bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A multi‐center phase Ib study of oxaliplatin (NSC#266046) in combination with fluorouracil and leucovorin in pediatric patients with advanced solid tumors
Authors: Macy Margaret E. , Duncan Tracey , Whitlock James , Hunger Stephen P. , Boklan Jessica , Narendran Aru , Herzog Cynthia , Arceci Robert J. , Bagatell Rochelle , Trippett Tanya , Christians Uwe , Rolla Katherine , Ivy S. Percy , Gore Lia ,   on behalf of the Pediatric Oncology Experimental Therapeutics Investigators' Consortium (POETIC)
Published: September 2012

Background

Platinum agents have been used for a variety of cancers, including pivotal use in pediatric tumors for many years. Oxaliplatin, a third generation platinum, has a different side effect profile and may provide improved activity in pediatric cancers.

Procedure

Patients 21 years or younger with progressive or refractory malignant solid tumors, including tumors of the central nervous system were enrolled on this multi‐center open label, non‐randomized Phase 1 dose escalation study. The study used a standard 3 + 3 dose escalation design with 2 dose levels (85 and 100 mg/m2) with an expansion cohort of 15 additional patients at the recommended dose. Patients received oxaliplatin at the assigned dose level and 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) bolus 400 mg/m2 followed by a 46‐hour 5‐FU infusion of 2,400 mg/m2 every 14 days. The leucovorin dose was fixed at 400 mg/m2 for all cohorts.

Results

Thirty‐one evaluable patients were enrolled, 8 at 85 mg/m2 and 23 at 100 mg/m2 for a total of 121 courses. The median age was 12 years (range 2–19 years). The main toxicities were hematologic, primarily neutrophils and platelets. The most common non‐hematologic toxicities were gastrointestinal. Stable disease was noted in 11 patients (54% of evaluable patients) and 1 confirmed partial response in a patient with osteosarcoma.

Conclusions

The maximum planned dose of oxaliplatin at 100 mg/m2 per dose in combination with 5‐FU and leucovorin was safe and well tolerated and in this patient population. This combination demonstrated modest activity in patients with refractory or relapsed solid tumor and warrants further study. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013;60:230–236. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessment of potential bias from non‐participation in a dynamic clinical cohort of long‐term childhood cancer survivors: Results from the St. Jude lifetime cohort study
Authors: Ojha Rohit P. , Oancea S. Cristina , Ness Kirsten K. , Lanctot Jennifer Q. , Srivastava D. Kumar , Robison Leslie L. , Hudson Melissa M. , Gurney James G.
Published: September 2012

Background

To evaluate long‐term health outcomes among childhood cancer survivors, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (SJCRH) has established the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (SJLIFE), comprised of adult survivors who undergo risk‐directed clinical assessments. As in any human research study, SJLIFE participants are volunteers who may not represent the source population from which they were recruited. A lack of proportional representation could result in biased estimates of exposure‐outcome associations. We compared available demographic, disease, and neighborhood level characteristics between participants and the source population to assess the potential for selection bias.

Procedures

Potentially eligible patients for SJLIFE were enumerated as of October 31, 2011. Data from electronic medical records were combined with geocoded census data to develop an analytic data set of 3,108 patients (the evaluable source population) of whom 1,766 (57%) underwent clinical assessment (participants). The ratio of relative frequencies (RRFs) for characteristics was compared between participants and the source population, where RRF = 1.0 indicates equal frequency of the characteristic.

Results

Participants and the source population had similar frequencies for most characteristics. Characteristics with modest relative differences (RRFs between 0.86 and 1.11) included sex, distance from SJCRH, primary diagnosis, median household income, median home value, and urbanicity.

Conclusions

Our results indicate a lack of substantive differences in the relative frequencies of demographic, disease, or neighborhood characteristics between participants and the source population in SJLIFE, thus alleviating serious concerns about selective non‐participation in this cohort. Bias in specific exposure‐outcome relations is still possible and will be considered in individual analyses. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 856–864. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Vitamin D levels differ by cancer diagnosis and decline over time in survivors of childhood cancer
Authors: Rosen Galit P. , Beebe Kristen L. , Shaibi Gabriel Q.
Published: September 2012

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations in survivors of childhood cancer and compare levels by underlying diagnosis and as a function of time.

Procedure

A retrospective review of 201 pediatric cancer survivors enrolled in a hospital‐based cancer survivor registry. Demographic characteristics and 25OHD levels were extracted from the registry. Vitamin D status was determined during routine clinical care and was categorized as normal, insufficient, or deficient.

Results

25OHD levels differed significantly across diagnoses (P = 0.017), with the lowest levels found in patients treated for osteosarcoma, retinoblastoma, hepatoblastoma, and myeloid leukemias. Age was inversely correlated with 25OHD levels (P = 0.03). Average 25OHD level at study entry was 29.8 ng/ml (range: 5–79.7), with 14.4% vitamin D deficient, 39.3% insufficient, and 46.3% normal. 25OHD concentrations decreased 11.4% over time (P < 0.00001).

Conclusion

Fewer than half of childhood cancer survivors have normal 25OHD concentrations, which further declined over time. Patients with solid tumors were the most affected, despite their lack of routine exposure to glucocorticoids. Future investigations should focus on why vitamin D level varies by diagnosis and how best to replete in this population. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 949–952. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
131I‐MIBG followed by consolidation with busulfan, melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation for refractory neuroblastoma
Authors: French Sarah , DuBois Steven G. , Horn Biljana , Granger Meaghan , Hawkins Randall , Pass Amy , Plummer Ellen , Matthay Katherine
Published: September 2012

Background

131I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) produces a 37% response rate in relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma, and could be used to improve remission status prior to myeloablative chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). The purpose of our report was to evaluate safety and response with MIBG therapy followed by myeloablative busulfan and melphalan (BuMel) with ASCT in patients with refractory neuroblastoma.

Methods

Retrospective chart review was done on patients treated with MIBG (18 mCi/kg) on Day 1 and ASCT on Day 14. Six to eight weeks after MIBG, patients without progressive disease received IV busulfan on Days −6 to −2 (target Css 700–900), melphalan (140 mg/m2 IV) on Day −1, and ASCT on Day 0. Response and toxicity were evaluated after MIBG and again after myeloablative therapy.

Results

Eight patients completed MIBG/ASCT followed by BuMel/ASCT. MIBG was well tolerated, with Grade 3 or 4 non‐hematologic toxicity limited to one patient with sepsis. Grade 3 mucositis occurred in six patients after BuMel/ASCT. One patient developed sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (SOS) and died 50 days post‐ASCT following myeloablative conditioning. All patients engrafted neutrophils (median 16.5 days) and platelets (median 32 days) after BuMel, excluding the patient with SOS. After all therapy, there were three complete, two partial, and one minor response in seven evaluable patients.

Conclusions

MIBG at doses up to 18 mCi/kg can be safely administered 6 weeks prior to a BuMel consolidative regimen for refractory neuroblastoma. Preceding MIBG did not impair engraftment following BuMel. This regimen is being further evaluated in a Children's Oncology Group (COG) trial. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 879–884. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The impact of genetic and environmental factors on homocysteine levels in preterm neonates
Authors: Maayan‐Metzger Ayala , Lubetsky Aaron , Kuint Jacob , Rosenberg Nurit , Simchen Michal J. , Kuperman Amir , Strauss Tzipora , Sela Ben‐Ami , Kenet Gili
Published: September 2012

Background

Hyperhomocysteinemia may be associated with vascular complications in adults. Whereas pediatric thrombosis risk peaks in neonates, data on homocysteine (Hcy) levels assessed in term and preterm infants during the perinatal period are scarce. In the present study, we aimed to establish Hcy reference values for preterm infants and study their potential associations with the early post‐natal health status. Plasma Hcy and hematocrit levels and MTHFR polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C substitution) were studied in a large cohort of preterm infants in a tertiary referral medical center during an 18‐month period. Data were collected on maternal history and delivery as well as on post‐natal complications.

Results

The study cohort included 167 infants whose mean gestational age was 30.98 ± 2.34 weeks (range: 26–36 weeks), mean birth weight 1327.6 ± 327 g, and mean Hcy level 7.99 ± 3.27 (range: 2.2–21.2) µmol/L. Maternal intake of folic acid was inversely associated with the babies' Hcy levels (P = 0.0001). Increased Hcy levels positively correlated with birth weight, gestational age (P < 0.005), total number of pregnancies (P = 0.012), and presence of MTHFR polymorphism. Higher Hcy levels were associated with feeding (P = 0.008), especially total parenteral nutrition (P = 0.0001). There was no correlation between Hcy levels and any vascular post‐natal complications.

Conclusions

During their post‐natal hospitalization, preterm infants may have relatively high, that is, within the adult normal range, Hcy levels which are influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Despite the fact that no correlation was found between Hcy levels and post‐natal complications, these associations should be further studied. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 659–662. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome presenting with a clinical picture mimicking juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia
Authors: Yoshimi Ayami , Kamachi Yoshiro , Imai Kosuke , Watanabe Nobuhiro , Nakadate Hisaya , Kanazawa Takashi , Ozono Shuichi , Kobayashi Ryoji , Yoshida Misa , Kobayashi Chie , Hama Asahito , Muramatsu Hideki , Sasahara Yoji , Jakob Marcus , Morio Tomohiro , Ehl Stephan , Manabe Atsushi , Niemeyer Charlotte , Kojima Seiji
Published: September 2012

Background

Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a rare X‐linked immunodeficiency caused by defects of the WAS protein (WASP) gene. Patients with WAS typically demonstrate micro‐thrombocytopenia.

Procedures

The report describes seven male infants with WAS that initially presented with leukocytosis, monocytosis, and myeloid and erythroid precursors in the peripheral blood (PB) and dysplasia in the bone marrow (BM), which was initially indistinguishable from juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML).

Results

The median age of affected patients was 1 month (range, 1–4 months). Splenomegaly was absent in four of these patients, which was unusual for JMML. A mutation analysis of genes in the RAS‐signalling pathway did not support a diagnosis of JMML. Non‐haematological features, such as eczema (n = 7) and bloody stools (n = 6), ultimately led to the diagnosis of WAS at a median age of 4 months (range, 3–8 months), which was confirmed by absent (n = 6) or reduced (n = 1) WASP expression in lymphocytes by flow cytometry (FCM) and a WASP gene mutation. Interestingly, mean platelet volume (MPV) was normal in three of five patients and six of seven patients demonstrated occasional giant platelets, which was not compatible with WAS.

Conclusions

These data suggest that WAS should be considered in male infants presenting with JMML‐like features if no molecular markers of JMML can be detected. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 836–841. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preparation and characterization of polypyrrole/clinoptilolite nanocomposite with enhanced electrical conductivity by surface polymerization method
Authors: Rashidzadeh Azam , Olad Ali , Ahmadi Shirin
Published: September 2012

In this work, polypyrrole/clinoptilolite nanocomposite was synthesized by in situ surface polymerization of pyrrole using Fe3+ as oxidant, incorporated on the inner and outer surface of clinoptilolite nanoparticles. Formation of nanocomposite and deposition of polypyrrole on the clinoptilolite surface was confirmed and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cyclic voltammetry techniques. Elemental analysis showed the loading/incorporation of 9.18 wt% polypyrrole in the clinoptilolite structure. However the electrical conductivity of polypyrrole/clinoptilolite nanocomposite pellets was higher than that of similar pure polypyrrole pellets, synthesized through the chemical oxidation polymerization method using Fe3+ as oxidant without the presence of clinoptilolite nanoparticles. Improved structural order or crystalinity of polypyrrole chains in nanocomposite structure which was confirmed by XRD and SEM results, may be the responsible of higher electrical conductivity of nanocomposite compared to pure polypyrrole although the low content (9.18 wt%) of polypyrrole in nanocomposite. Cyclic voltammetry studies showed that polypyrrole/clinoptilolite nanocomposite is electroactive similar to pure polypyrrole. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Being Called A ‘Streber’: The Roles of Personality and Competition in the Labelling of Academically Oriented Students
Authors: Rentzsch Katrin , Schröder–Abé Michela , Schütz Astrid
Published: September 2012

The current research investigated a phenomenon that has received little attention so far: the labelling of students who are characterised by a strong academic orientation. We analysed whether personality predicts being labelled a ‘Streber’ (literally a person who strives for success; German origin, similar to the English word ‘nerd’) and labelling others as Strebers. Besides individual characteristics, we examined the impact of the classroom context. In Study 1 (N = 317), eighth–grade students nominated classmates who were considered to be Strebers and provided self–ratings on how often they had labelled others as Strebers. In Study 2 (N = 358), using a round robin design, we had students rate each of their classmates on the extent to which the students perceived their classmates to be Strebers. Results showed that being labelled was associated with introversion and conscientiousness. Labelling others was related to extraversion, low conscientiousness and low agreeableness. Furthermore, the labelling and the expected relation between individual characteristics and labelling were stronger in high–achieving than in low–achieving classes. Results are discussed with respect to personality traits as potential risk factors in peer stigmatisation and the impact of the classroom context. Copyright © 2012 European Association of Personality Psychology
Observed Personality in Childhood: Psychometric and Behavioural Genetic Evidence of Two Broad Personality Factors
Authors: Wang Zhe , Chen Nan , Petrill Stephen A. , Deater–Deckard Kirby
Published: September 2012

We examined broad dimensions of children's personalities (total n = 1056; age = 3.5 to 12 years) based on observers’ perceptions following a few hours of structured interaction. Siblings’ behaviours during a 2–hour cognitive assessment in the home were rated separately by two different observers. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses clearly revealed a two–factor solution in three different samples. There was correspondence between parent–rated temperament and observer–rated factors. Cross–sectional analyses indicated lower Plasticity among older children and higher Stability among older children. Sex differences were negligible. Plasticity and Stability were correlated in the .2 to .3 range. Most of the sibling similarity in the Plasticity was due to additive genetic influences, whereas most sibling similarity in Stability was attributable to shared environmental influences. The findings implicate a biometric factor structure to childhood personality that fits well with emerging biosocial theories of personality development. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unraveling the ubiquitin‐regulated signaling networks by mass spectrometry‐based proteomics
Authors: Low Teck Yew , Magliozzi Roberto , Guardavaccaro Daniele , Heck Albert J. R.
Published: September 2012

Ubiquitin (Ub) is a small protein modifier that is covalently attached to the ε‐amino group of lysine residues of protein substrates, generally targeting them for degradation. Due to the emergence of specific anti‐diglycine (‐GG) antibodies and the improvement in MS, it is now possible to identify more than 10 000 ubiquitylated sites in a single proteomics study. Besides cataloging ubiquitylated sites, it is equally important to unravel the biological relationship between ubiquitylated substrates and the ubiquitin conjugation machinery. Relevant to this, we discuss the role of affinity purification‐MS (AP‐MS), in characterizing E3 ligase‐substrate complexes. Recently, such strategies have also been adapted to screen for binding partners of both deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs) and ubiquitin‐binding domains (UBDs). The complexity of the “ubiquitome” is further expanded by the fact that Ub itself can be ubiquitylated at any of its seven lysine residues forming polyubiquitin (polyUb), thus diversifying its lengths and topologies to suit a variety of molecular recognition processes. Therefore, applying MS to study polyUb linkages is also becoming an emerging and important area. Finally, we discuss the future of MS‐based proteomics in answering important questions with respect to ubiquitylation.
Electrical conductivity of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/expanded graphite nanocomposites prepared by in situ polymerization
Authors: Paszkiewicz S. , Szymczyk A. , Špitalský Z. , Soccio M. , Mosnáček J. , Ezquerra T. A. , Rosłaniec Z.
Published: September 2012

Nanocomposites based on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and expanded graphite (EG) have been prepared by in situ polymerization. Morphology of the nanocomposites has been examined by electronic microscopy. The relationship between the preparation method, morphology, and electrical conductivity was studied. Electronic microscopy images reveal that the nanocomposites exhibit well dispersed graphene platelets. The incorporation of EG to the PET results in a sharp insulator‐to‐conductor transition with a percolation threshold (ϕc) as low as 0.05 wt %. An electrical conductivity of 10−3 S/cm was achieved for 0.4 wt % of EG. The low percolation threshold and relatively high electrical conductivity are attributed to the high aspect ratio, large surface area, and uniform dispersion of the EG sheets in PET matrix. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012
Do prostate cancer patients suffer more from depressed mood or anhedonia?
Authors: Sharpley Christopher F. , Bitsika Vicki , Christie David H. R.
Published: September 2012

Objective

This study aimed to compare the prevalence of depressed mood and anhedonia in a sample of men with prostate cancer (PCa) and to determine which of these key symptoms contributed most to the overall depressive status of that sample.

Method

From Zung Self‐rating Depression Scale (SDS) responses collected on 526 PCa patients, direct comparisons were made between the prevalence of the first two DSM‐IV‐TR symptoms of Major Depressive Episode. These symptoms were then tested for their predictive power on depression total score and Zung's criteria for ‘clinically significant’ depression.

Results

Mean scores for anhedonia were significantly higher than for depressed mood, and nearly 25 times as many patients had a high score for anhedonia as for depressed mood. The same pattern of results was apparent for those patients who had clinically significant levels of depression. Anhedonia was a more powerful predictor of total SDS depression score for the entire sample as well as for those patients with more severe depression.

Conclusion

Because the biological basis for anhedonia is different to that for depressed mood, treatment options also differ for patients who show a preponderance of anhedonia in their depressive symptomatology. Suggestions are made for treatment choices for these PCa patients. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The analysis of amphetamine‐like cathinone derivatives using positive electrospray ionization with in‐source collision‐induced dissociation
Authors: Power John D. , McDermott Seán D. , Talbot Brian , O'Brien John E. , Kavanagh Pierce
Published: September 2012

RATIONALE

Amphetamine‐like cathinone derivatives have become popular as recreational drugs over the past several years but their identification for forensic purposes is made difficult as they undergo extensive fragmentation under commonly used electron ionization (EI) conditions to afford ambiguous mass spectra. To overcome this, the feasibility of using positive electrospray ionization (ESI) with in‐source collision‐induced dissociation (CID) to produce distinguishable product ion mass spectra was examined.

METHODS

A set of six homologous cathinone derivatives was analyzed using an LTQ/Orbitrap™ high‐resolution mass spectrometer to establish if there are any commonalities or uniqueness in their mass spectra. These compounds and a number of other cathinone derivatives were also analyzed on a single quadrupole mass spectrometer to establish the feasibility of using in‐source CID for their identification in forensic drug samples.

RESULTS

The ESI product ion mass spectra of the [M + H]+ ions of six model compounds were found to be readily interpretable and product ion formation pathways are presented. The use of such mass spectral data in the analysis of forensic drug samples facilitated the discrimination of closely related cathinone derivatives that were difficult to distinguish using conventional gas chromatography/electron ionization mass spectrometry. A product ion mass spectral library of 22 commonly encountered cathinone derivatives was also developed.

CONCLUSIONS

It has been shown that the product ion ESI mass spectra of cathinone derivatives are readily interpretable and are useful for the identification of this drug group in forensic samples. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Applications and Potential Toxicity of Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Liu Gang , Gao Jinhao , Ai Hua , Chen Xiaoyuan
Published: September 2012

Owing to their unique physical and chemical properties, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have become a powerful platform in many diverse aspects of biomedicine, including magnetic resonance imaging, drug and gene delivery, biological sensing, and hyperthermia. However, the biomedical applications of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles arouse serious concerns about their pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and toxicity. In this review, the updated research on the biomedical applications and potential toxicity of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles is summarized. Much more effort is required to develop magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with improved biocompatible surface engineering to achieve minimal toxicity, for various applications in biomedicine.
Single-top t-channel hadroproduction in the four-flavour scheme with POWHEG and aMC@NLO
Authors: Frederix Rikkert , Re Emanuele , Torrielli Paolo
Published: September 2012

Abstract

We present results for the QCD next-to-leading order (NLO) calculation of single-top t-channel production in the 4-flavour scheme, interfaced to Parton Shower (PS) Monte Carlo programs according to the POWHEG and MC@NLO methods. Comparisons between the two methods, as well as with the corresponding process in the 5-flavour scheme are presented. For the first time results for typical kinematic distributions of the spectator-b jet are presented in an NLO + PS approach.
Evaluation of Distracting Pain and Clinical Judgment in Cervical Spine Clearance of Trauma Patients
Authors: Kamenetsky Eric , Esposito Thomas J. , Schermer Carol R.
Published: September 2012

Background

The concept of distracting pain (DP) is a controversial subjective confounder that often impedes the efficient and timely clearance of the cervical spine (C‐spine). This study attempted to define DP more objectively and assess its true potential to mask the presence of C‐spine injury. It also evaluated reliability and safety of clinical judgment in discounting the significance of pain peripheral to the neck (PP).

Methods

This prospective study included patients with a Glasgow Coma Score ≥14 at a level I trauma center presenting in a C‐spine collar. Demographics, mechanism of injury, severity and location of all pain, and C‐spine imaging data were obtained. Patient and examiner perception of DP were ascertained using the Verbal Numerical Rating Scale (VNRS) along with the examiner’s clinical opinion as to the presence of a fracture.

Results

A total of 160 patients were studied: 65 % male, mean age 39 years, and 44 % presenting after a motor vehicle crash. In all, 16 % complained of neck pain (NP) and 82 % of PP. There were 134 patients without NP, 110 of whom (82 %) had PP. The mean VNRS in patients with no NP was 4.2; in patients with NP it was 4.8. When examined, 14 patients without NP exhibited posterior cervical tenderness, one of whom had a fracture (7 %). Of the patients with PP, 10 % stated it was DP. The mean VNRS described as DP by all patients was 7.5 but by clinician 6.5. VNRS described as not DP was 4.8 for both patients and clinicians. Overall, 8 of the 160 patients (5 %) had confirmed C‐spine injuries. Regardless of NP or PP and its potentially distracting nature, clinicians believed no fracture was present in 95 % of all cases. Clinical impression was 98 % accurate. For patients with NP, clinical impression had a 91 % negative predictive value (NPV) and a 100 % a positive predictive value (PPV). In those without NP, the NPV was 99 % and the PPV 25 %.

Conclusions

The concept of DP is subjective and unreliable as a method to mitigate missed C‐spine injuries. If it is to be considered for use, DP should be defined as VNRS ≥5. Reliance on clinical impressions regardless of the presence or absence of NP or PP, distracting or otherwise, is accurate and safe.
Relationship between survival and yield related traits in Solanum pimpinellifolium under salt stress
Authors: Rao Eguru Sreenivasa , Kadirvel Palchamy , Symonds Rachael C. , Ebert Andreas W.
Published: September 2012

A subset of theSolanum pimpinellifoliumcollection maintained by AVRDC—The World Vegetable Center, Taiwan was evaluated to assess effects of salt stress on physiological traits and yield-related traits with the aim of identifying potentialS. pimpinellifoliumaccessions useful for salt tolerance breeding in tomato. We undertook a comparative analysis of yield and plant survival traits under normal and salt stress conditions to obtain a first indication of the crucial traits associated with salt tolerance inS. pimpinellifolium. Although most traits ofS. pimpinellifoliumaccessions showed a similar percent decrease in mean under salt stress compared with the cultivated checks, the former exhibited a wide range for all traits, suggesting great genetic diversity that can be exploited for the identification of salt tolerant genotypes. Genetic variability for yield and survival traits under salt stress was quantitative with low to moderate heritability. Results of correlation and path coefficient analysis revealed no correlation between any of the physiological traits with yield-related traits indicating that the ability to survive and yield under salt stress are two independent sets of traits inS. pimpinellifolium. Results of the path analysis along with heritability and genetic advance showed that shoot dry weight and K/Na ratio are the two most critical component traits for survival, while fruit number is critical for yield per plant. The largeS. pimpinellifoliumpanel evaluated in this study revealed five genotypes possessing better survival traits, seven genotypes with good yield traits, and two genotypes combining both superior survival and yield traits under salt stress.
Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus spp.) Seed Oils: Their Characterization and Stability Under Storage Conditions
Authors: Liaotrakoon Wijitra , De Clercq Nathalie , Van Hoed Vera , Dewettinck Koen
Published: September 2012

Oil was extracted from the seeds of white‐flesh and red‐flesh dragon fruits (Hylocereus spp.) using a cold extraction process with petroleum ether. The seeds contained significant amounts of oil (32–34 %). The main fatty acids were linoleic acid (C18:2, 45–55 %), oleic acid (C18:1, 19–24 %), palmitic acid (C16:0, 15–18 %) and stearic acid (C18:0, 7–8 %). The seed oils are interesting from a nutritional point of view as they contain a large amount of essential fatty acids, amounting to up to 56 %. In both dragon fruit seed oils, tri‐unsaturated triacylglycerol (TAG) was mainly found while their TAG composition and relative percentage however varied considerably. Therefore, they showed a different melting profile. A significant amount of total tocopherols was observed (407–657 mg/kg) in which the α‐tocopherol was the most abundant (~72 % of total tocopherol content). The impact of storage conditions, cold and room temperatures, on the oxidative stability and behavior of tocopherols was monitored over a 3‐month storage period. During storage, the oxidative profile changed with a favorably low oxidation rate (~1 mequiv O2/week) whilst tocopherols decreased the most at room temperature. After 12 weeks, the total tocopherol content, however, still remained high (65–84 % compared to the initial oils). Hereto, the dragon fruit seed oils can be considered as a potential source of essential fatty acids and tocopherols, with a good oxidative resistance.
Computation of motion direction in the vertebrate retina
Authors: Euler T. , Hausselt S.E.
Published: September 2012

How direction of image motion is detected as early as at the level of the vertebrate eye has been intensively studied in retina research. Although the first direction-selective (DS) ret­inal ganglion cells were already described in the 1960s and have since then been in the fo­cus of many studies, scientists are still puz­zled by the intricacy of the neuronal circuits and computational mechanisms underlying retinal direction selectivity. The fact that the retina can be easily isolated and studied in a Petri dish-by presenting light stimuli while recording from the various cell types in the retinal circuits-in combination with the ex­tensive anatomical, molecular and physiolog­ical knowledge about this part of the brain presents a unique opportunity for studying this intriguing visual circuit in detail. This ar­ticle provides a brief overview of the histo­ry of research on retinal direction selectivi­ty, but then focuses on the past decade and the progress achieved, in particular driven by methodological advances in optical record­ing techniques, molecular genetics approach­es and large-scale ultrastructural reconstruc­tions. As it turns out, retinal direction selec­tivity is a complex, multi-tiered computation, involving dendrite-intrinsic mechanisms as well as several types of network interactions on the basis of highly selective, likely genet­ically predetermined synaptic connectivi­ty. Moreover, DS ganglion cell types appear to be more diverse than previously thought, differing not only in their preferred direction and response polarity, but also in physiology, DS mechanism, dendritic morphology and, importantly, the target area of their projec­tions in the brain.
A Stokesian analysis of a submerged viscous jet impinging on a planar wall
Authors: Davis A. M. J. , Kim J. H. , Ceritoglu C. , Ratnanather J. T.
Published: September 2012

The wall pressure and wall shear stress of a submerged viscous jet impinging on an infinite planar wall are derived. The whole creeping flow of semi-infinite extent is generated via distributions on a cylindrical pipe of tangentially and normally directed Stokeslets which are modified to achieve no-slip at the wall in two stages. First the pressure and vorticity jumps associated with the Poiseuille flow upstream in the pipe are readily forced, and then further distributions, of zero density far upstream but with square-root density singularity at the orifice$z= h$, are added to achieve no-slip on the pipe wall. Thus the adjustment of the interior pipe flow from its upstream parabolic profile to its exit profile is fully included in – and a major feature of – this creeping flow analysis. The maximum plane wall pressure is always located on the axis$r= 0$, and decreases as$h$increases to alleviate the obstruction effect of the wall. The interaction of the inflow with the ambient fluid in the neighbourhood of$z= 0$causes the wall stress to rise rapidly to a maximum and then decay with the radial position of this maximum increasing as$h$increases. This behaviour is discussed in the context of physiological experiments on auditory sensory hair cells that motivated this study.
Cholesterol-lowering efficacy ofLactobacillus plantarumCECT 7527, 7528 and 7529 in hypercholesterolaemic adults
Authors: Fuentes Mari C. , Lajo Teresa , Carrión Juan M. , Cuñé Jordi
Published: September 2012

Previous studies have indicated that supplementation with probiotic bacteria may improve lipid metabolism. The present study was aimed at investigating the effects of a mixture of three strains ofLactobacillus plantarum(CECT 7527, CECT 7528 and CECT 7529) on cholesterol-lowering efficacy in hypercholesterolaemic patients. A total of sixty volunteers (thirty participants in the placebo group and thirty counterparts in theL. plantarumgroup), aged 18–65 years old, participated in a controlled, randomised, double-blind trial. The study group received one capsule daily containing 1·2 × 109colony-forming units ofLactobacillusstrains in a unique dose; the placebo group consumed the same product without bacteria for 12 weeks. A significant reduction of 13·6 % in plasma total cholesterol (TC) levels was observed after 12 weeks of consumption in theL. plantarumgroup when compared with the placebo group. The lipidic outcomes were also analysed based on TC values at baseline: low initial values (LIV, 2000–2500 mg/l)v. high initial values (HIV, 2510–3000 mg/l). In the HIV group, theL. plantarumtreatment showed a reduction after 12 weeks of consumption compared with the placebo group in TC, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and oxidised LDL-C (17·4, 17·6 and 15·6 %, respectively). In the LIV, theL. plantarumtreatment only showed a reduction after 12 weeks of consumption when compared with the placebo group in TC (9·4 %). The present results showed that the biofunctionality ofL. plantarum(CECT 7527, CECT 7528 and CECT 7529) is proportional to the cardiovascular risk of the patient, having a better effect in patients with higher levels of cholesterol.
De la relativité des jugements moraux
Authors: Ludwig Pascal
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT: In the first part of this paper, I criticize the indexical interpretation of meta-ethical relativism. According to the indexical interpretation, the content of a moral statement varies with the context of its utterance. I argue that such an interpretation is not empirically plausible, and that it cannot explain the seriousness of radical moral disagreements. In the constructive part of the paper, I offer an alternative, minimalist interpretation of moral relativism, which is based upon an analogy with the case of the relativity of motion.
The Value and Expected Value of Knowledge
Authors: Dutant Julien
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT: Meno’s Thesis—the idea that knowing something is better than merely having a true belief about it—is incompatible with the joint claims that (a) believing the truth is the sole source of the value of knowledge and (b) true belief and knowledge are equally successful in believing the truth. Recent answers to that so-called “swamping” problem reject either (a) or (b). This paper rejects Meno’s Thesis instead, as relying on a confusion between expected value and value proper. The proposed solution relies on an externalist view of rationality, which is presented.
GEOGRAPHIC CLUSTERING OF THE SECONDARY SEX RATIO IN JAPAN: ASSOCIATION WITH DEMOGRAPHIC ATTRIBUTES
Authors: INOUE YOSUKE , UMEZAKI MASAHIRO , WATANABE CHIHO
Published: September 2012

The secondary sex ratio (SSR) has been suggested to decrease with adverse physical and psychological environments. Previous studies have focused on reduced SSR under adverse conditions, such as war, terrorism attack and earthquake, but few studies have investigated fluctuations in SSR in moderately adverse environments. This study analysed municipality-level vital statistics records in Japan collected between 1998 and 2002 to identify high-SSR clusters and low-SSR clusters with spatial-scan statistics. In 999 runs of simulation, high- and low-SSR clusters were detected but fewer than 950 times, indicating that SSR was not geographically clustered in Japan if type I error of 5% was adopted. Explorative analyses comparing demographic attributes between high-SSR clusters and low-SSR clusters that were detected more than 500 times in 999 runs of simulation, showed that rate of spontaneous abortion, rate of artificial abortion and divorce rate were higher in low-SSR clusters, while male life expectancy, female life expectancy and total fertility rate were higher in a high-SSR cluster.
OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY IN RURAL GIRLS FROM POLAND: CHANGES BETWEEN 1987 AND 2001
Authors: CHRZANOWSKA MARIA , ŁASKA-MIERZEJEWSKA TERESA , SUDER AGNIESZKA
Published: September 2012

Several studies have documented increased prevalence of overweight and obesity in inhabitants of rural regions, but determinants of their prevalence are complex and not always in one direction. The aim of this study was to estimate both the prevalence and extent of overweight and obesity among rural girls in Poland between 1987 and 2001, as well as to assess differentiation of the phenomenon between regions of different social structures. The data come from two series of cross-sectional studies; the first in 1987 included 7764 girls, and the second in 2001 included 9431 girls aged 9–18. Body mass index (according to the International Obesity Task Force, IOTF) and the EOW index (extent of overweight), which shows by what mean BMI value the overweight boundaries are exceeded, were calculated. Overweight and obesity prevalences in the whole sample, were, respectively, 14.9% and 2.7% in 1987 and 15.5% and 2.5% in 2001, but significant differentiation in the direction of the changes was observed between the examined regions. In one of them, characterized by sudden, mass and long-term unemployment, there was a considerable decrease in overweight and obesity prevalence, whereas in a relatively wealthier region no changes were observed during the 14-year period. Two other regions with a relatively low standard of living and low incomes and education status presented a significant increase in overweight and obesity prevalence. The EOW index increased from 1.9 to 2.1 in the whole examined sample, and it also confirmed significant differences in expansion of overweight and obesity between the examined regions. The complex character of political and socioeconomic changes in Poland during the 1990s has resulted in two-directional changes in biological measures of living conditions. The analysis of the whole sample led to different results in comparison to separate analyses of each of the examined regions.
Immunofluorescent Characterization of VEGF, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 Expression in the Corpus Cavernosum of the Diabetic Rat after Prolonged Ingestion of Epigallocatechin Gallate
Authors: Lombo C. , Tomada I. , Morgado C. , Tavares I. , Neves D.
Published: September 2012

Diabetes type 1 is a very common chronic disease that frequently initiates in youth. Patients suffering from this disease have an increased risk of developing complications such as cardiovascular disease or erectile dysfunction. This is partially due to oxidative stress in affected cells, induced by the increasing production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that, in addition to oxidative macromolecular damage, inactivate nitric oxide (NO). This condition strongly affects blood vessels of corpus cavernosum (CC), decreasing erectile capability of penis. Thus, we hypothesise that treatment with antioxidants present in the green tea in the initial phase of diabetes type 1 may protect CC from structural and molecular changes induced by oxidative damage. In support of this hypothesis a previous study of our group demonstrated that green tea long-term ingestion led to decrease in lipid perivascular deposition and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor VEGFR 2 expression in CC of aged rats. VEGF is the main angiogenic factor in tissues that induces proliferation and survival of endothelial cells after binding to VEGFR2. In fact, VEGF/VEGFR2 system is involved in both physiological and pathological angiogenic processes, and most of the molecular changes observed in aged CC derive from oxidative stress coupled to impairment of angiogenic mechanisms. VEGF also engage VEGFR1, nevertheless the exact role of VEGFR1 activation in cavernous tissue is not yet clarified.
Biomarkers Expression in Human Seminiferous Epithelium
Authors: Sá R. , Miranda C. , Leite C. , Malheiro I. , Carvalho F. , Silva J. , Barros A. , Sousa M.
Published: September 2012

Spermatogenesis is a complex process of cell proliferation, meiosis and differentiation. In order to determine the genetic mechanisms that control this process we need to develop adequate methodologies for the purification of stage-specific germ cells. In this study we aim to evaluate four markers (c-kit, oct-4, Integrin α6 and Integrin β1), used to isolate spermatogonial stem cells in mammals, as possible markers to isolate/sort testicular adult stem and progenitor cells in humans.
Cavernous Vessels Smooth Muscle Layer Thickness Correlates with Myocardium Collagen Deposition in High-Fat Fed Rats
Authors: Tomada I. , Fernandes D. , Tomada N. , Almeida H. , Neves D.
Published: September 2012

Vascular aging is associated with progressive deterioration of vascular homeostasis, a phenomenon that affects organs in different extent. The small vessels of the corpus cavernosum (CC) are very sensitive to functional and structural changes, and particularly susceptible to age-related modifications and atherosclerotic occlusion. Penile erection is a vascular event largely regulated by the relaxation of arterial and corporal smooth muscle (SM) that directly relates to its content and integrity, and inversely to that of connective tissue (CT). Corpora expansion also depends on nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, a molecule with recognized vasodilatory and antifibrotic properties. Thus, endothelial dysfunction mainly provoked by NO loss is currently considered equivalent to vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED), and the earliest clinical manifestation of atherosclerosis and systemic vascular disease. Collagen deposition in tissues, such as CC and heart, strongly compromises their function and is one of the causes of ED and cardiac failure, respectively, but as far as we know no correlation between peripheral and cardiac endothelial dysfunction has been already demonstrated. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate morphological structure and collagen deposition in rat CC, myocardium and tail artery during aging, under high-fat diet (HFD) consumption (a strong contributor to endothelial dysfunction onset), and energy restriction.
Cording, a Virulence-related Characteristic of Mycobacteria, Analysis Using SEM
Authors: Sánchez-Chardi A. , Brambilla C. , Julián E. , Luquin M.
Published: September 2012

Cord formation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been traditionally related to virulence since avirulent M. tuberculosis strains do not form cords. These structures consist of bacilli aligned in parallel, end to end, and side to side, along the long axis of the cord. However, similar structures were recently found in non-pathogenic and in opportunistic Mycobacterium species such as M. abscessus, M. chubuense, M. gilvum, M. haemophilum, M. marinum, M. obuense, M. parafortuitum, and M. vaccae. Although the visualization of cords has been traditionally achieved using Ziehl-Neelsen staining, the resolution of light microscopy does not allow to distinguish among cords, pseudocords, clumps or loose aggregates. Nevertheless, the observation of these formations at high resolution is crucial for two essential applications. Firstly, to identify the unknown mycobacterial components responsible for cording formation, an important step to understand virulence. Secondly, to demonstrate that cording is not specific of M. tuberculosis, since many clinical mycobacteriology laboratories base the tuberculosis diagnostic on the observation of cording morphology, and may mistakenly identify non-tuberculous mycobacteria as M. tuberculosis. Thus, patients would be exposed to an ineffective drug regimen with many adverse side effects. Here, we focused on sample treatment in order to certainly observe cords by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Abeta Induces Abnormal Cytoskeletal Dynamics which are Reversible Upon Peptide Removal
Authors: Henriques A. G. , Vieira S. I. , Silva O. A. B. da Cruz e
Published: September 2012

Alzheimer´s disease (AD) is characterized by extensive neuronal loss in brain areas related to memory and cognitive functions. Central to the neurodegenerative process is a peptide termed Abeta. The latter is the main component of senile plaques, one of the histopathological hallmarks of AD, and derives from proteolytic processing of the Alzheimer´s amyloid precursor protein (APP). Among the alterations induced by Abeta is increased cellular oxidative stress, imbalanced protein phosphorylation and cytoskeletal abnormalities, all factors that contribute to neuronal death.
Genotoxic Effect of Inhaled Ambient Particulate Matter
Authors: Boa-Alma A. S. , Ramalhinho G. , Dias D. , Mathias M. L. , Carvalho P. A , de Matos A. P. Alves
Published: September 2012

In recent years great importance has been given to the adverse effects of particulate matter (PM) in health, and several epidemiological studies correlating the airborne particles with pulmonary injury have been carried out. The adverse effect of short- and long-term expositions to PM can, indeed, cause a variety of effects, from minor effects on the respiratory system to serious oncogenic effects that can lead to precocious death and are considered one of the top environmental public health concerns. Some cytogenetic techniques, as micronucleus assay, allow to detect chromosome breakage and loss by measuring the formation of micronuclei and proved to be a good tool in the evaluation of genotoxic damage induced by PM. Thus genotoxic effects can be evaluated by micronucleus test in order to identify a gradient of potential exposure and to assess environmental monitoring. However, cross investigations involving biomarkers of genotoxicity and electron microscopy PM-induced tracheal and lung damages in natural populations are not common.
Helicobacter pylori Association with Amoeba: A Natural Reservoir of the Bacteria?
Authors: de Matos A. P. Alves , Vale F. F. , Vitor J. M. B.
Published: September 2012

Helicobacter pylori is a human pathogen involved in gastritis and gastric cancer whose mode of transmission remains unknown. Association of H. pylori with humans is thought to date from remote antiquity and the bacterium has apparently evolved together with the human host. A few studies have shown the presence of H. pylori in aquatic environments, which might provide a route of transmission of the bacteria to humans. A recent study has also disclosed the association of the bacteria with Acantamoeba castellanii. Amoeba are known to harbor and promote the persistence of several human pathogens in the environment, representing a significant source of contamination in community and hospital acquired infections.