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Enhancing Effects (enhancing + effects)
Selected AbstractsAcute Ethanol Potentiates the Clock-Speed Enhancing Effects of Nicotine on Timing and Temporal MemoryALCOHOLISM, Issue 12 2007Warren H. Meck Background:, Acute ethanol administration potentiates some of the behavioral effects of nicotine, although the extent of this effect is unknown. The present investigation assessed the ability of ethanol to potentiate nicotine's effect on the overestimation of multisecond durations as a result of an increase in the speed of an internal clock. Methods:, Adult male rats were exposed to the acute effects of ethanol (0.0, 0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 g/kg; IG) which was given 10 minutes prior to the administration of nicotine (0.0, 0.3, 0.6, and 1.0 mg/kg; IP). The effects of these combined treatments on timing and temporal memory were assessed using 18- and 36-second peak-interval procedures with separate visual/spatial cues for responding. Results:, When administered alone, ethanol had no consistent effect on peak time, but decreased peak rate, and increased peak spread as a function of dose. In contrast, nicotine alone shifted the peak times of the response distributions leftward in a proportional manner as a function of dose. When administered after pretreatment with ethanol, nicotine's effect on the horizontal placement of the peak functions was potentiated. Conclusions:, The observation that ethanol pretreatment potentiates the clock-speed enhancing effects of subsequently administered nicotine is discussed in terms of the role of ,7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and dopamine,glutamate interactions in cortico-striatal circuits thought to subserve interval timing. [source] Enhancing effects of the chemical adjuvant levamisole on the DNA vaccine pVIR-P12A-IL18-3CMICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 9 2008Lu Huijun ABSTRACT DNA-based vaccination is an attractive alternative for overcoming the disadvantages of inactivated virus vaccines; however, DNA vaccines alone often generate only weak immune responses. In this study, the efficacy of LMS as a chemical adjuvant on a DNA vaccine (pVIR-P12A-IL18-3C) encoding the P1-2A and 3C genes of the FMDV and swine IL-18, which provides protection against FMDV challenge, was tested. All test pigs were administered booster vaccinations 28 days after the initial inoculation, and were challenged with 1000 ID50 FMDV O/NY00 20 days after the booster vaccination. Positive and negative control groups were inoculated with inactivated virus vaccine and PBS respectively. The DNA vaccine plus LMS induced greater humoral and cell-mediated responses than the DNA vaccine alone, as evidenced by higher concentrations of neutralizing and specific anti-FMDV antibodies, and by higher concentrations of T-lymphocyte proliferation and IFN-, production, respectively. FMDV challenge revealed that the DNA vaccine plus LMS provided higher protection than the DNA vaccine alone. This study demonstrates that LMS may be useful as an adjuvant for improving the protective efficiency of DNA vaccination against FMDV in pigs. [source] The effects of fluvial processes and habitat heterogeneity on distribution, growth and densities of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.), with consequences on abundance of the adult fishECOLOGY OF FRESHWATER FISH, Issue 4 2002R. J. Gibson Abstract,,,The required freshwater habitats of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) are, in general, well known, but vary in quality, related to interacting effects of several variables, which may depend on different parts of a river system. Examples are given of ranges of densities and growth that can be found at various sites in eastern Canada, illustrating the biological and physico-chemical factors affecting production of juvenile salmon. Relative growth rates can indicate habitat quality and population densities. Salmon parr have negative effects on brook trout in riffle habitats. The effects of migrations within the river and of changes with stream succession on juvenile salmon production are illustrated with examples from a Newfoundland river. Migration of age-classes can be quantified from ,self-thinning' curves. Lakes have enhancing effects on downstream fluvial habitats, and, at least in Newfoundland, and probably in many boreal areas, the lacustrine proportion of the basin can be used as an index for deriving estimates of required spawning escapement. The factors described should be taken into account for more refined estimates of river production and management of the salmon resource. [source] Vitamin C attenuates ERK signalling to inhibit the regulation of collagen production by LL-37 in human dermal fibroblastsEXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 8 2010Hyun Jeong Park Please cite this paper as: Vitamin C attenuates ERK signalling to inhibit the regulation of collagen production by LL-37 in human dermal fibroblasts. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: e258,e264. Abstract:, Vitamin C is used as an anti-ageing agent because of its collagen enhancing effects. The precise cellular signalling mechanism of vitamin C is not well known. Here, we investigate the profibrotic mechanism of vitamin C against LL-37. Antimicrobial peptide LL-37 decreases collagen expression at mRNA and protein levels in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). The ability of LL-37 to inhibit collagen expression is dependent on phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). HDFs and human keloid fibroblasts were treated with vitamin C followed by 2 h of LL-37 treatment. Collagen mRNA expression and total soluble collagen production inhibited by LL-37 was enhanced by treatment with 0.5 mm vitamin C. Vitamin C also decreased intracellular reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) levels that were increased by LL-37. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of ERK was analysed by Western blot following treatment with vitamin C and LL-37. Vitamin C turned off phosphorylation of ERK that was induced by LL-37. Ets-1 transcriptional factor, which is involved in the regulation of collagen expression by LL-37, was also inhibited by vitamin C. This study shows that vitamin C enhances collagen production by inhibiting the ERK pathway induced by LL-37. [source] Combined Effect of Nitrogen- and Oxygen-Containing Functional Groups of Microporous Activated Carbon on its Electrochemical Performance in SupercapacitorsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 3 2009Denisa Hulicova-Jurcakova Abstract Microporous activated carbon originating from coconut shell, as received or oxidized with nitric acid, is treated with melamine and urea and heated to 950,°C in an inert atmosphere to modify the carbon surface with nitrogen- and oxygen-containing groups for a systematic investigation of their combined effect on electrochemical performance in 1,M H2SO4 supercapacitors. The chemistry of the samples is characterized using elemental analysis, Boehm titration, potentiometric titration, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Sorption of nitrogen and carbon dioxide is used to determine the textural properties. The results show that the surface chemistry is affected by the type of nitrogen precursor and the specific groups present on the surface before the treatment leading to the incorporation of nitrogen. Analysis of the electrochemical behavior of urea- and melamine-treated samples reveal pseudocapacitance from both the oxygen and the nitrogen containing functional groups located in the pores larger than 10,Å. On the other hand, pores between 5,Å and 6,Å are most effective in a double-layer formation, which correlates well with the size of hydrated ions. Although the quaternary and pyridinic-N-oxides nitrogen groups have enhancing effects on capacitance due to the positive charge, and thus an improved electron transfer at high current loads, the most important functional groups affecting energy storage performance are pyrrolic and pyridinic nitrogen along with quinone oxygen. [source] Partial tolerance of subcutaneously transplanted xenogeneic tumour cell graft by Fas-mediated immunosuppressionIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2001Takahiro Sawada Summary Certain anti-Fas antibodies, such as RMF2, induce apoptosis of Fas-expressing cells. We applied the Fas/anti-Fas system to induce killing of Fas-expressing immunocytes with resultant immunosuppression. W7TM-1 tumour cells, a rat T-cell line, were inoculated subcutaneously in BALB/c mice and tumour growth was monitored in untreated mice and in mice treated with RMF2. Prior to treatment with RMF2, we examined the expression of Fas in isolated splenocytes and in tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, respectively. There was a remarkable increase in Fas-positive lymphocytes, including natural killer (NK) cells, among splenocytes at day 5 after tumour cell inoculation. The number of Fas-positive infiltrating lymphocytes also increased markedly, from day 5 to day 10. We then examined whether RMF2 could induce apoptosis of Fas-positive activated lymphocytes isolated from the spleen at day 5 in vitro. Terminal deoxy (d) -UTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) and Annexin V staining methods showed apoptosis of isolated cells when incubated with RMF2, and typical apoptotic features were confirmed by 4,,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) staining. Furthermore, suppression of cellular and humoral immunity was noted in RMF2-treated mice by mixed lymphocyte reaction and assay of serum levels of immunoglobulin G, respectively. Finally, treatment of animals with RMF2 daily from day 5 to day 9 could maintain the tumour size, while the tumour mass began to diminish in untreated mice immediately after reaching a maximum size. We confirmed the enhancing effects of long-term treatment with RMF2, through the induction of immunosuppression, on the growth of unvascularized xenogeneic tumour cell grafts. [source] High salt diets dose-dependently promote gastric chemical carcinogenesis in Helicobacter pylori -infected Mongolian gerbils associated with a shift in mucin production from glandular to surface mucous cellsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 7 2006Sosuke Kato Abstract Intake of salt and salty food is known as a risk factor for gastric carcinogenesis. To examine the dose-dependence and the mechanisms underlying enhancing effects, Mongolian gerbils were treated with N -methyl- N -nitrosourea (MNU), Helicobacter pylori and food containing various concentrations of salt, and were sacrificed after 50 weeks. Among gerbils treated with MNU and H. pylori, the incidences of glandular stomach cancers were 15% in the normal diet group and 33%, 36% and 63% in the 2.5%, 5% and 10% NaCl diet groups, showing dose-dependent increase (p < 0.01). Intermittent intragastric injection of saturated NaCl solution, in contrast, did not promote gastric carcinogenesis. In gerbils infected with H. pylori, a high salt diet was associated with elevation of anti- H. pylori antibody titers, serum gastrin levels and inflammatory cell infiltration in a dose-dependent fashion. Ten percent NaCl diet upregulated the amount of surface mucous cell mucin (p < 0.05), suitable for H. pylori colonization, despite no increment of MUC5AC mRNA, while H. pylori infection itself had an opposing effect, stimulating transcription of MUC6 and increasing the amount of gland mucous cell mucin (GMCM). High salt diet, in turn, decreased the amount of GMCM, which acts against H. pylori infection. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated dose-dependent enhancing effects of salt in gastric chemical carcinogenesis in H. pylori -infected Mongolian gerbils associated with alteration of the mucous microenvironment. Reduction of salt intake could thus be one of the most important chemopreventive methods for human gastric carcinogenesis. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Chitinolytic activities in Bacillus thuringiensis and their synergistic effects on larvicidal activityJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2002M. Liu Aims: To investigate the distribution of chitinase in Bacillus thuringiensis strains, and the enhancing effects of the chitinase-producing B. thuringiensis strains on insecticidal toxicity of active B. thuringiensis strain against Spodoptera exigua larvae. Methods and Results: The chitinolytic activities of B.thuringiensis strains representing the 70 serotypes were investigated by the whitish opaque halo and the colorimetric method. Thirty-eight strains produced different levels of chitinase at pH 7·0, and so did 17 strains at pH 10·0. The strain T04A001 exhibited the highest production, reaching a specific activity of 355 U ml,1 in liquid medium. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting showed that the chitinase produced by some B. thuringiensis strains had a molecular weight of about 61 kDa. The bioassay results indicated that the chitinase-producing B. thuringiensis strains could enhance the insecticidal activity of B. thuringiensis strain DL5789 against S. exigua larvae, with an enhancing ratio of 2·35-fold. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that chitinase was widely produced in B. thuringiensis strains and some of the strains could enhance the toxicity of active B. thuringiensis strain. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first investigation devoted exclusively to analyse the distribution of chitinase in B. thuringiensis. It infers that the chitinase produced by B. thuringiensis might play a role in the activity of the biopesticide. [source] Thyroid Hormone Action: Nongenomic Modulation of Neuronal Excitability in the HippocampusJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 2 2009M. A. Caria Years of effort have failed to establish a generally-accepted mechanism of thyroid hormone (TH) action in the mature brain. Recently, both morphological and pharmacological evidence have supported a direct neuroactive role for the hormone and its triiodinated metabolites. However, no direct physiological validation has been available. We now describe electrophysiological studies in vivo in which we observed that local thyroxine (T4) administration promptly inhibited field excitatory postsynaptic potentials recorded in the dentate gyrus (DG) with stimulation of the medial perforant pathway, a result that was found to be especially pronounced in hypothyroid rats. In separate in vitro experiments, we observed more subtle but statistically significant responses of hippocampal slices to treatment with the hormone. The results demonstrate that baseline firing rates of CA1 pyramidal cells were modestly reduced by pulse-perfusion with T4. By contrast, administration of triiodothyronine (T3) was often noted to have modest enhancing effects on CA1 cell firing rates in hippocampal slices from euthyroid animals. Moreover, and more reliably, robust firing rate increases induced by norepinephrine were amplified when preceded by treatment with T3, whereas they were diminished by pretreatment with T4. These studies provide the first direct evidence for functional, nongenomic actions of TH leading to rapid changes in neuronal excitability in adult rat DG studied in vivo and highlight the opposing effects of T4 and T3 on norepinephrine-induced responses of CA1 cells studied in vitro. [source] Ethanol Enhances Taurine-Activated Glycine Receptor FunctionALCOHOLISM, Issue 9 2010Brian T. Welsh Background:, Emerging evidence suggests that taurine acts as a partial agonist on glycine receptors (GlyR) in vitro and in vivo. Ethanol acts as an allosteric modulator on the GlyR producing a leftward shift of the glycine concentration,response curve, with no enhancing effects observed at saturating glycine concentrations. However, to date, no electrophysiological studies have been performed on ethanol modulation of taurine-activated GlyR. Methods:, Wild-type ,1 GlyR, or those bearing a serine-267 to isoleucine replacement (S267I), were homomerically expressed in Xenopus oocytes and voltage clamped at ,70 mV. Ethanol was co-applied with varying concentrations of glycine or taurine and the enhancing effects of ethanol compared. Results:, Ethanol potentiated glycine- and taurine-activated GlyR responses in a concentration-dependent manner. It shifted taurine and glycine concentration,response curves to the left, having no effects at saturating agonist concentrations. Chelation of zinc by tricine decreased ethanol enhancement of taurine-gated GlyR function. The S267I mutation prevented ethanol enhancement of taurine-mediated responses as previously also reported for glycine. Conclusion:, Ethanol modulates taurine activation of GlyR function by a mechanism similar to that of the full agonist glycine. The lack of effect of ethanol at saturating taurine concentrations provides mechanistic information on alcohol actions at the GlyR. [source] Effects of Straight Chain Alcohols on Specific Isoforms of Adenylyl CyclaseALCOHOLISM, Issue 4 2010Mohammad Hasanuzzaman Background:, Our previous studies showed that the activity of adenylyl cyclase (AC) was enhanced by pharmacologically relevant concentrations of ethanol, that this enhancing effect of ethanol on AC activity was AC isoform specific, and that the alcohol cutoff effect for n -alkanol potentiation of AC activity was also AC isoform specific. Therefore, we hypothesized that within the cyclic AMP-generating system, AC is the target of ethanol's action and that alcohols interact directly with the AC molecules. To characterize the interaction between alcohols and AC proteins, the effects of a series of straight chain alcohols would be very valuable in understanding alcohol action at the molecular level. To our knowledge, straight chain alcohols other than n- alkanols and 1,,-diols have not been used extensively to study alcohol effects on the activity of AC or other proteins important in the alcohol research field. Methods:, The effects of a series of straight chain alcohols on D1A dopamine receptor-stimulated activity of AC isoforms type 6, 7, and 9 (AC6, AC7, and AC9) were examined in transfected Hela cells by a cAMP accumulation assay. Results:, In general, all 3 AC isoforms responded to a series of straight chain alcohols in a similar manner. The order of responsiveness is as follows: monoalcohol > diol > triol and tetraol. Within monoalcohols, 1-alcohols had larger effects than 2-alcohols. Two of 3 stereoisomers of 2,3-butanediol, [D-(-)-2,3-butanediol and meso -2,3-butanediol] showed similar enhancing effects on all 3 AC isoforms. However, the third stereoisomer, L-(+)-2,3-butanediol, inhibited AC7 activity, while it stimulated AC6 and AC9. Conclusion:, The number and the position of hydroxyl groups in straight chain alcohols play an important role in the magnitude of the enhancement on AC activity. Regardless of AC isoforms, the most effective of the straight chain alcohols seems to be the 1-alcohol (n -alkanol) for a given chain length. We found that one of the stereoisomers of 2,3-butanediol had opposite effects on AC activity depending on the AC isoform. Overall, the results are consistent with the hypotheses and demonstrate that a series of straight chain alcohols can be a valuable tool to study AC-alcohol interactions. [source] The Mammalian Circadian Clock Exhibits Acute Tolerance to EthanolALCOHOLISM, Issue 12 2009Rebecca A. Prosser Background:, Tolerance to ethanol is observed over a variety of time courses, from minutes to days. Acute tolerance, which develops over 5 to 60 minutes, has been observed for both behavioral and neurophysiological variables and may involve changes in signaling through NMDA, GABA, or other receptors. Previous work has shown that both acute and chronic ethanol treatments modulate photic and nonphotic phase resetting of the mammalian circadian clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Although not specifically tested, the data thus far do not point to the development of chronic tolerance to the modulatory effects of ethanol. Here we investigated whether acute tolerance the ethanol occurs with respect to in vitro phase modulation of the SCN clock. Methods:, Mouse brain slices containing the SCN were pretreated with ethanol for varying lengths of time, followed by treatment concurrent with either glutamate or the serotonin agonist, 8-hydroxy-DPAT (DPAT). The phase of the SCN circadian clock was assessed the following day through extracellular recordings of SCN neuronal activity. SCN neuronal activity normally peaks during mid-day, and this rhythm can be shifted by treatment with either glutamate or DPAT. Results:, While concurrent treatment of SCN-containing brain slices with ethanol and glutamate blocks glutamate-induced phase delays of the SCN clock, pretreating the slices with ethanol for ,15 minutes prevents this inhibition. Likewise, while concurrent treatment with ethanol and DPAT enhances DPAT-induced phase advances of the SCN clock, pretreating the slices with ethanol for ,30 minutes prevents this enhancement. Conclusions:, Both the inhibiting and enhancing effects of ethanol on in vitro SCN clock phase resetting show acute tolerance. Additional experiments are needed to determine whether more slowly developing forms of tolerance also occur with respect to the SCN circadian clock. [source] Acute Ethanol Potentiates the Clock-Speed Enhancing Effects of Nicotine on Timing and Temporal MemoryALCOHOLISM, Issue 12 2007Warren H. Meck Background:, Acute ethanol administration potentiates some of the behavioral effects of nicotine, although the extent of this effect is unknown. The present investigation assessed the ability of ethanol to potentiate nicotine's effect on the overestimation of multisecond durations as a result of an increase in the speed of an internal clock. Methods:, Adult male rats were exposed to the acute effects of ethanol (0.0, 0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 g/kg; IG) which was given 10 minutes prior to the administration of nicotine (0.0, 0.3, 0.6, and 1.0 mg/kg; IP). The effects of these combined treatments on timing and temporal memory were assessed using 18- and 36-second peak-interval procedures with separate visual/spatial cues for responding. Results:, When administered alone, ethanol had no consistent effect on peak time, but decreased peak rate, and increased peak spread as a function of dose. In contrast, nicotine alone shifted the peak times of the response distributions leftward in a proportional manner as a function of dose. When administered after pretreatment with ethanol, nicotine's effect on the horizontal placement of the peak functions was potentiated. Conclusions:, The observation that ethanol pretreatment potentiates the clock-speed enhancing effects of subsequently administered nicotine is discussed in terms of the role of ,7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and dopamine,glutamate interactions in cortico-striatal circuits thought to subserve interval timing. [source] Enhancement of gene expression by a peptide p(CHWPR) produced by Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Takashi Mitsuma ABSTRACT Recently, probiotics, including Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Enterococcus, among other organisms, have been clinically applied for their enhancing effects on defense mechanisms. It is reported that gene expression in somatic cells can be activated by autoinducers, which are hormone-like molecules produced in a microbial QS system. In the present study, based on a hypothesis that a low-molecular substance related to the QS system is involved in the probiotics effects of Bifidobacterium, we intended to extract the low-molecular substance. As a result, we successfully isolated the peptide p(CHWPR), which was composed of five amino acids including Cys, His, Trp, Pro, and Arg, and found that the peptide was produced in the stationary phase of bacterial growth and that it could enhance the gene expression of oxalyl-CoA decarboxylase (Oxc). p(CHWPR) enhanced the gene expression of c-myc and interleukin (IL)-6 in an established cell line, HL-60. We demonstrated that p(CHWPR) penetrates the cell membrane and binds specifically to ROR,, which is a cytosolic nuclear receptor. This suggests that ROR, bound to p(CHWPR) would bind to promoter regions of the c-myc gene. Furthermore, we found that p(CHWPR) also bound to a transcriptional avtivation subunit, CRSP70; this suggests that p(CHWPR), ROR,, and CRSP70 in combination enhance transcription activity. [source] Expression of MHC Class II, CD70, CD80, CD86 and pro-inflammatory cytokines is differentially regulated in oral epithelial cells following bacterial challengeMOLECULAR ORAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2003D. C. Han Oral epithelium may play a regulatory role in local immune responses when interacting with bacteria. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of selected bacterial pathogens found in periodontal and endodontic infections on oral epithelial cells. Expression of cell surface molecules (major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class II, CD54, CD70, CD80 and CD86) and secretion of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1,, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-,) in response to selected bacterial challenge were examined on an immortalized oral epithelial cell line, HOK-18A and a skin epithelial cell line, HaCaT. Actinomyces viscosus, Actinomyces israelii, Fusobacterium nucleatum lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or primary human periradicular exudate from a granuloma were co-cultured with epithelial cells for 4 or 24 h. Subsequently, cell surface expression of MHC Class II, CD54, CD70, CD80 and CD86, along with pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were determined using flow cytometry, ELISA and RT-PCR. Results indicated that the selected oral bacteria have greater effects on oral versus skin epithelial cells. F. nucleatum increased MHC Class II and CD54 (ICAM-1) cell surface expression on HOK-18A and HaCaT cells. A. israelii also had enhancing effects on the expression of CD54 and MHC Class II. A. israelii and LPS induced a 2.8-fold (P < 0.001) and 4.4-fold (P < 0.005) TNF-, secretion, respectively, while F. nucleatum and LPS induced a 10-fold (P < 0.0004) and 6-fold (P < 0.01) IL-1, secretion, respectively by HOK-18A. Interestingly, CD70, CD80, and CD86 were generally decreased upon bacteria and LPS challenge on HOK-18A. The effects of increased MHC Class II and decreased CD70 were also evident with challenge of human periradicular exudate on HOK-18A. The implications of the study are unique in that oral epithelial cells may play both activating and inhibitory roles in the host immune response towards infection by oral bacteria. We introduce a concept of ,dormancy' where the differential expression of key cell surface antigens on oral epithelial cells may keep the recruited immune effector cells in a state of unresponsiveness, thus contributing to the long term quiescent period observed in many periodontal and endodontic lesions. [source] Comparison of ECR plasma pretreatment techniques for ZnO atomic layer epitaxy on the sapphire substratePHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 10 2004Kyoungchul Shin Abstract ZnO films were grown on sapphire substrates treated with ECR plasma by the atomic layer epitaxy (ALE) technique. ZnO nucleation enhancing effects of oxygen, hydrogen, and argon plasma treatments were compared. The incubation period for ZnO nucleation was measured by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Auger electron emission spectrometric (AES) analysis. The incubation period for ZnO nucleation on the Al2O3 substrate not treated with plasma was more than 40 ALE cycles. The incubation period was shortened down to less than 35 cycles by argon or hydrogen ECR plasma pretreatment and to less than 30 cycles by oxygen ECR plasma pretreatment. It was found that a microwave power of 300W and a plasma exposure times of 10 min were appropriate for oxygen ECR plasma treatment of sapphire substrate surfaces to enhance ZnO nucleation. Higher power and longer exposure time would not be effective or would rather aggravate than enhance ZnO nucleation. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Effect of Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. on learning behavior and memory enhancement activity in rodentsPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 4 2010Alok Nahata Abstract In the Ayurvedic system of medicine, the whole herb of ,Shankhpushpi' has been employed clinically for centuries for its memory potentiating, anxiolytic and tranquilizing properties. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Evolvulus alsinoides (EA), considered as Shankhpushpi on learning and memory in rodents. Nootropic activity using Cook and Weidley's pole climbing apparatus, passive avoidance paradigms and active avoidance tests were used to test learning and memory. The ethanol extract of EA and its ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions were evaluated for their memory enhancing properties. Two doses (100 and 200 mg/kg p.o.) of the ethanol extract and ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions were administered in separate groups of animals. Both doses of all the extracts of EA significantly improved learning and memory in rats. Furthermore, these doses significantly reversed the amnesia induced by scopolamine (0.3 mg/kg i.p.). Nootropic activity was compared using piracetam as the standard. EA also exhibited potent memory enhancing effects in the step-down and shuttle-box avoidance paradigms. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Evaluation of antioxidant activity of Ginkgo biloba phytosomes in rat brainPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 11 2006Suresh R. Naik Abstract Ginkgo biloba from the traditional Chinese system of medicine has been found to possess neurocognitive enhancing effects. The mechanism of action of Ginkgo seems to be related to its antioxidant properties. In the present study, Ginkgo biloba phytosomes were administered to Wistar rats at 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg for 7 and 14 days. Chemical hypoxia was induced by administration of sodium nitrite (75 mg/kg) 1 h after the last administration of treatment. Thirty minutes after sodium nitrite administration, the animals were killed and the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus and striatum were isolated and homogenized. The supernatants were used for the estimation of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. Ginkgo biloba phytosome treatment was found to increase superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities in all the brain regions compared with those treated only with sodium nitrite. The prevention of depletion of the antioxidant enzymes by sodium nitrite in the presence of Ginkgo biloba phytosomes may be correlated to its antioxidant activity. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Mechanical and oxygen barrier properties of organoclay-polyethylene nanocomposite filmsPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 7 2007Yang Zhong An organically modified montmorillonite was compounded with ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), low density polyethylene (LDPE), and high density polyethylene (HDPE) in a twin-screw extruder. The resulting organoclay-polyethylene nanocomposites were then blown into films. Tensile properties and oxygen permeability of these nanocomposite films were investigated to understand the effects of organoclay on different types of polyethylene. It was found that the clay enhancing effects are function of the matrix. The mechanical and oxygen barrier properties of clay/EVA systems increased with clay loading. Both the tensile modulus and oxygen barrier of EVA doubled at 5 wt% clay. Maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MAPE) usually is used as a compatibilizer for LDPE and HDPE-based nanocomposites. However, the MAPEs were found to weaken the oxygen barrier of the PEs, especially for HDPE. This is believed to be a result of less compactness caused by the large side groups and the increase in polarity of the MAPEs. Incorporating 5 wt% clay improves the oxygen barrier by 30% and the tensile modulus by 37% for the LDPE/MAPE system. Incorporation of clay does not enhance the properties of the HDPE-based systems, likely due to large domain structure and poor bonding. Halpin,Tsai equation and the tortuous path equation were used to model the tensile modulus and oxygen permeability of the clay/EVA nanocomposite films. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:1101,1107, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Effect of Bupleuri Radix Extracts on the Toxicity of 5-Fluorouracil in HepG2 Hepatoma Cells and Normal Human LymphocytesBASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Su Jin Kang We sought to assess whether Bupleuri Radix extract enhances 5-fluorouracil-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 hepatoma cells, while protecting normal blood lymphocytes. Bupleuri Radix, used for treatment of liver disease in oriental medicine, possesses antitumour properties; it induces apoptosis through cell arrest in tumour cells, but does not affect normal lymphocytes. In this study, we evaluated the protective and enhancing effects of Bupleuri Radix on 5-fluorouracil-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells and normal lymphocytes. Treatment with Bupleuri Radix increased the micronuclei frequency and DNA damage, resulting from 5-fluorouracil treatment. However, when human lymphocytes were cotreated with Bupleuri Radix and 5-fluorouracil, the frequency of 5-fluorouracil-induced micronuclei decreased. Although the extent of 5-fluorouracil-induced DNA damage, determined by single-cell gel electrophoresis, increased after treating HepG2 cells with Bupleuri Radix, it decreased in normal lymphocytes. When cells were treated with 20 µM 5-fluorouracil and 200 µg/ml Bupleuri Radix simultaneously, Bax protein increased in HepG2 cells at 24 hr; however, p21 and p53 proteins were up-regulated in normal human lymphocytes. Cotreatment with 200 µg/ml Bupleuri Radix and 20 µM 5-fluorouracil resulted in cell arrest at the late G1/early S phase in HepG2 cells (55.80 ± 0.19%) and normal lymphocytes (97.19 ± 0.27%). In addition, Bupleuri Radix and 5-fluorouracil treatment increased mitochondria membrane potential collapse only in HepG2 cells (19.02%), while it was not changed in lymphocytes. In conclusion, our findings suggest that Bupleuri Radix may be effective as a therapeutic agent to treat hepatomas. [source] Emotional arousal enhances declarative memory in patients with Alzheimer's diseaseACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2007C. Satler Objective,,, To verify whether the long-term retention of an emotionally arousing story is stronger than the retention of a neutral story, and the enhancing effects of emotional arousal on declarative memory in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Method,,, Twenty subjects (10 with AD and 10 controls matched for age and educational level) were studied. After the audiovisual presentation (neutral story), the subjects rated the narrative's emotionality. Later, they answered a multiple-choice questionnaire about the stories. Two weeks later, they watched the emotionally arousing story. Results,,, Subjects who watched the emotionally arousing story assigned a score of emotionality higher than the subjects in the neutral group (P = 0.023). In addition, the participants remembered more details of the arousing story, and had a higher score in the questionnaire (P < 0.001). Conclusions,,, We demonstrated that an emotionally arousing content enhances long-term declarative memory in AD. Furthermore, present finding supports the use of this instrument for clinical and research purposes. [source] Young Children's Reasoning About the Effects of Emotional and Physiological States on Academic PerformanceCHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2009Jennifer Amsterlaw This study assessed young children's understanding of the effects of emotional and physiological states on cognitive performance. Five, 6-, 7-year-olds, and adults (N= 96) predicted and explained how children experiencing a variety of physiological and emotional states would perform on academic tasks. Scenarios included: (a) negative and positive emotions, (b) negative and positive physiological states, and (c) control conditions. All age groups understood the impairing effects of negative emotions and physiological states. Only 7-year-olds, however, showed adult-like reasoning about the potential enhancing effects of positive internal states and routinely cited cognitive mechanisms to explain how internal states affect performance. These results shed light on theory-of-mind development and also have significance for children's everyday school success. [source] KETANSERIN-INDUCED BAROREFLEX ENHANCEMENT IN SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS DEPENDS ON CENTRAL 5-HT2A RECEPTORSCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 8 2007Fu-Ming Shen SUMMARY 1Ketanserin may influence baroreflex function by blocking 5-HT2A receptors and/or ,1 -adrenoceptors through central and/or peripheral mechanisms. 2In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the baroreflex sensitivity (BRS)-enhancing effects of ketanserin are mediated by central 5-HT2A receptors in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). 3Using a conjugate of a monoclonal antibody to the serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) and the toxin saporin (anti-SERT-SAP), which specifically eliminates the neurons that express SERT, the effects of ketanserin (0.3 and 3.0 mg/kg, i.g.) on BRS, blood pressure (BP), heart period (HP) and blood pressure variability (BPV) were compared between conscious intact SHR and SHR pretreated with anti-SERT-SAP. 4Immunochemistry showed that, 2 weeks after intracerebroventricular injection of the toxin, 5-HT expression was strikingly attenuated in the brain, whereas values of BRS, BPV and BP were similar to those in the sham group. In intact SHR, 0.3 mg/kg ketanserin significantly improved BRS (191% control) and reduced BPV without affecting BP; at 3.0 mg/kg, ketanserin significantly increased BRS (197% control) and decreased BPV and BP. In toxin-pretreated SHR, only the high dose of ketanserin improved BRS (132% control), neither of the ketanserin doses reduced BPV, but both significantly decreased BP. 5We conclude that the BRS-enhancing effects of ketanserin are mediated largely by central 5-HT2A receptors, whereas the antihypertensive effect of ketanserin persists even after destruction of serotonergic neurons in the central nervous system. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||