In vitro and in vivo evaluation of antidiabetic potential of extracts of selected medicinal plant preparations collected from Nigerian traditional medical practitioners

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the main chronic diseases worldwide. It is characterized by persistent hyperglycaemia. Individuals with persistent  hyperglycaemia are at high risk of developing complications (blindness, leg  amputations and kidney failure). Nigeria is 1 of 4 highly populated countries in  Africa with the largest number of people with diabetes mellitus majority of who use plant extracts given to them by traditional medical practitioners (TMPs).Objectives: To assess the antidiabetic potential of extracts of selected Nigerian medicinal plant recipes collected from TMPS.Materials and Methods: Eighteen recipes (maximum 2 plants) were selected after an ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plant recipes used by TMPs in the management of diabetes mellitus in the 6 geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Recipes were extracted in water according to traditional usage and screened in vitro to assess glucose uptake in C2C12 muscle cells and glucose production by the H4IIE liver cells (through inhibition of glucose-6-phosphatase, the rate limiting enzyme) and in vivo through the oral glucose tolerance test in normal mice (2 g/kg glucose).Results: Two extract recipes (NC01 and NC09E) stimulated glucose uptake in  C2C12 cells, 5 (NW14, NE15, NC01, SE01 and NW01) reduced glucose production in H4IIE cells and 4 (SE04, SE11, NC01 and NC09E) prevented hyperglycaemia in glucose-loaded normal mice. Conclusion: Only a few of the extracts from the recipes collected from the TMPs showed antidiabetic activity by increasing glucose uptake in the muscle (11%), reducing glucose production in the liver (28%) and/or preventing hyperglycaemia (22%).Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Recipe extracts, Glucose uptake, Glucose production, Oral glucose tolerance tes

The Effect of Stance Width on Trunk Kinematics and Trunk Kinetics during Sagitally Symmetric Lifting

Lifting technique can have a significant impact on spine loading during lifting. The sports biomechanics literature has documented changes in trunk and lower extremity kinematics and muscle coactivation patterns as a function of stance width during high force dead lift and squat exercises. The focus of the current study was to explore whether these lifting stance width effects might translate into the occupational setting under more moderate load level conditions. Twelve subjects performed repetitions of a sagittally symmetric lifting and lowering task (10 kg load) under three stance width conditions: narrow (feet together), moderate (feet shoulder width) and wide (feet 150% of shoulder width). As they performed these exertions, trunk kinematics were captured using the lumbar motion monitor while the activity of the trunk muscles (erector spinae, rectus abdominis) and lower extremity muscles (gluteus maximus, vastus lateralis and vastus medialis) were evaluated using normalized electromyography. The results showed that both the range of motion and peak acceleration in the sagittal plane were significantly affected by the stance width. The muscle activation levels, however, were not significantly affected by the stance width. These results collectively would indicate that the stance width effects seen in power lifting activities do not translate well into the occupational environment where more moderate loads are typically lifted

Evaluacion de tres metodologias para estimar el consumo de agua en tomate (Licopersicon esculentum, Mill) y su efecto sobre la frecuencia de riego

Resumen (Spanish, English)44 p.Un estudio fue desarrollado en tomate industrial (var. Heinz 9382) en la estación experimental de Panguilemo, Universidad de Talca, durante la temporada agrícola 1998/99, con el objeto de evaluar el modelo de Penman-Monteith recomendado por FAO y el de bandeja de evaporación clase A para estimar el consumo total de agua y el efecto sobre la frecuencia de riego del cultivo. Ambos modelos fueron comparados con el modelo de Penman-Monteith validado por Calderón (2000), el cual fue usado como método estándar para determinar el consumo real de agua del tomate. La Evapotranspiración real (ETreal) se determinó a través del modelo de Penman-Monteith con estimaciones variables de resistencia de la cubierta vegetal a la transferencia de vapor de agua, para lo cual se instaló una estación meteorológica automática (EMA) en el centro del cultivo de tomate con el objeto de recoger los datos de temperatura, humedad relativa, velocidad del viento, radiación solar, radiación neta y calor del suelo y, se mantuvo un monitoreo frecuente (2 veces por semana) del contenido de humedad del suelo a una profundidad de 30 cm., a través de la técnica de Reflectometría en el tiempo (TDR). La Evapotranspiración de referencia (Etr) se calculó a través del modelo de Penman-Monteith recomendado por FAO y por el método de la bandeja de evaporación (EB), para lo cual se instaló una EMA sobre una cubierta vegetal de festuca en óptimas condiciones de crecimiento y una bandeja de evaporación clase A, respectivamente. Para obtener la ETreal, los valores estimados por ambos métodos fueron corregidos por el coeficiente de cultivo (Kc) recomendado por Dumas et al. (1994). Para cuantificar las diferencias entre el consumo total de agua estimado por cada modelo, se establecieron tres periodos en el transcurso del ciclo de crecimiento del cultivo: primer periodo (transplante a primer racimo con flores), periodo crítico (primer racimo con flores a inicio de madurez) y periodo final (hasta cosecha). Los resultados obtenidos en este estudio revelaron que el método de la bandeja de evaporación clase A (EBreal) presentó el mayor porcentaje de error en la estimación del consumo total de agua (36%), mientras que, el método de Penman-Montieth recomendado por FAO (PM FAOreal) presentó un consumo total similar al método estándar (3% de error). El mayor consumo de agua se registró durante el periodo crítico del cultivo, donde la EBreal presentó un 42% de error, mientras que PM FAO presentó un error de 15%. Para este periodo, la frecuencia de riego estimada por PM FAOreal fue similar a la estimada por el método estándar alcanzando un promedio de 5 días entre riegos, mientras que, el modelo de EBreal presentó una frecuencia máxima de 3 días

Pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs and their metabolites in fish from Argentina: Implications for protected areas influenced by urbanization

Because an understanding of aquatic bioaccumulation of human pharmaceuticals in Latin America is limited, this area was recently identified as a priority environmental quality research need. We examined bioaccumulation of twenty-seven pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs and their metabolites in muscle, liver and gills of multiple fish species (Rhamdia quelen, Hypostomus commersoni, Hoplias lacerdae, Prochilodus lineatus) from an urban river receiving wastewater discharges (Paraná) and a lotic system (Acaraguá) without direct wastewater sources, which runs through a protected area. All samples were analyzed using isotope-dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Caffeine, which was detected up to 13 μg/kg, and antibiotics were consistently detected in all fish. Among antibiotics, erythromycin was ubiquitous (0.7–5.6 μg/kg) but its tissue concentrations were lower than levels of sulfamethoxazole, sulfathiazole and trimethoprim (0.9–5.5 μg/kg), which are used in human medicine, aquaculture and livestock. Erythromycin bioaccumulation in fish is reported here from Argentina for the first time, though levels of antibiotics in edible muscles of these species were lower than the maximum residue limits for human consumption. We observed norfluoxetine, the primary active metabolite of the antidepressant fluoxetine, ranging from 1.1–9.1 μg/kg in fish. We further identified benzoylecgonine, a primary metabolite of cocaine, in fish from both study systems, representing the first observation an illicit drug or associated metabolites bioaccumulation in aquatic life from Argentina. Interestingly, high pharmaceutical levels were observed in fish from the Acaraguá river suggesting their transport into the protected area, from the surrounding lands. Though fish from the Paraná river were sampled near WWTP discharges, pharmaceutical concentrations may have been reduced by hydrological and other environmental conditions, and biological differences among species. These findings, which observed bioaccumulation of select pharmaceuticals, their metabolites and illicit drugs in wild fish sampled inside a protected area, highlight the importance of developing an advanced understanding of urban influences on inland protected watersheds.Fil: Ondarza, Paola Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Haddad, Samuel P.. Baylor University; Estados UnidosFil: Avigliano, Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Unidad Ejecutora de Investigaciones en Producción Animal. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Unidad Ejecutora de Investigaciones en Producción Animal; ArgentinaFil: Miglioranza, Karina Silvia Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Brooks, Bryan W.. Baylor University; Estados Unido

MEDIDAS PROTECIONISTAS NA SIDERURGIA NORTE-AMERICANA: IMPACTOS SETORIAIS E REGIONAIS

The negotiations round of the Gatt/WTO system have encouraged their participants to reduce their tariffs on the international trade. To satisfy internal lobbies without breaking those rounds' rules, lots of governments began to exert their protectionism by non-tariff barriers. One of the most polemicals cases, recently ocurred, was the imposition of steel import quotas by the US government. Because the US is the biggest importer of steel, it is expected that the impacts of their act will be very large. The objective of this work is just evaluate these impacts. For that reason, we use an Applied General Equilibrium Model, the GTAP. We run a simulation putting import quotas in the model, focusing in the Bush's act. The results show a benefit to the countries which are in the same trade blocs than USA.

Design method of constant phase-shifter microwave passive integrated circuit in 130-nm BiCMOS technology with bandpass-type negative group delay

The miniaturization and application development are the expected challenges on the today engineering design research on bandpass (BP) type negative group delay (NGD) circuit. To overcome this technical limit, an innovative contribution on integrated circuit (IC) design method of BP-NGD application to design constant phase shifter (PS) in 130-nm BiCMOS technology is developed in the present paper. The BP-NGD PS microwave passive IC is topologically consisted of cascade of CLC- and RLC-resonant networks. After the S-matrix modelling, the synthesis design equations enabling to calculate each lumped component values constituting the BP-NGD PS BiCMOS are established. The design equations are expressed knowing the targeted specifications as phase shift and operating frequency. The BiCMOS design methodology including the key steps as design rule checking (DRC), layout versus schematic (LVS) and post-layout simulation (PLS) is described. The miniaturized BP-NGD PS design feasibility is verified with schematic and layout simulations with IC CMOS standard commercial software tool. A proof-of-concept (POC) of 130-nm BiCMOS BP-NGD PS operating at the center frequency f(0) = 1.9 GHz and bandwidth Delta f = 0.1 GHz is designed and simulated. After DRC, the chip layout of miniaturized BP-NGD PS POC presents 0.407 mm(2) size. The BP-NGD PS POC exhibits constant phase shift notable value of about phi(0) = -90 degrees +/-0.4 degrees under S-21(f(0)) = -6+/-1 dB transmission coefficient with good flatness and reflection coefficients (S-21(f(0)) and S-21(f(0))) widely better than - dB. The design robustness is confirmed by 1000-trial Monte Carlo uncertainty analyses with PLS results. Because of the potential integration in wireless sensor networks (WSNs), the BP-NGD PS under study is a promising candidate for the improvement of the future 5G and 6G transceiver design.Web of Science10931039308

Can village savings and loan groups be a potential tool in the malnutrition fight? Mixed method findings from Mozambique

Child malnutrition is a pervasive problem in sub-Saharan Africa that affects individual and national development. This article examines the impact of participation in village savings and loan (VSL) groups, alone and in combination with a rotating labor scheme called Ajuda Mútua (AM), on household and child nutritional outcomes in Nampula Province in Mozambique. It combines findings from an impact evaluation and a qualitative exploration of the dynamics underlying nutritional outcomes.Three pairs of districts were randomly allocated to two interventions (VSL or VSL. +. AM) or control. The impact evaluation utilized a prospective, longitudinal design. In total, 1276 households were surveyed at baseline in 2009 and three years later. Difference-in-difference propensity score matching models estimated program impacts on months of food sufficiency and household dietary diversity scores (HDDS) at the household level, and on individual dietary diversity scores (IDDS) and weight-for-age at the child level. In the qualitative study, in-depth interviews (IDIs) were completed with a subset of 36 VSL and 36 VSL. +. AM participants from two districts who had taken part in the two surveys. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.Survey data indicate that both interventions had a statistically significant, positive effect on months of food sufficiency. The HDDS increased for VSL. +. AM households and their matched controls; however, the increase was smaller for the VSL. +. AM group. The difference in increase between the two groups was statistically significant. At the child level, participation in VSL only was found to increase the IDDS. There was no significant effect for weight-for-age. Mean values for both the HDDS and the IDDS remained low. IDIs confirmed that there were improvements in seasonal and transitory food insecurity, which occur when recurring periods of extreme scarcity or sporadic crises are experienced. Due to the timing of the cycle, VSLs provided participants with an infusion of cash to purchase food during the hunger season. VSLs and AMs also offered mechanisms to cope with unexpected events through loans and social support. However, IDIs highlighted lack of money as a persistent challenge in accessing foods to supplement home-grown staples for a diversified nutritional intake. Though parents tended to be aware of the nutritional needs of children, they faced financial constraints in meeting them. There were also indications of a sex gap between control over resources by men and the role played by women in child nutrition.Findings underscore the potential of economic-strengthening activities such as VSLs for improving seasonal and transitory food security, but highlight the need for additional supporting interventions in order to overcome chronic nutritional challenges

Unusual clinical manifestation of acute pulmonary edema associated to acute lupic myocarditis - case report

O lupus eritematoso sistêmico (LES) é a mais comum das doenças auto-imunes sistêmicas. Embora os rins classicamente sejam os órgãos mais acometidos no LES, o coração também pode ser afetado de forma significativa. Entretanto, a ocorrência de edema agudo de pulmão associado à miocardite lúpica é rara e de tratamento imunossupressor específico ainda incerto. O presente relato de caso revisa a literatura quanto a manifestações lúpicas do sistema cardiopulmonar, seu diagnóstico e tratamento, e descreve uma paciente lúpica jovem que evoluiu com edema agudo de pulmão decorrente de uma miopericardite lúpica aguda. O rápido diagnóstico pôde permitir o emprego da terapêutica imunossupressora adequada com reversão completa da disfunção miocárdica. Em pacientes jovens com quadro sugestivo de edema agudo de pulmão, o diagnóstico de LES deve ser considerado. O uso de pulsoterapia com corticóide endovenoso mostrou-se eficaz e seguro para o tratamento da manifestação cardíaca extrema.Systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common systemic autoimmune disease. Although kidneys are the main organs affected, heart may suffer injury too. However, acute pulmonary edema associated to lupic myocarditis is rare and its specific immunosuppressive treatment is still undefined. The present case report reviews literature about lupic manifestations in heart and lungs, their diagnosis and treatment, and describes an young lupic patient that had pulmonary edema due to acute lupic myopericarditis. Prompt diagnosis enabled correct immunosuppressive therapy that resulted in a complete reversion of myocardial disfunction. Lupus is a possible diagnosis in young patients with pulmonary edema. The use of intravenous pulse therapy with corticosteroids was safe and efficient to healing of this severe myocardial manifestation