8 research outputs found
Essential Oil Characterization and Biological Activities of Millettia thonningii (Schumach. & Thonn.) Baker Leaf, Stem and Root
No full textMillettia thonningii has been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat pains, pathogenic diseases, and radical-induced aliments. Essential oils (EOs) are a source of bioactive compounds, and their potential application as an alternative to synthetic products in the treatment of infectious diseases and oxidative stress has been validated. Leaf, stem and root EOs of M. thonningii were obtained by hydro-distillation and characterized by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical while antibacterial activity was assessed using agar well diffusion and broth micro-dilution techniques. EOs yields obtained were 0.18, 0.20 and 0.27% for the leaf, stem and root, respectively. Seventeen (leaf), twenty-two (stem) and fifteen (root) compounds were identified in EOs representing 96.3, 98.2 and 91.0% of the whole composition, respectively. Two major constituents in leaf essential oil (EO) were β-atlantol (23.6%) and β-caryophyllene (22.7%); β-caryophyllene (54.3%) was the most abundant in stem EO followed by caryophyllene oxide (11.4%) and α-humulene (7.2%) while epicedrol (57.1%) was the major compound in the EO followed by cedrol (10.6%) and β-cedrene (9.8%). α-Humulene, caryophyllene oxide, cedrol and isolongifolen-9-one were common in the three parts. Stem EO showed the highest antioxidant activity among others (IC50 = 259.76 μL/mL). However, the leaf, stem and root EO showed strong inhibition on the growth of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Streptococcus pneumoniae (14.0 - 20.0 mm and 5 - 20 μL/mL). This research further justified the ethnomedicinal uses of M. thonningii against pathogenic disorders and radical-induced aliments
(R. Br. ex Oliv.)
No full textEssential oils (EOs) from Ochna afzelii leaves, stems and roots were extracted and characterised by hydrodistillation and Gas Chromatogragphy-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) techniques, respectively. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH*) method while antibacterial activity was determined using agar well diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Leaf, stem, and root oils afforded thirteen, ten and seven compounds, respectively, which were characterized by a high percentage of oxygenated sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. The major compound in O. afzelii leaf and root EOs was & beta;-Atlantol, while the O. afzelii stem EO had (E)-& beta;-ionone as its major compound. The leaf oil displayed highest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 238.14 & mu;L/mL). All the EOs showed antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, with the zones of inhibition and MIC values ranging from 12.0-18.0 mm and 2.5-10 & mu;L/mL, respectively. O. afzelii has a mild antioxidant effect, but can be a potential source of natural antibacterial agents
Quality and Safety Aspects of Infant Nutrition
No full textQuality and safety aspects of infant nutrition are of key importance for child health, but oftentimes they do not get much attention by health care professionals whose interest tends to focus on functional benefits of early nutrition. Unbalanced diets and harmful food components induce particularly high risks for untoward effects in infants because of their rapid growth, high nutrient needs, and their typical dependence on only one or few foods during the first months of life. The concepts, standards and practices that relate to infant food quality and safety were discussed at a scientific workshop organized by the Child Health Foundation and the Early Nutrition Academy jointly with the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and a summary is provided here. The participants reviewed past and current issues on quality and safety, the role of different stakeholders, and recommendations to avert future issues. It was concluded that a high level of quality and safety is currently achieved, but this is no reason for complacency. The food industry carries the primary responsibility for the safety and suitability of their products, including the quality of composition, raw materials and production processes. Introduction of new or modified products should be preceded by a thorough science based review of suitability and safety by an independent authority. Food safety events should be managed on an international basis. Global collaboration of food producers, food-safety authorities, paediatricians and scientists is needed to efficiently exchange information and to best protect public health. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base
Research on the strategy of multinational enterprises: Key approaches and new avenues
No full textOver decades, research on multinational enterprises’ (MNEs) strategies has been anchored in internalization theory. Strongly grounded in transaction cost economics to explain foreign market entry, it hardly explains how MNEs can build and sustain a competitive advantage. Thus, this paper aims at understanding how the nature of strategic thinking has influenced the research in the field of MNEs’ strategy. A content analysis of 1116 papers was conducted. The intellectual structure and dynamics of research to date are provided, without losing sight of the key foundations of strategy and strategic management. The links between human capital and knowledge are the factors on which to underpin the explanation of the MNEs’ strategies and support the coevolving theory. This theory is a promising avenue of research under the umbrella of RBV and KBV approaches. The context-dependency of strategy implies that different contexts require different approaches. Accordingly, we provide insights for future research by combining main schools of strategy though
Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine and its related determinants in Nigeria:An online survey
No full textVaccine hesitancy is a major challenge in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Identifying the sociodemographic factors associated with vaccine acceptance among Nigerians is crucial for improving vaccine uptake. To assess the acceptance rate of COVID-19 vaccine and its related determinants among Nigerians. An online cross-sectional survey (observational study) was conducted between February 2021 and May 2021, using a questionnaire hosted on SurveyMonkey. The invitation to take part in the poll was sent out to participants through social networking platforms. A logistic regression was used to determine which sociodemographic factors were associated with vaccine acceptance constructs. A total of 1800 persons responded to the survey, a larger proportion of whom were males (53.9%) and within the age group of 21-30 years (29.4%) and earned an average income of less than $500 per month (43.3%). Only 0.56% of participants had a high perceived risk of COVID-19 infection, while only 1.11% had a perceived risk of dying from COVID-19. The perception rate of the COVID-19 vaccine among participants was 51.1%, while the acceptance rate was 63.9%. There was no significant association between the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate and related determinants assessed, particularly age ( ² = 3.049, = 0.550), sex ( ² = 0.102, = 0.749), average income ( ² = 3.802, = 0.875), and religion ( ² = 2.819, = 0.420). Participants with chronic conditions demonstrated a higher acceptance rate compared to the general population. Despite the positive perception observed and substantial vaccine acceptance rate among the study participants, more public health interventions are still needed to enhance vaccine acceptability in Nigeria. [Abstract copyright: ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
Acute coronary syndrome rule-out strategies in the emergency department: an observational evaluation of clinical effectiveness and current UK practice
No full text\ua9 Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2025. Background: Numerous strategies have been developed to rapidly rule-out acute coronary syndrome (ACS) using high-sensitivity troponin. We aimed to establish their performance in terms of emergency care length of stay (LOS) in real-world practice. Methods: A multicentre observational cohort study in 94 UK sites between March and April 2023. Recruitment was preferably prospective, with retrospective recruitment also allowed. Adults presenting to the ED with chest pain triggering assessment for possible ACS were eligible. Primary outcome was emergency care LOS. Secondary outcomes were index rate of acute myocardial infarction (MI), time to be seen (TTBS), disposition and discharge diagnosis. Details of ACS rule-out strategies in use were collected from local guidelines. Mixed effects linear regression models tested the association between rule-out strategy and LOS. Results: 8563 eligible patients were recruited, representing 5.3% of all ED attendances. Median LOS for all patients was 333 min (IQR 225, 510.5), for admitted patients was 460 min (IQR 239.75, 776.25) and for discharged patients was 313 min (IQR 221, 451). Heterogeneity was seen in the rule-out strategies with regard to recommended troponin timing. There was no significant difference in LOS in discharged patients between rule-out strategies defined by single and serial troponin timing (p=0.23 and p=0.41). The index rate of acute MI was 15.2% (1301/8563). Median TTBS was 120 min (IQR 57, 212). 24.4% (2087/8563) of patients were partly managed in a same day emergency care unit and 70% (5934/8563) of patients were discharged from emergency care. Conclusion: Despite heterogeneity in the ACS rule-out strategies in use and widespread adoption of rapid rule-out approaches, this study saw little effect on LOS in real-world practice. Suspected cardiac chest pain still accounts for a significant proportion of UK ED attendances. ED system pressures are likely to be explanatory, but further research is needed to understand the reasons for the unrealised potential of these strategies
