bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Results of a feasibility study for a psycho‐educational intervention in head and neck cancer
Authors: Allison P.J. , Edgar L. , Nicolau B. , Archer J. , Black M. , Hier M. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractBackground: With survival rates for people with head and neck (H&N) cancers static during the past 30 years and the enormous burden of psychosocial impacts they suffer well documented, the testing of psychosocial interventions in this group is a priority.Objective: To test the feasibility of providing a psycho‐educational intervention for people with H&N cancer.Methodology: A prospective non‐randomised design was used. Subjects were patients with H&N cancer. They were offered the Nucare coping strategies program in one of three formats: small group and one‐to‐one formats with therapists; and a home format, with material for home use, without a therapist. Outcomes measures (quality of life (QOL) and anxiety and depression) were collected at baseline and following the intervention. Analyses were performed using non‐parametric stastistics.Results: Of 128 people invited to participate, 66 agreed, 59 completed the intervention and 50 had outcomes data. Following the intervention, there were significant improvements in physical and social functioning and global QOL, and reduced fatigue, sleep disturbance and depressive symptoms.Conclusions: These data suggest that the intervention is desired by the target group, feasible to deliver after cancer therapy and may have some beneficial effects, although an appropriately designed study is required to confirm this. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identifying and predicting behaviour outcomes in cancer patients undergoing curative treatment
Authors: Thomas Bejoy Cherian , Pandey Manoj , Ramdas Kunnambath , Thomas Immanuel , Changat Manoj , NandaMohan Vasudevanpillai , Nair Madhavan Krishnan 
Published: June 2004

AbstractA lot of emphasis is now being placed in early identification of ‘distress’, a state that lies between the feelings of sadness and apprehension, and clinically defined syndromes. It is assumed that an intervention at this stage will check the progression along the continuum in cancer patients. We have been working in global distress in cancer patients undergoing multimodality treatment with curative intent, for over 5 years. It all started with the generation of a hypothesis which led to the development of the ‘Distress Inventory for Cancer’, its refinement, and finally to modelling distress. This article gives a brief overview of our work on distress as conceptualised by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network in 1998, adopted and modified by us using informal patient interviews, expert Delphi exercise and structured patient interviews. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Induction of PSA‐specific CTLs and anti‐tumor immunity by a genetic prostate cancer vaccine
Authors: Roos Anna‐Karin , Pavlenko Maxim , Charo Jehad , Egevad Lars , Pisa Pavel 
Published: June 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDProstate cancer is the most common malignancy in Swedish and American men. Effective curative treatment modalities are debilitating and available only for localized disease. As an immunotherapy approach, DNA encoding prostate‐specific antigen (PSA), was used to immunize mice and induce PSA‐specific cellular immunity.METHODSA plasmid expressing PSA, alone or in combination with plasmids coding for GM‐CSF and/or IL‐2, was used for DNA immunization. Cr‐release, intracellular IFN‐γ cytokine staining, and tumor challenge assays were used to evaluate the immune response.RESULTSThe DNA vaccine induces PSA‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and when co‐injected with IL‐2 and GM‐CSF it protects four of five mice against a PSA‐expressing tumor challenge.CONCLUSIONSWe demonstrate that immunization with a PSA DNA vaccine can evoke PSA‐specific cellular immune responses. We also show, for the first time, that a PSA DNA vaccine can induce anti‐tumor immunity in vivo. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stable expression of C/EBPα in prostate cancer cells down‐regulates metallothionein and increases zinc‐induced toxicity
Authors: Yin Hong , Smith Mylinh , Glass Jonathan 
Published: June 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe transcription factor C/EBPα regulates terminal differentiation of various cell types. C/EBPα is expressed in prostate epithelium but its role in prostate development and malignant transformation is unknown. In examining the effect of forced expression of C/EBPα on the global gene expression profile in prostate cancer cells, we found that C/EBPα significantly decreased the RNA level of metallothioneins (MTs).METHODSThe prostate cancer cell lines DU145, LNCaP, and PC3 with stable overexpression of C/EBPα were established with a retroviral expression system. MT expression was assayed by Western blot analysis and with the MT promoter in a plasmid using luciferase as a reporter.RESULTSUnder basal conditions and in response to zinc, forced overexpression of C/EBPα decreased expression of MT isoforms 1A, B, F, and H, IIA and III. Following zinc exposure C/EBPα inhibited MT promoter activity by 1.5–2.5‐fold. Overexpression of C/EBPα led to increased cytotoxicity of zinc at concentration of 150 μM in DU145 and LNCaP cells.CONCLUSIONSOur data demonstrated that expression of MTs in prostate cancer cells is inhibited by C/EBPα and the effect may have functional significance in regulating the growth of prostate cancer cells and the response of these cells to environment stresses. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Plant peptide hormone phytosulfokine (PSK‐α): synthesis of new analogues and their biological evaluation
Authors: Bahyrycz Agata , Matsubayashi Yoshikatsu , Ogawa Mari , Sakagami Youji , Konopińska Danuta 
Published: June 2004

AbstractPhytosulfokine‐α (PSK‐α), a sulfated growth factor (H‐Tyr(SO3H)‐Ile‐Tyr(SO3H)‐Thr‐Gln‐OH) universally found in both monocotyledons and dicotyledons, strongly promotes proliferation of plant cells in culture. In our studies on structure/activity relationship in PSK‐α the synthesis of a series of analogues was performed: [H‐D‐Tyr(SO3H)1]‐ (9), [H‐Phe(4‐SO3H)1]‐ (10), [H‐D‐Phe(4‐SO3H)1]‐ (11), [H‐Phg(4‐SO3H)1]‐ (12), [H‐D‐Phg(4‐SO3H)1]‐ (13), H‐Phe(4‐NHSO2CH3)1]‐ (14), [H‐D‐Phe(4‐NHSO2CH3)1]‐ (15), [H‐Phe(4‐NO2)1]‐ (16), [H‐D‐Phe(4‐NO2)1]‐ (17), [H‐Phg(4‐NO2)1]‐ (18), [H‐D‐Phg(4‐NO2)1]‐ (19), [H‐Hph(4‐NO2)1]‐ (20), [H‐Phg(4‐OSO3H)1]‐ (21), [Phe(4‐NO2)3]‐ (22), [Phg(4‐NO2)3]‐ (23), [Hph(4‐NO2)3]‐ (24), [H‐Phe(4‐SO3H)1, Phe(4‐SO3H)3]‐ (25) [H‐Phe(4‐NO2)1, Phe(4‐NO2)3]‐ (26), [H‐Phg(4‐NO2)1, Phg(4‐NO2)3]‐ (27), [H‐Hph(4‐NO2)1, Hph(4‐NO2)3]‐ (28) and [Val3]‐ PSK‐α (29). For modification of the PSK‐α peptide chain the novel amino acids and their derivatives were synthesized, such as: H‐L‐Phg(4‐SO3H)‐OH (1), H‐D‐Phg(4‐SO3H)‐OH (2), Fmoc‐Phg(4‐SO3H)‐OH (3), Fmoc‐D‐Phg(4‐SO3H)‐OH (4), Boc‐Phg(4‐NHSO2CH3)‐OH (5), Boc‐D‐Phg(4‐NHSO2CH3)‐OH (6) Boc‐Phe(4‐NHSO2CH3)‐OH (7), and Boc‐D‐Phe(4‐NHSO2CH3)‐OH (8). Peptides were synthesized by a solid phase method according to the Fmoc procedure on a Wang‐resin. Free peptides were released from the resin by 95% TFA in the presence of EDT. All peptides were tested by competitive binding assay to the carrot membrane using 3H‐labelled PSK according to the Matsubayashi et al. test. Copyright © 2004 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure–activity relationship of an antibacterial peptide, maculatin 1.1, from the skin glands of the tree frog, Litoria genimaculata
Authors: Niidome Takuro , Kobayashi Kazuhisa , Arakawa Hiromi , Hatakeyama Tomomitsu , Aoyagi Haruhiko 
Published: June 2004

AbstractMaculatin 1.1 (Mac) is a cationic antibacterial peptide isolated from the dorsal glands of the tree frog, Litoria genimaculata, and has a sequence of GLFGVLAKVAAHVVPAIAEHF‐NH2. A short peptide lacking the N‐terminal two residues of Mac was reported to have no activity. To investigate the structure–activity relationship in detail, several analogs and related short peptides of Mac were synthesized. CD measurement showed that all the peptides took more or less an α‐helical structure in the presence of anionic lipid vesicles. Analogs which are more basic than Mac had strong antibacterial and hemolytic activities, while short peptides lacking one or two terminal residues exhibited weak or no activity. Outer and inner membrane permeabilization activities of the peptides were also reduced with shortening of the peptide chain. These results indicate that the entire chain length of Mac is necessary for full activity, and the basicity of the peptides greatly affects the activity. Copyright © 2004 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Advances in in situ evaluation of timber structures
Authors: Kasal Bo , Anthony Ronald W 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThis paper discusses recent advances in nondestructive and semi‐destructive techniques that are used to evaluate the condition and mechanical properties of wood members in structures with emphasis on historic buildings. Traditional methods for assessing the condition of timber are generally nondestructive, but may require probing or removal of small samples for species identification. Nondestructive techniques are useful for rapid screening of timber for potential problem areas or implying internal conditions, but typically are not particularly reliable for identifying material properties. Semi‐destructive techniques require extraction of a small specimen for subsequent testing to determine elastic and strength parameters while preserving the integrity of the structural member. Both nondestructive and semi‐destructive techniques are powerful aids to building conservation decisions.
Investigation of the 1,4‐butanediol dehydrogenation over SiO2 using AM1 method
Authors: Fleisher M. , Stonkus V. , Leite L. , Lukevics E. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractUsing a semiempirical Austin model 1 method, the dehydrogenation of 1,4‐butanediol over SiO2 was studied. The model consisting of the four‐membered cyclic cluster of SiO4 fragments, the surface basic centers of silica (SiO−), and proton as an acidic site were used in calculation. According to our mechanism, the reaction is thought to proceed as follows: a proton from the Brønsted site attack Hα of 1,4‐butanediol and then diol loses a hydrogen molecule to form the carbocation, which transfers the proton from OH group to the basic site of the catalyst and converts simultaneously into 4‐hydroxybutanal. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004
Nomograms of sonographic measurements throughout gestation of the fetal hard palate width, length and area
Authors: Sherer D. M. , Sokolovski M. , Santoso P. G. , Dalloul M. , Abulafia O. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the feasibility of sonographic depiction of the fetal hard palate and secondarily to create nomograms throughout gestation of its sonographic width, length and area.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional study of pregnant patients between 15 and 41 weeks' gestation. Inclusion criteria consisted of well‐established dates (confirmed by early ultrasound), and singleton, non‐anomalous fetuses. Sonographic measurements obtained included biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length. Fetal hard palate measurements included maximum width, maximum length and the calculated area. Tables were prepared depicting the estimated mean ± SD and 5th, 50th and 95th centiles at each gestational week between 15 and 41 weeks. Pearson's correlation coefficient and associated P‐values for the relationships between fetal hard palate measurements and other sonographic measurements and coefficients of variation for each of the fetal hard palate measurements were calculated.ResultsThe study included 602 consecutive patients. The mean maternal age was 28.7 ± 6.3 years, with median gravidity of 2 (range, 1–12) and parity 1 (range, 0–8). All attempts at obtaining fetal hard palate ultrasound measurements were successful. Mean fetal hard palate width (cm) = −0.73579345 + 0.11370432 × GA − 0.00083919 × GA2 and SD = −0.017842055 + 0.005142475 × GA, where GA is gestational age in weeks. Mean fetal hard palate length (cm) = −0.82020463 + 0.11767777 × GA − 0.00092801 × GA2 and SD = −0.043064317 + 0.006378869 × GA. Mean fetal hard palate area (cm2) = −2.40090641 + 0.17136556 × GA + 0.00097308 × GA2 and SD = −0.603647741 + 0.040740282 × GA. Sonographic measurements of the fetal hard palate width, length and area correlated significantly and strongly with gestational age (all P < 0.001) and significantly but less strongly with femur length (P = 0.004).ConclusionThe fetal hard palate may be depicted sonographically with relative ease between 15 and 41 weeks' gestation and measurements of the fetal hard palate width, length and area correlate well with gestational age, biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference, sonographic estimated fetal weight, and femur length. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three‐dimensional ultrasound diagnosis of Larsen syndrome with further characterization of neurological sequelae
Authors: Shih J. C. , Peng S. S. , Hsiao S. M. , Wang J. H. , Shyu M. K. , Lee C. N. , Hsieh F. J. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractLarsen syndrome consists of skeletal dysplasia with multiple joint dislocations and a characteristic facies. The basis of this abnormality is a generalized mesenchymal disorder involving connective tissues. We describe our findings in a woman who was referred at 28 weeks' gestation due to multiple fetal anomalies suspected initially at an 18‐week ultrasound examination. On three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound we found the fetus had bilateral genu recurvatum. Further 3D examination at 36 weeks confirmed the lower limb anomaly and revealed facial anomalies that led to the diagnosis of Larsen syndrome. An elective Cesarean section was performed at 38 weeks' gestation to minimize neurological sequelae. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed postnatally and showed pachygyria, colpocephaly and agenesis of the corpus callosum. In this case, 3D ultrasound facilitated the prenatal diagnosis of Larsen syndrome. A careful prenatal investigation for other associated anomalies such as those of the cardiovascular or neurological systems is warranted with this diagnosis. These associated lesions are likely to have a greater impact on prognosis than the classic symptoms of Larsen syndrome and a collaborative approach is necessary to optimize delivery and postnatal management of an affected fetus. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Should we be examining the ovaries in pregnancy? Prevalence and natural history of adnexal pathology detected at first‐trimester sonography
Authors: Condous G. , Khalid A. , Okaro E. , Bourne T. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the prevalence and natural history of ovarian pathology in pregnancy.MethodsThree thousand consecutive pregnant women presenting before 14 weeks' gestation at the early pregnancy unit at St George's Hospital, London, underwent ultrasound examination during which both ovaries were visualized. Women found to have a simple ovarian cyst with a minimum diameter ≥25 mm or a complex ovarian cyst of any size were included in the study. They were followed up with ultrasound scans every 4–6 weeks until either resolution of the ovarian cyst occurred, intervention was required or the pregnancy was concluded. If the cyst persisted at 20 weeks' gestation, these women were rescanned 6 weeks after conclusion of the pregnancy. Women were managed expectantly throughout their pregnancy.ResultsOne hundred and sixty one women with a total of 166 cysts were included for analysis. At presentation, 43.7% of the women were asymptomatic and 56.3% had pain and/or vaginal bleeding. The mean gestational age at presentation was 53 (range, 28–98) days, the mean maternal age was 30 (range, 17–42) years, and the mean ovarian cyst diameter was 48 (range, 12–115) mm. The first‐trimester pregnancy diagnoses were 106 intrauterine pregnancies, 40 miscarriages, five ectopic pregnancies, three pregnancies of unknown location and seven terminations of pregnancy. The sonographic features of the ovarian cysts included: 117 simple and anechoic, 21 hemorrhagic, 16 with mixed echogenicity, seven with a ground‐glass appearance, three solid/cystic with papillary projections and two with low‐level echoes. One hundred and nineteen (71.7%) of the cysts resolved spontaneously and were presumed to be physiological, 40 (24.1%) persisted and seven (4.2%) required intervention, four of these as an emergency because of pain. There was one case of borderline malignancy and no cases of malignancy. Five (3.0%) of the cysts underwent torsion. Only 0.13% (4/3000) of all women who initially presented to our unit required acute intervention during their pregnancy.ConclusionsThe majority of cysts detected in early pregnancy are physiological and resolve. Very few persist and intervention during the pregnancy is rarely indicated. The expectant management of ovarian cysts detected in the first trimester is safe and should be encouraged. Examining the ovaries in the first trimester is of limited value. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal sonographic patterns in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: a multicenter study
Authors: Brun M. , Maugey‐Laulom B. , Eurin D. , Didier F. , Avni E. F. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether a specific prenatal sonographic pattern can be identified for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and if so whether it would be helpful in orienting complementary analysis, properly counseling parents and adapting pregnancy management.MethodsA retrospective multicenter study was conducted in four prenatal diagnostic centers. The records of fetuses with a prenatal ultrasound examination revealing abnormal kidneys and with a final diagnosis of ADPKD were analyzed. Ultrasound analysis included: amount of amniotic fluid, bladder size, renal length, presence or absence of renal cysts and size of renal pelves, and was focused on parenchyma echogenicity and status of corticomedullary differentiation. Postnatal follow‐up was reviewed.ResultsOf the 27 patients included in the study, 25 had hyperechogenic renal cortex and 20 had hypoechogenic medulla resulting in increased corticomedullary differentiation (CMD). In six cases, the medulla was hyperechogenic leading to absent or decreased CMD. One patient had normal cortical echogenicity and CMD. Renal cysts were present during the prenatal period in four patients (at 22 weeks in one case and after 30 weeks in three cases). In 12 patients, the cysts appeared after birth (within the first 6 months of postnatal life in 10 cases and by the age of 1 year in two cases). Elevated blood pressure was observed in only two cases and moderate chronic renal failure in one case.ConclusionWe have described the sonographic presentation in fetuses with ADPKD: moderately enlarged hyperechogenic kidneys with increased CMD. Although not specific to ADPKD, these findings should prompt familial screening. Other prenatal sonographic features (absent or decreased CMD and cortical cysts) are less frequent. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perceived academic performance, self‐esteem and locus of control as indicators of need for assessment of adolescent suicide risk: implications for teachers
Authors: Martin Graham , Richardson Angela S. , Bergen Helen A. , Roeger Leigh , Allison Stephen 
Published: June 2004

AbstractIntroduction: There is currently a need for research into indicators that could be used by non‐clinical professionals working with young people, to inform the need for referral for further clinical assessment of those at risk of suicide.Method: Participants of this repeated measures longitudinal study, were 2603, 2485, and 2246 school students aged 13, 14, and 15, respectively, from 27 South Australian Schools.Results: Perceived academic performance, self‐esteem and locus of control are significantly associated with suicidality. Further, logistic regression of longitudinal results suggests that perceived academic performance, over and above self‐esteem and locus of control, in some instances, is a good long‐term predictor of suicidality.
Potential acoustic discrimination within boreal fish assemblages
Authors: Gauthier Stéphane , Horne John K. 
Published: June 2004

Abstract
Differences in the acoustic characteristics of forage fish species in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea were examined using Kirchhoff ray-mode (KRM) backscatter models. Our goal was to identify species-specific characteristics and metrics that facilitate the discrimination of species using acoustic techniques. Five fish species were analyzed: capelin (Mallotus villosus), Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii), walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma), Atka mackerel (Pleurogrammus monopterygius), and eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus). Backscatter amplitude differences exist among these species, especially between swimbladdered and non-swimbladdered fish. Echo intensities were variable within and among species. The effect of morphological variability was indexed using the ratio of the Reduced-scattering length (RSL) standard deviation over its mean. Morphological variability was low only at fish length to acoustic wavelength ratios less than eight. Target strength differences between pairs of carrier frequencies (ranging from 12 kHz to 200 kHz) differed among species, and were dependent on fish size and body orientation. Frequency differencing successfully discriminated between fish species but the choice of frequency to maximize target strength differences was not consistent among species pairs. Frequency-dependent, backscatter model predictions facilitate comparison of target strength differences prior to acoustic data collection.
Physical and Behavioral Health of Adults with Mental Retardation across Residential Settings
Authors: Freedman Ruth I. , Chassler Deborah 
Published: June 2004

Objectives. This article presents survey data about the health and behavioral characteristics of a randomly selected sample of 629 adults with mental retardation (MR) living in Massachusetts in 2000. The goals of this analysis were to: describe the health, behavioral, and functional characteristics of the sample; examine relationships between consumer health, behavior problems, and functioning; and analyze variations in health and behavior problems by type of residential setting (parent/relative home, community residence, or institutional setting). Methods. The authors analyzed data obtained from interviews with proxies (relatives, guardians, advocates, or program staff) on behalf of consumers and from state agency records. Chi-square analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between health, behavioral, and functional characteristics of consumers and differences in health and behaviors by type of residence. Results. More than 80% of consumers were reported to have either “excellent” or “good” health. Overall health status did not significantly vary by residential type, but was significantly related to the presence of additional disabilities and some functional limitations. Several health and behavioral measures varied significantly by residential type: recent physical, dental, and ob/gyn exams; medication usage; problem behaviors; and functional level. Conclusions. As large numbers of individuals with MR reach adulthood and old age, public health and medical professionals face the challenges of addressing the health and behavioral needs of this population, preventing secondary health conditions, and improving environmental conditions that may influence health and mental health.