BOUNDARY LAYER FLOW AND HEAT TRANSFER WITH VARIABLE VISCOSITY IN THE PRESENCE OF MAGNETIC FIELD

A steady two dimensional boundary layer flow and heat transfer with variable viscosity electrically conducting fluid at T in the presence of magnetic fields and thermal radiation was considered. The governing equations which are partial differential equations were transformed into ordinary differential equations using similarity variables, and the resulting coupled ordinary differential equations were solved using collocation method in MAPLE 18. The velocity and temperature profiles were studied graphically for different physical parameters. The effects of the parameters on velocity and temperature profile were showed

A novel microRNA-1207-3p/FNDC1/FN1/AR regulatory pathway in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cause of cancer-specific deaths in the U.S. Unfortunately, the underlying molecular mechanisms for its development and progression remain unclear. Studies have established that microRNAs (miRNAs) are dysregulated in PCa. The intron-derived microRNA-1207-3p (miR-1207-3p) is encoded at the non-protein coding gene locus PVT1 on the 8q24 human chromosomal region, an established PCa susceptibility locus. However, miR-1207-3p in PCa had not previously been investigated. Therefore, we explored if miR-1207-3p plays any regulatory role in PCa. We discovered that miR-1207-3p is significantly underexpressed in PCa cell lines in comparison to normal prostate epithelial cells, and that increased expression of microRNA-1207-3p in PCa cells significantly inhibits proliferation, migration, and induces apoptosis via direct molecular targeting of fibronectin type III domain containing 1 (FNDC1). Our studies also revealed significant overexpression of FNDC1, fibronectin (FN1) and the androgen receptor (AR) in human PCa cell lines as well as tissues, and FNDC1, FN1, and AR positively correlate with aggressive PCa. These findings, recently published in Experimental Cell Research, are the first to describe a novel miR-1207-3p/FNDC1/FN1/AR novel regulatory pathway in PCa

Survivin Inhibition Is Critical for Bcl-2 Inhibitor-Induced Apoptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Our study aims to study the therapeutic effects of a novel Bcl-2 inhibitor, ABT-263, on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to provide primary preclinical data for future clinical trial with ABT-263. In this study we showed that Bcl-xL and survivin were up-regulated in HCC cell lines and human liver cancer tissues. Clinic used ABT-263 single treatment had no apoptotic effects on HCC cells whereas higher doses of ABT-263 did. Interestingly, the combination treatment of ABT-263 with survivin inhibitor YM-155 could result in significant apoptosis in HCC cells. Survivin inhibition through gene silencing significantly enhanced ABT-263 to induce apoptosis in HCC cells. We found that low dose of ABT-263 single treatment resulted in ERK activation and survivin up-regulation, which might be involved in the resistance of HCC cells to ABT-263 since blockade of ERK activation sensitized ABT-263-induced apoptosis. Importantly, ABT-263 and YM-155 combination treatment had no apoptotic effects on normal human hepatocytes. Taken together, these data suggest the combination treatment of Bcl-2 inhibitor and survivin inhibition may have a great potential for liver cancer therapy

Influence of Operating Parameters on the Product Yields During Pyrolysis of Oil Palm Husk

The influence of operating parameters on the product yields during the pyrolysis of Oil Palm Husk (OPH) was investigated in this study. 0.5 kg of dried sample of OPH was loaded into a steel retort, and the retort interior was rendered airtight. The retort was then placed into the furnace chamber and the OPH was pyrolysed at 300 oC between 10 - 30 minutes at 5 minutes interval. This was repeated for temperatures of 400, 500, 600 and 700 oC and in each case, the quantities of char, tar and pyro - gas produced were determined. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to develop polynomial regression model and investigate the effect of  changes in the level of pyrolysing temperature and duration on the product yields using Full Factorial Design (FFD). The contribution of pyrolysis temperature, duration and their squares (A, B, A2 and B2) to the model developed are significant model terms. It was observed that the experimental data fitted better because of the Pred R-Squared of 0.8283 is in reasonable agreement with the Adj R-Squared of 0.9690. The agreement between the predicted and experimental values describe the accuracy of the model developed and can be used to navigate within the design space. The product yields minimum value of 1.54% was achieved at pyrolysis temperature and duration values of 300 oC and 10 min respectively. The optimum conversion yields of oven-dried weight of OPH char, tar and gas products at their respective pyrolysis conditions were 97 wt% char at 302 oC and 10 min., 51 wt% tar at 559 oC and 25 min., and 47 wt% gas at 700 oC and 30 min. The results obtained showed that OPH can be readily pyrolised to obtain optimum yield of bio fuels (gas, tar and char). Keywords: Pyrolysis, Oil-palm Husk, Bio fuels, Gas, Tar, Char and Response surface methodology

INFLUENCE OF WEB SURFING ON UNDERGRADUATES’ STUDYING IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

Undergraduates are now bereft of the ability to read; rather they devote more time to social networking. Studying literatures and documents in an unobtrusive, quiet place of a reading room or house is becoming the most out-dated notion to many university students. However, as studying is essential, an obvious minor alteration may produce severe consequences. The study, therefore, examined works from several fields on the technical, communal, developmental, and neuro-scientific influences of web surfing on the reading culture of evolving undergraduates, particularly in the Nigerian context. A descriptive quantitative method was used to study the influence of the web surfing on the educational well-being of the students of the University of Ibadan. In total, 154 participants from three faculties of the institution took part in the study. Results indicated that only academic-oriented Internet utilization contributes to better academic performance with the significance value of 0.001 while the social and recreational function of the internet would hinder the achievement of a better academic result. Also, there were significant differences between Internet use and gender, the web use and age groups, and the Internet use and institutions in Nigeria. The application of the web for leisure and common purpose may hamper the reading culture of students, especially those in tertiary institutions. Therefore, the government, teachers, parents and concerned parties should cooperate and collaborate to minimize using the web for unproductive social and recreational purposes

Solutions of Second Order Nonlinear Singular Initial Value Problems by Modified Laplace Decomposition Method

In this paper, we presented a reliable modification of the Laplace Decomposition Method (LDM) for solving non linear singular second order initial value problems. The method is used to obtain the exact solutions of the nonlinear singular initial value problems. The validity of the method is verified by using nonlinear Lane-Emden type differential equations as an example to show the effectiveness of the method

A descriptive survey of types, spread and characteristics of substance abuse treatment centers in Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa and the 8th most populous in the world with a population of over 154 million, does not have current data on substance abuse treatment demand and treatment facilities; however, the country has the highest one-year prevalence rate of Cannabis use (14.3%) in Africa and ranks third in Africa with respect to the one-year prevalence rate of cocaine (0.7%) and Opioids (0.7%) use. This study aimed to determine the types, spread and characteristics of the substance abuse treatment centers in Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was a cross sectional survey of substance abuse treatment centers in Nigeria. Thirty-one units were invited and participated in filling an online questionnaire, adapted from the European <it>Treatment Unit/Program Form (June 1997 version)</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All the units completed the online questionnaire. A large proportion (48%) was located in the South-West geopolitical zone of the country. Most (58%) were run by Non-Governmental Organizations. Half of them performed internal or external evaluation of treatment process or outcome. There were a total of 1043 for all categories of paid and volunteer staff, with an average of 33 staff per unit. Most of the funding came from charitable donations (30%). No unit provided drug substitution/maintenance therapy. The units had a total residential capacity of 566 beds. New client admissions in the past one year totalled 765 (mean = 48, median = 26.5, min = 0, max = 147) and 2478 clients received services in the non-residential units in the past year. No unit provided syringe exchange services.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The study revealed a dearth of substance abuse treatment units (and of funds for the available ones) in a country with a large population size and one of the highest prevalence rates of substance abuse in Africa. The available units were not networked and lacked a directory or an evaluation framework. To provide an environment for effective monitoring, funding and continuous quality improvement, the units need to be organized into a sustainable network.</p

A novel microRNA-1207-3p/FNDC1/FN1/AR regulatory pathway in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cause of cancer-specific deaths in the U.S. Unfortunately, the underlying molecular mechanisms for its development and progression remain unclear. Studies have established that microRNAs (miRNAs) are dysregulated in PCa. The intron-derived microRNA-1207-3p (miR-1207-3p) is encoded at the non-protein coding gene locus PVT1 on the 8q24 human chromosomal region, an established PCa susceptibility locus. However, miR-1207-3p in PCa had not previously been investigated. Therefore, we explored if miR-1207-3p plays any regulatory role in PCa. We discovered that miR-1207-3p is significantly underexpressed in PCa cell lines in comparison to normal prostate epithelial cells, and that increased expression of microRNA-1207-3p in PCa cells significantly inhibits proliferation, migration, and induces apoptosis via direct molecular targeting of fibronectin type III domain containing 1 (FNDC1). Our studies also revealed significant overexpression of FNDC1, fibronectin (FN1) and the androgen receptor (AR) in human PCa cell lines as well as tissues, and FNDC1, FN1, and AR positively correlate with aggressive PCa. These findings, recently published in Experimental Cell Research, are the first to describe a novel miR-1207-3p/FNDC1/FN1/AR novel regulatory pathway in PCa

Oxytocin and cancer: An emerging link

The neuropeptide hormone oxytocin, which is released from the posterior pituitary gland, is involved in a number of physiological processes. Understanding of its effects is gradually increasing due to new research in this area. While mostly recognized as a reproductive system hormone, oxytocin also regulates other organ systems such as the brain and cardiovascular system. Recently, research has focused on unraveling its involvement in cancer, and emerging evidence suggests a potential role for oxytocin as a cancer biomarker. This review summarizes observations linking oxytocin and cancer, with a special emphasis on prostate cancer, where it may promote cell proliferation. Research suggests that oxytocin effects may depend on cell type, concentration of the hormone, its interactions with other hormones in the microenvironment, and the precise localization of its receptor on the cell membrane. Future research is needed to further elucidate the involvement of oxytocin in cancer, and whether it could be a clinical cancer biomarker or therapeutic target