bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A prospective pilot clinical trial evaluating the utility of a dynamic near-infrared imaging device for characterizing suspicious breast lesions
Authors: Xu Ronald X , Young Donn C , Mao Jimmy J , Povoski Stephen P 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Introduction
Characterizing and differentiating between malignant tumors, benign tumors, and normal breast tissue is increasingly important in the patient presenting with breast problems. Near-infrared diffuse optical imaging and spectroscopy is capable of measuring multiple physiologic parameters of biological tissue systems and may have clinical applications for assessing the development and progression of neoplastic processes, including breast cancer. The currently available application of near-infrared imaging technology for the breast, however, is compromised by low spatial resolution, tissue heterogeneity, and interpatient variation.

Materials and methods
We tested a dynamic near-infrared imaging schema for the characterization of suspicious breast lesions identified on diagnostic clinical ultrasound. A portable handheld near-infrared tissue imaging device (P-Scan; ViOptix Inc., Fremont, CA, USA) was utilized. An external mechanical compression force was applied to breast tissue. The tissue oxygen saturation and hemoglobin concentration were recorded simultaneously by the handheld near-infrared imaging device. Twelve categories of dynamic tissue parameters were derived based on real-time measurements of the tissue hemoglobin concentration and the oxygen saturation.

Results
Fifty suspicious breast lesions were evaluated in 48 patients. Statistical analyses were carried out on 36 out of 50 datasets that satisfied our inclusion criteria. Suspicious breast lesions identified on diagnostic clinical ultrasound had lower oxygenation and higher hemoglobin concentration than the surrounding normal breast tissue. Furthermore, histopathologic-proven malignant breast tumors had a lower differential hemoglobin contrast (that is, the difference of hemoglobin concentration variability between the suspicious breast lesion and the normal breast parenchyma located remotely elsewhere within the ipsilateral breast) as compared with histopathologic-proven benign breast lesions.

Conclusion
The proposed dynamic near-infrared imaging schema has the potential to differentiate benign processes from those of malignant breast tumors. Further development and refinement of the dynamic imaging device and additional subsequent clinical testing are necessary for optimizing the accuracy of detection.
Survival After a Psychoeducational Intervention for Patients With Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma: A Replication Study
Authors: Boesen Ellen H. , Boesen Sidsel H. , Frederiksen Kirsten , Ross Lone , Dahlstrøm Karin , Schmidt Grethe , Næsted Jesper , Krag Christen , Johansen Christoffer 
Published: December 2007

PurposeThe results of a randomized, intervention study done in 1993 of psychoeducation for patients with early-stage malignant melanoma showed a beneficial effect on recurrence and survival 6 years after the intervention. In the present study, we replicated the study with 258 Danish patients with malignant melanoma. We also compared recurrence and survival among the participants in the randomized study with 137 patients who refused to participate.Patients and MethodsWe randomly assigned 262 patients with primary malignant melanoma to a control or an intervention group. Patients in the intervention group were offered six weekly 2-hour sessions of psychoeducation. Participants and nonparticipants were followed up for vital status and recurrence 4 to 6 years after surgical treatment. Prognostic factors (thickness of the tumor and lymph node status), sex, and age were adjusted for in a Cox regression model (proportional hazards regression) to derive an adjusted survival rate ratio and an adjusted relapse-free survival rate ratio, with 95% CIs.ResultsThe hazard ratio was 1.30 (95% CI, 0.5 to 3.5) for survival and 0.73 (95% CI, 0.3 to 1.9) for recurrence. Being a nonparticipant increased the risk for death by more than two-fold (hazard ratio, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.0 to 5.2) over that of participants.ConclusionPsychoeducation did not increase survival or the recurrence-free interval among patients with malignant melanoma; however, nonparticipants had a statistically significantly greater risk for death than participants.
Sustained Remissions of High-Risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome After Reduced-Intensity Conditioning Allogeneic Hematopoietic Transplantation: Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease Is the Strongest Factor Improving Survival
Authors: Valcárcel David , Martino Rodrigo , Caballero Dolores , Martin Jesus , Ferra Christelle , Nieto Jose B. , Sampol Antonia , Bernal M. Teresa , Piñana Jose L. , Vazquez Lourdes , Ribera Jose M. , Besalduch Joan , Moraleda Jose M. , Carrera Dolores , Brunet M. Salut , Perez-Simón Jose A. , Sierra Jorge 
Published: December 2007

Purpose Reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) for allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (allo-SCT) reduces nonrelapse mortality (NRM). This reduction makes it possible for patients who are ineligible for high-dose myeloablative conditioning allo-SCT to benefit from graft-versus-leukemia reaction. In this multicenter, prospective study of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), we investigated the efficacy of RIC allo-SCT from a human leukocyte antigen–identical sibling by using a regimen that uses fludarabine and busulfan. Patients and Methods Ninety-three patients with AML (n = 59) and MDS (n = 34) were included, and the median age was of 53 years. Follow-up for survivors was 43 months (range, 3 to 89 months). The conditioning regimen consisted of fludarabine (150 mg/m2) and oral busulfan (8 to 10 mg/kg). All except one patient received mobilized peripheral blood stem cells. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisted of cyslosporine and methotrexate or mycophenolate mofetil. Results The 100-day, 1-year, and 4-year incidences of NRM were 8, 16%, and 21%, respectively. The 1- and 4-year relapse cumulative incidences were 23% and 37%, respectively, and leukemia recurrence was the main cause of death. The 4-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 43% and 45%, respectively. The 4-year cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD was 53% (45% extensive), and its development was the major factor associated with lower relapse incidence and improved DFS and OS. Conclusion Our results confirm the capacity of this RIC regimen to obtain long-term remissions in patients ineligible for a conventional allo-SCT. The results suggest an important role of the development of chronic GVHD in reducing relapse and improving DFS and OS.
Survival After Adjuvant Oophorectomy and Tamoxifen in Operable Breast Cancer in Premenopausal Women
Authors: Love Richard R. , Van Dinh Nguyen , Quy Tran Tu , Linh Nguyen Dieu , Tung Nguyen Dinh , Shen Tien-zhen , Hade Erinn M. , Young Gregory S. , Jarjoura David 
Published: December 2007

Purpose Worldwide, approximately 750,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed annually in premenopausal women with limited economic resources. Longer-term survival benefits from adjuvant therapies in such women with operable breast cancer are unknown. Patients and Methods From 1993 to 1999, we recruited 709 premenopausal women with operable breast cancer to a multisite randomized clinical trial of adjuvant oophorectomy and tamoxifen for 5 years or observation and this combined hormonal therapy on recurrence. Results With a median follow-up of 7.0 years, disease-free and overall survival were significantly improved with the adjuvant treatment (log-rank P = .0003 and .0002, respectively). Five year disease-free survival (DFS) probabilities of 74% and 61% (95% CI for difference, 7% to 21%) and overall survival (OS) rates of 78% and 71% (95% CI for difference, 1% to 21%) were observed in the adjuvant and observation groups. Ten-year DFS probabilities of 62% and 51% (95% CI for difference, 4% to 22%) and OS probabilities of 70% and 52% (95% CI for difference, 6% to 34%) between adjuvant and observation groups, respectively, were observed. In the subset of estrogen receptor–positive patients, 5-year DFS probabilities were 83% and 61%, and 10-year DFS probabilities were 66% and 47%, while 5-year OS probabilities were 88% and 74%, and 10-year OS probabilities were 82% and 49% in the adjuvant and observation groups, respectively. Conclusion In premenopausal women with operable breast cancer not selected for estrogen receptor status or with estrogen receptor–positive tumors, 5- and 10-year DFS and OS rates are significantly improved following adjuvant oophorectomy and tamoxifen.
Symptoms and Patient-Reported Well-Being: Do They Predict Survival in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma? A Prognostic Factor Analysis of EORTC-NCIC 08983: Randomized Phase III Study of Cisplatin With or Without Raltitrexed in Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Authors: Bottomley Andrew , Coens Corneel , Efficace Fabio , Gaafar Rabab , Manegold Christian , Burgers Sjaak , Vincent Mark , Legrand Catherine , van Meerbeeck Jan P. 
Published: December 2007

Purpose Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare disease. Unlike other advanced cancer types, little is known about patient-reported symptoms or health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and their possible prognostic value. This study reports an evaluation of the prognostic value of these factors using data gathered from a recent randomized controlled trial. Patients and Methods Patients were entered onto this trial if they had a histologically proven unresectable MPM, not pretreated with chemotherapy, WHO performance status ≤ 2, and adequate hematologic, renal, and hepatic function. Patients were randomly assigned to receive cisplatin 80 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1, without or with preceding infusion of raltitrexed 3 mg/m2. HRQOL was assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30/Lung Cancer 13 tool. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used for the univariate and multivariate analyses of survival, along with a bootstrap validation technique. Included were the EORTC prognostic index (PI) composed of stage of disease, histology type, time since diagnosis, and WBC, and, in addition, 10 selected key symptoms and HRQOL scales. Results Two hundred fifty patients were randomly assigned (80% male; median age, 58 years; WHO performance status 0, 1, 2 in 25%, 62%, and 13% of cases, respectively). Two hundred twenty-nine patients (91.6%) had a valid HRQOL assessment. The final multivariate model retained the PI, pain (P < .0001), and appetite loss (P = .0100) as independent prognostic indicators of survival. Conclusion Results suggest that the PI, pain, and appetite loss may be independent prognostic factors in patients with advanced MPM.
Randomized Phase II Study of Gemcitabine Plus Cisplatin or Carboplatin, With or Without Cetuximab, As First-Line Therapy for Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Butts Charles A. , Bodkin David , Middleman Edward L. , Englund Craig W. , Ellison David , Alam Yasmin , Kreisman Harvey , Graze Peter , Maher James , Ross Helen J. , Ellis Peter M. , McNulty William , Kaplan Edward , Pautret Virginie , Weber Martin R. , Shepherd Frances A. 
Published: December 2007

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of cetuximab added to first-line gemcitabine/platinum in chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and Methods In this noncomparative, randomized trial, chemotherapy-naïve patients with recurrent/metastatic NSCLC (stage IV or stage IIIB with malignant pleural effusion) were eligible. Patients received cisplatin (75 mg/m2 IV, every 3 weeks) or carboplatin (area under the concentration-versus-time curve of 5 intravenously [IV], every 3 weeks), and gemcitabine (1,250 or 1,000 mg/m2 IV, days 1 and 8) plus cetuximab (400 mg/m2 IV day 1, followed by 250 mg/m2 weekly), in arm A, or chemotherapy alone, in arm B. Response rate was the primary end point; safety, progression-free survival, and overall survival were secondary end points. Results Sixty-five patients were randomly assigned to arm A and 66 to arm B. Partial responses were observed in 18 patients (27.7%; 95% CI, 17.3 to 40.2) in arm A and 12 (18.2%; 95% CI, 9.8 to 29.6) in arm B. Median progression-free survival was 5.09 months for arm A (95% CI, 4.17 to 5.98) and 4.21 months (95% CI, 3.81 to 5.49) in arm B. Median overall survival was 11.99 months (95% CI, 8.80 to 15.18) and 9.26 months (95% CI, 7.43 to 11.79) in arms A and B, respectively. Overall toxicity was acceptable and consistent with the profiles of the individual agents. Conclusion First-line treatment with cetuximab plus gemcitabine/platinum is well tolerated and can be administered safely in patients with advanced NSCLC. Differences in response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival suggest that the addition of cetuximab to platinum/gemcitabine may improve clinical outcomes. Larger studies are in progress to address this hypothesis.
Involvement of Family Physicians in the Care of Cancer Patients Seen in the Palliative Rapid Response Radiotherapy Program
Authors: Barnes Elizabeth A. , Fan Grace , Harris Kristin , Doyle Meagan , Librach Lawrence S. , Chow Edward , Barbera Lisa , Tsao May , Lam Kelvin , Danjoux Cyril 
Published: December 2007

Purpose It is important for cancer patients to maintain continuity of care with their family physician (FP) while being followed at the cancer center. The primary objective of this study was to determine the perception of patients seen in the palliative Rapid Response Radiotherapy Program (RRRP) on FP involvement in their cancer care. Secondary objectives were to identify factors predicting for perceived FP involvement in patient cancer care. Patients and Methods Consecutive patients were approached for study enrollment at the time of RRRP visit and asked to complete a 15-item survey. Results Three hundred sixty-five patients were accrued over 15 months. Ninety-eight percent had an FP, and 43% felt their FP was involved in their cancer care. Eighty percent of patients were satisfied with the overall medical care provided by their FP, and 71% had been with their FP for ≥ 5 years. The most common reason patients gave for perceiving limited FP involvement was the medical oncologist looking after all of their cancer needs. Multivariate analysis found that satisfaction with overall medical care provided by the FP, shorter time since last FP visit, seeing the FP since cancer diagnosis, and FP providing on-call service for after-hour emergencies all significantly predicted for patients perceiving FP involvement in their cancer care. Conclusion Less than half of patients surveyed perceived their FP as involved in their cancer care. Encouraging continuity of care between patients and FPs may allow for easier transition of care back to the FP once palliative treatment at the cancer center has finished and help facilitate end-of-life planning.
Reproductive Factors, Hormone Use, Estrogen Receptor Expression and Risk of Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer in Women
Authors: Schwartz Ann G. , Wenzlaff Angela S. , Prysak Geoffrey M. , Murphy Valerie , Cote Michele L. , Brooks Sam C. , Skafar Debra F. , Lonardo Fulvio 
Published: December 2007

Purpose Estrogen receptor (ER) expression in lung tumors suggests that estrogens may play a role in the development of lung cancer. We evaluated the role of hormone-related factors in determining risk of non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in women. We also evaluated whether risk factors were differentially associated with cytoplasmic ER-α and/or nuclear ER-β expression–defined NSCLC in postmenopausal women. Patients and Methods Population-based participants included women aged 18 to 74 years diagnosed with NSCLC in metropolitan Detroit between November 1, 2001 and October 31, 2005. Population-based controls were identified through random digit dialing, matched to patient cases on race and 5-year age group. Interview data were analyzed for 488 patient cases (241 with tumor ER results) and 498 controls. Results Increased duration of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use in quartiles was associated with decreased risk of NSCLC in postmenopausal women (odds ratio = 0.88; 95% CI, 0.78 to 1.00; P = .04), adjusting for age, race, pack-years, education, family history of lung cancer, current body mass index, years exposed to second-hand smoke in the workplace, and obstructive lung disease history. Among postmenopausal women, ever using HRT, increasing HRT duration of use in quartiles, and increasing quartiles of estrogen use were significant predictors of reduced risk of NSCLC characterized as ER-α and/or ER-β positive. None of the hormone-related variables were associated with nuclear ER-α–or ER-β–negative NSCLC. Conclusion These findings suggest that postmenopausal hormone exposures are associated with reduced risk of ER-α–and ER-β–expressing NSCLC. Understanding tumor characteristics may direct development of targeted treatment for this disease.
Beyond the Traditional Prognostic Indicators: The Impact of Primary Care Utilization on Cancer Survival
Authors: Jones Laura E. , Doebbeling Caroline Carney 
Published: December 2007

Purpose
To our knowledge to date, the effect of primary care utilization on health outcomes in cancer patients has not been described. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of primary care utilization within 6 months of cancer diagnosis on survival in patients with lung cancer.

Patients and Methods
We used electronic medical record data (1997 to 2005) to identify male veterans with incident lung cancers (N = 323). Primary care utilization was assessed in the 6 months after cancer diagnosis. Patients were observed from cancer diagnosis to death or to last date of health care utilization (ie, censoring date). Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models tested whether primary care utilization was associated with improved survival. Multivariate analyses adjusted for demographic and clinical characteristics.

Results

During an average follow-up of 16.6 months, 259 patients died. In multivariate analysis, the risk of death was 36% (hazard ratio [HR], 0.64; 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.90), 56% (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.29 to 0.65), and 57% (HR, 0.43; 05% CI, 0.29 to 0.64) lower for patients who had one, two, or at least three primary care visits, respectively, in the first 6 months after cancer diagnosis as compared with those without primary care utilization. The median survival duration (
P
< .0001, log-rank test) was 3.68, 7.52, 13.88, and 13.75 months for patients with no, one, two, or at least three primary care visits, respectively.

Conclusion
Primary care utilization in the early phase of cancer treatment has a marked effect that results in a reduced mortality risk in patients with incident lung cancer. Additional research is required to determine how and why primary care utilization is an important prognostic indicator of prolonged survival in patients with lung cancer.
Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer in Host–Guest Inclusion Complexes of Cyclodextrin–Porphyrin Composite in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Hosokawa Kiyotada , Miura Yutaka , Kiba Takayuki , Kakuchi Toyoji , Sato Shin-ichiro 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
A composite of zinc tetraphenylporphyrin linked with β-cyclodextrin was prepared as a convenient scaffold for a self-assembled energy-transfer complex. The energy-transfer properties of the host–guest complexes were investigated for several guest molecules (naphthalene, anthracene, 2-methylanthracene, and 9,10-dimethylanthracene) by means of fluorescence and fluorescence-excitation spectroscopies.
Photochemical Site-specific Mutation of 5-Methylcytosine to Thymine
Authors: Matsumura Takashi , Ogino Masayuki , Nagayoshi Kango , Fujimoto Kenzo 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
In this study, we report that the coupling of 5-methylcytosine with 5-carbamoylvinyl-deoxyuridine-mediated photoligation caused the heat-induced transition from 5-methylcytosine to thymine. Deamination of 5-methylcytosine to thymine proceeded via the formation of cyclobutane dimer.
Ethnic differences in the dynamics of women's work meetings
Authors: Kell Susan , Marra Meredith , Holmes Janet , Vine Bernadette 
Published: December 2007

AbstractWhile meeting management strategies have been investigated by a number of researchers, the ways in which participants' ethnicity and associated cultural norms may influence the discourse patterns of meetings is still relatively under-examined. Using data from New Zealand meetings, this paper investigates how Pākehā majority group norms typically legitimise assumptions which may prove quite inaccurate in interpreting what is going on in meetings where Māori participants predominate. Using a CDA framework, the analysis identifies some important differences in the way Māori and Pākehā conduct workplace meetings, relating especially to meeting openings and closing, levels of formality, and degrees of directness and explicitness, These contrasting norms have the potential for miscommunication and a negative effect both on organisational outcomes and progress at work for Māori in particular.
Sociolinguistic perspectives on variation in non-native varieties of English: The case of Malaysian English
Authors: Rajadurai Joanne 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
This paper examines L2 variation by exploring the ways in which the English language is used in everyday communication in Malaysia. It begins with a review of how L2 variation has generally been treated and questions the imbalances perceived to underpin fundamental theoretical notions. Rejecting the traditional analysis of the language of L2 users in terms of transfer and interlanguage models in favour of the more robust communication accommodation theory, the article argues for the need to take account of multilingual realities as opposed to the prevailing monolingual orientation to linguistics in general. Data presented and analysed are taken from a case-study corpus comprising recordings of proficient Malaysian speakers interacting in naturalistic contexts. By combining macro- and micro- aspects of discourse, and triangulating various perspectives, including those of the analyst and the actors, the analysis seeks to describe and understand the nature of linguistic variation in the Malaysian context. Rather than concentrate on misunderstanding and linguistic handicap, the focus is on how language is used collaboratively, strategically, contextually and resourcefully to achieve the varying goals of speakers.
Living ‘Here and There’: New Migration of Translocal Workers from Veracruz to the Southeastern United States
Authors: Núñez‐Madrazo Ma. Cristina 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThis article focuses on the new migration experience of people from central Veracruz, in Mexico, to the southeastern region of the U.S. Through the use of local narratives of migrants and their families, it is possible to see how they create translocal social spaces in their everyday lives. The term here and there is theorized from their experience to describe living in translocal social/cultural/geographical space.