bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aucubin prevents loss of hippocampal neurons and regulates antioxidative activity in diabetic encephalopathy rats
Authors: Xue Hong‐Yu , Jin Lei , Jin Li‐Ji , Li Xiao‐Yu , Zhang Peng , Ma Yong‐Sheng , Lu Ya‐Nan , Xia Yan‐Qiu , Xu Yong‐Ping 
Published: January 2009

AbstractIn this study, the neuroprotection of aucubin and its mechanism were evaluated in the rat model of diabetic encephalopathy. Diabetes mellitus (DM) rats were stratified by cognitive capability (CC), and assigned to four treatment groups for aucubin treatment (doses of 0, 1, 5 or 10 mg/kg aucubin), with a further two groups of non‐DM rats ranked by CC as controls for aucubin (doses of 0 or 5 mg/kg aucubin). Neuroprotection was estimated by the indexes of behavior and histology. Behavioral testing was performed in a Y‐maze. The surviving neurons in CA1–CA4 and subiculum (SC) of the hippocampus were counted under a microscope. In addition, the apoptotic neurons in the CA1 of the hippocampus were also examined by using TUNEL staining. In order to clarify the mechanism of aucubin's neuroprotection, the activities of endogenous antioxidants and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) together with the content of lipid peroxide in the hippocampus were assayed. The results proved that aucubin significantly reduced the content of lipid peroxide, regulated the activities of antioxidant enzymatic and decreased the activity of NOS. All these effects indicated that aucubin was a potential neuroprotective agent and its neuroprotective effects were achieved, at least in part, by promoting endogenous antioxidant enzymatic activities. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of systemic interaction between Swertia chirata extract and its Bioactive constituents in rabbits
Authors: Suryawanshi Satyendra , Asthana R. K. , Gupta R. C. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe plant Swertia chirata (Gentianaceae) is known for its multifarious medicinal value in the Indian system of medicine (Ayurveda). Its methanol extracts having antidiabetic activity contains mangiferin, amarogentin, amaroswerin, sweroside and swertiamarin as active constituents. The pharmacokinetics of mangiferin and amarogentin have been carried out after intravenous administration of pure standards and extract from S. chirata (CT) in rabbits to assess systemic interaction. The remaining three components were also monitored in plasma for pharmacokinetic estimation based on the ratio analysis method. Mangiferin was characterized by a relative low clearance (∼0.14 L/h/kg) and a lesser volume of distribution (∼0.15 L/kg), while amarogentin exhibited a rapid clearance (∼2.62 L/h/kg) and wide distribution (∼1.08 L/kg) from the systemic circulation. No significant difference was observed in pharmacokinetic parameters of mangiferin and amarogentin either administered alone or as CT formulation in rabbits. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extract of Prunus persica flesh (PPFE) improves chemotherapeutic efficacy and protects against nephrotoxicity in cisplatin‐treated mice
Authors: Lee Chang Ki , Park Kwang‐Kyun , Hwang Jae‐Kwan , Lee Sang Kook , Chung Won‐Yoon 
Published: January 2009

AbstractCisplatin (cis‐diamminedichloroplatinum II) is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of a variety of human solid tumors. However, its clinical use is rather limited as a result of severe nephrotoxicity. The principal objective of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of Prunus persica flesh extract (PPFE) against cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity in animal models, and whether its use influences the therapeutic efficacy of cisplatin. The administration of PPFE alone significantly inhibited the growth of CT‐26 colon carcinoma xenografted onto mice without adverse effects. The combination of PPFE and cisplatin enhanced the inhibitory effect of cisplatin against tumor growth. In a xenograft model involving the repeated administration of low‐dose cisplatin for 15 days, and in an acute toxicity model involving a single administration of high‐dose cisplatin over a 16 h period, the administration of PPFE in combination with and prior to the cisplatin injection reversed the cisplatin‐induced reduction in the kidney weight. PPFE blocked the increases in the serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels associated with the kidney damage. Moreover, the administration of PPFE induced a significant reduction in cisplatin‐induced oxidative stress. These results indicate that PPFE may promote the therapeutic efficacy of cisplatin therapy, while attenuating its inherent nephrotoxicity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antioxidant capacity of Melampyrum barbatum – weed and medicinal plant
Authors: Štajner D. , Popović B. M. , Boža P. , Kapor A. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThis study was designed to examine antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of red and yellow forms of Melampyrum barbatum L. In this study, we report the results concerning flower and leaf antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, guaiacol peroxidase and glutathione peroxidase), reduced glutathione quantity, flavonoids, photosynthetic pigments and soluble protein contents and quantities of malonyldialdehyde, •OH and O2•− radicals; total antioxidant capacity was determined by FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) method and scavenger activity by DPPH (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐pycril‐hydrasil radical) method. Lipofuscin ‘plant age pigments’ were also determined. According to our results, flowers of the red form of M. barbatum exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Attitudes and knowledge toward natural products safety in the pharmacy setting: an Italian study
Authors: Cuzzolin Laura , Benoni Giuseppina 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe lack of a professional supervision may expose consumers of natural products to risks; pharmacists play an important role in giving information about these substances. A survey was designed to investigate the attitudes and knowledge of consumers and pharmacists toward the safety of natural products. Twenty‐three pharmacies participated in the project. On the basis of a pre‐structured 17‐item questionnaire, face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with consumers buying a natural product over a 6‐month period. A further 8 items had to be compiled by pharmacists about the purchased product. During the study period, 1420 interviews were carried out. The most frequently purchased products were echinacea, propolis, garlic, guggul, ginkgo, liquorice, ginseng, glucomannan, guarana, valerian, and passionflower; 71.8% of consumers reported to have been taking conventional medicines along with natural products. Some (3.9%) referred to adverse effects in the last year: allergic reactions after cartilage of shark, propolis and thyme; anxiety after hypericum; hypotension and tachycardia after a mix containing chamomile, valerian and melissa; pyrosis and stomach‐ache after laxative‐depurative herbs. Pharmacists referred to some adverse effects observed in the past in relation to the products bought by consumers involved in this study. Findings from this study demonstrate that in general consumers need information on herbal safety and pharmacists are more likely to answer correctly about the use of herbs rather than about cautions, adverse effects and interactions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibitory effect of magnolol on Trp‐P‐2‐induced DNA damage in various organs in mice
Authors: Saito Junichiro , Fukushima Hiroko , Nagase Hisamitsu 
Published: January 2009

AbstractMagnolol has been reported to strongly inhibit the mutagenicity induced by indirect mutagens in the Ames test as well as the clastogenicity induced by benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) in the mice micronucleus test. Here, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of magnolol on the DNA damage induced by 3‐amino‐1‐methyl‐5H‐pyrido[4,3‐b]indole (Trp‐P‐2) in various organs using the mice alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (SCG) assay. Animals were treated with a single oral administration of magnolol (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 mg/kg), followed by a single intraperitoneal injection of Trp‐P‐2 (10 mg/kg). The liver, lung, and kidney were removed at 3 h after treatment and used in SCG assay. The results indicated that magnolol inhibited Trp‐P‐2‐induced DNA damage in various organs. To elucidate the mechanism of this inhibitory effect against Trp‐P‐2, we investigated the inhibitory effect of magnolol onin vivoCYP1A2 activity using the zoxazolamine paralysis test. Magnolol significantly prolonged zoxazolamine paralysis time and showed an inhibitory effect onin vivoCYP1A2 activity. These results indicate that magnolol has an inhibitory effect on the DNA damage induced by Trp‐P‐2 in various organsin vivo. This inhibitory mechanism is considered due toin vivoCYP1A2 inhibition. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Review of the pharmacological effects of Vitis vinifera (Grape) and its bioactive compounds
Authors: Nassiri‐Asl Marjan , Hosseinzadeh Hossein 
Published: January 2009

AbstractVitis vinifera, known as the grapevine, is native to southern Europe and Western Asia. Grape seed and skin contain several active components including flavonoids, polyphenols, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, procyanidines, and the stilbene derivative resveratrol. Grape seed extract in particular has been reported to possess a broad spectrum of pharmacological and therapeutic effects such as antioxidative, anti‐inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities, as well as having cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective effects. Thus, the present review attempts to give a short overview on the pharmacological, toxicological, and clinical studies of grape and its active components. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nettle extract (Urtica dioica) affects key receptors and enzymes associated with allergic rhinitis
Authors: Roschek Bill , Fink Ryan C. , McMichael Matthew , Alberte Randall S. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractA nettle (Urtica dioica) extract shows in vitro inhibition of several key inflammatory events that cause the symptoms of seasonal allergies. These include the antagonist and negative agonist activity against the Histamine‐1 (H1) receptor and the inhibition of mast cell tryptase preventing degranulation and release of a host of pro‐inflammatory mediators that cause the symptoms of hay fevers. The nettle extract also inhibits prostaglandin formation through inhibition of Cyclooxygenase‐1 (COX‐1), Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), and Hematopoietic Prostaglandin D2 synthase (HPGDS), central enzymes in pro‐inflammatory pathways. The IC50 value for histamine receptor antagonist activity was 251 (±13) µg mL−1 and for the histamine receptor negative agonist activity was 193 (±71) µg mL−1. The IC50 values for inhibition of mast cell tryptase was 172 (±28) µg mL−1, for COX‐1 was 160 (±47) µg mL−1, for COX‐2 was 275 (±9) µg mL−1, and for HPGDS was 295 (±51) µg mL−1. Through the use of DART TOF‐MS, which yields exact masses and relative abundances of compounds present in complex mixtures, bioactives have been identified in nettle that contribute to the inhibition of pro‐inflammatory pathways related to allergic rhinitis. These results provide for the first time, a mechanistic understanding of the role of nettle extracts in reducing allergic and other inflammatory responses in vitro. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On‐chip solid‐phase extraction pre‐concentration/focusing substrates coupled to atmospheric pressure matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization ion trap mass spectrometry for high sensitivity biomolecule analysis
Authors: Navare Arti , Nouzova Marcela , Noriega Fernando G. , Hernández‐Martínez Salvador , Menzel Christoph , Fernández Facundo M. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAtmospheric pressure matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (AP‐MALDI) has proven a convenient and rapid method for ion production in the mass spectrometric (MS) analysis of biomolecules. AP‐MALDI and electrospray ionization (ESI) sources are easily interchangeable in most mass spectrometers. However, AP‐MALDI suffers from less‐than‐optimal sensitivity due to ion losses during transport from the atmosphere into the vacuum of the mass spectrometer. Here, we study the signal‐to‐noise ratio (S/N) gains observed when an on‐chip dynamic pre‐concentration/focusing approach is coupled to AP‐MALDI for the MS analysis of neuropeptides and protein digests. It was found that, in comparison with conventional AP‐MALDI targets, focusing targets showed (1) a sensitivity enhancement of approximately two orders of magnitude with S/N gains of 200–900 for hydrophobic substrates, and 150–400 for weak cation‐exchange (WCX) substrates; (2) improved detection limits as low as 5 fmol/µL for standard peptides; (3) significantly reduced matrix background; and (4) higher inter‐day reproducibility. The improved sensitivity allowed successful tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) sequencing of dilute solutions of a derivatized tryptic digest of a protein standard, and enabled the first reported AP‐MALDI MS detection of neuropeptides from Aedes aegypti mosquito heads. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development and validation of a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method for the metabolic profiling of human colon tissue
Authors: Mal Mainak , Koh Poh Koon , Cheah Peh Yean , Chan Eric Chun Yong 
Published: January 2009

AbstractIn this study, a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method was developed and validated for the metabolic profiling of human colon tissue. Each colon tissue sample (20 mg) was ultra‐sonicated with 1 mL of a mixture of chloroform/methanol/water in the ratio of 20:50:20 (v/v/v), followed by centrifugation, collection of supernatant, drying, removal of moisture using anhydrous toluene and finally derivatization using N‐methyl‐N‐trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA) with 1% trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS). A volume of 1 µL of the derivatized mixture was injected into the GC/MS system. A total of 53 endogenous metabolites were separated and identified in the GC/MS chromatogram, all of which were selected to evaluate the sample stability and precision of the method. Of the identified endogenous metabolites 19 belonging to diverse chemical classes and covering a wide range of the GC retention times (Rt) were selected to investigate the quantitative linearity of the method. The developed GC/MS method demonstrated good reproducibility with intra‐ and inter‐day precision within relative standard deviation (RSD) of ±15%. The metabolic profiles of the intact tissue were determined to be stable (100 ± 15%) for up to 90 days at −80°C. Satisfactory results were also obtained in the case of other stability‐indicating studies such as freeze/thaw cycle stability, bench‐top stability and autosampler stability. The developed method showed a good linear response for each of the 19 analytes tested (r2 > 0.99). Our GC/MS metabolic profiling method was successfully applied to discriminate biopsied colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue from their matched normal tissue obtained from six CRC patients using orthogonal partial least‐squares discriminant analysis [two latent variables, R2Y = 0.977 and Q2 (cumulative) = 0.877]. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Path planning in image space for autonomous robot navigation in unstructured environments
Authors: Otte Michael W. , Richardson Scott G. , Mulligan Jane , Grudic Gregory 
Published: January 2009

AbstractPath planning systems using graph‐search algorithms such as A* usually operate in uniform plan‐view occupancy grids. However, the sensors used to construct these grids observe the environment in their own sample space based on sensor type and viewpoint. In this paper we present animage spacetechnique for path planning in unknown unstructured outdoor environments. Our method differs from previous techniques in that we perform path search directly in image space—the native sensor space of the imaging sensor. After an image space path has been found, it is used for navigation in the real world. By operating at the resolution of the image sensor, image space planning facilitates accurate robot vs. obstacle localization and enables a high degree of movement precision. Our image space planning techniques can potentially be used with many different kinds of sensor data, and we experimentally evaluate the use of stereo disparity and color information. We present an extension to the basic image space planning system called thecylindrical plannerthat simulates a 2π field of view with a cylindrically shaped occupancy grid. We believe that image space planning is well suited for use in the local subsystem of a hierarchical planner and implement ahybrid hierarchical plannerthat utilizes the cylindrical planner as a local planning subsystem and a two‐dimensional Cartesian planner as the global planning subsystem. All three systems are implemented and experimentally tested on a real robot. We evaluate the failure modes of image space planning and discuss how to avoid them. We find that image space enables precise real‐time, near‐field planning. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Learning outdoor mobile robot behaviors by example
Authors: Roberts Richard , Pippin Charles , Balch Tucker 
Published: January 2009

AbstractWe present an implementation and analysis of a real‐time, online, supervised learning system for nonparametrically learning behaviors from a human trainer on a mobile robot in outdoor environments. This approach enables a human operator to train and tune robot behaviors simply by driving the robot with a remote control. Hand‐designed behaviors for outdoor environments often require many parameters, and complicated behaviors can be difficult or impossible to specify with a manageable number of parameters. Furthermore, their design requires knowledge of the robot's internal models and knowledge of the environment in which the behaviors will be used. In real‐world scenarios, we can design new behaviors using our learning system much more quickly than we can write hand‐crafted behaviors. We present the results of training the robot to execute several specialized and general‐purpose behaviors, including traversing a slalom, staying near “cover,” navigating on paths, navigating in an obstacle field, and general‐purpose navigation. Our system learns and executes most of these behaviors well after 1–4 h of operator training time. In quantitative tests, the learned behavior is not as robust as a hand‐crafted behavior but often completes obstacle courses more quickly. Additionally, we identify the factors that influence the effectiveness of this approach and investigate the properties of the training data provided by the human trainer. On the basis of our analyses, we suggest future work to ensure sufficient training, handle conflicting training examples, model robot dynamics, and further investigate dimensionality reduction of perception features. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cholinergic direct inhibition of N‐methyl‐D aspartate receptor‐mediated currents in the rat neocortex
Authors: Flores‐Hernandez Jorge , Salgado Humberto , De La Rosa Victor , Avila‐Ruiz Tania , Torres‐Ramirez Oswaldo , Lopez‐Lopez Gustavo , Atzori Marco 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAcetylcholine (ACh) and N‐methyl‐D aspartate receptors (NMDARs) interact in the regulation of multiple important brain functions. NMDAR activation is indirectly modulated by ACh through the activation of muscarinic or nicotinic receptors. Scant information is available on whether ACh directly interacts with the NMDAR. By using a cortical brain slice preparation we found that the application of ACh and of other drugs acting on muscarinic or nicotinic receptors induces an acute and reversible reduction of NMDAR‐mediated currents (INMDA), ranging from 20 to 90% of the control amplitude. The reduction displayed similar features in synaptic INMDA in brain slices, as well as in currents evoked by NMDA application in brain slices or from acutely dissociated cortical cells, demonstrating its postsynaptic nature. The cholinergic inhibition of INMDA displayed an onset–offset rate in the order of a second, and was resistant to the presence of the muscarinic antagonist atropine (10 μM) in the extracellular solution, and of G‐protein blocker GDPβS (500 μM) and activator GTPγS (400 μM) in the intracellular solution, indicating that it was not G‐protein dependent. Recording at depolarized or hyperpolarized holding voltages reduced NMDAR‐mediated currents to similar extents, suggesting that the inhibition was voltage‐independent, whereas the reduction was markedly more pronounced in the presence of glycine (20 μM). A detailed analysis of the effects of tubocurarine suggested that at least this drug interfered with glycine‐dependent NMDAR‐activity. We conclude that NMDAR‐mediated current scan be inhibited directly by cholinergic drugs, possibly by direct interaction within one or more subunits of the NMDAR. Our results could supply a new interpretation to previous studies on the role of ACh at the glutamatergic synapse. Synapse 63:308–318, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
SV2 frustrating exocytosis at the semi‐diffusor synapse
Authors: Vautrin Jean 
Published: January 2009

AbstractPresynaptic exocytosis is the mechanism commonly believed to release transmitters by diffusion through a pore opening during vesicular membrane fusion with the plasmalemma, but evidence suggesting that exocytosis and transmitter release are two separate steps of synaptic transmission is accumulating. Vesicular glycoconjugates such as Synaptic Vesicle Protein 2 (SV2) proteoglycans and gangliosides retain transmitters in a nondiffusible form and are transported to the synaptic cleft where they contribute forming a dense synaptomatrix. Transmitters are permanently present in synaptic clefts and readily releasable transmitter is easily accessible from the outer side of the presynaptic membrane suggesting that synaptomatrix glycoconjugates prevent immediate release after PKC‐dependent exocytosis. The calcium sensor synaptotagmin is also present at the presynaptic plasma membrane and binds SV2 suggesting a direct coupling between the calcium transient and transmitter release from the synaptomatrix. A quantitative coupling of the cytosolic calcic transient to transmitter release from the synaptomatrix explains better complexity and plasticity of miniature postsynaptic signals hitherto difficult to account for in exocytic terms. This alternative representation of synaptic transmission in which the same components of the synaptomatrix support adhesion and signaling functions may cast new lights on synaptic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Synapse 63:319–338, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.