The global retinoblastoma outcome study : a prospective, cluster-based analysis of 4064 patients from 149 countries

DATA SHARING : The study data will become available online once all analyses are complete.BACKGROUND : Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular cancer worldwide. There is some evidence to suggest that major differences exist in treatment outcomes for children with retinoblastoma from different regions, but these differences have not been assessed on a global scale. We aimed to report 3-year outcomes for children with retinoblastoma globally and to investigate factors associated with survival. METHODS : We did a prospective cluster-based analysis of treatment-naive patients with retinoblastoma who were diagnosed between Jan 1, 2017, and Dec 31, 2017, then treated and followed up for 3 years. Patients were recruited from 260 specialised treatment centres worldwide. Data were obtained from participating centres on primary and additional treatments, duration of follow-up, metastasis, eye globe salvage, and survival outcome. We analysed time to death and time to enucleation with Cox regression models. FINDINGS : The cohort included 4064 children from 149 countries. The median age at diagnosis was 23·2 months (IQR 11·0–36·5). Extraocular tumour spread (cT4 of the cTNMH classification) at diagnosis was reported in five (0·8%) of 636 children from high-income countries, 55 (5·4%) of 1027 children from upper-middle-income countries, 342 (19·7%) of 1738 children from lower-middle-income countries, and 196 (42·9%) of 457 children from low-income countries. Enucleation surgery was available for all children and intravenous chemotherapy was available for 4014 (98·8%) of 4064 children. The 3-year survival rate was 99·5% (95% CI 98·8–100·0) for children from high-income countries, 91·2% (89·5–93·0) for children from upper-middle-income countries, 80·3% (78·3–82·3) for children from lower-middle-income countries, and 57·3% (52·1-63·0) for children from low-income countries. On analysis, independent factors for worse survival were residence in low-income countries compared to high-income countries (hazard ratio 16·67; 95% CI 4·76–50·00), cT4 advanced tumour compared to cT1 (8·98; 4·44–18·18), and older age at diagnosis in children up to 3 years (1·38 per year; 1·23–1·56). For children aged 3–7 years, the mortality risk decreased slightly (p=0·0104 for the change in slope). INTERPRETATION : This study, estimated to include approximately half of all new retinoblastoma cases worldwide in 2017, shows profound inequity in survival of children depending on the national income level of their country of residence. In high-income countries, death from retinoblastoma is rare, whereas in low-income countries estimated 3-year survival is just over 50%. Although essential treatments are available in nearly all countries, early diagnosis and treatment in low-income countries are key to improving survival outcomes.The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust and the Wellcome Trust.https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/homeam2023Paediatrics and Child Healt

Impact of Argemone mexicana L. on tomato plants infected with Phytophthora infestans

Background Fungal diseases can cause significant losses in the tomato crop. Phytophthora infestans causes the late blight disease, which considerably affects tomato production worldwide. Weed-based plant extracts are a promising ecological alternative for disease control. Methods In this study, we analyzed the plant extract of Argemone mexicana L. using chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS). We evaluated its impact on the severity of P. infestans, as well as its effect on the components of the antioxidant defense system in tomato plants. Results The extract from A. mexicana contains twelve compounds most have antifungal and biostimulant properties. The findings of the study indicate that applying the A. mexicana extract can reduce the severity of P. infestans, increase tomato fruit yield, enhance the levels of photosynthetic pigments, ascorbic acid, phenols, and flavonoids, as well as decrease the biosynthesis of H2O2, malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide anion in the leaves of plants infected with this pathogen. These results suggest that using the extract from A. mexicana could be a viable solution to control the disease caused by P. infestans in tomato crop

EVALUACIÓN DE PLANTAS DE PITAYA (Stenocereus spp) DE POBLACIONES NATURALES DE MONTE ESCOBEDO, ZACATECAS

"En Zacatecas las pitayas (Stenocereus spp) existen en varios municipios, donde son recolectadas para autoconsumo, aunque en años recientes, en el municipio de Monte Escobedo, Zac., se han convertido en un cultivo con altas perspectivas de comercializaci

Caracterización de frutos de caimito (Chrysophyllum cainito L.) en el estado de Veracruz, México

Star apple (Chrysophylum cainito L.) belongs to sapotáceas family where there are many trees and shrubs widely distributed in the tropics of both hemispheres. The star apple fruit has an exquisite taste and it is usually consumed as fresh fruit, has well-priced addition to the export market, with features that make it one of the tropical fruits with great potential for exploitation. In this study creole materials of star apple were evaluated. The fruits were collected in Zapotal Zaragoza and Juana Moza Ejidos of the Municipality of Tuxpan, Veracruz. They were transferred to Plant Physiology Laboratory of the Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agronómicas of Universidad Veracruzana. Ten fruits per tree were collected in 200 trees. Fruit, peel and pulp weight, seed number, seed weight was determined in each fruit. It is considered that the wide variation in these traits makes possible to search for materials with a higher proportion of pulp to increase its potential use as fresh or processed fruit.El caimito (Chrysophylum cainito L.) pertenece a la familia de las Sapotáceas donde abundan árboles y arbustos distribuidos ampliamente en los trópicos de ambos hemisferios. El fruto del caimito es de un sabor exquisito y se consume habitualmente como fruta fresca, cotizándose en el mercado de exportación, con características que lo hacen ser uno de los frutales tropicales con grandes posibilidades de explotación. En el presente trabajo se evaluaron materiales criollos de caimito, los cuales fueron colectados en los Ejidos Zapotal Zaragoza y Juana Moza del Municipio de Tuxpan Veracruz, se trasladaron al laboratorio de Fisiología Vegetal en la Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas Agropecuarias de la Universidad Veracruzana. Se colectaron 10 frutos por árbol en 20 árboles. En cada fruto se determinó peso del fruto, peso de cáscara, peso de pulpa, número de semillas por fruto, peso de semilla. Se considera que la gran variación en estos caracteres hace posible la búsqueda de materiales con mayor proporción de pulpa, para incrementar su uso potencial como fruta fresca o procesada

Effects of Sterilization on Bioactives of <em>Jatropha dioica</em> and <em>Opuntia oligacantha</em> Extracts, and on Antimicrobial Capacity against <em>Streptococcus mutans</em>

Natural extracts have been used as antimicrobial agents, and extracts of the rhizomes of the dragon’s blood plant (Jatropha dioica) and of the fruit of xoconostle ‘Ulapa’ (Opuntia oligacantha) are among these agents. To be able to use the extracts, it is necessary to eliminate their natural microbiota by the means of sterilization methods; however, the effects of thermal sterilization on their properties have not been evaluated. The objective of the study was to evaluate the physico-chemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of extracts of the rhizomes of dragon’s blood and the fruit of xoconostle, when not sterilized, and when sterilized by autoclaving. The contents of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans were not affected in autoclave-sterilized extracts of dragon’s blood rhizomes, and naringenin, apigenin, galagina, vanillic, and caffeic acid were detected, while in autoclave-sterilized extracts of xoconostle fruits, the betalain content decreased, with galagin, gallic, vanillic, and p-coumaric acid being identified. The minimum inhibitory concentration for the extract sterilized by autoclaving dragon’s blood was 2 mg/mL, and for the extract sterilized by autoclaving xoconostle, it was 28 mg/mL. Both represent natural alternatives as antimicrobial agents against S. mutans.</i

‘Borrego’, nueva variedad de xoconostle con valor nutricional y funcional para la región Mesa Central de México

From a cultural point of view, the xoconostles (Opuntiaspp.) Have been an important factor in the economic sustenance of the peasant of the semi-arid zones of Mexico; however, to date, although xoconostles are a plant genetic resource with great potential, there are few works that allow us to know their diversity or their very existence. The recent efforts of the integrated inter-institutional group within the framework of the Nopal Network of the National System of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (SINAREFI), have allowed the rescue and evaluation of an important part of the diversity of xoconostles existing in Mexico. A new horticultural form of the genus OpuntiaMiller (Cactaceae), considered as a variety of common use, is found in Villa ofTezontepec Municipality, Hidalgo, Mexico, known as xoconostle ‛Borrego’(Opuntia oligacanthaFörster). It was evaluated from 2012 to 2015 and it was found that its fruit is of medium size (74±1.09 cm) and oboval shape, with floral scar strongly sunkenand very long peduncle (15.4±0.217 cm), with an external coloration of irregular coloration medium red, walls of pink hue, wide (10.6±0.363 mm, characteristic of the xoconostles), acidic (pH 3.22±0.039, dry to semi-dry and tasteless pink fungus, firm consistency, low sugar content (6.9±0.169 °Brix) and with an average number of fully developed seeds (218±1.723).The average yield in four years of evaluation was13.59t ha-1and its fruits remain for more than six months in the plant, after the beginning of the This variety has the definitive registration Number XOC-026-290212 of the CNVV-SNICS and has been validated under the conditions of the central table of Mexico,in order to increase the varietal pattern for the commercial production of cactus in the region. Keywords: Opuntia oligacanthaFörster, nutritional and functional quality, yieldDesde el punto de vista cultural, los xoconostles (Opuntiaspp.) han sido un importante factor de sustento económico del campesino de las zonas semiáridas de México;sin embargo, a la fecha, los xoconostles son un recurso fitogenético con grandes potencialidades, existen pocos trabajos que nos permitan conocersu diversidad. Los esfuerzos recientes del grupo interinstitucional integrado en el marco de la Red Nopal del Sistema Nacional de Recursos Fitogenéticos para la Alimentación y la Agricultura (SINAREFI), han permitido el rescate y evaluación de la diversidad de xoconostles existente en México. Se describe una nueva forma hortícola del género Opuntia Miller (Cactaceae), considerada como variedad de uso común, que se encuentra en el Municipio Villa de Tezontepec, Hidalgo, México, conocida como xoconostle ‘Borrego’(Opuntia oligacantha Förster). Se evaluó de 2012 a 2015y se encontró que su fruto es de tamaño mediano (74±1.09cm) y forma oboval, con la cicatriz floral fuertemente hundida y pedúnculo muy largo (15.4±0.217cm), con una coloración externa de coloración irregular rojo medio, paredes de tonalidad rosa, anchas (10.6±0.363mm, característico de los xoconostles), ácidas (pH 3.22±0.039, funículos secos a semisecos e insípidos de color rosa, de consistencia firme, bajo contenido de azúcares (6.9±0.169°Brix) y con un número medio de semillas bien desarrolladas (218±1.723). El rendimiento promedio en cuatro años de evaluación fue de 13.59tha-1 y sus frutos permanecen por más de seis meses en la planta, después de iniciada la maduración. Ésta variedad cuenta con el registro definitivo número:XOC-026-290212 del CNVV-SNICS y se ha validado bajo las condiciones dela mesa central de México,a fin de incrementar el padrón varietal para la producción comercial de nopal en la región.Palabras clave:Opuntia oligacanthaFörster, calidad nutrimental y funcional, rendimient

Changes of the antioxidant system in pear (Pyrus communis L.) fruits by foliar application of copper, selenium, iron, and zinc nanoparticles

Innovations in agricultural nanotechnology are a viable option for improving the antioxidant system in the pear crop helping to mitigate the different types of abiotic and biotic stresses whose effects have increased due to the advance of climate change. Therefore, foliar applications were made with nanoparticles (NPs) of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) at 250 ppm, as well as applications with selenium (Se) at 50 ppm, and control with water in a commercial pear orchard (Bartlett variety), to evaluate its effect on the behavior of the enzymatic antioxidant system, the concentration of bioactive compounds, and the evaluation of damage by lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide concentration, and activity of polyphenol oxidases (PPO) in the fruits. The results indicate that the Cu and Se NPs stimulated in the fruits a greater synthesis of total phenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid, achieving higher concentrations than the control fruits, and also exhibited greater antioxidant activity in vitro. An opposite effect was observed in the fruits of the treatment with Zn NPs, since the concentration of phenols and flavonoids was reduced by 33.14 and 34.24 %, respectively, as well as a decrease in antioxidant activity. On the other hand, the Cu and Fe NPs improved the activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and guaiacol peroxidase, additionally, the integrity of the membranes was maintained, thus avoiding enzymatic browning due to the activity of the PPOs in the fruits. The highest concentration of malondialdehyde and PPOs activity was observed in the fruits of the treatment with Se and Zn NPs. The results indicate that the application of Cu NPs at 250 ppm can improve the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant system in Bartlett cultivar pear fruits

Ein Konflikt – zwei Wahrheiten?

Im Fokus dieser Magisterarbeit stehen 480 Artikel der ukrainischen und russischen Online- und Printmedien, die in der Zeitperiode der Maidan-Bewegung geschrieben wurden. Theorie Als theoretischer Rahmen gelten die Theorien des Journalismus und Konflikt-Kommunikation. Konflikttheorie und Konflikttransformation, sowie die Unterschiede zwischen Propaganda und Journalismus werden genauer erläutert. Fragestellung Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist, die Rolle der Presse beim Umschwung der öffentlichen Meinung während der Zeit der Maidan-Bewegung zu untersuchen. Im Mittelpunkt der Arbeit steht die Frage, welche Unterschiede bzw. Gemeinsamkeiten sich in Bezug auf die Maidan-Bewegung in der Printberichterstattung der ukrainischen und russischen Medien finden lassen. Forschungsdesign Mittels quantitativer Inhaltsanalyse werden die drei ukrainischen und fünf russischen Medien im Hinblick auf die Berichterstattung während der ukrainischen Revolution verglichen. Als Material dienen 480 Artikel, die von 20. November 2013 bis 28. Februar 2014 veröffentlicht wurden. Ergebnisse Die Berichterstattung der ukrainischen Medien ist von Interviews und Kommentaren und jene der russischen Medien durch Berichte und Reportagen geprägt. Die ukrainischen Medien haben im Hinblick auf Politikfelder und Kommunikationsthemen vielfältiger berichtet. Die Berichterstattung der ukrainischen Medien ist stärker emotionalisiert, wobei die Emotion „Gefahr“ in den russischen Medien seriöser thematisiert wird. Die Berichterstattung der ukrainischen Medien wies eine freundliche Tendenz gegenüber der Maidan-Bewegung auf und war gegenüber der Janukowitsch Regierung, der Post-Maidan-Bewegung und der russischen Regierung kritischer als die russischen Medien. Die russischen Medien waren kritisch in Bezug auf die Janukowitsch Regierung und ambivalent in Bezug auf die Maidan-Bewegung. Die ukrainische Berichterstattung zeichnet sich durch Patriotismus aus. Die patriotischen Gefühle sind am stärksten geprägt durch Solidarität mit den Protestierenden auf dem Maidan und durch Verbundenheit mit der Ukraine. In der russischen Berichterstattung überwiegen nationalistische Identitätsangebote. Er wird oft durch Superiorität der russischen Nation, sowie die Bereitschaft, die russische Bevölkerung in der Ukraine zu befreien und die Krim Halbinsel zurückzugewinnen, geprägt. Die Qualität der Konfliktperspektive zeigt sich in höherem Ausmaß in den russischen Medien. Die journalistische Diskursqualität ist in den ukrainischen Medien stärker ausgeprägt. Im Hinblick auf Zweifelbekundung waren die ukrainischen JournalistInnen selbstkritisch, und haben die Wahrheit und Wahrhaftigkeit der Positionsbekundung in Frage gestellt. Die russischen JournalistInnen waren im Gegensatz dazu selbstbewusst.The focus of this thesis is given to 480 articles of the Ukrainian and Russian online and printed media, which were written during the period of the Maidan movement. Theory Theoretical framework includes theories of journalism and conflict communication. The conflict theory and conflict transformation, as well as the differences between propaganda and journalism, are discussed in this thesis. Questions The aim of this thesis is to examine the role of the press in the transformation of public opinion during the period of the Maidan movement. The work is to show which differences and similarities can be found with regard to the Maidan movement in the coverage of the Ukrainian and Russian media. Research Design By means of quantitative content analysis, three Ukrainian and five Russian media are compared in terms of reporting during the Ukrainian revolution. The used materials include 480 articles published from 20 November 2013 to 28 February 2014. Results Coverage of the Ukrainian media is characterized with interviews and commentaries and in the meantime the Russian media is characterized with reports and news bulletins. The Ukrainian media has been more diverse in terms of policy areas and communication issues. The coverage of the Ukrainian media is more emotionalized. The emotion "danger" is more common in the Russian media. The coverage of the Ukrainian media showed a friendly tendency against the Maidan movement and more critical than the Russian media versus the Yanukovych government, the post-Maidan movement and the Russian government. The Russian media were critical in terms of Yanukovych's government and ambivalent in terms of Maidan movement. Ukrainian reporting shows itself with patriotism. Patriotic feelings are most strongly characterized by solidarity with the protesters on Maidan and their attachment to Ukraine. Russian reporting is predominated with the nationalist identity issues. It is often characterized by the superiority of the Russian nation, as well as the willingness to free the Russian population in Ukraine and return the Crimean Peninsula. The quality of the conflict perspective is shown to a greater extent in the Russian media. Journalistic discourse quality is higher in the Ukrainian media. Ukrainian journalists were self-critical and questioned the truth and truthfulness of the position, and the Russian journalists, in contrast, were self-assuredness

Impact of Selenium and Copper Nanoparticles on Yield, Antioxidant System, and Fruit Quality of Tomato Plants

The effects of nanoparticles (NPs) on plants are contrasting; these depend on the model plant, the synthesis of the nanoparticles (concentration, size, shape), and the forms of application (foliar, substrate, seeds). For this reason, the objective of this study was to report the impact of different concentrations of selenium (Se) and copper (Cu) NPs on yield, antioxidant capacity, and quality of tomato fruit. The different concentrations of Se and Cu NPs were applied to the substrate every 15 days (five applications). The yield was determined until day 102 after the transplant. Non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant compounds were determined in the leaves and fruits as well as the fruit quality at harvest. The results indicate that tomato yield was increased by up to 21% with 10 mg L&minus;1 of Se NPs. In leaves, Se and Cu NPs increased the content of chlorophyll, vitamin C, glutathione, 2,2&prime;-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazolin-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and phenylalanine ammonia liasa (PAL). In fruits, they increased vitamin C, glutathione, flavonoids, firmness, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity. The combination of Se and Cu NPs at optimal concentrations could be a good alternative to improve tomato yield and quality, but more studies are needed to elucidate their effects more clearly

Influencia de los métodos de cocción sobre la actividad antioxidante y compuestos bioactivos de tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

In order to evaluate the effect of three types of cooking (sautéed, boiled, and roasted) on content of the bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity in tomato, four treatments were established: sautéed, boiled, roasted, and control (without application of some cooking method). Once the treatments were applied, the physiochemical properties such as total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), and pH were evaluated as well as the lycopene content, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, phenols and total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity in vitro by essays of 2-2diphenil-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH), and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazolino-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS). All the cooking methods increased the TSS and reduced the acidity of the fruit. By roasting, a higher concentration of ascorbic acid (58.10%) was retained, as compared to the control. A significant increased (P ≤ 0.05) was observed in the concentration of carotenoids, and phenolic compounds in tomatoes due to the effect of the treatment sautéed, therefore a greater antioxidant activity. An inhibition of DPPH● radicals was found of 17.92%, and an antioxidant activity expressed as Trolox equivalents of 25.97 µM per g of fresh weight, as a result of the ABTS test. The boiling treatment caused a lixiviation effect of the bioactive compounds in the cooking media; therefore a smaller concentration was found. Sautéed was a better cooking method for tomatoes to obtain a higher concentration of antioxidant compounds.Con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto de tres tipos de cocción (rehogado, hervido y asado), sobre el contenido de los compuestos bioactivos y la actividad antioxidante en tomate, se establecieron cuatro tratamientos: rehogado, hervido, asado y testigo (sin aplicación de algún método de cocción). Una vez aplicados los tratamientos fueron evaluadas las propiedades fisicoquímicas tales como sólidos solubles totales (SST), ácidez titulable (AT) y pH, así como el contenido de licopeno, β-caroteno, ácido ascórbico, fenoles y flavonoides totales y actividad antioxidante in vitro mediante los ensayos de 2-2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazilo (DPPH) y 2,2'-azino-bis (3-etilbenzotiazolino-6-ácido sulfónico) (ABTS). Todos los métodos de cocción aumentaron los SST y redujeron la acidez del fruto. Mediante el asado se retuvo una mayor concentración de ácido ascórbico (58.10%), respecto al testigo. Se observó un aumento significativo (P ≤ 0.05) en la concentración de carotenoides y compuestos fenólicos en tomates por efecto del rehogado y por lo tanto una mayor actividad antioxidante. Se encontró una inhibición del radical DPPH● de 17.92% y una actividad antioxidante expresada en equivalentes de Trolox de 25.97 µM por gramo de peso fresco, de acuerdo con el ensayo de ABTS. El hervido provocó un efecto de lixiviación de los compuestos bioactivos al medio de cocimiento y por lo tanto una menor concentración de estos compuestos. El rehogado fue el mejor método de cocción de tomates para obtener una mayor concentración de compuestos antioxidantes