bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardioprotective effects of different flavonoids against myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury in Langendorff-perfused rat hearts
Authors: Testai Lara , Martelli Alma , Cristofaro Mario , Breschi Maria C , Calderone Vincenzo 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Objective
Flavonoids are important components of ‘functional foods’, with beneficial effects on the cardiovascular function, mainly due to their antioxidant activity. Many flavonoids exert antihypertensive, anti-atherosclerotic and antiplatelet activity and positive effects against endothelial dysfunction. Recent evidence indicates that they exert cardioprotective effects against myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The aim of this work was to investigate these properties for flavonoids with different structural characteristics.

Methods
In this work, the cardioprotective effects of eight flavonoids endowed with different structural characteristics were tested on Langendorff-perfused rat hearts submitted to 30 min of global ischaemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion (I/R).

Key findings
Only the 5-hydroxy-substituted derivatives, such as 5-hydroxy flavone, apigenin, chrysin and naringenin, conferred on the hearts an improved post-ischaemic functional recovery associated with lower extension of tissue injury. A similar pharmacological profile was exhibited by 5-methoxy flavone. In contrast, 6-hydroxy flavone, 7-hydroxy flavone and 4′-hydroxy flavanone did not confer significant protection against the injury induced by I/R.

Conclusions
Some flavonoids exhibit direct cardioprotective effects against the injury induced by drastic I/R and this pharmacological property seems to be related to their structural characteristics. Such an influence of structural requirements seems to indicate that the cardioprotective effects may be due to the interaction with specific pharmacological targets.
Role of gastric mucus secretion, oxinitrergic system and sulfhydryl groups on the gastroprotection elicited by Polygala cyparissias (Polygalaceae) in mice
Authors: Klein-Júnior Luiz Carlos , Santin José Roberto , Lemos Marivane , Silveira Alessandro Conrado de Oliveira , Rocha Jady Alice Rodrigues , Beber Ana Paula , Wagner Theodoro Marcel , Bresolin Tania Mari Bellé , Bella-Cruz Alexandre , Cechinel-Filho Valdir , Faloni de Andrade Sérgio 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Objectives
This study has aimed to assess the mechanisms of action for the gastroprotective effect of the acetone extract (PCAE) and methanol fraction (PCMF) of Polygala cyparissias, as well as to evaluate the activity of 1,3,6,8-tetrahydroxy-2,7-dimethoxyxanthone (1), 1,7-dihydroxy-2,3-dimethoxyxanthone (2) and astragalin (3).

Methods
Gastric secretion and mucus content were determined by pylorus ligation in mice. Nitric oxide (NO) and sulfhydryl group participation were observed by the pretreatment of mice with L-NAME or NEM. Acute ulcer was induced by ethanol/HCl and chronic ulcer by acetic acid. Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity was evaluated by the agar solid dilution assay.

Key findings
Neither PCAE nor PCMF had the ability to reduce H+ concentration. However, both of them enhanced mucus secretion. PCAE demonstrated its gastroprotection in a NO-dependent manner, while PCMF exerted the activity depending on the sulfhydryl group. In chronic ulcer, the curative ratios for the PCAE and PCMF were 67.5 and 58.4%, respectively. No effect over H. pylori was detected. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 were able to reduce lesions in the order of 79.6, 73.8 and 67.6%, respectively.

Conclusions
The data suggested that PCAE and PCMF displayed antiulcer activity due to different mechanisms and with the participation of phenolic compounds obtained from the plant.
Virulence of Curvularia in a murine model
Authors: Paredes Katihuska , Capilla Javier , Sutton Deanna A. , Mayayo Emilio , Fothergill Annette W. , Guarro Josep 
Published: February 2013

SummaryWe have evaluated the virulence of two clinically relevant species of Curvularia; Curvularia spicifera and C. hawaiiensis, using an experimental model of disseminated infection in immunocompromised mice. Several inocula were tested over a range 1 × 103–1 × 106 colony‐forming units/animal. Both species had a similar behaviour, producing a high mortality. Tissue burden and histopathology studies demonstrated that lung was the organ most affected.
‘Independence is not given, it is taken’: the Ivorian cinquantenaire and competing history/ies of independence
Authors: N'Guessan Konstanze 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThis article explores competing histories of independence in Côte d'Ivoire. The 2010 commemoration of fifty years of independence led to competing histories about how and if the nation achieved independence in 1960. The postelectoral crisis of 2010–2011 that followed soon afterwards has been interpreted by supporters of the outgoing president Laurent Gbagbo as an attempt by France and the international community to re‐colonise Côte d'Ivoire. The article asks how different versions of this history are connected to different political projects and how they have changed through time. The article will analyse these processes of meaning‐making in a historiology of Ivorian independence, thus contributing to constructivist accounts of nationhood, collective memory and historiography. The paper thus argues that different media of recalling the past in the present, such as commemoration and historiography, should be studied in a complementary manner to understand how (joint) remembering and forgetting are tools and mirrors of nations at work.
Characterizing Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiance Luminaires
Authors: Leuschner Wilhelm , Salie Faatiema 
Published: February 2013

AbstractIn upper‐room ultraviolet germicidal irradiance (UVGI) design, irradiance is an important characteristic, with two opposing dominant dynamics: high‐level irradiation on the microorganism and minimum levels of irradiance on human skin and eyes. The use of high‐level ray‐tracing procedures is followed in establishing radiance and irradiance levels. The main constants in a room influencing these calculations are the spectral and spatial characteristics of the radiation sources in the inter‐reflecting surfaces inside the luminaire, as well as the surfaces in the room. The most important characteristic to be determined for the radiation source prior to calculations is its spatial radiant intensity distribution. This characterization is performed using a gonioradiometer. The complexity of the physical construction of the luminaire will determine the extent to which measurements have to be taken. Accurate gonioradiometer readings provide the required radiant intensities in all directions for computer‐aided design (CAD), and can also be used to determine the total radiant flux leaving the luminaire, as well as calculating isoirradiance surfaces around the UVGI luminaire. This study will present a laboratory experimental approach to deriving the radiant intensity distribution of a UVGI luminaire. The UVGI luminaire is then characterized in situ, and compared with the gonioradiometric output.
Sequestration of PDC‐109 Protein by Specific Antibodies and Egg Yolk Cryoprotects Bull Spermatozoa
Authors: Srivastava N , Srivastava SK , Ghosh SK , Jerome A , Das GK , Mehrotra S 
Published: February 2013

ContentsPDC‐109, one of the most abundant proteins in bovine seminal plasma, has detrimental effect on spermatozoa in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner. Therefore, we hypothesized that sequestration of detrimental protein from ejaculates would be beneficial following cryopreservation of sperm cells. To this aim, we evaluated the effect of sequestration of PDC‐109 either by anti‐PDC‐109 antibodies (Ab) or egg yolk (EY) alone or by the synergistic action of EY + Ab in minimizing cryoinjury to bull spermatozoa. PDC‐109 protein was purified by applying two‐step chromatography procedures. The purified protein was injected in rabbits to raise antibodies which were isolated using ion‐exchange chromatography. After checking the Ab cross‐reactivity, they were quantitated and added to ejaculates, either alone or in addition to EY in Tris‐glycerol (TG) extender. Thus, ejaculates were processed in extender containing EY + TG (group I), Ab + TG (group II) or EY + Ab + TG (group III). Semen quality parameters (SQPs) viz. viability and acrosome integrity (FITC‐PSA), cryoinjury to spermatozoa (chlortetracycline, CTC assay) and in vitro fertility of protein‐sequestered‐semen (zona‐penetration assay) were evaluated. A significant (p < 0.05) improvement in post‐thaw SQPs as well as in non‐capacitated spermatozoa observed at pre‐freeze and post‐thaw stages of cryopreservation in group III compared with other groups indicated reduction in protein‐mediated cryoinjury. From this study, it can be concluded that sequestration of PDC‐109 by synergistic action of EY+Ab as compared to either of them alone significantly improve sperm quality and minimize cryoinjury to bull spermatozoa upon storage at ultra‐low temperatures.
Peptic ulceration, Helicobacter pylori seropositivity and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Siva Roshan , Birring Surinder S. , Berry Michael , Rowbottom Anita , Pavord Ian D. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackground and objectiveWe have suggested that chronic inflammation of other foregut derivatives might be associated with airway inflammation and amplification of the response to inhaled stimuli such as cigarette smoke leading to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). One of the commonest causes of chronic foregut inflammation is gastritis secondary to Helicobacter Pylori infection. We tested the hypothesis that peptic ulceration and H. Pylori seropositivity are associated with COPD independently of other shared risk factors.MethodsWe reviewed primary care medical records and performed full lung function tests on 329 miners seen over 2 years as part of a compensation scheme. We also performed H. Pylori serology in patients with varying degrees of severity of COPD compared with a matched control population.ResultsThe prevalence of peptic ulcer disease in the groups classed as normal, chronic bronchitis, mild, moderate and severe COPD was 3.2%, 16.2%, 21.4%, 42.4% and 56.2%, respectively. There was a strong and independent relationship between the presence of peptic ulcer disease and percent of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (−13.3%; 95% confidence interval: 6.7–19.9; P < 0.001) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity ratio (−5.06%; 95% confidence interval: 1.8–8.2; P < 0.001). Positive H. pylori serology was present in 54.7% of 58 patients with COPD and 23.5% of 17 controls (P = 0.026).ConclusionsOur findings suggest a relationship between peptic ulcer disease and COPD that is more that just a shared susceptibility to different environmental stimuli.
Age‐related changes in skin bio‐mechanical properties: the neck skin compared with the cheek and forearm skin in Korean females
Authors: Kim Eunjoo , Cho Gayoung , Won Nam Gae , Cho Juncheol 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundThere are many reports on regional variations in skin bio‐mechanical properties, but few studies have been performed on the neck. The neck is sun‐exposed and continues to move so the neck skin can be more apt to aging.MethodsThe skin properties of the neck, cheek, and ventral forearm of 58 Korean female volunteers in good health (25–64 years old, 42.3 ± 11.7) were assessed non‐invasively with skin measuring devices, and the correlation with age and wrinkles was analyzed.ResultsNeck skin was more extensible, elastic and visco‐elastic than the cheek. The dermal layer for the neck skin was thinner and more intense than the cheek, but the results were opposite when compared with the skin of the forearm. We could observe that the subcutaneous layer was divided by the fascia with regard to the neck skin, and this thickness increased BMI‐dependently. The neck skin had the correlation between R0, R3, and dermal thickness. The correlation coefficient of elasticity on the neck with ages was −0.550 and the elasticity on the neck skin was highly negatively correlated with age than any other sites. Therefore, this bio‐mechanical property was important for determining the aging. TEWL was correlated with ages for only neck skin(R = 0.368). We found that the wrinkles on the neck were correlated with age, the elasticity, skin color (L*), TEWL.ConclusionThe biomechanical properties of the neck skin were highly correlated with age than skin parameters of other sites. These results were influenced by constant movement and sun‐exposure, and therefore, the neck wrinkles were apt to form.
Does skin hydration influence keratinocyte biology? In vivo evaluation of microscopic skin changes induced by moisturizers by means of Reflectance Confocal Microscopy
Authors: Marco Manfredini , Giovanna Mazzaglia , Silvana Ciardo , Silvia Simonazzi , Francesca Farnetani , Caterina Longo , Giovanni Pellacani 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundSkin hydration is defined as the water content of the epidermis and the dermis. In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy offers the opportunity to determine in vivo the kinetics of the skin after the application of topical products.ObjectiveTo define confocal features associated with dry skin and assess the microscopic effects of different moisturizers.MethodsTen healthy volunteers were enrolled for the study. Two different formulations were tested: petrolatum and a commercially available emulsion. Measurements were performed from baseline to 3 h after removal of the occlusion at regular time points. Nine confocal features were assessed: furrows' size, overall interkeratinocyte reflectance, furrows' morphology, scales, skin surface irregularity, non‐rimmed dermal papillae, exocytosis, dermal inflammation and collagen type. Furrows' size and interkeratinocyte reflectance were also quantitated using a digital analysis. Stratum corneum capacitance was recorded.ResultsAt baseline, RCM showed the presence of micro‐scales and high skin surface irregularity score. After the application of topical products, the scale score decreased significantly; Furrow's size and Digital Furrow's Size had a marked and directly correlated decrement. Furrow's morphology and Epidermal Irregularity scores decreased from baseline to 30 min, the latter reaching a plateau in product application areas. Interestingly, interkeratinocyte reflectance progressively increased with the application of the topical products, while remained stable in the control area, confirmed by Digital Interkeratinocytes reflectance quantitation.ConclusionRCM revealed that the changes involve the skin surface by reducing the micro‐scales and epidermal irregularity. Even more interestingly, RCM showed that higher interkeratinocytes' brightness is seen for moisturizer, but not for the control area. This RCM finding could be linked to keratinocyte membrane protein exposure and/or substance release in the interkeratinocytic space.To sum up, RCM represents a useful imaging tool to analyze the morphologic changes at different time points following the application of topical products.
Concordance between in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy and optical histology of lymphomatoid papulosis
Authors: Ardigò Marco , Donadio Carlo , Vega Hernando , Cota Carlo , Moscarella Elvira , Agozzino Marina 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundLymphomatoid papulosis is a primary cutaneous CD30+ T‐cell lymphoma clinically characterized by a benign, chronic, recurrent course with self‐limited papulo‐nodular skin lesion eruption. In vivo Reflectance Confocal Microscopy is a non‐invasive technique for real‐time imaging of the superficial layers of the skin down to the superficial dermis with cellular‐level resolution close to conventional histopathology. RCM has been previously reported to be useful in the in vivo evaluation of inflammatory diseases, skin tumours and also cutaneous lymphomas. Only two articles have been published on cutaneous lymphomas and none detailing confocal features of LyP. The aim of this manuscript was to describe the confocal features of LyP and their histological correlation to evaluate the possible application of this non‐invasive tool in this T‐cell lymphoma subtype clinical management.MethodsFive patients with histological diagnosis of LyP were imaged with RCM, followed by a skin biopsy on a clinically selected lesion.ResultsHigh grade of correspondence between RCM and histopathology of LyP was observed, disclosing the potential rule of RCM at least for biopsy site selection.ConclusionFuture studies on RCM for LyP vs. other cutaneous T‐cells lymphomas and inflammatory skin diseases are needed to assess specificity and sensibility of our preliminary data.
The JR blood group system: identification of alleles that alter expression
Authors: Hue‐Roye Kim , Zelinski Teresa , Cobaugh Adam , Lomas‐Francis Christine , Miyazaki Toru , Tani Yoshihiko , Westhoff Connie M. , Reid Marion E. 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundThe ABCG2 gene encodes antigens of the JR blood group system. Red blood cells (RBCs) from individuals homozygous for ABCG2 null alleles are nonreactive with polyclonal and monoclonal anti‐Jra. However, some RBCs have been defined as Jr(a+W/–) or Jr(a–), particularly when tested with polyclonal anti‐Jra. In an effort to resolve these apparent serologic ambiguities, the current study was undertaken.Study Design and MethodsHemagglutination of RBCs from two individuals known to express a single copy of functional ABCG2 were compared to RBCs from eight unrelated, previously characterized, Jr(a+W/–) donors. Standard polymerase chain reaction–based methods were used to characterize ABCG2 alleles.ResultsTwo monoclonal anti‐Jra clones agglutinated RBCs from the eight Jr(a+W/–) study subjects. Two of these subjects were homozygous for a missense ABCG2 change (c.1858A; Asp620Asn). Two were heterozygous for two missense changes; one was c.1858G>A and c.421C>A (Asp620Asn; Gln141Lys), and the other was c.1714A>C and c.421C>A (Ser572Arg; Gln141Lys). The remaining four subjects were heterozygous for c.421C>A (Gln141Lys), and for one of four null alleles.ConclusionsWe have identified three ABCG2 alleles that are newly associated with weakened Jra expression. One of these is novel, the missense allele c.1714A>C (Ser572Arg) and two that have been previously described c.421C>A (rs2231142; Gln141Lys) and c.1858G>A (rs34783571; Asp620Asn). In addition, we found a novel, presumed null allele, c.1017_1019delCTC (Ser340del).
Ulcerative fungal keratitis in a Brown Swiss cow
Authors: Voelter‐Ratson Katrin , Monod Michel , Braun Ueli , Spiess Bernhard M. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAn 11‐year‐old Brown Swiss cow was referred to the Farm Animal Department of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, because of lateral recumbency due to puerperal hemolytic anemia. The animal had developed enophthalmos due to dehydration at the time of presentation. Two days after hospitalization, the cow showed blepharospasm and epiphora of the right eye. Ophthalmic examination of the right eye revealed a fluorescein‐positive, paraxial, superficial corneal ulcer with focal edema, and mild superficial neovascularization. White corneal stromal infiltrates were seen at the edges of the ulcer bed. After initial topical treatment with an antibiotic ointment (Neomycin 3.5 mg/g, Bacitracin 250 IU/g) three times a day, an increase in corneal infiltrates was noted on re‐examination 2 days later. Several fluorescein‐negative, punctate, stromal, white opacities were seen dorsal to the ulcer. Cytology demonstrated the presence of fungal hyphae. Topical treatment with 2% miconazole ointment and 0.36% K‐EDTA eye drops six times daily and four times daily, respectively, from the second day and continued antibiotics three times daily resolved the clinical symptoms within 6 days. Fungal culture identified the fungal organism as Eurotium amstelodami.
Proper isometric actions of hyperbolic groups on -spaces
Authors: Nica Bogdan 
Published: February 2013

AbstractWe show that every non-elementary hyperbolic group $\G $ admits a proper affine isometric action on $L^p(\bd \G \times \bd \G )$, where $\bd \G $ denotes the boundary of $\G $ and $p$ is large enough. Our construction involves a $\G $-invariant measure on $\bd \G \times \bd \G $ analogous to the Bowen–Margulis measure from the ${\rm CAT}(-1)$ setting, as well as a geometric, Busemann-type cocycle. We also deduce that $\G $ admits a proper affine isometric action on the first $\ell ^p$-cohomology group $H^1_{(p)}(\G )$ for large enough $p$.
Logarithmic derivatives of Artin -functions
Authors: Cho Peter J. , Kim Henry H. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractLet $K$ be a number field of degree $n$, and let $d_K$ be its discriminant. Then, under the Artin conjecture, the generalized Riemann hypothesis and a certain zero-density hypothesis, we show that the upper and lower bounds of the logarithmic derivatives of Artin $L$-functions attached to $K$ at $s=1$ are $\log \log |d_K|$ and $-(n-1) \log \log |d_K|$, respectively. Unconditionally, we show that there are infinitely many number fields with the extreme logarithmic derivatives; they are families of number fields whose Galois closures have the Galois group $C_n$ for $n=2,3,4,6$, $D_n$ for $n=3,4,5$, $S_4$ or $A_5$.
Weil–Châtelet divisible elements in Tate–Shafarevich groups I: The Bashmakov problem for elliptic curves over
Authors: Çiperiani Mirela , Stix Jakob 
Published: February 2013

AbstractFor an abelian variety $A$ over a number field $k$ we discuss the maximal divisible subgroup of ${\mathrm{H} }^{1} (k, A)$ and its intersection with the subgroup Ш$(A/ k)$. The results are most complete for elliptic curves over $ \mathbb{Q} $.
Intervertebral anticollision constraints improve out‐of‐plane translation accuracy of a single‐plane fluoroscopy‐to‐CT registration method for measuring spinal motion
Authors: Lin Cheng‐Chung , Lu Tung‐Wu , Shih Ting‐Fang , Tsai Tsung‐Yuan , Wang Ting‐Ming , Hsu Shih‐Jung 
Published: February 2013

Purpose:The study aimed to propose a new single‐plane fluoroscopy‐to‐CT registration method integrated with intervertebral anticollision constraints for measuring three‐dimensional (3D) intervertebral kinematics of the spine; and to evaluate the performance of the method without anticollision and with three variations of the anticollision constraints via anin vitro experiment.Methods:The proposed fluoroscopy‐to‐CT registration approach, called the weighted edge‐matching with anticollision (WEMAC) method, was based on the integration of geometrical anticollision constraints for adjacent vertebrae and the weighted edge‐matching score (WEMS) method that matched the digitally reconstructed radiographs of the CT models of the vertebrae and the measured single‐plane fluoroscopy images. Three variations of the anticollision constraints, namely, T‐DOF, R‐DOF, and A‐DOF methods, were proposed. Anin vitro experiment using four porcine cervical spines in different postures was performed to evaluate the performance of the WEMS and the WEMAC methods.Results:The WEMS method gave high precision and small bias in all components for both vertebral pose and intervertebral pose measurements, except for relatively large errors for the out‐of‐plane translation component. The WEMAC method successfully reduced the out‐of‐plane translation errors for intervertebral kinematic measurements while keeping the measurement accuracies for the other five degrees of freedom (DOF) more or less unaltered. The means (standard deviations) of the out‐of‐plane translational errors were less than −0.5 (0.6) and −0.3 (0.8) mm for the T‐DOF method and the R‐DOF method, respectively.Conclusions:The proposed single‐plane fluoroscopy‐to‐CT registration method reduced the out‐of‐plane translation errors for intervertebral kinematic measurements while keeping the measurement accuracies for the other five DOF more or less unaltered. With the submillimeter and subdegree accuracy, the WEMAC method was considered accurate for measuring 3D intervertebral kinematics during various functional activities for research and clinical applications.