bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antioxidative effects of curcumin and its analogues against the free‐radical‐induced peroxidation of linoleic acid in micelles
Authors: Dai Fang , Chen Wei‐Feng , Zhou Bo , Yang Li , Liu Zhong‐Li 
Published: January 2009

AbstractCurcumin (1,7‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)‐1,6‐heptadiene‐3,5‐dione, 1) is a yellow ingredient isolated from turmeric (curcumin longa). Many health benefits have been claimed for curcumin, and these have generally been ascribed to its radical‐trapping antioxidant properties. In order to find more active antioxidants with 1 as the lead compound, we synthesized curcumin analogues, i.e., 1,7‐bis(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐1,6‐heptadiene‐3,5‐dione (2), 1‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐7‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)‐1,6‐heptadiene‐3,5‐dione (3), 1‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)‐7‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1,6‐heptadiene‐3,5‐dione (4), 1,7‐bis (4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1,6‐heptadiene‐3,5‐dione (5), 1,7‐bis(3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐1,6‐heptadiene‐3,5‐dione (6), 1,7‐bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐1,6‐heptadiene‐3,5‐dione (7), and 1,7‐diphenyl‐1,6‐heptadiene‐3,5‐dione (8). Antioxidative effects of curcumin and these analogues against the peroxidation of linoleic acid were studied in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) micelles. The peroxidation was initiated thermally by a water‐soluble initiator 2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane hydrochloride) (AAPH), and reaction kinetics were monitored by the formation of linoleic acid hydroperoxides. Kinetic analysis of the antioxidation process demonstrates that these compounds, except 6, 7 and 8, are effective antioxidants in micelles by H‐atom abstraction from the phenolic groups. Compounds 2 and 3, which bear ortho‐diphenoxyl functionality, possess significantly higher antioxidant activity than curcumin and other analogues, and the 4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl group also plays an important role in the antioxidative activity. In addition, the synergistic antioxidant effect of these compounds with α‐tocopherol (vitamin E) in micelles was also studied by following the formation of linoleic acid hydroperoxides and the consumption of α‐tocopherol. It was found that these compounds could not synergistically interact with α‐tocopherol in micelles. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibition of release of inflammatory mediators in rat peritoneal mast cells and murine macrophages by a chinese herbal medicine formula (RCM‐102)
Authors: Lenon George Binh , Xue Charlie Changli , Story David Frederick , Thien Francis Chung Kong , Li Chun Guang 
Published: January 2009

AbstractRCM‐102 is a Chinese herbal medicine formulation derived from a formula which was shown to be effective in treating seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) in a randomized placebo‐controlled trial. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effect of RCM‐102 on the formation of inflammatory mediators, histamine, prostaglandin and nitric oxide, which are known to be involved in the pathophysiology of SAR. The effect of RCM‐102 on histamine release was tested in compound 48/80‐stimulated rat peritoneal mast cells. The effects of RCM‐102 on the release of NO and prostaglandins (PGE2) and the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and COX‐2 were studied in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In rat peritoneal mast cells, RCM‐102 significantly reduced the compound 48/80‐induced histamine release. It also significantly reduced NO and PGE2 production as well as the expression of COX‐2 and iNOS in RAW 264.7 cells. These findings indicate that RCM‐102 inhibits the formation of several allergic/inflammatory mediators and thus may be used for treating related conditions such as SAR. The actions of RCM‐102 are likely to be contributed by the synergistic actions of individual herbal ingredients. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anti‐allergic activity of principles from the roots and heartwood of caesalpinia sappan on antigen‐induced β‐hexosaminidase release
Authors: Yodsaoue Orapun , Cheenpracha Sarot , Karalai Chatchanok , Ponglimanont Chanita , Tewtrakul Supinya 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe dichloromethane extract of the roots and heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan exhibited potent inhibitory activity against β‐hexosaminidase release as marker of degranulation in rat basophilic leukemic (RBL‐2H3) cells, with inhibition of 98.7% and 87.5% at concentration of 100 µg/ml, respectively. These extracts were further separated by chromatographic techniques to give two chalcones and seven homoisoflavones. Among the compounds tested, sappanchalcone (2) possessed the most potent effect against allergic reaction in RBL‐2H3 cells with an inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 7.6 µM, followed by 3‐deoxysappanchalcone (1, IC50 = 15.3 µM), whereas other compounds showed moderate and mild effects. The results suggested the following structural requirements of chalcones (1 and 2) and homoisoflavones (3‐9) for anti‐allergic activity: (i) chalcone exhibited higher activity than homoisoflavone (ii) vicinal hydroxylation at B‐ring of chalcone conferred higher activity than one hydroxylation; and (iii) for homoisoflavone, the hydroxyl groups at C‐3 and C‐4 positions decreased the activity. This is the first report of C. sappan for anti‐allergic activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photodynamic effect of hypericin in primary cultures of human umbilical endothelial cells and glioma cell lines
Authors: Stupáková Viktória , Varinská Lenka , Miroššay Andrej , Šarišský Marek , Mojžiš Ján , Dankovčík Róbert , Urdzík Peter , Ostró Alexander , Mirossay Ladislav 
Published: January 2009

AbstractHypericin is the most powerful naturally occurring photosensitizer and as such there is renaissant interest in the potentials of this compound for anticancer photodynamic therapy (PDT). The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypericin‐mediated photodynamic therapy effects on normal human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) in comparison with cancer human glioma cell lines U‐87 MG and U‐373 MG, in in vitro conditions. The data suggest that endothelial cells as well as glioma cell lines are sensitive only to photoactivated hypericin. The inhibitory effects of photoactivated hypericin did not differ in endothelial compared with tumor cells in cytotoxicity MTT and DNA fragmentation assays. However, an important difference in sensitivity was found between the above mentioned cell types in migration and metalloproteinases inhibition assays performed as cell function tests. The findings in both function tests were supported by the high sensitivity of endothelial cells in an additional angiogenesis test of tubular formation in vitro. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Matrix‐free detection of intact ions from proteins in argon‐cluster secondary ion mass spectrometry
Authors: Mochiji Kozo , Hashinokuchi Michihiro , Moritani Kousuke , Toyoda Noriaki 
Published: January 2009

AbstractIn the secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) of organic substances, the molecular weight of the intact ions currently detectable is at best only as high as 1000 Da, which for all practical purposes prevents the technique from being applied to biomaterials of higher mass. We have developed SIMS instrumentation in which the primary ions were argon cluster ions having a kinetic energy per atom, controlled down to 1 eV. On applying this instrumentation to several peptides and proteins, the signal intensity of fragment ions was decreased by a factor of 102 when the kinetic energy per atom was decreased below 5 eV; moreover, intact ions of insulin (molecular weight (MW): 5808) and cytochrome C (MW: 12 327) were detected without using any matrix. These results indicate that fragmentation can be substantially suppressed without sacrificing the sputter yield of intact ions when the kinetic energy per atom is decreased to the level of the target's dissociation energy. This principle is fully applicable to other biomolecules, and it can thus be expected to contribute to applications of SIMS to biomaterials in the future. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Direct evidence for the up‐regulation of Vps34 regulated by PKCγ during short‐term treatment with morphine
Authors: Shibasaki Masahiro , Kurokawa Kazuhiro , Katsura Masashi , Ohkuma Seitaro 
Published: January 2009

AbstractIn this study, we investigated whether PKCγ could be associated with functional changes of vacuolar protein sorting 34 (Vps34) during morphine treatment using primary cultures of cerebral cortical neurons from mice. The immunoprecipitation analysis showed that p‐PKCγ and Vps34 are present together in molecular complexes. The treatment with morphine increases PKCγ and Vps34 levels. Phosphorylation of PKCγ increased Vps34 level. The inhibition of morphine‐induced increase in PKCγ phosphorylation reduced Vps34 level. These results indicates that opioid receptor activation increases PKCγ phosphorylation in the neurons and, in turn, upregulates Vps34 during short‐term treatment with neurons. Synapse 63:365–368, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Maintaining quality assurance for sonographic nuchal translucency measurement: lessons from the FASTER Trial
Authors: D'Alton M. E. , Cleary‐Goldman J. , Lambert‐Messerlian G. , Ball R. H. , Nyberg D. A. , Comstock C. H. , Bukowski R. , Berkowitz R. L. , Dar P. , Dugoff L. , Craigo S. D. , Timor I. E. , Carr S. R. , Wolfe H. M. , Dukes K. , Canick J. A. , Malone F. D. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate nuchal translucency measurement quality assurance techniques in a large‐scale study.MethodsFrom 1999 to 2001, unselected patients with singleton gestations between 10 + 3 weeks and 13 + 6 weeks were recruited from 15 centers. Sonographic nuchal translucency measurement was performed by trained technicians. Four levels of quality assurance were employed: (1) a standardized protocol utilized by each sonographer; (2) local‐image review by a second sonographer; (3) central‐image scoring by a single physician; and (4) epidemiological monitoring of all accepted nuchal translucency measurements cross‐sectionally and over time.ResultsDetailed quality assessment was available for 37 018 patients. Nuchal translucency measurement was successful in 96.3% of women. Local reviewers rejected 0.8% of images, and the single central physician reviewer rejected a further 2.9%. Multivariate analysis indicated that higher body mass index, earlier gestational age and transvaginal probe use were predictors of failure of nuchal translucency measurement and central image rejection (P = 0.001). Epidemiological monitoring identified a drift in measurements over time.ConclusionDespite initial training and continuous image review, changes in nuchal translucency measurements occur over time. To maintain screening accuracy, ongoing quality assessment is needed. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Public Policy, Participation and the Third Position: The Implication of Engaging Communities on their Own Terms
Authors: Bishop Brian J. , Vicary David A. , Browne Alison L. , Guard Neil 
Published: January 2009

AbstractPolicy development and implementation should be fundamental for community psychologists in their endeavors to create social change. Policy necessarily is engaged at broad social and political levels, but it is mediated through communities and individuals, and thus appealing for our discipline. We argue that there are increasing opportunities for social input in liberal democracies with the growing awareness of the need to consider social factors in policy. Public participation is one aspect of policy development, but it can be problematic and can disempowered communities, especially disadvantaged communities. Using the framework of the ‘third position’, a case study of attempts to ameliorate institutional oppression of Australian Aboriginal people through policy change is described. Structural reform to community engagement is described in terms of empowerment and capacity building. Power relationships are deconstructed to allow understandings of the dynamics of policy change, and the broader implications for community psychological praxis are discussed.
An Improved Mechanical Material Model for Ballistic Soda-Lime Glass
Authors: Grujicic M. , Pandurangan B. , Bell W.C. , Coutris N. , Cheeseman B.A. , Fountzoulas C. , Patel P. , Templeton D.W. , Bishnoi K.D. 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
In our recent work (Grujicic et al., Int. J. Impact Eng., 2008), various open-literature experimental findings pertaining to the ballistic behavior of soda-lime glass were used to construct a simple, physically based, high strain rate, high-pressure, large-strain mechanical model for this material. The model was structured in such a way that it is suitable for direct incorporation into standard commercial transient non-linear dynamics finite element-based software packages like ANSYS/Autodyn (Century Dynamics Inc., 2007) or ABAQUS/Explicit (Dessault Systems, 2007). To validate the material model, a set of finite element analyses of the edge-on-impact tests was conducted and the results compared with their experimental counterparts obtained in the recent work of Strassburger et al. (Proceedings of the 23rd International Symposium on Ballistics, Spain, April 2007; Proceedings of the 22nd International Symposium on Ballistics, November 2005, Vancouver, Canada). In general, a good agreement was found between the computational and the experimental results relative to: (a) the front shapes and the propagation velocities of the longitudinal and transverse waves generated in the target during impact and (b) the front shapes and propagation velocities of a coherent-damage zone (a zone surrounding the projectile/target contact surface which contains numerous micron and submicron-size cracks). However, substantial computational analysis/experiment disagreements were found relative to the formation of crack centers, i.e. relative to the presence and distribution of isolated millimeter-size cracks nucleated ahead of the advancing coherent-damage zone front. In the present work, it was shown that these disagreements can be substantially reduced if the glass model (Grujicic et al., Int. J. Impact Eng., 2008) is advanced to include a simple macrocracking algorithm based on the linear elastic fracture mechanics.
Antisense down regulation of connexin31.1 reduces apoptosis and increases thickness of human and animal corneal epithelia
Authors: Chang C.‐Y. , Laux‐Fenton W.T. , Law L.‐Y. , Becker D.L. , Sherwin T. , Green C.R. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe roles of the gap junction protein connexin31.1 (Cx31.1) are poorly understood, especially as the protein appears to form non‐functional channels. Cx31.1 specific antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) were designed to evaluate its roles in a corneal epithelium model. Expression of Cx31.1 in corneal epithelium extends from the suprabasal layers of polyhedral wing cells through to the flat squamous cells of superficial layers which are shed into the tear film. Deoxyribozymes (Dzs) were tested for cleavage efficacy using in vitro transcribed Cx31.1 mRNA. Cleavage results showed a putative tertiary structure for Cx31.1 mRNA with one region appearing to have a higher potential for antisense targeting. Application of antisense ODNs designed to this region caused Cx31.1 knockdown in rat and human corneal organotypic culture models, leading to a reduction in apoptosis and a thickening of the corneal epithelium (p = 0.0045). Cx31.1 appears to play a role in triggering cell death; knocking it down may provide a novel approach for tissue repair and engineering.
Oxidative preconditioning promotes bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells migration and prevents apoptosis
Authors: Li ShiYong , Deng YuBin , Feng JianQiang , Ye WeiBiao 
Published: January 2009

AbstractReactive oxygen species (ROS) play essential roles in apoptosis and in the regulation of several transcription factors under both physiological and pathological conditions. However, the effects of ROS on MSCs are not well known, and therefore we have investigated the effects of preconditioning with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on the level of expression of the chemokine receptor, CXCR4, stromal cell‐derived factor‐1α (SDF‐1α)‐dependent migration and apoptosis in MSCs. Preconditioning with 20 μM H2O2 significantly increased the level of expression of CXCR4 mRNA and protein, and MSCs migration toward SDF‐1α; increased expression of CXCR4 and SDF‐1α‐induced MSCs migration was attenuated by extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor PD98059. Preconditioning with 20 μM H2O2 significantly protected MSCs against apoptosis induced by 500 μM H2O2. These results suggest that preconditioning with H2O2 can increase MSCs migration toward SDF‐1α and protect MSCs against apoptosis.
Long‐lasting neonatal inflammation enhances pain responses to subsequent inflammation, but not peripheral nerve injury in adult rats
Authors: Lim Eun Jeong , Back Seung Keun , Kim Myung Ah , Li Chengjin , Lee Jaehee , Jeong Keun Yeong , Na Heung Sik 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe early postnatal period has been suggested to be the vulnerable time for structural and functional reorganization of sensory systems, and painful stimuli at this time may alter neuronal circuits, thereby leading to changes in an individual's response to pain later in life. In the present study, we examined whether inflammatory experience in the early life can affect pain responses to subsequent noxious insults later in life. The two groups of neonatal rats, treated with an inflammatory irritant and untreated, were subjected to inflammation and peripheral nerve injury in adulthood. Neonatal inflammation was induced by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA, 25 μl) into the hindpaw or tail of newborn rat pups. Adult rats which had suffered from neonatal paw inflammation at P0 were subjected to re‐injection of CFA into the paw neonatally exposed to CFA or L5 spinal nerve ligation. Paw thickness and histology of inflamed paw were examined to assess the neonatal inflammation. Adult animals whose tail had been subjected to CFA injection on P3 received tail‐innervating nerve injury. The results showed that the neonatal CFA‐treated rats suffered from chronic inflammation, confirmed by persistent increase of paw thickness and histological result of inflamed paw. These animals showed enhanced pain responses to re‐inflammatory challenge by injection of CFA (200 μl) into the neonatally inflamed paw 8 weeks after birth compared with the neonatally untreated animals. However, neuropathic pain on the hindpaw and the tail which had been induced by peripheral nerve injury in the neonatal CFA‐treated group were not different from those of the untreated group. The present data suggest that early neonatal long‐lasting inflammation differentially affects pain responses later in life, depending on the types of subsequent noxious insults.
The International System and the Reagan Doctrine: Can Realism Explain Aid to ‘Freedom Fighters’?
Authors: Lagon Mark P. 
Published: January 2009

Doctrines have been a prevalent form of foreign policy in American history. What explains their origins? This study addresses this question by examining the Reagan Doctrine, a declared policy which pledged aid to anti-communist guerrillas in the Third World. This case study examines the utility of the ‘structural realist’ theory, focusing on the international level of analysis.Structural realism stresses the international balance of power, international conditions, limits on the government's freedom to make policy and the national interest. Sources of the Reagan Doctrine are found both in the international environment as a whole and in the individual countries where the Reagan Administration openly aided insurgents: Afghanistan, Nicaragua, Angola and Cambodia.The findings indicate that the structural realist perspective is necessary to explain the Reagan Doctrine, but not sufficient. In particular, it fails to account for the role of political elites and their beliefs in foreign-policy making.
Assessing the Impact of Televised Debates: The Case of the 1988 Canadian Election
Authors: Blais André , Boyer M. Martin 
Published: January 2009

A methodology is proposed for assessing the impact of televised debates on electoral outcomes, and it is applied to a specific case, that of the 1988 Canadian election. We present four tests of the debates' impact: first, a cross-sectional group comparison, which contrasts the voting behaviour of those who did and those who did not see the debates; secondly, a panel analysis of the shift in party support, before and after the debates, among those who watched the debates and those who did not; thirdly, a panel study of the impact of reactions to the debates on voting behaviour; and, fourthly, a time-series analysis, which examines the evolution of vote intentions over the course of the campaign and, more precisely, before and after the debates.It is argued that because non-watchers are influenced by what their friends or the media tell them about the debates, the first two designs, based on a comparison of debate watchers and non-watchers, are not appropriate. The empirical analysis of the 1988 Canadian election substantiates this point. While these first two designs seem to indicate no debate impact, panel reaction and time-series analyses show that the debates had a substantial and enduring impact on the vote and that they were decisive in the contest for second place between the Liberals and the NDP.
Voter Rationality and Party Competition: A Comment on Laver's Suggested Approach
Authors: Budge Ian 
Published: January 2009

Laver is undoubtedly right in suggesting (a) that ideas of rationality are more of a hindrance than a help in explaining electors' behaviour, but (b) that a rational-choice theory of party competition can still be superimposed on an a-rational explanation of voting choice. Since he develops this position through a critique of Robertson's ‘wide’ definition of voter rationality, it is only fair to point out that Robertson's ascription of modified office-seeking to politicians forms the best developed rational – choice theory of party competition. The hypothesis that politicians seek votes by widening their issue-appeals when they think the election is competitive, but stress partisan appeals otherwise, has been validated for British and United States' elections from 1920 to 1974 – a more general and more rigorous check than has been applied to any competing hypothesis. Moreover it has already been incorporated with an a-rational account of voting behaviour in the form Laver advocates. The key elements of this synthesis are:(1) The location of electors and parties in a party-defined space, i.e. a space where individuals and groups are located in terms of their closeness to the election alternatives (party choices and non-voting). This is analogous to, but quite definitely not, the space produced by party identification, to which there are too many measurement objections.(2) The division of influences upon voting into predispositions (loyalties, social group traditions, etc.) and cues (current issues, candidates, etc.). Predispositions are associated with electoral stability, i.e. limited and slow movement in the party-defined space. Cues have the potential to produce rapid change and widespread movement of electors, often associated with the appearance of new parties.(3) Modified office-seeking by politicians. In elections which they expect to be competitive there is thus a premium on the introduction of new cues, while in other elections old partisan appeals will be made to existing predispositions.