bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antitumor activities of dammarane triterpene saponins from Bacopa monniera
Authors: Peng Ling , Zhou Yun , Kong De Yun , Zhang Wei Dong 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBioassay‐guided methods were used to test the antitumor activity of methanol extract of the whole plant of Bacopa monniera (L.) Wettst. and four different fractions (petroleum ether, CHCl3, EtOAc, and n‐BuOH fractions) of the methanol extract. Among the five crude samples, n‐BuOH fraction was noted to have the highest antitumor activity. The dammarane triterpene saponins isolated from n‐BuOH fraction, bacopaside É (1) and bacopaside VII (3), had potential antitumor effect. 1 and 3 showed cytotoxicity of all the tested human tumor cell lines MDA‐MB‐231, SHG‐44, HCT‐8, A‐549 and PC‐3M in MTT assay in vitro, and showed 90.52 % and 84.13 % inhibition in mouse implanted with sarcoma S180 in vivo at the concentration of 50 μmol/kg, respectively. The remaining two compounds, bacopaside II (2) and bacopasaponin C (4) were found to be much less potent compared with 1 and 3. 1 and 3 significantly inhibited human breast cancer cell line MDA‐MB‐231 adhesion, migration and Matrigel invasion in vitro at the concentration of 50 μmol/L. Since no antitumor activities about the monomers from Bacopa monniera (L.) Wettst. have been reported, these results indicate that the mechanism of action of 1 and 3 needs further study. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Astragalus membranaceus and Angelica sinensis combined with Enalapril in rats with obstructive uropathy
Authors: Wojcikowski Ken , Wohlmuth Hans , Johnson David W. , Gobe Glenda 
Published: December 2009

AbstractACE inhibitors (ACEi) reduce renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis but are not completely effective. Combined extract of Astragalus membranaceus and Angelica sinensis (A&A) is a traditional antifibrotic agent in China. The present investigation aimed to determine whether an ACEi (Enalapril) and A&A together have a better antifibrotic effect in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) than monotherapy with either agent. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats (N = 4 per group) had either sham operation or UUO alone, with A&A (combined aqueous and ethanol extract equivalent to 2.1 g dried herbs), with Enalapril (in drinking water at 200 mg/mL) or with both treatments. Kidney and liver were collected for protein extraction or fixed for histologic stains, immunohistochemistry (IHC), microscopy. Enalapril or A&A individually were antifibrotic. Transforming growth factor‐β1, fibroblast activation, collagen deposition, macrophage accumulation and tubular cell apoptosis were all decreased. The combination of the two drugs was significantly more effective than Enalapril alone in reducing tumor necrosis factor‐α, collagen accumulation, activation of fibroblasts, and tubular cell apoptosis. In conclusion, Enalapril with A&A significantly decreased tubulointerstitial fibrosis to a greater extent than treatment with Enalapril alone. Further studies focusing on the isolation of the active constituents of A&A and the clinical application of the combination of ACEi plus A&A are warranted to determine the value of this treatment in humans. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mangiferin prevents diabetic nephropathy progression in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats
Authors: Li Xuan , Cui Xiaobing , Sun Xiaoyu , Li Xiaodong , Zhu Quan , Li Wei 
Published: December 2009

AbstractDiabetic nephropathy is one of the most severe diabetic microangiopathies and accounting for approximately one‐third of all cases of end‐stage renal disease. In the present study, we investigated the effect of mangiferin, a polyphenol from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge. or Mangifera indica L., on diabetic nephropathy and the possible mechanisms by using a developed diabetic nephropathy rat model and cultured rat mesangial cells. Serum‐advanced glycation end‐products level, malonaldehyde level, sorbitol concentration of red blood cell, 24 h albuminuria excretion were significantly decreased, whereas activity of serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and creatinine clearance rate were increased by mangiferin. Blood glucose level remained unaffected. Mangiferin significantly inhibited glomerular extracellular matrix expansion and accumulation and transforming growth factor‐beta 1 overexpression in glomeruli of diabetic nephropathy rats. Moreover, mangiferin was observed to inhibit proliferation of mesangial cells induced by high glucose and the overexpression of collagen type IV of mesangial cells induced by advanced glycation end products. In summary, mangiferin could significantly prevent progression of diabetic nephropathy and improve renal function. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Labdane‐type diterpenes from Hedychium gardnerianum with potent cytotoxicity against human small cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Kumrit Iyared , Suksamrarn Apichart , Meepawpan Puttinan , Songsri Sineenard , Nuntawong Nuchnipa 
Published: December 2009

AbstractSeven labdane‐type diterpenes, coronarin E, coronarin A, yunnancoronarin A, yunnancoronarin B, hedyforrestin B, villosin, and hedyforrestin C were isolated from the rhizome of Hedychium gardnerianum and evaluated for cytotoxic activity against human small cell lung cancer (NCI‐H187) and non‐cancerous Vero cells. The results showed that villosin exhibited potent cytotoxic activity with IC50 of 0.40 μM, which was higher than that of the drug ellipticine (IC50 1.79 μM). Moreover, ellipticine was very toxic to Vero cells (IC50 7.47 μM) whereas the toxicity of villosin was undetectable at concentration lower than 166.42 μM. The results have indicated that the lactone ring is essential for high cytotoxic activity and that the presence of a hydroxyl group at the 6 or 7 position causes decrease in activity. The very high cytotoxicity against the NCI‐H187 cells and the exceptionally high selectivity index (>416) of villosin suggested that this compound may be used as a potential lead molecule for antitumor therapeutic development. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Promotion of direct angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo by Puerariae flos extract via activation of MEK/ERK‐, PI3K/Akt/eNOS‐, and Src/FAK‐dependent pathways
Authors: Chung Byung‐Hee , Cho Young‐Lai , Kim Jong‐Dai , Jo Heui Sug , Won Moo‐Ho , Lee Hansoo , Ha Kwon‐Soo , Kwon Young‐Geun , Kim Young‐Myeong 
Published: December 2009

AbstractPuerariae flos has been used for oriental herbal medicine; however, its angiogenic effect has not been elucidated. We found that the extract from Puerariae flos (PFE) increased in vitro angiogenic events, such as endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation, as well as in vivo neovascularization. These events were followed by the activation of multiple signal modulators, such as extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), Akt, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), nitric oxide production, p38, Src, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), without increasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Inhibition of ERK, Akt, and eNOS suppressed PFE‐induced angiogenic events, and inhibition of p38 and Src activities blocked PFE‐induced endothelial cell migration. PFE did not affect the expression of intracellular adhesion molecule‐1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 and transendothelial permeability, which are involved in the adverse effects of the well‐known angiogenic inducer VEGF. These results suggest that PFE directly stimulates angiogenesis through the activation of MEK/ERK‐, phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/Akt/eNOS‐, and Src/FAK‐dependent pathways, without altering VEGF expression, vascular inflammation, and permeability in vitro and in vivo and may be used as a therapeutic agent for ischemic disease and tissue regeneration. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carthamus tinctorius flower extract prevents H2O2‐induced dysfunction and oxidative damage in osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells
Authors: Choi Eun Mi , Kim Gun‐Hee , Lee Yong Soo 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe flowers of Carthamus tinctorius L. (Compositae) have been widely used for enhancing blood circulation and postmenopausal disorder in women. In the present study, the potential protective effects of C. tinctorius flower extract (CFE) against reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced osteoblast dysfunction were investigated using osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells. The osteoblast function was assessed by measuring alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen content, calcium deposition, and RANKL production, and the oxidative status was assessed by measuring intracellular lipid peroxidation, and protein oxidation in osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells. A significant reduction in the alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen, and calcium deposition and an increase in the production of receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kB ligand (RANKL) were observed after 0.3 mM H2O2 addition. The H2O2‐induced alterations were prevented by pre‐incubating the osteoblasts with 2–10 μg/ml CFE for 48 h. When the oxidative stress was induced by H2O2, the increased production of protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde was also reduced at the same CFE concentration. These results demonstrate that C. tinctorius flower can act as a biological antioxidant in a cell culture experimental model and protect osteoblasts from oxidative stress‐induced toxicity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antiprotozoal, antimycobacterial and cytotoxic potential of some british green algae
Authors: Spavieri Jasmine , Kaiser Marcel , Casey Rosalyn , Hingley‐Wilson Suzie , Lalvani Ajit , Blunden Gerald , Tasdemir Deniz 
Published: December 2009

AbstractIn the continuation of our search for natural sources for antiprotozoal and antitubercular molecules, we have screened the crude extracts of four green marine algae (Cladophora rupestris, Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides, Ulva intestinalis and Ulva lactuca) collected from the Dorset area of England. Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani and Mycobacterium tuberculosis were used as test organisms in the in vitro assays. The selective toxicity of the extracts was also determined toward mammalian skeletal myoblast (L6) cells. The crude seaweed extracts had no activity against M. tuberculosis, but showed antiprotozoal activity against at least two protozoan species. All algal extracts were active against T. brucei rhodesiense, with C. rupestris being the most potent one (IC50 value 3.7 μg/ml), whilst only C. rupestris and U. lactuca had moderate trypanocidal activity against T. cruzi (IC50 values 80.8 and 34.9 μg/ml). Again, all four extracts showed leishmanicidal activity with IC50 values ranging between 12.0 and 20.2 μg/ml. None of the extracts showed cytotoxicity toward L6 cells, indicating that their antiprotozoal activity is specific. This is the first study reporting antiprotozoal and antimycobacterial activity of British marine algae. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Euphorbiasteroid reverses P‐glycoprotein‐mediated multi‐drug resistance in human sarcoma cell line MES‐SA/Dx5
Authors: Choi Jung Sook , Kang Nam Sook , Min Yong Ki , Kim Seong Hwan 
Published: December 2009

AbstractIn this study, we evaluated whether euphorbiasteroid isolated from Euphorbia lathyris has the potential to reverse P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp)‐mediated multi‐drug resistance (MDR) by using the drug‐sensitive human sarcoma cell line MES‐SA and its MDR counterpart MES‐SA/Dx5. Interestingly, even at low concentrations of euphorbiasteroid (1–3 μM), it efficiently restored the toxicities of anticancer drugs including vinblastine, taxol and doxorubicin in MES‐SA/Dx5 cells. Additionally, the computational Bayesian model for predicting potential P‐gp substrates or inhibitors revealed that euphorbiasteroid showed 97% probability for substrate likeness having similar molecular features with 50 P‐gp substrates. Consistent with this result, the substrate likeness of euphorbiasteroid was also experimentally confirmed by P‐gp ATPase activity assay. In conclusion, our finding suggested that euphorbiasteroid could be a transport substrate for P‐gp that can effectively inhibit P‐gp‐mediated drug transport and reverse resistance to anticancer drugs in MES‐SA/Dx5 cells. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chronic treatment of silymarin improves hyperalgesia and motor nerve conduction velocity in diabetic neuropathic rat
Authors: Baluchnejadmojarad Tourandokht , Roghani Mehrdad , Khastehkhodaie Zeynab 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe effect of chronic silymarin (SM) treatment on hyperalgesia, sciatic motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and oxidative stress in streptozotocin (STZ)‐diabetic neuropathic rat was evaluated. Rats were divided into control, diabetic, SM‐treated control and diabetic, and sodium salisylate (SS)‐treated control and diabetic. SM was administered daily at a dose of 100 mg/kg for two months. Finally, hyperalgesia and sciatic MNCV and oxidative stress markers were assessed. Diabetic rats showed a significant deficit in MNCV and markedly exhibited chemical and thermal hyperalgesia, indicating development of diabetic neuropathy. Antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) level significantly reduced and malondialdehyde (MDA) level significantly increased in diabetic rats compared to control rats; SM treatment significantly ameliorated the alteration in MNCV, hyperalgesia, MDA level and antioxidant enzyme SOD in diabetic rats. These results clearly suggest the potential effect of SM in prevention and treatment of diabetic neuropathy. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ground‐based detection of sprites and their parent lightning flashes over Africa during the 2006 AMMA campaign
Authors: Williams E. R. , Lyons W. A. , Hobara Y. , Mushtak V. C. , Asencio N. , Boldi R. , Bór J. , Cummer S. A. , Greenberg E. , Hayakawa M. , Holzworth R. H. , Kotroni V. , Li J. , Morales C. , Nelson T. E. , Price C. , Russell B. , Sato M. , Sátori G. , Shirahata K. , Takahashi Y. , Yamashita K. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractSprites have been detected in video camera observations from Niger over mesoscale convective systems in Nigeria during the 2006 AMMA (African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis) campaign. The parent lightning flashes have been detected by multiple Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) receiving stations worldwide. The recorded charge moments of the parent lightning flashes are often in excellent agreement between different receiving sites, and are furthermore consistent with conventional dielectric breakdown in the mesosphere as the origin of the sprites. Analysis of the polarization of the horizontal magnetic field at the distant receivers provides evidence that the departure from linear magnetic polarization at ELF is caused primarily by the day–night asymmetry of the Earth–ionosphere cavity. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
A rapid method for the sampling of atmospheric water vapour for isotopic analysis
Authors: Peters Leon I. , Yakir Dan 
Published: December 2009

AbstractAnalysis of the stable isotopic composition of atmospheric moisture is widely applied in the environmental sciences. Traditional methods for obtaining isotopic compositional data from ambient moisture have required complicated sampling procedures, expensive and sophisticated distillation lines, hazardous consumables, and lengthy treatments prior to analysis. Newer laser‐based techniques are expensive and usually not suitable for large‐scale field campaigns, especially in cases where access to mains power is not feasible or high spatial coverage is required. Here we outline the construction and usage of a novel vapour‐sampling system based on a battery‐operated Stirling cycle cooler, which is simple to operate, does not require any consumables, or post‐collection distillation, and is light‐weight and highly portable. We demonstrate the ability of this system to reproduce δ18O isotopic compositions of ambient water vapour, with samples taken simultaneously by a traditional cryogenic collection technique. Samples were collected over 1 h directly into autosampler vials and were analysed by mass spectrometry after pyrolysis of 1 µL aliquots to CO. This yielded an average error of < ±0.5‰, approximately equal to the signal‐to‐noise ratio of traditional approaches. This new system provides a rapid and reliable alternative to conventional cryogenic techniques, particularly in cases requiring high sample throughput or where access to distillation lines, slurry maintenance or mains power is not feasible. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laser ablation of ternary As‐S‐Se glasses and time‐of‐flight mass spectrometric study
Authors: Pangavhane Sachinkumar Dagurao , Houška Jan , Wágner Tomáš , Pavlišta Martin , Janča Jan , Havel Josef 
Published: December 2009

AbstractTernary chalcogenide As‐S‐Se glasses, important for optics, computers, material science and technological applications, are often made by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technology but the plasma composition formed during the process is mostly unknown. Therefore, the formation of clusters in a plasma plume from different glasses was followed by laser desorption ionization (LDI) or laser ablation (LA) time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS) in positive and negative ion modes. The LA of glasses of different composition leads to the formation of a number of binary AspSq, AspSer and ternary AspSqSer singly charged clusters. Series of clusters with the ratio As:chalcogen = 3:3 (As3S, As3S2Se+, As3SSe), 3:4 (As3S, As3S3Se+, As3S2Se, As3SSe, As3Se), 3:1 (As3S+, As3Se+), and 3:2 (As3S, As3SSe+, As3Se), formed from both bulk and PLD‐deposited nano‐layer glass, were detected. The stoichiometry of the AspSqSer clusters was determined via isotopic envelope analysis and computer modeling. The structure of the clusters is discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A rapid ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric methodology for the in vitro analysis of Pooled and Cocktail cytochrome P450 assays
Authors: Alden Peter G. , Plumb Robert S. , Jones Michael D. , Rainville Paul D. , Shave Darcy 
Published: December 2009

AbstractDrug‐drug interaction evaluations of new pharmaceutical candidates are critical to preventing drug withdrawal and are routinely determined through the use of cytochrome P450 assays. The measurement of the effect of test compounds on the metabolism of known substrates allows for the determination of specific CYP450 isoenzyme inhibition and calculation of IC50 values. A sensitive, high‐throughput ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric (UPLC/MS/MS) method is presented for the evaluation of CYP450 inhibition. The assay was performed using a cocktail of probe substrates and the results were compared to those obtained with the more time‐consuming methodology utilizing individual substrates. The use of a high‐resolution, sub‐2 µm particle, LC system allowed for a high‐throughput assay of just 1 min. The extra resolution of the UPLC/MS/MS system allowed for the complete resolution of the analytes, with a fast switching MS for comprehensive data collection. The CYP450 inhibition results obtained using the substrate cocktail approach were found to be essentially identical to those obtained using individual substrates. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tracing the geographical origin of beefs being circulated in Korean markets based on stable isotopes
Authors: Bong Yeon‐Sik , Shin Woo‐Jin , Lee A‐Reum , Kim Young‐Soo , Kim Kangjoo , Lee Kwang‐Sik 
Published: December 2009

AbstractWe have examined the carbon, nitrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions of American, Mexican, Australian, New Zealand and Korean beefs, which are currently being circulated in Korean markets, to check whether stable isotope ratios can identify their country of origin. Each beef exhibited statistically distinct isotopic compositions, especially in oxygen and carbon, because of the different isotopic compositions of their water and cattle feeds. Nevertheless, their isotopic compositions still showed some overlap, especially among USA, Australian, and Korean beefs, which sometimes resulted in significant misidentification when a single isotope was considered. However, the discrimination was generally successful when both the carbon and the oxygen isotopes were used. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability analysis for networked control systems based on average dwell time method
Authors: Sun Xi‐Ming , Liu Guo‐Ping , Wang Wei , Rees David 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThis paper studies the problem of the exponential stability of networked control systems (NCSs) with large delay periods, which often appear in the transmission of NCSs. Some new concepts about large delay periods are introduced, and a method based on switching is employed. The maximum allowable transfer interval is obtained such that the considered system is exponentially stable. The criteria obtained contain existing results without considering a large delay period as a special case. An example is given to show the effectiveness of the proposed criteria. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving propensity score weighting using machine learning
Authors: Lee Brian K. , Lessler Justin , Stuart Elizabeth A. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractMachine learning techniques such as classification and regression trees (CART) have been suggested as promising alternatives to logistic regression for the estimation of propensity scores. The authors examined the performance of various CART‐based propensity score models using simulated data. Hypothetical studies of varying sample sizes (n=500, 1000, 2000) with a binary exposure, continuous outcome, and 10 covariates were simulated under seven scenarios differing by degree of non‐linear and non‐additive associations between covariates and the exposure. Propensity score weights were estimated using logistic regression (all main effects), CART, pruned CART, and the ensemble methods of bagged CART, random forests, and boosted CART. Performance metrics included covariate balance, standard error, per cent absolute bias, and 95 per cent confidence interval (CI) coverage. All methods displayed generally acceptable performance under conditions of either non‐linearity or non‐additivity alone. However, under conditions of both moderate non‐additivity and moderate non‐linearity, logistic regression had subpar performance, whereas ensemble methods provided substantially better bias reduction and more consistent 95 per cent CI coverage. The results suggest that ensemble methods, especially boosted CART, may be useful for propensity score weighting. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.