bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extracts from Acacia catechu suppress HIV-1 replication by inhibiting the activities of the viral protease and Tat
Authors: Nutan  , Modi Manoj , Dezzutti Charlene S , Kulshreshtha Shweta , Rawat Ajay Kumar Singh , Srivastava Sharad Kumar , Malhotra Swadesh , Verma Anjali , Ranga Udaykumar , Gupta Satish Kumar 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background

Acacia catechu (Mimosa family) stem bark extracts have been used traditionally as a dietary supplement as well as a folk medicine given its reported anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-microbial and anti-tumor activities. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-HIV-1 activity of the extracts from stem bark of A. catechu.

Methods
The aqueous and 50% ethanolic extracts of A. catechu stem bark were prepared and 50% ethanolic extract was further fractioned by successively partitioning with petroleum ether, chloroform and n-butanol. All the extracts and fractions were evaluated for cytotoxicity and anti-HIV-1 activity using different in vitro assays. The active n-butanol fraction was evaluated for its inhibition against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, integrase, protease, pro-viral genome integration and viral Tat protein mediated transactivation. The effect of n-butanol fraction on the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion in Vk2/E6E7 cells and transepithelial resistance in Caco-2 and HEC-1A cells was investigated.

Results
The aqueous and 50% ethanolic extracts of A. catechu showed IC50 values of 1.8 ± 0.18 μg/ml and 3.6 ± 0.31 μg/ml, respectively in cell-free virus based assay using TZM-bl cells and HIV-1NL4.3 (X-4 tropic). In the above assay, n-butanol fraction exhibited anti-HIV-1 activity with an IC50 of 1.7 ± 0.12 μg/ml. The n-butanol fraction showed a dose-dependent inhibition against HIV-1NL4.3 infection of the peripheral blood lymphocytes and against HIV-1BaL(R-5-tropic) as well as two different primary viral isolates of HIV-1 infection of TZM-bl cells. The n-butanol fraction demonstrates a potent inhibitory activity against the viral protease (IC50 = 12.9 μg/ml), but not reverse transcriptase or integrase. Further, in Alu-PCR no effect on viral integration was observed. The n-butanol fraction interfered with the Tat-mediated Long Terminal Repeat transactivation in TZM-bl cells, mRNA quantitation (qRT-PCR) and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The n-butanol fraction did not cause an enhanced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in Vk2/E6E7 cells. Additionally, no adverse effects were observed to the monolayer formed by the Caco-2 and HEC-1A epithelial cells.

Conclusions
The results presented here show a potential anti-HIV-1 activity of A. catechu mediated by the inhibition of the functions of the viral protein and Tat.
Interaction-based evolution: how natural selection and nonrandom mutation work together
Authors: Livnat Adi 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Background
The modern evolutionary synthesis leaves unresolved some of the most fundamental, long-standing questions in evolutionary biology: What is the role of sex in evolution? How does complex adaptation evolve? How can selection operate effectively on genetic interactions? More recently, the molecular biology and genomics revolutions have raised a host of critical new questions, through empirical findings that the modern synthesis fails to explain: for example, the discovery ofde novo genes; the immense constructive role of transposable elements in evolution; genetic variance and biochemical activity that go far beyond what traditional natural selection can maintain; perplexing cases of molecular parallelism; and more.

Presentation of the hypothesis
Here I address these questions from a unified perspective, by means of a new mechanistic view of evolution that offers a novel connection between selection on the phenotype and genetic evolutionary change (while relying, like the traditional theory, on natural selection as the only source of feedback on the fit between an organism and its environment). I hypothesize that the mutation that is of relevance for the evolution of complex adaptation—while not Lamarckian, or “directed” to increase fitness—is not random, but is instead the outcome of a complex and continually evolving biological process that combines information from multiple loci into one. This allows selection on a fleeting combination of interacting alleles at different loci to have a hereditary effect according to the combination’s fitness.

Testing and implications of the hypothesis
This proposed mechanism addresses the problem of how beneficial genetic interactions can evolve under selection, and also offers an intuitive explanation for the role of sex in evolution, which focuses on sex as the generator of genetic combinations. Importantly, it also implies that genetic variation that has appeared neutral through the lens of traditional theory can actually experience selection on interactions and thus has a much greater adaptive potential than previously considered. Empirical evidence for the proposed mechanism from both molecular evolution and evolution at the organismal level is discussed, and multiple predictions are offered by which it may be tested.

Reviewers
This article was reviewed by Nigel Goldenfeld (nominated by Eugene V. Koonin), Jürgen Brosius and W. Ford Doolittle.
Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy for postoperative recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: clinical efficacy and failure pattern
Authors: Bao Yong , Liu ShiLiang , Zhou QiChao , Cai PeiQiang , Anfossi Simone , Li QiaoQiao , Hu YongHong , Liu MengZhong , Fu JianHua , Rong TieHua , Li Qun , Liu Hui 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
To assess the therapeutic outcome and failure pattern of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT)-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) after radical surgery.

Methods
Treatment outcome and failure pattern were retrospectively evaluated in 83 patients with localized cervical and thoracic recurrences after radical surgery for thoracic esophageal SCC. All patients were treated with 3DCRT-based CCRT (median radiation dose 60 Gy), in which 39 received concurrent cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (PF), and 44 received concurrent docetaxel plus cisplatin (TP). Treatment response was evaluated at 1–3 months after CCRT.

Results
With a median follow-up of 34 months (range, 2–116 months), the 3-year overall survival (OS) of all the patients was 51.8% and the median OS time was 43.0 months. The overall tumor response rate was 75.9% (63/83), with a complete remission (CR) rate of 44.6% (37/83). In univariate analysis, tumor response after CCRT (p = 0.000), recurrence site (p = 0.028) and concurrent chemotherapy (p = 0.090) showed a trend favoring better OS. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor response after CCRT (p = 0.000) and concurrent chemotherapy (p = 0.010) were independent predictors of OS. Forty-seven patients had progressive diseases after CCRT, 27 had local failure (27/47, 57.4%), 18 had distant metastasis (18/47, 38.3%) and 2 had both local and distant failures (2/47, 4.3%).

Conclusions
3DCRT-based CCRT is effective in postoperatively recurrent esophageal SCC. Patients that obtained complete remission after CCRT appeared to achieve long-term OS and might benefit from concurrent TP regimen. Local and distant failures remained high and prospective studies are needed to validate these factors.
Impact of bubble size in a rat model of cerebral air microembolization
Authors: Juenemann Martin , Yeniguen Mesut , Schleicher Nadine , Blumenstein Johannes , Nedelmann Max , Tschernatsch Marlene , Bachmann Georg , Kaps Manfred , Urbanek Petr , Schoenburg Markus , Gerriets Tibo 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Cerebral air microembolization (CAM) is a frequent side effect of diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. Besides reduction of the amount of bubbles, filter systems in the clinical setting may also lead to a dispersion of large gas bubbles and therefore to an increase of the gas–liquid-endothelium interface. We evaluated the production and application of different strictly defined bubble diameters in a rat model of CAM and assessed functional outcome and infarct volumes in relation to the bubble diameter.

Methods
Gas emboli of defined number and diameter were injected into the carotid artery of rats. Group I (n = 7) received 1800 air bubbles with a diameter of 45 μm, group II (n = 7) 40 bubbles of 160 μm, controls (n = 6) saline without gas bubbles; group I and II yielded the same total injection volume of air with 86 nl. Functional outcome was assessed at baseline, after 4 h and 24 h following cerebral MR imaging and infarct size calculation.

Results
Computer-aided evaluation of bubble diameters showed high constancy (group I: 45.83 μm ± 2.79; group II: 159 μm ± 1.26). Animals in group I and II suffered cerebral ischemia and clinical deterioration without significant difference. Infarct sizes did not differ significantly between the two groups (p = 0.931 u-test).

Conclusions
We present further development of a new method, which allows reliable and controlled CAM with different bubble diameters, producing neurological deficits due to unilateral cerebral damage. Our findings could not display a strong dependency of stroke frequency and severity on bubble diameter.
Prediction of muscular architecture of the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis from EMG during isometric contractions in soccer players
Authors: Chauhan Bhawesh , Hamzeh Maher A , Cuesta-Vargas Antonio I 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Objectives
The purpose of the study was to establish regression equations that could be used to predict muscle thickness and pennation angle at different intensities from electromyography (EMG) based measures of muscle activation during isometric contractions.

Design
Cross-sectional study.

Methods
Simultaneous ultrasonography and EMG were used to measure pennation angle, muscle thickness and muscle activity of the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis muscles, respectively, during graded isometric knee extension contractions performed on a Cybex dynamometer. Data form fifteen male soccer players were collected in increments of approximately 25% intensity of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) ranging from rest to MVC.

Results
There was a significant correlation (P < 0.05) between ultrasound predictors and EMG measures for the muscle thickness of rectus femoris with an R2 value of 0.68. There was no significant correlation (P > 0.05) between ultrasound pennation angle for the vastus lateralis predictors for EMG muscle activity with an R2 value of 0.40.

Conclusions
The regression equations can be used to characterise muscle thickness more accurately and to determine how it changes with contraction intensity, this provides improved estimates of muscle force when using musculoskeletal models.
Clinical prognostic indicators of dysphagia following prolonged orotracheal intubation in ICU patients
Authors: Moraes DaniellePedroni , Sassi FernandaChiarion , Mangilli LauraDavison , Zilberstein Bruno , de Andrade ClaudiaReginaFurquim 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Introduction
The development of postextubation swallowing dysfunction is well documented in the literature with high prevalence in most studies. However, there are relatively few studies with specific outcomes that focus on the follow-up of these patients until hospital discharge. The purpose of our study was to determine prognostic indicators of dysphagia in ICU patients submitted to prolonged orotracheal intubation (OTI).

Methods
We conducted a retrospective, observational cohort study from 2010 to 2012 of all patients over 18 years of age admitted to a university hospital ICU who were submitted to prolonged OTI and subsequently received a bedside swallow evaluation (BSE) by a speech pathologist. The prognostic factors analyzed included dysphagia severity rate at the initial swallowing assessment and at hospital discharge, age, time to initiate oral feeding, amount of individual treatment, number of orotracheal intubations, intubation time and length of hospital stay.

Results
After we excluded patients with neurologic diseases, tracheostomy, esophageal dysphagia and those who were submitted to surgical procedures involving the head and neck, our study sample size was 148 patients. The logistic regression model was used to examine the relationships between independent variables. In the univariate analyses, we found that statistically significant prognostic indicators of dysphagia included dysphagia severity rate at the initial swallowing assessment, time to initiate oral feeding and amount of individual treatment. In the multivariate analysis, we found that dysphagia severity rate at the initial swallowing assessment remained associated with good treatment outcomes.

Conclusions
Studies of prognostic indicators in different populations with dysphagia can contribute to the design of more effective procedures when evaluating, treating, and monitoring individuals with this type of disorder. Additionally, this study stresses the importance of the initial assessment ratings.
Valproic Acid silencing ofascl1b/ascl1results in the failure of serotonergic differentiation in a zebrafish model of Fetal Valproate Syndrome
Authors: Jacob J. , Ribes V. , Moore S. , Constable S. C. , Sasai N. , Gerety S. S. , Martin D. J. , Sergeant C. P. , Wilkinson D. G. , Briscoe J. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryFetal valproate syndrome (FVS) is caused by in utero exposure to the drug sodium valproate. Valproate is used worldwide for the treatment of epilepsy, as a mood stabiliser and for its pain relieving properties. In addition to birth defects, FVS is associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is characterised by abnormal behaviours. Valproate perturbs multiple biochemical pathways and alters gene expression through its inhibition of histone deacetylases. Which, if any, of these mechanisms is relevant to the genesis of its behavioural side-effects is unclear. Neuroanatomical changes associated with FVS have been reported and amongst these, altered serotonergic neuronal differentiation is a consistent finding. Altered serotonin homeostasis is also associated with autism. Here we have used a chemical-genetics approach to investigate the underlying molecular defect in a zebrafish FVS model. Valproate causes the selective failure of zebrafish central serotonin expression. It does so by downregulating the proneural gene ascl1b, an ortholog of Ascl1 and a known determinant of serotonergic identity in the mammalian brainstem. Ascl1b is sufficient to rescue serotonin expression in valproate treated embryos. Chemical and genetic blockade of the histone deacetylase Hdac1 downregulates ascl1b, consistent with the Hdac1 mediated silencing of ascl1b expression by valproate. Moreover, tonic Notch signalling is critical for ascl1b repression by valproate. Concomitant blockade of Notch signalling restores ascl1b expression and serotonin expression in both valproate-exposed and hdac1 mutant embryos. Together these data provide a molecular explanation for serotonergic defects in FVS and highlight an epigenetic mechanism for genome-environment interaction in disease.
An Adventurous Synthetic Journey with MNBA from Its Reaction Chemistry to the Total Synthesis of Natural Products
Authors: Shiina Isamu 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
After initially establishing a novel cyclization reaction of ω-hydroxycarboxylic acids (seco-acids) using 4-trifluoromethylbenzoic anhydride (TFBA) and Lewis acid catalysts to form the corresponding lactones, we discovered a more advanced method for this transformation using 2-methyl-6-nitrobenzoic anhydride (MNBA) as a coupling reagent with nucleophilic catalysts. The latter lactonization is promoted by acyl-transfer catalysts, such as 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP), 4-pyrrolidinylpyridine (PPY), and 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine N-oxide (DMAPO). (+)-Ricinelaidic acid lactone ((+)-2) was first synthesized by the TFBA-mediated cyclization with Lewis acid catalysts, while the threo-aleuritic acid lactone (20) was alternatively synthesized by the MNBA-mediated cyclization with acyl-transfer catalysts. Using this effective lactonization technology to form the ester linkage under mild conditions, we then demonstrated the preparation of various large-, medium-, and small-sized natural and unnatural lactones including (−)-cephalosporolide D ((−)-3), (−)-octalactin A ((−)-4), (−)-octalactin B ((−)-25), 2-epibotcinolide (49), (−)- and (+)-2-hydroxytetracosanolides ((−)-77 and (+)-77), (−)- and (+)-2-hydroxy-24-oxooctacosanolides ((−)-78 and (+)-78), (−)-tetrahydrolipstatin ((−)-THL, (−)-117), and the erythromycin A skeletons 103b, 103c, 104c, and 105b. The transition structures involved in the formation of the β-lactones from the corresponding 3-hydroxycarboxylic acids were then determined using DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G*//B3LYP/6-31G* level, and the reactivity of several seco-acids was successfully predicted on the basis of the calculated thermodynamic properties of the transition structures.
Facile One-pot Synthesis of Some Novel Thiazolylpyrazole Derivatives with Antifungal Activity
Authors: Song Ya-Li , Yang Tao , Dong Yun-Fang , Wu Fan , Yang Geng-Liang 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
A series of novel 1-(4-phenylthiazol-2-yl)-1,4-dihydrothiochroman[4,3-c]pyrazole have been prepared by a three-component reaction of thiochromanone-3-carbaldehyde, phenacyl bromide, and thiosemicarbazide. The reaction was in one-pot and did not require any additional catalyst with moderate yields. This method provided several advantages such as environment friendliness and simple work-up procedure. The compounds were assayed for antifungal activity and some of the new compounds can be further utilized as lead compounds.
A Vegetable Garden-like Zinc Dendritic Patterning by Electrodeposition
Authors: Shitanda Isao , Ichikawa Ryohei , Hoshi Yoshinao , Itagaki Masayuki 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
A highly regular dendrite pattern surface was fabricated using a dot-pattern zinc sheet by electrodeposition. The relationship between pretreatment conditions and morphology of the dendrite pattern was investigated. The dendrite growth position could be controlled with high regularity depending on the height of the relief structure formed by electrodeposition.
Enantioselective Fluorination of β-Ketoesters Catalyzed by Chiral Sodium Phosphate: Remarkable Enhancement of Reactivity by Simultaneous Utilization of Metal Enolate and Metal Phosphate
Authors: Mori Keiji , Miyake Ayaka , Akiyama Takahiko 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
A highly enantioselective fluorination of β-ketoesters catalyzed by chiral sodium phosphate is achieved. In this process, the simultaneous formation of sodium enolate and sodium phosphate under basic conditions is the key to achieving excellent selectivity. Indanone derivatives as well as benzofuranone derivatives could be employed in this reaction to afford the fluorinated adducts in good yields with good to excellent enantioselectivities.
The mediatization of the food chain in networked times
Authors: Farré Jordi , Prades Jordi , Gonzalo Jan 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
This is a theoretical approach about food conceived as a process of communication. Mediatization theory is used to explore long-term changes associated with the media environment. Before, outside, but also inside, the EU institutionalization of the food chain, sense-making regarding food is facing dilemmas of the self in the face of the pressures of late modernity. Additionally, as has occurred in the past, the new media environment is opening up avenues in sense-making logics. Perhaps more than ever in digital late modernity, food chain negotiation, confrontation and choice rely on institutional, corporate and social decision-making processes. Not least, the sense-making of food is driven by innovative consumer-inspired foodways and emerging professional communicator profiles. Disruptions and continuities regarding food are, time and again, nurturing essential dilemmatic thinking. Shaped as they are by contradictory streams, food chain researchers should bear in mind old communicative lessons (continuities) while investing in the new media logics (disruptions). Both constitute fruitful foodways for better understanding how meanings are circulating and changing in our networked times.
Online networks of civil society actors as an indicator for politicization? A hyperlink analysis of the food safety issue in Germany
Authors: Miltner Peter , Maier Daniel , Pfetsch Barbara , Waldherr Annie 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
This article focuses on the constellations of actors engaged in the food safety debate in Germany and the potential of civil society organizations for mobilization and politicization of the issue. In an exploratory case study we assess the structure of communication between these organizations by applying hyperlink analysis. Our study sheds light on the nature of the issue network and in particular on their linkages with media and political actors. We interpret communication network patterns with respect to civil society actors’ opportunities to make food safety salient on the agenda and to mobilize around it and politicize it. In fact, our empirical study shows that the structure of linkages between civil society actors, media organizations and political actors in Germany offers favourable opportunities for making the food safety issue salient and for politicizing it in the offline world.
The communication of health claims for foods: A review of consumer perceptions
Authors: Llavinés Francesc Puiggròs 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
There is great demand among consumers today for a wide range of tasty and convenient products but, given the ageing population and increases in health care costs, there is an even greater demand for healthier dietary choices. Changes in regulatory requirements have allowed greater use of health claims on food product labels that inform consumers of the health benefits of a certain food or food component. The growth of the functional food market has the potential to affect the health of modern day society. However, with advances in nutritional science and food technology, the consumer has become overwhelmed with confusing health claims and mixed marketing messages for foods. This article gives a general overview of consumer perceptions of functional food and health claims on food labels, reviews the relationship between food and the scientific evidence and opens a final discussion about market, health and communication premises.
Catalan high-end restaurants and national ‘heritage’
Authors: Vackimes Sophia Carmen 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Though not unique to the Catalan situation, nationalistic claims attached to high-end culinary creations fit within the current political desires of many nations competing for international distinction. The various agents involved in the development of the local gastronomy shape their discourses, with language well beyond the preparation of foodstuffs articulating a discourse set in terms of natural uniqueness. The language describing the successes of the various players involved, as self-reported and announced by government agencies is set in terms of the ‘essential nature’ of the participants and their products, which are, in turn, echoed by commercial and governmental entities seeking to differentiate and successfully place local commodities in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. However, the case discussed, while apparently constructed in terms of nation building, illustrates how such branding belies social cohesion.