Coumarins from Peucedanum hystrix growing in Mongolia

It is proved to be that of genus Peucedanum hystrix serve as a source of biologically valuable natural coumarins. Nine angular furocoumarins belonging to class of 2'-substituted and 2',3'-disubstituted 2',3'-dihydrofurocoumarins have been isolated and structurally isolated. For peucenidin data of X-ray analysis is obtained.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5564/mjc.v12i0.170 Mongolian Journal of Chemistry Vol.12 2011: 42-4

The Artificial Society Analytics Platform

Author's accepted manuscriptSocial simulation routinely involves the construction of artificial societies and agents within such societies. Currently there is insufficient discussion of best practices regarding the construction process. This chapter introduces the artificial society analytics platform (ASAP) as a way to spark discussion of best practices. ASAP is designed to be an extensible architecture capable of functioning as the core of many different types of inquiries into social dynamics. Here we describe ASAP, focusing on design decisions in several key areas, thereby exposing our assumptions and reasoning to critical scrutiny, hoping for discussion that can advance debate over best practices in artificial society construction. The five design decisions are related to agent characteristics, neighborhood interactions, evaluating agent credibility, agent marriage, and heritability of personality.acceptedVersio

Change over time in brain serotonin transporter binding in major depression: effects of therapy measured with [(123) I]-ADAM SPECT.

Several studies have reported low brain serotonin transporter (SERT) binding in individuals with major depression. We hypothesized that the SERT standardized uptake ratio (SUR) values using [(123) I]-ADAM single photon emission computed tomography would increase in depressed subjects who responded to cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) compared to CBT nonresponders. [(123) I]-ADAM scans were acquired before and after 12 weeks of CBT from 20 depressed subjects and on two occasions 12 weeks apart from 10 nondepressed, healthy volunteers. The primary outcome measure was change over time in SUR values in the midbrain, medial temporal lobe, and basal ganglia regions. Depressed subjects demonstrated low pretreatment mean SUR values that significantly increased over time in the midbrain (P = .011), right medial temporal lobe (P = .008), and left medial temporal lobe (P = .000) regions. Treatment responders showed a significant increase over time in SUR values in left medial temporal lobe (P = .029) and right medial temporal lobe (P = .007) regions. Partial and nonresponder subjects also showed a significant increase over time in SUR values in the left medial temporal region (P = .040) (vs. healthy volunteers), but to a lesser degree. The findings suggest that low pretreatment SERT binding may increase over time in some depressed individuals who experience symptom improvement

G2019S mutation in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 gene is not associated with multiple system atrophy

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is characterized clinically by Parkinsonism, cerebellar dysfunction, and autonomic impairment. Multiple mutations in the LRRK2 gene are associated with parkinsonian disorders, and the most common one, the G2019S mutation, has been found in ∼1% of sporadic cases of Parkinsonism. In a well-characterized cohort of 136 subjects with probable MSA and 110 neurologically evaluated control subjects, none carried the G2019S mutation. We conclude that the G2019S mutation in the LRRK2 gene is unlikely to be associated with MSA. © 2007 Movement Disorder SocietyPeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/56014/1/21343_ftp.pd

Combined epicardial and endocardial ablation for atrial fibrillation:Best practices and guide to hybrid convergent procedures

The absence of strategies to consistently and effectively address nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation by nonpharmacological interventions has represented a long-standing treatment gap. A combined epicardial/endocardial ablation strategy, the hybrid Convergent procedure, was developed in response to this clinical need. A subxiphoid incision is used to access the pericardial space facilitating an epicardial ablation directed at isolation of the posterior wall of the left atrium. This is followed by an endocardial ablation to complete isolation of the pulmonary veins and for additional ablation as needed. Experience gained with the hybrid Convergent procedure during the last decade has led to the development and adoption of strategies to optimize the technique and mitigate risks. Additionally, a surgical and electrophysiology "team" approach including comprehensive training is believed critical to successfully develop the hybrid Convergent program. A recently completed randomized clinical trial indicated that this ablation strategy is superior to an endocardial-only approach for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. In this review, we propose and describe best practice guidelines for hybrid Convergent ablation on the basis of a combination of published data, author consensus, and expert opinion. A summary of clinical outcomes, emerging evidence, and future perspectives is also given

Prevention of excess weight gain in paediatric primary care: beverages only or multiple lifestyle factors. The Smart Step Study, a cluster-randomized clinical trial: Obesity prevention in paediatric primary care

Insufficient evidence exists to support obesity prevention in pediatric primary care

Towards a pathway definition of Parkinson’s disease: a complex disorder with links to cancer, diabetes and inflammation

We have previously established a first whole genome transcriptomic profile of sporadic Parkinson’s disease (PD). After extensive brain tissue-based validation combined with cycles of iterative data analysis and by focusing on the most comparable cases of the cohort, we have refined our analysis and established a list of 892 highly dysregulated priority genes that are considered to form the core of the diseased Parkinsonian metabolic network. The substantia nigra pathways, now under scrutiny, contain more than 100 genes whose association with PD is known from the literature. Of those, more than 40 genes belong to the highly significantly dysregulated group identified in our dataset. Apart from the complete list of 892 priority genes, we present pathways revealing PD ‘hub’ as well as ‘peripheral’ network genes. The latter include Lewy body components or interact with known PD genes. Biological associations of PD with cancer, diabetes and inflammation are discussed and interactions of the priority genes with several drugs are provided. Our study illustrates the value of rigorous clinico-pathological correlation when analysing high-throughput data to make optimal use of the histopathological phenome, or morphonome which currently serves as the key diagnostic reference for most human diseases. The need for systematic human tissue banking, following the highest possible professional and ethical standard to enable sustainability, becomes evident

Progressive Neurodegeneration or Endogenous Compensation in an Animal Model of Parkinson's Disease Produced by Decreasing Doses of Alpha-Synuclein

The pathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD) are degeneration of dopamine (DA) neurons of the substantia nigra (SN) and the presence of alpha-synuclein (α-syn)-rich Lewy bodies in DA cells that remain. To model these aspects of the disease, we previously showed that high titer (5.1×10exp12 gp/ml) AAV1/2 driven expression of A53T α-syn in the SN of rats caused nigrostriatal pathology including a loss of DA neurons, but also with toxicity in the GFP control group. In the current study, we evaluate the effects of two lower titers by dilution of the vector (1∶3 [1.7×10exp12] and 1∶10 [5.1×10exp11]) to define a concentration that produced pathology specific for α-syn. In GFP and empty vector groups there were no behavioural or post-mortem changes at 3 or 6 weeks post-administration at either vector dose. Dilution of the AAV1/2 A53T α-syn (1∶3) produced significant paw use asymmetry, reductions in striatal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and increases in DA turnover at 3 weeks in the absence of overt pathology. By 6 weeks greater evidence of pathology was observed and included, reductions in SN DA neurons, striatal DA, TH and DA-transporter, along with a sustained behavioural deficit. In contrast, the 1∶10 AAV1/2 A53T α-syn treated animals showed normalization between 3 and 6 weeks in paw use asymmetry, reductions in striatal TH, and increased DA turnover. Progression of dopaminergic deficits using the 1∶3 titer of AAV1/2 A53Tα-syn provides a platform for evaluating treatments directed at preventing and/or reversing synucleinopathy. Use of the 1∶10 titer of AAV1/2 A53T α-syn provides an opportunity to study mechanisms of endogenous compensation. Furthermore, these data highlight the need to characterize the titer of vector being utilized, when using AAV to express pathogenic proteins and model disease process, to avoid producing non-specific effects

Increased Intestinal Permeability Correlates with Sigmoid Mucosa alpha-Synuclein Staining and Endotoxin Exposure Markers in Early Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder of aging. The pathological hallmark of PD is neuronal inclusions termed Lewy bodies whose main component is alpha-synuclein protein. The finding of these Lewy bodies in the intestinal enteric nerves led to the hypothesis that the intestine might be an early site of PD disease in response to an environmental toxin or pathogen. One potential mechanism for environmental toxin(s) and proinflammatory luminal products to gain access to mucosal neuronal tissue and promote oxidative stress is compromised intestinal barrier integrity. However, the role of intestinal permeability in PD has never been tested. We hypothesized that PD subjects might exhibit increased intestinal permeability to proinflammatory bacterial products in the intestine. To test our hypothesis we evaluated intestinal permeability in subjects newly diagnosed with PD and compared their values to healthy subjects. In addition, we obtained intestinal biopsies from both groups and used immunohistochemistry to assess bacterial translocation, nitrotyrosine (oxidative stress), and alpha-synuclein. We also evaluated serum markers of endotoxin exposure including LPS binding protein (LBP). Our data show that our PD subjects exhibit significantly greater intestinal permeability (gut leakiness) than controls. In addition, this intestinal hyperpermeability significantly correlated with increased intestinal mucosa staining for E. coli bacteria, nitrotyrosine, and alpha-synuclein as well as serum LBP levels in PD subjects. These data represent not only the first demonstration of abnormal intestinal permeability in PD subjects but also the first correlation of increased intestinal permeability in PD with intestinal alpha-synuclein (the hallmark of PD), as well as staining for gram negative bacteria and tissue oxidative stress. Our study may thus shed new light on PD pathogenesis as well as provide a new method for earlier diagnosis of PD and suggests potential therapeutic targets in PD subjects.Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01155492

Сравнительная оценка параметров безопасности на доклиническом и клиническом этапах исследования лекарственного препарата Реамберин® (ООО «НТФФ «ПОЛИСАН»)

Relevance. Interpretation of the preclinical trials data is fundamental importance. The correctness of extrapolation of data obtained from animals to humans is due to the qualitative and quantitative diversity of the systems tested the recorded parameters and approaches to their interpretation, as well as statistical methods in determining the possible risk to humans. Aim. Comparative assessment of the safety and tolerability parameters obtained during the preclinical and clinical trials of the Reamberin® (LLC «POLYSAN») and the development of approaches to improving clinical trial planning processes for assessing safety and tolerability, taking into accounts the results of preclinical studies. Materials and methods. A comparative analysis of the safety parameters that arose during a clinical study involving healthy volunteers and deviations from the control levels of clinical and laboratory parameters established at the stage of a preclinical study on outbred rats and rabbits of the chinchilla breed of a drug with an international non-proprietary name (INN): meglumine sodium succinate (trade name (TN) Reamberin® (LLC «POLYSAN»)). Results. Unidirectional deviations from normal (control) values were established. Isolated cases of adverse events among healthy volunteers (increased activity of hepatic transaminases, changes in blood pressure) were identified. This facts didn't correlate with the preclinical study. The number of comparable indicators in laboratory animals, for which statistically significant differences were established between the experimental and control groups, significantly exceeded the number of signs in the form of adverse events among healthy volunteers.Актуальность. Интерпретация данных доклинических испытаний лекарственных средств имеет принципиальное значение. Кор­ректность экстраполяции данных, полученных на животных, на человека обусловлены, в том числе, качественным и количественным разнообразием тестируемых систем, регистрируемых параметров и подходов к их интерпретации, а также статистических методов при определении возможного риска для человека.Цель. Сравнительная оценка параметров безопасности и переносимости, полученных в ходе доклинического и клинического ис­следования лекарственного препарата Реамберин® (ООО «НТФФ «ПОЛИСАН»), и выработка подходов к совершенствованию процессов планирования клинических исследований по оценке безопасности и переносимости с учётом результатов доклинических исследований.Материалы и методы. Был проведён сравнительный анализ параметров безопасности, возникших в ходе клинического исследования с участием здоровых добровольцев, и отклонений от контрольных уровней клинико-лабораторных показателей, установленных на этапе доклинического исследования на беспородных крысах и кроликах породы шиншилла лекарственного препарата с международным непатентованным наименованием (МНН) - меглюмина натрия сук­цинат (торговое наименование (ТН) Реамберин® (ООО «НТФФ «ПОЛИСАН»)).Результаты. Установлены однонаправленные отклонения от нормальных (контрольных) значений, выявленные единичные случаи нежелательные явления у добровольцев (повышение активности печёночных трансаминаз, изменения артериального давления), которые не соотносились с данными доклинического исследования. Количество сопоставляемых показателей у лабораторных животных, для которых были установлены статистически значимые различия между опытными и контрольными группами, значительно превышало численность признаков в виде НЯ у добровольцев