Yoruba Contemporary Gele: A Stylistic Appraisal

Gele, pronounced gay-lay, is simply head covering, typified and rooted in feminine fashion of the Yoruba, home and abroad. It is the ultimate apparel adorned by the female folks of all age, class and status; giving acclaimed quintessential top notch appeal, deserving of a true Yoruba dress. In other words, clothing accessories conglomerating costume, footwear, makeup and hairstyle is incongruous without gele particularly in the Yoruba milieu. Gele congruity in female dressing is unequivocably material to recent proclivity and self expressions as observed in generation and regenerations of well over thirty stylish gele ideas and innovations. In view of the latter, this paper examines gele stylistic inclination; using Ibadan as its case in point, being the largest city state in modern Yoruba history. The methodology adopted was triangular approaches of participatory field investigation, online survey and artistic visualisation. Gele adherents and stylists of Ibadan metropolis were physically interviewed, figures sourced virtually and appraised artistically. Eight gele styles were shortlisted and stylistically visualised. Findings revealed dynamism in prevailing gele styles, with apparent classic and comely finesse on beholders. Consequently, this paper hopes it finding will help promotes gele styling among teeming youths locally and globally; provoking studies on the subject matter

Novel prospects in cervical incompetence treatment

Background. A "Method of cervical incompetence treatment in pregnant women" (RF patent for invention №2746437, priority dated December 25, 2019) is presented. Method details are described. Aim. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the novel cervical incompetence (CI) treatment method in pregnant women. Materials and methods. The study included 150 pregnant women divided into three groups, with 50 subjects in each group. Group 1 included pregnant women with CI who received the novel treatment method (narrowing of the dilated cervical canal with a flexible tape with a fixation lock); Group 2 included pregnant women who underwent surgical correction of CI (U-shaped sutures to the cervix); Group 3 included pregnant women with the initial stage of CI, in whom obstetric pessaries were used. Patients in the groups were comparable in age, reproductive behavior, somatic diseases, and obstetric and gynecological history. Results. After CI correction, different early complications were observed in 20, 66, and 34% of pregnant women by groups, respectively. The novel method of narrowing the dilated cervical canal with a flexible loop with a fixation lock is technically a simpler manipulation than surgical suturing of the cervix with a prolapsed amniotic sac. Clinical signs of threatening miscarriage in subsequent gestational periods occurred in 22% of patients in Group 1, 64% of Group 2, and 28% of Group 3. Full-term delivery was reported in 88, 68, and 84%, respectively. Conclusion. The novel method of CI correction is technically simple, clinically- and cost-effective. Furthermore, this method does not involve using medications that can affect the pregnant woman and the fetus

Microstructural characterisation of resistance artery remodelling in diabetes mellitus

Introduction: Microvascular remodelling is a symptom of cardiovascular disease. Despite the mechanical environment being recognized as a major contributor to the remodelling process, it is currently only understood in a rudimentary way. Objective: A morphological and mechanical evaluation of the resistance vasculature in health and diabetes mellitus. Methods: The cells and extracellular matrix of human subcutaneous resistance arteries from abdominal fat biopsies were imaged using two-photon fluorescence and second harmonic generation at varying transmural pressure. The results informed a two-layer mechanical model. Results: Diabetic resistance arteries reduced in wall area as pressure was increased. This was attributed to the presence of thick, straight collagen fibre bundles that braced the outer wall. The abnormal mechanical environment caused the internal elastic lamina and endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cell arrangements to twist. Conclusions: Our results suggest diabetic microvascular remodelling is likely to be stress-driven, comprising at least 2 stages: (1) Laying down of adventitial bracing fibres that limit outward distension, and (2) Deposition of additional collagen in the media, likely due to the significantly altered mechanical environment. This work represents a step towards elucidating the local stress environment of cells, which is crucial to build accurate models of mechanotransduction in disease

Inhibitory effects of Lactobacillus fermentii and Lactococcus lactis against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms

Probiotics and their derivatives are becoming increasingly popular in the fight against pathogenic biofilms. This research work explores the use of probiotic bacteria and their potential as antimicrobial agents against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms and the infections they cause. P. aeruginosa strains were grown on LB (Lysogeny Broth) for 24 hours and characterized using biochemical tests. The biofilm-forming strains were quantified using polystyrene microtiter-plates in a spectrophotometric assay supplemented with M63 minimal media. LAB (Lactobacillus fermentii and Lactococcus lactis) were isolated from fermented maize paste (ogi), Cheese (Waara), Fura and fermented milk (Nunu) on Skim milk agar and were characterized based on colony morphology, cell morphology and biochemical tests.  From the isolates, two strains of LAB were selected as probiotics. They were tested for their inhibitory potential against biofilm-forming P. aeruginosa using liquid co-culture assay. The Lactic acid content and Hydrogen Peroxide was estimated by titration for three days. Lactococcus lactis had more stable lactic acid production than Lactobacillus fermentii (2.70 g/L) although both peaked on Day 2 with Lactococcus lactis producing slightly more lactic acid (2.72 g/L). With liquid co-culture assay, there was a 63% decrease observed in the optical density of biofilms.   Keywords: Probiotics, Lactic Acid Bacteria, Biofilm, Lactic acid, Lactobacillus fermentii, Lactococcus lactis, Pseudomonas aeruginos

Inhibitory effects of Lactobacillus fermentii and Lactococcus lactis against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms

Probiotics and their derivatives are becoming increasingly popular in the fight against pathogenic biofilms. This research work explores the use of probiotic bacteria and their potential as antimicrobial agents against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms and the infections they cause. P. aeruginosa strains were grown on LB (Lysogeny Broth) for 24 hours and characterized using biochemical tests. The biofilm-forming strains were quantified using polystyrene microtiter-plates in a spectrophotometric assay supplemented with M63 minimal media. LAB (Lactobacillus fermentii and Lactococcus lactis) were isolated from fermented maize paste (ogi), Cheese (Waara), Fura and fermented milk (Nunu) on Skim milk agar and were characterized based on colony morphology, cell morphology and biochemical tests.  From the isolates, two strains of LAB were selected as probiotics. They were tested for their inhibitory potential against biofilm-forming P. aeruginosa using liquid co-culture assay. The Lactic acid content and Hydrogen Peroxide was estimated by titration for three days. Lactococcus lactis had more stable lactic acid production than Lactobacillus fermentii (2.70 g/L) although both peaked on Day 2 with Lactococcus lactis producing slightly more lactic acid (2.72 g/L). With liquid co-culture assay, there was a 63% decrease observed in the optical density of biofilms.   Keywords: Probiotics, Lactic Acid Bacteria, Biofilm, Lactic acid, Lactobacillus fermentii, Lactococcus lactis, Pseudomonas aeruginos

ORNAMENTAL PLANTS OF CHECHNYA AND ITS ADJACENT AREAS

Abstract. The aim of the research is to summarize the scattered information about the types of decorative flora of the Chechen Republic and adjacent territories; to identify highly resistant ornamental plants for cities and settlements of the North Caucasus and other territories of Russia. Discussion. Currently, in a variety of botanical gardens of the North Caucasus grows a large number of decorative plant species, widely used in green construction. However, not all species posses the quality to sufficient resist unfavorable conditions of the changed abiotic and biotic environment. Among the studied, the most valuable and promising for widespread introduction are the species of more than 122 taxa, the decorative effect of which is preserved throughout the year with no signs of aging. Many examples of the targeted use of herbs, tree species, lianas, bulbous plants were cited in the research. We give a large list of Caucasian species for growing on lawns, flowerbeds, flower gardens, alpine and stony mountains, roadsides and parks, urban parks, squares and alleys as a type of gardening. Their decorative properties, vitality, durability, life form and other bio-ecological features, attitude to abiotic factors (soil conditions, illumination, temperature, soil and atmospheric humidification conditions, etc.) were taken into account. Conclusion. We give a large list of ornamental species and various planting techniques of specific species are introduced in conditions of Chechnya and its adjacent territories as well as the methods of implementing in the landscaping practice in other (middle and northern) regions of Russia

ANALYSIS OF THE PLANT SPECIES USED FOR TECHNICAL PURPOSES IN CHECHNYA

Aim. The aim of the research is to define the species composition of technical plants, to conduct its comprehensive analysis and identify useful properties of wild species of Chechnya for enriching the range of plants used for technical purposes. Methods. The object of the study was the flora and spatial localization of certain types of technical plants on the territory of Chechnya and adjacent territories. The material for the study was obtained as a result of observations in nature and collection of herbarium material during expeditionary researches from 2010 to 2017. Discussion. The article lists dyeing, essential oil-bearing, tannic, tar-bearing plants of the flora of Chechnya and adjacent territories. The main woodraw plants that provide valuable wood are also given special attention in the research; the qualitative properties of various woods and their intended use are briefly described. Are also descried many arboreal and herbaceous species which are widely used or are promising for tanning leather, fabrics, as well as species for obtaining essential oils and aromatic substances suitable for the use in liquor and vodka production, confectionery and other industries. Conclusion. The availability of large reserves of raw technical crops in the republics of the North Caucasus makes them very promising for industrial use. The study of the properties of biologically active substances, establishment of their structure, and creation of valuable herbal preparations on their basis is of great practical importance. On the territory of the Chechen Republic we have identified 157 types of technical plants belonging to 74 genera and 35 families. The problem of preserving the species diversity of valuable, economically useful, including technical plants in culture, becomes especially urgent in connection with the expansion of the use of new species as sources of biological substances