All Articles

Acute and Subacute Toxicity Evaluation of the Stem Bark Aqueous Extract of Harungana Madagascariensis in Rodents

Abstract:

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the safety of a stem bark aqueous extract of Harunganamadagascariensis Lam. (Hypericaceae) by determining its potential toxicity after acute and subacute administration in rodents. Acute toxicity tests were carried out in mice and the behavior, death and median lethal dose (LD₅₀) were estimated. Subacute toxicity (28 days) studies were conducted in rats with oral daily doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg. Parameters observed at the end of the subacute tests included changes in body and vital organ weights, mortality, hematological, biochemical, hepatic and kidney effects. Harunganamadagascariensisextract did not produce any visible toxicity or mortality with oral doses up to 2000 mg/kg within 14 days of single treatment, leading to the conclusion that the LD₅₀ is greater than 2000 mg/kg. In the subacute toxicity tests, neither...

The Environmental Impact of Etelebou Flow Station In Surface Water of Gbarain, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract:

Environmental impact of anthropogenic activities from industrial sources, have become a threat to biodiversity. Water samples were collected from rivers around the flow station, and analysed from some physicochemical parameters and hydrocarbon contents. Result of the physicochemistry was reported for: pH (6.58± 0.04 - 6.76±0.01), conductivity (168.30±13.98 - 194.57±3.78 µS/cm), conductivity 8.29±0.04 - 10.66±0.02 NTU, salinity (0.07±0.00 - 0.09± 0.00 mg/l), and Total Solids (83.96±1.49 - 103.66±0.60mg/l). Other elemental analysis includes: sulphates (2.43±0.01 - 4.28 ±0.02 mg/l), nitrates (0.19±0.01 - 0.28±0.01 mg/l), carbonates (1.14±0.07 - 2.06±0.07 mg/l), calcium (8.45±0.10 - 11.70±0.25 mg/l), magnesium (1.14±0.07 - 2.56±0.03 mg/l), and sodium (4.37±0.15 - 5.62±0.03 mg/l). The values of THC and TPH were 0.92±0.08 -...

Growth Pattern of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Cassava Mill Effluents

Abstract:

Nigeria is the world leading producer of cassava. During processing of gari from cassava tuber large volume of effluents are discharged in the environment which is toxic to the environment and some of its associated biota. This study evaluated the growth pattern of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in cassava mill effluents. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae was isolated from palm wine following standard microbiological procedure. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae was inoculated into the sterile effluents and incubated for 15 days. At every 3days interval, 1ml of the effluents was obtained from the medium and the population density determined. Results of the growth showed that the population of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were 0.00 x 10⁶ cfu/ml at day 0 (without inoculum), which rose to 2.88 x 10⁶ cfu/ml at day 3, 272.67 x 10⁶ cfu/ml at day 12 and decline slightly at da...

Method to Generate Electric Power and Hydrogen in the Absence Of External Energy

Abstract:

This paper describes the theoretical foundations for the electric power and hydrogen generator that functions with zero energy input without violating the laws of thermodynamics. This generation system is a combined energy cycle consisting of the H₂O=H₂+1/2O₂ reduction reaction performed by the water electrolytic cell and the H₂+1/2O₂=H₂O oxidation reaction performed by the fuel cell. This electrolytic method differs from the conventional electrolytic scheme in that if a quasi-static process is assumed, so that the theoretical power requirement is only 17% of the total energy required. This method performs electrostatic-to-chemical energy conversion by electrostatic-induction potential-superposed electrolytic scheme. If this electrolytic cell that delivers the pure stoichiometric H₂-O₂ mixture is combined with a fuel cell to form an energy cycle, then this may lead to the conce...

Epilepsy: Knowledge and Attitudes of Primary School Teachers in the City of Bouake/Ivory Coast

Abstract:

We report the results of a two-month descriptive observational survey to assess the knowledge about epilepsy among primary school teachers in Bouake in Ivory Coast. This study included 310 teachers who were randomly chosen from three Primary School Inspections (PSI). Almost all the teachers who were included had shown inaccurate information about epilepsy. 46.45% of the respondents thought that epilepsy was contagious and 47.74% recommanded to avoid contacting with salivary secretions of the patient during seizure. For 16.45% of them, persons living with epilepsy (PWE) could be not married and 19.7% believed that PWE could not have children due to the risk of transmission. This study highlights the urgent need of awareness campaigns among primary school teachers.

Short-Term Outcomes of Deep Brain Stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease - Pilot Study

Abstract:

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) provides efficient treatment for the alleviation of motor signs in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), but more studies about gait and functionality are needed. We aimed to understand whether short-term DBS treatment will can relieve the symptoms of PD patients, specifically we examined its effect on motor-cognitive-complication parameters, fine motor skills and daily living activity (DLA) of these patients.

Antioxidant Protection of Donor Packed Red Blood Cells using Mexidol

Abstract:

The current research shows the possibility of long-term conservation of the erythrocytes an-tioxidant activity in the process of donor packed red blood cells while introducing mexidol to the hemoconservant glugicir composition.

Graphical Approach to Compare Concentration Constants of Hill and Michaelis-Menten Equations

Abstract:

The aim of present study was to describe the graphical technique how to go from Hill concentration constant to Michaelis constant.

To compare enzymatic processes, the kinetics of which is subjected to different regularities, it is possible to use constants that characterize catalytic activity (V_max) and concentration constants that are the substrate concentration at which the rate of the enzymatic process is equal to a half of maximum permissible rate. Concentration constants are S_0.5 for Hill equation and K_m for Michaelis-Menton equation. The graphical approach was proposed in order to go from concentration constant of Hill equation to Michaelis concentration of the process that could be characterized by the same catalytic activity (the same values of minimum and maximum rates) similar to that observed in the proces...

Evaluation of the Effect of Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment on the Physicochemical and Thermal Properties of Selenium

Abstract:

Selenium is an essential micronutrient required for healthy metabolism, as well as prevention, and treatment of selenium deficiency diseases. The experiment aimed to evaluate the influence of the Trivedi Effect^®-Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment on the physicochemical and thermal properties of selenium using modern analytical techniques. The selenium sample was divided into two parts, one part of the test sample was called the control sample, while the second part of the test sample received the Biofield Treatment remotely by a renowned Biofield Energy Healer, Gopal Nayak, and was called the treated sample. The particle size values were significantly decreased by 37.69% (d₁₀), 14.36% (d₅₀), 4.31% (d₉₀), and 11.58% ^D(43), hence, the specific surface area was significantly increased by 33.64% in the treated sample compared to the control sample. The PXRD peak intensities and crystallite si...

Autoimmune Diseases: Genes, Inflammation And Environment

Abstract:

A concise review of autoimmune disease etiology emphasizes genetic susceptibility, inflammatory pathways, and environmental exposures. It points to systems approaches for risk stratification and prevention with illustrative examples.