Carotenoids in Marine Invertebrates Living along the Kuroshio Current Coast

Carotenoids of the corals Acropora japonica, A. secale, and A. hyacinthus, the tridacnid clam Tridacna squamosa, the crown-of-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci, and the small sea snail Drupella fragum were investigated. The corals and the tridacnid clam are filter feeders and are associated with symbiotic zooxanthellae. Peridinin and pyrrhoxanthin, which originated from symbiotic zooxanthellae, were found to be major carotenoids in corals and the tridacnid clam. The crown-of-thorns starfish and the sea snail D. fragum are carnivorous and mainly feed on corals. Peridinin-3-acyl esters were major carotenoids in the sea snail D. fragum. On the other hand, ketocarotenoids such as 7,8-didehydroastaxanthin and astaxanthin were major carotenoids in the crown-of-thorns starfish. Carotenoids found in these marine animals closely reflected not only their metabolism but also their food chains

E-docket system for improved administration and justice delivery in selected Limpopo province police stations

This article analyses the factors considered as potential enablers of and hindrances to an optimal implementation of an e-docket system to improve dockets administration and justice delivery in selected police stations of the Limpopo province, South Africa. In the Criminal Justice System, of which the South African Police Service (SAPS) is an integral part, officials often struggle to conclude criminal cases because poor records management makes it possible for criminal officials to tamper with dockets or steal dockets usually managed manually in police stations. This study adopted a survey research design based on a quantitative research approach, with the use of questionnaires to collect data from police detectives in Limpopo police stations. One hundred questionnaires were distributed to collect data from the target population in six participating police stations, and 65 questionnaires were returned. The study identified some enablers of and significant hindrances to the implementation of the e-docket system called Integrated Case Docket Management System (ICDMS). On the positive side, the e-docket system enabled 24-hour access to and tracking of e-dockets, among others. However, many police officers had limited digital training and skills, which inhibited effectiveness and efficiency of the e-docket system. ICT tools were inadequate, resulting in frequently unavailable and slow network connectivity. These hindrances in Limpopo police stations negatively affected records management and justice delivery. To gain full return on investment in an effective e-docket system, the study recommended that top management support foster an enabling environment that reskills police officers and provides technical support for an optimal operation of an e-docket system for electronic records management

Capsaicin enhances astaxanthin action in liposomes

We previously demonstrated that co-encapsulation of the potent antioxidant astaxanthin (Asx) and tocotrienols into liposomes results in synergistically higher antioxidative activity than the calculated additive activity of each individual antioxidant-containing liposome, due to intermolecular interactions between terminal ring moieties of the two antioxidants and the polyene chain and the triene moiety. We reported that intermolecular interactions depend on the stereochemistry of Asx, and change the electronic state of the Asx polyene moiety. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that antioxidants that interact with Asx at the terminal ring and polyene moieties may enhance the antioxidative activity. Herein, we selected two candidate antioxidants, capsaicin (Cap) and resveratrol, based on their structures, in which the compounds exhibit similar characteristics to tocotrienols. We evaluated the antioxidative capacities of liposomes co-encapsulating Asx and the selected candidates. Based on hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, Cap was found to synergistically enhance the antioxidative activity of Asx at an optimal Asx/Cap ratio. Intermolecular interactions between Asx and Cap are necessary for the synergistic effect, and the Asx stereoisomer 3R,3’R-form (Asx-R) was predicted to most potently interact. Liposomes co-encapsulating Asx-R and Cap exhibited clear synergistic antioxidative activity at an optimal ratio, whereas liposomes co-encapsulating the other Asx stereoisomer and Cap did not demonstrate such activity. Computational chemistry analysis showed that changes in the electronic state of the polyene moiety of Asx-R are crucial for the synergistic activity. These results suggest that antioxidants that can change the electronic state of Asx via intermolecular interactions may enhance the function of Asx

Cultural Competency in Universities and Library Services: Definition and Review

Cultural competency is critical aspects that requires proper management in view of the fact that institutions of higher learning worldwide are more diverse with the greater rate of international student enrollment, expansion of opportunities for women and ethnic minorities, and increase in more affordable options for achieving a degree. This qualitative study sought to presents a literature review of the concept of cultural competency as it pertains to the provision of educational and library and information services at institutions of higher education. This literature review explores the various definitions for cultural literacy, how the concept has been used in higher education and library and information science research, and the questions about the concept and its use that remain unanswered. This review is intended to serve as a starting point for future discussion of cultural diversity and the inclusion of international students within the literature. The data was thematically analysed. The paper suggested some recommendations based on the results of the study

An exploration of knowledge sharing as a means of improving municipal governance in selected Limpopo municipalities

The aim of this study was to underscore the role of knowledge sharing in improving the municipal governance in the local government sector of South Africa. The objectives of the study were to find out the kind of knowledge management programmes which are in place in the municipalities of Limpopo Province; establish the extent to which municipalities in Limpopo encourage knowledge sharing for improvement of municipal governance; determine factors which affect knowledge sharing among employees of municipalities of Limpopo Province, and propose recommendations and strategies on how to optimally share knowledge in Limpopo municipalities. The nature of this study warranted the use of two research paradigms, namely positivist and interpretivist approaches. The study employed an integrated research method which covered both the qualitative and quantitative approach. In collecting data, data instruments were triangulated. In this regard, the researcher mostly used a questionnaire with little employment of interviews and observation. The researcher sampled 438 employees and 21 managers from the selected municipalities. Quantitative data was analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The major findings of the study are the following: poor knowledge management programmes in Limpopo municipalities, knowledge sharing among the employees and across the municipalities is not encouraged, knowledge sharing in Limpopo municipalities is affected by both individual and organisational barriers and under-utilisation of information communication technology tools to support knowledge management programmes and practices. Comparatively, the findings of this study to a large extent support what has been recorded in literature. However, the study contradicts a typical mind set of many people that “knowledge is power” and cannot be shared freely. The study recommended to Limpopo municipalities to develop Knowledge sharing strategies that need to be linked to municipal strategic plans; involvement of top management in knowledge management activities; development of knowledge-friendly culture and utilisation of information communication technology tools in support of knowledge sharing. Some recommendations for further study were also provided. Among others, the study recommended that a study on the use of incentive systems as a means of encouraging knowledge sharing be conducted in selected municipalities. This was because studies on the use of incentive systems for motivating knowledge sharing yielded contradictory findings in many organisations.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 201

An exploration of knowledge sharing as a means of improving municipal governance in selected Limpopo municipalities

The aim of this study was to underscore the role of knowledge sharing in improving the municipal governance in the local government sector of South Africa. The objectives of the study were to find out the kind of knowledge management programmes which are in place in the municipalities of Limpopo Province; establish the extent to which municipalities in Limpopo encourage knowledge sharing for improvement of municipal governance; determine factors which affect knowledge sharing among employees of municipalities of Limpopo Province, and propose recommendations and strategies on how to optimally share knowledge in Limpopo municipalities. The nature of this study warranted the use of two research paradigms, namely positivist and interpretivist approaches. The study employed an integrated research method which covered both the qualitative and quantitative approach. In collecting data, data instruments were triangulated. In this regard, the researcher mostly used a questionnaire with little employment of interviews and observation. The researcher sampled 438 employees and 21 managers from the selected municipalities. Quantitative data was analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The major findings of the study are the following: poor knowledge management programmes in Limpopo municipalities, knowledge sharing among the employees and across the municipalities is not encouraged, knowledge sharing in Limpopo municipalities is affected by both individual and organisational barriers and under-utilisation of information communication technology tools to support knowledge management programmes and practices. Comparatively, the findings of this study to a large extent support what has been recorded in literature. However, the study contradicts a typical mind set of many people that “knowledge is power” and cannot be shared freely. The study recommended to Limpopo municipalities to develop Knowledge sharing strategies that need to be linked to municipal strategic plans; involvement of top management in knowledge management activities; development of knowledge-friendly culture and utilisation of information communication technology tools in support of knowledge sharing. Some recommendations for further study were also provided. Among others, the study recommended that a study on the use of incentive systems as a means of encouraging knowledge sharing be conducted in selected municipalities. This was because studies on the use of incentive systems for motivating knowledge sharing yielded contradictory findings in many organisations.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 201

A Case of Chronic Calcium Oxalate Nephropathy due to Short Bowel Syndrome and Cholecystectomy

Background: Oxalate nephropathy is a rare disease. Especially chronic oxalate nephropathy still has many unknown aspects as compared to acute oxalate nephropathy with relatively well-known causality. Case Presentation: The patient was a 70-year-old woman who had a history of small bowel resection 25 years before, cholecystectomy 10 years before, and renal stones (calcium oxalate stones) 7 years before. She had been suffering from chronic diarrhea and had been treated by a local physician. The patient was found to have renal dysfunction (creatinine 3.09 mg/dL, eGFR 12.3 mL/min/1.73 m2, hemoglobin 7.8 g/dL) and was referred to our department. The patient was admitted to our hospital for further investigation. Renal ultrasound showed hepatorenal echo contrast in an opposite manner and clear contrast between the renal cortex and medullary pyramid. Renal biopsy was performed, and histological examination showed tubulointerstitial disorder due to deposition of calcium oxalate. Daily urinary excretion of calcium oxalate was significantly increased. The patient was encouraged to drink water and administered vitamin B6, citric acid, K and Na hydrate. Thereafter, her symptoms improved. Conclusion: Case reports of chronic oxalate neuropathy are rare in the literature, and its underlying mechanism has not been understood. Our patient had a history of small bowel resection and cholecystectomy. We considered that her short bowel syndrome had influenced the development of calcium oxalate nephropathy

The cyanobacterium Gloeobacter violaceus PCC 7421 uses bacterial-type phytoene desaturase in carotenoid biosynthesis

AbstractCarotenoid composition and its biosynthetic pathway in the cyanobacterium Gloeobacter violaceus PCC 7421 were investigated. β-Carotene and (2S,2′S)-oscillol 2,2′-di(α-l-fucoside), and echinenone were major and minor carotenoids, respectively. We identified two unique genes for carotenoid biosynthesis using in vivo functional complementation experiments. In Gloeobacter, a bacterial-type phytoene desaturase (CrtI), rather than plant-type desaturases (CrtP and CrtQ), produced lycopene. This is the first demonstration of an oxygenic photosynthetic organism utilizing bacterial-type phytoene desaturase. We also revealed that echinenone synthesis is catalyzed by CrtW rather than CrtO. These findings indicated that Gloeobacter retains ancestral properties of carotenoid biosynthesis

Characterization of potato and tobacco isolates of Cucumber mosaic virus from Syria and the first report on CMV satellite RNA from potato

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) has been reported from potato production areas in Europe, USA, Japan and more frequently in regions with warm climates such as Egypt, India, Saudi Arabia and Syria. As it is considered as an uncommon virus in potato, the characterization of potato isolates of CMV is far behind those from other hosts. In addition to potato, CMV is a common virus infecting many crops in Syria, but nothing is known about its molecular characteristics. The present study aimed to characterize Syrian CMV isolates collected from potato and neighboring tobacco fields. All potato isolates of CMV (total of four) co-infected potato plants with Potato virus Y (PVY) which is the most frequent potato virus in Syria. According to the sequence analyses of the coat protein (CP) coding region, three potato and three tobacco CMV isolates were found to be closely related regardless of the host species or geographic origin, and all belonged to the IA strain subgroup of CMV. A potato CMV isolate, PoCMV7-5, readily infected solanaceous plants in which it induced systemic infection, but was less infectious to other hosts including those of Leguminosae and Cucurbitaceae. When inoculated on potato plants, PoCMV7-5 alone or with various PVY strains was able to cause local but not systemic infection in all potato cultivars inoculated. PoCMV7-5 contained heterogeneous variants of satellite RNA which varied in length due to A or/and T deletion/insertion at approximate nucleotide position 225‒240. This is the first report on CMV satellite RNA from potato

Relationship among the carotenoid content, dry matter content and sensory attributes of sweet potato

The sensory characteristics of biofortified sweet potato in Africa were explored over a wide range of carotenoid (0.4–72.5 μg/g fresh weight) and dry matter contents (26.8–39.4%). The logarithm of the total carotenoid content was correlated with the dry matter content (declining by 1.2% with each doubling of the carotenoid content) and a wide range of sensory characteristics that involve visual, odour, taste and textural characteristics. Multiple linear regression models were developed. The logarithmic relationship of colour to the carotenoid concentration means that those varieties with a relatively low carotenoid content may appear to be of similar intensity to those with a much higher and hence nutritionally beneficial carotenoid content