bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Overview on community legislation in the field of official control of mycotoxins in feedingstuffs
Authors: Verardi Giuseppe , De Froidmont‐Görtz Isabelle 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe Community legislation currently in force identifies a group of substances whose presence in feedingstuffs is undesirable. For each one of these substances, acceptable maximum levels have been fixed. The compliance with these levels in feedingstuffs must be checked by Community sampling and analysis methods. In the specific case of the aflatoxins, analytical methods, based on thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), have been adopted by directive. Another directive has established a general sampling method. The practice, however, has shown that it is not applicable to very large batches where the distribution of the contaminants is not homogeneous. A small group of experts of the Commission reached the conclusion that in the future Community legislation, it will be appropriate: i) to divide the undesirable substances in two groups (substances with homogeneous and non‐homogeneous distribution); ii) to adopt two different strategies for the cargoes “at risk” and “not at risk”; iii) to have methods of sampling, preparation, and analysis which are fast, reliable, easy to apply, and recognized at the international level. These experts proposed adaptations in the directive on “Sampling,” in the case of large vessels, but suggested at the same time deferring any decision to the near future. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of microcystin‐lr on actin and the actin‐associated proteins α‐actinin and talin in hepatocytes
Authors: Ghosh Sushmita , Khan Safdar All , Wickstrom Mark , Beasley Val 
Published: October 2006

AbstractMicrocystin‐LR (MCLR) is a commonly encountered blue‐green algal hepatotoxin and a known inhibitor of cellular protein phosphatase types 1 and 2A. The toxin causes alterations in, and redistribution of, intermediate filaments, microtubules, and actin microfilaments (MFs) in affected cells. In this study, the effect of MCLR on the sequence of alterations in MFs and actin‐associated proteins (AAPs) of isolated hepatocytes was examined in an effort to determine whether morphologic changes induced in MFs by microcystins are a result of prior dislocation of AAPs. We studied the effects of MCLR exposure on α‐actinin and talin, two AAPs that play a role in the orientation of the MFs. Primary hepatocytes were incubated with 10 μM MCLR for 0‐64 min. The distribution of actin, α‐actinin, and talin were examined using fluorescence microscopy. MCLR induced similar changes in the distribution of actin and the AAPs. Actin filament redistribution was first observed after 12 min of MCLR exposure, and was characterized by detachment of MFs from the cell periphery, followed by condensation at distinct focal points and progressive collapse into the interior of affected cells. Changes in α‐actinin and talin distribution were first observed after 20 min of toxin exposure. The AAPs appeared to detach from focal contacts on the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane, condense into cytoplasmic aggregates, and ultimately collapse into a juxtanuclear bundle. The results of this study indicate that, in hepatocytes exposed to MCLR, the collapse of actin MFs occurs prior to the dislocation of α‐actinin and talin. Changes in these actin associated proteins are not likely to account for the initial changes in actin MFs. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Are terfenadine and astemizole non‐sedative antihistamine compounds? A meta‐analysis
Authors: Delargy P. , Po A. Li Wan 
Published: October 2006

AbstractObjective: To assess the likelihood of astemizole and terfenadine inducing drowsiness compared with placebo in the light of recent reports that these antihistamines are not necessarily drowsiness‐free.Method: Meta‐analysis was used to analyse data obtained from a search of the reports of trials of terfenadine, astemizole and chlorpheniramine. The latter was included as a positive control.Results: Of the 284 trials screened, 229 were unsuitable for detailed analysis for various reasons, including use of concomitant medication, lack of pertinent information and duplicate publication. Fifty five trials contained the necessary details, 18 of these were cross‐over trials and 37 parallel group trials. Our analyses suggest that the design used had an effect on the incidence of drowsiness reported. Both astemizole and terfenadine were no more likely than placebo to induce drowsiness. The Mantel‐Haenszel pooled odds ratio (ORMH) and confidence interval (CI) for terfenadine were ORMH = 1.01; CI = [0.64, 1.57] for the parallel group trials. The astemizole data were too sparse for pooling with largely zero incidence rates. Chlorpheniramine was clearly sedative (ORMH = 4.07; CI = [2.25, 7.36] 95%).In the cross‐over trials, none of the three antihistamines induced more drowsiness than a placebo, thus suggesting that such trials may mask potential subjective adverse effects.Conclusion: Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that astemizole and terfenadine are essentially non‐sedative antihistamine compounds, while chlorpheniramine is sedative. Care should be exercised when evaluating potentially subjective adverse effects and trial design should be considered as a possible confounding factor.
Further validation of information recorded on a general practitioner based computerized data resource in the united kingdom
Authors: Jick Hershel , Terris Barbara Z. , Derby Laura E. , Jick Susan S. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractStudies have been carried out to evaluate the quality and completeness of the data recorded by GPs on VAMP computers for the purpose of carrying out drug safety studies. In an earlier study of 58 practices we found that clinical diagnoses reflecting the diagnoses noted in the consultant letters were present on the computer 87% of the time. We have now evaluated a further 35 practices. Agreement between the information in the consultant letter and that on the computer was present in 121 of 126 (96%) instances.
Trinational case–control study of oral contraceptives and health
Authors: Spitzer Walter O. , Thorogood Margaret , Heinemann Lothar 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe collaboration of Dr Neil Poulter and Professor Michael Marmot, both of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London Medical School, was crucial for the preparation of the present research protocol. In particular, we made extensive use of a protocol prepared by Dr Poulter and Professor Marmot for the World Health Organization, entitled ‘WHO multicentre case–control study of cardiovascular disease and steroid hormone use’ during the feasibility study carried out in 1991.
Reporting of adverse drug reactions in relation to general medical admissions to a teaching hospital in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Thomas Y. K. , Critchley Julian A. J. H. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn Hong Kong, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are rarely reported. We tried to improve the reporting of ADRs in our medical unit at the Prince of Wales Hospital by promoting the scheme at our regular unit meetings and by including report forms at the time of admission in the case notes of all patients admitted to two general medical wards. Registrars and interns based in these wards were requested to report all ADRs by filling in standard report forms. The hospital records of these patients were then reviewed by one investigator with two aims: (1) to assess the proportions of ADRs being reported; (2) to determine how good junior staff are in reporting ADRs. During a 2‐month period in 1992, 430 patients were reviewed. A total of 122 ADRs were present in 98 patients either at the time of admission (n = 66) or after admission (n = 56), and of these, only six (5 per cent) were correctly reported. The diagnosis was either missed or wrong in 29 cases, which represent 24 per cent of the total number of ADRs. The remaining 71 per cent of ADRs were totally ignored. Possible ways to improve the reporting of ADRs in hospital are discussed.
Synthesis and photopolymerization of new dental monomers from o‐hydroxyaryl phosphonates
Authors: Sahin Gorkem , Albayrak Aylin Ziylan , Sarayli Zeynep , Avci Duygu 
Published: October 2006

AbstractNovel aromatic mono‐ and diphosphonate monomers based on t‐butyl α‐bromomethacrylate were prepared for use in dental composites. The synthesis of the two monomers involved three steps: the reaction of diethyl phosphite with phenol or hydroquinone, the rearrangement of the resulting phosphate derivatives into o‐hydroxyaryl phosphonates with lithium diisopropylamide, and the reaction of o‐hydroxyaryl phosphonates with t‐butyl α‐bromomethacrylate. Then, the selective hydrolysis of the t‐butyl ester groups of the monomers with trifluoroacetic acid gave the other carboxylic acid containing monomers. The photopolymerization behaviors of the synthesized monomers with glycerol dimethacrylate and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate were investigated with photodifferential scanning calorimetry at 40 °C with 2,2′‐dimethoxy‐2‐phenyl acetophenone as the photoinitiator. The hydrolysis of the t‐butyl groups of the monomers increased the reactivity and the rates of polymerization of the monomers. The mixtures of the acid monomers showed rates of polymerizations similar to those of homopolymerizations of triethylene glycol dimethacrylate and glycerol dimethacrylate. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6775–6781, 2006
Anti‐stress activity of sitoindosides VII and VIII, new acylsterylglucosides from Withania somnifera
Authors: Bhattacharya Salil K. , Goel Raj K. , Kaur Ravinder , Ghosal Shibnath 
Published: October 2006

AbstractTwo new acylsterylglucosides, sitoindoside VII and sitoindoside VIII, were isolated from the roots of Withania somnifera Dun., and were screened for putative anti‐stress activity because the plant is widely regarded as the ‘Indian Ginseng’ by practitioners of the traditional Indian system of medicine. Since an acceptable paradigm of pharmacological tests for anti‐stress screening has yet to be evolved, a battery of tests were employed to delineate the activity of the test compounds.The total MeOH‐H2O (1:1) extractives of the roots of W. somnifera (SG‐1) and equimolecular combination of sitoindosides VII, VIII and withaferin‐A, a common withanolide, (SG‐2), exhibited significant anti‐stress activity in all the test parameters used. The two sitoindosides also produced per se anti‐stress activity, which was potentiated by withaferin‐A. A preliminary acute toxicity study indicated that the compounds have a low order of acute toxicity. The anti‐stress activity of SG‐1 and SG‐2 is consonant with the therapeutic use of W. somnifera in the Ayurveda, the Indian system of medicine.
Hypocholesterolaemic and hypotriglyceridaemic effects of subfractions from fenugreek seeds in alloxan diabetic dogs
Authors: Ribes G. , Da Costa C. , Loubatières‐Mariani M. M. , Sauvaire Y. , Baccou J. C. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe hypocholesterolaemic and hypotriglyceridaemic properties of fenugreek seed subfractions were studied in alloxan diabetic dogs. These subfractions were added to the diet of animals for 21 days. Subfraction a containing testa + endosperm (fibres 79.4%) induced a clear reduction in hyperglycaemia and in elevated plasma cholesterol levels. Subfraction b containing cotyledons + axis (proteins 52.8%, saponins 7.2%) caused a diminution in elevated plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels. No beneficial effect was observed with subfraction P (proteins 70.50%). Subfraction S (saponins 22.2%) induced, like subfraction b, a reduction in hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia of the diabetic dogs without inducing significant changes in HDL cholesterol concentrations. Our results show that the hypolipidaemic effects of fenugreek seeds are due to the fraction rich in fibres (hypocholesterolaemic effect) and to the fraction rich in saponins (hypocholesterolaemic and hypotriglyceridaemic effects).
Effects of baicalein on leukotriene C4 biosynthesis in human lymphocytes
Authors: Kimura Yoshiyuki , Okuda Hiromichi , Arichi Shigeru 
Published: October 2006

AbstractStudies were made on the effects of baicalein (5,6,7‐trihydroxyflavone) on leukotriene C4 (LTC4) biosynthesis by calcium ionophore A 23187 in human lymphocytes. Baicalein inhibited calcium ionophore‐induced LTC4 biosynthesis in human lymphocytes. The concentration of baicalein required for 50% inhibition (IC50) of LTC4 formation was 4.3 × 10−7 M.
Spasmolytic activity of Thymus membranaceus essential oil
Authors: Zarzuelo A. , Navarro C. , Crespo M. E. , Ocete M. A. , Jiménez J. , Cabo J. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe spasmolytic activity of Thymus membranaceus essential oil in the duodenum isolated from rat has been investigated. The qualitative and quantitative composition of the essential oil was studied. The essential oil affects the duodenum in two ways, showing a spasmogenic action (due to 1,8‐cineole) and, on the other hand, an antagonistic non‐competitive effect against the contractions by acetylcholine (due to the phenols and hydrocarbons).
Antiarrhythmic and local anaesthetic actions of the anti‐ascaris fraction of the ethanolic extract of the bark of Polyadoa umbellata—Dalziel (erin‐yoruba)
Authors: Onuaguluchi G. , Ihekwaba A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe anti‐ascaris fraction of the ethanolic extract of the bark of Polyadoa umbellata (erin) was shown to possess definite antiarrhythmic activity superior to that of lignocaine. Erin protected toads against death due to the minimum dose of ouabain which caused 100% mortality. The therapeutic indices for erin and lignocaine were 5.6 and 3.16 respectively. It was, however, not possible to achieve more than 60% protection with lignocaine and therefore the safety factor (SF) in respect of lignocaine could not be determined. The SF for erin was 0.7. Erin at 60 mg/kg (i.v.) caused BaCl‐induced ventricular dysrhythmia/tachycardia to revert to sinus rhythm in five out of ten rats. Lignocaine at 6 mg/kg (i.v.) achieved this in three out of ten rats. Although lignocaine was about ten times more potent than erin in this regard, it was found from acute toxicity studies in mice to be about 18 times more toxic than erin.Using the guinea‐pig wheal preparation for the determination of the degree of infiltration anaesthesia, lignocaine was found to be about 22 times more potent than erin. However using the rabbit corneal reflex preparation, lignocaine was only 4.5 times more potent than erin as a surface anaesthetic agent.
Central actions of adenosine, a nucleotide of Ganoderma lucidum
Authors: Kasahara Yoshimasa , Hikino Hiroshi 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn order to isolate an active constituent from the central inhibitory Ganoderma extract, an activity‐guided fractionation was performed to yield adenosine. Adenosine reduced spontaneous motor activity, elevated pain threshold, prolonged the death time induced by caffeine and relaxed skeletal muscle in mice.
Effect of bacosides A and B on avoidance responses in rats
Authors: Singh H. K. , Rastogi R. P. , Srimal R. C. , Dhawan B. N. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe nerve tonic activity of Bacopa monniera has been attributed to two saponins named Bacosides A and B. In the present investigation, Bacosides A and a mixture of the two saponins were used as aqueous suspensions. In the shock motivated brightness discrimination reaction a single oral dose of 10 mg/kg, 90 min prior to training, significantly reduced the time per trial, increased the number of positive responses and enhanced the relearning index. Similar effects were also observed in the relearning trial, but it was necessary to give a second dose 90 min prior to testing. In the active conditioned avoidance test 10 mg/kg p.o. given every alternate day significantly reduced the reaction time from the day 4 onward as well as the number of days of training. In the conditioned taste aversion response the bacosides produced a significant decrease in the lithium chloride intake. This effect was dose related in the range of 2.5–7.5 mg/kg p.o.Bacosides appear to be promising compounds having facilitatory effect on mental retention capacity by improving responses with positive as well as negative reinforcement.
Reduced levels of glutathione in liver and tumour tissue of the mouse after administration of eupatoriopicrin
Authors: Woerdenbag H. J. , Malingré Th. M. , Lemstra W. , Konings A. W. T. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn this study the effect of the cytostatic acting sesquiterpene lactone eupatoriopicrin, isolated from Eupatorium cannabinum L., on gluthathione (GSH) levels in liver and tumour tissue of the mouse is described. C57Bl mice, bearing a solidly growing Lewis Lung carcinoma or a FIO 26 fibrosarcoma, with a volume between 500–1000 μL, were injected with eupatoriopicrin 20 or 40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.) or intravenously (i.v.). At different time points, between 0–48 h after administration, the GSH content in liver and tumour tissue was determined. A dose dependent reduction of the GSH content was found. No difference in reduction was seen between i.p. and i.v. administration, but the route of administration appeared to be of great importance regarding acute toxicity: 40 mg/kg i.p. was lethal within 48 h, whereas mice receiving the same dose i.v. survived for over three months.
In vitro cytotoxicity of sesquiterpene lactones from Eupatorium cannabinum L. and semi‐synthetic derivatives from eupatoriopicrin
Authors: Woerdenbag H. J. , Hendriks H. , Malingré Th. M. , van Stralen R. , van den Berg K. J. , Konings A. W. T. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn this study 13 semi‐synthetic derivatives were prepared from the sesquiterpene lactone eupatoriopicrin, with the aim of obtaining compounds that are more active than eupatoriopicrin, and to give more insight into structure–activity relationships. The compounds were screened for cytotoxicity in vitro against the tumour cell lines EAT, P388, FIO 26, L5178Y(s) (murine) and HeLa (human). Cytotoxicity was compared with the germacranolides eupatoriopicrin, 5′‐dehydroxy eupatoriopicrin (‘compound 1’), hiyodorilactone E, eupatolide and eucannabinolide from Eupatorium cannabinum L. and with the eudesmanolides alantolactone and isoalantolactone from Inula helenium L. Acetalization of both hydroxyl groups in the ester side chain of eupatoriopicrin with acetone enhanced cytotoxicity 2–7‐fold. Introduction of bulky groups, such as alkyl groups with a longer carbon chain and (halogenated) acetophenone derivatives, via acetalization, reversed the enhancement. Oxidation at the germacrane ring structure of eupatoriopicrin acetonide, yielding an alcohol or an epoxy derivative, affected cytotoxicity adversely.
Positive inotropic action and conformation difference of lupin alkaloids in isolated cardiac muscle of guinea pig and bullfrog
Authors: Kimura Masayasu , Kimura Ikuko , Chui Li‐Hua , Okuda Shigenobu 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe cardiac effects of the lupin alkaloids, matrine (Mat), allomatrine (Amat), oxymatrine (Omat), sophoridine (Sori) and sophoramine (Sora) were compared in guinea‐pig papillary muscle stimulated electrically and in isolated perfused bullfrog heart. Mat (0.4–2.4 mM), Amat (0.41–6.5 mM), Sori (0.68–6.3 mM) and Sora (0.61–6.5 mM) possessed positive inotropic effects, but not Omat (4.84 mM). The relative intrinsic activity was Amat>Mat>Sora>Sori. The effects of lupin alkaloids on isoproterenol (Isp)‐or Ca2+‐induced contraction were also tested in guinea‐pig papillary muscle. Mat, Amat, Sori and Sora, but not Omat, at a concentration (0.4 mM) inducing less or no inotropic effect, shifted the concentration‐response curves for Isp to the left and/or upward, and the maximal response of the concentration‐response curve for Ca2+ was only increased by Sora and Mat. The cardiotonic effects of lupin alkaloids were composed of: (1) potentiation of isoproterenol‐induced positive inotropic effects at low concentrations; and (2) a direct positive inotropic action at high concentrations. As the lupin alkaloids have similar chemical structures but different steric configurations, their patterns of cardiotonic actions were clearly different.
Inhibition of cell growth and macromolecule biosynthesis of human promyelocytic leukemic cells by acridone alkaloids
Authors: Chou Ting‐Chao , Tzeng Cherng‐Chyi , Wu Tian‐Shung , Watanabe Kyoichi A. , Su Tsann‐Long 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAcridone alkaloids of plants indigenous to the Orient were isolated and purified, and their chemical structures were determined. A total of 50 acridones and their synthetic derivatives were subjected to rapid screening for inhibition of macromolecular synthesis using radiolabeled precursors of DNA, RNA and protein. These compounds were then studied to examine cell growth inhibition of human promyelocytic leukemic cells (HL‐60). Cytotoxicity was studied using the trypan blue exclusion method. Of 50 compounds evaluated for cell growth inhibition, 12 compounds showed IC50<10 μM; 12 compounds, 10‐20 μM; 8 compounds, 20‐100 μM; and 18 compounds, >100 μM.
Effect of aqueous extract of Adenia cissampeloides on blood pressure and serum analytes of hypertensive patients
Authors: Nyarko Alex A. , Addy Marian E. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSeven female hypertensive subjects, being treated with an aqueous extract of Adenia cissampeloides, (‘Adenia’), and seven weight‐, age‐ and sex‐matched hypertensive subjects about to begin treatment, were used to evaluate the therapeutic and possible toxic effects of this herbal preparation which is used at the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSRPM), to control hypertension. Measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressures were recorded, and serum levels of α‐hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) were determined to give an indication of the effectiveness of ‘Adenia’ as an anti‐hypertensive agent. Serum levels of γ‐glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, proteins and cholesterol were used to indicate possible liver damage, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine and creatinine clearance rate were determined for the assessment of possible nephrotoxicity. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in subjects on ‘Adenia’ compared to the control subjects not on ‘Adenia’. (p <0.01). HBDH and CK, were lower in the patients on ‘Adenia’, but the differences were not statistically significant. Levels of total and conjugated bilirubin were significantly lower in the subjects on ‘Adenia’, (P < 0.05). The plant preparation appears not to have hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic effects.
Plants as sources of antimalarial drugs. Part 7. Activity of some species of meliaceae plants and their constituent limonoids
Authors: Bray D. H. , Warhurst D. C. , Connolly J. D. , O'Neill M. J. , Phillipson J. D. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractCrude extracts of three species of the Meliaceae family used traditionally as febrifuges (Azadirachta indica, Cedrela odorata, Guarea multiflora), together with 27 limonoids extracted from the meliaceous plants were evaluated for their in vitro antimalarial activity against chloroquine resistant K1 strain of Plasmodium falciparum. None of the extracts tested showed high antiplasmodial activity and only five compounds were found to be moderately active (IC50 values: 0.72–3.11 μ/mL). The most active limonoid, gedunin, of low in vitro cytotoxicity did not inhibit P. berghei in a 4 day test in mice (at the dose of 90 mg/kg/day, s.c. and i.p., no toxicity observed). Meliaceous plants may not exert their activity solely via direct action against malaria parasites, and the beneficial therapeutic effects claimed by patients might be due to the antiinnflammatory and immunomodulating activities recently described for these plants.