bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment of Pediatric Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis with Low-Dose Cyclophosphamide
Authors: Huang Shiou-Huei , Lee Ping-Yu , Niu Chen-Kuang 
Published: October 2003

OBJECTIVE: To report the safety and efficacy of long-term, low-dose cyclophosphamide therapy in a child with idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH). CASE SUMMARY: A 7-year-old boy diagnosed with IPH 4 years previously was initially prescribed prednisolone. Because he only had a transient response to prednisolone, oral cyclophosphamide 2 mg/kg/d was later added. A dramatic improvement was noted during the subsequent follow-up. One year after cyclophosphamide therapy, the patient suddenly developed thrombocytopenia (platelet count 75 times 103/mm3), with the platelet count decreasing to 10 times 103/mm3 over the following 10 months. Cyclophosphamide was tapered to an alternating daily dosage of 1 mg/kg. The tapering resulted in a subsequent increase in the platelet count, which was maintained between 20 and 50 times 103/mm3 without occurrence of petechiae or spontaneous bleeding. Under this reduced dosing regimen, the disease has remained in remission for >1 year. DISCUSSION: Due to the low prevalence of IPH, only limited data document the safety and efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy in treating this disease. Although our patient showed a good response to low-dose cyclophosphamide, he developed thrombocytopenia with its use. The mechanism is unclear, but it may be similar to that of high-dose cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression. Due to the development of thrombocytopenia, the use of cyclophosphamide was maintained under a reduced dosing regimen. The benefit of long-term immunosuppressive therapy is controversial, and more clinical evidence is required to support its continued usage. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term, low-dose cyclophosphamide is effective in treating childhood IPH, but caution should be exercised due to the possible development of thrombocytopenia. Periodic monitoring of the platelet count in long-term treatment is recommended.
Treatment of Impending Tumor Lysis with Single-Dose Rasburicase
Authors: Lee Anselm CW , Li Chak H , So Kwan T , Chan Regina 
Published: October 2003

OBJECTIVE: To report the experience of using rasburicase as a single-dose treatment for childhood leukemia presenting with hyperuricemia. CASE SUMMARIES: Three children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia presenting with hyperuricemia received rasburicase as a single intravenous dose just prior to the start of chemotherapy. This was followed by rapid reduction of serum uric acid levels within 24 hours, which remained low throughout induction therapy while allopurinol and hydration therapy without urinary alkalinization ensued. Subclinical tumor lysis was evidenced by the appearance of hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia in all cases and hyperkalemia in 1 patient. These abnormalities were transient, and each patient's renal function gradually improved from pretreatment baseline without requiring dialysis. DISCUSSION: Our experience suggests that hyperuricemia in children at risk for tumor lysis can be managed with a briefer regimen of rasburicase than the recommended 5- to 7-day course. CONCLUSIONS: A shorter course of rasburicase treatment, including single-dose injection, is feasible and will improve the cost-effectiveness profile of the otherwise expensive compound.
Gefitinib Therapy for Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Liu Chin Y , Seen Susan 
Published: October 2003

OBJECTIVE: To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and toxicity of gefitinib in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). DATA SOURCES: Primary literature search through MEDLINE and CANCERLIT, and abstract presentations (1966–May 2003). STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All published trials and abstracts citing gefitinib were evaluated, and all information deemed relevant was included in this article. DATA SYNTHESIS: NSCLC is known to overexpress epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Gefitinib is a selective EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Based on the Phase I/II trial results, the optimal dose is 250 mg/d orally. It is well tolerated, with minimal and reversible toxicity. Skin rash and diarrhea are the most common adverse effects. Recent trials have shown that gefitinib provided a 10% tumor response rate and improved disease-related symptoms in patients with refractory, advanced NSCLC. CONCLUSIONS: Gefitinib, with a unique mechanism of action and favorable toxicity profile, has demonstrated clinical activity in NSCLC patients with chemotherapy-refractory disease. It provides a valuable addition to the treatment options as monotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC after failure of both platinum-based and docetaxel chemotherapies. Further research is required to evaluate the use of gefitinib in different clinical settings.
Ultraviolet weathering of photostabilized wood‐flour‐filled high‐density polyethylene composites
Authors: Stark Nicole M. , Matuana Laurent M. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractWood‐plastic composites are being increasingly examined for nonstructural or semistructural building applications. As outdoor applications become more widespread, durability becomes an issue. Ultraviolet exposure can lead to photodegradation, which results in a change in appearance and/or mechanical properties. Photodegradation can be slowed through the addition of photostabilizers. In this study, we examined the performance of wood flour/high‐density polyethylene composites after accelerated weathering. Two 24 factorial experimental designs were used to determine the effects of two hindered amine light stabilizers, an ultraviolet absorber, a colorant, and their interactions on the photostabilization of high‐density polyethyl‐ ene blends and wood flour/high‐density polyethylene composites. Color change and flexural properties were determined after 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 h of accelerated weathering. The results indicate that both the colorant and ultraviolet absorber were more effective photostabilizers for wood flour/high‐density polyethylene composites than the hindered amine light stabilizers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2609–2617, 2003
Development of pendant drop mechanical analysis as a technique for determining the stress–relaxation and water‐permeation properties of interfacially polymerized barrier layers
Authors: Khare Vivek P. , Greenberg Alan R. , Krantz William B. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractInterfacial polymerization (IP) involves the formation of solid polymeric films at the interface between aqueous and immiscible organic solutions via an interfacial polycondensation reaction between complementary monomeric reactants present in the two solutions. IP films are very thin (<0.25 μm) and form effective barrier layers in interfacially polymerized thin‐film composite membranes. Considerable difficulties are encountered in applying conventional characterization techniques to such unsupported IP thin films. This article describes the development of a novel technique, pendant drop mechanical analysis (PDMA), which can be used to study the mechanical and transport behavior of unsupported IP films. Experiments were conducted on films formed in a PDMA apparatus via the IP polymerization of m‐phenylene diamine and trimesoyl chloride (TMC). Stress–relaxation data obtained via PDMA were fitted with the Williams–Watts equation, and the results indicated a statistically significant dependence of the model parameters on the TMC concentration. Permeation experiments also demonstrated a statistically significant dependence of the membrane constant on the TMC concentration. The results provide unique insights regarding the relationship between structure and performance in unsupported IP films and suggest that network formation is enhanced in a concentration range of 0.1–0.3 wt % TMC. Although refinements are required, PDMA appears to be a promising technique for identifying optimum IP reaction conditions and assessing corresponding mechanical and transport characteristics. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2618–2628, 2003
Topology‐rheology regression models for monodisperse linear and branched polyethylenes
Authors: Bonchev Danail , Dekmezian Armenag H. , Markel Eric , Faldi Alessandro 
Published: September 2003

AbstractSeveral quantitative descriptors of polymer topology—the Wiener numberW, complexity index K, and the index of 3‐starnessS—were shown to relate well the measured rheological properties of linear and 3‐arm star monodisperse polyethylene samples to their structure. The complexity indexK(the substructure count) provided single‐variable models with correlation coefficientsrranging from 0.95 to 0.98 for zero‐shear viscosity, activation energy, and the parameters λ and α from the Cross equation, which describes the shape of the viscosity/shear rate curve. The regression models with two and three topological variables were characterized byr> 0.99 and low standard deviations. The models were used to predict the values of these rheological parameters for branched monodisperse polyethylenes not yet synthesized, thus indicating the potential of this topology‐based methodology for industrial applications. The study also presents a statistical confirmation for the much stronger effect that long‐chain branching has on shear rheology than that of molecular weight. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2648–2656, 2003
Wood flour: A new filler for the rubber processing industry. I. Cure characteristics and mechanical properties of wood flour‐filled NBR and NBR/PVC compounds
Authors: Vladkova T. , Vassileva St. , Natov M. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractIn this study, conifer wood flour was evaluated as a filler to NBR or NBR/PVC compounds studying it influence on their cure characteristics and mechanical properties. It was shown that the filling by wood flour offers a possibility to obtain high modulus high elastic or less elastic or rigid wood like vulcanizates by varying of both the filling level and NBR/PVC mass ratio.It was established that in contrary to the mineral fillers usually causing significant delay of the vulcanization process, the wood flour shows a tendency to reduce the optimum cure time, τ90. Modulus M100 and Shore hardness of the wood flour‐filled vulcanizates of NBR or NBR/PVC compounds in which NBR is predominant, increase in a compliance with the increase of Mmax and DM when the filling level increases. The dependence is other when NBR and PVC are in equal amounts or PVC predominates. As a most probable explanation of the effect of the wood flour on the cure characteristics is accepted, the influence of the wood flour polar groups as well as of the presenting as wood flour humidity water molecules, the specific mechanical properties of the wood flour‐filled NBR or NBR/PVC compounds could be connected (to some extend) with a specific interface interaction between the wood flour particles and the polymer matrix. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2734–2739, 2003
Heating characteristics and polymerization of ε‐caprolactone under microwave irradiation
Authors: Liao L. Q. , Liu L. J. , Zhang C. , He F. , Zhuo R. X. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThe thermal effect of microwave energy on ε‐caprolactone (CL) monomer and polymerization reaction mixture of CL with stannous octoate [Sn(Oct)2] intimately depended on the power level of microwaves and the mass scale of materials. When 10 g of CL was heated by microwaves at a power of 680 W, its temperature increased rapidly from 20 to 355°C within 5 min after which it was self‐regulated to keep constant at 360°C. Heat generation was observed when a polymerization reaction mixture of 10 g CL with 0.1% (mol/mol) Sn(Oct)2 was irradiated at 680 W. The exothermic peak was recorded at 2–5 min and its temperature was over 300°C, with the maximum at 343°C. During this period the ring‐opening polymerization of CL occurred quickly, resulting in poly(ε‐caprolactone) with weight‐average molecular weight (Mw) of 123,000 g/mol and yield of 95%. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2657–2664, 2003
The effect of fiber orientation on the toughening of short fiber‐reinforced polymers
Authors: Norman David A. , Robertson Richard E. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThe effect of fiber orientation on the toughening of polymers by short glass fibers generally below their critical length was investigated using specimens with either well‐aligned or randomly oriented fibers. The fibers were aligned by an electric field in a photopolymerizable monomer, which was polymerized while the field was still being applied. These materials were fractured with the aligned fibers in three orientations with respect to the crack plane and propagation direction. Specimens with fibers aligned normal to the fracture plane were the most tough, those with randomly oriented fibers were less tough, and those with fibers aligned within the fracture plane were the least tough. The fracture behaviors compared favorably with predictions based on observed processes accounting for fiber orientation. The processes considered were fiber pull‐out (including snubbing), fiber breakage, fiber–matrix debonding, and localized matrix‐yielding adjacent to fibers bridging the fracture plane. Fibers not quite perpendicular to the fracture plane provided the greatest toughening; these fibers pulled out completely and gave a significant contribution from snubbing. Fibers at higher angles provided less toughening, involving nearly equal contributions from pull‐out, breakage, and debonding. Fibers within the fracture plane provided the least toughening, involving debonding alone. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2740–2751, 2003
Mass transfer characteristics of natural rubber/ethylene vinyl acetate blends
Authors: Sujith A. , Radhakrishnan C. K. , Unnikrishnan G. , Thomas Sabu 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThe transport behavior of natural rubber/ethylene vinyl acetate (NR/EVA) blends has been investigated using aromatic hydrocarbons as probe molecules, in the temperature range of 26–56°C. It has been observed that the solvent uptake decreases with increase in the EVA content of the blends. The blends were crosslinked by three systems, viz. sulfur, dicumyl peroxide (DCP), and a mixture consisting of sulfur and peroxide. The DCP crosslinked system exhibited the lowest solvent uptake. The differences in the transport behavior of the blends, crosslinked by different modes, has been described in terms of the nature of crosslinks introduced between the macromolecular chains during vulcanization. The mechanism of transport has been found to deviate from the regular Fickian behavior, observed with conventional rubbers, with an increase in EVA in the blends. The dependence of the transport coefficients on blend composition, crosslinking systems, nature of penetrants, and temperature was studied. The blend–solvent interaction parameter, enthalpy, and entropy of sorption have also been estimated from the transport data. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2691–2702, 2003
Effect of hydrophilicity on the biodegradability of polyesteramides
Authors: Park Chunghee , Kim Eun Young , Yoo Young Tai , Im Seung Soon 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThe effect of surface hydrophilicity was induced from the amide units in the polyesteramide. The surface energies and compositions of the polyesteramides were studied by employing contact angle and interfacial tension measurements and ESCA analysis. Biodegradability was evaluated form various methods including activated sludge test, enzyme hydrolysis, and soil burial test, which determine the amount of evolved CO2, weight loss, and TOC values, respectively. It was found that the introduction of amide groups to the aliphatic polyester improved the biodegradability, although the increase of biodegradation rate was not directly proportional to the amide content. The biodegradability of aliphatic polyesters increased with the addition of amide functionality. Therefore, it can be concluded that the addition of appropriate contents of hydrophile enhanced the biodegradability of aliphatic polyesters as well as their physical properties. Also, the experimental results revealed the relation between hydrophilicity and biodegradability of polyesteramides. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2708–2714, 2003
Proton conducting materials based on thermoplastic elastomers silica composites
Authors: Acosta J. L. , González L. , Ojeda M. C. , Del Río C. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractIn this research, ionomeric composites based on organophilized silica (SIL) and a thermoplastic elastomer (HSBR), were prepared and characterized from a microstructural and electrical point of view. DSC was used to confirm silica sulfonation and FTIR to characterize the polymer before and after sulfonation reaction. DSC and DMA analysis show thatTgHPBremains constant in all the samples studied.TgPSmeasured through DMA presents an increase of about 40°C in the sample containing both the sulfonated filler and the sulfonated polymer matrix. The resulting materials can be easily processed to yield thin films (thickness 0.2–0.4 mm) with outstanding proton conducting properties (10−2S · cm−1). The suitability for film formation and good electrical properties is indicative of their potential use as electrolytes in polymer fuel cells. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2715–2720, 2003
Synthesis, characterization, and thermal properties of copolymers of behenyl acrylate and behenyl fumarate
Authors: Sarmah Diganta , Baruah Shashi D. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractRadical copolymerization of behenyl (systematic IUPAC nomenclature: n‐docosyl) acrylate and behenyl fumarate has been carried out in toluene at 70°C using benzoyl peroxide as initiator. Gel permeation chromatography was used to determine molecular weights (MW) and molecular weight distribution (MWD) of behenyl acrylate–behenyl fumarate (BA‐BF) copolymers. 1H NMR and carbon analysis was used to determine the composition of BA‐BF copolymers. Monomer reactivity ratios for high conversion polymerization were calculated by conversion‐extended Kelen‐Tudos plot. Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) measurements shows sharp melting peaks at about 64°C. Thermal stability studies were performed with thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). By using these DSC and TGA data in several nonisothermal methods, the activation energies were calculated. X‐ray diffraction studies show the linearity of the copolymers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2721–2726, 2003
Thermal and mechanical characterization of linear low‐density polyethylene/wood flour composites
Authors: Marcovich Norma E. , Villar Marcelo A. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractA linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) matrix was modified with an organic peroxide and by a reaction with maleic anhydride (MAn) and was simultaneously compounded with untreated wood flour in a twin‐screw extruder. The thermal and mechanical properties of the modified LLDPE and the resulting composites were evaluated. The degree of crystallinity was reduced in the modified LLDPE, but it increased with the addition of wood flour for the formation of the composites. Significant improvements in the tensile strength, ductility, and creep resistance were obtained for the MAn‐modified composites. This enhancement in the mechanical behavior could be attributed to an improvement in the compatibility between the filler and the matrix. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2775–2784, 2003
Water‐dispersible porous polyisoprene‐block‐poly(acrylic acid) microspheres
Authors: Lu Zhihua , Liu Guojun , Liu Futian 
Published: September 2003

AbstractTwo polyisoprene‐block‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) (PI‐b‐PtBA) samples and a poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) (PtBA) homopolymer (hPtBA) were prepared by anionic polymerization and characterized by light scattering, size exclusion chromatography, and NMR. The tert‐butyl groups were removed from one of the diblocks to yield amphiphilic polyisoprene‐block‐poly(acrylic acid) (PI‐b‐PAA). PI‐b‐PAA was then used as the surfactant to disperse dichloromethane containing PI‐b‐PtBA and hPtBA at different weight ratios as oil droplets in water. Solid microspheres containing segregated polyisoprene (PI) and PtBA/hPtBA domains were obtained after dichloromethane evaporation. Permanent microspheres were obtained after PI domain crosslinking with sulfur monochloride. Porous microspheres were produced after the hydrolysis of PtBA and the extraction of the homopoly(acrylic acid) chains. The shape and connectivity of the poly(acrylic acid)‐lined pores were tuned by changes in the PtBA/hPtBA content in the precursor microspheres. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2785–2793, 2003
Characterization and physical properties of polymethylphenylsilsesquioxane (PMPSQ) and hydroxyl‐functionalized polystyrene (PS–OH) hybrids
Authors: Hong Seungpyo , Hong Soon Man , Hwang Seung Sang , Kim Byoung Chul 
Published: September 2003

AbstractPolymethylphenylsilsesquioxane (PMPSQ–OH) and trimethylsilyl end‐blocked PMPSQ (PMPSQ–EC) were prepared. The thermal decomposition behavior of these polymers was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and FT‐Raman spectroscopy. Hydroxyl‐functionalized polystyrene (PS–OH) was also prepared by anionic living polymerization. Thin hybrid films of PMPSQ/PS–OH with various blend ratios were obtained by spin‐coating on freshly cleaned glass. The surface morphology of the hybrid films was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). In 80/20 PMPSQ/PS–OH hybrid film, the PS–OH component produced a very uniformly dispersed phase. This hybrid film contained small domains of PS–OH whose size ranged from 60 to 80 nm. As the content of PS–OH was increased, the domain morphology coarsened and phase inversion took place around 50 wt %. In the phase‐inversed system, the PMPSQ‐rich phase was uniformly distributed in the PS–OH‐rich continuous phase. In addition, temperature‐dependent dielectric properties of PMPSQ/PS–OH hybrids were investigated. Relaxation of the hybrids was observed with an increasing content of the PS–OH component due to the amorphous glass transition behavior of PS–OH. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2801–2812, 2003
Synthesis and characterization of iron carbonyl‐modified hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene: A catalyst‐bound propellant binder for burn‐rate augmentation
Authors: Subramanian K. , Sastri K. S. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractIron was coordinately linked to the hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) backbone using iron carbonyl via a ligand displacement reaction. The modified HTPB thus obtained was reddish brown in color and was characterized by GPC, FTIR, NMR, thermal, and propellant studies. No significant changes in the rheology, molecular weight, and molecular weight distribution were seen in the modified resin when the bonded Fe content was >0.8.0 wt %. However, the hydroxyl value of the resin decreased by 3–7 irrespective of the weight percent of the bonded Fe, and this was more likely due to the Fe‐catalyzed oxidation of the CH2OH moiety, mostly to the CHO group. Apparently, this has not affected the cure characteristics of the binder, as demonstrated by the good mechanical properties of the gum stock and the propellant. The catalytic efficiency of the bonded Fe on the burn rate of the propellant was more efficient than was the free Fe added to the propellant. The aging characteristics of the resin for the bound iron content of ≤0.8 wt % was apparently good, as its viscosity and molecular weight did not undergo any drastic changes even after 18 months' storage under ambient conditions. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2813–2823, 2003