bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tumor cells are present in stem cell harvests of Ewings sarcoma patients and their persistence following transplantation is associated with relapse
Authors: Yaniv I. , Cohen I.J. , Stein J. , Zilberstein J. , Liberzon E. , Atlas O. , Grunshpan A. , Sverdlov Y. , Ash S. , Zaizov R. , Avigad S. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractBackgroundTumor cells frequently contaminate autologous stem cell products in a variety of malignancies, but their clinical significance remains controversial. We retrospectively monitored tumor contamination in stem cell harvests from patients with Ewing family of tumors (EFT) all harboring the specific translocation EWS‐FLI‐1 that characterize these tumors.ProcedureTwenty‐ seven harvests from 11 patients were included in the study. In addition, 6 and 19 bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood (PBL) samples were available before and after transplantation, respectively, for RT‐PCR and nested PCR analyzes.ResultsAll 11 patients had contaminating tumor cells in their harvests. All samples prior to transplantation were RT‐PCR positive. Two out of the 11 patients who underwent transplantation died of complications. Out of the remaining nine patients, two are alive and well 68 and 84 months from diagnosis, and are the only patients with no detectable tumor cells in their samples after transplantation. One of these patients harbored contaminating tumor cells in only one of the two harvests collected. Seven patients relapsed after transplant, and in four patients BM/PBL samples were available prior to the clinical relapse. All these samples harbored contaminating tumor cells.ConclusionsWe suggest a possible correlation between the amount of contaminating cells in the harvest and relapse after transplantation. Quantitative RT‐PCR studies of the chimeric transcripts are underway to explore this issue. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tensile properties of cellulose fiber reinforced hydroxypropylcellulose films
Authors: Borges J. P. , Godinho M. H. , Martins A. F. , Stamatialis D. F. , de Pinho M. N. , Belgacem M. N. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe tensile properties of cross‐linked and uncross‐linked composite films (thickness ∼20–35 μm) prepared from Hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) with incorporation of microcrystalline cellulose fibers (Avicel) were studied. The concentration of fibers in the composites ranged from 0 to 30 w/w% and cross‐linked composites were obtained by the reaction of HPC‐Avicel mixtures with 1,4‐butyldiisocyanate. It was demonstrated that the inclusion of fibers in a HPC matrix produces composites with enhanced mechanical properties that are improved by cross‐linking. Mechanical results seem to indicate that the elastic deformation of the cross‐linked composites is predominantly dominated by the fiber content while the cross‐linking affects mainly the plastic deformation. Maximum values of the Young's Modulus, yield stress and tensile stress were observed at 10 w/w% for the cross‐linked and 20 w/w% for the uncross‐linked composites. Furthermore cross‐linked films with 10 w/w% of fibers present values of yield stress and tensile stress that are in average 15 to 20% higher than those obtained for uncross‐linked composites with 20 w/w% of fibers. Studies in Polarizing Optical Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) seem to indicate that tensile properties of these composites are correlated to the packing of fibers. For the concentration of the utilized cross‐linking agent, and for a fiber content of 10 w/w%, an optimal packing of fibers throughout the matrix has been correlated to the minimal difference between the roughness parameters obtained by AFM analysis of the top and bottom surfaces of the films.
Primary diabetes care: yesterday, today and tomorrow
Authors: Kenny C 
Published: March 2004

AbstractStarting in the early 1970s general practitioners (GPs) in the United Kingdom developed diabetes clinics in their practice. Momentum was initially slow, but following the 1990 GP contract and the St Vincent Declaration, GPs were encouraged to take more responsibility for diabetes care. The 1997 contract provided further impetus for this, and primary care organisations were developed. Throughout this time there was a realisation that it was important to apply best evidence to primary diabetes care. The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study was an impetus for GPs to improve care and changed the emphasis of care from solely blood sugar management to a wider cardiovascular risk assessment in people with diabetes.At the beginning of this decade the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network, National Institute for Clinical Excellence and American Diabetes Association guidelines for diabetes management were published setting out best practice. Each of the four nations in the United Kingdom then published national service framework (NSF) documents outlining best practice. In 2003, GPs voted for a new General Medical Services contract. This will introduce formalised payments for quality work in practice and will encourage GPs and their practice nurses to follow protocols adapted from these guidelines and NSFs and apply best evidence to their patients.In the future, the numbers of patients with diabetes will increase as will the workload. Further innovative measures will have to be adopted to cope with this epidemic. Primary care will remain vital for information gathering, follow up, management and probable screening for diabetes, with patients encouraged to be empowered to understand and manage their condition. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diabetes care in Slovenia: now and in the future
Authors: Urbancic V , Koselj M 
Published: March 2004

AbstractSlovenia has about two million inhabitants: the estimated total number of diabetic patients is approximately 100‐000 (prevalence circa 5%). The first specialised hospital diabetes department was established in 1945. Today, diabetes health care is delivered at primary, secondary and tertiary health care levels. Patients on diet and exercise or oral hypoglycemic agents are treated by general practitioners and those on insulin by specialist diabetologists. Specialist out‐patient diabetes clinics are held at all general hospitals. A structured foot care prevention and treatment programme is running at the majority of out‐patient diabetes clinics, as well as screening for retinopathy. Renal dialysis is available throughout the country for those patients with end‐stage renal failure. A specialised clinic for diabetic pregnancy has been set up at the University Hospital in Ljubljana. Diabetic health care in Slovenia is provided free of charge.The Slovenian Endocrinology Association (which brings together physicians engaged in diabetology), the Slovenian Nurse Endocrinology and Diabetology Association, and the Slovenian Diabetic Foot Working Group were established in 1970, 1988 and 1995, respectively. Postgraduate diabetology courses for doctors have been run since 1982, and for nurses since 1996; diabetic foot training courses have been held since 1995. In addition, countrywide there are 39 diabetic patients' societies which are united under the umbrella of the Slovenian Diabetic Association. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compression behavior of pulp fiber networks
Authors: Lundquist L. , Willi F. , Leterrier Y. , Månson J.‐A. E. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe forced compression behavior of random 3D and 2D pulp fiber networks is investigated. Existing theories are found to describe well the evolution of packing stress with fiber volume fraction for the pulp networks. It was moreover found that the packing behavior of an initially random 3D network of pulp fibers does not go through a transition to a 2D network packing behavior as it is compressed. Rather, the fibers exhibit localized collapse at contact points, a result of the hollow nature of the pulp fibers. The implications of this phenomena on the overall packing response was further examined by means of compression tests performed on a series of representative tubes of varying wall thickness. This analysis allowed determining the pressure range within which localized fiber buckling takes place.
Investigation of fundamental data for nitrile butadiene rubber in monochlorobenzene and o‐dichlorobenzene
Authors: Pan Qinmin , Rempel Garry L. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractFundamental data, including density and rheological behavior, of nitrile butadiene rubber in solutions of monochlorobenzene and o‐dichlorobenzene were investigated, under a wide range of experimental conditions, including operation temperatures and polymer concentrations up to 165°C and 20% (wt), respectively. Shear rates of up to 1300/s were used for the measurement of rheological behavior. Within the range of the operational conditions employed, the solutions of nitrile butadiene rubber show Newtonian fluid behavior. A characteristic viscosity is proposed as a model parameter to correlate the viscosity of the NBR solutions. As a result, empirical correlation equations for density and viscosity are formed. The purpose of this work is to provide fundamental data for process development of the solution hydrogenation of nitrile butadiene rubber.
Crystallization kinetics of poly(L‐lactide) in contact with pressurized CO2
Authors: Takada Mitsuko , Hasegawa Shigeki , Ohshima Masahiro 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe effect of CO2 on the isothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(L‐lactide), PLLA, was investigated using a high‐pressure differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), which can perform calorimetric measurements while keeping the sample polymer in contact with pressurized CO2. It was found that the crystallization rate followed the Avrami equation. However, the crystallization kinetic constant was changed depending upon the crystallization temperature and concentration of CO2 dissolved in the PLLA. The crystallization rate was accelerated by CO2 at the temperature in the crystal‐growth rate controlled region (self‐diffusion controlled region), and depressed in the nucleation‐controlled region. CO2 has also decreased the glass transition temperature, Tg, and the melting temperature, Tm. As a result, the CO2‐induced change in the crystallization rate can be predicted from the magnitudes of depression of both Tg and the equilibrium melting temperature. The crystalline structure and crystallinity of polymers crystallized in contact with pressurized CO2 were also investigated using a wide angle X‐ray diffractometer (WAXD). The resulting crystallinity of the sample was increased with the pressure level of CO2, although the presence of CO2 did not change the crystalline structure.
UV‐ignited frontal polymerization of an epoxy resin
Authors: Mariani Alberto , Bidali Simone , Fiori Stefano , Sangermano Marco , Malucelli Giulio , Bongiovanni Roberta , Priola Aldo 
Published: March 2004

AbstractBy combining frontal polymerization and radical‐induced cationic polymerization, it was possible to cure thick samples of an epoxy monomer bleached by UV light. The effect of the relative amounts of cationic photoinitiator and radical initiator was thoroughly investigated and was related to the front's velocity and its maximum temperature. The materials obtained were characterized by quantitative conversion also in the deeper layers, not reached by UV light. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2066–2072, 2004
Autonomic healing of a pinhole in polyethylene and photografted polyethylene‐g‐poly(hexyl methacrylate) films
Authors: Shimada Shigetaka , Takahasi Yasunori , Sugino Yusuke , Hara Shigeo , Yamamoto Katsuhiro 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe structural changes of polyethylene (PE) and photografted polyethylene‐g‐poly(hexyl methacrylate) (PE‐g‐PHMA) with the mechanical formation of pinholes were evaluated with differential scanning calorimetry, wide‐angle X‐ray scanning, and small‐angle X‐ray scanning. The crystallinity and the long period of the lamella increased with pricking under extremely high compression stress. The partial transformation of an orthorhombic crystal into a monoclinic one was also detected. The autonomic healing of pinholes in PE and PE‐g‐PHMA was studied in detail. The degree of healing increased with an increase in the grafting ratio of poly(hexyl methacrylate) (PHMA). Three mechanisms for the healing were investigated and related to the molecular motions of PE and PHMA grafted chains, which were evaluated with dynamic mechanical analyses. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1705–1714, 2004
Crystalline morphologies in segmented copolymers with hard segments of uniform length
Authors: Sauer Bryan B. , McLean R. Scott , Gaymans Reinoud J. , Niesten Meike C. J. E. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe crystal morphological properties of segmented poly(ether ester aramide) elastomers with aromatic hard‐segment amide units of uniform length were studied. Four samples with hard‐segment fractions ranging from 3.4 to 9 wt % were studied by tapping atomic force microscopy (AFM). For one sample, both solution and melt‐processed surfaces were examined, and similar crystal morphologies were found. The semicrystalline morphologies of these polymers had some similarities to other low‐hard‐segment segmented elastomers. The very thin needlelike or ribbonlike crystallites at the surface had a high aspect ratio for all the samples. The main difference observed for the different compositions was a decrease in the surface area density of ribbons with a decrease in the hard‐segment fraction. One sample was chosen for in situ AFM studies during film extension. The details of the crystallite orientation and breakup were studied in increments up to 700% elongation (8× stretch ratio) and after relaxation. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1783–1792, 2004
Psychometric refinement of an outpatient, visit‐specific satisfaction with doctor questionnaire
Authors: Loblaw D. Andrew , Bezjak Andrea , Singh P. Mony , Gotowiec Andrew , Joubert David , Mah Kenneth , Devins Gerald M. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractMeasuring patient's satisfaction with their physician is gaining interest but requires a questionnaire that is valid, reliable and acceptable to patients. We previously published a self‐administered visit‐specific satisfaction with physician questionnaire for cancer patients. Eighty outpatients at a Canadian Cancer Center completed the Princess Margaret Hospital Patient Satisfaction with Doctor Questionnaire and the FACT‐G questionnaires along with demographic information just after clinic visit and again 3–5 days later. Exploratory factor analysis extracted two factors, labeled ‘physician disengagement’ and ‘perceived support,’ with average coefficient alpha values of 0.93 and 0.90. Test–retest reliability was 0.83 and 0.73, respectively, for the two factors. Confirmatory factor analysis applied to the data from 174 patients in the original study indicated excellent goodness of fit. PMH/PSQ‐MD correlated moderately with FACT‐G (average r=0.37, p<0.005). The PMH/PSQ‐MD questionnaire is a brief, valid and reliable questionnaire that taps two complementary facets of patient satisfaction. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coping responses following breast cancer diagnosis predict psychological adjustment three years later
Authors: Hack Thomas F. , Degner Lesley F. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe relationship between coping responses and psychological adjustment to a breast cancer diagnosis is well documented for time periods close to diagnosis. The purpose of the present study was to assess the long term association between these two variables. Fifty‐five women completed measures of coping response, decisional control, frustration expression, and psychological adjustment within six months of receiving their breast cancer diagnosis. These women were contacted three years later and their psychological adjustment—as measured by the profile of mood states (POMS)—was reassessed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. The results showed that women who were depressed at time of treatment planning, and who responded to their cancer diagnosis with cognitive avoidance, i.e. acceptance/resignation, had significantly worse psychological adjustment three years later. Poor adjustment was significantly associated with cognitive avoidance and minimal use of approach‐based coping responses. The findings suggest that women who respond to their breast cancer diagnosis with passive acceptance and resignation are at significant risk for poor long term psychological adjustment. Psychological interventions for these women should address cognitive avoidance, with the aim of fostering approach‐based coping and positive well‐being. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Progressive combinatorial algorithm for multiple structural alignments: Application to distantly related proteins
Authors: Ochagavía María Elena , Wodak Shoshana 
Published: March 2004

AbstractMALECON is a progressive combinatorial procedure for multiple alignments of protein structures. It searches a library of pairwise alignments for all three‐protein alignments in which a specified number of residues is consistently aligned. These alignments are progressively expanded to include additional proteins and more spatially equivalent residues, subject to certain criteria. This action involves superimposing the aligned proteins by their hitherto equivalent residues and searching for additional Cα atoms that lie close in space. The performance of MALECON is illustrated and compared with several extant multiple structure alignment methods by using as test the globin homologous superfamily, the OB and the Jellyrolls folds. MALECON gives better definitions of the common structural features in the structurally more diverse proteins of the OB and Jellyrolls folds, but it yields comparable results for the more similar globins. When no consistent multiple alignments can be derived for all members of a protein group, our procedure is still capable of automatically generating consistent alignments and common core definitions for subgroups of the members. This finding is illustrated for proteins of the OB fold and SH3 domains, believed to share common structural features, and should be very instrumental in homology modeling and investigations of protein evolution. Proteins 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Two histidines of the coat protein of turnip yellow mosaic virus at the capsid interior are crucial for viability
Authors: Bink Hugo H. J. , Roepan Shalendra K. , Pleij Cornelis W. A. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractRNA–coat protein interactions in turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV) have been shown to involve low pK proton‐donating groups. Two different types of interaction have been proposed. In the so‐called type I interaction, protonated C‐residues interact with acidic amino acids at low pH, thereby providing a rationale for the high C‐content (38%) of the genomic RNA. The type II interaction involves charged histidines interacting with phosphates of the RNA backbone. Site‐directed mutagenesis of the TYMV coat protein and subsequent in vivo analysis were performed to distinguish between these two types of RNA–protein interaction. The results reveal a prominent role for the histidines H68 and H180, since mutation to an alanine residue inhibits symptom development on secondary leaves, indicating that spreading of the virus in the plant is blocked. Viral RNA and coat protein synthesis are not altered, showing that these two histidines may play a role in the process of RNA encapsidation. Overexpression of the TYMV coat protein in Escherichia coli leads to the formation of bona fide capsids, showing that the two histidines are not critical in capsid assembly. Mutagenesis of the acidic amino acids D11, E135, and D143 to alanine apparently did not interfere with virus viability. The functional role of the histidines during the infection cycle is discussed in terms of the structure of the coat protein, both at the level of amino acid sequence conservation among the members of the Tymoviridae family and as the three‐dimensional structure of the coat protein. Proteins 2004;9999:000–000. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A hierarchical approach to all‐atom protein loop prediction
Authors: Jacobson Matthew P. , Pincus David L. , Rapp Chaya S. , Day Tyler J.F. , Honig Barry , Shaw David E. , Friesner Richard A. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe application of all‐atom force fields (and explicit or implicit solvent models) to protein homology‐modeling tasks such as side‐chain and loop prediction remains challenging both because of the expense of the individual energy calculations and because of the difficulty of sampling the rugged all‐atom energy surface. Here we address this challenge for the problem of loop prediction through the development of numerous new algorithms, with an emphasis on multiscale and hierarchical techniques. As a first step in evaluating the performance of our loop prediction algorithm, we have applied it to the problem of reconstructing loops in native structures; we also explicitly include crystal packing to provide a fair comparison with crystal structures. In brief, large numbers of loops are generated by using a dihedral angle‐based buildup procedure followed by iterative cycles of clustering, side‐chain optimization, and complete energy minimization of selected loop structures. We evaluate this method by using the largest test set yet used for validation of a loop prediction method, with a total of 833 loops ranging from 4 to 12 residues in length. Average/median backbone root‐mean‐square deviations (RMSDs) to the native structures (superimposing the body of the protein, not the loop itself) are 0.42/0.24 Å for 5 residue loops, 1.00/0.44 Å for 8 residue loops, and 2.47/1.83 Å for 11 residue loops. Median RMSDs are substantially lower than the averages because of a small number of outliers; the causes of these failures are examined in some detail, and many can be attributed to errors in assignment of protonation states of titratable residues, omission of ligands from the simulation, and, in a few cases, probable errors in the experimentally determined structures. When these obvious problems in the data sets are filtered out, average RMSDs to the native structures improve to 0.43 Å for 5 residue loops, 0.84 Å for 8 residue loops, and 1.63 Å for 11 residue loops. In the vast majority of cases, the method locates energy minima that are lower than or equal to that of the minimized native loop, thus indicating that sampling rarely limits prediction accuracy. The overall results are, to our knowledge, the best reported to date, and we attribute this success to the combination of an accurate all‐atom energy function, efficient methods for loop buildup and side‐chain optimization, and, especially for the longer loops, the hierarchical refinement protocol. Proteins 2004;55:000–000. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.