Using Online Reference Management Tools to Combat Plagiarism in Higher Institutions in Nigeria

Academic dishonesty has always been known to plague institutions of higher learning the world over. However, issues of plagiarism come into limelight with increased access to the internet as more students and faculty rely on it for information. Although many within the academic environment engage in acts of plagiarism knowingly, some get involved unknowingly for lack of citation knowledge. While this may have been a big problem in the past, the story is different today as online reference tools now abound to aid novice researchers, while easing the work of the more experienced. This paper therefore, discusses how the academic community can take advantage of online reference tools as a measure to combat plagiarism

Toxicity Evaluation of the Aqueous Stem Extracts of Senna alata in Wistar Rats

Abstract Aim: This study evaluated the phytochemicals, proximate and the toxicity effect of aqueous stem extract of Senna alata using wistar rats. In acute toxicity test, aqueous dried stem extract of Senna alata were administered orally up to 10 g/kg body weight to male wistar rats. Materials and methods: In sub-acute study, the wistar rats were daily administered orally with aqueous dried stem extract of Senna alata at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg for 14 days and haematological, biochemical parameters were determined and a histopathology of the liver and kidney were analyzed. Results: The acute toxicity of oral administration of aqueous extracts of Senna alata stem on albino rats after 24 hours did not produce any mortality at concentration up to 10 g/kg body weight. In the subacute toxicity, significant differences (P> 0.05) were observed in the results of urea, creatinine, and bicarbonate across the tested groups when compared with the control rats. The results of the liver enzymes showed significant difference (P> 0.05) on alkaline transaminase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Conclusion: Our results showed that the dried stem of Senna alata is not toxic at the tested doses

Back to the Future: Maximizing Student Learning and Wellbeing in the Virtual Age.

The virtual age of learning is no longer a concern of the future. It is here. The Fall 2021 Webinar Audio Series (WAS) of the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE), titled Back to the Future: Maximizing Student Learning and Wellbeing in the Virtual Age, was designed to help health science educators equip themselves with tools to teach the next generation of health care professionals successfully. From September 2, 2021 to September 30, 2021, the Fall 2021 Series was broadcast live to audiences at academic institutions worldwide in five weekly webinars. This five-part webinar series explored theories and best practices in delivering content over virtual and online media while simultaneously promoting a positive learning environment and enhanced student wellbeing

How Science Educators Still Matter: Leveraging the Basic Sciences for Student Success.

Meeting Report New Horizons: Restructuring the Basic and Clinical Sciences beyond USMLE Research in Medical School – Impact on Career Path Integrating Basic Science in the Clerkships: Innovative Strategies and Persistent Challenges Identity Shape‑Shifting: How Basic Science Teaching Practices can Foster Identity Transformation from Medical Student to Medical Professional Rethinking Assessment Strategies in the Basic Sciences as Step 1 Goes Pass/Fai

The Role of Lysosomes in a Broad Disease-Modifying Approach Evaluated across Transgenic Mouse Models of Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease and Models of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Many neurodegenerative disorders have lysosomal impediments, and the list of proposed treatments targeting lysosomes is growing. We investigated the role of lysosomes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other age-related disorders, as well as in a strategy to compensate for lysosomal disturbances. Comprehensive immunostaining was used to analyze brains from wild-type mice vs. amyloid precursor protein/presenilin-1 (APP/PS1) mice that express mutant proteins linked to familial AD. Also, lysosomal modulation was evaluated for inducing synaptic and behavioral improvements in transgenic models of AD and Parkinson’s disease, and in models of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Amyloid plaques were surrounded by swollen organelles positive for the lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1) in the APP/PS1 cortex and hippocampus, regions with robust synaptic deterioration. Within neurons, lysosomes contain the amyloid β 42 (Aβ42) degradation product Aβ38, and this indicator of Aβ42 detoxification was augmented by Z-Phe-Ala-diazomethylketone (PADK; also known as ZFAD) as it enhanced the lysosomal hydrolase cathepsin B (CatB). PADK promoted Aβ42 colocalization with CatB in lysosomes that formed clusters in neurons, while reducing Aβ deposits as well. PADK also reduced amyloidogenic peptides and α-synuclein in correspondence with restored synaptic markers, and both synaptic and cognitive measures were improved in the APP/PS1 and MCI models. These findings indicate that lysosomal perturbation contributes to synaptic and cognitive decay, whereas safely enhancing protein clearance through modulated CatB ameliorates the compromised synapses and cognition, thus supporting early CatB upregulation as a disease-modifying therapy that may also slow the MCI to dementia continuum