bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term results of three‐dimensional conformal radiation therapy for patients with rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Wolden Suzanne L. , La B.S. Trang H. , LaQuaglia Michael P. , Meyers Paul A. , Kraus Dennis H. , Wexler Leonard H. 
Published: December 2002

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe authors evaluated the outcome of patients with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) who were treated with three‐dimensional (3D) conformal radiation therapy (RT) at a single institution.METHODSThe records of all 69 patients with RMS who received 3D RT from 1989 to 2001 were reviewed. All patients received multiagent chemotherapy with or without surgical resection. Follow‐up of surviving patients ranged from 1.0 year to 12.8 years (median, 4.3 years).RESULTSThe median patient age was 6 years (range, 1–29 years), and there was a male:female ratio of 1.5:1. Forty‐eight patients had embryonal sarcomas, 14 patients had alveolar sarcomas, and 7 patients had undifferentiated sarcomas. The parameningeal area (n = 22 patients) and the trunk (n = 21 patients) were the most common sites. Twelve percent of patients had Stage I disease, 10% of patients had Stage II disease, 51% of patients had Stage III disease, and 27% of patients had Stage V disease. Nine percent of patients were in clinical Group II, 64% of patients were in Group III, and 27% of patients were in Group IV. Regional lymph nodes were involved in 33% of patients, and 77% of tumors measured ≥ 5 cm in greatest dimension. The actuarial 5‐year local and regional control rates were 90% and 91%, respectively. No predictive factors for local failure were identified; however, alveolar histology was correlated with regional recurrence (29% compared with 4%; P = 0.02). The disease free and overall survival rates were 60% and 63% at 5 years, respectively. Disease stage was most predictive of 5‐year survival (76% of patients with Stage I–III disease compared with 24% of patients with Stage IV disease; P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSHigh rates of local control were achieved in patients with RMS using 3D RT. Regional lymph node failure was increased significantly among patients with alveolar histology. Control of metastatic disease remains a formidable problem for patients with Stage IV RMS. Cancer 2003;97:179–85. © 2002 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11001
Matrix metalloproteinase‐26 is expressed in human endometrium but not in endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Isaka Keiichi , Nishi Hirotaka , Nakai Hiromi , Nakada Toshihide , Feng Li Yin , Ebihara Yoshiro , Takayama Masaomi 
Published: December 2002

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe human matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐26, also called matrilysin‐2 or endometase, has been isolated as a matrilysin (MMP‐7) homolog. Matrix metalloproteinase‐26 was expressed in tissue samples from the placenta and endometrial tumors and its expression may be related to the development of endometrial carcinomas.METHODSTotal RNAs were isolated from 5 endometrial carcinoma cell lines, 36 normal endometrial tissue samples, 4 hyperplasia tissue samples, and from 24 endometrial carcinoma tissue samples. Reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reation (RT‐PCR) was performed to detect MMP‐26 mRNA expression. To identify MMP‐26 mRNA localization and protein expression, we performed in situ RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively.RESULTSReverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that MMP‐26 mRNA was expressed in 24 of 36 normal human endometrial tissue samples. However, MMP‐26 mRNA expression was not detected in endometrial carcinoma cell lines nor in endometrial carcinoma tissue samples except for one case. Western blot analysis showed similar results. In situ RT‐PCR analysis revealed that MMP‐26 expression was localized in the epithelial glandular cells but faint expression was observed in the stromal cells. Subsequently, we separated endometrial tissues into epithelial glandular and stromal cells. Using RT‐PCR, the purified epithelial glandular cells exhibited MMP‐26 mRNA expression but the purified stromal cells did not. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that MMP‐26 protein expression is also limited to endometrial epithelial glandular cells but not to cancer cells. Therefore, MMP‐26 expression is limited to normal epithelial glandular cells.CONCLUSIONSWe found a significant difference in MMP‐26 expression in normal and malignant endometrial tissue samples, although its function is still unknown. These data suggest that MMP‐26 may be a candidate for a new tumor marker for endometrial carcinomas. Cancer 2003;97:79–89. © 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11030
Diagnosis of neck recurrences in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Frasoldati Andrea , Pesenti Marialaura , Gallo Marco , Caroggio Angelo , Salvo Diana , Valcavi Roberto 
Published: December 2002

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe follow‐up of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is traditionally carried out with 131I whole body scan (131I WBS) and serum thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement. Neck ultrasonography (US) is also used.METHODSWe compared the roles of Tg measurement (IRMA assay) after l‐thyroxine (T4) withdrawal, 131I WBS, and US in the diagnosis of DTC neck recurrences. Diagnosis of DTC neck recurrences was based on fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) or on histologic results. Four hundred ninety‐four DTC patients (120 males, 374 females; mean age, 49.3 years), submitted to total thyroidectomy and subsequent radioablative 131I treatment, underwent serum Tg measurement off T4 therapy, 131I WBS, and neck US at our institution. Mean (± SD) follow‐up time was 55.1 ± 37.7 months. Neck DTC recurrences were detected in 51 (10.3%) patients (34 females, 17 males; mean age, 49.5 years).RESULTSNeck recurrences occurred after 44.6 ± 21.4 months from initial treatment. Serum Tg levels increased (≥ 2 ng/mL) off T4 therapy in 29 patients (sensitivity 56.8%), 131I WBS showed neck uptake in 23 patients (sensitivity 45.1%) and coexisting distant metastases were detected in 9 of 23 patients, and US identified neck recurrence in 48 patients (sensitivity 94.1%). Of these 48 neck recurrences, 19 were found in the laterocervical compartment and 29 in the central neck compartment.CONCLUSIONSTraditional techniques for the surveillance of DTC patients are not as sensitive as US in the detection of neck recurrences. Neck US detects recurrences in patients with undetectable serum Tg levels and negative IWBS and should be performed as the first‐line test in the follow‐up of all DTC patients. Cancer 2003;97:90–6. © 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11031
Is whole‐brain irradiation necessary for primary central nervous system lymphoma?
Authors: Shibamoto Yuta , Hayabuchi Naofumi , Hiratsuka Jun‐ichi , Tokumaru Sunao , Shirato Hiroki , Sougawa Mitsuharu , Oya Natsuo , Uematsu Yuji , Hiraoka Masahiro 
Published: December 2002

AbstractBACKGROUNDNeurotoxicity after whole‐brain irradiation remains a major problem in the treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). To clarify whether whole‐brain radiation is necessary for PCNSL, the authors retrospectively analyzed the outcome of patients treated with partial‐brain irradiation.METHODSA nationwide survey was performed regarding the treatment of PCNSL. Among 62 institutions surveyed, 7 were identified in which whole‐brain irradiation was not necessarily employed. Questionnaires were sent to these institutions and 43 patients who had been treated using partial‐brain fields since 1985 were collected. Thirty‐two patients had solitary lesions and 11 had multiple lesions. Patterns of recurrence could be identified in 38 patients.RESULTSThe cumulative in‐field and out‐field recurrence rates at 5 years were 57% and 49%, respectively. Of 14 out‐field recurrences, 2 occurred at the safety margin of the previous radiation field. The out‐field recurrence rate was 45% in patients with a single lesion and 67% in those with multiple tumors (P = 0.79). The out‐field recurrence rate was 22% for patients treated with safety margins of ≥ 4 cm and 83% for those treated with safety margins of < 4 cm (P = 0.0079). The median survival time and the 5‐year survival rate were 28.5 months and 20%, respectively, in the former group of patients and 15 months and 11%, respectively, in the latter group (P = 0.057).CONCLUSIONSFocal radiotherapy with safety margins of < 4 cm appears to be associated with a very high rate of out‐field recurrence, but the use of a radiation field with generous safety margins (≥ 4 cm) appears to be worth further investigation. Cancer 2003;97:128–33. © 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11035
Temozolomide in combination with interferon α‐2b in patients with metastatic melanoma
Authors: Agarwala Sanjiv S. , Kirkwood John M. 
Published: December 2002

AbstractBACKGROUNDMetastatic melanoma (MM) is associated with a high risk of central nervous system (CNS) metastases, and current chemotherapy does not adequately treat or protect patients with MM against CNS metastases. Therefore, the authors initiated a Phase I study to determine the pharmacokinetics and safety profile of temozolomide (TMZ), a novel oral alkylating agent known to cross the blood‐brain barrier, in combination with interferon α‐2b (IFN‐α2b).METHODSTwenty‐three patients with MM were enrolled in this single‐center, open‐label study. Patients with CNS metastasis were excluded. One cohort (n = 6 patients) received oral TMZ (200 mg/m2 per day) for 5 days every 28‐day cycle plus subcutaneous IFN‐α2b (5 million International Units [MIU]/m2 per day, 3 times per week). A second cohort (n = 17 patients) received TMZ 150 mg/m2 per day on the same schedule plus escalating doses of IFN‐α2b (5.0 MIU/m2 per day, 7.5 MIU/m2 per day, and 10 MIU/m2 per day 3 times per week).RESULTSThe most common adverse events were fatigue, fever, nausea/emesis, anxiety, and diarrhea. Most toxicity was mild to moderate in severity. The primary dose‐limiting toxicity was thrombocytopenia. The maximum tolerated dose was either TMZ 150 mg/m2 plus IFN‐α2b 7.5 MIU/m2 or TMZ 200 mg/m2 plus IFN‐α2b 5.0 MIU/m2. Four patients (17%) had objective responses (one complete response and three partial responses), and four patients had stable disease. The median survival was 9 months. The pharmacokinetics of TMZ were not affected by coadministration of IFN‐α2b.CONCLUSIONSTMZ can be combined safely with IFN‐α2b. This regimen demonstrated clinical activity in patients with MM and merits further investigation to define its effect on the incidence of brain metastases. Cancer 2003;97:121–7. © 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11041
Selective modulation of postmenopausal women
Authors: Diamanti‐Kandarakis Evanthia , Sykiotis Gerasimos P. , Papavassiliou Athanasios G. 
Published: December 2002

AbstractBACKGROUNDHormone replacement therapy (HRT) has proven and presumable benefits for women desiring postmenopausal health preservation. Among HRT‐associated risks, the fear of breast carcinoma intimidates women and physicians contemplating hormonal treatment and limits long‐term compliance. Identifying effective alternative medications that are not associated with breast carcinoma or that even may prevent its development would be a major advance.METHODSThis article discusses the clinical perspective of HRT and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) in light of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of estrogen and progesterone action on the breast. Emphasis is placed on the potential of selective receptor modulation as the future of postmenopausal treatment.RESULTSCurrent epidemiologic evidence suggests that HRT is associated with a small but substantial increase in the risk of breast carcinoma, and combined estrogen‐progesterone regimens further increase this hazard. Ample biologic data support this clinical association and propose multiple molecular mechanisms for the effects of estrogen and progesterone on breast cells. SERMs are a novel class of drugs that demonstrate estrogen agonistic and antagonistic actions in a tissue specific manner. SERMs act by binding the estrogen receptor and selectively modulating its effect on gene transcription at target tissues.CONCLUSIONSSERMs offer an alternative to HRT that can successfully circumvent the intimidating side‐effect of breast carcinoma. Further insight into the molecular mechanisms of SERM action may enable the development of agents with improved target‐tissue selectivity. Identifying selective modulators with unique pharmacologic properties would facilitate the creation of individualized treatment for the postmenopausal woman according to her particular predisposition for menopause‐related morbidities and her overall clinical profile. Cancer 2003;97:12–20. © 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11049
Racial/ethnic variation in clinical presentation, treatment, and survival among breast cancer patients under age 35
Authors: Shavers Vickie L. , Harlan Linda C. , Stevens Jennifer L. 
Published: December 2002

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe age specific breast cancer incidence rate for African‐American women under age 35 is more than twice the rate for white women of similar age, and the mortality rate is more than three times higher. To determine factors that may explain racial/ethnic variation in outcomes among young women diagnosed with breast cancer, the authors examined the clinical presentation, treatment, and survival of African‐American, Hispanic, and white women under age 35 years.METHODSSurveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program data for 1990–1998 and SEER Patterns of Care data for 1990, 1991, and 1995 were used for this analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine factors associated with the receipt of selected breast cancer treatments. Kaplan–Meier survival analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to examine 5‐year overall survival and disease‐specific survival.RESULTSThe authors found racial/ethnic variation in clinical presentation, treatment, and survival. Both African‐American and Hispanic women presented with higher disease stage and a higher prevalence of adverse prognostic indicators compared to white women. African‐American and Hispanic women received cancer‐directed surgery and radiation less frequently after undergoing breast‐conserving surgery. Racial/ethnic differences in clinical presentation and treatment were associated with poorer overall survival in unadjusted analyses. African‐American and Hispanic women also had poorer overall survival after controlling for clinical and demographic characteristics and type of treatment.CONCLUSIONSFuture research studies should further examine the factors that influence racial/ethnic differences in incidence, clinical presentation, and treatment differentials among young women diagnosed with breast cancer. A better understanding of these factors will facilitate the development of strategies to help eliminate this health disparity. Cancer 2003;97:134–47. Published 2003 by the American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11051
Advanced age at diagnosis is an independent predictor of time to death from prostate carcinoma for patients undergoing external beam radiation therapy for clinically localized prostate carcinoma
Authors: D'Amico Anthony V. , Cote Kerri , Loffredo Marian , Renshaw Andrew A. , Chen Ming‐Hui 
Published: December 2002

AbstractBACKGROUNDWhether age at diagnosis is predictive of time to prostate carcinoma specific death after external beam radiation therapy (RT) for patients who are diagnosed with clinically localized prostate carcinoma during the prostate specific antigen (PSA) era has not been investigated previously.METHODSA multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the ability of pretreatment risk group and age at diagnosis to predict time to all causes of death and time to death from prostate carcinoma for 381 patients who underwent RT for clinically localized prostate carcinoma.RESULTSAge at diagnosis, as a continuous variable (Pcontinuous= 0.04), and risk group (Pcategorical= 0.02) were independent predictors of time to death from prostate carcinoma, whereas only age at diagnosis (Pcontinuous= 0.01) was a predictor of time to all causes of death. When analyzed as a categorical variable, beginning at age 73 years, age at diagnosis was an independent predictor (Pcategorical< 0.04) of time to death from prostate carcinoma. Upon further analysis, this finding was limited to high‐risk patients. For example, age ≥ 75 years at diagnosis predicted for a shorter median time to death from prostate carcinoma (6.3 years vs. 9.7 years;P= 0.002) in high‐risk patients.CONCLUSIONSPatients with clinically localized, high‐risk prostate carcinoma who were diagnosed at age ≥ 73 years and were treated with RT had a worse prognosis compared with patients who were diagnosed age < 73 years, raising the possibility that a more aggressive prostate carcinoma biology may develop during andropause. Cancer 2003;97:56–62. © 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11053
Trends in the incidence of testicular germ cell tumors in the United States
Authors: McGlynn Katherine A. , Devesa Susan S. , Sigurdson Alice J. , Brown Linda M. , Tsao Lilian , Tarone Robert E. 
Published: December 2002

AbstractBACKGROUNDRecent reports have suggested that the increasing rates of testicular germ cell tumors in some populations have begun to plateau. This study was conducted to examine whether rates among white men in the United States have begun to stabilize and whether rates among black men in the United States have remained low.METHODSTesticular germ cell tumor incidence data from in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program were analyzed for the years 1973–1998. Trends were examined separately for seminoma and nonseminoma. Using age‐period‐cohort analyses with 5‐year age intervals and 5‐year calendar‐period intervals, changes in the slope of the trends in birth‐cohort and calendar‐period effects were examined.RESULTSAmong white men, rates of seminoma continued to increase, but the rate of increase steadily declined throughout the 26‐year time span. Nonseminoma rates among whites increased more slowly during the first three time intervals, then plateaued in the final interval. Rates of both seminoma and nonseminoma in black men fluctuated throughout the first three time intervals. In the final interval, the rates of seminoma increased almost 100%, whereas the rates of nonseminoma increased more modestly. Age‐period‐cohort modeling of the incidence data in white men found that, whereas the dominant effect was that of birth cohort, there also was a period effect.CONCLUSIONSAmong white men in the United States, the incidence of testicular germ cell tumors varied by histology, with a continuing increase in risk only for seminoma. Among black men in the United States, the surprising increases seen between 1988 and 1998 were likely to be a calendar‐period effect. Cancer 2003;97:63–70. Published 2003 by the American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11054
Epirubicin and meglumine γ‐linolenic acid
Authors: Harris Neil M. , Anderson William R. , Lwaleed Bashir A. , Cooper Alan J. , Birch Brian R. , Solomon Lemke Z. 
Published: December 2002

AbstractBACKGROUNDAnthracyclines have been established as first‐line drugs for intravesical use in the treatment of patients with superficial bladder carcinoma, although they result only in a modest reduction in tumor recurrence rates. The essential fatty acid γ‐linolenic acid (GLA) also is an effective cytotoxic agent against superficial bladder carcinoma when it is applied topically. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of combined epirubicin and GLA with the purpose of developing a suitable model for modification of existing intravesical regimens.METHODSThe human urothelial carcinoma cell lines MGH‐U1 and RT112 were used in standard cytotoxicity assays and were exposed to meglumine GLA (MeGLA) and epirubicin in two‐dimensional concentration matrices. A thiozolyl blue (methyl‐thiazoldiphenyl tetrazolium) assay was used to determine residual cell biomass. Drug interaction was quantified by median‐effect analysis software (CalcuSyn®), and the evaluation of drug uptake utilized fluorescence confocal microscopy (FCM) and flow cytometry.RESULTSMeGLA caused a significant enhancement of anthracycline uptake, viewed by FCM, from 92 fluorescence units to 222 fluorescence units (P < 0.001). Flow cytometry confirmed the increased drug uptake and showed that the mean epirubicin content per cell increased from 23 to 57 units and from 8 to 24 units for MGH‐U1 and RT112 cells, respectively (99% confidence interval < 0.3). This resulted in improved cytotoxicity, and it was shown that the drugs acted synergistically with all but the highest MeGLA concentrations.CONCLUSIONSThe efficacy of epirubicin was enhanced significantly when it was used in combination with most concentrations of MeGLA (< 300 μg/mL), and the two agents acted synergistically. There was a corresponding increase in epirubicin uptake by cells under these conditions. At high MeGLA concentrations, however, anthracycline solubility was compromised, and drug synergy was lost. Cancer 2003;97:71–8. © 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11055
A procedure for evaluating seismic energy demand of framed structures
Authors: Chou Chung‐Che , Uang Chia‐Ming 
Published: December 2002

AbstractEnergy serves as an alternative index to response quantities like force or displacement to include the duration‐related seismic damage effect. A procedure to evaluate the absorbed energy in a multistorey frame from energy spectra was developed. For low‐ to medium‐rise frames, it required a static pushover analysis of the structure to determine the modal yield force and ductility factor of an equivalent single‐degree‐of‐freedom system for the first two modes. The energy spectra were then used to determine the energy contribution of each mode. A procedure was also developed to distribute the energy along the frame height based on energy shapes. This study showed that the second‐mode response in some cases needs to be considered to reflect the energy (or damage) concentration in the upper floors. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiple‐tuned liquid column dampers for torsional vibration control of structures: theoretical investigation
Authors: Xu Y. L. , Shum K. M. 
Published: December 2002

AbstractThis paper presents a theoretical investigation on the performance of multiple‐tuned liquid column dampers (MTLCD) for reducing torsional vibration of structures in comparison with single‐tuned liquid column dampers (STLCD). The analytical model is first developed for torsional vibration of a structure with an MTLCD under either harmonic excitation or white noise excitation. The experimental results are then used to verify the analytical model for coupled MTLCD‐structure systems under harmonic excitation. The performance of an MTLCD and its beneficial parameters for achieving the maximum torsional response reduction to white noise excitation are finally investigated through an extensive parametric study in terms of the distance from the centre line of the MTLCD to the rotational axis of the structure, the ratio of the horizontal length to the total length of liquid column, frequency bandwidth, head‐loss coefficient, the number of TLCD units in an MTLCD, frequency‐turning ratio and the spectral level of excitation moment. The results show that there is an optimal head‐loss coefficient and an optimal frequency bandwidth for an MTLCD to achieve the maximum torsional response reduction. It is also demonstrated that the sensitivity of an optimized MTLCD to the frequency‐tuning ratio is less than that of an optimized STLCD, and it can be further improved by increasing the bandwidth but at the cost of less torsional vibration reduction. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.