Bioactive xanthones from the roots of Hypericum perforatum (common St John's wort)

BACKGROUND: Extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. (common St John's wort; Hypericaceae) are sold as phytopharmaceuticals and herbal supplements to treat mild to moderate depression and as food additives. Extensively cultivated in Europe, plants can be infected by anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides), a virulent fungal pathogen that causes tissue necrosis and dramatically decreases crop value. Such infections triggered the production of new secondary metabolites, specifically xanthones, in cell culture experiments. RESULTS: Bioassay‐guided fractionation of H. perforatum root extracts, testing for growth inhibition of plant pathogenic fungi from the genera Colletotrichum, Botrytis, Fusarium and Phomopsis, was performed. In vitro anti‐inflammatory activity through inhibition of COX‐1, COX‐2 and 5‐LOX‐catalyzed LTB₄ formation was also evaluated. Extracts were analyzed by various chromatographic means and structure elucidation was performed using data from nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. CONCLUSION: Researchers have previously described constituents from the aerial parts of this species, but few reports describe secondary metabolites found in underground parts, of particular interest because the lower stem and upper root are often sites of fungal infection. This work resulted in the isolation of three xanthones: 1,6‐dihydroxy‐5‐methoxy‐4′,5′‐dihydro‐4′,4′,5′‐trimethylfurano‐(2′,3′:3,4)‐xanthone; 4,6‐dihydroxy‐2,3‐dimethoxyxanthone; and cis‐kielcorin, one of which possessed novel bioactivity against species of Phomopsis and inhibited 5‐LOX‐mediated LTB₄ formation. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Mineral profile in globe artichoke as affected by genotype, head part and environment

BACKGROUND: The globe artichoke is an important vegetable, widely consumed in the Mediterranean Basin, and is spreading also to other parts of the world. The mineral profile of globe artichoke has been very little investigated. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the content of some essential macrominerals (Na, K, Ca, Mg) and microminerals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn) in nine genotypes of globe artichoke in relation to different head parts (bracts and receptacle), locations and seasons. RESULTS: The mineral profile was significantly affected by genotype, head fraction, location and season. Great variation was found among studied genotypes. ‘Blanc Hyerois’, Harmony F1', ‘Madrigal F1’ and ‘Violetto di Provenza’ showed high levels of both macro‐ and micromineral content. In particular, these, as well as other genotypes, had a higher content in the receptacle (edible part) than in the bracts. The globe artichoke had a high level of K and mainly, compared to some vegetables, low Na/K ratio, which is important in preventing hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained partially improve the lack of data in the literature and this knowledge could be used to develop different crop managements and/or breeding programmes to improve the mineral composition, and thereby enhance human nutrition and health. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Diversity of acetic acid bacteria present in healthy grapes from the Canary Islands

The identification of acetic acid bacteria (AAB) from sound grapes from the Canary Islands is reported in the present study. No direct recovery of bacteria was possible in the most commonly used medium, so microvinifications were performed on grapes from Tenerife, La Palma and Lanzarote islands. Up to 396 AAB were isolated from those microvinifications and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. With this method, Acetobacter pasteurianus, Acetobacter tropicalis, Gluconobacter japonicus and Gluconacetobacter saccharivorans were identified.However, no discrimination between the closely related species Acetobacter malorum and Acetobacter cerevisiae was possible. As previously described, 16S-23S rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region phylogenetic analysis was required to classify isolates as one of those species. These two species were the most frequently occurring, accounting for more than 60% of the isolates. For typing the AAB isolates, both the Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus (ERIC)-PCR and (GTG)5-PCR techniques gave similar resolution. A total of 60 profiles were identified. Thirteen of these profiles were found in more than one vineyard, and only one profile was found on two different islands (Tenerife and La Palma).     

Detection and quantification of ricin in beverages using isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry

The toxic plant protein ricin has gained notoriety due to wide availability and potential use as a bioterrorism agent, with particular concern for food supply contamination. We have developed a sensitive and selective mass spectrometry-based method to detect ricin in tap water, 2% milk, apple juice, and orange juice. Ricin added to beverage matrices was extracted using antibody-bound magnetic beads and digested with trypsin. Absolute quantification was performed using isotope dilution mass spectrometry with a linear ion trap operating in product-ion-monitoring mode. The method allows for identification of ricin A chain and B chain and for distinction of ricin from ricin agglutinin within a single analytical run. Ricin-bound beads were also tested for deadenylase activity by incubation with a synthetic ssDNA oligomer. Depurination of the substrate by ricin was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). This method was used successfully to extract ricin from each beverage matrix. The activity of recovered ricin was assessed, and quantification was achieved, with a limit of detection of 10 fmol/mL (0.64 ng/mL).     

Implementation of sine condition test to measure optical system misalignments

Rather than measuring aberrations across the field to quantify the alignment of an optical system, we show how a single, on-axis measurement of the pupil mapping can be used to measure the off-axis performance of the system and determine the state of alignment. In this paper we show how the Abbe sine condition can be used to relate the mapping between the entrance and exit pupils to image aberrations that have linear field dependence. This mapping error then can be used to measure the linear astigmatism caused by the misalignment. Additionally, we present experimental results from the sine condition test on a simple system.     

Cognitive behavioral treatment of PTSD in residents of battered women's shelters: Results of a randomized clinical trial.

Objective: This study was designed to explore the acceptability, feasibility, and initial efficacy of a new shelter-based treatment for victims of intimate partner violence (IPV; i.e., Helping to Overcome PTSD through Empowerment [HOPE]). Method: A Phase I randomized clinical trial comparing HOPE (n = 35) with standard shelter services (SSS) (n = 35) was conducted. Primary outcome measures included the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS; D. D. Blake et al., 1995) and the Conflict Tactic Scales-Revised (M. A. Straus, S. L. Hamby, S. Boney-McCoy, & D. B. Sugarman, 1996). Participants were followed at 1-week, 3- and 6-months postshelter. Results: Participants reported HOPE to be credible and indicated a high degree of satisfaction with treatment. Only 2 women withdrew from treatment. Both intent to treat (ITT) and minimal attendance (MA) analyses found that HOPE treatment relative to SSS was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of reabuse over the 6-month follow-up period (OR = 5.1, RR = 1.75; OR = 12.6, RR = 3.12, respectively). Results of hierarchical linear model analyses found a significant treatment effect for emotional numbing symptom severity in the ITT sample, t(67) = ?2.046, p     

Integrated Sensor and Media Modeling Environment Developed and Applied to Ground-Penetrating Radar Investigation of Bridge Decks

Integrated sensor and media modeling environment has been developed to simulate subsurface sensing systems and environmental parameters relevant to the subsurface sensing modalities. The modeling environment is designed to represent complexity in subsurface features, sensor models, and the integration of the sensors with the subsurface environment. The ability to model complex subsurface environments and any potential random distribution of subsurface properties allows for realistic modeling of heterogeneous subsurface environments such as bridged deck/pavement systems. Many applications can benefit from the modeling, simulation, and interpretation capabilities in the new modeling environment that supports improved understanding of system behavior through simulations to evaluate the ability of a particular modality to detect defects. While numerous modeling packages exist to simulate different wave-based modalities, the integrated sensor and media modeling environment is developed to, in a straightforward manner, physically represent the complex subsurface civil infrastructure environment. Physical modeling capabilities enable the object-oriented programming environment facility portability to other application domains as a generic volume serves as the boundaries for internal elements modeled to represent realistic changes in material properties and buried objects. Model development is demonstrated on a realistic bridge deck example.     

Neighborhood disadvantage as a moderator of the association between harsh parenting and toddler-aged children's internalizing and externalizing problems.

Neighborhood dangerousness and belongingness were expected to moderate associations between harsh parenting and toddler-age children's problem behaviors. Fifty-five predominantly African American mothers participated with their 2-year old children. Neighborhood danger, neighborhood belongingness, and children's problem behaviors were measured with mothers' reports. Harsh parenting was measured with observer ratings. Analyses considered variance common to externalizing and internalizing problems, using a total problems score, and unique variance, by controlling for internalizing behavior when predicting externalizing behavior, and vice versa. Regarding the common variance, only the main effects of neighborhood danger and harsh parenting were significantly associated with total problem behavior. In contrast, after controlling for externalizing problems, the positive association between harsh parenting and unique variance in internalizing problems became stronger as neighborhood danger increased. No statistically significant associations emerged for the models predicting the unique variance in externalizing problems or models considering neighborhood belongingness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Generalized Mechanism for Ligand‐Induced Dipolar Assembly of Plasmonic Gold Nanoparticle Chain Networks

The mechanism of gold nanoparticle chain assembly associated with the induction of electric dipole–dipole interactions arising from the partial ligand exchange of surface‐adsorbed citrate ions by mercaptoethanol is investigated. UV‐vis spectrophotometry and electron microscopy are used, respectively, to determine the kinetics and time‐dependent structural changes associated with formation of the 1D nanoparticle superstructures between 5 and 50 °C. The results indicate that assembly of the plasmonic nanoparticle networks is extremely sensitive to changes in temperature. Formation of the nanoparticle chains is optimized at 25–30 °C and follows first order kinetics with increasing reaction rates attained for higher initial nanoparticle concentrations. Below 25 °C, plasmonic nanoparticle networks are produced but at a considerably reduced rate. In contrast, above 30 °C, short‐chain networks form rapidly but the process is superseded by a secondary mechanism that limits chain growth and produces small fragments and isolated Au nanoparticles. The changes in assembly behavior are attributed to the temperature‐dependent ordering and disordering of mercaptoethanol molecules associated with the gold nanoparticle surface. The results provide a general mechanistic model for the self‐assembly of metallic nanoparticles based on ligand‐induced electric dipolar interactions, which are globally under thermodynamic control but sensitive to kinetic aspects. It is also shown that the dipolar mechanism can be further exploited to introduce larger nanoparticles as topological dopants that reside specifically at branching points or termini in the self‐assembled 1D nanoparticle networks.     

Development of amitriptyline buccoadhesive tablets for management of pain in dental procedures

Administration of lidocaine and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as a routine procedure for relief of dental pains by and large is restricted due to some side effects. Amitriptyline (AM) has long been known to exert analgesic activity as a result of blocking the Na? channels. The objective of the present investigation was to prepare suitable buccoadhesive tablets using cellulose derivatives in order to obtain new formulations containing AM to provide local analgesic action. The tablets were evaluated in terms of physical characteristics, mucoadhesion performance, drug release, and in vivo assessment of analgesic efficiency. Tablets containing higher amounts of high-viscosity hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC-K4M) significantly demonstrated enhanced adhesive performances. On the other hand, presence of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) in formulations including HPMC of lower-viscosity grade (HPMC-E5LV) provided further adhesiveness by increase in viscosity. Rate of drug release from HPMC-E5LV tablets was significantly higher than the HPMC-K4M tablets. Kinetically, patterns of AM release from the tablets fitted best to Higuchi model. Moreover, in a randomized double-blind trial, analgesic efficiency of the prepared bioadhesive tablets was revealed to be satisfactory. It is suggested that applying the topical AM mucoadhesive tablet containing the low amount of drug is a safe and promising alternative to relief the pain in the buccal region.