bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyle among Iranian population
Authors: Charkazi Abdurrahman , Salmani Fatemeh , Moodi Mitra , Norozi Ensiyeh , Zarei Fatemeh , Lotfizadeh Masoud , Badeleh Mohamamd Taghi , Noroozi Azita , Sighaldeh Shirin Shahbazi , Dadban-Shahamat Yusef , Orouji Mohammad Ali , Ahmadi-Livani Maryam , Foroughi Arezoo , Sharifi Amrollah , Akbari Mehran , Tahergorabi Zoya
Published: March 2022

Background:

Quarantine, an unpleasant experience, was implemented in many countries to limit the spread of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which it could associated whit lifestyle changes. The present study aimed to determine the changes in Iranian's lifestyle during COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and Methods:

In the present cross-sectional study, 2710 Iranian people completed an online researcher-made questionnaire asking lifestyle regarding COVID-19, which includes five sections about physical activity, stress and anxiety, nutrition habit, sleep disorders, and interpersonal relationship in addition to demographic data from January to February 2021, using the multistage cluster sampling method.

Results:

The participants’ mean age was 33.78 ± 11.50 years and 68.3% of them were female. Traveling, sightseeing, and family visits have been eliminated from 91%, 83.5%, and 77.5% of participants’ lives, respectively. There were increase in stress level (P < 0.001), weight of the participants (P < 0.001), sleep problems (P < 0.001), and healthier foods (P < 0.001) but decrease in interpersonal communication (P < 0.001) and the amount of physical activity (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

In summary, this study indicates some changes in lifestyle of Iranian people, including changes in some eating practices, physical activity, social communication, and sleeping habits during the pandemic. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, a comprehensive understanding of these behaviors and habits can help develop interventions to mitigate the negative lifestyle behaviors during COVID-19 pandemic.
Metabolic effects of adding Topiramate on Aripiprazole in bipolar patients aged between 6-18 years, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Arman Soroor , Haghshenas Mostafa
Published: March 2022

Background:

second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are associated with metabolic side effects in child and adolescents. The aim of this study is to evaluate the metabolic effects of adding topiramate on aripiprazole in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) aged between 6 and 18 years.

Materials and Methods:

A 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial was conducted in the child psychiatric units of university hospitals. Forty patients aged between 6 and 18 years with new diagnosis of BD participated in the study. Eleven patients were excluded. Subjects received aripiprazole plus topiramate (Group 1, n = 15) or aripiprazole (Group 2, n = 14) for a 3-month period. Young mania rating scale (YMRS) was used for measuring the manic symptoms severity. Primary outcome measures included weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, abdominal circumference, and blood pressure. Secondary outcome measures included fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, fasting insulin, and fasting lipid profile. Changes in metabolic profile during the study were obtained by using repeated measures of variance.

Results:

During a 3-month follow-up, YMRS measures decreased significantly in both groups with a significant difference between groups (P < 0.05). The mean of weight, BMI, and high-density lipoprotein levels in group 2 were significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the mean of low-density lipoprotein level in group 1 was decreased (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in anthropometric parameters and metabolic indices between groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Adding topiramate on aripiprazole is effectivefor controlling bipolar disorder as well as metabolic adverse effects of SGAs in juvenile patients.
Heegaard Floer homology and cosmetic surgeries in $S^3$
Authors: Hanselman Jonathan
Published: March 2022

If a knot

K

in

S^3

admits a pair of truly cosmetic surgeries, we show that the surgery slopes are either

\pm 2

or

\pm 1/q

for some value of

q

that is explicitly determined by the knot Floer homology of

K

. Moreover, in the former case the genus of

K

must be

2

, and in the latter case there is a bound relating

q

to the genus and the Heegaard Floer thickness of

K

. As a consequence, we show that the cosmetic crossing conjecture holds for alternating knots (or more generally, Heegaard Floer thin knots) with genus not equal to

2

. We also show that the conjecture holds for any knot

K

for which each prime summand of

K

has at most

16

crossings; our techniques rule out cosmetic surgeries in this setting except for slopes

\pm 1

and

\pm 2

on a small number of knots, and these remaining examples can be checked by comparing hyperbolic invariants. These results make use of the surgery formula for Heegaard Floer homology, which has already proved to be a powerful tool for obstructing cosmetic surgeries; we get stronger obstructions than previously known by considering the full graded theory. We make use of a new graphical interpretation of knot Floer homology and the surgery formula in terms of immersed curves, which makes the grading information we need easier to access.
Conversational thinking as an alternative theory of development
Authors: Enyimba Maduka
Published: March 2022

Conversational theory of development (CTD) is presented in this work as a new and alternative theory of development and as a mechanism for moderating and reconciling the differences and weaknesses in the modernization theory of development and in the main concern of post-development theory. By its basic canons and principles, conversational thinking offers a more robust global developmental framework. The rift between development and post-development theorists as to the main goal and direction of the world development agenda seems to heighten over the years. The heart of this rift is the question of the place of the third world countries in the much-acclaimed development drive by the United Nations and other International Organizations. I expose the strength and weaknesses of selected development and post-development theories and contend that poor implementation strategies, as well as imperial and exploitative interests, are the bane of these development theories. I demonstrate how conversational thinking overcomes these limitations and presents a more viable development alternative through a rigorous application of its canons of transformative indigenization, constructive modernization and moderate decolonization, as well as the ‘M’ and ‘T’ principles.
The “Pythagorean” “Theorem” and the rant of racist and civilizational superiority – Part 2
Authors: Raju C.K.
Published: March 2022

Previously we saw that racist prejudice is supported by false history. The false history of the Greek origins of mathematics is reinforced by a bad philosophy of mathematics. There is no evidence for the existence of Euclid. The “Euclid” book does not contain a single axiomatic proof, as was exposed over a century ago. Such was never the intention of the actual author. The book was brazenly reinterpreted, since axiomatic proof was a church political requirement, and used in church rational theology adopted during the Crusades, as a counter to Islamic rational theology. Deductive proofs are MORE fallible than inductive or empirical proofs. Even a validly proved mathematical theorem, such as the “Pythagorean” theorem (based on Hilbert’s axioms), is invalid knowledge in the real world. There is no concept of approximate truth in formal mathematics. Nevertheless, the myth of “superior” axiomatic proofs in the “Euclid” book continues to be reiterated by Western historians, and colonial education teaches axiomatic mathematics. Actually, superior practical value comes from the two “Pythagorean” calculations well known to Indian/Egyptian tradition, but unknown to Greeks. The advantage of related decolonized courses in mathematics has been pedagogically demonstrated. But understanding and political will are needed to change colonial/church education.
Character as social semiotic in Wole Soyinka’s The lion and the jewel
Authors: Iroegbu Obinna
Published: March 2022

Semiotics is context bound. Therefore, it is appropriate to situate the locale of any interpretation of art as veritable vehicle for proper understanding. In this regard, Wole Soyinka’s The Lion and the Jewel as a dramatic text derives a better metaphorical essence when assessed as a semiotic correlative of the socio-political conditions in the Nigerian post-colonial experience. Beyond its engagement in the dramatization of events that constitute narrative, character plays a pivotal role as a means by which thematic concerns can be mirrored. In other words, in all ramifications  of its application, character usually plays representative roles, especially considering the fact that fiction aims at reflecting what is obtainable,  probable or conceivable in a given context. Relating the dramatic events that played out in the text, it is observed that The Lion and the Jewel in its  characterization captures a proper representation of socio-political personalities in Nigeria, including the author, Soyinka. From the jewel of contest  which is the political power to the predatory turncoats who plunder and rape the patrimony, the drama demonstrates how character can assume a  mimetic essence that indicates prophetic act. Just as it is common practice to tag an overbearing political leader the Orwellian Big Brother, and  considering how the drama has succeeded to relate or relay socio-political identities, it is duly recommended that examination of characters in  literature, especially African literature, should account for their roles as counterpart identities of politically exposed persons. Thus, there is a Baroka  in the politician who snatches power by unorthodox means; a Lakunle in the upstart whose feeble attempt to contest political power is laughable  and a Sadiku who is an accomplice in spite of being a victim.
Theoretical analysis on persuasive communication in advertising and its application in marketing communication
Authors: Ogah Abari Ijuo , Abutu Dennis Oche
Published: March 2022

The act of persuasion in advertising and the business world have become one of the most crucial elements in marketing communication. Advertising your business is therefore rooted in the ability of communication experts to come up with messages capable of persuading potential  customers and clients to purchase the organization’s products. This implies that, messages that lack persuasion will hit only on deaf ears and the  goal not attained. Accordingly, this paper centered on the theoretical analysis on persuasive communication in advertising and how they can be  applied in marketing communication. The paper employed secondary data collection method, which is centered on compiled literature and  researches relevant to this work. The paper positioned that persuasive communication employs the marketing mix as avenue of reaching potentials  customers. The paper was further moored on common persuasive techniques such as plain folk testimonials, hidden fear appeals, social status  approach and bandwagon effect. The paper was further anchored on four persuasive theoretical underpinnings that can be applied for effective  marketing communication. These include the Persuasion theory, the AIDA model, Elaboration likelihood model and the Fogg Behavioural model.  The paper conclude that, arketing communication thrives on persuasion and any advertising  message without persuasive elements will yield no result as persuasion is the moving force of marketing communication. Lastly, the paper amongst other points recommends effective use of  communication strategy designed to convince consumers, utilization of various media that meet the audience needs and to bridge the knowledge  and action  gap in the marketing process.
From the exchequer to the editorial suite: Dilating the intra-professional mutations of Onyema Ugochukwu
Authors: Olusunle Tunde
Published: March 2022

This study seeks to dilate the professional enterprise of Onyema Ugochukwu, one of the most respected practitioners and influencers of  contemporary media practice and specialised journalism in Nigeria. It investigates his professional background as an economist and banker,  through his detour into the media as progenitor of a new genre of technicalized reportage, and a seasoned manager in one of Nigeria’s most  important newspapers in its time, the Daily Times of Nigeria Plc. It also scrutinises his later undertakings in political communication and public  information management in his polyvalent media career over a period of five decades. Deploying the historic-method, this article probes the  career course of Ugochukwu as a reporter, writer, editor, editorial director, political publicist and presidential communicator. This is to  appropriately define his contributions to these aspects of the gamut of media practice, and to national growth. It successfully establishes that  Ugochukwu has contributed immensely to the elevation and standardization of media practice and its repositioning as a profession which  commands scholarship and intellectualism in the furtherance of national development.
Microplastics in silver catfish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus) from new Calabar River in Niger Delta, Nigeria
Authors: Ilechukwu I. , Ndukwe G. I. , Ehigiator B. E. , Ezeh C. S. , Asogwa S. L.
Published: March 2022

This study investigated the ingestion of microplastics by silver catfish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus) from New Calabar River in Niger Delta, Nigeria. Microplastics from the guts of 45 fish were examined with microscope after dissolution with potassium hydroxide. Microplastics, mostly fragments were found in about 56% of the samples at an average of 3.87±5.97 particles per fish. This study highlights the consequences of plastic pollution in freshwater environment and the potential risk to aquatic and human life. This also shows a potential threat to public health and therefore needs attention from health and environmental policy makers.
Occupational hazards and injuries among oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) farmers in the Kwaebibirem District in the Eastern Region of Ghana
Authors: Decker E. , Folitse B. , Manteaw S. , Swanzy F. , Larbi E. , Mahama S.
Published: March 2022

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) production in Ghana is associated with high levels of injury mainly because of the use of manual labour with little use of machinery. Using descriptive survey design, 100 oil palm farmers (50 males and 50 females) selected from each of the five-oil palm growing communities in the Kwaebibirem District of the Eastern Region, Ghana, were interviewed to identify the leading occupational hazards and injuries among oil palm farmers. The study showed that the major injuries farmers encountered during pre-planting operations were cutlass injury, stump injury, bee/wasp sting, general body pains and snake bites. Harvesting operations recorded body pains, objects on eyes, harvesting tool injury, snake bites and mattock injury as the major injuries, while post-harvest operations also recorded waist pains, injury on finger nails, cutlass injury and general body pains. Besides, the study showed significant difference between injuries experienced by both male and female oil palm farmers on their farms. The paper calls for sustained safety education and awareness creation on precautionary measures, and first aid operations at the farm level with special emphasis on the mandatory use of personal protective equipment.
Automated classification of African embroidery patterns using cellular learning automata and support vector machines
Authors: Jimoh K. O. , Adigun A. A. , Ajayi A. O. , Iyanda A. R.
Published: March 2022

Embroidery is the art that is majorly practised in Nigeria, which requires creativity and skills. However, differentiating between two standard embroidery patterns pose challenges to wearers of the patterns. This study developed a classification system to improve the embroiderer to user relationship. The specific characteristics are used as feature sets to classify two common African embroidery patterns (handmade and tinko) are shape, brightness, thickness and colour. The system developed and simulated in MATLAB 2016a environment employed Cellular Learning Automata (CLA) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) as its classifier. The classification performance of the proposed system was evaluated using precision, recall, and accuracy. The system obtained an average precision of 0.93, average recall of 0.81, and average accuracy of 0.97 in classifying the handmade and tinko embroidery patterns considered in this study. This study also presented an experimental result of three validation models for training and testing the dataset used in this study. The model developed an improved and refined embroiderer for eliminating stress related to the manual pattern identification process.
Staff Attitude and Service Delivery in University Libraries in Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Oden Abigail Ndukwe , Owolabi Ruth Onajite
Published: March 2022

Service delivery in the university library is aimed at meeting the information need of users who make up the university community in order to achieve the objective of promoting learning and research. Services delivery of university libraries in the aspect of tangibles and reliability will bring satisfaction to the recognised need of the users. Staff attitude goes a long in library service delivery influences the patronage of the library resources. This study adopted survey research design. The study population comprised 80,247 of library users in university libraries in Ogun State, Nigeria. Krejcie and Morgan (1970) method was used to determine the sample size of 1,513. Stratified random sampling technique was used to categorize the universities into three (federal, state and private). Purposive sampling was used to select the respondent from the different universities in Ogun State. Self-structured and validated questionnaire was the instrument for the study. The instrument’s Cronbach’s alpha coefficient ranged from 0.724 to 0.826. The collected data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation) and regression analysis. The findings of the study showed that library staff delivered quality services in university libraries in Ogun state, Nigeria to a high extent lookingat the tangible (Mean = 3.23, SD = 0.77) and reliability (Mean = 3.20, SD = 0.82). The findings showed that respondents agreed that the staff attitude in university libraries in Ogun State, Nigeria was positive with mean (x̅) = 2.89, SD = 0.93). The study further found out that the staff attitude had a significant influence on service delivery(R2= 0.253, β= 0.503, t = 18.411, p<0.05). The study therefore concluded that staff attitude had a significant influence on service delivery in university libraries in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study recommends that university library board and administrators should employ qualified library staff with the right disposition that can evaluation and assessment users need regularly, be compassionate to users need and display right disposition in any condition to users in order to increase patronage.
Effect of operating parameters on decortication of Jatropha curcas fruits
Authors: Ishola T.A. , Busari R.A. , Oyebanji A.I.
Published: March 2022

A Jatropha decorticator was designed, fabricated and its performance evaluation was carried out. Measured performance parameters included Decorticating efficiency, Cleaning efficiency, Percentage seed loss, Mechanical damaged index, and Decorticating performance index. A 5 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment in Completely Randomized Design was used to investigate the performance of the machine. The highest Decorticating efficiency, Cleaning efficiency and Decorticating performance index were 93.25%, 93% and 91.28% respectively. The lowest Percentage seed loss and Mechanical damage index were 1.49% and 1.19% respectively. More seed loss was experienced as the machine speed increased. Also, seed breakage was recorded at higher machine speed. Hence, biodiesel production from Jatropha would be highly productive and sustainable with this decorticating machine.
Determinants of Isoniazid Preventive Therapy Completion among People Living with HIV in Oyo and Ogun States, Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Olajide O , Okonkwo P , Ajayi O , Adetoye D , Ogunsola O , Ibiloye O , Omole T , Elujide O , Ayinde O
Published: March 2022

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) to reduce morbidity and mortality from Tuberculosis (TB). This study assessed the rate of IPT completion and its associated factors among PLHIV in South West Nigeria.Methods: A review of records of 1526 PLHIV who commenced IPT between October 2017 and December 2018 was done. Data were extracted from facility level IPT service documentation tools using study-developed data abstraction template. The chi-square  test was used to assess the association between the independent variables and the patient’s IPT completion status at 0.05 significance level. Logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of IPT completion.Results: The mean age of the study population was 42.3±11.3 years and 1154 (75.6%) of them were females. About 1342 (87.9%) completed IPT within six months of initiation. Major reasons for non-completion of IPT were lost to follow up 86 (46.7%) and nonadherence to IPT 60 (32.6%). Higher proportion of respondents who were Igbo (92.9%), ART-naïve (97.6%) or active on ART regimen (94.8%) completed their IPT regimen within 6 months of initiation when compared to those of other tribes (p=0.023), ART experienced (87.7%), (p=0.023) or inactive on treatment (0.9%), (p<0.001) respectively. Traders/farmers were 6 times more likely to complete IPT compared to public/civil servants (AOR=6.110, 95%CI=2.180-17.112, p=0.001).Conclusion: IPT completion rate was high among study participants. Intensified counselling on IPT benefits among ART patients with focus on civil/public servants might further improve IPT completion.

Keywords: IPT Completion; Isoniazid Preventive Therapy; PLHIV; Tuberculosis; Southwest Nigeria
Parental Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Adolescent Sex Education in Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Onyeodi IA , Ladi-Akinyemi TW , Kanma-Okafor OJ
Published: March 2022

Background: The period of adolescence is characterized by rapid physical and cognitive growth along with sexual maturation. Parents are obligated to educate adolescents on matters of sex and relationships with age-appropriate information using culturally relevant methods and providing scientifically accurate and non-judgmental information. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice of sex education among parents in Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 350 parents selected by multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested intervieweradministered questionnaire and analyzed using Epi info version 7.2 statistical software. The Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to determine statistical associations. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The mean age of the respondents was 46.1±10.2 years. The male to female ratio was 1.6:1. About two-thirds, 227 (67.2%) opined that sex education is best commenced in primary school. Overall, 311 (92.0%) had good knowledge, 323 (95.6%) of the respondents had positive attitudes while 255 (75.3%) had good practice of sex education. The major barrier to the practice of sex education was the lack of a general protocol to guide parents. Good knowledge and positive attitudes were significantly associated with practicing sex education (p<0.001).Conclusion: Although parents mostly had good knowledge, positive attitudes and good practice of sex education, a quarter of them still had poor practice of sex education mostly due to the lack of a protocol to guide them. Sex education programs and guidelines to encourage parents should be developed

Keywords: Knowledge; Attitude; Practice; Adolescents Sex Education; Parents; Lagos
Revision of the genus Neptis Fabricius, 1807 (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) in the Afrotropical Region: Currently described taxa
Authors: Richardson Ian D.
Published: March 2022

Link to the full PDF is here: Link

The Afrotropical taxa in the genus Neptis are revised based on barcodes, facies and genitalia. A provisional phylogeny is derived from barcodes using the neighbour joining method showing that the taxa can be assigned to eleven species groups. Within each group, it is shown that the form of the valve of the male genitalia and the sclerotisation of the female abdomen are distinctive. However, it is noted that the most noticeable aspects of the facies, the discal bands and the forewing cell markings, are not necessarily diagnostic as to the relationships between species. This paper covers the currently described taxa and further publications are envisaged to describe new species revealed by barcoding.The taxonomic changes stated in the review are as follows:Neptis livingstonei Suffert, 1904 is declared a nomen nudum due to the lack of a type specimen and any potential lectotypes.Neptis sextilla Mabille, 1882 is declared a nomen nudum due to the lack of a type specimen, any potential lectotypes and an image of a specimen.Neptis vingerhoedti Pierre-Baltus, 2003 is synonymised with Neptis rothschildi Eltringham, 1921.Neptis loma Condamin, 1971, Neptis angusta Condamin, 1966 and Neptis constantiae kaumba Condamin, 1966 are synonymised with nominate Neptis constantiae Carcasson, 1961.Neptis troundi Pierre-Baltus, 1978 is synonymised with Neptis melicerta (Drury, 1773).Neptis multiscoliata Pierre-Baltus, 2007 is synonymised with Neptis nysiades Hewitson, 1868.Neptis claude Collins & Larsen, 2005 is synonymised with Neptis matilei Pierre-Baltus, 2000.Neptis trigonophora intermedia Schultze, 1920 synonymised with Neptis trigonophora melicertula Strand, 1911.The neotype of Neptis melicerta (Drury, 1773) from Sierra Leone and the paratypes from the Côte d’Ivoire designated in Pierre-Baltus (1978) are invalid.Neptis nemetes margueritae Fox, 1968 is synonymised with nominate Neptis nemetes nemetes Hewitson, 1868.Neptis neavei Rothschild, 1918 is reinstated as a species separate from Neptis swynnertoni Trimen, 1912.Neptis agouale parallela Collins & Larsen, 1996 becomes Neptis melicerta parallela Collins & Larsen, 1996 comb. nov.Neptis occidentalis batesii Hall, 1930 is promoted to species Neptis batesii Hall, 1930.Neptis ochracea mildbraedi Gaede, 1915 is reinstated as a species Neptis mildbraedi Gaede, 1915Neptis woodwardi translima Collins & Larsen, 1991 is promoted to species Neptis translima Collins & Larsen, 1991.Neptis metella flavimacula Jackson, 1951 is promoted to species Neptis flavimacula Jackson, 1951.All the currently described taxa are illustrated along with the type specimens, where important for resolving identification difficulties. Photomicrographs of the male valves and female abdomen are included for the majority of species.
New information on the genus Luffia Tutt, 1899 (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) from the Canary Islands with description of a new species Luffia kirsteni sp. nov. from Fuerteventura
Authors: Larsen Knud
Published: March 2022

A new species from the Canary Islands is described in the genus Luffia Tutt, 1899 (Lepidoptera, Psychidae), Luffia kirsteni sp. nov. This new species differs from all other species in the genus by its larger size and the triangular shape of the forewing. In the genitalia, the sacculus and phallus are much larger than in all other species. This appears to be the first Luffia species that can be determined by genital means. The adult moth, details of antenna and male genitalia of two species are illustrated, along with the type locality.
Unique genitalic structure in a West African lycaenid butterfly, Liptena seyboui Warren-Gash & Larsen, 2003 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Poritiinae: Liptenini)
Authors: Sáfián Szabolcs , Lorenc-Brudecka Jadwiga
Published: March 2022

No Abstract
Taxonomic notes on some Liptenini (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Poritiinae)
Authors: Libert Michel
Published: March 2022

The status of five species of Liptenini is revised: Liptena decempunctata Schultze, 1923 is transferred to the genus Tetrarhanis Karsch, 1893 (comb. nov.), and Tetrarhanis souanke (Stempffer, 1962) is synonymised with T. decempunctata (Schultze, 1923) (syn. nov.); Liptena mwagensis Dufrane, 1953 is transferred to the genus Micropentila Aurivillius, 1895 (comb. nov.); Liptena sauberi Schultze, 1912 is synonymised with L. modesta (Kirby, 1890) (syn. nov.), and Liptena yukadumae Schultze, 1917 is synonymised with L. tricolora (Bethune-Baker, 1915) (syn. nov.); the synonymy of Pentila occidentalis Bethune-Baker, 1926 with Kakumia ferruginea (Schultze, 1923) is confirmed.
Further data on the butterfly fauna (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of Mpanga Forest, Uganda, and the role of this forest in biodiversity conservation
Authors: Sáfián Szabolcs , Pyrcz D Tomasz W.
Published: March 2022

We present records of further 87 butterfly species to the checklist of Mpanga Forest, Mpigi, Uganda, increasing the number of known species to 401. Over half of all newly recorded butterflies are skippers (Hesperiidae), also, a significant proportion of the new records pertain to species which tend to occur in more open habitats and forest-edges, also swampy areas or wetlands. Our records represent the easternmost occurrences of Procampta admiratio(Hesperiidae), Bicyclus rhacotis (Nymphalidae), Pentila alba and Iolaus schultzei (Lycaenidae) with significant range extensions. The still increasing number of species further emphasizes the conservation importance of the remaining small fragments of the once extensive Lake Victoria outlier forest, which almost disappeared from shores of the lake between the Kenyan and Tanzanian border. The pressure from the steeply increasing human population and apparent lack of actual protection measures threatens the Mpanga forest ecosystem and its butterfly fauna, despite its educational and unique eco-tourism potential.
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) restores 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients by attenuating ROS-mediated activation of NF-κB
Authors: Liu Yuhong , Xie Yidun , Liu Mailing , Yang Junfeng
Published: March 2022

Purpose: To investigate the mechanism by which epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) attenuates ROS-induced pathogenesis in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods: Fifty patients (33 male and 17 female) aged between 25 and 60 years who satisfied ACR 1987 criteria for active RA, and thirty healthy individuals were recruited. Total peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), neutrophils and monocytes were isolated from the blood samples of RA patients and healthy donors using commercial extraction kits. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide radical (O2-) in isolated cells were measured using fluorescence spectroscopy while the levels of the associated inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) were determined in PBMCs isolated from RA patients using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). These parameters were monitored in EGCG-treated and untreated cells. Moreover, the status of 25(OH) vitamin D and NK-κB were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged PBMCs in the presence and absence of EGCG.

Results: Elevated levels of superoxide radical and ROS were observed in neutrophils from RA patients in the absence of ECGC, but in the presence of EGCG, the levels of the two parameters were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Similarly, EGCG treatment downregulated the ROS-mediated increases in TNF-α and IL-6 in the PBMCs from RA patients (p < 0.05). Treatment of PBMCs with the ROS-inducing agent, LPS, resulted in the activation of NK-κB via phosphorylation, and also depletion of 25(OH) vitamin D levels (p < 0.05). However, pre-treatment of the LPS-challenged cells with EGCG inhibited NK-κB activation and 25(OH)-vitamin D depletion (p < 0.05). Moreover, 25(OH)vitamin D levels were restored in the presence of NK-κB inhibitor, flavopiridol, thereby confirming the direct regulatory role of NK-κB in 25(OH) vitamin D levels.

Conclusion: EGCG restores 25(OH) vitamin D levels by attenuating ROS-mediated NK-κB activation. Thus, EGCG may be a promising drug candidate for RA.
Evaluation of anisodamine-mediated amelioration of hypoxic injury in brain microvascular endothelial cells
Authors: Wang Jing , Zhu Qinghua , Duan Xiaohui , Li Lingyu , Zhang Shuyan , Chen Jie , Wang Youming
Published: March 2022

Purpose: To investigate the therapeutic effect of anisodamine on hypoxic injury of brain microvascular endothelial cells, and the underlying mechanism of action.

Methods: A hypoxic injury model of rat primary brain microvascular endothelial cells was established. Cell viability, proliferation, percent survival and apoptosis were assessed using MTT, EdU staining, trypan blue staining and TUNEL staining assays, respectively. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were measured using colorimetry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Expression levels of key proteins in the PI3K/Akt signal route were determined by Western blotting.

Results: Anisodamine treatment significantly reduced apoptosis and LDH leakage in the rat cerebral vascular endothelial cell hypoxia injury model group (p < 0.001). At doses of 3 and 10 mM, anisodamine markedly reduced the cellular level of MMP-9 in rat cerebral vascular endothelial cell hypoxia injury model group (p < 0.001). Treatment of rat brain microvascular endothelial cells with anisodamine significantly reduced levels of caspase-3 and Bax, but up-regulated the expression levels of Bcl2, p-Akt and PI3K (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Anisodamine exerts significant protective effect against hypoxic injury in rat brain microvascular endothelial cells by modulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. This finding provides a scientific basis for the clinical application of anisodamine in the treatment and prevention of ischemic cerebrovascular disease.
Prediction of novel natural inhibitors of avian coccidia (Eimeria tenella) through molecular docking
Authors: Aljedaie Manei M. , Alam Pravej , Al-Malki Esam S.
Published: March 2022

Purpose: To identify some natural molecules (inhibitors) against avian coccidia (Eimeria tenella) through molecular docking in order to find the candidate drugs for poultry industry.

Methods: The natural compounds, 6’-de-O-acetylcupacinoside, apigenin, artemisinin, cupacinoside, quercetin and rutin, were screened on the basis of previous research data. These biomolecules were selected as potent inhibitors based on extant literature on calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) in Eimeria tenella.

Results: All the compounds showed good interactions with 6’-de-O-acetylcupacinoside. Based on docking studies, quercetin produced the best interaction, with a binding energy of -7.04 kcal/mol, when compared to the other compounds.

Conclusions: Based on these in silico results, the screened compounds have great potential for use against E. tenella. In particular, the results suggest that quercetin may be beneficial in the control of avian coccidia through its strong inhibitory potential on CDPKs of E. tenella.
Anti-diarrhoeal effect of methanol leaf fraction of Cola hispida Brenan and Keay in rats
Authors: Njoku Ugochi Olivia , Ogugofor Obinna Martins
Published: March 2022

Purpose: To evaluate the anti-diarrhoeal activity of 20 % methanol leaf fraction of Cola hispida (MLFC) using castor oil-induced diarrhoea model in rats.

Methods: The activity of MLFC against castor oil-induced diarrhoea, intestinal fluid accumulation (enteropooling), and gastrointestinal motility were evaluated. The experimental animals were grouped into five, each with four animals. Group 1 received distilled water, while group 2 received loperamide and served as negative and standard control groups respectively. Groups 3 - 5 were administered 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg of MLFC respectively. One-hour post-treatment, castor oil (p.o.) was used to induce diarrhoea in all the groups. The activity of MLFC was tested against castor oil-induced looseness of stool, fluid accumulation in the intestine and intestinal motility of charcoal meal. Its effect on electrolyte concentration in the small intestinal content was assessed; furthermore, its effect on the electrolyte concentrations of Na+, Cl-, K+, and HCO3-  in supernatants obtained from the intestinal loop effluents of the rats was evaluated.

Results: The MLFC produced a significant (p < 0.05) and dose-dependent decrease in the severity of diarrhoea and frequency of watery stool passed in castor oil-induced diarrhoea, enteropooling, gastrointestinal transit of charcoal meal in rats and serum concentrations of sodium and chloride ions, while significant (p < 0.05) increase in potassium and bicarbonate ion concentrations were observed when compared with diarrhoeal control group. Similar inhibitory effects were obtained for loperamide control group.

Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that methanol leaf fraction of Cola hispida possesses anti-diarrhoeal properties by inhibiting intestinal peristalsis and hypersecretion of water and electrolytes. Thus, the findings lend some support to the traditional use of the plant for the treatment of diarrhoea.
Suppression of KLF7 gene expression inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of hemangioma cells via NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Wu Yang , Jin Fang , Huang He , Wang Shi
Published: March 2022

Purpose: To assess the role of Kruppel-like factor 7 (KLF7) in hemangioma (HA) progression, KLF7 expression and regulation of downstream targets in HA tissues and hemangioma-derived endothelial cells (HemECs) have been evaluated.

Methods: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunoblotting were performed to assess KLF7 expression in HA tissues and normal tissues. Endothelial cells were isolated from HA tissues, and Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and flow cytometry were carried out to analyze proliferation and apoptosis of the isolated HemECs. Immunoblotting was used to determine the effect of KLF7 on expression of members of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway in HemECs.

Results: High KLF7 expression occurred in infantile HAs during the proliferative stage. Knockdown of KLF7 expression in HemECs inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis via suppression of NF-κB pathway (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: KLF7 is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of HA.
Venlafaxine inhibits neuronal apoptosis in a depression rat model via ERK1/ERK2 pathway
Authors: Hou Yanbin , Lou Zhongze , Ji Yunxin , Ruan Liemin , Gao He
Published: March 2022

Purpose: To investigate the effects and mechanism of action of venlafaxine on neuronal apoptosis of depressed rats.

Methods: Rats were randomly divided into normal control (NC) group, depressed rats (depression) group or venlafaxine-treatment group. Changes in body weight and sucrose preference ratio were recorded and behaviors in open field test (OFT) were observed in each group. Pathological changes in and the apoptosis rate of the cerebral neurons, and the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1)/ERK2 pathway were observed under a microscope.

Results: At weeks 2 and 4, the body weight and water consumption of rats in depression group dropped below those of rats in NC group. On the other hand, at week 2, the body weight and water consumption of rats in venlafaxine-treatment group were significantly higher than those of rats in depression group (p < 0.05). Besides, depression group had randomly arranged neuron cells and a thinner cell layer, while venlafaxine-treatment group had a relatively regular hippocampal neural cell arrangement and a thicker cell layer. Moreover, cell apoptosis rate was higher in depression group than in that NC group, and lower in venlafaxine-treatment group than that in depression group (p < 0.05). Finally, the protein expressions of phosphorylated (p)-ERK1 and p-ERK2 were significantly higher in depression group than those in NC group (p<0.05), and distinctly lower in venlafaxine-treatment group than those in depression group (p <0.05).

Conclusion: By suppressing the activity of ERK1/ERK2 pathway, venlafaxine relieves the symptoms of depression and repairs neuronal injuries in rats, thereby suppressing neuronal apoptosis. Thus, these findings provide a novel approach for the development of new antidepressants.
Dexmedetomidine inhibits oxidative stress in sepsis-induced acute kidney injury in rats by regulating GSK-3β/Nrf2/ARE axis
Authors: Jing Yan , Yao Li , Du Weicui , Liu Jia , Yang Rongrong , Zhou Wanchang , Xu Xiaolin , Cao Jingjing , Zhang Lichao , Si Chengjing
Published: March 2022

Purpose: To determine the effect of dexmedetomidine on sepsis-mediated acute kidney injury (SAKI) in rats.

Methods: Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into blank untreated control group, model group given lipopolysaccharide at a dose of 10 mg/kg, dexmedetomidine (Dex) group, and glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β) inhibitor group given sb216763. In addition, Dex and inhibitor groups received the same dose of lipopolysaccharide as model group. There were 10 rats in each group. Pathological changes in kidney tissue, and the levels of related oxidative stress indices were determined.

Results: Compared with the model group, granular degeneration of renal tubular epithelial cells was significantly reduced in Dex group, and the population of exfoliated cells decreased (p < 0.05). The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in dexmedetomidine and GSK-3β inhibitor groups were significantly reduced, while superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) activities were markedly raised, relative to model group (p < 0.05). Protein levels of p- GSK-3β and Nrf2 markedly were raised in dexmedetomidine and GSK-3β inhibitor groups (p < 0.01). After intervention with Dex and GSK-3β inhibitor, there were marked upregulations in mRNA and protein expression levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), when compared with model group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine ameliorates SAKI injury in rats via suppression of oxidative stress. Its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of GSK-3β/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway. This finding may be a novel approach to the clinical management of SAKI.
Rehmannioside A protects against high glucose-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress of renal tubular epithelial cells by inhibiting the MAPK pathway
Authors: Huai Lei , Yang Lili , Xu Qunhong , Wang Benyong
Published: March 2022

Purpose: To investigate the effects and mechanism of rehmannioside A (ReA) on diabetic nephropathy (DN) progression.

Methods: Various concentrations of glucose and ReA were added to HK2 cells, and cell viability was analyzed using the 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-2)-3,5 diphenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) assay. Cell apoptosis, caspase 3 activity, and expression levels of BAX, Bcl-2, and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase were evaluated to assess the effect of ReA on cell apoptosis. The effect of ReA on oxidative stress was also evaluated by assessing superoxide dismutase, catalase, and malondialdehyde levels. Lactate dehydrogenase release and reactive oxygen species levels were also measured. Finally, activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 was determined by immunoblot technique.

Results: ReA significantly enhanced the survival of HK2 cells induced with high glucose (HG). In addition, ReA suppressed apoptosis and inhibited oxidative stress of HK2 cells induced with HG (p < 0.05). ReA protected against HG-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress of renal tubular epithelial cells by inhibiting the MAPK pathway (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: ReA is a potential as a therapeutic agent for DN; however, in vivo and clinical investigations are required to validate this assertion.
Anti-inflammatory effect of clearing-away-heat-promoting-diuresis and Wen-yang herbs on inflammatory signaling pathways in acute gout
Authors: Huang Jiyong , Zhang Yan , Chen Kai , Li Xiaopeng , Liu Jinghan
Published: March 2022

Purpose: To investigate the regulatory effect of clearing away, heat-promoting diuresis and Wen yang herbs (CHPW) on acute gout IL-1β inflammatory signaling pathways in rats and cell lines.

Methods: Thirty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: saline (SA group, SA-sodium urate (SA-SU) group, Colchicine-SU (Col-SU) group, CPHW-SU group, and clearing away heat-promoting diuresis-SU (CHP-SU) group. The cell line RAW264.7 groups were RAW264.7-A, RAW264.7-B, RAW264.7-C and RAW264.7-D. For the above cell groups, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the effects of drugs on macrophage proliferation, and levels of IL-1β and other inflammatory factors, while quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to assay NALP3 mRNA expression. The protein expressions of p-IRAK4, IRAK4, p-P65, P65, NALP3, and caspase-1 were measured using Western blot assay.

Results: Compared with SA-SU group, CHPW reduced gout symptoms in the joint, and reduced levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and IL-1β (p < 0.05). Compared with the SA group, the relative expression of NALP3 increased significantly in the SA-SU group (p < 0.05). The relative expression of NALP3 in CHPW and CHP groups decreased significantly, relative to the SA-SU group (p < 0.05). However, the expressions of p-IRAK4, IRAK 4 and p65 was basically unchanged (p > 0.05). Protein expression levels of NALP3 and caspase-1 were higher in SA-SU group, but lower in CHPW and CHP groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: CHPW exerts a protective effect against acute gout by downregulating the IL-1β inflammatory signaling pathway and decreasing the expression levels of NALP3 and p-P65. Thus, CHPW has a potential for use as a new therapeutic agent for gout.
Grape seed proanthocyanidin alleviates left ventricular remodeling by regulating systolic pressure, oxidative stress and vasoactive substances in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Liu Jianfei , Song Shujuan , Zhang Xu
Published: March 2022

Purpose: To study the effect of grape seed proanthocyanidin (GSP) on left ventricular remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats, and the underlying mechanism.

Methods: Spontaneously hypertensive rats were randomly divided into two groups, with 12 rats per group. One group was injected with GSP. Systolic pressure in each group was measured at baseline (before treatment), and at 3, 6 and 9 weeks after treatment. Whole heart index and left heart index were calculated. Histopathological changes in myocardium and left ventricular posterior wall thickness of rats in each group were measured. The cross-sectional area of myocardial cells and myocardial collagen volume fraction were assessed. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), nitric oxide (NO), renin, angiotensin II (Ang II), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in each group of rats were assayed.

Results: Compared with the spontaneous hypertension group, whole heart mass index, left heart mass index, left ventricular posterior wall thickness, cross sectional area of myocardial cells, myocardial collagen volume fraction, and levels of MDA, renin, Ang II and ET-1 in GSP group were significantly decreased, while the expression levels of SOD, CAT, NO and eNOS were markedly increased in GSP group (p < 0.05). Cell hypertrophy in the GSP group was significantly mitigated, when compared with that in the spontaneous hypertension group.

Conclusion: GSP mitigates left ventricular remodeling in rats by reducing systolic blood pressure, improving antioxidant capacity and regulating levels of vasoactive substances, thus suggesting its potential for the management of hypertension.