Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa L.) protects against menadione-induced DNA damage through scavenging of reactive oxygen species: bioassay-directed isolation and characterization of active principles

The roots/rhizomes of Cimicifuga racemosa L. (Nutt.) (black cohosh) have traditionally been used to treat menopausal symptoms through an unknown mechanism of action. In an effort to determine if black cohosh had additional health benefits, methanol extracts were investigated for their potential to scavenge reactive oxygen species and to protect against menadione-induced DNA damage. These extracts effectively scavenged 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals. In addition, the extracts showed dose-dependent decreases in DNA single-strand breaks and oxidized bases induced by the quinone menadione using the comet (single-cell gel electrophoresis assay) and fragment length associated repair enzyme assays, respectively. Bioassay-directed fractionation of the methanolic extracts using the DPPH assay as a monitor led to the isolation of nine antioxidant active compounds: caffeic acid (1), methyl caffeate (2), ferulic acid (3), isoferulic acid (4), fukinolic acid (5), cimicifugic acid A (6), cimicifugic acid B (7), cimicifugic acid F (8), cimiracemate A (9), and cimiracemate B (10). Six of these antioxidants were found to reduce menadione-induced DNA damage in cultured S30 breast cancer cells with the following order of potency: methyl caffeate (2) > caffeic acid (1) > ferulic acid (3) > cimiracemate A (9) > cimiracemate B (10) > fukinolic acid (5). These data suggest that black cohosh can protect against cellular DNA damage caused by reactive oxygen species by acting as antioxidants.     

Discussion of a well-designed clinical trial which did not demonstrate effectiveness: UIC center for botanical dietary supplements research study of black cohosh and red clover

The performance of a clinical trial for pharmaceutical agents is usually undertaken only after there is likely benefit demonstrated from the use of the putative agent. The consideration of botanical products as pharmaceutical agents must similarly go through a rigorous evaluation process. The present work reviews the recently published phase II study evaluating the effectiveness of black cohosh and red clover in a randomized trial with conjugated equine estradiol/medroxyprogesterone acetate and placebo for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. We analyze the possible reasons why this study failed to show benefit for either botanical product in reducing menopause-related vasomotor symptoms.     

Dakota Jewel: An attractive, new, bright red-skinned, fresh market potato cultivar with improved storage characteristics

‘Dakota Jewel’ is a medium- to late-maturing potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivar; however, tuber maturity is early. Tubers are smooth, round to oblong in shape, with bright red skin and white flesh. Dakota Jewel is suitable for the fresh tablestock market, both directly from the field and following storage. Yield potential is medium, with total yield, U.S. No. 1s and percentage U.S. No. 1s of Dakota Jewel equal to those of Red Norland; size distribution is similar. Dakota Jewel sizes early, retains its color in storage, and has strong dormancy. It is susceptible to hollow heart. A mean specific gravity of 1.077 across non-irrigated and irrigated sites in North Dakota is much higher than Red Norland and Red Pontiac, standard red tablestock cultivars. Sensory evaluation scores of baked, boiled, and microwaved tubers are similar to Red Norland and Red Pontiac. Dakota Jewel was released by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station on 26 March 2004.     

Nordonna: A red-skinned potato cultivar with wide adaptability

NorDonna is a mid-season, red-skinned, white-fleshed cultivar that yields a large percentage of U.S. No. 1 tubers in diverse growing areas under both dryland and irrigated conditions. It tends to have a darker red skin and a lower incidence of hollow heart when compared to other red cultivars. Intended for tablestock use, NorDonna has baking, boiling, and microwaving properties comparable to Red Pontiac or Red Norland. The North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station released NorDonna on April 28, 1995.     

Redsen: A new bright red-skinned potato cultivar

Redsen is a smooth, round, bright red-skinned potato cultivar with medium to high yield potential. It has resistance to race 0 of late blight (Phytophthora infestons) and is moderately resistant to some strains of silver scurf (Helminthosporium solanum) and common scab (Streptomyces scabies). The red color resists fading during storage and Redsen retains excellent marketability during storage.     

The effect of nitrogen on the coumarin-induced tuberization of potato axillary shoots culturedin vitro

Coumarin-induced tuberization was studied on axillary shoots excised from etiolated potato sprouts each of which was cultured in vitro. Sprouts grown on culture medium with high nitrogen concentrations produced axillary shoots which elongated and would not readily tuberize. Sprouts cultured on medium low in nitrogen produced axillary shoots which tuberized with limited elongation. Carbohydrate concentration of the culture medium for the excised axillary shoot could significantly modify the nitrogen effect of the potato sprout medium. Axillary shoots growing on high nitrogen medium did not tuberize except in cases where the carbohydrate concentration was increased.     

Effects of supplemental dietary vitamin C on quality of semen from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) breeders

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of vitamin C on growth and quality of semen from Oreochromis niloticus breeders. One hundred and sixty males were fed with different levels of vitamin C (0, 261, 599 and 942 mg/kg diet). The higher weight values were recorded for 599 (166 g) and 942 (175 g) mg of vitamin C/kg diet. Sperm motility, vigour and concentration were higher with 599 and 942 mg of vitamin C/kg diet. The semen volume, gonadosomatic index and plasma protein data from the last week showed a direct relationship with increasing levels of vitamin C. No changes were observed in the hepatosomatic index and blood glucose. The haematocrit and erythrocyte showed higher values estimated by equations derived at 850 and 638 mg vitamin C/kg diet, respectively. The leucocytes were inversely proportional to the increasing levels of vitamin C. After 100 days of feeding, animals fed the diet containing 942 mg vitamin C/kg diet had higher sperm motility, linearity, curvilinear velocity, straight line velocity and average path velocity (p < .05). Higher values of beat cross‐frequency were observed in broodfish fed diets containing 942 and 599 mg vitamin C/kg. The different vitamin C levels did not cause differences in straightness, lateral head displacement and sperm morphology. For Nile tilapia males on intensive rearing and handling conditions, vitamin C levels between 599 and 942 mg/kg may be used for a better performance and quality of semen.     

Identifying spatio-temporal patterns of transboundary disease spread: examples using avian influenza H5N1 outbreaks

Characterizing spatio-temporal patterns among epidemics in which the mechanism of spread is uncertain is important for generating disease spread hypotheses, which may in turn inform disease control and prevention strategies. Using a dataset representing three phases of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 outbreaks in village poultry in Romania, 2005–2006, spatio-temporal patterns were characterized. We first fit a set of hierarchical Bayesian models that quantified changes in the spatio-temporal relative risk for each of the 23 affected counties. We then modeled spatial synchrony in each of the three epidemic phases using non-parametric covariance functions and Thin Plate Spline regression models. We found clear differences in the spatio-temporal patterns among the epidemic phases (local versus regional correlated processes), which may indicate differing spread mechanisms (for example wild bird versus human-mediated). Elucidating these patterns allowed us to postulate that a shift in the primary mechanism of disease spread may have taken place between the second and third phases of this epidemic. Information generated by such analyses could assist affected countries in determining the most appropriate control programs to implement, and to allocate appropriate resources to preventing contact between domestic poultry and wild birds versus enforcing bans on poultry movements and quarantine. The methods used in this study could be applied in many different situations to analyze transboundary disease data in which only location and time of occurrence data are reported.