bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimation of the relative antiinflammatory efficacies of six commercial preparations of Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's Claw)
Authors: Ouitas Nassima Abdelouahab , Heard Charles 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe current work compared the relative efficacies of six commercial formulations of H. procumbens. Each formulation was assayed for the content of harpagoside (1), harpagide (2), verbascoside (3) and 8‐O‐p‐coumaroyl harpagide (4) and, based on the recommended dosages, the total daily amounts were determined and used to establish anti‐/proinflammatory (A/P) factors. The formulations were compared using ex vivo porcine skin for their activities towards COX‐2 by Western blotting. The results showed great variation in the amounts of compounds 1–4 within the six formulations examined. The relative proportions of 1–4 also varied widely between the products and this inconsistency was reflected in the A/P factors, which correlated with the COX‐2 expression (R2 = 0.9496). Although the data support the beneficial antiinflammatory effects from the use of some of the brands tested, others would appear potentially to exacerbate inflammation. To conclude, a ratio based upon the amount and relative proportions of anti‐ and proinflammatory compounds can be used to predict relative antiinflammatory properties. Also, with access to a diversity of ostensibly similar commercial products, the patient may experience varying therapeutic responses. Finally, current pharmacopoeia monographs, which are generally concerned with a minimum harpagoside content, are inadequate for ensuring the quality of products based on H. procumbens. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of healing and antimicrobiological effects of herbal therapy on venous leg ulcer: pilot study
Authors: Binić Ivana , Janković Aleksandar , Janković Dimitrije , Janković Irena , Vručinić Zoran 
Published: July 2009

AbstractVenous leg ulcers represent a significant public health problem that will increase as the population ages. Numerous herbs and their extracts are potentially conducive to wound healing, including the ability to serve as an antimicrobial, antifungal, astringent, etc. A total of 32 patients with venous leg ulcers were randomized into two groups: a group with herbal therapy treatment (PT) (17 patients) and a control group (C) (15 patients). The investigation focused on five controls of parameter changes important for ulcer healing and the control of microbiological flora. Within‐treatment analysis of the PT group showed that, following herbal therapy treatment, there was a significant decrease in the scores of surface leg ulcer and venous leg ulcer after week 7 of treatment (p < 0.05). In group C following topical antibiotic treatment there was no significant decrease in the surface leg ulcer. Comparing the results of decreased venous leg ulcer surface of the) PT group with the C group showed a significant difference at p < 0.05 after week 7 of treatment. The number of different types of isolated bacterial species decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after the use of herbal preparations. The results of this pilot study demonstrate the healing and antimicrobiological effects of herbal therapy on non‐infected venous leg ulcer. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. on learning behavior and memory enhancement activity in rodents
Authors: Nahata Alok , Patil U. K. , Dixit V. K. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIn the Ayurvedic system of medicine, the whole herb of ‘Shankhpushpi’ has been employed clinically for centuries for its memory potentiating, anxiolytic and tranquilizing properties. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Evolvulus alsinoides (EA), considered as Shankhpushpi on learning and memory in rodents. Nootropic activity using Cook and Weidley's pole climbing apparatus, passive avoidance paradigms and active avoidance tests were used to test learning and memory. The ethanol extract of EA and its ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions were evaluated for their memory enhancing properties. Two doses (100 and 200 mg/kg p.o.) of the ethanol extract and ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions were administered in separate groups of animals. Both doses of all the extracts of EA significantly improved learning and memory in rats. Furthermore, these doses significantly reversed the amnesia induced by scopolamine (0.3 mg/kg i.p.). Nootropic activity was compared using piracetam as the standard. EA also exhibited potent memory enhancing effects in the step‐down and shuttle‐box avoidance paradigms. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antiviral activity of daphnoretin isolated from Wikstroemia indica
Authors: Ho Wing‐Shan , Xue Jun‐Yi , Sun Samuel S.M. , Ooi Vincent E.C. , Li Yao‐Lan 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe ethanol extract of Wikstroemia indica was fractionated with organic solvents of different polarities, and various fractions were screened for their antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) using a cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction assay. The ethyl acetate fraction was most active against RSV with 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) value < 3.9 μg/mL and a selectivity index (SI) > 64.1. Further isolation and purification of the fraction led to a purified compound, daphnoretin. Daphnoretin was tested for its anti‐RSV activity using a plaque reduction assay and found active against RSV, with an IC50 value of 5.87 μg/mL and SI value of 28.17. The mode of antiviral action study revealed that daphnoretin could slightly inhibit the early events of the viral infection but its effect was mainly on the later phase of the replication cycle. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Different amounts of isoflavones in various commercially available soy extracts in the light of gene expression‐targeted isoflavone therapy
Authors: Piotrowska Ewa , Jakóbkiewicz‐Banecka Joanna , Węgrzyn Grzegorz 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIsoflavones are plant‐derived, biologically active compounds that are commonly used as natural drugs or diet supplements in the treatment of menopausal symptoms and as antioxidants. Recently, it was proposed that genistein (4′,5,7‐trihydroxyisoflavone) may be used in the treatment of patients suffering from Sanfilippo disease (mucopolysaccharidosis type III), a severe genetic disorder for which no therapy is available. A pilot clinical study with this novel therapy, called ‘gene expression‐targeted isoflavone therapy’ (GET IT), indicated that a standardized, genistin‐rich soy isoflavone extract is effective in the treatment of such patients. Since various isoflavone‐containing products are commercially available, the content of the main isoflavones were measured in such products. Extremely different amounts of isoflavones were determined in various products, from 0.13 to 39 mg per tablet. Only some of these products were found to be effective in inhibition of the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans (compounds whose degradation is severely impaired in mucopolysaccharidoses, including Sanfilippo disease) in cultured fibroblasts. Since in GET IT the dose of genistein is calculated per patient's body weight, the amount of this isoflavone in a tablet is crucial for this therapy. Therefore, the results presented in this report indicate that a careful choice of a proper isoflavone extract is necessary for GET IT. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Aloe barbadensis Miller Juice on oxidative stress biomarkers in aerobic cells using Artemia franciscana as a model
Authors: Sirdaarta J. , Cock I. E. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis study reports on the induction of oxidative stress in aerobic cell systems by Aloe barbadensis Miller (Aloe vera) juice using the salt water crustacean Artemia franciscana as a model. A consistent pattern was observed in which Artemia franciscana nauplii responded to Aloe vera juice exposure with a decrease in the overall activity of redox related enzymes. Exposure of Artemia franciscana to sub‐lethal levels of Aloe vera juice resulted in a decreased activity of thioredoxin reductase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase by 34% (66% enzymatic activity), 79% (21% enzymatic activity) and 90% (10% enzymatic activity), respectively. Similarly apparent was the trend whereby the co‐exposure of the nauplii to vitamin E counteracted this effect. For each of the biomarker enzymes tested, vitamin E co‐exposure resulted in enzyme activities closer to the control value (78%, 56% and 32% of control enzymatic activities for thioredoxin reductase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activity, respectively). These results indicate that exposure to sub‐lethal doses of Aloe vera juice induces alterations in the cellular redox status of Artemia franciscana and that the addition of vitamin E helps the Artemia franciscana nauplii to overcome/block the juice induced oxidative stress. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure and dissociation of cyanogen halides BrCN and ICN
Authors: Bhattacharyya I. , Mondal B. , Bera N. C. , Das A. K. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractStructural properties and dissociation of cyanogen bromide BrCN, cyanogen iodide ICN, and their isomers have been studied in detail using ab initio MP2, CCSD, and CCSD(T) methods. After dissociation of BrCN and ICN, the fragmented atoms have been considered to be either in their ground state or in their valence excited states. The recent experimental value for the strength of the CN bond of CN radical has been compared with our value calculated from the dissociation of BrCN. Interesting results have been obtained when BrCN and ICN dissociated to atoms that are in their valence excited states. The structural properties of BrCN and ICN and dissociation energy of BrCN agree very well with the theoretical and experimental values wherever available. The dissociation pathways of ICN are first predicted. The isomerization energy of BrCN is compared with the existing theoretical result. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Theoretical study of {Au3(CH3NCOCH3)3}n·{2,4,7‐trinitro‐9‐fluorenone} (n = 1,2) complexes
Authors: Mendizabal Fernando 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe interaction between {Au3(CH3NCOCH3)3} and {2,4,7‐trinitro‐9‐fluorenone} and the electronic structure and spectroscopic properties of {Au3(CH3N = COCH3)3}n·{2,4,7‐trinitro‐9‐fluorenone} (n = 1,2) are studied at the HF, MP2, and PBE levels. Secondary π‐interactions (Au‐fluorenone) were found to be the main contribution to short‐range stability in the {Au3(CH3NCOCH3)3}n·{2,4,7‐trinitro‐9‐fluorenone} complex. At the MP2 and PBE levels, Au‐C equilibrium distances of 292.3 and 304.0 pm and interaction energies of 105.3 and 24.9 kJ/mol were found, respectively. The absorption spectra of these complexes were calculated by the single excitation time‐dependent method at the PBE level. The theoretical values obtained are in agreement with the experimental range. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Semiempirical evaluation of the global hardness of the atoms of 103 elements of the periodic table using the most probable radii as their size descriptors
Authors: Ghosh Dulal C. , Islam Nazmul 
Published: July 2009

AbstractRelying upon the fact that the density functional computation of the global hardness of the atoms of the elements are still at large and there is some mathematical in congruency between the theory and operational formula of finite difference approximation, we have suggested a radial‐dependent ansatz for evaluating global hardness of atoms as: η=a(7.2/r)+b (in eV), where, “a” and “b” are the constants and r is the absolute radius of atoms in angstrom unit. The ansatz is invoked to evaluate the global hardness of atoms of 103 element of the periodic table. The evaluated new set of global hardness is found to satisfy the sine qua non of a reasonable scale of hardness by exhibiting perfect periodicity of periods and groups and correlating the gross physicochemical properties of elements. The inertness of Hg and extreme reactivity Cs atoms are nicely correlated. The chemical reactivity and its variation in small steps in the series of lanthanide elements are also nicely reproduced. The results of the present semiempirical calculation also have strong correlation with the result of some sophisticated DFT calculation for a set of atoms. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
On the performance of eleven DFT functionals in the description of the vibrational properties of aluminosilicates
Authors: Demichelis Raffaella , Civalleri Bartolomeo , Ferrabone Matteo , Dovesi Roberto 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe performance of eleven DFT functionals in describing the equilibrium structure and the vibrational spectra at the Γ point of pyrope (Mg3Al2Si3O12), forsterite (α‐Mg2SiO4), α‐quartz (α‐SiO2) and corundum (α‐Al2O3) is discussed. The four systems, for which accurate experimental data are available, are here used as a representative sample of the large aluminosilicates family. Calculations were performed with the periodic ab initio CRYSTAL code by using all‐electron Gaussian‐type basis sets. All the functionals here considered provide reasonable structural predictions, the hybrid PBE0 giving the least deviation from the experimental unit cell volumes (from −0.3% to +0.6%). At the other extreme, SVWN and SPWLSD (≃−3%) and PBE and PW91 (≃ +3%) provide the largest volume under‐ and over‐estimation, respectively. Vibrational frequencies are more accurate when computed with hybrid functionals, with the best performance provided by B3LYP and WC1LYP (mean absolute differences with respect to experiments evaluated on a set of 134 vibrational frequencies, |${\bar \Delta}$|t ≃ 5.5 cm−1). The three recently proposed GGA functionals, PBEsol, SOGGA‐PBE and WC‐PBE, provide a good description of the vibrational spectra, of the same quality as the one provided by PBE0 and B1WC (|${\bar \Delta}$|t ≃ 10 cm−1), whereas poorer results are obtained with PBE (|${\bar \Delta}$|t ≃ 17 cm−1). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Hamiltonian for the spin quantum Hall effect solution and derivation based on an SU (2) gauge field
Authors: Bracken Paul 
Published: July 2009

AbstractA Hamiltonian to describe a spin quantum Hall effect with two types of spin‐orbit coupling is introduced and the eigenfunctions and eigenvalues are obtained for it. It is shown that this Hamiltonian also results by gauging a kinetic energy Hamiltonian by an SU (2) gauge field. The Berry phase is obtained from the model wavefunction for the model and used to define a filling factor. This allows for the calculation of the spin Hall conductivity. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Input/output structure of the infinite horizon LQ bumpless transfer and its implications for transfer operator synthesis
Authors: Zheng Kai , Bentsman Joseph 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe steady‐state input/output structure of the infinite horizon LQ bumpless transfer topologies for strictly proper controllers is analyzed. It is found that in these topologies (1) the steady‐state gain of the transfer function from the output of the online controller to that of the offline one is unity/asymptotically unity, and (2) the steady‐state gain of the transfer function from the input of the online controller to the output of the offline one is zero/asymptotically zero, for essentially all strictly proper controllers with the input dimension being no less than the output one. These facts (1) reveal the steady‐state gain structure of the closed‐loop transfer matrix in the standard LQ tracking problems, (2) demonstrate that the LQ bumpless transfer technique solves the ideal bumpless transfer problem for controllers with an integrator in each of their output channels, (3) reveal the structure of unavoidable signal discontinuities in the controller input/output upon transfer between controllers with non‐integrating channels, and (4) provide guidance for minimizing the above signal discontinuities and the resulting bumps in the plant output in bumpless transfer synthesis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biplot methodology in exploratory analysis of microarray data
Authors: Gardner‐Lubbe S. , le Roux N. J. , Maunders H. , Shah V. , Patwardhan S. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAlthough principal component analysis is widely used in the exploration of microarray data, the advantages of constructing a biplot as multivariate analog to a scatterplot is seldom exploited. This paper illustrates the benefits of using biplots with microarray data to (1) visually display both the treatments and genes of such extreme high‐dimensional data in a single plot, (2) relate the treatments to the underlying biological process through the use of biplot axes, and (3) to optimally separate classes and explore the differentially associated expression in genes. In this analysis, we have used gene expression measurements from human bronchial epithelial cells following exposure to whole cigarette smoke. Specifically, when exploring differences between treatments and differentially expressed genes, it is shown why the principal component biplot is not optimal and the analysis of distance biplot is introduced as an alternative to principal components. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Statistical Analysis and Data Mining 2: 135‐145, 2009
Entrepreneurs as theorists: on the origins of collective beliefs and novel strategies
Authors: Felin Teppo , Zenger Todd R. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWhat are the origins of entrepreneurial beliefs about new opportunities and the value of resources? In this article, we outline a theory and model of the emergence of entrepreneurial beliefs and novel strategies. We first summarize extant literature by highlighting both the experiential and perceptual (or observational) origins of entrepreneurial beliefs and strategies. Thereafter we carefully explicate the role that entrepreneurial theorizing plays in the emergence of novel beliefs about new opportunities and make links with experiential and perceptual arguments. We specifically discuss three key mechanisms of entrepreneurial theorizing, namely: (1) the triggering role of experiential and observational fragments; (2) the imagination of possibilities; and (3) reasoning and justification. Importantly, we also explicate the social mechanisms of entrepreneurial theorizing and the emergence of entrepreneurial beliefs and novel strategies, specifically by discussing the role of social interaction and self‐selection in entrepreneurial activity. Copyright © 2009 Strategic Management Society
Weathering the storm: the benefit of resources to high‐technology ventures navigating adverse events
Authors: De Carolis Donna Marie , Yang Yi , Deeds David L. , Nelling Edward 
Published: July 2009

AbstractTechnology ventures must often navigate through difficult times during their existence. In the entrepreneurship literature, however, relatively little research explores the question of how ventures weather the more acute adverse event. Analogous to captains who prepare their vessels for tumultuous waters, entrepreneurs establish the organizational characteristics to enable the survival of the initial shock of an adverse event. Thus, in this article we address the research question of what firm characteristics mitigate the impact of an adverse event based on the resource‐based perspective and organizational slack literature. Our findings point to the importance of building capabilities to enable a venture to navigate difficult times. Copyright © 2009 Strategic Management Society.
Global goodness‐of‐fit tests for group testing regression models
Authors: Chen Peng , Tebbs Joshua M. , Bilder Christopher R. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIn a variety of biomedical applications, particularly those involving screening for infectious diseases, testing individuals (e.g. blood/urine samples, etc.) in pools has become a standard method of data collection. This experimental design, known as group testing (or pooled testing), can provide a large reduction in testing costs and can offer nearly the same precision as individual testing. To account for covariate information on individual subjects, regression models for group testing data have been proposed recently. However, there are currently no tools available to check the adequacy of these models. In this paper, we present various global goodness‐of‐fit tests for regression models with group testing data. We use simulation to examine the small‐sample size and power properties of the tests for different pool composition strategies. We illustrate our methods using two infectious disease data sets, one from an HIV study in Kenya and one from the Infertility Prevention Project. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
When experience meets national institutional environmental change: foreign entry attempts of U.S. firms in the Central and Eastern European region
Authors: Xia Jun , Boal Kimberly , Delios Andrew 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWe develop an institutional change perspective to examine the tension that can exist between evolving external environmental influences and internal organizational influences on foreign entry attempts. Using data on the entries of 215 U.S. public firms made into 11 Central and Eastern European transition economies during the period of 1990–2003, we find that shifts in national institutional environments, from a socialist to a market economy, reduce the extent of challenges encountered to make a hierarchical entry, which leads to an increase in foreign hierarchical entry attempts but not necessarily to a decrease in relational entry attempts as institutional transformation. We find evidence of inertial influences as experienced entrants tend to follow their previous decisions when making subsequent entry attempts. Further, they are less responsive in their foreign entry strategies to the institutional transformation in a given host country than inexperienced firms. We also find that the experience gained from relational entries results in more hierarchical entry attempts, but hierarchical entry experience results in fewer relational entry attempts. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Astrocyte Differentiation of Neural Precursor Cells is Enhanced by Retinoic Acid Through a Change in Epigenetic Modification
Authors: Asano Hirotsugu , Aonuma Makoto , Sanosaka Tsukasa , Kohyama Jun , Namihira Masakazu , Nakashima Kinichi 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes—the three major cell types that comprise the central nervous system—are generated from common multipotent neural precursor cells (NPCs). Members of the interleukin-6 family of cytokines, including leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), induce astrocyte differentiation of NPCs by activating the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). We show here that retinoic acid (RA) facilitates LIF-induced astrocyte differentiation of NPCs. RA and LIF synergistically activate the promoter of gfap, which encodes the astrocytic marker glial fibrillary acidic protein, and a putative RA response element in the promoter was found to be critical for this activation. Histone H3 acetylation around the STAT-binding site in the gfap promoter was increased in NPCs treated with RA, allowing STAT3 to gain access to the promoter more efficiently. These results suggest that RA acts in concert with LIF to induce astrocyte differentiation of NPCs through an epigenetic mechanism that involves cross-talk between distinct signaling pathways.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.