Eff ect of the aqueous leaf extract of Anchomanes diff ormis on the glucose level and organ/body weight ratio of Wistar rats

Anchomanes difformis (Araceae) is a plant with many reported therapeutic properties. This study is aimed attesting the blood sugar level and organ-to-body weight ratio effect of the aqueous leaf extracts of A. difformis,as measures of toxicity of the plant in a short term. Blood sugar test was done using a handy glucometerwhile organ-to-body weight ratio analysis was carried out following standard methods. Results got show thatA. difformis had no effect on the blood glucose level and organ-to-body weight ratio on rats. A robust toxicityanalysis of A. difformis aqueous leaf extract to further find out more proofs that the plant is safe for humansubjects is recommended

Hydro-climatic variability and agricultural production on the shores of Lake Chad

The purpose of this study is to present and analyze previously unpublished quantitative agricultural data for the area on the shores of Lake Chad in Chad, and explore its relations to hydro-climatic factors (lake levels, rainfall and temperature). This is a rural area with livelihoods based on agropastoral and fishing activities, which are directly dependent on the region's high-varying hydro-climate. By using regression analysis on data from 1988-2012 this study was able to establish correlations between the latter and agricultural output. These correlations were used to build multivariate models to explore the predictive capacities of hydro-climatic factors with regards to the agricultural data. The selected models were able to account for considerable proportions of the agricultural dynamics. Some 5 of the 10 multivariate models tested had cross-validated R2s of 0.50 or more. Thus, there were still noteworthy unexplained variations in the agricultural data, which likely stem from technological, behavioral, economic and pest factors that were not explored in this study due do data limitations. Additional studies are called for to build on results presented here and further examine these relationships

Toxicological studies of Anchomanes difformis Blume (Araceae) using rats and mice

Background: The toxicity; biochemical, hematological and histopathological study of Anchomanes difformis aqueous extract was carried out.Methods: Six groups; 0, 100, 1000, 5000, 7500, and 10,000 mg/kg p.o of mice consisting of four animals; two females, two male a group were used in the acute toxicology experimentation. For the sub-acute test, rats of either sex; three males and three females were shared into four groups; 0, 500, 1000, and 2500 mg/kg p.o for 21 days. Toxicity studies were done using automated techniques and prepared histology slides viewed under a light microscope.Results: Results showed no mortality - undeterminable lethal dose, 50%. Biochemical parameters tested were within permissible limits and no pathologies in the selected organs studied.Conclusion: It can be inferred that A. difformis aqueous extract is safe even at a dose as high as 10 g/kg body weight

Understanding drought dynamics during dry season in Eastern Northeast Brazil

Eastern Northeast Brazil (ENEB) generally experiences a high variability in precipitation in the dry season, with amplitudes that can overcome 500mm. The understanding of this variability can help in mitigating the socio-economic issues related to the planning and management of water resources this region, which is highly vulnerable to drought. This work aims to assess spatio-temporal variability of precipitation during the dry season and investigate the relationships between climate phenomena and drought events in the ENEB, using univariate (Spearman correlation) and multivariate statistical techniques, such as Principal Component Analysis, Cluster Analysis, and Maximum Covariance Analysis. The results indicate that the variability of precipitation in the dry season can be explained mainly (62%) by local physical conditions and climate conditions have a secondary contribution. Further analysis of the larger anomalous events suggests that the state of Atlantic and Pacific oceans can govern the occurrence of those events, and the conditions of Atlantic Ocean can be considered a potential modulator of anomalous phenomena of precipitation in ENEB

A governança dos direitos sociais da pessoa idosa: uma proposta para concretização da fraternidade

Divulgação dos SUMÁRIOS das obras recentemente incorporadas ao acervo da Biblioteca Ministro Oscar Saraiva do STJ. Em respeito à Lei de Direitos Autorais, não disponibilizamos a obra na íntegra.Localização na estante: 612.67:34(81) B668

A tutela jurisdicional da saúde do idoso no Brasil e a matriz disciplinar interpretativa dos tribunais na perspectiva da fraternidade

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Jurídicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Direito, Florianópolis, 2015.A presente pesquisa analisa a prestação da tutela jurisdicional  ofertada, processada e julgada perante o Tribunal Regional Federal da 4a Região e os Tribunais Superiores,  relativa ao direito do idoso à saúde. A análise procura constatar se há uma matriz disciplinar que possa justificar a presença da fraternidade como motivação para a decisões a serem proferidas. A tarefa proposta segue disposta de forma a apresentar o Poder Judiciário em sua precípua missão de proteger os direitos fundamentais, com destaque à saúde idoso. Desse modo, o objetivo traçado pretende analisar a dinâmica de defesa dos direitos do idoso à saúde, segundo um posicionamento interdisciplinar baseado na fraternidade, presente nas decisões dos tribunais brasileiros, a qual confere base à ?Matriz interpretativa da tutela jurisdicional da saúde do idoso perante os Tribunais?. A pesquisa destaca o fato de que o Poder Judiciário detém uma atuação importante quando se trata de políticas públicas de saúde, especialmente das demandas pertinentes à saúde do idoso. Tais demandas têm sido tratadas com base em princípios e valores previstos na Constituição da República Federativa do Brasil de 1988, e não raro fundamentadas na fraternidade, de onde decorre, que o valor da fraternidade tem conferido teoria e prática ao tratamento da saúde do idoso, guardado expressão e força a esta questão, gerado eficácia e exequibilidade nas decisões, e, sobretudo, verificado se a fraternidade tem sido capaz de incutir o mais alto grau de dignidade em nossa comum humanidade, conforme alerta a lição koninckiana. A pesquisa recorre ao método de abordagem indutiva, por meio das seguintes técnicas de pesquisa: bibliográfica, documental, legal, e, especialmente, por meio da técnica jurisprudencial  utilização de livros e revistas especializados e é desenvolvida em três capítulos.Abstract : The following research analyzes the provision of jurisdictional tutelage  offered, processed and brought before the Tribunal Regional Federal da 4a Região and the Superior Courts, - on the right of the elderly to health care. The analysis seeks to establish whether there is a disciplinary matrix that may justify the presence of the fraternity as motivation for decisions to be handed down. The task proposed is arranged to present the Judiciary in its primary mission of protection to fundamental rights, especially the elderly health care. Thus, the outlined objective plans to analyze the dynamics of defense of the elderly s rights to health, according to an interdisciplinary position based on fraternity, present in the decisions of the Brazilian Courts, which confers base on ?interpretative Matrix of judicial protection of the elderly s health care before the Courts. The research highlights the fact that the Judiciary holds a significant practice when it comes to Public Health Policies, especially the relevant demands on aging health. Such demands have been treated based on principles and values foreseen in the Constituição da República Federativa do Brasil de 1988, and they re often grounded in fraternity, where it stems without any doubt, that the value of fraternity has conferred theory and practice to the treatment of the elderly health, guarding expression and strength to this question, generating efficiency and feasibility in decisions, and above all, verifying whether the fraternity has been able to instill the highest degree of dignity in our common humanity, as the koninckiana lesson alerts. The research resorts to the inductive approach method, through the following research techniques: bibliography, documentary, legal, and especially, by jurisprudential technique  use of specialized books and magazines and is developed in three chapters

Statistical atmospheric downscaling for rainfall estimation in Kyushu Island, Japan

International audienceThe present paper develops linear regression models based on singular value decomposition (SVD) with the aim of downscaling atmospheric variables statistically to estimate average rainfall in the Chikugo River Basin, Kyushu Island, southern Japan, on a 12-hour basis. Models were designed to take only significantly correlated areas into account in the downscaling procedure. By using particularly precipitable water in combination with wind speeds at 850 hPa, correlation coefficients between observed and estimated precipitation exceeding 0.8 were reached. The correlations exhibited a seasonal variation with higher values during autumn and winter than during spring and summer. The SVD analysis preceding the model development highlighted three important features of the rainfall regime in southern Japan: (1) the so-called Bai-u front which is responsible for the majority of summer rainfall, (2) the strong circulation pattern associated with autumn rainfall, and (3) the strong influence of orographic lifting creating a pronounced east-west gradient across Kyushu Island. Results confirm the feasibility of establishing meaningful statistical relationships between atmospheric state and basin rainfall even at time scales of less than one day. Keywords: atmospheric downscaling, precipitation, rainfall, singular value decomposition, southern Japa

Understanding Drought Dynamics during Dry Season in Eastern Northeast Brazil

Eastern Northeast Brazil (ENEB) generally experiences a high variability in precipitation in the dry season, with amplitudes that can overcome 500mm. The understanding of this variability can help in mitigating the socio-economic issues related to the planning and management of water resources this region, which is highly vulnerable to drought. This work aims to assess spatio-temporal variability of precipitation during the dry season and investigate the relationships between climate phenomena and drought events in the ENEB, using univariate (Spearman correlation) and multivariate statistical techniques, such as Principal Component Analysis, Cluster Analysis, and Maximum Covariance Analysis. The results indicate that the variability of precipitation in the dry season can be explained mainly (62%) by local physical conditions and climate conditions have a secondary contribution. Further analysis of the larger anomalous events suggests that the state of Atlantic and Pacific oceans can govern the occurrence of those events, and the conditions of Atlantic Ocean can be considered a potential modulator of anomalous phenomena of precipitation in ENEB

Protective effects of neem (<i>Azadirachta indica A. Juss</i>) seed oil on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats

Background: Azadirachta indica (neem) seed oil was evaluated for its hepatoprotective effect. Liver damage was induced using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) while silymarin served as a positive control. Aim: This study is aimed at testing the hepatoprotective potentials of A. indica seed oil on Wistar rats. Method: Hepatotoxicity was induced by the administration of 1.0 mL/kg of CCl4 subcutaneously to 72 healthy Wistar rats of both sexes (weight range: 145 g – 315 g). The seed oil of A. indica was orally administered daily in various doses of 0.25 mL/kg, 0.5 mL/kg and 1.0 mL/kg for 14 days. Animal body and organ weights were recorded, while blood and liver tissues were collected for biochemical, haematological and histological analyses. Results: Treatment with neem seed oil lowered the aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels significantly (P  0.05) when compared with the control. Histology assessment was in agreement with the biochemical result as tissues of CCl4 exhibited significant fatty tissue accumulation, as opposed to that of 0.25 mL/kg neem treatment, which showed only moderate accumulation of fatty tissues, while higher doses, 0.5 mL/kg and 1.0 mL/kg, showed a healthy liver as compared with the control. Conclusion: The result of this study revealed that neem seed oil had a dose-dependent hepatoprotective effect on the experimental rats