bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical results of proton beam therapy for advanced neuroblastoma
Authors: Oshiro Yoshiko , Mizumoto Masashi , Okumura Toshiyuki , Sugahara Shinji , Fukushima Takashi , Ishikawa Hitoshi , Nakao Tomohei , Hashimoto Takayuki , Tsuboi Koji , Ohkawa Haruo , Kaneko Michio , Sakurai Hideyuki
Published: June 2013

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of proton beam therapy (PBT) for pediatric patients with advanced neuroblastoma.

Methods

PBT was conducted at 21 sites in 14 patients with neuroblastoma from 1984 to 2010. Most patients were difficult to treat with photon radiotherapy. Two and 6 patients were classified into stages 3 and 4, respectively, and 6 patients had recurrent disease. Seven of the 8 patients who received PBT as the initial treatment were classified as the high risk group. Twelve patients had gross residual disease before PBT and 2 had undergone intraoperative radiotherapy before PBT. Five patients received PBT for multiple sites, including remote metastases. Photon radiotherapy was used in combination with PBT for 3 patients. The PBT doses ranged from 19.8 to 45.5 GyE (median: 30.6 GyE).

Results

Seven patients are alive with no evidence of disease, 1 is alive with disease progression, and 6 died due to the tumor. Recurrence in the treatment field was not observed and the 3-year locoregional control rate was 82%. Severe acute radiotoxicity was not observed, but 1 patient had narrowing of the aorta and asymptomatic vertebral compression fracture at 28 years after PBT, and hair loss was prolonged in one patient.

Conclusion

PBT may be a better alternative to photon radiotherapy for children with advanced neuroblastoma, and may be conducted safely for patients with neuroblastoma that is difficult to manage using photon beams.
Assessing clustering of metabolic syndrome components available at primary care for Bantu Africans using factor analysis in the general population
Authors: Nasila Sungwacha John , Tyler Joanne , Longo-Mbenza Benjamin , Lasi On'Kin Jean Bosco Kasiam , Gombet Thierry , Erasmus Rajiv T
Published: June 2013

Background

To provide a step-by-step description of the application of factor analysis and interpretation of the results based on anthropometric parameters(body mass index or BMI and waist circumferenceor WC), blood pressure(BP), lipid-lipoprotein(triglycerides and HDL-C) and glucose among Bantu Africans with different numbers and cutoffs of components of metabolic syndrome(MS).

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional, comparative, and correlational survey conducted between January and April 2005, in Kinshasa Hinterland, DRC. The clustering of cardiovascular risk factors was defined in all, MS group according to IDF(WC, BP, triglycerides, HDL-C, glucose), absence and presence of cardiometabolic risk(CDM) group(BMI,WC, BP, fasting glucose, and post-load glucose).

Results

Out of 977 participants, 17.4%( n = 170), 11%( n = 107), and 7.7%(n = 75) had type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM), MS, and CDM, respectively. Gender did not influence on all variables. Except BMI, levels of the rest variables were significantly higher in presence of T2DM than non-diabetics. There was a negative correlation between glucose types and BP in absence of CDM. In factor analysis for all, BP(factor 1) and triglycerides-HDL(factor 2) explained 55.4% of the total variance. In factor analysis for MS group, triglycerides-HDL-C(factor 1), BP(factor 2), and abdominal obesity-dysglycemia(factor 3) explained 75.1% of the total variance. In absence of CDM, glucose (factor 1) and obesity(factor 2) explained 48.1% of the total variance. In presence of CDM, 3 factors (factor 1 = glucose, factor 2 = BP, and factor 3 = obesity) explained 73.4% of the total variance.

Conclusion

The MS pathogenesis may be more glucose-centered than abdominal obesity-centered in not considering lipid-lipoprotein , while BP and triglycerides-HDL-C could be the most strong predictors of MS in the general population. It should be specifically defined by ethnic cut-offs of waist circumference among Bantu Africans.
Carriage of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing enterobacteriacae among internal medicine patients in Switzerland
Authors: Pasricha Janet , Koessler Thibaud , Harbarth Stephan , Schrenzel Jacques , Camus Véronique , Cohen Gilles , Perrier Arnaud , Pittet Didier , Iten Anne
Published: June 2013

Background

The incidence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing-enterobacteriacae (ESBL-E) infection is rising worldwide. We aimed to determine the prevalence and nosocomial acquisition rate of ESBL-E as well as the risk factors for ESBL-E carriage and acquisition amongst patients consecutively admitted to 13 internal medicine units at our hospital who were not previously known to be ESBL-E carriers.

Findings

We screened all patients admitted or transferred to internal medicine units for ESBL-E on admission and discharge using rectal swabs. Of 1072 patients screened, 51 (4.8%) were carriers of an ESBL-E at admission. Of 473 patients who underwent admission and discharge screening, 21 (4.4%) acquired an ESBL-E. On multivariate analysis, diabetes mellitus without end-organ complications (OR 2.87 [1.09-7.08]), connective tissue disease (OR 7.22 [1.17-44.59]), and liver failure (OR 8.39 [1.55-45.45]) were independent risk factors for carriage of an ESBL-E upon admission to hospital (area under the ROC curve, 0.68). Receipt of a first- or second-generation cephalosporin (OR 9.25 [2.22-37.82]), intra-hospital transfer (OR 6.68 [1.71-26.06]), and a hospital stay >21 days (OR 25.17 [4.18-151.68]) were associated with acquisition of an ESBL-E during hospitalisation; whilst admission from home was protective (OR 0.16 [0.06-0.39]) on univariate regression. No risk profile with sufficient accuracy to predict previously unknown carriage on admission or acquisition of ESBL-E could be developed using readily available patient information.

Conclusions

ESBL-E carriage is endemic amongst internal medicine patients at our institution. We were unable to develop a clinical risk profile to accurately predict ESBL-E carriage amongst these patients.
Intention awareness: improving upon situation awareness in human-centric environments
Authors: Howard Newton , Cambria Erik
Published: June 2013

As the gap between human and machine shrinks, it becomes increasingly important to develop computer systems that incorporate or enhance existing Situation Awareness. However, these tend to focus on raw quantitative parameters, such as position and speed of objects. When these situations are governed by human actors, such parameters leave significant margins of uncertainty. In this paper, we discuss the potential of applying the characteristics intrinsic to the human actors that comprise a given situation to Situation Awareness, and the capacity that these concepts have to improve situation-aware systems. We argue that intention-aware based systems offer an advantage over situation-aware based systems in that they reduce the informational burden on humans without limiting effectiveness. We argue that computational analysis and tracking of semantic and affective information associated with human actors' intentions are an effective way to minimize miscommunication and uncertainty, particularly in time-sensitive and information-saturated situations.
Conservation and divergence of transcriptomic and epigenomic variation in maize hybrids
Authors: He Guangming , Chen Beibei , Wang Xuncheng , Li Xueyong , Li Jigang , He Hang , Yang Mei , Lu Lu , Qi Yijun , Wang Xiping , Wang Deng Xing
Published: June 2013

Background

Recent genome-wide studies suggested that in addition to genetic variations, epigenetic variations may also be associated with differential gene expression and growth vigor in plant hybrids. Maize is an ideal model system for the study of epigenetic variations in hybrids given the significant heterotic performance, the well-known complexity of the genome, and the rich history in epigenetic studies. However, integrated comparative transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses in different organs of maize hybrids remain largely unexplored.

Results

Here, we generated integrated maps of transcriptomes and epigenomes of shoots and roots of two maize inbred lines and their reciprocal hybrids, and globally surveyed the epigenetic variations and their relationships with transcriptional divergence between different organs and genotypes. We observed that whereas histone modifications vary both between organs and between genotypes, DNA methylation patterns are more distinguishable between genotypes than between organs. Histone modifications were associated with transcriptomic divergence between organs and between hybrids and parents. Further, we show that genes up-regulated in both shoots and roots of hybrids were significantly enriched in the nucleosome assembly pathway. Interestingly, 22- and 24-nt siRNAs were shown to be derived from distinct transposable elements, and for different transposable elements in both shoots and roots, the differences in siRNA activity between hybrids and patents were primarily driven by different siRNA species.

Conclusions

These results suggest that despite variations in specific genes or genomic loci, similar mechanisms may account for the genome-wide epigenetic regulation of gene activity and transposon stability in different organs of maize hybrids.
Geophysical characterization of the Menengai volcano, Central Kenya Rift from the analysis of magnetotelluric and gravity data
Authors: Wamalwa Antony Munika , Mickus Kevin L. , Serpa Laura F.
Published: June 2013

In this study, we qualitatively analyze detailed gravity and broadband magnetotelluric data in and surrounding the Menengai volcano of the East African rift in Kenya to assess geothermal potential of the region. Three-dimensional gravity models obtained by inverting residual gravity anomalies and 2D resistivity models obtained by inverting the transverse electric and transverse magnetic magnetotelluric modes show several common features. Our models show that a low-resistivity zone above a higher resistivity zone correlates with a low-density region located 1–4 km beneath the volcano. These zones may be related to a high temperature gradient or hydrothermally altered, fractured rocks. Additionally, a low-resistivity ([Formula: see text]) and a low-density region located approximately 4–6 km below the volcano may be related to molten material that is the source of heat for the geothermal system. The low-resistivity ([Formula: see text]) regions that correlated with a denser ([Formula: see text]) region within the caldera are bounded by high-resistivity ([Formula: see text]), high-density ([Formula: see text]) volcanic units implying that the dense and electrically resistive volcanic material is relatively cool and lacks significant fluid content that can lower resistivity. At shallow depths, 0.5–1.5 km below the caldera, a low-resistivity and low-to-moderate density region is interpreted as a zone with high fracture density that consists of clay minerals resulting from hydrothermal alteration. These results agree well with the results from previous seismic studies on the depth of the suggested molten rocks.
Neuromodulation of the agonistic behavior in two species of weakly electric fish that display different types of aggression
Authors: Silva Ana C. , Perrone Rossana , Zubizarreta Lucía , Batista Gervasio , Stoddard Philip K.
Published: June 2013

Agonistic behavior has shaped sociality across evolution. Though extremely diverse in types of displays and timing, agonistic encounters always follow the same conserved phases (evaluation, contest and post-resolution) and depend on homologous neural circuits modulated by the same neuroendocrine mediators across vertebrates. Among neuromodulators, serotonin (5-HT) is the main inhibitor of aggression, and arginine vasotocin (AVT) underlies sexual, individual and social context differences in behavior across vertebrate taxa. We aim to demonstrate that a distinct spatio-temporal pattern of activation of the social behavior network characterizes each type of aggression by exploring its modulation by both the 5-HT and AVT systems. We analyze the neuromodulation of aggression between the intermale reproduction-related aggression displayed by the gregarious Brachyhypopomus gauderio and the non-breeding intrasexual and intersexual territorial aggression displayed by the solitary Gymnotus omarorum. Differences in the telencephalic activity of 5-HT between species were paralleled by a differential serotonergic modulation through 1A receptors that inhibited aggression in the territorial aggression of G. omarorum but not in the reproduction-related aggression of B. gauderio. AVT injection increased the motivation towards aggression in the territorial aggression of G. omarorum but not in the reproduction-related aggression of B. gauderio, whereas the electric submission and dominance observed in G. omarorum and B. gauderio, respectively, were both AVT-dependent in a distinctive way. The advantages of our model species allowed us to identify precise target areas and mechanisms of the neuromodulation of two types of aggression that may represent more general and conserved strategies of the control of social behavior among vertebrates.
Multiplexed temporal coding of electric communication signals in mormyrid fishes
Authors: Baker Christa A. , Kohashi Tsunehiko , Lyons-Warren Ariel M. , Ma Xiaofeng , Carlson Bruce A.
Published: June 2013

The coding of stimulus information into patterns of spike times occurs widely in sensory systems. Determining how temporally coded information is decoded by central neurons is essential to understanding how brains process sensory stimuli. Mormyrid weakly electric fishes are experts at time coding, making them an exemplary organism for addressing this question. Mormyrids generate brief, stereotyped electric pulses. Pulse waveform carries information about sender identity, and it is encoded into submillisecond-to-millisecond differences in spike timing between receptors. Mormyrids vary the time between pulses to communicate behavioral state, and these intervals are encoded into the sequence of interspike intervals within receptors. Thus, the responses of peripheral electroreceptors establish a temporally multiplexed code for communication signals, one consisting of spike timing differences between receptors and a second consisting of interspike intervals within receptors. These signals are processed in a dedicated sensory pathway, and recent studies have shed light on the mechanisms by which central circuits can extract behaviorally relevant information from multiplexed temporal codes. Evolutionary change in the anatomy of this pathway is related to differences in electrosensory perception, which appears to have influenced the diversification of electric signals and species. However, it remains unknown how this evolutionary change relates to differences in sensory coding schemes, neuronal circuitry and central sensory processing. The mormyrid electric communication pathway is a powerful model for integrating mechanistic studies of temporal coding with evolutionary studies of correlated differences in brain and behavior to investigate neural mechanisms for processing temporal codes.
The evolution and development of vertebrate lateral line electroreceptors
Authors: Baker Clare V. H. , Modrell Melinda S. , Gillis J. Andrew
Published: June 2013

Electroreception is an ancient vertebrate sense with a fascinating evolutionary history involving multiple losses as well as independent evolution at least twice within teleosts. We review the phylogenetic distribution of electroreception and the morphology and innervation of electroreceptors in different vertebrate groups. We summarise recent work from our laboratory that has confirmed the homology of ampullary electroreceptors in non-teleost jawed vertebrates by showing, in conjunction with previously published work, that these are derived embryonically from lateral line placodes. Finally, we review hypotheses to explain the distribution of electroreception within teleosts, including the hypothesis that teleost ampullary and tuberous electroreceptors evolved via the modification of mechanosensory hair cells in lateral line neuromasts. We conclude that further experimental work on teleost electroreceptor development is needed to test such hypotheses.
Electrocyte physiology: 50 years later
Authors: Markham Michael R.
Published: June 2013

Weakly electric gymnotiform and mormyrid fish generate and detect weak electric fields to image their worlds and communicate. These multi-purpose electric signals are generated by electrocytes, the specialized electric organ (EO) cells that produce the electric organ discharge (EOD). Just over 50 years ago the first experimental analyses of electrocyte physiology demonstrated that the EOD is produced and shaped by the timing and waveform of electrocyte action potentials (APs). Electrocytes of some species generate a single AP from a distinct region of excitable membrane, and this AP waveform determines EOD waveform. In other species, electrocytes possess two independent regions of excitable membrane that generate asynchronous APs with different waveforms, thereby increasing EOD complexity. Signal complexity is further enhanced in some gymnotiforms by the spatio-temporal activation of distinct EO regions with different electrocyte properties. For many mormyrids, additional EOD waveform components are produced by APs that propagate along stalks that connect postsynaptic regions to the main body of the electrocyte. I review here the history of research on electrocyte physiology in weakly electric fish, as well as recent discoveries of key phenomena not anticipated during early work in this field. Recent areas of investigation include the regulation of electrocyte activity by steroid and peptide hormones, the molecular evolution of electrocyte ion channels, and the evolutionary selection of ion channels expressed in excitable cells. These emerging research areas have generated renewed interest in electrocyte function and clear future directions for research addressing a broad range of new and important questions.
From the intrinsic properties to the functional role of a neuron phenotype: an example from electric fish during signal trade-off
Authors: Nogueira Javier , Caputi Angel A.
Published: June 2013

This review deals with the question: what is the relationship between the properties of a neuron and the role that the neuron plays within a given neural circuit? Answering this kind of question requires collecting evidence from multiple neuron phenotypes and comparing the role of each type in circuits that perform well-defined computational tasks. The focus here is on the spherical neurons in the electrosensory lobe of the electric fish Gymnotus omarorum. They belong to the one-spike-onset phenotype expressed at the early stages of signal processing in various sensory modalities and diverse taxa. First, we refer to the one-spike neuron intrinsic properties, their foundation on a low-threshold K+ conductance, and the potential roles of this phenotype in different circuits within a comparative framework. Second, we present a brief description of the active electric sense of weakly electric fish and the particularities of spherical one-spike-onset neurons in the electrosensory lobe of G. omarorum. Third, we introduce one of the specific tasks in which these neurons are involved: the trade-off between self- and allo-generated signals. Fourth, we discuss recent evidence indicating a still-undescribed role for the one-spike phenotype. This role deals with the blockage of the pathway after being activated by the self-generated electric organ discharge and how this blockage favors self-generated electrosensory information in the context of allo-generated interference. Based on comparative analysis we conclude that one-spike-onset neurons may play several functional roles in animal sensory behavior. There are specific adaptations of the neuron's ‘response function’ to the circuit and task. Conversely, the way in which a task is accomplished depends on the intrinsic properties of the neurons involved. In short, the role of a neuron within a circuit depends on the neuron and its functional context.
Identification of polyamidoamine dendrimers (PAMAM-NH2) by ESI-Q-TOF method
Authors: Skibiński Robert , Markowicz Magdalena , Szymański Paweł , Mikiciuk-Olasik Elżbieta
Published: June 2013

The method of identification of poly(amidoamine) dendrimers (PAMAM-NH2) G1.0, G2.0 and G3.0 generation with the use of high resolution mass spectrometry and hybrid quadrupole-time-of-flight analyzer with electrospray ionization (ESI-Q-TOF) was developed. The analysis was performed in positive ionization mode in the range m/z 100-3200 where MS spectra (TOF) as well as fragmentation spectra (MS/MS) were recorded simultaneously. The investigated substances were injected to the MS analyzer by the use of UHPLC system in a direct way (with no chromatographic separation). After deconvolution MS spectra were used for accuracy estimation of the mass of the analyzed dendrimers (PAMAM G1.0 - 1430.0153 Da, PAMAM G2.0 - 3256.2696 Da, PAMAM G3.0 - 6908.6850 Da). Registered fragmentation spectra were used for the confirmation of the structure of the analyzed three generation PAMAM-NH2 dendrimers.
Dependence of analytical parameters of ion-selective electrodes on the membrane solvents used in the construction of membranes
Authors: Drozd Joanna , Garbaty Anna
Published: June 2013

The aim of this study was analysis of the suitability of available membrane solvents and their application to obtain liquid membrane ion-selective electrodes that are sensitive to diazepam or fluoxetine. Sensitive and reasonably selective poly(vinyl chloride) membrane electrodes are based on using water insoluble ion-pair of diazepam – [tetrakis(3,5bis-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate or fluoxetine – [tetrakis(4-fluorophenyl)]borate as electroactive material. As membrane solvents for construction of membranes there were used 2-nitrophenyloctyl ether, bis(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate, 1-isopropyl-4-nitrobenzene, bis (1-buthylpentyl) adipate, tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate. Evaluation of analytical parameters of the obtained electrodes, their selectivity and evaluation of analytical parameters for membranes subjected to a process of "accelerated aging" in a climate chamber at 60 °C and humidity of 70 % without the VIS and UV light, were developed. There was carried out an analysis of the suitability of the electrodes, which will show the best stability and reproducibility of the analytical parameters for the determination of substances in respect of which exhibit selectivity. The determination was developed using potentiometric titration method.
Quality Characteristics of Sulgidduk Added with Corni fructus Powder
Authors: Kim Ho-Kyoung , Jin Hyun-Hee , Lee Mi-Sun , Lee Seung-Joo
Published: June 2013

This study was conducted to evaluate the quality characteristics of Sulgidduk prepared with different amounts of Corni fructus powder. In order to discern the optimal addition level of Corni fructus powder, samples of Sulgidduk with 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% (w/w) added Corni fructus powder were prepared, and after which the physicochemical, textural, and sensory quality characteristics were measured. With increasing Corni fructus powder level, the moisture content of the samples increased (34.45~38.30%), and their L-values decreased. According to the texture analysis, hardness and adhesiveness decreased with increasing amounts of Corni fructus powder. From the sensory tests, the 15% (w/w) Corni fructus powder sample received the highest overall-acceptability score with proper levels of color, flavor, sweetness, and chewiness. As a result, in order to increase the usage of Corni fructus, the optimal Sulgidduk formulation consisted of 15% (w/w) Corni fructus powder added to rice flour.
Influence of Temperature on Mass Transfer Kinetic and Microscopic Structure During DIS Process of Aloe vera Leaf
Authors: Kwon Hye Mi , Cha Ji Min , Hur Won , Lee Shin Young
Published: June 2013

To enhance the performance of the DIS (dewatering & impregnation soaking) process for aloe vera leaf slices, the effect of temperature on DIS was investigated. DIS performance (water loss, solid gain) at various temperatures (25°C- 55°C) was analyzed and changes of cell tissue structures were monitored by microscopic examination. DIS was carried out with an immersion time of 0-2 h and a thickness of aloe vera leaf slices of 0.5 cm using poly(ethylene glycol) of 40% (w/v) with a molecular weight of 4,000 Da as a hypertonic solution. Increasing immersion temperature showed higher levels of water loss. In addition, the microscopic structures of samples treated at higher temperatures (55°C) indicated more disruption than those of samples treated at lower temperatures (25 and 35°C). The highest level of glucomannan content was observed at the 35°C of immersion temperature. The DIS sample treated at 35°C for 2 h without any pretreatment was air dried at room temperature, and this dried sample showed both improved cell structure and rehydration property in comparison to that of the sample prepared without DIS. Peleg and Weibull models were found to be the most accurate for describing the rehydration kinetics of aloe samples.
Changes in Quality Characteristics of Maengjong Bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) Shoot Pickles
Authors: Oh Chul-Hwan , Oh Nam-Soon , Won Sun Im , In Man-Jin , Kim Dong Chung
Published: June 2013

To develop red pepper paste and soy sauce pickles with Maengjong bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) shoots, the pretreatment conditions of bamboo shoots and the physicochemical and sensory properties of both pickles according to incubation period were investigated. For pretreatment, wet heating in boiling water was more effective to soften the fresh bamboo shoots than dry heating at 190°C. To remove the disagreeable pungent taste of the shoots, the heated shoots were soaked in 10% NaCl solution for 1 hour and dried at 50°C for 8 hours. Changes of the quality characteristics of the red pepper paste and soy sauce pickles using pretreated bamboo shoots were observed at 25°C for 6 days. The pH of both of the pickles was stably maintained at 4.0~5.5 for 6 days. The salt value of the red pepper paste pickles considerably increased from 7.21% to 9.36%. The lightness and yellowness of the color values of both pickles decreased and the redness of the red pepper paste pickles increased with increase of the incubation time. The sensory evaluation, color, taste, texture, and overall acceptability of both pickles were enhanced with increase of the incubation time. Further, the proper incubation period for both pickles was suggested to be 6 days.
Analysis of Dish Detergent in Anionic and Nonionic Surfactants by HPLC
Authors: Kim Jang-Mi , Park Jung-Min , Kim Kyung-Tae , Moon Kyong-Whan , Park Se-Jong , Shin Dong-Woo , Kim Mee-Hye , Kim Jin-Man
Published: June 2013

This study was carried out to develop an analysis method for the determination of anionic and nonionic surfactants. The condition for simultaneous analysis of anionic and nonionic surfactants by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped with an evaporated light scattering detector (ELSD) was investigated. Alkyl polyglucoside (APG) and alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS) were analyzed on a C18-boned silica column with a methanol and water gradient condition by HPLC/ELSD. Calibration curves were linear in the range of 100-500 mg/L on APG and 500- 4000 mg/L on AOS, with a coefficient of determination (r2) of 0.9999. The limits of detection (LOD) for APG and AOS were 2.29 and 16.55 mg/L, and the limits of quantification (LOQ) were 7.63 and 55.16 mg/L, respectively. The recoveries of the surfactants were 99.29% on APG and 96.11% on AOS. The established method provided acceptable precision and accuracy. Our methods would be useful for the detection of APG and AOS in dishwashing detergents.
Physiochemical Characteristics of Cationic Corn Starch with Various Degree of Substitution
Authors: Kang Byung-Sun , Cho Seok-Cheol
Published: June 2013

Cationic starch is widely used in the paper-making process as a wet-end additive to improve sheet strength and to provide better retention of fines as well as fillers. Cationic starches of different origins are available with various degree of substitution (DS). The physicochemical properties of cationic corn starches are characterized as having degree of substitution that range from 0.02 to 0.06. With the increase of DS, the water holding capacity of cationic starch increased to more than three times that of a natural starch. On the other hand, iodine absorption ability decreased as DS increases, possibly because the intensity of starch granules decreased, although the X-ray diffraction pattern displayed little changes in the peak intensity of the cationic corn starch. This suggested that the decreased integrity of starch granules was due to the substitution of cationic groups concentrated in the amorphous region. Rheological characterization showed that 1% gelatinized cationic corn starch was a pseudoplastic fluid, whereas natural corn starch was a Newtonian fluid. The viscosity of the cationic corn starch increased with increments in the DS, but decreased with rising electrical conductivity of the solution. The viscosity was proportional to the DS at a constant shear rate and swelling power sharply increased around the gelatinization temperature region.
Sterilization of Yeast Isolated from Makgeolli by Intense Pulsed Light Treatment in Batch System
Authors: Kim Bora , Kim Ae-Jin , Hong Hee-Jung , Shin Jung-Kue
Published: June 2013

Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment is one of the emerging non-thermal techniques being investigated as an alternative to conventional thermal treatment because it has been proven to be effective for microbial inactivation in air, water, and foods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of using IPL treatment for the effective inactivation of isolated yeast in makgeolli. The key parameters of intense pulsed light are light intensity (input voltage), treatment time, frequency of pulse, and depth of sample. The results show that there is a significant reduction of population along with an increase of light intensity and IPL treatment duration. The highest level of inactivation achieved in this study was approximately a 7 log CFU/mL reduction. In addition, the inactivation rates of yeast cells decrease with increasing initial cell population and depth of samples. But pulse frequency did not affect the inactivation of yeast. Temperature was not changed during IPL treatment.
Purification of β-Mannanase from Xylogone sphaerospora and the Effect of Picea abies Galactosyl Glucomannan Hydrolysates on the Growth of Bifidobacterium spp.
Authors: Lee Myung-Seok , Park Young-Seo , Park Gwi-Gun
Published: June 2013

β-Mannanase from Xylogone sphaerospora was purified by Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. The specific activity of the purified enzyme was 8.24 units/mL protein, representing an 58.86-fold purification of the original crude extract. The final preparation thus obtained showed a single band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight was determined to be 42 kDa. Picea abies galactosyl glucomannan was hydrolyzed by the purified β-mannanase, and then the hydrolysates were separated by activated carbon column chromatography. The main hydrolysates were composed of D.P. (degree of polymerization) 7, 8, 12, and 13 galactosyl glucomanno-oligosaccharides. To investigate the effects of Picea abies galactosyl glucomanno-oligosaccharides on the in vitro growth of Bifidobacterium longum, B. bifidum, B. animalis, B. breve, B. infantis, B. adolescentis, and B. auglutum, Bifidobacterium spp. were cultivated individually on a modified-MRS medium containing a carbon source such as D.P. 7, 8, 12, and 13 galactosyl glucomanno-oligosaccharides. B. longum propagated 10.83-fold, 12.50-fold, 10.25- fold, and 9.25-fold more effectively by the treatment of D.P. 7, 8, 12, and 13 galactosyl glucomanno-oligosaccharides, respectively, compared to those of standard MRS medium. Especially, all four sorts of galactosyl glucomannooligosaccharides were more effective in promoting the growth of B. longum than B. animalis, B. bifidum, B. breve, and B. infantis.
Studies on the preparation of Rice Bran Protein Concentrate by Ultrafiltration
Authors: Lee Eui-Seok , Hong Soon-Taek
Published: June 2013

In this study, ultrafiltration with a membrane of molecular weight cut off (MWCO) 50 kDa or 100 kDa was applied to produce rice bran protein concentrate and influence process variables such as operation pressure, time, and volume concentration ratio (VCR) on the composition of rice bran protein concentrate and changes in permeation flux were investigated. An increase in permeation flux was observed in accordance with increasing operation pressure, while it decreased with operation time, possibly due to concentration polarization. In addition, the permeation flux was observed to be higher when a membrane with larger MWCO was used and a maximum permeation flux (32 L/m2·h) was observed with an operation pressure of 2 kgf/cm2 and a 100 kDa membrane. Protein content in the concentrate rose with increasing VCR, and also with membranes of smaller MWCO (i.e, 50 kDa). It was found at VCR 8 and with an operation pressure of 2 kgf/cm2 that total processing time decreased by 40% and average permeation flux increased by about 2 times, when a membrane with 2 times larger MWCO (i.e., 50 kDa→100 kDa) was used.
Drug Interactions and the Pharmacist: Focus on Everolimus
Authors: Grabowsky Jennifer A
Published: June 2013

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate everolimus drug-drug and drug-food interactions, with an emphasis on patients with cancer.

DATA SOURCES

Literature was accessed through PubMed (1990-March 2013) using Boolean combinations of the terms drug interactions, herb-drug interactions, food-drug interactions, everolimus, antineoplastic agents, hormonal, and breast neoplasms. In addition, reference citations from publications and the prescribing information for everolimus were reviewed.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

All articles published in English, including human, animal, and in vitro studies, identified from the data sources were included.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Patients with cancer are at increased risk for drug interactions because of the multiple medications they are prescribed to treat their disease and comorbid conditions. Everolimus, an oral mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, is indicated for the treatment in adults with progressive neuroendocrine tumors of pancreatic origin that are unresectable, locally advanced, or metastatic; adults with advanced renal cell carcinoma after failure of treatment with sunitinib or sorafenib; and, recently, postmenopausal women with advanced hormone receptor–positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative breast cancer in combination with exemestane after failure of treatment with letrozole or anastrozole. As its use increases among patients with cancer, clinicians must be knowledgeable about potential drug and/or food/nutrient interactions and the mechanisms by which these interactions occur, to mitigate and prevent unwanted reactions and ensure patient safety.

CONCLUSIONS

Everolimus is a widely used oral mTOR inhibitor that has the potential for drug interactions that may affect therapeutic outcomes, produce toxicities, or both. This article provides a review of evidence-based literature, along with the prescribing information, to educate clinicians on the significance of these drug interactions and their impact on management with everolimus.
Krumpin’ In North Hollywood
Authors: Frazier Robeson Taj , Koslow Jessica
Published: June 2013

This article examines the cultural politics and labor of the 818 Session, a krump and street dancing collective that appropriates and repurposes a North Hollywood parking lot for dance sessions on Wednesday nights. In the face of the general culture of spatial domination and regulation in Los Angeles, most especially regarding the experiences of youth of color, the 818 Session promotes a culture of dance and play that collectively reshapes their environment and challenges much of what constitutes public space in Los Angeles. Here, in an empty Ralphs grocery store parking lot late-at-night, krump dancers interact with space, identifying interstices to produce racial and spatial formations anew.
Tule Lake Today
Authors: Cannady Shelley
Published: June 2013

The largest and most controversial WW II era confinement site for Japanese Americans was at Tule Lake in extreme northern California. Though decommissioned in 1946, the camp has left an indelible mark in the local landscape and in the lives of those confined there. Tule Lake has had a unique set of circumstances that allowed for the camp to take on a second life. Its utility infrastructure is still in use today and the distribution and repurposing of its barracks buildings contributed to the success of the last phase of area homesteading by WW II veterans. It is now also the site of organized pilgrimage events by Japanese Americans with personal connections to it and as such, serves as the epicenter for a virtual community of interested persons. This paper investigates the camp’s continued legacy by examining its effect on community development, what remains physically, the imprint of place on former incarcerees, and, what the future holds for its interpretation as a National Historic Site. The topic is addressed by examining the social and aesthetic implications of the continued use of its infrastructure, the post-war movement and repurposing of its buildings, the retention of an intact barbed-wire-enclosed portion for housing, and the touchstones visited by former incarcerees and their families today. Research methods included field inventory, archive and literature review, participation in a pilgrimage event, and nearly four decades of personal interaction with the site and its community.
Elegy Written in a Country Schoolhouse
Authors: Hendrix Howard
Published: June 2013

Article examines the economic, environmental, social, and political factors involved in the closing of Auberry Elementary School in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Fresno County after the 2010–2011 school year. The closing of the school serves as a window onto the shifting landscape of the relationship between the private sector and the public good not only in Auberry but throughout California and the United States.
The clinical spectrum of RET proto-oncogene mutations in codon 790
Authors: Bihan Hélène , Murat Arnaud , Fysekidis Marinos , Al-Salameh Abdallah , Schwartz Claire , Baudin Eric , Thieblot Philippe , Borson-Chazot Françoise , Guillausseau Pierre-Jean , Cardot-Bauters Catherine , Raingeard Isabelle , Requeda Elisabeth , Sadoul Jean Louis , Reznik Yves , _ _
Published: June 2013

Objective

Due to a strong genotype–phenotype correlation, the timing of prophylactic thyroidectomy in rearranged during transfection (RET) gene mutation carriers is usually dictated by genetic analysis.

Subjects and methods

We report a nationwide retrospective study of the clinical data of 77 French patients from 19 families with a mutation in codon 790 of the RET proto-oncogene.

Results

The average age at diagnosis was 35.6 years±20.5. Thirty-nine patients were women. Fifty-five patients underwent operations for the treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) at the mean age of 38 years (4–82 years). The mean follow-up duration was 89 months. TNM staging was as follows: T0NxMx in 19, TxNxMx in 1, T1NxMx in 22, T1N1Mx in 8, T2N1Mx in 1 and T3N1Mx in four patients. In the T1/x-Nx group, 96% were considered cured after surgery. In the N1 group (n=13), six patients had multifocal disease and five patients were cured. Age and gender were not significant predictors of remission. Twenty-two patients did not undergo an operation (age 1.5–78 years); among them, 11 patients had a mean basal calcitonin (CT) level of 9.8 pg/ml (2–24) after 53 months of follow-up. One patient had been operated on for phaeochromocytoma (PHEO), and their CT level remained normal for 262 months.

Conclusions

This study confirms that RET 790 mutation is associated with a non-aggressive form of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, as 28% of the patients were followed up without thyroidectomy, 25% had been thyroidectomised with no tumour being detected and even patients with MTC had slow-evolving disease. Moreover, only one patient had PHEO, and no-one had primary hyperparathyroidism.
The NF1 gene: a frequent mutational target in sporadic pheochromocytomas and beyond
Authors: Welander Jenny , Söderkvist Peter , Gimm Oliver
Published: June 2013

Patients suffering from the neurofibromatosis type 1 syndrome, which is caused by germline mutations in the NF1 gene, have a tiny but not negligible risk of developing pheochromocytomas. It is, therefore, of interest that the NF1 gene has recently been revealed to carry somatic, inactivating mutations in a total of 35 (21.7%) of 161 sporadic pheochromocytomas in two independent tumor series. A majority of the tumors in both studies displayed loss of heterozygosity at the NF1 locus and a low NF1 mRNA expression. In view of previous findings that many sporadic pheochromocytomas cluster with neurofibromatosis type 1 syndrome-associated pheochromocytomas instead of forming clusters of their own, NF1 inactivation appears to be an important step in the pathogenesis of a large number of sporadic pheochromocytomas. A literature and public mutation database review has revealed that pheochromocytomas are among those human neoplasms in which somatic NF1 alterations are most frequent.
Hypercapnia counteracts captopril-induced depression of gastric mucosal oxygenation
Authors: Vollmer Christian , Schwartges Ingo , Behmke Robert , Bauer Inge , Picker Olaf
Published: June 2013

Hypercapnia (HC) increases systemic oxygen delivery (DO2) and gastric mucosal oxygenation. However, it activates the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS), which conversely reduces mesenteric perfusion. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of RAAS inhibition during normocapnia and HC on oral and gastric mucosal oxygenation (μHbO2) and to assess the effect of blood pressure under these circumstances. Five dogs were repeatedly anesthetized to study the effects of ACE inhibition (ACE-I; 5 mg/kg captopril, followed by 0.25 mg/kg per h) on μHbO2(reflectance spectrophotometry) and hemodynamic variables during normocapnia (end-tidal CO2=35 mmHg) and HC (end-expiratory carbon dioxide (etCO2)=70 mmHg). In the control group, the dogs were subjected to HC alone. To exclude the effects of reduced blood pressure, in one group, blood pressure was maintained at baseline values via titrated phenylephrine (PHE) infusion during HC and additional captopril infusion. ACE-I strongly reduced gastric μHbO2from 72±2 to 65±2% and mean arterial pressure (MAP) from 64±2 to 48±4 mmHg, while DO2remained unchanged. This effect was counteracted in the presence of HC, which increased gastric μHbO2from 73±3 to 79±6% and DO2from 15±2 to 22±4 ml/kg per min during ACE-I without differences during HC alone. However, MAP decreased similar to that observed during ACE-I alone from 66±3 to 47±5 mmHg, while left ventricular contractility (dPmax) increased from 492±63 to 758±119 mmHg/s. Titrated infusion of PHE had no additional effects on μHbO2. In summary, our data suggest that RAAS inhibition reduces gastric mucosal oxygenation in healthy dogs. HC not only abolishes this effect, but also increases μHbO2, DO2, and dPmax. The increase in μHbO2during ACE-I under HC is in accordance with our results independent of blood pressure.
Morte súbita em área endêmica da doença de Chagas
Authors: Lopes Edison Reis , Chapadeiro Edmundo
Published: June 2013

Em área endêmica da doença de Chagas foi realizado estudo da freqüência e da etiologia da morte súbita. Constatou-se que a proporção destes casos na área estudada equipara-se à observada em outros centros do país, onde estudos similares foram feitos; entretanto, é relativamente baixa quando comparada com a de outros países. Quanto às causas da subitaneidade do óbito, verificou-se que a etiologia mais freqüente é representada pelçis doenças cardiovasculares, sendo a doença de Chagas a principal responsável em indivíduos de mais de 15 anos de idade.
Esquistossomose mansoni experimental: carga parasitária e distribuição de vermes adultos no sistema porta de ratos albinos tratados com Azatioprina
Authors: Campos Carlos Alberto Moreira
Published: June 2013

Estudou-se o curso da infecção esquistossomótica experimental no rato albino, um hospedeiro singular para o Schistosoma mansoni, e quatro semanas após a infecção houve uma rápida diminuição na carga parasitária, fato esse denominado por alguns pesquisadores como ' fenômeno de autocura Contudo, após a administração de um imunossupressor - a Azatioprina - observou-se uma maior susceptibilidade dos ratos à infecção, com os animais apresentando um significativo retardamento no chamado "fenômeno de autocura A grande maioria dos vermes é recuperada nos vasos intra-hepáticos do sistema porta, sem que haja migração para as veias mesentéricas. Quando os ratos foram tratados com Azatioprina observou-se uma significativa localização mesentérica dos vermes adultos neste hospedeiro.
O valor dos ovos mortos como critério de avaliação da cura parasitológica na esquistossomose mansoni
Authors: Lambertucci José Roberto , Dias Emmanuel Pinto , Rocha Roberto Sena , Pedroso Ênio Roberto Pietra , Katz Naftale
Published: June 2013

Dezoito crianças com esquistossomose mansoni foram tratadas com a oxamniquine (20mg/kg de peso, dose únicaj e acompanhadas até o 22? mês pós-tratamento com 22 exames de fezes e uma biópsia retal no último mês. Dos 16 pacientes curados, cinco (31,3%), não apresentaram qualquer tipo de ovo na biópsia retal, 11 (68,7%), apresentaram ovos calcificados, oito (50%), ovos "recém-mortos" e três (18,8%), granulomas. Para observar a dinâmica de desaparecimento de ovos dos tecidos, 31 camundongos, foram infectados com 100 cercárias de S. mansoni e após 45 dias, tratados com drogas sabidamente esquistossomicidas. Os camundongos foram sacrificados 30, 90, 180, 260 e 400 dias após o tratamento. Observou-se diminuição progressiva dos ovos mortos nos fragmentos de intestino dos animais sacrificados, mas cerca de um ano após o tratamento os ovos hemitransparentes, calcificados, cascas e granulomas ainda foram encontrados. 0 encontro apenas destes elementos, fala a favor da cura parasitológica.
Paracoccidioidomicose pulmonar assintomática e regressiva, com posterior disseminação: relato de um caso
Authors: Wanke Bodo , Andrade Ezemar Marques de , Lima Neto José Acylino de , Cruz Maria de Fátima Ferreira da
Published: June 2013

É relatado o caso de um homem aparentemente sadio no qual uma abreugrafia de rotina evidenciou lesões pulmonares. Enquanto se buscava a etiologia, as lesões radiológicas foram regredindo espontaneamente até restar apenas fibrose. Por apresentar linhas de precipitação específicas frente à paracoccidioidina na prova de imunodifusão dupla em gel de agar, o paciente foi revisto 3 meses após. Nesta ocasião, persistindo a positividaàe da sorologia e a radiografia de tórax normal, surgiu uma lesão labial, na qual, ao exame microscópico, foi possível demonstrar a presença do Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Os autores ressaltam as dificuldades diagnosticas do caso e o correlacionam com as formas clinicas da doença.
Estudo imunobiológico de estoques de Trypanosoma cruzi isolados de pacientes na fase aguda da doença de Chagas
Authors: Kipnis T.L. , Minóprio PM. , Luquetti A.O. , Rassi A. , Silva W. Dias da
Published: June 2013

Estoques de tripanossomas isolados de pacientes na fase aguda da doença de Chagas foram injetados em grupos de camundongos albinos não isogênicos nas doses de 10³, 10(4) e 10(5) parasitas/camundongos. O curso da infecção foi seguido por três meses. A pctrasitemia foi em geral baixa, com picos recorrentes, na maioria das vezes os animais evoluiam para cronicidade. Somente um estoque induziu alto índice de mortalidade. Os parasitas e as lesões apesar de detectadas no pico da parasitemia e restritos ao coração estavam ausentes aos três meses. Nesta época os perfis de Igs apresentaram diferenças marcantes. Grupos de animais que foram inoculados com estes estoques foram desafiados com doses letais da cepa Y ou CL. Em alguns casos obteve-se uma parasitemia, mas patente.