bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Studies on biomarkers for oxidative stress in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Singh Raj K. , Tripathi Anil K. , Tripathi Payal , Singh Sushma , Singh Ranjana , Ahmad Rizwan 
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND:
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disorder with a unique genetic rear-rangement, the philadelphia chromosome. High reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels favor oxidative stress, which could play a vital role in normal processes and various pathophysiologies including neoplasm. Biomarkers of oxidative stress are measured as products of oxidized proteins and lipids. plasma levels of protein carbonyl (PC), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and total lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) were used as biomarkers of oxidative stress in the past. The aim of this study was to evaluate the products of protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation in plasma as biomarkers of oxidative stress in CML patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
The study included 40 CML patients and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. of 40 CML patients, 28 were in chronic phase (CML-CP) and 12 in accelerated phase (CML-AP). plasma levels of PC, TBARS and LOOH as biomarkers of oxidative stress were evaluated by spectrophotometric methods.

RESULTS:
There were significant differences (p<.05) in plasma levels of PC, TBARS and LOOH in CML, CML-CP and CML-AP patients as compared to controls.

CONCLUSION:
PC, TBARS and LOOH might reflect oxidative stress in CML patients and might be used as biomarkers in such patients.
Polymorphic (CAG)n repeats in the androgen receptor gene
Authors: Shaik Noor Ahmad , Govindan Sujatha , Kodati Vijayalakshmi , Rao Kaipa Prabhakar , Hasan Qurratulain 
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND:
Endometriosis and uterine leiomyomas are leading hormone responsive, benign uterine disorders responsible for high morbidity in women of reproductive age group. A polymorphic (CAG)n repeat length located in exon 1 of the androgen receptor (AR) gene has been proposed as a risk marker for both endometriosis and leiomyomas in some ethnic groups. The present study was carried out to assess the frequency of AR (CAG)n repeat polymorphism as a risk marker for endometriosis and uterine leiomyomas in Asian Indian women.

METHODS:
DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples of 331 subjects, which include 90 endometriosis cases, 140 cases of leiomyomas and 101 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. PCR was carried out to amplify exon 1 of the AR gene. All the PCR amplicons were analysed initially on 2% agarose gel electrophoresis, followed by bidirectional sequencing to calculate the number CAG repeats in individuals.

RESULTS:
The CAG repeat ranges detected in endometriosis cases were 4-33 (Mode-19) and in leiomyomas cases 5-34 (Mode-20), whereas in controls it was 5-34 (Mode-22). A distinct variation was observed in the three groups at 14, 18, 19, 20 and 22 (CAG)n repeats, which were statistically analyzed using chi-square and odds ratio tests. 19 CAG repeats were found to be higher in endometriosis cases (19.09%) when compared with controls (9.04%), while 20 CAG repeats were higher in leiomyomas cases (14.02%) compared to controls (6.14%). A statistically significant (p<0.05) association was observed in 19 and 20 CAG repeats in endometriosis and leiomyomas, respectively.

CONCLUSION:
This is the first report from an Asian Indian population proposing that 19 and 20 CAG repeats of the AR gene are associated with endometriosis and leiomyoma and can be regarded as high-risk markers.
Effect of genetic alterations of cytarabinemetabolizing enzymes in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Banklaui Chumphorn , Jindadamrongwech Sumalee , Sawangpanich Ruchchadol , Apibal Suntaree , Hongeng Suradej , Paisooksantivatana Karan , Pakakasama Samart 
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND:
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) and cytidine deaminnase (CDA) are known to alter their enzymatic activities, which affect the metabolism of cytarabine. Currently, treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) includes cytarabine, especially in high-risk patients. Therefore, we hypothesized that a genetic variation of dCK and CDA genes may influence the risk of cytarabinerelated toxicities and early response to treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
We included children diagnosed with ALL and lymphoblastic lymphoma (LL) stage III and IV. The patients received a modified St Jude Total Therapy Study XV protocol. Cytarabine was used during induction remission (low-dose cytarabine) and reinduction II (high-dose cytarabine) phases. Genotyping of dCK-360C>G and -201C>T and CDA 79A> C and 208G>A was performed. Minimal residual disease (MRD) at the end of the induction phase was measured using flow cytometry.

RESULTS:
Ninety-four children with ALL (n=90) and LL (n=4) were analyzed. The median age at diagnosis was 5.8 years (range, 0.4-15 years). All four SNPs showed predominant wild type alleles. There was no CDA-208A allele in our population. Children with dCK-360G allele were at risk of mucositis after receiving low-dose cytarrabine (OR =3.7; 95%CI, 1.2--11.3). Neither dCK nor CDA polymorphisms affected the MRD status at the end of induction phase.

CONCLUSION:
The dCK-360G allele was found to increase the risk of mucositis after exposure to low-dose cytarabine in childhood ALL therapy.
Feasibility study of docetaxel, oxaliplatin and capecitabine combination regimen in advanced gastric or gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Goel Gaurav , Jauhri Mayank , Negi Anita , Aggarwal Shyam 
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND
At present, there is no standard regimen for the treatment of gastroesophageal cancer. Docetaxel, cisplatin and fluorouracil (DCF) has been shown to be an effective regimen; however, toxicity is an area of concern in the palliative case setting. Capecitabine and oxaliplatin have been shown to be as effective as fluorouracil and cisplatin, respectively. To reduce the toxicity of DCF while maintaining efficacy, we conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy of docetaxel, oxaliplatin and capecitabine (DOX) combination in advanced gastroesophageal cancer.

METHODS
Patients with histologically confirmed metastatic or locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction received docetaxel 25 mg/m2 and oxaliplatin 50 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 with capecitabine 625 mg/m2 twice daily from day 1-14, in 21-day cycles. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR).

RESULTS
Of 21 patients, there were 1 6 males and 5 females with a median age of 57 years, range 37-80 years. The primary tumor was located at the gastroesophageal junction in 7 patients and in other parts of the stomach in the remaining 14 patients. One patient had locally advanced tumor without distant metastases and 20 patients presented with metastatic disease. Grade 3/4 toxicities included diarrhea (24%), hand-foot syndrome (5%) and febrile neutropenia (5%). The ORR was 29%. The median survival was 8.4 months. At the time of analysis, 5 of the 21 patients (24%) were alive.

CONCLUSIONS
The DOX combination is tolerable, active and a promising day-care regimen for advanced gastroesophageal cancer.
Protein C levels in β-thalassemia major patients in the east Nile delta of Egypt
Authors: Hassan Tamer H. , Elbehedy Rabab M. , Youssef Doaa M. , Amr Ghada E. 
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Thalassemic patients have an increased risk for thromboembolic complications. To determine if this might be due to a deficiency in protein C we investigated the status of the protein C anticoagulant pathway in thalassemia major patients and its relationship to the hypercoagulable state.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Fifty patients with β-thalassemia major (30 non-splenectomized and 20 splenectomized) and 20 healthy children as a control group were tested for levels of serum ferritin, liver enzymes, serum albumin, fibrinogen, protein C and protein S, thrombin antithrombin complex (TAT) and D-dimer.

RESULTS
Thalassemic patients had lower levels of protein C and S and higher levels of D-dimer and TAT than the control group. These findings were more obvious in splenectomized patients and in those with infrequent blood transfusion.

CONCLUSIONS
Protein C plays a major role in the hypercoagulable state in thalassemic patients. These findings raise the issue as to whether it would be cost-beneficial to recommend prophylactic antithrombotic therapy in high-risk thalassemic patients. A wider prospective study is necessary to delineate under which circumstances therapy might be needed, and at what level of protein C deficiency to start prophylactic antithrombotic therapy.
The impact of recently published negative erythropoiesis-stimulating agent studies on the clinical management of cancer-related anemia at a single center
Authors: Abdel-Razeq Hikmat , Hijjawi Shadi , Abdulelah Hazem , Amarin Rula , Asawaeer Majid , Shaheen Haitham 
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Anemia in cancer patients is common, but often under-recognized and under-treated. Erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) are widely used to prevent and treat cancer and chemotherapy-related anemia, but recent studies suggest a negative impact on disease progression and survival associated with their use. this retrospective study describes the prevalence of anemia in cancer patients and recent trends in its management given the negative studies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
All consecutive adult cancer patients (n = 959) admitted to regular medical units over one year were reviewed. Patients with a hemoglobin (Hb) value < 12 g/dL on admission were considered anemic. Information on the primary tumor, main reasons for admission and treatment given were collected.

RESULTS
At the time of enrollment, anemia was detected in 755 (78.7%) patients. The mean hb value for anemic patients was 9.5 g/dL prevalence and severity of anemia varied according to tumor type and reason for admission. the majority (68.6%) of the anemic patients were not offered treatment. The mean Hb value at which treatment was started was 8.0 g/dL Anemia treatment was related to its severity; treatment rates were 94.4%, 32.9%, and 5.0% in patients with severe, moderate and mild anemia, respectively (P < .0001). blood transfusion was used the most while ESAS were rarely used. length of hospital stay was affected by the presence of anemia (7.2 days in anemic patients vs. 4.85 days in nonanemic patients) (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS
Blood transfusion was used the most for cancer-related anemia, while ESAs were rarely used. The majority of patients with moderate anemia were not treated, including patients on active chemotherapy. better guidelines addressing anemia management in this subgroup of patients are highly needed.
A phase II study of gemcitabine combined with vinorelbine as first-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Shehata Samir , Saad Ebtesam , Goda Yasser , El-Mesidi Salah , Koheil Hanaa , Elzawhri Heba , Kandeel Alaa , Abdelhamid Thoraya , Zaki Mounir , Meshref Mohamed 
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
There is an unmet need for new combination treatments, especially for agggressive, visceral, and high tumor burden metastatic breast cancer. Gemcitabine (GEM) has shown synergy with vinorelbine (VRL) in preclinical models, and has a toxicity profile that is different from VRL, another recently approved cytotoxic drug that seems to be effective in the treatment of breast cancer.

METHODS:
We studied the efficacy and side effects of the GEM-VRL combination as first-line chemotherapy in patients in an open-label, single arm, phase II study in patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who had been previously treated with an anthracycline-based regimen in the adjuvant/neoadjuvant setting.

RESULTS:
Of the 74 patients enrolled, 72 patients were evaluable for the primary treatment outcome (tumor response rates). Four patients (6%) had a complete response and 26 patients (36%) had a partial response. Nineteen patients (26%) had stable disease. The median time to disease progression was 37 weeks (range, 1-60 weeks). Median duration of response was 43 weeks (range, 8.6 to 55 weeks) and one-year survival was 77% (95% confidence interval, 64% to 86%). Grade 3-4 neutropenia without fever was reported in 10% of patients, thrombocytopenia in 1%, and febrile neutropenia in 11%. The most common clinical grade 3-4 toxicities were nausea (24%) and diarrhea and stomatitis (11% each). Hospitalizations for adverse events mainly due to anemia, febrile neutropenia, septic shock and hepatic failure occured in 7%.

CONCLUSION:
With an overall response rate of 42%, the GEM-VRL combination had promising efficacy and good tolerability in metastatic breast cancer patients.
The Role of the Holy Will
Authors: Callanan John J. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractIt is well known that Kant uses the notion of the holy will in theGroundworkso as to contrast it with the finite wills of human beings. It is less clear, however, what function this contrast is supposed to perform. I argue that one role of the holy will is to illustrate transcendental idealism’s account of the relation between moral knowledge and moral practice. The position is one intended to negotiate between ostensibly competing traditions. Kant uses the holy will as a way of endorsing the metaphysical picture of the scholastic tradition’s so-called ‘ethics of freedom’, whereby the ideal of moral perfection is conceived as the perfection of one’s power of freedom to the point where one is constitutively incapable of immoral action. This position is married however with the claim that the holy will’s inaccessibility to human cognition motivates a subject-oriented moral epistemology more usually associated with Enlightenment humanism. I conclude by claiming that the nuanced role for the holy will can be understood as part of Kant’s expansion of the value of religious faith [Glaube] to the domain of practical inquiry in general.
Entrainment in two coalescing axisymmetric turbulent plumes
Authors: Cenedese C. , Linden P. F. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractA model of the total volume flux and entrainment occurring in two coalescing axisymmetric turbulent plumes is developed and compared with laboratory experiments. The dynamical evolution of the two plumes is divided into three regions. In region 1, where the plumes are separate, the entrainment in each plume is unaffected by the other plume, although the two plumes are drawn together due to the entrainment of ambient fluid between them. In region 2 the two plumes touch each other but are not yet merged. In this region the total entrainment is a function of both the dynamics of the touching plumes and the reduced surface area through which entrainment occurs. In region 3 the two plumes are merged and the entrainment is equivalent to that in a single plume. We find that the total volume flux after the two plumes touch and before they merge increases linearly with distance from the sources, and can be expressed as a function of the known total volume fluxes at the touching and merging heights. Finally, we define an ‘effective’ entrainment constant, $\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}\alpha _{eff}$, as the value of $\alpha $ needed to obtain the same total volume flux in two independent plumes as that occurring in two coalescing plumes. The definition of $\alpha _{eff}$ allows us to find a single expression for the development of the total volume flux in the three different dynamical regions. This single expression will simplify the representation of coalescing plumes in more complex models, such as in large-scale geophysical convection, in which plume dynamics are not resolved. Experiments show that the model provides an accurate measure of the total volume flux in the two coalescing plumes as they evolve through the three regions.
Nutritional quality of salmon products available from major retailers in the UK: content and composition ofn-3 long-chain PUFA
Authors: Henriques João , Dick James R. , Tocher Douglas R. , Bell J. Gordon 
Published: July 2014

In the present study, salmon products available from UK retailers were analysed to determine the levels ofn-3 long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA), a key determinant of nutritional quality. There was a wide variation in the proportions and absolute contents of EPA and DHA in the products. Relatively high contents of 18 : 1n-9, 18 : 2n-6 and 18 : 3n-3, characteristic of vegetable oils (VO), were found in several farmed salmon products, which also had generally lower proportions of EPA and DHA. In contrast, farmed salmon products with higher levels of 16 : 0 and 22 : 1, characteristic of fish oil (FO), had higher proportions of EPA and DHA. Therefore, there was a clear correlation between the levels of VO and FO in feeds and the proportions ofn-3 LC-PUFA in products. Although wild salmon products were characterised by higher proportions ofn-3 LC-PUFA (20–40 %) compared with farmed fish (9–26 %), they contained lower total lipid contents (1–6 % compared with 7–17 % in farmed salmon products). As a result, farmed salmon products invariably had higher levels ofn-3 LC-PUFA in absolute terms (g/100 g fillet) and, therefore, delivered a higher ‘dose’ of EPA and DHA per portion. Overall, despite the finite and limiting supply of FO and increasing use of VO, farmed salmon continue to be an excellent source of and delivery system forn-3 LC-PUFA to consumers.
TILLAGE AND RESIDUE MULCHING EFFECT ON PRODUCTIVITY OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS)–TORIA (BRASSICA CAMPESTRIS) CROPPING SYSTEM IN FRAGILE ECOSYSTEM OF NORTHEAST INDIAN HIMALAYAS
Authors: DAS ANUP , GHOSH P. K. , VERMA M. R. , MUNDA G. C. , NGACHAN S. V. , MANDAL D. 
Published: July 2014

SUMMARYThe north eastern region (NER) of India receives a high amount of rainfall (2450 mm) both in terms of intensity and frequency. Most of the precipitation goes waste because of improper conservation measures and inadequate rainwater harvesting. Growing a second crop during winter (rabi) season on hill slopes and uplands without moisture conservation measure is almost impossible. A simple and very low-cost technique ofin situsoil moisture conservation in maize (Zea maysL.)–toria (Brassica campestrisL.) system has been developed using residue of preceding rainy season maize crop and mulching with locally available weed biomassAmbrosia artemisiifolia. Six residue mulching combinations tested were viz. control, Maize stalk cover (MSC), MSC +Ambrosiasp. 5 t/ha, MSC +Ambrosiasp. 10 t/ha, MSC + farmyard manure (FYM) 10 t/ha and MSC +Ambrosiasp. 5 t/ha + poultry manure 5 t/ha under zero tillage (ZT) and conventional tillage (CT) systems. Results showed thatin situresidue retention of preceding maize crop along with green biomass ofAmbrosiasp., applied before sowing of toria, maintained optimum soil moisture for good growth and higher yield of toria. The soil moisture content was consistently higher under residue mulched plots than that under control. All the residue mulching measures recorded higher crop yield for maize and toria than those observed under residue removal (control). The productivity of toria was enhanced by about 99%, only due to retention of MSC as mulch. Mulching with MSC +Ambrosiasp. 5 t/ha + poultry manure 5 t/ha recorded the highest seed yield of toria (four-year average: 641 kg/ha), which was 228% and 64% higher than no mulching (control) and MSC alone. MSC + FYM 10 t/ha (568.3 t/ha) and MSC +Ambrosiasp. 10 t/ha (517.4 t/ha) were found equally effective and produced significantly higher toria yield than that of control. MSC +Ambrosiamulch 10 t/ha gave the highest net returns and B:C ratio of the maize–toria system. The overall B:C ratios were better under ZT than CT. Thus, the study indicated that the integrated management of crop residues and weed biomass (Ambrosiasp.) under ZT created favourable soil moisture to support double cropping with high yield in hill eco-system of northeastern Indian Himalayas.
Immunisations and antibiotics in patients with anterior skull base cerebrospinal fluid leaks
Authors: Rimmer J , Belk C , Lund V J , Swift A , White P 
Published: July 2014

AbstractObjective:There are no UK guidelines for the use of antibiotics and/or immunisations in patients with an active anterior skull base cerebrospinal fluid leak. This study aimed to define current UK practice in this area and inform appropriate guidelines for ENT surgeons.Method:A web-based survey of all members of the British Rhinological Society was carried out and the literature in this area was reviewed.Results:Of those who responded to the survey, 14 per cent routinely give prophylactic antibiotics to patients with cerebrospinal fluid leaks, and 34.9 per cent recommend immunisation against at least one organism, most commonly Streptococcus pneumoniae (86.7 per cent).Conclusion:There is no evidence to support the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in patients with a cerebrospinal fluid leak. We propose that all such patients are advised to seek immunisation against pneumococcus, meningococcus and haemophilus.
Reproduction of the pelagic thresher shark Alopias pelagicus in the equatorial Pacific
Authors: Romero-Caicedo A.F. , Galván-Magaña F. , Martínez-Ortiz J. 
Published: July 2014

The reproductive biology of the pelagic thresher shark Alopias pelagicus, was analysed based on 241 individuals (101 males and 140 females). Samples were collected from April 2005 to February 2006, from the artisanal fishery in Manta, Ecuador. Males ranged from 68 to 183 cm precaudal length (PL); females ranged from 70 to 180 cm PL. In embryos, sexual proportion was 1F:1M; while in adults the proportion was 1.4F:1M, which suggests sexual segregation in maturing individuals. We showed differences in the development of reproductive structures according to the reproductive condition, and in males the size at maturity occurs at 144.3 cm PL and in females at 151.4 cm PL. We recorded 33 pregnant females that presented one embryo in each uterus in different developmental stages. The results of this study provide information on reproduction of the species that will help to establish an appropriate fisheries management.
Cumulative contextual risk, maternal responsivity, and social cognition at 18 months
Authors: Wade Mark , Moore Chris , Astington Janet Wilde , Frampton Kristen , Jenkins Jennifer M. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBy 18 months children demonstrate a range of social–cognitive skills that can be considered important precursors to more advanced forms of social understanding such as theory of mind. Although individual differences in social cognition have been linked to neurocognitive maturation, sociocultural models of development suggest that environmental influences operate in the development of children's social–cognitive outcomes. In the current study of 501 children and their mothers, we tested and found support for a model in which distal environmental risk, assessed when children were newborns, was indirectly associated with children's social–cognitive competency at 18 months through mothers' responsivity at 18 months. Part of this effect also operated through children's concomitant language skills, suggesting both a language-mediated and a language-independent mechanism of social–cognitive development. These findings are discussed with respect to the Vygotskian themes of internalization and semiotic mediation.