Performing Arts and Sustainability, New Prospects for Cultural Transformations

Abstract:The performing arts are not just an art form, creative practice, or method of representation, as they are increasingly seen as a vital medium for embodied research and as an analytical framework. The performing arts have a long and significant history of creative engagement with public issues and continue to play an influential role in the development and transmission of ideas, attitudes, and calls to action regarding pressing issues.Art has a rich history of reflecting on and influencing social change. This paper examines the potentials of the performing arts in the twenty-first century for sustainable development, in which the artist may play a major role through “cultural sustainability”. The paper explores the potentially effective role of the performing arts in redirecting behavior and establishing social norms that are sorely lacking today, where active culture and sustainable development go hand in hand. Research problem: The research problem is to answer the following questions:- What is meant by cultural sustainability? And how can it contribute to achieving sustainable development?- How can the performing arts contribute to achieving sustainability as a process of societal change, through reflexive practices?- Can sustainability be present and relevant in the performing arts?Research objectives: The objectives of the research are to study the role of culture and arts in changing societies, in integration with sociology. The research also aims to show the potential role of the performing arts in achieving sustainability through creative practices; where "sustainable development" is a comprehensive concept that revolves around reconciling (social justice) and (environmental safety); to achieve the well-being of all life systems on the planet.Research Methodology: Through the descriptive-analytical approach, the research deals with the concept of sustainable development and its relationship to culture, and how the performing arts can act as catalysts for sustainable development in the stage of reflexive modernity. Through the case study approach, the research presents applied contemporary models of the performing arts for sustainability, where artistic interventions in society can work to change social structures.Keywords: sustainable development - culture - performing arts - reflexivity - ecological theater

HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF MONASCUS PURPUREUS (RED RICE YEAST) IN DIABETIC RATS ALONE OR IN COMBINATION WITH PIOGLITAZONE: AN EFFECT MEDIATED THROUGH CYTOKINES, ANTIOXIDANTS AND LIPID BIOMARKERS

Objective: Diabetes induces many complications such as cardiovascular problems, cataracts, kidney damage and polyneuropathy. Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes is considered one of the most common animal models in rats. The present study investigated the effects of Monascus purpureus (MP) alone or in combination with pioglitazone on glucose level and on liver in streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats.Methods: In this study were divided into five experimental groups (normal, untreated STZ-diabetic (60 mg/kg B.W., IP), treated STZ-diabetic with Monascus purpureus (500 mg/kg B. W, oral), treated STZ-diabetic with pioglitazone (10 mg/kg B.W., oral) and treated STZ-diabetic with MP (250 mg/kg B. W, oral)+pioglitazone (10 mg/kg B.W., oral)). Treatment continued for 14 d then blood sampling was done to assess blood glucose. At the end of the study, the animals were fasted overnight, anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (60 mg/kg i.p.), and sacrificed to collect tissues samples (liver, pancreases).Results: Throughout the experimental period, all treatments significantly (P<.05) lowered serum glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, c-peptide and IL-6. In addition, hepatic cholesterol and triglycerides levels were also lowered. Moreover, the treated diabetic rats showed higher activity of reduced glutathione (P<.05) in the liver compared with the diabetic control rats and inhibited diabetes induced elevation in the level of malondialdehyde in liver.Conclusion: The results of this study clearly demonstrated that MP act by many ways, including anti-hyperglycemic, antioxidant effects and pancreatic β-cell protection. From these points, it seems that MP may be a useful supplement to alleviate the development of diabetes and its complications

Assessing knowledge of, and attitudes to, HIV/AIDS among university students in the United Arab Emirates

© 2016 Haroun et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Background: The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is among the top two regions in the world with the fastest growing HIV epidemic. In this context, risks and vulnerability are high as the epidemic is on the rise with evidence indicating significantly increasing HIV prevalence, new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths. Objective: The aim of the survey was to assess HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes related to HIV/ AIDS among a wide group of university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, a total sample of 2,294 students (406 male; 1,888 female) from four universities in three different Emirates in the UAE were approached to take part in the study. Students self-completed a questionnaire that was designed to measure their knowledge and attitudes to HIV/AIDS. Results: The overall average knowledge score of HIV.AIDS was 61%. Non-Emirati and postgraduates demonstrated higher levels of knowledge compared to Emirati and undergraduate students respectively. No significant differences between males and females; and marital status were found. Eighty-five percent of students expressed negative attitudes towards people living with HIV, with Emirati and single students significantly holding more negative attitudes compared to non-Emiratis and those that are married respectively. Conclusions: The findings provide strong evidence that there is a need to advocate for appropriate National HIV/AIDS awareness raising campaigns in universities to reduce the gaps in knowledge and decrease stigmatizing attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS

Urinary minerals excretion among primary schoolchildren in Dubai—United Arab Emirates

INTRODUCTION: Urinary excretion of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), iodine and fluoride is used to assess their statuses and/or the existence of metabolic abnormalities. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the urinary concentration of these minerals among children have not been documented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study, including 593 subjects (232 boys and 361 girls), was conducted among healthy 6 to 11-year-old Emirati children living in Dubai. Non-fasting morning urine samples and anthropometrical measurements were collected and analyzed. Results were expressed as per mg of creatinine (Cr). RESULTS: On average, estimated Cr excretion was 17.88±3.12 mg/kg/d. Mean urinary Ca/Cr, Mg/Cr and P/Cr excretions were 0.08±0.07 mg/mg, 0.09±0.04 mg/mg, and 0.57±0.26 mg/mg respectively. Urinary excretion of Ca, Mg and P were found to decrease as age increased. Urinary excretion and predicted intake of fluoride were lower than 0.05 mg/kg body weight per day. Surprisingly, more than 50% of the children were found to have urinary iodine excretion level above adequate. CONCLUSION: The Emirati schoolchildren had comparable levels of urinary Ca, Mg and P excretion to other countries. The 95% percentile allows the use of the current data as a reference value for the detection of mineral abnormalities. Fluoride excretion implies that Emirati children are at low risk of fluorosis. The level of urinary iodine excretion is slightly higher than recommended and requires close monitoring of the process of salt iodization to avoid the harmful impact of iodine overconsumption

Genistein Ameliorates Cyclophosphamide - Induced Hepatotoxicity by Modulation of Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Mediators

AIM: The present study investigated the protective effect of the phytoestrogen, genistein (GEN), against (CP)-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Male adult rats were randomly assigned into five groups. Normal control group received the vehicles; CP group received a single dose of CP (200 mg/kg, i.p). The other three groups received subcutaneous GEN at doses of 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg/day, respectively, for 15 consecutive days prior CP injection. Sera and liver tissues were collected forty-eight hours after CP injection for assessment of liver function enzymes (ALT and AST) in rat sera, the hepatic oxidative/nitrosative biomarkers (GSH, MDA and NOx), hepatic interleukin-1β, and myeloperoxidase activity. Immunohistochemistry of cyclooxygenase-2 and histopathological examination of liver tissues were also conducted.RESULTS: The CP-induced acute liver damage was evidenced by elevated serum ALT and AST accompanied by increased hepatic oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers. Immunohistochemical outcomes revealed hepatic cyclooxygenase-2 expression in CP group with distortion of liver architecture. GEN-pretreatment significantly ameliorated the deterioration of liver function and exerted significant anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity with a marked decline in hepatic cyclooxygenase-2 expression in a dose dependent-manner.CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of GEN might contribute to its protective effects against CP-induced liver damage

Synthesis, X-ray, Hirshfeld, and AIM Studies on Zn(II) and Cd(II) Complexes with Pyridine Ligands

The synthesis and crystal structures of three heteroleptic complexes of Zn(II) and Cd(II) with pyridine ligands (ethyl nicotinate (EtNic), N,N-diethylnicotinamide (DiEtNA), and 2-amino-5-picoline (2Ampic) are presented. The complex [Zn(EtNic)2Cl2] (1) showed a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry with two EtNic ligand units and two chloride ions as monodentate ligands. Complexes [Zn(DiEtNA)(H2O)4(SO4)]·H2O (2) and [Cd(OAc)2(2Ampic)2] (3) had hexa-coordinated Zn(II) and Cd(II) centers. In the former, the Zn(II) was coordinated with three different monodentate ligands, which were DiEtNA, H2O, and SO42−. In 3, the Cd(II) ion was coordinated with two bidentate acetate ions and two monodentate 2Ampic ligand units. The supramolecular structures of the three complexes were elucidated using Hirshfeld analysis. In 1, the most important interactions that governed the molecular packing were O···H (15.5–15.6%), Cl···H (13.6–13.8%), Cl···C (6.3%), and C···H (10.3–10.6%) contacts. For complexes 2 and 3, the H···H, O···H, and C···H contacts dominated. Their percentages were 50.2%, 41.2%, and 7.1%, respectively, for 2 and 57.1%, 19.6%, and 15.2%, respectively, for 3. Only in complex 3, weak π-π stacking interactions between the stacked pyridines were found. The Zn(II) natural charges were calculated using the DFT method to be 0.8775, 1.0559, and 1.2193 for complexes 1–3, respectively. A predominant closed-shell character for the Zn–Cl, Zn–N, Zn–O, Cd–O, and Cd–N bonds was also concluded from an atoms in molecules (AIM) study

ESTROGENS IMPROVE THE CARDIOVASCULAR ALTERATIONS IN FRUCTOSE-INDUCED INSULIN RESISTANT OVARIECTOMIZED RATS

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the possible improving effects of 17-β estradiol (EST) and genistein (GEN) on the cardiovascular changes associated with fructose (21% in drinking water for 8 weeks)-induced insulin resistance.Methods: Sham-operated and ovariectomized mature female rats were included in this study. Insulin-resistant ovariectomized animals were sc treated with EST (100 µg/kg) or GEN (1 mg/kg) on the daily basis for 21 consecutive days.Results: Induction of insulin resistance in both sham-operated and ovariectomized rats decreased the vascular responsiveness of isolated aortic rings towards the vasoconstrictor norepinephrine and the vasodilator acetylcholine (Ach) with no changes towards the vasodilator sodium nitroprusside. Fructose-induced insulin resistance was also associated with an elevation in the blood pressure (BP) with decreased serum level of nitric oxide (NO). Treatment of insulin-resistant ovariectomized rats with either EST or GEN improved the vascular responsiveness of isolated aortic rings towards Ach and succeeded to reduce the elevated BP. Moreover, both EST and GEN decreased the insulin resistance/compensatory hyper insulinaemia. Treatment with EST increased serum NO level.Conclusion: EST and GEN have the ability to improve the endothelium-dependent relaxation in insulin-resistant ovariectomized rats and modulate the elevated BP.Â

HPLC-DAD-MS/MS profiling of phenolics from Securigera securidaca flowers and its anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic activities

AbstractSecurigera securidaca (L.) Degen & Döefl., Fabaceae, has been widely used in the Iranian, Indian and Egyptian folk medicine as antidiabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic remedy. Phenolic profiling of the ethanolic extract (90%) of the flowers of S. securidaca was performed via HPLC-DAD-MS/MS analysis in the positive and negative ion modes. The total polyphenols and flavonoids in the flowers were determined colorimetrically, and the quantification of their components was carried out using HPLC-UV. Total phenolics and flavonoids estimated as gallic acid and rutin equivalents were 82.39±2.79mg/g and 48.82±1.95mg/g of the dried powdered flowers, respectively. HPLC-DAD-MS/MS analysis of the extract allowed the identification of 39 flavonoids and eight phenolic acids. Quantitative analysis of some flavonoids and phenolics (mg/100g powdered flowers) revealed the presence of isoquercetrin (3340±2.1), hesperidin (32.09±2.28), naringin (197.3±30.16), luteolin (10.247±0.594), chlorogenic acid (84.22±2.08), catechin (3.94±0.57) and protocatechuic acid (34.4±0.15), in the extract. Moreover, the acute toxicity, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of the extract were investigated using alloxan induced diabetes in rats in a dose of 100, 200, and 400mg/kgbwt. The ethanolic extract was safe up to a dose of 2000mg/kg. All tested doses of the flower extract showed marked decrease in blood glucose level by 31.78%, 66.41% and 63.8% at 100, 200 and 400mg/kgbwt, respectively, at p<0.05. Regarding the anti-hyperlipidemic effect, a dose of 400mg/kg of the flower extract showed the highest reduction in serum triacylglycerides and total cholesterol levels (68.46% and 51.50%, respectively at p<0.05). The current study proved the folk use of the flowers of S. securidaca as anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic agent which could be attributed to its high phenolic content

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and addictions (substance and behavioral): Prevalence and characteristics in a multicenter study in France

Aim The aim of this study is to determine the possible links between attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the presence of concomitant addictions with or without substance use in a French student population. Measures A battery of questionnaire measuring socioeconomic characteristics, university curriculum, ADHD (Wender Utah Rating Scale and Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale), substance consumptions (alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis), and behavioral addictions [(eating disorders (SCOFF)], Internet addiction (Internet Addiction Test), food addiction (Yale Food Addiction Scale), compulsive buying (Echeburua’s), and problem gambling (The Canadian Problem Gambling Index)] and measures of physical activity (Godin’s Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire) was filled up by university students in Rouen and Nanterre in France. Results A total of 1,517 students were included (472 from Paris Nanterre and 1,042 from Rouen). The mean age was 20.6 years (SD = 3.6) and the sex ratio male to female was 0.46. The prevalence of ADHD among the students (current ADHD with a history of ADHD in childhood) was 5.6%. A quarter (25.7%) of students had already repeated their university curriculum, compared to 42.2% among the students with ADHD. Students with possible ADHD had repeated classes more often and believed to have a lower academic level than the students without ADHD. Significant differences were found as students with ADHD were less likely to succeed in their studies (repeated classes more often) than non-ADHD students, and considered their academic level to be lower. They also had significantly higher scores on substance (alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco) as well as behavioral addictions (gambling, compulsive buying disorder, eating disorders, and Internet addiction). Conclusion It seems essential to determine students’ problems and propose interventions adapted to students’ needs, in order to reduce the negative impact on their future academic and global successes