bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Giardiasis Pattern among Different Age Categories: Childhood Assemblage B Proclaim Endemicity
Authors: AHMED Doaa A. , RABBO Mona A. , JAMJOOM Manal , SALEM Hala S. , GHIETH Marwa A.
Published: December 2019

Background: Giardiasis is one of the commonest intestinal parasitic diseases that affects wide range of age groups. We aimed to detect the pattern of Giardia intestinalis assemblages among symptomatic patients at the age of 2 up to 40 years.
Methods: Stool samples were collected from 278 patients and examined microscopically and genetically for giardiasis. Giardia was diagnosed using wet mount examination and subjected to molecular assays targeting three genes, glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) using semi-nested PCR (nPCR), β-giardin (bg) and triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) using nPCR. Amplified products were subjected to genotyping using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) targeting gdh and bg genes.
Results: Among 48 samples positive by microscopy and by a minimum of one of the three used genes, genotyping was successful among 23 samples (47.9%). Assemblage B was more prevalent (16/23, 69.6%), than assemblage A (4/23, 17.4%) and 3 (13%) isolates were identified as assemblage B at gdh locus which later were identified as assemblage A at bg locus. Sub-assemblage AII (3/4, 75%) and sub-assemblage BIII (12/15, 66.7%) were predominate at gdh locus. Age groups was an estimated risk factor for infection with assemblage B with a peak (87.5%) during 6 to 12 years (P value ˂ 0.05), diarrhea and abdominal pain (OR (95%CI) = .654 (.094, .963); .201 (.048, 1.009), respectively) were significantly associated with assemblage B.
Conclusion: It is recommended to suspect infection with giardiasis assemblage B by physicians during late childhood presenting with diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Molecular Evidence of Sarcocystis Species Infecting Reptiles in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: MOHD FADIL Nahdatul Fatihah , TENGKU-IDRIS Tengku Idzzan Nadzirah , SHAHARI Shahhaziq , FONG Mun Yik , LAU Yee Ling
Published: December 2019

Background: The genus Sarcocystis consists of intracellular coccidian protozoan parasites with the ability to invade muscle tissue and mature into sarcocysts, causing the zoonotic disease sarcocystosis. These parasites have an obligatory two-host life cycle, which correlates with prey-predator relationship. The distribution and prevalence of Sarcocystis in reptiles remains unclear, despite several previous reports. The aim of this study was to identify the genetic assemblage of the species of Sarcocystis infecting Malaysian snakes and lizards by screening stool samples.   
Methods: Overall, 54 fecal samples of various snake species and four fecal samples of several lizard species in Malaysia were taken within the course of August 2015 to January 2016 from Seremban, Melaka, Tioman Island, Pahang, Klang and Langkawi Wildlife Park located in Malaysia. The samples were examined for Sarcocystis through PCR amplification of the 18S rDNA sequence at the Department of Parasitology, University of Malaya
Results: Fourteen snake fecal samples were positive via PCR; however, only eight samples (14%) were found positive for Sarcocystis species, whereas four were positive for other genera and the identity of another three samples was unable to be determined. Further phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rDNA sequences revealed that the snakes were infected with either S. singaporensis, S. lacertae, or undefined Sarcocystis species closely related to either S. singaporensis or S. zuoi. Sarcocystis nesbitti infection was not identified in any of the infected snakes.
Conclusion: This is the first report of identification of S. lacertae in the black-headed cat snake.
In Vitro Activity of Foeniculum vulgare and Its Main Essential Oil Component Trans-Anethole on Trichomonas vaginalis
Authors: KARAMI Faezeh , DASTAN Dara , FALLAH Mohammad , MATINI Mohammad
Published: December 2019

Background: Trichomoniasis is one of the most common nonviral sexually transmitted infections worldwide which drug-resistant cases of the infection are rising. The aim of the study was to assessment the in vitro activity of Foeniculum vulgare and its main essential oil component on Trichomonas vaginalis. Also phytochemical investigation of F. vulgare essential oil was performed.
Methods: Five T. vaginalis isolates subjected to susceptibility testing against essential oil and extracts of F. vulgare and anethole using microtiter plate method. The minimum lethal concentration (MLC) of the natural products was assessed in comparison with metronidazole. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector was applied for chemical investigation of the essential oil.
Results: After 48 hours incubation, the most potent antitrichomonal agents were the methanolic and hexanic extract with MLC of 360 µg/ml and followed by the essential oil and anethole (1600 µg/ml). The isolates were sensitive to metronidazole with a mean MLC of 13.7 µg/ml. E-Anethole (88.41 %) was the major constituent of F. vulgare essential oil.
Conclusion: The results suggested in vitro antiprotozoal properties of F. vulgare and anethole against T. vaginalis. Therefore further studies are needed to evaluate their in vivo effects and toxicity.
Diagnosis of Acute Toxoplasmosis by IgG and IgM Antibodies and IgG Avidity in Pregnant Women from Mashhad, Eastern Iran
Authors: SHARIFI Karam , HOSSEINI FARASH Bibi Razieh , TARA Fatemeh , KHALEDI Azad , SHARIFI Karim , SHAMSIAN Seyed Ali Akbar
Published: December 2019

Background: We aimed to evaluate the diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis by IgG avidity test in pregnant women.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 250 blood samples were collected from pregnant women with the first month of their pregnancy referring to health centers of University in Mashhad during 2016. Samples were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 min for separation of serum and were kept in the -20 until use. To detection of acute and chronic toxoplasmosis, anti-Toxoplasma antibodies (IgG and IgM, and IgG avidity tests were performed using ELISA. Then, data analyzed using SPSS software by Frequency, Pearson Chi-Square, Likelihood Ratio, and Exact tests. And P-value<0.05 was statistically considered as significant.
Results: Total prevalence of IgG and IgM was 23.2% and 7.2%, respectively. A significant correlation was observed between the mean age and IgG level (P<0.05). It was not found any correlation between the history of raw meat consumption, cats keeping, education, and residency site. Moreover, 16 people (6.4%) had IgM antibody, of which, 10 cases (62.5%) with low avidity for IgG and 1 people (6.2%) with moderate avidity and 5 cases (31.3%) with high avidity for IgG. Moreover, 76% of pregnant women were seronegative.
Conclusion: More than half of the women (62.5%) with positive IgM antibody in their serum had a low avidity for IgG which revealed an acute infection among pregnant women. Toxoplasma infection should be considered as an important factor that affects the pregnancy and IgG avidity as an important test for screening the women who need the treatment.
Molecular Study of Benzimidazole Resistance in Teladorsagia circumcincta Isolated from Sheep in North of Iran
Authors: NEMATI Rahim , BAHARI Aliasghar , MAHMOODI Pezhman , SAZMAND Alireza
Published: December 2019

Background: Resistance to benzimidazole (BZ) compounds is common in Teladorsagia circumcincta populations in sheep and goats worldwide. Given the importance of anthelmintic resistance and shortage of information on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in this prevalent nematode in Iran, this study was conducted.
Methods: From June to September 2016, abomasa of 139 sheep of different sexes and ages in Amol City slaughterhouse, northern Iran were examined for isolation of nematodes. Totally 45 male T. circumcincta confirmed by both microscopical and nested-PCR-RFLP methods were included in this study. Susceptibility or resistance of each single T. circumcincta worm to benzimidazoles was assessed using allele-specific PCR.
Results: Frequency of genotypes in the present study were 33.33% heterozygote BZ and 66.67% BZ homozygote sensitive. No homozygote resistant worm was found.
Conclusion: Resistance against BZs in T. circumcincta of sheep has occurred at a low prevalence in the north of Iran. However, mutated genes might get dominant under drug selection in future. Hence, periodic investigations for early detection of mutated alleles in nematode populations using accurate and sensitive molecular methods such as PCR-RFLP is recommended.
Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites among Rural Residents of Takestan in North-West of Iran
Authors: TAHERKHANI Khadijeh , BARIKANI Ameneh , SHAHNAZI Mojtaba , SARAEI Mehrzad
Published: December 2019

Background: Intestinal parasites are one of the health challenges in developing countries. Decreasing the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) is one of the main aims of health services in these countries. This study was designed to determine the current status of IPIs in rural residents of Takestan a town located in North West of Iran.
Methods: A total of 2280 rural residents of Takestan were randomly selected. Data were collected through questionnaire by interviews and laboratory findings obtained by microscopic examination of stool sample including wet smear and formalin ethyl-acetate concentration. A P value <0.05 was considered significant, statistically.
Results: In total, 8.7% (199/2280) of participants were positive for at least one intestinal parasite. The prevalence of polyparasitism was 0.7% in study population. Hymenolepis nana was the only helminthic infection which was detected (1/2280). Blastocystis, Entamoeba coli, and Giardia lamblia were the most common IPIs with prevalence of 3.6%, 2.9%, and 1.6%, respectively. Statistically, the prevalence of IPIs showed significant differences among villages (P<0.01) and age groups (P<0.001), and also habit of eating raw vegetables (P<0.005), whereas, the difference was insignificant in terms of sex, education level, and occupation.
Conclusion: The prevalence of IPIs in rural residents of the study area is considerably low and this reduction was very impressive about helminthic infections.
Primary Solitary Hydatid Cyst of Brain in a 12-Year-Old Boy: A Case Report
Authors: RAVANBAKHSH Naeem , RABIEE Navid , AHMADI Jalal
Published: December 2019

Hydatidosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus parasite that frequently involves liver and lungs. Primary intracranial hydatidosis is a rare condition which can be life threatening if ruptured. Here we report an unusual case of primary intracranial hydatid cyst without any other organ involvement, diagnosed in a 12-year-old boy in Emam Reza hospital, Birjand, Iran in November 2016, in order to focus on the importance of proper diagnosis and management, especially in endemic areas.
Simultaneous Detection and Genotyping of Hydatid Cysts in Slaughtered Livestock via a Direct PCR Approach
Authors: ZHAN Jiafei , WANG Ning , HUA Ruiqi , SHEN Nengxing , XIE Yue , GU Xiaobin , LAI Weiming , PENG Xuerong , YANG Guangyou
Published: December 2019

The article's abstract is not available.
International Movement of Livestock and Lack of Regulation for Internal Parasites Monitoring
Authors: SAZMAND Alireza
Published: December 2019

The article's abstract is not available.
Premature Ejaculation – From Physiology to Treatment
Authors: Pereira-Lourenço Mário , Vieira e Brito Duarte , Pereira Bruno Jorge
Published: December 2019

Objective: To review in literature about the concept of premature ejaculation from physiology to treatment.
Materials and methods: A literature search conducted with Pubmed and Cochrane.
Results: An accurate clinical history is the best diagnostic method, and in the majority of the cases it is enough to differentiate between primary and acquired premature ejaculation. Nowadays the treatment is not curative but is effective in increasing the Intravaginal Ejaculatory Latency Time, improving the couple’s sexual satisfaction.
Conclusion: Although PE is the most frequent sexual dysfunction, it is still sub-diagnosed. Combining behavioural techniques with pharmacotherapy is the best way of treatment.
Comparison of Misoprostol and Mefenamic Acid on Reducing Menstrual Bleeding in Patients Suffering From Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Authors: Eftekhar Tahereh , Ghaemi Marjan , Abedi Aref , Shirazi Mahboobeh
Published: December 2019

Objective: Heavy menstrual bleeding is one of the most frequent complaints of women. Various therapeutic approaches have been applied to treat this condition. In this study, we compared the efficacy of mefenamic acid and misoprostol in reducing menorrhagia.
Materials and methods: This is a randomized clinical trial study performed on 60 patients with menorrhagia. They were divided into two equal groups and randomly received mefenamic acid or misoprostol. Cycle duration, bleeding volume (according to the pictorial blood assessment chart), hemoglobin, hematocrit, and pad count were recorded before and after treatment. Side effects of treatment regimens were recorded.
Results: Blood loss volume per menstruation day in the mefenamic acid group was 118.40 ± 36.26 ml before treatment which decreased to 48.50 ± 24.71 ml after treatment (p-value = 0.262). Misoprostol reduced menstrual bleeding volume from 135.37 ± 34.85 ml per day to 49.40 ± 32.161 ml (p-value = 0.003). Mean duration of the menstrual period in patients receiveding mefenamic acid was 9.50 ± 3.27 days which decreased to 7.73 ± 2.14 days after treatment (p-value = 0.001). The similar change occurred in the misoprostol group and the mean duration of the menstrual period decreased from 7.70 ± 2.10 to 6.37 ± 2.29 days (p-value = 0.002). The number of pads used by patients in the mefenamic acid group before treatment was 23.20 ± 12.61 which was decreased to 14.33 ± 5.86 after treatment (p-value = 0.001). This alteration in misoprostol group was from 20.67 ± 6.12 to 15.53 ± 6.49 (p-value = 0.001).
Conclusion: Misoprostol can significantly reduce menstrual bleeding.
Level of Bisphenol A in Follicular Fluid and Serum and Oocyte Morphology in Patients Undergoing IVF Treatment
Authors: Poormoosavi Seyedeh Mahsa , Behmanesh Mohammad Amin , Janati Sima , Najafzadehvarzi Hosein
Published: December 2019

Objective: To assess the correlation between the levels of BPA in the serum and follicular fluid (FF) using oocyte morphology.
Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional research, oocyte, FF, and serum samples were obtained from a sample population consisting of 90 women undergone in vitro fertilization in Ganjavian Hospital in Dezful, Iran during October 2017-March 2018. The ELISA kit was utilized for the measurement of the BPA levels. In addition, oocyte morphology simultaneous with inverted optical microscopy.
Results: Follicular fluid BPA levels had no significant effect on MII oocytes (p ≥ 0.05). However, the mean levels of degenerated oocytes and germinal vesicle (GV) were significantly higher in the women with high BPA levels in the FF (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, the mean counts of MII oocytes and oocytes were significantly higher in the women with serum BPA levels of ≤ 50 ng/ml (p ≤ 0.05), while the mean count of GV oocytes was significantly higher in the women with serum BPA levels of ≥ 150 ng/ml (p ≤ 0.05).
Conclusion: According to the results, higher FF BPA levels were associated with the higher counts of GVs and oocytes, while oocytes with higher maturity can be achieved in lower levels of BPA in the serum of patients.
Relationship Between Serum Vitamin D Level and Ectopic Pregnancy: A Case-control Study
Authors: Sahhaf Farnaz , Saiyar-Sarai Somaiyeh , Piri Reza , Mohammadi Sahar , Naghavi-Behzad Mohammad
Published: December 2019

Objective: To compare the difference in Vitamin D level between women with ectopic pregnancy and control group.
Materials and methods: In the present case-control study, 150 patients with ectopic pregnancy were included as case group and 150 women with normal pregnancy as a control group. Then, serum vitamin D levels were measured in both groups and they were then compared with each other. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean age in ectopic pregnancy group was 28.12 ± 5.91 and 27.35 ± 6.21 years old in control group; the difference between two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.43). The vitamin D level in control group was higher than that of ectopic pregnancy group (p = 0.002). Of all patients, 182 patients (60.66%) had vitamin D deficiency and 64 patients (21.33%) had vitamin D insufficiency.
Conclusion: Serum vitamin D level among patients with ectopic pregnancy was statistically lower than women with normal pregnancy.
Neglected Pessary in Patient with Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Case Report
Authors: Ghanbari Zinat , Deldar-Pesikhani Maryam , Eftekhar Tahereh , Pourali Leila , Vatanchi Atiyeh , Darvish Soudabeh , Ayati Elnaz
Published: December 2019

Objective: To report the neglected pessary in a patient with pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is one of the most important medical challenges in women especially elderly. One of the conservative treatments of symptomatic POP is pessary placement.
Case report: A 84-year-old woman, para 10 was referred to female pelvic floor clinic of an academic hospital for vaginal bleeding and neglected vaginal pessary. Vaginal examination in the pelvic floor clinic revealed an entrapped ring pessary in severely atrophic vaginal mucosa with purulent discharge.
Conclusion: Although pessary is the first choice and one of the best conservative treatment for pelvic organ prolapse, it shouldn’t be used for poor cooperative patient who cannot comply with regular follow-up visits which may cause harmful complications.
Chemical Composition and Bioactivity of the Essential Oil of Cassia singueana Flowers Growing in Nigeria
Authors: Adedoyin Bilkisu , Muhammad Aminu , Dangoggo Sani Mohammed , Rabah Abdullahi , Sharples George , Nahar Lutfun , Sarker Satyajit
Published: December 2019

Cassia singueana (Delile) Lock from the family Fabaceae is a well-known medicinal plant that grows abundantly in Nigeria and other African countries, and has long been used in the treatment of various ailments including malaria and other infectious diseases. The present study aimed at assessing the composition, and bioactivity of the essential oil of the flowers of C. singueana collected from Nigeria. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and the chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) coupled with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and GC coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The bioactivity of the oil was determined using the brine shrimp lethality assay, agar diffusion antimicrobial test, the 2, 2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl, metal chelation, and superoxide anion antioxidant assays. The essential oil yield and the percentage of identified compounds were 1.58% and 97.91%, respectively. More than 20 compounds were identified. The major component was geranyl acetone (36.82%) followed by phytol (18.12%). The essential oil showed lethality against the brine shrimp larvae with an LC50 value of 18.7 µg/ml, and antimicrobial activity with largest inhibition zones of 32-33 mm against Candida albicans, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. The oil also exhibited considerable antioxidant activity as evident from its ability to scavenge free-radicals such as DPPH, superoxide anions, and metal-chelation.
Hydroalcoholic Extract of Iranian Caper Leaves Protects Hepatic Toxicity by Suppressing Oxidative Stress in Mice
Authors: Kalantari Heibatullah , Alijani Anis , Kheradmand Parvin , Goodarzian Maedeh , Zeidooni Leila
Published: December 2019

Capparis spinosa L. (caper) is an aromatic plant, commonly used in the Mediterranean diet, possessing numerous antioxidant compounds, such as phenols, rutin, tocopherols, carotenoids, and vitamin C in its leaves. Thus, the present study investigated the effects of Iranian caper leaves extract on oxidative stress caused by CCl4 in the mice’s liver. This study was conducted on 42 male mice in seven groups. The control group, the sham group, the CCl4 group, the Iranian caper leaves extract 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg + CCl4 groups. Then, Biochemicals, oxidative stress, and hepatic histopathology parameters were evaluated. The co-administration of Iranian caper leaves extract, and CCl4 significantly decreased the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde (P<0.001) and significantly increased the levels of glutathione and catalase in comparison with the group treated with CCl4 alone (P<0.01).Furthermore, Iranian caper leaves extract improved histopathological changes such as the the inflammation and necrosis of hepatocytes. Iranian caper leaves extract has protective effects on hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4, mainly through suppressing oxidative stress.
Production and Characterization of a Monoclonal Antibody Neutralizing Poliovirus Type 2
Authors: Kamalzadeh Morteza , Soleimani Sina , Lotfi Mohsen
Published: December 2019

Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs) are used for biomedical research, diagnosis, treatment, production, and the quality control of biological products. mAbs are also very helpful in poliovirus research studies because it is still one of the major public health problems in developing countries. The main objective of this study was the production of mAbs against Poliovirus Type 2 (PV2) to be prepared and respond to the re-emergence of this virus. After fusion of immunized B cells prepared from mice with myeloma tumor cells and screening of about 250 hybridoma colonies, 22 with the highest antibody titer and without cross-reaction with others types were selected and cloned by limiting dilution. In the end, two colonies capable of secreting mAbs against epitopes of PV2 were used to produce mAbs. The mAbs were characterized by antibody assays, isotyping, and epitopes analysis using western blotting test, the crossreactivity with other types, as well as stability, sterility, and mycoplasma tests. The results indicated that the produced mAbs had high specificity, sensitivity and stability against PV2 without any cross-reactivity and were of IgG1 Kappa chain with similar bands at 26 kDa during electrophoresis associated with viral protein VP3 neutralization. These mAbs were specific in serum neutralization tests for PV2 vaccine strain, and therefore, they are potentially valuable for routine polio research, diagnosis, isolation, production, and control of poliovirus vaccines.
Overconsumption of Contrast Media in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Focusing on Cost and Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Jafari Marziye , Eslami Gohar , Bagheri Babak , Asghari Vaskasi Shirin , Eslami Shafagh
Published: December 2019

Irrational use of medicines is a major problem worldwide. Since iodixanol (Visipaque®) was categorized in Category I based on the ABC-VED analysis in our hospital, we evaluated the amount of visipaque use and estimated the incremental cost based on the Maximum Contrast Dose (MCD) following irrational use of contrast media. This retrospective study was conducted on 100 admitted patients aged 18 to 80 years old undergoing elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) who received visipaque during February 2016 to January 2017. All of the patients’ information was collected from medical records and Hospital Information System (HIS). MCD was calculated by using the formula proposed by Cigarroa and colleagues: MCD (mL) =5× body weight (kg)/ Serum Creatinine (SCr) (mg/dl). The amount of contrast media administered ranged from 200 to 600 mL (mean, 348 mL ± 80). 57 % of patients received the visipaque more than MCD. Only 25 patients were evaluated SCr after PCI and in 11 (44%) of these patients SCr increased and 3 (12%) patients developed CI-AKI. Consumption of the contrast media was 2 to 3 times more than previous studies which could be the cause of acute kidney injury besides the extra cost. In our study about six liters more of contrast agent was used which is more than standard values with a cost of approximately $2,000 for 100 patients. Therefore, in order to reduce costs and complications, appropriate clinical protocol of contrast media, more supervision on medical residents and contrast infusion pumps, as well as a periodic evaluation study are highly recommended.
Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Activities of Aloe vera Leaf Mucilage in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Sefi Mediha , Chaâbane Mariem , Rafrafi Moez , Zeghal Najiba
Published: December 2019

The present study aimed to evaluate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of Aloe vera mucilage in alloxaninduced diabetic rats. Adult male Wistar rats were assigned into 4 groups (6 rats/group), as follows: the first group (C) served as the controls. The second group of rats (AL) received a single subcutaneous dose of alloxan at 120 mg kg-1bw. These groups received 1 mL of NaCl 9%. The third group (AL+Av) represented diabetic rats treated with 1 mL of mucilage extracted from Aloe vera leaves. The fourth group (C+Av) corresponded to control rats administered with 1 mL of Aloe vera mucilage. NaCl or Aloe vera mucilage were intraperitoneally injected to the rats. Diabetic rats exhibited significant hyperglycemia accompanied by glycosuria. We also observed a significant reduction in the liver weight and glycogen content of the specimen. A reduced level of serum insulin was also observed among diabetic rats. However, the levels of serum triglycerides and total cholesterol increased in alloxaninduced diabetic rats. Aloe vera mucilage administration to diabetic rats partially and totally corrected glycaemia and liver glycogen content and serum insulin level, respectively. The rats’ lipid status has also been improved. Medicinal plants, including Aloe vera, are expected to correct hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in diabetic patients to prevent the adverse effects of synthetic drugs.
Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Anticoagulation Properties of Aegiceras corniculatum and Acanthus ilicifolius
Authors: Biswas Rana , Rahman S. M. Mahbubur , Didarul Islam Kazi Mohammed , Billah Md. Morsaline , Aunjum Afiya , Nurunnabi Tauhidur Rahman , Kundu Sujan Kumar , Emdadul Islam Md.
Published: December 2019

Free radical production from different biological and environmental sources is due to an imbalance of natural antioxidants, which further leads to inflammation. Antioxidant metabolites are often characterized by anti-inflammatory and anticoagulation activity. Mangrove plants synthesize different classes of metabolites, including antioxidants, to minimize the devastating effect of oxidation resulting from the elevated salinity, UV, and other unique geochemical components. Accordingly, this study aimed at investigating the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticoagulation properties, as well as polyphenol content of the two selected mangrove plant species: Aegiceras corniculatum and Acanthus ilicifolius. We used the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, reducing power, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, β-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching assay (BCB), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and total tannin content (TTC) to determine antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract of A. corniculatum bark and leaves and A. ilicifolius leaves. Furthermore, human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization assay, lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition assay, and prothrombin time (PT) test were performed for determining anti-inflammatory activity of the samples. A. corniculatum bark is a potent antioxidant (IC50 20.49 ± 2.14 µg/mL in DPPH assay) with anti-inflammatory (IC50 23.58 ± 1.75 µg/mL in LOX inhibition assay) and anticoagulation activity (18.19 ± 0.13 min in prothrombin time assay) compared to other extracts. All extracts were found with significant (P<0.001) antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticoagulation properties. Further studies on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis, anti-inflammatory, and anticoagulation are recommended.
Effects of Privacy Policy and Government Regulation on Trust of Consumers in Saudi Arabia: An Empirical Study
Authors: Nasser A. Alharbi Nesreen , Li Yanhui
Published: December 2019

The research aimed to analyze the influence of privacy policy and government regulation on privacy risk concerns and trust. In other words, this paper attempted to highlight the importance of privacy policy and government regulations, which are two important aspects related to user’s privacy rights. Data were collected through an online questionnaire to test the relationships between each FTC category in online privacy statements of websites/Government regulation and its effect on trust/privacy concerns and relationships. Two hundred sixty-eight respondents participated in the online survey. Results of the study indicate that the privacy policy has a positive impact on trust, whereas privacy risk concerns have a negative impact on trust. A clear and transparent privacy policy helps organizations to establish good relationships with consumers. Additionally, the privacy policy has a negative impact on privacy risk concerns. A strong and powerful privacy policy will significantly improve users’ conservative attitudes about information sharing and privacy disclosure risks. Finally, government regulation has a positive impact on trust and a negative impact on privacy risk concerns. Government regulations such as disclosure, sharing, and use of personal information must be enforced to increase the willingness to use users’ information, thereby enhancing users’ trust in the relevant privacy policy protection laws. Clear and effective laws and regulations reduce users’ fear of privacy policy; that is, the quality of the law will effectively motivate users to provide personal information. The findings of the research imply that there is a high level of concern among the citizens linked to their privacy risk, indicating people do not trust e-government sufficiently. Taking into consideration weak spots related to e-government policies a cybersecurity plan should be implemented. Besides that, consumers’ trust related to privacy policy should be increased. This can be done by improving the standards for a privacy policy.
Possibilities of Improving Organic Farming in Turkey
Authors: Boz Ismet , Kaynakci Cevahir
Published: December 2019

Although there is no universally accepted definition of organic farming, most of the scientists focus on an economic, social, and environmentally sustainable agricultural production system that prohibits chemicals, livestock feed additives, and growth regulators. Organic farming in a region must provide a sustainable livelihood for farmers, a clean environment for all living organisms, and healthy food items at reasonable prices for consumers. The overall purpose of this study is to examine the current state and potential developments of organic agriculture in Turkey. The paper first reviews the principles of organic agriculture, then gives information about the legislative process and developments of organic agriculture in Turkey. Specific objectives are to examine the legal structure, organic production, marketing of organic products, and strategies to develop organic agriculture in Turkey. Qualitative research methods were applied to accomplish the objectives of this study. For this reason, journal articles, books, websites, state statistics, and official reports were used for data collection. The basic outline of the paper organized considering the overall purpose and specific objectives of the study.
Corporate Governance and Auditor Independence in Small Economies
Authors: Ndzinge Shabani
Published: December 2019

Corporate governance and auditor independence can be viewed as two sides of a coin. They are thus intertwined to a significant extent, with one (auditing) lending support to the other (corporate governance). Corporate governance is a topical issue worldwide, while auditor independence is a topic that has attracted considerable interest from research scholars over a period spanning many decades to-date. Various aspects of auditor independence have been studied yielding interesting outcomes. However, there has not been a significant amount of interest in researching this topic with regard to small economies such as that of Botswana, to establish if there are any unique auditor independence issues that arise as a result of that phenomenon. This study attempts to fill that void and has yielded results that call for further inquiry to establish if indeed there are no factors emanating from the size of the economy or the size of the population of a country that impact auditor independence, and thus compromise corporate governance. The study is based on Botswana, but it is presented here that its outcomes would most likely apply to other small economies with similar characteristics to those of Botswana.
Crouching Bear and Hidden Dragon: The Limitations in the Sino-Russian Alliance
Authors: Papageorgiou Maria , Correa da Costa Luis Fernando , Eslami Mohammad
Published: December 2019

In the post-cold war era there has been a remarkable renewal and strengthening of Sino- Russian relations, especially from 2000 onwards. Moscow and Beijing started renewing and enhancing their ties in security, trade, as well as diplomatic issues more vigorously. The close cooperation between the two countries is evident however the partnership hasn’t advanced to an anti-hegemonic opposition block despite the opportunities that arise. Russia and China are two rising powers with a great geopolitical weight in the international system and their partnership constitutes a constant topic of analysis. Sino-Russian co-operation takes place on many levels from energy supplies, joint military exercises, trade agreements, arms sales and the establishment of new multilateral institutions (such as the Sanghai organization, BRICS New Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, AIIB) to a broad consensus on issues in international relations. However, the two powers haven’t formed an actual alliance that could fundamentally alter the distribution of power in the international system.
Workforce Diversity: Igniting a Boon or Bane Debate
Authors: Tamn Gabriel J.M.O. , T. Ogbuigwe , Chimezie Okeke Daniel
Published: December 2019

This paper is a theoretical description of workforce diversity (WD), specifically highlighting its significance in a wide array of organizational outcomes. The paper conceptualizes diversity comprising the workforce in terms of similarities and dissimilarities regarding age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and religion. Workforce diversity was observed as a phenomenon whose adoption transcends the compelling forces of government legislations but remains indispensable as a result of the incontestable complications associated with it. This paper proposes that it is imperative for organizations to recognize and foster an enabling environment that is inclusive and appreciative of individual uniqueness. Such an environment increases employee output and ultimately encourages activeness and peaceful work relations across the organization.
Microcredit and Social Business Movement as Catalyst for Poverty Eradication: The Grameen Experience
Authors: Mamun Abdullahil , Bal Harun , Kabaş Tolga
Published: December 2019

Being a country of developing world, Bangladesh has a long-standing history of fighting poverty by means of microcredit. Thanks to the development of group lending approach of Grameen Bank established by Nobel laureate Professor Mohammad Yunus, which has later been widely accepted as an alternative to the traditional collateral based lending in extending credit facilities to the door of hard core poor at affordable terms, Bangladesh has been able to register tremendous success in alleviating poverty. Apart from Bangladesh, Grameen type microcredit programmes are now being replicated in more than 100 countries both in the developing and developed world. At the same time, Grameen has constantly been devising new entrepreneurial solutions to the problems of the poor in the name of social business- a social cause driven, non-loss, non-dividend, self-reliant business dedicated to serve the most pressing needs of the disadvantaged. Muhammad Yunus has been successful to create a global infrastructure for social business which is working as a catalyst for encouraging social business experimentations around the world. The paper will critically examine the Grameen solidarity lending mechanism and social business framework and their efficiency in approaching poverty with their cross border experiences.
The Antecedents of Information System Success in The Banking Industry
Authors: Ali Mohammed , Ju Xu Feng
Published: December 2019

The transformation of various organizations into an innovative technology, specifically, information system (IS), should have a positive impact the flow of work procedure within the banking industry. The main aims of this study is to recognize the success of banking systems from users’ perspective, who work in banking industries. This study is motivating due to the rapid growth of applying IS in the banking industry’s in developing countries such as Sudan which is require more evaluation. In this study, the DeLone and McLean (D&M) model applied as one of the major models that assess the success of IS. The proposed model consist of six constructs include system quality (SYQ), information quality (INQ), service quality (SVQ), system use (SU), user satisfaction (UST), and net benefits (NBs). The results of the study support and confirm that there are significant relationships among the success variables. All relationships of study hypotheses supported, except the relationship between SYQ and UST, as well as between SVQ and SU. The discussion and empirical evidence presented can assist the Sudanese banking industry to improve and fully utilize the possibility of banking information systems as a new tool for banking information evaluation purposes.
The Influence of Website Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction Towards Online Shopping: The Mediating Role of Confirmation of Expectation
Authors: Biswas Karl Markos , Nusari Mohammed , Ghosh Abhijit
Published: December 2019

Researching customer satisfaction becomes key for organizational competitiveness because satisfied customers become loyal customers. Therefore, it is important to measure customer satisfaction towards online shopping, since satisfied customers will make repetitive purchases and provide recommendations to others, thus generating the profit for a particular e-commerce company. Customer satisfaction towards online shopping can significantly be influenced by website service quality, hence many of the previous studies set up to show the relationship between website service quality and customer satisfaction. But still, limited literature has been focused on the mediating effects of the confirmation of customer expectation on the relationship between website service quality and customer satisfaction. Hence, the aim of this study is to measure customer satisfaction based on the website service quality with confirmation of customer expectation. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed to online customers who are working in the private banks in Bangladesh. Our of 500, a total of 342 questionnaires were used for further analysis, representing a response rate of 68.40%. The hypothesis for direct effect was tested by regression analysis using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The result of the study revealed that website service quality has a significant and positive relationship with confirmation of customers’ expectations and in turn, their satisfaction level towards online shopping. Implications and directions for future research are also highlighted in this present study.
Is The Financial Literacy Affected by The Field of Study? (A Comparison of Specialised Secondary Schools)
Authors: Kubicková Dana , Nulicek Vladimir , Jindrichovska Irena
Published: December 2019

The transition to a market economy system, changes in the lifestyle, the impact of new technologies, strengthening marketing efforts of financial intermediaries, all place increasing pressure on the ability to make correct financial judgments and the decisions, generally referred to as “financial literacy”. However, the content of this term is not defined precisely, many research studies analyzed this phenomenon and confirmed relatively low levels both in adults and in the young generation and its dependence on many factors. The aim of our study is to find out if the level of financial literacy is affected by the field of the study. We used a questionnaire-based research methodology. We asked two student groups to compare and provide the solution to three model financial situations. One group included students of a business academy and the second group included students of a secondary grammar school. Our results confirmed the slightly higher level of financial literacy of the students of the grammar school. The differences between these two groups of students did not confirm the impact of the field of study but turned our attention to other influencing factors.
Interfirm Collaboration Cluster as Source of Competitiveness to Enhance Performance
Authors: Taufiq Mochamad , Ardyan Elia , Farida Naili
Published: December 2019

Cluster is one of the competitive advantages for small business in Indonesia. This study examines the role of interfirm collaboration clusters and product competitiveness on small business performance. The sample used in this study were 317 owners or managers of furniture business in Central Java, Indonesia. The analysis used is structural equation modeling (SEM). The results of this study indicate the important role of interfirm collaboration clusters on product innovation and Small business performance. Other research results indicate that customer centricity has an effect on product innovation. This research also contributes both theoretically and managerially.
Effects of Exchange Rate, Interest Rate, and Inflation on Stock Market Returns Volatility in Nigeria
Authors: Okechukwu Izunobi Anthony , Samuel Mbadike Nzotta , Geoffrey Ugwuanyim , Ozurumba Benedict Anayochukwu
Published: December 2019

This study employed GARCH (1.1) techniques to evaluate the existence of high stock market returns volatility, and the impact of the exchange rate, interest rate and inflation on stock market returns in Nigeria, using monthly series data from 1995 – 2014. Excessive volatility hinders the stock market from playing its role of Mobilizing, financial resources from surplus units to deficit units and may cause a financial crisis. The research finding shows that interest rate has a negative relationship with stock market returns, while the inflation rate and exchange rate have a positive relationship with stock market returns. The conclusion therefore is, there is high and persistent volatility in the Nigerian stock market returns. Exchange rate, interest rate, and inflation significantly impact stock market return volatility in Nigeria. The study recommends that regulatory authorities should take proactive steps to minimize stock market return in order to restore confidence in the market.
Uruguay en la historiografía sobre la arquitectura en América Latina
Authors: Shmidt Claudia
Published: December 2019

La historiografía sobre la arquitectura en América Latina conforma de por sí un corpus controversial. Entre la adjetivación latinoamericanista en búsqueda de una esencialidad existencial y la aspiración a un supuesto internacionalismo, encuentra en su propia delimitación un problema de difícil solución. Si se puede consentir que hay una unidad geográfica, cuál podría ser su alcance continental. Pero, si se tratara de una suma de países ¿cómo pesarían en la arquitectura sus historias nacionales respecto de los distintos procesos de colonización y modernización? ¿México, Perú o Surinam tienen un pasado diferente al de Brasil, Argentina o Chile? ¿Hay una América Latina precolombina, colonial o una moderna tout court? ¿Uruguay es un “caso particular”? Varios de estos interrogantes atraviesan aún hoy los debates en el campo de la cultura arquitectónica. En el marco de la construcción de una historiografía sobre la arquitectura en América Latina, se propone recorrer el caso de Uruguay a través de diferentes representaciones que van, desde la pertenencia “rioplatense” o la “singularidad uruguaya”, hasta el inexorable “destino moderno” de la mano de la abstracción a partir de la contribución crítica que la historia aún puede ofrecer.
Repensar la preservación residencial. Análisis del estado de concientización patrimonial usuaria en un barrio histórico marplatense (Loma Stella Maris)
Authors: Sánchez Lorena Marina
Published: December 2019

Las viviendas con valores patrimoniales articulan aspectos históricos, sociales y materiales que las posicionan como eslabones destacados dentro de cada paisaje urbano. Repensar la preservación de este legado residencial constituye un desafío permanente enlazado al devenir de las concepciones teóricas y los resultados de las experiencias temáticas en el tiempo. En este sentido, dos aciertos resultan de interés: su tratamiento conjunto (áreas, fragmentos, sectores, centros) y, en especial, la inclusión de las comunidades en la promoción de acciones de salvaguarda progresivas. Desde este último abordaje, resulta significativo el progreso de la concientización patrimonial en cada ámbito local, con énfasis en los usuarios como los principales artífices de las permanencias y los cambios en sus viviendas. Por ello se propone reflexionar sobre el estado de concientización patrimonial usuaria en Mar de Plata, una urbe argentina en constante transformación. En particular se estudia un tipo de legado característico, los chalets<!-- La tradición histórica residencial-patrimonial utiliza tradicionalmente “chalet” en alusión al origen francés del término. En particular, ver Ballent, A. (2004) Chalé (Chalet), en Liernur, J. F. y Aliata, F. (eds.), Diccionario de Arquitectura en la Argentina. Buenos Aires: Clarín. --> “estilo Mar del Plata”, en el barrio histórico Loma Stella Maris. Mediante una indagación abordada desde un enfoque histórico social y material, se propone analizar la concientización como sustento clave de posibles estrategias preservacionistas.
Cinco tensores de curvatura. Una aproximación a la topología espacio-temporal contemporánea
Authors: Longo Mariángeles , Ríos Irene
Published: December 2019

La cultura contemporánea se identifica con sus propias formas de producción y reproducción del espacio.  Un proyecto absolutamente visual de dimensión imaginaria. Lo que aquí se busca exponer es la emergencia de una nueva topología espacio temporal a través del análisis de ciertas estrategias proyectuales cuyas formas y estructuras organizativas se redefinen lógica y tácticamente para comprender las dinámicas complejas del mundo contemporáneo.

A través de cinco estrategias proyectuales concretas, “Cinco Tensores de Curvatura Contemporáneos”, se irá trazando una lectura transversal que introduce modelos y discursos provenientes del campo de la sociología y la arquitectura. Los tensores de curvatura denominados así por el sociólogo Luis Castro Nogueira en el libro “La risa del espacio” (1997), hacen referencia a prácticas materiales cuyos códigos visuales pliegan y tensan lo que fue el primer momento espacial moderno.

Todo este proceso de gradación espacial concluye en el espacio virtual. Una tipicidad sintética y simulada por dispositivos electrónicos en la que sujeto, objeto y medio devienen en una progresiva condición inmaterial. Lejos de establecer modelos absolutos estos desplazamientos topológicos buscan instaurar una actitud crítica necesaria para proyectarse hacia futuros escenarios.