The Link between Malaria and Ferroptosis - A Review

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death characterized by extensive lipids peroxidation, dysfunctional glutathione-dependent antioxidant enzyme system, and alterations in the morphology of the mitochondrial membrane. This cell death plays a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes, neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and cancer. Accumulating evidence suggests that ferroptosis is involved in the pathogenesis of malaria. This evidence includes plasmodium-induced biochemical changes that could affect the susceptibility of host red blood cells and the parasite to ferroptosis and the role of ferroptosis in reducing parasite survival at the liver stage. Ferroptosis is induced by iron-dependent oxidative stress. Given that oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of malaria, ferroptosis could also be involved. Furthermore, the frontline anti-malarial compound dihydroartemisinin exerts an anti-cancer effect through a ferroptosis-mediated mechanism. This suggests that ferroptosis induction could be one of its mechanisms of action against Plasmodium. In this review, we discussed the link between malaria and ferroptosis. Studying ferroptosis could reveal novel biochemical mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of malaria. It may also unravel new modes of action of anti-malarial drugs, the biochemical basis for low drug efficacy, and promising molecular targets for the development of new anti-plasmodial compounds

Effects of Interest Rate on the Profitability of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria

Nigerian banks remain dominant in the banking system in terms of their shares of total assets and deposit liabilities. Their total loans and advances, a major component of total credits to both public and private sectors are still on the increase in spite of the major constraints posted by the government regulations, institutional constraints and other macro economic factors. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to determine the effect of interest rate on profitability of deposit money banks in Nigeria. Samples of 21 deposit money banks in Nigeria for the period of 2005- 2014 were used. For the purpose of this study, regression analysis was employed to determine the relationship between interest rate and profitability of deposit money banks in Nigeria. The results of the findings showed that there was a positive significant relationship between lending rate and banks profitability. There was a significant positive relationship between inter-banks rate and banks profitability. There was a positive significant relationship between treasury bills rate and banks profitability and finally, monetary policy rate showed positive significant relationship with banks profitability. It is therefore recommended that, government should adopt policies that will help Nigerian banks to improve on their profitability and also there is need to strengthen bank lending rate, inter-bank rate policy, treasury bill rate and monetary policy rate through effective and efficient regulation and supervisory framework. Keywords: Interest Rate, Profitability, Deposit Money Banks, Nigeri

Anti-nociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Effects of the Methanol Extract of \u3cem\u3eAnnona senegalensis\u3c/em\u3e Root Bark

Objective: To investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect of Annona senegalensis in mice and rats. Materials and Methods: The analgesic effects of the methanolic extract were studied using acetic acid-induced writhing test, hot plate test and formalin test, while the anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated using the egg-albumin induced hind paw oedema in rats. Results: The methanolic extract exhibited antinociceptive activity against the acetic acid writhing test, hot plate test and the late phase of formaline induced nociception and significant anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusion: The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of the methanolic extract might be through peripheral mechanisms and thus justifying its folkloric use in the treatement of rheumatic pain

The Effect of Luteolin on Human Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is widely recognized as the most common and lethal of the malignant gliomas. Few effective therapeutic treatments are available as five-year survival rates of diagnosed individuals are less than five percent. Luteolin, a common flavonoid found in a variety of fruits and vegetables, has demonstrated significant promise in combating cancers of the breast, colon, liver, lung, and bone. In this study, we investigated the effects of luteolin on glioblastoma multiforme cell lines U-251, U-87, and U-1242. Cell viability was assessed using cell count with trypan blue exclusion and MTT assays. Results revealed that luteolin reduces GBM cell viability and cell proliferation in a time and concentration-dependent manner. Western Blot analysis indicated that luteolin decreased AKT, ERK, and MAPK phosphorylation following treatment with EGF. Additionally, luteolin promoted apoptosis in GBM cells by inducing PARP and caspase-3 cleavage, and decreasing levels of the anti-apoptotic protein BCL-XL. Our results indicate that luteolin exhibits a biological effect and may be used as a therapeutic agent for glioblastoma multiforme

Innovation in Banking Industry: Achieving Customer Satisfaction

This paper examines the effects of technology in the banking industry. Based on an expansive review of literature, the paper describes various factors in this area. Technology has a direct effect on the functioning of the banks. With technological advancement, the customers benefit and the bank gains by getting more clients. Most businesses desire to offer the best services, products and customer relations to their customers because these activities increase the retention rate of customers. These activities also have a direct effect on customer satisfaction. But it’s the complexity of this process that brings a challenge to marketers. The paper looks at technological aspect of the process. This is because for any marketer or business practioner to succeed at managing a good customer relationship program, there is need for the adoption of supportive technology. This type of technology assists in the managing of the process through the maintainance of a customer database, implementation and monitoring. Using a case study approach [1] shows that one of the business units she studied was able to achieve a 270% increase in business unit profits (above target) by implementing several straightforward Customer Relationship Management (CRM) measures. The paper analyses the nature of the banking industry and the role of technology in the Customer Relationship Management process and its implementation. Keywords:Technology, Banking, Customer Relationship Managemen

The Effects of Apigenin on Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis in Glioblastoma Multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a WHO grade IV brain tumor. These tumors are highly proliferative, infiltrative, necrotic, angiogenic, and resistant to apoptosis. One major characteristic of GBM is the overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which leads to cell growth and proliferation when activated. GBM is very difficult to treat due to its location, heterogeneity, and invasiveness; an effective treatment is therefore needed. The use of flavonoids, which are natural compounds found in many fruits and vegetables, has been studied in the treatment of many different tumor types. Apigenin is a specific flavonoid that has previously been shown to have antitumor activity in a number of cancer cells. Our study set out to investigate the molecular effects of apigenin treatment on glioblastoma cell proliferation and viability using the trypan blue exclusion assay, MTT assay, and an LDH assay. In addition, Western blot analyses were utilized out to determine the signaling pathways through which apigenin treatment exerts its effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis. Finally, hoechst-propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry were used to examine the extent of apoptosis and the cell cycle context of these effects. Our results show that apigenin reduces cell viability and proliferation in a dose and time dependent manner while increasing cytotoxicity in GBM cells. Additionally, apigenin inhibits the EGFR mediated phosphorylation in the presence of EGF treatment of AKT, mTOR, and s6k resulting in decreased cell survival, growth and proliferation. It also inhibits the MAPK pathways in one cell line thereby reducing cell growth and proliferation. It also inhibits the anti-apoptotic effects of BCL-XL and increases PARP cleavage, which leads to increased apoptosis. Finally, apigenin induced cycle arrest at the G2M checkpoint, meaning that apoptosis primarily occurred at the DNA repair checkpoint in the cell cycle. In conclusion, apigenin has demonstrated some in vitro biological effects on glioblastoma cell lines that show promises in limiting the growth, proliferation and survival of these cell lines. Future research should look to identify means through which apigenin can be administered in clinically significant concentrations to the brain

Lophira alata suppresses glioblastoma cell growth via inhibition of protein kinase C-α

The root of the plant Lophira alata (Ochnaceae) has been used as a component of traditional herbal decoctions administered to cancer patients in southwestern Nigeria. However, the mechanism of the cytotoxic effects of Lophira alata alone or in the presence of phorbol ester has not been investigated in malignant brain tumor cells. This study was aimed at examining the cytotoxic potential of the methanolic fraction of Lophira alata root on malignant glioma invasive cellular growth and survival. The antiproliferative effects of Lophira alata were assessed using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Protein immunoblots were carried out to test the effects of Lophira alata, alone or in the presence of phorbol ester, on survival signaling pathways such as Akt, mTOR, PARP and caspases. The methanolic fraction of Lophira alata (LAM) induced a concentration-dependent and time-dependent decrease in glioma cell viability and cell proliferation. In addition, LAM attenuated phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-mediated signaling of downstream targets such as Akt/mTOR. Gene silencing using siRNA targeting PKC-alpha abrogated LAM-mediated downregulation of Akt. Our data also revealed that treatment with LAM induced both PARP and caspase cleavage. The HPLC fingerprint of the fraction indicates the presence of the flavonoids luteolin and rutin, which are known to inhibit the proliferation of glioblastoma cells

Revitalizing a Traditional Market Space in Ile-Ife, Nigeria: An Analysis of Environmental Quality Indicators and Policy Implications

Traditional market settings in Nigeria have been observed to be poor in environmental quality and less conducive for human physical and economic wellbeing. The physical conditions of the markets have been used to draw conclusions in livability of the space. Policy options to revitalize the overall environmental quality of market spaces require users’ inputs. The study, therefore, examined the environmental quality of a traditional market space in Nigeria, specifically focusing on Odo-Ogbe in Ile-Ife, and explored the potential for policy interventions to revitalize the market. The study was carried out among everyday users of the market. Information obtained through questionnaire administration was the users’ socio-economic backgrounds and twenty-three variables having social, economic and environmental characteristics. Physical observation was also carried out for an all-inclusive environment assessment of the market. Using systematic random and purposive sampling techniques, 119 market users were selected for the survey. Results showed that, the majority of the users were married (64.7%), females (74.8%), who had one form of educational qualification or the other (89.9%). Using an index tagged “Users’ Environmental Quality Index” (UEQI), sixteen environmental quality indicators were rated to be important. Among these were “availability of electricity (UEQI=4.68)”, “availability of water (UEQI=4.52)”, and “clean and healthy environment (UEQI=4.18)”. The study recommended that the government concerned with city administration should pull financial and human resources together to provide facilities and services related to users’ environmental quality indicator data for effective revitalization of the market space

Natural Products as Therapeutic Agents in Cancer Treatment

Cancer accounts for 25% of deaths in the United States, and brain tumors greatly contribute to this percentage. However, relative to other types of cancers, brain tumors prove difficult to treat because they are heterogeneous, highly proliferative, highly invasive, and resistant to the traditional cancer treatments of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Past studies have shown that flavonoids and curcuminoids, two classes of compounds derived from natural sources, are effective in inhibiting the development and metastasis of breast and lung cancer cells. Research has also indicated that these compounds have potential for treating brain tumors. The purpose of this research is to further explore the potential of flavonoids as therapeutic options for the treatment of brain tumors. Specifically, flavonoids’ effect on cell proliferation, cell death, and tumor invasion will be studied. Another objective of this study is to identify the signaling mechanism by which flavonoids mediate their therapeutic effects on brain tumor cell lines. Three human brain tumor cell lines (U-1242, U-251, and U-87) will be studied. They will be treated with various flavonoids at increasing concentrations (10, 20, 40, and 80 µM). Cells will be counted following the trypan blue staining protocol. MTT assays and Western blot analyses will be used to assess cell proliferation. Cell death will be assessed with flow analyses and Western blot analyses. Unpaired t-tests will be run to compare treated and control cells at a 95% confidence interval. If necessary, one-way ANOVA with multiple comparisons will be used to compare multiple treatment groups and a control at a 95% confidence interval, and the Tukey post-hoc test will be utilized if appropriate. All statistical tests will be run in IBM SPSS 21®

Motivations for food prohibitions during pregnancy and their enforcement mechanisms in a rural Ghanaian district

© 2015 Arzoaquoi et al. Background: Food taboos are known from virtually all human societies and pregnant women have often been targeted. We qualitatively assessed food taboos during pregnancy, its motivating factors, and enforcement mechanisms in the Upper Manya Krobo district of Ghana. Methods: This was an exploratory cross sectional study using qualitative focus group discussions (FGDs). Sixteen FGDs were conducted. Participants were purposively selected using the maximum variation sampling technique. Tape recorded FGDs were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Malterudian systematic text condensation technique. Results: All the participants were aware of the existence of food prohibitions and beliefs targeting pregnant women in Upper Manya Krobo. The study identified snails, rats, hot foods, and animal lungs as tabooed during pregnancy. Adherence motivators included expectation of safe and timely delivery, avoidance of "monkey babies" (deformed babies); respect for ancestors, parents, and community elders. Enforcement mechanisms identified included constant reminders by parents, family members and significant others. Stigmatization and community sanctions are deployed sparingly. Conclusions: Food taboos and traditional beliefs targeting pregnant women exist in Upper Manya Krobo. Pregnant women are forbidden from eating snails, rats, snakes, hot foods and animal lungs. To a large extent, socio-cultural, and to a lesser, health concerns motivate the practice