26 research outputs found
Towards an international understanding of the power of celebrity persuasions: a review and a research agenda
Research into advertising using celebrity has been undertaken for nearly 40 years. It has
principally used surveys and experiments to explore how consumers respond to celebrity
advertisements. A recent meta-study of 32 papers has demonstrated that different
populations respond in different ways to celebrity endorsements. Specifically, both US
subjects and college students are more likely to respond in a significant way to the
presence of celebrity than subjects who are not from the US, or who are not studying at
college. Given that the nationality and student status of subjects matter, this article
explores the make up of the samples that have been used to examine celebrity advertising.
The article finds that these samples are not representative of US populations
(because so many are students), nor of populations outside the US (because so few
live beyond it). Furthermore, the history of dominance of US-based student samples, and
the citation practices which keep them circulating in academia, suggests that theories of
celebrity advertising have for a long time been excessively influenced by ideas tested on
this unrepresentative group. This fact will limit the applicability of research into celebrity
advertising to the wider world. I explore whether this matters, and how deficiencies
might be addressed in further research
Survey on severity of magnetic and electric fields around video display terminals and its association with health effects on operators
Background and aimsIntensity of Magnetic and Electric fields around visual displayterminals and its association on health effects were studied.Methodsmagnetic and electric fields intensities around 237 VDTs at distances 30¡50¡ 60 cm and different operating conditions (active¸ screen saver¸ shut down) with use of HI-3603 device according to Svensk standard method were monitored. Resultsmagnetic and electric fields Intensities at 30 cm were higher than standard and at 50 cm Monitors in all measurements were lower than standard (20mA/m MPRII, TCO) and (1V/m,TCO) Magnetic fields intensities of LCD monitors in rare side were higher than all other directionsand rise versa intensities of magnetic fields of cathodiC monitors were in front than other sides. Differences of magnetic and electric fields intensities were not significant in various operating conditions (screen saver and active operation). Comparison of chronic syndrome of exhaustion in two groups of case and control, demonstrated higher of prevalence of symptoms such as shedding tears, eye irritation and fatigue in case rather than control group.Conclusionat time of procurement of monitors TCO standard label should be noticed. During recess times, monitors should be turned off in order to reduce exposure to electric and magnetic fields
Antitrypanosomal activity of anthriscus nemorosa essential oils and combinations of their main constituents
This study aimed to investigate the susceptibility of Trypanosoma brucei to the Anthriscus nemorosa essential oils (EOs), isolated compounds from these oils, and artificial mixtures of the isolated compounds in their conventional and nanoencapsulated forms. The chemical composition of the essential oils from the aerial parts and roots of Anthriscus nemorosa, obtained from a wild population growing in central Italy, were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In both cases, the predominant class of compounds was monoterpene hydrocarbons, which were more abundant in the EOs from the roots (81.5%) than the aerial parts (74.0%). The overall results of this work have shed light on the biological properties of A. nemorosa EO from aerial parts (EC50 = 1.17 µg/mL), farnesene (EC50 = 0.84 µg/mL), and artificial mixtures (Mix 3–5, EC50 in the range of 1.27 to 1.58 µg/mL) as relevant sources of antiprotozoal substances. Furthermore, the pool measurements of ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and NTPs (nucleoside triphosphates) in the cultivated bloodstream form of trypanosomes exposed to different concentrations of EOs showed a disturbed energy metabolism, as indicated by increased pools of ADP in comparison to ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and other NTPs. Ultimately, this study highlights the significant efficacy of A. nemorosa EO to develop long-lasting and effective antiprotozoal formulations, including nanoemulsions
An overlooked horticultural crop, Smyrnium olusatrum, as a potential source of compounds effective against African trypanosomiasis
Among natural products, sesquiterpenes have showed promising inhibitory effects against bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei, the protozoan parasite causing the human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). Smyrnium olusatrum (Apiaceae), also known as Alexanders or wild celery, is a neglected horticultural crop characterized by oxygenated sesquiterpenes containing a furan ring. In the present work we explored the potential of its essential oils obtained from different organs and the main oxygenated sesquiterpenes, namely isofuranodiene, germacrone and β-acetoxyfuranoeudesm-4(15)-ene, as inhibitors of Trypanosoma brucei. All essential oils effectively inhibited the growth of parasite showing IC50 values of 1.9-4.0 g/mL. Among the main essential oil constituents, isofuranodiene exhibited a significant and selective inhibitory activity against T. brucei (IC50 of 0.6 g/mL, SI = 30), with β-acetoxyfuranoeudesm-4(15)-ene giving a moderate potentiating effect. These results, albeit preliminary, shed light into the possible application of isofuranodiene as anti-protozoal agent to be included in combination treatments aimed not only at curing patients but also at preventing the diffusion of this HAT
An overlooked horticultural crop, Smyrnium olusatrum, as a potential source of compounds effective against African trypanosomiasis
Among natural products, sesquiterpenes have shown promising inhibitory effects against bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei, the protozoan parasite causing human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). Smyrnium olusatrum (Apiaceae), also known as Alexanders or wild celery, is a neglected horticultural crop characterized by oxygenated sesquiterpenes containing a furan ring. In the present work we explored the potential of its essential oils obtained from different organs and the main oxygenated sesquiterpenes, namely isofuranodiene, germacrone and \u3b2-acetoxyfuranoeudesm-4(15)-ene, as inhibitors of Trypanosoma brucei. All essential oils effectively inhibited the growth of parasite showing IC50 values of 1.9\u20134.0 \u3bcg/ml. Among the main essential oil constituents, isofuranodiene exhibited a significant and selective inhibitory activity against T. brucei (IC50 of 0.6 \u3bcg/ml, SI = 30), with \u3b2-acetoxyfuranoeudesm-4(15)-ene giving a moderate potentiating effect. These results shed light on the possible application of isofuranodiene as an antiprotozoal agent to be included in combination treatments aimed not only at curing patients but also at preventing the diffusion of HAT
Essential oils from Smyrnium olusatrum L. (Apiaceae) as a potential source of trypanocidal compounds
Plant-borne sesquiterpenes are considered as promising natural inhibitors against bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei, the protozoan parasite causing the human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). Smyrnium olusatrum L. (Apiaceae), also known as Alexanders or wild celery, is an overlooked vegetable characterized by oxygenated sesquiterpenes1. Among them, isofuranodiene, germacrone and β-acetoxyfuranoeudesm-4(15)-ene are the most abundant in the plant essential oil.
In the present work, we investigated the antitrypanosomal activity of S. olusatrum essential oils obtained from different parts and the isolated sesquiterpenes, namely isofuranodiene, germacrone and β-acetoxyfuranoeudesm-4(15)-ene. The quali-quantitative composition of essential oils was investigated by gas chromatography coupled to mass-spectrometry (GC-MS).
All essential oils reduced the growth of T. brucei with IC50 values of 1.9-4.0 g/ml. Among the isolated compounds, isofuranodiene showed a significant and selective inhibitory effect against T. brucei (IC50 of 0.6 g/ml, SI = 30), with β-acetoxyfuranoeudesm-4(15)-ene giving a moderate synergistic effect2. These results, albeit preliminary, shed light on the potential application of isofuranodiene as antitrypanosomal drug to be used for prophylactic and curative purposes against HAT
Essential oils from Smyrnium olusatrum and their major components as potential mosquitocidal and trypanocidal agents
Smyrnium olusatrum L., also known as Alexanders or wild celery, is a celery-scented biennial herb belonging to the Apiaceae family and distributed in the Mediterranean area where it grows on hedgerows, hedged banks, sea cliffs, quarries and railway embankments, from sea level to 800 m of altitude [1]. Since Roman age the plant has been used as both a vegetable and for medicinal uses. After a long period of cultivation, the use of S. olusatrum was abandoned due to the introduction of common celery (Apium graveolens L.) in the Middle Ages [1]. Owing to the abundance of secretory structures like ducts and vittae [2], S. olusatrum is a rich source of essential oils. Their chemical composition has been extensively investigated by our group [1-4] and revealed the furan ring-containing sesquiterpenes as the marker compounds. Among the main compounds, isofuranodiene, germacrone and 1β-acetoxyfurano-4(15)-eudesmene were the most representative ones (Fig. 1). Recently, essential oils have been considered as new therapeutic options to combat protozoal infections [5] as well as effective and eco-friendly tools to control highly invasive mosquito vectors [6,7]. On this basis, we have assayed the S. olusatrum essential oils and its main components (i.e. isofuranodiene, germacrone and 1β-acetoxyfurano-4(15)-eudesmene) for larvicidal effects on Culex quinquefasciatus, the vector of lymphatic filariasis, and for inhibitory effects on Trypanosoma brucei, the protozoan parasite responsible for Human African trypanosomiasis. The essential oil of S. olusatrum flowers exhibited acute toxicity on C. quinquefasciatus larvae, with germacrone and isofuranodiene being involved in the effect displayed. As concerning T. brucei, the S. olusatrum essential oils showed good inhibitory effects and selectivity, with the sample from fruits being the most active, and isofuranodiene and 1β-acetoxyfurano-4(15)-eudesmene as the main contributors to the effect on protozoal cell. These results, although preliminary, encourage further studies in the attempt to find a new application of S. olusatrum secondary metabolites as natural insecticides and antiprotozoal agents
Identification of highly effective antitrypanosomal compounds in essential oils from the Apiaceae family
The Apiaceae family encompasses aromatic plants of economic importance employed in foodstuffs, beverages, perfumery, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Apiaceae are rich sources of essential oils because of the wealth of secretory structures (ducts and vittae) they are endowed with. The Apiaceae essential oils are available on an industrial level because of the wide cultivation and disposability of the bulky material from which they are extracted as well as their relatively cheap price. In the fight against protozoal infections, essential oils may represent new therapeutic options. In the present work, we focused on a panel of nine Apiaceae species (Siler montamon, Sison amomum, Echinophora spinosa, Kundmannia sicula, Crithmum maritimum, Helosciadium nodiforum, Pimpinella anisum, Heracleum sphondylium and Trachyspermum cunmi) and their essential oils as a model for the identification of trypanocidal compounds to be used as alternative/integrative therapies in the treatment of Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) and as starting material for drug design. The evaluation of inhibitory effects of the Apiaceae essential oils against Trypanosoma brucei showed that some of them (E. spinosa, S. amomum, C. maritimwn and H. nodifloruin) were active, with EC50 in the range 2.7-10.7 mu g/mL. Most of these oils were selective against T. brucei, except the one from C. maritimum that was highly selective against the BALB/3T3 mammalian cells. Testing nine characteristic individual components (a-pinene, sabinene, alpha-phellandrene, p-cymene, limonene, beta-ocimene, gamma-terpinene, terpinolene, and myristicin) of these oils, we showed that some of them had much higher selectivity than the oils themselves. Terpinolene was particularly active with an EC50 value of 0.035 mu g/rnL (0.26 mu M) and a selectivity index (SI) of 180. Four other compounds with EC50 in the range 1.0-6.0 mu g/mL (7.4-44 mu M) had also good SI: a-pinene (> 100), beta-ocimene (> 91), limonene (> 18) and sabinene ( > 17). In conclusion, these results highlight that the essential oils from the Apiaceae family are a reservoir of substances to be used as leading compounds for the development of natural drugs for the treatment of HAT