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Aug 2025
Toomey PaulCorresponding author
Background This study was undertaken to delineate the most predictive pattern at presentation for patients with non-metastatic pancreatic cancer compared to patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer who present to a medium sized hospital. Methods Data were collected at a medium sized hospital from 2009-2014 for patients with newly diagnosed pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Laboratory values, CT scans, pathology reports and ERCP results were obtained. Data are presented as mean (median +/- standard deviation). Results Fifty-two patients met the criteria for inclusion and were clinically diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The median age was 71 years old. CEA levels for metastatic pancreatic cancer were 107.9 (20.6 +/- 166.7) ng/dl and 9 (6 +/- 11.6) ng/dl for non-metastatic cancer (P-value<0.05). Bilirubin levels for metastatic pancreatic cancer were 4.1 (0.7 +/- 6.6) mg/dl and 10.3 (10.4 +/- 8.1) mg/dl for non-metastatic cancer (p=0.009). CA19-9 levels for metastatic pancreatic cancer were 37,529 (644 +/- 88,352) U/ml and 5,150 (668 +/- 16,985) U/ml for non-metastatic cancer. Conclusion Elevated total bilirubin alongside low CEA appears to be a stronger predictor of non-metastatic disease at presentation compared to CA 19-9 alone.
Aug 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.3070-3379.jwc-22-4233
Emmanuel EkpaCorresponding author
Biology Unit, Faculty of Science, Airforce Institute of Technology Kaduna
Man’s activity and/ or inactivity continually impedes the environment in many ways. Sometimes, these impediments could be negative with catastrophic consequences. Emission of greenhouse gases, desert encroachment, deforestation, global warming, and general environmental degradation by different human practices poses a lot of threat to this planet. It has therefore become imperative to explore novel ways or technologies in checkmating hazards emanating from these disasters. Biotechnology which simply refers to the use of living organisms or their parts particularly microorganisms to produce materials for human and animal consumption comes in handy. The aim of this paper is to do a brief review on the merits of applying this technology in mitigating hazards arising from climate change. Focus will be centered on agricultural and industrial biotechnology more as a result of their involvement in land and environmental related matters. Manipulation of crops via genetic engineering for varieties with stress resistance, phytoremediation, tissue culture of orphan crops, and so many other biotechnological practices will be examined so as to highlight their role in stemming disasters caused by climate change. In conclusion, the paper will attempt to explain the reason why developing countries like Nigeria should also join the global race in curtailing this menace via her indigenous biotechnology.
Jul 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-6759.jpar-21-3844
O. Oshadu DavidCorresponding author
Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
Acanthus montanusNees T. Anderson (Acanthaceae) has been employed in folk medicine for treatment of different kinds of ailment, but there is dearth of documented information on its therapeutic activities against parasites. In this study, pulverized Acanthus montanusleaf was subjected to four different extraction techniques. The percentage of yields were 25.58%, 31.42%, 11.58% and 3.00% weight by weight (w/w) of crude ethanol extract (CEE), aqueous (AQ), n-butanol (BUT) and chloroform (CHLO) portions, respectively. All the extracts, excluding the chloroform portion were administered to worm-infested mice per os at dose of 1.2 g/kg, 1.4 g/kg, 1.7 g/kg and 2.0 g/kg each for five days consecutive. Mice were euthanized and the adult worm counted for rates of deparasitization. The aqueous extract did not cause significant deparasitization even at the highest dose of 2.0 g/kg. The CEE caused significant (p<0.05) deparasitization rate of 72.35% at 2.0 g/kg dose. The n-butanol portion caused significant (p<0.05) deparasitization rates at doses between 1.4 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg (86.17% and 97.04% respectively) compared to figures from distilled water-treated mice (Control) as well as those from mice treated with the aqueous or crude ethanol portion. The 97.04% deparasitization produced by the 2.0 g/kg dose was not stastistically different (p>0.05) from the 100% deparasitization obtained using albendazole at the manufacturer’s recommended dose of 10 mg/kg. This study has demonstrated that the n-butanol extract of Acanthus montanus leaf has profound anthelmintic activity against experimental Heligmosomoidesbakeri infection in mice. Further phytochemical analysis and evaluation is being advocated in large animals and possibly human subjects.
Apr 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2328-0182.japst-21-3778
Okiemute Rosa Johnson-AjinwoCorresponding author
Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
This study aims at investigating the antipyretic activity of different solvent fractions of the root bark of Rutideaparviflora(Rubiaceae). This plant is used ethno-botanically by the people of Ethiope East-West Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria to treat various ailments such as inflammation, fever and pain. This necessitated this research to validate its local use, due to the scanty literature and information present about this plant. It has also shown some anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activity in previous researches. The present study is a randomized control study. Acetic acid induced writhing was employed for analgesic testing. Acetic acid was used to induce writhing in Wistar rats which were divided into fourteen (14) groups. The groups were administered extracts and fractions of the plant (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg). The animals were observed for number of writing movements and the percentage writhing was calculated. Baker’s yeast induced pyrexia was employed for the antipyretic testing. The animal groups were administered extracts and fractions of the plant (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg), with Paracetamol as the standard drug (100 mg/kg) and Normal saline (control) for both experiments. The body temperature of the rats was measured rectally over a period of five (5) hours. All values of P<0.05 were taken as significant. The organic extract, aqueous extract and various fractions (n-hexane, ethyl-acetate, n-butanol and aqueous) produced significant inhibition of writhing responses and pyrexia in a dose dependent manner and time dependent manner respectively. The aqueous extract at a dose of 400mg/kg showed the greatest reduction in writhing, 91.58% compared to the standard drug (paracetamol) which may suggest that the fraction possesses better efficacy than paracetamol as an analgesic. The observed activities could be attributed to these bioactive compounds: Palmatine, Urs-12-ene-24-oic-3-oxo-methyl ester and Gallic acid contained in R. parviflora.
Jan 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-19-3144
Q. Almulaiky YaaserCorresponding author
Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, University of Jeddah, Khulais, P.O. Box 355, Khulais, 21921, Saudi Arabia
In this study, the antioxidants and photosynthetic compounds of Verdolaga were examined. Compounds were extracted from distinctive segments of the verdolaga using various solvents such as methanol (40, 60, 80%), ethanol (40, 60, 80%), acetone (40, 60, 80%), and deionized water. The use of 80% methanol led to the highest extracted concentration of phenolic substances and flavonoids. The extracted products (Leaves, Stem strips, and Root strips) were evaluated for their radical scavenging capabilities with DPPH (IC50= 22.26, 20.56, and 32.10), and ABTS (IC50= 2.86, 3.70, and 5.24), reducing power (EC50= 15.70, 16.39, and 21.69), and peroxide scavenging activity (1C50= 1.717, 2.937, and 3.255), respectively. The extracted products were analyzed by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. Peroxidase, catalase, and polyphenol oxidase assays were completed for the crude extract of verdolaga’s leave, stem strips, and root strips. As indicated by these tests, extracts of the verdolaga’s roots, stems and leaves using 80% methanol yielded high antioxidant activity. The most elevated concentrations of extracted chlorophyll, lycopene, and carotenoids were from the leaves and the highest concentration of extracted tannin was noted from strips of stems. The highest measures of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were identified in root strips and the highest units of catalase was identified in leaves.
Dec 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.3070-5657.je-17-1759
Girondot MarcCorresponding author
Laboratoire Écologie, Systématique et Évolution (UMR8079), Faculté des Sciences d’Orsay, Université Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay, France
Olive ridleys (Lepidochelys olivacea) and loggerheads (Caretta caretta) are two closely phylogenetically related sea turtles that nest in very different thermal habitat. Olive ridleys nest in pan-tropical beaches whereas loggerheads nest in more temperate beaches. In the context of climate change, the temperature in temperate beaches will increase much more than for tropical beach due to buffering effect of air humidity in the later. We have determined the thermal reaction norm for embryonic growth in both species using field records of incubation temperatures and incubation length from loggerheads in Western Mediterranean Sea or olive ridleys from Pacific coast of Guatemala. We show that the optimum temperature for the growth of embryos is lower for loggerheads than for olive ridleys. This makes loggerhead turtles particularly sensitive to increase of beach temperature as it is expected due to effect of global warming in temperature regions. Furthermore, olive ridleys are more resilient to increase of temperatures and should not suffer from sublethal incubation temperatures.
Jun 2026 DOI 10.14302/issn.2642-9241.jrd-26-6332
de Melo PhilipCorresponding author
Respiratory diseases remain a major contributor to hospital morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly among elderly patients and individuals with severe pulmonary compromise. Accurate prediction of respiratory mortality is clinically important for triage, resource allocation, ICU utilization, and early intervention. Traditional statistical models frequently demonstrate limited predictive sensitivity because respiratory mortality is influenced by complex interactions among demographic, diagnostic, physiologic, and severity-related variables. In this study, a machine learning framework was developed to predict in-hospital mortality among patients with respiratory disease using administrative and clinically derived variables, including age, sex, length of stay (LOS), diagnostic descriptions, risk of mortality and severity scores. A Random Forest classifier with balanced class weighting was developed and implemented to address nonlinear relationships and class imbalance within the dataset. Initial modeling demonstrated good overall discrimination performance, with receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (ROC-AUC) values approaching 0.84; however, mortality recall remained limited because deceased patients represented a minority class within the original dataset. To improve mortality detection, a physiologically informed synthetic augmentation strategy was developed. Synthetic clinical variables included oxygen saturation, ICU status, ventilator support, sepsis status, systolic blood pressure, creatinine, and lactate levels. Conditional physiologic consistency rules were incorporated during augmentation to preserve clinically plausible relationships among respiratory failure, hemodynamic instability, and organ dysfunction. The augmented dataset substantially improved model sensitivity and balanced mortality classification performance. Final model evaluation demonstrated strong predictive capability, achieving approximately 97% classification accuracy with balanced precision and recall across mortality classes. Confusion matrix analysis revealed marked reduction in false-negative mortality predictions compared with baseline modeling approaches. Feature importance analysis identified physiologic instability markers, respiratory severity classifications, LOS, and diagnostic respiratory categories as dominant predictors of mortality. These findings suggest that hybrid simulation-augmented machine learning frameworks may provide a valuable strategy for respiratory mortality analytics, particularly in datasets with limited real-world mortality prevalence and incomplete physiologic representation.
Jul 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2643-0282.imsj-25-5590
R. Hodgson BruceCorresponding author
The main diet of baleen whales is krill in the Arctic, Antarctic and during migrations in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Hence, the aim of this paper is to quantify the global importance of the krill to baleen whale component of the pelagic food web and possible feedback loops. That was undertaken by comparing the results of Ecopath Models in the Antarctic and Arctic Oceans and to migration areas in the North Atlantic and Alaska, was well as the large Seamount area from the Antarctic and Arctic. Biological production transfer is the essential component of the prey to predator pelagic food web, which maintains the production of predators. The importance of sustaining global baleen whale migrations is to support ecosystem production by whale defecation contribution to nutrient recycling. It is important to sustain krill and fish abundance in whale migration feeding areas using ecosystem-based fishery management (EBFM) fishing rates. It was shown by the literature that migrations tended to followed deep-sea seamounts, and baleen whale defecation and nutrient cycling at seamounts led to the effects of nutrient upwelling by deep sea currents at seamounts. Hence, it is suggested seamounts be protected as important marine ecosystems. Therefore, those processes indicate sustaining krill and whale abundance is likely to support global marine ecosystem stability in open ocean migration areas.
Mar 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2637-6075.jpae-25-5464
R. Hodgson BruceCorresponding author
Antarctic krill is an important component of the zooplankton production in the Southern Ocean and is a major food source for baleen whales. The role of commercial fishing and predation by whales on Krill abundance has been investigated here using the innovative ecosystem-based fishery management, EBFM which maintains the krill to whale food web ecosystem stability. The literature indicates the Krill fishery may have been overfished, so it was reduced to the current annual upper limit of 0.62 million tonnes for support other predators of krill, such as seals, penguins and flying sea birds. However, recent literature suggests a moderate reduction in krill catch in the Antarctic Peninsula area due to its importance for whale migration to temperate areas. The Peninsula area catch was estimated to be reduced by about 10% due to additional concerns about climate change effects on krill abundance in the Southern Ocean, reducing overall catch to 0.556 million tonnes, moderately higher than the maximum taken in 2022. Hence, the krill biomass fishing was reduced to allow for predation by baleen whales and other predators, giving a full ecosystem-based fishing mortality similar to that previously estimated to maintain krill production in the Southern Ocean.
Dec 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2642-9241.jrd-24-5320
Djelo Diallo BoubacarCorresponding author
Introduction Mortality is one of the most important demographic phenomena in public health, and its rate is the primary indicator of a population's state of health. The aim of this study was to describe the profile of patients in the pneumo-phthisiology department of the Hospital National Ignace Deen CHU in Conakry. Methodology This was a retrospective descriptive study lasting one year, from 01 January to 31 December 2023, on 176 records of hospitalized patients who died in the pneumophthisiology department of the Ignace Deen National Hospital. Results A total of 1043 patients were hospitalized during our study period, 176 of whom died, giving a mortality rate of 16.87%. The mean age of the deceased patients was 49.57±18.8 years, with a male predominance (sex ratio=1.93). Clinical signs on admission were dominated by dyspnoea (70.45%) and chest pain (61.36%). Tuberculosis was the most common diagnosis with a frequency of 42.61%, followed by TB/HIV co-infection with a frequency of 22.16%. The average length of hospitalization was 8.79 days. Probable cause of death was dominated by respiratory distress (54.44%) and decompensated anaemia (32.95%). Conclusion Mortality in the pneumo-phthisiology department of the Ignace Deen National Hospital remains high. Anemia and respiratory distress were the most common diagnoses of severity, hence the need to improve management of these probable causes of death.
Sep 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2769-2264.jw-24-5269
S. Speer MiltonCorresponding author
Significantly decreased rainfall run-off into the dams that feed the Darling River in eastern Australia during the Millennium (1997–2009) and Tinderbox (2017 –2019) Droughts coincided with reduced river levels along the Darling River. The rainfall reduction was due to accelerated global warming since the mid-late 1990s. During this period, unmonitored river water extraction from the streams that feed the Darling River was diverted to crops, on-farm dams, and to storage in the Menindee Lake system. This practice exacerbated the effect of the two droughts because streamflow that reaches the Darling River ceased in several upstream rivers, and in the Darling River. Using Darling River height levels, before and after the mid-late 1990s, it is shown that global warming is the key factor reducing Darling River levels in the last 53 years, even allowing for river water diversion and extraction. Between the periods 1972-1997 and 1998-2024 the Darling River mean heights, in the towns of Bourke, Wilcannia and Menindee, were all found to drop by statistically significant amounts. The catchment area rainfall has found to be decreasing due to global warming induced atmospheric circulation changes. Reducing water extraction either before or after it reaches the Darling River is unlikely to stop the short-medium term decline in Darling River levels.
Mar 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2372-6601.jhor-24-4962
Padaro EssohanaCorresponding author
While highly curable in developed countries, Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), remains a significant challenge for resource-limited ones. This study aimed to describe the profile of HL in Togo. This was a retrospective, descriptive study conducted at the Clinical Hematology Department of the Campus University Hospital Center in Lomé, Togo. It focused on patient records diagnosed with HL between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2022. Various variables such as age, gender, histological type of HL, Ann Arbor stage, prognostic classification, therapeutic protocol used, and patient outcomes were examined. The annual incidence of HL was 1.5 with a mean age of 38.7 years (range 12-63). Lymph node enlargement was the primary clinical sign (100%). Histologically, classical HL was found in 21 patients (87.5%). Staging was conducted for 16 (66.7%) patients, among whom 11 (66.7%) were at an advanced stage, and 6 (37.5%) had an unfavorable prognosis. The ABVD protocol was used in 13 patients (54.2%), receiving between 1 and 6 cycles. One patient achieved complete remission (4.1%), three deceased (12.5%), and 17 (71%) were lost to follow-up. Hodgkin's lymphoma prognosis remains unfavorable with low remission rates in Togo. Improving the technical facilities will ensure better management of this lymphoma.
Feb 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-6694.jbbs-22-4418
Mostafa M. Sabra SherifaCorresponding author
Saudi Arabia is rich in Juniperusprocera Hochst. ex Endl (Cupressaceae) as a medicinal plant. Its known as Arar, its present southwards, KSA. It's used as traditional medicine in the southwestern, KSA. The aim was according to "Saudi Arabian Customs" in using wild-plant extract for treatment and prevention of infectious-pathogens. That was to use Juniperusprocerafrom Ranyah, KSA to eliminate infectious-pathogens that were isolated from patients in the same area. This was the use may reduce the use of chemicals, as well it may be an alternative to chemotherapy. Practice included preparation of wild-plant extract, preparation of infectious-pathogens, interaction to wild-plant extract, and direct total cell count by "Bread Test". Juniperusprocera one crude concentration killed all infectious-pathogens during one day. Lower Juniperusprocera crude extract concentrations eliminated infectious-pathogens within more than one day. The mean number of dead sells / mL of Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp, and Streptococcus pyogenes were (84.9 / mL, 87.0 / mL, and 77.8 / mL). The mean percent of dead cells were (80.0%, 82.0%, and 73.4%). The meannumber of dead sells / mL of Salmonella sp., Shigella sp, and Escherichia coli were (72.6 / mL, 76.1 / mL, and 79.0 / mL). The mean percent of dead cells were (68.5%, 71.8%, and 74.5%). The mean number of Candida albicans dead sells / mL was 69.3 / mL, the mean percent of dead cells was 65.4%. It was concluded that found from the results, the Juniperusprocera extract was preferred "Saudi Arabian Customs" to be used in three quarter and one crude concentration, as the infectious-pathogens eliminating within one day. It was recommended that the Juniperusprocera extract will be used for herbal treatment according to "Saudi Arabian Customs". That will be remark and follow-up through the "Official Herbal Treatment Dept.". That will appropriate the doses will estimate for each patient to eliminate and protect against the infectious-pathogens.
Feb 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-22-4085
Jay Johnson RalphCorresponding author
Research PA-C/Research Coordinator University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
A daunting challenge for health providers and medical practitioners is communicating the vital importance of health promotion and medical treatment adherence and compliance. This article is an evidence-based, best-practices commentary advocating the use of touch-accompanied verbal suggestions during the touching portions of routine, near-universal Health & Physical examinations. Notional case examples are presented; based on the professional literature, underlying Behavioral Mechanics are discussed. Touch-accompanied verbal health promotion messages skillfully deployed in routine Health & Physical examinations offer a non-harmful and efficient technique to synergistically and substantially enhance the probability of patient compliance with health improvement and medical treatment regimens. Though it is not a magic panacea, the public health applications, extensions and benefits are incalculable in terms of healthy behavior adoption. Additionally, if deftly conducted in accordance with best practices, it has the potential to greatly improve practitioner-patient relations and increase patient satisfaction. Further avenues of research inquiry are considered.
Apr 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2470-0436.jos-21-3710
David G. Diciano Jr.Corresponding author
Introduction Large impaled object in the orbital region causes severe visual impact and requires specialized care within the shortest time possible. Objectives In this case report, we discussed the approach and management of a patient that presented with a penetrating orbitocranial injury, from management at the emergency unit, diagnostic imaging, referral to other subspecialty, surgical and medical intervention, and post-operative care. Discussion A 36-year old male had an impaled toilet brush on the supero-nasal aspect of the right orbit, with visual acuity of 6/60 and lacerated upper eyelid. The globe had minimal movement on all gazes, but pupil was reactive to light with no afferent defect. On plain cranial and orbital CT-scan, the foreign body entered the anterior and medial aspects of the right orbit penetrating the right superior orbital wall, right medial lamina papyracea, and the lateral and inferior border of the right frontal sinus with its distal tip at the intracranial region at the right frontal lobe compressing the medial rectus along its tract. Two hours after injury, patient underwent wound exploration, removal of foreign body, repair of eyelid laceration, right craniotomy, frontal contussectomy, duraplasty, and JP-drain insertion under general anesthesia. Intraoperatively, there was note of transected canaliculus and avulsed conjunctiva. The medial rectus was intact and attached. The frontal lobe was contused with embedded fragments of right posterior orbital bone with 3cm opening on the dura. Post-operatively, Fluconazole was added to the medications after culture results of the toilet brush tip tested positive for fungal elements. Patient was discharged after 21 days with visual acuity of 6/6 on both eyes and improved ocular movement. Conclusion These types of injury warrants thorough and systematic history taking and physical examination, acquiring pertinent imaging modalities to better visualize the extent of injury, and execute surgical and medical intervention that is multidisciplinary.
Feb 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2638-4469.japb-21-3697
Rani RadhikaCorresponding author
Department of Botany, Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan Government College, Ajmer, India(305001)
Medicinal plants Tephrosia villosaand Cassia tora (Linn.) are belongs to the family Fabaceae and widely distributed in India and other tropical regions. Different parts (roots, stem, leaves and seeds) of the both plants have been used in various traditional medicare systems for ailments of human being. In the present study deals with the evaluation of pharmacognostic parameters in terms of the macro and micro-morphological characters and quantitative profiles of the leaves of Tephrosia villosa andCassia tora(Linn.). The observations of the current study can be useful for identification, standardization and authentication of plants.
Dec 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2577-2279.ijha-20-3634
Oloruntoba Adekeye AdeshinaCorresponding author
Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
The hippocampus is involved in learning and memory processes, an integral component of cognitive function. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of quercetin on manganese-induced neurotoxicity in the hippocampus of the adult mice. In this study, 40 adult mice of average weight of 18 –29g were randomly distributed into five groups of eight each. The brain was harvested and the region of the hippocampus was grossed for histological and immunohistochemical analysis. The results revealed a significant increased level of oxidative stress markers of manganese treated mice when compared with the normal control and quercetin treated animals (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis also showed a decrease expression of Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) with quercetin treated animals when compared with manganese treated animals indicating its neuroprotective function. In addition, quercetin treated animals all had an improved working spatial memory in Y-maze test. The histological results also revealed a degeneration of pyramidal cells with a characteristic pyknotic activities at the granular layer of the hippocampus leading to neuronal integrity damage following chronic exposure to manganese but normal architectural design was however maintained with quercetin. Conclusively, exposure to manganese in excess may have adverse effect on extensive neuronal degeneration that could affect the learning, memory and possibly spatial navigation ability of miceand quercetin attenuates this induced neurotoxicity via inhibition of oxidative stress and reduction of TNF expression.
Nov 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2328-0182.japst-20-3618
Jana SnehasisCorresponding author
Trivedi Science Research Laboratory Pvt. Ltd., Thane (W), Maharashtra, India.
Metronidazole is an antibiotic and useful for the antibacterial and antiprotozoal medication. This study was performed to investigate the impact of the Trivedi Effect®-Biofield Energy Healing Treatment on the structural properties and the isotopic abundance ratio of metronidazole using LC-MS and GC-MS spectroscopy. Metronidazole sample was divided into two parts, one part of metronidazole was considered as control (no Biofield Energy Treatment was provided), while the second part was treated with the Trivedi Effect®-Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment remotely by a renowned Biofield Energy Healer, Alice Branton and termed as a treated sample. The LC-MS spectra of both the samples of metronidazole at the retention time (Rt) 2.61 minutes exhibited the mass of the protonated molecular ion peak at m/z 172 M+H+ (calculated for C6H10N3O3+, 172.07). The LC-MS based isotopic abundance ratio of PM+1/PM (2H/1H or 13C/12C or 15N/214N or 17O/16O) in the treated metronidazole was significantly increased by 8.24% compared with the control sample. Thus,13C, 2H, 15N,and17O contributions from (C6H10N3O3)+ to m/z 173 in the treated sample were significantly increased compared with the control sample. The GC-MS based isotopic abundance ratio of PM+1/PM in the treated metronidazole was significantly increased by 5.92% compared with the control sample. Hence,13C, 2H, 15N, and217O contributions from (C6H9N3O3)+ to m/z 172 in the Biofield Energy Treated sample were significantly increased compared with the control sample. However, the isotopic abundance ratio of PM+2/PM in the treated metronidazole was significantly decreased by 18.2% compared with the control sample. Hence,18O contributions from (C6H9N3O3)+ to m/z 173 in the treated sample were significantly decreased compared with the control sample. The isotopic abundance ratio of PM+1/PM (2H/1H or 13C/12C or 15N/14N or 17O/16O) and PM+2/PM (18O/16O) in the treated metronidazole was significantly altered compared to the control sample. From the results, it can be hypothesized that the changes in isotopic abundance and mass peak intensities could be due to changes in nuclei possibly through the interference of neutrino particles via the Trivedi Effect® - Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment. The new form of treated metronidazole would be better designing novel pharmaceutical formulations that might offer better therapeutic response against bacterial and protozoal infection in the vagina (bacterial vaginosis), stomach (giardiasis, trichomoniasis, pseudomembranous colitis), joints (pelvic inflammatory disease), liver, skin, brain, and respiratory tract, aspiration pneumonia, rosacea, intra-abdominal infections, lung abscess, fungating wounds, periodontitis, amoebiasis, oral infections, etc.
Sep 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2372-6601.jhor-20-3544
Manuel Vargas-Hernández VíctorCorresponding author
Gynecology Service, Hospital Juárez de México; Mexican Academy of Surgery
In Mexico, breast cancer is the second most common site of cancer in women and in most developed and emerging countries. Incidence rates have increased in many countries, although in some, mortality has remained stable with a slight reduction. There are geographical differences with high rates of breast cancer in North America, Northern Europe and Oceania, and lower rates in Central and South America, South and East Europe; in addition to emerging countries in Africa and Asia. Genetic and hereditary factors constitute less than 5% of breast cancer cases and other risk factors for breast cancer are related to the reproductive life of the woman. This work was carried out in order to determine if the risk factors considered classic are really associated with breast cancer in our sample of Mexican women studied.
Aug 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2328-0182.japst-20-3447
Taleb JihenCorresponding author
Laboratory of Active Biomolecules Valorisation, Higher Institute of Applied Biology of Medenine, University of Gabes, 4119 Medenine, Tunisia.
The cactus Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill. (Cactaceae) is widely used in Tunisian medicine for the treatment of various illnesses. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant activities of cactus cladode extract (CCE) and to assess the protective effects of Opuntia ficus indica against osteoporosis induced by cadmium chloride in male Wistar rats. Adult male rats were divided into 4 groups of 9 each: a control group, a group injected with cadmium (3.5mg/kg) for 10 weeks, a group orally given a O. ficus indica cladodes aqueous extract (CCE) (100 mg /kg/day) for 10 weeks then treated with cadmium, and a group receiving only (CCE) for 10 weeks. Bone toxicity was estimated by examining femoral length and weight, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (ACP) levels in serum. Also, bone levels of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin C and bone mineral density (BMD) of femur diaphysis were measured. Alterations of these bone biomarkers and decreased BMD confirmed cadmium-induced bone toxicity. However, when cadmium was administered in rats given CCE, all the biological parameters underwent much less alteration. Administration of CCE was found to be beneficial by attenuating cadmium-induced femur damage. The protective effect of the plant is mainly attributed to its phenolic compounds that orchestrate antioxidant properties, as highlighted by HPLC-based analysis.
Jul 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2643-2811.jmbr-20-3449
Stanley Raj A.Corresponding author
Department of Physics, Loyola College, Chennai, Tamilnadu- 600034, India.
Electrical resistivity method is often used to estimate the subsurface structure of the earth. Many inversion algorithms are available to estimate the subsurface features. However, predicting the exact parameter in the non-linear subsurface of the earth is difficult because of its complex composition. Soft computing tools can approximate the subsurface parameters more clearly. Each soft computing tool has certain advantages and disadvantages. A hybrid formation of algorithms will make the decision more appropriate than depending on a single tool. Here in our study the data obtained through Vertical Electrical Sounding has been used to determine the sub surface characteristics of earth viz., true resistivity and thickness. Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) requires certain optimizing procedures. Here in this paper, Genetic Algorithm (GA) is applied to optimize Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). This coupled approach is tested with the field data. Error percentage of algorithm nearly mimics the behavior of earth and is verified. The best performance result shows that this technique can be implemented to estimate the non-linear characteristics of the earth more noticeably.
Jul 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2471-2140.jaa-20-3478
R.A. Mans DennisCorresponding author
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname
Plant-based preparations are commonly used in Suriname (South America) as adaptogens. In this study, fifteen alleged adaptogenic Surinamese plants have been assessed for their antioxidant activity (AA), total phenolic contents (TPC), and total flavonoid contents (TFC). The investigated plants were Anacardium occidentale, Spondiasdulcis, Annona muricata, Euterpe oleracea, Oenocarpus bacaba, Luffa acutangula, Punicagranatum, Malpighia emarginata, Syzygiumaqueum, Syzygiumcumini, Averrhoa carambola, and Renealmiaalpinia (fruit); Hibiscus sabdariffa (calyx); as well as Aloe vera and Cestrum latifolium (leaf). Aqueous extracts (1 - 3,000 μg/ mL) were prepared. AA was determined by the FRAP and the DPPH assay. TPC and TFC were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu’s and an AlCl3 colorimetric method, respectively, using gallic acid (GA) and rutin (R), respectively, as standards. Data are means ± SDs (n ≥ 3; P < 0.05). FRAP values and DPPH-scavenging activities correlated positively with each other and with TPC but not with TFC. The preparations from M. emarginata, A. carambola, A. occidentale, O. bacaba, C. latifolium, and H. sabdariffa displayed the highest FRAP values (54 ± 14 to 412 ± 30 µM Fe2+/100 μg), DPPH-scavenging activities (IC50 values of 33 ± 14 to 250 ± 50 μg/mL), and TPC (51 ± 4 to 280 ± 78 µM GAE/100 µg). TFC of all samples were ≤ 10 ± 3 RE/100 µg. The adaptogenic properties of these plants may (partially) be attributed to their high content of antioxidant phenolic compounds and may make them candidates of novel sources of health-promoting antioxidants.
Jun 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-6694.jbbs-20-3340
Chibueze Izah SylvesterCorresponding author
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
This study evaluated the bacteriological quality of groundwater from Imiringi in Ogbia Local government area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Groundwater samples were obtained in triplicates from four locations in the study area and analyzed for the bacteria quality using standard protocols. Results showed that the microbial density ranged from 2.97 – 6.03 x 104 cfu/ml (for total heterotrophic bacteria counts), 4.17 – 5.43 x 102 cfu/ml (for Enterobacteriaceae bacteria counts) and 0.00 – 1.48 x 102 cfu/ml (for Salmonella-Shigella counts). Statistically, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) across the various locations for each of the parameters. The density observed were higher than the allowable limit of 1.0 x 102 cfu/ml for drinking water as recommended by World Health Organization/Food and Agricultural Organization, and maximum permissible level of 10cfu/ml for total coliform as specified by Standard Organization of Nigeria. The prevalence of bacteria isolated in the water samples were Aeromonas species (8.00%), Citrobacter species (7.50%), Escherichiacoli (20.75%), Klebsiella species (5.50%), Pseudomonas species (12.00%), Salmonella species (2.25%), Shigella species (3.25%) and Staphylococcus species (40.75%). From the bacteria density and diversity, the water is not potable. Some of the bacterial found are of public health importance. Hence, there is a need to adequately treat the water using chlorination and boiling techniques before drinking.
Apr 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2328-0182.japst-20-3331
Tabassum Khan NidaCorresponding author
Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Informatics, Balochistan University of Information Technology Engineering and Management Sciences, (BUITEMS), Quetta, Pakistan
Sage and Oregano, both are well-known culinary herbs with potential medicinal uses. Sage is mostly used to cease wounds bleeding, treating sores, swelling, cough and ulcers back in the first century and was called as the fertility drug since it reduces excessive bleeding during menstruation. On the other hand Oregano was found to be effective in treating stomach discomforts, bacterial/fungal infection, inflammatory bowel disease etc. Therefore due to their therapeutic and native applications, Sage and Oregano is of high economic worth.
Apr 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-20-3250
H. M. Adam AbubakerCorresponding author
Department of Crop Science, College of Agriculture, University of Bahri, Khartoum North, Sudan
The Basil plant (Ocimumbasilicum L) is an annual herb; belongs to family Lamiaceae. It is found to be an important source for Methyl Eugenol (ME), the fruit flies attractant. This study was carried out at Shendi area with main objective to assess the amount of ME extracted from Ocimumbasilicumplant to evaluate its potentiality as fruit fly attractant. Plants of basil were grown till to maturity, then the differential harvest of leaves, flower and seeds were chemically investigated for volatilome. Five basil formulations (paste and powder of leaves, paste and powder of flowers, isolated ME from basil oil) were used for trapping potential of Bactrocera spp in mango orchards, as compared to the synthetic ME. The oil was extracted using Soxhlet apparatus, steam and water distillation, and analyzed using GCMS. The results revealed that highest extracted oil percentages was obtained from flowers, leaves, seed and stem were 5.75%, 3.03%, 0.02% and 0.21% respectively. Moreover, the basil traps catch was found to be lower compared with that of the control traps. Furthermore, when extracted ME from basil plant was compared with the standard synthetic, it gave lower catch fruit flies numbers, but the difference was not significant (>0.05). In conclusion, the basil raw derivates are confirmed not to be attractive for flies but the oil distillable from the leaves could be in force of its attractant ME contents and insecticide potency.
Mar 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2766-8681.jcsr-21-3719
Zhao BinCorresponding author
School of Science, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
Background Since receiving unexplained pneumonia patients at the Jinyintan Hospital in Wuhan, China in December 2019, the new coronavirus (COVID-19) has rapidly spread in Wuhan, China and spread to the entire China and some neighboring countries. We establish the dynamics model of infectious diseases and time series model to predict the trend and short-term prediction of the transmission of COVID-19, which will be conducive to the intervention and prevention of COVID-19 by departments at all levels in mainland China and buy more time for clinical trials. Methods Based on the transmission mechanism of COVID-19 in the population and the implemented prevention and control measures, we establish the dynamic models of the six chambers, and establish the time series models based on different mathematical formulas according to the variation law of the original data. Findings The results based on time series analysis and kinetic model analysis show that the cumulative diagnosis of pneumonia of COVID-19 in mainland China can reach 36,343 after one week (February 8, 2020), and the number of basic regenerations can reach 4.01. The cumulative number of confirmed diagnoses will reach a peak of 87,701 on March 15, 2020; the number of basic regenerations in Wuhan will reach 4.3, and the cumulative number of confirmed cases in Wuhan will reach peak at 76,982 on March 20. Whether in Mainland China or Wuhan, both the infection rate and the basic regeneration number of COVID-19 continue to decline, and the results of the sensitivity analysis show that the time it takes for a suspected population to be diagnosed as a confirmed population can have a significant impact on the peak size and duration of the cumulative number of diagnoses. Increased mortality leads to additional cases of pneumonia, while increased cure rates are not sensitive to the cumulative number of confirmed cases. Interpretation Chinese governments at various levels have intervened in many ways to control the epidemic. According to the results of the model analysis, we believe that the emergency intervention measures adopted in the early stage of the epidemic, such as blocking Wuhan, restricting the flow of people in Hubei province, and increasing the support to Wuhan, had a crucial restraining effect on the original spread of the epidemic. It is a very effective prevention and treatment method to continue to increase investment in various medical resources to ensure that suspected patients can be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. Based on the results of the sensitivity analysis, we believe that enhanced treatment of the bodies of deceased patients can be effective in ensuring that the bodies themselves and the process do not result in additional viral infections, and once the pneumonia patients with the COVID-19 are cured, the antibodies left in their bodies may prevent them from reinfection COVID-19 for a longer period of time.
Feb 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2470-5020.jnrt-20-3226
Jalal Al Mosawi AamirCorresponding author
Children Teaching Hospital, Baghdad Medical City, Bab Al Muadham, Baghdad, Iraq
Charcot Marie Tooth disease is a is a very chronic progressive hereditarymotor and sensory neuropathy characterized by progressive weakness andloss of touch sensation across various parts of the body. There are no curative or effective medical therapies that can ameliorate the disability associated with Charcot Marie Tooth disease. The aim of this paper is to describe the safe novel use of cerebrolysin in an Iraqi patient with Charcot Marie Tooth disease. Patients and Methods A boy who was born on the seventh of November, 2009, and was first seen on 29th of January, 2018 at the Children Teaching Hospital of Baghdad Medical City and had Charcot Marie Tooth disease was observed. He had difficulty in walking and abnormal gait that made him left first grade primary school. The nerve conduction study and electromyography study supported the clinical diagnosis of chronic symmetric sensori-motor polyneuropathy of moderated severity. The boy was treated with a safe novel therapy for one month. He receivedten doses of 3 ml intra-muscular cerebrolysin every three days. Results The short term effect of the therapy was dramatic with noticeable improvement that has never been reported before with this condition. Conclusion Further studies enrolling more patients are highly recommended.
Jun 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2377-2549.jndc-19-2765
Heidari AlirezaCorresponding author
Faculty of Chemistry, California South University, 14731 Comet St. Irvine, CA 92604, USA
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin. Its name derives from Tetraodontiformes, an order that includes pufferfish, porcupinefish, ocean sunfish, and triggerfish; several of these species carry the toxin. Although tetrodotoxin was discovered in these fish and found in several other aquatic animals (e.g., in blue–ringed octopuses, rough–skinned newts, and moon snails), it is actually produced by certain infecting or symbiotic bacteria like Pseudoalteromonas, Pseudomonas, and Vibrio as well as other species found in animals. Parameters such as FT–IR and Raman vibrational wavelengths and intensities for single crystal Tetrodotoxin (TTX)are calculated using density functional theory and were compared with empirical results. The investigation about vibrational spectrum of cycle dimers in crystal with carboxyl groups from each molecule of acid was shown that it leads to create Hydrogen bounds for adjacent molecules. The current study aimed to investigate the possibility of simulating the empirical values. Analysis of vibrational spectrum of Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is performed based on theoretical simulation and FT–IR empirical spectrum and Raman empirical spectrum using density functional theory in levels of F/6–31G*, HF/6–31++G**, MP2/6–31G, MP2/6–31++G**, BLYP/6–31G, BLYP/6–31++G**, B3LYP/6–31G and B3LYP6–31–HEG**. Vibration modes of methylene, carboxyl acid and phenyl cycle are separately investigated. The obtained values confirm high accuracy and validity of results obtained from calculations. Molecular structure of Tetrodotoxin (TTX) 1–42.
Apr 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-19-2579
Ghayour-Mobarhan MajidCorresponding author
Metabolic Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Objective Postmenopausal women are at an increased risk of Cardiovascular Disease. We aimed to investigate whether this risk differed between individuals with a naturally occurring and other reasons for menopause within a large population-based Iranian sample. Study Design A total number of 1763 postmenopausal women (defined by amenorrhea for more than a year, or FSH > 30-40 mIU/ml), 900 of them with a natural menopause and 863 of them with other reasons for menopause caused by (hysterectomy without oophorectomy or one side oophorectomy, hysterectomy with oophorectomy or two side oophorectomy without hysterectomy) were recruited as part of the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorders (MASHAD) cohort study. Biochemical and hematological risk factors were measured in all the subjects and the data were analyzed by SPSS software version 20 Results There was a significant difference in the presence of cardiovascular disease in the natural menopause group compared with other reasons for menopause group (p<0.05). There was also a meaningful difference between the prevalence of depression and anxiety in the natural menopause individuals compared with other reasons for menopause group (p<0.05). Discussion High prevalence of CVD, depression and anxiety in other reasons in menopause women were observed among Mashhad urban females. It should be considered as a noticeable message. Furthermore, studies are necessary to determine different parameters between evaluating CVD, depression and anxiety among menopauses women.
Apr 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2998-4211.jalr-19-2658
C S SandeepCorresponding author
Research Scholar, CET, Trivandrum, University of Kerala
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is one amongst the overwhelming types of dementia that distresses the brain nerve cells leading to a perpetual loss in memory and creating a lot of difficulties for the family members in caretaking. The prediction of the disease at an earlier stage is a common problem. The most prevalent imaging modalities used for diagnosing AD are Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). They can provide valuable information regarding the changes in internal and external brain regions and activities for diagnosing AD. But the relevant studies made on retina reveals that in addition to brain changes there are some variations on the retina layers of the AD patients. Therefore, the retina can be used as a biomarker for diagnosing AD. There are different techniques available for an eye examination. Most noticeable of them are Fundus Imaging and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). In this paper, we have focused on OCT retinal images of AD patients for the early diagnosis of AD.
Feb 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-9467.jgrc-19-2619
Sørensen MartenCorresponding author
Department of Plant & Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 3., 1870 Frederiksberg C.
The Andean region is the centre of origin and domestication of at least 9 species of native root and tuber crops in addition to several species of native potatoes. Within this group, Mauka – also known as Miso or Taso ‒ (Mirabilis expansa Ruíz & Pav.) Standl. ‒ Nyctaginaceae) is one of the least well known, despite having much potential. It is cultivated at high altitudes (2300 to 3500 m a.s.l.) in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia and is thought to be of pre-Inca origin. Mauka is characterized by its high nutritional value due to substantial levels of protein, calcium and phosphorus, as well as secondary metabolites with nutraceutical properties of varied application. It also has good potential as a forage plant. Based on ethnobotanical knowledge and scientific investigations, this review presents advances in the agronomic understanding of Mauka since its discovery five decades ago in several isolated rural Bolivian communities. The information presented covers both Andean and non-Andean countries. It includes results from journals on natural resources, botany, agronomy, and the congress minutes from botanical, agronomic and phytogenetic resources conferences. Theses on Mauka specifically and on phytogenetic resources in general were also reviewed. Books and manuals were reviewed in the libraries of the International Potato Center, INIAP-Ecuador, INIA-Peru and universities. The plant is described with emphasis on its agronomic traits and according to its propagation forms (seed or vegetative); in terms of its agroecology, phenology, growth dynamics and their indices, crop management, harvest and post-harvest processes. It is concluded that important advances in the understanding of the agronomy of Mauka have been accomplished. Furthermore, the review highlights aspects requiring further research, in order to develop improved production technologies to ensure its future use and conservation.
Feb 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-18-2576
Haroun Mohamed Adam AbubakerCorresponding author
Cotton mealybug (Phenacoccussolenopsis) is a serious devastating pest which goes on a wide array of plant families. The pest spread all over the world from cool to dry hot regions. The main objective of this study was to investigate the food preference and behavior of P. solenopsis Tinseley (Hemiptera:Pseudococcidae) towards selected host plants in Khartoum State, Sudan, where a multi-choice experiment under laboratory conditions was adopted. Eight plant species were screened for attractiveness and food preference to Cotton mealybug. Where the proportions of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd nymphal instars and the adult females were recorded at 2, 8 and 24 hours after release, and compared with Chinese rose (Rosa chinensis) the control. The result revealed that the proportions of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd nymphal instars and adult females were maximum on plants of family Malvaceae, particularly the Okra (Hibiscus esculentus) followed by Cotton (Gossypium sp.) and Hambouk (Abutilon pannosum) as compared with the control. However, in contrast, the proportions were very low on unpalatable plants like Zaleya (Locally known as Raba) (Zaleyapentandra) and Eggplant (Solanum melongenaL.). However, in contrast, the proportions were very low on unpalatable plants like Zaleya (Locally known as Raba) (Zaleya pentandra) and Eggplant (SolanummelongenaL.). In conclusion, the most favorable host plants of the Cotton mealybug belonging to the family Malvaceae, while the families of Solanaceae [Egg plant (SolanummelongenaL.)] and Aizoaceae (Raba) were found to be the least preferred host plants.
Jan 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2643-0282.imsj-18-2514
Fadel Madkour FedekarCorresponding author
Marine Science Department, Faculty of Science, Port Said University, Port Said, Egypt
The Anthomedusae species, Corymorpha bigelowi Maas, 1905 (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa, Corymorphidae), was recorded in the northern Red Sea fauna, representing it "first invasion" in Egypt. A fact proven by past studies that this species is endemic in the Indo-Pacific region, which is mainly located in southern coast of Japan and Indian Ocean. The specimens were collected from an area located off Hurghada city, and between latitudes 27° 14.427ˊ and 27° 10.816ˊ N, and longitudes 33° 51.085ˊ and 33° 51.603ˊ E using plankton net (350 µm mesh). In total, six mature medausae of C. bigelowi were caught in December 2014 and February 2015 (4 and 2 medusae, respectively). Following this, the captured species medusa of C. bigelowi was photographed and morphological characteristics described in details. As well as, further discussions of biogeographical distribution and morphological speciation of the present species were provided. This work makes a noteworthy contribution to clarify the migration route of C. bigelowi from southern Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3155160/
Jan 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-4496.jtc-18-2473
Noguchi YasushiCorresponding author
Department of Radiology, Noguchi Thyroid Clinic and Hospital Foundation, 7-52 Aoyama-cho, Beppu 874-0902, Japan
This study aimed to investigate the trend of patients with thyroid cancer undergoing thyroidectomy and those undergoing fine needle aspiration (FNA) and its relationship with thyroid cancer, using a large-scale, real-world database established based on the employment-based health insurance claims data in Japan. In this retrospective descriptive study, annual incidence rates of patients with thyroid cancer undergoing thyroidectomy and FNA from 2005 to 2014 were calculated. Among the 3,130,757 enrollees, 926 patients were diagnosed with thyroid cancer and underwent thyroidectomies. The annual incidence of patients with thyroid cancer undergoing thyroidectomy increased from 5.4 (95% confidence interval 95% CI, 3.4–8.5) in 2005 to 11.7 (10.1–13.5) per 100,000 patient-years in 2013, with a gradual increase among patients in their 20s and 30s and with the most notable increase among those in their 40s and 50s. The annual FNA rate also increased during those years, whereas no noticeable change was observed in the thyroid cancer detection rate. The incidence rates of patients with thyroid cancer undergoing thyroidectomy and those undergoing FNA were strongly correlated, with Pearson’s correlation coefficients of 0.935 for men and 0.886 for women. In conclusion, an increasing trend in the incidence of patients with thyroid cancer undergoing thyroidectomy was observed from 2005 to 2013 among a large group of Japanese employees of working age and their dependents. These results provide useful information on the impact of patients with thyroid cancer undergoing thyroidectomy on the working population.
Oct 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2328-0182.japst-18-2341
Nyunaї NyembCorresponding author
The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the safety of a stem bark aqueous extract of Harunganamadagascariensis Lam. (Hypericaceae) by determining its potential toxicity after acute and subacute administration in rodents. Acute toxicity tests were carried out in mice and the behavior, death and median lethal dose (LD50) were estimated. Subacute toxicity (28 days) studies were conducted in rats with oral daily doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg. Parameters observed at the end of the subacute tests included changes in body and vital organ weights, mortality, hematological, biochemical, hepatic and kidney effects. Harunganamadagascariensisextract did not produce any visible toxicity or mortality with oral doses up to 2000 mg/kg within 14 days of single treatment, leading to the conclusion that the LD50 is greater than 2000 mg/kg. In the subacute toxicity tests, neither mortality nor visible signs of lethality was seen in rats. No significant change in the weight of the kidney, liver, heart, lungs spleen, pancreas and testicles was observed. Alanine transaminase (ALT) increased significantly in males at 400 and 600 mg/kg, whereas Aspartate transaminase (AST) decreased at 600 mg/kg in female rats. HDL Cholesterol was reduced at 600 mg/kg in female rats. There was a significant increase in urea concentration in female rats at 400 mg/kg. A significant decrease, both in platelet volume distribution (PVD) at 400 mg/kg in male rats and in red cell volume distribution (RDW) at 200 mg/kg were recorded in female rats respectively, but with no changes in other hematologic parameters. Histological study shows normal structure of liver, kidneys and heart of control and treated rats. Results indicate that oral doses of aqueous stem bark of Harunganamadagascariensis are relatively safe in rats; however, assessment of hepatobiliary function should be done during chronic use in humans.
Aug 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-4721.ijcm-18-2217
Samaras ShivanthiCorresponding author
Molecular Microbiology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Hawthorn Building, The Gateway, De Montfort University, Leicester, LE1 9BH United Kingdom
Background Overuse of beta-lactam antibiotics has lead to selection for extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae, a major cause of antibiotic resistant urinary tract infections (UTIs). Standard detection methods are time-consuming, with disputed accuracy. This study describes a novel real-time PCR method to detect CTX-M, SHV, OXA and TEM. Methods 179 Enterobacteriaceae isolates from UTIs were collected from the Leicester Royal Infirmary, UK. A multiplex Plexor®-based real-time PCR assay detected ESBLs using their specific amplicon melting temperature, during each cycle, removing the need for a melt-curve analysis. Validation was achieved by end-point PCR and disk diffusion. Results The method was able to produce rapid and accurate results, achieving a sensitivity and specificity of 94.9% and 72% respectively, and the assay can differentiate between the different ESBL genes, with ease. Conclusions With further investigation, a Plexor®-based assay could form the basis of a high-throughput kit that health services could use to detect ESBLs or other antibiotic resistance genes.
Jul 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2638-4469.japb-18-2166
Chandra Gupta PrakashCorresponding author
University Institute of Pharmacy, Chhatrapati shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur-208024, Uttar Pradesh India
Diospyros malabarica (Desr.) Kostel synonym Diospyros peregrina Gurke (Family: Ebenaceae) is a medium sized evergreen tree commonly known as Kendu in Assamese. The plant has ethnomedicinal significance and used by various ethnic communities of North-East India to treat various disorders like dysentery, diabetes, diarrhea malaria, ulcer and wounds. However, detailed scientific information is not available to identify the plant material, in order to ascertain its quality and purity. Therefore, the present work was carried out to perform morpho-anatomical and physicochemical analysis of D. malabarica stem bark. The bark is externally dark brown to black in color and rough having characteristics odor and astringent taste. The microscopy of bark reveals the presence of polygonal thick walled cork, 3-4 layered phellogen, 7-8 layered phelloderm, stone cells, phloem fibers and medullary rays. Stem bark powder showed thick walled cork cells, thick walled elongated phloem fibers, lignified stone cells and rhomboidal crystals of calcium oxalate. Further, physicochemical analysis of the bark power showed loss on drying, total ash, water soluble ash, and acid insoluble ash as 6.2, 5.6, 1.1, 2.45, and 5.7% w/w respectively. The alcohol and water soluble extractives values of the stem bark were 10.6 and 16.8% w/w respectively. The result of preliminary phytochemical screening indicates presence of triterpenoids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids and sterols. The findings of this study will facilitate pharmacognostic standardization of the plant material and aid in the preparation of an herbal monograph for the species.
Jun 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-9467.jgrc-18-2041
D. Milián Jiménez MarilysCorresponding author
Department of Genetics, Plant Genetic Resources and Plant Genetic Improvement
The present study aims at integrating the characterization studies conducted on the Cuban germplasm collection of Xanthosoma sagittifolium (Araceae) preserved in the Research Institute of Tropical Roots and Tubers Crops (INIVIT). Differentiation of accessions was done by combining qualitative and quantitative descriptors to clarify the relationships between six well-defined groups. The results may be used to establish a core collection for improved management of Xanthosoma spp. germplasm.
May 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2637-6075.jpae-18-2062
Fujii TaichiCorresponding author
Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chubu University, 1200 Matsumoto-cho, Kasugai, Aichi, 487-8501, Japan
Estimates of the genetic diversity of Large Japanese field mouse Apodemusspeciosus populations and identification of their plant food resources were conducted in an industrial green space, where were constructed on reclaimed land and belonged to the Aichi Refinery of Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. A total of six mitochondrial D-loop haplotypes were identified in 50 mice. Habitat condition with the highest number of captured individuals had abundant broad-leaved trees and understory vegetation. A minimum spanning network, which did not form a ring-shaped network, revealed that the hereditary population structure was weak. The low genetic diversity observed in the study area was thus attributed to isolation from other populations once the population in the study area by sea and road, which is more than 30 m wide. In order to identify which plant food resources were utilized by mice captured inside the industrial green space, partial chloroplast rbcL sequences were amplified by PCR from DNA extracted from 43 feces samples. Calculations of sample completeness curve revealed that 25 of the taxa identified in this study comprised approximately 90% of the food plant resources in the study area. Of the 21 plant families identified from the obtained rbcL sequences, members of the Rosaceae (28.0%), Fagaceae (17.2%), Lauraceae (14.2%) and Oleaceae (7.7%) were dominant. To ensure the continued survival of A. speciosuspopulation in this industrial green space would be to preferentially conserve plant species that are used as food resources by this species.
May 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-4829.jen-18-2043
Rameshthangam PalanivelCorresponding author
Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630003, Tamilnadu, India
Disposal of chitin wastes from crustacean shell can cause environmental and health hazards. Chitin is a well known abundant natural polymer extracted after deproteinization and demineralization of the shell wastes of shrimp, crab, lobster, and krill. Extraction of chitin and its derivatives from waste material is one of the alternative ways to turn the waste into useful products. Chitinases are enzymes that degrade chitin. Chitinases contribute to the generation of carbon and nitrogen in the ecosystem. Chitin and chitinolytic enzymes are gaining importance for their biotechnological applications. The presence of surface charge and multiple functional groups make chitin as a beneficial natural polymer. Due to the reactive functional groups chitin can be used for the preparation of a spectrum of chitin derivatives such as chitosan, alkyl chitin, sulfated chitin, dibutyryl chitin and carboxymethyl chitin for specific applications in different areas. The present review is aimed to summarize the efficacy of the chitinases on the chitin and its derivatives and their diverse applications in biomedical and environmental field. Further this review also discusses the synthesis of various chitin derivatives in detail and brings out the importance of chitin and its derivatives in biomedical and environmental applications.
May 2015 DOI 10.14302/issn.2644-0105.jbfb-14-547
Di Luigi GianlucaCorresponding author
University of L’Aquila; Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences. Gynecology & Obstetrics. Ospedale Civile “San Salvatore”. L’Aquila, Italy.
Background: Scientific research is constantly expanding our knowledge of nutritional needs in pregnancy and lactation. In June 2014 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued draft-revised advice encouraging pregnant women, those who might become pregnant, breastfeeding mothers and young children to eat more fish, a total of least 8 ounces per week and to eat a variety of fish lower in mercury in particular anchovies, butterfish, catfish, clam, haddock (Atlantic), herring, mullet, oyster, perch (ocean), sardine, shad, trout (freshwater). However, the presence of radionuclides released from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Pacific biota has aroused worldwide attention and concern. Objective and Methods: Evaluating all the scientific literature available after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the aim of this review is to demonstrate the safety of seafood products and the use of omega-3 supplements potentially derived from contaminated radioactive fish. Results and Conclusions: There are no reasons to fear the amount of radiation in Japanese fish. The dose received from seafood consumption can be estimated to result in two additional fatal cancer cases per 10,000,000 similarly exposed people. The safest way to get omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy is by taking a high-quality fish oil supplement, approved by a governing body that provides proof of quality such as the Council for Responsible Nutrition, the European Pharmocopeia Standard or the Norwegian Medicinal Standard and by the Food and Drug Administration or the Environmental Protection Agency 12. Pregnant and breastfeeding women do not need to cut fish out of their diet completely, and it may be safely eaten up to three times per week safely 3.
Jan 2015 DOI 10.14302/issn.2372-6601.jhor-14-381
H Sellahewa KolithaCorresponding author
Dr Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital, Millenium Drive, Malabe, Sri lanka
Haemorrhage is common to both dengue fever (DF) and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). Thrombocytopaenia is exceedingly common, while prolonged partial thromboplastin time and reduced fibrinogen concentration are the other abnormal haemostatic indices evident from early in the disease course. These haematological abnormalities correlate better with the timing and severity of plasma leakage rather than the clinical haemorrhagic manifestations. Blood products including prophylactic platelet transfusions are hardly required in the management of DHF. Judicious fluid therapy is the most effective intervention to prevent complications and bleeding in DHF. Concealed haemorrhage is an important complication requiring early recognition and blood transfusions to improve outcomes. Understanding the pathogenesis of coagulopathy and the significance of altered haemostatic indices, and its co-relation to disease severity and phase of DHF, is essential for appropriate interventions particularly when DHF co-exists in patients on mandatory anticoagulation for prosthetic heart valves and atrial fibrillation.