THE COLLABORATIVE PIANIST’S PERSPECTIVE: PROGRAMMING, PREPARING AND PERFORMING LOWER VOICE ART SONG RECITALS

Choosing repertoire for art song recitals is an art unto itself. It is crucial for the collaborative pianist to develop the knowledge necessary to help singers build programs that not only feature the vocalist’s strengths, but also create awareness of excellent compositions both well- and lesser-known. In fact, well-built programs can only help to increase the appreciation and popularity of the art song recital. Vocal repertoire is diverse and voluminous enough that a focus on works for lower voices is justified. In selecting the material for this project I have chosen a particular segment of the available repertoire with its specific challenges to the collaboration between singer and pianist. My overall objective is to demonstrate the importance of the collaborative pianist’s involvement in choosing vocal repertoire for art song recitals. The two compact discs that comprise this dissertation recording project contain works that were particularly chosen to demonstrate the breadth and variety found in the repertoire written for the lower voice. The selections range from Schubert, Poulenc, de Falla, Chausson, Ibert, Mahler and Berlin, to contemporary American composers such as Eric Ewazen (b. 1954) and Wayne Oquin (b. 1979). With the inclusion of pieces outside of the traditional art song canon (i.e. jazz, folksongs, spirituals, musical theater), programs can significantly influence the artists involved as well as the listening public. The greater variety inherent in such programs is apt to positively affect the appreciation and popularity of the art song recital at large. The two CD’s for this dissertation recording project were recorded over several months starting in December 2006 and ending in November 2008 and are available on compact discs which can be found in the Digital Repository at the University of Maryland (DRUM). The performers were Sidney Outlaw, baritone, Isabelle Leonard, mezzo-soprano, Evan Hughes, bass-baritone, Rachel Serber, trumpet and the Attacca String Quartet - Vessko Gellev, 1st violin, Janey Choi, 2nd violin, Artie Dibble, viola and Ben Wyatt, cello

Rosmarinic Acid-Rich Extracts of Summer Savory ( Satureja hortensis

Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L., Lamiaceae) is used in several regions of the world as a spice and folk medicine. Anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects of S. hortensis and of its rosmarinic acid-rich phenolic fraction have been demonstrated in animal trials. However, previous studies of rosmarinic acid in cell models have yielded controversial results. In this study, we investigated the effects of summer savory extracts on H2O2-challenged human lymphoblastoid Jurkat T cells. LC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of rosmarinic acid and flavonoids such as hesperidin and naringin in the phenolic fraction. Adding 25 or 50 µM of H2O2 to the cell culture caused oxidative stress, manifested as generation of superoxide and peroxyl radicals, reduced cell viability, G0/G1 arrest, and enhanced apoptosis. This stress was significantly alleviated by the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of S. hortensis and by the partially purified rosmarinic acid fraction. The application of an aqueous S. hortensis extract doubled the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase in the cells. The production of IL-2 and IL-10 interleukins was stimulated by H2O2 and was further enhanced by the addition of the S. hortensis extract or rosmarinic acid fraction. The H2O2-challenged Jurkat cells may serve as a model for investigating cellular mechanisms of cytoprotective phytonutrient effects

Selected acute phase CSF factors in ischemic stroke: findings and prognostic value

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Study aimed at investigation of pathogenic role and prognostic value of several selected cerebrospinal fluid acute phase factors that can reflect the severity of ischemic brain damage.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ninety five acute ischemic stroke patients were investigated. Ischemic region visualized at the twenty fourth hour by conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Stroke severity evaluated by National Institute Health Stroke Scale. One month outcome of disease was assessed by Barthel Index. Cerebrospinal fluid was taken at the sixth hour of stroke onset. CSF pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were studied by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Nitric Oxide and Lipoperoxide radical were measured by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance. CSF Nitrate levels were detected using the Griess reagent. Statistics performed by SPSS-11.0.</p> <p><b>Results</b></p> <p>At the sixth hour of stroke onset, cerebrospinal fluid cytokine levels were elevated in patients against controls. Severe stroke patients had increased interleukin-6 content compared to less severe strokes (P < 0.05). Cerebrospinal fluid Electron Paramagnetic Resonance signal of nitric oxide was increased in patients against controls. Severe stroke group had an elevated Electron Paramagnetic Resonance signal of lipoperoxiradical compared to less severe stroke. Cerebrospinal fluid nitrate levels in less severe stroke patients were higher than those for severe stroke and control. Positive correlation was established between the initial interleukin-6 content and ischemic lesion size as well as with National Institute Health Stroke Scale score on the seventh day. Initial interleukin-6 and nitrate levels in cerebrospinal fluid found to be significant for functional outcome of stroke at one month.</p> <p><b>Conclusion</b></p> <p>According to present study the cerebrospinal fluid contents of interleukin-6 and nitrates seem to be the most reliable prognostic factors in acute phase of ischemic stroke.</p

Constituents of French Marigold (Tagetes patula L.) Flowers Protect Jurkat T-Cells against Oxidative Stress

The flowers of French marigold (Tagetes patula L.) are widely used in folk medicine, in particular for treating inflammation-related disorders. However, cellular mechanisms of this activity demand further investigation. In the present work, we studied the potential of T. patula compounds to alleviate the oxidative stress in hydrogen peroxide-challenged human lymphoblastoid Jurkat T-cells. Crude extracts of marigold flowers and purified fractions containing flavonoids patuletin, quercetagetin, and quercetin and their derivatives, as well as the carotenoid lutein, were brought in contact with Jurkat cells challenged with 25 or 50 μM H2O2. Hydrogen peroxide caused oxidative stress in the cells, manifested as generation of superoxide and peroxyl radicals, reduced viability, arrested cell cycle, and enhanced apoptosis. The stress was alleviated by marigold ingredients that demonstrated high radical-scavenging capacity and enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes involved in neutralization of reactive oxygen species. Flavonoid fraction rich in quercetin and quercetagetin showed the highest cytoprotective activity, while patuletin in high dose exerted a cytotoxic effect associated with its anticancer potential. T. patula compounds enhanced the production of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant interleukin-10 (IL-10) in Jurkat cells. Both direct radical-scavenging capacity and stimulation of protective cellular mechanisms can underlay the anti-inflammatory properties of marigold flowers

Vitamin D Associated Peculiarities in Women with Mild Covid-19 and Effect of Calcifediol on the Level of Vitamin D and Possibly, on Disease Outcome - Prospective Pilot Study

Presented study provides information about prospective pilot study concerning the vitamin D  in women with mild COVID-19 (SARSCoV2) and effect of Calcifediol on the vitamin D level and possibly, on disease outcome.The study involved 30 women aged 48 to 72 years who were treated for a mild form of new coronavirus infection between 1.09.2020 - 1.12.2020 at the First University Clinic of TSMU.In all patients, the new type SARSCoV2 was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction performed with reagents-Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 (Cepheid, USA) on GeneXpert (USA) analyzer (closed system). D-dimer, ferritin, C-reactive protein and lactate dehydrogenase were detected upon the hospital admission. Vitamin D was defined using Roche reagents (electrochemiluminescence method; Roche HITACHICobase-411 device- Switzerland).On the 1st day of hospital admission, all patients received 0.266 mg (1 capsule) of calcifediol (16000 UI) in the form of the drug Hydroferol (FAES FARMA, S.A., Spain). Vitamin D and -reactive protein was defined repeatedly on the 5th day of treatment.Results: Studies have shown that on the 5th day after hydroferol administration the vitamin D level in patients with COVID-19 was significantly increased [16.8 (12.2–24.2) vs. 56.4 (52.3–62.2), p<0.0001]. Negative relationship was found between the onset of symptoms and baseline vitamin D levels (F = 5.9223, p <0.026). The negative relationship was found between the repeatedly defined levels of vitamin D and C-reactive protein (F=12.82, p<0.009) also, pointing on the positive treatment effect of vitamin D on the course of mild form of Covid-19. None of the patients required continued treatment in the intensive care unit and were discharged home with satisfactory state. Conclusion: Vitamin D supposedly plays the important role in pathogenesis and outcome of SARSCoV2 virus infected patients. Additional large-scale randomized placebo-controlled studies on the role of vitamin D in COVID-19 pathogenesis are needed