bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phytotoxicity evaluation and phytochemical analysis of three medicinally important plants from Pakistan
Authors: Ullah Nazif , Haq Ihsan-ul , Mirza Bushra 
Published: January 2013

This work examines the crude methanolic extracts of three medicinally important plants native to Pakistan for potent phytotoxic activities and important phytochemicals. These plants include Euphorbia wallichii, Bergenia ciliata and Phytolacca latbenia. The phytotoxic effects were checked at 10,000, 1000, and 100 µg/ml against two economically important standard target species, Triticum aestivum (monocot representative) and Brassica napus (dicot representative). The phytotoxicity effects on seed germination, seedling growth and seedling weight were checked. A simple, cost-effective in vitro phytotoxicity assay (that uses petri plates) was used to evaluate the allelopathic properties of crude extracts. At highest concentration, extracts from all the three plants showed phytotoxic activities such that P. latbenia > E. wallichii > B. ciliata. In seedling growth, root length was affected more than shoot length, whereas among the target species B. napus was found to be more sensitive towards extracts when compared with T. aestivum. Phytochemical analysis showed that P. latbenia is rich in saponins and terpenoids, while E. wallichii and B. ciliata are rich in tannins, terpenoids and cardiac glycoside. P. latbenia also carries a moderate amount of cardiac glycosides.
Drosophila MOF controls Checkpoint protein2 and regulates genomic stability during early embryogenesis
Authors: Pushpavalli Sreerangam NCVL , Sarkar Arpita , Ramaiah M Janaki , Chowdhury Debabani Roy , Bhadra Utpal , Pal-Bhadra Manika 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
In Drosophila embryos, checkpoints maintain genome stability by delaying cell cycle progression that allows time for damage repair or to complete DNA synthesis. Drosophila MOF, a member of MYST histone acetyl transferase is an essential component of male X hyperactivation process. Until recently its involvement in G2/M cell cycle arrest and defects in ionizing radiation induced DNA damage pathways was not well established.

Results

Drosophila MOF is highly expressed during early embryogenesis. In the present study we show that haplo-insufficiency of maternal MOF leads to spontaneous mitotic defects like mitotic asynchrony, mitotic catastrophe and chromatid bridges in the syncytial embryos. Such abnormal nuclei are eliminated and digested in the yolk tissues by nuclear fall out mechanism. MOF negatively regulates Drosophila checkpoint kinase 2 tumor suppressor homologue. In response to DNA damage the checkpoint gene Chk2 (Drosophila mnk) is activated in the mof mutants, there by causing centrosomal inactivation suggesting its role in response to genotoxic stress. A drastic decrease in the fall out nuclei in the syncytial embryos derived from mof

1

/+; mnk

p6

/+ females further confirms the role of DNA damage response gene Chk2 to ensure the removal of abnormal nuclei from the embryonic precursor pool and maintain genome stability. The fact that mof mutants undergo DNA damage has been further elucidated by the increased number of single and double stranded DNA breaks.

Conclusion

mof mutants exhibited genomic instability as evidenced by the occurance of frequent mitotic bridges in anaphase, asynchronous nuclear divisions, disruption of cytoskeleton, inactivation of centrosomes finally leading to DNA damage. Our findings are consistent to what has been reported earlier in mammals that; reduced levels of MOF resulted in increased genomic instability while total loss resulted in lethality. The study can be further extended using Drosophila as model system and carry out the interaction of MOF with the known components of the DNA damage pathway.
Hyperbranched Polyglycerol is an Efficacious and Biocompatible Novel Osmotic Agent in a Rodent Model of Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Mendelson Asher A. , Guan Qiunong , Chafeeva Irina , da Roza Gerald A. , Kizhakkedathu Jayachandran N. , Du Caigan 
Published: January 2013

♦Objectives To enhance the effectiveness of peritoneal dialysis (PD), new biocompatible PD solutions may be needed. The present study was designed to test the efficacy and biocompatibility of hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG)—a nontoxic, nonimmunogenic water-soluble polyether polymer—in PD. ♦Methods Adult Sprague–Dawley rats were instilled with 30 mL HPG solution (molecular weight 3 kDa; 2.5% – 15%) or control glucose PD solution (2.5% Dianeal: Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Deerfield, IL, USA), and intraperitoneal fluid was recovered after 4 hours. Peritoneal injury and cellular infiltration were determined by histologic and flow cytometric analysis. Human peritoneal mesothelial cells were assessed for viability in vitro after 3 hours of PD fluid exposure. ♦Results The 15% HPG solution achieved a 4-hour dose-related ultrafiltration up to 43.33 ± 5.24 mL and a dose-related urea clearance up to 39.17 ± 5.21 mL, results that were superior to those with control PD solution ( p < 0.05). The dialysate-to-plasma (D/P) ratios of urea with 7.5% and 15% HPG solution were not statistically different from those with control PD solution. Compared with fluid recovered from the control group, fluid recovered from the HPG group contained proportionally fewer neutrophils (3.63% ± 0.87% vs 9.31% ± 2.89%, p < 0.0001). Detachment of mesothelial cells positive for human bone marrow endothelial protein 1 did not increase in the HPG group compared with the stain control ( p = 0.1832), but it was elevated in the control PD solution group (1.62% ± 0.68% vs 0.41% ± 0.31%, p = 0.0031). Peritoneal biopsies from animals in the HPG PD group, compared with those from control PD animals, demonstrated less neutrophilic infiltration and reduced thickness. Human peritoneal mesothelial cell survival after HPG exposure was superior in vitro ( p < 0.0001, 7.5% HPG vs control; p < 0.01, 15% HPG vs control). Exposure to glucose PD solution induced cytoplasmic vacuolation and caspase 3–independent necrotic cell death that was not seen with HPG solution. ♦Conclusions Our novel HPG PD solution demonstrated effective ultrafiltration and waste removal with reduced peritoneal injury in a rodent model of PD.
BINOL‐Fused Maleimides – A New Class of C2‐Symmetric Chiral Imides
Authors: Brenet Simon , Baptiste Benoit , Philouze Christian , Berthiol Florian , Einhorn Jacques 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe first synthesis of BINOL‐fused maleimides has been developed. This new chiral scaffold is easily accessible from various BINOL analogues and 2,3‐dihalomaleimide derivatives under basic conditions. It can be easily functionalized on the BINOL moiety and is an entry towards promising new classes of chiral organocatalysts and ligands.
Anisotropic analysis of multi‐component T2 and T1ρ relaxations in achilles tendon by NMR spectroscopy and microscopic MRI
Authors: Wang Nian , Xia Yang 
Published: January 2013

Purpose:To study the anisotropic characteristics of both multi‐component T2 and T1ρ relaxation times in tendon.Materials and Methods:T2 and T1ρ were measured in tendon by NMR spectroscopy at different orientations and by microscopic MRI at the magic angle. Several experimental issues in the multi‐component relaxation measurements were investigated, including the effects of echo spacing, the resolution of MRI experiments, the influence of the specimen orientations, and the strengths of different spin‐lock frequencies in T1ρ experiments.Results:Both the values and fractions of T2 in tendon showed significant orientational dependence. The values and fractions of T1ρ strongly depended on both the specimen orientation and the spin‐lock strength. The imaging resolution (35–280 μm) had little influence in the T2 experiments. Both the echo spacings (0.6–3.0 ms) in the T2 experiment and the spin‐lock strengths (0.5–5 kHz) in the T1ρ experiment affected the quantification of the multi‐component relaxation. Up to three T2 and T1ρ components were resolved in tendon.Conclusion:Multi‐component relaxations could be attributed to different populations of water in the tissue. The transitions between a mono‐component and multi‐component result call for the caution in interpreting the relaxation results. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:625–633. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Linear Context‐Free Rewriting Systems
Authors: Kallmeyer Laura 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis paper introduces Linear Context‐Free Rewriting Systems, a mildly context‐sensitive grammar formalism that displays a range of interesting formal properties and that has attracted a lot of interest in the context of natural language parsing recently because of its capacity to describe discontinuous constituents and non‐projective dependencies. Besides a presentation of the formalism, the paper includes a discussion of recent LCFRS applications in parsing and dependency grammar.
Audience design in the police interview: The interactional and judicial consequences of audience orientation
Authors: Haworth Kate 
Published: January 2013

AbstractPolice-suspect interviews in England and Wales are a multi-audience, multi-purpose, transcontextual mode of discourse. They are conducted as part of the initial investigation into a crime, but are subsequently recontextualized through the judicial process, ultimately being presented in court as evidence against the interviewee. The communicative challenges posed by multiple future audiences are investigated by applying Bell's (1984) audience design model to the police interview, and the resulting “poor fit” demonstrates why this context is discursively counterintuitive to participants. Further, data analysis indicates that interviewer and interviewee, although ostensibly addressing each other, may orientate to different audiences, with potentially serious consequences. As well as providing new insight into police-suspect interview interaction, this article seeks to extend understanding of the influence of audience on interaction at the discourse level, and to contribute to the development of theoretical models for contexts with multiple or asynchronous audiences. (Audience design, audience orientation, police interviews, forensic linguistics)*
Effects of resources and mortality on the growth and reproduction of Nile perch in Lake Victoria
Authors: DOWNING ANDREA S. , van NES EGBERT H. , van de WOLFSHAAR KAREN E. , SCHEFFER MARTEN , MOOIJ WOLF M. 
Published: January 2013

Summary1. A collapse of Nile perch stocks of Lake Victoria could affect up to 30 million people. Furthermore, changes in Nile perch population size‐structure and stocks make the threat of collapse imminent. However, whether eutrophication or fishing will be the bane of Nile perch is still debated.2. Here, we attempt to unravel how changes in food resources, a side effect of eutrophication, and fishing mortality determine fish population growth and size structures. We parameterised a physiologically structured model to Nile perch, analysed the influence of ontogenetic diet shifts and relative resource abundances on existence boundaries of Nile perch and described the populations on either side of these boundaries.3. Our results showed that ignoring ontogenetic diet shifts can lead to over‐estimating the maximum sustainable mortality of a fish population. Size distributions can be indicators of processes driving population dynamics. However, the vulnerability of stocks to fishing mortality is dependent on its environment and is not always reflected in size distributions.4. We suggest that the ecosystem, instead of populations, should be used to monitor long‐term effects of human impact.
Thoracoscopic resection of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation in an adolescent
Authors: Shimizu Seiichi , Yamashita Yoshinori , Mukaida Hidenori , Hirabayashi Naoki , Egawa Hiromi , Kaneko Mayumi , Sakatani Akio , Takiyama Wataru 
Published: January 2013

AbstractCongenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) in adolescents or adults is extremely rare. In this case study, a 17‐year‐old boy was admitted to our clinic for the treatment of a giant bulla in the lower lobe of the right lung. Preoperative imaging studies led to the diagnosis of cystic lung disease. The patient underwent wedge resection of the right lower lobe with VATS, and histological examination confirmed the presentation of type 1 CCAM. A thoracoscopic lobectomy was performed after the second surgery because of postoperative air leakage.Herein, we report a case of CCAM in an adolescent. VATS was a suitable procedure for the operation. Between the parenchyma‐saving resection and lobectomy for CCAM, we believe that the lobectomy is the better treatment option when the extent of the disease cannot be determined clearly or it is extremely large. Therefore, strategies for deciding between parenchyma‐saving resection and lobectomy for the treatment of CCAM should be developed.
Crystal structure of tetrakis((μ-naphthalene-1-carboxylato-κ2O,O’)bis- (pyridine)copper(II), C54H38Cu2N2O8
Authors: Xu Wei , Yu Xiao-Ke 
Published: January 2013

Abstract C54H38Cu2N2O8, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 10.783(2) Å, b = 13.968(3) Å, c = 15.808(3) Å, β = 104.23(3)°, V = 2307.9 Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0436, wRref(F2) = 0.1502, T = 295 K
Long‐term changes in BMI and adiposity rebound among girls from Kraków (Poland) over the last 30 years (from 1983 to 2010)
Authors: Kowal Małgorzata , Kryst Łukasz , Woronkowicz Agnieszka , Sobiecki Jan , Brudecki Janusz , Żarów Ryszard 
Published: January 2013

BackgroundEarly adiposity rebound (AR, below 5 years) is an important predictor of adult obesity.ObjectivesThe main purpose of this study was to explore changes in body weight and height, BMI, body fat, and AR timing in girls from Krakow within the last 3 decades.Methods1,970 girls were measured in 2010. Using the results of body height, weight and skin folds measurements, the BMI and %BF was calculated. The LMS method was used to constructed BMI and %BF centiles. Three fractions were distinguished in individual age groups of the subjects—below the 15th percentile (underweight girls), 50th percentile and above 85th percentile (overweight girls). These data were compared with the results from previous survey series (1983 and 2000). The mean age of the menarche onset were calculated by means of the probit method.ResultsThe girls from last series are taller and heavier than girls measured in 1983. Before the time of AR, girls from last series have lowest BMI and %BF than girls from the first series. In spite of this, all girls measured in 2010 have the time of AR earlier than girls measured in 1983. The girls from the last series of measurements showed also acceleration of sexual maturation and the average menarche age was the earliest in them and equalled 12.68 years.ConclusionsAR cannot be explained only by changes in body adiposity. Early AR could be a marker of acceleration of development already in an early postnatal ontogenesis. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 25:300–306, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tofacitinib (CP‐690,550) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving methotrexate: Twelve‐month data from a twenty‐four–month phase III randomized radiographic study
Authors: van der Heijde Désirée , Tanaka Yoshiya , Fleischmann Roy , Keystone Edward , Kremer Joel , Zerbini Cristiano , Cardiel Mario H. , Cohen Stanley , Nash Peter , Song Yeong‐Wook , Tegzová Dana , Wyman Bradley T. , Gruben David , Benda Birgitta , Wallenstein Gene , Krishnaswami Sriram , Zwillich Samuel H. , Bradley John D. , Connell Carol A. ,   and the ORAL Scan Investigators
Published: January 2013

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this 24‐month phase III study was to examine structural preservation with tofacitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with an inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX). Data from a planned 12‐month interim analysis are reported.MethodsIn this double‐blind, parallel‐group, placebo‐controlled study, patients receiving background MTX were randomized 4:4:1:1 to tofacitinib at 5 mg twice daily, tofacitinib at 10 mg twice daily, placebo to tofacitinib at 5 mg twice daily, and placebo to tofacitinib at 10 mg twice daily. At month 3, nonresponder placebo‐treated patients were advanced in a blinded manner to receive tofacitinib as indicated above; remaining placebo‐treated patients were advanced at 6 months. Four primary efficacy end points were all analyzed in a step‐down procedure.ResultsAt month 6, response rates according to the American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement criteria for tofacitinib at 5 mg and 10 mg twice daily were higher than those for placebo (51.5% and 61.8%, respectively, versus 25.3%; both P < 0.0001). At month 6, least squares mean (LSM) changes in total modified Sharp/van der Heijde score for tofacitinib at 5 mg and 10 mg twice daily were 0.12 and 0.06, respectively, versus 0.47 for placebo (P = 0.0792 and P ≤ 0.05, respectively). At month 3, LSM changes in the Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index score for tofacitinib at 5 mg and 10 mg twice daily were –0.40 (significance not declared due to step‐down procedure) and –0.54 (P < 0.0001), respectively, versus –0.15 for placebo. At month 6, rates of remission (defined as a value <2.6 for the 4‐variable Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using the erythrocyte sedimentation rate) for tofacitinib at 5 mg and 10 mg twice daily were 7.2% (significance not declared due to step‐down procedure) and 16.0% (P < 0.0001), respectively, versus 1.6% for placebo. The safety profile was consistent with findings in previous studies.ConclusionData from this 12‐month interim analysis demonstrate that tofacitinib inhibits progression of structural damage and improves disease activity in patients with RA who are receiving MTX.
Effect of glutamine supplementation on neutrophil function in male judoists
Authors: Sasaki Eiji , Umeda Takashi , Takahashi Ippei , Arata Kojima , Yamamoto Yousuke , Tanabe Masaru , Oyamada Kazuyuki , Hashizume Erika , Nakaji Shigeyuki 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTGlutamine is an important amino acid for immune function. Though high intensity and prolonged exercise decreases plasma glutamine concentration and causes immune suppression, the relationship between neutrophil functions and glutamine has not yet been found. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impacts of glutamine supplementation on neutrophil function. Twenty‐six male university judoists were recruited. Subjects were classified into glutamine and control groups. The glutamine group ingested 3000 mg of glutamine per day and the control group ingested placebo for 2 weeks. Examinations were performed at the start of preunified loading exercise (pre‐ULE), then 1 and 2 weeks after ULE (post‐ULE). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, phagocytic activity, serum opsonic activity and serum myogenic enzymes were measured. Differences between the levels obtained in pre‐ULE and post‐ULE for the two groups were compared. In the glutamine group, ROS production activity increased 1 week after ULE, whereas it was not observed in the control group (P < 0.001). Though myogenic enzymes increased significantly after ULE (P < 0.001), the glutamine group remained unchanged by supplementation during ULE. Glutamine supplementation has prevented excessive muscle damage and suppression of neutrophil function, especially in ROS production activity, even during an intensive training period. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimisation of the operational parameters during a biological nitrification process using response surface methodology
Authors: Darvishi Cheshmeh Soltani R. , Rezaee A. , Khataee A.R. , Godini H. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe main aim of this study was to determine the optimal operational parameters for a biological nitrification process. For this reason, a batch mode biological nitrification filled with acclimated sludge was used to remove ammonium from synthetic wastewater. Increasing the initial ammonium concentration from 50 to 300 mg NH4‐N/L within 67 days led to a decrease in the removal efficiency of ammonium from 97.2% to 57.3%, which is equivalent to increasing the specific ammonium oxidation from 1.09 to 3.85 mg NH4‐N/g MLVSS/h. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD) was used to evaluate the interactive effects of the three main parameters, including the sodium bicarbonate/ammonium chloride ratio, air flow rate and the reaction time, on the removal of ammonium. For the highest ammonium removal of 98.7%, the optimum sodium bicarbonate/ammonium chloride ratio, air flow rate and reaction time were identified to be 3.48, 3.44 vvm (volume air per volume reactor per minute) and 24.65 h, respectively, based on an initial ammonium concentration of 200 mg NH4‐N/L.
Simulation of methane catalytic cracking in a bubbling fluidised bed
Authors: Amin Ashraf , Croiset Eric , Epling William 
Published: January 2013

AbstractA three‐phase bubbling fluidised bed model has been developed to simulate and predict the performance of a methane catalytic cracking fluidised bed reactor, using Ni/(porous and non‐porous) Al2O3 catalysts, under relevant conditions. The model includes the chemistry and hydrodynamics occurring within the fluidised bed reactor. Methane cracking kinetics, developed in a previous work using a thermo balance, was used in the model. The model predictions were compared to the results from an experimental study carried out in a lab‐scale fluidised bed. Good fit between experimental data and the model was obtained under a wide range of reaction conditions.
Comparative analysis of mathematical models for supercritical extraction simulation from industrially valuable lamiaceae herbs
Authors: Stamenic Marko , Ivanovic Jasna , Grujic Slavica , Milovanovic Stoja , Zizovic Irena , Petrovic Slobodan 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe present study was aimed to compare different mathematical models used to simulate process of supercritical extraction from commercially important Lamiaceae herbs. Supercritical extractions with carbon dioxide from rosemary, sage, thyme and lavender originated from the southern Balkan region were performed at 10 MPa and 40°C. Obtained extraction curves were simulated by the model based on the heat transfer analogy, Sovova's model and the model on the micro‐scale. The models were used to analyse mass transfer phenomena and to quantify mass transfer parameters in the fluid and/or solid phase as well as the solubility of the solute in supercritical phase.
A low‐power four‐stage amplifier for driving large capacitive loads
Authors: Mojarad Mortaza , Yavari Mohammad 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTA four‐stage amplifier with a new and efficient frequency compensation topology is presented in this paper. The new compensation scheme applies a Miller capacitor as the main negative feedback, a resistor and a capacitor in series as a load for one of the intermediate stages, and two feedforward paths. In order to design the amplifier and acquire circuit parameters, small signal analyses have been carried out to derive the signal transfer function and the pole‐zero locations. The proposed amplifier was designed and implemented in a standard 90 nm CMOS process with two heavy capacitive loads of 500 pF and 1 nF. The simulation results show that when driving a 500 pF load, the amplifier has a gain‐bandwidth product of 18 MHz consuming only 40.9 μW. With a 1 nF capacitive load, the proposed amplifier achieves 15.1 MHz gain‐bandwidth product and dissipates 55.2 μW from a single 0.9 V power supply. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.