bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Towards a fully synthetic substitute of alginate: Optimization of a thermal gelation/chemical cross‐linking scheme (“tandem” gelation) for the production of beads and liquid‐core capsules
Authors: Cellesi F. , Weber W. , Fussenegger M. , Hubbell J.A. , Tirelli N. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractFully synthetic polymers were used for the preparation of hydrogel beads and capsules, in a processing scheme that, originally designed for calcium alginate, was adapted to a “tandem” process, that is the combination a physical gelation with a chemical cross‐linking.The polymers feature a Tetronic backbone (tetra armed Pluronics), which exhibits a reverse thermal gelation in water solutions within a physiological range of temperatures and pHs. The polymers bear terminal reactive groups that allow for a mild, but effective chemical cross‐linking. Given an appropriate temperature jump, the thermal gelation provides a hardening kinetics similar to that of alginate. With slower kinetics, the chemical cross‐linking then develops an irreversible and elastic gel structure, and determines its transport properties. In the present article this process has been optimized for the production of monodisperse, high elastic, hydrogel microbeads, and liquid‐core microcapsules. We also show the feasibility of the use of liquid‐core microcapsules in cell encapsulation. In preliminary experiments, CHO cells have been successfully encapsulated preserving their viability during the process and after incubation. The advantages of this process are mainly in the use of synthetic polymers, which provide great flexibility in the molecular design. This, in principle, allows for a precise tailoring of mechanical and transport properties and of bioactivity of the hydrogels, and also for a precise control in material purification. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transdiaphragmatic pleural lavage in penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma
Authors: Zellweger R , Navsaria P H , Hess F , Omoshoro-Jones J , Kahn D , Nicol A 
Published: November 2004

Abstract

Background
The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of thoracic sepsis following a systematic thoracic cavity washout through the injured diaphragm in patients with penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma.

Methods
Prospectively collected data on all patients presenting with penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma between July 1999 and July 2002 were analysed. Patients with peritoneal biliary–gastroenteric (BGE) contamination and a diaphragmatic laceration were managed by laparotomy and transdiaphragmatic thoracic lavage.

Results
A total of 217 patients had penetrating thoracoabdominal injuries, of whom 110 had BGE contamination of the peritoneal cavity with spillage into the pleural cavity. The mean Injury Severity Score was 38·1. Gunshot and stab wounds occurred in 79 (71·8 per cent) and 31 (28·2 per cent) respectively. Contamination was from the stomach (55·4 per cent), large bowel (37·3 per cent), small bowel (29·1 per cent), gallbladder and bile ducts (9·1 per cent) and pancreas (6·4 per cent). Thoracic complications occurred in six patients (5·5 per cent): empyema in two, Escherichia coli-related pneumonia in three and pleuritis in one. There were no deaths.

Conclusion
A thoracic washout through the injured diaphragm in patients with penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma and BGE contamination was associated with a low rate of intrathoracic septic complications.
An 11-year experience of enterocutaneous fistula
Authors: Hollington P , Mawdsley J , Lim W , Gabe S M , Forbes A , Windsor A J 
Published: November 2004

Abstract

Background
Enterocutaneous fistula has traditionally been associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, related to fluid, electrolyte and metabolic disturbance, sepsis and malnutrition.

Methods
A retrospective review of enterocutaneous fistula in 277 consecutive patients treated over an 11-year period in a major tertiary referral centre was undertaken to evaluate current management practice and outcome.

Results
Most fistulas occurred secondary to abdominal surgery, and a high proportion (52·7 per cent) occurred in association with inflammatory bowel disease. A low rate of spontaneous healing was observed (19·9 per cent). The healing rate after definitive fistula surgery was 82·0 per cent, although more than one attempt was required to achieve surgical closure in some patients. Definitive fistula resection resulted in a mortality rate of 3·0 per cent. In addition, one patient died after laparotomy for intra-abdominal sepsis and an additional 24 patients died from complications of fistulation, giving an overall fistula-related mortality rate of 10·8 per cent.

Conclusion
Early recognition and control of sepsis, management of fluid and electrolyte imbalances, meticulous wound care and nutritional support appear to reduce the mortality rate, and allow spontaneous fistula closure in some patients. Definitive surgical management is performed only after restitution of normal physiology, usually after at least 6 months.
Semi‐Empirical Equations for the Residence Time Distributions in Disperse Systems – Part 1: Continuous Phase
Authors: Ham J.‐H. , Platzer B. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractResidence time distributions (RTD) are often described on the basis of the dispersion or the tanks in series models, whereby the fitting is not always good. In addition, the underlying ideas of these models only roughly characterize the real existing processes. Two semi‐empirical equations are presented based on characteristic parameters (mean, minimum, maximum residence time) and on an empirical exponent to permit better fitting. The determination of the parameters and their influence on the RTD are discussed. The usefulness of the models is shown in this first part for single‐phase systems and for the continuous phase of multiphase systems using data from literature for laminar and turbulent flows in different apparatuses. A comparison with the results of other models is also done.
Osteosarcoma of the spine
Authors: Ozaki Toshifumi , Flege Silke , Liljenqvist Ulf , Hillmann Axel , Delling Günter , Salzer‐Kuntschik Mechthild , Jürgens Heribert , Kotz Rainer , Winkelmann Winfried , Bielack Stefan S. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDDue to the low incidence rate, the optimal strategy for the treatment of patients with spinal osteosarcoma is unknown.METHODSTwenty‐two patients with osteosarcoma of the spine (15 with tumors of the sacrum and 7 with tumors at other sites) who received chemotherapy according to the Cooperative Osteosarcoma Study Group protocol were analyzed. Six patients presented with metastasis, and 16 patients had no evidence of metastasis at the time of entry into the protocol. Of 12 patients who underwent excision of their tumors, 2 patients underwent wide excision, 3 patients underwent marginal excision, and 7 patients underwent intralesional excision. Eight patients received irradiation: Six patients received conventional radiotherapy only, one patient received neutron beam therapy, and one patient received samarium‐153‐ethylene diamine tetramethylene phosphonate therapy. Follow‐up ranged between 24 months and 105 months (median, 47 months).RESULTSThe median survival was 23 months, and three patients have survived without disease for > 6 years. Patients with primary metastases (P = 0.004), large tumors (P = 0.010), and sacral tumors (P = 0.048) had lower overall survival compared with patients who had no metastasis, small tumors, and nonsacral tumors, respectively. There was a significant difference in overall survival between 5 patients who underwent either wide or marginal surgery and 17 patients who underwent either intralesional surgery or no surgery (P = 0.033). Among 17 patients who underwent no surgery or intralesional surgery, overall survival tended to be better in 7 patients who received irradiation compared with the overall survival in 10 patients who did not receive irradiation (P = 0.059).CONCLUSIONSPatients with metastases, a large tumors, and sacral tumors had a poor prognosis in the current study with small numbers of patients. Wide or marginal excision of the tumor improved survival. Patients with osteosarcoma of the spine should be treated with a combination of chemotherapy and at least marginal excision for those with surgically accessible tumors. Postoperative radiotherapy may be beneficial. Cancer 2002;94:1069–77. © 2002 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.10258
Immunohistochemical staining of GLUT1 in benign, borderline, and malignant ovarian epithelia
Authors: Kalir Tamara , Wang Beverly Y. , Goldfischer Michael , Haber Richard S. , Reder Ilan , Demopoulos Rita , Cohen Carmel J. , Burstein David E. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDAberrant expression of the facilitative glucose transporter GLUT1 is found in a wide spectrum of epithelial malignancies. The authors describe an immunohistochemical study of GLUT1 expression in benign, borderline, and malignant ovarian epithelia.METHODSOne hundred forty one formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded sections were immunostained with rabbit anti‐GLUT1 using the streptavidin‐biotin method. The samples were as follows: 3 endometriotic cysts, 9 serous cystadenomas, 15 mucinous cystadenomas, 17 noninvasive borderline implants, 3 invasive borderline implants, and 3 endosalpingiosis. In addition, 35 borderline tumors (26 serous, 7 mucinous, 2 seromucinous) and 56 adenocarcinomas (50 serous, 4 endometrioid, 2 mucinous) were stained.RESULTSBenign serous and mucinous cystadenomas and endosalpingiosis were non‐staining with GLUT1 antiserum. Twenty‐eight of 35 borderline tumors (80%) stained positively, with weak to moderate (1‐2+ out of 3) staining intensity and focal or patchy distribution. Seventeen noninvasive serous borderline implants were negatively stained; however, three invasive serous borderline implants were positively stained with GLUT1 antiserum. Fifty four of 56 ovarian carcinomas (96%) stained positively, with moderate to strong (2‐3+ out of 3) intensity and multifocal distribution.CONCLUSIONSGLUT1 is a consistent marker of ovarian epithelial malignancy. GLUT1 staining is absent in benign ovarian epithelial tumors, and shows progressively more staining in invasive tumors as compared to borderline tumors. Anti‐GLUT1 antibody may be useful in distinguishing invasive from noninvasive serous borderline implants. Cancer 2002;94:1078–82. © 2002 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.10280
Surgical view of the treatment of patients with hepatoblastoma
Authors: Schnater J. Marco , Aronson Daniël C. , Plaschkes Jack , Perilongo Giorgio , Brown Julia , Otte Jean‐Bernard , Brugieres Laurences , Czauderna Piotr , MacKinlay Gordon , Vos Anton 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDSurgical resection is the cornerstone of treatment for patients with hepatoblastoma (HB). The Society of Pediatric Oncology Liver Tumor Study Group launched its first prospective trial (SIOPEL‐1) with the intention to treat all patients with preoperative chemotherapy and delayed surgical resection. The objective of this article was to assess the assumed surgical advantages of primary chemotherapy.METHODSBetween 1990 and 1994, 154 patients age < 16 years with HB were registered on SIOPEL‐1. The pretreatment extent of disease was assessed, and, after undergoing biopsy, patients were treated with cisplatin 80 mg/m2 intravenously over 24 hours and doxorubicin 60 mg/m2 intravenously over 48 hours by continuous infusion (PLADO). Generally, tumors were resected after four of a total of six courses of PLADO.RESULTSOne hundred twenty eight patients underwent surgical resection (13 patients underwent primary surgery, and 115 patients underwent delayed surgery after PLADO). A pretreatment surgical biopsy was performed in 96 of 128 patients (75%). Biopsy complications occurred in 7 of 96 patients (7%). Twenty‐two patients showed pulmonary metastases at the time of diagnosis, and 7 patients underwent thoracotomy. Operative morbidity and mortality were 18% and 5%, respectively. Complete macroscopic surgical resection was achieved in 106 patients (92%), including 6 patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation. The actuarial 5‐year event free survival (EFS) rate for all 154 patients in the study was 66%, and the overall survival (OS) rate was 75%. For the 115 patients who were included in the surgical analysis that followed the exact protocol, the EFS and OS rates were 75% and 85%, respectively.CONCLUSIONSBiopsy is a safe procedure and should be performed routinely. Preoperative chemotherapy seems to make tumor resection easier. Reresection of a positive resection margin does not necessarily have to be performed, because postoperative chemotherapy showed good results. Resection of lung metastases can be curative if there is local control of the primary tumor; however, results showed that the patient's prognosis was worse. Surgical morbidity or mortality rates were not necessarily higher in large multicenter studies. More importantly, countries of lesser economic status also can contribute effectively to these trials. Cancer 2002;94:1111–20. © 2002 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.10282
Survival differences among Asian subpopulations in the United States after prostate, colorectal, breast, and cervical carcinomas
Authors: Lin Scarlett S. , Clarke Christina A. , Prehn Angela W. , Glaser Sally L. , West Dee W. , O'Malley Cynthia D. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDInformation is limited for Asian subgroups regarding survival after diagnosis of the common cancers amenable to routine screening. The authors examined survival after carcinomas of the prostate, colon/rectum, breast, and cervix separately for Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, and non‐Hispanic whites in the United States.METHODSUsing data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, the authors compared the distributions of stage at diagnosis and computed 5‐year cause specific survival probabilities, overall and by stage of disease, for cancer patients whose diagnosis was in 1988–1994 and who were observed through 1997.RESULTSAmong males, Filipinos were more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage colorectal and prostate carcinomas than other Asians and non‐Hispanic whites; they also experienced worse survival after these cancers. This survival deficit occurred across all stages of colorectal carcinoma and remained apparent within distant stage prostate carcinoma. Among females, Chinese were less likely to receive diagnoses of early stage colorectal carcinoma than Japanese and Filipinas. In addition, their survival was consistently lower across more advanced stages of disease. Chinese also experienced somewhat worse survival after diagnosis of early stage cervical carcinoma. Japanese were more likely to be diagnosed with early stage carcinomas but also tended to experience better survival after prostate, colorectal, and breast carcinomas regardless of stage.CONCLUSIONSChinese, Japanese, and Filipinos experienced unequal survival after these screenable carcinomas, indicating that certain groups may benefit from more aggressive screening efforts. The heterogeneity of cancer outcomes observed within the community classified as Asian reinforces the need for cancer statistics to be reported for disaggregated subgroups. Cancer 2002;94:1175–82. © 2002 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.10319
Importance of tumor regression assessment in predicting the outcome in patients with locally advanced rectal carcinoma who are treated with preoperative radiotherapy
Authors: Bouzourene Hanifa , Bosman Fred T. , Seelentag Walter , Matter Maurice , Coucke Philippe 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDLocally advanced rectal carcinoma has a poor prognosis. However, since the introduction of preoperative radiotherapy, the outcome of patients with rectal carcinoma has been reported to have improved. Nevertheless, to the authors' knowledge few data are available regarding the histopathologic response to radiotherapy as assessed on surgical specimens as a potential predictive factor for outcome.METHODSTo estimate the effect of radiotherapy on rectal carcinoma, the authors retrospectively reviewed the surgical specimens of 102 patients with T3‐4, N0 or ≥ N1 rectal carcinoma and 1 patient with T2 but N1 rectal carcinoma. All patients were treated preoperatively with a hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy schedule in a prospective protocol (Trial 93‐01). Using a standardized approach, tumor regression was graded using a system that varies from Grade 1 (tumor regression Grade [TRG] 1) when complete tumor regression is observed to Grade 5 (TRG5) when no tumor regression is observed.RESULTSRadiotherapy resulted in tumor downstaging in 43% of the patients. There were 2 pT1 tumors (2%), 21 pT2 tumors (20%), 66 pT3 tumors (64%), and 14 pT4 tumors (14%) after treatment. Regional lymph nodes were involved in 55 patients (53%). None of the patients demonstrated a complete tumor regression after radiotherapy, but in 79% of the specimens a partial tumor regression was observed (TRG1: 0%; TRG2: 20%; TRG3: 39%; TRG4: 20%; and TRG5: 21%). The median actuarial overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) were 52 months. Actuarial local recurrence rates at 2 years and 5 years were 6.4% and 7.6%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed the actuarial DFS to be significantly lower in patients with lymph node metastases (P = 0.0004) and advanced pT stages (pT3‐4) (P = 0.03). A favorable outcome for OS, DFS, and local control was observed in patients with TRG2‐4 (i.e., responders) compared with patients with TRG5 (i.e., nonresponders), but also in patients with low residual tumor cell density (TRG2, 3, and 4). On multivariate analysis, TRG remained an independent prognostic indicator for local tumor control.CONCLUSIONSTumor regression as well as residual tumor cell density were found to be predictive factors of survival in rectal carcinoma patients after preoperative radiotherapy. Even after preoperative radiotherapy, the pathologic stage of the surgical specimen remained a prognostic factor. The use of a standardized approach for pathologic evaluation must be implemented to allow comparison between the results of various treatment approaches.
Clinicopathologic correlates of solitary fibrous tumors
Authors: Gold Jason S. , Antonescu Cristina R. , Hajdu Cristina , Ferrone Cristina R. , Hussain Mustafa , Lewis Jonathan J. , Brennan Murray F. , Coit Daniel G. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDSolitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are rare fibrous neoplasms. Since their initial description as arising from the pleura, SFTs have been reported at a wide range of anatomic sites. To the authors's knowledge, there are no large series reporting both thoracic and extrathoracic SFTs nor are there any large series that analyze clinicopathologic correlates of tumor behavior.METHODSInstitutional soft tissue tumor and pathology databases were reviewed to identify patients. Pathologic material was reviewed by an experienced soft tissue pathologist and scored for the presence of a histologically malignant component. Clinical information was obtained from medical records and phone calls to patients. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t test, Pearson chi‐square test, and log‐rank test.RESULTSSeventy‐nine patients with SFTs treated at a single institution over an 18‐year period were identified. These tumors arose in a wide range of anatomic sites. Thoracic and extrathoracic SFTs had similar clinical and pathologic features, although extrathoracic tumors were more likely to be symptomatic on diagnosis. Seventy‐five patients underwent surgical excision of a SFT at our institution. Overall, SFTs had a low rate of local recurrence and metastasis after surgical treatment. Extrathoracic SFTs had an increased risk of local recurrence that was small but statistically significant. There was no difference in metastasis‐free survival between thoracic and extrathoracic SFTs. Positive surgical margins and the presence of a histologically malignant component were factors predicting worse local recurrence‐free survival. Positive surgical margins, tumor size greater than 10 cm, and the presence of a malignant component predicted worse metastasis‐free survival.CONCLUSIONSSolitary fibrous tumors are rare tumors that occur at all anatomic sites. Most SFT patients fare well after surgical treatment. Closer surveillance is warranted for those tumors that are larger than 10 cm or with the presence of a histologically malignant component. Cancer 2002;94:1057–68. © 2002 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.10328
Outpatient cancer drug costs
Authors: Halbert R. J. , Zaher Carol , Wade Sally , Malin Jennifer , Lawless Grant D. , Dubois Robert W. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDTo the authors' knowledge, no analysis has examined the specific components of drug spending for overall cancer care. The authors' objective was to quantify and characterize trends in outpatient drug expenditures for cancer patients.METHODSThe authors retrospectively analyzed pharmacy and outpatient professional claims data from commercial and Medicare health maintenance organization enrollees with a solid tumor diagnosis in 1995 and 1998. Charges were subdivided by type of drug (antineoplastic drugs, chemotherapy adjuncts, supportive drugs, and drugs unrelated to cancer treatment).RESULTSIn 1995, 14,663 cancer patients received outpatient drug treatment and 13,829 patients in 1998. Total charges increased from $17.9 million (mean charge of $1218 per patient) to $27.9 million (mean charge of $2003 per patient), an average annual increase of 16%. Antineoplastic therapy constituted the largest component of cancer‐related drug costs (67%) and represented 76% of the increase from 1995 to 1998. Most charges were incurred in the professional setting for agents administered by injection. The primary explanation for the increases appeared to be a shift in treatment patterns toward newer, more expensive antineoplastic agents. Supportive therapy represented 17% of the increase in cancer drug costs, followed by chemotherapy adjuncts (7%). Charges for drugs unrelated to cancer therapy increased by 21% per year.CONCLUSIONSAntineoplastic therapy administered in an office or clinic was the single most important cost driver, with newer more expensive agents replacing older, less expensive drugs. Attempts to understand and control outpatient drug cost increases for cancer patients should focus primarily on antineoplastic therapy, especially the appropriate substitution of newer agents for older, less expensive alternatives. Some nonchemotherapy cancer drugs may offer an opportunity to improve quality of life with a relatively small effect on overall cancer drug costs. Cancer 2002;94:1142–50. © 2002 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.10347