published_or_final_version / Biochemistry / Master / Master of Science

published_or_final_version / Anaesthesiology / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Chinese Medicine / Master / Master of Philosophy

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and long-term disability in the world. Although many pathological aspects of mechanisms are considered to be involved in the stroke, accumulating evidences implicated that inflammation accounts for its progression and complications. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and nitric oxide are considered as key mediators produced by cells like microglia in the pathogenesis of the disease. Therefore, the development of therapies targeting at the suppression of nitric oxide and TNF-α productions may ameliorate the severity of ischemic stroke. Gastrodia and Uncaria Decoction (GUD) is a traditional herbal decoction that is commonly used in the therapy of post-ischemic stroke in China. Although it shows great efficacy in clinical treatment, few studies have been conducted to investigate the mechanisms of action of GUD. Furthermore, GUD contains a complex mixture of constituents and the effects of these compounds are unknown. In this study, individual herbs from GUD were extracted and the bioactive fractions were further separated using liquid-liquid partition, silica gel chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The inhibitory effect of the extracts on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated nitric oxide production in BV-2 microglial cells was utilized as the biological marker for the screening. After several rounds of purification, a purified bioactive compound was isolated. After spectroscopic analysis by nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the compound was identified as genipin (1R,4aS,5,7aS-tetrahydro-1-hydroxy-7-(hydroxymethyl)-cyclopenta[c]pyran-4-carboxylic acid, methyl ester). Mechanisms of the suppressive action on signaling pathways were investigated in the LPS-activated BV-2 cells. Our results demonstrated that genipin can dose-dependently inhibit LPS-stimulated nitric oxide overproduction. It can also suppress mRNA levels and protein expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and TNF-αupon LPS-induction. In addition, the phosphorylations of phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt) were suppressed. In contrast, the phosphorylations of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 and degradation of inhibitory κB-α (IκB-α) were not affected by genipin. Finally, genipin protected murine Neuro-2a neuroblast against neurotoxicity stimulated by the conditioned media transferred from LPS-challenged BV-2 cells. In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory effects of genipin are via the modulation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Genipin and its synthetic analogues may have great potential for developing into new drugs in treating ischemic stroke. In addition, genipin can be used as the chemical marker to standardize the extract of Eucommia ulmoides Oliver as anti-inflammatory agents for treating inflammatory conditions associated with ischemic stroke. / published_or_final_version / Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine / Master / Master of Philosophy

3 pp. / Similar Fact Sheets for Payson & Flagstaff / This publication is intended as a brief Fact Sheet that provides estimates of turfgrass consumptive use for Prescott.

3 pp. / Similar titles for Payson and Prescott / This publication is intended to be a brief Fact Sheet that provides estimates of turf consumptive use for the Flagstaff area. The publication should find utility in both irrigation management and water resource management and planning.

Within the last 15 years a large number of empirical investigations have explored the psychotherapeutic applications of meditative techniques. This research expands upon previous efforts in this area by comparing Kundalini Yoga with Progressive Muscle Relaxation, an attention-placebo control, and a no-treatment control on measures of anxiety (STAI Trait Form), personality development (Locus of Control Scale), and drug consumption. A total of 47 undergraduate student volunteers were randomly assigned to the four treatment conditions. Following a 2-week baseline phase to determine pretreatment drug consumption, subjects began a 6-week treatment phase during which time they attended two classes each week. Throughout the treatment phase subjects maintained detailed drug consumption diaries. Following this treatment phase, all subjects were readministered the aforementioned tests and questionnaires. Without exception, the research failed to find any significant treatment effects attributable to the practice of Kundalini Yoga. Moreover, none of the experimental treatment groups studied here displayed treatment gains over and above a no-treatment control group. There are at least two ways to account for this lack of significant differences. On the one hand, one could assert that the treatment groups were somehow impotent and incapable of effecting change any better than the nonspecific treatment factors working for the no-treatment group; or on the other hand, one could assert that the treatment groups were indeed therapeutic, but not significantly due to too brief of an intervention phase, and/or due to the highly variable treatment response of a nonpredisposed subject pool.

Archaeological methods can contribute to the understanding of current human issues, including the use and abuse of alcohol in American society. Popular stereotypes concerning drinking have influenced scholarly descriptions and interpretations. There is, for instance, widespread and questionable acceptance by researchers that ethnic identification often correlates strongly with rates of alcohol consumption. Through refuse analysis, this study suggests that no such correlation exists, at least as far as household alcohol use is concerned. Instead, it is found that the degree of social heterogeneity within households, causing stress among individuals, is positively associated with consumption rates. Ethnicity might be related more closely to expressed attitudes about drinking, though results are inconclusive. The archaeological investigation of late 19th century drinking habits is possible, and might contribute to historical studies in a way similar to how this study contributes to sociological and psychological approaches.

Revised; Originally Published: 2005 / 3 pp.

Revised; Originally Published: 2005 / 3 pp.