bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surveillance Testing Among Survivors of Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Authors: Keating Nancy L. , Landrum Mary Beth , Guadagnoli Edward , Winer Eric P. , Ayanian John Z. 
Published: March 2007

Purpose Guidelines recommend against routine surveillance testing for women who have had breast cancer. We described follow-up care for breast cancer survivors, examined how surveillance testing varies by the types of physicians seen, and assessed changes in testing rates over time. Methods Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–Medicare data, we studied a population-based cohort of 44,511 women age ≥ 65 years diagnosed with stage I/II breast cancer during 1992 to 1999 and observed through 2001. We measured bone scans, tumor antigen tests, chest x-rays, and other chest/abdominal imaging during 3 consecutive surveillance years. We described physicians seen in follow-up and used repeated-measures logistic regression to assess the relationship with testing and to assess testing trends over time. Results Nearly half of breast cancer survivors saw a medical oncologist in surveillance year 1, but only 27% saw a medical oncologist annually for 3 years. In adjusted analyses, women seeing medical oncologists had more bone scans, tumor antigen testing, chest x-rays, and chest/abdominal imaging than other women (all P < .001). Nevertheless, rates of testing decreased over time (all P < .001). Rates of tumor antigen testing and chest x-rays decreased faster and chest/abdominal imaging increased slower among women seeing medical oncologists than among other women (all P < .05). Conclusion Nonrecommended testing for early-stage breast cancer patients has decreased over time. Although most breast cancer survivors did not see oncologists annually, those who did had substantially higher rates of testing than others; whether such testing in this low-risk population was due to more symptoms or excessive surveillance is an important question for additional study.
Radioembolization of Liver Metastases From Colorectal Cancer Using Yttrium-90 Microspheres With Concomitant Systemic Oxaliplatin, Fluorouracil, and Leucovorin Chemotherapy
Authors: Sharma Ricky A. , Van Hazel Guy A. , Morgan Bruno , Berry David P. , Blanshard Keith , Price David , Bower Geoffrey , Shannon Jennifer A. , Gibbs Peter , Steward William P. 
Published: March 2007

Purpose Liver metastases represent the principal cause of death in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). Injection of resin microspheres (SIR Spheres)—containing the β-emitter, yttrium-90—into the arterial supply of the liver can cause radioembolization of metastases. This treatment has not been tested with the radiosensitizing chemotherapy, oxaliplatin, which appears synergistic in the treatment of CRC when combined with fluorouracil and leucovorin (FOLFOX). Patients and Methods A phase I study of SIR-Spheres therapy with modified FOLFOX4 systemic chemotherapy was conducted in patients with inoperable liver metastases from CRC who had not previously received chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Oxaliplatin (30 to 85 mg/m2) was administered for the first three cycles with full FOLFOX4 doses from cycle 4 until cycle 12. The primary end point was toxicity. Results Twenty patients were enrolled onto the study. Five patients experienced National Cancer Institute (NCI; Bethesda, MD) grade 3 abdominal pain, two of whom had microsphere-induced gastric ulcers. The dose-limiting toxicity was grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, which was recorded in 12 patients. One episode of transient grade 3 hepatotoxicity was recorded. Mean splenic volume increased by 92% following 6 months of protocol therapy. Partial responses were demonstrated in 18 patients and stable disease in two patients. Two patients underwent partial hepatic resection following protocol therapy. Median progression-free survival was 9.3 months, and median time to progression in the liver was 12.3 months. Conclusion The maximum-tolerated dose was 60 mg/m2 of oxaliplatin for the first three cycles, with full FOLFOX4 doses thereafter. This chemoradiation regime merits evaluation in phase II-III trials.
Prospective Multicentric Randomized Phase III Study of Imatinib in Patients With Advanced Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors Comparing Interruption Versus Continuation of Treatment Beyond 1 Year: The French Sarcoma Group
Authors: Blay Jean-Yves , Le Cesne Axel , Ray-Coquard Isabelle , Bui Binh , Duffaud Florence , Delbaldo Catherine , Adenis Antoine , Viens Patrice , Rios Maria , Bompas Emmanuelle , Cupissol Didier , Guillemet Cecile , Kerbrat Pierre , Fayette Jérome , Chabaud Sylvie , Berthaud Patrice , Perol David 
Published: March 2007

Purpose Imatinib is the standard treatment of advanced GI stromal tumors (GISTs). It is not known whether imatinib may be stopped in patients in whom disease is controlled. Methods This prospective, randomized, multicentric phase III study was designed to compare continuous (CONT) compared with interrupted (INT) imatinib beyond 1 year of treatment in patients with advanced GIST. The primary end point was progression-free survival. Secondary end points included overall survival, response rate after reinitiation of imatinib, and quality of life. Early stopping rules in cases of rapid progression of disease were defined, with preplanned interim analyses. Results Between May 2002 and April 2004, 182 patients with advanced GIST were enrolled. Between May 2003 and April 2004, 98 patients in response or stable disease under imatinib reached more than 1 year of follow-up. Forty were not eligible for randomization, and 58 patients were randomly assigned, 32 and 26 patients in the INT and CONT arms, respectively. As of October 15, 2005, eight of 26 patients in the CONT group and 26 of 32 patients in the INT group had documented disease progression (P < .0001). Twenty-four of 26 patients with documented progression in the INT arm responded to imatinib reintroduction. No differences in overall survival or imatinib resistance were observed between the two arms. Quality of life evaluated 6 months after random assignment using the 30-item Quality of Life Questionnaire was not significantly different between the two groups of randomly assigned patients. Conclusion Imatinib interruption results in rapid progression in most patients with advanced GIST, and cannot be recommended in routine practice unless patient experience significant toxicity.
Racial Disparities in Treatment and Survival of Male Breast Cancer
Authors: Crew Katherine D. , Neugut Alfred I. , Wang Xiaoyan , Jacobson Judith S. , Grann Victor R. , Raptis George , Hershman Dawn L. 
Published: March 2007

Purpose Black women with breast cancer have poorer survival than do white women, but little is known about racial disparities in male breast cancer. We analyzed race and other predictors of treatment and survival among men with stage I-III breast cancer. Patients and Methods We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Medicare database to identify men 65 years of age or older diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer from 1991 to 2002. Multivariate regression was used to compare those treated with those not treated with either chemotherapy or radiation therapy, adjusting for known clinical and demographic factors. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze survival. Results Of 510 male breast cancer cases (456 white, 34 black), 94% underwent mastectomy, 28% received adjuvant chemotherapy, and 29% received radiation therapy. Among those with known hormone receptors, 95% had hormone-sensitive tumors. In a multivariate analysis, chemotherapy was associated with younger age, advanced stage, and hormone receptor–negative tumors. Radiation therapy was associated with younger age and advanced stage. Black men were approximately 50% less likely to undergo consultation with an oncologist and subsequently receive chemotherapy; however, the results did not reach statistical significance. The breast cancer–specific mortality hazard ratio was more than tripled for black versus white men (hazard ratio = 3.29; 95% CI, 1.10 to 9.86). Conclusion After adjustment for known clinical, demographic, and treatment factors, there was an association of black race with increased male breast cancer–specific mortality. Although male breast cancer is rare, the reasons for these disparities need to be better understood.
Collagen IV Induces Trophoectoderm Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Schenke-Layland Katja , Angelis Ekaterini , Rhodes Katrin E. , Heydarkhan-Hagvall Sepideh , Mikkola Hanna K. , MacLellan W. Robb 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
The earliest segregation of lineages in the developing embryo is the commitment of cells to the inner cell mass or the trophoectoderm in preimplantation blastocysts. The exogenous signals that control commitment to a particular cell lineage are poorly understood; however, it has been suggested that extracellular “niche” and extracellular matrix, in particular, play an important role in determining the developmental fate of stem cells. Collagen IV (ColIV) has been reported to direct embryonic stem (ES) cell differentiation to mesodermal lineages in both mouse and human ES cells. To define the effects of ColIV on ES cell differentiation and to identify the resulting heterogeneous cell types, we performed microarray analyses and determined global gene expression. We observed that ColIV induced the expression of mesodermal genes specific to hematopoietic, endothelial, and smooth muscle cells and, surprisingly, also a panel of trophoectoderm-restricted markers. This effect was specific to collagen IV, as no trophoblast differentiation was seen on collagen I, laminin, or fibronectin. Stimulation with basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) or FGF4 increased the number of trophoectodermal cells. These cells were isolated under clonal conditions and successfully differentiated into a variety of trophoblast derivatives. Interestingly, differentiation of ES cells to trophoblastic lineages was only seen in ES cell lines maintained on embryonic feeder layers and was caudal-type homeobox protein 2 (Cdx2)-dependent, consistent with Cdx2's postulated role in trophoectoderm commitment. Our data suggest that, given the appropriate extracellular stimuli, mouse embryonic stem cells can differentiate into trophoectoderm.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Murine but Not Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Generate Osteosarcoma-Like Lesions in the Lung
Authors: Aguilar Susana , Nye Emma , Chan Jerry , Loebinger Michael , Spencer-Dene Bradley , Fisk Nick , Stamp Gordon , Bonnet Dominique , Janes Sam M. 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Murine mesenchymal stem cells are capable of differentiation into multiple cell types both in vitro and in vivo and may be good candidates to use as cell therapy for diseased or damaged organs. We have previously reported a method of enriching a population of murine MSCs that demonstrated a diverse differentiation potential both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we show that this enriched population of murine mesenchymal stem cells embolize within lung capillaries following systemic injection and then rapidly expand within, and invade into, the lung parenchyma, forming tumor nodules. These lesions rarely contain cells bearing the immunohistochemical characteristics of lung epithelium, but they do show the characteristics of immature bone and cartilage that resembles exuberant fracture callus or well-differentiated osteosarcoma. Our findings indicate that murine mesenchymal stem cells can behave in a manner similar to tumor cells, with dysregulated growth and aberrant differentiation within the alveolar microenvironment after four passages. We demonstrate that unlike human MSCs, MSCs from different mouse strains can acquire chromosomal abnormalities after only a few in vitro passages. Moreover, other parameters, such as mouse strain used, might also play a role in the induction of these tumors. These findings might be clinically relevant for future stem cell therapy studies.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Educated, Professional Women in Morocco and Women of Moroccan Origin in France: Asserting a New Public and Private Identity
Authors: Gray Doris H. 
Published: March 2007

Women in Morocco and second-generation women of Moroccan origin in France share significant similarities concerning major life issues such as their conception of Islam, legal changes affecting women on both sides of the Mediterranean, and personal and professional issues. A hard demarcation line is oft en drawn between the Arab/Muslim world and secular Western societies and is drawn into question when minority populations are taken into consideration.
This is a comparative, qualitative study examining attitudinal changes and discerning cultural trends based on in-depth interviews with samples of young, educated, and professional women in Morocco and in France. The purpose of the comparison was to determine the extent of similarities and differences in attitudes among the samples. The interview schedule focused on three themes: conceptions of Islam, legal Changes in Morocco and in France that impact Muslim women, i.e., the Personal Status Code (moudawana) reform in Morocco, the ban on wearing “overt” religious insignia in public schools in France, and personal and professional goals and challenges. The data analysis shows that the greatest similarities occur among samples and the greatest differences appear within each sample. Overall, conceptions of Islam are marked by a desire for personal interpretation, individual application, and a reading of the Qur’an that emphasizes equality between men and women. The similarities in attitudes can be attributed in large parts to high levels of education in both samples and exposure to global trends.
Stimulants
Authors: Craig Charles R. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis article is concerned with a diverse group of chemical agents that have the ability to stimulate the central nervous system (CNS). In many instances, CNS stimulation is not therapeutically sought and the CNS stimulation observed is considered to be an adverse effect or even, a manifestation of toxicity; seizures (or convulsions) are often the primary event noted. However, a modest degree of CNS stimulation is increasingly considered a beneficial effect for the treatment of such disorders as Alzheimer's disease, attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and clinical depression. Currently, there is an active search for compounds that have selective stimulatory properties. There has always been a need, or at least a desire, for compounds with the ability to delay fatigue and increase awareness. Some CNS stimulants are used for these purposes. Some CNS stimulants with sympathomimetic properties also have the ability to decrease appetite and have been used as components in some weight‐loss regimens.
Tea
Authors: Balentine Douglas A. ,   Updated by Staff
Published: March 2007

Abstract

Tea, manufactured from the leaves of
Camellia sinensis
, is an important commercial product worldwide. Tea contains polyphenolic and volatile constituents, which provide characteristic color and flavor. The respective chemistries of these compounds are reviewed, with emphasis on tea manufacturing and enzymology. The difference in composition between green and black teas is described. The technologies used for preparation of these and instant and decaffeinated teas are reviewed. The physiological effects of tea polyphenols as antioxidants and their possible role in reduction of chronic disease risk are also discussed.
F
isher Information: Nonstandard Situations
Authors: Zheng Gang , Balakrishnan N. 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Fisher's measure of information is a fundamental concept in statistical science. It plays an important role in statistical theory of inference. The definition and applications of Fisher information in standard inference based on random samples have been discussed extensively in the literature. The Fisher information in nonstandard situations involving ordered data has recently attracted considerable attention with discussions focusing on Fisher information in order statistics, percentiles, randomly censored data, concomitants, progressively censored data, and record values, with numerous applications including optimal linear estimates, characterizations, ranked set sampling, and genetic studies. Direct calculation of Fisher information in these nonstandard situations is tedious and computationally difficult. Main techniques to simplify the calculation are discussed here with many examples. Finally, some applications of Fisher information in ordered data are also highlighted.
‘Activating Nature’: The Magic Realism of Contemporary Landscape Architecture in Europe
Authors: Bullivant Lucy 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe redefinition of European cities has created new opportunities for the greening of public urban spaces. Lucy Bullivant describes how three young practices in particular – West 8, Gross.Max and Mosbach Paysagistes – are leading the way with their highly dynamic and inventive narrative approaches to history, culture and the emergent city. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Louise T Blouin Institute, West London
Authors: Melvin Jeremy 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe borderlands of Notting Hill and Shepherd's Bush – at the very fringes of the Westway – have become the site of London's largest new privately owned artspace. A nonprofit foundation funded by Louise T Blouin MacBain, the Canadian CEO of a global media business and an arts philanthropist, the institute has been designed both as a home for the Blouin Foundation and as an effective showcase for the work of newly emerging and established artists. Jeremy Melvin describes how architects Borgos Dance have used the ‘intriguing’ exterior of an old coachbuilder's workshop to their advantage, in hewing out a ‘compelling’ new interior. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Film formation from polymer solution using inkjet printing method
Authors: Kaneda Masayuki , Ishizuka Hirotaka , Sakai Yousuke , Fukai Jun , Yasutake Shigekazu , Takahara Atsushi 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe factors determining the thin‐film shape from an evaporating polymer solution droplet are experimentally studied. The polystyrene/xylene droplets, whose diameter is controlled in the range of 30–100 μm with the mass fraction of 0.5–3.0 wt % are ejected onto a lyophobic substrate. The droplet on the substrate results in an axisymmetric or nonaxisymmetric ring‐like/dot‐like film. The film configuration is dominated by the evaporation rate and the film symmetry is governed by the local pinning time at the periphery. Various relationships are also found among the evaporation rate, pinning time, wetting diameter, and average solute concentration of which the nondimensionalization pronounces explicit relationships and similarity. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2007
Equilibrium unfolding of the poly(glutamic acid)20 helix
Authors: Finke John M. , Jennings Patricia A. , Lee Jennifer C. , Onuchic José N. , Winkler Jay R. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe equilibrium structural ensemble of a 20‐residue polyglutamic acid peptide (E20) was studied with FRET, circular dichroism, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. A FRET donor, o‐aminobenzamide, and acceptor, 3‐nitrotyrosine, were introduced at the N‐ and C‐termini, respectively. Circular dichroism, steady state FRET, and time‐resolved FRET measurements were employed to characterize the fraction helix and end‐to‐end distance under different pH conditions: pH 4 (60% α‐helix), pH 6 (0% α‐helix), and pH 9 (0% α‐helix). At pH 4, the end‐to‐end distance was measured at 24 Å and determined to be considerably less than the 31 Å predicted for an α‐helix of the same length. At pH 6 and 9, the end‐to‐end distance was measured at > 31 and 39 Å respectively, both which are determined to be considerably greater than the 27 Å predicted for a freely jointed random coil of the same length. To better understand the physical forces underlying the unusual helix‐coil transition in this peptide, three theoretical MD models of E20 were constructed: (1) a pure α‐helix, (2) an α‐helix with equivalent attractive intramolecular contacts, and (3) a weak α‐helix with termini‐weighted intramolecular contacts (“sticky ends”). Using MD simulations, the bent helix structure calculated from Model 3 was found to be the closest in agreement with the experimental data. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 86: 193–211, 2007.This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
A rapid method for isolation and purification of an anticoagulant from Whitmania pigra
Authors: Zhong Shan , Cui Zheng , Sakura Naoki , Wang Dong , Li Jianlin , Zhai Yan 
Published: March 2007

AbstractWhitmania pigra is common in China and has been used as a traditional Chinese anticoagulant medicine for years, but its effective components are unknown to scientists. In this article we report a rapid method for isolation and purification of an anticoagulant from W. pigra for the first time. An acetone–water extract of W. pigra was subjected to anion‐exchange chromatography on a Sephadex DEAE A‐50 column, and gel permeation chromatography on Sephadex G‐25 and Sephadex LH‐20 columns successively, which afforded a fraction with potent anticoagulant activity. An anticoagulant was isolated and purified from this fraction by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC). It was identified as a single pure substance by RP‐HPLC and sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE). This component was named whitmanin and its molecular weight was determined as 8608 Da by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel validated LC method for quantitation of lopinavir in bulk drug and pharmaceutical formulation in the presence of its potential impurities and degradation products
Authors: Seshachalam U. , Haribabu B. , Chandrasekhar KB 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA simple isocratic liquid chromatographic method was developed for determination of lopinavir from its related impurities and assay for the first time. This method involves the use of a C8 (Symmetry Shield RP8, 150 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) column. The method was validated over the range of limit of quantitation (LOQ) to 120% of impurity specification limit and LOQ to 150% of working concentration for assay. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of 50 mm of potassium phosphate buffer, acetonitrile and methanol in the ratio of 40:50:10. The flow rate was set at 1.0 mL/min with UV detection monitored at 210 nm. The drug was subjected to stress conditions of hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis and thermal degradation. The developed method was validated for linearity, range, precision, accuracy and specificity. This method was successfully applied for content determination of lopinavir in pharmaceutical formulations. The method can be conveniently used in a quality control laboratory for routine analysis for assay and related substances as well for the evaluation of stability samples of bulk drugs and pharmaceutical formulations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.