bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Biological Activities of Dichloromethane and Ethyl Acetate Fractions of Platonia insignis Mart. Seed
Authors: Costa Júnior Joaquim S. , Ferraz Alexandre B.F. , Sousa Taciana O. , Silva Romézio A.C. , De Lima Sidney G. , Feitosa Chistiane M. , Citó Antônia M.G.L. , Melo Cavalcante Ana A.C. , Freitas Rivelilson M. , Moura Sperotto Angelo R. , Péres Valéria F. , Moura Dinara J. , Saffi Jenifer 
Published: April 2013

AbstractPlatonia insignis Mart., a native species of the Brazilian Amazon more commonly known as bacuri, is a member of the Clusiaceae family. In this study, we evaluated the chemical composition and the antioxidant and toxicity activities of the dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions from P. insignis seed ethanolic extract using different experimental models. Our results demonstrate in vitro antioxidant effects, by 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) diammonium salt and 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl assays, as well as in vivo effects in antioxidant‐defective Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains to both fractions. Toxicity was evaluated against the micro‐crustaceous Artemia salina Leach. and promastigote Leishmania amazonensis. The dichloromethane fraction was the most active fraction evaluated on A. salina and promastigote L. amazonensis (IC50 = 24.89 μg/mL and 2.84 μg/mL, respectively). In addition, a slight cytotoxicity was observed in mammalian V79 cells using ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions with MTT assays. Both fractions displayed genotoxicity up to 25 μg/mL (dichloromethane) and 10 μg/mL (ethyl acetate) in V79 cells, as evaluated by the alkaline comet assay. Thus, in this study, we demonstrate for the first time that ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions from P. insignis seeds display antioxidant effects, a toxic effect against A. salina and L. amazonensis and induce genotoxicity in V79 mammalian cells. The observed activities can be attributed to the phenolic compounds present in these fractions and to the presence of xanthones (alpha‐ and gamma‐mangostin).
Calcitriol Attenuates Weight‐Related Systemic Inflammation and Ultrastructural Changes in the Liver in a Rodent Model
Authors: Alkharfy Khalid M. , Al‐Daghri Nasser M. , Yakout Sobhy M. , Ahmed Mukhtar 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe role of vitamin D in maintaining calcium homoeostasis and bone mineralization is well‐established. The aim of the current investigation was to evaluate the effect of calcitriol treatment on inflammation, insulin resistance and liver changes induced by increased body‐weight. Four groups of mice (n = 11 each) were maintained on either low‐fat diet (LFD) or high‐fat diet (HFD) with and without 1α, 25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) for 16 weeks. Body‐weight of animals was recorded at the start of the study and every 4 weeks thereafter. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for the determination of biochemical parameters, and liver tissues were harvested for the histopathological evaluation. A significant gradual decrease in weight was observed in HFD‐fed mice treated with calcitriol compared with a steady increase in controls (p < 0.01). Furthermore, calcitriol treatment reduced concentrations of various inflammatory markers including TNF‐α, CRP and IL‐6 (p < 0.05). Treated animals also exhibited lower levels of C‐peptide and insulin (539.4 ng/ml versus 718.9 ng/ml and 0.77 ng/ml versus 1.7 ng/ml, respectively; p < 0.05), which are consistent with improved insulin resistance. Liver histology and ultrastructural studies showed a marked accumulation of fat droplets in approximately 60–70% of hepatocytes of mice fed on HFD, while calcitriol administration rendered the whole structure more normal. Overall, our data signify an important effect of calcitriol on inflammation under HFD conditions and a protective effect on the liver structure.
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination are useful for screening mild cognitive impairment in Japanese patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Murakami Hidetomo , Fujita Kazuhisa , Futamura Akinori , Sugimoto Azusa , Kobayakawa Mutsutaka , Kezuka Machiko , Midorikawa Akira , Kawamura Mitsuru 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAimDiagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Parkinson's disease (PD; PD‐MCI) can be difficult. We examined whether the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA‐J) and the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination (COGNISTAT‐J) were suitable to screen PD‐MCI.MethodsA total of 50 patients with PD and PD with dementia, took the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), MoCA‐J and COGNISTAT‐J (except 3 patients) tests. Impairment in each cognitive domain on the tests was then compared between groups.ResultsOf 25 patients with a high MMSE score of 27 or above, 13 had a MoCA‐J score of below 25, and showed significantly lower scores than 12 patients with MoCA‐J scores of 25 or above in the visuospatial, executive and memory domains of MoCA. Of the 25 patients with a high MMSE score, seven had four or more impaired subtests of the 10 subtests of COGNISTAT‐J. The seven patients showed significantly lower scores in the subtests of construction, calculation and similarity compared with the 18 patients with less than four impaired subtests. In patients with a high MMSE score and less than four impaired subtests on the COGNISTAT‐J, construction and memory were more impaired. Executive, visuospatial and memory abilities are characteristically impaired in PD‐MCI, therefore both MoCA‐J and COGNISTAT‐J detected characteristics of PD‐MCI in patients with a high MMSE score.ConclusionBoth MoCA and COGNISTAT are sensitive tools for screening for PD‐MCI.
Determinants of practice nurses' intention to implement a new smoking cessation intervention: the importance of attitude and innovation characteristics
Authors: Smit Eline Suzanne , de Vries Hein , Hoving Ciska 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAimsTo identify determinants of practice nurses' intention to implement a new smoking cessation intervention and to investigate the independent value of attitude and Rogers' innovation characteristics.BackgroundWhile effective smoking cessation interventions exist, implementation is often suboptimal. No previous studies have disentangled the independent value of beliefs towards implementation and innovation characteristics in explaining implementation.DesignA cross‐sectional descriptive study.MethodsIn 2010, 56 of 91 general practice nurses who participated in an intervention effectiveness trial completed an online questionnaire concerning demographics, patient population characteristics, attitude, innovation characteristics, self‐efficacy, perceived social influence and intention to implement the intervention in the future. Recruitment success during the trial was defined as the number of patients participating. To detect differences between intending and non‐intending practice nurses, independent sample t‐tests and Chi‐squared tests were conducted. Correlation coefficients were calculated to identify associations between potential determinants of intention. To identify significant determinants logistic hierarchical regression analyses were conducted.ResultsInnovation characteristics and attitude were both significantly associated with practice nurses' intention to implement. While recruitment success showed a significant positive association with intention, perceived patient support was only a significant determinant when including innovation characteristics or attitude.ConclusionTo increase new interventions' implementation rates, it is most important to convince health professionals of its beneficial characteristics, to generate a positive attitude towards the intervention, to aid practice nurses in recruiting smoking patients and to increase perceived patient support.
Validity and Reliability of the Korean Version of the Behaviour Problems Inventory
Authors: Jeong Byounglock , Yoo Eunyoung , Jung Minye , Kang Daehyuk , Park Soyeon , Park Soo Hyun 
Published: April 2013

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to establish the psychometric properties of the Korean Behaviour Problems Inventory (BPI‐01).MethodsFifty‐five allied professionals completed a content validity questionnaire about the Korean BPI‐01. To examine reliability, 52 individuals with intellectual disabilities residing in a medium‐sized residential home were evaluated by two occupational therapists trained in the administration of the Korean BPI‐01 through interviews with caregivers who had known the residents at least 6 months.ResultsAllied professionals’ responses supported the content validity of the Korean BPI‐01. The results of intraclass correlation coefficients and Cronbach's α indicate that the Korean BPI‐01 is a reliable instrument.ConclusionsThe results of the present study indicate that the Korean BPI‐01 holds adequate content validity and reliability for measuring behavioural problems in individuals with intellectual disabilities in Korean clinical settings.
The role of geography and environment in species turnover: phytophagous arthropods on a Neotropical legume
Authors: Bell Karen L. , Heard Tim A. , Manion Glenn , Ferrier Simon , van Klinken Rieks D. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAimBroad‐scale patterns in the distribution of phytophagous arthropods have been explained by species turnover due to host plant, environment, geographical distance and historical biogeography. In this study, variability due to plant species turnover was eliminated by focusing on the arthropods utilizing a single widely distributed plant species,Parkinsonia aculeataL. (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae). This enabled us to examine the effects of geography and climate on arthropod species turnover.LocationNeotropics (USAto Argentina).MethodsA statistical approach was used to determine whether arthropod assemblages across the range ofP. aculeatadiffered significantly between biogeographical areas. We determined whether host‐specific arthropods have more restricted ranges, contributing to higher species turnover. Finally, generalized dissimilarity modelling (GDM) was used to correlate significant differences in assemblages between biogeographical provinces with environmental differences and geographical separation.ResultsPhytophagous arthropod assemblages differed significantly between biogeographical areas. Most herbivores had a small geographical distribution. We did not detect higher species turnover for host‐specific species. TheGDMmodel explained 21.8% of the variance in species assemblages. Of the variables examined, climate and geographical distance were both better predictors of variation in phytophagous arthropod assemblages onP. aculeatathan biogeographical areas, with climate the better predictor of the two.Main conclusionsObserved patterns in turnover of the phytophagous insect fauna ofP. aculeataare consistent with expected broad‐scale responses to historical processes and climatic variation. Climate and geography explain similar proportions of compositional dissimilarity, and most species, regardless of host‐specificity, have restricted geographical ranges. The statistically significant differences observed between arthropod assemblages in different biogeographical provinces are likely to be caused by a combination of niche‐based processes and to some extent dispersal limitation. Although variability due to host plant has been eliminated in the current study, there remains no simple explanation for broad‐scale patterns in the distribution of phytophagous arthropods.
Generalized tracks, area cladograms and tectonics in the Caribbean
Authors: Echeverry Amparo , Morrone Juan J. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAimTo test the ‘naturalness’, or integrity as a biogeographical unit, of the Caribbean subregion.LocationA wide geographical range in the Caribbean (32° N, 115° W; 10° S, 56° W). As units of analysis, 43 biogeographical provinces were used: 24 assigned to the Caribbean subregion, and 19 provinces situated north and south of this subregion, which were used as outgroup areas.MethodsWe analysed 895 plant and animal taxa distributed in the Caribbean. We used parsimony analysis of endemicity with progressive character elimination (PAE‐PCE) to identify generalized tracks and nodes, and parsimony analysis of paralogy‐free subtrees to infer their historical relationships.ResultsWe obtained 10 generalized tracks and five nodes from the panbiogeographical analysis and 14 most parsimonious general area cladograms from the cladistic biogeographical analysis. In general terms, the results of both analyses are congruent, reflecting a similar history of vicariant events in the Caribbean area.Main conclusionsPanbiogeographical and cladistic biogeographical analyses reflected a similar history of vicariant events in the Caribbean: the Caribbean subregion as it is currently defined does not represent a ‘natural’ biogeographical unit; the Isthmus of Tehuantepec might not represent a conspicuous biogeographical barrier; and the biogeographical relevance of the Isthmus of Panama exceeds the last 3 million years, which is the time it has operated as a connection between North and South America.
Weight reduction is associated with improvement of glycemic control in Japanese men, whose hemoglobin A1C is 5.6–6.4%, with visceral fat accumulation, but not without visceral fat accumulation
Authors: Okauchi Yukiyoshi , Iwahashi Hiromi , Okita Kohei , Funahashi Tohru , Kishida Ken , Noguchi Midori , Ohira Tetsuya , Nakamura Tadashi , Imagawa Akihisa , Shimomura Iichiro 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAims/IntroductionThe aim of the present study was to determine whether weight reduction is associated with improvement of glycemic control in non‐obese and obese subjects with or without visceral fat accumulation, whose hemoglobin A1c (A1C) is 5.6–6.4%.Materials and MethodsA total of 798 male subjects whose A1C levels were between 5.6% and 6.4% were divided into subgroups based on body mass index (BMI) and/or estimated visceral fat area (eVFA), and were analyzed with respect to the relationships between 1‐year changes in BMI (ΔBMI) and A1C (ΔA1C).ResultsIn both the BMI ≥25 and BMI <25 groups, ΔA1C correlated positively with ΔBMI (BMI ≥25 (n = 321): r = 0.236, P < 0.0001; BMI <25 (n = 477): r = 0.095, P = 0.0387) although the r‐value was very small for the latter group. In addition, for the group with eVFA ≥100 cm2 (n = 436), ΔA1C correlated positively with ΔeVFA (r = 0.150, P = 0.0017), but this correlation was not found for the eVFA <100 cm2 group (n = 339, P = 0.3505). Furthermore, ΔA1C positively correlated with ΔBMI for the groups in BMI ≥25 with eVFA >100 cm2 (n = 293, r = 0.256, P < 0.0001) and BMI <25 with eVFA ≥100 cm2 (n = 145, r = 0.250, P = 0.0024), but not for the groups in BMI ≥25 with eVFA <100 cm2 (n = 28, P = 0.6401) nor BMI <25 with eVFA <100 cm2 (n = 332, P = 0.6605).ConclusionsThese results suggest that the assessment of visceral fat, rather than BMI, might be more important in identifying subjects in whom lifestyle intervention aiming at weight reduction could be effective to prevent diabetes. This trial was registered with University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (no. UMIN 000002391).
Prevalence of Human Enteric Viruses and a Potential Indicator of Contamination in Shellfish in China
Authors: Ming H. Xia , Fan J. Feng , Wu L. Jun , Liang Y. Bo 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe objectives of this study were to quantify enteric viruses in shellfish along the Chinese coast and find an indicator of viral contamination in shellfish. One hundred sixty‐two samples were collected in August from 10 cities. Hepatitis A virus (HAV), norovirus (NV), rotavirus (RV), poliovirus (PV), astrovirus (AsV) and adenovirus (AdV) were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and confirmed by sequencing. The percentage of positive samples for each virus was as follows: HAV 5%, NV 12%, RV 7%, PV 15%, AsV 6% and AdV 9%. The six species of shellfish were contaminated with different viruses. PV showed a significant correlation with other viruses, with the exception of RV (P < 0.05). Contamination of shellfish with human enteric viruses was common across a large geographical region of China, indicating a potential public health threat from seafood. The data confirm the potential to monitor the food safety of shellfish by using PV as an index of enteric virus contamination.Practical ApplicationsEnteric viruses are one of foodborne pathogens transmitted by bivalve shellfish, which pose a severe potential risk for consumers, as well as a serious problem facing researchers. China leads the worldwide production of shellfish. Therefore, the safety of shellfish harvested in China is particularly important. Norovirus, hepatitis A virus, rotavirus, adenovirus, poliovirus and astrovirus are introduced to assess the seafood safety by documenting risks for transmission of enteric viruses in shellfish along the Chinese coast. Of which, poliovirus could be one of these potential indicator to present human enteric virus contamination in the countries where oral polio vaccines are used.
Synergistic Antibacterial Activity of Irradiated and Nonirradiated Cumin, Thyme and Rosemary Essential Oils
Authors: Gibriel A.Y. , Al‐Sayed Hanan M.A. , Rady A.H. , Abdelaleem M.A. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of plant essential oils and their mixtures and to investigate the effect of γ‐irradiation on their antibacterial activity. About 2 kGy (C2) and 4 kGy (C4) in cumin essential oil, 4 kGy (T4) in thyme essential oil, and 6 kGy (R6) in rosemary essential oil were the effective antibacterial dose against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus. The checkerboard method was used to quantify the efficacy of mixtures made from cumin, thyme and rosemary. Fractional inhibitory concentrations were calculated and interpreted as synergy, addition, indifference or antagonism. Most of the mixtures showed indifference efficacy against selected strains. (R6 × T4) and (C4 × R6) represented additive efficacy against B. cereus and S. typhimurium, respectively. Synergistic effect was observed against B. cereus and E. coli in (C0 × R0). (C2 × T4) represented a higher minimum inhibitory concentration than (C0 × T0). The mixtures of essential oils either irradiated or nonirradiated could be used to minimize essential oil concentrations and to reduce any adverse sensory impact on food.Practical ApplicationEssential oils would have to be used in considerable concentrations to achieve an antibacterial potential. Thyme essential oil is individually defined as a higher antibacterial agent against wide spectrum of pathogenic bacterial strains, while cumin and rosemary showed limited antibacterial activity compared to thyme essential oil. The levels of essential oils necessary to inhibit microbial growth are higher in foods than in culture media, thus the quantity of essential oil to be used has a distinctive bitter flavor. The changes made by gamma irradiation increased the antibacterial activity of essential oil at lower doses. The finding of our study clearly indicates that the possibility of using mixtures of essential oils, either irradiated or nonirradiated, would have a synergistic effect and that lower concentrations of the oils could therefore be used.
The role of dopamine receptors in the neurotoxicity of methamphetamine
Authors: Ares‐Santos S. , Granado N. , Moratalla R. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractMethamphetamine is a synthetic drug consumed by millions of users despite its neurotoxic effects in the brain, leading to loss of dopaminergic fibres and cell bodies. Moreover, clinical reports suggest that methamphetamine abusers are predisposed to Parkinson's disease. Therefore, it is important to elucidate the mechanisms involved in methamphetamine‐induced neurotoxicity. Dopamine receptors may be a plausible target to prevent this neurotoxicity. Genetic inactivation of dopamine D1 or D2 receptors protects against the loss of dopaminergic fibres in the striatum and loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Protection by D1 receptor inactivation is due to blockade of hypothermia, reduced dopamine content and turnover and increased stored vesicular dopamine in D1R−/− mice. However, the neuroprotective impact of D2 receptor inactivation is partially dependent on an effect on body temperature, as well as on the blockade of dopamine reuptake by decreased dopamine transporter activity, which results in reduced intracytosolic dopamine levels in D2R−/− mice.
The Role of Sonolysis and Sonothrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Case‐Control Studies
Authors: Saqqur Maher , Tsivgoulis Georgios , Nicoli Francois , Skoloudik David , Sharma Vijay K. , Larrue Vincent , Eggers Jürgen , Perren Fabienne , Charalampidis Paris , Storie Dale , Shuaib Ashfaq , Alexandrov Andrei V. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVESTo assess the evidence on the safety and efficacy of sonothrombolysis in acute stroke.SEARCH METHODSElectronic databases and grey literature were searched under different MeSH terms from 1970 to present.SELECTION CRITERIARandomized control trials (RCTs) and case control studies (CCSs) on sonolysis and sonothrombolysis alone or with microsphere in acute stroke patients (>18 old). Outcome measures included complete recanalization (CR) at 1‐2 and 24 hours, 3 months modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH). Data was extracted to Review Manager software.RESULTSFifty‐seven studies were retrieved and analyzed. Ten studies (7 RCTs and 3 CCSs) were included in our meta‐analysis, which revealed that sonolysis and sonothrombolysis are safe (OR of sICH: 1.14; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.56‐ 2.34;P=0.71) and effective (OR of CR at 1‐2 hours: 2.95;95% CI: 1.81‐4.81;P<0.00001) and have more than two‐fold higher likelihood of favourable long‐term outcome (3‐month mRS 0‐2; OR: 2.20; CI:1.52‐3.19;P<0.0001). Further subgroup analysis based on the presence of microsphere revealed that it is safe (OR of sICH: 1.18; CI:0.433.24;P=0.75) and effective (OR of CR: 2.61; CI: 1.36‐4.99;P=0.004). Subgroup analysis based on sonolysis revealed to be safe and effective.CONCLUSIONSThis novel treatment appears safe and effective. The evidence of microsphere as an enhancement of sonothrombolysis is evolving.
Naturally Existing Levels of Osmyb4 Gene Expression in Rice Cultivars Correlate with their Reaction to Fungal and Bacterial Pathogens
Authors: Singh Pooja , Siva Ramamoorthy , Gothandam Kodiveri M. , Babu Subramanian 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAccumulating functional genomic data in rice are unveiling the role of regulatory genes and their significance in modulating responses to complex traits like stress tolerance. Rice Osmyb4 is one such gene coding for transcription factor, and the homologous and heterologous ectopic expression has proved increased tolerance to several abiotic stress and few biotic stresses in plants. Nevertheless, the role of this gene in rice plants for disease resistance has not been studied. We attempted to study the correlation of existing bottom‐line expression of this gene in selected rice cultivars and their reaction to artificial challenge with the sheath blight pathogen (Rhizoctonia solani) and bacterial leaf blight pathogen (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae). The study consisted of artificial inoculation of the pathogens and scoring for disease in selected rice cultivars and amplification of Osmyb4 transcripts by a simple reverse transcription PCR. Inoculation studies revealed a higher disease index in cv. IR 50 and lower disease in cvs TRY 3 and IR 36. Reverse transcription PCR in healthy plants revealed significantly higher constitutive expression of this gene in cvs TRY 3 and IR 36 which was not found in IR 50. However, expression of this gene in cv. IR 50 was found to be cold‐inducible. The natural expression level of Osmyb4 in disease‐resistant rice varieties provides molecular evidences for their possible role in regulating disease resistance.