bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chemical Variation of Essential Oil Constituents of Ocimum gratissimum L. from Benin, and Impact on Antimicrobial Properties and Toxicity against Artemia salinaLeach
Authors: Kpadonou Kpoviessi Bénédicta G. H. , Ladekan Eléonore Yayi , Kpoviessi D. S. Salomé , Gbaguidi Fernand , Yehouenou Boniface , Quetin‐Leclercq Joëlle , Figueredo Gilles , Moudachirou Mansourou , Accrombessi Georges C. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractTo determine the period of harvest that optimizes the antimicrobial activities of the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum L. from Benin, aerial plant parts were collected at two vegetative stages (pre‐ and full‐flowering) and three sampling times (7 am, 1 pm, and 7 pm). Extraction by hydrodistillation yielded between 0.65 and 0.78% of essential oils. Characterization of the oils by GC‐FID and GC/MS analysis revealed the presence of monoterpenes (87.26–93.81%), sesquiterpenes (5.57–11.34%), and aliphatic compounds (0.15–0.18%), with p‐cymene (1; 28.08–53.82%), thymol (2; 3.32–29.13%), γ‐terpinene (3; 1.11–10.91%), α‐thujene (4; 3.37–10.77%), and β‐myrcene (5; 4.24–8.28%) as major components. Two chemotypes were observed, i.e., a p‐cymene/thymol and a p‐cymene chemotype, for plants harvested at 7 am for the former and at 1 pm or 7 pm for the latter, respectively. The oils were fungicidal against Candida albicans, with the sample from full‐flowering plants collected at 7 am being the most active (MIC = 0.06±0.00 mg/ml). The chemical variation of the oils also influenced the antimicrobial effect against Staphylococcus aureus; the most active oil was obtained from plants at the pre‐flowering stage collected at 7 am (MIC=0.24±0.01 mg/ml). Escherichia coli was insensitive to the chemical variation of the oils (MICs of ca. 0.48±0.02 mg/ml for all oils). Moreover, the essential oils showed low toxicity against Artemia salina Leach larvae, with LC50 values in the range of 43–146 μg/ml. This is the first study of the interaction between the daytime of collection and vegetative stage of the plants and the antimicrobial properties and toxicity of the essential oil of O. gratissimum from Benin.
Antimicrobial Efficacy of Achillea ligusticaAll. (Asteraceae) Essential Oils against Reference and Isolated Oral Microorganisms
Authors: Cecchini Cinzia , Silvi Stefania , Cresci Alberto , Piciotti Andrea , Caprioli Giovanni , Papa Fabrizio , Sagratini Gianni , Vittori Sauro , Maggi Filippo 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe aim of this study was to verify the effectiveness of Achillea ligustica essential oils against several oral microorganisms in comparison with a commercial essential oil‐containing mouthrinse (Listerine®) and clove oil (containing 89% eugenol). The inhibition efficacy of A. ligustica essential oils alone and in combination with Listerine® was evaluated by the micro‐dilution method. The most susceptible microorganisms were Bacillus cereus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Candida albicans. The efficacy was similar to that of the clove oil. The antiseptic mouthwash Listerine® did not exert a strong inhibition on microbial strains tested, whereas its effectiveness increased significantly when essential oil was added. The study provides additional evidence for the in vitro inhibitory activity of A. ligustica essential oils on several pathogens, suggesting their usefulness in mouthrinse formulations as an adjunct to mechanical oral hygiene regimens. Essential oil‐containing mouthrinses can be beneficial, safe components of daily oral health routines, representing an efficient and without side effect alternative to prevent and control oral infections.
Monocillin II Inhibits Human Breast Cancer Growth Partially by Inhibiting MAPK Pathways and CDK2 Thr160 Phosphorylation
Authors: Wei Huanhuan , Xu Liangxiong , Yu Min , Zhang Ling , Wang Huijie , Wei Xiaoyi , Ruan Yuanyuan 
Published: January 2012

AbstractTwenty‐two β‐resorcylic acid lactones (RALs) were evaluated for cytotoxicity against human breast cancer cells to find their structure–activity relationship (SAR). Monocillin II, a trans‐enone RAL without epoxy and conjugated dienone, was found to have higher activity in inhibiting tumor cell growth in both in vitro experiment and in vivo nude xenografted mice model than its analogue radicicol, an anticancer lead compound. We demonstrated for the first time that monocillin II could arrest breast cancer cell cycle in G1 phase, which might partially be the result of its inhibition effect on the phosphorylation of the Thr160 residue of cyclin dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), a key enzyme in cell‐cycle regulation. Moreover, monocillin II exhibited inhibition of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and depleted its target proteins, Raf‐1 and A‐Raf, which are involved in Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Remarkably, we found that monocillin II could inhibit activation of MAPKs including ERK, JNK and p38, which might be involved in the inactivation of CDK2. These results suggest that monocillin II has potential therapeutic benefits in breast cancer prevention and intervention.
Controlled Synthesis of Uniform and Monodisperse Upconversion Core/Mesoporous Silica Shell Nanocomposites for Bimodal Imaging
Authors: Liu Jianan , Bu Wenbo , Zhang Shengjian , Chen Feng , Xing Huaiyong , Pan Limin , Zhou Liangping , Peng Weijun , Shi Jianlin 
Published: January 2012

AbstractHere we report the design and controlled synthesis of monodisperse and precisely size‐controllable UCNP@mSiO2 nanocomposites smaller than 50 nm by directly coating a mesoporous silica shell (mSiO2) on upconversion nanocrystals NaYF4:Tm/Yb/Gd (UCNPs), which can be used as near‐infrared fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents and a platform for drug delivery as well. Some key steps such as transferring hydrophobic UCNPs to the water phase by using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), removal of the excess amount of CTAB, and temperature‐controlled ultrasonication treatment should be adopted and carefully monitored to obtain uniform upconversion core/mesoporous silica shell nanocomposites. The excellent performance of the core–shell‐structured nanocomposite in near‐infrared fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging was also demonstrated.
Ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) in patients with operable breast cancer who undergo breast‐conserving treatment after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Ishitobi Makoto , Ohsumi Shozo , Inaji Hideo , Ohno Shinji , Shigematsu Hideo , Akiyama Futoshi , Iwase Takuji , Akashi‐Tanaka Sadako , Sato Nobuaki , Takahashi Kaoru , Oura Shoji 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND:There is limited information about the risk factors for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) after patients undergo breast‐conserving surgery plus radiotherapy (breast‐conserving treatment [BCT]) subsequent to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). The objective of the current study was to analyze these risk factors.METHODS:The authors collected data from 375 patients who underwent BCT and received NAC and analyzed the risk of IBTR associated with undergoing BCT after NAC. The usefulness of the MD Anderson Prognostic Index (MDAPI) for IBTR also was validated using the current data set.RESULTS:The median follow‐up was 47.8 months, and the 4‐year IBTR‐free survival rate was 95.6%. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that estrogen receptor (ER) status and multifocality of the residual tumor were associated significantly with IBTR‐free survival. In addition, patients who had ER‐positive and human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)‐negative tumors did not develop IBTR during the observation period. Although prognostic stratification according to MDAPI was relatively good for the prediction of IBTR in the study patients, the IBTR rate in the high‐risk group was not very high and was lower than that in the intermediate‐risk group. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that IBTR was an independent predictive factor for overall survival.CONCLUSIONS:ER status and multifocality of the residual tumor after NAC were independent predictors of IBTR after BCT. The MDAPI was barely adaptable to the study patients in terms of predicting IBTR. Patients with ER‐positive and HER2‐negative tumors had a favorable prognosis, whereas patients who developed IBTR after NAC had significantly worse overall survival. The authors propose a new IBTR prognostic index using the 2 factors that were identified as predictive of IBTR: ER status and multifocality of the residual tumor. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Resumption of high‐dose methotrexate after acute kidney injury and glucarpidase use in pediatric oncology patients
Authors: Christensen Anthony M. , Pauley Jennifer L. , Molinelli Alejandro R. , Panetta John C. , Ward Deborah A. , Stewart Clinton F. , Hoffman James M. , Howard Scott C. , Pui Ching‐Hon , Pappo Alberto S. , Relling Mary V. , Crews Kristine R. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND:High‐dose methotrexate (HDMTX)‐induced acute kidney injury is a rare but life‐threatening complication. The methotrexate rescue agent glucarpidase rapidly hydrolyzes methotrexate to inactive metabolites. The authors retrospectively reviewed glucarpidase use in pediatric cancer patients at their institution and evaluated whether subsequent resumption of HDMTX was tolerated.METHODS:Clinical data and outcomes of all patients who received glucarpidase after HDMTX administration were reviewed.RESULTS:Of 1141 patients who received 4909 courses of HDMTX, 20 patients (1.8% of patients, 0.4% of courses) received 22 doses of glucarpidase. The median glucarpidase dose was 51.6 U/kg (range, 13‐65.6 U/kg). At the time of administration, the median plasma methotrexate concentration was 29.1 μM (range, 1.3‐590.6 μM). Thirteen of the 20 patients received a total of 39 courses of HDMTX therapy after glucarpidase. The median time to complete methotrexate excretion was 355 hours (range, 244‐763 hours) for the HDMTX course during which glucarpidase was administered, 90 hours (range, 66‐268 hours) for the next HDMTX course, and 72 hours (range, 42‐116 hours) for subsequent courses. The median peak serum creatinine level during these HDMTX courses was 2.2 mg/dL (range, 0.8‐9.6 mg/dL), 0.8 mg/dL (range, 0.4‐1.6 mg/dL), and 0.6 mg/dL (range, 0.4‐0.9 mg/dL), respectively. One patient experienced nephrotoxicity upon rechallenge with HDMTX. Renal function eventually returned to baseline in all patients, and no patient died as a result of methotrexate toxicity.CONCLUSIONS:The current results indicated that it is possible to safely resume HDMTX therapy after glucarpidase treatment for HDMTX‐induced acute kidney injury. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Erectile function, incontinence, and other quality of life outcomes following proton therapy for prostate cancer in men 60 years old and younger
Authors: Hoppe Bradford S. , Nichols Romaine C. , Henderson Randal H. , Morris Christopher G. , Williams Christopher R. , Costa Joseph , Marcus Robert B. , Mendenhall William M. , Li Zuofeng , Mendenhall Nancy P. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND:This study sought to evaluate patient‐reported health‐related quality of life following proton therapy for prostate cancer in men ≤60 years old.METHODS:Between August 2006 and January 2010, 262 hormone‐naive men ≤60 years old were treated with definitive proton therapy for prostate cancer. Before treatment and every 6 months after treatment, patients filled out the Expanded Prostate Index Composite (EPIC) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaires. Potency was defined as successful sexual intercourse in the prior month or an EPIC sexual summary (SS) score ≥60.RESULTS:Median follow‐up was 24 months; 90% of men completed follow‐up EPIC forms within the last year. For EPIC urinary, bowel, and hormone subscales, the average decline from baseline to 2 years was ≤5 points, except for bowel function (5.2 points). SS scores declined 12.6 points after 2 years. Potency rates declined by 11% from baseline at 2 years, but 94% of men were potent with a baseline IIEF > 21, body mass index < 30, and no history of diabetes. At 2 years after treatment, only 1.8% of men required a pad for urge incontinence. On multivariate analysis, factors associated with a significant decline in SS score were mean penile bulb dose ≥40 cobalt Gy equivalents (P = .012) and radiation dose ≥80 cobalt Gy equivalents (P = .017); only diabetes was significantly associated with impotence (P = .015).CONCLUSIONS:Young men undergoing proton therapy for treatment of prostate cancer have excellent outcomes with respect to erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and other health‐related quality of life parameters during the first 2 years after treatment. Longer follow‐up is needed to confirm these findings. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Augmenting advance care planning in poor prognosis cancer with a video decision aid
Authors: Volandes Angelo E. , Levin Tomer T. , Slovin Susan , Carvajal Richard D. , O'Reilly Eileen M. , Keohan Mary Louise , Theodoulou Maria , Dickler Maura , Gerecitano John F. , Morris Michael , Epstein Andrew S. , Naka‐Blackstone Anastazia , Walker‐Corkery Elizabeth S. , Chang Yuchiao , Noy Ariela 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND:The authors tested whether an educational video on the goals of care in advanced cancer (life‐prolonging care, basic care, or comfort care) helped patients understand these goals and had an impact on their preferences for resuscitation.METHODS:A survey of 80 patients with advanced cancer was conducted before and after they viewed an educational video. The outcomes of interest included changes in goals of care preference and knowledge and consistency of preferences with code status.RESULTS:Before viewing the video, 10 patients (13%) preferred life‐prolonging care, 24 patients (30%) preferred basic care, 29 patients (36%) preferred comfort care, and 17 patients (21%) were unsure. Preferences did not change after the video, when 9 patients (11%) chose life‐prolonging care, 28 patients (35%) chose basic care, 29 patients (36%) chose comfort care, and, 14 patients (18%) were unsure (P = .28). Compared with baseline, after the video presentation, more patients did not want cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (71% vs 62%; P = .03) or ventilation (80% vs 67%; P = .008). Knowledge about goals of care and likelihood of resuscitation increased after the video (P < .001). Of the patients who did not want CPR or ventilation after the video augmentation, only 4 patients (5%) had a documented do‐not‐resuscitate order in their medical record (kappa statistic, −0.01; 95% confidence interval, −0.06 to 0.04). Acceptability of the video was high.CONCLUSIONS:Patients with advanced cancer did not change care preferences after viewing the video, but fewer wanted CPR or ventilation. Documented code status was inconsistent with patient preferences. Patients were more knowledgeable after the video, reported that the video was acceptable, and said they would recommend it to others. The current results indicated that this type of video may enable patients to visualize “goals of care,” enriching patient understanding of worsening health states and better informing decision making. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Cytoarchitecture, areas, and neuron numbers of the Etruscan Shrew cortex
Authors: Naumann R.K. , Anjum F. , Roth‐Alpermann C. , Brecht M. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe Etruscan shrew, Suncus etruscus, is one of the smallest mammals. Etruscan shrews can recognize prey shape with amazing speed and accuracy, based on whisker‐mediated tactile cues. Because of its small size, quantitative analysis of the Etruscan shrew cortex is more tractable than in other animals. To quantitatively assess the anatomy of the Etruscan shrew's brain, we sectioned brains and applied Nissl staining and NeuN (neuronal nuclei) antibody staining. On the basis of these stains, we estimated the number of neurons of 10 cortical hemispheres by using Stereoinvestigator and Neurolucida (MBF Bioscience) software. On average, the neuron number per hemisphere was found to be ∼1 million. We also measured cortical surface area and found an average of 11.1 mm2 (n = 7) and an average volume of 5.3 mm3 (n = 10) per hemisphere. We identified 13 cortical regions by cytoarchitectonic boundaries in coronal, sagittal, and tangential sections processed for Nissl substance, myelin, cytochrome oxidase, ionic zinc, neurofilaments, and vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGluT2). The Etruscan shrew is a highly tactile animal with a large somatosensory cortex, which contains a barrel field, but the barrels are much less clearly defined than in rodents. The anatomically derived cortical partitioning scheme roughly corresponds to physiologically derived maps of neocortical sensory areas. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:2512–2530, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modeling shear waves through a viscoelastic medium induced by acoustic radiation force
Authors: Lee Kristen H. , Szajewski Benjamin A. , Hah Zaegyoo , Parker Kevin J. , Maniatty Antoinette M. 
Published: January 2012

SUMMARYIn this study, a finite element model of a tissue‐mimicking, viscoelastic phantom with a stiffer cylindrical inclusion subjected to an acoustic radiation force (ARF) is presented, and the resulting shear waves through the heterogeneous media are simulated, analyzed, and compared with experimental data. Six different models for the ARF were considered and compared. Each study used the same finite element model, but applied the following: (1) full radiation push; (2) focal region push; (3) single element focal point source; or (4) various thresholds of the full radiation push. For each case, displacements at discrete locations were determined and compared. The finite element simulation results for the full radiation push matched well with the experimental data with respect to replicating the shear wave speed and attenuation in the peak displacements through the background medium and inclusion, but did not illustrate comparable recovery after the peak displacements. As a result of this study, it has been shown that a focal region or point source push is not adequate to accurately model the effects of the full radiation push, but thresholding the full push can produce comparable results and reduce computation time. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Supercapacitors Based on c‐Type Cytochromes Using Conductive Nanostructured Networks of Living Bacteria
Authors: Malvankar Nikhil S. , Mester Tünde , Tuominen Mark T. , Lovley Derek R. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractSupercapacitors have attracted interest in energy storage because they have the potential to complement or replace batteries. Here, we report that c‐type cytochromes, naturally immersed in a living, electrically conductive microbial biofilm, greatly enhance the device capacitance by over two orders of magnitude. We employ genetic engineering, protein unfolding and Nernstian modeling for in vivo demonstration of charge storage capacity of c‐type cytochromes and perform electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and charge–discharge cycling to confirm the pseudocapacitive, redox nature of biofilm capacitance. The biofilms also show low self‐discharge and good charge/discharge reversibility. The superior electrochemical performance of the biofilm is related to its high abundance of cytochromes, providing large electron storage capacity, its nanostructured network with metallic‐like conductivity, and its porous architecture with hydrous nature, offering prospects for future low cost and environmentally sustainable energy storage devices.
Cell analysis in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using Sysmex® hematology analyzers XT‐4000i and XE‐5000: Evaluation with CSF controls of the Joint German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL)
Authors: Kleine Tilmann O. , Nebe Carl Thomas , Löwer Christa , Geilenkeuser Wolf‐Jochen , Dorn‐Beineke Alexandra 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIn cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, hematology analyzers (HAs) Sysmex® XT‐4000i and XE‐5000, equipped with flow cytometry (FCM), were used to count cells and differentiate leukocytes into mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells (MNCs, PMCs) applying body fluid mode. FCM was evaluated with 20 DGKL CSF controls containing viable human leukocytes and erythrocytes. HA values were compared with reference values by Passing/Bablok regression analysis to reveal conformity. Conformity of white blood cells (WBCs) was obtained with native leukocytes, counted in calibrated Fuchs–Rosenthal chamber as reference; red blood cell counts proved inaccurate. CV <40% with WBC counts <20 per μL impairs accuracy. Reference WBC differentiation was assayed using FACS Canto II™ and FC‐500 SN with anti‐CD45, anti‐CD14, anti‐CD16, anti‐CD16/56 [Becton Dickinson (BD); Beckman Coulter (BC)]. BD FACS lysing solution®‐no‐wash‐procedure was applied. BC pretreatment with Versalyse lysing solution was not recommended. MNCs (lymphocytes + monocytes) were significantly lower (∼14%) on both HAs; PMCs (granulocytes or sum of neutrophils + eosinophils + basophils: range 1–86 M/L) were significantly higher (∼2.2‐fold). WBC HA differentiation is not reliable because MNC/PMC differentiation yielded lower and higher values than FACS–FCM references, respectively. This is attributed to incorrect discrimination of leukocytes with rounded/nonrounded nuclei; adding leukocytes with nonrounded nuclei to too low HA MNCs (about 40% not‐activated) yielded P/B conformity; subtraction of leukocytes with nonrounded nuclei from elevated HA PMCs showed conformity (about 85% activated). Nucleus/activation state of leukocytes was assessed using microhistology. Sysmex XT‐4000i and XE‐5000 HAs systems are inappropriate for complete CSF cell analysis. © 2012 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Dynamical consensus seeking of heterogeneous multi‐agent systems under input delays
Authors: Liu Cheng‐Lin , Liu Fei 
Published: January 2012

SUMMARYA dynamical consensus algorithm is adopted for the heterogeneous multi‐agent systems with agents' dynamics modeled by single integrators and double integrators. Based on frequency‐domain analysis method, consensus conditions, which depend on the input delay and the control parameters, are obtained for the heterogeneous multi‐agent systems with symmetric coupling weights under identical input delay and different input delays, respectively. Numerical simulation illustrates the correctness of the results. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal stress effects on emotion regulation differ by genotype and sex in prepubertal rats
Authors: Schroeder Mariana , Sultany Tom , Weller Aron 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBehavioral effects of different prenatal stress (PNS) schedules were examined in prepubertal “depressive/anxious‐like” WKY and control Wistar rats. Pregnant dams received 1 hr daily restraint stress on gestational days 14–20 or on 7 randomly scheduled days, or remained undisturbed. Offspring were tested during postnatal days 29–35 in social play, forced swim‐test, open field, and novelty tests. PNS induced an increase in anxiety‐like behaviors in WKY, particularly in females, while seemingly reducing depressive‐like behavior in the swim test. However, very high post‐stress corticosterone levels were found, suggesting that the reductions in swim‐test immobility reflect an extremely over‐responsive HPA axis, rather than normalization in stress reactivity leading to a less depressive‐like profile. In Wistar, PNS produced weight loss, hyperactivity and risk taking behavior, especially in males. The results support the importance of the environment during gestation and its interaction with sex and genetics on long‐term anxiety and depressive like behaviors. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 55: 176–192, 2013