bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and Evaluation of the Operational Parameters of a Rotary Oven
Authors: Sanusi M.S. , Sunmonu M.O. , Adepoju A.L. , Abodunrin T.O. , Ajibade H.A. 
Published: March 2021

Developing an efficient rotary oven that is capable of addressing the issue of long baking duration and uneven heating distribution during baking could aid in encouraging indigenous use of the oven by small and medium scale bakeries in developing countries. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the performance of a rotary oven. Taguchi experimental design was used to investigate the influence of oven temperature (160, 180, 200°C) and oven rack speed (0, 10, 20 rpm) on the physical properties (baking time, mass, surface area, specific volume and density) of bread produced from the rotary oven. The baking capacity and efficiency of the rotary oven were 16 kg h-1 and 94%, respectively. Investigation showed that baking time ranges from 20 to 82 min, bread mass (884 to 925.7 g), surface area (1050 to 1370 cm2 ), specific volume (2.36 to 3.70 cm3 g -1 ) and density (0.25 to 0.39 g cm-3 ), respectively. The optimum baking time (20 min) was achieved at 200°C oven temperature and 10 rpm oven rack speed. The oven could be adopted for both domestic and industrial production of bread and other bakery products.
Keywords: Bread, oven temperature, oven rack speed, taguchi, rotary oven.
Effect of Thermal Pretreatment on the Yield of Biogas from Microcoleous Vaginatus
Authors: Haruna M. , Momoh O.R. , Bilal S. 
Published: March 2021

Biomass is being looked upon as one of the promising renewable energy sources for the future, with growing interest in microalgae conversion into biogas through anaerobic digestion. Recently, the ability of microalgae to treat waste water has doubled its potentials material today. However, in spite of the progress made in that regards, there are still challenges of algae conversion to biofuel, due to the presence of complex cell wall in some algae. Cell wall inhibits bacteria growth during degradation. In this research work 10 grams of Microcoleous vaginatus was treated in an oven at varying temperatures of 70, 75 and 80 oC for an hour, out of which 4 g was measured into 250 ml serum bottle for digestion at mesophilic temperature of 37 oC. Based on the results of proximate analysis, 69%increase in carbohydrate was attained with 72.7 – 148% reduction in moisture content. The biogas yield of untreated sample was 4.36 mLg−1 VS, while, pretreated samples at 70, 75 and 80 ℃ produced 8.39, 9.07 and 9.38 mLg−1VS (volatile solid) of biogas. This corresponds to 92, 108 and 115% higher than that of untreated samples. However, thermal treatment of M. vaginatus prior to digestion show positive effect on carbohydrate extraction and enhanced biogas and methane yield as well. Therefore, this makes the substrate a good feedstock for biogas production.
Keywords: Biomass, pretreatment, thermal, anaerobic digestion, degradation, Microcoleous vaginatus.
A six year (2005-2010) retrospective study of avian coccidiosis diagnosed in Gombe veterinary clinic, Nigeria
Authors: Grema HA , Suleiman A , Rabana JL , Geidam YA 
Published: March 2021

Chicken Coccidiosis remains one of the major diseases of concern in the poultry production enterprise in Nigeria. A six year retrospective study to establish the prevalence of chicken Coccidiosis (CC) in relation to other poultry diseases diagnosed at the Veterinary Clinic Gombe was conducted. CC occurred year round with high prevalence during the rainy season (July-September). Incidence of CC was 1.7 more likely to occur in November. CC is endemic with higher prevalence during the rainy season in Gombe. Farmers should adhere to routine chemoprophylaxis and avoid factors of predisposition to coccidiosis especially during the rainy season.Keywords: Avian coccidiosis, Gombe, Northeastern Nigeria, Retrospective prevalence, Seasonality
In vitro and in vivo changes observed in Trypanosoma brucei brucei-infected rats treated with artesunate and/or diminazene aceturate
Authors: Jolayemi KO , Mamman M. , Sani D. , Okoronkwo M.O. , Amaje J. 
Published: March 2021

This study evaluated in vitro and in vivo antitrypanosomal effect of artesunate and/or diminazene aceturate in Wistar rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. In vitro screening was carried out in triplicates using 50 μl of 0.2, 2 and 20 μg/μl of artesunate as test drug; diminazene aceturate, normal saline and trypanosome-infected blood served as controls in a 96-well microtitre plate, incubated at 37˚C for 5 minutes. Efficacy was observed over a period of 60 minutes for reduced or complete trypanosomal immobilization. Results showed concentration-dependent cessation of trypanosomal motility was significantly (p < 0.001) induced by artesunate when compared to the controls. Seventy Wistar rats of both sexes weighing between 190 and 210 g were randomly divided into 7 groups (5 males and 5 females) are used for in vivo study. Groups I and II served as normal control and model control respectively. Groups III to VII were infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei (106 trypanosomes/ml) intraperitoneally. At peak parasitaemia (8 days post-infection), group III was treated with diminazene aceturate (3.5 mg/kg) intramuscularly once while groups IV, V, VI were treated with artesunate (200, 100, 50) mg/kg orally for 5 consecutive days and group VII was treated with combination of artesunate (50 mg/kg) orally and diminazene aceturate (1.75 mg/kg) intramuscularly for 5 days. Results indicated pre-patent period of 4 days and increase in levels of parasitaemia post-inoculation. PCV, Hb concentration, RBC count, MCV, MCHC and total leucocyte count decreased significantly (p < 0.05) between days 0and 8 in groups II to VII. Following treatment, significant increases (p < 0.05) were recorded except for groups II, IV, V and VI where the rats died. Thus, combination of artesunate (50 mg/kg) and half the standard dose of diminazene aceturate was able to reduce parasitaemia and ameliorate the anaemia elicited by the trypanosomes.
Keywords: Artesunate, Diminazene Aceturate, Haematology, Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Wistar rats
Effect of Erythropoietin on Microvascular Anastomosis in Rat
Authors: Şentürk S , Karaçor Z , Tosun Z , Özkan A , Avunduk C , Zümrüt M 
Published: March 2021

Purpose: To investigate the re-endothelialization potential of erythropoietin (EPO) following microvascular anastomosis in rat femoral artery.Methods: Ninety-six male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 300 g and 320 g were allocated randomly into two groups (control and EPO, n = 48). Left femoral artery microvascular anastomosis was performed in the rats. The control group was given 0.5 mL of 0.09 % NaCl subcutaneously 48 h postoperatively while the EPO group was given 150 U/kg recombinant human erythropoietin subcutaneously 48 h post-operatively. Tissue was harvested from each group after 1, 3, 5, and 7 days. All of the rats were sacrificed for morphometric analysis. Each arterial segment was analyzed morphometrically using Clemex Image Analysis software by a single examiner. The cross-sectional area of the media and neointima was measured and the intima/media ratio was calculated. Hematocrit measurement was carried out for all the rats.Results: The I/M ratio differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the control and erythropoietin groups, at all time-points. The hematocrit was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the control group than in the erythropoietin groups on day 7, but not on the other days.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that erythropoietin markedly inhibits neointima formation with accelerated re-endothelialization in rat femoral arteries following microvascular anastomosis.Keywords: Erythropoietin, Microvascular anastomosis, Re-endothelialization, Hematocrit, Neointima/media ratio
Inhibition of SENP5 by Cucurbitacin B Suppresses Cell Growth and Promotes Apoptosis in Osteosarcoma Cells
Authors: Zhong J , Liu Z , Liu S , Zhao J 
Published: March 2021

Purpose: To investigate the effect of cucurbitacin B on the expression of SUMO-specific proteases (SENP5).Methods: Effect of cucurbitacin B (10-50 mg/mL) on viability of U2OS and Saos-2 cells was determined in a plate reader by recording absorbance at 570 nm. In Western blot analysis, bicinconinic acid (BCA) method was used to determine protein concentration. Flow cytometry was employed to measure DNA content.Results: Ccucurbitacin B treatment inhibits the expression of SENP5 in U2OS and Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Significant inhibition (p = 0.005) of SENP5 expression was observed at 50 mg/ml from day 10, reaching a maximum on day 20. It also induced a significant decrease (p = 0.005) in mRNA and protein levels of SENP5. The decrease in mRNA and protein levels of SENP5 led to decrease in proliferation of U2OS and Saos-2 cells. The 48 h cell cultures containing 50 mg of cucurbitacin B caused induction of apoptosis in 54.72 ± 5.42 % of the total cell population in U2OS cells. Similarly, in Saos-2 cells, exposure to 50 mg/mL cucurbitacin B increased apoptotic rate from 9.86 ± 8.89 % for 10 mg/mL to 48.54 ± 14.5 % with 50 mg/mL of cucurbitacin B.Conclusion: Cucurbitacin B is a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of aggressive malignancy in osteosarcoma.Keywords: Cucurbitacin B, Osteosarcoma, SUMO-specific proteases, Cell proliferation, Apoptosis, Malignancy
Effects of flavonoids extracted from the whole plant of Patrinia Villosa (Thunb) Juss in a rat model of chronic pelvic inflammation
Authors: Li Xiao-xiao , Hao Cui-fang , He Yuan-qi , Liu Hai-ning , Li Xiao-na 
Published: March 2021

Purpose: To investigate the effects of total flavonoids (PLV) extracted from the whole plant of Patrinia Villosa (Thunb.) Juss (PTJ) in a rat model of chronic pelvic inflammation.Methods: An orthogonal test design was employed to optimize the extraction conditions of PLV via reflux extraction by ethanol. Rats were randomly divided into control group, model group and PLV groups. An absorbable gelatin sponge with pathogens was inserted into the cervix of the rat to establish a pelvic inflammatory model. The PLV groups were orally administered PLV at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg for eight days. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the determination of inflammatory cytokines in rat serum and the culture supernatant of RAW264.7 cells. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) was employed to determine mRNA levels.Results: The optimum extraction conditions for PLV by orthogonal test were obtained: extraction time (120 min), ratio of liquid to raw material (20 mL/g) and ethanol concentration (50 %). By treating with PLV, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β significantly decreased (p < 0.01), while IL-10 level significantly increased (p < 0.01) in the serum of chronic pelvic inflammatory rats and LPS-stimulated macrophages. In addition, a similar trend was observed in the mRNA levels of LPS-stimulated macrophages treated with PLV.Conclusion: PLV showes significant anti-inflammatory effects on chronic pelvic inflammation. The potential mechanism is related to regulating the expression of inflammatory factorsKeywords: Patrinia Villosa (Thunb.) Juss, Total flavonoids, Chronic pelvic inflammation, Inflammatory cytokines
Effect of Zhen-wu decoction on chronic heart failure in rats
Authors: Liu Zhongyong , Li Lin , Luo Shihua , Fang Jia 
Published: March 2021

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Zhen-wu decoction (ZWD) on oxidative stress and hemodynamics in chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) rats.Methods: After Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were successfully prepared into CHF, they were randomly divided into normal control group, model (untreated CHF) group, captopril group, high-dose, middledose and low-dose of ZWD groups, and were treated with drugs for 4 weeks respectively. At the end of the experiment, hemodynamic function, whole heart weight index, blood creatinine kinase (CK), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were determined.Results: Compared with normal control group, ZWD group showed decreased arterial systolic pressure (SBP, 89.16 ± 17.27 mmHg), diastolic pressure (DBP, 72.54 ± 22.36 mmHg), mean arterial pressure (MAP, 72.64 ± 11.87 mmHg), heart rate (HR, 368.25 ± 39.12 beats/min), left ventricular systolic peak (LVSP, 105.27 ± 15.23 mmHg), and left ventricular pressure change rate (dp/dt max) (p < 0.05), while left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) (19.52 ± 1.89 mmHg), whole heart weight index (2.74 ± 0.16 mg/g), blood CK (0.98 ± 0.16 U/mL), MDA (17.28 ± 2.94 nmol/mL), NO (36.35 ± 3.27 umol/L), NOS (39.89 ± 3.56 U/mL) significantly increased (p < 0.05). High dose of ZWD significantly improved hemodynamic function, lowered MDA (8.85 ± 2.14 nmol/mL) and NO (24.25 ± 3.21 umol/L) levels (p < 0.05), and also decreased CK (0.58 ± 0.37 U/mL) and NOS (26.12 ± 3.87 U/mL) in CHF rats (p < 0.05).Conclusion: ZWD improves adriamycin-induced chronic congestive heart failure in rats significantly, and therefore has potential to be developed for the management of chronic congestive heart failure.Keywords: Zhen-wu decoction, Chronic heart failure, Hemodynamic function, Oxidative stress
Comparative assessment of poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles modified by either cetyltrimethylammonium bromide or chitosan for plasmid DNA adsorption
Authors: Doolaanea Abd Almonem , Mansor Nur ‘Izzati , Nor Nurul Hafizah Mohd , Shafri Mohd Affendi Bin Mohd , Sukmasari Susi , Mohamed Farahidah 
Published: March 2021

Purpose: To evaluate poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) PLGA nanoparticles modified by cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) or chitosan for plasmid DNA adsorption.Methods: PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by solvent diffusion method and modified by including CTAB in the aqueous (F1) or oil phase (F2), or by including low (F3) or medium (F4) molecular weight chitosan. The nanoparticles were characterised by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), as well as for cell toxicity, cell uptake and transfection.Results: CTAB failed to confer positive charge on the nanoparticles. CTAB desorbed easily from F1 surface. This resulted in negative zeta potential, increased cytotoxicity as well as decreased cell uptake and transfection. In F2, CTAB was located mainly in PLGA matrix, resulting in negative charge with decreased cytotoxicity, and increased cell uptake and transfection compared to F1. On the other hand, chitosan-modified nanoparticles (F3 and F4) showed stronger interaction between chitosan and PLGA, leading to positively-charged particles, decreased cytotoxicity, as well as increased cell uptake and transfection. Amongst the four formulations, F4 exhibited the highest transfection.Conclusion: These results should aid in understanding how PLGA nanoparticles are modified by CTAB and chitosan. Modification with chitosan yields PLGA nanoparticles with higher DNA adsorption and transfection with lower cytotoxicity.Keywords: Chitosan, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), Nanoparticle, Poly (D,L-lactide-coglycolide) PLGA, Plasmid DNA adsorption, Gene therapy
Ginsenoside Rg1 improves ischemic brain injury by balancing mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy
Authors: Tang Xuhui , Chen Ningnan , Long Xiangling 
Published: March 2021

Purpose: To study the effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on mitochondrial dysfunction induced by ischemic stroke.Methods: Human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells, subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), were divided into six groups: control group, OGD group, 3 OGD + Rg1 groups (6.25, 12.5 and 25 μM), and Rg1 (25 μM) group. Apoptosis rate, intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) in the OGD cells treated with different concentrations of Rg1 were determined. The mRNA and protein expression levels of mitochondrial biogenesis-related transcription factors and autophagy-related proteins were determined by reat time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting.Results: ROS production was significantly increased in OGD SK-N-SH cells (p < 0.01), but this was reversed by Rg1 treatment (p < 0.05). Rg1-treated cells had significantly higher MTP when compared with OGD cells (p < 0.01). Rg1 treatment led to significant increases in mRNA and protein expression levels of PGC1-α, NRF-1, and TFAM-1 (p < 0.01). Moreover, Rg1 treatment inhibited apoptosis in SKN- SH cells, and up-regulated autophagy-related proteins in t neuronal injury model. Treatment with autophagy inhibitors decreased the mitochondrial protective effects exerted by Rg1 in OGD SK-N-SH cells.Conclusion: Rg1 improves mitochondrial dysfunction by regulating autophagy in mitochondria. Thus, it may offer protection from brain injuries caused by cerebral ischemia. Keywords: Cerebral ischemia, Ginsenoside Rg1, Mitochondrial dysfunction, Mitophagy
Spectrophotometric and theoretical studies on the determination of etilefrine hydrochloride in pharmaceutical formulations and biological samples
Authors: El Defrawy Ahmed Mohamed , Saber Amr Lotfy 
Published: March 2021

Purpose: To develop a simple and cost effective spectrophotometric method for the determination of etilefrine hydrochloride (ET) in pharmaceutical formulations and human plasma.Methods: The method is based on extraction of ET into chloroform as ion-pair complexes with bromocresol green (BCG) and methyl orange (MO) in acidic medium. The interaction of ET with BCG and MO reagents were investigated using B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory. The geometrical parameters of the interacting species and the ion pairs formed were characterized based on their frontier molecular orbitals, atomic charges, electrostatic potential map, as well as NBO analysis.Results: The colored species exhibited absorption maxima at 410 and 479 nm for the two systems in universal buffer of pH range (3.0 - 3.5), with molar absorptivity of 2.4 × 104 and 1.7 × 104 Lmol-1cm-1, for BCG and MO methods, respectively. The methods demonstrated good linearity with correlation coefficient ranging from 0.9987 – 0.9991 in the concentration ranges 0.5 – 16 and 2.0 – 18 μgmL-1 for BCG and MO methods, respectively. The composition ratio of the ion-association complexes was 1:1 in all cases as established by Job’s method. Sandell,s sensitivity, correlation coefficient, detection and quantification limits were also calculated. Molecular descriptors were obtained based on optimized structures of the molecules under investigation, by applying the B3LYP/6-31G(d) method, and used to interpret the mode of interaction between these molecules to form the investigated ion pairs.Conclusion: The proposed methods make use of simple reagents, which a basic analytical laboratory can afford. No interference was observed from common pharmaceutical excipients and additives. ETMO ion pair has a larger interaction energy (higher stability) than ET-BCG ion pair as inferred from their interaction energies.Keywords: Density functional theory, Etilefrine hydrochloride, Ion pair complex, Spectrophotometry, Bromocresol green, Methyl orange, Geometric analysis
Effects of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin on blood lipids, platelet aggregation rate and inflammatory factors in patients with cerebral infarction
Authors: Cao Guo-jun , Zhang Xing-feng , Zheng Ke-da 
Published: March 2021

Purpose: To investigate the effects of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin on blood lipids, platelet aggregation rate (PAR) and inflammatory factors in patients with cerebral infarction.Methods: Patients (n = 120) with cerebral infarction treated in Feng Hua People's Hospital, Jiang Feng Hua, China from January 2014 to October 2016 were randomly divided into control group (clopidogrel combined with atorvastatin, 60 cases) and observation group (clopidogrel combined with rosuvastatin, 60 cases). Blood lipids, PAR, inflammatory factors and carotid atherosclerotic plaque were recorded and compared.Results: Following treatment, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the observation group were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than in the control group, while high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly higher (p < 0.05). C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (IL-6) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were significantly decreased in the two groups after treatment (p < 0.05). Plaque area, intima-media thickness (IMT) and number of plaques in the two groups were significantly lower after treatment than before treatment (p < 0.05). Plaque area, IMT and number of plaques in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Atorvastatin and rosuvastatin have no significant effect on the antiplatelet function of clopidogrel, but rosuvastatin shows better control of blood lipids, carotid atherosclerosis and inflammatory factors.Keywords: Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin, Cerebral infarction, Blood lipids, Platelet aggregation rate, Inflammatory factors
Development of extended-release formulation of domperidone using a blend of Raphia hookeri gum and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose as tablet matrix
Authors: Olorunsola Emmanuel O. , Majekodunmi Stephen O. 
Published: March 2021

Purpose: To develop an extended-release formulation of domperidone using a blend of Raphia hookeri gum and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose as tablet matrix.Methods: Tablets (400 mg) containing 30 mg domperidone (DPD) were formulated using binary mixtures of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and Raphia hookeri gum (RHG) as matrix former; and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as direct compression excipient. The proportions of the matrix formers (40 % of tablet weight) was varied as 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100. The composition of the matrix former was also kept constant (50:50) while MCC was varied as 40, 30, 20 and 10 %. The tablets were evaluated for compact density, tensile strength, friability and drug release over 24 h.Results: The tensile strength of tablets decreased while their friability increased with increase in the proportion of RHG. A similar trend was observed with decrease in the concentration of MCC. Tablets containing RHG alone as matrix former and 40 % MCC as direct compression excipient had tensile strength of 0.95 MNm-2, friability of 1.07 % and cumulative drug release of 83.2 % over a period of 24 h. Tablets containing equal proportions of HPMC and RHG as matrix former had the best release properties of 95.0 % over a period of 24 h.Conclusion: RHG is comparable with HPMC in terms of extending the release of domperidone for a once daily administration. A suitable combination of the two polymers for use as a matrix former is superior to either of the individual polymers.Keywords: Domperidone, Extended drug release, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Raphia hookeri gum, Tablet properties