bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antiulcerogenic activity of the essential oil of Baccharis dracunculifolia on different experimental models in rats
Authors: Massignani Juliane Jose , Lemos Marivane , Maistro Edson Luis , Schaphauser Hamilton Pedro , Jorge Renata Fabiane , Sousa João Paulo Barreto , Bastos Jairo Kennup , de Andrade Sérgio Faloni 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBaccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae), a native plant from Brazil, commonly known as ‘Alecrimdo‐campo’ is widely used in folk medicine to treat inflammation, hepatic disorders and stomach ulcers, and it is the most important botanical source of Southeastern Brazilian propolis, known as green propolis. Its essential oil is composed of non‐oxygenated and oxygenated terpenes. In this work, the effects of the essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of B. dracunculifolia on gastric ulcers were evaluated. The antiulcer assays were undertaken using the following protocols in rats: nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID)‐induced ulcer, ethanol‐induced ulcer, stress‐induced ulcer, and determination of gastric secretion using ligated pylorus. The treatment in the doses of 50, 250 and 500 mg/kg of B. dracunculifolia essential oil significantly diminished the lesion index, the total lesion area and the percentage of lesions in comparison with both positive and negative control groups. With regard to the model of gastric secretion a reduction of gastric juice volume and total acidity was observed, as well as an increase in the gastric pH. No sign of toxicity was observed in the acute toxicity study. Considering the results, it is suggested that the essential oil of B. dracunculifolia could probably be a good therapeutic agent for the development of new phytotherapeutic medicine for the treatment of gastric ulcer. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fixed herbal drug combination with and without butterbur (Ze 185) for the treatment of patients with somatoform disorders: randomized, placebo‐controlled pharmaco‐clinical trial
Authors: Melzer Jörg , Schrader Ewald , Brattström Axel , Schellenberg Rüdiger , Saller Reinhard 
Published: March 2009

AbstractHerbal drugs are often used in patients with somatoform disorders yet, the available evidence is limited. The aim of the present short‐term study was to evaluate in a pharmaco‐clinical trial the additional benefit of butterbur in a fixed herbal drug combination (Ze 185 = 4‐combination versus 3‐combination without butterbur and placebo) in patients with somatoform disorders.For a 2‐week treatment in patients with somatization disorder (F45.0) and undifferentiated somatoform disorder (F45.1), 182 patients were randomized for a 3‐arm trial (butterbur root, valerian root, passionflower herb, lemon balm leaf versus valerian root, passionflower herb, lemon balm leaf versus placebo). Anxiety (visual analogue scale – VAS) and depression (Beck's Depression Inventory – BDI) served as primary parameters, Clinical Global Impression (CGI) was a secondary parameter.The 4‐combination was significantly superior to the 3‐combination and placebo (4‐combination > 3‐combination > placebo) in all the primary and secondary parameters (PP‐population). Analysis of the ITT population confirmed these results. As to safety, no serious adverse events occurred. In total 9 non‐serious adverse events were documented but the distribution did not differ significantly between the treatment groups.This herbal preparation (Ze185) showed to be an efficacious and safe short‐term treatment in patients with somatoform disorders. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemopreventive effect of Panax ginseng
Authors: Varjas T. , Nowrasteh G. , Budán F. , Nadasi E. , Horváth G. , Makai S. , Gracza T. , Cseh J. , Ember I. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAsian ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) has been used in Chinese medicine for two thousand years. The root of ginseng contains several saponins (ginsenosides) which are biologically active compounds. Individual ginsenosides suppress tumor cell growth, induce cell differentiation, regulate apoptosis and inhibit metastasis formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate its chemo‐preventive effects in an animal test model, through its regulatory effects on apoptosis and the cell cycle.The expression of genes (Bcl‐2, Bcl‐x and Cyclin D1) which affect apoptosis were examined, in different organs of animals which had consumed a ginseng‐containing diet in the presence of a known carcinogen (DMBA). The pattern of gene expression was determined by Q‐RT‐PCR. The increase of antiapoptotic gene expression after carcinogenic exposure was suppressed by consumption of ginseng which promoted apoptosis.The population is exposed to numerous physical and chemical insults in the modern environment and these include compounds which are known carcinogens. Research has shown that it is possible to interfere with the multi‐step process of carcinogenesis through the use of compounds with chemo‐preventive effects, such as the inhibition of the activation of antiapoptotic genes.These results support the efficacy of ginseng‐containing diets and dietary supplements in the prevention of cancerous diseases. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protective effect of locally applied carvacrol gel on ligature‐induced periodontitis in rats: a tapping mode AFM study
Authors: Botelho M. A. , Martins J. G. , Ruela R. S. , I Rachid , Santos J. A. , Soares J. B. , França M. C. , Montenegro D. , Ruela W. S. , Barros L. P. , Queiroz D. B. , Araujo R. S. , Sampio F. C. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe aims of this study were to test a locally applied carvacrol gel and determine its efficacy preventing alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis in rats by regular methodology to validate applicability the atomic force microscopy (AFM) as a novel morphology method on this model. Wistar rats were subjected to ligature around second, upper‐left molars. Animals were treated carvacrol gel topically (CAG), immediately after Experimental Periodontitis Disease induction for 1′ three‐times/day for 11 days. A vehicle gel was utilized as control. The periodontium and the surrounding gingivae were examined at regular histopathology and by AFM method; the neutrophil influx into the gingivae was also assayed using myeloperoxidase activity. The bacterial flora was assessed through culture of the gingival tissue. Alveolar bone loss was significantly inhibited by CAG group compared to the Vehicle (V) group, the carvacrol gel treatment reduced tissue lesion at histopathology, with preservation of the periodontium, coupled to decreased myeloperoxidase activity in gingival tissue and also prevented the proliferation of periodontal microorganisms and the weight loss. The GAC treatment preserved alveolar bone resorption and showed anti‐inflammatory and antibacterial activities in experimental periodontitis. Topographical changes in histological sections were seen bringing into high relief the periodontal structures, being a simple and cost‐effective method for periodontal evaluation with ultrastructural resolution. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of the S(T) assimilation method with the Argo dataset
Authors: Smith Gregory C. , Haines Keith 
Published: March 2009

AbstractRecent observations from the Argo dataset of temperature and salinity profiles are used to evaluate a series of 3‐year data assimilation experiments in a global ice–ocean general circulation model. The experiments are designed to evaluate a new data assimilation system whereby salinity is assimilated along isotherms, S(T). In addition, the role of a balancing salinity increment to maintain water mass properties is investigated. This balancing increment is found to effectively prevent spurious mixing in tropical regions induced by univariate temperature assimilation, allowing the correction of isotherm geometries without adversely influencing temperature–salinity relationships. In addition, the balancing increment is able to correct a fresh bias associated with a weak subtropical gyre in the North Atlantic using only temperature observations. The S(T) assimilation method is found to provide an important improvement over conventional depth level assimilation, with lower root‐mean‐squared forecast errors over the upper 500 m in the tropical Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. An additional set of experiments is performed whereby Argo data are withheld and used for independent evaluation. The most significant improvements from Argo assimilation are found in less well‐observed regions (Indian, South Atlantic and South Pacific Oceans). When Argo salinity data are assimilated in addition to temperature, improvements to modelled temperature fields are obtained due to corrections to model density gradients and the resulting circulation. It is found that observations from the Argo array provide an invaluable tool for both correcting modelled water mass properties through data assimilation and for evaluating the assimilation methods themselves. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Utilization of Enzyme‐resistant Starch to Control Theophylline Release from Tablets
Authors: Yoon Hyun‐Sung , Lim Seung‐Taik 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe effect of enzyme‐resistant starch (RS) on theophylline release from compacted tablets made of pregelatinized waxy maize starch (PS) was investigated. The PS and RS mixtures containing theophylline (30%) were compacted to tablets by compression (60 kN), and were subsequently treated in dissolution media containing a pancreatic α‐amylase. The swelling ratio, resistance to erosion, and drug release properties of the tablets were measured. Rheological properties of the tablet hydrogel produced by swelling were also examined. The hydrogels exhibited a higher storage modulus (G') than loss modulus (G'), and the viscosity of the hydrogels increased by adding RS. Resistant starch helped the formation of a strong gel network which was resistant to erosion. The porosity of the tablet and hydrogel decreased with the elevation of RS content, supporting the rheological data. However, the swelling ratio of the tablets containing RS was higher than that of the tablet containing only PS. During the initial stage of dissolution up to 1 h, RS appeared suppressing the erosion possibly due to the increased resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis by RS. After 1 h, however, the erosion proceeded at higher rates than that of pure PS, possibly due to the poor compactibility of RS. Comparing the different mixtures of RS and PS, the theophylline release was most effectively retarded when RS was added to the tablet at an equivalent amount of PS.
Developing a sense of scale: Looking backward
Authors: Jones M. Gail , Taylor Amy R. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAlthough scale has been identified as one of four major interdisciplinary themes that cut across the science domains by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (1989), we are only beginning to understand how students learn and apply scale concepts. Early research on learning scale tended to focus on perceptions of linear distances, navigation and way finding, whereas more recent work has examined how students conceptualize scale in science contexts. This study sought to understand how understandings of scale develop from childhood to adulthood by asking 50 professionals to reflect on their experiences (in and out‐of‐school) learning about scale. Semi‐structured interviews were utilized to obtain information about educational experiences, informal experiences, and applications of scale in different professions. Results showed that most of the participants used anchor points as conceptual benchmarks when applying scale in their job. Seventy‐six percent of the participants attributed physical experiences such as moving through the environment by car, walking, bicycling, or flying in an airplane as contributing to the development of a sense of scale. Results of this study were used to develop a possible model of the trajectory of scale concepts that develop as individuals move from novice through increasing degrees of expertise. Across professions, participants emphasized the critical role that scale plays in their work. For many, scale was viewed as central to accomplishing the work‐related tasks. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 46: 460–475, 2009
Controlling Supramolecular Hydrogen‐Bonded Architectures of a Terphenylsilanetriol
Authors: Spirk Stefan , Belaj Ferdinand , Baumgartner Judith , Pietschnig Rudolf 
Published: March 2009

AbstractFor 2,6‐dimesitylphenylsilanetriol (1), the nature of the solvent can control the structural motif in the solid state even without incorporation of the solvent into the structure. Silanetriol 1, for which an improved synthesis is reported, provides additional donor sites within the molecule which are able to compete with solvent molecules for coordination of the silanol functions. By using different crystallization conditions we have been able to realize three different supramolecular motifs, i.e. cluster, tube and discrete dimer, all stabilized by extended hydrogen bonding.
Crystal Structure of New Heusler Compounds
Authors: Graf Tanja , Casper Frederick , Winterlik Jürgen , Balke Benjamin , Fecher Gerhard H. , Felser Claudia 
Published: March 2009

AbstractHeusler compounds are promising materials in many fields of contemporary research. The spectrum of their possible applications ranges from magnetic and magneto‐mechanical materials over semiconductors and thermoelectrics to superconductors. An important feature of the Heusler compounds is the possibility of controlling the valence electron concentration by partial substitution of elements. On the other hand, the properties also depend on the degree of ordering of the crystal structure. In general, Heusler compounds crystallize in the Cu2MnAl‐type structure but in many cases certain types of disorder are observed. In this paper a detailed description of the different types of disordered structures is given. Additionally, the synthesis of new Heusler compounds is reported. The prepared compounds contain ternary Cr‐, Rh‐,Ru‐, Ni‐, Pd‐, and Pt‐based Heusler systems as well as quaternary Co2‐based compounds and compounds of the general formula XX′YZ. The crystal structure was determined by XRD measurements and the structural ordering of the compounds is discussed.
Effect of Perioperative Immunosuppressive Medication on Early Outcome in Crohn’s Disease Patients
Authors: Indar Adrian A. , Young‐Fadok Tonia M. , Heppell Jacques , Efron Jonathan E. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the present study was to examine the early outcome in patients undergoing intestinal resection for Crohn’s disease (CD) while they are receiving perioperative immunosuppressive medication.MethodsWe reviewed patients with CD undergoing intestinal surgery from 1999 to 2007. Demographics and relevant perioperative information, including medication, were extracted from patient charts. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact test.ResultsDuring the course of the study period 112 with Crohn’s disease underwent intestinal resection, and 69 of them were receiving perioperative medication (47, corticosteroids; 39, immunomodulators; and 17, anti‐tumor necrosis factor‐α antibodies). There were no deaths. Median blood loss was 137 ml. Twenty‐two of the patients using perioperative medication (32%) experienced complications, 10 of which were major. The major complications occurred in 3 of the 43 patients (7%) who were not receiving perioperative medications, in 5 of 38 patients (13%) who were receiving one drug, 4 of 28 patients (14%) receiving two drugs, and 1 of 3 patients (33%) receiving three drugs. Thus the occurrence of major complications was not significantly greater in patients receiving perioperative medication. Risk factors for a major complication were intraoperative blood loss >400 ml (P < 0.003) and emergency surgery (P < 0.005).ConclusionsThe occurrence of complications in Crohn’s disease patients undergoing intestinal resection was not associated with the use of immunosuppressive medication. However, emergency surgery and blood loss were risk factors, and reflect the difficulty of surgery in this group of patients.
Spatial dispersion patterns of trees in a tropical rainforest in Xishuangbanna, southwest China
Authors: Lan Guoyu , Zhu Hua , Cao Min , Hu Yuehua , Wang Hong , Deng Xiaobao , Zhou Shishun , Cui Jingyun , Huang Jianguo , He Youcai , Liu Linyun , Xu Hailong , Song Junping 
Published: March 2009

AbstractSpatial dispersion patterns of trees at different life stages are an important aspect to investigate in understanding the mechanisms that facilitate species co‐existence. In this paper, Ripley's univariateL(r) and bivariateL12(r) functions were used to analyze spatial distribution patterns and spatial associations across different life stages of 131 tree species in a 20‐ha plot of a tropical rainforest in Xishuangbanna, southwest China. Our results show that: (1) Saplings of 109 (83.2%) species have a significant clumped distribution, which confirms the ubiquity of clumped spatial distributions among tropical tree species. (2) Adults of 126 (96.2%) species have a random distribution suggesting that density‐dependent mortality can make the spatial pattern of tropical trees more regular with time. (3) At small scales (0–10 m), 95 (72.5%) species have a neutral or negative sapling‐adult association, implying that there is recruitment limitation within the vicinity of their conspecific adults. The reduction in spatial clumping in going from younger to older life stages and the neutral or negative sapling‐adult association imply density‐dependent mortality in the vicinity of adult trees. In accordance with the Janzen–Connell hypothesis, such density‐dependent mortality can free up space for other species to colonize, contributing to the maintenance of species diversity.
Relationships between faecal phytate and mineral excretion depend on dietary phytate and age
Authors: Kim Jihye , Woodhouse Leslie R. , King Janet C. , Welch Ross M. , Li Shan Ji , Paik Hee Young , Joung Hyojee 
Published: March 2009

We investigated the adverse effect of phytate on mineral absorption and the effect of dietary phytate and age on the relationship between faecal phytate and faecal mineral excretion. Fourteen young women (aged 19–24 years) and fourteen elderly women (64–75 years) were studied for two metabolic periods (MP). In MP1, the subjects consumed a controlled high-phytate (HP) diet for 10 d; in MP2, they were on a low-phytate (LP) diet for 10 d. In each period, diet samples and complete faecal samples for 5 d were collected to analyse phytate and mineral contents. Mineral concentrations in diet and faeces were measured by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the associations between faecal phytate and mineral excretion. The degradation rate of dietary phytate was about 77 % for young women, which was significantly lower than that of elderly women (86 %) (P < 0·05). Faecal phytate excretion was positively correlated with mineral excretion (Ca, P, Fe and Zn) in both the HP and LP diet groups in young women (P < 0·05). The linear relationship tended to be greater during the LP diet period compared with the HP diet period in young women. However, no association was found between phytate excretion and mineral excretion in elderly women. In summary, undegraded dietary phytate (10–20 %) had a negative effect on mineral absorption in young women, and the relationship between faecal phytate and mineral excretion was affected by both dietary phytate and age.
An overview of Aurora: a multi-kilojoule KrF laser system for inertial confinement fusion
Authors: Rosocha Louis A. , Bowling Pleas S. , Burrows Michael D. , Kang Michael , Hanlon John , McLeod John , York George W. 
Published: March 2009

Aurora is a short-pulse high-power krypton-fluoride laser system that serves as an end-to-end technology demonstration prototype for large-scale ultraviolet laser systems of interest for short wavelength inertial confinement fusion (ICF) studies. The system is designed to employ optical angular multiplexing and serial amplification by electron-beam-driven KrF laser amplifiers to deliver 248 nm, 5-ns duration multi-kilojoule laser pulses to ICF targets using a beam train of approximately 1 km in length.In this paper, we will discuss the goals for the system and summarize the design features of the major system components: front-end lasers, amplifier train, optical train, and the alignment and controls systems.
Bremsstrahlung collision contribution to entropy generation and attendant radial expansion in a self-pinched high-power relativistic electron beam propagating in a neutral gas
Authors: Dolique J.-M. 
Published: March 2009

In the Bennett-Nordsieck self-pinched regime of high power REB propagation in a neutral atmosphere, radial expansion is generally associated with transverse entropy generation caused by elastic electron-neutral multiple scattering: LN ∝ 1/s′⊥ elast, where LN is the Nordsieck length, the distance for one e-folding of beam radius, and where s′⊥ elast is the elastic collision space rate of transverse mean entropy per particle.For ultrarelativistic beams (γ ≳ 100), the bremsstrahlung, which is the dominant energy loss process, also plays an essential rôle in the radial expansion.A general treatment could be based on the proper time evolution equation of the beam electron pressure 4-tensor pλμ (λ, μ = 0, 1, 2, 3) where source terms linked to elastic, inelastic and bremsstrahlung collisions are introduced, as is also a closure relation. This approach is currently being studied at LPPG.When the various implied scale lengths have clearly different orders of magnitude, a much simpler approximate description may be given.In the λmbrems < z < λstrbrems propagation distance range, where λmbrems is the depth threshold beyond which bremsstrahlung scattering becomes multiple, and λstrbrems a characteristic distance for bremsstrahlung straggling, the rôle of bremsstrahlung in radial expansion is similar to that of elastic multiple scattering. The calculated s′⊥ brems/s′⊥ elast increases rapidly with both propagation distance and beam electron energy. For γ ≫ 103, the bremsstrahlung transverse entropy source term s′⊥ brems is no more negligible before s′⊥ elast.In the z > λstrbrems propagation distance range, where bremsstrahlung straggling is dominant, an evaluation of its effect is deduced by applying the Haftel–Lampe–Aviles criterion to a statistical study of this straggling. A completely different estimation, based on an oversimplified version of the above-cited general thermodynamic method, gives a result which is in rather good agreement.
Soliton emission in the forced non-linear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Larroche O. , Casanova M. , Pesme D. , Bussac M. N. 
Published: March 2009

The plasma waves generated by resonant absorption of light in the vicinity of the critical density of laser-produced plasmas, are modelled by a non-linear Schrödinger equation with additional terms accounting for the presence of a source and the inhomogeneity of the medium.We use an average lagrangian method to describe the behaviour of the solutions of this equation in the range of parameters where periodic soliton generation occurs. An iterating scheme describing the successive emission of solitons yields values for this range of parameters which are in reasonable agreement with those found from direct numerical simulations of the non-linear Schrödinger equation.