bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Alisma plantago-aquatica Linn extract on hyperprolactinemia in rats
Authors: Wen Ming , Tian De-ming , Shi Shao-feng , Chen Xin-hua , Zhang Yan-xiang , Wang Lin 
Published: June 2021

Purpose: To investigate the anti-hyperprolactinemia effect and mechanism of action of of Alisma plantago-aquatica Linn. extract (APLE) in rats.
Methods: The hyperprolactinemia (hyperPRL) model of rats was established by intraperitoneal (i.p.) metoclopramide (200 mg/kg daily) for 10 days. Sixty rats were divided into six groups (n = 10 each): normal group), hyperPRL control group, hyperPRL plus 0.6 mg/kg bromocriptine (as a positive control) group, and hyperPRL plus high (14.4 g/kg), medium (7.2 g/kg), or low (3.6 g/kg) dose of APLE. Bromocriptine or vehicle control was administered to the rats daily for 30 days, and the hypothalamus dopamine D2 receptor, protein kinase A (PKA), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels were investigated by Western blot.
Results: Compared with the normal rats, hypothalamus dopamine D2 receptor protein expression was significantly lower in hyperPRL rats (p < 0.01), but was changed significantly after 30-day doses (various) of APLE administration (3.6 g/kg, p < 0.05; 7.2 and 14.4 g/kg, p < 0.01). Compared with the control rats, hypothalamus PKA and cAMP levels were significantly higher in hyperPRL rats (p < 0.01). These increases in PKA and cAMP were significantly attenuated by 30-day of bromocriptine treatment or various doses of APLE (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: The anti-hyperPRL activity of APLE is confirmed from the findings of this study Thus, the plant can potentially be developed into a new anti-hyperprolactinemia drug.
Sparteine exerts anticancer effect on human cervical cancer cells via induction of apoptosis, G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and inhibition of VEGFR2 signalling pathway
Authors: Liang Songnian , Liu Linlin 
Published: June 2021

Purpose: To investigate the anticancer effects of sparteine against human cervical cancer.
Methods: Cell viability was determined by CCK8 assay, while 4′, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining was used for determination of apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis was done with flow cytometry, while cell invasion was monitored using Transwell invasion assays. Protein expressions were determined using Western blotting.
Results: The results revealed that sparteine inhibited the viability of cervical cancer cells with halfmaximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) ranging from 10 to 25 µM. Sparteine exerted more profound antiproliferative effects on DoTc2 cells, with IC50 of 10 µM. However, minimal cytotoxicity was observed in normal cervical cells, as evident from the IC50 of 80 µM. Sparteine triggered the generation of ROS and apoptotic cell death in DoTc2 cells. The induction of apoptosis was accompanied by upregulation of Bax expression and downregulation of Bcl-2 expression. Sparteine caused arrest of DoTc2 cells at the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle, and suppressed the expressions of cyclin A and cyclin B1. Transwell assay data showed that sparteine decreased the invasion ability of DoTc2 cells. Sparteine also inhibited the phosphorylation of VGFR2 in a concentration-dependent manner.
Conclusion: Sparteine exhibits significant anticancer activity and may prove beneficial in cervical cancer chemotherapy.
Effect of pectin on properties of potato starch after dry heat treatment
Authors: Jia Tian , Zeng Jie , Gao Haiyan , Jiang Jikai , Zhao Jingxiang , Su Tongchao , Sun Junliang 
Published: June 2021

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of pectin on the properties of potato starch after dry heat treatment.
Methods: Rapid visco analyzer (RVA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), texture profile analyzer (TPA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and x-ray diffractometry (XRD) were used to determine the properties of modified potato starch and pectin blends after dry heat treatment.
Results: Results from RVA showed that the peak viscosity of modified potato starch decreased gradually with increase in pectin concentration, dry heat time and dry heat temperature, while starch breakdown decreased and setback was increased to varying degrees. The lowest breakdown was 792 cP at dry heat temperature of 140 °C. Modified potato starch had broader ranges of gelatinization temperatures and lower gelatinization enthalpy than raw potato starch. Dry heat treatment improved the hardness, gumminess and chewiness of the gels of modified potato starch and pectin blends SEM micrographs showed some cluster shapes in microstructure after dry heat treatment of starch-pectin blends. Infrared spectra revealed that pectin addition and dry heat treatment did not cause changes in starch structure. However, x-ray diffractograms indicated that dry heat treatment weakened the third peak of potato starch.
Conclusion: These results indicate that dry heat treatment effectively alters the properties of potato starch and pectin blends. This finding broadens the applications of modified potato starch in food and pharmaceutical industries.
Effect of total flavonoids from Drynaria rhizome on bone loss in ovariectomized rats
Authors: Zhao ZhengNan , Yang XiangLong , Yu Fang , Song WenJi , Liang HaiDong 
Published: June 2021

Purpose: To determine the potential effect of total flavonoids from Drynaria rhizome on bone loss in ovariectomized (OVX) rats.
Methods: The rats were divided into four groups: normal control, ovariectomized (OVX) control, and two Drynaria rhizome (DR) flavonoids treatments. Post-operation, osteoporotic OVX rats were given Drynaria rhizome total flavonoids for 3 months. Thereafter, the expressions of bone-related genes and biochemical indices were investigated in samples taken from the serum and bone of the rats.
Results: Treatment with total flavonoids from Drynaria rhizome prevented bone mineral loss and improved some related biochemical indices associated with osteoporosis: alkaline phosphatase (ALP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), bone gla protein (BGP) and estradiol (E2). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) data showed that treatment with the total flavonoids significantly downregulated mRNA expression of Wnt10b, β-catenin, recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) and BMP4 in OVX rats, but significantly reversed OVX-induced downregulation of dickkopf1 (Dkk1) mRNA expression.
Conclusion: These results indicate that total flavonoids from Drynaria rhizome exert anti-osteoporotic effects in rats via WNT signaling and BMP-2 signaling pathways.
Efficacy and safety of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin in ischemic heart disease patients: A prospective study
Authors: Maqsood Mariam , Sadeeqa Saleha , Ahmad Maqsood , Afzal Hafsa 
Published: June 2021

Purpose: To compare the safety and efficacy of two commonly used statins namely; atorvastatin and rosuvastatin, and determine the efficiency of CoQ10 in the reversal of statin-induced myopathy.
Methods: An investigational study design was adopted using randomized trials involving patients suffering from ischemic heart disease and receiving either atorvastatin or rosuvastatin. The study was conducted at Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, Pakistan during the period, November 2016 - February 2017. A total number of 95 male and female patients, between the ages of 40 and 80 years, were selected. Their blood samples were analyzed for lipid profile, total cholesterol, serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), serum triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins-cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio.
Results: Gender and dose showed significant correlation with creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels, (p = 0.001) and (p > 0.001), respectively. The patients using rosuvastatin 20 mg had a higher risk of developing myopathy than those treated with atorvastatin 40 mg (p = 0.023), while atorvastatin 20 mg patients were more prone to induce myopathy than 10 mg (p = 0.001) recipients. Atorvastatin 20 mg produced higher CPK levels than rosuvastatin 10 mg (p = 0.002). A substantial increase in CPK levels was found with rosuvastatin 20 mg and atorvastatin 20 mg usage (p > 0.001). It was observed that rosuvastatin 20 mg significantly increased the risk of myopathy compared to atorvastatin 10 mg (p > 0.001). However, rosuvastatin 20 mg/day considerably reduced the blood cholesterol as compared to atorvastatin 10mg/day (p = 0.001). CPK levels reduced significantly following treatment with CoQ10 (p = 0.022).
Conclusion: Rosuvastatin users are more prone to the risk of myopathy, myalgic symptoms and rise in CPK levels than atorvastatin users, and these effects are dose related. CoQ10 is effective in lowering CPK levels and reversing myalgia.
Chlorophenyl-benzoxime inhibits pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, invasion and migration by down-regulating the expressions of interleukin-8 and cyclooxygenase-2
Authors: Wang Pinyan , Xue Yanan , Yu Xiao 
Published: June 2021

Purpose: To investigate the effects of chlorophenyl-benzoxime (CPBZX) on pancreatic cancer (PC) cell proliferation, invasion and migration, and the underlying mechanism of action.
Methods: Pancreatic carcinoma cell lines (HuP-T4, HuP-T3 and BxPC-3) were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle medium (DMEM) containing 10 % fetal bovine serum (FBS), penicillin (100 U/mL) and streptomycin (10 μg/mL) at 37 ˚C in a humidified atmosphere containing 5 % CO2 and 95 % air. Cell proliferation was assessed using MTT assay. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR) and Western blotting were employed for the determination of changes in the levels of expression of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX 2). Cell invasion and migration were determined using Transwell and wound healing assays, respectively.
Results: The results of MTT assay showed that CPBZX significantly and dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of PC cells (p < 0.05). Incubation of HuP-T4 cells with CPBZX significantly and dosedependently reduced the invasive ability of the cells (p < 0.05). The migratory ability of HuP-T4 cells was also significantly and dose-dependently inhibited by CPBZX (p < 0.05). The results of Western blotting and qRT PCR showed that CPBZX treatment significantly and dose-dependently upregulated CEA mRNA expression (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the expressions of IL-8 and COX-2 were significantly and dose-dependently down-regulated by CPBZX. Treatment of pancreatic tumor mice with CPBZX significantly decreased tumor growth and metastasis of tumor cells to the pulmonary tissues, liver and lymph nodes (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that CPBZX inhibits the development and metastasis of PC via the down-regulation of IL-8 and COX 2 expressions, and therefore may find application in pancreatic cancer therapy.
Antibacterial Efficacy of Commonly Available Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers on Escherichia Coli
Authors: Hema Josephat S. , Mloka Doreen A. , Bwire George M. , Marandu Ezekiel M. , Mwambete Kennedy D. 
Published: June 2021

Background: The WHO estimates that approximately 600 million people fall ill after consumption of contaminated food and over 420 000 die every year, resulting in loss of 33 million healthy life years. Hand hygiene is considered by the WHO to be the most effective preventive measure for infectious diseases including food borne diseases.Methods: A laboratory-based study involving convenient sampling of common brands alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHS) from retail community pharmacies and local supermarkets was conducted in Ilala District, Dar es salaam, Tanzania. The study was conducted, between December 2018 to January 2019. A modified protocol of The European Norm (EN) 1500 was used for in vivo testing of sampled ABHs. Efficacy was evaluated using standard strain of Escherichia coli. A total of 26 healthy volunteers were used for hand sanitization. The percentage of bioburden/microbial reduction was assessed at baseline and after treatment, and the log reduction factor calculated.Results: A total of 10 gel ABHS were purchased and assayed for antibacterial efficacy. Majority (70%) of ABHS were imported products and contained ethanol as the sole active ingredient. About 60% of them did not correctly indicate the label disclosure information on concentration of active ingredients. Only one product was efficacious against E. coli with log reduction of 3.75; while majority (70%) of the samples had poor bacterial efficacy with log reduction ranging from 0.140 -0.664.Conclusions: Most of ABHS gel products available in the Dar es Salaam market were not efficacious as per FDA and EN 1500 guidelines. Post market surveillance is recommended of the circulating ABH to safe guard consumers.
Keywords: Hand sanitizers, efficacy, E. coli, EN 1500.
Giant Uterine Fibroid in a Low Resources Setting: A Case Report
Authors: Macheku Godwin S. , Losaru Lengarivo , Msafiri Ibreck , Mwerinde Harry , Shuma Anne E. , Moye Agnes , Mahande Michael J. 
Published: June 2021

Background: Uterine leiomyomas represent the most common benign tumors of the female reproductive tract. Giant uterine leiomyomas are exceedingly rare neoplasm and represents a great diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The aim of this publication is that though the present era is of advanced technology and minimally invasive surgery but this may not be available everywhere and feasible in every case. Diagnosis and management of giant uterine myoma should permit greater management flexibility with safe options, which must be tailored to the individual clinical situation.Case presentation: A 45-year old woman presented with a 12-month history of progressive increasing abdominal size, prolonged menstrual bleeding, menorrhagia, gradual weight gain, vague abdominal pressure sensations, dysmenorrhea, abdominal and pelvic pain, frequent urination, relative constipation and symptom of anemia but not in failure. Physical examination, laboratory evaluation and a trans-abdominal ultrasound were done and findings suggested a giant abdominal-pelvic mass. Abdominal supracervical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. Histologically, the specimen was 16.2 Kg uterine leiomyoma measuring 30/24/20 cm, intramural and subserosal myomatous, cellular leiomyoma that occurred without secondary changes, necrosis, cellular atypia, or mitosis.The patient’s postoperative progress was uneventful and she was discharged from the hospital on the seventh postoperative day.Conclusion: In uterine leiomyomas patient, the preferred imaging modality for initial evaluation is ultrasonography because it is the least invasive and most cost effective investigation especially in low resource settings where magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) Scan are usually not available and majority of the patients cannot afford its cost. The chosen treatment should be individualized, both severity of symptoms and patients desire to preserve fertility are very important. There is no single best approach to uterine fibroid treatment. However, women with giant uterine fibroids are best treated surgically and require adequate pre-operative preparations and an experienced skillful surgeon.
Keywords: Giant uterine leiomyoma, diagnosis, supracervical hysterectomy.
Kinship Structures and Social Justice in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Oludare A A 
Published: June 2021

A major obstacle to the development of sustainable democratic systems of government in contemporary sub-Saharan African states is the difficulty in articulating an adequate conception of social justice to serve as a guiding principle in these polities. This difficulty is a consequence of the ethnically heterogeneous character of most of these states. This article argues that while in traditional sub-Saharan African communities social justice is largely based on kinship relations, that traditional framework is too narrow to serve as the basis for the articulation of this important notion in these ethnically pluralistic polities. Consequently, even though kinship relations ought to be retained in the articulation of social justice in these states, the conception of kinship needs to be broadened to transcend simple familial or ancestral relations. Key WordsSub-Saharan Africa, kinship relations, ancestors, social justice, democracy, globalisation, colonialism
Ethical Objections to Commercial Farming and Consumption of Genetically Modified Foods in Kenya
Authors: Makokha K , Kyalo W 
Published: June 2021

Food insecurity remains one of the most pressing problems of Third World countries. The causes of this predicament are varied, ranging from drought, inadequate farming methods, poverty, among others. The responses to famine, whenever it strikes in many of these countries, have also been varied, with the most popular one being appeals for food aid from wealthy individuals, corporate bodies and the international community. However, these initiatives have not been sustainable. The need for a permanent solution has attracted varied opinions. On the one hand, some stakeholders take the view that the solution lies in genetically modified foods. On the other, some of the stakeholders are either opposed to such foods, or are cautious about them, citing potential and/or real risks associated with them. This article is premised on the view that technological innovations often raise ethical concerns and even dilemmas that ought to be surmounted in order to enhance public acceptability. In this regard, the article reflects on the ethical objections against GM technology in general, and, in particular, the process leading to the enactment of the biosafety law in Kenya. Key wordsGenetically modified organisms, biosafety law, UN convention on biological diversity, Cartagena protocol
Colonial Legal Reasoning in the Post-Colonial African State: A Critique and a Defense of the Argument from African Metaphysical Epistemology
Authors: Badru R O , Eegunlusi T R 
Published: June 2021

This article focuses on legal reasoning and legal epistemology within the African context. It examines the system of legal justice in post-colonial Africa and submits that because of the colonial legacy, post-colonial African legal reasoning is methodologically founded on empiricism and positivism. It avers that despite its merit of scientific objectivity, such legal reasoning is largely incapable of addressing offences committed through the manipulation of metaphysical realities or other forms of covert criminalities and wrongdoing. Consequently, the article proposes that the methodology of African metaphysical epistemology be adopted to complement the colonial methodology of legal reasoning in Africa, as it has the advantageous result of helping in the search for truth concerning such offences, thereby promoting the delivery of effective legal justice, and thus contributing significantly to the development of a balanced and reliable justice system in contemporary African societies. The methods of critical analysis, reflective argumentation and oral interview were adopted to pursue the goals of the study. KeywordsAfrica, Argument, Legal Epistemology, Legal Reasoning, Metaphysics
John Hick’s Philosophy of Religious Pluralism in the Context of Traditional Yoruba Religion
Authors: Olawoyin O N 
Published: June 2021

This article is an interpretation of John Hick’s philosophy of religious pluralism in the context of traditional Yoruba religion. The ultimate goal of the article is pragmatic, viz. to provide a theoretical basis for peaceful coexistence among different religions in Nigeria. The methods adopted to achieve this objective are hermeneutical/analytical and comparative. Hick’s theory is interpreted and analysed before it is applied to traditional Yoruba theology. His concept of the Transcendent or Ultimate Reality is equated with the Yoruba concept of the Supreme Being or Olodumare. Both Hickean Ultimate Reality and Olodumare are conceived as transcategorial. However, Yoruba divinities are equated with Hick’s personae and impersonae of the Real: like the personae and impersonae of Hickean Ultimate Reality, the divinities are manifestations of Olodumare. This interpretative method can be used to account for differences in the conceptions of the Supreme Being among competing religions in Nigeria, especially Islam and Christianity in their conceptions of God. KeywordsJohn Hick, pluralism, Yoruba, Nigeria, Olodumare, divinities
სახელმწიფოს სასურსათო უსაფრთხოების უზრუნველყოფა ეროვნული ეკონომიკის დარგებში იმპორტის ჩანაცვლების საბაზო ინსტრუმენტების დანერგვის საფუძველზე
Authors: VDOVENKO NATALIIA , POPLAVSKA OLENA , SINENOK IGOR 
Published: June 2021

ნატალია ვდოვენკო
ეკონომიკურ მეცნიერებათა დოქტორი, პროფესორი, გლობალური ეკონომიკის კათედრის გამგე, უკრაინის ბიორესურსებისა და ბუნებათსარგებლობის ეროვნული უნივერსიტეტი
E-mail: nata0409@gmail.com
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0849-057X

ელენა პოპლავსკაია
საინფორმაციო-საკონსულტაციო განყოფილების გამგე, საბიუჯეტო დაწესებულება „აკვაკულტურის მეთოდურ-ტექნოლოგიური ცენტრი“
E-mail: poplavska.olena@gmail.com
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6920-1842

იგორ სინენოკ
გლობალური ეკონომიკის კათედრის ასპირანტი, უკრაინის ბიორესურსებისა და ბუნებათსარგებლობის ეროვნული უნივერსიტეტი
E-mail: igor.sinenok@ukr.net
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1855-4899
მოკლე აღწერა
ნაშრომში გამოკვლეულია ქვეყნის სასურსათო უზრუნველყოფის საბაზისო მიდგომების ორგანიზაციულ-ეკონომიკური რეზერვები ეროვნული ეკონომიკის დარგებში იმპორტის ჩანაცვლების ინსტრუმენტების დანერგვის საფუძველზე. დასაბუთებულია, რომ ყოველი სახელმწიფოს სასურსათო უზრუნველყოფის ფორმირდება საკუთარი საწარმოების მიერ წარმოებული პროდუქციის ექსპორტისა და იმპორტის ბალანსის ხარჯზე. დღეისათვის ევროპის ქვეყნების უმეტესობაში მოსახლეობის მოთხოვნილებების დაკმაყოფილებაში თევზსა და ზღვის პროდუქტებში წამყვან როლს თამაშობს თევზისა და ზღვის პროდუქტების იმპორტი, უკრაინის საგარეო ეკონომიკური ურთიერთობების უკრაინული კლასიფიკაციის შესაბამისად 03, 1604,1605 და 230120 ჯგუფების საქონელი და არა მათი წარმოება თვით უკრაინაში. თევზისა და ზღვის პროდუქტების უკრაინის ბაზრის გაჯერებაში ძალიან დიდი როლი მიუძღვის იმპორტს. მსოფლიოში აკვაკულტურის როლის ზრდასთან დაკავშირებით, გაანალიზებულია, რა როლს თამაშობს აკვაკუტურიდან წარმოშობილი პროდუქცია უკრაინის იმპორტში 1996 წლიდან 2019 წლის ჩათვლით. აღნიშნულია თევზის წამყვანი როლი, რომელიც წარმოებულია აკვაკულტურის პირობებში როგორც ახალი, ისე გაყინული პროდუქციის სახით. გამოკვლეულია მისი მცირე ხვედრითი წილი გაყინული პროდუქციის ქვეჯგუფში. დასაბუთებულია აკვაკულტურული პროდუქციის მაღალი ღირებულება თევზჭერის პროდუქციის ღირებულებასთან შედარებით. განსაზღვრულია აკვაკულტურული პროდუქციის როლი უკრაინის იმპორტში, მისი მნიშვნელობიდან გამომდინარე მოსახლეობის ზღვისა და თევზის პროდუქტებით მოთხოვნილებების დაკმაყოფილების საქმეში. შეფასებულია პერსპექტივები, იმპორტირებული თევზების იმ სახეობების იმპორტის ჩანაცვლების შესაძლებლობები, რომლებიც წარმოიქმნებიან აკვაკულტურებიდან. შემოთავაზებულია პრაქტიკაში მნიშვნელოვანი პერსპექტიული ტექნოლოგიების დანერგვის იდეები აკვაკულტურების სახეების უკრაინაში გამოზრდის კუთხით, ჩამოყალიბებული სტრუქტურებისა და მსოფლიო აკვაკულტურების წარმოების მიმართულებების შესაბამისად, უკრაინის სახელმწიფოში აკვაკულტურის სფეროში სამეცნიერო-კვლევითი და საცდელი-საკონსტრუქტორო სამუშაოების მიმდინარე ხარჯების გათვალისწინებით. მირებული შედეგები შეიძლება გამოყენებული იქნას მეცნიერების, პრაქტიკულიმუშაკების და სპეციალისტების მიერ, ასევეც ეკონომიკის დარგების განვითარების გზების ძიების დროს, აკვაკულტურის ჩათვლით, პროდუქციის იმპორტისა და ექსპორტის მაჩვენებლების ზრდის შესაძლებლობების კვლევის დროს, რომელიც იწარმოება ეროვნული ეკონომიკის საბაზისო დარგებში.