bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outcome of patients with active ankylosing spondylitis after two years of therapy with etanercept: Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging data
Authors: Baraliakos X. , Brandt J. , Listing J. , Haibel H. , Sörensen H. , Rudwaleit M. , Sieper J. , Braun J. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the long‐term outcome of patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) clinically and by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after continuous treatment with the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor fusion protein etanercept over 2 years.MethodsOverall, 26 patients with active AS were treated with etanercept 25 mg twice daily subcutaneously, twice weekly with no concomitant disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or steroids. The clinical response was assessed by standardized parameters. Inflammatory spinal lesions were quantified by the ASspiMRI‐a rating gadolinium‐enhanced (T1‐weighted gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) and STIR MRI sequences. The primary outcome was a Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) improvement ≥50% after 2 years of etanercept therapy compared with the baseline value of the study.ResultsOverall, 21 (70%) of 30 patients completed year 2. In the intent‐to‐treat analysis, 54% of the patients showed a 50% improvement according to the BASDAI and a 40% improvement according to the Assessment in Ankylosing Spondylitis (ASAS) criteria. In the completer analysis, 9 (43%) of 21 patients were in partial remission according to ASAS criteria. Mean ± SD BASDAI scores, which were elevated at baseline (6.3 ± 1.6), remained low: 2.7 ± 2.4 after 2 years compared with 2.6 ± 2.2 at week 54. In accordance, all other clinical parameters showed sustained improvement during year 2. The majority of patients had no disease activity flares. MRI evaluation showed a 75% improvement of active spinal lesions, but minor spinal inflammation was still present in 64% of the patients after 2 years. There were 2 serious adverse events leading to discontinuation of etanercept.ConclusionThe clinical efficacy and safety of etanercept in patients with active AS without simultaneous administration of DMARDs or steroids over 2 years of continuous treatment is confirmed. Spinal inflammation as depicted by MRI decreased significantly, but a few patients still had some spinal inflammation even after long‐term anti–TNF therapy.
Electronically monitored adherence to medications by newly diagnosed patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Rapoff Michael A. , Belmont John M. , Lindsley Carol B. , Olson Nancy Y. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractObjectiveTo describe patterns of adherence to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in newly diagnosed patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), and to examine demographic and disease‐related variables as potential predictors of adherence.MethodsAdherence to NSAIDs was monitored in 48 children with JRA (mean age 8.6 years) over 28 consecutive days using an electronic monitoring device. Measures of disease activity (active joint counts, morning stiffness) and demographics (age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status) were also obtained.ResultsUsing an 80% adherence cut point, 25 (52%) patients were classified as adherent and 23 (48%) as nonadherent. There was considerable variability across patients, with full adherence (taking all doses on time) ranging from 0 to 100% of the monitored days. Logistic regression showed that active joint count and socioeconomic status were the only significant predictors. Both were positively related to adherence. The model correctly classified 70.5% of patients as either adherent or nonadherent (Cox and Snell R2 = 0.295, P = 0.0005).ConclusionChildren newly diagnosed with JRA are more likely to adhere to an NSAID regimen if they have a greater number of active joints or their families have higher socioeconomic status. The former finding suggests that children's adherence is symptom‐driven, while the latter suggests that families of lower socioeconomic status deserve special attention to address adherence issues.
A disease‐specific self‐help program compared with a generalized chronic disease self‐help program for arthritis patients
Authors: Lorig Kate , Ritter Philip L. , Plant Kathryn 
Published: December 2005

AbstractObjectiveBoth the Arthritis Self‐Management Program (ASMP) and the generic Chronic Disease Self‐Management Program (CDSMP) have been shown to be successful in improving conditions in patients with arthritis. This study compared the relative effectiveness of the 2 programs for individuals with arthritis.MethodsPatients whose primary disease was arthritis were randomized to the ASMP (n = 239) or to the CDSMP (n = 116). Analyses of covariance were used to compare the outcome measures for the 2 programs at 4 months and 1 year. Measures included quality of life outcomes (self reported, health distress, disability, activity limitation, global health, pain, and fatigue), health behaviors (practice of mental stress management, stretching and strength exercise, aerobic exercise), self efficacy, and health care utilization (physician visits and hospitalizations).ResultsBoth programs showed positive results. The disease‐specific ASMP appeared to have advantages over the more generic CDSMP for patients with arthritis at 4 months. These advantages had lessened slightly by 1 year.ConclusionThe disease‐specific ASMP should be considered first where there are sufficient resources and participants. However, both programs had positive effects, and the CDSMP should be considered a viable alternative.
Association between glutathione S‐transferase π polymorphisms and survival in patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung carcinoma
Authors: Lu Charles , Spitz Margaret R. , Zhao Hua , Dong Qiong , Truong Mylene , Chang Joe Y. , Blumenschein George R. , Hong Waun K. , Wu Xifeng 
Published: December 2005

AbstractBACKGROUNDGlutathione S‐transferase (GST) π (GSTP1) is a detoxification enzyme with substrate specificity for both exogenous carcinogens and chemotherapy agents. Genetic polymorphisms of GSTP1 exon 5 (Ile105Val) and exon 6 (Ala114Val) appear to reduce this enzyme's activity. Previously, the authors reported that the exon 6 variant was associated with an increased risk of lung carcinoma, particularly among men, younger patients, and ever smokers. In this study, the authors hypothesized that variant GSTP1 genotype would result in reduced inactivation of chemotherapy agents and improved survival in patients with advanced‐stage nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), a population that is likely to receive platinum‐based chemotherapy.METHODSPatients with Stage III and IV NSCLC who were enrolled in a molecular epidemiology study were identified, and a polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism assay was used to genotype GSTP1 exons 5 and 6 in 424 patients and 425 patients, respectively.RESULTSPatients who had the exon 6 variant genotype (Ala/Val or Val/Val) had significantly better survival compared with patients who had the wild type genotype (Ala/Ala; P = 0.037), with median survival of 16.1 months and 11.4 months, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed a reduced adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of death associated with the exon 6 variant genotype of 0.75 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.54–1.05). This protective association was observed in younger patients (younger than age 62 yrs; HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.57–0.97) and in males (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.41–0.99). GSTP1 exon 5 genotype was not associated with survival.CONCLUSIONSGSTP1 exon 6 variant genotypes may be associated with improved survival among patients with Stage III and IV NSCLC. Cancer 2006. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Simultaneous quantitative measurement and automated analysis of mitochondrial morphology, mass, potential, and motility in living human skin fibroblasts
Authors: Koopman Werner J. H. , Visch Henk‐Jan , Smeitink Jan A. M. , Willems Peter H. G. M. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractBackgroundUnderstanding the interdependence of mitochondrial and cellular functioning in health and disease requires detailed knowledge about the coupling between mitochondrial structure, motility, and function. Currently, no rapid approach is available for simultaneous quantification of these parameters in single living cells.MethodsHuman skin fibroblasts were pulse‐loaded with the mitochondria‐selective fluorescent cation rhodamine 123. Next, mitochondria were visualized using video‐rate (30 Hz) confocal microscopy and real‐time image averaging. To highlight the mitochondria, the acquired images were binarized using a novel image processing strategy.ResultsOur approach enabled rapid and simultaneous quantification of mitochondrial morphology, mass, potential, and motility. It was found that acute inhibition of mitochondrial complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) by means of rotenone transiently reduced mitochondrial branching, area, and potential. In contrast, mitochondrial motility was permanently reduced.ConclusionsWe present and validate a novel approach for rapid, unbiased, and simultaneous quantification of multiple mitochondrial parameters in living cells. Because this method is automated, large numbers of cells can be analyzed in a short period of time. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Laser scanning cytometer‐based assays for measuring host cell attachment and invasion by the human pathogen Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Mital Jeffrey , Schwarz Janet , Taatjes Douglas J. , Ward Gary E. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractBackground:Toxoplasma gondii is among the most common protozoan parasites of humans. Both attachment to and invasion of host cells by T.gondii are necessary for infection, yet little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes. T.gondii's etiological importance and its role as a model organism for studying invasion in related parasites necessitate a means to quantitatively assay host cell attachment and invasion.Methods:We present here Laser Scanning Cytometer (LSC)‐based assays of T.gondii invasion and attachment. The invasion assay involves automated counting of invaded and non‐invaded parasites, differentially labeled with distinct fluorochromes. The attachment assay compares the relative binding of differentially labeled parasites. The assays were evaluated using treatments known to decrease invasion or attachment.Results:The LSC‐based assays are robust and reproducible, remove operator bias, and significantly increase the sample size that can be feasibly counted compared to other currently available microscope‐based methods. In the first application of the new assays, we have shown that parasites attach to fixed and unfixed host cells using different mechanisms.Conclusions:The LSC‐based assays represent useful new methods for quantitatively measuring attachment and invasion by T.gondii, and can be readily adapted to study similar processes in other host–pathogen systems. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rho kinases regulate endothelial invasion and migration during valvuloseptal endocardial cushion tissue formation
Authors: Sakabe Masahide , Ikeda Kazuo , Nakatani Kazuki , Kawada Norifumi , Imanaka‐Yoshida Kyoko , Yoshida Toshimichi , Yamagishi Toshiyuki , Nakajima Yuji 
Published: December 2005

AbstractRho‐associated kinase (ROCK) is a downstream effector of small Rho‐GTPases, and phosphorylates several substrates to regulate cell functions, including actin cytoskeletal reorganization and cellular motility. Endothelial–mesenchymal transformation (EMT) is a critical event in the formation of valves and septa during cardiogenesis. It has been reported that ROCK plays an important role in the regulation of endocardial cell differentiation and migration during mouse cardiogenesis (Zhao and Rivkees [2004] Dev. Biol. 275:183–191). Immunohistochemistry showed that, during chick cardiogenesis, ROCK1 and ‐2 were expressed in the transforming and migrating endothelial/mesenchymal cells in the outflow tract (OT) and atrioventricular (AV) canal regions from which valvuloseptal endocardial cushion tissue would later develop. Treatment with Y27632, a specific ROCK inhibitor, of cultured AV explants or AV endothelial monolayers of stage 14‐minus heart (preactivated stage for EMT) on three‐dimensional collagen gel perturbed the seeding of mesenchymal cells into the gel lattice. In these experiments, Y27632 did not suppress the expression of an early transformation marker, smooth muscle α‐actin. Moreover, Y27632 inhibited the mesenchymal invasion in stage 14–18 AV explants, in which endothelial cells had committed to undergo EMT. ML‐9, a myosin light chain kinase inhibitor, also inhibited the mesenchymal invasion in cultured AV explants. These results suggest that ROCKs have a critical role in the mesenchymal cell invasion/migration that occurs at the late onset of EMT. Developmental Dynamics 235:94–104, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Delay of supraspinatus repair by up to 12 weeks does not impair enthesis formation: A quantitative histologic study in rabbits
Authors: Koike Yoichi , Trudel Guy , Curran Dorothyann , Uhthoff Hans K. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to find out whether supraspinatus repair delayed by up to12 weeks affects the formation of a new enthesis when compared to an immediate repair. In 67 rabbits, the supraspinatus fibrocartilaginous enthesis of one shoulder was resected. The tendon was attached to the greater tuberosity either immediately, after a 6‐week, or after a 12‐week delay. Five histologic variables were used to assess enthesis formation: number of non‐chondrocytes, number of chondrocytes, alignment of chondrocytes in rows, area of metachromasia on toluidine blue (TB)‐stained sections indicating proteoglycan content, and area of diffracted polarized light indicating spatial alignment of collagen fibers. For every variable, progressive enthesis formation was observed. Again, for every variable and at every time point studied, no statistically significant difference was observed between tendons repaired immediately, after 6, or after 12 weeks (all p > 0.05). Supraspinatus tendon repairs delayed by 6 and 12 weeks constituted an enthesis which proceeded identically to one immediately repaired. Formation of a fibrocartilaginous enthesis depended on the elapsed time after repair and not on the duration between detachment and repair. Despite stated limitations, these results support both a trial of conservative treatment after a rotator cuff tear and a positive outcome of rotator cuff repair even if delayed by up to 12 weeks. © 2005 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
The bottleneck problem with minimum quantity commitments
Authors: Lim Andrew , Xu Zhou 
Published: December 2005

AbstractGiven an edge‐distance graph of a set of suppliers and clients, the bottleneck problem is to assign each client to a selected supplier minimizing their maximum distance. We introduce minimum quantity commitments to balance workloads of suppliers, provide the best possible approximation algorithm, and study its generalizations and specializations. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2006
Bone marrow transplantation from matched related donors for patients with Fanconi anemia using low‐dose busulfan and cyclophosphamide as conditioning
Authors: Torjemane L. , Ladeb S. , Ben Othman T. , Abdelkefi A. , Lakhal A. , Ben Abdeladhim A. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractSeventeen patients with Fanconi anemia (FA) underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from matched related donors (MRD) between January 1999 and June 2003. Median age at BMT was 11 years. Conditioning regimen consisted of low‐dose cyclophosphamide (CY; 40 mg/kg) and busulfan (BU; 6 mg/kg) with the addition of lymphoglobulin (20 mg/kg) in two patients. Graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis included cyclosporine A (CsA) and methotrexate (MTX; 5 mg/m2 at day 1, 3, 6). All patients engrafted (for an absolute neutrophil count >0.5 × 109/L) after a median time of 12 days (range 10–16 days). Fourteen patients (82%) had sustained grafts, whereas three others (18%) rejected grafts between day +39 and +80 after transplantation. Two of them are still alive after successful second PBSC transplantation and one died. Acute and chronic GVHD occurred in 23% and 13% of patients, respectively. With a median follow‐up of 16 months (range 3–53 months), survival rate was 72% and Karnofsky score was at least 90%. The low‐dose BU/CY regimen, in FA patients allografted from an HLA‐matched related donor, allowed engraftment with relative low toxicity. Early graft failure (GF) remains a problem and may require modification of this regimen. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2006, 46:496–500. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Wilms tumour experience in a South African centre
Authors: Davidson Alan , Hartley Patricia , Desai Farieda , Daubenton John , Rode Heinz , Millar Alastair 
Published: December 2005

AbstractBackgroundIn Africa, Wilms tumour frequently presents with advanced disease. This study reports our results over 25 years using the National Wilms Tumour Study Group (NWTSG) approach of primary surgery followed by chemotherapy.ProcedureA retrospective analysis was performed on all patients diagnosed with unilateral Wilms tumour between January 1979 and December 2003.ResultsThe records of 188 children with newly diagnosed Wilms tumour were examined. Of these 57 (30.3%) were stage I, 33 (17.6%) were stage II, 60 (31.9%) were stage III and 38 (20.2%) were stage IV. Twenty‐four patients (12.8%) had unfavourable histology (UFH). The estimated 5‐year overall survival (OS) for the whole group was 80.5% (84.8% for favourable histology (FH) and 51.6% for UFH). Among those with FH, estimated 5‐year OS was 94.4% for stage I, 96.2% for stage II, 84.9% for stage III and 54.2% for stage IV. There was no difference in OS between those FH stage III tumours that were operable and those deemed inoperable. Intra‐operative spillage was uncommon (8%), and did not increase local relapse rate.ConclusionsNational Wilms Tumour Study Group protocols employed in an African setting with highly competent and experienced surgical care, produced results for non‐metastatic FH Wilms tumour comparable to those of the NWTSG. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2006, 46:465–471. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis and characterization of α‐methylstilbene‐ and azobenzene‐based thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers
Authors: Rameshbabu Krishnamurthy , Kannan Palaninathan 
Published: December 2005

AbstractA series of combined liquid crystalline poly(bis‐4,4′‐oxy‐α‐methylstilbene‐4‐substituted (X) phenylazo‐4′‐phenyloxydecylphosphate ester)s bearing photoreactive mesogenic units were synthesized. FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy confirmed the structures of these polymers. The inherent viscosities of the polymers were found to be in the range 0.45–0.65 dL g−1. Polarizing optical microscopy (POM) exhibited birefringent liquid crystalline melt properties. The thermal properties of all of the polymers were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The photochemical properties of these polymers were studied by UV‐visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. The influence of the photoinduced E–Z (trans–cis) isomerization of the various terminal substituents of the side‐chain azobenzenes was investigated. The kinetics of the photoisomerization process reveal the switching times for the conversion between the trans‐ and cis‐ forms of the azobenzene units. The photo‐optical properties of these polymers exhibited layered smectic phases and showed good photoinduced properties in their mesomorphic states. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
The value of applicability: Introducing the Practitioner's Edition on Promoting Academic Success
Authors: Riley‐Tillman T. Chris , Chafouleas Sandra M. , Blom‐Hoffman Jessica , Volpe Robert J. , McDougal James L. , Miller David N. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractEach year, advances in research are made in virtually every area in the field of school psychology. Unfortunately, the degree to which this research knowledge is presented to and utilized by practitioners in the schools is not as clear. Discussion about the “gap” between research and practice is not a new problem. One explanation for the gap that exists between current research and practice is that the typical scholarly publication is not developed in a practitioner friendly manner. To address this issue, an annual series of special issues of Psychology in the Schools called the Practitioner's Edition was developed. The intent of these special issues is to publish high‐quality, readable, and usable articles that can inform and impact the daily practice of school psychologists and other school‐based practitioners. This article overviews the philosophy of the series as well as introduces the first issue of the Practitioner's Edition, which is focused on promoting academic success. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 43: 1–5, 2006.
Academic enablers and student achievement: Implications for assessment and intervention services in the schools
Authors: DiPerna James Clyde 
Published: December 2005

AbstractAcademic enablers have been defined as attitudes and behaviors that facilitate students' participation in, and benefit from, academic instruction in the classroom (J.C. DiPerna & S.N. Elliott, 2000). The purpose of this article is to provide practitioners with an overview of specific academic enablers (motivation, study skills, engagement, and social skills) and their relationships with academic achievement. In addition, a practical framework is provided for considering academic enablers within assessment and intervention practices in the schools. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 43: 7–17, 2006.
Understanding resilience in educational trajectories: Implications for protective possibilities
Authors: Morrison Gale M. , Brown Megan , D'Incau Barbara , O'Farrell Stacy Larson , Furlong Michael J. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractA growing body of literature on risk and resilience, school engagement, and positive psychology offers school psychologists new perspectives with which to consider students' progress through school. This literature emphasizes the importance of monitoring student internal and external assets. In this article, a framework is reviewed that highlights student strengths and contextual protective factors, moving beyond an exclusive focus on student deficits. It offers school psychologists a systematic set of empirically derived categories for thinking about, collecting, and presenting information about the strengths of students that (a) help to focus not only on risks but on protective factors, (b) facilitate a “developmental trajectory” perspective, and (c) recognize the role of important school, peer, and family contexts. The concepts reviewed in this article are intended to provide a template for use by school psychologists interested in thinking about student development and how schools can foster protective possibilities. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 43: 19–31, 2006.
Evaluating beginning reading software for at‐risk learners
Authors: Bishop M.J. , Santoro Lana Edwards 
Published: December 2005

AbstractBeginning reading software programs may be one way to provide at‐risk readers the additional instruction and practice they need to attain grade‐level expectations. Criteria such as interface design, instructional design, and beginning reading content (phonological awareness and alphabetic understanding) are all important considerations when selecting software for the early grades; therefore, the analytic base for evaluating these computerized reading resources must be derived from two seemingly discrete professions: early reading education and instructional technology. This article presents a cross‐disciplinary framework for evaluating software for children with reading difficulties and provides examples of how interface design, instructional design, and reading content can be assessed. The article concludes with general predictions of what practitioners will find with regard to existing beginning reading software. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 43: 57–70, 2006.