Toxic effect of methanolic leaf extract of Vitex simplicifolia on liver and kidney function in Wistar rats

Objective: This study evaluated the hepato-renal toxicological indices following 21 days administration of methanolic leaf extract of Vitex simplicifolia in Wistar rats. Methods: Acute toxicity studies with very high concentrations of the crude extract was carried out followed by sub chronic toxicities studies involving administration of 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg body weight of the methanolic extract to the experimental animals for 21 days. Liver and Kidney toxicological indices were evaluated from the serum as well as the tissues of the experimental animals after the 21 days period of administration. Results: The result of acute toxicity studies indicate that this extract is well tolerated at doses as high as 5000mg/kg body weight. The results of sub-chronic toxicity studies indicate that there was a significant increase in the activities of ALT and ALP while AST activities was lower compared to the control. Unconjugated bilirubin levels were also significantly (P<0.05) higher in the test groups compared to the control. Similarly, the result of kidney toxicological indices showed that the levels of urea, Na+, HCO32- and Clwere significantly higher in the test animals compared to the control while K+ and creatine levels showed no significant change in the extract administered groups compared to the control. Histopathology examination of the liver and kidneys showed mild hepatic damage at the highest dose (1000mg/kg body weight). Conclusion: These observations shows that care should be taken when using the methanolic extract of Vitex simplicifolia as a phytoremedy against any ailments as high concentrations of the extract may induce moderate injury to the liver

Lung function and symptoms among quarry workers in Kano

Background: Thousands of people are working daily in quarries in Kano, in a dusty environment. They are exposed to many types of health hazards such as organic and in organic dusts which are risk factors in developing lung diseases. Quarry workers are exposed to high level of dust generated at quarry site. Objective: The present study was designed to assess the effect of exposure to various dusts in quarry site on lung function. Methods: Lung Volumes and Capacities were studied in 50 male quarry workers and 50 male control subjects. All participants were non smokers. The subjects were matched for age, height and weight. The lung function test was performed using an MIR Spirolab III and results were compared by student’s unpaired t-test. Results: The results of the study showed significantly lower mean values of FVC, FEV, % FEV/FVC, PEF. Similarly, there was also higher prevalence of back pain (43.5%, vs 5.0%; P<0.001), catarrh and sneezing (6.0% vs 0.5%; P<0.001), chest pain (13.5% vs 5.0%; P<0.001) and cough (27.5% vs 11.0%; P<0.001). Conclusion: Based on the result of this study it may be concluded that quarry workers in Kano are at increased risk of developing occupationally related pulmonary impairment. It is recommended that a compulsory use of personal protective equipment by quarry workers at work place

Hepato-renal toxicological studies of ethyl acetate leaf extract of Vitex simplicifolia in wistar rats

This study evaluated the hepato-renal toxicological indices following 21 days administration of ethyl acetate leaf extract of Vitex simplicifolia in Wistar rats. Acute toxicity studies with very high concentrations of the crude extract was carried out followed by sub chronic toxicities studies involving administration of 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg body weight of the ethyl acetate extract to the  experimental animals for 21 days. Liver and Kidney toxicological indices were evaluated from the sera as well as e tissues of the experimental animals after the 21 days period of administration. The results of acute toxicity studies indicate that this extract is well tolerated at doses as high as 5000mg/kg body weight. The results of sub-chronic toxicity studies indicate that there was a significant increase in the activities of ALP , while AST activities was significantly lower (p<0.05) compared to the control. There was no significant changes in (P<0.05) ALT and Unconjugated bilirubin levels in the test groups compared to the control. Similarly, the result of kidney toxicological indices showed that the levels of urea, Na+, HCO32- and Cl- were significantly higher in the test animals compared to the control while K+ and creatine levels showed no significant change in the extract  administered groups compared to the control (p<0.05). Histopathology examination of the liver and kidneys showed mild hepatic damage at the highest dose (1000mg/kg body weight).Keywords: Vitex simplicifolia, Hepato-renal, Toxicological Studies

What Determines the Behaviour of Real Exchange Rate in Pakistan?

It is now widely acknowledged that the role of the real exchange rate is crucial in the adjustment process of the economy. While exchange rates are, generally, relative prices of national currencies under a floating rate regime, they may be viewed as being determined by the interaction of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets. This premise, though uncontentious, renders simply a beginning for comprehending the determination of the exchange rate and its ensuing relationship to various macroeconomic variables and to policy. It has been argued rather forcefully [e.g., Edwards and Wijnbergen (1987); Edwards (1988, 1988a); Khan (1986); Khan and Lizondo (1987)] that any analysis in this regard to be labelled as comprehensive would characterise the exchange rate as being detc;:rmined by a complex process of interaction simultaneously with other variables in tbe national and international macroeconomy rather than being determined simply by 'purchasing power parity' (PPP) as proposed by Cassel (1918). Citing Cassel's writings in this context, Officer (1976) noted the reasons for such a departure from a stable relationship between the real exchange rate and the PPP as being due to frequent trade restrictions, distorted tariff policies, speculations in the 'foreign exchange market, large capital outflows, government's heavy handed ~intervention in the foreign exchange markets, etc

Morphology Evolution Of Pbt/Pc Blends

ABSTRACT Morphology evolution of melt mixing of Polycarbonate/Poly(buthylene terephthalate) (PC/ PBT) have been investigated PC and PBT were mixing in a twin screw extruder prior to injection moulding. Compositions of PC/PBT blends were prepared vis. 10/90, 30/70, 50/50, 70/30 and 90/ 10 wt/wt. SEM was applied to observe the change of morphology before and after injection moulding. There is dispersed particle size increase at composition of PBT-rich as well as PC-rich. Co-continuous morphology was provided by PBT/PC 50/50 blend The change of morphology indicates that phase separation takes place during injection process. As comparison, it was also investigated PC/PBT blends prepared by directly melt mixing in injection moulding. Keywords: Poly(buthylene terephthalate), Polycarbonate, blend, morphology, phase separatio

Knee Joint Movement Monitoring Device based on Optical Fiber Bending Sensor

This paper discusses the possible implementation of an optical fiber bending sensor for knee joint monitoring application. The studied technique is based on the use of an intensity modulated optical fiber via angular displacement between two separated fibers, which approach has been implemented previously in spine movement and respiration rate measurement. To estimate the suitability of this technique for knee monitoring application, the maximum range of detection of the sensor is estimated using the output intensity equation for plastic optical fiber. Based on the estimated output intensity graph with respect to bending angle, it is concluded that the aimed technique is not perfectly suitable for the knee monitoring due to limited sensor’s range of motion, which renders a limited the sensor detection range for knee joint movement. In addition to this, several other types of knee joint monitoring devices are also presented and summarized in a table form to highlight the contribution of other devices

Evaluation of Imminent Fire Hazards of Inheritance Ancestral Temple and Mansion in Georgetown, Penang

Fire hazards of the inheritance buildings are often been neglected, causing fire to take place. Most of the heritage buildings are of large scale, flammable priceless contents and large numbers of visitors, however, the existing structures are weak in fire resistance. There are a few factors that contribute to the fire in these unique yet vulnerable structures Therefore, fire risk assessment plays an important role as many historic buildings in Penang are significant in their architectural value and historically importantt and their destructions by fire are great irreplaceable losses. Thus, this study is intended to identify the current fire emergency plan of heritage temples and mansions in Penang which includes 4 buildings such as Khoo Kongsi, Cheah Kongsi, Hock Teik Chen Shin Temple and Teochew Temple. The possible fire risks of these heritage buildings will be identified and evaluated comprehensively. The previous fire cases will be considered as well in order to discover the common factors contributing to the fire cases at heritage buildings. Time and again, people do not record their findings upon completing the fire risk assessment. Hence this particular research will prepare a complete record of the fire risk assessment. Having a fire risk assessment in the heritage building in Penang can be an interesting study to find out the current situation of heritage building fire protection awareness

Expression of Heterosis for Productive Traits in Bottle Gourd Hybrids

A study was conducted in bottle gourd to estimate the magnitude of heterosis for yield and its thirteen yield related components. Twenty one bottle gourd hybrids generated from 7 × 7 diallel cross (excluding reciprocals) along with their seven parents evaluated in a Randomized Block Design with three replication at at the Olericulture Division of Horticulture Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur, Bangladesh during 2018-19. Most of the crosses showed significant heterobeltiosis for earliness. The highest heterobeltiotic effect was observed in the cross P2XP7 and P4XP7. The best heterotic cross for fruit length was P4XP5. Maximum heterotic effect in respect of fruit number per plant was found in the cross P1XP6 and P4XP6. In terms of yield per plant the highest heterobeltiosis was shown by the crosses P3XP4, P3XP5, P4XP5 and P4XP7. In the overall analysis, both additive and non-additive gene actions were found important with predominance of the additive gene effects in the inheritance of bottle gourd

Assessment of Influential Causes of Construction Project Delay in Malaysian Private Housing from Developer’s Viewpoint

Project delay in the construction industry is a universal or large-scale observable fact affecting not only the construction industry but the overall economy of countries too. The objective of this study is to evaluate and identify the causes and consequences of project delays in the private housing development projects in Malaysia and the remedies that can minimize these delays. An online questionnaire survey has been carried out to collect the data and this included 76 respondents from multiple developers’ companies around Malaysia. From the survey, a total of 28 causes and 6 consequences of project delays had been identified from four different factors of delays; such as client factors, consultant factors, contractor factors and external factors, by which the contractor factor being the major contributor to this problem.The top ten causes of the delays are due to weather conditions, poor site conditions, poor site management, incomplete documents, lack of experience, financial problems, contract modifications, delay in approving of major variations, contractor coordination problem with other parties and construction mistakes and defective works. The consequences of the delays would contribute to time overrun, cost overrun, different in opinions, negotiations, legal actions and total abandonment