bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Failure Pattern and Factors Predictive of Local Failure in Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Report of Group III Patients on the Third Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study
Authors: Wharam Moody D. , Meza Jane , Anderson James , Breneman John C. , Donaldson Sarah S. , Fitzgerald Thomas J. , Michalski Jeff , Teot Lisa A. , Wiener Eugene S. , Meyer William H. 
Published: May 2004

Purpose To analyze patterns of failure and factors predictive of local treatment failure in children enrolled on the third Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study who had either biopsy only or subtotal resection of their primary tumor, had no distant metastases, and received radiation therapy for local control. Patients and Methods Treatment failure was categorized as local, regional nodal, or distant metastatic. The 5-year cumulative risk of failure was estimated for each category and factors predictive of local failure risk were determined using the Cox model and binary recursive partitioning. Results The estimated 5-year cumulative incidence rates by failure category were: total local (with or without concurrent regional or distant failure), 19%; total regional nodal, 2%; total distant, 11%; and death from toxicity or unknown recurrence type, 4%. Lymph node involvement at diagnosis was the single factor most predictive of increased total local failure risk (5-year cumulative incidence 32%) compared with children with negative nodes or unknown node status (16%). No significant effect on local failure risk was observed by total radiotherapy dose over the prescribed range of 41.4 Gy to 50.4 Gy. For all patients (N = 405), the estimated 5-year failure-free survival and overall survival were, respectively, 70% and 78%. Conclusion Local failure after radiotherapy for group III rhabdomyosarcoma patients is the predominant type of relapse. Involved lymph nodes at diagnosis predict a higher risk of local and distant treatment failure compared with patients whose lymph nodes are negative.
Telomere Length and Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Expression As Markers for Progression and Prognosis of Colorectal Carcinoma
Authors: Gertler Ralf , Rosenberg Robert , Stricker Dominik , Friederichs Jan , Hoos Axel , Werner Martin , Ulm Kurt , Holzmann Bernhard , Nekarda Hjalmar , Siewert Joerg-Ruediger 
Published: May 2004

Purpose Maintenance of telomeres through reactivation of telomerase is a prerequisite for tumors to preserve their ability to proliferate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate telomere length and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression as markers for progression and prognosis of colorectal carcinoma. Patients and Methods Telomere length and hTERT expression were analyzed in matched cancer and adjacent noncancer mucosa samples from 57 patients with R0-resected colorectal carcinoma. The median follow-up time was 76 months. Results Telomere length and hTERT expression correlated significantly in cancer tissues and adjacent mucosa samples (r = 0.52, P < .001; and r = 0.54, P < .001, respectively). Overall, cancer tissue had shorter telomeres than adjacent mucosa (P < .001). Only in noncancer tissue did telomere length decrease with age (r = 0.36; P < .01). Telomere length in cancer tissue was significantly correlated with tumor stage (P < .01), with longer telomeres in advanced tumors. Patients with ratios of telomere length in cancer to noncancer tissue greater than 0.90 had a significantly poorer overall survival compared with patients with smaller telomere length ratios (P < .002). In multivariate analysis, the telomere length ratio proved to be of independent prognostic value (P < .03). Conclusion Telomeres in colorectal carcinoma tissue were significantly shorter compared with adjacent normal mucosa as an indication for extensive cell proliferation. The correlation with tumor stage and patient survival suggest that hTERT-mediated telomere stabilization may be critical for progression and prognosis of colorectal carcinoma.
Palliative Care Inpatient Service in a Comprehensive Cancer Center: Clinical and Financial Outcomes
Authors: Elsayem Ahmed , Swint Kay , Fisch Michael J. , Palmer J. Lynn , Reddy Suresh , Walker Paul , Zhukovsky Donna , Knight Patti , Bruera Eduardo 
Published: May 2004

Purpose Inpatient palliative care units are unavailable in most cancer centers and tertiary hospitals. The purpose of this article is to review the outcomes of the first 344 admissions to the Palliative Care Inpatient Service (PCIS) at our comprehensive cancer center. Patients and Methods We retrospectively reviewed our computerized database for clinical and demographic information, length of stay, and hospital billing during the first year of the service's operation. Results Three hundred twenty patients were admitted during the study period. Their median age was 57 years. The main cancer diagnoses were thoracic or head and neck (44%), gastrointestinal (25%), and hematologic malignancy (8%). The main referral symptoms were pain (44%), nausea (41%), fatigue (39%), and dyspnea (38%). The median length of stay in the PCIS was 7 days (range, 1 to 58 days). Fifty-nine patients died while in the PCIS. However, the overall hospital mortality rate was not increased compared with that in the year before the establishment of the PCIS (3.58% v 3.59%). The mean reimbursement rate for all palliative care charges was approximately 57%, and the mean daily charges in the PCIS were 38% lower than the mean daily charges for the rest of the hospital. Symptom intensity data showed severe distress on admission and significant improvement in the main target symptoms. Most patients were discharged to a hospice. Conclusion The PCIS has been accepted in our tertiary cancer center on the basis of its clinical utility and financial viability.
Pegylated Arginine Deiminase Treatment of Patients With Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Results From Phase I/II Studies
Authors: Izzo Francesco , Marra Paolo , Beneduce Gerardo , Castello Giuseppe , Vallone Paolo , De Rosa Vincenzo , Cremona Franco , Ensor C. Mark , Holtsberg Frederick W. , Bomalaski John S. , Clark Mike A. , Ng Chaan , Curley Steven A. 
Published: May 2004

Purpose Recently, we reported that a large number of human hepatocellular cancer (HCC) cell lines were auxotrophic for arginine. Here we report the results obtained with the amino acid–degrading enzyme arginine deiminase (ADI) conjugated to polyethylene glycol (ADI-SS PEG 20,000 mw) as a means of lowering plasma arginine to treat HCC. The study was a cohort dose-escalation phase I/II study. Patients and Methods Pharmacodynamic studies indicated an ADI-SS PEG 20,000 mw dose level of 160 U/m2 was sufficient to lower plasma arginine from a resting level of approximately 130 μmol/L to below the level of detection (< 2 μmol/L) for more than 7 days, a dose later defined as the optimal biologic dose. All patients were to receive three cycles at the optimum biologic dose. Results This therapy was well tolerated, even in patients who had no detectable plasma arginine for 3 continuous months of therapy. Of the 19 patients enrolled, two had a complete response, seven had a partial response, seven had stable disease, and three had progressive disease. The median survival for the 19 patients enrolled on this study was 410 days, with four patients still alive at present (> 680 days). Conclusion Elimination of all detectable plasma arginine in patients with HCC was well tolerated and seemed to be effective in the treatment of some patients with HCC. Further testing of ADI-SS PEG 20,000 mw in a larger population of individuals with HCC as well as other human tumors auxotrophic for arginine is warranted.
Dogmas and controversies in the handling of nitrogenous wastes:Expression of arginase Type I and II genes in rainbow trout: influence of fasting on liver enzyme activity and mRNA levels in juveniles
Authors: Wright Patricia A. , Campbell Alisha , Morgan Robyn L. , Rosenberger Andrew G. , Murray Brent W. 
Published: May 2004

SUMMARYThrough analysis of a cDNA library and third-party annotation of available database sequences, we characterized the full-length coding regions of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Type I, Onmy-ARG01, and Type II, Onmy-ARG02, arginase genes. Two partial related arginase sequences, Onmy-ARG01b and Onmy-ARG02b, and a full-length zebrafish arginase coding region (Danio rerio), Dare-ARG02, are also reported. Comparison of vertebrate arginase sequences shows that both Type I and Type II genes in bony fishes contain a mitochondrial targeting N-terminal domain. This suggests that the cytosolic Type I arginase found in ureotelic vertebrates arose in the common ancestor of amphibia and mammals. Onmy-ARG01 and Onmy-ARG02 mRNA was detected in liver,kidney, gill, intestine, red muscle and heart tissues. Onmy-ARG01 was expressed at a significantly higher level relative to Onmy-ARG02 in liver and red muscle tissue. To investigate whether there was differential regulation of Onmy-ARG01 and Onmy-ARG02, juvenile trout were fasted for 6 weeks and hepatic enzyme activities and mRNA levels were compared with those of fed control fish. There was a 3-fold increase in liver arginase activity and a 2-fold increase in Onmy-ARG02 mRNA levels but no change in Onmy-ARG01 mRNA levels in fasted fish relative to fed fish. These findings indicate that both types of arginase genes are present and expressed in rainbow trout and that the pattern of expression varies between tissues. The increase in liver arginase activity after a 6-week fast is due,in part, to an increase in the expression of Onmy-ARG02 mRNA levels.
The effects of surface diameter and incline on the hindlimb kinematics of an arboreal lizard (Anolis sagrei)
Authors: Spezzano Lawrence C. , Jayne Bruce C. 
Published: May 2004

SUMMARYArboreal animals often move in habitats with dense vegetation, narrow perches and variable inclines, but effects of arboreal habitat structure on locomotor function are poorly understood for most animals. Several species of Anolis lizards, which have served as a model group for relating locomotor performance to morphology, have decreased maximal sprinting speeds when perch diameter decreases. However, the effects of perch diameter on the limb movements of Anolis have not been previously studied. Hence, we quantified the hindlimb movements of Anolis sagrei, which naturally occurs on a wide variety of perch diameters and inclines. We analyzed similar speeds of steady locomotion for combinations of flat surfaces and round perches with diameters of 1, 3, 6 and 10 cm and inclines of 0° and uphill 45° and 90°. Diameter significantly affected more kinematic variables than incline, but many kinematic variables changed little with increases in diameter beyond 6 cm. As surface diameter increased, the limb posture of A. sagrei became progressively more sprawled. Significantly greater knee flexion during stance was important for locating the foot more medially during movement on narrow perches. Stride length increased and femur depression, femur retraction and long-axis femur rotation decreased significantly as the surface diameter increased. The low hip heights on the vertical incline and the narrowest perches suggest that bringing the center of mass closer to the locomotor surface is important in these circumstances for reducing the tendency to topple backwards or sideways. Most of the kinematic changes of A. sagrei with decreased perch diameter were opposite those correlated with increased speeds of locomotion for terrestrial lizards. The foot was most lateral to the hip during the swing phase and maximal lateral displacements decreased with decreased perch diameter. Consequently, the width required to accommodate limb movement also decreased as perch diameter decreased.
The effect of mycoplasmosis on carotenoid plumage coloration in male house finches
Authors: Hill Geoffrey E. , Farmer Kristy L. , Beck Michelle L. 
Published: May 2004

SUMMARYParasites are widely assumed to cause reduced expression of ornamental plumage coloration, but few experimental studies have tested this hypothesis. We captured young male house finches Carpodacus mexicanus in Alabama before fall molt and randomly divided them into two groups. One group was infected with the bacterial pathogen Mycoplasma gallicepticum (MG)and the other group was maintained free of MG infection. All birds were maintained through molt on a diet of seeds with tangerine juice added to their water as a source of β-cryptoxanthin, the natural precursor to the primary red carotenoid pigment in house finch plumage. All males grew drab plumage, but males with MG infection grew feathers that were significantly less red (more yellow), less saturated, and less bright than males that were not infected. MG targets upper respiratory and ocular tissue. Our observations show that a pathogen that does not directly disrupt carotenoid absorption or transportation can still have a significant effect on carotenoid utilization.
The sea urchin complement homologue, SpC3, functions as an opsonin
Authors: Clow Lori A. , Raftos David A. , Gross Paul S. , Smith L. Courtney 
Published: May 2004

SUMMARYThe purple sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus expresses a homologue of complement component C3 (SpC3), which acts as a humoral opsonin. Significantly increased phagocytic activity was evident when yeast target cells were opsonized after incubation with coelomic fluid containing SpC3. SpC3 could be detected on the surface of yeast, and phagocytic activity could be inhibited by an anti-SpC3 antibody. This indicates that SpC3 promotes phagocytosis by physically tagging target cells for ingestion. Confocal microscopy showed that opsonized yeast were phagocytosed by a single coelomocyte type (polygonal phagocytes), presumably because these cells express SpC3 receptors. Overall, these data indicate that SpC3 is a major humoral opsonin in S. purpuratus coelomic fluid.
Arrested development inXenopus laevistadpoles: how size constrains metamorphosis
Authors: Rot-Nikcevic Irena , Wassersug Richard J. 
Published: May 2004

SUMMARYXenopus laevis tadpoles that arrest development and remain as larvae for several years sometimes occur spontaneously in laboratory populations. These tadpoles cease development at an early hindlimb stage, but continue to grow and develop into grossly deformed giants. Giant tadpoles lack thyroid glands, and differ in morphology and behaviour from normal larvae. They are negatively buoyant, typically with small and partially solidified lungs, and have greatly enlarged fat bodies. Giant tadpoles have mature gonads with eggs and sperm, whereas normal tadpoles of the same stage have undifferentiated gonads. Larval reproduction has never been reported in anurans, but gonadal development decoupled from metamorphosis brings these giants the closest of any anurans to being truly neotenic. We discuss behavioural and morphological factors that may hinder both reproduction in giant Xenopus larvae and the evolution of neoteny in anurans in general. Experimental treatment with exogenous thyroid hormone induces some,but not complete, metamorphic changes in these giants. The limbs and head progress through metamorphosis; however, all tadpoles die at the stage when the tail would normally be resorbed. The disproportionate growth of tissues and organs in giant tadpoles may preclude complete metamorphosis, even under exogenous thyroid hormone induction.
Organic cation transport by Malpighian tubules ofDrosophila melanogaster: application of two novel electrophysiological methods
Authors: Rheault Mark R. , O'Donnell Michael J. 
Published: May 2004

SUMMARYTransport of the prototypical organic cation tetraethylammonium (TEA) by the Malpighian tubules, ureters and gut of Drosophila melanogasterwas studied using two novel electrophysiological techniques. Both techniques exploited the high selectivity of the cation exchanger potassium tetra-p-chlorophenylborate for tetraalkylammonium compounds relative to inorganic cations such as K+. In the first technique, TEA fluxes were measured using a non-invasive self-referencing TEA-selective microelectrode positioned in the unstirred layer near the surface of each tissue. TEA fluxes from bath to lumen as large as 6 pmol cm–2s–1 were measured across the lower (reabsorptive) segment of the Malpighian tubule and the ureter bathed in saline containing 0.1 mmol l–1 TEA. Corresponding bath-to-lumen fluxes across the secretory main segment of the Malpighian tubule and the posterior midgut were∼1 pmol cm–2 s–1. TEA transport by the lower Malpighian tubule was enhanced by hyperpolarization of the basolateral membrane potential and was inhibited by cimetidine, quinidine, vinblastine and verapamil. In the second technique, TEA concentration was measured using a TEA-selective microelectrode positioned in droplets of fluid secreted by Malpighian tubules set up in saline droplets under oil in a Ramsay assay. Results from the Ramsay assay confirmed the dominant role of the lower Malpighian tubule in net transepithelial secretion of TEA and inhibition of TEA transport by cimetidine. Kinetic parameters (Jmax and Kt) were determined using both approaches.
Clinical and Microbiologic Analysis of a Hospital's Extended‐Spectrum β‐Lactamase‐Producing Isolates Over a 2‐Year Period
Authors: Burgess David S. , Hall Ronald G. , Lewis James S. , Jorgensen James H. , Patterson Jan E. 
Published: May 2004

Study Objective. To evaluate the microbiologic and clinical outcomes of patients with extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing isolates over a 2‐year period.Design. Retrospective analysis.Setting. Tertiary care teaching hospital.Patients. Twenty‐one patients with cultures of confirmed ESBL‐producing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Klebsiella oxytoca.Measurements and Main Results. Antimicrobial susceptibilities of piperacillin‐tazobactam, cefotetan, carbapenems, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole, and nitrofurantoin (nitrofurantoin for urinary isolates only) of confirmed ESBL producers at our institution were determined, as well as clinical outcomes of patients with ESBL‐producing isolates. Microbiologic and medical records were reviewed for patient sex and age, antimicrobial susceptibilities, antimicrobial therapy, and clinical and microbiologic outcomes. From January 2000‐December 2001, 31 isolates were confirmed as ESBL producers (6 E. coli, 11 K. pneumoniae, and 14 K. oxytoca). A statistically significant increase occurred over the 2‐year period from 9 (0.6%) of 1414 isolates in 2000 to 22 (1.8%) of 1218 isolates in 2001 (p=0.0055). All isolates were susceptible to carbapenems, and more than 88% were susceptible to amikacin, cefotetan, or nitrofurantoin. Less than 70% of isolates were susceptible to gentamicin, fluoroquinolones, piperacillin‐tazobactam, or trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole. All patients treated with a carbapenem experienced clinical cure. Piperacillin‐tazobactam alone and in combination resulted in an overall clinical cure rate of 55%, with a 50% cure rate for isolates susceptible to piperacillin‐tazobactam. All patients in whom antibiotic therapy failed had been treated with piperacillin‐tazobactam or cefepime, either alone or in combination with a fluoroquinolone.Conclusion. Carbapenems remain the treatment of choice for ESBL‐producing pathogens. Piperacillin‐tazobactam and cefepime should not be routinely administered for the treatment of these organisms.
Comorbidities and Associated Treatment Charges in Patients with Anxiety Disorders
Authors: McLaughlin Trent , Geissler Erika C. , Wan George J. 
Published: May 2004

Objective. To describe comorbidities and treatment charges in patients receiving initial anxiolytic therapy for anxiety disorders.Design. Retrospective data analysis.Patients. Six thousand six hundred forty‐seven patients with anxiety disorders.Measurements and Main Results. Analysis was conducted using medical and pharmacy data for patients in 26 United States health plans from the PharMetrics Integrated Outcomes database. Data were collected for 12 months before and after the first anxiolytic prescription date (index date) during the study period (January 1, 1998‐December 31, 2000). The sample comprised patients with a diagnosis of anxiety disorder whose original anxiolytic prescription had been refilled within 120 days. International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, Clinical Modification (ICD‐9‐CM) codes and medical and prescription data identified the existence of comorbidities, and medical and prescription charges. The most common diagnoses of anxiety disorder were anxiety not otherwise specified (67%), panic disorder (14%), and generalized anxiety disorder (13%). The most commonly prescribed anxiolytics were benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (43%) and lorazepam (27%). Hypertension was the most common nonpsychiatric comorbidity (22%) and depression the most common psychiatric comorbidity (37%). Other comorbidities observed were lipid disorders (17%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (9%), and asthma (7%). Total treatment charges 12 months before and after initial anxiety diagnosis and anxiolytic prescription were $6279 and $9270, respectively (p<0.0001).Conclusion. Chronic conditions are commonly associated with anxiety disorders. Recognizing these psychiatric and nonpsychiatric comorbidities is important when treating patients with these disorders. Treatment charges are significantly higher when a patient is diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, highlighting the impact of anxiety on the total cost of treatment for these patients.
Pharmacokinetic Study in Women of Three Different Doses of a New Formulation of Oral Testosterone Undecanoate, Andriol Testocaps
Authors: Houwing Natalie S. , Maris Frans , Schnabel Peter G. , Bagchus Wilma M. 
Published: May 2004

Study Objective. To assess the pharmacokinetic parameters of testosterone undecanoate after administration of a new oral formulation, Andriol Testocaps.Design. Randomized, open‐label, group‐comparative, parallel‐design, dose‐proportionality study.Setting. Clinical pharmacology unit.Subjects. Forty‐five healthy women without childbearing potential.Intervention. Two oral doses each of testosterone undecanoate 20, 40, or 80 mg were administered with meals, separated by a 12‐hour dosing interval.Measurements and Main Results. Serum concentrations of testosterone undecanoate were assayed by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection, and of testosterone and 5α‐dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using standard methods. Statistical analysis of dose proportionality was performed on the loge‐transforms of dose‐normalized area under the serum concentration‐time curve from 0–12 hours (AUC0–12) and from zero to the sampling time of the last measurable concentration after administration of the second dose (AUC0‐tlast), and maximum serum concentration after the first dose (Cmax1). For testosterone undecanoate, testosterone, and DHT, dose‐related increases in plasma concentrations were found with increasing doses of testosterone undecanoate; maximum concentrations were found 5–7 hours after administration. Using baseline‐corrected testosterone values, dose proportionality for testosterone was found for AUC0–12, AUC0‐tlast, and Cmax1. After higher doses, plasma levels of testosterone undecanoate were higher and plasma levels of DHT lower than could be expected assuming dose proportionality.Conclusion. Serum testosterone levels are dose proportional after oral administration of two doses of a new formulation of testosterone undecanoate 20, 40, and 80 mg, Andriol Testocaps.