bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetic Comparison of Four Major Bio-Active Components of Naoxintong Capsule in Normal and Acute Blood Stasis Rats Using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Triple-Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Li Wei-Xia , Zhang Shu-Qi , Li Man-Man , Zhang Hui , Wang Xiao-Yan , Niu Lu , Tang Jin-Fa , Li Xue-Lin 
Published: January 2022

Objective:
To compare the pharmacokinetic differences of the main components of Naoxintong capsule (NXTC) in normal and acute blood stasis rats.

Materials and Methods:
Rats were subcutaneously injected with adrenaline hydrochloride twice; during the two subcutaneous injections, the rats were placed in ice water for 4 min to reproduce the model rat of acute blood stasis. The normal and acute blood stasis rats were administrated a 5.04 g/kg dose of NXTC suspension. Then, blood samples were collected from the posterior retinal venous plexus at different time points. Plasma concentrations of four major bio-active components including caffeic acid, ferulic acid, formononetin, and tanshinone IIA in NXTC were measured using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry. Phoenix WinNonlin v6.2 software was used to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters.

Results:
Compared with the normal rats, the acute blood stasis rats showed a significant decrease in C
max of ferulic acid and formononetin, AUC
all of caffeic acid and ferulic acid, and AUC
INF_obs of ferulic acid. Conversely, an increase in the Vz_F_obs and MRTlast of ferulic acid and caffeic acid was observed. These findings demonstrate that the absorption of the four NXTC components was weakened in the acute blood stasis rats and that the elimination time was prolonged.

Conclusions:
The significant difference in some parameters of the four NXTC components between the normal and acute blood stasis rats might be caused by an increase in blood viscosity and the subsequent slowing down of blood flow in the acute blood stasis rats. The pharmacokinetic study conducted in pathological state can provide important information and scientific basis for further rational clinical application of NXTC.
Mechanism Exploration of the Classical Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Huoluo Xiaoling Pill in Clinical Treatment and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory “Treating Different Diseases with the Same Method”
Authors: Hu Yu-Xin , Zhang Zhi-Qing , Zhou Qin-Jie , Liao Jun-Ya , Chai Xin-Lou 
Published: January 2022

Objective:
To analyze the possible mechanism of the Huoluo Xiaoling Pill in the treatment of three diseases, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and metabolic syndrome, and to provide ideas for learning the mechanism of “Treating different diseases with the same method” in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory.

Materials and Methods:
The Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and UniProt databases were used to screen the main ingredients and targets of the Huoluo Xiaoling Pill. The GeneCards database was used to screen the targets of the diseases, and Cytoscape 3.7.2 was used to construct a “Drug-Components-Targets-Disease” network to determine the core components. The STRING database was used to construct the protein-protein-interaction network, and gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomics enrichment analyses were carried out on the Metascape database. AutoDock 1.5.6 was used for molecular docking.

Results:
A total of 118 active components and 208 targets were screened in the Huoluo Xiaoling Pill. Quercetin, tanshinone IIA, luteolin, and ellagic acid were potential core components of Huoluo Xiaoling Pill treating the three diseases, and interleukin 6, Tumor necrosis factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor were potential key targets. Co-occurring GO biological processes involved responses to the molecules of bacterial origin, and the AGE-RAGE signaling, fluid shear stress, and atherosclerosis pathways were the co-occurring pathways. Molecular docking revealed good docking conditions between screened targets and components.

Conclusion:
This study predicted the mechanism of the Huoluo Xiaoling Pill in treating the three diseases. At the same time, the co-occurring targets and pathways between the three diseases provided a material basis for the TCM theory, “Treating different diseases with the same method.”
Multivariate Analysis of Seasonal Variation in Groundwater Quality within Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Adekunle Adebola A. , Isaac Isaac U. 
Published: January 2022

This research work was aimed at analyzing the data of the seasonal variation of groundwater quality in the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) environment using descriptive statistics and a covariance matrix analysis of the data set for both rainy and dry seasons to see the effect of the water quality parameters on each other. Cluster analysis was also carried out on the data set to check the level of the Euclidean distance between the water quality parameters. The data used for this analysis was secondary data obtained from groundwater sources (ten wells) within the University environment during the rainy and dry seasons respectively. It was observed that there is a slight variation in the quality of groundwater in the FUNAAB environment as regards the dry season and the rainy season. In the result of the cluster analysis, the water quality parameters are clustered into seven groups for the dry season and eight groups for the rainy season which indicate that the dissimilarities in the data set increase during the rainy season. It was observed that for the dry season covariance data, 36% of the values have a negative relationship within themselves and 64% has a positive relationship, as compared to the rainy season data which possesses a 31% negative relationship and a 69% positive relation. This implies that there is only a 5% variation in the entire data set of the dry season and the raining season as regards the interdependence of the water quality parameters on each other.
Keywords: Groundwater, Physico-Chemical, Water Quality, Wells
Assessment of Mosquito Diversity and Plasmodium falciparum in Female Anopheles Mosquito in Students’ Hostels, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State Nigeria
Authors: Rice A.A. , Mbah C.E. , George B.D.J. 
Published: January 2022

Mosquitoes are considered as the most important insect vectors of many infectious disease agents, whose presence pose a serious public health concern within localities where they are found especially in tertiary institution. The study was conducted to identify mosquito species and Plasmodium falciparum in female Anopheles mosquito in students’ hostels of Ahmadu Bello University. Mosquitoes were caught once in a week for five months June to October (2018), by the used of test tube, chloroform and cotton wool. A total of 1341 mosquito vectors was identified, comprising four (4) species: Anopheles gambiae complex, Anopheles funestus, Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti. The mosquitoes were dissected transversely between the first and third pairs of legs under the dissecting microscope The entire samples were air dried, fixed in methanol and were stained using Giemsa and thin blood film examined under the light microscope for identification of Plasmodium falciparum. The result in this study showed that Culex quinquefasciatus constitutes the most abundant with 950 (59%) followed by Anopheles gambiae 370, (22%), and An. funestus 15(0.9%) while Aedes aegypti 3(0.1%) had the least. Of the two species of anophelene mosquitoes encountered in this study only Anopheles gambiae was positive for Plasmodim falciparum. The result simply showed that efforts to control malaria especially in Zaria area should be a combination of existing methods which is usually referred to as integrated control.
Keywords: Mosquito, Plasmodium falciparum, Anopheles, Hostels
The effects of intrauterine ethanol exposure on the levels of Iron and Copper in Cerebrum and Cerebellum of neonatal Wistar rats
Authors: El-ladan Ibrahim Shehu , Usman Affan 
Published: January 2022

Neurodevelopmental disorders have been reported to be associated with infants exposed to ethanol in utero. The study was aimed at evaluating the effects of intrauterine ethanol exposure on neurobehaviour and the amount of iron and copper in the cerebrum and cerebellum of neonatal Wistar rats at different periods of development. Fourteen (14) female Wistar rats were mated with matured males in ratio 2:1 overnight following determination of oestrous phase. Pregnant dams were divided into 7 groups. Group A served as the control that received distilled water. Groups B, C and D were administered 0.5ml of 20% ethanol equivalent to 1st, 1st and 2nd trimesters and whole gestation period (i.e 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters) respectively. Groups E, F and G were given 0.5ml of 30% ethanol accordingly. Following parturition, neurobehavioural assessment on sensory and motor reflexes of the litters were tested on postnatal days 5, 6 and 7. Brain tissues were later excised, homogenised and analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. SPSS V20 was used to compare the mean difference using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The ethanol treated neonates in Groups B, E, F and G showed a statistically significant (p˂0.05) increase in latency to respond to sensory and motor reflexes when compared with Control Group. Interrelated elevation of both iron and copper was observed in the cerebellum while both the amounts of iron and copper in the cerebrum were depleted. It is concluded that intrauterine ethanol exposure has effect on the development of vestibular, postural, sensory and motor coordination. The alterations in the amounts of iron and copper which are important cofactors for certain neurotransmitters and enzymes in the brain could play role in the neurobehavioural deficits observed. Intrauterine ethanol ingestion affects development of sensory and motor reflexes as well as the amounts of iron and copper in both cerebrum and cerebellum in a reciprocal manner.
Keywords: ethanol, intrauterine, neurobehaviour, neurochemistry
Comportement reproductif des porcs de race Duroc en République du Congo
Authors: Ognika Alexis Jonas , Akouango Parisse , Ebengo Gnanga Annick Raïssa , Dimi Ngatse Silvère 
Published: January 2022

La présente étude a été menée dans le cadre de l’amélioration des performances de reproduction et de croissance des porcs locaux par l’introduction de nouvelles races. Il s’agit d’une préoccupation des politiques du Gouvernement congolais. L’objectif de l’étude a été d’apprécier certains paramètres de reproduction et de croissance des porcs Duroc dans le but de maîtriser leurs aptitudes en vue de les utiliser dans le programme d’amélioration génétique du porc local congolais. Les animaux avaient huit (8) mois d’âge. L’évaluation des caractéristiques de reproduction et de croissance a concerné 10 femelles, 5 mâles en stade de reproduction et 145 porcelets. Les caractéristiques reproductives et de croissance ont été évaluées selon une méthode de pointage de 1 à 5. Les productivités numérique et pondérale ainsi que le rendement carcasse ont également été estimés. La taille de la portée par truie est de 9 ±0,8 têtes, le poids de la portée par truie est de 25, 08 ± 8 kg et l’âge de mise en reproduction est de 8,3±0,7/ mois. Les animaux ont indiqué de bonnes aptitudes de reproduction. Le poids vif moyen des porcelets est de 1,32±0,4kg à la naissance, de 9,99 ± 0,1kg la 4ème semaine correspondant au sevrage et de 50,4± 6,5 kg la 16èmesemaine. Les GMQ ont été respectivement de 230± 0,5 g la 2èmesemaine, 370±0,3 g la 4ème semaine et de 650±0,8g la 16ème semaine. Ces indicateurs augurent de bonnes perspectives de croissance des animaux de la race en République du Congo.
This study was carried out in the context of improving the reproductive and growth performance of local pigs by introducing the new races. It concerns the Congolese government programs. The objective of this study was to appreciate some reproduction and growth parameters of Duroc pigs with the aim to master their aptitudes for to use them in the genetic improvement program of the local Congolese pig. The animals were eight (8) months old. The reproductive evaluation and growth characteristics concerned 10 females, 5 males in the reproductive stage and 145 piglets. Reproductive and growth characteristics were assessed using a 1 to 5 scoring method. The numerical and weight productivities and the carcass yield were also estimated. The litter size per sow is 9 ± 0.8 head, litter weight per sow is 25.08 ± 8 kg and breeding age is 8.3 ± 0.7 / month. The animals indicated good breeding skills. The average live weight of piglets is 1.32 ± 0.4kg at birth, 9.99 ± 0.1kg in the 4th week corresponding to weaning and 50.4 ± 6.5 kg in the 16th week. The ADGs were respectively 230 ± 0.5 g in the 2nd week, 370 ± 0.3 g in the 4th week and 650 ± 0.8g in the 16th week. These indicators bode well for growth prospects for animals of the breed in the Republic of Congo.
Périodes d’activités et structure sociale de Cephalophus zebra Gray, 1838 et de Cephalophus jentinki Thomas, 1892 dans le Parc National de Taï, Sud-Ouest de la Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Monket Ange Edgar Habib , Kouakou Célestin Yao , Kely Malé Roger , Koffi André Djaha , N’guessan Antoine Kouamé , Normand Emmanuelle , Kablan Yves Aka , Diarrassouba Abdoulaye , Tondossama Adama , Bene Jean-Claude Koffi 
Published: January 2022

La connaissance du profil écologique de la faune d’un site est importante pour mieux apprécier la dynamique spatio-temporelle des espèces et les interactions entre elles. La présente étude a été réalisée au Parc National de Taï. Elle a pour objectif de déterminer les périodes d’activités nycthémérales et la structure sociale du céphalophe zébré et du céphalophe de Jentink. Au total, 291 pièges photographiques ont été installés suivant un dispositif systématique de mars 2019 à mars 2020. Le traitement des enregistrements vidéo obtenus a permis de montrer que le céphalophe zébré est préférentiellement diurne avec 84% des observations faites dans la journée. Les périodes d’activités maximales de cette espèce ont été marquées en début de journée de 6 à 8h et en fin d’après-midi de 15 à 17h. Par contre, le céphalophe de Jentink est principalement nocturne avec 83% des observations enregistrées la nuit. Cette espèce a été plus active autour de 2h, 4h et 19h. Cependant, ces deux espèces mènent une vie généralement solitaire avec parfois une formation de groupes de deux individus adultes. Pour le céphalophe zébré, 94,21% des individus vivent seul. Concernant le céphalophe de Jentink, 96,70% des individus solitaires ont été identifiés.
The knowledge of the ecological profile of the fauna of a site is important to better appreciate the spatio-temporal dynamics of species and the interactions between them. The present study was carried out in the Taï National Park. Its objective is to determine the periods of nycthemeral activities and the social structure of zebra duiker and Jentink’s duiker. A total, of 291 camera traps were set in a systemic design from March 2019 to March 2020. The processing of the obtained video recordings showed that the zebra duiker is preferentially diurnal with 84% of the observations made during the day. The periods of maximum activity of this species were marked at the beginning of the day from 6 to 8 am and in the late afternoon from 3 to 5 pm. In contrast, Jentink’s duiker is mainly nocturnal with 83% of observations recorded at night. This species was most active around 2h, 4h and 19h. However, these two species lead a generally solitary life with sometimes a groups formation of two adult individuals. For the zebra duiker, 94.21% of individuals live alone. Concerning the Jentink’s duiker, 96.70% of the solitary individuals have been identified.
Caractéristiques des peuplements ligneux du tracé de la grande muraille verte des provinces de Wadi-Fira Est et de l’Ennedi Est du Tchad
Authors: Mbaikoubou Mékila , Guihini Abakar , Diallo Aly , Faye Ndiabou , Mahamat Saleh Minda , Moussa Tahir Doudja , Guisse Aliou 
Published: January 2022

Pour faire des propositions de stratégies de gestion durable de la grande muraille verte, la connaissance des caractéristiques du peuplement ligneux du tracé du Tchad est capitale. L’étude a pour objet de caractériser la flore et la végétation ligneuse sur le tracé de la GMV du Tchad, précisément au Wadi Fira Est et à l’Ennedi Est. La méthodologie utilisée a consisté à déterminer la composition floristique et la structure du peuplement ligneux dans les deux sites. Les inventaires floristiques ont permis de recenser 8 espèces reparties en 7 genres et 4 familles dans le site de Wadi Fira Est tandis que dans le site de l’Ennedi Est nous avons recensé 7 espèces reparties en 6 genres et 4 familles. La flore ligneuse est dominée par les Mimosaceae. La densité des ligneux (39,43 ind.ha-1) est plus importante dans l’Ennedi Est que dans le Wadi Fira Est (36,62 ind.ha-1) ; Cependant, le recouvrement au Wafi Fira Est (559,428 m².ha-1) est plus important que celui de l’Ennedi Est (499,844 m².ha-1). Les résultats obtenus montrent que les espèces les plus adaptées aux conditions écologiques pour la réussite de la GMV sont Acacia raddiana et Balanites aegyptiaca qui conviennent pour la restauration de ces écosystèmes.
To make proposals for sustainable management strategies for the Great Green Wall, knowledge of the characteristics of the woody population along the Chad route is essential. The purpose of the study is to characterize the flora and woody vegetation along the route of the GGW of Chad, specifically in Wadi Fira East and Ennedi East. The methodology used consisted in determining the floristic composition and the structure of the woody stand in the two sites. Floristic inventories made it possible to identify 8 species divided into 7 genera and 4 families in the Wadi Fira East site while in the Ennedi East site we have identified 7 species divided into 6 genera and 4 families. The woody flora is dominated by Mimosaceae. The density of woody plants (39.43 ind.ha-1) is higher in Ennedi East than in Wadi Fira East (36.62 ind.ha-1); However, the overlap at Wafi Fira East (559.428 m².ha-1) is greater than that at Ennedi East (499.844 m².ha-1). The results obtained show that the species most suited to ecological conditions for the success of GMV are Acacia raddiana and Balanites aegyptiaca which are suitable for the restoration of these ecosystems.
Effect of palm kernel meal (Elaeis guineensis, Jacq, 1763) in the diet on digestive transit and some serum parameters in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Adjanke Amakoé , Tona Kokou , Toko Ibrahim Imorou , Gbeassor Messanvi 
Published: January 2022

As part of the continuation of the thesis work on the valuation of palm kernel cake in the diet of Nile tilapia, a study was carried out from March 7th to April 12th, 2018 at the Aquaculture Research and Development Unit of the University of Lome in Togo. It aims to evaluate the digestive use efficiency of palm kernel cake (PK) in Oreochromis niloticus. So, two lots of 180 male Oreochromis niloticus; juvenile of 57.14 ± 4.43 g and adults of 144.04 ± 7.65 g were each randomly distributed in 9 recirculate system concrete tanks of 600 L, at 20 fish per tank, filled to 250 liters of water. They were fed two weeks with three isoprotein diets (32% crude protein) in triplicate, distributed manually three times a day at 2% of the fish biomass; standard fish feed Raanan (RA) and two diets containing 30% PK untreated (R3) or cooked in water for one hour (R3C). After a 2 days fasting, some fish were fed once again to satiety (8am). Then a sample of 6 fish per lot was euthanized in a clove solution. After blood sampling, the fish were dissected at 0h, 1h, 4h, 8h, 12h and 24h after feeding to measure blood and intestinal parameters. The results obtained show that raw PK is an unpalatable fibrous ingredient but well valued once cooked with a digestive improvement allowing good absorption of food micronutrients in both juveniles and adults. This absorption led to changing in the serum protein level for growth of fish and nitrogenous excretion in the form of urea. The cooking slowed the transit of the food into the digestive tract of tilapia, this can improve zootechnical performance of fish.
Evaluation of essential nutrients in edible locusts and grasshoppers in Kano Metropolis
Authors: Negbenebor H.E. , Tinuoye O.O. , Nura S. 
Published: January 2022

The present study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional composition of edible locusts and grasshoppers sold and consumed in Kano metropolis, Northwestern Nigeria. Two species of locusts: (Schistocerca gregaria and Locusta migratoria) and two species of grasshopper (Zonocerus variegatus and Ornithacris turbida) were procured from Rimi market Kano. Proximate, mineral and amino acids compositions of the samples were analyzed using standard methods. The results obtained revealed a significant difference (P≤0.05) in the amount of proteins, fats, ash, carbohydrates and moisture contents. Similar result is found in the mineral compositions in terms of Na, Mg, K, Ca, Cu, Zn and Fe. More so, the amino acid composition of the samples was found to be significantly different (P≤0.05). No significant difference was found in the fibre contents. However, high protein (53.23-67.88%), fats (7.55-18.77%) and carbohydrate contents (10.71-16.01%) were found among the insect samples. Similarly, the amount of essential amino acids such as: threonine, valine, methionine and leucine were higher among the insects. It is therefore concluded that, the edible grasshopper and locust contain significant amount of nutritional components that can be beneficial in combating malnutrition and be incorporated in diet therapy.
Thrombocytopenia in a cohort of primary and secondary antiphospholipid syndrome patients: Relation to clinical, laboratory manifestations and damage index
Authors: Gamal Sherif , Mohamed Samar , Moghazy Abdelkawy 
Published: January 2022

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of thrombocytopenia in a cohort of patients with primary and secondary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and to examine the relation of thrombocytopenia to the clinical, laboratory findings, and damage index for antiphospholipid syndrome (DIAPS).
Patients and methods: Between August 2018 and February 2019, a total of 168 patients (16 males, 152 females; mean age: 32.5±8.4 years; range, 18 to 59 years) who were followed in our clinic for APS were retrospectively analyzed. Medical records of the patients were screened and clinical data, laboratory investigations, and treatments applied were recorded. The DIAPS was calculated for all patients. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of thrombocytopenia and both groups were compared regarding clinical, laboratory findings and DIAPS. Further subgroup analysis was done for patients with primary APS.
Results: The most common clinical manifestations in our patients were obstetric manifestations (77.4% in pregnant women), musculoskeletal manifestations (69%) and peripheral vascular thrombosis (54.8%). The prevalence of thrombocytopenia in our study was 42.3%, and it was significantly associated with musculoskeletal manifestations (p=0.043), vascular thrombosis (p=0.043), neurological manifestations (p=0.030), cutaneous manifestations (p=0.006), and use of immunosuppressives (p=0.047). The DIAPS was significantly higher in the thrombocytopenia group (p=0.034). Further subgroup analysis of patients with primary APS revealed that neurological manifestations (p=0.010) were significantly higher in the thrombocytopenia group, while the DIAPS was higher in the thrombocytopenia group, but it did not reach statistical significance (p=0.082).
Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia may be associated with a higher incidence of vascular thrombosis, neurological manifestations, musculoskeletal manifestations, use of immunosuppressive treatment, and DIAPS. In primary APS patients, thrombocytopenia may be a risk for neurological manifestations.