bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Glucosidase inhibitory activity and antioxidant activity of flavonoid compound and triterpenoid compound from Agrimonia Pilosa Ledeb
Authors: Liu Xi , Zhu Liancai , Tan Jun , Zhou Xuemei , Xiao Ling , Yang Xian , Wang Bochu 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Background
In Chinese traditional medicine, Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb (APL) exhibits great effect on treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), however its mechanism is still unknown. Considering that T2DM are correlated with postprandial hyperglycemia and oxidative stress, we investigated the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and the antioxidant activity of flavonoid compound (FC) and triterpenoid compound (TC) from APL.

Methods
Entire plants of APL were extracted using 95% ethanol and 50% ethanol successively. The resulting extracts were partitioned and isolated by applying liquid chromatography using silica gel column and Sephadex LH 20 column to give FC and TC. The content of total flavonoids in FC and the content of total triterpenoids in TC were determined by using UV spectrophotometry. HPLC analysis was used to identify and quantify the monomeric compound in FC and TC. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were determined using the chromogenic method with p-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside as substrate. Antioxidant activities were assessed through three kinds of radical scavenging assays (DPPH radical, ABTS radical and hydroxyl radical) & β-carotene-linoleic acid assay.

Results
The results indicate FC is abundant of quercitrin, and hyperoside, and TC is abundant of 1β, 2β, 3β, 19α-tetrahydroxy-12-en-28-oic acid (265.2 mg/g) and corosolic acid (100.9 mg/g). The FC & the TC have strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activities with IC50 of 8.72 μg/mL and 3.67 μg/mL, respectively. We find that FC show competitive inhibition against α-glucosidase, while the TC exhibits noncompetitive inhibition. Furthermore, The FC exhibits significant radical scavenging activity with the EC50 values of 7.73 μg/mL, 3.64 μg/mL and 5.90 μg/mL on DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical and ABTS radical, respectively. The FC also shows moderate anti-lipid peroxidation activity with the IC50 values of 41.77 μg/mL on inhibiting β-carotene bleaching.

Conclusion
These results imply that the FC and the TC could be responsible for the good clinical effects of APL on T2MD through targeting oxidative stress and postprandial hyperglycaemia. So APL may be good sources of natural antioxidants and α-glucosidase inhibitors exhibiting remarkable potential value for the therapy of T2DM.
Age, period and cohort analysis of patient dental visits in Australia
Authors: Ju Xiangqun , Brennan David S , Spencer A John 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Background
Understanding dentists’ capacity to supply dental services over time is a key element in the process of planning for the future. The aim was to identify time trends and estimate age, period and cohort effects in patients’ visits supplied per dentist per year.

Methods
Mailed questionnaires were collected from a random sample of Australian private general practice dentists. The response rates were 73%, 75%, 74%, 71%, 76% and 67% in 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2009, respectively. The time trends in the mean number of patient visits supplied per dentist per year (PPY) was described by using a standard cohort table and age-period-cohort analyses applying a nested general linear regression models approach.

Results
The mean number of PPY decreased across most age groups of dentists over the time of study. The age-period model showed that younger dentists (20–29 years) and older dentists (65–74 and 80–84 years) had lower PPY than middle-aged dentists, and the age-cohort model showed higher PPY among earlier cohorts, and lower PPY among more recent cohorts.

Conclusion
The study found a period effect of declining PPY over the observation period. More recent cohorts of dentists provide lower numbers of PPY than earlier cohorts at similar ages, but the provision of PPY among these younger cohorts appeared to be stable as they moved into middle age.
Medicinal plants used by the Tamang community in the Makawanpur district of central Nepal
Authors: Luitel Dol Raj , Rokaya Maan B , Timsina Binu , Münzbergová Zuzana 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Background
We can conserve cultural heritage and gain extensive knowledge of plant species with pharmacological potential to cure simple to life-threatening diseases by studying the use of plants in indigenous communities. Therefore, it is important to conduct ethnobotanical studies in indigenous communities and to validate the reported uses of plants by comparing ethnobotanical studies with phytochemical and pharmacological studies.

Materials and methods
This study was conducted in a Tamang community dwelling in the Makawanpur district of central Nepal. We used semi-structured and structured questionnaires during interviews to collect information. We compared use reports with available phytochemical and pharmacological studies for validation.

Results
A total of 161 plant species belonging to 86 families and 144 genera to cure 89 human ailments were documented. Although 68 plant species were cited as medicinal in previous studies, 55 different uses described by the Tamang people were not found in any of the compared studies. Traditional uses for 60 plant species were consistent with pharmacological and phytochemical studies.

Conclusions
The Tamang people in Makawanpur are rich in ethnopharmacological understanding. The present study highlights important medicinal plant species by validating their traditional uses. Different plant species can improve local economies through proper harvesting, adequate management and development of modern techniques to maximize their use.
Feasibility of omitting clinical target volume for limited-disease small cell lung cancer treated with chemotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy
Authors: Cai Shuhua , Shi Anhui , Yu Rong , Zhu Guangying 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Purpose
To analyze the feasibility of omitting clinical target volume (CTV) for limited small cell lung cancer treated with chemotherapy and intensity modulated radiotherapy.

Methods and materials
89 patients were treated from January 1, 2008 to August 31, 2011, 54 cases were irradiated with target volume without CTV, and 35 cases were irradiated with CTV. Both arms were irradiated post chemotherapy tumor extent and omitted elective nodal irradiation; dose prescription was 95% PTV56-63 Gy/28-35 F/5.6-7 weeks.

Results
In the arm without CTV and arm with CTV, the local relapse rates were 16.7% and 17.1% (p = 0.586) respectively. In the arm without CTV, of the 9 patients with local relapse, 6 recurred in-field, 2 recurred in margin, 1 recurred out of field. In the arm with CTV, of the 6 patients with local relapse, 4 recurred in-field, 1 recurred in margin, 1 recurred out of field. The distant metastases rates were 42.6% and 51.4% (p = 0.274) respectively. Grade 3-4 hematological toxicity and radiation esophagitis had no statistically significant, but grade 3-4 radiation pneumonia was observed in only 7.4% in the arm without CTV, compared 22.9% in the arm with CTV (p = 0.040). The median survival in the arm without CTV had not reached, compared with 38 months in the with CTV arm. The l- years, 2- years, 3- years survival rates of the arm without CTV and the arm with CTV were 81.0%, 66.2%, 61.5% and 88.6%, 61.7%, 56.6% (p = 0.517). The multivariate analysis indicated that the distant metastases (p = 0.000) and PCI factor (p = 0.004) were significantly related to overall survival.

Conclusions
Target delineation omitting CTV for limited-disease small cell lung cancer received IMRT was feasible. The distant metastases and PCI factor were significantly related to overall survival.
Optimization of electrocoagulation process to treat grey wastewater in batch mode using response surface methodology
Authors: Karichappan Thirugnanasambandham , Venkatachalam Sivakumar , Jeganathan Prakash Maran 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Background
Discharge of grey wastewater into the ecological system causes the negative impact effect on receiving water bodies.

Methods
In this present study, electrocoagulation process (EC) was investigated to treat grey wastewater under different operating conditions such as initial pH (4–8), current density (10–30 mA/cm2), electrode distance (4–6 cm) and electrolysis time (5–25 min) by using stainless steel (SS) anode in batch mode. Four factors with five levels Box-Behnken response surface design (BBD) was employed to optimize and investigate the effect of process variables on the responses such as total solids (TS), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and fecal coliform (FC) removal.

Results
The process variables showed significant effect on the electrocoagulation treatment process. The results were analyzed by Pareto analysis of variance (ANOVA) and second order polynomial models were developed in order to study the electrocoagulation process statistically. The optimal operating conditions were found to be: initial pH of 7, current density of 20 mA/cm2, electrode distance of 5 cm and electrolysis time of 20 min.

Conclusion
These results indicated that EC process can be scale up in large scale level to treat grey wastewater with high removal efficiency of TS, COD and FC.
In vitro susceptibility to amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole and caspofungin of Aspergillus spp. isolated from patients with haematological malignancies in Tunisia
Authors: Gheith Soukeina , Saghrouni Fatma , Bannour Wadiaa , Ben Youssef Yosra , Khelif Abderrahim , Normand Anne-Cécile , Piarroux Renaud , Ben Said Moncef , Njah Mansour , Ranque Stéphane 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe resistance ofAspergillusspecies to antifungal is increasingly reported and the knowledge of the local epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility pattern is pivotal to define adequate treatment policies. Our study aimed to: 1) describe thein vitroantifungal susceptibility profile of theAspergillusspecies isolated from patients with haematological malignancies in Tunisia; 2) compare the E-test and Sensititre Yeast-One assays for the detection of paradoxical growth and trailing effect, both phenotypes commonly exhibited byAspergillusspp. upon exposure to caspofungin and 3) to evaluate the mortality rate in patients according to the causativeAspergillusspecies and the antifungal treatment.We tested amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole and caspofungin against 48Aspergillusisolates (17,A. niger; 18,A. flavus; 9,A. tubingensis; 1,A. westerdijkiae; and 1,A. ochraceus) with the E-test. Minimal inhibition concentrations were above the epidemiological cut-off values for amphotericin B in 67% ofA. flavusstrains; for caspofungin in 22% ofA. flavusstrains; and for itraconazole in 22% ofA. tubingensisstrains, voriconazole and posaconazole MICs were below the epidemiological cut-off values for all strains.When exposed to caspofungin, 42% of the strains exhibited trailing effect and 38% paradoxical growth. Trailing effect occurred in 61% ofA. flavusstrains and paradoxical growth in 62% ofAspergillussectionNigristrains. E-test and Sensititre Yeast-One assays were only fairly concordant for the detection of these phenotypes. Repeatability of both assays was high for trailing effect but poor for paradoxical growth. The relatively high frequency of amphotericin B resistant strains makes voriconazole best adapted as a first-line treatment of invasive aspergillosis from amphotericin B to voriconazole in this hospital.
Resuscitation and resurrection: The ethics of cloning cheetahs, mammoths, and Neanderthals
Authors: Cottrell Sariah , Jensen Jamie L , Peck Steven L 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Recent events and advances address the possibility of cloning endangered and extinct species. The ethics of these types of cloning have special considerations, uniquely different from the types of cloning commonly practiced. Cloning of cheetahs (and other endangered or vulnerable species) may be ethically appropriate, given certain constraints. However, the ethics of cloning extinct species varies; for example, cloning mammoths and Neanderthals is more ethically problematic than conservation cloning, and requires more attention. Cloning Neanderthals in particular is likely unethical and such a project should not be undertaken. It is important to discuss and plan for the constraints necessary to mitigate the harms of conservation and extinct cloning, and it is imperative that scientific and public discourse enlighten and guide actions in the sphere of cloning.
On the Embedding Problem for Discrete-Time Markov Chains
Authors: Guerry Marie-Anne 
Published: January 2014

When a discrete-time homogenous Markov chain is observed at time intervals that correspond to its time unit, then the transition probabilities of the chain can be estimated using known maximum likelihood estimators. In this paper we consider a situation when a Markov chain is observed on time intervals with length equal to twice the time unit of the Markov chain. The issue then arises of characterizing probability matrices whose square root(s) are also probability matrices. This characterization is referred to in the literature as the embedding problem for discrete time Markov chains. The probability matrix which has probability root(s) is called embeddable.In this paper for two-state Markov chains, necessary and sufficient conditions for embeddability are formulated and the probability square roots of the transition matrix are presented in analytic form. In finding conditions for the existence of probability square roots for (kxk) transition matrices, properties of row-normalized matrices are examined. Besides the existence of probability square roots, the uniqueness of these solutions is discussed: In the case of nonuniqueness, a procedure is introduced to identify a transition matrix that takes into account the specificity of the concrete context. In the case of nonexistence of a probability root, the concept of an approximate probability root is introduced as a solution of an optimization problem related to approximate nonnegative matrix factorization.
Preparing 5–7-Year Old Children to Attending School: The World Around Us and Mathematics
Authors: Румянцева  , Rumyantseva Irina , Целищева  , Tselishcheva Irina , Большакова  , Bolshakova Mariya 
Published: January 2014

The paper concerns the challenging aspect of
preparing 5-7 year old children for school on the basis of
educational areas integration. The authors present specific
study aids of lessons, designed especially for elder
preschoolers and aimed at developing their mathematical
abilities and natural-ecological knowledge. These lessons not only provide insight into mathematics, foster responsible attitude to Nature and encourage cognitive interest, but also
enhance attention, imagination, speech habits and communication skills.
The Study of Comprising Parenting Style between Children with ADHD and Normal Children
Authors: Firouzkouhi Moghaddam Mahboobeh , Assareh Marzeyeh , Heidaripoor Amirhossein , Eslami Rad Raheleh , Pishjoo Masoud 
Published: January 2014

Aim of the studyAttention deficit - Hyperactivity disorder is one of the most diagnosed psychiatric disorders in children and adolescent based on hyperactivity, attention deficit and impulsivity criteria. This disorder causes lots of problem in home, school and social situations. Regards to the family and parenting factors in growth and development of ADHD children the parenting intervention consider as a primary intervention programs for this children. Parenting management training, which based on social learning models, is an effective and practical way for treatment of children with incongruent behavior. In this study, we evaluate parenting styles between ADHD children and normal children.Subject or material and methodsThis study conducted in Zahedan in 2012; Subjects were aged 7 to 12. They divided into patient and normal groups. Parenting styles has evaluated with Baumrind's questionnaire. The data has analyzed with SPSS ver.18.ResultsThe findings showed that the parents of ADHD children have lower permissive score than the normal group, but authoritarian score was lower in the normal group. The authoritative score has no significant difference between the two groups. In addition, age, gender, and parent’s education were effective on parenting styles.DiscussionThe present study indicates that parents with ADHD children have different parenting styles; and factors like gender and parents education are effective in parenting methods. This finding also defined in some past surveys. Many studies have shown that teaching-parenting styles to parents with ADHD children will improve the inner family relationship.ConclusionsThe results indicated that parents of children with ADHD on parenting has less permissive but has more authoritarian.
La planificación estratégica en espacios turísticos de interior: claves para el diseño y formulación de estrategias competitivas
Authors: Díez Santo Daniel 
Published: January 2014

La planificación estratégica en espacios turísticos de interior requiere de un enfoque particular que responda a las necesidades y expectativas del mundo rural. Asimismo, la planificación turística del interior debe contemplar necesariamente la integración de otros espacios como las ciudades intermedias que ayudan a articular y jerarquizar el territorio (capitales comarcales, nodos industriales y comerciales, etc.), y el medio natural donde deben primar los criterios de gestión medioambiental y la sostenibilidad. Por todo ello, la presente investigación pretende identificar empíricamente las líneas estratégicas claves y los aspectos de preferente atención para la planificación efectiva de los espacios turísticos de interior, manteniendo en todo momento como premisas fundamentales el desarrollo local, la competitividad turística y la sostenibilidad territorial.Para el logro de este doble objetivo se llevó a cabo un intenso y exhaustivo trabajo de campo que tomó como área piloto el interior de la provincia Alicante. Por medio de diferentes técnicas se recabó la opinión de colectivos empresariales e instituciones públicas, que sirvieron de base junto al análisis de numerosas fuentes secundarias, para el diagnóstico de las principales disfunciones de los espacios interiores. Como respuesta a estas disfunciones se presenta una propuesta metodológica que formula y justifica siete grandes ejes estratégicos, que se descomponen a través de diferentes aspectos de atención preferente en la planificación de espacios turísticos de interior. Strategic planning requires a specific approach that can meet the needs and expectations of the rural world. Inland tourism planning must additionally consider the integration of other spaces, such as medium-sized towns that help articulate and organise the territory into a hierarchy (e.g. small regional or provincial capitals, industrial or commercial hubs, etc.), and the natural milieu, where environmental management and sustainability criteria must always prevail. In the light of the above, the present research work seeks to empirically identify the key strategic lines and aspects of preferential interest for the effective planning of inland tourism areas, keeping at all times local development, tourism competitiveness and territorial sustainability as the essential premises In order to achieve this twofold objective, we carried out an intense, comprehensive fieldwork which took the interior of the Alicante Province as its pilot area. Using different techniques, we collected the opinions of business groups and public institutions which, together with the analysis of numerous secondary sources, served as the basis for the diagnosis of the main dysfunctions affecting inland spaces. A methodological proposal is presented in response to these dysfunctions where we formulate and justify seven broad strategic axes which are then broken down into different aspects of preferential attention at inland tourism space planning.
Oxidative hepatotoxicity effects of monocrotaline and its amelioration by lipoic acid, S-adenosyl methionine and vitamin E
Authors: Amin Kamal Adel , Hashem Khalid S. , Al-muzafar Hessa M. , Taha Eman M. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Liver is the major site for several xenobiotics metabolism, and formation of toxic metabolites that may be hepatotoxic, therefore the burden of metabolism and exposure to dangerous chemicals make liver vulnerable to a variety of disorders. Our work aimed to investigate the effects of some antioxidants such as lipoic acid (LA), S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) and vitamin E in a trail to investigate the possibility of using these substances to relieve and protect liver from exposure to monocrotaline (MCT). Twenty-five mature adult rats were classified into five groups (five rats in each group), control group, MCT-induced hepatic damage, LA+MCT, SAM+MCT and vitamin E+MCT group. Homogenates of liver samples were used for measuring the oxidative biomarkers and hepatic antioxidant status. The results showed that administration of vitamin E, SAM and LA caused a significant increase in liver glutathione contents, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase activities and a significant decrease in hepatic catalase and superoxide dismutase. We could conclude that administration of natural LA, SAM and vitamin E before and after MCT injection modulate the hepatic oxidative stresses induced by MCT in various extents.
Polymer surface structures determined using ToF-SIMS
Authors: Chan Chi-Ming , Weng Lu-Tao , Lau Yiu-Ting R. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
This article reviews the recent applications of time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry in the determination of surface structures of semicrystralline and amorphous polymer films. Examples given include the determination of end-group distributions on semicrystalline polymer surfaces, lamellar orientation on thin-film surfaces, the structures of the folds of lamellae, the morphologies of polymer blends, the relationship between film stability and the concentration of the end groups, and the structures of thin polymer films.
Individual humeral head replacement by C/C composite implants coated with hydroxyapatite via rotation plasma spraying
Authors: Ping Zhong , Xin-ye Ni , Yun-liang Miao , Tao Lin , Xin-bo Xiong , Dong Zhou 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe humeral heads of rabbits were replaced with individualized C/C composite implants coated with hydroxyapatite (HA) via rotation plasma spraying. The effect of the implants was evaluated after 5 and 150 days by using histology, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and so on. Results showed that the coating interface of C/C composites facilitated phosphorite deposition and osseous tissue growth. Furthermore, the humeral bone and remaining bone tissues were morphologically similar and possessed enhanced bonding strength. These results indicated that individualized C/C composite implants with HA coatings enabled the humeral head to adapt to dynamic requirements and accelerate healing after bone transplantation.