{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Author}: Kiszonas, Alecia M.; Bamberg, John B.
{Year}: 2010
{Title}: Survey of Tuber pH Variation in Potato (Solanum) Species
{Tag}: 0
{Star}: 0
{Journal}: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF POTATO RESEARCH
{Volume}: 87
{Issue}: 2
{Pages}: 167-176
{ISBN/ISSN}: 1099-209X
{Keywords}: PERFORMANCE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY; ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY; PROCESSED POTATOES; PHENOLIC CONTENT; ORGANIC-ACIDS; AMINO-ACIDS; STORAGE; CULTIVARS; GERMPLASM; SPECTROMETRY
{Abstract}: Variation in tuber pH has been previously reported in cultivated potato and shown to be associated with economic traits. We here report a broad survey of potato germplasm for tuber pH, including wild Solanum species. Cultivar pH ranged from about 5.5 to 6.2, while six wild species were significantly lower. Solanum microdontum had the lowest pH average of the wild species examined at 5.17 with the lowest observed reading of 4.99. This species also exhibited a strong environmental effect, in which field tubers (5.28) were much lower than greenhouse tubers (5.63). Long storage generally did not have a significant effect on wild species tubers, except for S. jamesii, which reduced from 5.78 to 5.54. Various types of sampling were tested. Skins were generally lower than flesh, with a high correlation between the tissues. Samples that were frozen, cooked, or reconstituted from dried powder had different absolute pH values, but these were highly correlated, so germplasm would be ranked for pH similarly regardless of method. Although not tested here, physiological links between pH and economic traits like disease resistance, nutrition and tuber quality are plausible. If so, pH testing might serve as a rapid and inexpensive screening tool in breeding programs. The association of pH and useful traits might also provide clues for exploring underlying genetic and physiological mechanisms in potatoes.
{Author Address}: ARS, USDA, US Potato Genebank, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 USA; ARS, USDA, US Potato Genebank, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 USA
{Database Provider}: Web of Science SCI
{Language}: English
{Country}: USA

{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Author}: Saketkoo, Lesley Ann; Espinoza, Luis R.
{Year}: 2009
{Title}: Experience of Mycophenolate Mofetil in 10 Patients With Autoimmune-Related Interstitial Lung Disease Demonstrates Promising Effects
{Tag}: 0
{Star}: 0
{Journal}: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL SCIENCES
{Volume}: 337
{Issue}: 5
{Pages}: 329-335
{ISBN/ISSN}: 0002-9629
{Keywords}: CONNECTIVE-TISSUE DISEASE; PULMONARY ARTERIAL-HYPERTENSION; RESOLUTION COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY; RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS; SYSTEMIC-SCLEROSIS; TGF-BETA; FIBROSING ALVEOLITIS; SCLERODERMA; INVOLVEMENT; DERMATOMYOSITIS; Mycophenolate mofetil; Cyclophosphamide; Interstitial lung disease; Pulmonary fibrosis; Pneumonitis; Alveolitis; High-resolution computed tomography; Connective tissue disorders
{Abstract}: Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a frequent manifestation of connective tissue disease (CTD), especially systemic sclerosis (SSc), polymyositis-dermatomyositis, and rheumatoid arthritis. ILD related to CTDs heralds a poor prognosis and is associated with high mortality and 60% of patients have evidence of ILD. Cyclophosphamide (CYC) is extensively used in SSc ILD with moderate initial response but a poor long-term outcome, and is associated with significant toxicity. Results: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was administered to 10 patients with autoimmune-related ILD: 4 with SSc, 3 with rheumatoid arthritis, 2 with polymyositis, and I with systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjogren syndrome. Five patients received remote CYC infusion. Ten patients had improvement in alveolitis, symptoms (cough, dyspnea, and chest discomfort), perceived quality of life and activity levels. Four of 5 patients discontinued oxygen. Two of 8 repeat high-resolution computed tomography improved, 6 stabilized, none worsened. Pulmonary function testing in I of 9 patients showed worsening, 3 with improvement and 5 stabilized. Serial echocardiograms revealed no new pulmonary arterial hypertension and no worsening of preexisting pulmonary arterial hypertension. Very importantly, averaged prednisone dose decreased from 58 to 1.4 mg without worsening. Conclusion: MMF is safe, well tolerated, and allows reduction or discontinuation of prednisone without worsening of symptoms or objective progression of disease. MMF is less toxic and its targeted antifbrotic properties make it a potentially more effective agent than CYC that may supplant it as a first-line agent or provide sensible post-CYC maintenance or synergistic strategy in the treatment of CTD-ILD.
{Author Address}: Louisiana State Univ, Rheumatol Sect, Hlth Sci Ctr, Dept Internal Med, New Orleans, LA 70115 USA; Childrens Hosp, New Orleans, LA USA; Louisiana State Univ, Rheumatol Sect, Hlth Sci Ctr, Dept Internal Med, New Orleans, LA 70115 USA; Childrens Hosp, New Orleans, LA USA
{Database Provider}: Web of Science SCI
{Language}: English
{Country}: USA; USA

{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Author}: Shen, Qian; Zhang, Bowen; Xu, Rihua; Wang, Yang; Ding, Xuelong; Li, Pinglan
{Year}: 2010
{Title}: Antioxidant activity in vitro of the selenium-contained protein from the Se-enriched Bifidobacterium animalis 01
{URL}: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1075996410000995
{Tag}: 0
{Star}: 0
{Journal}: Anaerobe
{Volume}: 16
{Issue}: 4
{Pages}: 380-386
{Date Displayed}: 2010/8//
{Alternate Title}: Anaerobe
{ISBN/ISSN}: 1075-9964
{Keywords}: Bifidobacterium animalis; Selenium-contained protein; Selenium; Antioxidant activity
{Abstract}: Several studies indicated that bifidobacteria possessed strong antioxidant activity. In present study, the antioxidant activities of Bifidobacterium animalis 01 proteins were evaluated using six assays, namely, linoleic acid preoxidation assay, erythrocyte hemolysis assay, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, reducing power assay, hydroxyl (OH) and superoxide radicals (O2−) assays, in which the last two assays were measured by electron spin resonance (ESR). There were two kinds of B. animalis 01 proteins in this study, the regular B. animalis 01 protein (Pro-CK) and the B. animalis 01 selenium-contained protein (Pro-Se). Both Pro-CK and Pro-Se showed concentration dependent antioxidant activity in DPPH assay, reducing power assay and erythrocyte hemolysis assay. All results of six assays indicated that the antioxidant activity of the B. animalis 01 protein was improved remarkably after selenium was incorporated. The antioxidant activity of Pro-Se increased with the increase of selenium content in Pro-Se suggesting selenium played a positive role in enhancing the antioxidant activity of B. animalis 01 protein. Moreover, organic selenium was more effective than inorganic selenium on enhancing the hydroxyl radical scavenging ability of B. animalis 01 protein.

{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Author}: Alvarez Madrid, C.; Gonzalez Fernandez, A.; Lisbona Munoz, M.; Molina Rodriguez, M. A.; Merino Munoz, R.; Garcia-Consuegra Molina, J.
{Year}: 2009
{Title}: Thyroid Disorders and Childhood Rheumatic Diseases
{Tag}: 0
{Star}: 0
{Journal}: ANALES DE PEDIATRIA
{Volume}: 70
{Issue}: 1
{Pages}: 53-56
{ISBN/ISSN}: 1695-4033
{Keywords}: SYSTEMIC-LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS; JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS; SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM; AUTOIMMUNE-THYROIDITIS; PREVALENCE; CHILDREN; DERMATOMYOSITIS; CLASSIFICATION; ASSOCIATION; Thyroid abnormalities; Childhood rheumatic diseases; Autoimmune diseases
{Abstract}: Introduction: The relationship between thyroid dysfunction and autoimmune diseases has mainly been described in adults. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence and characteristics of thyroid abnormalities in children with rheumatic diseases.
Patients and method: One hundred and forty-five patients (109 girls and 36 boys) from a rheumatology paediatric unit were studied for two years. The diagnoses were: juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) (n = 115), lupus (n = 17), juvenile dermatomyositis (n = 5), scleroderma (n = 4), and one case each of the following: mixed connective mixed disease, CINCA syndrome (chronic infantile neurological, cutaneous and articular), TRAPS (tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome), and familial mediterranean fever. T4 and TSH levels were carried out, and if these showed abnormalities, antithyroid antibodies (ATA) were determined.
Results: Six girls aged between 2 and 17 years old had thyroid abnormalities. Three had JIA and three had lupus. Five were diagnosed with autoimmune hypothyroidism, with high ATA levels, and there was one case of hyperthyroidism. All of the patients with thyroid dysfunction had positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA), compared to 34.5% of the rest of the patients (p = 0.003).
Conclusions: The prevalence of thyroid abnormalities in children with rheumatic disease was 4.14% to 7.9% in JIA patients with positive ANA, and up to 17.6% with lupus. The majority of patients were asymptomatic. Thyroid hormones should be determined when rheumatic disease is diagnosed and periodically afterwards. (c) 2008 Asociacion Espanola de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. All. rights reserved.
{Author Address}: Hosp Univ La Paz, Sec Reumatol Pediat, Madrid, Spain; Hosp Univ La Paz, Sec Reumatol Pediat, Madrid, Spain; Hosp Univ La Paz, Sec Reumatol Pediat, Madrid, Spain; Hosp Univ La Paz, Serv Endocrinol Pediat, Madrid, Spain; Hosp Univ La Paz, Sec Reumatol Pediat, Madrid, Spain; Hosp Univ La Paz, Sec Reumatol Pediat, Madrid, Spain
{Database Provider}: Web of Science SCI
{Language}: Spanish
{Country}: Spain; Spain