Travel Behaviour of Rural People in Developing Countries.

Travel patterns in rural areas of developing countries are dominated by trips required to access basic needs and services. Studies revealed that the time spent on such travel is relatively constant throughout the year. Any community with less than 20,000 people is said to be rural, while settlement with population of over 20,000 people is regarded as an urban centre. In many developing countries, national transport policies do not address the travel needs of rural people. This is either due to lack of awareness or total ignorance of government. In some countries, after the construction of rural roads, travel behaviour of rural communities change in order to meet their day-to-day basic needs. The rural travel is usually done with goods. The perspective of rural transportation planning in developing countries has changed from a ‘road-and-car’ approach to a ‘needs-led’ approach. This paper examines the travel pattern of rural dwellers in developing countries through review of literature on the subject, in order to suggest measures to enhance the travel behaviour of the rural dwellers. Keywords: Travel, trips, community, rural, behaviour, planning, population, developin

In vitro antioxidant activities of African birch (Anogeissus leiocarpus) leaf and its effect on the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory properties of acarbose

Objective This study sought to determine the antioxidant activities of African birch leaf, to assess its interaction with key enzymes relevant to type 2 diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and to evaluate its effect on acarbose in vitro. Methods One milligram per milliliter of aqueous extract of African birch and acarbose were separately prepared. At the same time, both the African extract and acarbose solution (50:50 v/v) were thoroughly mixed until homogeneity was attained. The phenolic phytoconstituents and antioxidant properties of African birch leaf were subsequently determined. Finally, the effects of African birch extract, acarbose solution and a mixture of acarbose and African birch extract on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities were assessed in vitro. Results The results showed that African birch extract demonstrated a remarkable antioxidant effect, as exemplified by its radical scavenging abilities, Fe2+ chelating ability and prevention of lipid peroxidation. Acarbose had significantly (p < 0.05) higher α-amylase (IC50 = 11.77 μg/ml) and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 9.05 μg/ml) activities compared to African birch extract [α-amylase (IC50 = 242.17 μg/ml); α-glucosidase (IC50 = 196.35 μg/ml)]. However, the combination of acarbose and African birch extract showed an additive effect on α-amylase inhibition, while a resultant synergistic action was observed against α-glucosidase inhibition. Conclusion The additive and synergistic actions of the combination of African birch extract and acarbose solution suggest effective, complementary and alternative strategies towards the management/treatment of hyperglycaemia associated with type 2 diabetes

Phenolic Extract from Moringa oleifera

This study was designed to determine the antioxidant properties and inhibitory effects of extract from Moringa oleifera leaves on angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) and arginase activities in vitro. The extract was prepared and phenolic (total phenols and flavonoid) contents, radical (nitric oxide (NO), hydroxyl (OH)) scavenging abilities, and Fe2+-chelating ability were assessed. Characterization of the phenolic constituents was done via high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) analysis. Furthermore, the effects of the extract on Fe2+-induced MDA production in rats’ penile tissue homogenate as well as its action on ACE and arginase activities were also determined. The extract scavenged NO∗, OH∗, chelated Fe2+, and inhibited MDA production in a dose-dependent pattern with IC50 values of 1.36, 0.52, and 0.38 mg/mL and 194.23 µg/mL, respectively. Gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol were the most abundant phenolic compounds identified in the leaf extract. The extract also inhibited ACE and arginase activities in a dose-dependent pattern and their IC50 values were 303.03 and 159.59 µg/mL, respectively. The phenolic contents, inhibition of ACE, arginase, and Fe2+-induced MDA production, and radical (OH∗, NO∗) scavenging and Fe2+-chelating abilities could be some of the possible mechanisms by which M. oleifera leaves could be used in the treatment and/or management of erectile dysfunction

DYNAMIC CHANGES IN SPECTRAL HEART RATE VARIABILITY PARAMETERS IN PACED BREATHING TEST IN PATIENT WITH UNCONTROLLED ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION AND POLYMORBIDITY

A clinical case of a patient with uncontrolled hypertension and polymorbidity. The paced breathing test was made, was found prevalence of low frequency influences at the initial stage and its intensification at the resting stage, growth of the total power of heart rate variability spectrum (TP) with respiratory modulation. The course of the disease worsened the appearance of new-onset atrial fibrillation (registered paroxysm on Holter monitoring); the general deterioration of the patient’s state reflected HRV changes on sinus rhythm tracing - significantly reduced TP growth in response to paced breathing, an increase in LF/HF (ratio of low frequency to high frequency waves), as well as switching to the neurohormonal level of heart rate regulation at the resting stage. After the treatment the growth of TP in response to the test has increased and LF/HF level has decreased

Basics of animal cell culture: Foundation for modern science

The culture of animal cells is one of the major aspects of science which serves as a foundation for most of our recent discoveries. The major areas of application include cancer research, vaccine manufacturing, recombinant protein production, drug selection and improvement, gene therapy, stem cell biology, monoclonal antibody production, in vitro fertilization technology, cryopreservation and in vitro production of hormones. Cells can be propagated, expanded and divided into identical replicates, which can be characterized, purified and preserved by freezing. This article reviews the basic aspects of animal cell culture for modern day research

Green leafy vegetables from two Solanum spp. (Solanum nigrum L and Solanum macrocarpon L) ameliorate scopolamine‐induced cognitive and neurochemical impairments in rats

This study examined the modulatory effect of Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L) and African eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon L) leaves on cognitive function, antioxidant status, and activities of critical enzymes of monoaminergic and cholinergic systems of neurotransmission in scopolamine‐administered rats. Cognitive impairment was induced in albino rats pretreated with dietary inclusions of Black nightshade (BN) and African eggplant (AE) leaves by single administration (i.p.) of scopolamine (2 mg/kg body weight). Prior to termination of the experiment, the rats were subjected to spontaneous alternation (Y‐maze) test to assess their spatial working memory. Thereafter, activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), monoamine oxidase (MAO), arginase, and antioxidant enzymes (catalase, SOD, and GST) of rat brain homogenate were determined. Also, the malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrite, and GSH contents of the homogenate were determined. The results showed that pretreatment with dietary inclusions of AE and BN significantly reversed the impairment in the rats’ spatial working memory induced by scopolamine. Similarly, elevations in activities of AChE, BChE, and MAO induced by scopolamine were significantly reversed in rats pretreated with dietary inclusions of AE and BN. In addition, impaired antioxidant status induced by scopolamine was reversed by pretreatment with dietary inclusions of AE and BN. This study has shown that dietary inclusions of AE and BN could protect against cognitive and neurochemical impairments induced by scopolamine, and hence, these vegetables could be used as a source of functional foods and nutraceuticals for the prevention and management of cognitive impairments associated diseases such as Alzheimer's disease

Hibiscus sabdariffa fractions attenuate oxidative stress and some cardiac biomarkers in sodium fluoride(NaF)-induced cardiotoxicity rat

The excessive intake and bioaccumulation of sodium fluoride (NaF) through water, toothpaste or pesticides could trigger cardiac oxidative stress. The effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) fractions on biochemical markers of the heart in NaF-induced rats. Thirty male and female rats were grouped into five: Normal control (NC) received water only, Sodium fluoride (NaF,  300 mg L−1), the others were exposed to 300 mg L−1 NaF while the treated animals received100 mg kg−1d−1 of aqueous, n-hexane and butanol -H. sabdariffa (AQE-HS, HEE-HS, BTE-HS) fractions orally for 14 days respectively. This study revealed that NaF exposure increases TBARS, TC, TG, LDL-c, AI, AC, CRI-I, CRI-II and arginase activity with a decrease in catalase, GST, SOD, GSH, HDL-c, and NO level whilethe HS treatment stimulates antioxidant production which eventually reduce oxidative stress. The AQE-HS suppressed TBARS, lipid profile, and cardiac indices. Therefore, bioactive constituent of HS attenuates NAF-induced cardiac oxidative stress