In-silico and in-vivo comparative evaluation of the cardioprotective potential of Yellow turmeric and White turmeric in Mn-induced cardiac oxidative stress

Introduction The effect of the ethanol extracts of Curcuma longa Linn (yellow turmeric) and Curcuma zedoaria Rosc (white turmeric) on cardiac oxidative stress in rats exposed to manganese was evaluated in this study. Methods We divided 60 Wistar rats into 12 groups (n = 5) with some administered different concentrations of yellow or white turmeric extract. The animals except the control groups were exposed to manganese on days 1,3, and 7. All the animals were sacrificed on the 8th day and the hearts were harvested for biochemical assays. Ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the levels of cardiac superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, nitric oxide, and lipid peroxidation in rats were determined. Additionally, in silico studies were performed to further compare the cardioprotective potential of the two species of turmeric. Results The results showed that rats treated with manganese alone had decreased levels of FRAP, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione but increased levels of nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation were observed. The Mn-induced oxidative stress was ameliorated in animals co-treated with yellow or white turmeric. The yellow turmeric showed better activity than white turmeric. In the in-silico evaluation, phytocompounds from yellow turmeric had higher binding energy against Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) protein than the ones from white turmeric. Bioactive compounds from white turmeric did not violate any of Lipinski's rules of five or three, despite having lower binding energy. Conclusion These findings suggest that ethanol extract of yellow and white turmeric may have the potential to ameliorate manganese-induced cardiac oxidative stress

Survival during times of disruptions: rethinking strategies for enabling business viability in the developing economy

There exists a noticeable void in the literature about strategies that business operators, especially those in highly vulnerable economies, can adapt to sustain their survival and to achieve growth in economically turbulent times. This study investigated strategies that can support the viability and survival of businesses in times of environmental disruptions. The study adopted a qualitative research design that involved the interview of 31 business owners across different sectoral groups including fashion and telecommunication that are operating in Nigeria’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector. The interview sessions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. The findings reveal that amid disruptions, the business owners were resilient and established diverse digital strategies that helped them to keep their businesses afloat throughout the time of disruption. This finding contributes to the field of entrepreneurship as it offers practical strategies for supporting business owners during times of disruptions, especially in a developing country context

BIO-TRANSFORMER OIL PRODUCTION BY ENZYMATIC TRANSESTERIFICATION OF PAPAYA SEED OIL

Bio-transformer oil from vegetable oil has received quite attention as a substitute to mineral based transformer oil with a view of minimize mineral based oils and reduce greenhouse gases pollution. The seeds of papaya are potential feedstock for bio-transformer production owing to their high lipid contents and available. In this study, papaya seed oils was extracted via soxhlet apparatus using n-hexane and the oil yields were in between 34–35% which is commercially viable. The oil extracted was transesterified using immobilized Candida rugosa lipase as a catalyst at room temperature with various molar ratios of methanol to oil. The highest bio-transformer oil yield for papaya seed oil was found to be 96% at methanol-to-oil ratios of 6:1. The results obtained from the characterization of RPSO bio-transformer oil was analytically compared with that of the transformer mineral oil and ASTM standard requirement. Similarities and differences have been discussed. Owing to comparable results in the RPSO bio-transformer oil, mineral transformer oil studied and the ASTM standard requirement and its increasing breakdown voltage with increasing temperature application. The study revealed that papaya seed oils have the potential of being used as alternative feedstock for bio-transformer production

Entrepreneurial competencies and the performance of informal SMEs: the contingent role of business environment

This study examined entrepreneurial competencies as a viable pathway for improving the innovative performance of SMEs in Nigeria's informal sector and the contingent roles of the business environment. A survey research design was used to gather data from 296 entrepreneurs who operate informal SMEs in Nigeria. Based on the findings from the SEM-PLS multivariate analysis, the study concluded that entrepreneurial competencies, especially organising, conceptual, learning, strategic, opportunity and risk-taking competencies, are essential for achieving higher innovation performance. The study also reveals that entrepreneurial competencies are useful towards mitigating environmental pressures resulting from operational turbulence and erratic policy changes, as the firm drives towards improving innovation outputs. As such, the entrepreneurship environment is becoming more endogenous as entrepreneurs, through their entrepreneurial competencies, have started to gain control over it. This study contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by highlighting the most essential competencies alongside the relevant contingencies. By doing that, this study offers a practical guide on priority competence area that entrepreneurship stakeholders, including entrepreneurs and policymakers, should consider for investment