bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
GC-MS analysis and screening of antidiabetic, antioxidant and hypolipidemic potential of Cinnamomum tamala oil in streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus in rats
Authors: Kumar Suresh , Vasudeva Neeru , Sharma Sunil 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Aim of the study
This study was made to investigate the antidiabetic, antioxidant and hypolipidemic potential of Cinnamomum tamala, (Buch.-Ham.) Nees & Eberm (Tejpat) oil (CTO) in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in rats along with evaluation of chemical constituents.

Materials and methods
The GC-MS (Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry) analysis of the oil showed 31 constituents of which cinnamaldehyde was found the major component (44.898%). CTO and cinnamaldehyde was orally administered to diabetic rats to study its effect in both acute and chronic antihyperglycemic models. The body weight, oral glucose tolerance test and biochemical parameters viz. glucose level, insulin level, liver glycogen content, glycosylated hemoglobin, total plasma cholesterol, triglyceride and antioxidant parameters were estimated for all treated groups and compared against diabetic control group.

Results
CTO (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg), cinnamaldehyde (20 mg/kg) and glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg) in respective groups of diabetic animals administered for 28 days reduced the blood glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. There was significant increase in body weight, liver glycogen content, plasma insulin level and decrease in the blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and total plasma cholesterol in test groups as compared to control group. The results of CTO and cinnamaldehyde were found comparable with standard drug glibenclamide. In vitro antioxidant studies on CTO using various models showed significant antioxidant activity. In vivo antioxidant studies on STZ induced diabetic rats revealed decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased reduced glutathione (GSH).

Conclusion
Thus the investigation results that CTO has significant antidiabetic, antioxidant and hypolipidemic activity.
External magnetic field-induced selective biodistribution of magnetoliposomes in mice
Authors: García-Jimeno Sonia , Escribano Elvira , Queralt Josep , Estelrich Joan 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
This study looked at the effect of an external magnet on the biodistribution of magnetoliposomes intravenously administrated in mice (8 mg iron/kg) with and without induced acute inflammation. Our results showed that due to enhanced vascular permeability, magnetoliposomes accumulated at the site of inflammation in the absence of an external magnetic field, but the amount of iron present increased under the effect of a magnet located at the inflammation zone. This increase was dependent on the time (20 or 60 min) of exposure of the external magnetic field. It was also observed that the presence of the magnet was associated with lower amounts of iron in the liver, spleen, and plasma than was found in mice in which a magnet had not been applied. The results of this study confirm that it is possible to target drugs encapsulated in magnetic particles by means of an external magnet.
Caputo-type modification of the Hadamard fractional derivatives
Authors: Jarad Fahd , Abdeljawad Thabet , Baleanu Dumitru 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Generalization of fractional differential operators was subjected to an intense debate in the last few years in order to contribute to a deep understanding of the behavior of complex systems with memory effect. In this article, a Caputo-type modification of Hadamard fractional derivatives is introduced. The properties of the modified derivatives are studied.
Extracellular adenosine signaling induces CX3CL1 expression in the brain to promote experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Mills Jeffrey H , Alabanza Leah M , Mahamed Deeqa A , Bynoe Margaret S 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Multiple sclerosis and its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) are debilitating neuroinflammatory diseases mediated by lymphocyte entry into the central nervous system (CNS). While it is not known what triggers lymphocyte entry into the CNS during neuroinflammation, blockade of lymphocyte migration has been shown to be effective in controlling neuroinflammatory diseases. Since we have previously shown that extracellular adenosine is a key mediator of lymphocyte migration into the CNS during EAE progression, we wanted to determine which factors are regulated by adenosine to modulate EAE development.

Methods
We performed a genetic analysis of wild type and CD73−/− (that are unable to produce extracellular adenosine and are protected from EAE development) to identify factors that are both important for EAE development and controlled by extracellular adenosine signaling.

Results
We show that extracellular adenosine triggered lymphocyte migration into the CNS by inducing the expression of the specialized chemokine/adhesion molecule CX3CL1 at the choroid plexus. In wild type mice, CX3CL1 is upregulated in the brain on Day 10 post EAE induction, which corresponds with initial CNS lymphocyte infiltration and the acute stage of EAE. Conversely, mice that cannot synthesize extracellular adenosine (CD73−/− mice) do not upregulate CX3CL1 in the brain following EAE induction and are protected from EAE development and its associated lymphocyte infiltration. Additionally, blockade of the A2A adenosine receptor following EAE induction prevents disease development and the induction of brain CX3CL1 expression. The CX3CL1 induced during EAE is found on the choroid plexus, which is the barrier between the blood and cerebral spinal fluid in the brain and is a prime entry point into the CNS for immune cells. Furthermore, CX3CL1 expression can be induced in the brains of mice and in choroid plexus cell line following A2A adenosine receptor agonist administration. Most importantly, we show that CX3CL1 blockade protects against EAE development and inhibits lymphocyte entry into the CNS.

Conclusions
We conclude that extracellular adenosine is an endogenous modulator of neuroinflammation during EAE that induces CX3CL1 at the choroid plexus to trigger lymphocyte entry into the brain.
Comparison of non-crystalline silica nanoparticles in IL-1β release from macrophages
Authors: Sandberg Wiggo J , Låg Marit , Holme Jørn A , Friede Bernd , Gualtieri Maurizio , Kruszewski Marcin , Schwarze Per E , Skuland Tonje , Refsnes Magne 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Respirable crystalline silica (silicon dioxide; SiO2, quartz) particles are known to induce chronic inflammation and lung disease upon long-term inhalation, whereas non-crystalline (amorphous) SiO2 particles in the submicrometre range are regarded as less harmful. Several reports have demonstrated that crystalline, but also non-crystalline silica particles induce IL-1β release from macrophages via the NALP3-inflammasome complex (caspase-1, ASC and NALP3) in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from bacteria. Our aim was to study the potential of different non-crystalline SiO2 particles from the nano- to submicro-sized range to activate IL-1β responses in LPS-primed RAW264.7 macrophages and primary rat lung macrophages. The role of the NALP3-inflammasome and up-stream mechanisms was further explored in RAW264.7 cells.

Results
In the present study, we have shown that 6 h exposure to non-crystalline SiO2 particles in nano- (SiNPs, 5–20 nm, 50 nm) and submicro-sizes induced strong IL-1β responses in LPS-primed mouse macrophages (RAW264.7) and primary rat lung macrophages. The primary lung macrophages were more sensitive to Si-exposure than the RAW-macrophages, and responded more strongly. In the lung macrophages, crystalline silica (MinUsil 5) induced IL-1β release more potently than the non-crystalline Si50 and Si500, when adjusted to surface area. This difference was much less pronounced versus fumed SiNPs. The caspase-1 inhibitor zYVAD and RNA silencing of the NALP3 receptor reduced the particle-induced IL-1β release in the RAW264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, inhibitors of phagocytosis, endosomal acidification, and cathepsin B activity reduced the IL-1β responses to the different particles to a similar extent.

Conclusions
In conclusion, non-crystalline silica particles in the nano- and submicro-size ranges seemed to induce IL-1β release from LPS-primed RAW264.7 macrophages via similar mechanisms as crystalline silica, involving particle uptake, phagosomal leakage and activation of the NALP3 inflammasome. Notably, rat primary lung macrophages were more sensitive with respect to silica-induced IL-1β release. The differential response patterns obtained suggest that silica-induced IL-1β responses not only depend on the particle surface area, but on factors and/or mechanisms such as particle reactivity or particle uptake. These findings may suggest that bacterial infection via LPS may augment acute inflammatory effects of non-crystalline as well as crystalline silica particles.
Designing universal primers for the isolation of DNA sequences encoding Proanthocyanidins biosynthetic enzymes in Crataegus aronia
Authors: Zuiter Afnan Said , Sawwan Jammal , Al Abdallat Ayed 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Hawthorn is the common name of all plant species in the genus Crataegus, which belongs to the Rosaceae family. Crataegus are considered useful medicinal plants because of their high content of proanthocyanidins (PAs) and other related compounds. To improve PAs production in Crataegus tissues, the sequences of genes encoding PAs biosynthetic enzymes are required.

Findings
Different bioinformatics tools, including BLAST, multiple sequence alignment and alignment PCR analysis were used to design primers suitable for the amplification of DNA fragments from 10 candidate genes encoding enzymes involved in PAs biosynthesis in C. aronia. DNA sequencing results proved the utility of the designed primers. The primers were used successfully to amplify DNA fragments of different PAs biosynthesis genes in different Rosaceae plants.

Conclusion
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first use of the alignment PCR approach to isolate DNA sequences encoding PAs biosynthetic enzymes in Rosaceae plants.
Prevalence and molecular identification of Borrelia spirochetes in Ixodes granulatus ticks collected from Rattus losea on Kinmen Island of Taiwan
Authors: Chao Li-Lian , Liu Li-Ling , Shih Chien-Ming 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background

Ixodes granulatus is widely distributed in various countries of Southeast Asia and Taiwan. Although this tick species is presumed to be the vector for the enzoonotic transmission of Borrelia spirochetes in the Taiwan area, the prevalence of infection and genetic diversity of Borrelia spirochetes harbored by this tick species need to be further determined.

Methods
DNA extraction was performed from individual tick specimens collected from Rattus losea on Kinmen Island of Taiwan. Borrelia infection in I. granulatus ticks was detected by performing a specific PCR assay based on the 5S-23S intergenic spacer amplicon gene of B. burgdorferi sensu lato. The genetic identities of detected spirochetes were identified by gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.

Results

Borrelia infection was detected in nymph, male, and female stages of Ixodes granulatus ticks with an infection rate of 42.9%, 36%, and 52.7%, respectively. Genospecies identification reveals that B. valaisiana is the main genotype (70.7%) as compared to the genotype of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (15.4%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these detected spirochetes were genetically affiliated to the genospecies B. valaisiana and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, with a high sequence homology within the genospecies of B. valaisiana (95.8 to 100%) and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (97.2 to 100%), respectively.

Conclusions
This study highlights the significance of high prevalence and genetic diversity of Borrelia spirochetes in I. granulatus ticks collected from Rattus losea on Kinmen Island of Taiwan. Intraspecific analysis also revealed that B. valaisiana species detected in Kinmen Island can be easily distinguished from the European group of B. valaisiana and other genospecies of Borrelia spirochetes. This may imply an enzoonotic cycle between I. granulatus ticks and rodent hosts that maintains Borrelia spirochetes in Kinmen Island as well as Southeast Asia.
Population-based analyses of Giardia duodenalis is consistent with the clonal assemblage structure
Authors: Takumi Katsuhisa , Swart Arno , Mank Theo , Lasek-Nesselquist Erica , Lebbad Marianne , Cacciò Simone M , Sprong Hein 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background

Giardia duodenalis is a common protozoan parasite of humans and animals. Genetic characterization of single loci indicates the existence of eight groups called assemblages, which differ in their host distribution. Molecular analyses challenged the idea that G. duodenalis is a strictly clonal diplomonad by providing evidence of recombination within and between assemblages. Particularly, inter-assemblage recombination events would complicate the interpretation of multi-locus genotyping data from field isolates: where is a host infected with multiple Giardia genotypes or with a single, recombined Giardia genotype.

Methods
Population genetic analyses on the single and multiple-locus level on an extensive dataset of G. duodenalis isolates from humans and animals were performed.

Results
Our analyses indicate that recombination between isolates from different assemblages are apparently very rare or absent in the natural population of Giardia duodenalis. At the multi-locus level, our statistical analyses are more congruent with clonal reproduction and can equally well be explained with the presence of multiple G. duodenalis genotypes within one field isolate.

Conclusions
We conclude that recombination between G. duodenalis assemblages is either very rare or absent. Recombination between genotypes from the same assemblage and genetic exchange between the nuclei of a single cyst needs further investigation.
Psycho-social outcome in liver transplanted children: beware of emotional self-assessment!
Authors: Calinescu Ana Maria , McLin Valérie A , Belli Dominque , Wildhaber Barbara E 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Psycho-social outcome in children after liver transplantation (LT) is known to be inferior to age-related peers. Yet, when children and their parents are questioned by their nurse or physician about the child’s psycho-social well-being, the answers usually are very positive. We hypothesized that patients and their parents after LT report their psycho-social well-being too enthusiastically when enquired by their personal care takers.

Methods
Inclusion criteria: LT at the Children’s University Hospital of Geneva 1992–2007, age >3 years, <16 years, time after LT >2 years. Children and their parents were questioned by their well-known, familiar nurse at the annual follow up visit about their personal well-being. To allow for evaluation of answers, scores (good, medium, bad) were attributed to the different questions. 46 children were included in the study.

Results
Mean age at enquiry was 9.7 years (SD 4 years), mean time after LT was 7.5 years (SD 4.2 years). The different themes were reported as good for: parent–child relationship (83%), relationship with peers (98%), relation with siblings (39%), sport activities (54%), play activities (78%), school performance (87%), expression skills (67%), and general behavior (89%).

Conclusion
Most of our LT children and their parents consider, during a personal interview with a closely related, familiar nurse, that the child’s psycho-social outcome is good. Yet, it is generally acknowledged that children after LT have negatively altered psycho-social outcomes. Thus, emotionally influenced reports about psycho-social outcome in children after LT must be looked at with care.
The Nordic Maintenance Care Program: Maintenance care – what happens during the consultation? Observations and patient questionnaires
Authors: Bringsli Marita , Berntzen Aurora , Olsen Dorthe Brandborg , Hestbæk Lise , Leboeuf-Yde Charlotte 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Because maintenance care (MC) is frequently used by chiropractors in the management of patients with back pain, it is necessary to define the rationale, frequency and indications for MC consultations, and the contents of such consultations. The objectives of the two studies described in this article are: i) to determine the typical spacing between visits for MC patients and to compare MC and non-MC patients, ii) to describe the content of the MC consultation and to compare MC and non-MC patients and iii) to investigate the purposes of the MC program.

Method
In two studies, chiropractors who accepted the MC paradigm were invited to assist with the data collection. In study 1, patients seen by seven different chiropractors were observed by two chiropractic students. They noted the contents of the observed consultations. In study 2, ten chiropractors invited their MC patients to participate in an anonymous survey. Participants filled in a one page questionnaire containing questions on their view of the purposes and contents of their MC consultations. In addition, information was obtained on the duration between appointments in both studies.

Results
There were 178 valid records in study 1, and in study 2 the number of questionnaires received was 373. The time interval between MC visits was close to nine weeks and for non-MC consultations it was two weeks.
The content of the consultations in study 1 was similar for MC and non-MC patients with treatment being the most time-consuming element followed by history taking/examination. MC consultations were slightly shorter than non-MC consultations.
In study 2, the most common activities reported to have taken place were history taking and manipulative therapy. The most commonly reported purposes were to prevent recurring problems, to maintain best possible function and /or to stay as pain free as possible.

Conclusions
The results from these two studies indicate that MC consultations commonly take place with around two months intervals, and that history taking, examination and treatment are as important components in MC as in non-MC consultations. Further, the results demonstrate that most patients consider the goal to be secondary or tertiary prevention.
Prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in older adults in the Netherlands
Authors: Michielsen Marieke , Semeijn Evert , Comijs Hannie C. , van de Ven Peter , Beekman Aartjan T. F. , Deeg Dorly J. H. , Kooij J. J. Sandra 
Published: August 2012

BackgroundLittle is known about the prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among older adults.AimsTo estimate the prevalence of the syndromatic and symptomatic DSM-IV ADHD diagnosis in older adults in The Netherlands.MethodData were used from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA). At baseline, 1494 participants were screened with an ADHD questionnaire and in 231 respondents a structured diagnostic interview was administered. The weighted prevalence of ADHD was calculated.ResultsThe estimated prevalence rate of syndromatic ADHD in older adults was 2.8%; for symptomatic ADHD the rate was 4.2%. Younger elderly adults (60–70 years) reported significantly more ADHD symptoms than older elderly adults (71–94 years).ConclusionsThis is the first epidemiological study on ADHD in older persons. With a prevalence of 2.8% the study demonstrates that ADHD does not fade or disappear in adulthood and that it is a topic very much worthy of further study.
Nicotine dependence and illness severity in schizophrenia
Authors: Krishnadas Rajeev , Jauhar Sameer , Telfer Susan , Shivashankar Somashekara , McCreadie Robin G. 
Published: August 2012

BackgroundReasons for the increased prevalence of cigarette smoking in schizophrenia are unclear. Studies assessing clinical symptoms have sampled heterogeneous populations, with discrepant findings.AimsTo examine the relationship between clinical features, social adjustment and nicotine dependence in a geographically defined population of people with schizophrenia.MethodCross-sectional clinical study of 131 people with schizophrenia in Nithsdale, Scotland.ResultsSmokers were younger, mostly males and three times more likely to be unemployed. Those with severe nicotine dependence had greater scores on the positive subscale of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and were prescribed higher doses of antipsychotic. Those with mild–moderate dependence had greater scores on the PANSS negative subscale. Greater symptom severity was associated with poorer social adjustment. Psychopathology and social adjustment were similar in quitters and never-smokers.ConclusionsOur findings indicate an association between nicotine dependence, clinical symptoms and social adjustment in schizophrenia. Although causal links cannot be inferred, identifying the relationship between nicotine dependence and psychopathology may have some value in the management of smoking in schizophrenia. Further longitudinal studies are required to explore this relationship.
Lithium Insertion–Deinsertion Reactions of Ultrafine SnO2 Nanoparticles Synthesized by Microwave Heating
Authors: Yoshinaga Masashi , Kijima Norihito , Wakahara Sonoko , Akimoto Junji 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Ultrafine SnO2 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by microwave heating. The SnO2 nanoparticles worked as a rechargeable electrode material for a lithium-ion battery. Micro-Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and cyclic voltammetry studies of the SnO2 nanoparticles elucidated that the lithium insertion–deinsertion reactions during the 1st cycle were caused by both redox of SnO2 and Li–Sn alloying–dealloying reactions. The redox reactions were irreversible and disappeared via charge–discharge cycling, and only the Li–Sn alloying–dealloying reactions took place at the later cycle.
A New Method of Silane Coupling Treatment: Chemical Surface Modifications of Metal Oxides with Hydrosilane
Authors: Ido Erika , Kakiage Kenji , Kyomen Toru , Hanaya Minoru 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Chemical surface modifications of Al2O3, TiO2, and SiO2 by using diphenylsilane bearing hydrosilyl moieties were investigated by IR spectroscopy and gas chromatography. The hydrosilane was observed to adsorb on the metal oxide surfaces by forming Si–O–metal bonds with generation of hydrogen gas. The results show that hydrosilanes can be used as chemical surface modifiers such as the usual silane coupling agents of silanols, chlorosilanes, and alkoxysilanes.
Influence of Adding Surfactants to an Analyte Solution on Separation Performance in Open-tubular Capillary Chromatography Based on the Tube Radial Distribution of Ternary Mixed Carrier Solvents
Authors: Unesaki Katsuya , Hashimoto Masahiko , Tsukagoshi Kazuhiko 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
An open-tubular capillary chromatography system has been developed using a ternary mixed solvent mixture, i.e., water–hydrophilic/hydrophobic organic solvent mixture as a carrier solution. In this study, the influence of adding surfactants to an analyte solution on separation performance was examined in a chromatographic system using a fused-silica capillary tube (75 µm inner diameter and 100 cm effective length) and a ternary mixture of water–acetonitrile–ethyl acetate (3:8:4 volume ratio) carrier solution. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (anionic), ethylhexadecyldimethylammonium bromide (cationic), and Triton X-100 (nonionic) were used as surfactants. Model analytes, 1-naphthol and 2,6-naphthalenedisulfonic acid, were separated in this order by adding the anionic and nonionic surfactants. These surfactants in the analyte solution greatly improved the separation performance (theoretical plate numbers for 2,6-naphthalenedisulfonic acid; &gt;10000) compared with the same separation performed in the absence of surfactants. On the other hand, the analytes were not separated at all using a cationic surfactant.