bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of Primary Mineral Content and Calcium Sources in Forest Soils using Electron Probe Microanalysis Mapping and Cluster Analysis
Authors: Bailey Scott W. , Ross Donald S. , Perdrial Nico , Jercinovic Michael , Webber Jeffrey , Bourgault Rebecca
Published: October 2019

Although mineral dissolution is a fundamental soil forming process, primary mineral content of soils is rarely inventoried or quantified. Concerns about maintenance of forest soil nutrient stocks require better mineralogic data. In particular, to understand recovery from Ca losses induced by acid deposition and sustainability of intensive forest harvest, better inventory of primary Ca minerals is needed. We developed a method based on electron probe micro‐analysis to quantify primary mineral concentrations in soil. Samples analyzed from three sites in the glaciated northeastern United States spanned a bulk Ca concentration of 0.03 to 0.94%. Plagioclase was the dominant Ca‐bearing mineral at two sites while apatite was the only Ca‐bearing mineral found in all three samples and was the dominant calcium source at one site. A variety of other Ca silicate minerals were found in trace amounts. Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) proved more sensitive in detecting minor and trace Ca bearing minerals than standard XRD procedures. The Ca‐bearing minerals detected by EPMA matched those expected based on the lithologic composition of the glacial till and were consistent with measured bulk soil Ca content by lithium‐borate fusion. Taking into account the Ca concentration in each mineral and each mineral's abundance in the sample, this inventory provided a complete accounting of Ca sources.
Solubility of carbon and nitrogen in a sulfur-bearing iron melt: Constraints for siderophile behavior at upper mantle conditions
Authors: Sokol Alexander G. , Khokhryakov Alexander F. , Borzdov Yuri M. , Kupriyanov Igor N. , Palyanov Yuri N.
Published: October 2019

Carbon solubility in a liquid iron alloy containing nitrogen and sulfur has been studied experimentally in a carbon-saturated Fe-C-N-S-B system at pressures of 5.5 and 7.8 GPa, temperatures of 1450 to 1800 °C, and oxygen fugacities from the IW buffer to log fO2 ΔIW-6 (ΔIW is the logarithmic difference between experimental fO2 and that imposed by the coexistence of iron and wüstite). Carbon saturation of Fe-rich melts at 5.5 and 7.8 GPa maintains crystallization of flaky graphite and diamond. Diamond containing 2100–2600 ppm N and 130–150 ppm B crystallizes in equilibrium with BN within the diamond stability field at 7.8 GPa and 1600 to 1800 °C, while graphite forms at other conditions. The solubility of carbon in the C-saturated metal melt free from nitrogen and sulfur is 6.2 wt% C at 7.8 GPa and 1600 °C and decreases markedly with increasing nitrogen. A 1450–1600 °C graphite-saturated iron melt with 6.2–8.8 wt% N can dissolve: 3.6–3.9 and 1.4–2.5 wt% C at 5.5 and 7.8 GPa, respectively. However, the melt equilibrated with boron nitride and containing 1–1.7 wt% sulfur and 500–780 ppm boron dissolves twice less nitrogen while the solubility of carbon remains relatively high (3.8–5.2 wt%). According to our estimates, nitrogen partitions between diamond and the iron melt rich in volatiles at DNDm/Met=0.013−0.024. The pressure increase in the Fe-C-N system affects iron affinity of N and C: it increases in nitrogen but decreases in carbon. The reduction of C solubility in a Fe-rich melt containing nitrogen and sulfur may have had important consequences in the case of imperfect equilibration between the core and the mantle during their separation in the early Earth history. The reduction of C solubility allowed C supersaturation of the liquid iron alloy and crystallization of graphite and diamond. The carbon phases could float in the segregated core liquid and contribute to the carbon budget of the overlying silicate magma ocean. Therefore, the process led to the formation of graphite and diamond, which were the oldest carbon phases in silicate mantle.
Cl-bearing fluorcalciobritholite in high-Ti basalts from Apollo 11 and 17: Implications for volatile histories of late-stage lunar magmas.
Authors: Greenwood James P. , Abe Kenichi , McKeeby Benjamin
Published: October 2019

We report the occurrence of a previously unidentified mineral in lunar samples: a Cl-,F-,REE-rich silico-phosphate identified as Cl-bearing fluorcalciobritholite. This mineral is found in late-stage crystallization assemblages of slowly cooled high-Ti basalts 10044, 10047, 75035, and 75055. It occurs as rims on fluorapatite or as a solid-solution between fluorapatite and Cl-fluorcalciobritholite. The Cl-fluorcalciobritholite appears to be nominally anhydrous. The Cl and Fe2+ of the lunar Cl fluorcalciobritholite distinguishes it from its terrestrial analog. The textures and chemistry of the Clfluorcalciobritholite argue for growth during the last stages of igneous crystallization, rather than by later alteration/replacement by Cl-, REE-bearing metasomatic agents in the lunar crust. The igneous growth of this Cl- and F-bearing and OH-poor mineral after apatite in the samples we have studied suggests that the Lunar Apatite Paradox model (Boyce et al. 2014) may be inapplicable for high-Ti lunar magmas. This new volatile-bearing mineral has important potential as a geochemical tool for understanding Cl isotopes and REE chemistry of lunar samples.
Amphibole-rich cumulate xenoliths in the Zhazhalong intrusive suite, Gangdese arc: Implications for the role of amphibole fractionation during magma evolution
Authors: Zhou Jin-Sheng , Yang Zhu-Sen , Hou Zeng-Qian , Wang Qiang
Published: October 2019

Amphibole fractionation during the early evolution of arc magmas has been widely inferred on the basis of distinctive geochemical fingerprints of the evolved melts, although amphibole is rarely found as a major mineral phase in arc volcanic rocks, so-called cryptic amphibole fractionation. Here, we present a detailed case study of xenoliths of amphibole-rich cumulate from the Zhazhalong intrusive suite, Gangdese arc, which enables an investigation of this differentiation process using a combination of petrological observations and in situ geochemical constraints. Evidence that the xenoliths represent fragments of igneous cumulates includes: (1) the presence of an amphibole-dominated crystal framework; (2) mineral and whole-rock Fe–Mg exchange coefficients; (3) rare-earth element patterns that are similar in the amphiboles and the xenoliths; (4) the compositions of basaltic to andesitic liquids in equilibrium with amphiboles; and (5) enrichment of the xenoliths in compatible elements and depletion in incompatible elements. The amount of trapped liquid based on La, Ce, and Dy abundances varies from ~12 to ~20%. Actinolitic cores within amphibole grains likely represent reaction between olivine precursor and hydrous melt, as evidenced by their high Cr and Ni contents. Amphibole thermometry and oxybarometry calculations indicate that crystal accumulation occurred over temperatures of 857–1014 °C, at mid-crustal pressures of 312 to 692 MPa and oxygen fugacity between 0.4 and 1.9 log units above the nickel–nickel oxide buffer. Quantification of the major-element compositions of the parent liquids indicates that the Zhazhalong amphibole cumulates crystallized from basaltic to andesitic magmas, probably with a shoshonitic affinity, and with SiO2 contents of 46.4–66.4 wt%. Appropriate partition coefficients, calculated using a parameterized lattice strain model and an empirical partitioning scheme, were employed to calculate the trace-element compositions of the liquids in equilibrium with amphibole. Our results confirm that Dy/Yb and Dy/Dy* ratios, which decrease with increasing degrees of differentiation, can be used as robust signatures of amphibole fractionation. This work presents a direct snapshot of the process of amphibole fractionation and provides a natural example of the hidden amphibole “sponge” in arc crust. In particular, this study also suggests that some appinites likely represent amphibole-rich cumulates, which may help to explain the genesis of other unusual but petrologically significant rocks.
The Effect of Sustainability Report and Profitability on Company Value: Evidence from Indonesian Sharia Shares
Authors: Rizki Mita Kurnia , Agriyanto Ratno , Farida Dessy Noor
Published: October 2019

The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of sustainability report disclosure and profitability on firm value. Type of this research uses a quantitative method with multiple linear regression of the data analysis techniques. The data used in this research are secondary data. The population of research companies are listed on the Indonesia Sharia Stock Index (ISSI) as of December 29, 2017. The sample used purposive sampling method on 13 company samples. The results of this research indicate that sustainability report does not affect firm value and profitability affects firm value. This study implies that regulators should encourage companies to disclose sustainability reports because there are still a few companies that disclose it. Regulators are also expected to participate in providing socialization so that investors understand the meaning of the sustainability report.Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh laporan keberlanjutan dan profitabilitas terhadap nilai perusahaan. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kuantitatif dengan regresi linier berganda. Data dalam penelitian ini adalah data sekunder. Populasi perusahaan penelitian terdaftar di Indeks Saham Syariah Indonesia (ISSI) pada tanggal 29 Desember 2017. Sampel menggunakan metode purposive sampling pada 13 perusahaan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa laporan keberlanjutan tidak berpengaruh terhadap nilai perusahaan dan profitabilitas berpengaruh terhadap nilai perusahaan. Studi ini menyiratkan bahwa regulator harus mendorong perusahaan untuk mengungkapkan laporan keberlanjutan karena masih ada beberapa perusahaan yang mengungkapkannya. Regulator juga diharapkan untuk berpartisipasi dalam memberikan sosialisasi sehingga investor memahami arti dari laporan keberlanjutan.
Bioremediation of organic dyes using combination of plants ash
Authors: Harpreet Kaur , Kamboj Vandana
Published: October 2019

Water is the most crucial thing to mankind and so its contamination by various agencies is posing a threat to the natural balance. So, in the present work, the efficiency of various adsorbents derived from plant waste, to remove different dyes from aqueous solution was evaluated. Parameters for study were contact time, concentration and pH. Various combinations of plant ashes were used for the study. It was found that adsorbent prepared from the combination of orange peels, pomegranate and banana peels ashes, exhibited good adsorption capacity for methylene blue, congo red and crystal violet. All these dyes were completely removed from the aqueous solution while methyl orange was not removed. Congo red was removed completely within 40 min of contact with the adsorbent while methyl orange took 3 hrs to be removed to the extent of 48% only. The adsorption coefficient of congo red was found to be 2.33 while value for methylene blue and crystal violet was 1 and 1.66 respectively. The characterization of adsorbent was done by Scanning Electron Microscopy and IR spectroscopy. SEM image revealed the surface of adsorbent to be made of differential pores. From the results it became evident that the low-cost adsorbent could be used as a replacement for costly traditional methods of removing colorants from water.
Lessons learned from the national sanitation campaign in Njombe district, Tanzania
Authors: Safari John , Mohamed Hussein , Dimoso Provident , Akyoo Winfrida , Odhiambo Francis , Mpete Regnihaldah , Massa Khalid , Mwakitalima Anyitike
Published: October 2019

Sanitation remains one of the Sustainable Development Goals, with slow progress. Tanzania has been implementing the National Sanitation Campaign through a Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach since 2012. Njombe District Council (DC) has been identified to be among the best performing councils in the implementation of the sanitation campaign. A qualitative study was conducted to document how the CLTS was carried out in Njombe DC, assess progress on CLTS implementation and define the success factors for CLTS implementation. Findings show that CLTS intervention has resulted in increased coverage of improved latrines at a household level from 7.5% before the intervention in 2011 to 99.8% in September 2018. In addition, households with functional hand washing facilities have increased from 5.1% before the intervention to 94% in September 2018. Involvement of political leaders and government officials from the council level to the lowest governmental unit offered important support for CLTS implementation. The best mix of sanitation education, regulation and enforcement was instrumental in raising community awareness, changing collective behavior, making people comply with the village sanitation laws, and the overall success in the sanitation campaign.
A full-scale survey of sludge landfill: sludge properties, leachate characteristics and microbial community structure
Authors: Zhao Xiaodan , Yang Jiazhe , Tu Chengqin , Zhou Zhen , Wu Wei , Chen Guang , Yao Jie , Ruan Danian , Qiu Zhan
Published: October 2019

In this study, a full-scale survey was conducted of a sludge landfill that had been sealed for 10 years to investigate sludge properties, leachate characteristics and microbial community structure. Vertical distribution of sludge and leachate pollutants in the landfill site showed that the sludge and soluble pollutants in the leachate were both distributed almost evenly even after long-term anaerobic digestion, and higher concentrations of soluble pollutants and richness of microbial community were observed at the middle layer. Compared to dewatered excess sludge generated from the activated sludge process before landfill, landfill sludge had a much lower organic content (28.1%), smaller particle size and worse dewaterability. Compared to municipal waste landfill, sludge landfill generated leachate with a lower concentration of organic substances, and comparable concentrations of nitrogenous and phosphorus pollutants. Bacterial community analysis by Illumina MiSeq sequencing showed that Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes were the major phyla, and some new genera (Methylocystaceae, Mariniphaga and Aminicenantes) were enriched in the sludge landfill. Archaeal community analysis showed that aceticlastic methanogenesis by Methanosaeta and Methanosarcina was the main pathway for methane production in the sludge landfill, in contrast to waste landfill with hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis as the main pathway.
Therapeutic Effects of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. Fruit in Traditional and Modern Medicine: A Review
Authors: Sobhani Zahra , Nikoofal-Sahlabadi Sara , Amiri Mohammad S. , Ramezani Mahin , Emami Seyed A. , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: October 2019

Ziziphus jujuba Mill. belonging to the Rhamnaceae family, has been consumed since
ancient times as a medicine and food. In the different traditional medical schools, Z. jujuba has
been used to treat various diseases such as respiratory system diseases (asthma, cough, and laryngitis),
gastrointestinal problems (constipation, colitis and liver diseases), as well as cardiovascular
and genitourinary system diseases. From the perspective of Islamic traditional medicine (ITM),
Z. jujuba fruit is an emollient, laxative, and maturative, it can purify blood and improve blood circulation,
relieve internal heat and reduce inflammation. Some therapeutic uses of Z. jujuba such as
antibacterial, antioxidant, sedative, hepato-protective, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-hyperlipidemic
activities have been shown in modern pharmacological studies. In the current study, traditional and
ethno-medicinal uses, botany, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Z. jujuba were reviewed.
Enhanced Auxiliary Cluster Head Selection Routing Algorithm in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Nigam Gaurav K. , Dabas Chetna
Published: October 2019

Background & Objective:

Wireless sensor networks are made up of a huge amount of
less powered small sensor nodes that can audit the surroundings, collect meaningful data, and send it
to the base station. Various energy management plans that pursue to lengthen the endurance of
overall network have been proposed over the years, but energy conservation remains the major
challenge as the sensor nodes have finite battery and low computational capabilities. Cluster based
routing is the most fitting system to help in burden adjusting, adaptation to internal failure, and solid
correspondence to draw out execution parameters of wireless sensor network. Low energy adaptive
clustering hierarchy is an efficient clustering based hierarchical protocol that is used to enhance the
lifetime of sensor nodes in wireless sensor network. It has some basic flaws that need to be
overwhelmed in order to reduce the energy utilization and inflating the nodes lifetime.

Methods:

In this paper, an effective auxiliary cluster head selection is used to propose a new
enhanced GC-LEACH algorithm in order to minimize the energy utilization and prolong the lifespan
of wireless sensor network.

Results & Conclusion:

Simulation is performed in NS-2 and the outcomes show that the GCLEACH
outperforms conventional LEACH and its existing versions in the context of frequent
cluster head rotation in various rounds, number of data packets collected at base station, as well as
reduces the energy consumption 14% - 19% and prolongs the system lifetime 8% - 15%.
Beyond the Impact Factor: Reflecting on Twenty Years of Leading Efforts in Research, Innovation in Publishing, and Investment in People
Authors: Torous John
Published: October 2019

This viewpoint celebrates the accomplishments of the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) on its twentieth anniversary and reviews accomplishments around research publications, journal innovation, and supporting people.
Varying Association of Extended Hours Dialysis with Quality of Life
Authors: Smyth Brendan , van den Broek-Best Oliver , Hong Daqing , Howard Kirsten , Rogers Kris , Zuo Li , Gray Nicholas A. , de Zoysa Janak R. , Chan Christopher T. , Lin Hongli , Zhang Ling , Xu Jinsheng , Cass Alan , Gallagher Martin , Perkovic Vlado , Jardine Meg
Published: October 2019

Background and objectives

Little is known about the effect of changes in dialysis hours on patient-reported outcome measures. We report the effect of doubling dialysis hours on a range of patient-reported outcome measures in a randomized trial, overall and separately for important subgroups.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

The A Clinical Trial of IntensiVE Dialysis trial randomized 200 participants to extended or standard weekly hours hemodialysis for 12 months. Patient-reported outcome measures included two health utility scores (EuroQOL-5 Dimensions-3 Level, Short Form-6 Dimension) and their derived quality-adjusted life year estimates, two generic health scores (Short Form-36 Physical Component Summary, Mental Component Summary), and a disease-specific score (Kidney Disease Component Score). Outcomes were assessed as the mean difference from baseline using linear mixed effects models adjusted for time point and baseline score, with interaction terms added for subgroup analyses. Prespecified subgroups were dialysis location (home- versus institution-based), dialysis vintage (≤6 months versus >6 months), region (China versus Australia, New Zealand, Canada), and baseline score (lowest, middle, highest tertile). Multiplicity-adjusted P values (Holm–Bonferroni) were calculated for the main analyses.

Results

Extended dialysis hours was associated with improvement in Short Form-6 Dimension (mean difference, 0.027; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.00 to 0.05; P=0.03) which was not significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons (Padjusted
=0.05). There were no significant differences in EuroQOL-5 Dimensions-3 Level health utility (mean difference, 0.036; 95% CI, −0.02 to 0.09; P=0.2; Padjusted
=0.2) or in quality-adjusted life years. There were small positive differences in generic and disease-specific quality of life: Physical Component Summary (mean difference, 2.3; 95% CI, 0.6 to 4.1; P=0.01; Padjusted
=0.04), Mental Component Summary (mean difference, 2.5; 95% CI, 0.5 to 4.6; P=0.02; Padjusted
=0.05) and Kidney Disease Component Score (mean difference, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.5 to 5.5; P=0.001; Padjusted
=0.005). The results did not differ among predefined subgroups or by baseline score.

Conclusions

The effect of extended hours hemodialysis on patient-reported outcome measures reached statistical significance in some but not all measures. Within each measure the effect was consistent across predefined subgroups. The clinical importance of these differences is unclear.
On The Concepts Of Quality, Quantity and Measurement
Authors: Dong Prof. Zhiyong
Published: October 2019

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FOURIER-TRANSFORM INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY STUDIES AND EVALUATION OF TOTAL PHENOLICS, FLAVONOIDS, AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF CLEOME GYNANDRA
Authors: RAMYA KUBER BANOTH  , ASHWINI THATIKONDA
Published: October 2019

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the nature of chemical constituents, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity of Cleome gynandra and their functional groups with the help of phytochemical, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, colorimetric assay, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay.

Methods: C. gynandra of the Cleomaceae family is an annual herb. The dried leaves were powdered and extracted using Soxhlet apparatus by different solvents. Preliminary phytochemical analysis was carried out to identify the phytoconstituents present in the extract of C. gynandra, FTIR spectrum was scanned at the range of 4000-400 cm−1. The extracts were subjected to the colorimetric assay in triplicate manner to quantitative determination of total phenolic and total flavonoid content. Gallic acid and rutin used as standards to determine the total phenolic content and total flavonoid content. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging method.

Results: Phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract of C. gynandra revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenolics, saponins, steroids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, and tannins. FTIR spectrum showed intense bands at 3679.18, 3616.63, 3317.34, 2943.67, 1634.01, 1360.20, 1036.71, and 778.04 cm−1 corresponding to N-H2, O-H stretch, aliphatic C-H stretch, C=O, C-H benzene, C-O stretch, and C-Cl. The total phenolic content was found to be 8.39 ± 0.0952 mg gallic acid equivalent/g and 66.76 ± 0.0333 mg rutin equivalent/g. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of ethanolic extract was showed more scavenging activity compared to ethyl acetate and n-hexane fractions.

Conclusion: The present research work creates a platform to screen many bioactive chemical constituents present in C. gynandra to treat various diseases.
ANTIFUNGAL AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES OF JUICE AND ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF GARCINIA MANGOSTANA L. LEAVES
Authors: DINIATIK  , ELZA SUNDHANI  , MUHAMMAD TAUFIQ NUGROHO  , EUIS NUR HIKMAH  , RETNO WAHYUNINGRUM  , SUPARMAN
Published: October 2019

Objective: Garcinia mangostana is a plant that can be used as a traditional medicine to treat various infectious diseases for the treatment of diarrhea, skin infection, and chronic wounds. The activity as antifungal and antibacterial of juice and ethanolic extract from G. mangostana leaves were investigated.
Methods: Juice and ethanolic extract were concentrated using a rotary evaporator to get concentrated extract with rendemen 2.571 and 5.647% (w/w). Juice and ethanolic extract dilution method were employed to evaluate the antifungal activity against Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Ethanolic extract dilution method was used to assess the antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli.
Results: The results of this research showed that juice and ethanolic extract were effective against S. cerevisiae, and the minimum inhibitory concentration was 1000, and 500 mg/mL. Antibacterial activity of the G. mangostana leaves ethanolic extract showed that the action was potential with the inhibition zone in B. subtilis and E. coli.
Conclusions: The conclusion of this study is that juice and ethanolic extract of G. mangostana leaves have possible antifungal and antibacterial activity.
TOPICAL APPLICATION OF EUGENIA CARYOPHYLLUS OIL AGAINST RINGWORM INFECTION OF HUMAN BEINGS
Authors: Jain Neetu , MEENAKSHI SHARMA
Published: October 2019

Objective: At least one million people are suffering from dermatophytosis in India. These mycoses although normally not lethal are unpleasant, frequent disease recurrence, and resistant dermatophytic strains cause considerable economic losses. During the antifungal evaluation of essential oil of Eugenia caryophyllus, all concentrations were found to be an excellent inhibitor against selected fungi as compared to standard antifungal drugs griseofulvin, ketoconazole, and itraconazole. The present work deals with the preparation of an ointment from E. caryophyllus oil for the treatment of ringworm infection in human beings.

Materials and Methods: Due to these potent fungicidal properties, an ointment of E. caryophyllus was prepared and topically applied on tinea patients attending the outpatient Department of Skin, Venereology, and Leprology, SMS Hospital, Jaipur. Patients were diagnosed as tinea corporis, tinea capitis, tinea manuum, and tinea barbae. The medication was done twice a day for 3 weeks as advised by the skin specialist.

Results: All patients showed positive potassium hydroxide (KOH) results at the beginning of the trial. After the 2nd week of treatment, every patient was KOH negative and remained negative when re-examined after one month of treatment. All patients were completely cured within 3 weeks of the treatment.

Conclusions: Ointment showed excellent results, found cheaper substitutes to cure the disease without any adverse side effect. The present study offers a high possibility of complete cure of tinea infection and suggesting its uses as raw material by pharmaceutical industries for the development of antidermatophytic drug in prevailing conditions where dermatophytes are becoming resistant against popular antifungals.
KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND BEHAVIOR ABOUT ABORTION AMONG ADULT WOMEN AT PEUNAYONG DISTRICT, BANDA ACEH, INDONESIA
Authors: EKA RUSDIANTO GUNARDI  , ERIK A RAHMAN  , BIRAN AFFANDI  , MUHAMMAD IKHSAN
Published: October 2019

Objective: Every year approximately 13% (78,000) of maternal death caused by unsafe abortion. Indonesia Family Planning Association predicts 2.5 million abortions per year and 1.5 million of them committed by teenagers. Adolescent reproductive health problems are more alarming year by year. Sexual behavior tends to be permissive and bold with limited knowledge of reproductive health has increased the risk of abortion. This study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding abortion in young adults.

Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The subjects were young women aged 18–24 years old who were fulfilled by inclusion and exclusion criteria. The knowledge, attitudes, and behavior were assessed using questionnaire. The results were analyzed using statistical program.

Results: The total subjects recruited in this study were 55 subjects. Twenty-eight (50.9%) of subjects has a good knowledge and 27 (49.1%) of subjects had a moderate knowledge. Twenty-nine (52.7%) subjects had moderate attitudes and 36.4% of subjects had good attitude. Thirty (54.5%) of subjects had a good behavior regarding abortion.

Conclusion: Most of the subjects had good level of knowledge and moderate attitude toward abortion.
A REVIEW ON NANOSPONGES A REVIEW ON NANOSPONGES: A BOON TO TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY FOR ANTICANCER DRUG
Authors: NIKITA SEHGAL  , VISHAL GUPTA N  , SANDEEP KANNA
Published: October 2019

In recent decades, the rise in the investigation of new drugs had made health-care system expensive compared to conventional drug delivery systems and techniques. The present drug delivery systems have become highly productive and are growing fast. Majority of the anticancer agent has low water solubility resulting in multistep synthetic routes that require higher selectivity and specificity that can cause difficulty in the development of the formulation. Nanosponges (NSs) are branched cyclodextrin (CD) polymeric systems which have proven to be a boon in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields. Different kinds of NSs based on different types of CDs and crosslinkers are used for developing of new drug formulations from the past few years for various applications in health care. Nanotechnology has overcome the issues regarding the drug solubility, stability, and other parameters and has attained success in achieving of sustained release, increased activity, improved permeability, delivery of nucleoprotein, the stimuli-responsive release of the drug, and improved drug bioavailability. There is a huge eruption of research on NSs for cancer treatment. Multiple anticancer moieties have been developed, taking into account the pharmacological and physicochemical perspective of the drug to develop a NS formulation. Our target in this review is to catch an efficient and far-reaching NSs for malignancy cancer treatment announced until now. This survey will give a perfect stage for providing details for researchers taking a shot at using new polymers for improving the treatment of the disease using nanotechnology. The present article provides details regarding antineoplastic molecules and provides ideas on CD-based NSs specifically using curcumin, tamoxifen, resveratrol, quercetin, oxygen-NSs, temozolomide, doxorubicin, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and erlotinib (ETB) glutathione.
ANTIMICROBIAL AND CHITINASE INHIBITORY ACTIVITIES OF 7-BENZAMIDOCOUMARINS
Authors: NEHA TIWARI  , PRIYANKA  , VINEETA SINGH  , DIKSHA KATIYAR
Published: October 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine in vitro antimicrobial activity of a series of 7-benzamidocoumarin derivatives against three Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus pumilus), three Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Salmonella typhi), and three fungi (Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Aspergillus niger) by 2-fold serial dilution method.

Materials and Methods: The compounds were synthesized by amide coupling of 7-amino-4-methyl coumarin 5 and 7-amino-4-chloromethyl coumarin 6 with different aromatic acids 7 (a-h) and heteroaromatic acids 8 (i-j) in the presence of phosphorous trichloride as an acid catalyst in acetonitrile. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for antimicrobial and chitinase inhibitory activity.

Results: Compounds 9, 11, 12, 21, and 23 showed good antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 6.25 to 50 μg/mL. Among them, compound 21 was the most active molecule with MIC 6.25 μg/mL against S. aureus and 6.25 μg/mL against, B. pumilus and S. typhi. Compounds 11 and 21 were the most potent antifungal candidates with MIC 6.25–25 μg/mL against C. albicans and C. tropicalis. All the compounds were also evaluated for their chitinase inhibitory property and among them; compound 9 emerged as strong inhibitor of the enzyme.

Conclusion: Some of the compounds showed very good antimicrobial activities. Among these, compound 21 showing potent antimicrobial activities against five of the nine microbial strains examined in this study, was the most active compound of the series. Some of the compounds also showed chitinase inhibitory properties. This study also provides a starting point for investigating the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of synthetic 7-benzamidocoumarins.
TO COMPARE THE EFFECT OF CHITOSAN, LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION, AND COMBINATION OF CHITOSAN AND LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION ON BODY MASS INDEX IN OBESE PATIENTS
Authors: VASUNDHARA BHOPLE  , DEEPAK BHOSLE
Published: October 2019

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the effect of chitosan, lifestyle modification, and combination of chitosan and lifestyle modification on body mass index (BMI) in obese patients.

Methods: A prospective, randomized, open-label comparative study conducted for the period of 24 weeks. The study population was enrolled in three groups (chitosan 500 mg BD, lifestyle modification, and chitosan 500 mg BD and lifestyle modification). Data were analyzed using “t”-test and ANOVA.

Results: There is a reduction in BMI in all the three groups. However, when we combined chitosan and lifestyle modification, there is pronounced reduction in BMI, which is statistically significant (p<0.0001).

Conclusions: Chitosan and lifestyle modification have more pronounced effect on reduction on BMI as compared to monotherapy alone.
ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF PLANT PARTS EXTRACTS FROM STERCULIA QUADRIFIDA R. BR.
Authors: GRACE SEREPINA SARAGIH  , SISWADI SISWADI
Published: October 2019

Objective: Sterculia quadrifida R. Br. of Sterculiaceae family is locally known as “Faloak” in East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. S. quadrifida is used in folk medicine to treat hepatitis, rheumatism, and to recover stamina. The aim of this study was to determine the total flavonoids, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activity of extracts from different plant parts of S. quadrifida.

Methods: The sampled parts of S. quadrifida were non-stripped stem bark, new regrown stem bark, old regrown stem bark, root bark, branch bark, and leaves. Stem bark was classified into three categories, namely, bark that has never been peeled (non-stripped stem bark), old regrown stem bark (estimated to be >6 months after debarking), and new regrown stem bark (estimated to be <6 months after debarking). Total flavonoid content (TFC) was determined by colorimetric aluminum chloride method and TPC was measured using Folin–Ciocalteu’s reagent. Antioxidant activity was determined with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH).

Results: The concentrations of flavonoids in S. quadrifida extracts from different plant parts varied from 0.58±0.13 to 1.25±0.10 mg QE/g. The TPC in the extracts of different plant parts ranged between 8.61±0.09 and 10.43±0.08 mg GAE/g. Branch bark has the highest total flavonoid and phenolic content. The extract of new regrown stem bark exhibited potent antioxidant activity with inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 2.51±0.03 μg/ml.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated for the first time that extracts from different plant parts of S. quadrifida exhibited strong antioxidant activity. However, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents in S. quadrifida only indicated a weak correlation with its antioxidant activity.
COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF NIGELLA SATIVA OIL AND LASER ON TREATMENTS ON EXPERIMENTAL WOUND HEALING IN RATS
Authors: RABAB HAJWAL AL-ZAMILY  , SHROQ MOHAMED ABAS AL-TEMIMI
Published: October 2019

Objective:The study investigated the influences of treatment with Nigella sativa oil and laser therapy on wound healing in rats. The period of the inflammatory phase reduced through both laser and N. sativa oil actions; though, the laser was more effective than N. sativa oil, with more significant results.

Methods: We used 52 healthy rats male and divided the rats randomly into three groups. The treatment protocols used included N. sativa oil in the first group, laser in the second group, and control in the third group. In all groups, we performed histopathologic evaluations on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th days after surgery.

Results: The proliferation phase of each treatment indicated an increase in the number of fibroblasts, as well as stimulation of collagen formation and synthesis.Positive results on the inflammatory, proliferation, and maturation phases for both treatments of wound healing.

Conclusion:Laser treatment was more effective than N. sativa oil in the first two phases of wound healing.
EVALUATION OF ANTI-HYPERTROPHIC POTENTIAL OF PIPER BETLE IN ISOPROTERENOL-INDUCED CARDIAC HYPERTROPHIC RAT MODELS
Authors: DOSS VA  , MANJU VIDHYA SAKTHIKUMAR  , DHARANIYAMBIGAI KUBERAPANDIAN
Published: October 2019

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-hypertrophic potential of the combination extract (chloroform, methanol, and ethyl acetate) of Piper betle in cardiac hypertrophic rat models.

Methods: Isoproterenol (ISO) (10 mg/kg b. w., i.p., 7 days) was used to induce cardiac hypertrophy in male albino Wistar rats and simultaneously treated with the combination extract of P. betle (50 mg/kg b. w., oral, 7 days) and the standard drug losartan (50 mg/kg b. w., oral, 7 days) as reference. At the end of seventh day the biochemical estimations of glucose, protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, cardiac marker enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and LDH) and enzymic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) were performed in the serum along with the targets of the study namely calcium and phosphorus. Heart tissues were subjected to histopathological analysis. All biochemical assays were statistically verified.

Results: The status of cardiac hypertrophy was indicated by the increased heart weight (HW)/body weight (BW) ratio. The biochemical assays showed significant (p<0.05) increase in the levels of glucose, protein, and cholesterol and in the cardiac marker enzymes such as SGOT, SGPT, and LDH, whereas significant decrease in the serum calcium and phosphorus along with antioxidants were seen in the ISO-induced rats and these levels were restored to normal values by the treatment with P. betle.

Conclusion: The combination extract of P. betle showed effect upon calcium and phosphorus levels besides reversing the other impacts of isoproterenol (β-adrenergic hypersignaling events) probably due to phytoconstituents of the plant which are hypothesized to be efficiently extracted in combination of organic solvents, and thus, these results indicate that the combination extract of P. betle possesses cardioprotective (anti-hypertrophic) effect.
MEDICINAL USES, BIOLOGICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF HELICHRYSUM FOETIDUM (L.) MOENCH. (ASTERACEAE)
Authors: ALFRED MAROYI
Published: October 2019

Helichrysum foetidum is a medicinal plant species with various medicinal applications among different ethnic groups in Africa, Asia, and Europe. This review was aimed at providing a critical appraisal of the existing medicinal uses, biological activities, and phytochemical components of H. foetidum. Literature search for information on medicinal uses, biological activities, and phytochemical components of H. foetidum was conducted using various online search engines such as Scopus, Google Scholar, Mendeley, and Web of Science. Additional information on these aspects was sourced from the university library. Literature studies revealed that H. foetidum is mainly used to induce trances and as herbal medicine against wounds, sores, dysmenorrhea, eye infections, influenza, and as a sedative. Phytochemical compounds identified from the species include chalcones, diterpenoids, flavanols, flavonoids, phenolics, phenols, and proanthocyanidins. Pharmacological studies revealed that H. foetidum extracts and compounds have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, protease-inhibiting, and cytotoxicity activities. There is a need for advanced phytochemical and pharmacological evaluations and clinical trials aimed at evaluating the therapeutic potential of H. foetidum in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF CORDIA OBLIQUA AGAINST PARACETAMOL-INDUCED LIVER TOXICITY ON WISTAR RATS
Authors: SIVAKRISHNAN SIVAGNANAM  , PRADEEPRAJ DEVARASU
Published: October 2019

Objective: The ethanolic extract of Cordia obliqua (EECO) Willd. leaves was evaluated for hepatoprotective activity in Wistar rats by inducing hepatic damage with paracetamol.

Methods: The leaves of C. obliqua were dried under shade, segregated, pulverized by a mechanical grinder and passed through a 40 mesh sieve. The powdered plant materials were stored in an air-tight container. The above-powdered materials were successively extracted with ethanol by hot continuous percolation method in Soxhlet apparatus for 24 h. The extract was concentrated using a rotary evaporator and subjected to freeze drying in a lyophilizer till dry powder was obtained.

Results: Treatment with EECO at 200 and 400 mg/kg showed significant decrease in serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin levels and a significant elevation in the total protein, albumin, and globulin levels in serum when compared with paracetamol treated rats. In histological study of liver, the hepatocytes show moderate cytoplasm and moderately enlarged pleomorphic and hyperchromatic nuclei. The portal triads show mild periportal inflammation composed of lymphocytes, and central veins are normal.

Conclusion: On the basis of results, we can conclude that the EECO leaves showed potential hepatoprotective activity in rats.
The BIOLOGICAL EFFICACY OF MIXED LIGAND COPPER(II) COMPLEXES OF N(4)-SUBSTITUTED THIOSEMICARBAZONE AND DIIMINE CO-LIGANDS AS CHELATING N, N’- DONOR LIGAND
Authors: NEELAVENI RAJENDRAN  , NITHYA KAMATCHI  , VASANTHA SOLOMON
Published: October 2019

Objective: In modern years, the biggest dare is to develop new chemotherapeutic agents with high efficiency as well as low toxicity. Hence, to defeat this challenge, extensive endeavors were taken on thiosemicarbazone based metal complexes.

Methods: A sequence of nine thiosemicarbazone based diimine copper(II) complexes derived from three sulfur-containing ligands N-methyl-2- ((1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)hydrazinecarbothioamide H(L1), N-ethyl-2-((1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)hydrazinecarbothioamide H(L2), and N-benzyl-2-((1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)hydrazinecarbothioamide H(L3). The molecular structures and coordination possibilities of thiosemicarbazone ligands toward the central metal ions have been validated by analytical and spectral techniques such as molar conductance, elemental analysis, ultraviolet–Vis, Fourier-transform infrared, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy confirms that the thiosemicarbazones ligands are coordinated to copper through NS’ donor and NN’ donor of diimine. The antimicrobial activity and DNA cleavage effectiveness of thiosemicarbazone derivatives and copper(II) complexes were assessed by disc diffusion and agarose gel electrophoresis methods.

Results: All the spectral studies authenticated that the square planar geometry of the thiosemicarbazone copper(II) complexes 1–9. From the results of antibacterial activity against selected Gram-positive (Bacillus thuringiensis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacterial strains, complex 8 exhibited noteworthy activity. Interestingly, copper(II) complexes bearing 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) moiety displayed outstanding results together with N(4)-substituted thiosemicarbazone derivatives and causes complete DNA degradation of SC (supercoiled) pUC18 DNA.

Conclusion: A variety of substitutions at the thioamide nitrogen atoms have shown potential biological activity. Henceforth, N(4)-substituted thiosemicarbazone based copper(II) complexes virtually reach the effectiveness of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs.
GREEN SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING MANGROVE FRUIT POLYSACCHARIDE FOR BACTERIAL GROWTH INHIBITION
Authors: GAJENDRA NATH MAITY  , JOY SARKAR  , SOMANJANA KHATUA  , SOUMITRA MONDAL  , KRISHNENDU ACHARYA
Published: October 2019

Objective: The objective of this study was to find out the antibacterial activity of the silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using a low-cost green synthesis approach for the formulation of Ag-NPs applying polysaccharide extracted from the fruits of a mangrove plant of Sundarban.

Methods: Fresh and healthy fruits were collected from Ceriops decandra plant. Sufficient amount of carbohydrates was extracted from those fruits and the physicochemical characterization of the polysaccharide was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometry. The respective polysaccharide was further applied to generate the Ag-NPs which were characterized by UV visible, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, EDAX, and X-ray diffraction. The antibacterial efficacy of the Ag-NPs was also determined against some pathogenic Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria using the microdilution method.

Results: Glucose and galactose are the major monomers among the extracted carbohydrates. Various types of spectral analysis confirmed the formation of Ag-NPs. The green synthesized Ag-NPs have the average diameter of about 28 nm. Furthermore, the green synthesized Ag-NPs exhibited strong antibacterial activity against some pathogenic Gram-positive (L. cytomonogenes, Bacillus Subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli) bacteria.

Conclusion: The green synthesis of Ag-NPs using plant polysaccharide was an environment-friendly and cost-effective method as compared to the conventional physical and chemical synthesis techniques.
EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT PROTEIN PRECIPITATES OF A WILD MUSHROOM, GANODERMA LUCIDUM FOR ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES AGAINST HUMAN PATHOGENIC BACTERIA
Authors: SUNDARAMOORTHY MARIMUTHU  , SABARIMANIKANDAN MAHENDRAN
Published: October 2019

Objective: The objective of the present study was to isolate different antibacterial protein precipitates from Ganoderma lucidum against human pathogenic bacteria and to evaluate suitable precipitating agent.

Methods: The acid extract was prepared from the aqueous solution of the test mushroom. From separate aliquots of acid extract, antibacterial proteins were precipitated using five different concentrations (10–50%) of ammonium sulfate solutions, 10% trichloroacetic acid (TCA), 80% ethanol and methanol – Chloroform mixture (2:1 ratio). Protein quantification was performed in each stage of purifications. The as-prepared protein precipitates were subjected for antibacterial and hemolytic assays for identification of the active protein precipitate, which in turn was also checked for minimum inhibitory volume (MIV) for all test organisms.

Results: The quantity of each protein precipitated by different protein precipitating agents from the acid extract of the test mushroom was found in the range of 2.3–4.8 mg/g wet.wt. Although all the precipitates showed different levels of antibacterial capacities, 10% TCA precipitate was considered as active protein as it yielded the maximum amount of protein (4.8 mg/g.wet.wt) as well as it exhibited burly bactericidal activities at lower volumes of protein solutions subjected (6.3 and 3.2 μl) on all bacterial strains tested with less hemolytic effects.

Conclusion: The protein precipitated by 10% TCA from the acid extract of the test mushroom could be developed as a drug candidate for treating infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microbes in human.