bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A mechanism-based pharmacological evaluation of efficacy of Flacourtia indica in management of dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic rats
Authors: Singh Shiv Vardan , Shrivastava Atul , Jyotshna  , Chaturvedi Upma , Singh Subhash Chandra , Shanker Karuna , Saxena Jitendra K. , Bhatia Gitika , Pal Anirban 
Published: March 2016

Abstract

Background:
Flacourtia indica (Burm. f.) Merr. is a medicinal plant indigenous to India and is broadly used worldwide for the treatment of a variety of health ailments. The present study was experimented on hyperlipidemic Charles Foster rats with the aim to explore the possible mechanism responsible for the antidyslipidemic activity of the hydromethanolic extract from F. indica leaves (FIL).

Methods: Hyperlipidemia was induced by a single intraperitoneal dose of Triton WR-1339 in Charles Foster rats. The plasma lipid levels were estimated in control and treated groups. The antioxidant potential of F. indica was assessed in both enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems. An acute toxicity study of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-fingerprinted extract was carried out in Swiss albino mice.

Results: The F. indica extract at a dose of 150 mg/kg significantly lowers the plasma level of total cholesterol (17%), triglycerides (13%), and phospholipids (16%) by increasing post-heparin lipolytic activity (19%) and lecithin-cholesterol-acyltransferase activity (20%) in Triton-induced hyperlipidemic rats. In addition, the F. indica extract showed significant in vitro antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activity. HPLC analysis indicates the presence of flavanones and flavones in the extract, and the extract was found to be non-toxic up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight in the acute oral toxicity study.

Conclusions: These finding suggest that F. indica holds significant potential in preventing clinical deterioration induced by dyslipidemia along with oxidative stress.
Biochemical effects of lead exposure on oxidative stress and antioxidant status of battery manufacturing workers of Western Maharashtra, India
Authors: Ghanwat Ganesh Haribhau , Patil Arun Jalindar , Patil Jyotsna A. , Kshirsagar Mandakini S. , Sontakke Ajit , Ayachit Ram Krishna 
Published: March 2016

Abstract

Background: Lead induces oxidative stress and alters the antioxidant status of population exposed to high lead levels, i.e. battery manufacturing workers. The aim of this study was to know the current scenario of blood lead (PbB) levels and their effect on the oxidative stress parameter, i.e. serum lipid peroxide (LP), and antioxidant parameters, such as red blood cell (RBC)-superoxide dismutase (SOD), RBC-catalase (CAT), plasma ceruloplasmin (CP), and serum nitrite, of battery manufacturing workers.

Methods: Forty-three battery manufacturing workers from Western Maharashtra, India, with ages between 19 and 42 years, were selected as study group and compared with 38 age-matched, healthy male subjects (control group). From both group subjects, 10 mL of blood sample was drawn by puncturing the antecubital vein, and PbB, serum LP, RBC-SOD, RBC-CAT, plasma CP, and serum nitrite were estimated using standard methods.

Results: The PbB levels of the battery manufacturing workers were significantly higher (p<0.001, 1050%) as compared with the control subjects. The serum LP levels were significantly increased (p<0.001, 96.86%); all antioxidant status parameters such as RBC-SOD (p<0.001, –26.32%), RBC-CAT (p<0.001, –51.57%), and plasma CP (p<0.001, –35.13%) were significantly decreased; and serum nitrite levels (p<0.001, 154%) were significantly increased in the battery manufacturing workers as compared with the control subjects.

Conclusions: Despite modern techniques used to reduce lead exposure in battery manufacturing workers, PbB levels remain high, inducing oxidative stress and altering the antioxidant status of battery manufacturing workers.
Systematic Studies of Distributed and Hybrid Raman Amplification in 10G-EPON and TWDM-PON
Authors: Kashima N. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe have studied distributed Raman amplification (DRA) and hybrid Raman amplification to apply both 10G-EPON and TWDM-PON systems. Two types of access networks, 50 km and 10 km, are assumed for case studies. Using the calculated optical received signal power Ps and optical signal noise ratio (OSNR), we consider the cases where the hybrid Raman amplification is necessary or not. In the case of coexistence of both systems, co-use of lumped Raman amplification (LRA) located at a central office (CO) may be possible. The co-use of LRA for both systems is discussed using the calculated Ps and OSNR.
Serum vascular endothelial cadherin and thrombomodulin are markers of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in children
Authors: Kan Xuan , Liu Geli , Yang Yong , Yang Qingyan , Li Yapu , Wang Feng 
Published: March 2016

Abstract

Background:
The diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is usually based on liver ultrasonography and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. However, the serum ALT level is not sensitive for detecting NAFLD. If more serum markers are available, serum analysis may play a more important role in the diagnosis of NAFLD.

Methods:
Here, we have investigated whether vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cad) and thrombomodulin (TM) are markers of NAFLD in children. After an examination of liver ultrasonography, 90 children were divided into a lean control group (n=32), an overweight/obese NAFLD group (group-NAFLD, n=34) and an overweight/obese non-NAFLD group (group-SOO, n=24).

Results:
Two overweight/obese groups had similar obesity. However, serum VE-cad and TM levels were increased in group-NAFLD but not group-SOO. When data from all children were pooled, serum VE-cad and TM levels were positively correlated to body-mass index (BMI) and serum ALT levels.

Conclusions:
In conclusion, VE-cad and TM are markers of pediatric NAFLD.
Leigh syndrome associated with a novel mutation in the COX15 gene
Authors: Miryounesi Mohammad , Fardaei Majid , Tabei Seyed Mohammadbagher , Ghafouri-Fard Soudeh 
Published: March 2016

AbstractLeigh syndrome (LS) is a subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy with a diverse range of symptoms, such as psychomotor delay or regression, weakness, hypotonia, truncal ataxia, intention tremor as well as lactic acidosis in the blood, cerebrospinal fluid or urine. Both nuclear gene defects and mutations of the mitochondrial genome have been detected in these patients. Here we report a 7-year-old girl with hypotonia, tremor, developmental delay and psychomotor regression. However, serum lactate level as well as brain magnetic resonance imaging were normal. Mutational analysis has revealed a novel mutation in exon 4 of
Ink transport modelling in Dip-Pen Nanolithography and Polymer Pen Lithography
Authors: Urtizberea Ainhoa , Hirtz Michael , Fuchs Harald 
Published: March 2016

AbstractDip-pen nanolithography (DPN) and Polymer pen lithography (PPL) are powerful lithography techniques being able to pattern a wide range of inks. Transport and surface spreading depend on the ink physicochemical properties, defining its diffusive and fluid character. Structure assembly on surface arises from a balance between the entanglement of the ink itself and the interaction with the substrate. According to the transport characteristics, different models have been proposed. In this article we review the common types of inks employed for patterning, the particular physicochemical characteristics that make them flow following different dynamics as well as the corresponding transport mechanisms and models that describe them.
From solutions to molecular emulsions
Authors: Perera Aurélien 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
Concentration fluctuations play an important role in the statistical description of the stability of liquids, particularly in the neighborhood of phase transitions. Classical thermodynamics is blind to fluctuations, and statistical thermodynamics is required to fully understand quantities such as the isothermal compressibility or heat capacity, by linking them to fluctuations of appropriate statistical microscopic quantities and showing that they are response functions. This is illustrated by the seminal Kirkwood–Buff theory of solutions. However, the existence of micro-heterogeneous structures, particularly in aqueous mixtures, which leads to large Kirkwood–Buff integrals, suggest that micro-heterogeneity is a form of concentration fluctuation. This interpretation becomes difficult to accept when extrapolated to larger micro-heterogeneous structures such as micellar aggregates in micro-emulsions. By analyzing how different methods, experimental, computer experiments and theoretical approaches deal with the underlying duality behind these two physical manifestations, we put in evidence the need to reconsider the description of liquids by incorporating the description of emergent “objects”, such as the micro-heterogeneous structures from a molecular point of view. On this path, the concept of “molecular emulsion” allows to describe in a unified way all type of disordered liquids, from solutions to the organized liquids of soft matter.
Polish National Registry for Fetal Cardiac Malformations (www.orpkp.pl) and negative verifications during the 10 years
Authors: Respondek-Liberska Maria 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
Polish National Registry for Fetal Cardiac Malformations ( initiated in 2004) was opened for primary practicioners as well as for the referral centers performing or basic fetal heart evaluation or targeted fetal echocardiography. None of the physicians until current era had regular education of fetal cardiology . It was necessary to create an audit - veryfication system, which was provided as a checking each record by the 3 most experienced fetal cardiologists in Poland, using randomised computer system. The aim of this analysis was a retrospective evaluation of „Negatively Verified”
Material and methods: The total number of fetuses in Registry during 2004 and 2013 was 5682 and there were 170 negative verified cases. Every „negative case” was analyzed and qualified to one of five categories: An error in classification of the severity of CHD ; computer mistakes , reported other prenatal problems but not CHD, different interpretation of the images (freezed frames or cine loops) and bad order of the labels of cardiac anomalies.
Results: The percentage of negative verifications was similar every year and total number of negative verification was 2,9% . The main reason for negative was first of all unproper fetal heart classification in 71 cases (42%). In majority the differences in interpretations were minor: but there were 5 huge differences between primary and secondary interpretation.
Conclusions:
1) Fetal heart cardiology requires prenatal heart classification instead of pediatric classification
2) Computer mistakes (missing fields, missing diagnoses, lack of freezed frames or cine-loops) shoud be picked up by the system during up-loading of the cases
3) The different interpretation of the images could be used for teaching purpose of fetal cardiology .
Assessment of the accuracy in prenatal diagnosis of congenital malformations. Analysis of 101 questionnaires filled in by parents of neonates hospitalized in the Department of Congenital Malformations Polish Mother's Memorial Research Institute
Authors: Strzelecka Iwona , Słodki Maciej , Zieliński Andrzej , Maroszyńska Iwona , Respondek-Liberska Maria 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
Introduction:
Prenatal diagnosis is an integral part of modern perinatal care. In the article results of questionnaires pertaining to the prenatal process of diagnosis are presented. Parents whose children were afflicted with congenital malformations of all types responded to enquiry
Materials and methods:
Between March 2014 and March 2015 150 of 355 infants were hospitalized in the Department of Pediatric Intensive Care and Congenital Malformations in Łódź, and 150 had congenital malformations.
Results:
101 parents of 150 children (67,3%) have given the feedback. Anomalies were such as: of the digestive system (37%), CHD (25%), OUN (14 %), genito-urinary (13%), skeletal system (9%) and respiratory system (2%). In 65 children of 101 the defects were detected prenatally. The obstetric US exam was the most frequently pointed out as performed (more than 1200). The biochemical markers and genetic tests in were performed in 34 pregnancies. The high percentage of ability to detect malformation was reported in the group of fetal echo examinations.
Conclusions:
1. Prenatal ultrasound exams were the least effective method of making appropriate prenatal diagnosis of congenital malformation.
2. Fetal echocardiography had a high level of sensitivity and specificity in detecting congenital malformations.
3. Prenatal cardiologists proved to be the most effective in detecting congenital malformations 89,3 % of detected abnormalities.
4. Biochemical exams had a positive result in only one case of Down Syndrome.
Place of residence and cancer survival in Germany – regional disparities and possible causes
Authors: Jansen Lina , Brenner Hermann 
Published: March 2016

Abstract:
Regional disparities in cancer survival have been disclosed in various countries and have mostly been attributed to socio-economic factors. Here, we summarize the results from recent studies on regional variations in cancer survival in Germany. Results show that the former survival gap of cancer patients in Eastern Germany has been essentially overcome. However, survival disadvantages were observed in most deprived regions in Germany.
(Stipendien-) Programme für Medizinstudierende zur Förderung der Niederlassung im ländlichen Raum
Authors: Böhme Klaus , Kotterer Angela , Maun Andy 
Published: March 2016

Zusammenfassung:
Eine flächendeckende ambulante ärztliche Versorgung ist in den ländlichen Regionen Deutschlands zunehmend gefährdet. Unterschiedliche i.d.R. finanziell ausgestattete Stipendienprogramme für Medizinstudierende gehören hierzulande zu den prioritären Maßnahmen, dieser Entwicklung zu begegnen. Internationale Erfahrungen legen nahe, neben finanziellen Förderungen zusätzlich Aspekte der Studierendenauswahl und der inhaltlichen Ausgestaltung des Medizinstudiums zu berücksichtigen.
Visualizing structural “inverted pyramids” in English news discourse across levels
Authors: Zhang Hongxin , Liu Haitao 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
Drawing on an analogy between discourse and syntactic trees, this paper chooses 359 Wall Street Journal articles with multiple paragraphs from the Rhetorical Structure Theory (RST) Discourse Treebank, and converts each discourse tree into three additional dependency ones, at discourse, paragraph and sentence levels, with exclusively elementary discourse units of clauses, sentences and paragraphs, respectively. It empirically tests and visually presents the genre-specific “summary+details” or “inverted pyramid” structuring of news discourse. It further extends the idea of inverted pyramid structuring to the paragraph and sentence levels. It proves that the body of the report also has a similar schematic top-down installment organization with macro-propositions on top. It also visually and statistically presents the rhetorical structures at sentence level, which differ to some extent from grammatical structures. Operated in line with the compositionality criterion and hierarchy principle of RST, the converted trees provide unique analytical advantages and constitute new research prospects.
High-Pressure Elastic Constant of Some Materials of Earth’s Mantle
Authors: Liu Quan 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIn the present work, an exponential relationship for the volume dependence of the Anderson–Grüneisen parameter along isotherm and the formulation derived from Tallon’s model have been used to develop a simple theoretical model for the elastic constants as a function of pressure. Applying it to some materials of earth’s mantle at different pressure ranges, the calculated results are in good agreement with the earlier theoretical investigations and available experimental data and thus show that our theory can be applied for predicting the elastic behaviour of earth materials at high pressure.
Synthesis and crystal structure of new K and Rb selenido/tellurido ferrate cluster compounds
Authors: Stüble Pirmin , Berroth Angela , Röhr Caroline 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
In the course of a systematic study of alkali iron chalcogenido salts containing clusters [Fe4
Q
8] a series of new mixed-valent potassium and rubidium selenido and tellurido ferrates(II/III) was synthesized by carefully heating the pure elements enclosed in sample tubes under an argon atmosphere up to maximum temperatures of 800–900 °C. Their crystal structures have been determined by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction. The mixed-valent FeII/III tellurido ferrates A
7[Fe4Te8] form three different structure types. All structures contain tetramers of four edge sharing [FeTe4] tetrahedra, which are connected by common edges to form only slightly distorted tetrahedral [Fe4Te8]7− anions (‘stella quadrangula’) with a [Fe4Te4] cubane core. In all cases, these anions are surrounded by 26 alkali cations, which are located at the eight corners and the midpoints of the six faces and 12 edges of a cube. The three crystal structures can thus be described by three different packings of cuboid moieties: The monoclinic rubidium compound Rb7[Fe4Te8] (space group C2/c, a = 2000.16(7), b = 897.79(3), c = 1768.12(6) pm, β = 117.4995(10)°, Z = 4, R1 = 0.0296) is isotypic to the known cesium tellurido and sulfido ferrates Cs7[Fe4(S/Te)8]. Depending on the temperature, K7[Fe4Te8] forms two different but closely related new structure types: The tetragonal r.t. modification (space group P42/nmc, a = 1222.25(14), c = 872.1(2) pm, Z = 2, R1 = 0.0583) crystallizes in a supergroup of the orthorhombic l.t. (100 K) form (space group Pbcn, a = 1715.5, b = 866.76(3), c = 1715.50(7) pm, Z = 4, R1 = 0.0160). In all structures, the cluster centered cubes are stacked to form columns along the short (≈870 pm) axis. These columns are themselves densely packed with 4 (both K compounds) and 6 (A = Rb) adjacent face-sharing columns. According to these arrangements of cluster-centered cubes, a relation of the packing of K/Rb cations and cluster anions with the simple cubic packing can be established applying the crystallographic group-subgroup formalism. Attempts to synthesize the corresponding selenium compound K7[Fe4Se8] resulted in the formation of the likewise mixed-valent compound K6[Fe4Se8]. Despite the modified composition, the new orthorhombic structure (space group Pbcn, a = 1632.62(6), b = 821.10(3), c = 1592.75(6) pm, Z = 4, R1 = 0.0540) is almost isotypic to the l.t. form of K7[Fe4Te8], the only difference being a missing K site. K5Fe2Te5 crystallizes in a new structure type (cubic, space group Pa3̅, a = 1709.02(5) pm, Z = 4, R1 = 0.0594). According to K5Fe2Te5=K15[Fe3Te7]2(Te), its structure contains mixed-valent cuboidal trimers [Fe3Te7](6/7)− and isolated telluride ions, which are coordinated by cubes of K+ cations.
Fatty acid composition of achenes of Cirsium taxa (Asteraceae, Carduoideae) from Turkey
Authors: Ozcan Melahat , Ayaz Faik Ahmet , Ozogul Yesim , Glew Robert , Ozogul Fatih 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
The fatty acid compositions and total oil contents in achenes of 22 Cirsium taxa collected from different natural habitats in Turkey were investigated. The range of total fat in the taxa varied from 1.7% to 13.3%. The taxa contained palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0), oleic (C18:1n-9), linoleic (C18:2n-6), and α-linolenic (C18:3n-3) acid. Polyunsaturated fatty acids had the highest level, ranging from 52.1% to 75.2% (C18:2n-6) and 0.5%–17.3% (C18:3n-3). Total saturated (6.9%–17.4%), monounsaturated (11.7%–28.9%), and polyunsaturated (57.4%–79.9%) fatty acids varied substantially, whereas total unsaturated fatty acids ranged from 70.6% to 91.3%. Considerable variation was observed (P<0.05) within each taxon for these fatty acids, especially α-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3). Fatty acid compositions of the 22 taxa were compared by cluster analysis (UPGMA) and principle component analysis (PCA) based on six major fatty acids. This is the first report on the lipid content and fatty acid composition of achenes of Cirsium taxa growing in different areas of Turkey. Fatty acid profiles, relative proportions and levels of fatty acids can be used as additional biochemical markers in the taxonomy of Cirsium.
Thonningiiflavanonol A and thonningiiflavanonol B, two novel flavonoids, and other constituents of Ficus thonningii Blume (Moraceae)
Authors: Ango Patrick Y. , Kapche Deccaux W.F.G. , Fotso Ghislain W. , Fozing Christian D. , Yeboah Elizabeth M.O. , Mapitse Renameditswe , Demirtas Ibrahim , Ngadjui Bonaventure T. , Yeboah Samuel O. 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
A phytochemical study of Ficus thonningii has led to the isolation of two previously unreported compounds, thonningiiflavanonol A and thonningiiflavanonol B together with 16 known compounds: shuterin, naringenin, syringic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, genistein, 5,7,3′,4′,5′-pentahydroxyflavanone, luteolin, methylparaben, aromadendrin, garbanzol, dihydroquercetin, 5,7,3′-trihydroxyflavanone, β-sitosterol, sitosterolglucoside, lupeol acetate, and taraxerol. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. The new compounds and extracts displayed potent antioxidant activity.
Representation of Functional Category in the Monkey Prefrontal Cortex and Its Rule-Dependent Use for Behavioral Selection
Authors: Tsutsui Ken-Ichiro , Hosokawa Takayuki , Yamada Munekazu , Iijima Toshio 
Published: March 2016

Humans, monkeys, and other animals are considered to have the cognitive ability to use functional categories—that is, stimulus groups based on functional equivalence independent of physical properties. To investigate the underlying neural mechanisms of the use of functional categories, we recorded single-unit activity in the prefrontal cortex of monkeys performing a behavioral task in which the rule-dependent usage of functional category was needed to select an appropriate response. We found a neural correlate of functional categories on the single-neuron level and found that category information is coded independently of other task-relevant information such as rule and contingency information. Analysis of the time course of the information activation suggested that contingency information used for action selection is derived by integrating incoming category information with rule information maintained throughout a session. Such neural computation can be considered as the neural background of flexible behavioral control based on category and rule.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTPerceptual categories are based on perceptual similarity, whereas functional categories are based on functional equivalence independently of their physical properties. The neural background of perceptual categories has been investigated in a number of studies, but that of functional categories has been investigated in only a few. In the present study, we found neural correlates of functional categories on the single-neuron level. Further analysis suggested that functional category information and rule information is integrated within the prefrontal cortex to derive contingency information necessary for action selection. This study has shown how the brain uses the category to select an action appropriate to the behavioral context.