The effect of family variables on child weight change.

Analyzed the effects of family variables (e.g., family size, family weight composition, parental weight) on child weight loss in a series of family-based, behaviorally oriented weight control programs for children from 102 families. Results show that the amount of relative weight change was related to initial treatment success, the number of children in the family, and the gender of the child. Children who were more successful lost more weight initially, had fewer siblings, and were female. It is suggested that family size may interact with treatment to determine weight change, possibly by reducing the amount of time a parent has to spend promoting behavior change or the effectiveness of parents in managing their children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Involvement and persuasion: Types, traditions, and the evidence.

This article is a reply to R. E. Petty and J. T. Cacioppo's (see record 1990-19685-001) critique of our meta-analysis in which we concluded that research has established 3 different types of involvement with distinctly different effects on persuasion (B. T. Johnson and A. H. Eagly; see record 1990-01215-001). We first correct their summary of our review. In response to their claim that outcome-relevant and value-relevant involvement are best reduced to a single construct, we assert that this proposal fails to account for existing research findings and provides only a highly speculative account of the processes that might mediate the impact of involvement on persuasion. We then reaffirm our earlier conclusion that the effects of outcome-relevant involvement are especially unstable when messages contain weak arguments. In fact, this conclusion is underscored by 4 studies that Johnson conducted after completing the meta-analysis. Finally, we explain how the methodological features of our review that Petty and Cacioppo fault are consistent with established principles of meta-analytic reviewing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Consumption effects of electricity decarbonization: Evidence from California and the Pacific Northwest

This paper estimates the price-induced impacts of decarbonization policy on CO₂ emissions in California and the Pacific Northwest. We document that retail demands for electricity and natural gas by customer class are highly price-inelastic. Based on the heat rates of natural-gas-fired generation, we find that a 10% electricity rate increase due to electricity decarbonization may not have the consumption effects of further reducing the region’s CO₂ emissions.     

Triethanolamine Stabilization of Methotrexate-β-Cyclodextrin Interactions in Ternary Complexes

The interaction of methotrexate (MTX) with beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) in the presence of triethanolamine (TEA) was investigated with the aim to elucidate the mechanism whereby self-assembly cyclodextrin systems work in association with this third component. Solubility diagram studies showed synergic increment of the MTX solubility to be about thirty-fold. Experiments using 2D ROESY and molecular modeling studies revealed the inclusion of aromatic ring III of the drug into β-CD cavity, in which TEA contributes by intensifying MTX interaction with β-CD and stabilizes MTX:β-CD:TEA ternary complex by electrostatic interaction. The maintenance of these interactions in solid phase was also studied in ternary MTX:β-CD:TEA and comparisons were made with freeze dried binary MTX:β-CD and physical mixtures. FTIR studies evidenced that MTX–β-CD interaction remained in solid ternary complexes, which was also supported by thermal (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TG)/first derivative of TG analysis (DTG) and C,N,H elementary analysis) and structural (X-ray diffraction analysis, (XRD)) studies, mainly regarding the increment of drug stability. The efficient in vitro drug dissolution studies successfully demonstrated the contribution of ternary complexes, which highlights the importance of this possible new raw material for further applications in drug delivery systems.     

Antiulcerogenic Potential of the Ethanolic Extract of Ceiba speciosa (A. St.-Hil.) Ravenna Evaluated by In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Gastrointestinal diseases, such as peptic ulcers, are caused by a damage in the gastric mucosa provoked by several factors. This stomach injury is regulated by many inflammatory mediators and is commonly treated with proton-pump inhibitors, histamine H2 receptor blockers and antacids. However, various medicinal plants have demonstrated positive effects on gastric ulcer treatment, including plants of the Ceiba genus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiulcer and anti-inflammatory activities of the stem bark ethanolic extract of Ceiba speciosa (A. St.-Hil.) Ravenna. We performed a preliminary quantification of phenolic compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), followed by the prospection of other chemical groups through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A set of in vitro assays was used to evaluate the extract potential regarding its antioxidant activity (DPPH: 19.83 ± 0.34 µg/mL; TPC: 307.20 ± 6.20 mg GAE/g of extract), effects on cell viability and on the release of TNF-α in whole human blood. Additionally, in vivo assays were performed to evaluate the leukocyte accumulation and total protein quantification in carrageenan-induced air pouch, as well as the antiulcerogenic effect of the extract on an ethanol-induced ulcer in rats. The extract contains flavonoids and phenolic compounds, as well as sugars and quinic acid derivatives exhibiting potent antioxidant activity and low toxicity. The extract reduced the release of TNF-α in human blood and inhibited the activity of p38α (1.66 µg/mL), JAK3 (5.25 µg/mL), and JNK3 (8.34 µg/mL). Moreover, it reduced the leukocyte recruitment on the pouch exudate and the formation of edema, reverting the effects caused by carrageenan. The extract presented a significant prevention of ulcer formation and a higher reduction than the reference drug, Omeprazole. Therefore, C. speciosa extract has demonstrated relevant therapeutic potential for the treatment of gastric diseases, deserving the continuation of further studies to unveil the mechanisms of action of plant bioactive ingredients.     

Autoimmune Neutropenia and Immune-Dysregulation in a Patient Carrying a TINF2 Variant

In recent years, the knowledge about the immune-mediated impairment of bone marrow precursors in immune-dysregulation and autoimmune disorders has increased. In addition, immune-dysregulation, secondary to marrow failure, has been reported as being, in some cases, the most evident and early sign of the disease and making the diagnosis of both groups of disorders challenging. Dyskeratosis congenita is a disorder characterized by premature telomere erosion, typically showing marrow failure, nail dystrophy and leukoplakia, although incomplete genetic penetrance and phenotypes with immune-dysregulation features have been described. We report on a previously healthy 17-year-old girl, with a cousin successfully treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, who presented with leukopenia and neutropenia. The diagnostic work-up showed positive anti-neutrophil antibodies, leading to the diagnosis of autoimmune neutropenia, a slightly low NK count and high TCR-αβ+-double-negative T-cells. A next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis showed the 734C>A variant on exon 6 of the TINF2 gene, leading to the p.Ser245Tyr. The telomere length was short on the lymphocytes and granulocytes, suggesting the diagnosis of an atypical telomeropathy showing with immune-dysregulation. This case underlines the importance of an accurate diagnostic work-up of patients with immune-dysregulation, who should undergo NGS or whole exome sequencing to identify specific disorders that deserve targeted follow-up and treatment.     

Proteomes of Residual Tumors in Curcumin-Treated Rats Reveal Changes in Microenvironment/Malignant Cell Crosstalk in a Highly Invasive Model of Mesothelioma

Curcumin exhibits both immunomodulatory properties and anticarcinogenic effects which have been investigated in different experimental tumor models and cancer types. Its interactions with multiple signaling pathways have been documented through proteomic studies on malignant cells in culture; however, in vivo approaches are scarce. In this study, we used a rat model of highly invasive peritoneal mesothelioma to analyze the residual tumor proteomes of curcumin-treated rats in comparison with untreated tumor-bearing rats (G1) and provide insights into the modifications in the tumor microenvironment/malignant cell crosstalk. The cross-comparing analyses of the histological sections of residual tumors from two groups of rats given curcumin twice on days 21 and 26 after the tumor challenge (G2) or four times on days 7, 9, 11 and 14 (G3), in comparison with G1, identified a common increase in caveolin-1 which linked with significant abundance changes affecting 115 other proteins. The comparison of G3 vs. G2 revealed additional features for 65 main proteins, including an increase in histidine-rich glycoprotein and highly significant abundance changes for 22 other proteins regulating the tumor microenvironment, linked with the presence of numerous activated T cells. These results highlight new features in the multiple actions of curcumin on tumor microenvironment components and cancer cell invasiveness.     

Insights behind the Relationship between Colorectal Cancer and Obesity: Is Visceral Adipose Tissue the Missing Link?

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major health problem worldwide, with an estimated 1.9 million new cases and 915,880 deaths in 2020 alone. The etiology of CRC is complex and involves both genetic and lifestyle factors. Obesity is a major risk factor for CRC, and the mechanisms underlying this link are still unclear. However, the generalized inflammatory state of adipose tissue in obesity is thought to play a role in the association between CRC risk and development. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is a major source of proinflammatory cytokines and other factors that contribute to the characteristic systemic low-grade inflammation associated with obesity. VAT is also closely associated with the tumor microenvironment (TME), and recent evidence suggests that adipocytes within the TME undergo phenotypic changes that contribute to tumor progression. In this review, we aim to summarize the current evidence linking obesity and CRC, with a focus on the role of VAT in tumor etiology and progression.     

Ligand-Specific Nano-Contrast Agents Promote Enhanced Breast Cancer CT Detection at 0.5 mg Au

For many cancer types, being undetectable from early symptoms or blood tests, or often detected at late stages, medical imaging emerges as the most efficient tool for cancer screening. MRI, ultrasound, X-rays (mammography), and X-ray CT (CT) are currently used in hospitals with variable costs. Diagnostic materials that can detect breast tumors through molecular recognition and amplify the signal at the targeting site in combination with state-of-the-art CT techniques, such as dual-energy CT, could lead to a more precise detection and assist significantly in image-guided intervention. Herein, we have developed a ligand-specific X-ray contrast agent that recognizes α5β1 integrins overexpressed in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells for detection of triple (−) cancer, which proliferates very aggressively. In vitro studies show binding and internalization of our nanoprobes within those cells, towards uncoated nanoparticles (NPs) and saline. In vivo studies show high retention of ~3 nm ligand-PEG-S-AuNPs in breast tumors in mice (up to 21 days) and pronounced CT detection, with statistical significance from saline and iohexol, though only 0.5 mg of metal were utilized. In addition, accumulation of ligand-specific NPs is shown in tumors with minimal presence in other organs, relative to controls. The prolonged, low-metal, NP-enhanced spectral-CT detection of triple (−) breast cancer could lead to breakthrough advances in X-ray cancer diagnostics, nanotechnology, and medicine.