bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular epidemiology of spinocerebellar ataxia type 6
Authors: Craig Kate , Keers Sharon M. , Archibald Kate , Curtis Ann , Chinnery Patrick F. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractWe performed a population‐based clinical and molecular genetic study of spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) in the northeast of England. The minimum point prevalence of SCA6 was 1.59 in 100,000 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–2.14), and the number of individuals who either had SCA6 or are at risk of developing SCA6 was at least 5.21 in 100,000 (95% CI, 4.31–6.10), or 1 in 19,210. Microsatellite analysis of the CACNA1A gene indicated a founder effect for SCA6 within this region.
Iodine bactericidal action adsorbed in 2‐vinylpyridine copolymer networks
Authors: Jandrey Angela C. , de Santa Maria Luiz Claudio , de Aguiar Alcino P. , Aguiar Mônica R. M. P. , Mazzei José Luiz , Felzenszwalb Israel 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn the present work, different kinds of porous copolymer networks based on 2‐vinylpyridine (2VP) and divinylbenzene (DVB) containing anchored iodine were prepared and evaluated for inactivating Escherichia coli in an aqueous medium. By using bacterial viability assays with E. coli (AB 1157, wild‐type), the iodine bactericidal effect was investigated at room temperature by elution through short columns filled with copolymer beads. Saline solutions containing bacterial cells at several contents (102 to 107 cells/mL) were eluted. After each elution, cell content viability was determined by plating these suspensions on nutritive agar plates, incubating them at 37°C for 24 h, and counting as colony‐forming units (CFUs). It was verified that the networks containing anchored iodine were completely bactericidal within a few minutes. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 972–976, 2004
Rough set approach for attribute reduction and rule generation: A case of patients with suspected breast cancer
Authors: Hassanien Aboul‐Ella 
Published: April 2004

AbstractRough set theory is a relatively new intelligent technique used in the discovery of data dependencies; it evaluates the importance of attributes, discovers the patterns of data, reduces all redundant objects and attributes, and seeks the minimum subset of attributes. Moreover, it is being used for the extraction of rules from databases. In this paper, we present a rough set approach to attribute reduction and generation of classification rules from a set of medical datasets. For this purpose, we first introduce a rough set reduction technique to find all reducts of the data that contain the minimal subset of attributes associated with a class label for classification. To evaluate the validity of the rules based on the approximation quality of the attributes, we introduce a statistical test to evaluate the significance of the rules. Experimental results from applying the rough set approach to the set of data samples are given and evaluated. In addition, the rough set classification accuracy is also compared to the well‐known ID3 classifier algorithm. The study showed that the theory of rough sets is a useful tool for inductive learning and a valuable aid for building expert systems.
The university–industry knowledge relationship: Analyzing patents and the science base of technologies
Authors: Leydesdorff Loet 
Published: April 2004

AbstractVia the Internet, information scientists can obtain cost‐free access to large databases in the “hidden” or “deep Web.” These databases are often structured far more than the Internet domains themselves. The patent database of the U.S. Patent and Trade Office is used in this study to examine the science base of patents in terms of the literature references in these patents. University‐based patents at the global level are compared with results when using the national economy of the Netherlands as a system of reference. Methods for accessing the online databases and for the visualization of the results are specified. The conclusion is that “biotechnology” has historically generated a model for theorizing about university–industry relations that cannot easily be generalized to other sectors and disciplines.
Long‐Range Stereocontrol in the Self‐Assembly of Two‐Nanometer‐Dimensioned Triple‐Stranded Dinuclear Helicates
Authors: Albrecht Markus , Janser Ingo , Houjou Hirohiko , Fröhlich Roland 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA series of bisimine‐bridged dicatechol ligands 2‐H4–5‐H4 were synthesized and were used to prepare triple‐stranded dinuclear helicate‐type complexes with a length of up to more than 2 nm. X‐ray structural analyses of Na4[(2)3V2], Na4[(3)3Ti2], Na4[(4)3Ti2], and Na4[(5)3Ti2], as well as temperature‐dependent NMR investigations of Na4[(4)3Ti2] and Na4[(5)3Ti2] show that, in the case of the rigid linear ligands 2 and 3, and of the ligand 5, which possesses C2h symmetry in its idealized structure, homochiral helicates are diastereoselectively formed. Ligand 4, on the other hand, with idealized C2v symmetry, leads with surprisingly high selectivity to the formation of the heterochiral meso‐helicate. This is attributed to the ability of ligand 4 to adopt a less‐restricted conformation in the meso compound than in the helical complex. NMR investigations indicate that both complex units of Na4[(4)3Ti2] invert (ΛΔ→ΔΛ) simultaneously, while in the case of Na4[(5)3Ti2] a stepwise racemization proceeds.
Synthetic and Spectroscopic Investigation of N‐Acylated Sulfoximines
Authors: Hackenberger Christian P. R. , Raabe Gerhard , Bolm Carsten 
Published: April 2004

AbstractN‐Acylated sulfoximines display unique chemical properties. Various derivatives have been synthesized and investigated by NMR and IR spectroscopy. The results of these studies suggest that the bond between the sulfoximine nitrogen atom and the carbonyl group has a less pronounced double‐bond character than the corresponding bond in an amide. This assumption is supported by the first X‐ray crystal structure of a sulfoximidoyl derivative. Ab initio calculations (MP2/6‐311++G**) provide further insight into the electronic nature of the N‐acyl fragment. Studies of the chemical behavior of N‐acylated sulfoximines indicate the presence of a highly electrophilic carbonyl group. Thus, the NC(O) bond can easily be cleaved under mild basic conditions, and the acidity of the hydrogen atoms α to the sulfoximine carbonyl group is high. As a consequence of the latter property, endo,endo‐sulfoximidoyl norbornene derivatives readily isomerize to their endo,exo counterparts, and sulfoximine‐containing pseudopeptides can easily epimerize at the stereogenic center next to the NC(O) carbonyl group.
Self‐Assembled Monolayers of Dendritic Polyglycerol Derivatives on Gold That Resist the Adsorption of Proteins
Authors: Siegers Conrad , Biesalski Markus , Haag Rainer 
Published: April 2004

AbstractHighly protein‐resistant, self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) of dendritic polyglycerols (PGs) on gold can easily be obtained by simple chemical modification of these readily available polymers with a surface‐active disulfide linker group. Several disulfide‐functionalized PGs were synthesized by N,N′‐dicyclohexylcarbodiimide‐mediated ester coupling of thioctic acid. Monolayers of the disulfide‐functionalized PG derivatives spontaneously form on a semitransparent gold surface and effectively prevent the adsorption of proteins, as demonstrated by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) kinetic measurements. A structure–activity relationship relating the polymer architecture to its ability to effectuate protein resistance has been derived from results of different surface characterization techniques (SPR, attenuated total reflectance infrared (ATR‐IR), and contact‐angle measurements). Dendritic PGs combine the characteristic structural features of several highly protein‐resistant surfaces: a highly flexible aliphatic polyether, hydrophilic surface groups, and a highly branched architecture. PG monolayers are as protein resistant as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) SAMs and are significantly better than dextran‐coated surfaces, which are currently used as the background for SPR spectroscopy. Due to the higher thermal and oxidative stability of the bulk PG as compared to the PEG and the easy accessibility of these materials, dendritic polyglycerols are novel and promising candidates as surface coatings for biomedical applications.
Loss of heterozygosity on the X chromosome is an independent prognostic factor in ovarian carcinoma
Authors: Høgdall Estrid V. S. , Ryan Andy , Kjaer Susanne K. , Blaakaer Jan , Christensen Lise , Bock Johannes E. , Glud Eva , Jacobs Ian J. , Høgdall Claus K. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDOvarian carcinoma (OC) is the fifth most frequent female cancer type and the fourth most frequent cause of death from cancer among women in Denmark. At the time they are diagnosed with OC, approximately 70% of patients have advanced disease. It is believed that loss of tumor suppressor gene activity plays an important role in the origin and progression of OC and other malignancies. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) may be detected in individuals heterozygous for an allele and is associated with loss of function of tumor suppressor genes.METHODSThe polymorphic marker regions (TP53, CACNLB1, D18S58, DXS538, and DXS454) were amplified by polymerase chain reaction followed by separation using gel electrophoresis before LOH was identified. In total, 160 women with primary epithelial OC were included in the study.RESULTSUnivariate analyses showed significant differences in survival between patients who had advanced OC with LOH or with retention using the microsatellite markers DXS454 (P= 0.04) and DXS538 (P= 0.01). Multivariate Cox regression analysis that included all patients showed that DXS454 (relative hazard [RH] = 3.5;P= 0.002; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.6–7.8), radicality of primary surgery (RH = 5.5;P< 0.0001; 95% CI, 2.7–11.1), and serum tetranectin level (RH = 0.8;P= 0.009; 95% CI, 0.7–0.9) were independent prognostic factors for survival. Multivariate Cox regression analysis restricted to patients with International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology Stage III–IV disease showed that DXS454 (RH = 3.4;P= 0.007; 95% CI, 1.4–8.1), radicality of primary surgery (RH = 5.4;P< 0.0001; 95% CI, 2.2–12.9), and serum tetranectin level (RH = 0.8;P= 0.042; 95% CI, 0.7–1.0) were independent prognostic factors.CONCLUSIONSLOH at DXS454 (Xq21‐q23) appeared to be correlated with reduced survival in patients with OC. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy using periareolar injection of radiocolloid for patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy–treated breast carcinoma
Authors: Shimazu Kenzo , Tamaki Yasuhiro , Taguchi Tetsuya , Akazawa Kenji , Inoue Tomoo , Noguchi Shinzaburo 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe feasibility and accuracy of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for patients with breast carcinoma have been investigated primarily for the situation in which the radiocolloid imaging agent is injected peritumorally. No such study has involved periareolar injection of radiocolloid, although the usefulness of this injection technique has been demonstrated in patients with early‐stage breast carcinoma who have not been treated with NAC. The objective of the current study was to determine the feasibility and accuracy of SLN biopsy using periareolar injection of radiocolloid for patients with breast carcinoma who were treated with NAC.METHODSForty‐seven patients with AJCC Stage II or III breast carcinoma who were treated with NAC were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent SLN biopsy, which involved a combination of periareolar injection of radiocolloid (technetium 99m tin colloid) and peritumoral injection of isosulfan blue dye, followed by backup axillary lymph node dissection. SLN metastases were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical analysis using an anticytokeratin antibody.RESULTSAn SLN was identified successfully in 44 patients (94%). Twenty‐nine patients (66%) had positive SLNs. Fifteen patients had negative SLNs, and 4 patients had positive non‐SLNs. Thus, the false‐negative rate was 12.1% (4 of 33 patients). The false‐negative rate tended to be higher, although not statistically significantly so, among patients who had clinically positive axillary lymph nodes before and/or after NAC (15.8%; 3 of 19 patients) compared with patients who had clinically negative axillary lymph nodes both before and after NAC (7.1%; 1 of 14 patients).CONCLUSIONSSLN biopsy using periareolar injection of radiocolloid is feasible after NAC. In patients with clinically negative axillary lymph nodes both before and after NAC, SLN biopsy was capable of predicting axillary lymph node status with an accuracy comparable to the accuracy associated with SLN biopsy for patients with early‐stage carcinoma who have not been treated with NAC. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Prognostic significance of erythropoietin expression in human endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Acs Geza , Xu Xiaowei , Chu Christina , Acs Peter , Verma Ajay 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDErythropoietin (Epo), which is induced by hypoxia, controls erythropoiesis and protects neurons from hypoxic damage. Hypoxia in malignant disease is associated with invasion, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. The authors recently demonstrated hypoxia‐stimulated expression of Epo and Epo receptor (EpoR) in human breast and cervical carcinomas, suggesting a role for autocrine Epo signaling in the hypoxic adaptations of carcinomas.METHODSThe authors characterized the expression of Epo, EpoR, hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐1α, estrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR) by immunohistochemical methods using endometrial carcinoma samples from 107 women and benign endometrial samples from 59 women in various phases of the menstrual cycle. They then analyzed potential correlations of Epo and EpoR immunostaining and clinicopathologic tumor features with outcome.RESULTSIn benign endometrial tissue samples, Epo and EpoR expression increased over the course of the cycle, with the highest levels observed in the late secretory phase. Epo expression in benign endometrial samples showed a negative correlation with ER and PR expression. The authors found Epo and EpoR expression in 95.3 % and 100% of endometrial carcinoma samples, respectively. Increased EpoR, but not Epo, expression in tumors was associated with advanced‐stage disease, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and loss of ER expression. Increased Epo expression was observed in perinecrotic tumor regions in a pattern similar to the HIF‐1α expression pattern. Increased Epo expression was significantly associated with adverse clinical outcome on both univariate and multivariate analysis.CONCLUSIONSHypoxia‐inducible autocrine Epo signaling in endometrial carcinoma may contribute to tumor progression and increased aggressiveness. Increased Epo expression in endometrial carcinomas may be an independent prognostic and/or predictive factor. Cancer 2004. Published 2004 American Cancer Society.
Radiotherapy combined with transarterial infusion chemotherapy and concurrent infusion of a vasoconstrictor agent for nonresectable advanced hepatic hilar duct carcinoma
Authors: Matsumoto Shunro , Kiyosue Hiro , Komatsu Eiji , Wakisaka Masaki , Tomonari Kenichiro , Hori Yuzo , Matsumoto Akira , Mori Hiromu 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe treatment of patients with advanced hepatic hilar duct carcinoma is a challenging problem. The current study was performed to evaluate the outcome of patients with advanced hepatic hilar duct carcinoma who received external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) combined with transarterial chemotherapy and infusion of a vasoconstrictor.METHODSBetween April 1993 and December 2002, 23 patients with histopathologically confirmed hilar duct carcinoma entered the study. The median total dose of EBRT was 41.4 grays (Gy). Transarterial chemotherapy was performed twice during EBRT. It was comprised of an infusion of a cocktail of 20 mg of epirubicin, 10 mg of mitomycin C, and 500 mg of 5‐fluorouracil and was administered 1 minute after injection of epinephrine via a catheter introduced in the hepatic arteries. After the combined treatment, the patients underwent biliary endoprosthesis after evaluation of the initial response to treatment by percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC). The initial responses based on PTC were classified into four categories: CR, no stenosis; PR, relief of stenosis/obstruction; NC, no change; and PD, progressive stenosis/obstruction. The outcome parameters were survival rates and time, as well as frequency and type of complications.RESULTSExcluding 1 patient who discontinued the treatment, the initial responses of 22 patients were 1 CR (5%), 8 PR (36%), 11 NC (50%), and 2 PD (9%). The response rate was 41%. The overall survival rates at 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after treatment were 59%, 36%, and 18%, respectively.CONCLUSIONSThe combination of radiotherapy, transarterial infusion chemotherapy, and concurrent infusion of a vasoconstrictor can be delivered safely with good efficacy for patients withadvanced hilar duct carcinoma. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcomas
Authors: Gronchi Alessandro , Casali Paolo G. , Fiore Marco , Mariani Luigi , Lo Vullo Salvatore , Bertulli Rossella , Colecchia Maurizio , Lozza Laura , Olmi Patrizia , Santinami Mario , Rosai Juan 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe objective of this study was to assess long‐term prognosis and patterns of failure in patients with retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma who underwent surgery with curative intent at a single institution. Several series of patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma were reported, providing widely variable data regarding local and distant failure.METHODSOverall, 167 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma over a 20 year span at a single referral center were reviewed retrospectively. Eighty‐two patients presented with primary disease, whereas 85 patients had recurrent locoregional tumors. Surgical resection was considered macroscopically complete in 147 of 167 patients (88%).RESULTSOverall survival at 10 years after definitive surgery was approximately 27%, and the disease‐free survival was approximately 16%. Only a minority of patients developed distant metastases. The risk of recurrence was correlated with whether patients underwent surgery for primary disease or for recurrent disease; the 10 year disease‐free survival rate was 27% in the former group and 4.6% in the latter group. Histotype and malignancy grade were other prognostic factors, with the former found to be predictive of the pattern of failure and the latter predictive of overall survival.CONCLUSIONSLocal recurrence after primary surgery and high‐grade malignancy were associated with the worst survival. Histologic subtype appeared to influence the pattern of recurrence, which mainly was local for patients with liposarcoma but was both local and distant for patients with the other histotypes. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Diversity matters: Unique populations of women and breast cancer screening
Authors: Magai Carol , Consedine Nathan , Conway Francine , Neugut Alfred , Culver Clayton 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDEthnic differences in breast cancer screening behaviors are well established. However, there is a lack of understanding regarding exactly what causes these differences and which characteristics in low‐screening populations should be targeted in an effort to modify screening behavior.METHODSStratified cluster sampling was used to recruit 1364 women (ages 50–70 years) from 6 ethnic groups: African‐American women; U.S.‐born white women; English‐speaking Caribbean, Haitian, and Dominican women; and immigrant Eastern‐European women. In interviews, respondents provided information concerning demographic and structural variables related to mammogram utilization (age, education, income, marital status, physician recommendation, access, and insurance) and a set of cognitive variables (fatalism, perception of personal risk, health beliefs concerning cancer) and socioemotional variables (stress, cancer worry, embarrassment, and pain).RESULTSFor data analysis, the authors used a 2‐step logistic regression with frequency of mammograms over a 10‐year period (≤ 4 mammograms over 10 years or ≥ 5 mammograms over 10 years) as a dependent variable. U.S.‐born African‐American women and Dominican women were screened as frequently as European‐American women, but the remaining minority groups were screened with less frequency. With one exception, ethnicity ceased to predict screening frequency once cognitive and emotional variables were controlled.CONCLUSIONSAlthough women from clearly operationalized ethnic groups continue to screen at rates substantially below those of the majority groups, these differences appear to be explained substantially by differences in psychologic variables. This is encouraging because, rather than targeting culture for intervention, variables can be targeted that are amenable to change, such as emotions and beliefs. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Comparison between non‐probabilistic interval analysis method and probabilistic approach in static response problem of structures with uncertain‐but‐bounded parameters
Authors: Qiu Zhiping , Ma Yi , Wang Xiaojun 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe uncertainty present in many practical engineering analysis and design problems can be modelled using probabilistic or non‐probabilistic interval analysis methods. One motivation for using non‐probabilistic interval analysis models rather than probabilistic models for uncertain variables is the general dearth of information in characterizing the uncertainties. Non‐probabilistic interval analysis methods are less information‐intensive than probabilistic models, since no density information is required. Instead of conventional optimization studies, where the minimum possible response is sought, here an uncertainty model is developed as an anti‐optimization problem of finding the least favourable response and the most favourable response under the constraints within the set‐theoretical description. Non‐probabilistic interval analysis methods have been used for dealing with uncertain phenomena in a wide range of engineering applications. This paper is concerned with the problem of comparison between the non‐probabilistic interval analysis method and the probabilistic approach in the static response problem of structures with uncertain‐but‐bounded parameters from mathematical proofs and numerical calculations. The results show that under the condition of the interval vector of the uncertain parameters determined from the probabilistic and statistical information, the width of the static displacement obtained by the non‐probabilistic interval analysis method is larger than that by the probabilistic approach for structures with uncertain‐but‐bounded structural parameters. This is just the result that we expect, since according to the definition of probabilistic theory and interval mathematics, the region determined by the non‐probabilistic interval analysis method should contain one predicted by the probabilistic approach. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.