bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acute and sub-acute toxicity of antisickling polyherbal extract in Wistar albino rats
Authors: Amujoyegbe O.O. , Idu M. , Agbedahunsi J.M. , Obuotor E.M. , Olawuni I.J. , Oyasowo O. , Ogundepo G.E. 
Published: July 2020

Piper guineense, Gongronema latifolium and Cymbopogon citratus (PGC) serve as an effective polyherbal antisickling extract used in the management of sickle cell disorder. This present study assessed the toxicity effect of the ethanol leaf extract of PGC in rats. The acute oral toxicity test of the polyherbal was evaluated in albino rats using a single-dose based on behavioral changes and mortality. Sub-acute toxicological evaluation of PGC was examined using biochemical, hematological and histopathological methods. Biochemical analysis was carried out using liver markers enzymes, kidney markers enzymes, and lipid profiles. The hematological measurement includes white blood cell counts (WBC), Lymphocytes (LYM), monocytes (MON), granulocytes (GRAN), Red blood cell count (RBC). The organs (liver, kidney, and heart) were collected and prepared using standard protocols with hematoxylin and eosin for histopathological evaluation. The acute toxicity study of ethanol leaf extract of PGC up to the limit dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight of the animals used did not produce any signs and symptoms of toxic effects or mortality after 48 hrs. of oral administration. There were no significant differences (p < 0.001) in the observed values between the control and the treated groups for all the biochemical and hematological parameters analyzed. Histopathological evaluation of the organs demonstrated mild degeneration in the kidney and liver while the heart revealed no pathological changes in the treated group of rats. The result of acute toxicity indicates that the combined antisickling polyherbal PGC extract appeared to be safe and non- toxic. Our findings for the 28 days daily oral administration of PGC extract was dose dependent and well tolerated by the animals. Although, slight changes were observed in some biochemical parameters and histology of the kidney and liver at high doses when compared with control rats. Therefore, the consumption of the antisickling polyherbal PGC extract orally should be used encouraged at lower doses and high doses should be avoided for the management of sickle cell disorder until subjected to further cytotoxicity evaluation.
Keywords: Polyherbal combination, acute toxicity, subacute toxicity, biochemical parameter, hematological parameter, histopathological parameters.
Co-infection of schistosomiasis, malaria, HBV and HIV among adults living in Eggua Community, Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Olayinka P. , Ajide P. , Awobode H.O. , Osundiran A.J. , Onile O.S. , Adebayo A.S. , Isokpehi R. , Anumudu C.I. 
Published: July 2020

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by the blood fluke that continues to plague many developing countries in the tropics. The goal of this study was to determine the occurrence of schistosomiasis, malaria, HBV and HIV co-infection among adults in some villages of Eggua Community, Nigeria (Tata, Imoto, Orile and Ebute Igbooro). In cross-sectional surveys, 240 participants were recruited from Orile and Ebute Igbooro and 207 from Tata and Imoto. Urine samples were collected and tested for urinary schistosomiasis by conventional microscopy; blood samples were tested for HBV, HIV and malaria using standard RDTs and microscopy respectively. Prevalence and co-infection of the diseases was analyzed by chi-squared (x2) test. The prevalence of schistosomiasis and malaria was 21.3% and 11.1% in Tata and Imoto respectively; and 14.5% and 19.1% in Orile and Ebute Igbooro, respectively. The overall prevalence of co-infection of urinary schistosomiasis with malaria was 2.5% and 0.4% each with HIV and HBV in the study areas. Schistosoma haematobium and Plasmodium falciparum are prevalent in the study-area, and an integrated control approach directed against the two parasites should be carried out.
Keywords: Schistosomiasis; malaria; co-infection; HBV and HIV.
Epidemiological and parasitological studies on lymphatic filariasis in Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Nigeria
Authors: Ukatu V.E , Abubakar U. , Adamu T. , Daneji A.I. , Atta A.O. , Nenge I. 
Published: July 2020

Mass Medicine Administration (MMA) with albendazole and ivermectin has been going on in Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State for over six years. Apart from the baseline mapping conducted by the state ministry of health in 2010 to identify communities eligible for MDA, no comprehensive study has been carried out on this disease in the area. This study is necessary to determine if transmission has been halted or not. A total of 425 volunteers in 6 rural villages were examined using Immunochromatographic Card Test (ICT) and routine microscopy . Physical manifestations and entomological studies were also carried out. Nine inhabitants, 9(0.4%) were positive using ICT with no microfilaria of W. bancrofti. Infection was significantly higher in Matan Fada Village (7.14%) (p<-0.5), while three villages recorded 0.00% infection rate. Infection was higher in males than females, age group 10-19, in singles than married participants, pupils/students than other occupations (p>0.5). There was weak negative correlation between ICT and hydrocele(r = -0.14) as well as lymphoedema (r = -0.012). 436 mosquitoes were dissected and none harboured microfilaria of W. bancrofti. It is concluded that transmission has been halted in 3 of the villages since they have met the WHO’s criteria of less than 1% seropositivity, and MMA should therefore be stopped in those villages. There is however continued surveillance, morbidity management and vector control.
Keywords: Entamological studies; microfilaria; mobidity management.
Impact of dried brewers’ grains supplementation on performance, metabolism and meat quality of broiler chickens
Authors: Parpinelli W. , Cella P.S. , Eyng C. , Broch J. , Savaris V.D.L. , Santos E.C. , Avila A.S. , Nunes R.V. 
Published: July 2020

The objective was to evaluate increasing levels of dried brewers’ grains (DBG) in feed for broiler chickens from 1 to 21 days old and their effect on performance, blood parameters, intestinal morphometry, carcass characteristics and meat quality. The design was completely randomized with six treatments, which consisted of various levels of DBG inclusion, namely 0 (no inclusion), 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 g/kg with seven replications and 17 animals per experimental unit, totalling 714 male broilers. Performance parameters, blood biochemical profile, morphology of the intestinal epithelium (duodenum), and carcass yield and composition were evaluated. Feed intake was not changed by DBG inclusion levels. Nor were weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Serum cholesterol levels were not influenced, and there were no effects on triglyceride, uric acid and creatinine levels. Enzyme aspartate aminotransferase showed a quadratic effect, as did alanine aminotransferase, with higher values at 79.5 and 63.9 g/kg DBG inclusion, respectively. No changes in carcass yield and relative organ weight were observed. The composition of the carcass in ether extract showed a quadratic effect, as fat deposition rate, with lowest values at 62.8 and 62.4 g/kg of DBG inclusion levels, respectively. Crude protein levels in carcass reduced linearly, as did fat deposition rate. The parameters of intestinal morphology and meat quality were not changed. Dried brewers’ grains can be included in broiler diet from 1 to 21 days at levels up to 100 g/kg without influencing the metabolic parameters and broiler performance.
Keywords: alternative feed, blood, by-product, intestinal villi, performance
Manipulating the onset of lambing season in communal ewes through hormonal intervention
Authors: Rust J.M. , Mthi S. , Rust T. 
Published: July 2020

The study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of using long-acting medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) to delay the lambing season in communal wool sheep ewes. The study was conducted in three phases. In phase 1, a random assessment was made to determine whether the hormone had any effect on delaying the onset of the lambing season. In the second phase, the administration of the hormone at different times during the perceived mating season was assessed. In the third phase, it was investigated whether the use of the hormone had residual effects in the subsequent lambing season after the treatment was discontinued. From the results it is evident that the administration of 150 mg MPA before conception could delay lambing between two and three months. November seems to be the optimum month for hormone administration. However, administration of the hormone did not guarantee effective prevention of conception in all treated ewes and discontinuation of treatment resulted in ewes reverting to pre-treatment lambing patterns. In conclusion, long-acting MPA can be used selectively as an effective method to delay the lambing season in communal ewes and to manipulate it towards more favourable environmental conditions for ewes and lambs. There can be a seasonal effect on time of conception in communal ewes and this should be considered when timing a hormonal treatment protocol.
Keywords: communal sheep farming, lambing season, manipulation, medroxyprogesterone acetate
Immunoglobulin G response and performance in Holstein calves supplemented with garlic powder and probiotics
Authors: Kekana T.W. , Nherera-Chokuda V.F. , Baloyi J.J. , Muya C.M. 
Published: July 2020

The study evaluated the effects of garlic, probiotics, and in combination on levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and growth performance in new-born Holstein calves. Thirty-two Holstein calves were randomly allocated to treatments at four days old and were maintained on them until they were 42 days old. The treatments consisted of control (C), garlic powder at 5 g/calf/day (GA), probiotics at 4 g/calf/day (PB), and the combination of garlic and probiotics (GP). Bodyweight, body length and heart girth measurements were taken to determine growth and blood was drawn to determine glucose and IgG. Faecal score and body temperature were recorded daily. Calves in GA and GP had higher IgG levels than calves in C and PB (28.0 g/L and 27.5 g/L versus 23.5 g/L and 25.5 g/L, respectively). Calves in GP and PB groups had lower faecal scores than C and GA (2.1 and 2.1 versus 2.3 and 2.2, respectively). Supplementation of GA, PB, and in combination did not affect feed intake and growth performance negatively, but improved serum IgG levels. Higher serum IgG in GP may indicate an improved intake and utilisation of nutrients that are responsible for immunity modulation and regulation. Probiotics and their combinations with garlic have the potential to reduce the incidence of diarrhoea when fed to young calves.
Keywords: dairy neonates, direct-fed microbes, natural herb
Satellite-based sea ice thickness changes in the Laptev Sea from 2002 to 2017: comparison to mooring observations
Authors: Belter H. Jakob , Krumpen Thomas , Hendricks Stefan , Hoelemann Jens , Janout Markus A. , Ricker Robert , Haas Christian 
Published: July 2020

Abstract. The gridded sea ice thickness (SIT) climate data record (CDR) produced by the European Space Agency (ESA) Sea Ice Climate Change Initiative Phase 2
(CCI-2) is the longest available, Arctic-wide SIT record covering the period from 2002 to 2017. SIT data are based on radar altimetry measurements of
sea ice freeboard from the Environmental Satellite (ENVISAT) and CryoSat-2 (CS2). The CCI-2 SIT has previously been validated with in situ
observations from drilling, airborne remote sensing, electromagnetic (EM) measurements and upward-looking sonars (ULSs) from multiple ice-covered
regions of the Arctic. Here we present the Laptev Sea CCI-2 SIT record from 2002 to 2017 and use newly acquired ULS and upward-looking acoustic
Doppler current profiler (ADCP) sea ice draft (VAL) data for validation of the gridded CCI-2 and additional satellite SIT products. The ULS and ADCP
time series provide the first long-term satellite SIT validation data set from this important source region of sea ice in the Transpolar Drift. The
comparison of VAL sea ice draft data with gridded monthly mean and orbit trajectory CCI-2 data, as well as merged CryoSat-2–SMOS (CS2SMOS) sea ice
draft, shows that the agreement between the satellite and VAL draft data strongly depends on the thickness of the sampled ice. Rather than providing
mean sea ice draft, the considered satellite products provide modal sea ice draft in the Laptev Sea. Ice drafts thinner than 0.7 m are
overestimated, while drafts thicker than approximately 1.3 m are increasingly underestimated by all satellite products investigated for this
study. The tendency of the satellite SIT products to better agree with modal sea ice draft and underestimate thicker ice needs to be considered for
all past and future investigations into SIT changes in this important region. The performance of the CCI-2 SIT CDR is considered stable over time;
however, observed trends in gridded CCI-2 SIT are strongly influenced by the uncertainties of ENVISAT and CS2 and the comparably short investigation
period.
El imaginario como tótem
Authors: Moreno Rodríguez Ramón 
Published: July 2020

El imaginario como tótem. Reseña bibliográfica por Ramón Moreno Rodríguez.
Pérez Amezcua, Luis Alberto. Hermes en la encrucijada. Análisis mitocrítico de las novelas líricas de los Contemporáneos. Guadalajara (México): STAUdeG, 2019, 214 pp. ISBN: 9786079427740.
Análise do conceito de ciência em Bruno Latour nas obras A Esperança de Pandora e Jamais Fomos Modernos
Authors: Feres Aua Pedro Miguel 
Published: July 2020

Na segunda metade do século XX, o campo intelectual que se dedicava a pensar a ciência girava em torno de um questionamento: se a atividade científica e seus produtos seriam capazes ou não de encurtar um gap existente entre os polos humano e não humano, entre sujeitos e objetos. É nesse cenário que Bruno Latour, filósofo francês, propõe um entendimento inovador a respeito da separação moderna entre humanos e não humanos e, consequentemente, a respeito da prática científica. Em nosso trabalho, pretendemos discutir esse entendimento, que consiste na ideia de que, em realidade, nós jamais teríamos separado esses polos como parecíamos fazer. Realizaremos uma reflexão sobre ciência à luz de Bruno Latour nas obras Jamais Fomos Modernos e A Esperança De Pandora a fim de discutir seus principais pontos no que tange à prática científica. Concluiremos, analisando essas ideias para o entendimento do autor a respeito da modernidade, ilustrando como a ciência não é capaz de encurtar o suposto gap, pois este jamais existiu, pois, a própria atividade cerne do Ocidente, a atividade científica, opera em uma mistura de natureza e cultura, humanos e não humanos.
Consolidation chemotherapy may improve pathological complete response for locally advanced rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: a retrospective study
Authors: Cui Jin , Dou Xue , Sun Yanlai , Yue Jinbo 
Published: July 2020

BackgroundPatients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) have an improved prognosis if achieved a pathological complete response (pCR) on account of neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (nCRT). However, the proportion of patients achieving pCR is only 8–24%. The purpose of this study was to explore whether the addition of consolidation chemotherapy to nCRT could improve pCR rate in patients with LARC.Materials and MethodsThe subjects were 144 individuals with clinical stage II (T3–4, N0) or III (any T, N1–2) LARC who had received neoadjuvant CRT followed by total mesorectal excision (TME). Eighty-three patients in the consolidation chemotherapy group received two cycles XELOX between CRT and TME, while 61 patients in the standard treatment group without consolidation chemotherapy. The pCR (ypT0N0), tumor downstaging (ypT0-2N0) after TME and adverse events (AEs) during and post treatment were compared between the treatment groups using multivariable logistic regression analysis. To adjust the unbalanced variables for the primary endpoint, logistic regression analysis and stratified analysis were performed.ResultsThe consolidation chemotherapy group improved pCR rate (19.3% vs 4.9%,p= 0.01) and tumor downstaging rate (45.8% vs 24.6%,p= 0.009) compared to the standard treatment group. After adjustment for clinical tumor stage, clinical nodal stage and time interval to surgery, patients with consolidation chemotherapy were more likely to reach pCR (adjusted odds ratio 4.91, 95% CI [1.01–23.79],p= 0.048). AEs during and post treatment in the two groups were 54.1% vs 49.3% (p= 0.57), respectively. In addition, the incidence of any grade 1–2 AEs in the two groups was 93.4% vs 95.1% (p= 0.93), while the incidence of grade 3 AEs was 1.6% versus 2.4% (p= 0.74), respectively. No grade 4 AEs occurred in two groups.ConclusionsThe addition of neoadjuvant consolidation chemotherapy after CRT significantly increased the pCR rate and did not increase the AEs during and post treatment and in patients with LARC.
Studies on the Proximate Contents and Potentials of Musa sapientum and Persea americana Fruits Peel as Media for the Growth of Medically Important Fungi
Authors: Ekwe David C. , Ekwebelem Osmond C. , Eze Emmanuel A. 
Published: July 2020

Aim: The present study was designed to formulate growth media for medically important fungi using banana and avocado fruits peel.
Methodology: The peels were obtained from fresh banana and avocado fruits and dried into crisps at 100oC using hot air oven, pulverised into powder using Hammer mill machine and sieved into fine powder using 1 mm sieve size. Pure isolates of Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus and Cladosporium sp. were obtained from the Diagnostic Laboratory of the Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and used for the study. Two different media, Banana Peel Agar (BPA) and Avocado Peel Agar (APA) were formulated. 2 g of each fruit peel powder was introduced into separate conical flasks, 1g of agar powder was added as solidifying agent and varied glucose concentrations (20%, 10%, 5% and 0%) was used as nutrient (carbon source) supplement. The prepared media was sterilized by autoclaving at 121°C for 15 minutes. The test organisms were inoculated aseptically onto the formulated media and incubated for 3 days at 37oC. Fungal growth was visually observed. For comparative analysis, Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) was used as control.
Results: The formulated media supported the growth of all the test organisms, although at varying degrees. BPA showed more suitability than APA, with the growth of the test organisms on BPA favourably comparable to that on SDA. Proximate analysis of the fruit peels indicated that the moisture, ash, fat, crude fibre, crude protein and carbohydrate contents of avocado peel were 7.35%, 14.65%, 0.10%, 9.75%, 6.57% and 61.58% respectively and 5.80%, 6.00%, 0.45%, 5.35%, 10.95% and 71.45% respectively for banana peel.
Conclusion: Banana and avocado fruits peel can be utilized as alternative materials in the formulation of culture media for the in vitro cultivation of fungi for medical and research purposes.
Pupillary Response to Light is Preserved in Patients without Brain Insult Undergoing Rapid Sequence Intubation
Authors: Chaturbedi Abhishek , Thakur Jitendra , Jha Aashik , Niraula Milan 
Published: July 2020

Objective of the Study: This paper has been aimed to determine whether the pharmacological neuromuscular blockade with rocuronium during emergency Rapid Sequence Intubation (RSI) affected pupillary response to light (PLR) in patients with brain insult as compared to patients who had non- neurological illness. Previous studies elucidated that RSI with pharmacological neuromuscular blockade does not affect PLR, except in patients with significant neurological lesion. Our objective is to examine the validity of existing but scarce literature on this subject, with further stratification of patients involved in this study into neurological and non-neurological disease groups.
Methods: This was a prospective case-reference study of case group with brain insult patients compared with reference group of patients without neurological diseases undergoing RSI in emergency settings. It is single centered study, conducted from October 2019 till May 2020. A pair of a neurosurgeon and a medical officer assessed pupillary light response after administration of neuromuscular blockade and intubation, each blinded to other’s assessment of PLR. Cases without pupillary response before RSI intubation were excluded. The primary outcome measure was clinically observable Pupillary Light Response (PLR) following neuromuscular blockade with Rocuronium in each group.
Results: We examined 50 patients undergoing RSI with Rocuronium, either in emergency department or Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 25 each in index and reference group respectively. All patients in the reference group showed PLR after RSI. Of case group patients receiving RSI, only15 of 25 (60%) demonstrated PLR after RSI. This was statistically significant (p value<0.05) when compared to number of patients with intact PLR after RSI in reference group. Cohen’s Kappa Coefficient (k) for inter-observer agreement was 0.70.
Conclusion: Rocuronium does not appear to affect PLR after emergent RSI in patients without brain injury. Only in patients with known brain insult showed impaired PLR, suggesting impaired pupillary light reflex mechanism may be the culprit for this aberration, rather than pharmacological neuromuscular blockade.
Boosting Room‐Temperature Magneto‐Ionics in a Non‐Magnetic Oxide Semiconductor
Authors: de Rojas Julius , Quintana Alberto , Lopeandía Aitor , Salguero Joaquín , Costa‐Krämer José L. , Abad Llibertat , Liedke Maciej O. , Butterling Maik , Wagner Andreas , Henderick Lowie , Dendooven Jolien , Detavernier Christophe , Sort Jordi , Menéndez Enric 
Published: July 2020

AbstractVoltage control of magnetism through electric field‐induced oxygen motion (magneto‐ionics) could represent a significant breakthrough in the pursuit for new strategies to enhance energy efficiency in magnetically actuated devices. Boosting the induced changes in magnetization, magneto‐ionic rates and cyclability continue to be key challenges to turn magneto‐ionics into real applications. Here, it is demonstrated that room‐temperature magneto‐ionic effects in electrolyte‐gated paramagnetic Co3O4 films can be largely increased both in terms of generated magnetization (6 times larger) and speed (35 times faster) if the electric field is applied using an electrochemical capacitor configuration (utilizing an underlying conducting buffer layer) instead of placing the electric contacts at the side of the semiconductor (electric‐double‐layer transistor‐like configuration). This is due to the greater uniformity and strength of the electric field in the capacitor design. These results are appealing to widen the use of ion migration in technological applications such as neuromorphic computing or iontronics in general.