 patients with SRF (74.6% v 46.4%), near-complete excision was achieved in 81 and 61 patients (22.3% v 39.3%), and incomplete excision was achieved in 11 and 22 patients (3.0% v 14.2%), respectively. There were two surgery-related deaths. Nonfatal surgery-related complications occurred in 45 of 518 patients (8.7%) and were less frequent in patients without SRFs (5.0% v 17.4%). Associated surgical procedures were also less frequent in patients without SRFs (1.6% v 9.7%). Conclusion The adoption of SRFs as predictors of adverse surgical outcome was validated because their presence was associated with lower complete resection rate and greater risk of surgery-related complications. Additional studies aiming to better define the surgical approach to localized neuroblastoma are warranted.
Multiple-Depot Integrated Vehicle and Crew Scheduling
Authors: Huisman Dennis , Freling Richard , Wagelmans Albert P. M. 
Published: November 2005

This paper presents two different models and algorithms for integrated vehicle and crew scheduling in the multiple-depot case. The algorithms are both based on a combination of column generation and Lagrangian relaxation. Furthermore, we compare those integrated approaches with each other and with the traditional sequential one on randomly generated, as well as real-world, data instances for a suburban/extraurban mass transit system. To simulate such a transit system, we propose a new way of randomly generating data instances such that their properties are the same as for our real-world instances.
Cross section data for the production of the positron emitting niobium isotope 90Nb via the 90Zr(p, n)-reaction
Authors: Busse S. , Rösch Frank , Qaim Syed M. 
Published: November 2005

Summary
The radioisotope 90Nb decays with a positron branching of 53% and a relatively low β+-energy of E
mean = 0.66 MeV and E
max = 1.5 MeV. Its half-life of 14.6 h makes it especially promising for quantitative investigation of biological processes with slow distribution kinetics using positron emission tomography. To optimise its production, the excitation functions of 90Zr(p, xn)-processes were studied over the proton energy range of 7.5 to 19 MeV via the stacked-foil technique using both natZr and 99.22% enriched 90ZrO2 as targets. Thick target yields of 90Nb were calculated from the measured excitation functions and were verified experimentally. The optimum energy range for the production of 90Nb via the 90Zr(p, n)-process was found to be E
p = 17 → 7 MeV, with a yield of 600 MBq 90Nb/µA h. The yield and radionuclidic purity of 90Nb over the energy range of E
p = 17.6 → 8.1 MeV were determined experimentally using natZr. At 4 h after EOB the yield of 90Nb was found to be 290 MBq/µA h and its radionuclidic purity ≥ 95%.
Investigation of sorption of Tb(III) by 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone supported onto polyurethane foam
Authors: Saeed Muhammad M. , Rusheed A. 
Published: November 2005

Summary
The sorption studies Tb(III) was investigated on HTTA loaded PUR foam. The adsorption conditions were optimized with respect to pH, shaking time, loading capacity and adsorbent weight. The adsorption data followed the classical Freundlich and Langmuir type isotherms successfully. The Freundlich constant (1/n) is estimated to be 0.47 ± 0.01, reflects a surface heterogeneity of the PUR foam. Langmuir isotherm gives a saturated capacity of 0.042 ± 0.001 mmole g−1 which suggests a monolayer coverage of the surface. The Dubinin-Radushkevich (D–R) isotherm is applied and the sorption mean free energy (E) is calculated and found to be 11.32 ± 0.14 kJ mol−1 suggesting that chemisorption involving chemical bonding is responsible for the adsorption process. The isosteric heat of adsorption of Tb(III) is high which decipher the surface heterogeneity, new bond formation and endothermic type chemisorption. The thermodynamics parameters such as enthalpy (Δ H), entropy (Δ S) and Gibbs free energy (Δ G) were calculated and interpreted. The positive values of Δ H indicate that the adsorption of metal ions on HTTA-loaded PUR foam is an endothermic process. A possible explanation of this endothermicity and sorption mechanism have been discussed. The selectivity and sensitivity of the adsorbent was also studied. The sorption of Tb(III) is greatly affected in the presence of oxalate and fluoride. The sorptive affinity of different cations towards HTTA loaded PUR foam was also discussed.
Selective carrier-mediated cesium transport through polymer inclusion membranes by calix[4]arene-crown-6 carriers from complex aqueous mixtures
Authors: Levitskaia T. G. , Lamb J. D. , Fox K. L. , Moyer B. A. 
Published: November 2005

Summary
Competitive Cs+ ion transport by polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) with bis(dodecyloxy)calix[4]arene-crown-6 or calix[4]arene-biscrown-6 was investigated under various conditions. The PIM matrix consisted of cellulose triacetate and ortho-nitrophenyloctyl ether. Special attention was paid to PIM performance employing complex source-phase mixtures, including simulant solutions of acidic nuclear wastes present at Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. PIMs exhibited highly efficient and selective Cs+ transport under competitive conditions. Membranes containing calix-monocrown carrier exhibited slightly less efficient but more selective Cs+ transport than those with calix-biscrown carrier. PIMs with bis(dodecyloxy)calix[4]arene-crown-6 exhibited excellent stability in terms of carrier loss to the aqueous phase. The variation of cesium transport with composition of aqueous phase was adequately described by a diffusion-limited transport model.
Transuranic elements determination in spanish NPP-wastes on the basis of gross alpha activity
Authors: Rodríguez M. , Gascón J. L. 
Published: November 2005

Summary
The characterisation of alpha-emitting nuclides in low and medium level radioactive waste from Spanish nuclear power reactors leads to several difficulties because they cannot be assayed by non-destructive methods due to their low concentration. Thus, long and complex radiochemical procedures are required.
In this paper an alternative method for establishing a sufficiently accurate and reliable inventory of long-lived alpha emitting nuclides, is described. The method is based on the application of the factors obtained by correlating the gross alpha activity and the concentration of 238Pu, 239/40Pu, 241Am, 242Cm and 244Cm in a set of samples of concentrates and resins from Spanish NPP's.
Several statistical tests are performed to evaluate the validity of the assumed relationship and the quality of the correlation. Also, uncertainties are calculated for the parameters of the linear equation relating the concentrations.
This work has been performed in the framework of the CIEMAT-ENRESA Association Agreement.
Chemical isolation of dubnium (element 105) in fluoride media
Authors: Trubert D. , Naour C. Le , Guzman F. M. , Hussonnois M. , Brillard L. , Le Du J. F. , Constantinescu O. , Gasparro J. , Barci V. , Weiss B. , Ardisson G. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryThe isotope262Db was produced by irradiation of a248Cm target with 106-MeV19F ions at the 15 MV MP Tandem accelerator of Orsay (France). The reaction products were continuously and rapidly transported with a KCl aerosol helium jet system to the chemistry setup. They were dissolved in HF medium and the solution was passed through three successive ion exchange columns, allowing a continuous high level purification of Db from actinides on a first cation exchange column, the isolation of Db on an anion exchange one, and the retention of the long-lived decay products of262Db (3.24 h–254Fm) on a second cation exchange column. Just after the end of irradiation, the decay products were desorbed from this column, purified and α-sources were prepared on carbon foil by electrospray. In 13 effective irradiation hours, 22 events corresponding to the α-decay of254Fm were recorded. Almost 70 atoms of262Db, produced in the reaction248Cm +19F were isolated in dilute HF medium. Like its homologues/analogues Nb, Ta and Pa, dubnium forms, with fluoride ions, negatively charged complexes which are strongly retained on anion exchanger.
Direct separation of plutonium by thermochromatography from environmental samples
Authors: Wacker L. , Krähenbühl U. , Eichler B. 
Published: November 2005

Summary
A thermochromatographic separation was performed on plutonium from environmental soil samples. This procedure was investigated with the goal to measure low concentrations of plutonium by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The soil sample was chlorinated by thionylchloride as reactive gas at a temperature of 1400 K. The volatile chlorides were separated chromatographically and deposited in a temperature gradient tube filled with quartz grains. Results about the deposition behaviour of the elements were obtained. Two different formalisms based on the thermodynamic functions are used to describe the experimental data. One formula is used to describe the deposition behaviour of microscopic amounts of plutonium (adsorption), the other formula for macroamounts of the main matrix elements (desublimation). The calculated values are in a reasonable agreement with the experimental data. A determination of plutonium content was successfully made for a referenced sea sediment (IAEA-135) after the thermochromatographic sample preparation for ICP-MS.
Studies on the supercritical fluid extraction of uranium from tissue matrix
Authors: Kumar R. , Sivaraman N. , Srinivasan T. G. , Vasudeva Rao P. R. 
Published: November 2005

Summary
Extraction of uranium from tissue matrix was studied using supercritical carbon dioxide containing modifier solvent. The extraction efficiency was investigated with carbon dioxide containing methanol, tri-n-octyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) in methanol and tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) in methanol as modifiers. The extraction behaviour of the UO2(NO3)2 · 2TOPO complex loaded on tissue was also investigated. Supercritical carbon dioxide modified with methanol alone was found to extract a maximum of about 76% uranium from tissue matrix.
Study of uranyl(VI) malonate complexation by time resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS)
Authors: Brachmann A. , Geipel Gerhard , Bernhard G. , Nitsche Heino 
Published: November 2005

SummaryThe uranyl(VI) malonate complex formation was studied by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) at pH 4 and an ionic strength of 0.1 M NaClO4. The uranium concentration was 5 × 10−6M at ligand concentrations from 1 × 10−5to 1 ×−2M.The measured fluorescence lifetimes of the 1:1 and 1:2 uranyl(VI) malonate complexes are 1.24 ± 0.02 µs and 6.48 ± 0.02 µs, respectively. The fluorescence lifetime of the uranyl(VI) ion is 1.57 ± 0.06 µs in 0.1 M perchloric media. The main fluorescence bands of the malonate complexes show a bathochromic shift compared to the uranyl(VI) ion and are centered at 494 nm, 515 nm and 540 nm for the 1:1 complexes and at 496 nm, 517 nm and 542 nm for the 1:2 complex. The spectra of the individual uranyl(VI) malonate complexes were calculated using a multi exponential fluorescence decay function for each intensity value at each wavelength, covering the entire wavelength range. Stability constants were determined for the complexes UO2C3H2O4°(aq)and UO2(C3H2O4)22−from results of spectra deconvolution using a least square fit algorithm (logβ1° = 4.48 ± 0.06, logβ2° = 7.42 ± 0.06 or logK2° = 2.94 ± 0.04). The results are compared with literature values obtained by potentiometric measurements.
Studies on hydrolysis and radiolysis of N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyl-3-oxapentane-1,5-diamide
Authors: Sugo Y. , Sasaki Y. , Tachimori S. 
Published: November 2005

Summary
Hydrolytic and radiolytic stabilities of a promising extractant, N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyl-3-oxapentane-1,5-diamide (TODGA), for actinides in high-level radioactive liquid waste from nuclear fuel reprocessing were investigated in air at room temperature. Hydrolysis by nitric acid was not observed, whereas radiolysis by gamma irradiation was notably observed. The radiolysis study showed that an amide-bond, an ether-bond, and a bond adjacent to the ether-bond tended to be broken by gamma irradiation, and dioctylamine and various N,N-dioctylmonoamides were identified as the main degradation products by GC/MS and NMR analyses. The G-value for degradation of neat TODGA was 8.5 ± 0.9, which value was higher than those for N,N′-dioctyl-N,N′-dimethyl-2-(3′-oxapentadecyl)-propane-1,3-diamide and N,N-dioctylhexanamide. It was obvious that n-dodecane, which was used for a diluent, had a sensitization effect on the radiolysis of these amidic extractants. In a TODGA–n-dodecane–HNO3 system, the coexisting nitric acid showed an insignificant effect on the radiolysis of TODGA.
Production of the positron emitter 51Mn via the 50Cr(d, n) reaction: targetry and separation of no-carrier-added radiomanganese
Authors: Klein A. T. J. , Rösch Frank , Coenen Heinz H. , Qaim Syed M. 
Published: November 2005

Summary
In connection with the production of 46.2 min 51Mn via the 50Cr(d, n)-process, several separation techniques such as ion exchange chromatography, solid phase extraction, liquid–liquid extraction and co-precipitation have been investigated; the aim was to separate no-carrier-added radiomanganese from the bulk target chromium. Among the separation systems *MnII/CrIII, *MnII/CrVI and *MnIV/CrVI, the latter applying the co-precipitation of *MnIV with FeIII hydroxide was found to be the optimum; the removal of chromium was rapid and quantitative (remaining content <0.05%) and the separation efficiency was high (99.3% radiochemical yield of *Mn). For production purposes, a sandwiched pellet of the chemical composition Al4·50CrCl3 was developed as a new target. This allowed a quick dissolution after irradiation, thus enabling a fast separation of 51Mn and its production on a MBq scale. A 1 h irradiation at 3 µA (wobbled beam) over an effective deuteron energy range of E
d = 12.8 → 7.9 MeV yielded 107 MBq 51Mn. Simultaneously formed nuclides of other elements, such as 38Cl, 24Na, 48V and 51Cr were quantitatively separated using the proposed procedure. Only the shorter-lived radioisotope 52mMn, formed via the 52Cr(d, 2n)52mMn reaction, was present at a low level of 2%, if the enrichment of 50Cr was 95% (with ∼5% 52Cr).