bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The clinical investigation of citrullus colocynthis (L.) schrad fruit in treatment of Type II diabetic patients: a randomized, double blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Huseini H. Fallah , Darvishzadeh F. , Heshmat R. , Jafariazar Z. , Raza Mohsin , Larijani B. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractCitrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad fruit is an herbal medicine used by traditional herbalists for the treatment of diabetes in Iran. To determine its efficacy and toxicity, a 2 month clinical trial was conducted in 50 type II diabetic patients. Two groups of 25 each under standard antidiabetic therapy, received 100 mg C. colocynthis fruit capsules or placebos three times a day, respectively. The patients were visited monthly and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglyceride, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, urea and creatinine levels were determined at the beginning and after 2 months. The results showed a significant decrease in HbA1c and fasting blood glucose levels in C. colocynthis treated patients. Other serological parameters levels in both the groups did not change significantly. No notable gastrointestinal side effect was observed in either group. In conclusion, C. colocynthis fruit treatment had a beneficial effect on improving the glycemic profile without severe adverse effects in type II diabetic patients. Further clinical studies are recommended to evaluate the long‐term efficacy and toxicity of C. colocynthis in diabetic patients. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemical composition and biological potential of plants from the genusBauhinia
Authors: Filho Valdir Cechinel 
Published: January 2009

AbstractPlants of the genusBauhinia(Fabaceae, Leguminosae), commonly known as cow's‐paw or cow's hoof, are widely distributed in most tropical countries and have been used frequently in folk medicine to treat different kinds of pathologies, particularly diabetes, infections, as well as pain and inflammation. In recent years, interest in these plants has increased considerably throughout the world. The biological properties of different phytopreparations and pure metabolites have been investigated in numerous experimentalin vivoandin vitromodels. Although some contradicting evidence has been documented, in general, the results support the reported therapeutic properties, indicating that they are mainly due to the presence of flavonoids. This review summarizes the recent chemical and biological knowledge of plants of the genusBauhinia. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pomegranate extract mouth rinsing effects on saliva measures relevant to gingivitis risk
Authors: DiSilvestro Robert A. , DiSilvestro Daniel J. , DiSilvestro David J. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractPomegranate components have properties that could promote oral health, including reducing the risk of gingivitis. The present study examined young adults (n = 32, split evenly among both genders), for the effects of 4 weeks of thrice daily mouth rinsing with the pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) extract PomElla® dissolved in water. This treatment changed salivary measures relevant to oral health including gingivitis. The changes were: reduced total protein (which can correlate with plaque forming bacteria readings), reduced activities of aspartate aminotransferase (an indicator of cell injury), reduced alpha‐glucosidase activity (a sucrose degrading enzyme), increased activities of the antioxidant enzyme ceruloplasmin (which could give better protection against oral oxidant stress) and increased radical scavenging capacity (though this increase was significant only by nonparametric statistical analysis). A placebo of cornstarch in water did not affect these measures. These data raise the possibility of using pomegranate extracts in oral health products such as toothpaste and mouthwashes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mapping river floodplain ecotopes by segmentation of spectral (CASI) and structural (LiDAR) remote sensing data
Authors: Geerling G. W. , Vreeken‐Buijs M. J. , Jesse P. , Ragas A. M. J. , Smits A. J. M. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractFloodplain land cover maps are important tools for river management and ecological assessment. These maps have to be revised regularly due to the dynamic nature of floodplains. Automation of the mapping process cuts the map processing time and can increase overall accuracy. Manual delineation and classification of vegetation is based on colour, contrasts (texture) and often‐stereoscopic view of aerial images. In this study, this is mimicked by the simultaneous use of both structural light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and compact airborne spectral imager (CASI) remote sensing data in an image segmentation routine fractal net evolution approach (FNEA). The segmentation results are tested against manually delineated ecotopes. Ecotope delineation improves when LiDAR and CASI are used simultaneously; the combination significantly lowers the number of segmented objects needed to accurately map ecotopes. Overall map accuracy of the LiDAR and CASI combination is 8–19% higher than single CASI and LiDAR, respectively. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Early Beneficial Effects of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Overexpressing Akt on Cardiac Metabolism After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Gnecchi Massimiliano , He Huamei , Melo Luis G. , Noiseux Nicolas , Morello Fulvio , de Boer Rudolf A. , Zhang Lunan , Pratt Richard E. , Dzau Victor J. , Ingwall Joanne S. 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
Administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is an effective therapy to repair cardiac damage after myocardial infarction (MI) in experimental models. However, the mechanisms of action still need to be elucidated. Our group has recently suggested that MSCs mediate their therapeutic effects primarily via paracrine cytoprotective action. Furthermore, we have shown that MSCs overexpressing Akt1 (Akt-MSCs) exert even greater cytoprotection than unmodified MSCs. So far, little has been reported on the metabolic characteristics of infarcted hearts treated with stem cells. Here, we hypothesize that Akt-MSC administration may influence the metabolic processes involved in cardiac adaptation and repair after MI. MI was performed in rats randomized in four groups: sham group and animals treated with control MSCs, Akt-MSCs, or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). High energy metabolism and basal 2-deoxy-glucose (2-DG) uptake were evaluated on isolated hearts using phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 72 hours and 2 weeks after MI. Treatment with Akt-MSCs spared phosphocreatine stores and significantly limited the increase in 2-DG uptake in the residual intact myocardium compared with the PBS- or the MSC-treated animals. Furthermore, Akt-MSC-treated hearts had normal pH, whereas low pH was measured in the PBS and MSC groups. Correlative analysis indicated that functional recovery after MI was inversely related to the rate of 2-DG uptake. We conclude that administration of MSCs overexpressing Akt at the time of infarction results in preservation of normal metabolism and pH in the surviving myocardium.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Sall4 Is Essential for Stabilization, But Not for Pluripotency, of Embryonic Stem Cells by Repressing Aberrant Trophectoderm Gene Expression
Authors: Yuri Shunsuke , Fujimura Sayoko , Nimura Keisuke , Takeda Naoki , Toyooka Yayoi , Fujimura Yu-Ichi , Aburatani Hiroyuki , Ura Kiyoe , Koseki Haruhiko , Niwa Hitoshi , Nishinakamura Ryuichi 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
Sall4 is a mouse homolog of a causative gene of the autosomal dominant disorder Okihiro syndrome. We previously showed that the absence of Sall4 leads to lethality during peri-implantation and that Sall4-null embryonic stem (ES) cells proliferate poorly with intact pluripotency when cultured on feeder cells. Here, we report that, in the absence of feeder cells, Sall4-null ES cells express the trophectoderm marker Cdx2, but are maintained for a long period in an undifferentiated state with minimally affected Oct3/4 expression. Feeder-free Sall4-null ES cells contribute solely to the inner cell mass and epiblast in vivo, indicating that these cells still retain pluripotency and do not fully commit to the trophectoderm. These phenotypes could arise from derepression of the Cdx2 promoter, which is normally suppressed by Sall4 and the Mi2/NuRD HDAC complex. However, proliferation was impaired and G1 phase prolonged in the absence of Sall4, suggesting another role for Sall4 in cell cycle control. Although Sall1, also a Sall family gene, is known to genetically interact with Sall4 in vivo, Sall1-null ES cells have no apparent defects and no exacerbation is observed in ES cells lacking both Sall1 and Sall4, compared with Sall4-null cells. This suggests a unique role for Sall4 in ES cells. Thus, though Sall4 does not contribute to the central machinery of the pluripotency, it stabilizes ES cells by repressing aberrant trophectoderm gene expression.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Neurosphere Formation Is an Independent Predictor of Clinical Outcome in Malignant Glioma
Authors: Laks Dan R. , Masterman-Smith Michael , Visnyei Koppany , Angenieux Brigitte , Orozco Nicholas M. , Foran Ian , Yong William H. , Vinters Harry V. , Liau Linda M. , Lazareff Jorge A. , Mischel Paul S. , Cloughesy Timothy F. , Horvath Steve , Kornblum Harley I. 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
Renewable neurosphere formation in culture is a defining characteristic of certain brain tumor initiating cells. This retrospective study was designed to assess the relationship among neurosphere formation in cultured human glioma, tumorigenic capacity, and patient clinical outcome. Tumor samples were cultured in neurosphere conditions from 32 patients with glioma, including a subpopulation of 15 patients with primary glioblastoma. A subsample of renewable neurosphere cultures was xenografted into mouse brain to determine if they were tumorigenic. Our study shows that both renewable neurosphere formation and tumorigenic capacity are significantly associated with clinical outcome measures. Renewable neurosphere formation in cultured human glioma significantly predicted an increased hazard of patient death and more rapid tumor progression. These results pertained to both the full population of glioma and the subpopulation of primary glioblastoma. Similarly, there was a significant hazard of progression for patients whose glioma had tumorigenic capacity. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that neurosphere formation remained a significant predictor of clinical outcome independent of Ki67 proliferation index. In addition, multivariate analysis of neurosphere formation, tumor grade and patient age, demonstrated that neurosphere formation was a robust, independent predictor of glioma tumor progression. Although the lengthy duration of this assay may preclude direct clinical application, these results exemplify how neurosphere culture serves as a clinically relevant model for the study of malignant glioma. Furthermore, this study suggests that the ability to propagate brain tumor stem cells in vitro is associated with clinical outcome.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Stem Cells, Multiorgan Failure in Radiation Emergency Medical Preparedness: A U.S./European Consultation Workshop
Authors: Fliedner Theodor M. , Chao Nelson J. , Bader Judith L. , Boettger Axel , Case Cullen , Chute John , Confer Dennis L. , Ganser Arnold , Gorin Norbert-Claude , Gourmelon Patrick , Graessle Dieter H. , Krawisz Robert , Meineke Viktor , Niederwieser Dietger , Port Matthias , Powles Ray , Sirohi Bhawna , Weinstock David M. , Wiley Albert , Coleman C. Norman 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
The concern of the public regarding terrorist actions involving nuclear emergencies resulted in the reopening of the discussion regarding the best ways to cope with the inevitable health impairments. Medical experts from the US and from Europe considered it of importance to harmonize at an international level the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches regarding the radiation-induced health impairments. The present contribution is the result of the first U.S./European Consultation Workshop addressing approaches to radiation emergency preparedness and assistance, which was held recently at Ulm University, Ulm, Germany. Discussions dealt with the assessment of the extent of damage after total body exposure and, in particular, the quantity and quality of the damage to the hematopoietic stem cell pool. Secondly, the pathogenesis of the multiorgan failure was considered because of the organ-to-organ interactions. Thirdly, approaches were considered to harmonize the “triage-methods” used on an international level using the “Response Category” approach as developed for the European Communities. These discussions lead to the conclusion that there is a strong need for continuing education of physicians, nurses, and support personnel to address the issues posed by the management of patients suffering from radiation syndromes. Finally, the discussions expressed the need for more international cooperation in research and development of more refined methods to treat patients with any type of radiation syndromes.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
The hidden crisis in mental health and education: The gap between student needs and existing supports
Authors: Malti Tina , Noam Gil G. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe authors provide a selected review of mental health and educational concerns evident in U.S. middle schools and describes promising and important strategies to ameliorate the high rates of students with mental health and academic difficulties. Despite some promising and important strategies, service systems are fragmented, and comprehensive systems of supports are still in development. Furthermore, there remains a lack of integrated developmental considerations in practice. The RALLY approach systematically introduces development and caring adult relationships into preventive practice and combines mental health, education, and youth development to promote students' resiliency and academic potential.
Transferring knowledge and experience: Training and supervision
Authors: Yablon Yaacov B. , Noam Gil G. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe authors describe practitioners' professional development, the challenges and dilemmas that they confront, and the support they receive in their work. They focus on examples of supervision sessions and describe typical dilemmas and solutions that come up during these sessions. These examples reflect four main themes that were identified as receiving much attention from practitioners over the years: boundaries and role definitions; relationships with students, teachers, and parents; extent of responsibility; and professional questions. Finally, the authors present an interview with a RALLY supervisor that illustrates typical dilemmas and conflicts that practitioners face during their work.
Reinventing clinical roles and space at school
Authors: Petersen Sarah Bernhardt 
Published: January 2009

AbstractRecognizing both the need for youth‐focused acute mental health services and the barriers for low‐income families to access outside services, the RALLY Program expanded its services to include direct clinical services for students within the school setting. This article explores the challenges, strategies, and benefits of implementing a fluid range of formal and informal clinical interventions within RALLY's nonstigmatizing, developmental, and inclusive approach. Balancing insurance company demands with students' nonbillable needs requires diverse funding streams and responsive programming. Creative use of space, commitment to relationships, and flexibility of roles form the foundation of this approach. Through case studies, the author examines practical and creative applications of developmental theories adaptable to individual students' unique needs. The author concludes with recommendations to the field to strengthen nonstigmatizing services offered to address the holistic needs of youth at school.
Creating youth leaders: Community supports
Authors: Davidson Adina , Schwartz Sarah E. O. , Noam Gil G. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractIn order to maximize the effectiveness of prevention and intervention efforts with youth and address the needs of the whole student, it is necessary to work not only directly with youth, but also to partner with other key adults in a young person's life: parents and guardians, teachers, after‐school staff, and clinicians. Inherent in RALLY's philosophy is a dual strategy of working intensively with students and teachers in the school while creating partnerships that bring students' families and a network of community agencies into the school as well. These partnerships bring important resources to school communities and create richer opportunities for young people and their families. Furthermore, a key to working effectively with youth lies in providing them not only with services that match their needs and interests, but also opportunities for participation and empowerment. Such opportunities can result in significant individual change in the students involved in these opportunities as well as broader community.
A complex Enrichment Diet improves growth and health in the endangered Wyoming toad (Bufo baxteri)
Authors: Li H. , Vaughan M.J. , Browne R.K. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe endangered Wyoming toad (Bufo baxteri) suffers nutrition related pathologies including poor growth and feeding difficulties from squamous metaplasia. Juvenile B. baxteri were each fed three supplemented feeder diets over 22 weeks and their growth, strike rate, and ingestion success measured. Diet (1) Enrichment Diet: feeder crickets fed fish oil, spirulina, and ground turtle feed; (2) Vitamin Diet: feeder crickets dusted heavily with Reptivite® multi‐vitamin/mineral powder; and (3) Control Diet: feeder crickets dusted with calcium and Vitamin D powder. The Enrichment Diet produced faster growth in length (P<0.05) than those fed the Vitamin Diet, and at 22 weeks either the Enrichment Diet or Control Diet produced greater weight (P<0.05) than those on the Vitamin Diet. Toads fed the Vitamin Diet ingested significantly (P<0.01) less crickets (∼105 g/toad) compared with those fed the Enrichment Diet or Control Diet (∼121 g/toad). Approximately 50% of either Reptivite® multi‐vitamin/mineral or calcium/vitamin D powder was lost within 90 sec of dusting. The Enrichment Diet produced the same strike rate (∼25 strikes in 5 min.) but higher (P<0.01) IS (38.3±4.2%) than those fed the Vitamin Diet (24.2±1.8%) or Control Diet (20.1±1.5). 1)Results showed that the Enrichment Diet provided superior growth, enrichment of feeder crickets provides an attractive alternative to the use of topical powders alone, and crickets lose ∼50% of topical powders within minutes. Feeding a diet highly enriched in retinol and unsaturated fatty acids resulted in improved growth and health for young Wyoming toads. Zoo Biol 28:197–213, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nutritional evaluation of refined, heated and hydrogenatedHibiscus sabdariffa seed oil
Authors: Sarojini G. , Rao K. Chittema , Geervani P. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAlkali refinedHibiscus sabdariffa seed oil (Mesta Oil) of the familyMalvales was heated and hydrogenated to eliminate the cyclopropene fatty acids (CPFA). Such processed oils were fed to weanling rats at 10% level of the diet for 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The food intake and gain in weight were found to be less in the refined oil group than in the peanut oil control group. The digestibility was found normal with all the processed oils. Serum and liver lipid composition with respect to total lipids, cholesterol and phospholipids were comparable to those fed with peanut oil. The liver architecture did not show any abnormalities withH. sabdariffa oil feeding.
A study of the cause of rapid color development of heated refined palm oil
Authors: Tan Y. A. , Ong S. H. , Berger K. G. , Oon H. H. , Poh B. L. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractOne of the most obvious changes when oils are heated is color darkening. Palm oil darkens very rapidly compared to other oils. The cause of this rapid color development was investigated. Various methods used to pretreat Lotox crude palm oil (CPO) to retard darkening during heating were by agitation with activated carbon S511, by water and water/isopropyl alcohol (95:5) washing of neutralized and unneutralized oil, and by liquid/liquid extraction of oil using water and water/isopropyl (95:5). Pretreatment of CPO did succeed in retarding color development. Retardation was especially evident in oils previously neutralized with sodium hydroxide before washing with water and water/isopropyl alcohol. The UV spectra of the liquid/liquid extracts showed strong absorption maxima at 256 nm. The addition of a base resulted in darkening of the extracts accompanied by shifts to longer wavelengths (288 nm). Reaction with freshly diluted 1–2% ferric chloride solution gave a brown color. The development of paper chromatography in butanol: acetic acid:water (6:1:2) revealed a blue fluorescence near the solvent front, with the same relative retention time as that of tannic acid. This evidence indicates that phenolic compounds were responsible for color darkening in palm oil.
The “Hard” and “Soft” surfactant profile of israel municipal wastewaters
Authors: Zoller Uri 
Published: January 2009

AbstractA study of mapping and field monitoring of Israel's municipal sewage wastewaters in respect to the content, distribution and the initial nonbiodegradable‐biodegradable ratio of surfactants in them has been undertaken over the central and northern parts of the country under in vivo conditions.Typical concentrations of nonionics (mainly “hard” alkylphenol‐based ethoxylates) and anionics (mainly the “soft” LABS) in influents were found to be within the range of 1.1–2.2 and 9.6–10.6 mg/liter respectively. In (treated) effluents, the corresponding concentrations are 0.3–0.45 and 0.3–4.3 mg/liter.The above is in accordance with current world trends following the switch to biodegradable surfactants. However, the concentrations of nonionic surfactants in the municipal wastewaters are surprisingly low in view of the preferred consumption of “hard” nonionic surfactants in the local market.It is concluded that 20–40% of all nonionic surfactants discharged into municipal sewage, additional amounts of their metabolites and some of the anionic surfactants, too, find their way into receiving waters, because they resist substantial removal via only primary and secondary treatment.
Enolate anions from lipid derivatives. Alkylation of acylisopropylidene glycerols
Authors: Herslöf M. , Gronowitz S. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe enolate anions from isopropylidene protected monoacylglycerols have been successfully alkylated with alkyl iodides of various chain length. From these products the corresponding monoacylglycerols and triacylglycerols can be prepared. This is exemplified by the synthesis of 2‐butyldodecanoyl‐didodecanoyl glycerol, di‐2‐butyldodecanoyl‐dodecanoyl glycerol and tri‐2‐butyldodecanoyl glycerol.