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The cytotoxic effect and molecular targets of ezetimibe in A549 lung cancer cells
Get PDFThe p53 gene is a well-known tumour suppressor gene, shown to be dysfunctional in more than 50% of human malignancies. The cellular significance of this oncogene is evident in a series of diverse cellular antiproliferation properties owing to specified cell-cycle checkpoint arrest, cellular senescence, and apoptosis. The multifunctionality of p53 indicates the importance of this protein while also hinting at the diverse regulatory mechanisms required for function and regulation. Since most tumours display dysfunction of p53, considerable efforts are made in the development of cancer therapies exploiting the functions and mutations of p53. MDM2 is a known primary negative regulator of p53. The tight control exhibited by MDM2 on p53 suggests that inhibiting MDM2 could translate to anti-cancerous effects. In silico methods identified ezetimibe (brand-named Zetia) as a potential anti-cancer drug. The computational model revealed high-affinity binding between ezetimibe and the MDM2 hydrophobic cleft of the MDM2 p53-binding site. The observed structure indicates inhibition of p53 binding when MDM2 is bound to ezetimibe, thus preventing the formation of MDM2-p53 complexes. The reduced downregulation of p53 could have immense oncological potential.
This study aims to investigate the cytotoxic effect of ezetimibe on A549 lung cancer cells for its potential use as an anti-cancer agent. The safety and efficacy of the drug were monitored on mammalian cells by MTT assay. The analysis of molecular underpinnings of cellular changes caused by ezetimibe was determined with the use of Flow Cytometry, to characterise apoptosis and cell cycle analysis. Moreover, molecular targets of ezetimibe were evaluated using the Drug Affinity Responsive Target Stability (DARTS) method. It should be noted that this study did not investigate the molecular underpinnings of the identified molecular targets. The integrated investigation of the molecular targets is assigned for future studies. This study, therefore, aimed to validate the use of ezetimibe as a viable cancer treatment. The results revealed that ezetimibe is toxic to the A549 cells and not toxic to normal cells and MCF-7 cells at the same concentrations. The cellular changes caused by ezetimibe in apoptosis and cell cycle analysis were consistent with p53 activity. While ezetimibe induced cellular changes in A549 cells, the effect was limited. Finally, the molecular targets of ezetimibe provided numerous proteins with potential therapeutic capacity. While the identified proteins revealed an agglomeration of functions, future pathway analysis is required. This study demonstrated the efficacy of ezetimibe as an anti-cancer agent for A549 human lung cancer cells.M. Sc. (Biochemistry)Chemistr
Physicochemical and nanomedicine applications of phyto-reduced erbium oxide (Er2O3) nanoparticles
Get PDFAbstract
Hyphaene thebaica fruits were used for the fabrication of spherical erbium oxide nanoparticles (HT-Er2O3 NPS) using a one-step simple bioreduction process. XRD pattern revealed a highly crystalline and pure phase with crystallite size of ~ 7.5 nm, whereas, the W–H plot revealed crystallite size of 11 nm. FTIR spectra revealed characteristic Er-O atomic vibrations in the fingerprint region. Bandgap was obtained as 5.25 eV using K-M function. The physicochemical and morphological nature was established using Raman spectroscopy, reflectance spectroscopy, SAED and HR-TEM. HT-Er2O3 NPS were further evaluated for antidiabetic potential in mice using in-vivo and in-vitro bioassays. The synthesized HT-Er2O3 NPS were screened for in vitro anti-diabetic potentials against α-glucosidase enzyme and α-amylase enzyme and their antioxidant potential was evaluated using DPPH free radical assay. A dose dependent inhibition was obtained against α-glucosidase (IC50 12 μg/mL) and α-amylase (IC50 78 μg/mL) while good DPPH free radical scavenging potential (IC50 78 μg mL−1) is reported. At 1000 μg/mL, the HT-Er2O3 NPS revealed 90.30% and 92.30% inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. HT-Er2O3 NPs treated groups were observed to have better glycemic control in diabetic animals (503.66 ± 5.92*** on day 0 and 185.66 ± 2.60*** on day 21) when compared with positive control glibenclamide treated group. Further, HT-Er2O3 NPS therapy for 21 days caused a considerable effect on serum total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL as compared to untreated diabetic group. In conclusion, our preliminary findings on HT-Er2O3 NPS revealed considerable antidiabetic potential and thus can be an effective candidate for controlling the post-prandial hyperglycemia. However, further studies are encouraged especially taking into consideration the toxicity aspects of the nanomaterial
Prof
Get PDFAcademic integrity is a fundamental aspect of education that is often
framed in a negative context, while existing in a reality marked by inherent contradictions.
This article reports on how academics perceive academic integrity based
on a study that adopted a qualitative hermeneutic approach. The study employed
listening posts to interrogate the perceptions of academic integrity amongst academics.
The notes from these facilitated listening post sessions were thematically
analysed. Findings highlight that the understanding of academic integrity is influenced
by various contradictions stemming from academics, students, society, and
trends in misconduct. The article argues that academic integrity, in the time of
contradictions, can be reframed as an academic skill aligned to specific values. By
imparting knowledge about the significance of academic integrity within
a university context, academics, university managers and policy makers can play
a vital role in driving change and preparing future academics, researchers, administrators
and graduates to lead the universities of the future. Findings suggest
diverse perspectives on academic integrity, and highlight the necessity of revising
policies to promote academic integrity as a skill. Additionally, findings emphasise
the adoption of a developmental approach that goes beyond merely preventing
misconduct, fostering a comprehensive understanding of academic integrity.Business Managemen
Network slicing with prioritization mechanism using Markov chain model under user demand uncertainty
No full textWireless networks are increasingly being integrated with cloud computing platforms and benefit from new paradigms. Two paradigms in this regard are software defined networking and network function virtualization. These paradigms alongside cloud integration defines the architecture of future wireless networks. In addition, it is important that future wireless networks which incorporate the software defined networking and network function virtualization provide subscribers with enhanced quality of service. In this case, an enhanced quality of service implies high throughput and ultra-low latency alongside reliable communications. These quality-of-service attributes are the network service provider and subscriber expectations from future communication networks.
In meeting the target performance expectations, future wireless networks are expected to have access to sufficient bandwidth resources. The provisioning of bandwidth resources arises in the abstraction of network slices. In the logical network system, the network slice is realized aboard a shared physical network with computing resources. The network slice is synonymous to the bandwidth and can be conceived as being the basic bandwidth unit that can be allocated to a given user context i.e., the subscriber utilizing an application. The future wireless network comprises multiple slices and aims to enable the utilization of slices in a manner that meets subscriber quality of service requirements.
The quality of service is an important concern that involves two aspects. The first aspect is that of ensuring that subscribers achieve the ideal throughput (in bits per second) and lowest latency (in seconds) from the network. The second aspect is related to the realization of call admission control. The aspect of call admission control relates to how subscribers initiating data calls or voice calls access network slices. This challenge is important for a network service provider deploying a network that incorporates the paradigms of software defined networking, network function virtualization alongside network slices. The research being presented proposes the incorporation of a buffer to improve the call admission control in relation to a multi-subscriber multi-priority call capable network that incorporates network slices. The performance evaluation is done through the approach of the Continuous Time Markov Chain and considers different network scenarios and contexts. The call admission control is investigated for the
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considered scenarios and contexts (seven scenarios) via the formulated metrics of call blocking probability and call dropping probability. These metrics are formulated from a state transition model comprising three call classes in a multi-subscriber scenario. In addition, the performance evaluation is executed via MATLAB numerical investigation. Performance analysis and evaluation of benefits shows that the incorporation of the buffer reduces the call blocking probability and call dropping probability by an average of (70.2–83.7) % and (51.6–83.9) %, respectively.Electrical and Mining Engineerin
Validating a risk culture instrument for the banking sector in South Africa
Get PDFText in English, with abstracts in English, Venda and TswanaCompliance failures remain a big challenge within the financial services sector, despite various regulatory reforms after the 2008 global financial crisis. However, risk culture, a key consideration in sound risk management, remains poorly measured in South African banks, even though banking institutions acknowledge its importance. This study followed a quantitative survey approach, whereby one prominent South African bank was selected to validate a risk culture instrument. The study aims to develop a comprehensive risk culture instrument and carry out a validation process that measures risk culture accurately within banking institutions. A sample of 379 employees in the risk field completed a questionnaire containing 46 closed-ended items. The instrument was found to have six distinct constructs that measure risk culture. Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the constructs were validated as reliable and valid measures of risk culture in a bank. This means future researchers could use this instrument to further research the influence of risk culture on an organisation’s performance and success. This valid and reliable research tool enables managers in financial institutions to accurately measure risk culture constructs in order to make well-informed risk management decisions. Banks can thus enhance their risk culture through effective communication, good governance, employee incentives, competencies, compliance with regulations, and enhanced controls to mitigate risks.U kundelwa u tevhedza zwi kha ḓi vha khaedu khulwane kha sekithara ya tshumelo ya masheleni, naho hu na tshanduko dzo fhambanaho dza ndaulo nga murahu ha dziedzi ya zwa masheleni ya dzhango ya 2008. Fhedzi, mvelele ya khohakhombo ndi tshithu tsha ndeme tshine tsha tea u dzhielwa nṱha kha ndangulo ya khohakhombo i pfadzaho, i dzula yo elwa lu sa pfadzi kha bannga dza ḽa Afrika Tshipembe, naho zwiimiswa zwa u bannga zwi tshi dzhiela nṱha ndeme yayo. Ngudo i tevhedza maitele a ṱhoḓisiso dza khwanṱhithethivi, hune bannga nthihi khulwane ya Afrika Tshipembe yo nangiwa u khwaṱhisedza tshishumiswa tsha mvelele ya khohakhombo. Ngudo dzo pika u bveledza tshiimiswa nyangaredzi tsha mvelele ya khohakhombo na u bveledza maitele a u khwaṱhisedza ane a ela mvelele ya khohakhombo zwavhuḓi nga ngomu kha zwiimiswa zwa dzibannga. Tsumbonanguludzwa ya vhashumi vha 379 vha re kha zwa khohakhombo vho ḓadza mbudzisombekanywa dzi re na mbudziso dza 46 dza phindulo nthihinthihi. Tshishumiswa tsho wanala tshi na miṱalukanyo ya rathi yo fhambanaho ya u ela mvelele ya khohakhombo. Musi hu khou shumiswa musaukanyo wa u sedzulusa, miṱalukanyo yo khwaṱhisedzwa sa ya vhukuma nahone yo teaho u itela maga a mvelele ya khohakhombo banngani. Hezwi zwi amba uri vhaṱoḓisisi vha nga shumisa tshishumiswa itshi kha ṱhoḓisiso u vhona ṱhuṱhuwedzo ya mvelele ya khohakhombo kha kushumele na u bvelela ha dzangano. Tshishumiswa tsho teaho tsha vhukuma tsha ṱhoḓisiso tshi konisa vhalanguli kha zwiimiswa zwa masheleni uri vha kone u ela zwavhuḓi miṱalukanyo ya mvelele ya khohakhombo u itela u dzhia tsheo dzo dziaho dza ndangulo ya khombo. Dzibannga dzi a kona u khwaṱhisedza mvelele yadzo ya khohakhombo nga kha vhudavhidzani vhu vhuedzaho, vhuvhusi havhuḓi, magavhelo a vhashumi, vhukoni, u tevhedza ndaulo na ndango dzo khwaṱhisedzwaho u itela u fhungudza khohakhombo.Go palelwa ke go obamela melao go tswelela go nna sekgoreletsi se segolo mo lephateng la ditirelo tsa matlole le fa ga jaana go tlhamilwe melao ya taolo e e mmalwa morago ga mathata a matlole a a neng a ama lefatshe lotlhe a 2008. Le fa go le jaana, botlhokomedi jwa kotsi joo e leng ntlha ya kakanyetso e e botlhokwa mo botsamaising jwa kotsi, bo tswelela go ka lekanyetswa kwa ntle le tshiamo mo dibankeng tsa Aforika Borwa, le fa e le gore dibanka di lemoga botlhokwa jwa jone. Dithuto tse di dirisitse mokgwa wa patlisisobontsi moo nngwe ya dibanka tse di tlhomologileng mo Aforika Borwa e neng e tlhophilwe go ka netefatsa sediriswa sa botlhokomedi jwa kotsi. Maikaelelo a dithuto tse ke go tlhama sediriswa se sa botlhokomedi jwa kotsi se se akaretsang mme gape se tsamaise thulaganyo ya go netefatsa eo e lekanyang ka tlhomamo botlhokomedi jwa kotsi ka fa ditheong tsa go banka. Sampole e ne ya tsewa ya badiri ba ba 379 bao ba dirang mo lekaleng la botlhokomedi jwa kotsi mme ba ne ba tlatsa foromo e e nang le dipotso tse 46 tse di sa tshwaraganang. Sediriswa se se fitlhetswe se na le dikgopolo di le thataro tse di farologaneng tseo di lekanyang botlhokomedi jwa kotsi. Ka go dirisa thanolo ya dintlha ya patlisiso le ya tlhomamiso, dikgopolo tse di ne tsa netefatswa fa di tlhomame ebile di akanyega mme gape di lekanya botlhokomedi jwa kotsi mo bankeng. Se se kaya gore babatlisisi ba kwa isagong ba ka dirisa sediriswa se go ka batlisisetsa kwa pele tlhotlheletso ya botlhokomedi jwa kotsi mo tiragatsong le dikatlego tsa setlamo. Sediriswa sa bobatlisisi se se netefaditsweng ebile se ikanyegile se kgontsha batsamaisi mo ditheong tsa matlole go ka lekanya ka tlhomamo dikgopolo tsa botlhokomedi jwa kotsi gore ba dire ditshwetso ka kitso malebana le botsamaisi jwa kotsi. Ka jalo dibanka di ka tokafatsa botlhokomedi jwa kotsi ka tlhaeletsano e e siameng, puso e e siameng, dithotloetso tsa badiri, bokgoni, go obamela melao, gammogo le tokafatso ya ditsamaiso tsa go fokotsa dikotsi.M. Com. (Business Management)Business Managemen
Towards interdisciplinarity in teacher education : demystifying hegemonic social factors influencing fragmented use of knowledge by student teachers in Zimbabwe
Get PDFThis study was conducted to explore the social causes of the use of knowledge in fragmented form by student-teachers in Zimbabwe’s Midlands Province so as to find ways to promote interdisciplinarity in the use of course disciplines’ knowledge. Literature related to the theoretical framework, disciplinarily, interdisciplinarity and theory-practice in Zimbabwe and globally was reviewed. The study was guided by Antonio Gramsci’s cultural hegemony theory that posits that domination is maintained through cultural means transmitted as the norm through social institutions such as education. The transmission enables the powerful to strongly influence the values, norms, ideas, expectations, worldviews, and behaviours of the rest of society, including knowledge fragmentation. The study was conducted at three teacher training colleges, and was informed by the critical theory paradigm, adopting the qualitative approach and case study design involving 90 participants purposively sampled as the critical case. Interview, document analysis and observation methods and their attendant instruments were employed to generate data. The data generated was manually and thematically analysed and findings confirmed the benefits of interdisciplinarity to students though disciplinarity reigned, driven by dominant powerful subjects that thrived on knowledge categorisation which led to animosity between disciplines and members as disciplinary tribes and territories. Solutions proposed as ways to help students to embrace interdisciplinarity included team-teaching, advocacy and engaging resource persons among others. For these ways to succeed, putting in place policies to promote interdisciplinarity and harmonisation of disciplines was recommended together with institutional effort to capacitate lecturers and transform curricula towards interdisciplinarity.D. Phil. (Sociology of Education)Teacher Educatio
Managerial ownership, board gender diversity, occupational health, and safety risk management in an emerging economy
Get PDFNoneThe prevalence of occupational health and safety (OHS) risks among mining firms points to inadequate corporate governance (CG) mechanisms (Baxter, 2016). The purpose of this study is to bridge the existing research gap by examining the impact of women on corporate boards and managerial ownership (MO) on occupational health safety risk management performance incorporating firm size moderating variables panel data from the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) of thirty (30) purposively sampled mining firms for the period 2002–2018. To the best of our knowledge, the study is one of the first pragmatic investigations of the impact of women on corporate boards, and managerial ownership on OHS risk management performance in the South African mining sector. A multivariate regression analysis based on quantitative secondary panel data confirmed a positive impact of managerial ownership, and board gender diversity on the OHS risk management performance of mining firms in South Africa. The study has practical implications for the existing body of knowledge, academics, regulators as well as mining firms’ corporate governance bodies in South Africa, which recommend that current regulatory bodies need to implement effective and sound strategies that may considerably improve the mitigation of OHS risks to attain the “zero harm” milestone by December 2024.Finance, Risk Management and BankingN/
The Role of Organized Psychology in inspiring hope and preventing hate victimization: Recommendations from a South African Hate and bias monitoring initiative
No full textPsychology must have as its primary focus the well-being of humans, communities, and societies and cannot be detached from – or even neutral about – our social or political systems. For those who are impacted by hate, the focus on their well-being has never mattered more. In South Africa, which is the focal point of our research, and the world, hate victimization targeting people based on identity factors like race, nationality, religion, and sexual orientation is becoming more prevalent. Given the menacing intensification of hate, how is psychology as a profession, science, and discipline keeping the pulse of society at large? The South African Hate Crimes Working Group (HCWG) conducted a five-year longitudinal research study to assess the impact and nature of hate in South Africa. It is also the first study of this nature conducted in Africa. The Psychological Society of South Africa served as research lead for the HCWG, a multi-sectoral network of civil society organizations, utilizing the customized HCWG Monitoring Form as a research instrument. A total of N = 945 cases were quantitatively analyzed providing descriptive information. Key results inform the role of scientific and professional organizations representing psychology in preventing hate. Not only is there the need for policy and legislative changes to effectively address hate victimization, but most importantly the significance of attending to the impact of hate, including hopelessness, distrust, and dignity lost, is indicated. Based on the findings, recommendations underscore the ways in which global and nationally representative psychological associations may contribute to improved measures of prevention, add their voice to disrupting intolerance and condemn the ubiquitous rhetoric of bigotry that elicits hate-based victimization. And, in doing so, inspire hope for humanity.Psycholog
An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Public Procurement Policies in Curbing Corruption in Public Sector Organisations in South Africa.
No full textPublic procurement plays a pivotal role in driving economic activities. However, corruption also negatively
impacts the procurement of public goods and services. The aim of this study is to determine the causes
of corruption in public procurement in selected South African (SA) public sector organisations and suggest
solutions. A case study and a mixed-methods research approach entailing both qualitative and quantitative
research methodologies was adopted. An exploratory and descriptive research design was also deemed necessary
for the purpose of the study. A purposive sample of 25 public sector organisations in the Western Cape
was identified. Data was collected via questionnaires, interviews and documents. The findings of the study
revealed that public sector organisations in SA encounter various challenges that impact the implementation
of public procurement policies, such as the lack of internal control measures, non-adherence to procurement
policies, poor procurement implementation processes, ethical lapses, political interference and governance
failures. Based on the findings, recommendations include increasing levels of deterrents to corruption and
adoption of strategies such as strengthening internal control measures, simplifying anti-corruption policies
and legislation and protections for 'whistleblowing'. These recommendations can apply to other public sector
organisations, both in SA, and abroad.Public Administration and Managemen
Implementation of transformational leadership on the management of absenteeism in the South African Police Service (SAPS) : Middelburg Cluster
No full textAbstracts in English and TsongaTransformational leadership has been practised in private sector in South Africa, but has been a challenge in the public sector. The researcher investigated the impact of transformational leadership in the South African Police Service (Middelburg Cluster) and consulted relevant literature to find out what had already been researched about the subject matter.
Information was collected from experienced or people who have served the SAPS (Middelburg Cluster) for more than 10 years and it was analysed. 27 junior and senior members were interviewed and 14 out of 27 were selected, and from the analysis, it was revealed that junior members at Middelburg Cluster feel like decisions are imposed on them rather than discussed with them, which leads to absenteeism.
The study found that transformational leadership is not practised at Middelburg Cluster. Transformational leadership is where the leader starts by mentoring the individuals, then encourage creativity out of them by motivating and appreciating their work and the leader must influence by leading and being there for the members.
The study's conclusions show how absenteeism affects the provision of services at the Middelburg Cluster. It has been proven that absenteeism lowers the morale of hardworking employees, which presents a host of difficulties for managers. The study's recommendations might help address and lessen the negative effects of excessive absenteeism on Middelburg Cluster service delivery. Additionally, implementing these suggestions might help the larger SAPS address these issues.Vurhangeri byo tisa ku cinca byi endliwile eka xiyenge xa phurayivhete eAfrika Dzonga, kambe leswi swi ve ntlhontlho eka xiyenge xa mfumo. Mulavisisi u lavisisile vuyelo bya vurhangeri byo tisa ku cinca eka vukorhokeri bya maphorisa ya Afrika Dzonga endhawini yale Middelburg Cluster, naswona u kambisise matsalwa lama faneleke leswaku a kuma leswi se ku endliweke ndzavisiso malunghana ni mhaka leyi.
Rungula ri hlengeletiwile eka vanhu lava nga ni ntokoto, lava va tirheleke vukorhokeri bya maphorisa ya Afrika Dzonga ku tlula khume wa malembe naswona ri tlhela ri kambisisiwa. Ku burisaniwile na swirho swa 27 swa le hansi na swa le henhla naswona ku hlawuriwile 14, naswona ku suka eka nkambisiso, ku paluxiwile leswaku swirho leswitsongo swi titwa onge swiboho swi sindisiwa eka swona ku tlula ku burisana na swona leswi yisaka eka ku xwa entirhweni.
Dyondzo yi kumile leswaku vurhangeri byo tisa ku hundzuka a byi tirhisiwi eMiddelburg Cluster. Vurhangeri byo tisa ku hundzuka hi laha murhangeri a sungulaka kona hi ku nyika vuleteri eka vanhu, kutani a khutaza vutumbuluxi ku huma eka vona hi ku hlohlotela na ku tlangela ntirho wa vona, naswona murangeri u fanele ku kucetela hiku rhangela na ku va kona eka swirho.
Swikumiwa swa ndazavisiso swi kombisa mbuyelo wa ku xwa entirhweni eka mphakelo was vukorhokeri eka ntlawa wa Middelburg Cluster. Ku kumiwile leswaku ku pfumaleka ka ntirho swi khumba moya was swirho leswi hisekaka naswona hiku famba ka nkarhi swi vanga mintlhontlho leyi nga hlayekiki eka vafambisi. Swibumabumelo leswi endliweke eka ndzavisiso lowu swi nga hoxa xandla eka ku lulamisa na ku hunguta mbuyelo wo xwa entirhweni eka mphakelo was vukorhokeri eka ntlawa wa Middelburg Cluster. Ku engetela, swibumabumelo leswi swi nga hoxa xandla eka ku lulamisa timhaka leti endzeni ka vukorhokeri byo anama bya Maphorisa ya Afrika Dzonga.M.P.A.Public Administration and Managemen