bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Worldwide regulations for mycotoxins in 1994
Authors: van Egmond Hans P. , Dekker Wybo H. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSince the discovery of the aflatoxins in the 1960s, regulations have been established in many countries to protect the consumer from harmful effects of mycotoxins that may contaminate foodstuffs. Various factors play a role in the decision‐making process of setting limits for mycotoxins. These include scientific factors such as availability of survey data, toxicological data, analytical methodology, and knowledge about the distribution of mycotoxins in contaminated commodities. Economical and political factors such as commercial interests and sufficiency of food supply have their impact as well.International enquiries on existing mycotoxin regulation in foodstuffs and animal feedstuffs have been carried out several times in the 1980s and details about tolerances, legal bases, responsible authorities, official protocols of analysis and sampling have been published. The most recent enquiry is currently taking place as part of a contract with the Food and Agriculture Organization. At least 77 countries now have regulations for mycotoxins. An overview is presented of the tentative results of this enquiry, including frequency distributions of existing tolerances for aflatoxins and current trends. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A lethal protein toxin (toxin‐PC) from the Indian catfish (Plotosus canius, Hamilton) venom
Authors: Auddy Biswajit , Muhuri Dilip C. , Alam Mohammad I. , Gomes Antony 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIsolation and purification of a lethal protein toxin from the Indian catfish Plotosus canius, Hamilton, venom is described. The purification procedure involved ammonium sulfate precipitation of crude venom followed by DEAE‐ion exchange chromatography. The purified toxin (toxin‐PC) was homogeneous on one‐dimensional PAGE and PAS‐negative, and had a molecular weight 15 Kd. Toxin‐PC was lethal (LD50 225 μg/kg, intravenous, in mice) and cardiotoxic, having neuromuscular blocking activity. Toxin‐PC produced cardiac arrest on isolated toad and guinea pig hearts. Prior administration of atropine and propanolol failed to counteract toxin activity on isolated heart preparations. On isolated chick biventer cervicis, toxin‐PC produced total blockage of electrically‐induced twitch response without affecting carbachol‐ and acetylcholineinduced contraction. The tension developed by the muscle was Ca++ ion‐dependent. Neuromuscular blocking time was reduced when K++ ion concentration was increased in the medium. Antiserum raised against toxin‐PC failed to antagonize lethal activity of toxin‐PC in mice. Toxin‐PC probably represents a major toxic component of catfish venom (P. canius), and was responsible for the pathophysiological changes. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pilot study on the plasma pharmacokinetics of fumonisin B1 in cows following a single dose by oral gavage or intravenous administration
Authors: Prelusky Dan B. , Savard Marc E. , Trenholm H. Locksley 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe pharmacokinetic fate of the mycotoxin fumonisin B1, (FB1) was investigated using 4 Holstein cows. Two animals each were administered FB1, intravenously (0.05 or 0.20 mg kg−1) and by oral gavage (1.0 or 5.0 mg kg−1). Blood samples were collected at specific time intervals over 12 hr postdosing, then daily for 13 more days, and analyzed for FB1, the hydroxylated aminopental metabolite, and their conjugates. Following intravenous dosing, the plasma‐concentration profile of FB1 underwent a very rapid biexponential decrease, with toxin concentrations falling below detectable levels by 120 min postdosing. No known metabolites were detected in plasma. The similarity in pharmacokinetic parameters between the lowand high‐dose animals suggests that FB, distribution and elimination from blood was not dose‐dependent at these levels of toxin administration. Following oral administration of the toxin, no FB1 or known metabolites could be found in the plasma, indicating no or very limited bioavailability in ruminants.The effects of FB1, on plasma‐free sphinganine (Sa) and free sphingosine (So) concentrations were also determined. Following oral gavage at either dose, no effects on plasma sphingolipid concentration or Sa/So ratio were noted beyond typical daily variations. At the low intravenous dose (0.05 mg kg−1), changes in Sa or So concentrations were also not apparent. However, following intravenous administration at the higher dose (0.20 mg kg−1), the plasma Sa/So ratio was increased marginally in the one dosed cow, due essentially to a transient increase in Sa concentrations, which rose by approximately 60‐65% over average predose levels; So levels remained relatively constant. Published 1995 Wiley‐Liss, inc.
Natural co‐occurrence of Fusarium toxins and aflatoxin B1 in com for feed in North Vietnam
Authors: Wang Dian‐Sheng , Liang Yi‐Xin , Chau Nguyen Thuy , Dien Le Doan , Tanaka Toshttsugu , Ueno Yoshio 
Published: October 2006

AbstractNatural occurrence of Fusarium mycotoxins (trichothecenes and fumonisins) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) were surveyed in 32 com samples, harvested in 1993 and randomly sampled in 1994 in several districts of Hanoi, Vietnam. Com samples were first milled into fine powder, extracted with methanol‐water (3:1) and the crude extracts obtained from the same samples were used for the simultaneous analysis of the trichothecenes such as nivalenbl (NIV), deoxynivalenol (DON), and T‐2 toxin (T‐2) by gas chromatosraphy/mass spectrometry (GC/NS); fumonisins B1 (FB1), B2 (FB2), and B3 (FB3) by hish‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a flourescence detector; and AFB1 by and ELISA kit based on a monoclonal antibody. The data revealed that 14,8,4,3, and 2 out of 15 com kernel samples were positive for AFB1, FB1, FB2, FB3, and NIV with the average levels being 28, 1,101, 276, 232, and 858 ppb, respectively, and neither DON nor T‐2 were detected. As for the other 17 samples of com powder, 13, 15, 12, 10, 4, and 2 were positive for AFB1, FB1, FB2, FB3, DON, and NV with the average being 30, 780, 289, 176, 3, 170, and 1,365 ppb, respectively, and T‐2 was not detected.Although their positive rates and levels fell in the ranges reported elsewhere, it was found for the first time that the Fusarium toxins (NIV, DON, and fumonisins) and an Aspergillus toxin (AFB1) were naturally cocontaminated in selected samples of com produced in north Vietnam. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Changes in primary care prescribing in the northern region UK: 1989–1992
Authors: Roberts Sarah J. , Bateman D. Nicholas , Smith James M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractPrescribing rates for the Family Health Service Authorities (FHSAs) of the Northern region were studied for the period June 1989–September 1992. Over three years the total number of items prescribed in the region rose by 13 per cent, and costs rose by 39 per cent. Trends within individual leading British National Formulary (BNF) chapters were different. The number of endocrine items increased substantially faster than average (45 per cent, over three years); gastro‐intestinal (GI) items also showed an above average rise; central nervous system (CNS) and infections items rose by only 6–8 per cent. In terms of cost, there were major rises for both endocrine (89 per cent) and CNS (62 per cent) drugs, but musculoskeletal (MS) prescribing costs were nearly static (+5 per cent). These trends were similar across the nine FHSAs in the Northern region. Significant upturns in the prescribing trends for CNS and endocrine drugs occurred in early 1992 leading to the high overall increases already noted.Despite the pressure for conformity associated with changes in the funding of general practitioners' prescribing budgets, the differences between FHSAs in their absolute prescribing rates have largely remained. Within each therapeutic group the rankings of FHSAs have also shown surprising consistency. Whether these observations are attributable to fundamental differences in patient populations, or merely the consequence of inertia with respect to historic rates, is debatable. The reasons can only be properly determined by focused investigation of data linking prescribing and patient demographics.
Asymptomatic abnormal liver function tests in clinical trials
Authors: Stephens M. D. B. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThere are many sources of asymptomatic abnormal liver function tests in clinical trials other than hepatotoxicity. It is, therefore, important to identify these sources by looking at the patient's past and present medical history for diseases or activities that may cause these abnormalities, study the degree and duration of the abnormality and the ratio of the different parameters to see whether they are consistent with the hypothesis that the drug is not hepatotoxic and that another cause is more likely.Diseases and activities that can cause these abnormalities are given and methods of analysis outlined. There is no good evidence that abnormal liver function tests are predictive of hepatotoxicity.
Development of the quality‐of‐life questionnaires for use in Thailand: Translation and reliability test
Authors: Kongpatanakul Supornchai , Komoltri Chulaluk , Strom Brian L. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn preparation for a clinical trial to be performed in Thailand, a study was undertaken to evaluate the reliability of a Thai version of the General Well‐Being Adjustment Scale (GWB) and Physical Symptoms Distress Index (PSDI) questionnaires previously used in an important US clinical trial of the effects of antihypertensive therapy on quality‐of‐life. Included were 46 consecutive patients with no major clinical complaints, attending general internal medicine clinic for regular follow‐up. Those who might have a significant alteration in their clinical course, e.g. change of medications, were not included. Thai version questionnaires were first translated, back‐translated, and assessed for cultural equivalence to the original version. Questionnaires were then completed by the patients twice, 7 days apart, and then a third time during the same day as the second administration. The item numbers on the third set of questionnaires were randomly reassigned to minimize patients' recall of their previous response. Internal consistency, intra‐day reliability, and inter‐day reliability of each subscale of GWB and the total PSDI questionnaires were analysed using the Cronbach's alpha and intra‐class correlation coefficients. Items in the General Health subscale of the GWB showed somewhat low internal consistency. However, for whole instruments, all parameters showed satisfactory results; the internal consistency of the whole GWB range from 0.90 to 0.93 for the three tests. Inter‐day and intra‐day reliability were 0.78 and 0.95, respectively. For the Thai version of PSDI questionnaires, internal consistencies were over 0.80 for all tests while inter‐day reliability was 0.78 and intra‐day reliability was 0.93. In conclusion, the Thai version of both questionnaires appeared to be reliable. Further study of the criterion validity of the questionnaires, however, is still needed before they can be used more broadly in Thailand.
Adverse drug reaction reporting: Opinions and attitudes of medical practitioners in Ireland
Authors: McGettigan P. , Feely J. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractDespite the critical role of adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting in ensuring the safety of drugs in clinical practice, fewer than 10% of such reactions are reported. We analysed the views of 207 doctors in Ireland and, although well disposed towards reporting, most doctors (97%) were uncertain about the reporting criteria of the regulatory agency, the National Drugs Advisory Board (NDAB), and unclear as to the purposes of the reporting scheme. The unavailability of report forms (52%) or the address of the NDAB (28%), together with being too busy or unsure how to report were identified as major deterrents to reporting. There was general agreement about the factors important in the decision to report—seriousness of the reaction, an unusual reaction or a reaction to a new product. Almost 90% of doctors requested guidelines on reporting and regular bulletins on ADRs. Our survey indicates that doctors need ongoing education and information about this important area of drug safety if the benefits of their positive attitudes towards it are to be realized.
The schizontocidal activity of Spathodea campanulata leaf extract on Plasmodium berghei berghei in mice
Authors: Makinde J. M. , Adesogan E. K. , Amusan O. O. G. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractEffects of extracts of Spathodea campanulata on Plasmodium berghei berghei in mice have been investigated. Schizontocidal activity of the plant in blood was determined on both the early and established infections. The repository action of the plant was also investigated. Chloroquine and pyrimethamine were used as reference drugs. The alcoholic extract of the leaves of the plant demonstrated antiplasmodial activity. The plant extract was more effective in treating the early infection than the established one. This report provides scientific data for the use of the aqueous alcoholic decoction of the leaves of Spathodea campanulata for the treatment of malaria.
Acetylcholine and choline in common spices
Authors: Haranath P. S. R. K. , Akther M. H. , Sharif S. I. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAqueous extracts obtained from seven commonly used spices (cardamon, coriander, cumin, black pepper, red pepper, anise and fennel) showed cholinomimetic effects when tested on rat blood pressure, rat jejunum and frog rectus abdominis preparations. This effect was observed mostly when the spices were roasted. Chemical estimation using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of large amounts of acetylcholine and its precursor choline.
Guar‐enriched pasta and guar gum in the dietary treatment of type II diabetes
Authors: Briani G. , Bruttomesso D. , Bilardo G. , Giorato C. , Duner E. , Iori E. , Sgnaolin E. , Pedrini P. , Tiengo A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractGuar gum in two forms of preparation decreased post‐prandial glycemic profiles in patients when compared to controls. No differences were observed between the two guar gum preparations and no significant changes were exhibited in the FFA, lactate or pyruvate areas. From IRI and C‐peptide curves the preparations containing guar gum produced slower and later responses when compared to controls. 30% of patients reported diarrhea after consumption of one guar gum preparation and 60% of patients found that one preparation was not palatable whereas the other preparation was considered to be pleasant.
Immunomodulators from plants and fungi
Authors: Bomford R. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThis discovery of the regulation of the immune response by hormone‐like proteins (lymphokines) offers opportunities for the search for novel and specific immunomodulators through new screening procedures; it has also assisted the analysis of the mechanism of action of established immunomodulators. This is illustrated by reference to a range of immunomodulators of plant or fungal origin, chosen for the recent progress in the understanding of their mechanism of action, or their potential clinical importance. These are the vaccine adjuvant saponin, the non‐specific immunostimulators lentinan and krestin (fungal polysaccharides) and bestatin (a fungal peptide) and the immunosuppressive fungal peptide cyclosporin A.
Pharmacological actions of the gut active principles in Croton penduliflorus hutch. Seed on isolated smooth and skeletal muscles and on blood pressure
Authors: Asuzu I. U. , Shetty S. N. , Anika S. M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe effects of Croton penduliflorus seed crystals (CP crystals) were investigated on isolated guinea‐pig ileum, chick biventer cervicis muscle and frog rectus abdominis muscle. The effect of the crystals on flood pressure of normotensive Sprague Dawley rats was also investigated. CP crystals induced concentrations‐dependent contractions in the guinea‐pig ileum with EC50 of 2.39 × 106 g/mL. Contractions induced by CP crystals in the guinea‐pig ileum were not inhibited by atropine (2 × 10−7‐1.2 × 10−6 g/mL), tetrodotoxin (3 × 10−8‐2 × 10−7 g/mL), hexamethonium (7 × 10−6‐2.8 × 10−5 g/mL), mepyramine (2 × 10−7 g/mL) and noradrenaline (2 × 10−5 g/mL) but were completely (100%) inhibited by indomethacin (7.2 × 10−6 g/mL). CP crystals (1.0 × 10−6‐5.0 × 10−4 g/mL) could not elicit contractions in either chick biventer cervicis or frog rectus abdominis muscle. The mean blood pressure of normotensive Sprague Dawley rats was significantly reduced by CP crystals (1.6 × 10−4‐2.5 × 10−3 g/mL) while the heart rate was significantly reduced by an intravenous infusion of the crystals (2.5 × 10−3 g/kg) after 2min. The methods employed and the significance of the results obtained are discussed.
The effects of Mikania cordata (Burm) B. L. Robins. Root extract on gastro‐duodenal ulcer models in rats and guinea pigs
Authors: Pal Siddhartha , Bhattacharya Siddhartha , Chaudhuri A. K. Nag 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe methanolic fraction of the root extract M. cordata was found to possess significant anti‐ulcer activity in different experimental models. In preventive tests the extract demonstrated significant protective action in gastric lesions induced by acetylsalicylic acid, serotonin and indomethacin in experimental rats. Significant protection was observed with the extract in chemically‐induced duodenal lesions. Significant enhancement of the healing process was also found to occur in acetic acid‐induced chronic gastric lesions in experimental animals.
Anti‐ulcerogenic activity of fulvic acids and 4′‐methoxy‐6‐carbomethoxybiphenyl isolated from shilajit
Authors: Ghosal Shibnath , Singh Sushil K. , Kumar Yatendra , Srivastava Radheyshyam , Goel Raj K. , Dey Radharaman , Bhattacharya Salil K. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractFulvic acids (FA) and 4′‐methoxy‐6‐carbomethoxybiphenyl (MCB, 1), two major organic compounds isolated from Shilajit (a humus product), were screened for anti‐ulcerogenic activity in albino rats. Both FA and MCB showed significant anti‐ulerogenic effects in the battery of tests accepted for this purpose. The mechanism of anti‐ulcerogenic action was studied with MCB on the basis of its effects on mucin content (gastric juice carbohydrates and carbohydrate/protein ratio) and on the concentration of DNA and protein in the gastric juice. The MCB‐induced changes in the mucosa provided resistance against the effect of ulcerogens and also against shedding of mucosal cells. A preliminary acute toxicity study indicated that both FA and MCB had a low order of toxicity.
Active principles of Tetradenia riparia III. Anti‐Trichomonas activity of 8(14), 15‐sandaracopimaradiene‐7α, 18‐diol
Authors: Hakizamungu E. , van Puyvelde L. , Wéty M. , De Kimpe N. , Schamp N. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractTetradenia riparia is one of the most popular medicinal plants in Rwanda. Previously, several substances have been isolated from the leaves, including the diterpenediol 8(14),15‐sandaracopimaradiene‐7α,18‐diol. This diterpenediol exhibits anti‐trichomonas activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the substance for Trichomonas vaginalis is between 20–40 μg/mL.
Evaluation of Azadirachta indica leaf extract for hypoglycaemic activity in rats
Authors: Chakrabortty T. , Verotta L. , Poddar G. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWater soluble fractions separated from the crude leaf extract of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. lowered hyperglycaemia in streptozotocin diabetes. Systematic fractionation of the concentrates led to the isolation of flavonol glycosides, quercetin‐3‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside, myricetin‐3‐O‐rutinoside, quercetin‐3‐O‐rutinoside, kaempferol‐3‐O‐rutinoside, kaempferol‐3‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside and quercetin‐3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnoside.
Hordenine content of the marine alga Mastocarpus stellatus and the algal food product Carrageen
Authors: Barwell C. J. , Canham C. A. , Guiry M. D. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractHordenine (N,N‐dimethyltryramine) occurs, throughout the year, in the red marine alga Mastocarpus stellatus (Stackh, in With.) Guiry comb, nov., at levels from 1500 μg to 5500 μg/g dry weight. Mastocarpus stellatus constituted 10% to 100% (w/w) of samples of the algal food product Carrageen, the remainder being the red marine alga Chondrus crispus Stackh. The hordenine content of Carrageen samples varied from 10 μg to 1000 μg/g, which was lower than might be expected from the hordenine content of fresh M. stellatus. Studies upon the open air bleaching process used in the production of Carrageen showed it can reduce the hordenine content of M. stellatus by 40% to 90%. However, the hordenine content of some Carrageen may be sufficient to produce adverse pharmacological interactions in some individuals.
Schizontocidal activity of Celastrus paniculatus Willd. against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro
Authors: Pavanandt Katchrinnee , Webster H. Kyle , Yongvanitchit Kosol , Kun‐anake Amporn , Dechatiwongse Thaweephol , Nutakul Wutichai , Bansiddhi Jaree 
Published: October 2006

AbstractPreparations from the plant Celastrus paniculatus Willd. have been used for treatment of malaria and other febrile illness in the traditional medicine practices of Thailand. Crude solvent extracts from the root bark and stem of C. paniculatus were screened for antimalarial activity against P. falciparum using an in vitro culture system. A fraction of the chloroform extract of the root bark showed the highest antimalarial activity. An active principle was isolated and characterized from the chloroform fraction and identified as a quinonoid triterpene, pristimerin. When tested in vitro against various multidrug resistant isolates of P. falciparum, pristimerin was less active than the conventional antimalarial drugs tested.
Studies on the effect of Schizandra chinensis extract on horses submitted to exercise and maximum effort
Authors: Ahumada F. , Hermosilla J. , Hola R. , Peña R. , Wittwer F. , Wegmann E. , Hancke J. , Wikman G. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe effect of the berries extract of Schizundru chinensis on polo and race horses was studied. The concentration of plasmatic lactate and glucose as well as the respiratory and heart rates of these horses submitted to daerent physical effort were examined. Thirty adult horses were used for this experiment; 20 polo horses and 10 race horses. Ten polo horses were submitted to a 12 min gallop at a speed of 400 m/min, and 10 other polo horses to a 5 min gallop at a speed of 700 m/min. The race horses were submitted to a single run on a fixed distance of 800111 at maximum speed. Blood jugular samples from each polo horse (when they were in the stable) were collected for lactate and glucose analysis before the exercise and at 10 and 50 min after the exercise. Heart and respiratory rates were recorded. First each horse was given a single dose of 500 mL of saline half an hour before the race. A week later the same horses were given a single dose of 48 g of Schizundru chinemis berry extract. Treated polo horses showed a lower increase in heart rate at all moments of the exercise. They also showed a quicker recovery of respiratory frequency at the moments immediately after the race (time 0) and 5 min after the same race. The performance of the race horses was improved. In polo horses administration of Schizundru extract led to a significant reduction of the concentration of plasmatic lactate at 10, and 50min after exercise. Plasma glucose concentration in polo horses showed no significant difference between the saline treated and the Schizandru‐treated animals (with the exception at 50 min after the race).