bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Critical analysis of potential body temperature confounders on neurochemical endpoints caused by direct dosing and maternal separation in neonatal mice: a study of bioallethrin and deltamethrin interactions with temperature on brain muscarinic receptors
Authors: Pauluhn Jürgen , Schmuck Gabriele 
Published: January 2003

AbstractThe present investigation was conducted to understand better possible confounding factors caused by direct dosing of neonatal mice during the pre‐weaning developmental period. By direct dosing, pups might encounter thermal challenges when temporarily removed from their ‘natural habitat’. Typically, this leads to a cold environment and food deprivation (impaired lactation) and modulation of the toxic potency of the substance administered. Growth retardation as a consequence of such behavioural changes in pups makes it increasingly difficult to differentiate specific from non‐specific mechanisms. Neonatal NMRI mice were dosed daily by gavage (0.7 mg kg−1 body wt.) from postnatal day (PND) 10–16 with S‐bioallethrin, deltamethrin or the vehicle. Then the pups, including their non‐treated foster dams, were subjected temporarily for 6 h day to a hypo‐, normo‐ or hyperthermic environment, which was followed by normal housing. The measured temperatures in the environmental chambers were ca. 21, 25 and 30°C, respectively. Thus, temperatures in the hypo‐ and normothermic groups are comparable to the temperatures commonly present in testing laboratories, whereas the hyperthermic condition is that temperature typically present in the ‘natural habitat’ of pups. A deviation from the normal behaviour of both pups and dams was observed in the hypo‐ and normothermic groups. In these groups the rectal temperatures of pups were markedly decreased, especially in the early phase of the study (PND 10–12). Neonates that received either test substance displayed changes in body weights and brain weights at terminal sacrifice (PND 17) when subjected temporarily to a non‐physiological environment. An enormous influence of environmental temperature on the density of muscarinic receptors in the crude synaptosomal fraction of the cerebral cortex was ascertained. In summary, these results demonstrate that the direct dosing of thermolabile neonatal mice by gavage is subject to significant artefacts that render the interpretation of findings from such studies difficult. It appears that if direct dosing of neonatal pups is mandated, and inhalation is a relevant route of exposure, the combined inhalation exposure of dams with their litters is an alternative procedure that does not cause disruption of the ‘natural habitat’ of pups. However, owing to their higher ventilation, under such conditions the pups may receive dosages at least double those of the dams. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of single and binary combinations of plant‐derived molluscicides on different enzyme activities in the nervous tissue of Achatina fulica
Authors: Rao I. G. , Singh Amrita , Singh V. K. , Singh D. K. 
Published: January 2003

AbstractEffect of single and binary treatments of plant‐derived molluscicides on different enzymes—acetylcholinesterase (AChE), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and acid/alkaline phosphatase (ACP/ALP)—in the nervous tissue of the harmful terrestrial snail Achatina fulica were studied. Sublethal in vivo 24‐h exposure to 40% and 80% LC50 of Azadirachta indica oil, Cedrus deodara oil, Allium sativum bulb powder, Nerium indicum bark powder and binary combinations of A. sativum (AS) + C. deodara (CD) and CD + A. indica (AI) oils significantly altered the activity of these enzymes in the nervous tissue of Achatina fulica. The binary treatment of AS + CD was more effective against AChE, LDH, and ALP than the single ones. However, binary treatment of AI + CD was more effective against ALP. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metabolism of a tetraphenyltin compound in rats after a single oral dose
Authors: Ohhira Shuji , Matsui Hisao 
Published: January 2003

AbstractThe metabolism of tetraphenyltin in rat liver and kidney has been examined. Tetraphenyltin and its metabolites in the tissue were determined periodically for 96 h after a single oral dose of 55.4 mg kg−1 of tetraphenyltin by gas chromatography. The gas chromatographic method was able to determine simultaneously both inorganic tin and phenyltin compounds. Although initial (at 24 h) levels of tetraphenyltin in the liver approximated four times those in the kidneys, the levels of tetraphenyltin decreased more rapidly with time than those in the kidneys. These findings show that the tetraphenyltin accumulated more rapidly and highly in the liver, but was metabolized faster than that in the kidney. The levels of total tin in the liver 24 h after treatment were distinctly lower than those of di‐ or triphenyltin treatments in our previous studies and none of the animals showed characteristic symptoms. The toxic potencies of organotins generally correlate with accumulation of the chemicals. These results imply that the slight toxicities of tetraphenyltin might be due to the relatively low uptake of tin compounds after ingestion. The highest tin concentration among the metabolites of tetraphenyltin in the tissue, especially in liver, was observed as diphenyltin throughout the time period studied. These results suggest that part of the administered tetraphenyltin may cause some harmful effects as diphenyltin in rats, and this must be taken into consideration in toxicological research on tetraphenyltin. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intravenous pyruvic acid application in minipigs partially protects acetylcholine‐esteratic but not butyrylcholine‐esteratic activity in plasma from inhibition by paraoxon
Authors: Petroianu Georg A. , Ewald Vanessa , Thyes Caroline , Missler Anke , Maleck Wolfgang H. 
Published: January 2003

AbstractIntoxications with organophosphorus compounds such as paraoxon (POX) are frequent. Oximes are the only enzyme reactivators clinically available. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that l‐lactate reduces the inhibition of plasma acetylcholine‐esteratic activity (AChEA) (in vitro and in vivo) and plasma butyrylcholine‐esteratic activity (BChEA) (at least in vitro and possibly in vivo) by POX. However, a short infusion of 10 g of lactate was unable to elevate the plasma lactate level for >3 h. In this study we tested a substance related to l‐lactate, i.e. pyruvic acid. The purpose of this animal experimental study (female minipigs with historical control group) was to determine in vivo whether intravenous (i.v.) pyruvic acid application under normoxic/normocapnic/normohydrogenaemic conditions is able to elevate blood lactate levels and whether it is able to protect AChEA and BChEA from POX inhibition.Animals were anaesthetized, intubated and mechanically ventilated. Each received 1 mg kg−1 body wt. of POX in 50 ml of saline over 50 min and 10 g (ca. 0.5 g kg−1 body wt.) of i.v. pyruvic acid in 50 ml of saline over 50 min. They were compared with a historical control group of six animals that received only 1 mg kg−1 body wt. of POX in 50 ml of saline over 50 min. In central venous blood measurements of plasma AChEA and BChEA, the measurements were performed before (baseline), immediately after POX (50 min after start) and 110, 170, 230, 290, 530 and 1010 min after the start of infusion. A 10 g aliquot of i.v. pyruvic acid had a statistically significant protective effect in vivo on AChEA but not on BChE activity. Further study of the in vivo effects of pyruvic acid and l‐lactate after paraoxon intoxication and a formal comparison with standard oxime therapy seems warranted. Also, a combination therapy with l‐lactate and pyruvic acid in vivo should be investigated. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oestrogenic activity of benzylparaben
Authors: Darbre P. D. , Byford J. R. , Shaw L. E. , Hall S. , Coldham N. G. , Pope G. S. , Sauer M. J. 
Published: January 2003

AbstractPrevious work has demonstrated that the alkyl esters of p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens) possess oestrogenic activity, which increases with length of alkyl chain from methylparaben to n‐butylparaben and with branching in the alkyl chain from n‐butylparaben to isobutylparaben. This study reports on the oestrogenic activity of benzylparaben in a variety of assays in vitro and in vivo. Benzylparaben was able to displace [3H]oestradiol from cytosolic oestrogen receptor (ER) of MCF7 human breast cancer cells by 22% at 1000‐fold molar excess, by 40% at 10 000‐fold molar excess, by 57% at 100 000‐fold molar excess and by 100% at 1 000 000‐fold molar excess. It was able to increase expression of a stably transfected oestrogen responsive reporter gene (ERE‐CAT) in MCF7 cells after 24 h at 10−5M/10−4M and after 7 days at 10−6M/10−5M/10−4M. Proliferation of MCF7 cells could be increased by 10−6M/10−5M benzylparaben and this could be inhibited by 10−7M pure anti‐oestrogen ICI 182,780, indicating that growth effects were ER mediated. Further evidence for ER‐mediation was provided from the ability of benzylparaben to increase the growth of a second oestrogen‐dependent human breast cancer cell line ZR‐75‐1, but not the oestrogen‐insensitive MDA‐MB‐231 cell line. When tested in the presence of 10−10M 17β‐oestradiol, benzylparaben gave no antagonist response on the growth of either MCF7 or ZR‐75‐1 cells. Finally, benzylparaben could increase uterine weight in the immature mouse following topical application of three daily doses of 33 mg to dorsal skin. These results demonstrate that the oestrogenicity of methylparaben can be increased by the addition of an aryl group as well as by lengthening or branching the alkyl grouping. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protective effects of erdosteine against doxorubicin‐induced cardiomyopathy in rats
Authors: Fadillioǧlu Ersin , Erdoǧan Hasan , Söǧüt Sadik , Kuku Irfan 
Published: January 2003

AbstractThe usefulness of doxorubicin (DXR) is limited by its cardiotoxicity. In order to improve future DXR therapy by using a new antioxidant agent, an experimental study was designed. This study was undertaken to determine whether DXR‐induced cardiotoxicity is prevented by erdosteine, a mucolytic agent showing antioxidant properties. Three groups of male Sprague‐Dawley rats (60 days old) were used: one group was untreated as a control; the other groups were treated with DXR (single i.p. dosage of 20 mg kg−1 body wt.) or DXR plus erdosteine (10 mg kg−1 day−1, orally), respectively. The DXR treatment without erdosteine increased antioxidant enzyme activities and also increased lipid peroxidation in myocardial tissue. The rats treated with DXR plus erdosteine produced a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation in comparison with control and DXR groups. Furthermore, erdosteine administration led to an increase in antioxidant enzyme activities in comparison with the control group. Erdosteine treatment also increased the activities of catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) in comparison with the DXR group. There was no significant difference in lipid peroxidation of myocardial tissue between control and DXR plus erdosteine‐treated rats. It was concluded that erdosteine caused an increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, especially GSH‐Px and CAT, protecting the heart tissue sufficiently from oxidative damage to membrane lipids and other cellular components induced by DXR. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro protection of plasma cholinesterases by metoclopramide from inhibition by paraoxon
Authors: Petroianu G. , Kühn F. , Thyes C. , Ewald V. , Missler A. 
Published: January 2003

AbstractMetoclopramide (MCP) is a dopamine receptor antagonist and serotonine receptor agonist widely used as an antiemetic and gastric prokinetic drug. In addition MCP is a reversible inhibitor of cholinesterases from human central nervous system and blood. MCP may have a cholinesterase protective effect against inhibition by organophosphates.The purpose of the study was to quantify “in vitro” by means of the IC50‐shift the extent of MCP conferred protection, using paraoxon (POX) as an inhibitor. POX is a widely used organophospate responsible for a large number of accidental or suicidal exposures.Cholinesteratic activities (ChE) (with acetyl‐thiocholine (A) and butyryl‐thiocholine (B) as substrates) in human plasma were measured photometrically in the presence of different POX concentrations and IC50 was calculated. Determinations were repeated in the presence of increasing MCP concentrations. It appears that the shift induced by the presence of MCP increases with the MCP concentration in a linear manner.In the presence of a clinically easily achievable plasma concentration of 1 µM MCP the IC50 of POX for ChE ‘shifts’ by a factor of ≈2–3. The protective effect of metoclopramide on cholinesterases could be of practical relevance in the treatment of paraoxon poisoning. We conclude that in vivo testing of MCP as an organophosphate protective agent is warranted. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Constraints to expanding access to health interventions: an empirical analysis and country typology
Authors: Ranson M. Kent , Hanson Kara , Oliveira‐Cruz Valeria , Mills Anne 
Published: January 2003

AbstractThis paper adopts three approaches to classifying countries by level of constraint, in order to inform the choice of strategies for expanding access to health interventions in different contexts. We find substantial heterogeneity across the 84 low‐income and (all) sub‐Saharan African countries analysed. Poor sub‐Saharan African countries are the most highly constrained; Asian countries, in general, less constrained; and the two Asian giants, China and India, consistently fall above the median. Former Soviet Union countries rank low in terms of governance, but high for health systems variables. Only 10 per cent of the total population of the countries included lives in countries with the greatest constraints. The potential applications of the analysis are discussed, as are the limitations of the cross‐sectional, macro level approach. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Approaches to overcoming constraints to effective health service delivery: a review of the evidence
Authors: Oliveira‐Cruz Valeria , Hanson Kara , Mills Anne 
Published: January 2003

AbstractThis paper reviews the current evidence base regarding efforts to overcome constraints to effective health service delivery in low and middle‐income countries. A systematic literature review was chosen as the approach to gather and analyse existing knowledge about how to improve the ‘close‐to‐client’ health system. We focused on three levels of constraints: community and household, the health services delivery level itself, and health sector policy and strategic management. In total, 116 studies were reviewed and their main findings presented. The results should be interpreted with caution due to the considerable limitations in the existing evidence base. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Constraints to scaling‐up health related interventions: the case of Chad, Central Africa
Authors: Wyss Kaspar , Doumagoum Moto Daugla , Callewaert Bart 
Published: January 2003

AbstractThis analysis of constraints to scaling‐up health‐related interventions in Chad shows that emphasis has to be put on systemic approaches which address absorptive capacity, on removal of structural constraints, and on efficient and equitable production of health services. In the production of services the development of infrastructure must not exceed the development of human resources. If the millennium development goals are to be achieved, major investments in basic and in‐service training and in management skills are crucially needed. In addition, the study shows the importance of promoting health services which actively seek to fulfil community demands and those of disadvantaged groups. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intervening to address constraints through health sector reforms in Tanzania: some gains and the unfinished business
Authors: Munishi Gaspar Kilala 
Published: January 2003

AbstractThis paper describes two projects designed to address health sector constraints. The Community Health Fund attempts to create a community‐owned and community‐managed prepayment scheme. Although membership growth has been disappointing, substantial funds have been mobilized and the scheme replicated in nine additional districts. The Dar Urban Health Project aimed to improve various dimensions of health service quality, and provides a model which can be replicated elsewhere. The two cases concentrated largely on relaxing constraints related to the availability of inputs, while leaving unresolved macro‐level general infrastructural and policy‐related constraints. This omission partly explains the limited gains in relaxing constraints at the input level. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nutritional value and functional properties of a hydrocolloidal soybean and oat blend for use in Asian foods
Authors: Inglett George E , Carriere Craig J , Maneepun Saipin , Boonpunt Thanawan 
Published: January 2003

AbstractA rheological study was conducted to determine the functional properties of a hydrocolloidal blend of soybean flour and oat bran, called Soytrim. Soytrim was prepared by thermomechanically processing soybean and oat products. After finding that Soytrim had similar rheological characteristics to coconut and soybean milk products, two studies were conducted to investigate its use in improving the nutritional value of some Asian foods by reducing the saturated fat content and increasing the soluble fibre content. In the first study, four Thai foods were prepared using a 60 g kg−1 Soytrim suspension to replace some of the coconut milk, with subsequent sensory, chemical and physical analysis. A 750 g kg−1 substitution of Soytrim for coconut milk in green chicken curry gave a 74.7% reduction in saturated fat content and a 142.8% increase in soluble fibre content. Total substition of Soytrim for coconut milk in fermented soybean dip gave a 96.2% reduction in saturated fat and a 10.6% increase in soluble fibre. Total substitution in mungbean conserve gave a 97.0% reduction in saturated fat and a 19.0% increase in soluble fibre. A 500 g kg−1 substitution of soytrim for coconut milk in sweetened condensed cassava paste gave a 48.7% reduction in saturated fat and 37.5% increase in soluble fibre. Sensory evaluation of these foods revealed no distinguishable changes in acceptability at the 500 g kg−1 replacement level, but unacceptability with total substitution. In the second study, more widely consumed Asian foods, soymilk and tofu, were combined with Soytrim. These foods could also be made more nutritious when combined with Soytrim at rates of substitution up to 300 g kg−1, with satisfactory acceptability at this replacement level. In all the Asian foods studied, the hydrocolloidal blend of soybean flour and oat bran could add nutritional value by reducing saturated fat and increasing soluble fibre.© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Fumonisin contamination of maize hybrids visibly damaged by Sesamia
Authors: Avantaggiato Giuseppina , Quaranta Fabrizio , Desiderio Ersilio , Visconti Angelo 
Published: January 2003

AbstractSesamia nonagrioides Lefebvre (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is the main insect pest of maize cultivated in Mediterranean areas, causing an increase in broken plants, a reduction in yield and a decline in grain quality. An investigation of Sesamia attacks and fumonisin accumulation on 25 maize hybrids sown as a second crop after wheat has been performed under field conditions in Central Italy in 2000. The hybrids tested in this study showed different degrees of insect damage, ranging from 12 to 57% of damaged ears per hybrid. Over 50% of the tested hybrids showed strong insect damage, with more than 30% of harvested ears visibly damaged by Sesamia. Fungal contamination by Fusarium verticillioides and F proliferatum, two well‐known producers of fumonisins, was detected in both symptomless and insect‐damaged samples. Fumonisin analysis of healthy‐looking and insect‐damaged ear samples of each hybrid showed 100% incidence of positive samples, with fumonisin contents ranging from 0.01 to 20 mg kg−1 for healthy‐looking ears and from 27 ± 32 to 287 ± 221 mg kg−1 for insect‐damaged ears. Extremely high levels of fumonisins were found in ear samples visibly damaged by Sesamia, with individual values of up to 694 mg kg−1 and average values exceeding 100 mg kg−1 in more than 50% of the hybrids. A good correlation (r = 0.749) was found between fumonisin contamination and the degree of insect damage by Sesamia of the tested hybrids, calculated on the basis of percentage of ears visibly damaged by insects and with more than 5% kernel loss. This finding leads to the conclusion that insect damage by Sesamia on maize could be used as an early indicator of fumonisin contamination.© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Origin and practical significance of the sticky dough factor in 1BL/1RS wheats
Authors: Barbeau W E , Schwarzlaff S S , Uriyo M G , Johnson J M , Harris C H , Griffey C A 
Published: January 2003

AbstractWhen translocated into wheat, the short arm of the 1R chromosome of rye carries with it linked resistance genes to powdery mildew, stripe rust, leaf rust and stem rust. The translocation is also reported to increase yield potential of hard wheats. However, many doughs made from some 1BL/1RS hard wheats are unacceptable for breadmaking purposes because of excessive stickiness and mixing intolerance. 1BL/1RS wheats may be sticky because of: the inheritance of secalin proteins from rye and absence of key glutenin subunits; higher amounts and/or differences in the composition of cell wall polysaccharides, β‐glucans and pentosans; and/or the presence of a ferulic acid ester moiety residing with the water‐soluble fraction of 1BL/1RS flours. None of these hypotheses has been proven or disproven, to date, as a cause of excessive stickiness. Investigators have found that 1BL/1RS doughs are not uniformly sticky and are in some instances less sticky than non‐1BL/1RS doughs. Significant genotype–environment interactions have been reported for dough stickiness and flour quality characteristics of 1BL/1RS wheats. Investigators have generally failed to find significant differences in the breadmaking performance of 1BL/1RS and non‐1BL/1RS hard wheats despite a report that 1BL/1RS doughs break down and soften during high‐speed mixing. The 1BL/1RS translocation has been shown to reduce cookie spread of soft wheat flours but has no deleterious effects on cake volume or texture.© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Polygonum cognatum Meissn extracts
Authors: Yıldırım Ali , Mavi Ahmet , Kara Ayşe Aydan 
Published: January 2003

AbstractThe antioxidant activities, reducing powers, 2,2‐diphenyl‐l‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical‐scavenging activities, total phenolic compound contents and antimicrobial activities of ether, ethanol and hot water extracts of Polygonum cognatum Meissn were studied in vitro. The highest antioxidant activity was found in the water extract. However, there were no statistically significant differences among 15 µg ml−1 extract‐containing samples in linoleic acid emulsion (0.02 M, pH 7.0) during 120 h of incubation (P > 0.05). The reducing power of the water extract was the highest, but its reducing power was markedly lower than that of ascorbic acid. The highest DPPH radical‐scavenging activity was found in the water extract, with 50% DPPH radical scavenging at a concentration of 100 µg ml−1 dried water extract, while at the same concentration of dried ethanol extract the value was 12%. Surprisingly, no DPPH radical‐scavenging activity was observed in the ether extract. The concentrations of phenolic compounds found were 0.48, 0.50 and 0.01 µg ml−1 gallic acid equivalent in 10 µg ml−1 water, ethanol and ether extracts respectively. The ether and ethanol extracts showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The water extract did not show antimicrobial activity against the studied micro‐organisms.© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry