Aqueous and ethanol leaf-extracts of Piliostigma thonningii (Schum) increase locomotor activity in Sprague-Dawley rats

Among other uses, aqueous and alcohol extracts of Piliostigma thonningii (Schum) have been claimed by traditional herbal medical practitioners in Nigeria to be effective tranquilizers. In our efforts toestablish some of the tradomedical uses of the plant, we designed the present study in order to test the effects of the extracts on the locomotor activity (LA) of rats. Male rats were administered 25 or 50 mg/kg of the aqueous (AE) or ethanol (EE) extracts with or without 2 mg/kg dexamphetamine (DEX). Results show that the lower doses of both extracts did not significantly increase LA but the higher doses significantly (P < 0.05) increased the 90 min cumulative locomotor score although far less than 2 mg/kg DEX alone. Doses of 50 mg/kg of EE but not AE also significantly (P < 0.05) increased the 90 min cumulative DEX-induced locomotor score. The increase in LA by 50 mg/kg of the extracts has led us to conclude that they may not have any tranquilizing potentials

Preventing School Shootings: The Interprofessional and Community Approach to Prevention

This essay examined the issue of school shootings within the United States, to include a literature review and analysis of the current status of the issue on a national level. From the review and analysis, the essay provides the multidisciplines engaged in school safety issues with viable, workable, and quickly implementable solutions to address this serious national issue at the local school district and even school level of implementation. This analysis examined a multidiscipline and multiprofessional community approach using existing federal guidelines that address actionable intelligence (social media and human information/informants), school design and incorporation of safety and protective features, involvement of law enforcement on campuses, and engagement of law enforcement with administrators and educators. Most importantly, it provides awareness to educators, administrators, and law enforcement along with the general public that the attitude of “It can’t happen here” can indeed and way too many times it has “happened here.

Glucagon and Insulin Cooperatively Stimulate Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Gene Transcription by Increasing the Expression of Activating Transcription Factor 4

Previous studies have shown that glucagon cooperatively interacts with insulin to stimulate hepatic FGF21 gene expression. Here we investigated the mechanism by which glucagon and insulin increased FGF21 gene transcription in primary hepatocyte cultures. Transfection analyses demonstrated that glucagon plus insulin induction of FGF21 transcription was conferred by two activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) binding sites in the FGF21 gene. Glucagon plus insulin stimulated a 5-fold increase in ATF4 protein abundance, and knockdown of ATF4 expression suppressed the ability of glucagon plus insulin to increase FGF21 expression. In hepatocytes incubated in the presence of insulin, treatment with a PKA-selective agonist mimicked the ability of glucagon to stimulate ATF4 and FGF21 expression. Inhibition of PKA, PI3K, Akt, and mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) suppressed the ability of glucagon plus insulin to stimulate ATF4 and FGF21 expression. Additional analyses demonstrated that chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) induced a 6-fold increase in ATF4 expression and that knockdown of ATF4 expression suppressed the ability of CDCA to increase FGF21 gene expression. CDCA increased the phosphorylation of eIF2α, and inhibition of eIF2α signaling activity suppressed CDCA regulation of ATF4 and FGF21 expression. These results demonstrate that glucagon plus insulin increases FGF21 transcription by stimulating ATF4 expression and that activation of cAMP/PKA and PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 mediates the effect of glucagon plus insulin on ATF4 expression. These results also demonstrate that CDCA regulation of FGF21 transcription is mediated at least partially by an eIF2α-dependent increase in ATF4 expression

Parametric and Quantitative Analysis on the Development of Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger

This work is aimed at developing a prototype shell and tube heat exchanger using locally available technology and materials via design based on optimal combination of parameters using LMTD technique, fabrication, as well as, performance evaluation of the facility.The importance of mini shell and tube heat exchangers (STHEs) in industrial and other engineering applications cannot be underestimated. Hence, based on the problems associated with the design of STHEs, a mini STHE was developed for transfer of heat between two fluids without mixing on the laboratory scale using locally available materials and technology based on an optimized LMTD technique. The performance of the heat exchanger was assessed and evaluated to determine the optimum combination of design parameters. Copper was utilized for the tube side fluid due to its higher thermal conductivity and anti-microbial property, while galvanized steel was used for the shell side fluid due to its cost and corrosion resistance. Parametric studies were carried out on STHE design parameters to obtain an optimal design for efficiency and effectiveness after relevant design considerations. Experimental results were validated with quantitative models, and it was discovered that both Dell-Belaware and Engineering Science Data Unit (ESDU) approaches produced the optimal results required for the selection of shell side and tube fluid film coefficients, respectively over other correlations. In conclusion, the values of parameters of interest were also presented after rigorous mathematical calculations at optimal level and probable recommendations were later made.Self-sponsore

The putative role of environmental chemical exposure in the development of Cervical, Prostate and Colorectal (CPC) cancers in Jamaica

Objective: Heavy metals in human tissues are thought to both develop and progress some types of cancers. Industrial mining in Jamaica has resulted in documented environmental and health issues. Mapping of soils in Jamaica shows major deposits of cadmium from bauxite mining in the central parts of Jamaica, which is significantly higher (100 to 1000 times) than worldwide critical limits. The present study was done to ascertain if there is a relationship between areas with high densities of cadmium and cervical-prostate and colorectal (CPC) cases. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective study; clinical records of CPC patients were abstracted from hospital files. Cases of CPC were categorized by parish and then compared with the distribution of cadmium in these parishes. The relationship between the numbers of CPC cases high cadmium density was explored using Pearson’s Chi. Results: Compared to the mean number of cases across Jamaica, parishes with high cadmium levels had a significantly higher proportion of CPC cases (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The higher number of CPC cases in parishes with reported cadmium levels cadmium suggests a plausible relationship. More work will be needed to establish if there is a definitive link between the levels of cadmium in CPC cases compared to healthy individuals

Successful Treatment with Patisiran in Amyloid Polyneuropathy Harboring His90Asn Mutation in the TTR Gene

Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR) is a multisystemic, rare, inherited, progressive and adult-onset disease, affecting the sensory-motor nerves, heart, autonomic function, and other organs. There are over 130 mutations known in the TTR gene. The His90Asn mutation has been previously reported in several reports, but its pathogenetic role is still debated. We report two sporadic cases of adult women with a heterozygous His90Asn mutation in TTR gene and neurological involvement extensively investigated. A typical Congo red-positive pathologic deposition of amyloid fibrils in the salivary glands was documented in one subject. Patients were successfully treated with patisiran with a good clinical outcome. These data support a pathogenetic role of His90Asn mutation in hATTR, and suggest early treatment in symptomatic carriers of His90Asn mutation

The Effects of Heat Generation on Cutting Tool and Machined Workpiece

Metal cutting processes usually cause heat generation at the cutting zone (around the workpiece-tool intersection). The heat generated during these processes may cause different effects on both the workpiece and tool, this in turn may affect the finished product and the general performance of the machined piece. In this study, a review was done on various types of machining conditions available, effects of heat generated on the workpiece and tool, and the approaches adopted to reduce this heat at cutting zones. This study also focuses on the simulation of percentage ratio of heat removal. To handle the simulation, various approaches of heat removal methods were used to get the percentage ratio using the ansys version 19.1 software. It was discovered that heat generation causes two major types of wear on the tool, crater and flank wear, resulting in the reduction of cutting tool life as well as dimensional inaccuracy, surface damage and severe corrosion cases on the workpiece. Various heat reduction methods and coolant application types were as well studied and their merits and demerits were discussed

The genetic and epigenetic landscape of the Arabidopsis centromeres.

Centromeres attach chromosomes to spindle microtubules during cell division and, despite this conserved role, show paradoxically rapid evolution and are typified by complex repeats. We used longread sequencing to generate the Col-CEN Arabidopsis thaliana genome assembly that resolves all five centromeres. The centromeres consist of megabase-scale tandemly repeated satellite arrays, which support CENH3 occupancy and are densely DNA methylated, with satellite variants private to each chromosome. CENH3 preferentially occupies satellites that show least divergence and occur in higherorder repeats. The centromeres are invaded by ATHILA retrotransposons, which disrupt genetic and epigenetic organization. Centromeric crossover recombination is suppressed, yet low levels of meiotic DSBs occur that are regulated by DNA methylation. We propose that Arabidopsis centromeres are evolving via cycles of satellite homogenization and retrotransposon-driven diversification.BBSRC grants BB/S006842/1, BB/S020012/1 and BB/V003984/1

Perspectives of San Juan healthcare practitioners on the detection deficit in oral premalignant and early cancers in Puerto Rico: a qualitative research study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In Puerto Rico, relative to the United States, a disparity exists in detecting oral precancers and early cancers. To identify factors leading to the deficit in early detection, we obtained the perspectives of San Juan healthcare practitioners whose practice could be involved in the detection of such oral lesions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Key informant (KI) interviews were conducted with ten clinicians practicing in or around San Juan, Puerto Rico. We then triangulated our KI interview findings with other data sources, including recent literature on oral cancer detection from various geographic areas, current curricula at the University of Puerto Rico Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine, as well as local health insurance regulations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Key informant-identified factors that likely contribute to the detection deficit include: many practitioners are deficient in knowledge regarding oral cancer and precancer; oral cancer screening examinations are limited regarding which patients receive them and the elements included. In Puerto Rico, specialists generally perform oral biopsies, and patient referral can be delayed by various factors, including government-subsidized health insurance, often referred to as Reforma. Reforma-based issues include often inadequate clinician knowledge regarding Reforma requirements/provisions, diagnostic delays related to Reforma bureaucracy, and among primary physicians, a perceived financial disincentive in referring Reforma patients.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Addressing these issues may be useful in reducing the deficit in detecting oral precancers and early oral cancer in Puerto Rico.</p

Evolutionary History of Rabies in Ghana

Rabies virus (RABV) is enzootic throughout Africa, with the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) being the principal vector. Dog rabies is estimated to cause 24,000 human deaths per year in Africa, however, this estimate is still considered to be conservative. Two sub-Saharan African RABV lineages have been detected in West Africa. Lineage 2 is present throughout West Africa, whereas Africa 1a dominates in northern and eastern Africa, but has been detected in Nigeria and Gabon, and Africa 1b was previously absent from West Africa. We confirmed the presence of RABV in a cohort of 76 brain samples obtained from rabid animals in Ghana collected over an eighteen-month period (2007–2009). Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences obtained confirmed all viruses to be RABV, belonging to lineages previously detected in sub-Saharan Africa. However, unlike earlier reported studies that suggested a single lineage (Africa 2) circulates in West Africa, we identified viruses belonging to the Africa 2 lineage and both Africa 1 (a and b) sub-lineages. Phylogeographic Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo analysis of a 405 bp fragment of the RABV nucleoprotein gene from the 76 new sequences derived from Ghanaian animals suggest that within the Africa 2 lineage three clades co-circulate with their origins in other West African countries. Africa 1a is probably a western extension of a clade circulating in central Africa and the Africa 1b virus a probable recent introduction from eastern Africa. We also developed and tested a novel reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay for the detection of RABV in African laboratories. This RT-LAMP was shown to detect both Africa 1 and 2 viruses, including its adaptation to a lateral flow device format for product visualization. These data suggest that RABV epidemiology is more complex than previously thought in West Africa and that there have been repeated introductions of RABV into Ghana. This analysis highlights the potential problems of individual developing nations implementing rabies control programmes in the absence of a regional programme