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Jul 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-6759.jpar-21-3844
O. Oshadu DavidCorresponding author
Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
Acanthus montanusNees T. Anderson (Acanthaceae) has been employed in folk medicine for treatment of different kinds of ailment, but there is dearth of documented information on its therapeutic activities against parasites. In this study, pulverized Acanthus montanusleaf was subjected to four different extraction techniques. The percentage of yields were 25.58%, 31.42%, 11.58% and 3.00% weight by weight (w/w) of crude ethanol extract (CEE), aqueous (AQ), n-butanol (BUT) and chloroform (CHLO) portions, respectively. All the extracts, excluding the chloroform portion were administered to worm-infested mice per os at dose of 1.2 g/kg, 1.4 g/kg, 1.7 g/kg and 2.0 g/kg each for five days consecutive. Mice were euthanized and the adult worm counted for rates of deparasitization. The aqueous extract did not cause significant deparasitization even at the highest dose of 2.0 g/kg. The CEE caused significant (p<0.05) deparasitization rate of 72.35% at 2.0 g/kg dose. The n-butanol portion caused significant (p<0.05) deparasitization rates at doses between 1.4 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg (86.17% and 97.04% respectively) compared to figures from distilled water-treated mice (Control) as well as those from mice treated with the aqueous or crude ethanol portion. The 97.04% deparasitization produced by the 2.0 g/kg dose was not stastistically different (p>0.05) from the 100% deparasitization obtained using albendazole at the manufacturer’s recommended dose of 10 mg/kg. This study has demonstrated that the n-butanol extract of Acanthus montanus leaf has profound anthelmintic activity against experimental Heligmosomoidesbakeri infection in mice. Further phytochemical analysis and evaluation is being advocated in large animals and possibly human subjects.
Feb 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2572-5424.jgm-15-815
Abd Elhamid SamahCorresponding author
Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University*, Cairo, Egypt
Background: Polymorphonuclear leucocytes are the first line of defence against foreign invaders and constitute the major cell type involved in certain types of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Aim of the Work: The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in expression of BCL-2 and BAK genes by real time PCR and to study whether they were involved in the accelerated neutrophil apoptosis which might be responsible for the recurrent bacterial infections seen in chronic renal disease and hemodialysis patients. Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted on sixty two subjects. Patients were selected from those admitted to Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI). Patients under study were classified into three groups; CKD patients (group I) kept on conservative treatment (22 cases), ESRD patients (group II) maintained on dialysis therapy, HD (20 cases). In addition, twenty healthy individuals served as a control group (group III) were involved. Results: There was significant increase in level of BAK gene in both patients' groups compared to control group with more increase in CKD group than ESRD group. Significant difference between the 3 groups was encountered with a higher expression level in CKD and ESRD groups than controls. There was decrease in level of BCL2 gene in both groups less than control group with more declines in ESRD group than CKD group. Conclusion: Bcl2 and Bak genes could have a role in survival and apoptosis of the studied groups and suggested their impact in controlling the inflammatory mechanisms and eventually their therapeutic potential.
Mar 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-22-4377
Ibrahim Khalid IkhlasCorresponding author
The current study was intended to evaluate the chemical composition, functional properties, of some cucurbits seed. watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), and Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima), were studied. Proximate analysis gave 17.09% -17.07% protein, 35.55%-39.0% fat,6.00% - 5.5% total ash, 24.9%-2.6% crude fibre, and 10.60% - 28.83% carbohydrate, for Pumpkin and Watermelon seed flour respectively. The seeds are rich in protein, crude fat, and crude fiber. nutritional value in the seed can be recommended on daily allowance, maintenance of good nutritional status and good health. The functional properties of the seed revealed that water and oil absorption capacities for the seed were 3.20 - 5.60 (Ml/g) and 3.93 -3.50 (Ml/g) for Watermelon and Pumpkin seed flour respectively. Foam capacity and bulk density for the seed were 9.67 % -19.0 % and 0.77 (g/ml) -1.5(g/ml). for Pumpkin and Watermelon seed flour respectively. Water and fat absorption capacities, and foam capacity were fairly good in all seeds. However, Pumpkin seed flour gave good functional properties compare to watermelon seed flour. The oil of watermelon and Pumpkin are acceptable according to its chemical properties. The seeds contained high amounts of K, Mg, Na, P and Ca. The obtained results revealed that the seeds presented an alternative source of vegetable oil. Seeds could be added to food systems such as bakery products.
Jan 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2329-9487.jhc-22-4362
PIO MachihudeCorresponding author
Objective To describe the epidemiological, clinical and arterial Doppler ultrasound aspects of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Material and Methods This is a prospective study with descriptive and analytical aims carried out from January 2019 to March 2022 (3 years) at the cardiovascular exploration center (CEC) "Saint-Esprit" of the association of the people's doctors for the research on cardiovascular diseases (AMP-MCV), at the clinic "Le Printemps" and at the University Hospital of Kara. All patients who underwent arterial Doppler ultrasound of the lower limbs for any reason in these centers during the study period were included. Ultrasound scans were performed or confirmed by a physician with a diploma specializing in vascular Doppler ultrasound. Results We retained 32 Doppler ultrasound scans out of 739 performed for AAA with a frequency of 4.38%. The mean age was 73.5± 9.07 years. The sex ratio M/F was 1.4. The cardiovascular medical history (84.38%) found was: hypertension (33.33%), diabetes (18.52%), dyslipidemia (33.33%) and a combination of diabetes and hypertension (14.81%). The circumstances of discovery were: downstream MI ischemia (72%), incidental finding on abdominal ultrasound (15.63%) and De bakey sign (6.25%). The location of the aneurysms was subrenal (84.4%), suprarenal (9.4%) and both (6.2%). AAAs were fusiform (71.9%) and saccular (28.1%). The size of the aneurysms was greater than 5 cm in 78.17% of patients. High blood pressure increases the probability of the occurrence of subrenal AAA while dyslipidemia increases the occurrence of fusiform AAA. Diabetes increases the probability of occurrence of AAA larger than 7cm. AAAs were thrombosed in 75% of patients. There were extensions of the aneurysms to the iliac arteries in 70.59%. Downstream embolic complications represented 46.88%, in the form of occlusions and tight stenoses. Spontaneous mortality was 81.24%. Conclusion Arterial Doppler ultrasonography is a very important tool in the screening, positive and lesion diagnosis of AAA. The risk factors for AAA are: age over 60 years, male gender, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia. Early detection remains essential, because the spontaneous prognosis is poor.
Apr 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2328-0182.japst-21-3778
Okiemute Rosa Johnson-AjinwoCorresponding author
Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
This study aims at investigating the antipyretic activity of different solvent fractions of the root bark of Rutideaparviflora(Rubiaceae). This plant is used ethno-botanically by the people of Ethiope East-West Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria to treat various ailments such as inflammation, fever and pain. This necessitated this research to validate its local use, due to the scanty literature and information present about this plant. It has also shown some anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activity in previous researches. The present study is a randomized control study. Acetic acid induced writhing was employed for analgesic testing. Acetic acid was used to induce writhing in Wistar rats which were divided into fourteen (14) groups. The groups were administered extracts and fractions of the plant (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg). The animals were observed for number of writing movements and the percentage writhing was calculated. Baker’s yeast induced pyrexia was employed for the antipyretic testing. The animal groups were administered extracts and fractions of the plant (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg), with Paracetamol as the standard drug (100 mg/kg) and Normal saline (control) for both experiments. The body temperature of the rats was measured rectally over a period of five (5) hours. All values of P<0.05 were taken as significant. The organic extract, aqueous extract and various fractions (n-hexane, ethyl-acetate, n-butanol and aqueous) produced significant inhibition of writhing responses and pyrexia in a dose dependent manner and time dependent manner respectively. The aqueous extract at a dose of 400mg/kg showed the greatest reduction in writhing, 91.58% compared to the standard drug (paracetamol) which may suggest that the fraction possesses better efficacy than paracetamol as an analgesic. The observed activities could be attributed to these bioactive compounds: Palmatine, Urs-12-ene-24-oic-3-oxo-methyl ester and Gallic acid contained in R. parviflora.
Feb 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2372-6601.jhor-21-3733
Qing XinCorresponding author
Department of Pathology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1000 West Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90502, USA.
Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a recently recognized type of T-cell lymphoma that can develop following breast implants, with morphologic and immunophenotypic features indistinguishable from those of ALK-negative ALCL. Here we report a case of a 58-year-old woman with a history of subglandular silicone implants placed for bilateral breast augmentation 25 years ago, who presented with bilateral breast pain and was found to have bilateral Baker Grade III capsular contracture, and heterogenous fluid collection centered near the left third costochondral articulation, a suspicious left chest wall lesion, and left axillary lymphadenopathy on imaging. A left axillary lymph node core biopsy and an aspiration of the fluid were performed, and no malignant cells were identified. The patient underwent bilateral removal of breast implants and total capsulectomies. Microscopic examination of the capsule surrounding the left breast implant revealed large pleomorphic tumor cells in a fibrinous exudate. By immunohistochemistry, the tumor cells were found to be positive for CD3 (subset), CD4, CD7, CD30 (strong and uniform), and CD43, and negative for CD2, CD5, CD8, and ALK1, supporting the diagnosis of breast implant-associated ALCL. No lymphoma cells were identified in the right breast capsule, confirmed by CD30 stain. Breast implant-associated ALCL is a very rare disease that can develop many years after breast implant placement. Proper evaluation with breast imaging and pathologic workup is essential to confirm the diagnosis in suspected cases. Our case highlights that adequate sampling is important in the investigation of patients with suspected breast implant-associated ALCL.
Dec 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2326-0793.jpgr-19-3114
Ollomo BenjaminCorresponding author
Unité Mixte de Recherches (UMR-BIOMED), Faculté de Médecine, B.P 8507 Libreville, Gabon
Background During the last two decades, the polymorphism of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) gene has been extensively studied among different human populations. In humans, several studies have shown the relationship between this polymorphism and the risk of many serious diseases with a heavy burden of health in developing countries. After analyzing the polymorphism in the population, the present study was also concerned with the investigation of an eventual association between hypertension, stroke, cancer prostate and I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene. Materials and Methods Our study population included 163 Baka (pygmy) and 158 Fang (Bantu) from Gabon to evaluate the polymorphism in the country. Concerning the diseases, we included 105 patients and 120 controls for hypertension, 37 patients stroke matched with 50 controls and 97 patients with prostate cancer were recruited. All participants in the study were genotyped for the ACE I/D polymorphism obtained by polymerase chain reaction amplification on genomic DNA. Results Our analysis showed that the ACE D allele DD genotype frequencies were highest of all the data so far in human populations. We obtained a frequency of 0.138 for I allele and 0.862 for D allele among pygmy and the frequencies of 0.313 and 0.687 respectively for the I and D alleles. This difference was significant (p<0.05). In patients, we revealed the predominance of D allele and DD genotype for hypertension (0.27 for I allele and 0.73 for D allele), for stroke (0.15 for I allele and 0.85 for D allele) and 83% of individuals with cancer prostate carry the D allele. D allele and DD genotype are associated with risk to hypertension whereas allele I seem protective at the occurrence of stroke (p<0.05 between healthy and controls). Conclusion We show that the D allele and DD genotype were higher in this population. Also theses two signatures may be associated at genetic risk of hypertension, stroke and prostate cancer in this country deprived of human resources for quality care of many patients.
Oct 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2766-6204.jmpt-18-2332
shahmohammadi NayerehCorresponding author
Academic staff of organization for educational research and planning.
Introduction: In an educational organization, because of its important function in human resources development and training in the community, respecting the values, spirituality, leadership, and management strengthening, based on spirituality and good citizenship behavior and commitment have greater importance. Aim: This study examined the relation between spiritual intelligence with organizational citizenship behavior and organizational commitment of secondary school teachers. Methods: The research method was correlational and its population included all teachers in education districts 2 and 5 in 2015 from which 358 teachers were selected by using Cochran formula and simple random sampling method as a sample. To collect data, three questionnaire: the King Spiritual Intelligence questionnaire (2007) and Padasakof et al. citizenship behavior questionnaire (2000) and organizational commitment questionnaire of Meyer (2001)were used .The reliability of the tools obtained by Cronbakh Formula 0/85,0/84, 0/7 respectively. For statistical analysis, the descriptive statistics (average, percentage, Standard deviation) and inferential statistical tests (Kolmogorov - Smirnov test, Pearson correlation coefficient test and stepwise regression analysis) were used. Conclusion: The results showed that none of the components of citizenship behavior has a significant relation with a critical thought component of spiritual intelligence. Regarding the personal meaning making component of spiritual intelligence, only the components of sportsmanship and social customs have a significant relation, and other components have no significant association. All components of citizenship behavior are significantly associated with a transcendental consciousness component of spiritual intelligence and have no significant relation with self-awareness extends component. None of the organizational commitment components have a significant relation to the critical thinking component and high awareness of spiritual intelligence and only the emotional commitment of the organizational commitment component have a significant relation with the personal meaning making of spiritual intelligence, as well as with the expansion of consciousness component.
Jun 2015 DOI 10.14302/issn.2324-7339.jcrhap-15-648
Immaculata UGWU NgoziCorresponding author
College of Health Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State
HIV/AIDS has become a global scourge affecting mainly young people. Sexual behavior change remains the most effective way of preventing further spread. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, perception and practice of safe lifestyles towards prevention of HIV infection among students of a tertiary educational institution in Abakaliki, south eastern, Nigeria. A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out, and participants were selected using multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a pretested, self administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS software, version 20. Three hundred and eighty seven participants were recruited for the study, including 199 (51.4%) males and 188 (48.6%) females. Mean age of participants was 23.6 ±2years. All (100%) of the participants were aware of the existence of HIV/AIDS, with the commonest source of information being electronic media (81.1%). Their knowledge of the routes of transmission and modes of prevention of HIV infection was high, though few of them have some misconceptions. Poor practice of safe lifestyles towards prevention of HIV infection as well as low perception of self-vulnerability to the risk of HIV infection was also found. There was poor practice of preventive lifestyles among the participants despite high knowledge of HIV transmission and preventive measures probably due to low perception of self-vulnerability to the risk of HIV infection. Health education should be intensified to impact sufficient comprehensive knowledge to change low perception of self-vulnerability among the students.