bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuropsychological Outcomes From a Randomized Trial of Triple Intrathecal Chemotherapy Compared With 18 Gy Cranial Radiation As CNS Treatment in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Findings From Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ALL Consortium Protocol 95-01
Authors: Waber Deborah P. , Turek Jennifer , Catania Lori , Stevenson Kristen , Robaey Philippe , Romero Ivonne , Adams Heather , Alyman Cheryl , Jandet-Brunet Christine , Neuberg Donna S. , Sallan Stephen E. , Silverman Lewis B. 
Published: October 2007

Purpose We evaluated late neuropsychological toxicity in children treated for standard-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who were randomly assigned to receive either cranial radiation therapy (CRT) with double intrathecal (IT) chemotherapy or intensive triple IT chemotherapy (no CRT) as CNS-directed therapy. Patients and Methods Between 1996 and 2000, 164 children with standard-risk ALL treated on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Consortium Protocol 95-01 were randomly assigned to receive either 18 Gy CRT delivered in twice daily fractions (0.9 Gy) with double IT therapy (methotrexate and cytarabine) or intensive triple IT drug (methotrexate, cytarabine and hydrocortisone) without CRT. Neuropsychological testing was completed at a median 6 years postdiagnosis for 79 children (CRT, n = 39; triple IT, n = 40), all of whom were in continuous complete remission. Results Cognitive function for both groups was solidly in the average range, with no consistent group differences in basic cognitive skills. Children treated on the CRT plus double IT arm did, however, exhibit less fluent output and were less effective at modulating their behavior by parent report. Conclusion This randomized trial revealed only subtle differences 6 years after diagnosis between children who received CNS therapy as CRT plus double IT drug or as intensive triple IT drug. In most situations where comparable therapeutic efficacy can be achieved without CRT, it is preferable to do so. Where therapeutically necessary, however, CRT at lower doses may not add risk for significant neurotoxicity.
Survival in Men With Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer Treated With Hormone Therapy: A Quantitative Systematic Review
Authors: Antonarakis Emmanuel S. , Blackford Amanda L. , Garrett-Mayer Elizabeth , Eisenberger Mario A. 
Published: October 2007

Purpose We aimed to describe disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in men with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer receiving immediate hormone therapy as adjunct to radiation therapy, adjunct to radical prostatectomy, or stand-alone therapy. Materials and Methods A systematic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CancerLit, the Cochrane Library, and Current Contents (from 1986 to September 2006) yielded 35 high-quality clinical trials (n = 11,105 patients) which formed the evidence base. Selected studies were required to address early hormone therapy in nonmetastatic prostate cancer only. Data on DFS and OS were extracted from individual trials, summarized statistically, and displayed in graphic form. Results Survival probabilities were extracted from 16 trials (n = 5,987 patients) addressing hormone therapy as an adjunct to radiation therapy, 11 trials (n = 1,885 patients) investigating hormone therapy as an adjunct to prostatectomy, and 10 trials (n = 3,233 patients) evaluating hormone therapy alone. In men receiving hormones and radiation, estimated 5-year DFS and OS were 52% and 82%, whereas median DFS and OS were 5.4 years and more than 7 years, respectively. In men receiving hormones and surgery, 5-year DFS and OS were 64% and 90%, whereas median DFS and OS were more than 6 years and more than 7 years, respectively. In men receiving hormones alone, 5-year DFS and OS were 57% and 70%, whereas median DFS and OS were 6.0 years and more than 7 years, respectively. Conclusion This systematic review provides a new baseline for expected DFS and OS in patients treated with hormone therapy for nonmetastatic prostate cancer. Survival in these men may be longer than estimated previously.
Prospective Randomized Study of Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy on Salivary Gland Function in Early-Stage Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Kam Michael K.M. , Leung Sing-Fai , Zee Benny , Chau Ricky M.C. , Suen Joyce J.S. , Mo Frankie , Lai Maria , Ho Rosalie , Cheung Kin-yin , Yu Brian K.H. , Chiu Samuel K.W. , Choi Peter H.K. , Teo Peter M.L. , Kwan Wing-hong , Chan Anthony T.C. 
Published: October 2007

Purpose This randomized trial compared the rates of delayed xerostomia between two-dimensional radiation therapy (2DRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in the treatment of early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Patients and Methods Between November 2001 and December 2003, 60 patients with T1-2bN0-1M0 NPC were randomly assigned to receive either IMRT or 2DRT. Primary end point was incidence of observer-rated severe xerostomia at 1 year after treatment based on Radiotherapy Oncology Group /European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer late radiation morbidity scoring criteria. Parallel assessment with patient-reported outcome, stimulated parotid flow rate (SPFR), and stimulated whole saliva flow rate (SWSFR) were also made. Results At 1 year after treatment, patients in IMRT arm had lower incidence of observer-rated severe xerostomia than patients in the 2DRT arm (39.3% v 82.1%; P = .001), parallel with a higher fractional SPFR (0.90 v 0.05; P < .0001), and higher fractional SWSFR (0.41 v 0.20; P = .001). As for patient's subjective feeling, although a trend of improvement in patient-reported outcome was observed after IMRT, recovery was incomplete and there was no significant difference in patient-reported outcome between the two arms. Conclusion IMRT is superior to 2DRT in preserving parotid function and results in less severe delayed xerostomia in the treatment of early-stage NPC. Incomplete improvement in patient's subjective xerostomia with parotid-sparing IMRT reflects the need to enhance protection of other salivary glands.
Relationship Between Depth of Response and Outcome in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Dingli David , Pacheco Jorge M. , Nowakowski Grzegorz S. , Kumar Shaji K. , Dispenzieri Angela , Hayman Suzanne R. , Lacy Martha Q. , Gastineau Dennis A. , Gertz Morie A. 
Published: October 2007

Purpose High-dose therapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation (HDT-ASCT) is now almost standard therapy for many patients with multiple myeloma, partly because of higher complete response (CR) rates. Some studies suggest that tandem transplantation gives superior results. The aim of this study was to determine whether the depth of the response to HDT-ASCT leads to an improvement in time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS). We hypothesized that patients with CR before HDT-ASCT (BCR) will have their disease burden reduced further and experience a longer TTP and perhaps OS. Patients and Methods All patients who achieved BCR or CR after HDT-ASCT (ACR) were identified. The characteristics and long-term outcome of these patients were evaluated. Results We identified 14 patients with BCR and 103 patients with ACR who were treated in similar fashion. The patients have been followed for more than 6 years, and the median for OS has not been reached (60-month survival, 55% for BCR and 63% for ACR; P = .83). The median TTP was 43 months for BCR and 34 months for ACR (P = .39). Conclusion The depth of the response in myeloma does not necessarily lead to an improvement in TTP and OS. Tumor dynamics considerations show that the yield from sequential cycles of chemotherapy decreases. Patients who achieve CR with the first transplant can be safely observed without jeopardizing OS.
Phase I Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Study of Temozolomide in Pediatric Patients With Refractory or Recurrent Leukemia: A Children's Oncology Group Study
Authors: Horton Terzah M. , Thompson Patrick A. , Berg Stacey L. , Adamson Peter C. , Ingle Ashish M. , Dolan M. Eileen , Delaney Shannon M. , Hedge Madhuri , Weiss Heidi L. , Wu Meng-Fen , Blaney Susan M. 
Published: October 2007

Purpose To determine the tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and mechanisms of temozolomide resistance in children with relapsed or refractory leukemia. Patients and Methods Cohorts of three to six patients received 200 or 260 mg/m2/d of temozolomide by mouth daily for 5 days every 28 days. Toxicities, clinical response, and pharmacokinetics were evaluated. Pretreatment leukemia cell O6-methylguanine–DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) activity, tumor and plasma MGMT promoter methylation, and microsatellite instability (MSI) were examined in 14 of 16 study patients and in tissue bank samples from children with acute leukemia not treated with temozolomide (MGMT, n = 67; MSI, n = 65). Results Sixteen patients (nine female, seven male; acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL], n = 8; acute myeloid leukemia [AML], n = 8), median age 11 years (range, 1 to 19 years), received either 200 mg/m2/d (nine enrolled, three assessable for toxicity) or 260 mg/m2/d (seven enrolled, three assessable for toxicity) of temozolomide. Temozolomide was well tolerated and no dose-limiting toxicities occurred. The mean clearance of temozolomide was 107 mL/min/m2, with a volume of distribution of 20 L/m2 and half-life of 109 minutes. MGMT activity in leukemia cells was quite variable and was highest in patients with relapsed ALL. Only one patient had MSI. Two patients had a partial response. Both of these patients had no detectable MGMT activity; both also had methylated MGMT promoters and were MSI stable. Conclusion Temozolomide was well tolerated at doses as high as 260 mg/m2/d for 5 days in children with relapsed or refractory leukemia. Increased MGMT activity may account for the temozolomide resistance in children with relapsed leukemia. Leukemia cell MGMT activity was higher in pediatric ALL than AML (P < .0001).
Translation of Innovative Designs Into Phase I Trials
Authors: Rogatko André , Schoeneck David , Jonas William , Tighiouart Mourad , Khuri Fadlo R. , Porter Alan 
Published: October 2007

Purpose Phase I clinical trials of new anticancer therapies determine suitable doses for further testing. Optimization of their design is vital in that they enroll cancer patients whose well-being is distinctly at risk. This study examines the effectiveness of knowledge transfer about more effective statistical designs to clinical practice. Methods We examined abstract records of cancer phase I trials from the Science Citation Index database between 1991 and 2006 and classified them into clinical (dose-finding trials) and statistical trials (methodologic studies of dose-escalation designs). We then mapped these two sets by tracking which trials adopted new statistical designs. Results One thousand two hundred thirty-five clinical and 90 statistical studies were identified. Only 1.6% of the phase I cancer trials (20 of 1,235 trials) followed a design proposed in one of the statistical studies. These 20 clinical studies showed extensive lags between publication of the statistical paper and its translation into a clinical paper. These 20 clinical trials followed Bayesian adaptive designs. The remainder used variations of the standard up-and-down method. Conclusion A consequence of using less effective designs is that more patients are treated with doses outside the therapeutic window. Simulation studies have shown that up-and-down designs treated only 35% of patients at optimal dose levels versus 55% for Bayesian adaptive designs. This implies needless loss of treatment efficacy and, possibly, lives. We suggest that regulatory agencies (eg, US Food and Drug Administration) should proactively encourage the adoption of statistical designs that would allow more patients to be treated at near-optimal doses while controlling for excessive toxicity.
Incidence of Neuroblastoma After a Screening Program
Authors: Barrette Stéphane , Bernstein Mark L. , Robison Leslie L. , Samson Yvan , Brossard Josée , Weitzman Sheila , Woods William G. 
Published: October 2007

Purpose A significant increase in the incidence of neuroblastoma occurred among a 5-year birth cohort (May 1989 to April 1994) during an active urinary screening program for its early detection. We examined the postscreening incidence of neuroblastoma in the subsequent 5-year birth cohort (May 1994 to April 1999), with follow-up to 2002, to determine whether the incidence remained increased. Patients and Methods We reviewed institutional records of patients diagnosed with neuroblastoma during the period from 1994 to 2002 who were born in 1994 to 1999 in the province of Quebec, as well as in the state of Minnesota and the province of Ontario, regions that had served as controls during the screening interval. We calculated and compared incidence rates during the 1994 to 2002 time period. Results For the 5-year birth cohort as a whole, the rate of newly diagnosed neuroblastoma was higher in Quebec than in the control populations of Minnesota and Ontario (standardized incidence ratio, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.70). However, in years 4 and 5 of the interval, population-based incidence declined to the same levels as those seen in the control areas. Conclusion The institution of a urinary screening program for neuroblastoma led to increased awareness of the diagnosis and an elevated rate of diagnosis even after the completion of the screening evaluation. However, this halo effect was transient, with diagnostic rates subsequently decreasing within the range seen in control populations.
Phase I Trial of Gefitinib in Combination With Radiation or Chemoradiation for Patients With Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Chen Changhu , Kane Madeleine , Song John , Campana John , Raben Adam , Hu Kenneth , Harrison Louis , Quon Harry , Dancey Janet , Baron Anna , Said Sherif , Eckhardt S. Gail , Raben David 
Published: October 2007

Purpose To establish the safety and toxicity profile of daily gefitinib with radiation alone or with concurrent chemoradiotherapy in previously untreated patients with locally advanced squamous cell head and neck cancer (LAHNC). Patients and Methods Patients with intermediate-stage LAHNC were treated with concomitant boost radiation (RT) alone with escalating doses of daily gefitinib (250 or 500 mg; cohort I). Once a safety profile was determined with RT alone, patients with high-risk disease were then treated with daily gefitinib (250 or 500 mg), weekly cisplatin (CDDP; 30 mg/m2), and once-daily RT (cohort II). Patients also received post-RT gefitinib at 250 mg daily for a period of up to 2 years. Results Twenty-three patients were enrolled and assessable for toxicity. No dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were observed in patients treated in cohort I at either 250 or 500 mg of gefitinib daily with concomitant boost RT to 72 Gy. In patients receiving chemoradiotherapy and gefitinib (cohort II), DLTs included one grade 4 diarrhea and one grade 4 neutropenic fever. Fifteen patients started maintenance gefitinib, and eight (53%) experienced grade 1 to 2 acne-like skin rash and diarrhea, but no grade 3 or 4 toxicity occurred. Conclusion Gefitinib (250 or 500 mg daily) was well tolerated with concomitant boost RT or concurrent chemoradiotherapy with weekly CDDP. Protracted administration of gefitinib for up to 2 years at 250 mg daily was also tolerated well.
Errors in Cancer Diagnosis: Current Understanding and Future Directions
Authors: Singh Hardeep , Sethi Saurabh , Raber Martin , Petersen Laura A. 
Published: October 2007

PurposeErrors in cancer diagnosis are likely the most harmful and expensive types of diagnostic errors. We reviewed the literature to understand the prevalence, origins, and prevention of errors in cancer diagnosis, focusing on common cancers for which early diagnosis offers clear benefit (melanoma and cancers of the breast, colon, and lung).MethodsWe searched the Cochrane Library and PubMed from 1966 until April 2007 for publications that met our review criteria and manually searched references of key publications. Our search yielded 110 studies, of which nine were prospective studies and the remaining were retrospective studies.ResultsErrors in cancer diagnosis were not uncommon in autopsy studies and were associated with significant harm and expense in malpractice claims. Literature on prevalence was scant. For each type of cancer, we classified preventable errors according to their origins in patient-physician encounters in the clinic setting, diagnostic test or procedure performance, pathologic confirmation of diagnosis, follow-up of patient or test result, or patient-related delays.ConclusionThe literature reflects advanced knowledge of contributory factors and prevention for diagnostic errors related to the performance of procedures and imaging tests and emerging understanding of pathology errors. However, prospective studies are few, as are studies of diagnostic errors arising from the clinical encounter and patient follow-up. Future research should examine further the system and cognitive problems that lead to the many contributory factors we identified, and address interdisciplinary interventions to prevent errors in cancer diagnosis.
A Squaraine-based Near-infrared Dye with Bright Fluorescence and Solvatochromic Property
Authors: Umezawa Keitaro , Citterio Daniel , Suzuki Koji 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
We report a newly synthesized squaraine-based fluorescent dye (KSQ-2) with excellent and useful optical characteristics such as a sharp near-infrared (NIR) emission at 751 nm, an extremely high fluorescence quantum yield (φ=0.56 in cyclohexane), and linear positive solvatochromic properties in the spectral region around 780 nm.
Enantioselective Microbial Oxidation of Allyl Alcohols
Authors: Matsumoto Kazutsugu , Kawabata Yoichi , Okada Satoshi , Takahashi Jun , Hashimoto Key , Nagai Yuto , Tatsuta Junichi , Hatanaka Minoru 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
A new route to the optically active allyl alcohols by microbial oxidation is disclosed. Yamadazyma farinosa IFO 10896, a yeast, efficiently catalyzes the enantioselective oxidation of allyl alcohols to afford the corresponding optically active alcohols as the remaining substrates. This reaction is applicable to both cyclic and acyclic compounds.
A priori estimates for harmonic mappings
Authors: Pingen Michael 
Published: November 2007

SummaryWe give a new proof of a well known regularity result for harmonic mappings between Riemannian manifolds due to Giaquinta and Hildebrandt [3]. The proof uses a modification of a method due to L. Caffarelli [2] to show interior and boundary Hölder-continuity of harmonic mappings, whose images lie in a regular ball. In addition a priori estimates are established. We remark here that our proof completely avoids the use of Green´s functions.
The solubility of technetium(IV) at high pH
Authors: Warwick Peter , Aldridge S. , Evans Nick , Vines Sarah 
Published: November 2007

Summary
Technetium-99 is a β-emitting fission product of 238U. It is important when considering a safety case for nuclear waste disposal because of its high yield in radioactive waste and long half-life. The aqueous chemistry of Tc in a cementitious repository is likely to be dominated by Tc(VII), as TcO4
−, in aerobic areas and by Tc(IV), as TcO2 (am), in anaerobic.
Some previous studies have shown an increase in Tc(IV) solubility with increasing pH above pH 9.5 whilst others have not observed this increase. This study found that the solubility of Tc(IV) remains independent of pH until around 13.5, when a small increase can be seen which continues to increase linearly with pH. Modelling suggests that this increase occurs as the species TcO(OH)3
− is formed. The formation constant was estimated with data from this study and was found to be logK
2=−21.6±0.3.
Pertechnetate immobilization in aqueous media with hydrogen sulfide under anaerobic and aerobic environments
Authors: Liu Yongjian , Terry Jeff , Jurisson Silvia S. 
Published: November 2007

Summary
The basic chemistry for the immobilization of pertechnetate (TcO4
−) by hydrogen sulfide was investigated in aqueous solution under both aerobic and anaerobic environments. Pertechnetate immobilization was acid dependent, with accelerated rates and increased immobilization yields as the acid concentration increased. Oxygen had no effect under acidic conditions. Under anaerobic alkaline conditions, the pH, and therefore the speciation of sulfide, was the determining factor on the immobilization of pertechnetate. Only 53% of the TcO4
− was immobilized at pH 8, while the yield increased to 83% at pH 9 as HS− became the dominant sulfide species. The immobilization yield then decreased to 73% at pH 13. No reaction was observed between TcO4
− and sulfide under aerobic alkaline conditions, indicating that oxygen suppressed this reaction.
Pertechnetate immobilization was found to be first order with respect to both sulfide and pertechnetate in acidic solutions, and in alkaline solution under anaerobic conditions. The results of stoichiometry studies and product analysis under alkaline anaerobic environments indicated that Tc2S7 was obtained at pH 9. EXAFS (extended X-ray absorption fine structure) and XANES (X-ray absorption near edge structure) studies suggested that the samples obtained from acidic, aerobic solution and alkaline anaerobic solution were both Tc2S7. The stability of Tc2S7 is affected by O2 with accelerated dissolution at high pH.
A Satyr for Midas: The Barberini Faun and Hellenistic Royal Patronage
Authors: Sorabella Jean 
Published: October 2007

Abstract The canonical statue known as the Barberini Faun is roundly viewed as a mysterious anomaly. The challenge to interpret it is intensified not only by uncertainties about its date and origin but also by the persistent idea that it represents a generic satyr.This paper tackles this assumption and identifies the statue with the satyr that King Midas captured in the well-known myth. Iconographic analysis of the statue's pose supports this view. In particular, the arm bent above the head, the twist of the torso, and the splay of the legs are paralleled in many well-understood figures and furnish keys to interpreting the Barberini Faun as an extraordinary sleeping beast, intoxicated and fit for capture. The paper then explores the links between kings and satyrs in the Hellenistic age and finds grounds for understanding the statue within the context of royal patronage before the mid-second century BC.
Sages at the Games: Intellectual Displays and Dissemination of Wisdom in Ancient Greece
Authors: Tell Håkan 
Published: October 2007

Abstract This paper explores the role the Panhellenic centers played in facilitating the circulation of wisdom in ancient Greece. It argues that there are substantial thematic overlaps among practitioners of wisdom (σοφοί), who are typically understood as belonging to different categories (such as presocratics, sophists, poets, et al.). By focusing on the presence of σοφοί at the Panhellenic centers in general, and Delphi in particular, we can acquire a more accurate picture of the particular expertise they possessed, and of the range of meanings the Greeks attributed to the word σοφία. This approach seeks to challenge the conventional categories of modern scholarship and to offer a broader and more inclusive interpretive framework in its stead.One such thematic overlap is the way in which many σοφοί are described as exerting an almost uncanny, yet highly conventional ability to attract listeners and enchant them with their verbal performances. There is plenty of material to support the view that σοφοό, through tapping into the repository of σοφία that Delphi constituted and by aligning themselves with its authority, were seen as themselves being a conduit for a similar type of charismatic speech.