bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kenyan medicinal plants used as antivenin: a comparison of plant usage
Authors: Owuor Bethwell O , Kisangau Daniel P 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
The success of snake bite healers is vaguely understood in Kenya, partly due to their unknown materia medica and occult-mystical nature of their practice. A comparison is made of plants used in snake bite treatments by two culturally distinct African groups (the Kamba and Luo). Thirty two plants used for snakebite treatment are documented. The majority of the antidotes are prepared from freshly collected plant material – frequently leaves. Though knowledge of snake bite conditions etiological perceptions of the ethnic groups is similar, field ethnobotanical data suggests that plant species used by the two ethnic groups are independently derived. Antivenin medicinal plants effectively illustrate the cultural context of medicine. Randomness or the use of a variety of species in different families appears to be a feature of traditional snake bite treatments. A high degree of informant consensus for the species was observed. The study indicates rural Kenya inhabitants rely on medicinal plants for healthcare.
Household dyeing plants and traditional uses in some areas of Italy
Authors: Guarrera Paolo Maria 
Published: February 2006

Abstract

Background
This paper reports the results of investigations carried out from 1977 to today in some areas of Italy (Latium, Marche, Abruzzo and to a limited extent in Sardinia) concerning traditional uses of dyeing plants in the household.

Results
Twenty-nine plants are described, distributed in 23 families, and for each species the vernacular name, the way it is used and the locations of traditional use are given. Other plants used in the past in the above-mentioned regions are recalled.

Conclusion
Among the new findings – not mentioned in previous literature, see references – is Muscari neglectum (purplish). Nowadays atavistic dye uses still persist only in Nule (Sardinia).
CXCL12 is displayed by rheumatoid endothelial cells through its basic amino-terminal motif on heparan sulfate proteoglycans
Authors: Santiago Begoña , Baleux Françoise , Palao Guillermo , Gutiérrez-Cañas Irene , Ramírez Juan C , Arenzana-Seisdedos Fernando , Pablos José L 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe chemokine CXCL12 (also known as stromal cell-derived factor, SDF-1) is constitutively expressed by stromal resident cells and is involved in the homeostatic and inflammatory traffic of leukocytes. Binding of CXCL12 to glycosaminoglycans on endothelial cells (ECs) is supposed to be relevant to the regulation of leukocyte diapedesis and neoangiogenesis during inflammatory responses. To improve our understanding of the relevance of this process to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we have studied the mechanisms of presentation of exogenous CXCL12 by cultured RA ECs. RA synovial tissues had higher levels of CXCL12 on the endothelium than osteoarthritis (OA) tissues; in both, CXCL12 colocalized to heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) and high endothelial venules. In cultured RA ECs, exogenous CXCL12α was able to bind in a CXCR4-independent manner to surface HSPGs. Desulfation of RA EC HSPGs by pretreatment with sodium chlorate, or by replacing in a synthetic CXCL12α the residues Lys24 and Lys27 by Ser (CXCL12α-K2427S), decreased or abrogated the ability of the chemokine to bind to RA ECs. Ex vivo, synovial ECs from patients with either OA or RA displayed a higher CXCL12-binding capacity than human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs), and in HUVECs the binding of CXCL12 was increased on exposure to tumor necrosis factor-α or lymphotoxin-α1β2. Our findings indicate that CXCL12 binds to HSPGs on ECs of RA synovium. The phenomenon relates to the interaction of HSPGs with a CXCL12 domain with net positive surface charge located in the first β strand, which encompasses a canonical BXBB HSPG-binding motif. Furthermore, we show that the attachment of CXCL12 to HSPGs is upregulated by inflammatory cytokines. Both the upregulation of a constitutive chemokine during chronic inflammation and the HSPG-dependent immobilization of CXCL12 in EC surfaces are potential sites for therapeutic intervention.
Imposed work of breathing during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation: a bench study
Authors: van Heerde Marc , van Genderingen Huib R , Leenhoven Tom , Roubik Karel , Plötz Frans B , Markhorst Dick G 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
Introduction
The ventilator and the endotracheal tube impose additional workload in mechanically ventilated patients breathing spontaneously. The total work of breathing (WOB) includes elastic and resistive work. In a bench test we assessed the imposed WOB using 3100 A/3100 B SensorMedics high-frequency oscillatory ventilators.

Methods
A computer-controlled piston-driven test lung was used to simulate a spontaneously breathing patient. The test lung was connected to a high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) ventilator by an endotracheal tube. The inspiratory and expiratory airway flows and pressures at various places were sampled. The spontaneous breath rate and volume, tube size and ventilator settings were simulated as representative of the newborn to adult range. The fresh gas flow rate was set at a low and a high level. The imposed WOB was calculated using the Campbell diagram.

Results
In the simulations for newborns (assumed body weight 3.5 kg) and infants (assumed body weight 10 kg) the imposed WOB (mean ± standard deviation) was 0.22 ± 0.07 and 0.87 ± 0.25 J/l, respectively. Comparison of the imposed WOB in low and high fresh gas flow rate measurements yielded values of 1.63 ± 0.32 and 0.96 ± 0.24 J/l (P = 0.01) in small children (assumed body weight 25 kg), of 1.81 ± 0.30 and 1.10 ± 0.27 J/l (P < 0.001) in large children (assumed body weight 40 kg), and of 1.95 ± 0.31 and 1.12 ± 0.34 J/l (P < 0.01) in adults (assumed body weight 70 kg). High peak inspiratory flow and low fresh gas flow rate significantly increased the imposed WOB. Mean airway pressure in the breathing circuit decreased dramatically during spontaneous breathing, most markedly at the low fresh gas flow rate. This led to ventilator shut-off when the inspiratory flow exceeded the fresh gas flow.

Conclusion
Spontaneous breathing during HFOV resulted in considerable imposed WOB in pediatric and adult simulations, explaining the discomfort seen in those patients breathing spontaneously during HFOV. The level of imposed WOB was lower in the newborn and infant simulations, explaining why these patients tolerate spontaneous breathing during HFOV well. A high fresh gas flow rate reduced the imposed WOB. These findings suggest the need for a demand flow system based on patient need allowing spontaneous breathing during HFOV.
DC-SIGN (CD209) recognition of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is circumvented by lipooligosaccharide variation
Authors: Zhang Pei , Schwartz Olivier , Pantelic Milica , Li Geling , Knazze Quita , Nobile Cinzia , Radovich Milan , He Johnny , Hong Soon-Cheol , Klena John , Chen Tie 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) or Escherichia coli HB101 (hereafter referred to as E. coli) expressing opacity (Opa) proteins adhere to human host cells and stimulate phagocytosis as a result of the interaction of certain Opa proteins to carcinoembryonic antigen-related cellular adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1; CD66a) receptors. Our experiments show that the Opa-CEACAM1 interaction does not play a significant role in adherence between these bacteria and dendritic cells (DCs). Instead, phagocytosis of GC and E. coli by DCs is mediated by the DC-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-grabbing nonintegrin, (SIGN; CD209) receptor. DC-SIGN recognition and subsequent phagocytosis of GC are limited, however, to a lipooligosaccharide (LOS) mutant (lgtB) of GC. This conclusion is supported by experiments demonstrating that HeLa cells expressing human DC-SIGN (HeLa-DC-SIGN) bind exclusively to and engulf an lgtB mutant of GC, and this interaction is blocked specifically by an anti-DC-SIGN antibody. The experiments suggest that LOS variation may have evolved as a mechanism for GC to avoid phagocytosis by DCs.
Imatinib mesylate minimally affects bcr-abl+ and normal monocyte-derived dendritic cells but strongly inhibits T cell expansion despite reciprocal dendritic cell-T cell activation
Authors: Boissel Nicolas , Rousselot Philippe , Raffoux Emmanuel , Cayuela Jean-Michel , Soulier Jean , Mooney Nuala , Charron Dominique , Dombret Hervé , Toubert Antoine , Rea Delphine 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
In chronic myeloid leukemia, bcr-abl+ monocytes provide a unique opportunity to generate dendritic cells (DC) expressing a broad spectrum of leukemic antigens, and bcr-abl+ DC vaccines may allow immunological eradication of leukemic cells persisting under treatment with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib. However, the efficiency of bcr-abl+ DC vaccines will critically depend on the absence of deleterious effects of bcr-abl and of imatinib on DC functions. We show that bcr-abl+ monocytes, devoid of contamination of CD14low granulocytic precursors, differentiate into DC with typical immunophenotypical and functional features, and bcr-abl transcription decreases simultaneously. During differentiation, imatinib induces a slight increase of DC apoptosis and prevents CD1a up-regulation in a dose-dependent manner in bcr-abl+ and normal monocyte-derived DC, but at most, 25% of DC fail to acquire CD1a. When DC maturation is induced in the presence of imatinib, bcr-abl+ and normal monocyte-derived DC up-regulate major histocompatibility complex and costimulatory molecules, CC chemokine receptor 7 and CD83. However, secretion of interleukin-12p70 is decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Imatinib exposure of bcr-abl+ and normal monocyte-derived DC during differentiation and maturation is not detrimental to T cell immunostimulatory functions of DC. In sharp contrast, imatinib, when added to DC-T cell cultures, profoundly suppresses DC-mediated T cell proliferation, despite reciprocal DC-T cell activation attested by up-regulation of CD25 on T cells and of CD86 on DC. Our findings demonstrate that T cells, not normal or bcr-abl+ monocyte-derived DC, are major targets for imatinib immunomodulatory effects. It can be envisioned already that imatinib-free windows will be required to enable vaccination-induced, leukemia-specific T cell expansion.
Divergent expression and function of glucocorticoid receptor β in human monocytes and T cells
Authors: Li Ling-bo , Leung Donald Y M , Hall Clifton F , Goleva Elena 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
Glucocorticoid (GC) insensitivity is a significant problem in the treatment of immune-mediated diseases. The current study examined whether T cells and monocytes differed in their response to GC and the potential molecular basis for their variation in response to steroids. Functional studies revealed that dexamethasone (DEX) inhibited phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate/ionomycin-induced tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-6 production to a significantly lesser extent in monocytes than T cells. In parallel, a significantly longer period of time was required for DEX to induce the steroid-responsive gene, mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), in human monocytes as compared with T cells. It is interesting that such differences were not observed between murine T cells and monocytes. GC receptor β (GCRβ) is a splicing variant of the classic GCR, GCRα, which functions as a dominant-negative inhibitor of GCRα in humans, not mice (as mice do not express GCRβ mRNA as a result of a difference in the murine GCR 9b exon sequence). It was found that human monocytes had a significantly higher level of GCRβ than T cells. Furthermore, GCRβ was found in the cytoplasm and nucleus of monocytes, and GCRβ was localized to the nucleus of T cells. This raised the possibility that GCRβ in the cytoplasm could affect GCRα cellular shuttling in response to DEX. Indeed, we found that DEX-induced nuclear translocation of GCRα was decreased in monocytes as compared with T cells. Specific RNA silencing of GCRβ in human monocytes resulted in enhanced steroid-induced GCRα transactivation and transrepression. Our data suggest that GCRβ contributes to variation in the GC responses of monocytes versus T cells.
Intermolecular Potential Energy Functions for He–Ne, He–Ar, He–Kr, and He–Xe from the Corresponding States Viscosity
Authors: Maghari Ali , Behnejad Hassan 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
Intermolecular potential-energy functions are given for helium–heavier-noble gas interactions directly from the inversion of experimental reduced viscosity collision integrals obtained from the corresponding-states correlation. The results are in excellent agreement with the potentials proposed by L. J. Danielson and M. Keil.
Preparations, Structures, and Properties of Copper(II) Complexes with a New Tripodal Tetradentate Ligand, N-(2-Pyridylmethyl)bis(6-pivalamido-2-pyridylmethyl)amine, and Reactivities of the Cu(I) Complex with Dioxygen
Authors: Harata Manabu , Hasegawa Koji , Jitsukawa Koichiro , Masuda Hideki , Einaga Hisahiko 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
Copper complexes of a tripodal tetradentate ligand, N-(2-pyridylmethyl)bis(6-pivalamido-2-pyridylmethyl)amine (Hbppa), have been prepared as a model of metal centers of mononuclear copper enzymes; their structures and properties have been examined together with those having several secondary ligands by electronic absorption, ESR and FAB mass spectral, cyclic voltammetric, and X-ray diffraction methods. The complexes, [Cu(Hbppa)](ClO4)2 and [Cu(Hbppa)(N3)]ClO4·H2O, were obtained as single crystals, whose crystal structures revealed square-planar and trigonal-bipyramidal geometries, respectively. The electronic absorption and ESR spectra for the CuII(Hbppa)–X systems (X = no, Cl−, Br−, I−, N3−, and CH3COO−) allowed us to conclude that the complexes form several coordination geometries, such as square-planar, square-pyramidal, and trigonal-bipyramidal, depending upon the solvents (MeOH, MeCN). The redox potentials of [Cu(Hbppa)Cl]Cl in MeCN, THF, MeOH, and CH2Cl2 showed quasi-reversible CuI/CuII couples in the range of −0.056 — +0.085 V vs. Ag/AgCl at room temperature. The addition of dioxygen to the Cu(I)–Hbppa, which was prepared from [Cu(MeCN)4]PF6 and Hbppa (1 : 1) in EtCN at −78 °C, resulted in a graduate absorption spectral change with two well-separated absorption maxima at 665 (ε = 162 M−1 cm−1) and 837 nm (ε = 305 M−1 cm−1) and an intense band at 375 nm (ε = 641 M−1 cm−1) as a shoulder. Simultaneous ESR experiments of the same complex solution exhibited a silent spectrum, indicating that the complex is diamagnetic. A similar electronic absorption spectral change was observed in MeOH with absorption peaks at 387 nm (ε = 843 M−1 cm−1), 640 (ε = 183 M−1 cm−1) and 828 (ε = 289 M−1 cm−1), although the ESR spectrum did not continue to be completely silent. Increasing the temperature of the solution up to room temperature demonstrated the formation of [Cu(Hbppa)(OH)]− species, whose X-ray structure was [Cu(Hbppa)(OH)]PF6·H2O. The reaction of the [Cu(Hbppa)]ClO4–sodium benzoylformate system with dioxygen in DMF resulted in production of carbon dioxide and benzoic acid, as analyzed by GC and HPLC.
Complex Metal Halide Oxides (2). Layered Complex Metal Chloride Oxides Having the X1X2 Structure as Catalysts for the Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane
Authors: Lin Sui Wen , Kim Young Chul , Ueda Wataru 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
SrBi3O4Cl3 with the X1X2 structure, in which metal–oxygen sheets were separated by single chlorine layers and double chlorine layers alternately, has been prepared and tested as a catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane. SrBi3O4Cl3 crystallized in space-group I4/mmm with lattice parameters of a = 3.9370(1), c = 27.0177(7) Å. The structure was refined by a Rietveld analysis, which showed that between two Bi(1) and Bi(2) sites, the former being of Bi in the metal–oxygen sheet faced the single chlorine sheet and the later faced the double chlorine sheet, strontium ions occupied the Bi(2) site only, and did not occupy the Bi(1) site. The SrBi3O4Cl3 catalyst showed a good catalytic performance for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane. Particularly, a high selectivity to ethene of more than 90% was obtained. Based upon an investigation of the potential role of chlorine during the cource of the reaction, it was apparently shown that a role of surface chlorine species was important, rather than gas-phase chlorine, for the reaction. It is considered that the high selectivity to ethene can be attributed to the fact that the chlorine radical mechanism operates on the catalysts, and that the surface chlorine blocks the formation of active-oxygen species to prevent destructive oxidation reactions.
An Efficient Synthetic Method of 4-Penteneselenoamides: Four-Component Coupling Reaction of Terminal Acetylenes, Selenium, Amines, and Allylic Bromides
Authors: Murai Toshiaki , Ezaka Tatsuya , Kato Shinzi 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
The reaction of lithium alkyneselenolates generated from terminal acetylenes, butyllithium, and selenium with amines and allylic bromides proceeded smoothly in THF at 67 °C to give 4-penteneselenoamides in moderate to high yields. The reaction may proceed via selenoketene intermediates bearing an allylic group, followed by the attack of amines to give the products. Aliphatic and aromatic acetylenes, silylacetylene, and enynes were employed as terminal acetylenes. One molar amount of secondary amines was effective, whereas an excess of primary amines was necessary. The reactions with 2-butenyl bromide exhibited high regioselectivity, although they gave the stereoisomeric mixtures. The reactions of silyl ethers of propargylic alcohols gave α,β-unsaturated selenoamides as a product.
Amphiphilic Cycloinulohexaose: Preparation, Surface-Active Properties, and Complexing Abilities toward Various Metal Chlorides
Authors: Kida Toshiyuki , Inoue Yasuhiko , Zhang Wanbin , Nakatsuji Yohji , Ikeda Isao 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
Mono-6-O-acylated cycloinulohexaoses 1 and mono-6-O-alkylated cycloinulohexaoses 2 were prepareds by the reaction of cycloinulohexaose with long-chain acyl chlorides and long-chain alkyl bromides, respectively. These amphiphilic cycloinulohexaoses showed good water solubilities. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) of each amphiphilic compound, which was determined by a dye method, decreased along with an increase in the alkyl chain length. The micelle-forming ability of compound 2 was higher than that of compound 1 bearing the same carbon number in the hydrophobic part. The aggregation numbers of mono(6-O-tetradecanoyl)cycloinulohexaose 1b and mono(6-O-tetradecyl)cycloinulohexaose 2b, which were obtained with fluorescence measurements, were 4.8 and 6.5, respectively. The cmcs of compounds 1b and 2b were increased by the addition of either KCl, RbCl, or BaCl2, though they were decreased by the addition of LiCl or NaCl. These results indicate that compounds 1b and 2b complex with K+, Rb+, or Ba2+ in water, but negligibly with Li+ or Na+.
1-Phenyl-1-benzothiophenium Triflates by a Direct S-Phenylation with Diphenyliodonium Triflate
Authors: Kitamura Tsugio , Yamane Masakatsu , Zhang Bian-Xiang , Fujiwara Yuzo 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
A parent 1-phenyl-1-benzothiophenium triflate was prepared by a direct phenylation of 1-benzothiophene with diphenyliodonium triflate in the presence of a catalytic amount of copper(II) acetate. Various substituted 1-phenyl-1-benzothiophenium triflates were successfully prepared by this method. The possible mechanism for the copper-catalyzed direct S-phenylation is discussed.
Dynamic Stereochemistry of N-Phenyl-9-triptycylamine and Its N-Alkyl Derivatives
Authors: Yamamoto Gaku , Inoue Katsuya , Higuchi Hiroyuki , Yonebayashi Masami , Nabeta Yuki , Ojima Juro 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
In N-phenyl-9-triptycylamine (6), “gear rotation” (GR) and “isolated rotation” (IR) have almost the same free-energy barriers of ca. 45.2 kJ mol−1, while the nitrogen inversion is fast throughout the whole temperature range and thus the nitrogen is regarded as planar on the NMR timescale. In N-methyl-N-phenyl-9-triptycylamine (7), the internal motions are fast on the NMR time scale even at the lowest attainable temperature. In N-benzyl-N-phenyl-9-triptycylamine (8), the GR process has a free-energy barrier of ca. 36 kJ mol−1 and the passing of the benzyl group over an o-benzeno group has a higher barrier than GR. N-2-Biphenylyl-9-triptycylamine (9), which is obtained during the course of the synthesis of 6, shows a dynamic behavior presumably ascribable to GR with the free-energy barrier of 70 kJ mol−1.
Dynamic Molecular Reorientational Behavior Induced by Polarization Inversion of Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal
Authors: Kawasaki Manabu , Kikuchi Hirotsugu , Kajiyama Tisato 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
In order to clarify the rotational direction of molecular reorientation induced by a polarization inversion of ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC), an electric current along the direction perpendicular to both an electric field and the smectic layer normal was measured for the first time for the FLC cell with a thickness of 50 μm. The electric current curve against time upon the application of an a.c. electric field with a form of triangular wave exhibited a peak attributed to a polarization inversion. The sign of the electric current peak value was inverted by the polarity inversion of an electric field, indicating that the LC molecules rotate in the same direction on the tilt cone upon polarity inversion, that is one-way rotation. The same result was given by polarizing optical microscope observation of the director change during the polarization inversion in a free-standing film. This result differs from that for a surface-stabilized FLC cell.
Numerical Coupled Liouville Approach: Application to Nonperturbative Second Hyperpolarizability of a Molecular Aggregate
Authors: Nakano Masayoshi , Yamaguchi Kizashi 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
In our previous paper (Int. J. Quant. Chem., in press1)) we discussed a novel numerical calculation scheme for the dynamics of a quantum network for linear molecular aggregates under time-dependent electric fields. The population and polarizability spectra for dimer models were found to exhibit a change, like a phase-transition behavior, for applied field intensities. In the present work we apply this method to a calculation of nonperturbative second hyperpolarizability γ of a dimer model and investigate the dependence of γ on the field intensity.
Analysis of Ion Association Reaction between Crown Ether Complexes of Alkali Metal Ions and Hydrophobic Anions by Capillary Zone Electrophoresis
Authors: Takayanagi Toshio , Iwachido Tadashi , Motomizu Shoji 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
Reaction equilibria in liquid–liquid distributions of alkali metals as crown ether complexes were clarified. The reactions and their equilibria of interest are the complex formation, the ion association of the complexes with the pairing anions in an aqueous solution, and the distribution of the formed ion associates to the organic phase. A capillary-electrophoretic method was proposed for the analysis of the equilibria in an aqueous solution. By using this method, complex formation and ion association in an aqueous solution were studied by electrophoretic mobility measurement, which was done in reactant systems consisted of alkali metal ion, dibenzo-18-crown-6, and picrate or perchlorate ion by capillary zone electrophoresis. Complex formation constants obtained agreed with the reported values obtained by the solubility measurement, and the ion association equilibria between the metal complexes and pairing anions were for the first time analyzed in this study. The reactivity of complex formation in the aqueous solution was in the order of K+ &gt; Na+ &gt; Rb+ &gt; Cs+ &gt; Li+, and the ion associability with picrate ion was in the order of Na+ &gt; K+. By using the ion association constants and the extraction constants, distribution coefficients of the ion associates between an aqueous and a benzene phase were calculated.