bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Essential oil of the leaves of Ricinus communis L.: In vitro cytotoxicity and antimicrobial properties
Authors: Zarai Zied , Chobba Ines Ben , Mansour Riadh Ben , Békir Ahmed , Gharsallah Néji , Kadri Adel 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
The aim of the present study was to appraise the antimicrobial activity of Ricinus communis L. essential oil against different pathogenic microorganisms and the cytotoxic activity against HeLa cell lines.

Methods
The agar disk diffusion method was used to study the antibacterial activity of Ricinus communis L. essential oil against 12 bacterial and 4 fungi strains. The disc diameters of zone of inhibition (DD), the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and the concentration inhibiting 50% (IC50) were investigated to characterize the antimicrobial activities of this essential oil. The in vitro cytotoxicity of Ricinus communis L. essential oil was examined using a modified MTT assay; the viability and the IC50 were used to evaluate this test.

Results
The essential oil from the leaves of Ricinus communis L. was analyzed by GC–MS and bioassays were carried out. Five constituents of the oil were identified by GC–MS. The antimicrobial activity of the oil was investigated in order to evaluate its efficacy against twelve bacteria and four fungi species, using disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration methods. The essential oil showed strong antimicrobial activity against all microorganisms tested with higher sensitivity for Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacter cloacae. The cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of the essential oil on HeLa cell lines were examined by MTT assay. The cytotoxicity of the oil was quite strong with IC50 values less than 2.63 mg/ml for both cell lines.

Conclusion
The present study showed the potential antimicrobial and anticarcinogenic properties of the essential oil of Ricinus communis L., indicating the possibilities of its potential use in the formula of natural remedies for the topical treatment of infections.
The orosomucoid 1 protein (α1 acid glycoprotein) is overexpressed in odontogenic myxoma
Authors: García-Muñoz Alejandro , Rodríguez Mario A , Bologna-Molina Ronell , Cázares-Raga Febe E , Hernández-Hernández Fidel C , Farfán-Morales J Eduardo , Trujillo Juan J , Licéaga-Escalera Carlos , Mendoza-Hernández Guillermo 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundOdontogenic myxoma (OM) is a benign, but locally invasive, neoplasm occurring in the jaws. However, the molecules implicated in its development are unknown. OM as well as Dental Follicle (DF), an odontogenic tissue surrounding the enamel organ, is derived from ectomesenchymal/mesencyhmal elements. To identify some protein that could participate in the development of this neoplasm, total proteins from OM were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis and the profiles were compared with those obtained from DF, used as a control.ResultsWe identified eight proteins with differential expression; two of them were downregulated and six upregulated in OM. A spot consistently overexpressed in odontogenic myxoma, with a molecular weight of 44-kDa and apIof 3.5 was identified as the orosomucoid 1 protein. Western blot experiments confirmed the overexpression of this protein in odontogenic myxoma and immunohistochemical assays showed that this protein was mainly located in the cytoplasm of stellate and spindle-shaped cells of this neoplasm.ConclusionOrosomucoid 1, which belongs to a group of acute-phase proteins, may play a role in the modulation of the immune system and possibly it influences the development of OM.
MicroRNA-124 as a novel treatment for persistent hyperalgesia
Authors: Willemen Hanneke LDM , Huo Xiao-Jiao , Mao-Ying Qi-Liang , Zijlstra Jitske , Heijnen Cobi J , Kavelaars Annemieke 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Chronic pain is often associated with microglia activation in the spinal cord. We recently showed that microglial levels of the kinase G protein–coupled receptor kinase (GRK)2 are reduced in models of chronic pain. We also found that mice with a cell-specific reduction of around 50% in GRK2 level in microglia/macrophages (LysM-GRK2+/− mice) develop prolonged inflammatory hyperalgesia concomitantly with ongoing spinal microglia/macrophage activation. The microRNA miR-124 is thought to keep microglia/macrophages in brain and spinal cord in a quiescent state. In the present study, we investigated the contribution of miR-124 to regulation of hyperalgesia and microglia/macrophage activation in GRK2-deficient mice. In addition, we investigated the effect of miR-124 on chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain in wild-type (WT) mice.

Methods
Hyperalgesia was induced by intraplantar IL-1β in WT and LysM-GRK2+/− mice. We determined spinal cord microglia/macrophage miR-124 expression and levels of pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 activation markers. The effect of intrathecal miR-124 treatment on IL-1β-induced hyperalgesia and spinal M1/M2 phenotype, and on carrageenan-induced and spared nerve injury-induced chronic hyperalgesia in WT mice was analyzed.

Results
Transition from acute to persistent hyperalgesia in LysM-GRK2+/− mice is associated with reduced spinal cord microglia miR-124 levels. In our LysM-GRK2+/− mice, there was a switch towards a pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype together with increased pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Intrathecal administration of miR-124 completely prevented the transition to persistent pain in response to IL-1β in LysM-GRK2+/− mice. The miR-124 treatment also normalized expression of spinal M1/M2 markers of LysM-GRK2+/− mice. Moreover, intrathecal miR-124 treatment reversed the persistent hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan in WT mice and prevented development of mechanical allodynia in the spared nerve injury model of chronic neuropathic pain in WT mice.

Conclusions
We present the first evidence that intrathecal miR-124 treatment can be used to prevent and treat persistent inflammatory and neuropathic pain. In addition, we show for the first time that persistent hyperalgesia in GRK2-deficient mice is associated with an increased ratio of M1/M2 type markers in spinal cord microglia/macrophages, which is restored by miR-124 treatment. We propose that intrathecal miR-124 treatment might be a powerful novel treatment for pathological chronic pain with persistent microglia activation.
Implementation of a publication strategy in the context of reporting biases. A case study based on new documents from Neurontin® litigation
Authors: Vedula S Swaroop , Goldman Palko S , Rona Ilyas J , Greene Thomas M , Dickersin Kay 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Previous studies have documented strategies to promote off-label use of drugs using journal publications and other means. Few studies have presented internal company communications that discussed financial reasons for manipulating the scholarly record related to off-label indications. The objective of this study was to build on previous studies to illustrate implementation of a publication strategy by the drug manufacturer for four off-label uses of gabapentin (Neurontin®, Pfizer, Inc.): migraine prophylaxis, treatment of bipolar disorders, neuropathic pain, and nociceptive pain.

Methods
We included in this study internal company documents, email correspondence, memoranda, study protocols and reports that were made publicly available in 2008 as part of litigation brought by consumers and health insurers against Pfizer for fraudulent sales practices in its marketing of gabapentin (see http://pacer.mad.uscourts.gov/dc/cgi-bin/recentops.pl?filename=saris/pdf/ucl%20opinion.pdf for the Court’s findings).
We reviewed documents pertaining to 20 clinical trials, 12 of which were published. We categorized our observations related to reporting biases and linked them with topics covered in internal documents, that is, deciding what should and should not be published and how to spin the study findings (re-framing study results to explain away unfavorable findings or to emphasize favorable findings); and where and when findings should be published and by whom.

Results
We present extracts from internal company marketing assessments recommending that Pfizer and Parke-Davis (Pfizer acquired Parke-Davis in 2000) adopt a publication strategy to conduct trials and disseminate trial findings for unapproved uses rather than an indication strategy to obtain regulatory approval. We show internal company email correspondence and documents revealing how publication content was influenced and spin was applied; how the company selected where trial findings would be presented or published; how publication of study results was delayed; and the role of ghost authorship.

Conclusions
Taken together, the extracts we present from internal company documents illustrate implementation of a strategy at odds with unbiased study conduct and dissemination. Our findings suggest that Pfizer and Parke-Davis’s publication strategy had the potential to distort the scientific literature, and thus misinform healthcare decision-makers.
Epigallocatechin gallate incorporation into lignin enhances the alkaline delignification and enzymatic saccharification of cell walls
Authors: Elumalai Sasikumar , Tobimatsu Yuki , Grabber John H , Pan Xuejun , Ralph John 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Lignin is an integral component of the plant cell wall matrix but impedes the conversion of biomass into biofuels. The plasticity of lignin biosynthesis should permit the inclusion of new compatible phenolic monomers such as flavonoids into cell wall lignins that are consequently less recalcitrant to biomass processing. In the present study, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was evaluated as a potential lignin bioengineering target for rendering biomass more amenable to processing for biofuel production.

Results

In vitro peroxidase-catalyzed polymerization experiments revealed that both gallate and pyrogallyl (B-ring) moieties in EGCG underwent radical cross-coupling with monolignols mainly by β–O–4-type cross-coupling, producing benzodioxane units following rearomatization reactions. Biomimetic lignification of maize cell walls with a 3:1 molar ratio of monolignols and EGCG permitted extensive alkaline delignification of cell walls (72 to 92%) that far exceeded that for lignified controls (44 to 62%). Alkali-insoluble residues from EGCG-lignified walls yielded up to 34% more glucose and total sugars following enzymatic saccharification than lignified controls.

Conclusions
It was found that EGCG readily copolymerized with monolignols to become integrally cross-coupled into cell wall lignins, where it greatly enhanced alkaline delignification and subsequent enzymatic saccharification. Improved delignification may be attributed to internal trapping of quinone-methide intermediates to prevent benzyl ether cross-linking of lignin to structural polysaccharides during lignification, and to the cleavage of ester intra-unit linkages within EGCG during pretreatment. Overall, our results suggest that apoplastic deposition of EGCG for incorporation into lignin would be a promising plant genetic engineering target for improving the delignification and saccharification of biomass crops.
Lung function monitoring in patients with duchenne muscular dystrophy on steroid therapy
Authors: Machado Darlene L , Silva Elaine C , Resende Maria B D , Carvalho Celso R F , Zanoteli Edmar , Reed Umbertina C 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a sex-linked inherited muscle disease characterized by a progressive loss in muscle strength and respiratory muscle involvement. After 12 years of age, lung function declines at a rate of 6 % to 10.7 % per year in patients with DMD. Steroid therapy has been proposed to delay the loss of motor function and also the respiratory involvement.

Method
In 21 patients with DMD aged between seven and 16 years, the forced vital capacity (FVC) and the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were evaluated at three different times during a period of two years.

Results
We observed in this period of evaluation the maintenance of the FVC and the FEV1 in this group of patients independently of chronological age, age at onset of steroid therapy, and walking capacity.

Conclusion
The steroid therapy has the potential to stabilize or delay the loss of lung function in DMD patients even if they are non-ambulant or older than 10 years, and in those in whom the medication was started after 7 years of age.
The effect of different depths of medial heel skive on plantar pressures
Authors: Bonanno Daniel R , Zhang Cheryl Y , Farrugia Rose C , Bull Matthew G , Raspovic Anita M , Bird Adam R , Landorf Karl B 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundFoot orthoses are often used to treat lower limb injuries associated with excessive pronation. There are many orthotic modifications available for this purpose, with one being the medial heel skive. However, empirical evidence for the mechanical effects of the medial heel skive modification is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effect that different depths of medial heel skive have on plantar pressures.MethodsThirty healthy adults (mean age 24 years, range 18–46) with a flat‐arched or pronated foot posture and no current foot pain or deformity participated in this study. Using the in‐shoe pedar‐X® system, plantar pressure data were collected for the rearfoot, midfoot and forefoot while participants walked along an 8 metre walkway wearing a standardised shoe. Experimental conditions included a customised foot orthosis with the following 4 orthotic modifications: (i) no medial heel skive, (ii) a 2 mm medial heel skive, (iii) a 4 mm medial heel skive and (iv) a 6 mm medial heel skive.ResultsCompared to the foot orthosis with no medial heel skive, statistically significant increases in peak pressure were observed at the medial rearfoot – there was a 15% increase (p = 0.001) with the 4 mm skive and a 29% increase (p < 0.001) with the 6 mm skive. No significant change was observed with the 2 mm medial heel skive. With respect to the midfoot and forefoot, there were no significant differences between the orthoses.ConclusionsThis study found that a medial heel skive of 4 mm or 6 mm increases peak pressure under the medial rearfoot in asymptomatic adults with a flat‐arched or pronated foot posture. Plantar pressures at the midfoot and forefoot were not altered by a medial heel skive of 2, 4 or 6 mm. These findings provide some evidence for the effects of the medial heel skive orthotic modification.
Glucocorticoid receptor gene polymorphisms and disease activity during pregnancy and the postpartum period in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Quax Rogier AM , de Man Yaël A , Koper Jan W , van Rossum Elisabeth FC , Willemsen Sten P , Lamberts Steven WJ , Hazes Johanna MW , Dolhain Radboud JEM , Feelders Richard A 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Introduction
The mechanism underlying the spontaneous improvement of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during pregnancy and the subsequent postpartum flare is incompletely understood, and the disease course varies widely between pregnant RA patients. In pregnancy, total and free levels of cortisol increase gradually, followed by a postpartum decrease to prepregnancy values. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) polymorphisms BclI and N363S are associated with relatively increased glucocorticoid (GC) sensitivity, whereas the 9β and ER22/23EK polymorphisms of the GR gene are associated with a relatively decreased GC sensitivity. We examined the relation between the presence of these GR polymorphisms and level of disease activity and disease course of RA during pregnancy and postpartum.

Methods
We studied 147 participants of the PARA study (Pregnancy-Induced Amelioration of Rheumatoid Arthritis study), a prospective study investigating the natural improvement during pregnancy and the postpartum flare in women with RA. Patients were visited, preferably before pregnancy, at each trimester and at three postpartum time points. On all occasions, disease activity was scored by using DAS28. All patients were genotyped for the GR polymorphisms BclI, N363S, 9β, and ER22/23EK and divided in groups harboring either polymorphisms conferring increased GC sensitivity (BclI and N363S; GC-S patients) or polymorphisms conferring decreased GC sensitivity (9β or 9β + ER22/23EK; GC-I patients). Data were analyzed by using a mixed linear model, comparing GC-S patients with GC-I patients with respect to improvement during pregnancy and the postpartum flare. The cumulative disease activity was calculated by using time-integrated values (area under the curve, AUC) of DAS28 in GC-I patients versus GC-S patients. Separate analyses were performed according to the state of GC use.

Results
GC-S patients treated with GC had a significantly lower AUC of DAS28 in the postpartum period than did GC-I patients. This difference was not observed in patients who were not treated with GCs. During pregnancy, GC-S and GC-I patients had comparable levels of disease activity and course of disease.

Conclusions
Differences in relative GC sensitivity, as determined by GR polymorphisms, are associated with the level of disease activity in the postpartum period in GC-treated patients, but they do not seem to influence the course of the disease per se.
Dynamics of a smile in different age groups
Authors: Chetan Patil , Tandon Pradeep , Singh Gulshan K. , Nagar Amit , Prasad Veerendra , Chugh Vinay K. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Objective:
To evaluate smile in different age groups and to detect gender differences in smile.

Materials and Methods:
Digital videographic records of 241 randomly selected subjects were obtained for smile analysis. The subjects were divided into four groups by age (15–20 years, 21–30 years, 31–40 years, and 41–50 years). Each group was further subdivided by gender. After 41 subjects were excluded, the smile dimensions of 200 subjects were analyzed by two-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with Duncan's multiple range post hoc test.

Results:
All dynamic measurements (change in upper lip length, upper lip thickness, commissure height, and intercommissural width from rest to smile) decreased with age in both males and females. Changes in upper lip length and commissure height on smiling were greater in males as compared with females of the same age groups. Changes in intercommissural width on smiling were greater in females as compared with males in all age groups.

Conclusion:
Smile changes with increase in age, and the changes differ between males and females. Females had a wider smile as compared with males of similar age groups.
Comparative Study of the Effect of Three Different Interocclusal Recording Materials on Reproducibility of Horizontal Condylar Registrations in Two Different Semiadjustable Articulators: A Clinical Study
Authors: Sharma Ajay , Sharma Lavanya Ajay , Azhagarasan NS , Shankar Chitra 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACT

Purpose
Simulation of jaw movements in an articulator requires one of the important condylar parameters, i.e. horizontal condylar inclination (HCI) to be registered in the patient and transferred to a mechanical device (articulator). The most popular and commonly used technique to determine horizontal condylar inclination (HCI) is by use of interocclusal records. Clinical studies comparing the effects of different interocclusal recording materials on reproducibility of protrusive settings in semiadjustable articulators have not been studied much. Hence, the present clinical study was conducted to comparatively assess the effects of three commonly used interocclusal recording materials; namely wax, polyvinylsiloxane, polyether in obtaining HCI values in two commonly used semiadjustable articulators; namely Hanau Wide-Vue (arcon) and Dentatus ARH type (non-arcon).

Materials and methods
One healthy female patient with intact dentition and no signs and symptoms of TMJ problems was selected for the study. With the help of a custom-made protrusive guide, 10 individual protrusive records for each of the interocclusal recording materials were made. These records were used for programming the two articulators and the respective HCI values were noted. The results obtained were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis.

Results
The HCI values obtained using each of the interocclusal recording materials in both the semiadjustable articulators was found to be statistically significant. Among the materials polyether gave the highest values with less variability and wax gave low values with greater variation.

Conclusion
The results of this study indicate that HCI values vary both according to the type of interocclusal recording material employed and the articulator selected.
In vitro Comparison of Dimensional Stability of Stone Dies Obtained from Two Elastomers after Two Treatments
Authors: Narayanan Venkatesan , Padmanabhan Jayantha 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACT

Aim
The aim of the study was to compare the dimensional stability of dies obtained from addition silicone and polyether impressions that were reheated or subjected to vacuum treatment.

Materials and methods
A master die was constructed of a rectangular stainless steel block on to which a photosensitive nylon printing plate attached which contains engraved test grooves. A custom-tray was fabricated and impressions were made using addition silicone and polyether before and after the two treatments. A total of 90 impressions and dies were made from both the elastomers and divided as control group, group I (reheated impressions) and group II (vacuum-treated impressions). A comparative analysis was done to determine which dies yielded the best dimensional accuracy compared to that of the master die.

Results
The minimum percentage dimensional change was observed in test dies made from addition silicone impressions of group I (reheated impressions), followed by the test dies made from polyether impressions in control group. The maximum percentage dimensional change was observed in test dies made from polyether impressions in group I (reheated impressions), followed by the test dies made from addition silicone impressions in group II (vacuum-treated impressions).

Conclusion
The dies obtained from reheated addition silicone impressions yielded the best dimensional stability overall when compared with that of the master die. The dies made of polyether impressions after reheating were not clinically acceptable, because of its hydrophilic nature swelled when they were reheated in a water bath.
Full-mouth Rehabilitation of a Patient with Severe Attrition using Hobo Twin-Stage Procedure
Authors: Gupta Tapas , Banerjee Ardhendu , Banerjee Saurav , Chakraborty Nabarun , Singh Rajwinder 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACT
Excessive occlusal wear can result in pulpal injury, occlusal disharmony, impaired function and esthetic deformity. Loss of anterior guidance can result from severe wear of anterior teeth, which protects the posterior teeth during excursive movement. The collapse of posterior teeth also results in the loss of normal occlusal plane and the reduction of the vertical dimension. This clinical report describes the use of Hobo Twin- stage procedure for rehabilitation of a patient with severe tooth wear, resulting in reduced VDO.