Effect of ethanol seed extract of Buccholzia coriacea (wonderful kola) on the lipid profile of albino rats

This study investigates the effect of ethanol extract of Buccholzia coriacea seeds on the serum lipid profile of albino rats within a period of two weeks of treatments. Twelve (12) Wistar albino rats weighing between 85 to 130 g purchased and randomly divided into three groups were used for this study. The control group received normal saline while the two other groups received graded doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of the extract, respectively. Measurement of the serum lipid profile in rats administered with extract indicated a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the mean values of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol but there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels of the rats administered with the same extract. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the total cholesterol concentration and triacylglycerol concentrations of rats administered with the same extract compared to the control. This study suggests that ethanol extract of B. coriacea seeds have active ingredients that are capable of improving the lipid profile and thus, might be useful in the management of cardiovascular diseases caused by hyperlipidemia.Keywords: Buccholzia coriacea, triacylglycerol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, total cholesterolAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(32), pp. 5075-507

A spectroscopic survey for strong galaxy-galaxy lenses

We present a spectroscopic survey for strong galaxy-galaxy lenses. Exploiting optimal sight-lines to massive, bulge-dominated galaxies at redshifts $z \sim 0.4$ with wide-field, multifibre spectroscopy, we anticipate the detection of 10-20 lensed Lyman-$\alpha$ emitting galaxies at redshifts z \simgreat 3 from a sample of 2000 deflectors. Initial spectroscopic observations are described and the prospects for constraining the emission-line luminosity function of the Lyman-$\alpha$ emitting population are outlined

Presence of chemotherapy-induced toxicity predicts improved survival in patients with localised extremity osteosarcoma treated with doxorubicin and cisplatin: a report from the European Osteosarcoma Intergroup.

Chemotherapy-induced toxicity is an independent prognostic indicator in several cancers. We aimed to determine whether toxicity was related to survival and histological response in high-grade localised extremity osteosarcoma. We undertook a retrospective analysis of patients treated within three consecutive randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of the European Osteosarcoma Intergroup

The Search for Invariance: Repeated Positive Testing Serves the Goals of Causal Learning

Positive testing is characteristic of exploratory behavior, yet it seems to be at odds with the aim of information seeking. After all, repeated demonstrations of one’s current hypothesis often produce the same evidence and fail to distinguish it from potential alternatives. Research on the development of scientific reasoning and adult rule learning have both documented and attempted to explain this behavior. The current chapter reviews this prior work and introduces a novel theoretical account—the Search for Invariance (SI) hypothesis—which suggests that producing multiple positive examples serves the goals of causal learning. This hypothesis draws on the interventionist framework of causal reasoning, which suggests that causal learners are concerned with the invariance of candidate hypotheses. In a probabilistic and interdependent causal world, our primary goal is to determine whether, and in what contexts, our causal hypotheses provide accurate foundations for inference and intervention—not to disconfirm their alternatives. By recognizing the central role of invariance in causal learning, the phenomenon of positive testing may be reinterpreted as a rational information-seeking strategy

Impact of Scottish smoke-free legislation on smoking quit attempts and prevalence

<p><b>Objectives:</b> In Scotland, legislation was implemented in March 2006 prohibiting smoking in all wholly or partially enclosed public spaces. We investigated the impact on attempts to quit smoking and smoking prevalence.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> We performed time series models using Box-Jenkins autoregressive integrated moving averages (ARIMA) on monthly data on the gross ingredient cost of all nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) prescribed in Scotland in 2003–2009, and quarterly data on self-reported smoking prevalence between January 1999 and September 2010 from the Scottish Household Survey.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> NRT prescription costs were significantly higher than expected over the three months prior to implementation of the legislation. Prescription costs peaked at £1.3 million in March 2006; £292,005.9 (95% CI £260,402.3, £323,609, p<0.001) higher than the monthly norm. Following implementation of the legislation, costs fell exponentially by around 26% per month (95% CI 17%, 35%, p<0.001). Twelve months following implementation, the costs were not significantly different to monthly norms. Smoking prevalence fell by 8.0% overall, from 31.3% in January 1999 to 23.7% in July–September 2010. In the quarter prior to implementation of the legislation, smoking prevalence fell by 1.7% (95% CI 2.4%, 1.0%, p<0.001) more than expected from the underlying trend.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Quit attempts increased in the three months leading up to Scotland's smoke-free legislation, resulting in a fall in smoking prevalence. However, neither has been sustained suggesting the need for additional tobacco control measures and ongoing support.</p&gt

Post coital aortic dissection: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sudden onset peri- or post-coital cardiovascular disease is well documented in the literature including myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolus and subarachnoid haemorrhage. The occurrence of aortic dissection in this setting has been reported only once previously.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the case of a 47 year old man who developed sudden onset right leg pain during coitus. This was initially believed to be neurological due to nerve impingement but an MRI failed to identify a prolapse. On further review after 6 weeks, pulses were noted to be absent in the patient's right leg and an urgent vascular review with investigation identified a dissection of the aorta which was subsequently successfully treated.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This case illustrates a rare presentation of aortic dissection and demonstrates the importance of a thorough vascular assessment in the presence of sudden onset limb pain.</p

Expanding Rural Opioid Addictions Treatment: An Inter-institutional, Inter-professional Telehealth Case Study Simulation

Purpose: To determine if inter-institutional collaboration, using telehealth technology, inter-professional education techniques, and case study methodology is a feasible way to teach health professions students how to appropriately address opioid addictions, especially in rural populations with limited health care access. Study subjects: Ten health professions students from four Virginia universities participated. Professions represented included medicine, nursing, physical therapy, social work, nutrition, and psychology at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Methods: Inter-professional faculty from four Virginia universities developed an opioid addiction simulation case study using a standardized patient. Students from different regions engaged in a facilitated patient interview and care planning via secure virtual meeting platform. Faculty observation and feedback, student feedback, and inter-professional education assessments were used to assess this pilot study. Findings: Inter-institutional faculty collaboration and telehealth technology was successfully employed to convene multiple health professions students from different sites; simulation case study methodology using a standardized patient was effective and compelling; students effectively utilized interprofessional competencies and skills to develop a comprehensive and holistic care plan for opioid addiction treatment. Conclusions: Telehealth technology, inter-professional education, and simulation case study methodology can be successfully used to teach health professions students how to collaborate to address the opioid crisis, especially in resource-limited rural areas. Implications: Many resources are necessary to successfully treat opioid addictions. By using telehealth technology combined with inter-professional concepts and skills, resources can be shared between institutions and professions to successfully treat patients with opioid addictions in resource-limited areas

Mechanical stimulation of 3D bio-engineered skeletal muscle

Skeletal muscle is a highly plastic tissue, responding to exercise and mechanical loading. In vitro culture systems have been used to replicate this mechanical stimulus in order to study cellular and molecular adaptations. Previous research using such models has often lacked bio-mimicity, with respect to the in vitro culture, the mechanical loading, or both. This has lead to contradictory findings with regards to a variety of molecular outputs. Cell culture matrix and environment (2D or 3D), the type of mechanical loading (uni-axial or multi-axial) and the extent, speed and duration of stretching, are all likely to affect the adaptive responses of the cells and their maturation into functional muscle models. It is therefore necessary to develop a model which has greater physiological relevance if such models are to be used to further understand in vivo physiology