Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Beneficial effects of green tea Epigallocatechin gallate on liver functions and hematological parameters in normal and induced rats by aluminum oxide nanoparticles

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible beneficial effects of EGCG on Liver Functions and Hematological Parameters in rats induced by Aluminum oxide nanoparticles. Eight groups of rats were used; Group1, control. Group2, received AI2O3NPS alone in a dose 50 mg/ kg b.w i.p. Group 3, received Epigallocatechin gallate alone in a dose (5 mg/kg b.w. i.v.). Group 4, received Epigallocatechin gallate alone in a dose (10 mg/kg b.w. i.v.). Group 5, received AI2O3NPS followed by simultaneous administration of Epigallocatechin gallate in a dose (5 mg/kg b.w. i.v.). Group 6, received AI2O3NPS followed by simultaneous administration of Epigallocatechin gallate in a dose (10 mg/kg b.w. i.v.). There was a highly significant elevation in serum of AST, ALT, ALP and GGT and while, a significant decrease in albumin and total protein level but no a significant change in globulin and A/G ratio in rats treated with Al2O3-NPs as compared to normal control rats. Rats treated with Epigallocatechin gallate; 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg treated with Al2O3-NPs ameliorated liver functions (the above parameters) as compared to Al2O3-NPs-treated rats. Also, treatment with Epigallocatechin gallate; 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg with Al2O3-NPs -treated rats induced a significant increase in Hb concentration, RBCs count and PCV% compared to normal control rats but decreased in WBCs count and platelets compared to Al2O3-NPs -treated rats.
From ‘Children in Need’ to ‘Children at Risk’—The Changing Policy Context for Prevention and Participation

This article explores the changing context for preventative services, and the involvement of children and families in developing these services. Using emerging findings from national evaluations of preventative initiatives, the move to address the needs of children at risk of social exclusion is considered. The challenges faced in implementing previous needs-led approaches to children are set against the current intentions to achieve change for children.
CHALLENGES FACING TEACHERS IN PREPARATION AND UTILIZATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA IN TEACHING KISWAHILI IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KENYA

Performance in Kiswahili subject in KCSE has not been impressive nationally for a long period. Many reasons which have been attributed to the poor results include improper use of media resources as it compromises the quality of teaching. The purpose of the study was to find out challenges facing teachers in preparation and utilization of instructional media in teaching Kiswahili. Dale’s cone of experience formed the theoretical framework of the study. The study was based on descriptive survey research design. The study population comprised of 28 head teachers, 90 Kiswahili teachers and 39,327 students in selected public secondary schools in Kenya, specifically in Sabatia district. The schools were stratified into three categories namely; girls’ schools, boys’ schools and co-educational schools from which 9 public secondary schools were selected. Two schools were used in the pilot study. Simple random sampling method was used to select 9 Head teachers, 30 Kiswahili teachers and 395 form three students. The selection of 395 form three students was based on Yamane’s (1967) formula. Questionnaires were used to collect information from teachers and students while an interview guide was prepared to obtain data from school head teachers. Document analysis was done on National examination results and Kiswahili syllabus. Reliability of the instruments was established by conducting a pilot study in two public secondary schools that did not participate in the actual study. Validity of instruments was established by giving the instruments to at least three experts in the area from the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Technology, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology for verification. Qualitative data was received in verbatim and then transcribed and reported in themes and sub-themes. Quantitative data obtained was analysed by descriptive statistics such as means, percentages and frequency counts. It was presented in tables, pie charts and graphs using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The study revealed that teachers face several challenges in preparation and use of instructional media resources in teaching Kiswahili. It was concluded that there are various forms of instructional media resources that can be used in teaching various areas of Kiswahili Curriculum though there are challenges that need to be addressed to enhance the use of these resources in teaching Kiswahili. The study recommends that: the Ministry of education should forecast and plan to fund secondary schools to enable them purchase enough instructional Media resources for their use. It is hoped that the ministry of education will use these findings to enhance refresher courses so as to equip teachers with relevant skills of preparing and using instructional media resources effectively.
Predictors of cancer prevention and early detection counselling beliefs in naturopath and medical trainees : a comparative study

i Preface . iii Table of contents . iv List of tables . x List of figures . xii List of abbreviations . xiii Acknowledgements . xiv Dedication . xv Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 1.1 Importance of prevention and impact on cancer . 1 1.2 Impact of health care on cancer control . 2 1.2.1 Medical physicians and cancer prevention . 3 1.2.2 Medical physicians and early detection of cancer. 6 1.2.3 Naturopathy and cancer prevention . 10 1.2.4 Naturopathy and early detection of cancer . 11 1.3 Integration of health care modalities . 12 1.4 Training programs . 14 1.4.1 Medicine . 14 1.4.1.1 University of British Columbia (UBC) . 15 v 1.4.2 Naturopathy . 16 1.4.2.1 The Boucher Institute of Naturopathy . 17 1.5 The research problem . 18 1.6 The purpose of the study . 20 1.7 The research questions . 20 Chapter 2: Literature review . 21 2.1 Social theories and health care providers . 21 2.1.1 Defining beliefs and attitudes: . 21 2.1.2 Model . 22 2.2 Cancer beliefs . 23 2.3 Perceived importance of cancer prevention and early detection practices. 24 2.4 Health care providers’ complementary and alternative medical beliefs . 26 2.5 Sociodemographics . 27 2.5. 1 Gender . 27 2.5. 2 Year of study . 28 2.5. 3 Area of specialty . 29 Chapter 3: Methodology . 30 3.1 Study design . 30 3.2 Sample . 30 3.2.1 Participant recruitment . 30 3.2.2 Remuneration . 30 3.2.3 Sample inclusion criteria . 31 vi 3.2.4 Sample exclusion criteria . 31 3.3 Instrument . 31 3.3.1 Instrument development . 31 3.3.2 Instrument description . 32 3.3.3 Management of survey data . 37 3.4 Variables . 37 3.5 Statistical data analysis . 39 3.5. 1 Data cleaning . 39 3.5. 2 Descriptive analysis . 40 3.5. 3 Medical school representativeness: . 40 3.5. 4 Research question 1 . 41 3.5. 5 Research question 2 . 41 3.5. 6 Research question 3 . 42 3.6 Missing data . 43 Chapter 4: Results . 45 4.1 Population description . 45 4.2 Research question 1 . 48 4.2.1 Research question 1.a. 48 4.2.1.1 Specific cancer prevention practices . 48 4.2.1.2 General cancer prevention and screening questions . 53 4.2.2 Research question 1.b . 57 4.2.3 Research question 1.c . 62 4.3 Research question 2 . 66 vii 4.3.1 Sociodemographic correlates: . 66 4.3.2 Potential key correlates . 67 4.4 Research question 3 . 70 4.4.1 Research question 3.a. 82 4.4.1.1 Cancer prevention: perceived importance and counselling self-efficacy . 82 4.4.1.2 Cancer prevention: global and counselling self-efficacy . 84 4.4.1.3 Cancer screening: perceived importance and counselling self-efficacy . 90 4.4.1.4 Cancer screening: global and counselling self-efficacy . 91 4.5 Effect of program on counselling self-efficacy . 97 4.6 Medical school representativeness: .
Better Together: Water Treatment Residual and Poor-Quality Compost Improves Sandy Soil Fertility

Water treatment residual (WTR) is an underused clean water industry byproduct, generally disposed to landfill. This study assesses the benefits and risks of ferric-WTR as a soil amendment or co-amendment for plant growth in a nutrient-poor sandy soil. A 12-wk pot trial tested the efficacy of WTR and a locally available, low-quality, municipal compost as single (1, 5, and 12.5% dry mass) and co-amended treatments (1:1 WTR/compost ratio, at 2, 10, and 25%) on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth in a sandy soil. The low total N content of the compost and low WTR P and K contents resulted in significantly lower (up to 50% lower, p < 0.05) plant biomass in single amendments compared with the control, whereas the highest co-amendment produced significantly higher plant biomass (33% higher, p < 0.05) than the control. This positive co-amendment effect on plant growth is attributed to balanced nutrient provision, with P and K from the compost and N from the WTR. Foliar micronutrient and Al levels showed no toxic accumulation, and co-amended foliar Mn levels increased from near deficient (20 mg kg−1) to sufficient (50 mg kg−1). Total WTR metals were well below maximum land application concentrations (USDA). Trace element bioavailability remained the same (Ni, Cu, and Hg) or significantly decreased (B, Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Zn, As, and Cd; p < 0.05) during the pot trial. These results suggest, within this context, that a WTR–compost co-amendment is a promising soil improvement technology for increasing crop yields in sandy soils.
Factors affecting Initiation and Exclusivity of Breastfeeding in QATIF, Saudi Arabia

Objective: To define the possible factors that affect initiation and exclusivity of breastfeeding - recommended by WHO - in primary health care attendees in Qatif area, Saudi Arabia and to determine factors affecting the decision to breastfeed. Setting: The study was conducted specifically in eight Primary Care centres at Qatif / Saudi Arabia. Method : Cross-sectional analytic study with multistage sampling technique; eight primary care centres were selected and 400 subjects were randomly enrolled in the study. Data was collected using a validated questionnaire for interviewing the subjects. It started from November 2011 to January 2012. Analysis was done using SPSS version 16. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent variables that affect initiation and decision of breastfeeding. Results: About 40% of study population was using mixed type of feeding and the reasons of adding bottle-feeding were "insufficient breast milk" (36.9%) and "return to work" (26.3%). Initiation of breastfeeding within one hour after delivery was reported in 33.5% of the study population. Only 9.5% practiced exclusive breastfeeding at six months of age. Complementary feeding was started in more than half of infants less than six months of age. Initiation of breastfeeding was significantly affected by mode of delivery, parity, infant health status and receiving help for breastfeeding by medical staff. Exclusivity was found to be negatively associated with use of pacifier, return to work and choosing mixed type of feeding. Conclusion: Two thirds of study population have chosen breastfeeding and about one third of study population initiated breastfeeding within the first hour after delivery. A small proportion of mothers practiced exclusive breastfeeding at six months of age. Assisted delivery, parity and other factors were found to be significantly associated to initiation of breastfeeding with varying degrees. Many factors were found to affect the decision to breastfeed. It is recommended that polices of the BFHI should be strictly followed. This means hospital and PHC staff need to be re- trained and/ or updated. The investigator recommends intensive health education program for promoting breastfeeding at PHC centres. Special attention need to be given to high – risk mothers to encourage early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding
Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Olive Leaf Extracts and Their Effect on Proliferation of Human Carcinoma Cell Lines

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of different olive leaf extracts (OLE) from different leaf growing stages on human carcinoma cell lines. OLE were tested in human carcinoma cell lines in vitro and cells were plated in 96-microtiter culture plates for each OLE concentration. Fresh (F) and freeze-dried (FD) leaves exhibited phenolic compounds in the range of 2.09 ± 0.10 to 8.44 ± 0.64 and 7.72 ± 0.56 to 24.65 ± 1.9 mg gallic acid equivalents/g leaves, respectively. OLE from several Portuguese olive tree cultivars were found to inhibit the growth of human carcinoma cell lines in a range of 2.09 - 8.44 μg phenolic compound/well (209 - 844 μg/ml) and 0.07 - 2.40 μg phenolic compounds/well (7 - 240 μg/ml) for fresh and freeze-dried leaves, respectively. Young (Y) leaves have revealed the highest cell growth inhibition ranging from about 95% for Cobran? osa, followed by 90% for Cobran? osa, 90% for Arbequina and 75% for Arbequina for cell lines A549, HeLa, A431 and OE21, respectively. The lowest cell growth inhibition (35%) was observed for Galega (Y) leaf extract on cell line A549. However, FD samples exhibited a distinctive pattern since cell growth inhibition was highest at highest extract dilution tested, for A431 (Galega Y) followed by A549 (Cobran? osa Y) with cell inhibition of 75% and 70%, respectively. The data presented in this work strongly suggest that OLEs inhibit the growth of human carcinoma cell lines.
Homeopathy in parasitic diseases

Background: The use of homeopathic medicines has increased, partly because conventional drugs do not always elicit the desired effects, and partly because their side effects might compromise the patientâ€™sâ€™ adherence to treatment. Several studies showed benefits in the use of highly diluted medicines for the treatment of infectious diseases. Aim: The aim of the present review was to perform a critical discussion about aspects of homeopathy and the current status of veterinary experimentation, as well as of the use of highly diluted drugs in infectious and parasitic diseases. The main aspects of effects, therapeutic regimens and / or dynamizations used in various models are discussed. Methods: Articles published since 2000 in journals included in databases PubMed and SciELO and specialized journals sought for and reviewed using keywords â€œparasitic diseases/homeopathyâ€ and â€œparasitic diseases/ ultra-dilutionsâ€. Results: Several recent experimental studies demonstrated the biological effect of highly diluted medications on parasitic infections, with reduction of the number of parasites and improvement of the clinical condition of the affected animals. Several articles exhibit problems in the description of methods, which threaten the reproducibility of experiments. Conclusion: The acknowledgment of homeopathy depends on the credibility of investigators. Although research on homeopathy has clearly increased in recent years, relative to both implementation of more consistent methods and description of data and methods, improvement is still required. Precise and detailed descriptions will contribute to advance the use of homeopathy, so that society at large might benefit in actual practice.
The Ukraine (Kiev) 1999 Global Youth Tobacco Survey: Economic Issues

The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), supported by the US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organization, was carried out in Kiev, in the Ukraine in 1999, one of the first of many countries to implement this standardized school-based survey of teenage smoking behavior, attitudes and knowledge. This report presents background information on smoking and tobacco control policies in Ukraine. It presents simple descriptive statistics of the GYTS survey data, focusing especially on the relationship between smoking behavior, cigarette prices, and other factors that can be affected by policies intended to reduce smoking in order to reduce the associated burden of disease and premature death. Multiple regressions explore the factors that affect the decision to smoke, and the number of cigarettes that current smokers report smoking each month, and find that price appears to be a significant determinant, along with age, gender, and efforts by schools to ensure that students are well informed about the effects that smoking has on health.
The Combination of Lewis Acid with N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Catalysis

In the last ten years, the combination of Lewis acid with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis has emerged as a powerful strategy in a variety of important asymmetric synthesis, due to the ready availability of starting materials, operational simplicity and mild reaction conditions. Recent findings illustrate that Lewis acid could largely enhance the efficiency and enantioselectivity, reverse the diastereoselectivity, and even influence the pathway of the same reaction partners. Herein, this review aims to reveal the recent advances in NHC-Lewis acid synergistically promoted enantioselective reactions for the expeditious assembly of versatile biologically important chiral pharmaceuticals and natural products.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Smoking Cessation

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major and increasing cause of morbidity and mortality. Cigarette smoking is the most important risk factor for COPD, and smoking cessation is, in most cases, the most effective way of preventing the onset and progression of COPD. The purpose of the present article was to review the current state of interventions for smokers with COPD. Because 70% of smokers visit a physician annually, primary care providers play a key role in the counseling of all patients at every visit. If smoking cessation is achieved at an early stage of disease, it is associated with a decrease in pulmonary symptoms and improves prognosis and prolonged abstinence. The health benefits of smoking cessation are immediate and substantial, and interventions provided for smokers suggest that multiple modalities are needed. Smoking cessation counseling in combination with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) appears to be the most effective modality followed by smoking cessation in combination with an antidepressant to enhance prolonged abstinence.
Substance abuse and HIV risk behaviours amongst primary health care service users in Cape Town

Objective : To document prevalence of, and association between, substance use and HIV risk behaviours among primary care patients. Method : Cross-sectional survey. Four primary care clinics in Cape Town. We selected clinics using stratified sampling, and systematically selected 131 patients from attendance logs. We assessed substance use with the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test, and HIV risk with items addressing injection drug use, blood-sharing rituals, and sexual risk behaviours. Results : Substances most used at hazardous levels were tobacco (28.2%) and alcohol (14.8%). Among possible HIV risk factors, highest prevalence was participation in blood-sharing rituals (25%), and having had an STI (19.8%). An association between substance use and sexual risk behaviours was only found among those aged 18-24. Conclusion : In younger patients, presence of substance use or HIV risk behaviours increases the probability that the other is present. Keywords : substance abuse, HIV risk behaviours, primary care South African Psychiatry Review Vol. 8(4) 2005: 160-165
Impacts of exposure to low concentration of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on cell cycle control and DNA repair in normal, cancer and DNA repair deficient cells.

Nowadays, Titanium dioxide nanoparticles, TiO2 NPs, are produced in huge quantities due to their vast range of applications including paints, food coloring, sunscreens and cosmetics. Consequently, humans are exposed to TiO2 NPs on a daily basis. However, the toxicological profile of TiO2 NPs is not fully elucidated. As a result, this study is carried out to evaluate the genotoxic impact of TiO2 NPs on normal, cancer and DNA repair deficient cells. Since most of the studies evaluated the genotoxic impact of the TIO2 NPs have used the acute exposure scenario: High exposure concentrations and short exposure times, in the present study the genotoxic impact of the NPs would be evaluated using the prolonged exposure scenario: low exposure concentration for long exposure time. Cytotoxicity on a cancer cell line was evaluated using the MTT assay, genotoxicity on normal and cancer cell line was evaluated using immunofluorescent staining for anti-γ-H2AX and anti-total53BP1, and the impact of the NPs on cell cycle regulation was evaluated using G2/M checkpoint assay on normal and cancer cell lines. In order to study the impact of NPs on DNA repair genotoxicity was evaluated using immunofluorescent staining for anti-γ-H2AX and anti-total-53BP1 on normal and DNA repair deficient cell lines. Finally, the maintenance of cell cycle G2/M checkpoint in absence of DNA repair genes was evaluated using the G2/M checkpoint assay on DNA repair deficient cell lines. In the present study, we have demonstrated that long exposures to TiO2 NPs does not induces cytotoxicity but it causes significant genotoxicity, particularly DNA double strand breaks. More precisely, we verified that NPs induces DNA DSBs at heterochromatin as well as euchromatin regions of the genome. Furthermore, we demonstrated that DNA DSBs repair, during G1 phase, at heterochromatin region is ATM dependent while DNA DSBs repair at Euchromatin regions is ATM independent, and DNA PKcs and Artemis dependent. On the other hand, it was seen that activation of G2/M cell cycle checkpoint after exposure to the NPs has DNA DSBs dependent-threshold. Also, it was shown that the release of the cell cycle checkpoint has DNA DSBs dependent-threshold. Lastly, we observed cell cycle checkpoint adaptation on prolonged exposure scenario. Taken together, we have demonstrated that prolonged exposure scenario does not affect cell viability but it causes DNA damage and cell cycle checkpoint adaptation leading to genetic instability.
Caprine schistosomiosis and its therapeutic management.

Schistosomiosis is an parasitic infection among caprines and many a times it goes unnoticed. In India, S. nasale, S. spindale and S. indicum were recorded among the goats. Present investigation describes the Schistosomiosis among the goats suffering with diarrhoea. Upon coprological examination and micrometry schistosomiosis caused by S. spindale was confirmed with spindale shaped ova. On epidemiological investigation, grazing of goats in snails (Lymnea species) infested area may be the major risk involved in transmission of Schistosomiosis. All the affected animals were treated with Triclabendazole @ 10 mg/kg body weight orally and found to be effective against Schistosoma spindale.