bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anticholinesterase and antioxidative properties of water-extractable phytochemicals from some citrus peels
Authors: Ademosun Ayokunle Olubode , Oboh Ganiyu 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background: Aqueous extracts from citrus peels are used in many rural communities in Nigeria in treating various degenerative conditions, although the scientific basis for its use has not been well established. This study sought to investigate the anticholinesterase and antioxidant properties of aqueous extracts from some citrus peels [orange (Citrus sinensis), grapefruit (Citrus paradisii), and shaddock (Citrus maxima)].

Methods: The effects of the extracts on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, as well as Fe2+-induced malondialdehyde (MDA) production in vitro, were investigated. The total phenolic, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activities as typified by 1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging ability and hydroxyl (OH) radicals scavenging abilities were also investigated.

Results: The results revealed that orange peels had the highest total phenol content followed by grapefruit peels, whereas shaddock peels had the least. The extracts inhibited AChE activity in a dose-dependent manner, although there is no significant difference (p>0.05) in their inhibitory abilities of the peels. The extracts exhibited antioxidant activities as typified by their radical (DPPH· and OH·) scavenging abilities as well as the inhibition of Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation in rat’s brain in vitro.

Conclusions: The anticholinesterase activity and inhibition of MDA production by the aqueous extracts of the peels, as well as other antioxidant activities, could make the peels a good dietary means for the management of oxidative-mediated neurodegenerative disorders.
Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated 2 (HCN2) polymorphism is associated with chronic inflammatory periodontitis. A cross-sectional study
Authors: Ebadian Ahmad Reza , Kadkhodazadeh Mahdi , Soltanian Negar , Amid Reza 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background: Chronic periodontitis (CP) and peri-implantitis (PI) are inflammatory diseases that affect supporting tissues of teeth or implants. The involvement of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated 2 (HCN2) in neuronal excitability, hyperalgesia, allodynia, spontaneous pain, synaptic plasticity, and rebound activity was previously determined. Recently, scientists found that HCN2 plays an important role in chronic inflammatory pain. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between gene polymorphisms of HCN2 and CP/PI.

Methods: A total of 74 patients with CP, 37 patients with PI, and 80 healthy controls presenting to the Periodontology Department of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were enrolled. DNA was extracted from fresh blood samples of the arm vein of participants and transferred to KBioscience Institute (UK) for genotyping. χ2-test was performed with SPSS software v.19 for statistical analyses. A p value <0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Both rs55687900 and rs148730222 had significant differences in genotype frequencies between CP and healthy groups (p=0.005 and 0.006, respectively). The allele frequencies also revealed significant frequencies (p=0.004 and 0.006, respectively). The comparison of genotype and allele frequencies between PI and healthy groups had no significant difference.

Conclusions: HCN2 polymorphism may play a role in CP but not in PI. Despite this approval, more studies with larger sample sizes in different populations are necessary.
Prevalence of cardiovascular disease and cancer during cross-sex hormone therapy in a large cohort of trans persons: a case–control study
Authors: Wierckx K , Elaut E , Declercq E , Heylens G , De Cuypere G , Taes Y , Kaufman J M , T'Sjoen G 
Published: August 2013

ObjectiveThis study evaluated the short- and long-term cardiovascular- and cancer-related morbidities during cross-sex hormone therapy in a large sample of trans persons.Subjects and methodsA specialist center cross-sectional study compared 214 trans women (male-to-female transsexual persons) and 138 trans men (female-to-male trans persons) with an age- and gender-matched control population (1–3 matching). The participants were on cross-sex hormone therapy for an average of 7.4 years. We assessed physical health and possible treatment-related adverse events using questionnaires.ResultsFive percent of trans women experienced venous thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism during hormone therapy. Five of these adverse events occurred during the first year of treatment, while another three occurred during sex reassignment surgery. Trans women experienced more myocardial infarctions than the control women (P=0.001), but a similar proportion compared with control men. The prevalence of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) was higher in trans women than in the control men (P=0.03). The rates of myocardial infarction and CVD in trans men were similar to the control male and female subjects. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes was higher in both trans men and women than in their respective controls, whereas the rates of cancer were similar compared with the control men and women.ConclusionMorbidity rate during cross-sex hormone therapy was relatively low, especially in trans men. We observed a higher prevalence of venous thrombosis, myocardial infarction, CVD, and type 2 diabetes in trans women than in the control population. Morbidity rates in trans men and controls were similar, with the exception of the increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes.
Remission and Persistence of Asthma Followed From 7 to 19 Years of Age
Authors: Andersson Martin , Hedman Linnea , Bjerg Anders , Forsberg Bertil , Lundbäck Bo , Rönmark Eva 
Published: July 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
To date, a limited number of population-based studies have prospectively evaluated the remission of childhood asthma. This work was intended to study the remission and persistence of childhood asthma and related factors.

METHODS:
In 1996, a questionnaire was distributed to the parents of all children aged 7 to 8 years in 3 municipalities in northern Sweden, and 3430 (97%) participated. After a validation study, 248 children were identified as having asthma; these children were reassessed annually until age 19 years when 205 (83%) remained. During the follow-up period lung function, bronchial challenge testing, and skin prick tests were performed. Remission was defined as no use of asthma medication and no wheeze during the past 12 months as reported at endpoint and in the 2 annual surveys preceding endpoint (ie, for ≥3 years).

RESULTS:
At age 19 years, 21% were in remission, 38% had periodic asthma, and 41% persistent asthma. Remission was more common among boys. Sensitization to furred animals and a more severe asthma (asthma score ≥2) at age 7 to 8 years were both inversely associated with remission, odds ratio 0.14 (95% confidence interval 0.04–0.55) and 0.19 (0.07–0.54), respectively. Among children with these 2 characteristics, 82% had persistent asthma during adolescence. Asthma heredity, damp housing, rural living, and smoking were not associated with remission.

CONCLUSIONS:
The probability of remission of childhood asthma from age 7- to 8-years to age 19 years was largely determined by sensitization status, particularly sensitization to animals, asthma severity, and female gender, factors all inversely related to remission.
Pressure Testing of Segmented Horizontal Wells in Anisotropic Composite Reservoirs
Authors: Obinna Ezulike D. , Alpheus Igbokoyi O. 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Advances in technology have provided better ways to handle production problems like premature gas or (and) water breakthrough in the field. Selectively shutting-in wells to bypass flow from these thief zones has been made possible using selective completion and inflow control devices (ICD). These practices make the horizontal well behave as if it were segmented. Although pressure transient studies on segmented horizontal wells exist, they do not incorporate the flexibility of shutting well segments at any time as experienced in the field.
This work proposes a robust three dimensional analysis of arbitrarily oriented horizontal well segments in anisotropic reservoir; these segments can be shut-in at any time independent of other segments. After solving the flow equations, a point source solution is obtained which is then converted to a line source solution for horizontal wells in clastic reservoirs by integrating over the producing length of the well segments. An arbitrary orientation for the horizontal well is adopted to obtain a general solution in an anisotropic system. From the line source solution, type-curves are generated. This study analyses the effect of selective well completion, number of well segments present, segment length ratios, permeability anisotropy and reservoir dimension on the resulting pressure derivative signature.
This work attempts assymptotic flow regime analysis for reservoir parameter estimation and the proposed model matches examples from commercial simulator. The result of this work is attractive when analyzing pressure data from intelligent horizontal wells that can be selectively shut-in and selectively put on production.
Metabolic Syndrome: Differences between Psychiatric and Internal Medicine Patients
Authors: Margari Francesco , Zagaria Giuseppina , Lozupone Madia , Minerva Francesco , Pisani Rossella , Palasciano Giuseppe , Pastore Adriana , Palmieri Vincenzo , Todarello Orlando 
Published: July 2013

Objectives: The existence of specific features of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in psychiatric population in comparison to not psychiatric patients has not been systematically investigated. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the differences of MetS among a group of psychiatric patients and a group of internal medicine patients in terms of anthropometric measurements, biochemical variables, and cardiovascular risk. Methods: We enrolled 83 psychiatric inpatients under pharmacological treatment (schizophrenia n = 24, bipolar disorder n = 27, major depression n = 14, other n = 18) and 77 internal medicine patients visited for supposed MetS as affected by overweight or arterial hypertension. Results: Psychiatric patients differed from control subjects by age (yrs) (47 ± 9 vs. 52 ± 8.6, p = 0.001), waist circumference (cm) (111.9 ± 10.9 vs. 106 ± 12.6, p= 0.02), HDL cholesterol (mg/dl) (36.8 ± 7 vs. 48 ± 11.3, p = 0.001), serum insulin (µU/ml) (26 ± 12.5 vs. 16.4 ± 8.8, p = 0.001), triglyceride/HDL cholesterol ratio (4.8 ± 2.7 vs. 3.3 ± 2.2, p = 0.01). Female psychiatric patients had higher levels of triglycerides (mg) (178 + 86 vs. 115 + 53, p = 0.002) and of HOMA index (7.8 + 5 vs. 3.8 + 3.3, p = 0.005). Triglycerides and triglycerides/HDL ratio levels were higher in Unipolar Depression. A positive association was found between antidepressant drug treatment with triglycerides and triglycerides/HDL ratio levels, neuroleptic treatment with the HOMA index, and antipsychotics drugs with the Framingham index. Limitations: Psychiatric study population numerosity and duration of psychiatric illness and drug treatment. Conclusions: Specific features of MetS in psychiatric population are mainly represented by young age of onset, hyperinsulinemia, increased abdominal adiposity, and low HDL cholesterol whose common denominator may be insulin-resistance.
Effects of Hospitalization in a Psychiatric Ward on the Body Weight of Japanese Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Suzuki Yutaro , Mikami Takeaki , Tajiri Misuzu , Kunizuka Takuro , Abe Hiroko , Someya Toshiyuki 
Published: July 2013

Objective: In Japan, the prevalence of overweight/obesity in the general population is considerably lower and the mean duration of hospitalization of patients with schizophrenia is much longer than those in Europe and North America. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these differences in ethnics or healthcare systems influence the nutritional status of patients with schizophrenia. Methods: Body mass index (BMI) and blood biochemistry tests were determined at hospitalization and at discharge for 171 Japanese patients who were hospitalized for the treatment of acute phase schizophrenia. Results: For 56 patients who were overweight/obese at hospitalization, BMI ( p < 0.001), fasting plasma glucose ( p = 0.039), and low-density lipoprotein ( p = 0.027) were significantly lower at discharge than at hospitalization. BMI at hospitalization, duration of hospitalization, and age were associated with a decrease in BMI during hospitalization. Among the 115 patients who were not overweight/obese at hospitalization, there were no changes in BMI and blood biochemistry tests between hospitalization and discharge. Conclusions: Compared with inpatients, outpatients with schizophrenia may be more likely to be overweight/obese in Japan.
The Impact of Coercion on Treatment Outcome: One-Year Follow-up Survey
Authors: Seo Mi Kyung , Kim Seung Hyun , Rhee MinKyu 
Published: July 2013

Objective: This study examined whether coercive measures or perceived coercion experienced by mentally disabled patients in the hospitalization process could be justified under paternalism. To find out whether coercion can be justified by paternalism, a year of follow-up research was conducted to examine the impact of coercive measures and perceived coercion experienced during hospitalization on the patients' therapeutic benefit. Methods: A 6-month period and a 1-year period of follow-up research was conducted with 266 patients to assess whether the coercion they experienced during hospitalization (coercive measures and perceived coercion) had an effect on changing the patients' mental symptoms and insight. Results: The results showed a decrease in both mental symptoms and insight over time. However, it was found that neither coercive measures nor perceived coercion had a significant effect on the change of mental symptoms and that, thus, coercion had little contribution to the declining of symptoms. Coercive measures had no effect on the change of insight but perceived coercion was shown to have a positive effect on a change in insight. Patient insight was shown to improve with increased perceived coercion. Conclusions: Paternalism provides a partial explanation to serve as a basis for justifying perceived coercion. Limitations and suggestions for further study are discussed.
Egg Morphometry and Eggshell Quality in Ring-Necked Pheasants Kept in Cages / Budowa jaja i jakość skorupy u bażantów obrożnych utrzymywanych w klatkach
Authors: Nowaczewski Sebastian , Szablewski Tomasz , Cegielska-Radziejewska Renata , Kontecka Helena 
Published: August 2013

Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate the morphometry and shell quality of eggs laid by pheasants kept in cages, and also to analyse the dependence between egg shell colour parameters, its quality and morphometric characteristics. Four groups of 15 eggs (60 eggs), each classified according to their eggshell colours, i.e. blue, light brown, dark brown and olive, were examined. The eggs did not differ significantly between each other in their mean weight and olive-coloured eggs had a higher shape index (about 8.91 percentage points) than blue eggs. Blue and light brown coloured eggs had thinner shells than the dark brown eggs (by 33.57 and 27.97 μm, respectively). Blue eggs had the lightest shells (L* = 67.97) and the highest proportion of green colour in their shells since the a* parameter value for blue eggs was negative. A significant positive correlation was observed between the egg shape and the shell colour saturation (C*) and the proportion of yellow colour (b*) in it. In addition, a negative correlation was found between lightness in eggshell colour, its thickness and the egg shape (r = from -0.338* to -0.480**). In comparison with the data obtained from the literature concerning the quality of eggs laid by pheasants kept in aviaries and eggs laid by birds kept in cages, the eggs were described as having similar weights and morphometries along with greater shell thicknesses. Furthermore, our study confirmed that pheasant eggs with blue and light brown colour have poorer shell quality, a fact which has been shown already in earlier research. However, this fact is related to the lightness of the shell pigment rather than its colour.
Evaluation of pollen fertility in pepino (Solanum muricatum Ait.)
Authors: Kowalczyk Katarzyna , Kobryń Jolanta , Zieliński Wojciech 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
The influence of the cultivation time (spring-summer and autumn) and the kind of cultivation (on rockwool and peat) on the fertility of pollen coming from three successive trusses were studied for six different pepino clones. The fertility was defined in vitro as the capacity of pollen for germinating. The average capacity of pollen germination ranged in the studied clones from 10 to 15%. These clones displayed the highest pollen fertility in an autumn cultivation, comparing to a spring-summer one. Higher rate of pollen fertility was observed during a springsummer cultivation on first trusses in most of the clones studied. The pollen of all plants grown on rockwool was more fertile, comparing to the cultivation on peat substrate. High differences in pollen fertility of the clones were obtained
Plant age effect on asparagus yielding in terms of carbohydrate balance
Authors: Krzesiński Włodzimierz , Gąsecka Monika , Stachowiak Jerzy , Knaflewski Mikołaj 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
In order to examine the effect of plant age on asparagus yielding, the number and weight of spears were analyzed. The experiment was carried out on 1-, 4- and 7-year-old plants in the aeroponic system with recirculation. The results showed that the spear number and thus also the yield were not plant age dependent, while spear diameter and their weight were. Taking into account both crown weight and the age of plants, a 26% variation in spear diameter and a 27% variation in mean spear weight were explained. Determination of dry weight and carbohydrate contents in storage roots showed these traits to be independent of asparagus plant age, except for total carbohydrate content per plant. During harvest dry weight, % Brix, sucrose, fructan and total carbohydrates contents losses were also recorded.
Macroelement concentration in leaves of chrysanthemums from the Time group grown in spring and summer-autumn seasons
Authors: Breś Włodzimierz , Sztuka Artur 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Three cultivars of chrysanthemums from the Time group were grown in the spring and summer-autumn seasons in 2003 - 2004. Three nutrient solutions with different nitrogen and potassium contents were applied. Samples of healthy, fully developed leaves were taken for chemical analyses when inflorescence buds appeared, and in the phase of full blooming. The concentration of total N, P, K, Ca and Mg in plant tissue was determined. The nutritional status of plants was very similar in spite of the fact that the plants were grown in different light conditions and different nutrient solutions were used. The paper also contains a proposal of more precise guide values for nitrogen (N 4.35-5.53% d.m.) and for potassium (K 6.36-7.97% d.m.).
Seasonal changes in the nutritional status and yielding of Anthurium cultorum Birdsey. Part II. Microelements
Authors: Kleiber Tomasz , Komosa Andrzej , Krzyszkowska Jolanta , Moliński Krzysztof 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
The experiment was carried out in the years 2002-2004. Its aim was the determination of the tendencies in the microelement nutritional status of the standard cultivars of Anthurium cultorum Birdsey (‘Baron’, ‘Choco’, ‘Midori’, ‘Pistache’, ‘President’, ‘Tropical’ from Anthura B.V.) in the autumn-winter and spring-summer vegetation periods. The plants were cultivated in expanded clay using a drop fertigation system with standard nutrition. A significant influence of the vegetation periods and the light conditions associated with them was found to be exerted on the microelement plant nutrition. In the autumn-winter period, characterized by light deficit, the plant age significantly modified the nutrition (increase or decrease of content with a plant’s aging) with regard to zinc (-23.7%), copper (-25.8%) and boron (+25%), while in the spring-summer period, iron (+12.9%) and copper (-21.7%) nutrition was modified. During the three years of the study, the autumnwinter period showed a significant increase of iron content (+9.8%) with a simultaneous decrease of copper content (-6.5%), in comparison with the springsummer period. The awareness of the cyclical nature of the changes in the nutritional status of plants, depending on the given vegetation season, supplies a valuable instrument in the interpretation of plant analyses for diagnostic purposes.
The evaluation of Pythium oligandrum and chitosan in control of Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary on potato plants
Authors: Kurzawińska Halina , Mazur Stanisław 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
The studies were carried out both in in vitro and in vivo conditions. The field experiment was conducted during the years 2005-2007 at the Experimental Station in Mydlniki, owned by the Department of Plant Protection at the University of Agriculture in Krakow. The aim of these studies was to determine the effect of tuber dressing and plant spraying with Polyversum (B.A.S. Pythium oligandrum) and Biochikol 020 PC (B.A.S. chitosan) bio-preparations on the top leaves and tubers of ‘Ibis’ potatoes infested by Phytophthora infestans. The chemical preparation Vitavax 2000 FS (B.A.S. karboxin and thiuram) was used. The in vitro evaluation of Polyversum and Biochikol 020 PC bio-preparations on the P. infestans mycelium linear growth was investigated. The above-mentioned preparations were applied at three different concentrations. The experiment was carried out using the Kowalik and Krechniak method (1961). Based on the results it was found that the preparations under examination significantly inhibited top leaf and tuber infestation by Phytophthora infestans. Moreover, according to the results obtained from in vitro tests, a significant effect from the Vitavax 2000 FS and Polyversum preparations and from the highest concentration (2%) of Biochikol 020 PC preparation on the percentage inhibition of P. infestans mycelium linear growth was observed (in comparison to the control).
The effects of different methods of cultivation and plant spacing on the chemical composition of broccoli heads
Authors: Grabowska Aneta , Kunicki Edward , Libik Andrzej 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
The aim of the present experiment was to assess the influence of the method of cultivation and spacing on the market and nutritive quality of ‘Lord F1’ broccoli heads. The experiment was conducted at the University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland, in 2002-2004. The method of broccoli cultivation (direct sowing or transplanting, and spacing: 20, 30, 40 and 50 cm × 67.5 cm) had no clear influence on the dry matter content in the heads. The mean dry matter content in broccoli heads was 9.5%, and reducing sugar was 1.12% of fresh matter. In 2002 and 2004, transplanting resulted in an increase of soluble sugar content as compared to direct sowing. The element content in broccoli was dependent mainly on the vegetation season, but in many cases directly sown plants had more phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. With the increase of spacing in rows the content of some elements (P, K, Ca, Mg) in broccoli heads rose in the first year of the experiment. The mean content of elements found in broccoli heads was as follows (in mg kg-1 of dry matter): phosphorus 6001, potassium 23447, calcium 3696, magnesium 1583, and iron 66.7.