bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Property modification of poly(methyl methacrylate) through copolymerization with fluorinated aryl methacrylate monomers
Authors: Teng Hongxiang , Yang Liang , Mikes Frantisek , Koike Yasuhiro , Okamoto Yoshiyuki 
Published: April 2007

AbstractCopolymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluorophenyl methacrylate (TFPMA), pentafluorophenyl methacrylate (PFPMA), and 4‐trifluoromethyl‐2,3,5,6‐tetrafluorophenyl methacrylate (TFMPMA) were investigated. All the three systems showed a random copolymerization character. The composition, glass transition temperature (Tg), and refractive index of the copolymers obtained were studied. Tgs of TFPMA/MMA and PFPMA/MMA copolymers were found to deviate positively from the Gordon–Taylor equation. However, Tgs of TFMPMA/MMA copolymers were well fit with the Gordon–Taylor equation. These results indicated the existence of interaction between MMA and either TFPMA or PFPMA units in copolymers. This interaction resulted in the enhancement of the Tg of MMA polymers through the copolymerization with TFPMA and PFPMA. The refractive index and the light transmittance of copolymers were close to those of PMMA. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neuroleptika und Antidepressiva als Hypnotika. Wenn Nebenwirkungen zur Hauptwirkung werden
Authors: Enzensperger Christoph , Lehmann Jochen 
Published: April 2007

AbstractMit verschiedenen Antidepressiva und Neuroleptika kann eine nachhaltige Sedierung und damit ein erleichtertes Ein‐ und Durchschlafen erreicht werden. Der Einsatz dieser hochwirksamen Verbindungen ist gerechtfertigt bei der Behandlung von Schlafstörungen im Zusammenhang mit einer Depression, bei Unruhe‐ und Erregungszuständen als Begleiterscheinungen anderer psychischer Grunderkrankungen, ferner bei Verwirrtheit und Demenz (Geriatrie), aber auch bei chronischen Schmerzpatienten. Sucht‐ und Abhängigkeitspotenziale, aber auch die therapeutische Breite sind eher gering. Doxepin und Trimipramin können auch zur Behandlung primärer, also chronischer, weder organisch noch psychisch ausgelösten Schlafstörungen eingesetzt werden. Bei psychisch Gesunden, die aufgrund besonderer und vorübergehender Lebensumstände an Schlaflosigkeit leiden, sind andere Therapeutika vorzuziehen.
Pneumocystis pneumonia in children receiving chemotherapy
Authors: Prasad Pinki , Nania Joseph J. , Shankar Sadhna M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a serious complication of chemotherapy‐induced immunosuppression. Trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (TMP‐SMZ) given twice daily, 3 days every week is considered the best form of prophylaxis for PCP. We evaluated PCP prophylaxis in all children up to 18 years of age undergoing cancer chemotherapy over a 2‐year period. Four children were diagnosed with PCP over 24 months. Two of 12 children on intravenous pentamidine, 1 of 143 on TMP‐SMZ and 1 of 36 on dapsone for PCP prophylaxis developed PCP. Intravenous pentamidine may not be as effective as previously considered and should be used with caution. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:896–898. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cognitive outcome in pediatric brain tumor survivors: Delayed attention deficit at long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Brière Marie‐Eve , Scott James G. , McNall‐Knapp René Y. , Adams Russell L. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackgroundTreatment of childhood brain tumors has often been associated with long‐term cognitive morbidity in children. Our previous research identified age at diagnosis, polytherapy and brain radiation dose as treatment factors affecting neuropsychological outcome most strongly in children with cancer 1. Our current goal was to measure the change across different cognitive functions.ProcedureThis study examined the cognitive outcome over repeat testing in a heterogeneous sample of 18 children with brain tumors. Tumor types included medulloblastoma and glioma. ANOVA's for repeated measures were used to evaluate the changes in cognitive domains across follow‐up evaluations.ResultsConsistent with previous findings, the most deleterious effects were seen on IQ indices of non verbal cognitive ability, visual perceptual skills and information processing speed. Analyses reveal that the attentional factor, Freedom from Distractibility, is the only IQ index that declines over subsequent testing. The statistical decline was attributable to a significant decline on the arithmetic subtest, as well as a non‐significant trend for the auditory attention span subtest.ConclusionsThis study reveals that while most indices remained stable over repeat testing, auditory attention and concentration skills decline. Long‐term outcome is discussed in light of the high prevalence of attention and mathematic difficulties reported in these children and the need for preventive and remedial approaches. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:337–340. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment of neurodegenerative CNS disease in Langerhans cell histiocytosis with a combination of intravenous immunoglobulin and chemotherapy
Authors: Imashuku Shinsaku , Okazaki Nagisa (Amamoto) , Nakayama Masahiko , Fujita Naoto , Fukuyama Tetsuhiro , Koike Kenichi , Minato Toshinori , Kobayashi Ryoji , Morimoto Akira 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackgroundIn rare cases, patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) develop neurodegenerative CNS disease (ND‐CNS‐LCH). Management of ND‐CNS‐LCH has not been established.MethodsWe treated five pediatric patients with a combination of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and chemotherapy (steroid ± vinblastine ± 6‐mercaptopurine ± methotrexate). Prior to the therapy, three of the five patients had cerebellar ataxia while the remaining two had abnormal MRI findings without apparent neurological deficits. IVIG was given monthly or twice monthly at the dosage of 250–400 mg/kg/dose.ResultsThe four patients administered more than 23 doses of IVIG and chemotherapy remained in a stable condition and did not show significant progression signs in neurological deficits or brain MRI findings during the 30‐month follow‐up period (median; range: 19+ to 38+) following the initiation of therapy for ND‐CNS‐LCH.ConclusionThe IVIG‐containing treatment may be promising for ND‐CNS‐LCH; however, its effectiveness remains to be further tested in more patients as well as in a randomized trial. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:308–311. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prenatal diagnosis of tracheo‐oesophageal fistula and oesophageal atresia
Authors: Choudhry M. , Boyd P. A. , Chamberlain P. F. , Lakhoo K 
Published: April 2007

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the accuracy of the prenatal ultrasound finding of subjectively small/absent stomach bubble in the prenatal diagnosis of tracheo‐oesophageal fistula and oesophageal atresia (TOF/OA).MethodsA retrospective study of prenatal ultrasound scans showing small/absent stomach bubble was carried out between 1st January 1994 and 31st December 2003.ResultsThere were 62 cases with prenatally suspected (n = 40) and/or post‐natally diagnosed (n = 22) TOF/OA. Among the 40 cases of prenatally suspected TOF/OA 15 were thought to be isolated and 25 non‐isolated. Of the 15 suspected isolated cases, 7 were normal and 8 had TOF/OA (5 isolated + 3 TOF/OA with another anomaly) at delivery. Among the 25 cases of prenatally suspected non‐isolated TOF/OA, there was confirmation in only two cases, in the remaining 23 cases other anomalies were confirmed but TOF/OA was not present.Twenty‐two babies with TOF/OA were identified in whom there had been no prenatal ultrasound suspicion on ultrasound scanning. Six had isolated TOF/OA and 16 had non‐isolated TOF/OA.ConclusionOf the 32 cases of confirmed TOF/OA,10 (31%) were suspected prenatally. If the TOF/OA was an isolated anomaly (11 cases), the prenatal detection rate was 45%. Interpretation of ultrasound findings suspicious of TOF/OA requires caution, particularly, when there are associated multiple anomalies on scan. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correlates of low‐dosage treatment with antidepressants by psychiatrists and general practitioners
Authors: Schotte Kerstin , Linden Michael 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackgroundThe prescribing of low dosages of antidepressants has for many years been a matter of concern in the scientific literature. There is a little understanding of why physicians do not follow dosage recommendations and what factors influence medical decision‐making.MethodIn a drug utilisation observation study, treatment of 692 patients was monitored who were prescribed the tricyclic antidepressant doxepin by 80 general practitioners and 85 psychiatrists.ResultsThe mean maximum dosage per day was 83 mg/d. One hundred and fifty milligrams per day or more were prescribed for only 6.1% of the patients. There were significant differences between dosage groups: patients older than 65 received lower dosages (68 mg/d) as younger patients (84 mg/d), male patients higher dosages (94 mg/d) than females (79 mg/d), patients who had a mild depression with a score of 1–35 on the depression symptom scale received on average 68 mg/d, while patients with 36–74 got 100 mg/d. Physician speciality was not significantly related to dosage levels. In a logistic regression analysis, gender and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) at first examination remained factors that significantly predicted dosages of ≥125 mg/d.ConclusionLow‐dosage treatment with antidepressants is a rule rather than an exception. The prescribing pattern is not indiscriminate, but physicians follow an adaptive strategy and there is medical and theoretical evidence which supports their practice. Outcome research will have to be clarified in future studies as to what extent reference to such intervening variables can help to optimise individual dosage finding. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Selection bias due to immigration in pharmacoepidemiologic studies
Authors: Støvring Henrik 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the extent of selection bias due to exclusion of recent immigrants with respect to prevalence of antidiabetic drug use.MethodsData on antidiabetic drug redemptions were obtained from Odense University Pharmacoepidemiologic Database for the period 1992–2003 covering a population of approximately 470 000. Ordinary prevalence estimates based on drug redemptions during a run‐in period for non‐immigrants were compared to estimates based on the waiting time distribution (WTD) approach. The WTD method was used to compare estimates for non‐immigrants to estimates for the entire population.ResultsWhen a run‐in period of half a year was used and treatment cessation was accounted for, reasonable agreement between run‐in estimates and WTD estimates was found, range of relative difference was −3.1% to 4.5%. Analyses using WTD method showed that prevalence among immigrants was approximately half that of non‐immigrants in each of the years 1993–2003, resulting in a relative bias (non‐immigrants vs. entire population) of approximately 1% for each year (range 0.73%; 1.36%). Stratifying on age and sex made the bias vanish, except for ages under 40.ConclusionsSelection bias due to immigration, when studying prevalence of use of antidiabetics, is small after controlling for age and sex. The WTD approach is useful for studying selection bias and should potentially replace the use of run‐in periods for determining treatment status. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomic investigation of glucose metabolism in the butyrate‐producing gut anaerobe Fusobacterium varium
Authors: Potrykus Joanna , Mahaney Brandi , White Robert L. , Bearne Stephen L. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA proteome survey and MS analysis were conducted to investigate glucose metabolism in Fusobacterium varium, a butyrate‐producing constituent of the indigenous human gut microflora. The bacterium was capable of catabolizing glucose as the main energy source via the Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas pathway. 2‐DE analyses revealed that the apparent concentrations of the six identified glycolytic enzymes (pyruvate kinase, enolase, glucose‐6‐phosphate isomerase, phosphoglycerate kinase, triosephosphate isomerase, and glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase) were specifically increased in response to the presence of glucose in the chemically defined minimal growth medium, and did not diminish when the medium was additionally supplemented with L‐glutamate, an amino acid readily fermented by members of the Fusobacterium genus. A substrate pool depletion study revealed that the sugar, and not the amino acid, is the more efficient growth substrate. Both proteomics and substrate pool depletion studies revealed that F. varium can simultaneously utilize both glucose and L‐glutamate as energy sources. Enzymes involved in L‐glutamate metabolism were also identified, including an NAD‐dependent glutamate dehydrogenase and two enzymes of the methylaspartate pathway of L‐glutamate catabolism (glutamate mutase and methylaspartate ammonia‐lyase). Their apparent intracellular concentrations were elevated when the bacterium was cultured in media supplemented with excess L‐glutamate. Our observation that the apparent concentrations of specific proteins were elevated in response to a particular growth substrate supplied as an energy source provides the first evidence for the presence of a nutrient‐responsive mechanism governing intracellular protein concentration in F. varium.
A review of distress and its management in couples facing end‐of‐life cancer
Authors: McLean Linda M. , Jones Jennifer M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe aim of this review paper is to (1) provide an overview of the impact of cancer on the couple, (2) to identify potential outcomes for couple's interventions targeted specifically when one spouse is facing end of life, (3) to review and critique the empirical literature on psychosocial interventions for couple's facing end of life to date, and (4) to provide direction for research in this area. Based on our review, we found that there is clear evidence of significant distress arising from the impact of terminal illness on the marital relationship, which can result in greater suffering in the last months and weeks of life. Currently, there is a very small body of evidence on the effectiveness of couple interventions for those where one is in palliative care. Future randomized controlled trials are needed to examine the impact of couple therapy adapted for couples facing the end of life, and to guide in providing information on the number of sessions and format required for this population. Outcomes, such as more effective communication, reduction in the experience of hopelessness, uncertainty, isolation, depression, anxiety, and more adaptive coping strategies should be considered. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An explicit demonstration of integrability for the linear Heisenberg chain of N = 9 nodes
Authors: Topolewicz Stanislaw , Lulek Tadeusz 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWe propose the system of N – 1 = 8 mutually commuting operators which classify all eigenstates of the Heisenberg Hamiltonian for the linear magnetic chain of N = 9 nodes, each with the spin 1/2. These eigenstates, determined exactly by Bethe Ansatz and classified combinatorially by rigged string configurations of Kerov, Kirillov and Reshetikhin, can be also associated with the spectrum of this set of commuting operators. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Nitride emitters go nonpolar
Authors: Schwarz Ulrich T. , Kneissl Michael 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe Expert Opinion is written by distinguished scientists and presents their personal view on important and relevant new results of research, highlighting their significance and putting the work into perspective for a broader audience. Please send comments to pss.rapid@wiley‐vch.de or to the authors.The text by Ulrich T. Schwarz and Michael Kneissl refers to the Rapid Research Letter by K. C. Kim et al., published in this issue of phys. stat. sol. (RRL) 1, 125 (2007). (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization on‐target method for the investigation of oligosaccharides and glycosylation sites in glycopeptides and glycoproteins
Authors: Lattová Erika , Chen Vincent C. , Varma Sonal , Bezabeh Tedros , Perreault Hélène 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe significance of glycoproteins in living systems instigates the ceaseless expansion of new techniques and procedures for the analysis of biological samples. Many of these applications are focused on improving the detection limit of analyzed material. In a previous study, we described a procedure for the detection of oligosaccharides cleaved from tryptic glycopeptides. Treatment of deglycosylated fractions with phenylhydrazine gave rise to peaks consistent with labeled glycans, and both types of compounds—deglycosylated peptides and oligosaccharides—were recorded from one spot and observed in one matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrum for the first time. Here, we added an additional step to this simple procedure of deglycosylating glycopeptides directly from the target spot of the first analyzed glycosylated peptides. For the purpose of this new study, a mixture of 2‐aza‐2‐thiothymine and phenylhydrazine hydrochloride showed to be an excellent matrix for glycopeptides, oligosaccharides, deglycosylated peptides and moreover it allowed PNGaseF to be active enough to cleave oligosaccharides from peptides. The efficiency of this procedure is demonstrated on a series of intact glycoproteins and on the analysis of tryptic peptides obtained from IgG and total mouse serum. This one‐step on‐target deglycosylation method with subsequent derivatization on the same spot makes MALDI‐MS analyses of glycopeptides fast, simple and accessible for biological samples, where classical procedures cannot produce useful results. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The value of aids incidence data in assessing the spread of HIV infection
Authors: de Gruttola Victor , Lagakos Stephen W. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractChanges over time in the cumulative number of cases of AIDS depend in a complex way on several features of the epidemic, including the distribution of the induction time between infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and onset of symptoms of AIDS, heterogeneity in such behaviours as sexual practices, selection of partners, and IV drug use, and changes over time in these behaviours. Consequently, the observed increase in the doubling time in cumulative AIDS incidence from 5 to 13 months, since AIDS was first recognized in 1982, demonstrates neither that the epidemic has begun to ‘run its course’ nor that behavioural changes have had a major impact in reducing incidence. Even in a homogeneous population with known induction distribution, AIDS incidence data currently are of little value in determining the number of persons infected with HIV unless additional information is available about the shape of cumulative incidence curve of HIV infection.
Some stochastic models of AIDS spread
Authors: Tan W. Y. , Hsu H. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn this paper we propose a stochastic model for the AIDS spread in a homosexual population. The probability generating function (PGF) of the numbers of latent persons, infective persons and AIDS cases is derived. By using the PGF, it is shown that the expected numbers and variances and covariances of these persons satisfy some ordinary differential equations. These equations have been solved numerically to assess effects of various factors on AIDS spread.
Required duration and power determinations for historically controlled studies of survival times
Authors: Emrich Lawrence J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis paper provides power formulae for historically controlled studies with survival time endpoints, and considers two designs. The first design involves no further follow‐up of control group subjects; the second design involves collection of additional information on control group subjects who had not failed at the time of design of the prospective portion of the study. The power functions differ from those for concurrently controlled studies, since, under the first design, the control group data are constant for purposes of power calculations, while under the second design, some of the control group data are constant while the remainder are random. I contrast the required duration of these studies with the required duration for comparable concurrently controlled studies under a wide range of conditions.
Application of a two‐stage random effects model to longitudinal pulmonary function data from sarcoidosis patients
Authors: Vacek Pamela M. , Mickey Ruth M. , Bell Dianne Y. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWe applied a two‐stage random effects model to pulmonary function data from 31 sarcoidosis patients to illustrate its usefulness in analysing unbalanced longitudinal data. For the first stage, repeated measurements of percentage of predicted forced vital capacity (FVC%) from an individual were modelled as a function of time since initial clinical assessment. At the second stage, parameters of this function were modelled as a function of certain patient characteristics. We used three methods for estimating the model parameters: maximum likelihood; empirical Bayes; and a two‐step least‐squares procedure. Similar results were obtained from each, but we recommend the empirical Bayes, since it provides unbiased estimates of variance components. Results indicated that deterioration in FVC% is associated with a higher initial FVC% value and large numbers of both total cells and eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage at the initial assessment. Improvement is associated with higher values of pulmonary Gallium uptake at initial assessment and race. Blacks are more likely to improve than whites.
A method for the estimation of chronic disease morbidity and trends from mortality data
Authors: Verdecchia Arduino , Capocaccia Riccardo , Egidi Viviana , Golini Antonio 
Published: April 2007

AbstractMeasures of chronic degenerative disease diffusion, such as incidence and prevalence rates, are a basic need for epidemiologists and others working in many fields of human sciences. Equations relating death probabilities to incidence and survival probabilities for chronic degenerative diseases are derived from a cohort point of view. A maximum likelihood approach is adopted for the estimation of incidence as a function of time related covariates. When time series of mortality data are available, the model can be used to describe and analyse levels and dynamics of morbidity. A trial application to lung and breast cancer is given for the province of Varese, Italy, where incidence data are available from the Lombardy Cancer Register.