bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phase III Trial Comparing Concurrent Biochemotherapy With Cisplatin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine, Interleukin-2, and Interferon Alfa-2b With Cisplatin, Vinblastine, and Dacarbazine Alone in Patients With Metastatic Malignant Melanoma (E3695): A Trial Coordinated by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
Authors: Atkins Michael B. , Hsu Jessie , Lee Sandra , Cohen Gary I. , Flaherty Lawrence E. , Sosman Jeffrey A. , Sondak Vernon K. , Kirkwood John M. 
Published: November 2008

Purpose Phase II trials with biochemotherapy (BCT) have shown encouraging response rates in metastatic melanoma, and meta-analyses and one phase III trial have suggested a survival benefit. In an effort to determine the relative efficacy of BCT compared with chemotherapy alone, a phase III trial was performed within the United States Intergroup. Patients and Methods Patients were randomly assigned to receive cisplatin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (CVD) either alone or concurrent with interleukin-2 and interferon alfa-2b (BCT). Treatment cycles were repeated at 21-day intervals for a maximum of four cycles. Tumor response was assessed after cycles 2 and 4, then every 3 months. Results Four hundred fifteen patients were enrolled, and 395 patients (CVD, n = 195; BCT, n = 200) were deemed eligible and assessable. The two study arms were well balanced for stratification factors and other prognostic factors. Response rate was 19.5% for BCT and 13.8% for CVD (P = .140). Median progression-free survival was significantly longer for BCT than for CVD (4.8 v 2.9 months; P = .015), although this did not translate into an advantage in either median overall survival (9.0 v 8.7 months) or the percentage of patients alive at 1 year (41% v 36.9%). More patients experienced grade 3 or worse toxic events with BCT than CVD (95% v 73%; P = .001). Conclusion Although BCT produced slightly higher response rates and longer median progression-free survival than CVD alone, this was not associated with either improved overall survival or durable responses. Considering the extra toxicity and complexity, this concurrent BCT regimen cannot be recommended for patients with metastatic melanoma.
Phase III Study of Cisplatin, Etoposide, and Concurrent Chest Radiation With or Without Consolidation Docetaxel in Patients With Inoperable Stage III Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: The Hoosier Oncology Group and U.S. Oncology
Authors: Hanna Nasser , Neubauer Marcus , Yiannoutsos Constantin , McGarry Ronald , Arseneau James , Ansari Rafat , Reynolds Craig , Govindan Ramaswamy , Melnyk Anton , Fisher William , Richards Donald , Bruetman Daniel , Anderson Thomas , Chowhan Naveed , Nattam Sreenivasa , Mantravadi Prasad , Johnson Cynthia , Breen Tim , White Angela , Einhorn Lawrence 
Published: November 2008

Purpose Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is standard treatment for patients with inoperable stage III non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A phase II study by the Southwest Oncology Group using consolidation docetaxel after cisplatin (P), etoposide (E), and radiation (XRT) resulted in a median survival time (MST) of 26 months. This randomized phase III trial evaluated whether consolidation docetaxel was responsible for this improved survival. Patients and Methods Eligible patients had stage IIIA or IIIB NSCLC, baseline performance status of 0 to 1, forced expiratory volume in 1 second ≥ 1 L, and less than 5% weight loss. Patients received P 50 mg/m2 intravenously (IV) on days 1, 8, 29, and 36 and E 50 mg/m2 IV on days 1-5 and 29-33 concurrently with chest XRT to 59.40 Gy. Patients who did not experience progression were randomly assigned to docetaxel 75 mg/m2 IV every 21 days for three cycles versus observation. The primary end point was to compare overall survival (Kaplan-Meier analysis). Results On the basis of evidence of futility, a data and safety monitoring board recommended early termination after an analysis of the initial 203 patients. Patient characteristics (n = 203) were as follows: 34% female; median age, 63 years; 39.4% stage IIIA; and 60.6% stage IIIB. One hundred forty-seven (72.4%) of 203 patients were randomly assigned to docetaxel (n = 73) or observation (n = 74). Grade 3 to 5 toxicities during docetaxel included febrile neutropenia (10.9%) and pneumonitis (9.6%); 28.8% of patients were hospitalized during docetaxel (v 8.1% in observation arm), and 5.5% died as a result of docetaxel. The MST for all patients (n = 203) was 21.7 months; MST was 21.2 months for docetaxel arm compared with 23.2 months for observation arm (P = .883). Conclusion Consolidation docetaxel after PE/XRT results in increased toxicities but does not further improve survival compared with PE/XRT alone in patients with stage III inoperable NSCLC.
Physicians’ Experiences With BRCA1/2 Testing in Community Settings
Authors: Keating Nancy L. , Stoeckert Kathryn A. , Regan Meredith M. , DiGianni Lisa , Garber Judy E. 
Published: November 2008

Purpose We surveyed a national sample of nonacademic physicians who ordered BRCA1/2 testing to understand their implementation of genetic testing and to assess recommendations for surveillance and cancer risk management of women with positive test results. Patients and Methods We surveyed physicians (N = 611 of 1,050; response rate, 58.2%) practicing in nonacademic settings who ordered BRCA1/2 testing during 2004 to 2005. We described physicians’ experiences with testing and used multivariable regression models to identify factors associated with more complete counseling and with recommendations for cancer risk management for a BRCA1 mutation carrier. Results Most physicians (68.2%) usually or always discussed six counseling items before testing. In adjusted analyses, physicians who were assisted by genetic counselors, nurse geneticists, or others (v counseling by themselves), those who spent more than 60 minutes in counseling, and medical oncologists (v surgeons or geneticists) were more likely to discuss all six items (all P < .05). A total of 61.4% of physicians would recommend bilateral prophylactic mastectomy to a 38-year-old BRCA1 mutation carrier who had completed childbearing. After adjustment, geneticists and gynecologists were less likely than medical oncologists and surgeons to recommend prophylactic mastectomy (P < .001), as were physicians in the Northeast versus those in other regions of the United States (P = .01). Conclusion Community-based physicians seem to be successfully incorporating BRCA1/2 testing into their practices. Physicians’ recommendations for surveillance of mutation carriers are generally consistent with practice guidelines, yet recommendations for preference-based procedures such as prophylactic mastectomy vary by physician characteristics such as specialty and geographic region. The providers whom patients see for testing may contribute to variations in prophylactic treatments.
How does the general practitioner understand the patient? A qualitative study about psychological interventions in general practice
Authors: Davidsen Annette Sofie 
Published: November 2008

Objectives General practitioners (GPs) treat more than 90% of common mental disorders. However, the content of their interventions remains undefined. The present study aimed to explore GPs' processes of understanding the patients with emotional problems.Design The study was qualitative using semi‐structured interviews with 14 general practitioners sampled purposively. Observation was done in the surgeries of four of the GPs.Methods Analysis of the interviews was made by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Observation notes were analysed from a hermeneutic‐phenomenological perspective, inspired by IPA.Results GPs had very different approaches to patients with emotional problems. Physical symptoms were the usual reason for consulting the GP. Understanding patients' perception of the meaning of their bodily symptoms in their complex life‐situation was considered important by some of the participants. Arriving at this understanding often occurred through the narrative delivered in different narrative styles mirroring the patients' mental state. Awareness of relational factors and self‐awareness and self‐reflexivity on the part of the GP influenced this process. Other participants did not enter this process of understanding patients' emotional problems.Conclusions The concept of mentalization could be used to describe GPs' processes of understanding their patients when making psychosocial interventions and could form an important ingredient in a general practice theory in this field. Only some participants had a mentalizing approach. The study calls attention to the advantage of training this capacity for promoting professional treatment of patients and a professional dialogue across sector borders.
An Attention-based System Approach for Scene Analysis in Driver Assistance Ein aufmerksamkeitsbasierter Systemansatz zur Szenenanalyse in der Fahrerassistenz
Authors: Michalke Thomas , Kastner Robert , Adamy Jürgen , Bone Sven , Waibel Falko , Kleinehagenbrock Marcus , Gayko Jens , Gepperth Alexander , Fritsch Jannik , Goerick Christian 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Research on computer vision systems for driver assistance resulted in a variety of isolated approaches mainly performing very specialized tasks like, e. g., lane keeping or traffic sign detection. However, for a full understanding of generic traffic situations, integrated and flexible approaches are needed. We here present a highly integrated vision architecture for an advanced driver assistance system inspired by human cognitive principles. The system uses an attention system as the flexible and generic front-end for all visual processing, allowing a task-specific scene decomposition and search for known objects (based on a short term memory) as well as generic object classes (based on a long term memory). Knowledge fusion, e. g., between an internal 3D representation and a reliable road detection module improves the system performance. The system heavily relies on top-down links to modulate lower processing levels, resulting in a high system robustness.
The Politics of Economic Nationalism in Japan: Backlash against Inward Foreign Direct Investment?
Authors: Suginohara Masako 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
This paper examines whether increased presence of foreign capital has led to the spread of economic nationalism in Japan and whether such nationalism has affected economic policymaking. The study finds the general public has not embraced nationalistic assertions, while some policymakers had attempted to use nationalism to realize their favored policies.
Progressive Loss of DNA Methylation Releases Epigenetic Gene Silencing From a Tandemly Repeated Maize Myb Gene
Authors: Sekhon Rajandeep S , Chopra Surinder 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Maize pericarp color1 (p1) gene, which regulates phlobaphene biosynthesis in kernel pericarp and cob glumes, offers an excellent genetic system to study tissue-specific gene regulation. A multicopy p1 allele, P1-wr (white pericarp/red cob) is epigenetically regulated. Hypomethylation of P1-wr in the presence of Unstable factor for orange1 (Ufo1), leads to ectopic pigmentation of pericarp and other organs. The Ufo1-induced phenotypes show incomplete penetrance and poor expressivity: gain of pigmentation is observed only in a subset of plants carrying Ufo1 mutation, and the extent of pigmentation is highly variable. We show that Ufo1 induces progressive hypomethylation of P1-wr repeats over generations. After five generations of exposure to Ufo1, a 30–40% decrease in CG and CNG methylation was observed in an upstream enhancer and an intron region of P1-wr. Interestingly, such hypomethylation correlated with an increase in penetrance of the Ufo1-induced pigmentation phenotype from ∼27 to 61%. Expressivity of the Ufo1-induced phenotype also improved markedly as indicated by increased uniformity of pericarp pigmentation in the later generations. Furthermore, the poor expressivity of the Uo1 is associated with mosaic methylation patterns of the P1-wr upstream enhancer in individual cells and distinct P1-wr gene copies. Finally, comparison of methylation among different tissues indicated that Ufo1 induces rapid CG and CNG hypomethylation of P1-wr repeats during plant development. Together, these data indicate that the poor penetrance and expressivity of Ufo1-induced phenotypes is caused by mosaicism of methylation, and progressive mitotic hypomethylation leads to improved meiotic heritability of the mutant phenotype. In duplicated genomes like maize, loss of an epigenetic regulator may produce mosaic patterns due to redundancy of epigenetic regulators and their target sequences. We show here that multiple developmental cycles may be required for complete disruption of suppressed epigenetic states and appearance of heritable phenotypes.
Effects of a Patent Ductus Arteriosus on Postprandial Mesenteric Perfusion in Premature Baboons
Authors: McCurnin Donald , Clyman Ronald I. 
Published: November 2008

BACKGROUND. Superior mesenteric artery flow increases after a feeding to meet the intestines' increased metabolic demands. Although a patent ductus arteriosus can affect superior mesenteric artery perfusion in nonfeeding infants, there is no information about its effects on the hyperemic response that follows a feeding.
OBJECTIVE. Our goal was to study the effects of a patent ductus arteriosus on superior mesenteric artery perfusion in preterm baboons.
DESIGN. Preterm baboons were delivered at 67% gestation and ventilated for 14 days. Enteral feedings were begun and advanced per protocol. Feeding studies were performed between days 10 and 14. Thirty-one studies were performed in animals with a closed ductus; 21 studies in those with a moderate patent ductus arteriosus shunt (pulmonary-to-systemic blood flow ratio ≥ 2:1). Two-dimensional echocardiographic and Doppler examinations were performed before and 10 and 30 minutes after a feeding. The groups were similar in birth weights, feeding volumes, and age at time of study.
RESULTS. During the preprandial period, baboons with a moderate patent ductus arteriosus had significantly lower blood pressures and systemic blood flows than animals with a closed ductus. Preprandial superior mesenteric artery-blood flow velocities did not differ between the open and closed ductus groups. Animals with a closed ductus increased their superior mesenteric artery-velocities (diastolic and mean) and decreased their superior mesenteric artery relative-vascular-resistance (mean blood pressure/mean superior mesenteric artery-velocity) by 10 minutes after the feeding. By 30 minutes after the feeding, the values were returning to their preprandial values. In contrast, in baboons in the patent ductus arteriosus group, there were no significant changes in superior mesenteric artery-velocity or resistance after the feeding, and superior mesenteric artery-velocities were significantly lower than those in the closed ductus group.
CONCLUSIONS. A moderate patent ductus arteriosus shunt limits the ability of the preterm newborn baboon to increase its postprandial mesenteric blood flow velocity. We speculate that this may interfere with its ability to meet increased intestinal metabolic demands and may contribute to feeding difficulties.
Amylase α-2A Autoantibodies
Authors: Endo Toyoshi , Takizawa Soichi , Tanaka Shoichiro , Takahashi Masashi , Fujii Hideki , Kamisawa Terumi , Kobayashi Tetsuro 
Published: November 2008

OBJECTIVE— The pathogenesis of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and fulminant type 1 diabetes remains unclear, although it is known that immune-mediated processes severely compromise the endocrine and exocrine functions in both diseases.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— We have screened a λTriplEx2 human pancreas cDNA library with serum from a patient with AIP and obtained positive clones. Sequence analysis revealed that 7 of 10 clones were identical to human amylase α-2A. Using a recombinant COOH-terminal amylase α-2A protein, we developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system to detect autoantibodies against human amylase α-2A.
RESULTS— All 15 serum samples from patients with AIP recognized the recombinant protein, whereas sera from 25 patients with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis and sera from 25 patients with a pancreas tumor did not. Interestingly, 88% (15/17) of patients with fulminant type 1 diabetes were positive for an autoantibody against amylase α-2A. These antibodies were detected in 21% of patients with acute-onset type 1 diabetes (9 of 42) and 6% of type 2 diabetic patients (4 of 67).
CONCLUSIONS— These results suggest that an autoantibody against amylase α-2A is a novel diagnostic marker for both AIP and fulminant type 1 diabetes and that, clinically and immunologically, AIP and fulminant type 1 diabetes are closely related.
Making Sense and Learning Lessons from the Port Arthur Killings
Authors: Valent Paul 
Published: November 2008

It is now a year since the Port Arthur massacre. But the lessons of the event have progressed little since the killer's answer to the question“Why?” when he said,“S'pose it happens, doesn't it?” Yet we need to know what motivated the killer to give us hope to be able to prevent similar tragedies. If such knowledge can prevent future deaths, die deaths of the victims and the sufferings of the survivors may not have been totally in vain. Even if adding but little, it is in this spirit that this paper is written.
Absolute lymphocyte count at the time of first relapse predicts survival in patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Porrata Luis F. , Ristow Kay , Habermann Thomas M. , Witzig Thomas E. , Inwards David J. , Markovic Svetomir N. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractPeripheral blood absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) is a survival prognostic factor in hematological malignancies. No reports have addressed whether ALC at the time of first relapse (ALC‐R) predicts survival. Thus, we assessed the prognostic significance of ALC‐R in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Patients were required to have been diagnosed with first relapsed DLBCL, have ALC‐R values, and to be followed at Mayo Clinic, Rochester. From Feb 1987 until March 2006, 97 first relapsed DLBCL patients qualified for the study. The overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) were measured from the time of first relapse. The value of ALC‐R≥ 1.0 × 109/L was used for the analysis. Both groups (ALC‐R ≥ 1 or < 1 × 109/L) were balanced for the international prognostic index at relapse (IPI‐R) (P= 0.3), and for autologous stem cell transplantation (P= 0.4). Superior OS and PFS were observed with an ALC‐R ≥ 1.0 × 109/L (N= 60) versus ALC‐R < 1.0 × 109/L (N= 37) [median OS: 28.7 months, 5 years OS rates of 39% versus median OS: 10.2 months, 5 years OS rates of 14%,P< 0.002; and median PFS: 14.8 months, 5 years PFS rates of 21% versus median PFS: 6.5 months, 5 years PFS rates of 8%,P< 0.004, respectively]. ALC‐R was an independent prognostic factor for OS [RR = 0.4,P< 0.01] and PFS [RR = 0.5,P< 0.005]. ALC‐R predicts survival suggesting that host immunity is an important variable predicting survival in first relapsed DLBCL. Am. J. Hematol. 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Improved learning efficiency and increased student collaboration through use of virtual microscopy in the teaching of human pathology
Authors: Braun Mark W. , Kearns Katherine D. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe implementation of virtual microscopy in the teaching of pathology at the Bloomington, Indiana extension of the Indiana University School of Medicine permitted the assessment of student attitudes, use and academic performance with respect to this new technology. A gradual and integrated approach allowed the parallel assessment with respect to both the virtual and optical microscopes. Student survey data indicated that the virtual imaging technology was enthusiastically received, and aggregate grade comparisons with the previous classes showed no decrease in content mastery. Survey questions assessing a variety of parameters reveal improved time and resource utilization, as well as increased student collaboration. Even so, 50% of the respondents indicated having both optical and virtual microscopes available was preferable. Anat Sci Ed 1:240–246, 2008. © 2008 American Association of Anatomists.
Beyond Weimar Culture – Die Bedeutung der Forman‐These für eine Wissenschaftsgeschichte in kulturhistorischer Perspektive
Authors: Trischler Helmuth , Carson Cathryn , Kojevnikov Alexei 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBeyond Weimar Culture – The Significance of the Forman Thesis for a Cultural Approach to the History of Science. The famous ‘Forman thesis’, published in 1971, argued for a historical linkage among the intellectual atmosphere of Weimar Germany, popular revolts against determinism and materialism, and the creation of the revolutionary new theory of quantum mechanics. Paul Forman's long essay on “Weimar Culture” has shaped research agendas in numerous fields, from the history and philosophy of physics to German history to the sociology of scientific knowledge. Despite its status as a classic and its transformative effect, Weimar Culture has always inspired as much critique as assent. In particular in the history of science, cohorts of students and two generations of scholars have debated the Forman thesis as a conceptual tool for linking scientific change with cultural processes. The Forman thesis raises critical questions for both the ongoing debates over cultural approaches to the history of science and the burgeoning newer scholarship on physics in and beyond Weimar Germany. Exploring these implications has been the aim of a transnational project of the three authors of this article which sheds some light on these debates and briefly introduces the following papers of this special issue devoted to Paul Forman and his seminal works in the history of science.