Spectral Filtering as a Tool for Two-Dimensional Spectroscopy: A Theoretical Model

Two-dimensional optical spectroscopy is a powerful technique for the probing of coherent quantum superpositions. Recently, the finite width of the laser spectrum has been employed to selectively tune experiments for the study of particular coherences. This involves the exclusion of certain transition frequencies, which results in the elimination of specific Liouville pathways. The rigorous analysis of such experiments requires the use of ever more sophisticated theoretical models for the optical spectroscopy of electronic and vibronic systems. Here we develop a non-impulsive and non-Markovian model which combines an explicit definition of the laser spectrum, via the equation of motion-phase matching approach (EOM-PMA), with the hierarchical equations of motion (HEOM). This theoretical framework is capable of simulating the 2D spectroscopy of vibronic systems with low frequency modes, coupled to environments of intermediate and slower timescales. In order to demonstrate the spectral filtering of vibronic coherences, we examine the elimination of lower energy peaks fromthe 2D spectra of a zinc porphyrin monomer on blue-shifting the laser spectrum. The filtering of Liouville pathways is revealed through the disappearance of peaks from the amplitude spectra for a coupled vibrational mode

Properties of tofu coagulated with Cardoon flower (Cynara Cardunculus L.)

Tofu was elaborated using water-soluble extract of soybean grains from the cultivar BRS 267 with cardoon flower (C. Cardunculus L.), as coagulant as an alternative to the traditional coagulant magnesium chloride. The tofu were evaluated in relation to physical, chemical, microbiological and sensory properties during 14 days. Was obsersed for the tofu coagulated with cardoon flower that the moisture, pH, total mineral, protein, and syneresis decreased with the storage, while Kunitz Trypsin Inhibitor, ureatic activity and phytic acid did not change. It was also obtained a positive effect for color (L*, a*) parameters, phytic acid, yield, syneresis, and acceptance. The textural properties, showed a tendency to increase of hardness and stickiness, while springiness and cohesiveness decreased during storage. Structurally, presented irregular-shaped, small pores or cavities. The sensory analysis, showed has great acceptance and purchase intent. Then, the cardoon flower can be used as vegetal coagulant improving the quality properties of tofu, in relation to magnesium chloride. Keywords: Texture; Acceptance; Vegetable coagulante; Storage. O tofu foi elaborado usando extrato hidrossolúvel dos grãos de soja da cultivar BRS 267, utilizando a flor do cardo (C. Cardunculus L.), como coagulante alternativo ao processo tradicional com cloreto de magnésio. O tofu foi avaliado em relação as propriedades físicas, químicas, microbiológicas e sensoriais durante 14 dias. Foi observado para o tofu coagulado com a flor do cardo que a umidade, o pH, o mineral total, a proteína e a sinérese diminuíram com o armazenamento, enquanto o Inibidor de Tripsina de Kunitz, a atividade ureática e o ácido fítico não se alteraram. Foi também observado um efeito positivo para os parâmetros de cor (L *, a *), ácido fítico, rendimento, sinérese e aceitação. As propriedades texturais mostraram uma tendência de aumentar a dureza e a gomosidade, Research, Society and Development, v. 10, n. 16, e207101623576, 2021 (CC BY 4.0) | ISSN 2525-3409 | DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i16.23576 2 enquanto a elasticidade e a coesividade diminuíram durante o armazenamento. Estruturalmente, apresentou pequenos poros ou cavidades irregulares. A análise sensorial mostrou grande aceitação e intenção de compra. Então, a flor do cardo pode ser utilizada como coagulante vegetal melhorando as propriedades de qualidade do tofu, em relação ao cloreto de magnésio. Palavras-chave: Textura; Aceitação; Coagulante vegetal; Estocage

Multicentric phase II trial of gemcitabine plus epirubicin plus paclitaxel as first-line chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer

In this phase II, multicentre trial, patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) were treated with a combination of gemcitabine, epirubicin and paclitaxel (GET). The primary objective of this study was to determine the tolerability and activity in terms of complete responce (CR) and overall response rate of the GET combination in this patient population. Patients with no prior treatment for MBC, and at least one bidimensionally measurable lesion received gemcitabine 1000 mg m(-2) intravenously (i.v.) over 30 min on days 1 and 4, followed by epirubicin i.v. at 90 mg m(-2) on day 1, and paclitaxel 175 mg m(-2) over 3 h on day 1, every 21 days, up to eight courses. From May 1999 to June 2000, 48 patients were enrolled from seven Italian institutions. A total of 297 chemotherapy courses were administered with a median of six cycles patient(-1) (range 1-8). Seven patients (15%) obtained CR and 27 patients (56%) had partial responce, for an overall response rate of 71% (95%; CI: 58.3-83.7). After a median follow-up of 23.7 months (range 7.0-34.4), median progression-free survival was 10.5 months (95%; CI: 9.2-11.7), and median overall survival 25.9 months. The main haematological toxicity consisted of grade 3 or 4 neutropenia that occurred in 62% of cycles (22% grade 4 and 40% grade 3). The GET combination is active and well tolerated as first-line chemotherapy for MBC

Jacobsen syndrome

Jacobsen syndrome is a MCA/MR contiguous gene syndrome caused by partial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 11. To date, over 200 cases have been reported. The prevalence has been estimated at 1/100,000 births, with a female/male ratio 2:1. The most common clinical features include pre- and postnatal physical growth retardation, psychomotor retardation, and characteristic facial dysmorphism (skull deformities, hypertelorism, ptosis, coloboma, downslanting palpebral fissures, epicanthal folds, broad nasal bridge, short nose, v-shaped mouth, small ears, low set posteriorly rotated ears). Abnormal platelet function, thrombocytopenia or pancytopenia are usually present at birth. Patients commonly have malformations of the heart, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, genitalia, central nervous system and skeleton. Ocular, hearing, immunological and hormonal problems may be also present. The deletion size ranges from ~7 to 20 Mb, with the proximal breakpoint within or telomeric to subband 11q23.3 and the deletion extending usually to the telomere. The deletion is de novo in 85% of reported cases, and in 15% of cases it results from an unbalanced segregation of a familial balanced translocation or from other chromosome rearrangements. In a minority of cases the breakpoint is at the FRA11B fragile site. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings (intellectual deficit, facial dysmorphic features and thrombocytopenia) and confirmed by cytogenetics analysis. Differential diagnoses include Turner and Noonan syndromes, and acquired thrombocytopenia due to sepsis. Prenatal diagnosis of 11q deletion is possible by amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling and cytogenetic analysis. Management is multi-disciplinary and requires evaluation by general pediatrician, pediatric cardiologist, neurologist, ophthalmologist. Auditory tests, blood tests, endocrine and immunological assessment and follow-up should be offered to all patients. Cardiac malformations can be very severe and require heart surgery in the neonatal period. Newborns with Jacobsen syndrome may have difficulties in feeding and tube feeding may be necessary. Special attention should be devoted due to hematological problems. About 20% of children die during the first two years of life, most commonly related to complications from congenital heart disease, and less commonly from bleeding. For patients who survive the neonatal period and infancy, the life expectancy remains unknown