bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Salvage Cryotherapy for Recurrent Prostate Cancer After Radiotherapy: Variables Affecting Patient Outcome
Authors: Izawa Jonathan I. , Madsen Lydia T. , Scott Shellie M. , Tran Jean-Paul , McGuire Edward J. , von Eschenbach Andrew C. , Pisters Louis L. 
Published: October 2002

PURPOSE: To determine the long-term disease-specific survival (DSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates after salvage cryotherapy for locally recurrent adenocarcinoma of the prostate and to identify pretreatment factors that have an impact on DSS and DFS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 1992 and January 1995, 131 patients who had received definitive radiation therapy (XRT) underwent salvage cryotherapy for locally recurrent adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Cryotherapy failure was defined as an increasing postcryotherapy prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of ≥ 2 ng/mL above the postcryotherapy nadir, a positive prostate biopsy, or radiographic evidence of metastatic disease. Clinical variables were studied to determine whether there was an association with the DSS and DFS. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 4.8 years. The 5-year DSS rates were 87% for patients with a precryotherapy Gleason score ≤ 8 and 63% for those with Gleason scores of 9 and 10 (P = .012). The 5-year DFS rates were 57% for patients with a precryotherapy PSA level of ≤ 10 ng/mL and 23% for those with a PSA level greater than 10 ng/mL (P = .0004). The 5-year DSS rates for patients with a pre-XRT clinical stage of T1 to T2 and those with a clinical stage of T3 to T4 were 94% and 72%, respectively (P = .0041). The 5-year DFS rates for these groups were 90% and 69%, respectively (P = .0057). CONCLUSION: Androgen-independent local recurrences, Gleason score, and pre-XRT clinical stage were important factors that had an impact on DSS and DFS. The subset of patients cured by salvage cryotherapy seems to be small, and patient selection is important.
High prevalence of endocrine dysfunction in long‐term survivors after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for hematologic diseases
Authors: Tauchmanovà Libuse , Selleri Carmine , Rosa Gennaro De , Pagano Loredana , Orio Francesco , Lombardi Gaetano , Rotoli Bruno , Colao Annamaria 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe progressively increasing number of long‐term survivors after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo‐BMT) led researchers to focus on the early and late complications of this procedure. Endocrine dysfunction occurred mostly in patients who had undergone total body irradiation (TBI) as part of pretransplantation treatment. The extent to which chemotherapy and immune system derangement affect endocrine function in allo‐BMT recipients is still unclear.METHODSForty consecutive patients (21 women, 19 men) with hematologic diseases surviving 12 or more months after allo‐BMT from HLA‐identical siblings were studied. Patients' age at transplantation ranged from 13 to 45 years and their post‐BMT follow‐up lasted 12–62 months. The conditioning regimen BUCY2 was employed. Graft versus host disease (GVHD) was observed in the acute form in 13 patients and in the chronic form in 26. The function of hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonad, thyroid, somatotrophic, and adrenal axes was assessed.RESULTSThe most common endocrine dysfunction was ovarian insufficiency (95% of women), followed by an increase in follicle‐stimulating hormone in 47% of men, indicating spermatogenesis damage. Hormone replacement therapy was contraindicated in three women because of chronic liver GVHD and it was ineffective partially in four others because of reduced intestinal or cutaneous absorption. Thyroid dysfunction occurred in 47.5% of patients and included low T3 syndrome, chronic thyroiditis, and transient subclinical hyperthyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism. Adrenal function was abnormal in 10%, mostly related to the prolonged corticosteroid treatment. IGF‐I was lower than age‐reference values in 27% of all patients and in 38% of those with chronic GVHD. Thyroid, adrenal, and IGF‐I impairments were more frequent in patients with chronic GVHD than in patients without this disease (P = 0.048).CONCLUSIONSA high prevalence of endocrine dysfunction was detected in a cohort of allo‐BMT recipients not treated by TBI. Although gonadal failure was likely related to intensive myeloablative treatments, thyroid, adrenal, and IGF‐I impairments were late events, suggesting that immunosuppressive treatment and immune system derangement may play a role in the development of endocrine dysfunction after allografting. Cancer 2002;95:1076–84. © 2002 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.10773
Long‐term results of reirradiation for patients with recurrent rectal carcinoma
Authors: Mohiuddin Mohammed , Marks Gerald , Marks John 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe current study was conducted to assess the long‐term results of reirradiation in patients with recurrent rectal carcinoma.METHODSOne hundred and three patients with recurrent adenocarcinoma of the rectum underwent reirradiation with concurrent 5‐fluorouracil–based chemotherapy. The initial radiation dose to the pelvis ranged from 3000 to 7400 centigrays (cGy) with a median dose of 5040 cGy. The median time from initial treatment to recurrence was 19 months. Irradiation techniques consisted of two lateral fields with/without a posterior pelvic field to include recurrent tumor with a margin of 2–4 cm only. The reirradiation doses ranged from 1500 to 4920 cGy with a median dose of 3480 cGy. Total cumulative doses ranged from 7060 to 1080 cGy with a median total dose of 8580 cGy. After the reirradiation, 34 patients also underwent surgical resection for residual disease. Fourteen patients underwent pelvic exenteration, 11 patients underwent abdominoperineal resection, 4 patients underwent transanal transabdominal proctosigmoidectomy, 2 patients underwent full thickness local excision, and 3 patients underwent a Hartmann resection.RESULTSFollow‐up ranged from 3 84 months with a median follow‐up of 2 years. The median survival for the whole group was 26 months and the 5‐year actuarial survival rate was 19%. The median interval and 5‐year survival rate of patients undergoing surgical resection after reirradiation was 44 months and 22% compared with 14 months and 15% for patients treated with reirradiation only (P = 0.001). Treatment was generally well tolerated. Fifteen patients required a treatment break and early termination of treatment for Grade 3 and higher diarrhea, moist desquamation, or mucositis. Late complications were seen in 22 patients, including persistent severe diarrhea in 18 patients with 10 patients requiring long‐term parental support, small bowel obstruction was seen in 15 patients, fistula formation in 4 patients, and coloanal stricture in 2 patients. There was no difference in incidence of acute or long‐term complications by the total radiation dose delivered.CONCLUSIONSIn patients with recurrent rectal carcinoma, high doses of reirradiation can be delivered with acceptable risks without prohibitive long‐term side effects. Surgical salvage and long‐term survival of patients are possible. Cancer 2002;95:1144–50. © 2002 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.10799
Hantaviruses in Estonia
Authors: Golovljova Irina , Brus Sjölander Katarina , Lindegren Gunnel , Vene Sirkka , Vasilenko Veera , Plyusnin Alexander , Lundkvist Åke 
Published: October 2002

AbstractHuman serum samples collected from healthy individuals in 14 counties were screened by ELISA in order to investigate the presence of hantavirus infections in Estonia. Out of 1,234 serum samples, 124 were found positive for hantavirus‐specific IgG and were subsequently serotyped by a focus reduction neutralization test. A total of 112 samples neutralized at least one of the examined hantaviruses—Puumala (PUUV), Saaremaa (SAAV), Dobrava (DOBV), Hantaan, and Seoul viruses—and thereby, the focus reduction neutralization test confirmed the overall hantavirus seroprevalence rate in Estonia to be 9.1%. Most of the sera showed a specific reaction (at least 4‐fold higher endpoint titer) of neutralizing antibodies to PUUV (5.1%), while 3.4% showed a SAAV‐ or SAAV/DOBV‐specific reaction. The fact that seven sera (0.6%) could not be serotyped may indicate the presence of an unknown hantavirus serotype. Hantavirus infections were confirmed in 13 of 14 investigated counties, with highly varying seroprevalence rates (1.0–28.4%). The sex ratio was 1.8:1.0 (M:F), and the antibody prevalence peaked in the age group 45–54 years. A total of 513 rodents of seven species trapped in seven counties were examined for the presence of hantavirus antigen, in order to study the distribution of hantavirus natural carriers. Two species, Clethrionomys glareolus and Apodemus agrarius, were found positive for hantaviral antigen in 13.7% and 4.5% of the investigated rodents, respectively. Analyses of viral sequences recovered from infected C. glareolus tissue samples showed that the infecting virus belonged to the PUUV genotype, confirming that PUUV circulates in mainland Estonia. The Estonian PUUV strains were placed in the closest proximity to Russian PUUV strains in phylogenetic trees, suggesting a common evolutionary history. Together with earlier data on SAAV in A. agrarius, the results revealed that two hantaviruses, PUUV and SAAV, are common in Estonia and that the incidence of human infection is high in both cases. J. Med. Virol. 68:589–598, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Complete nucleotide sequence of a Coxsackievirus B‐4 strain capable of establishing persistent infection in human pancreatic islet cells: Effects on insulin release, proinsulin synthesis, and cell morphology
Authors: Yin Hong , Berg Anna‐Karin , Westman Jan , Hellerström Claes , Frisk Gun 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of infection of human pancreatic islet cells with a strain (VD2921) of Coxsackie B virus serotype 4 capable of establishing persistent infection in these cells, as well as to sequence the strain, to study the determinants of virulence and persistence. Groups of islets were infected and assessments of proinsulin, insulin content, and virus replication were made. Insulin release in response to high glucose was measured. Infected and control islets displayed a strong insulin response to high glucose 3–4 days as well as 7–8 days post‐infection (dpi). At 11–17 dpi, the infected islets did not respond at all to high glucose, and the response of the control islets was at this late time point somewhat reduced. The insulin and proinsulin content of the infected islets did not differ significantly from that of the control islets. TCID50 titrations showed that the VD2921 strain replicated in the islet cells during the whole study. Electron microscopic examination of infected islets did not reveal any virus‐induced changes of cell morphology compared with the controls, although higher magnifications of the infected β‐cells showed virus‐like particles in the cytoplasm. These results show that certain strains of Coxsackievirus B‐4 in vitro can establish a persistent infection that might mimic, the more gradual loss of β‐cell function seen during the clinical course of autoimmune diabetes. The ability of this Coxsackievirus B‐4 strain to establish a persistent infection might be due to substitution of 11 amino acids located at the surface of the structural protein VP1, adjacent to the predicted receptor binding canyon of the virus. J. Med. Virol. 68:544–557, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Recombinant hepatitis C virus‐like particles expressed by baculovirus: Utility in cell‐binding and antibody detection assays
Authors: Xiang Jinhua , Wünschmann Sabina , George Sarah L. , Klinzman Donna , Schmidt Warren N. , LaBrecque Douglas R. , Stapleton Jack T. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) is difficult to study due to the lack of an efficient cell culture system or small animal model. As a result, HCV–cell interactions are not well‐defined. In addition, several studies have identified a subset of patients in whom HCV RNA is present, but HCV antibody is not detected. We produced recombinant baculoviruses that expressed HCV structural proteins (core, E1 and E2, nt 342–2651) or control proteins. The HCV structural protein precursor was processed into immunoreactive proteins of appropriate size, and sucrose density sedimentation and electron microscopy of infected cell lysates demonstrated particle formation. To evaluate HCV antigenicity, particularly in patients who tested negative for HCV antibody in commercial HCV immunoassays but had persistent viremia, we evaluated the virus‐like particles (VLPs) in solid‐phase immunoassays. VLPs reacted with sera from HCV antibody positive subjects in these solid phase immunoassays, but not with control sera. Plasma samples from 19% (5/26) of HCV antibody negative subjects who were persistently HCV RNA positive also reacted with the HCV VLPs. When incubated with MOLT‐4 cells at 4°C, HCV VLPs demonstrated cell binding, and behaved similar to plasma‐derived HCV preparations in a flow cytometry‐based cell binding assay. These data suggest that recombinant HCV VLPs may allow identification of HCV antibody in patients, including some patients with persistent viremia and who are seronegative with current assays. In addition, HCV VLPs seem useful for evaluating HCV–cell interactions. J. Med. Virol. 68:537–543, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Disialoganglioside GD2 and a novel tumor antigen: Potential targets for immunotherapy of desmoplastic small round cell tumor
Authors: Modak Shakeel , Gerald William , Cheung Nai‐Kong V. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBackgroundDesmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is an aggressive and often misdiagnosed neoplasm of children and young adults. It is chemotherapy‐sensitive, yet patients often relapse off therapy because of residual microscopic disease at distant sites: peritoneum, liver, lymph node, and lung. Strategies directed at minimal residual disease (MRD) may be necessary for cure. Monoclonal antibodies selective for cell surface tumor‐associated antigens may have utility for diagnosis and therapy of MRD, as recently demonstrated in advanced‐stage neuroblastoma (JCO 16: 3053, 1998). We examined DSRCT samples for the expression of two tumor antigens that could serve as possible targets for antibody‐based immunotherapeutic approaches.ProceduresUsing immunohistochemistry, we studied the expression of two antigens: (1) GD2 using antibody 3F8 and (2) a novel antigen using antibody 8H9 in a panel of 46 freshly frozen DSRCT. GD2 is a disialoganglioside, which is widely expressed among neuroectodermal tumors as well as adult sarcomas. 8H9 recognizes a 58 kDa surface antigen expressed among neuroectodermal, mesenchymal, and epithelial tumors with restricted expression on normal tissues.ResultsThirty‐two of 46 (70%) tumors were reactive with 3F8, and 44 of 46 (96%) with 8H9. Both GD2 and the 58 kDa antigen were localized to tumor cell membrane and stroma. In general, immunoreactivity was stronger and more homogeneous with 8H9 than with 3F8. There was no correlation between expression of either antigen or clinical outcome.ConclusionsGD2 and the novel tumor antigen recognized by 8H9 are potential targets for immunodiagnosis and antibody‐based therapy of DSRCT. Med Pediatr Oncol 2002;39:547–551. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Response to initial treatment of multisystem langerhans cell histiocytosis: An important prognostic indicator
Authors: Minkov Milen , Grois Nicole , Heitger Andreas , Pötschger Ulrike , Westermeier T. , Gadner Helmut ,   for the DAL‐HX Study Group
Published: October 2002

AbstractBackgroundReliable prediction of prognosis allowing risk‐adapted therapy remains a major issue in the management of multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). In a recent publication of the International LCH Study Group, response to initial therapy appears to be a reliable outcome predictor. The aim of this study is to test this observation in a cohort of patients treated with more intensive initial therapy. Furthermore, we compare the predictive value of response to initial therapy to some other well‐established stratification systems.ProcedureResponse to initial combination chemotherapy (prednisolone, vinblastine, and etoposide) at 6 weeks and its prognostic value was evaluated retrospectively in 63 patients with multisystem LCH from the DAL‐HX 83 and 90 Studies, and correlated to some established scoring systems from the literature.ResultsAfter 6 weeks of therapy, 50/63 (79%) patients qualified as responders, 4/63 (7%) patients showed intermediate response, and 9/63 (14%) patients did not respond. Probability of survival at 5 years was 0.94 ± 0.03 for responders, 0.75 ± 0.22 for patients with intermediate response, and only 0.11 ± 0.10 for non‐responders.ConclusionsResponse to initial therapy appears to be a reliable prognostic predictor. Compared to the published international LCH‐I Study, our results suggest that more intensive initial treatment allows a better discrimination between responders and non‐responders. This allows to identify a subgroup of patients with extremely poor prognosis (mortality rate 90%) relatively early in the disease course. Med Pediatr Oncol 2002;39:581–585. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Four case studies of prospective science teachers' beliefs concerning constructivist teaching practices
Authors: Haney Jodi J. , McArthur Julia 
Published: October 2002

AbstractTo gain a better understanding of the emerging constructivist beliefs and classroom practices, case studies were constructed for four prospective teachers who were purposely selected as a result of their scores on the Classroom Learning Environment Survey (CLES) (Taylor, Fraser, & White, A classroom environment questionnaire for science educators interested in the constructivist reform of school science. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, Anaheim, CA, 1994). The case studies provided insight into two primary questions (1) what are the beliefs of the prospective science teacher regarding constructivist teaching practices and (2) are these beliefs consistent with subsequent classroom practice? The components of constructivist teaching by Taylor, Fraser, and White (1994) were used as a theoretical framework in conjunction with Ajzen and Fishbein's components of the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1985). Data collection consisted of document analysis, classroom observation, and interviews. Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. Findings from the case studies suggest that at least two kinds of beliefs were in operation: central beliefs and peripheral beliefs. The central beliefs were defined as those dictating subsequent teaching behaviors; whereas the peripheral beliefs were those that were stated but not operationalized. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 86:783–802, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/sce.10038
Research in Operations Management
Authors: Buffa Elwood S. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe field of Operations Management has evolved from a purely descriptive origin through the Management Science/Operations Research phase, and is now in the process of finding itself as a functional field of management. Emerging with this identity and at last founding the Journal of Operations Management, researchers need to give careful thought concerning the future directions of research. Research during the MS/OR phase made great progress, but is characterized by the development of models of problems of restricted scope, the results of which could be evaluated by a single valued criterion. The most promising future research is felt to be embodied in projects that are of broader managerial scope, reflecting relationships between subsystems and interfunctional effects. Evaluative criteria should reflect the multiple criteria realities of the managerial world. Types of research that appear to be in keeping with the new thrust of Operations Management are suggested.
Some problems with transient phenomena when simulating unpaced lines
Authors: Kottas John F. , Lau Hon‐Shiang 
Published: October 2002

AbstractUnlike earlier simulation studies of unpaced production lines which generally concentrated on steady‐state behavior, we are concerned with their transient characteristics. This paper (1) presents an approach for studying and monitoring transient behavior, (2) reports some important transient operating characteristics previously overlooked, and (3) demonstrates that the conflicting results reported in some of the earlier simulation studies are due to an inadequate accounting for transient behavior. Thus, this paper illustrates the importance of having a better understanding of transient behavior in unpaced lines, and presents our initial steps towards dealing with it.
The service sector: Challenges and imperatives for research in operations management
Authors: Sullivan Robert S. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe United States has undergone a transformation from an industrial society to the first postindustrial society. Consequently, the service sector has outstripped manufacturing in its contribution to the GNP and in employment. This paper discusses the challenges and imperatives for research in service operations management (SOM). Service operations have unique characteristics that must be considered in developing research strategies. Recent attempts at evolving a general theory of service organizations are reviewed, and it is suggested that these conceptual models provide a unifying framework for the study of SOM. Research in SOM requires a broad perspective that includes the customer and the interactions with other functional areas. It requires an integration of conventional production concepts with behavioral and marketing considerations.
An experimental comparison of human schedulers and heuristic algorithms for the traveling salesman problem
Authors: Hill Arthur V. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractVehicle routing and scheduling for laundry, courier, mail, and other service operations is a significant service industry problem. Several computer‐based heuristic algorithms have been developed to assist schedulers in developing efficient delivery (and pick up) vehicle routes. This paper reports the results of an experiment that compared the performance of inexperienced human schedulers and seven heuristic vehicle routing algorithms. A large set of traveling salesman test problems ranging in size from 10 to 80 customers was used in the experiment. The results of the experiment suggest that inexperienced, untrained human schedulers can consistently find traveling salesman solutions as good as or better than all but one of the seven heuristic algorithms tested (including the widely used ClarkeWright distance saved heuristic and the recently published largest‐angle insertion heuristic). The human schedulers found traveling salesman routes as good as the best heuristic tested (Lin's 3‐optimal) in 29 percent of the test problems. On average, the human schedulers' solution distances were only 2.8 percent above the 3‐optimal heuristic solution distances.