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Principle of Most Favoured Nation: Description, Modern Evolution, and Analysis of the Exceptionality of the Principle in A Contemporary World
Get PDFThe "most favoured nation" principle is the cornerstone of the modern international trading system. Each state is obliged to reflect the benefits it offers a nation over other WTO adherents as well. This system, however, although it proved effective until the last century for the creation of an international free trade system, today has lost its capabilities, mainly degraded by “private” international agreements between nations, such as RTA, FTA, PTA and REIO, who have torn apart the principle and created groups of nations, each with their own personal advantages which are bestowed only on the nations adhering to the agreement. The following sections aim to give a description of this phenomenon and its evolutions up to modern times, through an analysis of the various exceptionality of the "most favored nation" principle, of the situation of modern free trade agreements, and of the effects both for national legislations and markets, in order to be able to understand what are the conditions facing the global market today and, above all, if the principle of "non-discrimination" is still a cornerstone in the trade relations in the MFN
An Overview of Photoconductivity in Zn-based Nanomaterials
Get PDFPhotoconductivity is a phenomenon in which the electrical conductivity of a material increases upon exposure to light. Zn-based nanomaterials, including ZnO and ZnS nanoparticles, nanowires, and nanorods, have gained considerable attention in recent years due to their unique photoconductive properties. Photoconductivity is a fundamental property of materials that refers to the increase in electrical conductivity upon absorption of light. This paper provides an overview of photoconductivity in Zn-based nanomaterials, including the mechanisms of photoconductivity, and the factors affecting it, such as size, morphology, and doping, and highlights the prospects of zinc-based nanomaterials in optoelectronics
Semen Analysis and Morphological Study of Two Subsequent Generations of Dietary Protein Deficient Sprague Dawley Rats
Get PDFAdequate supply of dietary protein in regular diet is an important element of a proper nutritional status as it functions in the regulation of metabolic profiles signaling the reproductive axis. Reports have highlighted the association of the amount of protein in the diet to the functioning of hypothalamic-pituitary-testis axis, however its intragenerational effects are yet to be adequately explored. The study aims to analyze the effect of protein deficient diet on parameters associated with male infertility from one generation to another. Female rats in four (4) groups (n=10) were fed different ration of protein in their diet (PD) as formulated: 21%PD, 10%PD, 5%PD and control diet (rat chow), through gestation and lactation to first and second generations, while the male offspring sustained on the maternal diet after weaning were used for analysis. Sperm morphology and motility were evaluated using a light microscope and a computer-assisted semen analysis. The percentage of motile spermatozoa, morphological characteristics and histology in the deficient groups (5%, 10%PD) appeared normal as compared to control in the first generation, showing an adaptive response while second generation was presented with significantly altered fertility parameters of the male offspring. It is suggested that in a deficiency status especially at the critical phase of development, certain deleterious effects which may be adaptive or phenotypic can serve to reduce the fertility efficiency in the male offspring at both F1 and F2- generation
Technical Approach to Local Therapy in Ischemic Stroke
Get PDFLocal therapy is an increasingly achievable alternative for neurological diseases such as stroke. For its use to be a reality, it is still necessary to develop techniques that facilitate its administration and maximize its effect. In this short communication, we present a technique of intracerebral therapy administration. This procedure requires the use a navigation-guided stereotactic surgical technique to inject the treatment into the therapeutic target, even in areas that are difficult to access or extremely large. Such a method is not only fast and feasible, but it can be a standardized technique for multicentre clinical trials
Bioremediation of Spent Engine Oil on Selected Contaminated Soils within Ilorin Metropolis
Get PDFThe research aimed to investigate the bioremediation of spent engine oil on selected contaminated soils within Ilorin metropolis. To achieve this, soil samples were collected from three (3) mechanic workshops along Taiwo axis within the metropolis. The soil samples were then subjected to bioremediation using the land-farming approach. The physicochemical parameters of the soil samples before and after bioremediation were analyzed using standard methods. Bacteria were isolated using standard procedures and identified using biochemical tests and molecular methods. Results for the physicochemical parameters of the soil samples before bioremediation include particle size (all sandy in nature); pH (6.00 ± 0.14 - 6.20 ± 0.14); Organic carbon (14.65 ± 3.20 - 17.54 ± 1.87), Organic matter (33.50 ± 0.85 - 43.45 ± 9.12) and heavy metals (ND - 11.74 ± 0.07). Values after bioremediation for pH, organic carbon, organic matter and heavy metals were 8.25 ± 0.07 - 8.90 ± 0.14, 13.07 ± 0.05 - 13.25 ± 0.84, 37.25 ± 1.06 - 44.80 ± 1.13, ND - 9.40 ± 0.04 respectively. Values for bacterial count before and after bioremediation of the soil samples were 8.00 1.41 - 67.50 ± 2.12 x 105 CFU/mL and 6.50 ± 2.12 - 164.00 ± 11.31 x 105 CFU/mL respectively. Bacterial isolates were identified as Pseudomonas sp., Enterobacter sp., Acinetobacter sp., and Bacillus sp. while the hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria were identified as Thalassospira mesophila strain JCM 18969; Pseudomonas fluorescens F113; Siccibacter turicensis LMG 23730; Pseudomonas Zeshuii strain KACC 15471; Pseudomonas stutzeri strain CGMCC 1.1803 and Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus strain ATCC 49840. In conclusion, the bacteria isolates effectively bioremediated the spent engine oil contaminated soils with a reduction of hydrocarbon pollutants
Impact of Gender Differences and Glycated Haemoglobin on Atherosclerosis Risk in Type 2 Diabetic Patients from North Western Algeria
Get PDFIn type 2 diabetic patients, blood lipids and lipid ratios have been proven to be associated with atherosclerosis risk; however, results about the effect of gender differences had not been fully conclusive. In this transversal comparative study, a total of 129 adult type 2 diabetic patients (54 men and 75 women), from north western Algeria, was included to highlight the impact of gender differences on atherosclerosis risk (assessed by lipid ratios) according to their diabetic profile. Comparing between the two genders, no significant differences (p>0.05) were noted on diabetes duration, central obesity, body mass index and blood pressures. Moreover, the basic biochemical parameters of both glycaemic and lipid metabolism were not meaningfully divergent. However, higher significant values (p<0.05) of body weight, height, HbA1c levels, HDL and lipid ratios (TC/HDL, LDL/HDL and TG/HDL) were observed in male patients comparing to females. According to the HbA1c levels (HbA1c<7%vs. HbA1c≥ 7%); notable higher CT/HDL, LDL/HDL and TG/HDL in male patients comparing to women were found. The rates of these three lipid ratios were often higher in both classes of HbA1c. The consideration of gender differences is very important for prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of atherosclerosis and CVD. The disparity in atherogenic risk, in both genders, estimated by lipid ratios need to be critically examined. Further, interventional studies are needed to determine how sex can modulate the impacts of diabetes control parameters on atherosclerosis risk
Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Ocimum sanctum and Cymbopogon nardus
Get PDFPlant extracts have gained popularity recently, for their importance as potential antioxidative and antimicrobial agents. These properties have been attributed to their phytochemical content. The extraction solvent and the plant part are among the factors that influence the yield of these phytochemicals This study was therefore undertaken to investigate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of extracts of the leaf and stem of Ocimum sanctum (holy basil) and Cymbopogon nardus (citronella grass); two commonly occurring plants in South East Asia. The extracts were obtained by solvent extraction using water, methanol and ethanol. The percentage yield, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was investigated. The organic extracts yielded a higher percentage recovery of phytochemicals compared to the water extracts. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of chlorogenic acid in all extracts; rutin only in the leaf extracts and the citronella grass leaf extract contained both rutin and gallic acid. Antimicrobial assays were performed using the agar well diffusion method with tetracycline as positive control. Basil extracts exerted a greater inhibitory growth on both S. aureus and E. coli. S. aureus was found to be more susceptible to the presence of plant extracts. Water extracts did not display any zones of inhibition. The DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay was used to study the antioxidant effect with Vitamin C (0.1mg/ml) as positive control. The results indicated that the Basil leaf extracts possessed greater antioxidant potential compared to the stem. The study concludes that organic extracts of O. sanctum and C. nardus possess pharmaceutical properties
Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles via Algal Route and its Action on Cancerous Cells and Pathogenic Microbes
Get PDFApplication of metal oxide nanoparticles for treatment of melanoma cells and microbes is being investigated. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) deserve special mention where particles cause destruction of melanoma cells with minimal damage to healthy cells. In the present study, pure phase ZnO NPs with particle size of 3.1 nm were synthesized by green route using algal extract. Skin melanoma (B16F10) cells were treated with synthesized ZnO NP and compared with commercial ZnO NPs and analysed for ED50 for cellular viability using 3% (w/v) of the doses. Sensitivity of B16F10 cells towards green synthesized ZnO NP was found to be more than commercial ZnO NPs. Results showed greater reduction in viability of cells exposed to green synthesized ZnO NPs and with increasing dose of the ZnO NPs, percentage viability of cells gradually reduced. 50% decrease in cellular viability (ED50) was obtained for green synthesized ZnO NP at 3% dose while commercial ZnO exhibited ED50 at 6% of doses. The ZnO NP also showed antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas sp. and Staphylococcus sp. Zone of inhibition (ZOI) exhibited by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus for disc diffusion and well diffusion assay was around 10-22 mm and 9-12mm respectively
Dengue Reemergence: The Challenges Ahead
Get PDFThe global expansion of competent Dengue vectors in tropical and sub-tropical areas, and the favorable conditions for disease transmission demonstrates a critical public health challenge ahead. This review provides an insight into some key underlying gaps while attempting to suggest alternatives towards the containment and hence eradication of Dengue. The non-existence of an efficient vaccine against all DENV serotypes and the rapid global emergence of COVID-19, are undermining the complexities of vaccine development and disrupting global health efforts for the management of Dengue respectively. The development of sustainable DENV control programs now requires a multifaceted approach involving the integration of the recently developed multi-platforms application in entomological surveillance, community awareness, modelling, vaccination, vector control, and also ensuring that Dengue control efforts are not hampered or neglected during COVID-19 pandemic. This approach requires active collaboration and communication of scientists from various disciplines, economic support from funding agencies and institutions as well as support from the communities, governments and public health organizations
Strategies of Plant Biotechnology to Meet the Increasing Demand of Food and Nutrition in India
Get PDFA groundbreaking application of biotechnology research during the recent past has been improvement of crop health and production. India being one of the most rapidly developing countries with an enormous population and remarkable biodiversity, plant biotechnology promises significant potential to contribute to characterization and conservation of the biodiversity, increasing its usefulness. However, India’s green revolution was noted to be insufficient to feed the country's teeming millions. Therefore, novel approaches in crop biotechnology had to be aimed at ensuring better productivity and quality of cultivars. This paper provides a comprehensive review of research undertaken mainly in the last couple of decades along with potential strategies in plant biotechnology focusing on specific grain and seed crops of key agricultural as well as dietary importance to meet the growing demand of food and nutrition in India, while also proposing potential application of relevant global research findings in the Indian context. The analysis would help address the ever-increasing worldwide socio-economic necessity for greater food security, particularly during times of crisis such as the recent Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic