bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of interfacial interactions on the crystallinity and nanomechanical properties of clay–polymer nanocomposites: A molecular dynamics study
Authors: Sikdar Debashis , Katti Dinesh R. , Katti Kalpana S. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractPolymer clay nanocomposites (PCN) show enhanced mechanical, thermal, liquid or gas barrier properties in comparison to pure polymer. However, the mechanisms for enhancement of these physical properties of PCN are not well understood. This knowledge is important for tailoring the properties of PCN to desired specifications. Our earlier study showed that organic modifiers have significant influence on the crystallinity and nanomechanical properties of PCN. For quantitative evaluation of the influence of organic modifiers on the crystallinity and nanomechanical properties of PCN, molecular models of three intercalated PCNs containing same polymer and clay but with three different organic modifiers are constructed in this work. Using molecular dynamics simulations, the interaction energies among the different constituents of PCNs are evaluated. This study reveals that the interactions between polymer, organic modifiers, and intercalated clay are critical factors in controlling the crystallinity and enhancement of nanomechanical properties of PCN. We have described the possible mechanisms leading to change in crystallinity and nanomechanical properties. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Raman spectroscopy can differentiate malignant tumors from normal breast tissue and detect early neoplastic changes in a mouse model
Authors: Kast Rachel E. , Serhatkulu Gulay K. , Cao Alex , Pandya Abhilash K. , Dai Houbei , Thakur Jagdish S. , Naik Vaman M. , Naik Ratna , Klein Michael D. , Auner Gregory W. , Rabah Raja 
Published: November 2007

AbstractRaman spectroscopy shows potential in differentiating tumors from normal tissue. We used Raman spectroscopy with near‐infrared light excitation to study normal breast tissue and tumors from 11 mice injected with a cancer cell line. Spectra were collected from 17 tumors, 18 samples of adjacent breast tissue and lymph nodes, and 17 tissue samples from the contralateral breast and its adjacent lymph nodes. Discriminant function analysis was used for classification with principal component analysis scores as input data. Tissues were examined by light microscopy following formalin fixation and hematoxylin and eosin staining. Discriminant function analysis and histology agreed on the diagnosis of all contralateral normal, tumor, and mastitis samples, except one tumor which was found to be more similar to normal tissue. Normal tissue adjacent to each tumor was examined as a separate data group called tumor bed. Scattered morphologically suspicious atypical cells not definite for tumor were present in the tumor bed samples. Classification of tumor bed tissue showed that some tumor bed tissues are diagnostically different from normal, tumor, and mastitis tissue. This may reflect malignant molecular alterations prior to morphologic changes, as expected in preneoplastic processes. Raman spectroscopy not only distinguishes tumor from normal breast tissue, but also detects early neoplastic changes prior to definite morphologic alteration. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 89: 235–241, 2008.This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online”date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Racial differences in colorectal cancer screening practices and knowledge within a low‐income population
Authors: McAlearney Ann Scheck , Reeves Katherine W. , Dickinson Stephanie L. , Kelly Kimberly M. , Tatum Cathy , Katz Mira L. , Paskett Electra D. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBACKGROUND.Although colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer death among US women and is particularly deadly among African Americans, CRC screening rates remain low. Within a low‐income population of women, the authors examined racial differences in practices, knowledge, and barriers related to CRC screening.METHODS.Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with 941 women (white, n = 186; African American, n = 755) older than age 50 years who were living in subsidized housing communities in 11 cities in North and South Carolina. Women were asked questions about their CRC screening history and their knowledge and beliefs concerning CRC screening.RESULTS.Half (49%) of the women interviewed were within CRC screening guidelines, and this did not vary by race (P = .17). However, African American women were half as likely as white women to report having had a screening colonoscopy within the past 10 years (odds ratio [OR], 0.46; P < .001). Awareness of tests for CRC was low overall (39%) and was lower among African Americans than whites (OR, 0.44; P < .001). Compared with white women, African American women were less likely to report embarrassment as a barrier (OR, 0.59; P = .008) and more likely to report lack of insurance coverage (OR, 1.75; P = .098).CONCLUSIONS.Efforts must continue to increase women's knowledge of both CRC screening tests and colon cancer risk factors. Among these low‐income women, routine encounters with the healthcare system may present opportunities to reduce deficits in CRC knowledge and to improve overall CRC screening rates. Cancer 2008. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Temporal trends and predictors of perioperative chemotherapy use in elderly patients with resected nonsmall cell lung cancer
Authors: Wang Jue , Kuo Yong Fang , Freeman Jean , Markowitz Avi B. , Goodwin James S. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBACKGROUND.The authors assessed patterns of perioperative chemotherapy use in elderly patients with resected stage I, II, or IIIA nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from 1992 to 2002.METHODS.By using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, 11,807 patients were identified who had resected stage I, II, or IIIA NSCLC between 1992 and 2002 and survived ≥120 days beyond diagnosis. The rate of perioperative chemotherapy use was measured by calendar year, and the association between clinical/demographic characteristics and the receipt of chemotherapy was examined by using logistic regression.RESULTS.In total, 957 patients with stage I, II, or IIIA NSCLC (8.1% of the study population) received perioperative chemotherapy. The proportion of patients receiving chemotherapy for stage I NSCLC changed little during the study period. Of 3230 patients with stage II and IIIA NSCLC, 609 patients (18.9%) received chemotherapy, 423 patients (13%) received chemotherapy combined with radiation. 452 patients (15.6%) received adjuvant chemotherapy, and 66 patients (2.3%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The use of chemotherapy increased significantly among patients who were diagnosed after 1994 relative to patients who were diagnosed in 1992 after controlling for sociodemographic and treatment characteristics (P < .001). There was significantly increased use of new‐generation chemotherapy agents, such as carboplatin and taxanes (P < .001). The proportion of patients receiving combined‐modality therapy also increased significant (P < .001). Younger age, being married, having advanced‐stage tumor or adenocarcinoma, having a later diagnosis year, receiving radiation, and seeing an oncologist were predictors for the receipt of chemotherapy (P < .001).CONCLUSIONS.A substantial proportion of Medicare beneficiaries with NSCLC received perioperative chemotherapy. Specifically designed prospective trials that focus on older patients are needed. Cancer 2008. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Application of distance matrices to define associations between acute toxicities in colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy
Authors: Aprile Giuseppe , Ramoni Marco , Keefe Dorothy , Sonis Stephen 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBACKGROUND.Colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (CT) are likely to experience multiple concurrent toxicities that, rather than appearing singularly, may be associated with one another. Graphic and tabular representations of distance matrices were used to identify associations between toxicities and to define the strengths of these relations.METHODS.Using a standardized data collection tool, electronic medical charts of 300 consecutive patients receiving either the combination of leucovorin, 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX); the combination of leucovorin, 5‐FU, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI); or 5‐FU) were retrospectively reviewed to record baseline demographic and clinical information. Treatment‐related toxicities were recorded using National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria during the first cycle of CT. Using a distance matrix approach, an analysis of CT‐induced toxicity associations was elaborated.RESULTS.The graphic analysis, in which associations between toxicities were represented as links, identified 6 major hubs (fever, dehydration, fatigue, anorexia, pain, and weight loss), defined as central nodes with more connections than expected by chance. These were highly linked with minor nodes and provided evidence suggesting the existence of symptom clusters associated with CT‐induced toxicities.CONCLUSIONS.The application of distance matrix analyses to define CT‐induced toxicity associations is new. The technique was effective in defining the global landscape of the binary relations among toxicities associated with Cycle 1 therapy. The coherent clinical picture emerging from the network provides a strong suggestion that the toxicities in each cluster share a common pathobiologic basis, which may provide an opportunity for intervention. These findings could become useful for the early prediction of co‐occurring toxicities and, in the future, as a phenotyping framework for the pharmacogenomic analysis of individual responses to chemotherapy. Cancer 2008. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
A nonrandom association between gastrointestinal stromal tumors and myeloid leukemia
Authors: Miettinen Markku , Kraszewska Ewa , Sobin Leslie H. , Lasota Jerzy 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBACKGROUND.Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are KIT‐positive mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract that are driven by activated KIT‐signalling or platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐α (PDFGRA) signaling. These tumors most commonly occur in the stomach and small intestine and encompass a clinical spectrum from benign to malignant. In the current study, the authors examined long‐term follow‐up data of 1892 GIST patients from the U.S.BACKGROUND.Nine patients (2 with gastric GISTs and 7 with GISTs of the small intestine) developed myeloid leukemia. There were 6 patients (4 women and 2 men) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), including 1 case of promyelocytic and 1 case of myelomonocytic leukemia, and 3 patients (2 men and 1 woman) with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).RESULTS.The leukemias developed 1.7 to 21 years after the GIST (median interval, 6 years). None of the GIST patients had received radiotherapy or chemotherapy prior to the leukemia diagnosis. Eight of 9 patients died of leukemia, and none died of GIST. All but 1 GIST case was found to have a low mitotic rate (0–1 per 50 high‐power fields); however, tumor size varied from 3 to 18 cm (median, 4.5 cm). Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated comparing the incidences of AML/CMLs in GIST patients with those in the 2000 through 2003 U.S. population. In GIST patients, the risk of AML was found to be significantly higher for women (SIR of 5.14; 95% CI, 1.34–11.4) and overall (SIR of 2.96; 95% CI, 1.07–5.8). There was a slightly increased risk for CML, but this was not statistically significant (SIR of 3.71; 95% CI, 0.7–9.1).CONCLUSIONS.Additional epidemiologic, clinical, and pathogenetic studies are needed to understand the apparent nonrandom association between GIST and myeloid leukemia. Cancer 2008. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Monoclonal antibody proteomics: Discovery and prevalidation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease biomarkers in a single step
Authors: Csanky Eszter , Olivova Petra , Rajnavolgyi Eva , Hempel William , Tardieu Nadege , Katalin Elesne Toth , Jullien Anne , Malderez‐Bloes Carole , Kuras Mariana , Duval Manuel X. , Nagy Laszlo , Scholtz Beata , Hancock William , Karger Barry , Guttman András , Takacs Laszlo 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWe define mAb proteomics as the global generation of disease specific antibodies that permit mass screening of biomarkers. An integrated, high‐throughput, disease‐specific mAb‐based biomarker discovery platform has been developed. The approach readily provided new biomarker leads with the focus on large‐scale discovery and production of mAb‐based, disease‐specific clinical assay candidates. The outcome of the biomarker discovery process was a highly specific and sensitive assay, applicable for testing of clinical validation paradigms, like response to treatment or correlation with other clinical parameters. In contrast to MS‐based or systems biology‐based strategies, our process produced prevalidated clinical assays as the outcome of the discovery process. By re‐engineering the biomarker discovery paradigm, the encouraging results presented in this paper clearly demonstrate the efficiency of the mAb proteomics approach, and set the grounds for the next steps of studies, namely, the hunt for candidate biomarkers that respond to drug treatment.
CE at the omics level: Towards systems biology – An update
Authors: Song Eun Joo , Babar Sheikh Md. Enayetul , Oh Eulsik , Hasan Md. Nabiul , Hong Hye‐Min , Yoo Young Sook 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThis review provides an updated overview of recent developments and applications of CE based on previously published reports in the field of omic research. The increased number of published articles on omics shows that the field is growing and attracting the attention of many life science researchers. Due to developments in the omics sciences, many researchers have been studying systems biology, in which biological events in organisms are systematically interpreted through the combination of complex measurements from various methods resulting in high‐throughput data. Given the challenges of such complex forms of analysis, CE is a strong candidate for generating omics data useful for acquiring the qualitative and quantitative knowledge necessary for systems‐level investigation. By emphasizing CE for systems biology, this review will discuss and focus on the applicability of CE to systems‐based analytical data at the genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic levels from 2005 to the present.
Epithelial type, ingression, blastopore architecture and the evolution of chordate mesoderm morphogenesis
Authors: Shook David R. , Keller Ray 
Published: November 2007

AbstractChordate embryos show an evolutionary trend in the mechanisms they use to internalize presumptive mesoderm, relying predominantly on invagination in the basal chordates, varying combinations of involution and ingression in the anamniote vertebrates and reptiles, and predominantly on ingression in birds and mammals. This trend is associated with variations in epithelial type and changes in embryonic architecture as well as variations in the type of blastopore formed by an embryo. We also note the surprising conservation of the involution, during gastrulation, of at least a subset of the notochordal cells throughout the chordates, and suggest that this indicates a constraint on morphogenic evolution based on a functional linkage between architecture and patterning. Finally, we propose a model for the evolutionary transitions from gastrulation through a urodele amphibian‐type blastopore to gastrulation through a primitive streak, as in chick or mouse. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 310B:85–110, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphogenic machines evolve more rapidly than the signals that pattern them: lessons from amphibians
Authors: Shook David R. , Keller Ray 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe induction of mesoderm and the patterning of its dorsal‐ventral and anterior‐posterior axes seems to be relatively conserved throughout the chordates, as do the morphogenic movements that produce a phylotypic stage embryo. What is not conserved is the initial embryonic architecture of the fertilized egg, and the specific cell behaviors used to drive mesoderm morphogenesis. How then do conserved patterning pathways adapt to diverse architectures and where do they diverge to direct the different cell behaviors used to shape the phylotypic body plan? Amphibians in particular, probably because of their broad range of reproductive strategies, show diverse embryonic architectures across their class and use diverse cell behaviors during their early morphogenesis, making them an interesting comparative group. We examine three examples from our work on amphibians that show variations in the use of cell behaviors to drive the morphogenesis of the same tissues. We also consider possible points where the conserved patterning pathways might diverge to produce different cell behaviors. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 310B:111–135, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunity against the GBV‐B hepatitis virus in tamarins can prevent productive infection following rechallenge and is long‐lived
Authors: Bukh Jens , Engle Ronald E. , Govindarajan Sugantha , Purcell Robert H. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractGB virus‐B (GBV‐B) is the virus most closely related to hepatitis C virus (HCV). Thus, we have used GBV‐B infection of tamarins, which develop acute hepatitis following experimental infection, as a surrogate model to study protective immunity. As challenge virus, we first produced a GBV‐B pool from an infected tamarin, which was not infected with the related GBV‐A viruses. Its infectivity titer was 106.6 tamarin 50% infectious doses per ml. Next, two tamarins that were convalescent from recombinant GBV‐B infection were re‐challenged. In the original infection viremia persisted for 8 and 12 weeks, respectively, and both animals developed moderately severe hepatitis. Each tamarin was re‐challenged four times with 104.3 tamarin 50% infectious doses of the GBV‐B challenge virus. In one animal, each re‐challenge produced 1–2 weeks of viremia; hepatitis was observed following the first re‐challenge. In the other animal, however, only the first re‐challenge produced viremia, lasting 1 week. During the primary infection, peak GBV‐B titers were about 108 genome equivalents/ml in both animals; following re‐challenges, peak titers ranged from 103 to 106 genome equivalents/ml. Analysis of the polyprotein sequence of viruses recovered from both animals following the first re‐challenge demonstrated that these did not represent immune escape variants since mutations were not detected. Neutralization studies suggested that the immunity was not humoral in nature. We also demonstrated that the immunity was long‐lived: 1 year after the fourth challenge, the animal with sterilizing immunity had low titer viremia for only 1 week following an additional challenge. J. Med. Virol. 80:87–94, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serological response to hepatitis E virus genotype 3 infection: IgG quantitation, avidity, and IgM response
Authors: Bendall R. , Ellis V. , Ijaz S. , Thurairajah P. , Dalton H.R. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractSequential sera were collected from 18 acute cases of UK‐acquired hepatitis E. The virus strains in all cases were of genotype 3. The IgM and IgG response to acute infection were documented over time using EIA kits based on a peptide antigen, pE2, which is derived from a genotype 1 strain of hepatitis E virus (HEV). Ninety‐five percentage of acute sera were IgM positive; after 6 months or more only 12% remained positive. The kit was adapted to quantify the IgG response (in WHO U/ml) and to determine antibody avidity. Following acute infection, anti‐HEV IgG concentrations rose between 6.9‐ and 90‐fold. IgG avidity was low (<25%) in most acute sera. After 6 months IgG avidity was greater than 50% in all cases. One patient with a poor IgM response and high avidity antibody in acute sera may have had a second HEV infection. Taken together, these results confirm that the pE2‐based EIA kits are suitable for diagnosing acute HEV genotype 3 infection. With simple modifications the IgG kit can measure anti‐HEV concentration and avidity, which can be used to confirm acute infection. J. Med. Virol. 80:95–101, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rapid and sensitive detection of metapneumovirus in clinical specimens by indirect fluorescence assay using a monoclonal antibody
Authors: Manoha C. , Bour J.B. , Pitoiset C. , Darniot M. , Aho S. , Pothier P. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractHuman metapneumovirus, with two known genotypes named A and B, is associated with mild respiratory symptoms to severe LRTI in children, high‐risk adults and the elderly. Rapid and reliable methods of hMPV detection in clinical samples are essential to implement appropriate care, to better understand the pathology of hMPV and to determine its epidemiology. Respiratory samples from 1,386 patients collected during 2 consecutive years were screened for hMPV using indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) assay with a monoclonal antibody. Forty‐three patients tested positive for hMPV by the IFA method. In parallel, the samples were examined with RT‐PCR on the F gene. Of these, 41 specimens were RT‐PCR positive. The remaining two IF positives were cultured and the cultures were subsequently RT‐PCR positive. IFA showed therefore a sensitivity of 100%. No false positive signals were obtained with the influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus or parainfluenza. When tested by RT‐PCR, all IFA‐negative samples (n = 204)were found negative. Therefore the specificity of IFA was 100%, IC95 [98–100%], with a negative predictive value of 100%. Based upon phylogenetic analysis of the fusion gene, both subgroups of hMPV were efficiently detected by IFA, and the viral aetiology could be given in 2 hr. These results demonstrate the potential usefulness of immunofluorescence with our monoclonal antibody for the rapid detection of hMPV in clinical specimens in the management of therapy and the control of nosocomial diffusion. J. Med. Virol. 80:154–158, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.