bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nonperioperative strokes in children with central nervous system tumors
Authors: Bowers Daniel C. , Mulne Arlynn F. , Reisch Joan S. , Elterman Roy D. , Munoz Louis , Booth Timothy , Shapiro Kenneth , Doxey Deborah L. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDNonperioperative strokes are rare yet potentially devastating events for children with central nervous system (CNS) tumors. The incidence of and risk factors for nonperioperative strokes in children with CNS tumors is unknown.METHODSThe authors performed a retrospective review of children from their institution with CNS tumors. The incidence of stroke in the nonperioperative period and the influence of patient demographic factors, coexisting genetic diseases, tumor type, and treatment modality on the subsequent occurrence of a stroke were determined.RESULTSEight hundred seven consecutive patients from the authors' institution with CNS tumors were observed for a combined 3224 nonperioperative years. Thirteen patients (1.6%) had a nonperioperative stroke, for an incidence of 4.03 strokes/1000 years of nonperioperative patient follow‐up. Eight patients were males, and the median age at diagnosis of a CNS tumor was 4.8 years (range, 0.3–18.6 years). The median duration from diagnosis of a CNS tumor until the occurrence of stroke was 2.3 years (range, 0.3–15.8 years). Among numerous potential risk factors individually examined by chi‐square analysis, only treatment with radiation therapy was associated with the subsequent development of a stroke (chi‐square, P = 0.007). By logistic regression analysis, treatment with radiation therapy and a diagnosis of an optic pathway glioma were the only statistically significant variables associated with a stroke.CONCLUSIONSStrokes are much more common among children with CNS tumors. Children treated with radiation therapy and those with optic pathway gliomas have a higher association with the occurrence of a subsequent nonperioperative stroke. Because children with optic pathway gliomas may be at particularly high risk of stroke after radiation therapy, the desired beneficial therapeutic effects of irradiation must always be weighed against its potentially adverse effects, including stroke. Cancer 2002;94:1094–101. © 2002 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.10353
Metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis
Authors: Hendry William F. , Norman Andrew R. , Dearnaley David P. , Fisher Cyril , Nicholls Judy , Huddart Robert A. , Horwich Alan 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDA mass may persist in the para‐aortic region after patients undergo chemotherapy for metastatic, nonseminomatous germ cell tumor of the testis (NSGCT). Retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy removes the mass, which may contain residual active malignancy, and allows histologic assessment of the effectiveness of the chemotherapy. Whereas some have favored early, elective removal of such masses, others have chosen to observe them, reserving salvage surgery for patients who experience disease recurrence. A retrospective analysis was undertaken to define the outcome in these two groups of patients.METHODSAfter receiving chemotherapy for metastatic NSGCT, 442 men underwent lymphadenectomy for residual masses (measuring ≥ 1 cm in greatest dimension) between 1976 and 1999, inclusive. Three hundred thirty men underwent elective surgery within 3 months of the completion of chemotherapy, and 112 men underwent salvage surgery after receiving reinduction chemotherapy for tumor recurrence.RESULTSThe residual mass was removed completely in 87% and 72% of patients in the elective and salvage lymphadenectomy groups, respectively; was removed with difficulty and possibly incompletely in 9% and 21% of patients, respectively; and was definitely removed incompletely in 4% and 7% of patients, respectively. The operative mortality rate was 0.9% in the elective surgery group and 1.8% in the salvage surgery group. There was malignant teratoma, undifferentiated in 8.5% of patients in the elective surgery group and in 49% of patients in the salvage surgery group (P < 0.001). Differentiated teratoma and necrosis/fibrosis were present in 66.0% and 25.4% of patients in the elective surgery group, respectively, and in 38.4% and 12.5% of patients in the salvage surgery group, respectively. The authors were unable to produce a clinically useful model to predict the presence of necrosis/fibrosis only in either group. The 5‐year recurrence free and overall survival rates were 83% and 89%, respectively, in the elective surgery group and 62% and 56%, respectively, in the salvage surgery group. For the salvage surgery group, the completeness of surgical excision and the presence of undifferentiated teratoma were of overriding importance for overall survival. A variety of other patient‐related, tumor‐related, and surgery‐related factors also were significant in the final model for the elective surgery group.CONCLUSIONSThe current results demonstrate the low level of morbidity that can be obtained, even in the salvage surgery group, and the importance of complete surgical resection in this setting. Because it is not possible to predict with sufficient accuracy which patients will have favorable pathology (necrosis/fibrosis), the authors continue to recommend elective surgery for all suitable men with residual masses after they receive first‐line chemotherapy. Cancer 2002;94:1668–76. © 2002 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.10440
Racial differences in knowledge, attitudes, and cancer screening practices among a triracial rural population
Authors: Paskett Electra D. , Tatum Cathy , Rushing Julia , Michielutte Robert , Bell Ronny , Foley Kristie Long , Bittoni Marisa , Dickinson Stephanie 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDLow‐income, minority, and rural women face a greater burden with regard to cancer‐related morbidity and mortality and are usually underrepresented in cancer control research. The Robeson County Outreach, Screening and Education Project sought to increase mammography use among low‐income, minority, and rural women age > 40 years. The current article reports on racial disparities and barriers to screening, especially those related to knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.METHODSA baseline survey was administered to 897 women age > 40 years who lived in rural Robeson County in North Carolina. The sample consisted of three principal racial groups: whites, African Americans, and Native Americans. Survey comparisons were made among racial groups with respect to knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding breast and cervical carcinoma screening.RESULTSOverall, Native American and African‐American women had lower levels of knowledge, more inaccurate beliefs, and more barriers to screening compared with white women. Among the notable findings were that 43% of the patient population did not mention mammograms and 53% did not mention Pap smears as breast and cervical carcinoma screening tests, respectively; furthermore, compared with white women, significantly fewer African‐American and Native American women mentioned these tests (P < 0.001). Sixty‐seven percent of all women reported that a physician had never encouraged them to receive a mammogram, although 75% reported having received a regular checkup in the preceding year.CONCLUSIONSAlthough all low‐income rural women experienced significant barriers to receiving cancer screening tests, these barriers were more common for minority women compared with white women. More research is needed to identify ways to overcome such barriers, especially among Native American women. The results of the current study have important implications with respect to the designing of interventions aimed at improving cancer screening for all women. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
The equivalence and difference between the English and Chinese versions of two major, cancer‐specific, health‐related quality‐of‐life questionnaires
Authors: Cheung Yin‐Bun , Thumboo Julian , Goh Cynthia , Khoo Kei‐Siong , Che William , Wee Joseph 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDEnglish and Chinese are two of the most widely used primary languages in the world. Patients in many cancer centers have a variety of ethnic backgrounds and primary languages. The comparability of version 4 of the English and Chinese versions of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐General (FACT‐G) and version 3 of the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ‐C30) have not been established.METHODSIn total, 1136 ethnic Chinese patients with cancer were recruited from the National Cancer Centre of Singapore. Patients chose to answer an English or Chinese questionnaire, according to their own preference. Multiple regression analysis was used to adjust for differences in demographic and health characteristics. Equivalence was confirmed if the 90% confidence intervals of the adjusted mean difference fell completely within an equivalence zone of ± 0.25 standard deviations (SD).RESULTSThe English and Chinese versions of the Total, Emotional, and Functional Well Being Scales of the FACT‐G and the Physical and Emotional Functioning Scales of the EORTC QLQ‐C30 were equivalent. Scores for the other scales on the two questionnaires, at most, had a small differences that did not exceed 0.5 SD. Nevertheless, the Chinese translation of the question “I have a lack of energy” in the Physical Well Being Scale of the FACT‐G produced results that differed from the results produced by the original English version.CONCLUSIONSData collected from English‐speaking and Chinese‐speaking respondents were capable of being pooled, and either version could be used for bilingual respondents. Nevertheless, the authors recommend modification of the Physical Well Being question that produced different results (“I have a lack of energy”). Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Therapeutic potential of antisense Bcl‐2 as a chemosensitizer for cancer therapy
Authors: Kim Ryungsa , Emi Manabu , Tanabe Kazuaki , Toge Tetsuya 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBcl‐2 protein plays a critical role in inhibiting anticancer drug‐induced apoptosis, which is mediated by a mitochondria‐dependent pathway that controls the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria through anion channels. Constitutive overexpression of Bcl‐2 or unchanged expression after treatment with anticancer drugs confers drug resistance not only to hematologic malignancies but also to solid tumors. The down‐regulation of Bcl‐2 protein by the antisense (AS) Bcl‐2 (oblimesen sodium) may be a useful method for targeting the antiapoptotic protein and thereby increasing the chemotherapeutic effect of anticancer drugs. Several randomized, controlled, Phase III trials have compared standard chemotherapy with a combination of AS Bcl‐2 and standard chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, malignant melanoma, and nonsmall cell lung carcinoma. Nonrandomized clinical trials and preclinical evaluations of AS Bcl‐2 also are underway for patients with other malignancies. Here, the authors review the current clinical and preclinical evaluations of AS Bcl‐2 and discuss its potential to act as a chemosensitizer and to enhance the therapeutic effect of cancer chemotherapy. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Understanding of an aggregate probability statement by patients who are offered participation in Phase I clinical trials
Authors: Weinfurt Kevin P. , DePuy Venita , Castel Liana D. , Sulmasy Daniel P. , Schulman Kevin A. , Meropol Neal J. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDThere is concern that patients with poor numeracy may have difficulty understanding the information necessary to make informed treatment decisions. The authors sought to characterize a special form of numeracy among patients with advanced cancer who were offered participation in Phase I oncology clinical trials.METHODSSurveys were administered to 328 cancer patients who were considering Phase I trials. Their frequency‐type numeracy was assessed using a multiple‐choice question involving a hypothetical scenario in which a physician stated that an experimental treatment would control cancer in “40% of cases like yours.” In univariate and multivariable analyses, patient characteristics that were associated with better numeracy were identified.RESULTSThe correct frequency‐type interpretation was selected by 72% of respondents. Fourteen percent of respondents incorrectly selected a belief‐type answer, “The doctor is 40% confident that the treatment will control my cancer.” In a multivariable model, patients who answered incorrectly tended to have less formal education and less experience with experimental therapies.CONCLUSIONSBecause the misunderstandings some patients demonstrated may influence their treatment decision making adversely, it is critical to identify such patients and to give them special consideration when communicating information about potential risks and benefits of treatment. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Middleware for real‐time distributed simulations
Authors: McLean Thom , Fujimoto Richard , Fitzgibbons Brad 
Published: November 2004

AbstractDistributed simulation applications often rely on middleware to provide services to support their execution over distributed computing environments. Such middleware spans many levels, ranging from low‐level support for data transmission through object request brokers to higher level, simulation specific functionality such as time management. We discuss design alternatives for realizing such middleware for hard real‐time distributed simulations such as hardware‐in‐the‐loop applications. We present the results from tests of a prototype implementation of real‐time Run‐Time Infrastructure middleware. Its performance is compared with a non‐real‐time implementation. The context for this work is the High Level Architecture standard that has been defined by the U.S. Department of Defense. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the dimorphy between the variscite and clinovariscite group: refined finestructural relationship of strengite and clinostrengite, Fe(PO4) . 2H2O
Authors: Taxer K. , Bartl H. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThe isodimorphy of the ortho‐ and clino‐minerals in the variscite group has been suggested by Strunz & von Sztrókay [6], but, so far the common stereo‐chemical patterns within the monoclinic and orthorhombic modifications had not been recognized. Structure refinements of the hydrated phosphate minerals strengite and clinostrengite, which are re‐ presentative members of the variscite and clinovariscite group (Strunz [7]), are presented, and by appropiate axis transformations their structural relationship is illustrated. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of Probe Surface Ablation on Laser Photodetachment Signals
Authors: Kajita S. , Kado S. , Shikama T. , Xiao B. , Tanaka S. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractAn electric probe exposed to laser irradiation during negative ion density measurement by applying the laser photodetachment technique may suffer ablation even though the laser power is not significantly high. In this paper, the ablation effects on laser photodetachment signals were examined in a linear plasma device using plasmas of both helium and a mixture of helium and hydrogen. It was found that there was a specific threshold laser power necessary to cause the ablation, and that it depended on the electron density. The ablation signals were also detected using a negatively biased probe. A method for monitoring the ablation phenomena is then presented. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Plasma Flow Measurements in Linear Divertor Simulator MAP‐II Using Mach Probe and Directional Langmuir Probe
Authors: Kado S. , Shikama T. , Kajita S. , Oishi T. , Tanaka S. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThe plasma flow in a steady‐state fusion divertor/edge plasma simulatorMAP‐II is measured using both aMach Probe and a Directional Langmuir Probe. Errors caused by the non‐thermal high‐energy electrons in estimating the flow velocity were demonstrated. The difference of the local flow velocities measured by these probes is observed. In order to verify these values, the Doppler shift of the ion line emission along the line‐of sight was measured in order to evaluate the absolute value of the flow velocity. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Interpretive yields of screening Pap tests and diagnostic Pap tests
Authors: Stelow Edward B. , Gulbahce H. Evin , Kjeldahl Klint , Oprea Gabriela M. , Savik Kay , Pambuccian Stefan. E. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractRecently, our laboratory has introduced the Medicare classification “diagnostic Papanicolaou (Pap) test” (DPT) for both conventional and liquid‐based Pap tests. Because little is known regarding the diagnostic yield of DPT, we review our experience with these tests in a community with a low incidence of squamous intraepithelial lesions and contrast this with our experience with screening Pap tests (SPTs). A search of our laboratory's computerized data system identified all Pap tests classified as SPT and DPT from December 3, 2002 to December 2, 2003. The interpretations were tabulated and statistical comparisons were made. Between December 3, 2002 and December 2, 2003 63,626 Pap tests were interpreted (57,922 SPTs and 5704 DPTs). DPTs were far more likely to yield abnormal results (atypical squamous cells or worse, P < 0.001) and were especially more likely to yield malignant results. These differences have numerous possible implications regarding screening, rescreening, and the design of studies that investigate the screening value of the Pap test. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2004;31:427–429. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Developmental changes in baseline cortisol activity in early childhood: Relations with napping and effortful control
Authors: Watamura Sarah E. , Donzella Bonny , Kertes Darlene A. , Gunnar Megan R. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractDevelopment of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical (HPA) axis was examined using salivary cortisol levels assessed at wake‐up, midmorning, midafternoon, and bedtime in 77 children aged 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months, in a cross‐sectional design. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) analyses were used to characterize cortisol production across the day and to examine age‐related differences. Using area(s) under the curve (AUC), cortisol levels were higher among the 12‐, 18‐, and 24‐month children than among the 30‐ and 36‐month children. For all five age groups, cortisol levels were highest at wake‐up and lowest at bedtime. Significant decreases were noted between wake‐up and midmorning, and between midafternoon and bedtime. Unlike adults, midafternoon cortisol levels were not significantly lower than midmorning levels. Over this age period, children napped less and scored increasingly higher on parent reports of effortful control. Among the 30‐ and 36‐month children, shorter naps were associated with more adultlike decreases in cortisol levels from midmorning to midafternoon. Considering all of the age groups together, effortful control correlated negatively with cortisol levels after controlling for age. These results suggest that circadian regulation of the HPA axis continues to mature into the third year in humans, and that its maturation corresponds to aspects of behavioral development. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 45: 125‐133, 2004.
Molecular characterization of conditionally immortalized cell lines derived from mouse early embryonic inner ear
Authors: Germiller John A. , Smiley Elizabeth C. , Ellis Amanda D. , Hoff Jessica S. , Deshmukh Ian , Allen Susan J. , Barald Kate F. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractInner ear sensory hair cells (HCs), supporting cells (SCs), and sensory neurons (SNs) are hypothesized to develop from common progenitors in the early embryonic otocyst. Because little is known about the molecular signals that control this lineage specification, we derived a model system of early otic development: conditionally immortalized otocyst (IMO) cell lines from the embryonic day 9.5 Immortomouse. This age is the earliest stage at which the otocyst can easily be separated from surrounding mesenchymal, nervous system, and epithelial cells. At 9.5 days post coitum, there are still pluripotent cells in the otocyst, allowing for the eventual identification of both SN and HC precursors—and possibly an elusive inner ear stem cell. Cell lines derived from primitive precursor cells can also be used as blank canvases for transfections of genes that can affect lineage decisions as the cells differentiate. It is important, therefore, to characterize the “baseline state” of these cell lines in as much detail as possible. We characterized seven representative “precursor‐like” IMO cell populations and the uncloned IMO cells, before cell sorting, at the molecular level by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunocytochemistry (IHC), and one line (IMO‐2B1) in detail by real‐time quantitative PCR and IHC. Many of the phenotypic markers characteristic of differentiated HCs or SCs were detected in IMO‐2B1 proliferating cells, as well as during differentiation for up to 30 days in culture. These IMO cell lines represent a unique model system for studying early stages of inner ear development and determining the consequences of affecting key molecular events in their differentiation. Developmental Dynamics 231:815–827, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Targeted insertion of the Cre‐recombinase gene at the phenylethanolamine n‐methyltransferase locus: A new model for studying the developmental distribution of adrenergic cells
Authors: Ebert Steven N. , Rong Qi , Boe Steven , Thompson Robert P. , Grinberg Alexander , Pfeifer Karl 
Published: November 2004

AbstractTo evaluate the developmental distribution of adrenergic cells in vivo, we inserted the Cre‐recombinase gene into the locus encoding for the epinephrine biosynthetic enzyme phenylethanolamine n‐methyltransferase (Pnmt) and crossed these Pnmt‐Cre mice with ROSA26 reporter (R26R) mice to activate LacZ (encoding β‐galactosidase) expression in cells that were selectively derived from the adrenergic lineage. Our data show the following: (1) Insertion of Cre‐recombinase into the Pnmt locus created a functional knockout of Pnmt expression with concomitant loss of epinephrine in homozygous PnmtCre/Cre mice; (2) Despite the reduction in Pnmt expression and epinephrine production in PnmtCre/Cre mice, these mice were viable and fertile, with no apparent developmental defects; (3) When crossed with R26R mice, Pnmt‐Cre activation of LacZ expression faithfully recapitulated Pnmt expression in vivo; and (4) LacZ expression was activated in substantial numbers of pacemaking, conduction, and working cardiomyocytes. Developmental Dynamics 231:849–858, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pigment pattern formation in zebrafish during late larval stages: A model based on local interactions
Authors: Moreira Joana , Deutsch Andreas 
Published: November 2004

AbstractWe present a model to explain pigment cell pattern formation in the late larval stages of zebrafish, Danio rerio, and its mutants, based on new time sequence experimental data. The model stresses the importance of differential intercellular adhesion and the mechanisms of stem cell regulation to explain pigment pattern formation in zebrafish. All interactions included in the model are local in contrast to the previous models for pattern formation, which are based on long range interactions. The hypotheses of the model are tested through a mathematical (cellular automaton) model. Simulations show that differential cellular adhesion together with an appropriate mechanism of stem cell regulation are able to reproduce the main characteristics of pattern formation in the wild‐type zebrafish and mutants. The results obtained with the simulations are compared with experimental data and specific experimental tests to the predictions of the model are provided. Developmental Dynamics 232:33–42, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.