bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An in vitro study of neuroprotective properties of traditional Chinese herbal medicines thought to promote healthy ageing and longevity
Authors: Shen Bojiang , Truong John , Helliwell Ray , Govindaraghavan Suresh , Sucher Nikolaus J 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
Age is the leading risk factor for acute and chronic neurodegenerative diseases. The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, the oldest known compendium of Chinese materia media, lists herbal medicines that were believed to exert neither fast acting pharmacological effects nor discernible toxicity, but to promote general health and longevity. In modern terms, these herbal medicines could be considered as complementary health care products for prevention rather than treatment of diseases. In the present study, we examined whether a selection of 13 such herbal medicines exhibited neuroprotective activity.

Methods
The antioxidant capacity of the herbal extracts was determined using three non-cellular assays measuring the total phenol content (FCR assay), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Cytotoxic effects of the herbal extracts were assayed in cultured mouse cortical neurons and their neuroprotective activities were studied using staurosporine-induced apoptosis of the cultured neurons.

Results
Most of the herbal extracts showed negligible toxic effects at 100 μg/ml. However, Polygonum multiflorum and Rhodiola rosea exhibited some neurotoxicity at this concentration. Extracts of Ganoderma lucidum, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Schizandra chinensis, and Polygonum cuspidatum inhibited staurosporine-induced apoptosis by 30 – 50% in a dose-dependent manner. The neuroprotective effects of Polygonum cuspidatum were predominantly due to its major ingredient, resveratrol. The effective herbal extracts showed various levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity, which was significantly correlated with their neuro- protective activity. However, P. multiflorum and R. rosea extracts proved to be the exception as they exhibited a high level of antioxidant capacity, but did not exhibit neuroprotective effects in cell-based assay.

Conclusions
This in vitro study provides evidence for neuroprotective activity of some Chinese herbal medicines traditionally used to promote healthy ageing and longevity. Our results provide a justification for further study of these herbal extracts in neurodegenerative animal models to assess their safety and effectiveness as a basis for subsequent clinical trials. These herbal medicines might potentially offer a novel preemptive neuroprotective approach in neurodegenerative diseases and might be developed for use in persons at risk.
Clinical signs and symptoms cannot reliably predict Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection in pregnant women living in an area of high seasonal transmission
Authors: Tahita Marc C , Tinto Halidou , Menten Joris , Ouedraogo Jean-Bosco , Guiguemde Robert T , van Geertruyden Jean Pierre , Erhart Annette , D’Alessandro Umberto 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
Malaria in pregnancy is a major public health problem in endemic countries. Though the signs and symptoms of malaria among pregnant women have been already described, clinical presentation may vary according to intensity of transmission and local perceptions. Therefore, determining common signs and symptoms among pregnant women with a malaria infection may be extremely useful to identify those in need of further investigation by rapid diagnostic test or microscopy.

Methods
Six hundred pregnant women attending the maternity clinic of Nanoro District Hospital, Burkina Faso were recruited, 200 with suspected clinical malaria and 400 as controls. Cases were matched with controls by gestational age and parity. Signs and symptoms were collected and a blood sample taken for rapid diagnostic test, microscopy and haemoglobin measurement. A multivariate model was used to assess the predictive value of signs and symptoms for malaria infection.

Results
The overall prevalence of malaria was 42.6% (256/600) while anaemia was found in 60.8% (365/600) of the women. Nearly half (49%) of the cases and 39.5% of the controls had a malaria infection (p = 0.03). The most common signs and symptoms among the cases were fever (36%,72/200), history of fever (29%,58/200) and headache (52%,104/200). The positive predictive value for fever was 53% (95% CI:41–64), history of fever 58% (95% CI:37–63) and headache 51% (95% CI:41–61).

Conclusion
Signs and symptoms suggestive of malaria are frequent among pregnant women living in areas of intense transmission. Common malaria symptoms are not strong predictors of infection. For a better management of malaria in pregnancy, active screening to detect and treat malaria infection early should be performed on all pregnant women attending a health facility.
Tocotrienols for normalisation of hepatic echogenic response in nonalcoholic fatty liver: a randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Magosso Enrico , Ansari Mukhtar Alam , Gopalan Yogheswaran , Shuaib Ibrahim Lutfi , Wong Jia-Woei , Khan Nurzalina Abdul Karim , Abu Bakar Mohamed Rizal , Ng Bee-Hong , Yuen Kah-Hay 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the commonest liver disorders. Obesity, insulin resistance, lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress have been identified amongst the possible hits leading to the onset and progression of this disease. Nutritional evaluation of NAFLD patients showed a lower-than-recommended intake of vitamin E. Vitamin E is a family of 8 isoforms, 4 tocopherols and 4 tocotrienols. Alpha-tocopherol has been widely investigated in liver diseases, whereas no previous clinical trial has investigated tocotrienols for NAFLD. Aim of the study was to determine the effects of mixed tocotrienols, in normalising the hepatic echogenic response in hypercholesterolaemic patients with ultrasound-proven NAFLD.

Methods
Eighty-seven untreated hypercholesterolaemic adults with ultrasound-proven NAFLD were enrolled and randomised into control group (n = 44) and tocotrienols group (n = 43). The treatment, either mixed tocotrienols 200 mg twice daily or placebo, had a 1-year duration.
Normalisation of hepatic echogenic response, being the trial primary aim, was used in sample size calculations. The data were assessed according to intention to treat principle as primary outcome. Per protocol analysis was also carried out as secondary outcome measurement.

Results
Thirty and 34 participants concluded the study in the tocotrienols and placebo group respectively. Alpha-tocopherol levels were within the normal range for all subjects. As primary outcome, the normalisation of hepatic echogenic response was significantly higher for the tocotrienols treated group compared to the placebo group in the intention to treat analysis (P = 0.039; 95% CI = 0.896-6.488). As secondary objective, the per protocol assessment also showed significant rate of remission (P = 0.014; 95% CI = 1.117-9.456). Worsening of NAFLD grade was recorded in two patients in the placebo group, but none in the group treated with tocotrienols. No adverse events were reported for both groups.

Conclusion
This is the first clinical trial that showed the hepatoprotective effects of mixed palm tocotrienols in hypercholesterolemic adults with NAFLD.

Trial registration
Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00753532.
Epigenetic inactivation of miR-9 family microRNAs in chronic lymphocytic leukemia - implications on constitutive activation of NFκB pathway
Authors: Wang Lu Qian , Kwong Yok Lam , Kho Chi Shan Bonnie , Wong Kit Fai , Wong Kwan Yeung , Ferracin Manuela , Calin George A , Chim Chor Sang 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
The miR-9 family microRNAs have been identified as a tumor suppressor miRNA in cancers. We postulated that miR-9-1, miR-9-2 and miR-9-3 might be inactivated by DNA hypermethylation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Methods
Methylation of miR-9-1, miR-9-2 and miR-9-3 was studied in eight normal controls including normal bone marrow, buffy coat, and CD19-sorted peripheral blood B-cells from healthy individuals, seven CLL cell lines, and seventy-eight diagnostic CLL samples by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction.

Results
The promoters of miR-9-3 and miR-9-1 were both unmethylated in normal controls, but methylated in five (71.4%) and one of seven CLL cell lines respectively. However, miR-9-2 promoter was methylated in normal controls including CD19 + ve B-cells, hence suggestive of a tissue-specific but not tumor-specific methylation, and thus not further studied. Different MSP statuses of miR-9-3, including complete methylation, partial methylation, and complete unmethylation, were verified by quantitative bisulfite methylation analysis. 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine treatment resulted in miR-9-3 promoter demethylation and re-expression of pri-miR-9-3 in I83-E95 and WAC3CD5+ cells, which were homozygously methylated for miR-9-3. Moreover, overexpression of miR-9 led to suppressed cell proliferation and enhanced apoptosis together with downregulation of NFκB1 in I83-E95 cells, supporting a tumor suppressor role of miR-9-3 in CLL. In primary CLL samples, miR-9-3 was detected in 17% and miR-9-1 methylation in none of the patients at diagnosis. Moreover, miR-9-3 methylation was associated with advanced Rai stage (≥ stage 2) (P = 0.04).

Conclusions
Of the miR-9 family, miR-9-3 is a tumor suppressor miRNA relatively frequently methylated, and hence silenced in CLL; whereas miR-9-1 methylation is rare in CLL. The role of miR-9-3 methylation in the constitutive activation of NFκB signaling pathway in CLL warrants further study.
SisterTalk: final results of a culturally tailored cable television delivered weight control program for Black women
Authors: Risica Patricia Markham , Gans Kim M , Kumanyika Shiriki , Kirtania Usree , Lasater Thomas M 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
Obesity among Black women continues to exceed that of other women. Most weight loss programs created without reference to specific cultural contexts are less effective for Black than White women. Weight control approaches accessible to Black women and adapted to relevant cultural contexts are important for addressing this problem. This paper reports the final results of SisterTalk, the randomized controlled trial of a cable TV weight control program oriented toward Black women.

Methods
A five group design included a comparison group and a 2 × 2 factorial comparison of a) interactive vs. passive programming and b) telephone social support vs no telephone support, with 12 weekly initial cable TV programs followed by 4 monthly booster videos. At baseline, 3, 8, and 12 months post randomization, telephone and in person surveys were administered on diet, physical activity, and physical measurements of height and weight were taken to calculate body mass index (BMI). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine differences over time, and between treatment and comparison groups. Dose variables reflecting use of the TV/video and written materials were also assessed.

Results
At 3 months, BMI, weight, and dietary fat were significantly lower and physical activity significantly higher among women exposed to the Cable TV intervention compared to the wait-list comparison group. Significant dietary fat differences were still observed at 8 and 12 month evaluations, but not BMI or physical activity differences. Main effects were not observed for interactive programming or enhanced social support at any time point. Within the intervention group, higher watching of the TV series and higher reading of educational materials were both (separately) associated with significantly lower dietary fat.

Conclusions
Cable TV was an effective delivery channel to assist Black women with weight control, increasing physical activity and decreasing dietary fat during an initial intervention period, but only dietary changes persisted Enhanced social support and the ability to interact with others during the show were not effective complementary intervention components as conducted in this trial. Future research to strengthen the ability of this approach to achieve long term effects may offer even more promising outcomes.
Large-scale and controllable synthesis of metal-free nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers and nanocoils over water-soluble Na2CO3
Authors: Ding Qian , Song Xueyin , Yao Xiujuan , Qi Xiaosi , Au Chak-Tong , Zhong Wei , Du Youwei 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
Using acetylene as carbon source, ammonia as nitrogen source, and Na2CO3 powder as catalyst, we synthesized nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers (N-CNFs) and carbon nanocoils (N-CNCs) selectively at 450°C and 500°C, respectively. The water-soluble Na2CO3 is removed through simple washing with water and the nitrogen-doped carbon nanomaterials can be collected in high purity. The approach is simple, inexpensive, and environment-benign; it can be used for controlled production of N-CNFs or N-CNCs. We report the role of catalyst, the effect of pyrolysis temperature, and the photoluminescence properties of the as-harvested N-CNFs and N-CNCs.
Influence of lengths of millimeter-scale single-walled carbon nanotube on electrical and mechanical properties of buckypaper
Authors: Sakurai Shunsuke , Kamada Fuminori , Futaba Don N , Yumura Motoo , Hata Kenji 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
The electrical conductivity and mechanical strength of carbon nanotube (CNT) buckypaper comprised of millimeter-scale long single-walled CNT (SWCNT) was markedly improved by the use of longer SWCNTs. A series of buckypapers, fabricated from SWCNT forests of varying heights (350, 700, 1,500 μm), showed that both the electrical conductivity (19 to 45 S/cm) and tensile strength (27 to 52 MPa) doubled. These improvements were due to improved transfer of electron and load through a reduced number of junctions for longer SWCNTs. Interestingly, no effects of forest height on the thermal diffusivity of SWCNT buckypapers were observed. Further, these findings provide evidence that the actual SWCNT length in forests is similar to the height.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Gene expression analysis in response to osmotic stimuli in the intervertebral disc with DNA microarray
Authors: Zhang Wenzhi , Li Xu , Shang Xifu , Zhao Qichun , Hu Yefeng , Xu Xiang , He Rui , Duan Liqun , Zhang Feng 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
Intervertebral disc (IVD) cells experience a broad range of physicochemical stimuli under physiologic conditions, including alterations in their osmotic environment. At present, the molecular mechanisms underlying osmotic regulation in IVD cells are poorly understood. This study aims to screen genes affected by changes in osmotic pressure in cells of subjects aged 29 to 63 years old, with top-scoring pair (TSP) method.

Methods
Gene expression data set GSE1648 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database, including four hyper-osmotic stimuli samples, four iso-osmotic stimuli samples, and three hypo-osmotic stimuli samples. A novel, simple method, referred to as the TSP, was used in this study. Through this method, there was no need to perform data normalization and transformation before data analysis.

Results
A total of five pairs of genes ((CYP2A6, FNTB), (PRPF8, TARDBP), (RPS5, OAZ1), (SLC25A3, NPM1) and (CBX3, SRSF9)) were selected based on the TSP method. We inferred that all these genes might play important roles in response to osmotic stimuli and age in IVD cells. Additionally, hyper-osmotic and iso-osmotic stimuli conditions were adverse factors for IVD cells.

Conclusions
We anticipate that our results will provide new thoughts and methods for the study of IVD disease.
(—)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate suppresses hepatic preneoplastic lesions developed in a novel rat model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Sumi Takafumi , Shirakami Yohei , Shimizu Masahito , Kochi Takahiro , Ohno Tomohiko , Kubota Masaya , Shiraki Makoto , Tsurumi Hisashi , Tanaka Takuji , Moriwaki Hisataka 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Purpose
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) ranges from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH, which is accompanied by increased oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver, is associated with hepatic carcinogenesis. Green tea catechins (GTCs) possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cancer-preventive properties. In this study, we investigated whether (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major component of GTCs, inhibits NAFLD/NASH-related liver tumorigenesis.

Methods
Male 8-week-old Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were administered a single intraperitoneal injection of a hepatic carcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DEN, 30 mg/kg body weight) and then fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 7 weeks. The rats were also provided tap water containing 0.01% or 0.1% EGCG during the experiment.

Results
At sacrifice, the livers of SD rats treated with DEN and HFD exhibited marked development of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive foci, a hepatic preneoplastic lesion, and this was associated with hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress and inflammation, and hepatocyte proliferation. EGCG administration, however, inhibited the development of GST-P-positive foci by decreasing hepatic triglyceride content, reducing hepatic fibrosis, lowering oxidative stress, attenuating inflammation, and inhibiting excessive hepatocyte proliferation in DEN- and HFD-treated SD rats. These findings suggest that the experimental model of SD rats treated with HFD and DEN, in which histopathological and pathophysiological characteristics of NASH and the development of hepatic premalignant lesions were observed, might facilitate the evaluation of liver tumorigenesis associated with NAFLD/NASH.

Conclusions
Administering EGCG, a GTC, might serve as an effective chemoprevention modality for NAFLD/NASH-related liver tumorigenesis.
Distribution of D-amino acids in vinegars and involvement of lactic acid bacteria in the production of D-amino acids
Authors: Mutaguchi Yuta , Ohmori Taketo , Akano Hirofumi , Doi Katsumi , Ohshima Toshihisa 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
Levels of free D-amino acids were compared in 11 vinegars produced from different sources or through different manufacturing processes. To analyze the D- and L-amino acids, the enantiomers were initially converted into diastereomers using pre-column derivatization with o-phthaldialdehyde plus N-acethyl-L-cysteine or N-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-L-cysteine. This was followed by separation of the resultant fluorescent isoindol derivatives on an octadecylsilyl stationary phase using ultra-performance liquid chromatography. The analyses showed that the total D-amino acid level in lactic fermented tomato vinegar was very high. Furthermore, analysis of the amino acids in tomato juice samples collected after alcoholic, lactic and acetic fermentation during the production of lactic fermented tomato vinegar showed clearly that lactic fermentation is responsible for the D-amino acids production; marked increases in D-amino acids were seen during lactic fermentation, but not during alcoholic or acetic fermentation. This suggests lactic acid bacteria have a greater ability to produce D-amino acids than yeast or acetic acid bacteria.
Development of an Illumina-based ChIP-exonuclease method provides insight into FoxA1-DNA binding properties
Authors: Serandour Aurelien A , Brown Gordon D , Cohen Joshua D , Carroll Jason S 
Published: December 2013

AbstractChIP-exonuclease (ChIP-exo) is a modified ChIP-seq approach for high resolution mapping of transcription factor DNA sites. We describe an Illumina-based ChIP-exo method which provides a global improvement of the data quality of estrogen receptor (ER) ChIP and insights into the motif structure for key ER-associated factors. ChIP-exo of the ER pioneer factor FoxA1 identifies protected DNA with a predictable 8 bp overhang from the Forkhead motif, which we term mesas. We show that mesas occur in multiple cellular contexts and exist as single or overlapping motifs. Our Illumina-based ChIP-exo provides high resolution mapping of transcription factor binding sites.
The Mukaiyama Aldol Reactions for Congested Ketones Catalyzed by Solid Acid of Tin(IV) Ion-exchanged Montmorillonite
Authors: Takehira Satoshi , Masui Yoichi , Onaka Makoto 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
Tin(IV) ion-exchanged montmorillonite (Sn-Mont) was found to be an excellent solid acid catalyst for the Mukaiyama aldol reactions of congested ketones with silicon enolates from ketones as well as esters. It was disclosed that Sn-Mont was far more active than other metal ion- or proton-exchanged montmorillonites and typical homogeneous acid catalysts such as TMSOTf and BF3·OEt2.
Design of Quenching Peptide Probes Incorporating Tryptophan for Rapid IgG Detection
Authors: Sugita Tomoya , Okochi Mina , Honda Hiroyuki 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
We proposed a protein detection system using two peptides; molecular recognition peptide and quenching peptide incorporating tryptophan. IgG was used as the model protein and the Atto655-labeled NKFRGKYK was selected as the probe for recognition of IgG. The quenching peptide, WWWG-DIAVEWES, was newly designed using a peptide array, and showed effective quenching of Atto655-labeled NKFRGKYK within 30 s. The quenching effect decreased in the presence of IgG, and IgG was detected above 10 nM.
Bisarylation of 1,1′,3,3′-Tetrahalo-2,2′-biazulene under Suzuki–Miyaura Cross-coupling Conditions
Authors: Nakae Takahiro , Kikuchi Takashi , Mori Shigeki , Okujima Tetsuo , Murafuji Toshihiro , Uno Hidemitsu 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
1,3-Bisarylated-2,2′-biazulene 1 and 1,1′-bisarylated-2,2′-biazulene 1′ were obtained by the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of 1,1′,3,3′-tetrahalo-2,2′-biazulene 2 with 4-tert-butylphenylboronic acid (3b). The other two halogen atoms were reductively removed by hydrogenation under the same reaction conditions. The major regioisomer 1 was obtained with a selectivity of up to 94% (15:1) and a combined yield of 1 and 1′ of up to 77%.
Modeling enzootic raccoon rabies from land use patterns - Georgia (USA) 2006-2010
Authors: Duke John E. , Blanton Jesse D. , Ivey Melissa , Rupprecht Charles 
Published: December 2013

We analyzed how land-use patterns and changes in urbanization influence reported rabid raccoons in Georgia from 2006 - 2010. Using Geographical Information Systems and rabies surveillance data, multivariate analysis was conducted on 15 land-use variables that included natural topography, agricultural development, and urbanization to model positive raccoon rabies cases while controlling for potential raccoon submission bias associated with higher human population densities. Low intensity residential development was positively associated with reported rabid raccoons while a negative association was found with evergreen forest. Evergreen forests may offer a barrier effect where resources are low and raccoon populations are not supported. Areas with pure stands of upland evergreen forest might be utilized in baiting strategies for oral rabies vaccination programs where fewer or no baits may be needed. Their use as a barrier should be considered carefully in a cost-effective strategy for oral rabies vaccination (ORV) programs to contain the western spread of this important zoonotic disease.