bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The controversy of varicella vaccination in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Caniza Miguela A. , Hunger Stephen P. , Schrauder Andre , Valsecchi Maria Grazia , Pui Ching‐Hon , Masera Giuseppe ,   Members of the International Study Group of Childhood ALL (the “Ponte di Legno Working Group”)
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackgroundThe available guidelines for varicella vaccination of susceptible children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have become increasingly conservative. However, vaccination of those who have remained in continuous complete remission for 1 year and are receiving chemotherapy is still considered a reasonable option. There is little available data to allow a comparison of the risk versus benefit of vaccinating these patients.ProcedureWe retrospectively reviewed mortality due to varicella in the records of 15 pediatric ALL study groups throughout Europe, Asia, and North America during the period 1984–2008.ResultsWe found that 20 of 35,128 children with ALL (0.057%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.037–0.088%) died of VZV infection. The mortality rate was lower in North America (3 of 11,558 children, 0.026%; 95% CI, 0.009–0.076%) than in the Asian countries (2 of 4,882 children, 0.041%; 95% CI, 0.011–0.149%) and in Europe (15 of 18,688 children, 0.080%; 95% CI, 0.049–0.132%) consistent with the generally higher rate of VZV vaccination in North America. Fourteen of the 20 patients (70%) died during the first year of treatment for ALL. One death was attributed to varicella vaccination.ConclusionsThe negligible rate of fatal varicella infection in children with ALL, the risk that accompanies vaccination, and the necessity of withholding chemotherapy for vaccination appear to outweigh the potential benefit of varicella vaccination for children during treatment of ALL. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 12–16. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of capillary electrophoresis fingerprint for quality control of Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae
Authors: Zhang Qing‐Feng , Cheung Hon‐Yeung 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIntroduction – Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae (RSG) is a Chinese herbal medicine used for detoxication and as a diuretic. However, in some regions of China, RSG is used confusedly with some other herbs.Objective – To develop a capillary electrophoresis (CE)‐DAD fingerprint method for quality evaluation, species differentiation and product identification of RSG.Methodology – The CE separation conditions and extraction procedure were optimised. Eighteen batches of RSG samples were analysed and the standard fingerprint used for authentication was simulated by the average of all tested samples.Results – The optimal CE separation conditions were developed with running buffer of 20 mm borax containing 3 mm β‐cyclodextrin at pH 9.4, voltage of 25 kV and temperature of 25°C. The separation could be completed within 8 min. Nine peaks were found in the electropherogram of RSG and five peaks were identified as astilbin, taxifolin, 5‐O‐caffeoylshikimic acid, shikimic acid and trans‐resveratrol, respectively. Methanol and sonication were recommended for the sample preparation. All RSG samples showed similar chromatographic profile and six ‘held in common’ peaks were found. By the standard fingerprint, RSG could be well distinguished from its two confusable species, Rhizoma Smilacis Chinae and Rhizoma Heterosmilacis.Conclusion – A CE‐DAD fingerprint analysis method was developed for the quality control of RSG. The standard fingerprint could represent the chemical profile of RSG and be used for its authentication. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of nordihydroguaiaretic acid in Larrea divaricata Cav. extracts by micellar electrokinetic chromatography
Authors: Stege Patricia W. , Sombra Lorena L. , Davicino Roberto C. , Olsina Roberto A. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIntroduction – Larrea divaricata Cav. is a common shrub used in folk medicine to treat a variety of diseases. The main product extracted from this bush is nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDG), which is a potent antioxidant.Objective – In this paper we propose a novel method for the quantification of NDG in different extracts of Larrea divaricata. The concentration of NDG in two different aqueous extracts (I and D) and an ethanolic extract (Eet) was analysed, in order to evaluate the safe use of the extracts for pharmacological purposes.Methodology – Micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) was performed under the following conditions: the background electrolyte used consisted of 20 mm phosphate buffer (pH 7.5), 10 mm sodium dodecyl sulphate and 10% acetonitrile.Results – The limits of detection and quantitation of NDG were 4.54 × 10−4 and 10.6 × 10−4 mg/mL, respectively. The concentration of this acid in both aqueous extracts was within the safe levels. However, the decoction must be used carefully because the concentration of the acid was almost over the recommended limit. In the case of ethanolic extracts, the amount of NDG was above the safe concentration, which is in agreement with the solubility of the active compound in ethanol.Conclusions – The conclusions of this study demonstrate that most of these plant extracts should be used with care, especially those which are used with medicinal purposes. This is the first research on the quantification of NDG using MEKC in jarilla extracts. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phenolic composition and antioxidant properties of some traditionally used medicinal plants affected by the extraction time and hydrolysis
Authors: Komes Draženka , Belščak‐Cvitanović Ana , Horžić Dunja , Rusak Gordana , Likić Saša , Berendika Marija 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIntroduction – Polyphenolic phytochemicals in traditionally used medicinal plants act as powerful antioxidants, which aroused an increasing interest in their application in functional food development.Objective – The effect of extraction time (5 and 15 min) and hydrolysis on the qualitative and quantitative content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of six traditionally used medicinal plants (Melissa officinalis L., Thymus serpyllum L., Lavandula officinalis Miller, Rubus fruticosus L., Urtica dioica L., and Olea europea L.) were investigated.Methodology – The content of total phenols, flavonoids, flavan‐3‐ols and tannins was determined using UV/Vis spectrophotometric methods, while individual phenolic acids, flavones and flavonols were separated and detected using HPLC analysis. Also, to obtain relevant data on the antioxidant capacity, two different assays, (2,2‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assays were used.Results – The extraction efficiency of phenolics, as well as the antioxidant capacity of plant extracts, was affected by both prolonged extraction and hydrolysis. The overall highest content of phenolic compounds was determined in hydrolyzed extract of blackberry leaves (2160 mg GAE/L), followed by the non‐hydrolyzed extract of lemon balm obtained after 15 min of extraction (929.33 mg GAE/L). The above extracts also exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity, while extracts of olive leaves were characterized with the lowest content of phenolic compounds, as well as the lowest antioxidant capacity. The highest content of rosmarinic acid, as the most abundant phenolic compound, was determined in non‐hydrolyzed extract of lemon balm, obtained after 15 min of extraction. Although the hydrolysis provided the highest content of polyphenolic compounds, longer extraction time (15 min) was more efficient to extract these bioactives than shorter extraction duration (5 min).Conclusion – The distribution of detected phenolic compounds showed a wide variability with regard to their botanical origin. Examined medicinal plants showed to be a valuable supplement to a daily intake of bioactive compounds. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of fatty acids in A. szechenyianum Gay. by microwave‐assisted extraction and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Qu Wen‐Xia , Mou Zhao‐Li , Cui Hai‐Yan , Zhang Zhi‐Qi 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIntroduction – Aconitum szechenyianum Gay. is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with the detumescent and styptic effects and antitumor activity. There have been only a few researches on its chemical components, but no detailed report has appeared on its fatty acids.Objective – To develop a simple and effective method for the extraction of fatty acids from A. zechenyianum Gay. and then to investigate the fatty acid components.Methodology – Microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) was optimized with response surface methodology, and the fatty acid compositions of extract were determined by GC–MS with previous derivatisation to fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). The results were compared with that obtained by classical Soxhlet extraction (SE).Results – Compared with SE, MAE showed significantly higher fatty acid yields, shorter extraction time, and lower energy and solvent consumption. The major fatty acids in A. szechenyianum Gay. are linoleic acid, palmitic acid, linolenic acid, oleic acid and stearic acid, and the unsaturated fatty acids occupy 66.4% of the total fatty acids. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparing the composition and bioactivity of Crataegus Monogyna flowers and fruits used in folk medicine
Authors: Barros Lillian , Carvalho Ana Maria , Ferreira Isabel C.F.R. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIntroduction – Studying local plant foods is of particular interest as they often contain high amounts of bioactive compounds. Furthermore, their nutritional and medicinal impact must be documented and supported with scientific studies. Crataegus monogyna is an example of ‘functional food’ traditionally used all over South European countries.Objective – A complete chemical and bioactive characterization of flower buds, flowers, unripe, ripened and over ripened fruits was performed.Methodology – Chemical characterization included determination of proteins, fats, ash, and carbohydrates, particularly sugars by HPLC‐RI, fatty acids by GC‐FID, tocopherols by HPLC‐fluorescence, phenolics, flavonoids, β‐carotene and ascorbic acid, by spectrophotometric techniques. Bioactivity was evaluated through screening of antioxidant properties: radical scavenging effects, reducing power, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation.Results – Flowers revealed the highest tocopherols and ascorbic acid contents, as also the best n‐6/n‐3 fatty acids ratio. Over ripened fruits showed the highest levels of carbohydrates, sugars and SFA. Unripe fruits presented the highest PUFA contents with the best PUFA/SFA ratio, as also the highest levels of phenolics and the most promising antioxidant properties (EC50 < 20.83 µg/ml; even better than trolox).Conclusion – This study shows the potential of different parts of Crataegus monogyna as sources of several compounds, including nutrients and nutraceuticals. Moreover, it supports the documented nutritional and medicinal impact of this species. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A potential competition bias in the detection of safety signals from spontaneous reporting databases
Authors: Pariente Antoine , Didailler Marie , Avillach Paul , Miremont‐Salamé Ghada , Fourrier‐Reglat Annie , Haramburu Françoise , Moore Nicholas 
Published: September 2010

AbstractPurposeTo study whether reports related to known drug‐event associations could hinder the detection of new signals by increasing the detection thresholds when using disporportionality analyses in spontaneous reporting (SR) databases.MethodsThe French SR database (2005–2006 data) was used to test this hypothesis for the following events: bleeding, headache, hepatitis, myalgia, myocardial infarction, stroke, and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). For each of these, using the Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR) and the Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR), the number of cases needed to trigger a signal out of 50, 100, and 200 reports for a hypothetical newly introduced drug were computed before and after removing from the database reports involving drugs known to be associated with the event.ResultsFor bleeding and stroke, removing potentially competitive data resulted in a decrease of the number of cases needed to trigger a signal for a newly introduced drug for both PRR and ROR (e.g., from 9 to 4, and 5 to 3 cases out of 50 reports for bleeding and stroke, respectively using the PRR). They were not or only slightly modified for the other studied events.ConclusionsRemoving reports related to known drug‐event associations could increase the sensitivity of signal detection in SR databases. This should be considered when using SR databases for signal detection as it could result in earlier identification of new drug‐event associations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An open‐safety study of dual antiviral therapy in real‐world patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Tinè Fabio , Graviano Domenico , Giannuoli Gandolfo , Madonia Salvatore , Malizia Giuseppe , Patti Salvatore , Fasola Salvatore , Cottone Mario , D'Amico Gennaro 
Published: September 2010

AbstractPurposeTreatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C with alpha‐interferon and ribavirin usually produces adverse events within the first 3 months. We aimed to assess safety and predictors of discontinuation or dose modification of these drugs.MethodsObservational study of 312 patients with predominantly genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C treated openly along 5 years in a clinical practice setting.ResultsEighty‐four percent of patients experienced at least one adverse event (853 events in total, 3.3 per patient on average). Incidence rate was higher during the first 90 days and decreased thereafter (<5%). Discontinuation rates at 30 and 90 days and at end of treatment were 2, 4 and 8%, respectively. Seventy percent of discontinuation cases were due to adverse events rather than to laboratory abnormalities. Serious adverse events were rare (<1%). Dose modifications were made in 158 patients (51%) on 237 occasions. After adjusting for covariates, older age was a predictor of early discontinuation, whereas HCV genotypes 1–4 and daily ribavirin dose of 1000 mg or more were predictors of dose modification.ConclusionsThe majority of real‐world patients with chronic hepatitis C tolerate acceptably dual therapy and very few discontinue it. Subjective decisions on dose reduction of either compound appears to have a major impact on adherence of patients. There is a need to better define, collect and analyse clinical features which may predict adverse events and safety‐related decisions during therapy of chronic hepatitis C. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Probing interactions between aggrecan and mica surface by the atomic force microscopy
Authors: Chandran Preethi L. , Dimitriadis Emilios K. , Basser Peter J. , Horkay Ferenc 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAggrecan is a bottlebrush shaped macromolecule found in the extracellular matrix of cartilage. The negatively charged glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains attached to its protein backbone give aggrecan molecules a high charge density, which is essential for exerting high osmotic swelling pressure and resisting compression under external load. In solution, aggrecan assemblies are insensitive to the presence of calcium ions, and show distinct osmotic pressure versus concentration regimes. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of ionic environment on the structure of aggrecan molecules adsorbed onto well‐controlled mica surfaces. The conformation of the aggrecan was visualized using Atomic Force Microscopy. On positively charged APS mica the GAG chains of the aggrecan molecules are distinguishable, and their average dimensions are practically unaffected by the presence of salt ions. With increasing aggrecan concentration they form clusters, and at higher concentrations they form a continuous monolayer of conforming molecules. On negatively charged mica, the extent of aggrecan adsorption varies with salt composition. Understanding aggrecan adsorption onto a charged surface provides insight into its interactions with bone and implant surfaces in the biological milieu. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2010
Variation in immunoreactive trypsinogen concentrations among michigan newborns and implications for cystic fibrosis newborn screening
Authors: Korzeniewski Steven J. , Young William I. , Hawkins Harry C. , Cavanagh Kevin , Nasr Samya Z. , Langbo Carrie , TenEyck Kelly R. , Grosse Scott D. , Kleyn Mary , Grigorescu Violanda 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate variation in immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT) concentrations by race, sex, birth weight, and gestational age and their implications for the use of percentile‐based cutoffs for cystic fibrosis (CF) newborn screening (NBS) programs.Patients and MethodsThis cross‐sectional population‐based study of resident infants screened in Michigan investigates associations between demographic and perinatal variables and IRT concentrations after controlling for covariates. This study also analyzed how 96th and 99.8th IRT concentration percentiles values calculated by Michigan NBS vary by demographic and perinatal factors. Characteristics of infants having high (≥99.8th percentile) IRT concentrations and negative DNA tests are also explored.ResultsIRT mean concentrations and percentiles vary significantly by race, birth weight, gestational age, and to a lesser degree by sex. The greatest variation in mean IRT concentrations was observed among racial categories; black infants had an adjusted mean concentration of 36 ng/ml and Asian/Pacific Islander infants had a mean concentration of 25 ng/ml compared to an average concentration of 28 ng/ml in white infants and infants of other races.ConclusionsVariation in IRT concentrations resulted in the over‐representation of certain groups referred for secondary testing, particularly referrals for sweat testing based on very high (≥99.8th percentile) concentrations alone, which is no longer recommended in Michigan. Further research may be warranted to evaluate initial IRT cutoffs used for CF NBS. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:125–130. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Roles for the two N‐terminal (β/α) modules in the folding of a (β/α)8‐barrel protein as studied by fragmentation analysis
Authors: Akanuma Satoshi , Yamagishi Akihiko 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe (β/α)8‐barrel is one of the most abundant folds found in enzymes. To identify the independent folding units and the segment(s) that correspond to a minimum core structure within a (β/α)8‐barrel protein, fragmentation experiments were performed with Escherichia coli phosphoribosylanthranilate isomerase, which has a single (β/α)8‐barrel domain. Our previous studies indicated that the central four β/α segments comprise an independent folding unit; whereas, the role(s) of the first two β/α segments in folding had not been clarified prior to this report. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a series of N‐terminally deleted fragments starting with (β/α)1–5β6 as the parent construct. Analytical gel filtration and urea‐induced equilibrium unfolding experiments indicated that deletions within the N‐terminal region, that is, within the first two β/α modules, resulted in reduced stability or aggregation of the remaining segments. The (β/α)3–5β6 segment appeared to fold into a stable structure and deletion of β6 from (β/α)3–5β6 yielded (β/α)3–5, which did not form native‐like secondary structures. However, urea‐induced unfolding of (β/α)3–5, monitored by reduction of tryptophan fluorescence, indicated that the fragment contained a loosely packed hydrophobic core. Taken together, the results of our previous and present fragmentation experiments suggest the importance of the central (β/α)3–4β5 module in folding, which is a finding that is compatible with our simulated unfolding study performed previously. Proteins 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
VCD studies on cyclic peptides assembled from L‐α‐amino acids and a trans‐2‐aminocyclopentane‐ or trans‐2‐aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid
Authors: Vass E. , Strijowski U. , Wollschläger K. , Mándity I. M. , Szilvágyi G. , Jewgiński M. , Gaus K. , Royo S. , Majer Z. , Sewald N. , Hollósi M. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe increasing interest in peptidomimetics of biological relevance prompted us to synthesize a series of cyclic peptides comprising trans‐2‐aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid (Achc) or trans‐2‐aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid (Acpc). NMR experiments in combination with MD calculations were performed to investigate the three‐dimensional structure of the cyclic peptides. These data were compared to the conformational information obtained by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy. Experimental VCD spectra were compared to theoretical VCD spectra computed quantum chemically at B3LYP/6‐31G(d) density functional theory (DFT) level. The good agreement between the structural features derived from the VCD spectra and the NMR‐based structures underlines the applicability of VCD in studying the conformation of small cyclic peptides. Copyright © 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Legendre expansion of the Debye interaction
Authors: Winkler Peter 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe Legendre expansion of the Debye interaction has been derived in a form that is suited to evaluate two‐electron matrix elements between Slater type orbitals using a Gauss‐Laguerre quadrature algorithm. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Arsenic and thallium data in environmental samples: Fact or fiction?
Authors: Chapnick Susan D. , Pitts Leonard C. , Rothman Nancy C. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractMatrix effects may increasingly lead to erroneous environmental decisions as regulatory limits or risk‐based concentrations of concern for trace metals move lower toward the limits of analytical detection. A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Technical Standards Alert estimated that environmental data reported using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP‐AES) has a false‐positive rate for thallium of 99.9 percent and for arsenic of 25 to 50 percent. Although this does not seem to be widely known in the environmental community, using three case studies, this article presents data in environmental samples that demonstrate severe matrix effects on the accuracy of arsenic and thallium results. Case Study 1 involves soil results with concentrations that approached or exceeded the applicable regulatory soil cleanup objectives of 13 mg/kg for arsenic and 2 mg/kg for thallium. Reanalysis using ICP coupled with a mass spectrometer (ICP‐MS) confirmed all thallium results were false positives and all arsenic results were biased high, concluding no action was required for soil remediation. Case Study 2 involves groundwater results for thallium at a Superfund site, where thallium was detected in groundwater up to 21.6 μ g/L using ICP‐AES. Reanalysis by ICP‐MS reported thallium as nondetect below the applicable regulatory level in all samples. ICP‐MS is usually a more definitive and accurate method of analysis compared to ICP‐AES; however, this is not always the case, as we demonstrate in Case Study 3, using data from groundwater samples at an industrial site. Through a weight‐of‐evidence approach, it is demonstrated that although method quality control results were acceptable, interferences in some groundwater samples caused biased high results for arsenic using ICP‐MS, which were significantly lower when reanalyzed using hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Causes of these interference effects and conclusions from the three case studies to obtain accurate metal data for site assessment, risk characterization, and remedy selection are discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.