bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of a Fraction of the Methanol Extract of the Seeds of Abrus Precatorius on Malondialdehyde and Antioxidant Levels of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Iloanya Ebele Lauretta , Nwodo Okwesili Fred Chiletugo , Ezeigwe Obiajulu Christian , Alaebo Ogochukwu Prince , Enemchukwu Nnanyelugo Benneth , Aziagba Okwuchukwu Bibian , Okpani Ifeanyi Sunday 
Published: March 2021

Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of fraction 2 (F2) of methanol extract of the seeds of Abrus precatorius on malondialdehyde and antioxidant level of alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar albino rats.
Materials and Methods: The methanol extract of the seeds of A. precatorius Linn Fabaceae was fractionated by Sephadex G15. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal administration of alloxan at a dose of 150 mg/kg bodyweight. The phytochemical analysis and the biochemical parameters were investigated using standard diagnostic methods.
Results: Both qualitative and quantitative analysis of F2 revealed the presence of high amounts of alkaloids (2000 ± 80 mg/100 g), flavonoids (158 ± 17.6 mg/100 g) and tannins (258 ± 45 mg/100 g) but low concentration of saponins (18.3 ± 2.43 mg/100 g). The malondialdehyde (MDA) level of all the test groups and the group treated with the standard drug decreased significantly (p<0.05) compared with that of untreated diabetic group. However, the catalase activity in all the test groups significantly increased (p<0.05) while the activity of superoxide dismutase increased significantly (p<0.05) in groups administered 20mg/kg of the fraction and the group pre-treated with 10mg/kg of the fraction compared with the diabetic untreated group. Similarly, the result revealed a significant increase (p<0.05) in non-enzymatic antioxidants such as reduced glutathione and vitamin E of the rats treated with graded doses of F2 while vitamin C showed significant (p<0.05) increase in normal control groups and pre-treated groups compared with the diabetic untreated. Studies on membrane stabilization using hypotonicity-induced red blood cell haemolysis revealed that the F2 of the methanol extract of the seeds of A. precatorius Linn inhibited haemolysis in a dose-dependent manner.
Conclusion: The results obtained from this study revealed that the F2 fraction of the methanol extract of A. precatorius contain important phytochemicals found in the Fraction 2 (F2) however showed improvement in antioxidant defence as well as has a stabilizing effect on the membrane.
Probiotic Potential and Genomic Evaluation of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Fermented Sorghum-Based Gruel
Authors: Popoola Oluwabukola Atinuke , Onilude Abiodun A. , Rasheed-Jada Hadiza , Nashiru Oyekanmi 
Published: March 2021

Forty eight isolates were randomly isolated from fermented red sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and white sorghum-based (Sorghum vulgare) gruel and evaluated for their probiotic abilities. Forty five out of the forty eight isolates were Gram-positive, catalase negative and non-sporulating, which were further evaluated. Twenty out of the forty five isolates showed tolerance to acid with their ability to survive extreme pH 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 respectively at different levels. These were further screened for their in vitro inhibition ability against selected test pathogens (Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus). Fourteen out of the twenty isolates had antimicrobial activity against the test pathogens at different levels. They were further screened for their antibiotic susceptibility pattern, all the fourteen isolates showed susceptibility to different antibiotics at different levels. These isolates were screened for their bile tolerance ability, all the fourteen isolates showed tolerance to the bile salt concentration (0.3%, 0.5% and 1%) at different levels respectively. The fourteen isolates were also screened for their gastric transit tolerance ability; all the fourteen isolates were able to tolerate gastric transit at 0 minute, 90 minutes and 180 minutes respectively. They were further screened for their in vitro hydrophobicity ability, only six out of the fourteen isolates showed percentage hydrophobicity of 40% and above. These six isolates were identified at the sub-species level using 16S RRNA Sequencing for isolates identification and construction of phylogeny. They were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum strain ST1, Lactobacillus brevis strain SC4, Lactobacillus casei strain 0108, Lactobacillus plantarum strain HASOB9a, Pediococcus pentosaceus strain SH 740 and Lactobacillus plantarum ZJ316 respectively. Out of the six identified isolates, the complete genome of Lactobacillus plantarum ZJ316 had been sequenced and was retrieved alongside with the complete genome data of four other species of Lactobacillus plantarum of industrial importance available in public domain, which was used for the mini comparative genome analysis in this research, using bioinformatics and visual analytics tools (Tableau Desktop). It was revealed that the genome size of Lactobacillus plantarum ZJ316 is second to that of Lactobacillus plantarum 16 and higher than that of the others whose genome had been completely sequenced.
Evalution of Human Amniotic Membrane in Extraction Socket for Faster Wound Healing
Authors: Kumar S. P. Indra , Fathima Afrose , Deepika S. , Aravind R. J. , Kavin T. , Priyadharshini Gayathri , Narendar R. 
Published: March 2021

Background: Preservation of extraction site with grafting shall always produce better healing results. Various materials have been used for this process and each material has its unique benefits and properties. Few such materials are Simvastatin, Bone ceramic, oxidized cellulose, bone allograft, etc. In this given study, 10 patients were placed Human amniotic membrane in their extracted socket and the results were reviewed after 7days, 14 days, 21 days, 1 month, 3 month and 6 month.
Materials and Methods: The samples are voluntary and those patients with no clinical abnormalities were included. Human amniotic membrane is received from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
Ten patients who reported to Department of OMFS were selected for the augmentation procedure. After extraction, the Human amniotic membrane was placed in the extracted socket and secured with sutures. Post-operative visits scheduled after 7days, 14 days, 21 days, 1 month, 3 month and 6 month intervals for analyzing the he.0aling property of amnion in the augmented extraction sockets.
Results: The results of this study have shown that Amniotic membrane has proven its effect, as it initiates faster wound healing of the extraction socket.
Conclusion: This article shall reveal the effectiveness of the Human amniotic membrane in rapid wound healing of the augmented extraction socket.
Distributed Leadership in Greek Public Schools: Limits and Conditions
Authors: Gkoros Dimitrios 
Published: March 2021

Aim: To know whether the legal and institutional framework of the educational structure and operation, therefore of the school leadership as follows, is properly formed in Greek educational system and what the model of distributed leadership plays in the Greek educational context.
Results: The organization of Greek formal education is based on the bureaucratic system. This centralized system of school organization leaves little room for action and initiative for principals and, consequently, for teachers. It is important that the personal vision of the principals is transmitted to the other members of the school, in possible sources of leadership, as a factor of change and inspiration for all, overcoming the abovementioned bureaucratic system but also for the system itself to change and become more diverse and flexible.
Conclusion: In our opinion the detachment from the traditional, hierarchical forms of leadership and the transition to the division of responsibilities and the decentralization of power is imperative. Despite the typical structure of any education system, we believe that schools maintain some degree of autonomy that they can use to create a power distribution network, even informally.
Evaluation of Vitamin Contents, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Different Leaf Extracts of Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion)
Authors: Daniel I. E. , Mathew K. N. , John P. L. 
Published: March 2021

Methanol and ethyl acetate leaf extracts of Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) were evaluated for phytochemical compounds, vitamins, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Phytochemical compounds and vitamins were determined using standard procedures while antioxidant activity was determined using 2, 2’-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) Assay. Antimicrobial activity against various pathogenic bacteria and fungi were screened using disc diffusion method. The results indicated that the bioactive compounds (total phenol, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and alkaloids) determined quantitatively were present in appreciable concentration in both extracts. The result also showed that both extracts contain a variety of vitamins (A, B complex, C and E), with vitamins C and A having the highest concentration while the B-vitamins (B1, B2 and B3) and vitamin E were present in moderate concentrations. Both extracts showed significant scavenging and reducing ability comparable to the reference antioxidant, ascorbic acid in a dose dependent manner, with methanol exhibiting the highest scavenging and reducing capacity. The antimicrobial activity of both extracts showed appreciable broad spectrum activity against the pathogenic bacteria and fungi strains tested at various concentrations. Methanol extract was found to be most effective compared to ethyl acetate extract. These results indicated that the leaf extracts of dandelion possess antioxidant and antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria possibly due to the presence of bioactive compounds and other nutrients.
Detection of INVA Gene and Cytotoxin of Salmonella entertidis in Food Samples Using Molecular Methods
Authors: Almas Maha , Tahir Usaal , Zameer Mariam , Shafiq Muhammad Imtiaz , Farrukh Syeda Yumna , Zahra Nureen , Mazhar Maham , Gill Sajjad Ali , Hadi Faheem , Muhammad Tahir , Ali Qurban , Malik Arif 
Published: March 2021

Salmonella entertidis is a foodborne pathogen that causes various diseases in human beings worldwide. The toxin of Salmonella can cause infectious diseases. In this research project, Salmonella was detected through various microbial, biochemical and molecular tests in diverse food samples collected from highly populated, moderately populated and less populated areas of Lahore, Pakistan. Enriched cultures of all food samples such as apples, tomatoes, yogurt and mayonnaise was streaked on violet-red bile glucose agar, Simmon’s citrate agar and eosin-methylene blue agar (EMB). Salmonella isolates were screened for the presence of toxin encoding gene through PCR. 27% apples, 19% tomatoes, 5% mayonnaise and 7% yogurt were found to be positive for INVA genes (invasion protein genes). In medical and pharmaceutical point of views the INVA gene can also help to develop specific medicines against salmonella. The cytotoxin that is protein in nature was confirmed by SDS PAGE in mayonnaise samples. This study illustrates that foods of highly populated areas are reservoir for Salmonella entertidis in Pakistan. There is need to develop specific drugs, precautionary measures to control salmonella and its disease.
Analysis of the Range of Medicines used in the Treatment of Skin Diseases
Authors: Akhtaev Ibragim Khalidovich , Romantseva Elizaveta Vitalievna , Vasiliev Danila , Kulish Anastasia , Altemirova Mata Musaevna , Goncharov Vitaly V. 
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this article is to analyze the range of medicines that are used in the treatment of skin diseases. This topic is currently relevant, since the analysis of retail sales allows you to assess the financial condition of a pharmacy organization, identify unclaimed drugs, develop measures to stimulate sales, as well as study customer demand and develop a strategy for product movement. Accordingly, conducting a study of the main indicators of the assortment of this group of drugs will make it possible to expand their representation on the shelves of pharmacies, as well as to study the demand for them from potential consumers.
During the analysis, the following data were obtained. The range under study was represented in the pharmacy by 22 items. The analysis of dosage forms of medicines intended for the treatment of skin diseases showed that liquid dosage forms accounted for 22.73%; solid dosage forms - 4.55%; soft dosage forms – 59.08%; gaseous dosage forms -13.64%. When analyzing the drugs, it was revealed that the largest number in the assortment is synthetic drugs - 68.18%; the share of phytopreparations was 31.82%. Analysis of the producing countries showed that most of the drugs presented to the pharmacy by domestic producers (54,53%), in the second place drugs manufactured in India -18,17%; third place was shared by countries: Poland, Croatia, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, USA -4,55%. The analysis of price categories of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of skin diseases revealed that in the price category from 100 to 200 RUB presents 22,73% of drugs; in the category from 200 to 300 rubles-49,89%; from 300 to 400 rubles from 33.73%; from 400 to 700 rubles - on 4,55%.
Medication Errors and Pharmacist Intervention at Government Hospital of Hyderabad, Pakistan
Authors: Saleem Raheela , Dayo Abdullah , Ghoto Muhammad Ali 
Published: March 2021

Background: Medication errors are of primary concern in hospitals of Pakistan but only few are reported. Prevalence and type of medication errors are essential for estimating the appropriateness of therapy. Pharmacist is key in improving therapy effectiveness and decreasing medication errors.
Objective: To assess the prevalence, type of medication errors and pharmacist interventions.
Methodology: An interventional study on prescriptions of inpatients was conducted at Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) Hyderabad. Five hundred and fifteen prescriptions were collected randomly from medicine, gynecology and obstetrics and urology department during one year from 01-09-2017 to 31-08-2018. Medications errors were identified by Pharmacist by comparing the prescriptions with standard of British National Formulary (BNF) (edition 73) and informing physician for resolving medication errors. Data was analyzed with statistical package for social sciences version 25.0.
Results: Out of 515 inpatients prescriptions, male patients were 248 (48.2%) and female were 267 (51.8%) with male to female ratio of 1:1.08 and mean age of 37.7 ± 11.6 (18-60) years. 427 medication errors were reported in 303 (59.4%) prescriptions including; omission error 64 (15.0%), unauthorized drug error 41 (9.6%), wrong dose error 67 (15.7%), wrong time error 74 (17.3%), wrong dosage form error 27 (6.3%), wrong route error 23 (5.4%), wrong drug preparation 44 (10.3%), wrong rate error 56 (13.1%) and incorrect administration technique 31 (7.3%). 172 (40.3%) interventions of pharmacists were accepted by physicians.
Conclusion: Rate of medication errors in inpatients prescriptions are high with possible errors of dose, time, omission, rate, drug preparation and others. Pharmacist effectively intervening the prescriptions and playing active role in decreasing medication errors.
Formation of the cranial motor neurons in the absence of the floor plate
Authors: Sohal G.S. , Ali M.M. , Tsai N.T. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe inductive signals for the differentiation of motor neurons in the spinal cord have been experimentally shown to arise from cells in the midventral region of the neural tube, often referred to as the floor plate, and from the notochord. Although the prevailing view is that a similar mechanism accounts for the differentiation of motor neurons in the brain stem, supporting experimental evidence is lacking. Here, using the formation of the trochlear nucleus in the midbrain of duck embryos as a model system, we report that the floor plate and the notochord are not necessary for the development of these motor neurons in the brain stem. Early damage to the floor plate or extirpation of the floor plate and notochord does not prevent the development of these cranial motor neurons. Thus, either the inductive signals for the formation of these cranial motor neurons arise from some other structure or the germinal epithelium of the cranial neural tube is intrinsically programmed to form specific cranial motor nuclei.
Biochemical, metabolic and immune correlates of seasonal variation in violent suicide: a chronoepidemiologic study
Authors: Maes M , Scharpé S , D'Hondt P , Peeters D , Wauters A , Neels H , Verkerk R 
Published: July 2002

SummaryThe purpose of this chronoepidemiologic study was to investigate the time-relationships between the yearly variations in occurrence of violent suicide in Belgium and the yearly variations in various biochemical, metabolic and immune variables in the Belgian population. The weekly mean number of deaths due to violent suicide for all of Belgium for the period 1979–1987 was computed. Twenty-six normal volunteers had monthly blood samplings during one calendar year for assays of plasma L-tryptophan (L-TRP), competing amino acids (CAA), and melatonin levels, maximal [3H]paroxetine binding to platelets, serum total cholesterol, calcium, magnesium, and soluble interleukin-2 receptor concentrations, and number of CD4+ T, CD8+ T and CD20+ B lymphocytes. The annual rhythm in violent suicide rate is highly significantly synchronized with the annual rhythms in L-TRP, [3H]paroxetine binding, cholesterol, calcium, magnesium, CD20+ B cells, and CD4+/CD8+ ratio; the mean peak (violent suicide, [3H]paroxetine binding) or nadir (all other variables) occurs around 3 May. There were significant inverse time-relationships between the time series of violent suicide rate and L-TRP, L-TRP/CAA ratio, total cholesterol, calcium and magnesium, CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio and number of CD20+ B cells. Maximal [3H]paroxetine binding to platelets was significantly and positively related to the time series of violent suicide. An important part (56.4%) of the variance in mean weekly number of violent suicide rate was explained by the time series of L-TRP, cholesterol and melatonin.
Vaginal misoprostol for induction of labor: 25 vs. 50 μg dose regimen
Authors: El‐Sherbiny M.T. , El‐Gharieb I.H. , Gewely H.A. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractObjective: To compare the efficacy and safety of two regimens of vaginal misoprostol for induction of labor. Method: In a randomized study, 185 women undergoing induction of labor were allocated to Group A (n=93), to be given 25 μg misoprostol and Group B (n=92), to be given 50 μg misoprostol. Intravaginal misoprostol was given every 4 h until the onset of labor. A maximum of six doses was administered. Results: Abnormal uterine contractions were more common in Group B compared to Group A: 33 (35.86%) vs. 10 (10.75%) cases, and significantly more women in Group B required tocolysis (9.78 vs. 3.23%). The induction‐delivery interval (mean±S.D.) was 17.18±8.48 h in Group A and 9.37±5.87 h in Group B (P<0.05). Oxytocin infusion was used in 37.63% of women in Group A and 26.08% in Group B (P>0.05). The cesarean section rate was 17.20% in Group A and 14.13% in Group B (P>0.05). Cesarean for failed IOL was more common in Group A: 7 of 16 (43.8%) vs. 3 of 13 (23.1%) cesarean deliveries (P<0.05). Postpartum hemorrhage occurred in 9.78% of women in Group B compared to 2.15% in Group A (P<0.05). There was a trend for more neonatal complications in Group B, but this did not reach significance. Conclusions: Although a dose of 50 μg of misoprostol results in a significantly shorter induction‐delivery interval with less need for labor augmentation, there was an increased risk of uterine contractile abnormalities and postpartum hemorrhage. A regime using 25 μg of misoprostol every 4 h can induce labor safely and effectively.
Gamma irradiation of HIV‐1
Authors: Smith Richard A. , Ingels Jesse , Lochemes John J. , Dutkowsky Joseph P. , Pifer Linda L. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe potential for transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 has created serious concern for the continued clinical use of bone and soft‐tissue allografts. Tissue banks have employed 1.5–2.5 Mrad for sterilization of bone and tendon allografts, which, according to the current literature, approaches the level at which the tissue quality is adversely affected for implantation. Our working hypothesis was that gamma irradiation at increasing doses can proportionately inactivate HIV type 1. The objective of this study was to inactivate HIV type 1 by irradiation, as determined by its capacity to infect human T‐lymphocytes and established cell lines in vitro. The replicative competence of HIV type 1 was also assessed by the presence of reverse transcriptase activity, enzyme‐linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence assays for p24 viral core antigen, and the formation of syncytia induced by HIV type 1 in the cultures inoculated with irradiated virus. The results demonstrated the presence of active viral replication in previously noninfected cells in the supernatant samples that were exposed to as much as 5.0 Mrad. The data for the 10‐Mrad sample were indeterminate due to cellular damage. These data suggest that gamma irradiation (1.5–2.5 Mrad) does not constitute a virucidal dose for HIV type 1. Current technologies for screening have greatly improved, and the surgeon should rely on tissue bank screening procedures and other methods of preparation rather than sterilization by gamma radiation techniques in choosing allograft material. © 2001 Orthopaedic Research Society. Punlished by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Characterization of olfactory receptor neurons and other cell types in dissociated rat olfactory cell cultures
Authors: Pixley S. K. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractIn dissociated cell cultures, control over the cellular environment facilitates study of the differentiation of mature cellular phenotypes. Central to this approach is a rigorous characterization of the cells that reside in culture. Therefore, we have used a battery of cell type‐specific antibody markers to identify the cell types present in dissociated cultures of olfactory mucosal cells (containing cells from both the epithelium and lamina propria). To identify olfactory receptor neurons in the cultures, staining with antibodies against neuron‐specific tubulin was compared to staining with antibodies to neuron‐specific enolase, the neural cell adhesion molecule, N‐CAM, and the adhesion molecule, Ll. Staining of mature olfactory neurons in culture, with an antibody against the olfactory marker protein, was compared to staining with antibodies to carnosine. In contrast to tissue section staining, the overlap between carnosine and olfactory marker protein staining was not complete. Olfactory nerve glial cells were immunoreactive for the S100β protein and nestin, an intermediate filament found in early neuronal progenitor cells and Schwann cells. Antibodies to nestin did not label olfactory neurons or progenitor cells. An antibody to an oligodendrocyte‐Schwann cell enzyme, 2′,3′‐cyclic nucleotide 3′‐phosphodiesterase, did not label olfactory glia, but did label oligodendrocyte‐like cells that appeared to be derived from the CNS glial feeder layer. An antibody against the heavy (200 kDa) neurofilament protein stained a minor subset of cells. The cultures also contained muscle cells, cartilage cells and macrophages (and/or microglia). These results demonstrate that multiple cell types either maintain or re‐establish differentiated, cell type‐specific phenotypes in dissociated olfactory cell cultures.