bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exceptions to the rule? Ethnographic alternatives to cumulative cultural evolution
Authors: Steiner George F. 
Published: January 2021

In suggesting that the rules that govern the evolution of cumulative culture are observed in all modern societies, gene-culture coevolution theory implies that the biases that affect the successful ‘ratcheting’ and efficient transmission of innovations are cross-cultural universals. In the modeling of the theory the stress is placed on demographic strength, the absence of which would render small and isolated populations vulnerable to the ‘treadmill effect’, the inevitable consequence of impaired social learning. However, the ethnographic literature documents small groups of isolated hunters and gatherers who have devised intricate risk-reduction networks that do not necessarily proliferate technological innovations and function only in low demographic settings. Moreover, with merit and abilities being equally distributed, the model-based and conformist biases that influence social learning in gene-culture coevolution theory become irrelevant and elaborate ‘leveling mechanisms’ inhibit the acquisition of status and prestige. As a result, no cultural models can rise to prominence and sway the trajectory of cultural change. Contrary to the predictions of the theory, these societies do not seem to be plagued by cultural loss and, instead of hopelessly running the treadmill and living in poverty, they have developed egalitarian and, to an extent, ‘affluent’ societies. The model forwarded in this paper resolves this apparent paradox by enrolling the hypothesis of ‘cultural neoteny’. It is contended that egalitarian societies – despite their simple (immediate-return) mode of subsistence – are not the vestiges of an ancestral/universal stage from which more complex (delayed-return) economies would linearly evolve, but a relatively recent and idiosyncratic achievement through ‘subtractive cultural evolution’.
Keywords: anarchic theory in ethnography, cultural heterochrony, cumulative/subtractive cultural evolution, immediate-return/egalitarian societies, ratcheting/leveling mechanisms.
Multiobjective optimization of parboiled rice quality attributes and total energy consumption
Authors: Sanusi Mayowa Saheed , Akinoso Rahman 
Published: January 2021

This study was designed to investigate, model and optimize the effect of process factors (soaking temperature, soaking time, steaming time and paddy moisture content) on rice quality attributes and total energy consumption of a commercially grown rice variety (FARO 60) using response surface methodology. The optimum processing conditions obtained for the rice quality attributes and total energy consumption varies from one another. The milling recovery, head rice yield, white bellies, lightness, colour, and total energy consumption values of the parboiled rice ranges from 68.46 - 72.34%; 67.71 - 71.42%; 0.50 - 4.30%; 22.03 - 33.00; 14.10 - 21.21 and 45.27 - 73.68 MJ, respectively. The second-order polynomial models were observed to be fit in predicting milling recovery, head rice yield, white bellies and total energy consumption with the coefficient of determination (R2) that range from 78.71 to 95.03% while colour and lightness values were not fit with R2 ranging from 24.05 to 52.95%. The multiobjective optimization for desirable parboiled rice quality attributes and total energy consumption showed that universal optimum condition was found at 64°C soaking temperature, 11 h soaking time, 35 min steaming time and 17% paddy moisture content. The approach used and information obtained from this study would be useful for rice processors as a strategic means of minimizing total energy consumption, without compromising its desirable quality attributes.
Keywords: Multiobjective Optimization; Parboiled Rice Quality Attributes; Total Energy Consumption
Anticancer activity of isomultiflorenol against human cervical cancer cells due to G2/M cell cycle arrest, autophagy and mitochondrial mediated apoptosis
Authors: Li Juan , Chen Yuanyuan 
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To determine the anticancer effect of a pentacyclic triterpenoid, isomultiflorenol, against human cervical cancer.Methods: The proliferation of cancer cells was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell viability was measured with colony forming assay, while flow cytometry was used to study phase distribution in cancer cell mitosis. Electron microscopy was employed for the determination of autophagy induction in the cancer cells, while western blotting was used to assay protein expressions.Results: Isomultiflorenol significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the proliferation and viability of cervical cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 of isomultiflorenol was 10 μM for HeLa cells, and 90 μM for normal EV304 cells. The anti-proliferative effects were exerted as a result of arrest of HeLa cells at G2/M phase. The G2/M phase cells increased from 10.34 % in control to 30.21 % on treatment with 20 μM isomultiflorenol. Furthermore, administration of isomultiflorenol led to induction of cancer cell autophagy via mitochondrial apoptotic signaling.Conclusion: Isomultiflorenol inhibits human cervical cancer cells in vitro by inducing cell cycle arrest and autophagy. Thus, it is a potential lead molecule in the development of cervical cancer chemotherapy.
Keywords: Cervical cancer, Terpenoids, Isomultiflorenol, Autophagy, Cell cycle arrest, Apoptosis
Comparative studies of the anti-thrombotic effects of saffron and HongHua based on network pharmacology
Authors: Jiang Jinyan , Lin Susu , Li Qiaoqiao , Jiang Shanshan , Hu Yingjie , Liu Ling , Jiang Yu , Chen Shuting , Tong Yingpeng , Wang Ping 
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To investigate the comparative anti-thrombotic effects of saffron and Honghua, and also to explore possible mechanisms in thrombosis based on network pharmacology.
Methods: A network pharmacology model was used for bioactive components, targets and pathways for saffron and HongHua via Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), PharmMapper, Genecard, Uniprot and KEGG databases. In animal experiments, 72 rats were randomly divided into 9 groups: normal control group (NC), model control group (MC), crocetin groups (80, 40, 20 mg/kg), hydroxysafflor yellow A(HSYA) groups (80, 40, 20 mg/kg), and aspirin group (40 mg/kg). Using in vitro thrombosis models and an acute blood stasis model in vivo, the anti-thrombotic effects of these treatments on clotting time, hemorheology parameters, Thromboxane B2 (TXB2), plasmin activator inhibitor (PAI), protein C (PC), protein S (PS), and thrombinantithrombin complex (TAT) were determined and comparisons made for saffron and HongHua.
Results: Five potential compounds, 16 anti-thrombotic targets and 27 pathways were predicted for saffron, while 22 compounds, 37 disease targets and 35 pathways were found for HongHua (p < 0.05). Pharmacological experiments revealed that crocetin and HSYA had significant effects on thrombus length, thrombus wet/dry mass, whole blood viscosity (WBV), erythrocyte aggregation index (EAI), clotting time and D-dimer for the high and middle groups. Unlike HSYA, crocetin also had significant and dose-dependent effects on PAI, prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2) and PS and had highly significant effects on TXB2 and TAT.
Conclusion: This research provides a systematic, comprehensive and comparative analysis of component, target and anti-thrombotic pathways of saffron and HongHua based on network pharmacology, and also shows that saffron has more significant anti-thrombotic effect than HongHua.
Keywords: Saffron; HongHua; Network pharmacology; Anti-thrombosis; Network model
Effect of aqueous ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract on sperm quality and haematology in lead acetate-treated male albino rats
Authors: Odo Rita I. , Mbegbu Edmund C. , Anyanwu Lawrence N. 
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To evaluate the ameliorative effects of aqueous ginger extract on sperm quality and haematology in lead acetate-treated male albino rats.Methods: Twenty-four male albino rats used for this study were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 6). Group 1 was the normal control. Lead acetate (4 mg/kg) was given to group 2 for 6 weeks. Lead acetate (4 mg/kg) and ginger (300 mg/kg) were given to group 4 simultaneously for 6 weeks, while group 4 was given lead acetate (4 mg/kg) for 6 weeks, and then, ginger (300 mg/kg) for another 6 weeks. Haematological parameters, including packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC) and red blood cell (RBC) counts, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and differential leukocyte count were evaluated in blood obtained from the retrobulbal plexus of the rats.Results: Sperm motility and viability were markedly lower (p < 0.05) in group 2, in comparison to groups 1 and 3, while sperm motility and viability in group 3 were similar, but differed from group 1 (p < 0.05). The sperm motility and sperm viability of groups 4 and 2 were comparable. Haematological profile showed a marked reduction in the RBC of rats in group 2, when compared to those in groups 1 and 3. The WBC of group 2 was significantly higher than those of groups 1, 3 and 4 (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The results indicate that aqueous ginger extract has the potential to protect sperm quality and haematology in lead acetate treated male rats.
Keywords: Ginger, Lead acetate, Sperm quality, Haematology
Development and validation of spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric methods for determination of cilnidipine
Authors: Fraihat Safwan M. , Al Khatib Hatim S. 
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To develop simple and reliable quantitative methods for the determination of cilnidipine (CLD) in pharmaceutical tablets.Methods: Two simple and sensitive methods (spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric) were developed for the determination of cilnidipine (CLD) in pure form and in a pharmaceutical preparation. Spectrophotometric method (A) is based on oxidation of CLD with a known excess amount of Nbromosuccinamide (NBS) in acidic medium, followed by addition of methyl orange indicator and absorbance measurement at 510 nm. The spectrofluorimetric method (B) is based on oxidation of CLD to cerium (IV), followed by measurement of fluorescence emission of Ce (III) at 350 nm. Factors that affect the performance of the two methods were studied and optimized.Results: The spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric procedures were successfully used for measuring CLD levels in pharmaceutical dosage form, in the ranges of 2.0 - 25.0 and 0.25 - 11.2 μg/mL, at detection limits of 1.05 and 0.13 μg/mL, respectively. There were no significant differences between the proposed methods and a standard reference method (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The developed methods provide simple and reliable procedures for quantitative measurement of CLD in bulk and tablet forms.
Keywords: Cilnidipine, Oxidation, Spectrophotometric, Spectrofluorimetric, Drug formulation
Quantitative assessment of available probiotic products in community pharmacies in Benin City, Nigeria
Authors: Oloton Enosakhare , Obaseki Emmanuel 
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To assess four probiotic products available in community pharmacies in Benin City, Nigeria for accuracy of information on product labels with regard to the quantity and type of microorganisms, pH and bile tolerance, and antimicrobial activity.Methods: Percent label compliance of products was determined, in addition to isolation, identification and enumeration of microorganisms. Determination of pH and bile tolerance was conducted using turbidity studies in MRS broth. Antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans pathogens was investigated using agar overlay technique.Results: In each product, there was 100 % label compliance with regard to name of probiotic organism, storage condition, dose, expiration date, contact details and batch number. Three-quarters (75 %) of the probiotic products indicated product net quantity, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) number, and microbial count; 50 % of products indicated the excipients used, while only 25 % of the products showed their indications. None of the products indicated strain designation. In species identification, Enterococcus faecium was absent in a multi-species product PB1, while PB3 contained Saccharomyces cerevisiae instead of Saccharomyces boulardii. Enumeration showed comparatively low quantities of probiotic organisms. Tolerance to pH 3 and pH 7, and bile levels of 0.3 and 2 % were within acceptable range. The probiotic organisms demonstrated antimicrobial effect specifically against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, B. subtilis, K. pneumonia, S. aureus and C. albicans.Conclusion: Antimicrobial effect and tolerance to pH and bile salts were consistent with acceptable properties of probiotics. However, there is need for total compliance with the indications, strain designation, excipients, and actual quantity of the individual probiotic organisms in the formulations.
Keywords: Probiotics, Strain designation, Agar overlay technique, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces boulardii
Innovative education approaches by geriatric pharmacists and their training needs: A systematic review
Authors: Nurfauzi Yuhansyah , Wahyono Djoko , Rahmawati Fita , Yasin Nanang Munif 
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To undertake a systematic review designed to observe the educational activities carried out by geriatric pharmacists innovatively, and also to ascertain their training needs.Methods: Articles were selected based on the following inclusion criteria: published in the years 2000 - 2019, designed as a randomized controlled trial (RCT), published in English language, contained educational activities carried out by pharmacists, and contained training requirements for pharmacists. The exclusion criteria were as follows: did not mention educational activities, only examined and assessed economic aspects, and used qualitative studies. This study analyzed nine articles from PUBMED, Scopus and Google Scholar that met the inclusion criteria.Results: Comprehensive education consisting of approaches such as interviews, discussions, case conferences, demonstrations, and goal-setting techniques provided innovations to medication review and pharmaceutical care plans. Seminar and e-learning were approaches to innovative problem-based education. Pharmacists needed training on medication review, education techniques for geriatrics, clinical collaboration, and geriatric pharmacotherapy.Conclusion: Pharmacist chose comprehensive and problem-based education approaches innovatively which require training in treatment management as well as professional relationship skills as educators, and based on the perspective of elderly needs.
Keywords: Geriatric, Pharmacist, Education, Training, Innovative approaches
Baicalein inhibits cell development in papillary thyroid cancer by regulating miR-206/RAP1B pathway
Authors: Wang Peng , Guo Liang , Liang Zhong , Lou Jianlin , Zhao Jianqiang 
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To investigate the therapeutic effect of baicalein on papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) cells in vitro and its underlying molecular mechanism.Methods: The human PTC cell line TPC-1 was divided into five groups and treated with distilled water or baicalein at 10, 20, 50, or 100 μM. Next, miR-206, miR-206 inhibitor, the respective negative controls of miR-206 and miR-206 inhibitor, RAP1B small interfering RNA (siRNA), and control vector siRNA were synthesized and transfected into TPC-1 cells. Cell viability, migration, and invasion were measured using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Transwell assays. miR-206 expression and Ras-related protein (RAP1B) levels were assessed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively.Results: Baicalein inhibited TPC-1 cell viability, migration and invasion, upregulated miR-206 expression, and reduced the RAP1B level in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.01). miR-206 negatively regulated RAP1B expression and increased the baicalein-induced reduction of RAP1B expression. Moreover, RAP1B overexpression relieved the suppression of cell viability, migration, and invasion caused by baicalein (p < 0.01).Conclusion: Baicalein suppresses cell growth in PTC cells by regulating the miR-206/RAP1B pathway, providing a new therapeutic strategy for PTC treatment.
Keywords: Baicalein, Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), miR-206, RAP1B, Cell viability, Cell invasion
Deltex E3 Ubiquitin Ligase 3L confers radioresistance in prostate cancer via Akt pathway
Authors: Xiang Junyi , Lv Bodong , Fan Shufeng , Zhang Zhitian , Yang Hui 
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To determine the effect of Deltex E3 Ubiquitin Ligase 3L (DTX3L) on the radioresistance of prostate cancer (PCa).Methods: A PCa cell model of radioresistance was established via exposure of cancer cell lines to fractionated radiation. The MTT {(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide)} assay and western blotting were performed to evaluate the impact of DTX3L on cell survival and DNA damage repair. The molecular mechanism of action was evaluated by western blotting.Results: DTX3L was elevated in PCa cell lines compared with normal primary prostate epithelial cells (p < 0.01). The survival of PCa cells exposed to radiation was promoted by overexpression of DTX3L, while knockdown of DTX3L abrogated the radioresistance. Moreover, overexpression of DTX3Ldecreased phosphorylation of histone H2AX (γH2AX) and increased Rad51 levels (p < 0.01). However, knockdown of DTX3L reversed the accumulation of γH2AX and Rad51. Phosphorylation of AKT was promoted by DTX3L overexpression, but was reduced by DTX3L knockdown (p < 0.01). Inhibition of AKT (protein kinase B) counteracted the promotion ability of DTX3L on the radioresistance of PCa cells via decreased cell survival ratio, and also inhibited DNA damage repair via accumulation of γ-H2AX and depletion of Rad51 (p < 0.01).Conclusion: DTX3L increases the resistance of prostate cancer to radiotherapy and DNA damage repair in PCa via AKT pathway, indicating a potential therapeutic strategy to overcome radioresistance in PCa.
Keywords: DTX3L (Deltex E3 Ubiquitin Ligase 3L), DNA damage, Phosphorylation, Radioresistance, AKT, Protein kinase B, Prostate cancer
Gastroprotective effect of the root extract of Alpinia officinarum Hance (Zingiberoside) against acute indomethacin-induced gastric injuries in rats: Involvement of H+/K+-ATPase and prostaglandin E receptors
Authors: Gong Jingwen , Zhang Xuguang , Tan Yinfeng , Li Hailong , Hou Jie , Zhang Junqing 
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To investigate the protective effects of Alpinia officinarum root ethanol extract (AOE) and galangin against acute indomethacin-induced injury on rat gastric mucosaMethods: Sprague-Dawley rats were daily treated with bismuth potassium citrate (0.08 g/kg), AOE at doses of 0.09, 0.18 and 0.36 g/kg; and galangin (0.2 g/kg) for 15 days. Then, gastric injury on rats was induced by intragastric administration of indomethacin (30 mg/kg). Blood flow and thickness of gastric mucosa were determined using neutral red clearance test and Alcian blue staining. The activity of H+/K+-ATPase was assayed using a biochemical kit. Prostaglandin E receptor expressions were assayed by western blotting.Results: High doses of ethanol extract of Alpinia officinarum root significantly inhibited H+/K+-ATPase activity by 8.12 % (p < 0.01), increased gastric mucosal blood flow (p < 0.001), enhanced mucus thickness (p < 0.05), and elevated the activities of prostaglandin E receptors 1 and 4 (p < 0.05).Galangin significantly inhibited H+/K+-ATPase activity by 4.82 % (p < 0.05) and increased gastric mucosal blood flow (p < 0.01).Conclusion: The ethanol extract of Alpinia officinarum root attenuates indomethacin-induced gastric injury by reinforcing gastric mucosal barrier and inhibiting excessive gastric acid secretion. Thus, the extract can be potentially developed for management of gastric injuries.
Keywords: Galangin, Gastric mucosal barrier, Gastric acid, Prostaglandin, Indomethacin
Saussurea lappa Clarke extract exhibits potent antioxidant effect and attenuates neuroinflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated microglial cells
Authors: Lee Sung-Gyu , Kang Hyun 
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To investigate the antioxidant and anti-neuroinflammatory potential of Saussurea lappa Clarke (SLC-EA) extract in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells.Methods: Cell viability was measured by using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay while antioxidant activity was evaluated by using the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to stimulate BV-2 microglia. Griess assay was employed to assess nitric oxide (NO) production. iNOS (inducible NO synthase) expression and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) cytokine production were measured by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and immuno blot analysis, respectively.Results: Pretreatment of 100 mg/ml of SLC-EA (p < 0.001) was inhibited Nitric Oxide (NO) by 1 ug/ml of LPS-treated murine BV-2 cells. The expression of iNOS and TNF-α were reduced by SLC-EA concentration dependent manner (p < 0.001 at 100 mg/ml). SLC-EA were scavenged 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of approximately 51.4 μg/ml.Conclusion: The results indicate that SLC-EA extract exhibits strong antioxidant properties and inhibits excessive pro-inflammatory cytokine due probably to the antioxidant phenolic compounds present in SLC-EA extract. Further work in exploring the in-depth mechanisms of SLC-EA extract in regulating inflammatory signaling pathways in treating neuroinflammatory diseases is necessary.
Keywords: Saussurea lappa, Antioxidant, Neuroinflammation, Microglia, TNF-α, iNOS
Mitigating effect of metformin on polycystic ovarian syndrome and insulin resistance in rats, and the mechanisms involved
Authors: Hu Lanyawen , Wang Baimiao , Tao Yingli 
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To study the effect of metformin on polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance (IR) in rats, and the mechanism involved.Methods: Eighty healthy female SD rats, aged 6 weeks, were selected. Three groups of rats were used: model, metformin + PI3K inhibitor, and metformin groups, with 20/group. Testosterone, leutenizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were assayed by enzyme-linkedassay (ELISA), while HOMA-IR was calculated from fasting blood sugar (FBG); the effect of metformin on the IR of PCOS rats was determined. The expressions of PI3K and AKT in ovaries and liver of rats in each group were assayed by Western blotting.Results: Fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, and insulin resistance index were markedly higher in model than in control rats, and also significantly higher in inhibitor-treated rats than in metformin rats (p < 0.05). Relative to control, FSH level was higher, while levels of LH, LH/FSH ratio and testosterone in the metformin group were significantly lower (p < 0.05). The expression levels of PI3K and AKT in the ovary and liver were reduced in the inhibitor group, relative to the levels in metformin-treated rats (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Metformin mitigates PCOS-linked ovarian changes and IR in rats via PI3K/AKT route. These findings may be useful in the design of new drugs.
Keywords: Metformin, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Leutenizing hormone, Insulin resistance, Fasting blood sugar, Follicle-stimulating hormone