bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ventricular systolic reserve in asymptomatic children previously treated with low doses of anthracyclines: A longitudinal, prospective exercise echocardiography study
Authors: Guimaraes‐Filho Fabio V. , Tan Doralice M. , Braga Joao C. F. , Rodrigues Alexandre , Waib Paulo H. , Matsubara Beatriz B. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundThe time course of mild cardiotoxicity induced by anthracycline remains unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long‐term evolution of decreased myocardial reserve in children previously treated with a cumulative dose of anthracycline up to 100 mg/m2.Patients and MethodsTwenty‐seven asymptomatic cancer survival patients (25 with lymphoblastic leukemia), in continuous remission and off treatment for >12 months with no alterations in conventional echocardiograms were evaluated by exercise echocardiography at 37 ± 15.4 months (T1) and 101 ± 24 months (T2) after finishing treatment (ADRIA group). This group was compared with 25 healthy individuals (control group) similar to the ADRIA group with respect to age and body surface area (BSA). All individuals underwent treadmill exercise testing according to Bruce protocol. Echocardiograms were performed before and immediately after exercise.ResultsThe groups were similar regarding cardiac structure and left ventricular (LV) systolic function at rest at T1 and T2. The growth of LV posterior wall thickness related to BSA was lower in the ADRIA group at T2. Post exercise, smaller LV ejection indexes and attenuated changes in the afterload in ADRIA group were observed at T1 and T2.ConclusionThe decreased systolic reserve induced by a low dose of anthracycline in asymptomatic children and adolescents remains unaffected over a 5‐year period, suggesting that positive outcomes in chronic cardiotoxicity would be expected in patients with mild impairment after anthracycline treatment. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:548–552. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inflammation: What role in pediatric cancer?
Authors: Morgenstern Daniel A. , Anderson John 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThere is growing evidence for the importance of chronic inflammation in the pathogenesis of adult cancers and for an ongoing role of the inflammatory response in tumor growth and metastasis. Here, we examine how these processes relate to pediatric malignancies. While it is unlikely that chronic inflammation plays a significant role in driving malignant progression in childhood tumors that typically have developmental origins, the inflammatory response does appear to play an important role in the development and progression of many types of childhood cancer. An enhanced understanding of these processes will be of critical importance in developing novel therapeutic strategies. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 659–664. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Safety of central venous catheter placement at diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children
Authors: Gonzalez G. , Davidoff A.M. , Howard S.C. , Pui C‐H. , Rao B.N. , Shenep J. L. , Wozniak A. , Shochat S.J. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundCentral venous catheters (CVC) facilitate the management of patients with cancer. Optimal timing for placement of a CVC is controversial. We sought to determine whether early placement in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a group at high risk for infection and thrombosis, was associated with an increased rate of surgical complications.ProcedureWe evaluated the incidence and risk factors for early surgical complications in children with ALL diagnosed between 2004 and 2009 at a single pediatric cancer center.ResultsOne hundred seventy‐two patients were studied. There were 17 episodes of bloodstream infection, for a 30‐day incidence of 9.8% (95% CI, 5.9–15%). There were no surgical site infections and no CVC was removed due to infection. Early thrombosis occurred in only one patient, 3 days after CVC placement. Infection was not influenced by catheter type, patient age, body mass index, or fever at the time of placement. The infection rate was not statistically higher when the ANC was <500/mm3 at the time of CVC placement (14.2% vs. 6.8%; P = 0.12).ConclusionEarly CVC placement at the time of diagnosis of ALL was associated with a low surgical complication rate with no catheters requiring removal due to infection. Utilizing our current methods of preoperative preparation, surgical management and postoperative CVC care, early placement of a CVC is safe in children with ALL even when their ANC is <500/mm3, but larger cohort studies would be helpful to further clarify this issue. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 498–502. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tumor histology during induction therapy in patients with high‐risk neuroblastoma
Authors: George Rani E. , Perez‐Atayde Antonio R. , Yao Xiaopan , London Wendy B. , Shamberger Robert C. , Neuberg Donna , Diller Lisa 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundIn high‐risk neuroblastoma patients, response to induction chemotherapy is emerging as an important determinant of overall survival. We sought to determine whether histological changes in the primary tumor following induction therapy could be used as a marker of response.ProcedureSecond‐look primary tumor specimens from 43 patients were reviewed according to specific morphological features.ResultsIn the majority, induction therapy resulted in a shift from an intermediate/high to low mitosis‐karyorrhexis index (MKI) (P = 0.0009) and from undifferentiated/poorly differentiated to differentiating tumors (P < 0.0001). Following induction therapy, persistence of intermediate/high tumor MKI and ≥90% persistent neuroblastic cells were predictive of a poor outcome (P = 0.001 and 0.03, respectively). Less than 10% tumor necrosis was associated with a trend towards lower survival.ConclusionsHigh proliferative activity in the primary tumor following induction therapy portends a poor outcome in patients with high‐risk neuroblastoma. If confirmed in a larger cohort, tumor histology at second‐look surgery could be used to define a subset of very high risk patients who would benefit from alternative therapies prior to myeloablative dose‐intensive transplant. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:506–510. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The limited screening value of insulin‐like growth factor‐i as a marker for alterations in body composition in very long‐term adult survivors of childhood cancer
Authors: Blijdorp Karin , van den Heuvel‐Eibrink Marry , Pieters Rob , Boot Annemieke , Sluimer Johanna , van der Lelij Aart‐Jan , Neggers Sebastian 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundThe clinical relevance of low IGF‐I levels, caused by cranial radiotherapy, in adult childhood cancer survivors has not been studied extensively. We evaluated whether IGF‐I is a useful marker for altered body composition and growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in this group.ProcedureWe analyzed retrospective data from 610 adult childhood cancer survivors, retrieved from the late effects clinic. Median age at diagnosis was 6 years (interquartile range 3–11) and follow‐up time was 18 years (13–24). We assessed IGF‐I standard deviation scores (SDS), anthropometrical measures, growth hormone stimulation tests in patients with clinical signs of GHD, and measures of body composition (assessed by dual X‐ray absorptiometry, Lunar Prodigy).ResultsIn 58 cranially irradiated acute leukemia survivors (25 Gy (24–25)) and 56 locally irradiated brain tumor survivors (42 Gy (35–54)) we found significantly lower IGF‐I SDS (P < 0.001), lower height SDS (P < 0.001), higher body mass index (P = 0.01), higher waist–hip ratio (WHR; P = 0.001), higher total fat percentage SDS (P < 0.001), and lower lean body mass SDS (P < 0.001), as compared to 452 not cranially irradiated survivors. IGF‐I showed a weak inverse correlation with BMI (r = − 0.12, P = 0.04), WHR (r = − 0.15, P = 0.01), total fat percentage (r = − 0.14, P = 0.02), and a positive correlation with lean body mass (r = 0.15, P = 0.01). In patients with low IGF‐I levels, IGF‐I did not significantly differ between subjects with and without GHD as determined by GH‐stimulation testing (P = 0.39).ConclusionThis study shows that IGF‐I has limited value as a marker for alterations in body composition in adult childhood cancer survivors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:711–716. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Distance‐dependent atomic knowledge‐based force in protein fold recognition
Authors: Mirzaie Mehdi , Sadeghi Mehdi 
Published: December 2011

AbstractWe have recently introduced a novel model for discriminating the correctly folded proteins from well‐designed decoy structures using mechanical interatomic forces. In the model, we considered a protein as a collection of springs and the force imposed to each atom was calculated by using the relation between the potential energy and the force. A mean force potential function is obtained from statistical contact preferences within the known protein structures. In this article, the interatomic forces are calculated by numerical derivation of the potential function. For assessing the knowledge‐based force function we consider an optimal structure and define a score function on the 3D structure of a protein. We compare the force imposed to each atom of a protein with the corresponding atom in the optimum structure. Afterwards we assign larger scores to those atoms with the lower forces. The total score is the sum of partial scores of atoms. The optimal structure is assumed to be the one with the highest score in the dataset. Finally, several decoy sets are applied in order to evaluate the performance of our model. Proteins 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Role of peroxisomes in the biosynthesis and secretion of β-lactams and other secondary metabolites
Authors: Martín Juan-Francisco , Ullán Ricardo V , García-Estrada Carlos 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPeroxisomes are eukaryotic organelles surrounded by a single bilayer membrane, containing a variety of proteins depending on the organism; they mainly perform degradation reactions of toxic metabolites (detoxification), catabolism of linear and branched-chain fatty acids, and removal of H2O2 (formed in some oxidative processes) by catalase. Proteins named peroxins are involved in recruiting, transporting, and introducing the peroxisomal matrix proteins into the peroxisomes. The matrix proteins contain the peroxisomal targeting signals PTS1 and/or PTS2 that are recognized by the peroxins Pex5 and Pex7, respectively. Initial evidence indicated that the penicillin biosynthetic enzyme isopenicillin N acyltransferase (IAT) of Penicillium chrysogenum is located inside peroxisomes. There is now solid evidence (based on electron microscopy and/or biochemical data) confirming that IAT and the phenylacetic acid- and fatty acid-activating enzymes are also located in peroxisomes. Similarly, the Acremonium chrysogenum CefD1 and CefD2 proteins that perform the central reactions (activation and epimerization of isopenicillin N) of the cephalosporin pathway are targeted to peroxisomes. Growing evidence supports the conclusion that some enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of mycotoxins (e.g., AK-toxin), and the biosynthesis of signaling molecules in plants (e.g., jasmonic acid or auxins) occur in peroxisomes. The high concentration of substrates (in many cases toxic to the cytoplasm) and enzymes inside the peroxisomes allows efficient synthesis of metabolites with interesting biological or pharmacological activities. This compartmentalization poses additional challenges to the cell due to the need to import the substrates into the peroxisomes and to export the final products; the transporters involved in these processes are still very poorly known. This article focuses on new aspects of the metabolic processes occurring in peroxisomes, namely the degradation and detoxification processes that lead to the biosynthesis and secretion of secondary metabolites.
Influence of growth manner on nitrifying bacterial communities and nitrification kinetics in three lab-scale bioreactors
Authors: Wang Feng , Liu Yi , Wang Jinghan , Zhang Yalei , Yang Haizhen 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
The effects of growth type, including attached growth, suspended growth, and combined growth, on the characteristics of communities of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) were studied in three lab-scale Anaerobic/Anoxicm-Oxicn (AmOn) systems. These systems amplified activated sludge, biofilms, and a mixture of activated sludge and biofilm (AS-BF). Identical inocula were adopted to analyze the selective effects of mixed growth patterns on nitrifying bacteria. Fluctuations in the concentration of nitrifying bacteria over the 120 days of system operation were analyzed, as was the composition of nitrifying bacterial community in the stabilized stage. Analysis was conducted using polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) and real-time PCR. According to the DGGE patterns, the primary AOB lineages were Nitrosomonas europaea (six sequences), Nitrosomonas oligotropha (two sequences), and Nitrosospira (one sequence). The primary subclass of NOB community was Nitrospira, in which all identified sequences belonged to Nitrospira moscoviensis (14 sequences). Nitrobacter consisted of two lineages, namely Nitrobacter vulgaris (three sequences) and Nitrobacter alkalicus (two sequences). Under identical operating conditions, the composition of nitrifying bacterial communities in the AS-BF system demonstrated significant differences from those in the activated sludge system and those in the biofilm system. Major varieties included several new, dominant bacterial sequences in the AS-BF system, such as N. europaea and Nitrosospira and a higher concentration of AOB relative to the activated sludge system. However, no similar differences were discovered for the concentration of the NOB population. A kinetic study of nitrification demonstrated a higher maximum specific growth rate of mixed sludge and a lower half-saturation constant of mixed biofilm, indicating that the AS-BF system maintained relatively good nitrifying ability.
A Search for Ecofriendly Detergent/Dispersant Additives for Vegetable‐Oil Based Lubricants
Authors: Singh Arun K. , Singh Raj K. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractCarbonaceous deposits in automotive engines are the major problems associated with oil aging. Efficient detergents and dispersants have been used for several decades to solve this problem particularly in petroleum oils. But future lubricants and new engine hardware require development of new nontoxic detergent/dispersant additive technologies. Environmental concerns limit the formulation of the future lubricants. It requires not only the base oil to be ecofriendly but the additives also. In the present work, some of the potential ecofriendly chemical's molecules were identified. Specific detergents applications along with effects of chemical modifications were evaluated by Blotters Spot and Panel Coker Tests. Among the studied compounds, the PIB (polyisobutylene) succinimides are showing promising results at lower temperature, while at higher temperature piperazine derivatives citrate and oleate have the best potential to be develop as ecofriendly detergent/dispersant additives.
N‐Acyl Taurines are Anti‐Proliferative in Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Chatzakos Vicky , Slätis Katharina , Djureinovic Tatjana , Helleday Thomas , Hunt Mary C. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractEndocannabinoids have been implicated in cancer development and cause heterogenous effects in tumor cells, by inducing apoptosis, reducing migration, causing anti‐angiogenic activity and alterations in the cell cycle resulting in growth arrest. Recently, several novel amides of fatty acids that are structurally related to endocannabinoids have been isolated from mammalian sources, although the functions of these fatty amides are not well studied. One group of these novel fatty acid amides are the N‐acyl taurines (fatty acids conjugated to the amino acid taurine). This study examined if N‐acyl taurines, specifically N‐arachidonoyl taurine and N‐oleoyl taurine could function in a similar way to endocannabinoids and result in cell cycle alterations or growth arrest in the human prostate adenocarcinoma cell line PC‐3. PC‐3 cells were treated with various concentrations of N‐arachidonoyl taurine and N‐oleoyl taurine and cell proliferation and viability was measured using resazurin and colony formation assays. Effects of N‐acyl taurines on the cell cycle was measured using FACS analysis. Treatment with N‐arachidonoyl taurine and N‐oleoyl taurine resulted in a significant reduction in proliferation of PC‐3 cells, even at concentrations as low as 1 μM. Treatment with N‐oleoyl taurine resulted in an increased number of cells in the subG1 population, suggesting apoptosis, and a lower number of cells in S‐phase of the cell cycle. In summary, our results show that novel biologically active lipids, the N‐acyl taurines, result in reduced proliferation in PC‐3 cells.
Rh‐based Biphasic Isomerization of Carbon–Carbon Double Bonds in Natural Oils
Authors: Quirino Rafael L. , Larock Richard C. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe biphasic conjugation of soybean and other natural oils, as well as the isomerization of various alkenes, was examined using a rhodium catalyst. A maximum yield, of conjugated soybean oil, of 96% was obtained when the reaction was run at 80 °C under argon with ethanol as the polar solvent, using triphenylphosphine monosulfonate sodium salt (tppms) as the ligand, and the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The optimized conditions were tested with other substrates, and the products were analyzed by 1H NMR, GC/MS, and ICP‐MS.
The association between Internet addiction and psychiatric disorder: A review of the literature
Authors: Ko C.-H. , Yen J.-Y. , Yen C.-F. , Chen C.-S. , Chen C.-C. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractInternet addiction is a newly emergent disorder. It has been found to be associated with a variety of psychiatric disorders. Information about such coexisting psychiatric disorders is essential to understand the mechanism of Internet addiction. In this review, we have recruited articles mentioning coexisting psychiatric disorders of Internet addiction from the PubMed database as at November 3, 2009. We describe the updated results for such disorders of Internet addiction, which include substance use disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, hostility, and social anxiety disorder. We also provide discussion for possible mechanisms accounting for the coexistence of psychiatric disorders and Internet addiction. The review might suggest that combined psychiatric disorders mentioned above should be evaluated and treated to prevent their deteriorating effect on the prognosis of Internet addiction. On the other hand, Internet addiction should be paid more attention to when treating people with these coexisting psychiatric disorders of Internet addiction. Additionally, we also suggest future necessary research directions that could provide further important information for the understanding of this issue.
Variation in the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and response to cognitive-behavior therapy in obsessive-compulsive disorder
Authors: Fullana M.A. , Alonso P. , Gratacòs M. , Jaurrieta N. , Jiménez-Murcia S. , Segalàs C. , Real E. , Estivill X. , Menchón J.M. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundRecent research suggests that the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may play a role in extinction learning. The goal of this study was to test whether variation in the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is related to treatment response to exposure-based cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT), a form of extinction learning, in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).MethodsOne hundred and six OCD patients from a specialized clinic, who underwent a standardized CBT treatment after partial or non-response to a 12-week pharmacological trial, were genotyped for the BDNF Val66Met and the relationship between genotype and treatment response was analyzed.ResultsAmong 98 CBT completers, 36% of those carrying the BDNF Met allele were rated as CBT responders compared to 60% of nonMet allele carriers (P = 0.027). When analyzing the different obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions, in patients with contamination/cleaning symptoms, the Met allele was associated with a significantly worse CBT response (P<0.0001) and a lower obsessions severity decrease from pre- to posttreatment (P = 0.046).ConclusionGenetic variation in BDNF may be associated with treatment response in exposure-based CBT in OCD, especially in those patients exhibiting contamination/cleaning symptoms.
In patients with schizophrenia, symptoms improvement can be uncorrelated with quality of life improvement
Authors: Wilson-d’Almeida K. , Karrow A. , Bralet M.-C. , Bazin N. , Hardy-Baylé M.-C. , Falissard B. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractObjectivesQuality of life has been found to be associated with symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Nevertheless, the mechanism that underlies this association is still unclear. The objective of this paper is to prospectively evaluate the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia in relation to the concurrent evolution of their symptoms, their expectations and their perceived position in life.MethodsParticipants included 306 outpatients with schizophrenia who were interviewed at baseline, 6 and 12 months, about their quality of life (Outcome revealed by Preference in Schizophrenia, OPS) and symptoms (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, PANSS).ResultsQuality of life relative to subject expectations remained stable over time. A decrease in symptoms was correlated to an increase in both expectations and perceived position in life but did not correlate to quality of life.ConclusionThe level of expectations seems to play a major role in the subjective assessment of quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. Symptom improvement is not necessarily associated with quality of life improvement relative to subject expectations. Caregivers should be aware of this result so as to deal with possible disappointments in patients receiving a new efficient treatment.
Characteristics Associated With Use of Homeopathic Drugs for Psychiatric Symptoms in the General Population
Authors: Grolleau A. , Bégaud B. , Verdoux H. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo explore which patient characteristics are associated in naturalistic conditions with the lifetime use of homeopathic treatment for psychiatric symptoms.MethodLifetime use of psychotropic treatment was explored in a sample of 36,785 persons, participating in the Mental Health Survey in the General Population. Characteristics associated with use of homeopathic treatments, associated or not with conventional psychotropic drugs, were explored using multivariate analyses.ResultsUse of homeopathic treatment for psychiatric symptoms was reported by 1.3% of persons. Younger age, female gender and high educational level were associated with use of homeopathy. Half of homeopathy users presented at least one Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) diagnosis, most frequently anxiety disorders. Their diagnostic profile was similar to that of persons reporting use of anxiolytics or hypnotics. Compared to persons with no lifetime use of psychotropic drugs, persons using homeopathy were more likely to present with a diagnosis of mood disorder or anxiety disorder. Compared to those using conventional psychotropic drugs, they presented less frequently with psychiatric disorders, with the exception of anxiety disorders.ConclusionHomeopathic treatment for psychiatric symptoms appears to be used mainly to reduce anxiety symptoms in the general population.