Correction: Archibong, A.E., et al. Effects of Benzo(a)pyrene on Intra-testicular Function in F-344 Rats

We found some errors in Figure 4 in our paper published in the International journal of Environmental Research and Public Health [1].[...

Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Antispasmodic Activity of Artemisia macrocephala Jacquem

The current work describes the antispasmodic action of Artemisia macrocephala, which is achieved via blocking of the calcium channels. This explains its traditional use as an antispasmodic.The crude methanolic extract of A. macrocephala was studied for possible relaxant effect(s) on spontaneous rabbits’ jejunum preparations. Analytical-grade chemicals were used in the experimental protocols. A. macrocephala gave positive tests for flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, alkaloids, and terpenes. A. macrocephala caused relaxation of spontaneous rabbits’ jejunum preparations (n=6) at a dose of 10.0 mg/mL (EC50 = 6.95 ± 0.20 mg/mL; 95% CI: 6.2 to 7.5). Contractions induced by 80 mM potassium chloride (KCl) were also relaxed by the A. macrocephala at dose of 10.0 mg/mL. Attempting to find an explanation for the possible mode of action, we found that, A. macrocephala at concentration of 1.0 mg/mL produced rightward shift in the calcium chloride curves, with EC50 value of –1.65 ± 0.02 log [Ca++] M vs control with EC50 value of –2.44 ± 0.043 for calcium chloride curves. At a concentration of 1.0 mg/mL it could produce 52.4% of the control response at log [Ca++] M = –1.6. Similarly, verapamil at a concentration of 0.1 μM produced a rightward shift, with EC50 value of –1.74 ± 0.026 log [Ca++] M (95% CI: –1.66 to –1.82; n=6) vs control with EC50 value of –2.45 ± 0.05 log [Ca++] M (95% CI: – 2.23 to –2.91; n=6). The right shift of the EC50 values is justification for the folkloric use of A. macrocephala as an antispasmodic, suggesting that the possible mode of action is through calcium channel blockade

Novel Diagnostic Biomarkers in Liver Disease-a Metabolomic Review

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Kinetic and thermodynamic study of oxidative degradation of acid yellow 17 dye by Fenton-like process: Effect of HCO3−, CO32−, Cl− and SO42− on dye degradation

We report here the degradation of AY-17 dye using Fenton-like process (H2O2/Fe3+). The maximum degradation (83%) of AY17 dye is achieved at pH 3 in 60 min, with optimum concentrations of AY 17 (0.06 mM), H2O2 (0.9 mM), and Fe2+ (0.06 mM). The scavenging effects of HCO3−, CO32−, Cl− and SO42− on dye degradation are also examined. The activation energy (Ea), activation enthalpy (rH*), and activation entropy (rS*) are calculated for the dye degradation using pseudo-first-order kinetics at various temperature.               KEY WORDS: Acid Yellow 17, H2O2/Fe3+, Fenton-like process, Oxidative degradation, Scavenging effects Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2019, 33(2), 243-254.DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v33i2.

Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Antispasmodic Activity of Artemisia macrocephala Jacquem

The current work describes the antispasmodic action of Artemisia macrocephala, which is achieved via blocking of the calcium channels. This explains its traditional use as an antispasmodic.The crude methanolic extract of A. macrocephala was studied for possible relaxant effect(s) on spontaneous rabbits’ jejunum preparations. Analytical-grade chemicals were used in the experimental protocols. A. macrocephala gave positive tests for flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, alkaloids, and terpenes. A. macrocephala caused relaxation of spontaneous rabbits’ jejunum preparations (n=6) at a dose of 10.0 mg/mL (EC50 = 6.95 ± 0.20 mg/mL; 95% CI: 6.2 to 7.5). Contractions induced by 80 mM potassium chloride (KCl) were also relaxed by the A. macrocephala at dose of 10.0 mg/mL. Attempting to find an explanation for the possible mode of action, we found that, A. macrocephala at concentration of 1.0 mg/mL produced rightward shift in the calcium chloride curves, with EC50 value of –1.65 ± 0.02 log [Ca++] M vs control with EC50 value of –2.44 ± 0.043 for calcium chloride curves. At a concentration of 1.0 mg/mL it could produce 52.4% of the control response at log [Ca++] M = –1.6. Similarly, verapamil at a concentration of 0.1 μM produced a rightward shift, with EC50 value of –1.74 ± 0.026 log [Ca++] M (95% CI: –1.66 to –1.82; n=6) vs control with EC50 value of –2.45 ± 0.05 log [Ca++] M (95% CI: – 2.23 to –2.91; n=6). The right shift of the EC50 values is justification for the folkloric use of A. macrocephala as an antispasmodic, suggesting that the possible mode of action is through calcium channel blockade

The epidemiology of soil-transmitted helminth infections in children up to 8 years of age: Findings from an Ecuadorian birth cohort.

BACKGROUND: There are few prospective longitudinal studies of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections during early childhood. We studied the epidemiology of and risk factors for soil-transmitted helminth infections from birth to 8 years of age in tropical Ecuador. METHODS: 2,404 newborns were followed to 8 years of age with periodic stool sample collections. Stool samples were collected also from household members at the time of the child's birth and examined by microscopy. Data on social, environmental, and demographic characteristics were collected by maternal questionnaire. Associations between potential risk factors and STH infections were estimated using generalized estimated equations applied to longitudinal binary outcomes for presence or absence of infections at collection times. RESULTS: Of 2,404 children, 1,120 (46.6%) were infected with at least one STH infection during the first 8 years of life. The risk of A. lumbricoides (16.2%) was greatest at 3 years, while risks of any STH (25.1%) and T. trichiura (16.5%) peaked at 5 years. Factors significantly associated with any STH infection in multivariable analyses included age, day-care (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.03-1.73), maternal Afro-Ecuadorian ethnicity (non-Afro vs. Afro, OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.43-0.70) and lower educational level (secondary vs. illiterate, OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.22-0.45)), household overcrowding (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.21-1.94)), having a latrine rather than a water closet (WC vs. latrine, OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.62-0.95)), and STH infections among household members (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.59-2.58)). T. trichiura was more associated with poverty (high vs. low socioeconomic status, OR, 0.63, 95% CI 0.40-0.99)] and presence of infected siblings in the household (OR 3.42, 95% CI 2.24-5.22). CONCLUSION: STH infections, principally with A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura, peaked between 3 and 5 years in this cohort of children in tropical Ecuador. STH infections among household members were an important determinant of infection risk and could be targeted for control and elimination strategies

An ex-post view of inequality of opportunity in France and its regions

This paper proposes an ex-post measure of inequality of opportunity in France and its regions by assessing the inequality between individuals exerting the same effort. To this end, we define a fair income that fulfils ex-post equality of opportunity requirements. Unfairness is measured by an unfair Gini based on the distance between the actual income and the fair income. Our findings reveal that the measures of ex-post inequality of opportunity largely vary across regions, and that this is due to di_erences in reward schemes and in the impact of the non responsibility factors of income. We find that most regions have actual incomes closer to fair incomes than to average income, excepted Ile de France where the actual income looks poorly related to effort variables. Finally, we find that income inequality and inequality of opportunity are positively correlated among regions

Not Managing Expectations: A Grounded Theory of Intimate Partner Violence From the Perspective of Pakistani People

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major social and public health problem affecting people from different cultures and societies. Much research has been undertaken to understand the phenomenon, its determinants, and its consequences in numerous countries. However, there is a paucity of research on IPV in many areas of the world including Pakistan. The present study aimed to develop a theory of the meaning and process of IPV from the perspective of Pakistani men and women living in and outside Pakistan

Glucose effects on gastric motility and tone evoked from the rat dorsal vagal complex

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66102/1/j.1469-7793.2001.t01-1-00141.x.pd